PULASKI
COUNTY, INDIANA
MILITARY HISTORY
From the time of the first settlement
in Pulaski County until the great rebellion of 1861, with the single
exception of the brief but brilliant campaign in the land of the
Montezumas, nothing had transpired to disturb the peaceful pursuits of
social life and the steady observance of civil liberty and law. Mothers
and maidens had never felt the anguish of separation from loved ones at
the stern call of a nation at war. Children had grown to manhood
without ever seeing a soldier in military dress, and their loving
hearts knew nothing of the sad, wild, glorious things which go to make
up war, save what they had read, or what they had been told by their
grandfathers who had been with Harrison, or perhaps with Washington.
The old militia system which had been so efficient and popular during
the old Indian wars on the frontier, and directly after the close of
the war of 1812-15, had loosened its hold upon the public mind during a
protracted period of profound peace. Prior to the war with Mexico, a
more or less nominal organization was effected and carried on in
Pulaski County, and annual musters were enjoyed by large and motly
crowds, more intent on frolic and roystering than improvment in
military discipline. The cities and larger towns of the State were the
only places where military drill was appreciated, and where strict
discipline and military pride attained a proficiency nearly equal to
that which prevailed in the regular army. An enactment of the State
Legislature, in 1831,'provided for the enrollment of all able-bodied
militia, and the formation of regiments in the various judicial
districts; but the law was largely inert, owing to a lack of sufficient
interest due to the sense of public security which the peaceful times
afforded. In about the year 1842, or early in 1843, however, a militia
organization, called the "Winamac Rifle Rangers," was completed at the
county seat, and, on the 15th of April, 1843, an election of officers
took place at the house of Eli Brown, with the following result: For
Captain, Rufus Brown, 26 votes ;John P. Miller, 8; First Lieutenant,
Stephen Bruce, 33; Second Lieutenant, Frederick Klinger, 20; John R.
Price, 13; Thomas H. Keys, 1; Ensign, Job J. Holmes, 15; Thomas H.
Keys, 6; Luke Hacket, 1. The one receiving the highest number of votes
for each office was declared duly elected. Soon after this, the company
met for parade, on which occasion hundreds were present to see the
evolutions of the company, and enjoy the sport. But within two or three
years the military fire died out, and was not again kindled until the
Mexican war, when another organization was partly completed, but soon
abandoned. In 1852, owing to the unsettled state of internal public
affairs, the system was again revived by legislative enactment, and
each Congressional District was required to thoroughly organize its
militia. This law met with general public favor and response. The
County Commissioners directed the Auditor to procure from Indianapolis
the quota of arms due the county under the law. This was accordingly
done, and the arms were distribtued to the members of the new company
of militia. For a few years, until the novelty wore off, the militia
mustered quite often; but about the year 1857, the arms were returned
to the capital of the State, and no other call to arms was made until
1861. After this war, or in 1876, the militia was again organized, and
guns were obtained from the State; but in 1879, the system was again
abandoned, and the muskets were returned to Indianapolis.
So far as can be learned, no man,
then a resident of Pulaski County,'served his country in the war with
Mexico. A company was organized at Logansport, with Stanislaus Lasalle,
Captain ; W. L. Brown, First Lieutenant; D. M. Dunn, Second Lieutenant;
G. W. Blackmore, Third Lieutenant. Another was organized at Crown
Point, with Joseph P. Smith, Captain; William H. Slade, First
Lieutenant; Samuel N. Whitcomb, Second Lieutenant. Doubtless, each of
these companies contained men who, some time in the past, made Pulaski
County their abiding place. The following is as perfect a list as could
be procured by the writer of the men who served in the Mexican war, and
who have since resided in the county. There may be some mistakes in
this list: John P. Liming and his son, Andrew Liming, the latter now a
resident of Van Buren Township, also served in the last great war;
Zemariah Williamson, who died in the service, and whose father secured
his land warrant of a quarter-section in Van Buren Township; Peter
Lane, who formerly lived near Winamac ; Mr. Updegraff; 0. H. P. Grover,
an early resident of Winamac, who served in the Logansport company in
the First Indiana Regiment; Charles Humphrey; J. B. Agnew, a resident
of Winamac and one of its most prominent citizens, who lost his leg in
a skirmish with Mexican guerrillas; Mr. Phipps, John Hodges, E. P.
Potter, Charles Hathaway, G. H. Barnett and Francis H, Snyder.
Doubtless, this is but an imperfect list. It would be interesting to
give. a more extended account of the military services of each of the
above men, but this is impossible, owing to their scattered location.
Andrew Liming, yet living on the same farm, obtained from the
Government in virtue of his military warrant, was in the Third Indiana
Regiment, and participated in the battle of Buena Vista. He was a young
man then, in the prime of life, and recalls vividly the details of that
decisive battle. He denies positively the alleged cowardice of Indiana
troops—a stigma that was unwillingly borne by them until wiped out by
scores of gallant achievements during the last stupendous war. He
insists that the Second Indiana, which was posted on a plateau about
200 feet high, and on the extreme left of Gen. Taylor's battle line,
did not leave the field until ordered to retreat by the Colonel; and
even then the momentary disorder into which the men were thrown was
wholly due to the fact that they had not been drilled to retreat—an
important and vital omission in the military education of a true
soldier. His own regiment, the Third Indiana, was posted to support
Washington's battery, which was so well served that, when Santa Anna
endeavored to force the pass in solid column, the storm of shot and
shell was so terrific that his swarming legions were sent flying back
in full retreat. Then it was that the Mexican commander flanked to the
right and fell upon Taylor's left, forcing the Second Indiana back
across a deep ravine, and gaining the rear of the Government troops.
