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Welcome To Sullivan County, Indiana
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1884 History of...Sullivan County Indiana Chapter 9MILITARY HISTORY CONTINUED—THE COMPANY OF CAPTAIN BRIGGS—ITS INDIVIDUAL RECORD—THE COMPANY OF CAPTAIN ROACH—PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS—CAPTAIN VAN FOSSEN'S COMPANY—HOME OCCURRENCES —CAPTAIN WEIR'S COMPANY—SERVICE OF CAPTAIN CRAWFORD'S COMPANY—THE DEMOCRATIC MASS MEETING—PERSONAL SKETCH OF CAPTAIN HOLDSON'S COMPANY—THE CONSCRIPT OFFICERS—THE FIRST DRAFT— THE PREVALENCE OF CRIME—THE SIX MONTHS' COMPANY—EVENTS IN THE COUNTY—RECRUITS—THE VETERANS—THE OTHER DRAFTS—AID SOCIETIES—SOLDIERS FURNISHED—END OF THE WAR. A STRONG sentiment hostile to the war had existed in the county, which feeling continued to grow as time passed and the policy of President Lincoln was developed. Numerous meetings were held in the county, demanding that a compromise should yet be effected in the interests of peace, that no interference with slavery would be tolerated and that the Constitution as it is and the Union as it was " should be the great object sought. These meetings had much to do in discouraging enlistments, yet notwithstanding this, renewed efforts were made early in September. David A. Briggs, Thomas M. Allen, George W. Dailey and others were authorized to raise a company of cavalry, which they did during the months of September and October. The company became I of the Second Cavalry or Forty-first Regiment, and was mustered in at Indianopolis [sic] on the 9th of December, 1861. The officers of the company were the above named men—Briggs, Captain; Allen First Lieutenant; and Dailey, Second Lieutenant. On the 16th of December, the regiment moved to Louisville, and in February, 1862, moved to Nashville, thence to the battle-field of Shiloh, at the close of the battle. April 9, it skirmished on the Corinth road, and April 15, again at Pea Ridge, Tenn., losing a number of men. It was active at the siege of Corinth, thence moved to Northern Alabama, and on the 31st of May, lost a few men in a skirmish at Tuscumbia. Later it fought at McMinnville and late in August at Gallatin, losing men. In September it was in the Bragg campaign, skirmishing at Vinegar Hill September 22, and at Perryville October 8th. In November a detachment recaptured [sic] a valuable Government train, besides killing twenty of the rebels and capturing 200 prisoners, receiving the special compliments of Gen. Rosecrans. During the winter of 1862-63, it remained at or near Nashville. On the 11th of June, 1863, it fought at Triune, Tenn., losing none killed and wounded. In the fall, it did duty along the Nashville & Chattenooga [sic] Railroad, and December 29 had a sharp fight at Talbott's Station. On the 10th of January, 1864, at Mossy Creek, the regiment re-enlisted, and during the winter and spring participated in numerous scouts and skirmishes, losing men. In May, 1864, it started with Sherman's army on the Atlanta campaign, righting at Varnell's Station, Acworth, Newman and Atlanta. In September, the non-veterans were mustered out, and the veterans and recruits were consolidated into a battalion of four companies under Maj. Hill. In January, 1865, the battalion was moved to Eastport, Ala., and participated in Gen. Wilson's raid, righting at Scottsville April 2, and at West Point April 16, losing at the latter place several men, Maj. Hill losing a leg. It was mustered out at Nashville July 22, 1865. The personal record of Company I is as follows:
In addition to these there were a few recruits. In September and early in October, 1861, a full company was raised for the Forty-third Regiment, which rendezvoused at Terre Haute. Samuel T. Roach, Jackson Stepp, Josiah Stanley and others were specially active in raising the company. The former became Captain and the latter two Lieutenants, and the company became E of the above regiment. The Democrat gave no account of the raising of this company. The boys were mustered in on the 9th of October, 1861, and soon afterward the regiment moved to Spottsville, Ky., thence to Calhoun. Late in February, 1862, it moved to Missouri and engaged in the siege of New Madrid Island No. 10, in the reduction of Fort Pillow, and was the first Union regiment to enter Memphis, where, with the Forty-sixth Indiana, it garrisoned the place two weeks. It was in the Hovey expedition and that of Yazoo Pass, and July 4, 1863, fought at Helena, repulsing three heavy attacks on a battery it was posted to support, and capturing a rebel regiment larger than itself. It was in the campaign on Little Rock, and in January, 1864, "veteranized" to the number of about 400. In March, 1864, it was in Steele's expedition, fighting at