Captain William Bough

veteran of both the Mexican and Civil Wars, no man in Greene qunty was more widely known or more highly esteemed than the one whose biographical memoirs we shall here attempt to give, viz., Captain William Bough, who was born on November 14, 1822, in Bath county, Kentucky, the son of Frederick and Rebecca (Sexton) Bough, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Alabama. When William was four years old his parents came to Indiana and took up land in Greene county. In connection with farming Frederick Bough engaged in hauling freight from Louisville, Kentucky, to Bloomfield, Indiana. In so doing he not only made a substantial living, but gained also a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, becoming generally known throughout that section of the state. He was a Whig when that party existed, and later joined the ranks of the Republicans. He and his wife were devoted members of the Baptist church.

They were the parents of eleven children, five of whom still survive. They are William, our subject; Hannah, wife of William Donaldson, of Shelbyville, Illinois; Sarah Jane, now living in Kansas; Joseph, now residing in Oklahoma, and Taylor, a farmer in Greene county.

William had but meager educational advantages, but made practical use of what schooling he was enabled to acquire. When still a boy he assisted his father by driving freight teams, continuing in that work until 1846, at which time the Mexican war was precipitated. He enlisted as a private in Company E of the Indiana Mexican recruits, and was sent to the front, where he met with many hardships, close contests, and the iminent dangers incident to warfare. He participated in the battles of Monterey, Mexico City, Buena Vista, etc. At the last mentioned conflict he received what was feared would be a mortal wound. A bullet entered his right shoulder and passed entirely through the body. He survived the shock, but was crippled badly from then on. He was discharged from the service on February 23, 1847, and for the next three years was almost a total physical wreck. After recovering sufficiently to enable him to do so he began farming, and in conjunction with this worked on flatboats that were plying the rivers in carrying on freight traffic.

One would think that his experiences in the Mexican war would have been sufficient for him, but his patriotism was only kindled into a stronger flame thereby. In July, 1861, he organized Company C of the Twenty-first Indiana Infantry, and became its captain. They were sent to Baltimore, Maryland, and there organized into a brigade, after which they were sent to Fortress Monroe. After a short stay at this point they were transferred to New Orleans, and here Captain Bough worked successfully with General Butler. He was a skillful scout, and frequently led scouting parties, managing to cause considerable embarrassment to the enemy through his skill and alertness. He had his headquarters at New Orleans until the close of the war, and continued with the army department of the Gulf until he received his discharge on January 12, 1866. He had participated in twenty hard-fought conflicts, besides a host of skirmishes. He sustained many severe wounds, and at one time was almost annihilated by the premature discharge of a cannon. One of his exploits reflecting credit upon his ability as a leader was the capture of the steamer “Fox.” This was clone with only twelve men, resulting not only in gaining the vessel, but in taking possession of fifty prisoners, several guns and, a large quantity of ammunition. Upon returning to Greene county, at the close of the war, he became re-engaged in farming, helping also in railroad construction and other work of a similar character.

Captain Bough was married three times, first to Mary Ann Huffman, next to Susan Ramply, and later to Nancy J. Turley, all of whom were residents of Greene county. Nancy J. Turley was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Hatfield, early emigrants to Indiana. Joseph Hatfield was a famous’ hunter and trapper, having gained a reputation far and wide for skill in this capacity. Captain Bough had no children. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. 326, of Bloomfield, and was a liberal supporter of the Christian church, doing in his closing years, all that he could to promote the civil and religious welfare of the community and the many words from friends and neighbors are but tokens of recognition of his worth as a patriot and citizen.

After a successful and useful life Mr. Bough was called from his earthly labors May 29, 1908

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"Biographical Memoirs of Greene County, Ind. with Reminiscences of Pioneer Days", B.F. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis, IN, 1908, Vol. 3 pg. 1190-2

Last updated 10.11.2009