Another important point insisted upon by Mr. Liming, who was so
situated that he could see all the movements of both armies, detracts
somewhat from the credit usually accorded. Jefferson Davis
(ex-President of the Confederacy). He states that Davis had nothing to
do with repelling the charge-of the Mexican Lancers after the
Government troops had been flanked, except, perhaps, the moral effect
which the presence of his men afforded. The command of Davis was back
some four hundred yards from the front, and simply served to support
the regiments which forced the Mexicans back across the plateau.
The boys who went to Mexico must not
be forgotten under the shadow of the last great war. It was no holiday
undertaking to go from the comparatively cold climate of the Northern
States to the hot and peculiar climate of Mexico. The appalling
sacrifice of life from disease abundantly attests the peril which the
men assumed for the country's good. Many were left there in lonely,
deserted and forgotten graves, and the rugged cactus comes and kisses
with its crimson blossoms the silent mounds where they sleep ; the rich
flowers of the stately magnolia shed their fragrant perfume around; the
long festoons of silvery moss hang pendant above the quiet graves; the
rustling wind and the dancing rain pay their passing tribute to the
glory of the departed; and over all the strange, bright birds of that
sunny clime chant the sad requiem of death. The boys are gone, but
their names are living jewels in the bright casket of memory.
During the latter part of 1860 and the early part of 1861, the warmest
interest of the citizens of the county was centered upon the important
political changes that were overshadowing the country. Some felt the
coming storm, and accurately predicted the prolonged and dreadful
results. Others had no fear that the American people would have the
courage and hardihood to spring upon the country a gigantic civil war
in the support of any principle likely to be involved. As State after
State in the South passed ordinances of secession, all the better
citizens of each party were united upon the question of supporting the
administration of Mr. Lincoln and upholding the constitution and the
laws. As yet the all-important question of slavery had not been
seriously considered as to its partial suppression or total
obliteration ; and all those bitter sentiments and controversies which
were to array one section of the North against the other, almost to the
extent of open war, were yet unknown, and the county, as a whole, was
united and hopefully tranquil.
When the news of the fall of Fort Sumter swept over the country like a
flame of fire, the most intense excitement in all places prevailed. The
suspense in Pulaski County was bewildering. The first reports
depopulated the rural districts, suspended all agricultural and other
pursuits, and flooded the towns, telegraph offices and news stations
with vast crowds of excited, indignant and determined citizens. All
former political antagonisms were speedily relinquished. Men everywhere
forgot their daily employment, and gathered at crossroads and villages
to discuss the political situation, denounce the rebellion and
encourage one another with hopeful and loyal words. Every heart was
disturbed with direful misgivings. Old men who had passed through the
political storms of half a century, who had learned to put their faith
in the nobility of the American character, who had seen the Government
rise like Neptune from the sea, serene and sublime, until its broad
dome shed its protection upon the lowest of God's creatures, turned
away in tears, sick at heart, from the dark, desperate and forbidding
aspect. Many were palsied with sickening fear at the vision of the
horrors of civil war, and, regardless of the safety of the Government,
turned first to the protection of their loved ones. Still others flew
to the doubtful consolation that no sacrifice of life and property
could be too great to quell the rebellion at all hazard and maintain
intact the Union of the States. But public sentiment soon recovered
from the shock. Men by the thousand, with Spartan hardihood, signified
their anxiety to go out to their country's battles. Mothers tendered
their sons; wives their husbands; maidens their lovers; children their
parents; parents their children; sisters their brothers—all were
intensely eager to show their devotion to their beloved country. And
the opportunity was not wanting.
Within a week after the news was received that Sumter had been
surrendered to the rebels, a notice was circulated in Winamae and
vicinity that a public meeting would be held at the court house, to
consider the state of the country, and to take some action in response
to the call of the President for 75,000 militia. Some 400 persons
assembled, quite a bevy of ladies being among the number, and the
meeting was addressed, first by the Chairman, who, in a brief speech,
announced that the object of the call was to arrange matters so that
any volunteers asked for could be quickly and easily secured and
dispatched with promptness to the field. Dr. F. B. Thomas was then
called out. He spoke at length upon the political issues of the day,
declaring that while he had not cast his ballot for the Republican
ticket, still he was heartily in favor of supporting the administration
of Mr. Lincoln in the "vigorous prosecution " of the war and the
immediate crushing of the rebellion. He was loudly cheered at the
conclusion of his remarks, and then other speakers followed in rapid
succession, amid great excitement and intense loyalty. Almost all the
leading citizens of Winamae were called out, and all were greeted with
tumultuous applause. James W. Eldridge delivered an eloquent speech. He
was followed by Byron T. Lane, W. C. Barnett, H. P. Rowan, A. I. Gould,
W. 8. Huddleston, Stephen Bruce and others. The burden of every speech
was, that it was the duty of all loyal citizens of any party to cast
aside political prejudice, and rally as one man to the support of the
Constitution and the Union. It is stated, however, that there were men
present, and quite a number throughout the county, who were
conscientious in the belief that the Southern States had the right to
leave the Union if they saw proper to do so, and that the constituted
authorities had no right to coerce them to remain. They were champions
of the doctrine of State Rights—a doctrine that has done more to
imbitter the North and the South against each other during the
preceding half a century than any other cause except slavery. They
believed that the administration was violating the Constitution in
levying war to prevent States from leaving the Union. The effect of
former Congressional legislation on this question was felt not only in
the South, but in all the North. Men who had been bred as far north as
the Canada line, believed not only in the sovereignty of the States,
but in the "divine institution" of slavery as well. This was the
inevitable result of Congressional teaching, where the knee had
constantly been bent in abject servility to both doctrines on the floor
of the highest law-making power. It was then no wonder that humble
citizens in Pulaski County had been so impressed with the horrid heresy
that they sincerely believed as John C. Calhoun and Jefferson Davis
believed. At the outset of the war, when it was yet thought that the
question of slavery would not be seriously considered, several citizens
of the county, believing that the Southern States had the right to
leave the Union, quietly opposed a continuation of the struggle. Later,
when it was seen that slavery, as well as secession, was doomed, they
were outspoken and bitterly energetic in opposing the course of Mr.