Elkins' Ford, Jenkins' Ferry, Camden and Mark Mills. At the latter place (April 30), the brigade to which the regiment was attached, while guarding a train of 400 wagons, was attached by about 6,000 of Marmaduke's Cavalry. The fighting was close and hot, and the Forty-third lost nearly 200 men, killed, wounded and missing. After this the regiment returned home on furlough. It then moved to Frankfort, Ky., and afterward skirmished with Jesses' guerrillas near Eminence. After this, for nearly a year, the regiment did duty at Camp Morton, Indianapolis, and was mustered out June 14, 1865. Ten or twelve of the 164 men captured in Arkansas and confined in the rebel prison at Tyler, Tex., died. The following is the record of Company E:
and the following recruits:
and others whose names cannot be ascertained. In November, 1861, Henry Dooley, who had seen service in the Mexican war, and Frank M. Akin and Ed Maxwell issued a call through the Democrat and through widely circulated handbills for volunteers to form a company. Fragmentary companies were raised, which united, and early in 1862 went to Gosport to join the Fifty-ninth Regiment. Rev. P. M. Blankenship raised recruits for this company. Recruits were raised and sent to Gosport during January and February, and were mustered in as fast as they reported. The men from this county became Company C of this regiment. The regimental sketch will be found in the Greene County history. The following is the personal account of Company C:
and the following recruits:
It was during the winter of 1861-62 that Sewell Coulson and others raised the Thirteenth Battery, Light Artillery. About twenty men were recruited in Sullivan County, and the remainder from various points in the State. Mr. Coulson was the first Captain of the battery, but resigned in April, 1862, and was succeeded by B. S. Nicklin, of Wabash, who continued its commander until the close of the war. Among the men from this county were:
The battery went to Kentucky late in February, 1862. It participated in a sharp skirmish at Monterey, capturing 100 prisoners; fought the forces of Gen. Morgan often; fought gallantly two days at Munfordville, also on the advance to Louisville and near Versailles. In December, 1862, a section of the battery at Hartsville, Tenn., after a desperate fight, was captured, with two guns, by 1,500 rebels under Gen. Morgan. Much of the time after this was spent at Fort Thomas, but early in 1865 it was removed to Chattanooga. In July, 1865, it was mustered out at Indianapolis. During the spring and early summer of 1862, the enlistment of volunteers in Sullivan County was almost at a standstill. Prior to April 24, about seventy horses were purchased in the county for the army, at an average price of $75 per head. After the battles of Shiloh and Pittsburg Landing, early in April, the ladies of Sullivan hastily prepared a large box of bandages, lint, shirts, muslins, flannels, fruits, preserves, etc., for the wounded in the hospitals. Capt. Wall's company from this county was in this battle. There was muchdisloyalty displayed in the county at this time and later. It was reported abroad that rebel flags could be seen flying in more than one place in the county, and this reaching the ears of the editor of the Democrat, led to an editorial. May 29, of which the following is an extract: "We can find no excuse for a man who will run up a rebel flag while living under the protection of our national ensign. It is an insult to the public, and a too ostentatious parade of treasonable opinions."Personal encounters where blood was shed began to occur. Insults were given with bad blood, and returned with interest compounded. The trouble was carried into several churches, to their permanent injury. It became fashionable with one class to wear butternut breastpins, which usually excited the active hostility of the other class. Thus much for fashion. Treasonable secret societies began to appear, with periodical parades. Union Leagues were organized to offset their influence. Public meetings were held, which passed resolutions opposing a further continuance of the war. The disloyal feeling continued to augment. In July, 1862, Lieut. Uriah Coulson and Jacob F. Hoke issued a call for volunteers for the Seventy-first Regiment, forming at Terre Haute. Lieut. Silvers, S. D. Baum, Lieut. Stepp, also called for volunteers, and soon war meetings were again held throughout the county. Handbills were circulated, and calls were published in the Democrat It was customary to secure some, eloquent speaker to rouse up the flagging spirits of the citizens ere the fatal enlistment roll was passed around. Several prominent citizens at Sullivan agreed, each to give $25 to the families of certain men if they would volunteer. On the 19th of July, a