Lincoln. At this first meeting above mentioned, no sentiment save
loyalty was publicly expressed, but here and there could be seen an
ominous shake of the head, and a prophetic warning quietly uttered. J.
W. Eldridge, W. J. Gridley and G. T. Wickersham were appointed a
committee to prepare resolutions expressive of the sense of the
meeting. The resolutions, about ten in number, were adopted after some
comment. They embodied, in substance, the burden of the speeches that
had been delivered that afternoon, and were thoroughly loyal and
determined.*
Within two weeks after the fall of Sumter, about fifteen men left the
county, going to Logansport, and joining the Ninth Regiment, destined
for the three months' service. A squad of about ten of these boys
assembled at Winamac, to be taken to Logansport in wagons. Quite a
crowd gathered on the street as the time for their departure drew near.
Just before they left, Stephen Bruce addressed them in a short speech,
praising them for their loyalty and bravery, adjuring them never to
allow the flag to trail in the dust, and promising that they who left
families behind need borrow no trouble, as no one would be permitted to
starve as long as he continued operating his grist mill. Away the boys
went amid the cheers of their fellow-citizens, and the tears and
lingering farewells of loving friends. It was but a short time after
this that other men began to leave the county for the three months'
service. It has thus been estimated that under the call for 75,000
volunteers, about thirty men entered the service from Pulaski County.
As it was thought that the rebellion would be brought to a speedy close
by the three months' men, the further enlistment of volunteers in
Pulaski County languished untill fall, when Dr. F. B. Thomas was
commissioned to raise a company for the three years'service. The
enlistment of men was begun and continued during the months of
September and October, 1861. Volunteers were secured under the stimulus
of a big war meeting, where loyal and fiery speeches were made,
patriotic airs were sung, and beautiful ladies with bewitching smiles
passed round the fatal enlistment roll. The company was quickly raised,
and the election of officers resulted as follows: F. B. Thomas,
Captain; George Burson, First Lieutenant; James Brown, Second
Lieutenant. The company was mustered in on the 5th of November, and
soon afterward was ordered with its regiment, the Forty-sixth, to the
front. There was much excitement in the county while this company was
being enlisted. Col. G. M. Fitch, of the Forty-sixth, came and spoke at
Winamac and other places. Capt. Thomas held meetings at Winamac,
Pulaski, Monterey, Francesville, Medarysville and other places,
securing at each place a few volunteers for his company. Mr. Burson was
also active in all these meetings. At last, when the company was ready
to depart, a splendid dinner was spread out for the boys in Lane's
Hall. Every provision which bountiful stores could supply, and every
luxury and convenience which love could suggest, was placed upon the
board, and the heavy tables groaned under the weight as if in protest.
Ah, it was a feast the boys remembered long afterward, when "hard-tack"
and "sowbelly " were ravenously devoured, or when the fare was little
better than nothing in the gloomy prison hells which Southern cruelty
had devised. How they gorged themselves, as if a forecast of the future
was shadowed before them ! Whole turkeys disappeared as if by magic.
Pies, cakes, jams, jellies, without limit or number, were speedily put
where they would do the most good. At last, the feast was over,
good-byes were spoken with pale lips and streaming eyes, but brave
hearts; warm kisses and embraces were passionately exchanged for the
last time, and all hearts were rent with unspeakable anguish. Slowly
the long train pulled out with its human sacrifice. They were gone.
Quite a number of three years' men,
however, had left the county for the war before the departure of the
company of Capt. Thomas. These men left the county to enlist, and were
credited to where the companies to which they belonged were raised.
When the Ninth Regiment was re-organized in August, 1861, and mustered
into the service for three years in September, about one-half of
Company D was taken from Pulaski County. Besides these there were a few
in other companies, notably G, of the same regiment; and there were in
the whole regiment not less than about seventy men from the county.
There were also a few men from Pulaski in the Thirteenth, Fifteenth,
Seventeenth and Twentieth Regiments. There were but a few from Pulaski
in the last-mentioned regiment when it first took the field ; but
during the progress of the war many others joined it as recruits. Owing
to the fact that the county was comparatively small, and could not
furnish many full companies, her men went in small detachments to
various regiments, were often credited to other counties where such
regiments were raised, and, as no proper record was kept, the facts
cannot now be traced. About one-third of Company A, of the Twenty-sixth
Regiment, was from Pulaski. The men were mustered August 30, 1861.
One-half of Company C, of the Twenty-ninth, was from Pulaski, the men
being mustered in during the months of August, September and October.
Besides the company of Capt. Thomas in the Forty-sixth, two other
companies had a few men from the county.
During the winter of 1861-62,
scarcely anything was done to raise men for the war. This was not due
to a lack of proper interest in the struggle, but was because of the
cold weather. Early in the spring, volunteering was revived, and
received a fresh impetus, from the fact that the citizens had begun to
realize the stupendous character of the war, and were fully determined
to do their share in ending it. Men began to leave the county, entering
the Forty-eighth, Sixty-third and other regiments. Several recruiting
officers from other counties appeared, and steadily drained Pulaski of
her best men. In July and August, 1862, war meetings began to be held
in all parts of the county. Schoolhouses, churches and other public
buildings were thus used. It was announced that unless the county's
quota was full by the middle of September, a draft would surely take
place. This was sufficient to rouse the citizens to their best efforts.
Dr. James W. Selders was authorized to raise a company, and was
commissioned Captain. Meetings were held all over the county, and soon
his company was full. About twenty-five men joined Company E, organized
in Fulton County, and commanded by Capt. Troutman. There were also a
few Pulaski men in Company A, and others. All these men entered the
Eighty-seventh Regiment.
About this time a sentiment in opposition to the war began to be
manifested. The editor of the Pulaski County Democrat, a young attorney
named Rufus Magee, adopted ultra measures in espousing the cause of his
party. His paper had much to do with the feeling in the county hostile
to the war. The Knights of the Golden Circle also made their
appearance, and added their influence to the general ill-will. It was
nothing unusual to hear men publicly state that they would not assist,
by a solitary dollar, a continuance of the most unjust war. The names,
" Copperhead " and " Abolitionist " began to have a sting, and more
than one black eye and bloody nose resulted from an injudicious use of
them. Butternut breastpins became fashionable. The " nigger" and all
his sympathizers were made the objects of suggestive ridicule. "
Secessionist " was the word that was flaunted in the face of many, but
nothing good was thereby accomplished. It only served to array,
unnecessarily, neighbor against neighbor.
The Democratic Convention of the
Ninth Congressional District was held at Winamac on the 7th of August,
1862, on which occasion several thousand people assembled. W. J.
Walker, of La Porte, presided; Maj. Gardner and W. J. Gridley were two
of the Vice Presidents. The delegates of Pulaski County were H. P.
Rowan, W. S. Huddleston, F. B. Thomas, W. C. Barnett, G. E. Wickersham,
J. B. Agnew, Samuel Decker, A. Starr and T. H. Keys. The President of
the convention, in his opening remarks, stated that two important
subjects were before the citizens present for consideration. To put
down the rebels of the South by the bayonet and the Abolitionists of
the North by the ballot. Hon. David Turpie, of White County, was
nominated for Congress after an exciting contest. A long series of
resolutions was then adopted. The political acts of Schuyler Colfax,
then in Congress from the Ninth District (now the Tenth), were severely
denounced. The Convention declared that the rebellion must be put down;
that no money should be paid out of the public fund to the negroes that
had been freed in the District of Columbia; that the established
institutions of the South (meaning slavery) should not be interfered
with ; that they were in favor of the " Constitution as it is and the
Union as it was; " that the doctrines of secession and abolition were
alike inconsistent with the Constitution; that all secret organizations
which favored a resistance to the execution of the laws should be
disbanded; that the soil of Indiana belonged to the white man, and the
State Constitutional clause inhibiting free negroes and mulattoes from
coming into the State, there to live and compete with the labor of the
white man, should be enforced, and that the valor of the Indiana troops
in the field was a source of universal pride. The result of the
convention in the county greatly increased the opposition to the war,
if any interference with slavery was contemplated. The strong position
that secession was inconsistent with the Constitution did much to
mollify the ultra Democrats of the county, and encourage enlistments as
long as the slavery question was overlooked.
As the time that was fixed for the draft approached, it was apparent
that the county would not wholly succeed in clearing herself. The draft
was announced at first to take place on the 15th of September, 1862 ;
but, at the last moment, the date was postponed to October 6, to give
all townships abundant opportunity to free themselves. This draft was
not levied because Indiana was behind with her quota, or because any
county was behind ; but was ordered to compel some townships in each of
the greater number of counties (all but fifteen) to furnish their
allotted quotas of men. There were townships in some counties so
hostile to the war that, up to the autumn of 1862, scarcely a man had
been furnished, and the object of the draft was to compel such
localities to come to time, and thus equalize the burden of providing
men and means. All the townships of Pulaski County except three had
furnished their quotas. These three were Tippecanoe, Rich Grove and
Franklin. On the 15th of September, the date first fixed for the draft,
there were due from the first 9, from the second 2, and from the third
5; total 16. Between the 15th of September and the 6th of October, when
the draft was levied, how many of the sixteen men required were
furnished by volunteering cannot be stated, though doubtless a few. The
Draft Commissioner was J. W. Eldridge; Provost Marshal, R. M. Gill;
Surgeon, F. B. Thomas. The draft was conducted in the Odd Fellows
building, Maj. Gardner, blindfolded, being the drawer. Considerable
feeling in opposition to the draft was manifested, though the
proceedings were not interrupted. The facts upon which the draft was
based were as follows: Total county militia 957 ; total volunteers
already furnished 494; total volunteers now in the service 467; total
exempts 101; total subject to draft 856. The drafted men were taken to
Indianapolis, and they who did not furnish substitutes entered the
service.
Suppression of the Democrat
During the year 1863—the darkest for the Union cause while the war
continued, owing to the fact that the doom of slavery was publicly
announced, and to the further fact that a great many throughout the
county were bitterly opposed to a continuation of the war in the
interests of an abolition of slavery—the enlistment of volunteers was
almost at a standstill. It was publicly stated that the abolition wur
must cease, and that no more men ought to be furnished. Public
speakers, at home and from abroad, violently attacked the
administration, and some of them went so far as to council a resistance
to drafts and enlistments. The Democrat was very bitter and outspoken.
It denounced the suspension of the habeas corpus by the President as a
most unjust and unwarranted proceeding; declared that Vallandigham was
a martyr; violently assailed the military order of Gen. Burnside
requiring newspapers and public speakers to cease encouraging and
counciling a resistance to the war measures of the administration; and
even went so far us to attack Gen. Hascall for his connection with an
order curtailing the privileges of the public press and the liberty of
free speech. The result of this procedure on the part of the Democrat
provoked Gen. Hascall to issue an order suppressing the paper, and
requiring its editor to appear before the military authorities at
Indianapolis to answer for his rebellious conduct. Satisfactory
assurance having been given of better conduct in the future, the editor
was permitted to resume the issue of his paper. This was in May
(about), 1863. The feeling in the county at this time was severe and
vindictive; but it was seen that the Government was terribly in
earnest, and open resistance was avoided. This state of affairs led to
a great falling off in the number of men furnished for the service.