large war meeting was held at the county seat, the speakers being N. P. Heath, W. G. Neff and Rev. Taggart. About twenty recruits were secured. A week later, Col. Dick Thompson spoke to a large crowd at Sullivan, and about as many more volunteers were raised. A company was so near full at this time that the following officers were elected: A. N. Weir, Captain; Jackson Stepp, First Lieutenant; J. M. Davis, Second Lieutenant. Capt. Weir was active in raising this company. It became Company I, of the Seventy-first Regiment, and was mustered in at Terre Haute August 18, 1862, as an infantry organization. The regiment immediately moved to Kentucky, to assist in repelling Kirby Smith, and on the 80th of August fought at the bloody battle of Richmond, Ky., where the appalling number of 215 men were killed and wounded, and 347 taken prisoners, 225 escaping capture. The prisoners were paroled, and returned to Indianapolis to refit for the service. Late in 1862, it again took the field in Kentucky. December 27, 400 of the regiment were sent to guard a valuable trestle-work at Muldraugh's Hill, and on the next day were attacked by 4,000 rebels under Gen. Morgan, and after an engagement of an hour and a half were captured. They afterward returned to Indianapolis, where they remained until the 26th of August, 1863. About this time it was changed to a cavalry organization, and in October sent to assist at the siege of Knoxville, in the vicinity of which many men were lost. In April, 1864, it joined the Atlanta campaign, and participated in the battles of Resaca. Cassville, Kenesaw Mountain, the capture of Allatoona Pass, and was the first to raise the flag over Lost Mountain. It was in Gen. Stonemans raid, and lost 166 men, killed, wounded and captured. After various other movements the regiment (now the Sixth Cavalry), fought the rebel Forrest at Pulaski. Term., losing 23 men killed and wounded. On the 15th and 16th of December, it fought in front of Nashville, and then pursued Hood's army. In June, 1865, a portion was mustered oat [out], and the remainder consolidated with the Fifth Cavalry, and remained on duty in Tennessee until September 15, when it was mustered out at Murfreesboro. The following is the personal record of Capt. Weir's company:
and the following recruits:
Where no remarks are made above, the men were usually mustered out. About the 1st of August, 1862, the threat of drafting was circulated, which had the effect to hurry on the enlistment to fill the county quota. Coulson, Hoke and Lucas continued to recruit their company, and were assisted by W. T. Crawford and others. About the middle of August, these fragments united and organized by electing W. T. Crawford, Captain; F. M. Lucas, First Lieutenant; C. W. Finney, Second Lieutenant; J. F. Hoke, Orderly Sergeant At this time, the company numbered ninety-four men, and was mustered into the Eighty-fifth Regiment as Company H, with the above officers, at Terre Haute, and early in September, moved to Kentucky, occupying various points until February, 1868; then moved to Louisville, thence to Nashville, thence to Franklin, and in March marched against Gen. Forrest. At Thompson's Station, a superior force of rebels was encountered, and after a severe battle of about six hours the regiment and its brigade were captured. The regiment fought gallantly, changing front three times under a galling fire. After capture and after numerous fatal privations, the regiment was consigned to Libby Prison, Richmond. On the 31st of March, they were released with a loss of several men, and in June took the field again in Tennessee, where it was soon engaged in skirmishing with Bragg's forces. During the following fall and winter, it guarded railroads near Nashville and Chattanooga. In April, 1864, it started on the Atlanta campaign. It fought at Resaca, Cassville, Dallas Woods, Golgotha Church, Culp's Farm and Peach Tree Creek. At the latter place the Eighty-fifth did fearful execution, strewing the ground in front with rebel dead. Fifty-three were found in one place. The regiment also fought at Atlanta and then moved with Sherman to the sea, and then in the campaign of the Carolinas, fighting desperately and with severe loss at Averysboro, N. C., in March, 1865. It did good service at Bentonville and at Goldsboro, and upon the surrender of Johnston's army moved to Richmond, Va., thence to Washington, D. C, where it was mustered out June 12, 1865. From May 18, 1864, to the date of discharge, the regiment lost 147 men killed and wounded. The following is the record of Company H:
and the following recruits:
Early in August, 1862, about a dozen men were raised for Company K of the Eightieth Regiment. At this time, also, Sergt. John Ford, of Company C, of the Fifty-ninth Regiment, raised a few recruits in the county. The Democrat of August 14, said: "Recruiting is going on very lively in Sullivan just now." It was stated in the paper that B. Ogle, who had just called for a company of volunteers, had seventy men by the middle of August. On the 13th of August, 1862, an enormous mass meeting of Democrats was held in the grove north of Sullivan, on which occasion Voorhees and McDonald spoke to an audience of not less than 5,000. People had come from far and near the day before, and had camped out over night near the depot to be in readiness for the great day. W. G. Neff was President of the meeting. An important feature was a gay cavalcade of young ladies and gentlemen on horseback, in couples, each township but one being represented, the parade being nearly a mile in length. It was one of the grandest days of the war for the local Democracy. PERSONAL SKETCH OF CAPT. HOLDSON'S COMPANY. In the month of August, almost a full company was raised for the Ninety-seventh Regiment, which rendezvoused at Terre Haute. James Holdson became Captain; A. P. Forsyth, First Lieutenant: Josiah Stanley, Second Lieutenant. The company became I of the regiment. The regimental sketch will be found in the Greene County history. The following is the personal account of Company I:
and others. To be in readiness for the draft should one be necessary, William Wilson was appointed Draft Commissioner, W. D. Moore, Provost Marshal, and John M. Hinkle, Surgeon. Mr. Wilson appointed the following Deputies: Fletcher Freeman for Cass; Lafayette Stewart, Hamilton; Mr. Watson, Jefferson; J. Davis, Haddon; J. W. Reed, Fairbanks; Robert Carrithers, Turman; G. H. O'Boyle, Gill; James T. Spencer, Curry; W. N. Patton, Jackson. Late in August, ex-Gov. Wright delivered a strong Union speech in Sullivan, which had a good effect. On the 1st of September, a crowd of about one thousand men, was in Sullivan, on the occasion of the exemption of the draft. It was the most disgraceful day ever witnessed at the county seat. Scores were drunk and numerous fights and riots occurred, despite the efforts of the town authorities. Mr. Moore declined to serve as Provost Marshal of the county, and was succeeded by Lafayette Stewart. In September, the following tabular statement of the military condition of the county was published in the Democrat:
The county continued to exert herself to furnish her quotas. A Democratic basket picnic was held on the farm of James B. Mann, Voorhees being present and speaking to 2,000 people. On the 6th of October, the draft came on, and passed without much excitement, four being drafted in Cass Township and two in Jefferson, all the other townships having furnished their quotas. F. Basler, blindfolded, drew the ballots from the box. During the winter of 1862-63, scarcely any effort was made in the county to raise men for the war. The time passed without noteworthy events, except a growing hostility to the continuance of the war, and an organization of bands of burglars, horse-thieves, robbers and thugs. The worst element residing in the county joined these bands, and crime became common. Numbers of deserters sought the remote portions of the county, and were arrested from time to time by squads of soldiers. In March, 1862, Lieut. Stepp and a squad of a dozen soldiers arrested two deserters in Cass Township, and early in April five or six more were arrested, the most of whom were not really deserters, as they had simply failed to get their discharge papers. In June, two soldiers, who tried to arrest a deserter in Cass Township, were prevented by his friends armed with guns. This act, and the report that there were eight or ten deserters in that township, caused the authorities at Terre Haute to send about half a company of soldiers under a Lieutenant to search the township. This was done, and on the way there the soldiers impressed a horse for a sick comrade and did other similar acts, which angered the opposing elements, whereupon several hundred men assembled, armed, to oppose their progress. The soldiers, acting under orders, when they saw that a collision was likely to occur, relinquished borrowed property, and returned to Terre Haute. In June, and both before and after, numerous affrays occurred, caused by the wearing and snatching off of butternut breast-pins. In this month, also, the enrollment of the county militia was begun. Nearly all of the enrolling officers received letters threatening their lives, and met with bitter opposition in the discharge of their duties. Mr. Garvin, one of the enrolling officers, was threatened by the snapping of a gun-cap. On the 18th of June, Fletcher Freeman, the enrolling officer of Cass Township, while on his way to work the road, was shot by a concealed assassin and instantly killed. He