Various recruiting officers appeared, however, and secured small
detachments of volunteers. Several recruits were secured for the old
companies already in the field.
Early in 1864, the enlistment received a new impulse. About two-thirds
of a company were furnished for the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh
Regiment, and about the same number for the One Hundred and
Twenty-eighth. Thus the enlistment went on daring the year 1864, quite
a great many going out as recruits for the old companies. The One
Hundred and Forty-second secured about half a company from the county.
Companies A and H of the One Hundred and Fifty-first were almost wholly
from Pulaski, the men being mustered in January and February, 1865.
About the 15th of April, 1865, the welcome order was received to cease
enlisting.
In August, 1862, the County Commissioners appropriated out of the
county treasury the sum of $25 for the family of each volunteer who
would enter the company that was then forming. This was the first
county bounty. The second was in December, 1863, when there was ordered
paid to each volunteer, under the last call for 300,000 men, the sum of
$100. These were the only bounties paid by the Commissioners during the
war. Large amounts were paid, however, by townships and localities for
volunteers to clear such places from drafts.
The first draft—that of October 6,
1862—has been mentioned. The second occurred in October, 1864, at
Michigan City, the system having been changed in May, 1863, from
counties to Congressional districts. The conscript officers of the
Ninth District were: Commissioner, James B. Belford; Provost Marshal,
W. W. Wallace, whose commission was revoked in the following November,
and Kline G. Shryock took his place ; Daniel Dayton, Surgeon. The names
of the assistant conscript officers who were appointed in Pulaski
cannot be given.
Early in 1865, the militia of the
county had been so reduced by previous enlistments and drafts, that it
was perceived that another draft would have to be made to meet the new
calls, or rather the call of December 19, 1864, for 300,000 men. Every
effort was made to escape the calamity. Heavy local bounties were
offered for volunteers, and many responded, and the majority of the
townships thus cleared themselves. A few men, however, were drafted, as
will be seen from the following table, made out by the authorities at
Indianapolis on the 14th day of April, 1865, at which time all efforts
to raise troops were abandoned, Lee having surrendered at Appomattox.
It is impossible to give the exact number of men furnished by Pulaski
County during the war; but the effort will here be made to give the
approximate number. There had volunteered prior to September 15,1862,
494 men. As the county more than filled her quotas under subsequent
calls, counting the drafts of October, 1862, October, 1864, and March,
1865, about the number of men furnished can be obtained, if the quotas
are known. The calls of June and October, 1863, for a total of 400,000
men would make the quota of Pulaski under the "First Enrollment," in
the next to the last table above, not far from 125 men. The calls of
February, March and July, 1864, required 145, 67 and 163 men
respectively. The call of December 19, 1864, the last of the war,
required eighty-six men, and under this call there was a deficiency of
fourteen, owing to the sudden closing of the rebellion. It was
estimated that not less than 100 men left the county to enlist, owing
to the fact that heavier bounties were offered elsewhere. The county
then furnished 494, 125, 145, 67, 163, 86 and 100 men, less the
deficiency of .fourteen under the last call, a total of 1,166 men. This
number includes the enlisted, the drafted, the "veteranized" men, and
the men who left the county to enlist, and were credited elsewhere. The
following regiments contained Pulaski County men: Ninth, Twelfth,
Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Seventeenth, Twentieth, Twenty-sixth,
Twentyninth, Forty-second, Forty-sixth, Forty-eighth, Sixty-third,
Eightyseventh, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh, One Hundred and
Twentyeighth, One Hundred and Forty-second and One Hundred and
Fiftyfirst. Only two companies were fully organized in the county.
These were Company H of the Forty-sixth, and Company B of the
Eightyseventh. The officers of the first were: Captains, Felix B.
Thomas, George Burson, James W. Brown, and James F. Mitchell; First
Lieutenants, George Burson, James W. Brown, James F. Mitchell and
Martin L. Burson; Second Lieutenants, James W. Brown, J. F. Mitchell,
Martin L. Burson and John E. Doyle. The officers of the Second were:
Captains, James W. Solders, George W. Baker and William W. Agnew; First
Lieutenants, G. W. Baker, W. W. Agnew, William Poole and Richard M.
Hathaway; Second Lieutenants, Enoch Benefiel, William Poole and James
B. Holmes.
CALLS FOR TROOPS
DURING THE REBELLION.
1. April 15, 1861, 75,000 men for
three months.
2. May 3, 1861, 42,034 men for three
years (regular army). (Daring the summer or early autumn of 1861, six
regiments of State
troops were put into the field by the
energy of Gov. Morton ; but when their term of service had expired,
they were mustered into the service of the United States. These
regiments were from the Twelfth to the Seventeenth inclusive. It was
also during the same time that the six months' regiments, from the
Sixth to the Eleventh inclusive, re-organized and entered the three
years' service. For this reason, no further calls were made until July,
1862.)
3. July 2, 1862, 300,000 men for nine
months.
4. August 4, 1862, 300,000 men for
nine months.
5. June 15, 1863, 100,000 men for six
months.
6. October 17, 1863, 300,000 men for
three years.
7. February 1, 1864, 200,000 men for
three years.
8. March 14, 1864, 200,000 men for
three years.
9. April 23, 1864, 85,000 men (about)
for 100 days.
10. July 18, 1864, 500,000 men for
one, two and three years.
11. December 19, 1864, 300,000 men
for three years.
The bounties paid by the Government
during the rebellion were as follows: July 22,1761, $100 for three
years men; June 25, 1863, $400 to all veterans re-enlisting for three
years or the war, to be paid until April 1, 1864; October 24, 1863,
$300 to new recruits in old regiments, to be paid until April 1, 1864;
July 19, 1864, $100 for recruits for one year, $200 for recruits for
two years, and $300 for recruits for three years; November 28, 1864,
$300 out of the draft or substitute fund, in addition to the bounty of
July 19, 1864, for men enlisting in the First Army Corps (Hancock's);
an act of. July 4,1864, rescinded the payment of the $100 under the act
of July 22, 1861, to drafted men and substitutes. Other bounties were
paid after the war ended.
An Incident.—A short time before the
news was received that Lincoln had been assassinated, a man named Myers
living at Winamac, announced that through some spiritual manifestation
he had learned that such a calamity was to occur, and told to his
friends many of the scenes surrounding that lamented incident. No
attention was paid to his story until the county was electrified with
the news of the attack on the principal heads of the Executive
department, and then the story was suddenly brought to public attention
and publicity, and at last Myers was arrested. It was thought at the
time that the assassination was the result of the machinations of
treasonable secret societies, and while arrests were being made in the
East, it was thought probable at Winamac that Myers might have been
connected with such societies. His deposition was taken, published and
circulated, attracting no little attention from all parts of the Union.
Quite a disturbance occurred at the time of his arrest, but he was soon
released.
The following sketches of the
principal regiments containing men from the county were compiled from
the Adjutant General's reports and are substantially correct:
The Ninth Infantry (three years
service}.—This regiment was re-organized for the three years service at
La Porte, on the 27th of August, 1861, and was mustered in at the same
place September 5, 1861. Soon after it took the field, spending the
following winter at Cheat Mountain Summit, or until January 9,1862.
Prior to this, it fought at Greenbrier, October 3, and at Alleghany
December 13. In January, 1862, it moved to Fetterman, but in February
was transferred to Gen. Buell's army, Gen. Nelson's division. In March,
it fought the second day at Shiloh, thence moved to Corinth, and later
pursued the rebels to Booneville. It then moved to Nashville, thence to
Bowling Green, thence back to Nashville, thence to Louisville, thence
in pursuit of Bragg to the Wild Cat Mountains, thence back to
Nashville. During these movements, it fought at Perryville, Danville
and the Wild Cat Mountains. It moved to MurfVeesboro, and December 31,
1862, and January 1 and 2, 1863, participated in the battle of Stone
River, and afterward moved to Chattanooga. In September and November,
it engaged in the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Mission
Ridge, and then moved to Whiteside, Tenn., where, on the 12th of
December, 1863, it "veteranized." After its veteran furlough, it moved
in February to Tennessee. It participated in the Atlanta campaign,
fighting at Taylor's Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Dalton, Resacca,
Cassville, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Peach
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro and Lovejoy. It returned in pursuit of
Hood, and fought at Columbia, also on the route to Franklin and at
Franklin, one of the hottest engagements of the war. On the 1st of
December, it entered Nashville, and on the 15th participated in the
battle there, and afterward pursued Hood as far as Huntsville. Here it
remained until the 13th of March, 1865, when it returned to Nashville.
Soon afterward it was transferred to near New Orleans and later to
Texas, composing a part of Gen. Sheridan's army of occupation, until
September, 1865, when it was mustered out and returned to Indiana. It
was one of Indiana's best regiments.
The Twentieth Infantry.—This regiment
was organized at La Fayette in the month of July, 1861, then
rendezvoused at Indianapolis, and was mustered in on the 22d of July.
It was moved first to near Baltimore, Md., where it did guard duty. In
September, it was transferred to Hatteras Inlet, N. C., and soon
afterward to Hatteras Bank, where it was attacked by the rebels,
October 4, and forced back. In November, it moved to Fortress Monroe,
where it remained until March, 1862, when it removed to Newport News,
where it participated in the engagement with the rebel ram, the
Merrimac. In May, it moved to Norfolk, participating in the capture of
that city, and then joined the Army of the Potomac. On the 8th of June,
it was assigned to Jamison's brigade, Kearney's division, Heintzleman's
corps, and took position on the Fair Oaks battle ground. It was
actively engaged at "Orchards," losing 144 men in killed, wounded and
missing. It covered the retreat of the Third Corps in the seven days'
fight, participating in all the engagements, especially at Glendale and
Frazier's Farm, losing heavily. It moved to Yorktown, thence to
Alexandria, thence to the Rappahannock and Manassas Plains, fighting at
the latter place and losing Col. Brown. In September, it fought at
Chantilly. Soon after this it enjoyed a rest. In October, it took the
field again, and after various movements participated in the bloody
battle of Fredericksburg, assisting in saving three Union batteries. In
April, 1863, it was actively engaged at Chancellorsville, capturing at
one time the whole of the Twenty-third Georgia. It also established
communications between the Third Corps and the remainder of the army,
by a brilliant bayonet charge. On the 2d of July, it fought at
Gettysburg, on the extreme left in the Second Brigade of the First
Division of Sickles' corps. It was exposed to a very hot fire from
rebels behind a stone wall, losing its Colonel, John Wheeler, and 152
officers and men killed and wounded. It fought on the 3d, and also on
the 4th, and then joined the pursuit, fighting the .enemy's rear at
Manassas Gap. It was sent to New York City to suppress draft riots, and
afterward fought at Locust Grove and Mine Run. After "veteranizing," it
fought at Wilderness, Todd's Tavern, Po River, Spottsylvania,
Tollopotamie, Cold Harbor, Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains and
Petersburg, where it lost many men, among whom was Lieut. Col. Meikel.
After its work in the trenches before Petersburg and a few active
movements, it fought at Preble's House and Hatcher's Run. After this
and until the surrender of Gen. Lee, it participated in all the battles
on the left, the last being at Clover Hill, April 9, 1865. It was
transferred to Louisville, Ky., where, on the 12th of July, 1865, it
was mustered out, and sent North to Indianapolis, receiving a warm
welcome all along the route homeward by crowds of grateful people.
The Forty-sixth Infantry.—This
regiment was organized at Logansport October 4, 1861, and mustered in
December 11. It moved to Camp Wicklifle, Ky., remaining there until the
16th of February, 1862, when it marched to Salt River, thence to
Paducah. It then went to Commerce, Mo., thence to New Madrid and Island
No. 10, fighting at the former place. Near here it erected a battery at
night, sustaining for over an hour a heavy fire from five rebel
gunboats without being dislodged. In April, it marched toward Fort
Pillow, into which place it moved in, June. It moved to Memphis, thence
to St. Charles, where it charged the enemy's works, driving him out,
and capturing a number of prisoners and guns. It drove the enemy back
near Crockett's Bluff. After various expeditions and reconnoissances,
it finally participated in the engagements at Fort Pemberton. It fought
at Port Gibson, Champion Hills, losing in killed and wounded at the
latter engagement one-fourth of the number engaged. It was in the
trenches before Vicksburg forty-four days. It moved with Gen. Sherman
against Jackson, thence came back to Vicksburg, thence was transported
first to Natchez, thence to New Orleans. Here it was transferred to the
Department of the Gulf under Gen. Banks. In September, 1863, it started
on the Teche expedition toward the Sabine River, and did good service
at Grand Coteau. In December, it returned to New Orleans, and in
January, 1864, "veteranized." It moved on the Red River expedition, and
marched 302 miles to Sabine Cross Roads, where, on the 8th of April, it
fought at Mansfield, losing 10 killed, 12 wounded and 77 captured. This
was the result of a cavalry blunder. On the next day, the regiment was
actively engaged at Pleasant Hill, and then retreated to the
Mississippi, where it arrived May 22. It moved to New Orleans, then to
Indiana on veteran furlough. After this it marched to Lexington, Ky.,
then on an expedition to Saltville, thence to Prestonsburg and
Catlettsburg, Ky. It then went into garrison at Lexington, remaining
thus until September, 1865, when it marched to Louisville where on the
4th of September, 1865, it was mustered out and sent home. It was an
excellent regiment.
The Eighty-seventh Infantry.—This
regiment was organized at South Bend August 28, 1862, and was mustered
into the service at Indianapolis August 31. It moved to Louisville,
Ky., and was assigned to Gen. Burbridge's brigade. In October, it was
transferred to the Third Brigade, Third Division, Fourteenth Army
Corps, and then campaigned with Gen. Buell through Kentucky. It was
under fire at Springfield, and on the 8th engaged in the battle of
Perryville. After various movements, during which the regiment lost six
killed and wounded, camp was formed at Mitchellville, Tenn., in
November. It also occupied Tunnel Hill, Pilot Knob, Gallatin, and, in
January, 1863, encamped at Concord Church near Nashville. In March, it
fought at Chapel Hill. On the 23d of June, it moved with the army on
the summer campaign against Tullahoma, being under fire at Hoover's
Gap. It marched to Winchester, thence to Battle Creek. The regiment
participated in the fall campaign against Chattanooga. It was in the
hottest of the fight at Chickamauga on the 19th and 20th of September,
suffering severely, losing mpre than half the officers and men engaged.
Forty were killed, 142 wounded, and eight missing. Company B, from
Pulaski County was cut in pieces. Of the thirty-three men of this
company who went into battle, onlj»three escaped without a
scratch. Five were killed—Evans, Griffith, Waters, Williamson and Capt.
G. W. Baker, leaving the command of the company to, W. W. Agnew, who
was one of the three that escaped without a scratch. The regiment
remained in Chattanooga during the siege. In November, it was in the
front line in the storming of Mission Ridge, losing in killed and
wounded sixteen men. It pursued the enemy as far as Ringgold, Ga. In
February, 1864, it engaged in an expedition against Dalton, and
skirmished with the enemy near Buzzard's Roost, afterward going into
camp at Ringgold where it remained until the 7th of May. In the Atlanta
campaign, the regiment fought at Rocky Face, Resaca, Cassville, near
Dallas, Kenesaw, Peach Tree Creek and before Atlanta. In the charge at
Utoy Creek on the 4th of August, the loss was seventeen killed and
wounded. It fought also at Jonesboro, in September, and then went into
camp in Atlanta. In October, it joined in the pursuit of Hood, north.
It moved with Kherman to the sea, skirmishing at divers places, and
greatly enjoying the easy life at the expense of Southern luxuries. It
also participated in the Carolina campaign, skirmishing at Smithfield
and other places. It moved to Raleigh, Richmond, Washington, D. C.,
where it participated in the grand review of Sherman's army, and where
on the 10th of June, 1865, it was mustered out and sent to
Indianapolis. Of this regiment during the war, 47 were killed, 198
wounded and 214 died of wounds and disease. No better soldiers were in
the service.
Pulaski County's Roll Of
Honor.
Ninth Infantry.—Charles L. Guild,
killed at Shiloh, April, 1862 ; John W. Burgett, wounded at Stone
River, died of disease, December, 1863; John D. Breckinridge, died of
disease, March, 1862; Henry C. Johns, died of disease, January, 1862;
William Baldwin, died at Cheat Mountain, November, 1861; Hezekiah
Davison, died at Louisville, November, 1862.
Twenty-sixth Infantry.—John Carter,
died at Donaldsonville, La., August, 1864.
Twenty-ninth Infantry.—John C. Cline,
died at home, January, 1864; William Coburn, died at Nashville,
September, 1864 ; John E. Cox, killed at Stone River, December, 1862;
John Daily, died at Chattanooga, July, 1864; James Nicholas, died at
Chattanooga; Tristram Pike, died of wounds received at Stone River ;
William Phillips, died at Chattanooga, August, 1864; Robert P.
Williams, died May, 1865.
Thirty-fifth Infantry.—Austin E.
Saunders, killed at Stone River, December, 1863.
Forty sixth Infantry.—Marshal H.
Ager, killed at Champion Hills, May, 1863; John Brown, died at Helena,
Ark., November, 1862 ; James H. Buntain, died October, 1862; John K.
Benefiel, died at Lexington, Ky., April, 1865 ; W. H. Crist, died at
Helena, Ark., November, 1862 ; Daniel Coble, killed at Magnolia Hills,
May, 1863; John M.*Clark, died at Memphis, August, 1862 ; William
Davidson, died at Camp Wickliffe, Ky., January, 1862 ; Samuel Dunn,
died at St. Louis, May, 1864 ; James H. Dupoy, drowned at Osceola,
Ark., May, 1862; Samuel E. Fisher, killed at Magnolia Hills, May, 1863
; William Faler, died at home, January, 1865; George Good, died at
Memphis, 1862 ; Joseph Garbinson, died in 1862; Jesse Height, died at
Helena, Ark., July, 1862; Joseph McFarland, died at New Madrid, Mo.,
March, 1862; Jacob Oliver, died in prison in Texas, November, 1864 ;
George W. Passions, died at Tiptonville, Tenn., April, 1862; Jacob
Ruff, Jr., died at Evanville, Ind., May, 1862; James Ryan, drowned at
St. Charles, Ark., June, 1862 ; H. F. Soudere, died September, 1864;
Allen W. Stephens, died at New Orleans, September, 1863; Martin Shank,
died at Helena, Ark., February, 1863; George Updegraff, died at Helena,
Ark., September, 1862 ; George Vanmeter died on the Mississippi,
February, 1862.
Seventy-third Infantry.—Wilbur Doud,
died at Nashville, November, 1862.
Eighty-seventh Infantry.—Capt. George
W. Baker, killed at Chick araauga, September 20. 1863; John W. Aikens,
died at Bowling Green, Ky., November, 1862 ; David A. Barnes, died at
Lebanon, Ky., November, 1862; Isaac Boles, died at Gallatin, Tenn.,
January, 1863 ; William Bridgeman, died at Gallatin, February, 1863;
Andrew Birch, died Murfreesboro, December, 1862 ; Noah P. Braden, died
at Chattanooga, March, 1864; Rufus C. Brown, died at Newbern, N. C.,
May, 1865 ; John Brown, died at Gallatin, February, 1863; Samuel B.
Chamberlain, died at Gallatin, January, 1863; Henry M. Cary, died of
wounds at Chattanooga, October, 1863; Cornelius W. Doremus, died at
Louisville, Ky., November, 1862; Jesse Elanore, died at Jeffersonville,
Ind., July, 1864; Henry Emmensetter, died at Louisville, December, 1862
; Jacob Evans, killed at Chickamauga, September, 1863 ; Andrew J.
Evans, died at Gallatin, January, 1863 ; John Hodges, died in Danville
Prison, Va., March, 1864; George Little, died at Bowling Green, Ky.,
November, 1862; Richard B. Lining, died at Chattanooga, October, 1863;
Jacob Lemasters, died at Chattanooga, January, 1864; Frank T. Lane,
died at Chattanooga, October, 1863; Thomas Lemasters, died at home,
July 1864; Simeon Myers, died at Louisville, October, 1862 ; John
McCarty, died at Louisville, November, 1862; Samuel B. Miller, died at
Gallatin, Tenn., December, 1862; John J. Murphey, died at Gallatin,
Tenn., January, 1863 ; Charles Emmensetter, died at Gallatin, February,
1863 ; Samuel Sell, died at Nashville, June, 1863; Benjamin F.
Whissinger, died at Gallatin, December, 1862; Luther H. Williams, died
at Gallatin, December, 1862; William H. Waterhouse, died at Triune,
Tenn., March, 1863 ; Alexander C. Waters, killed at Chickamauga,
September, 1863; Andrew P. Williams, died at Gallatin, January, 1863;
M. Williamson, killed at Chickamauga, September, 1863; Garvin Ward,
died at Gallatin, December, 1862 ; John F. Yagle, died at Chattanooga,
October, 1863.
One Hundred and Twenty-eighth
Infantry.—Jacob Kimble, died at Knoxville, Tenn., August, 1864; Robert
Murray, died at Knoxville, June, 1864 ; James W. Stump, died at
Chattanooga, July, 1864 ; Nathan A. Swisher, killed at Wise Forks, N.
C., March, 1865.
One Hundred and Thirtieth
Infantry.—Second Lieut. William H. Cone, died of wounds, July, 1864.
One Hundred and Forty-second
Infantry.—Anthony Seppy, died at Nashville, March, 1865.
One Hundred and Fifty-first
Infantry.—Jefferson H. Brown, died at Nashville, July, 1865; John W.
Nicholas, died at Nashville, June, 1865; Francis M. Poisel, died at
Nashville, June, 1865; William H. Smith, died at Nashville, July, 1865.
Twelfth Cavalry.—Willis H. Buck, died
at Nashville January, 1865; Peter Cooper, died at Grenada, Miss.,
October, 1865; Osraan Guss, died at Michigan City, January, 1864 ; John
Hour, died of wounds at home, 1864; Isaiah Hines, died at Kendallville,
hid., January, 1864; John H. Hoover, died at Memphis, October, 1865;
George Hunter, died of wounds at Tallahoma, Tenn., October, 1864;
William Marlon, died at Memphis, September, 1865; Stephen Silms, died
at Stark's Landing, Ala., March, 1865.
Counties of White and Pulaski,
Indiana: Historical and biographical By Weston Arthur Goodspeed, F.A.
Battey & Co