had previously received a threatening letter, but like a brave man as he was, paid no attention to it. This wanton murder is yet said to have been the work of the Sons of Liberty,who planned the crime and carried it into execution. The funeral procession of Mr. Freeman was the largest ever in Sullivan up to that time. The crime was denounced by all parties. So great was the hostility to the negro, that, in July, when a colored man attempted an outrage on the person of a white girl in the county, all resident colored familes, of which there were many, were notified to leave the county forthwith. Numerous acts similar to the above might be chronicled. Early in July, 1863, a companoy of six months' men was raised in the county by Uriah Coulson, R. R. Cluggage and others, and on the 10th the officers were elected as follows: R. R. Cluggage, Captain; Z. H. Peter, First Lieutenant; David McKinney, Second Lieutenant. The company became F of the One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment, and was mustered in at Indianapolis on the 29th of July, and early in September moved to Kentucky. The sketch of this regiment will be found in the Greene County History. The following is the personal record of Company F:
On the 6th of August, the Democracy held a large mass meeting at Sullivan, and adopted a long series of resolutions, asserting the belief that the Conscription Act was unconstitutional, and should be tested in the courts before being enforced, and asserting the belief, also, that the Conscription Act, aside from the question of validity, was unjust to the poor as favoring the rich, who could procure substitutes. Over 5,000 people were present, who listened to Voorhees, B. W. Hanna, Col. Cookerly and Andy Humphreys. In July and August, 1863, a company of home guards, called the Graysville Guards, was organized under R. H. Crowder, Captain; Addison McKee, First Lieutenant; Sherrod Burton, Second Lieutenant. A little later, another company was organized, under .J. A. Walls, Captain; Stewart Barnes, First Lieutenant; S. B. Taggart, Second Lieutenant; and still a little later (September) another company was organized at Merom, under B. F. Stover, Captain; T. B. Springer, First Lieutenant; N. G. Buff, Second Lieutenant In September, another was organized at Carlisle, under David Edmiston, Captain; William Grigg, First Lieutenant; Samuel McCormick, Second Lieutenant. These companies were mustered in as part of the Indiana Legion, and one company at least (the Graysville Guards) was supplied by the State with arms. The legion was organized as a means of home defense, and to prepare companies for the field. The Graysville company lost two or three of its muskets in September, by theft, and endeavered to arrest the guilty parties, which led to an encounter where several shots were fired without securing the muskets or doing any harm. Early one morning, a squad of soldiers from Terre Haute entered Curry and Fairbanks Townships, and arrested two or three deserters. Numerous incendiary fires of grain, hay, barns and residences occurred during the fall months—usually the property of strong Union men. Numerous refugees from the South, doubtless deserters from the rebel army, over-ran the county, and criminals, bold, cunning and desperate, practiced their unlawful depredations under the drowsy eye of the law. Stores, barns, dwellings and persons were robbed, often in open day. It was indeed a reign of terror In November and December, 1863, calls were issued for volunteers to clear the county quota under the new requisition. Lieut. Mason, of Company D, of the Thirty-first Regiment, with office with Sewell Coulson, called for about thirty recruits for his company. Lieut. Maxwell, of the Fifty-ninth Regiment, also called for recruits. In January, 1864, he took to Indianapolis, from Cass Township, eight or ten deserters, who, by promises of freedom from punishment, were induced to return to their respective commands. Capt. W. T. Crawford recruited a squad of men for the Eighty-fifth Regiment. Several prominent men in the southwest part of the county were arrested about this time for harboring a deserter, the arrest causing considerable commotion. By December, 1863, the county quota had been reduced by volunteers to about seventy-five men. War meetings were held at various places to raise men, and the dreaded draft was threatened. During the winter of 1863 and 1864, about thirty-five recruits were sent to the Eighty-fifth Regiment, and under the heavy calls of the early part of 1864, about twenty-five recruits were sent to the Twenty-first; about twenty-five to the Thirty-first; about fifteen to the Fifty-ninth; about eight to the One Hundred and Twentieth; three to the Thirteenth Battery, and a few others to other regiments. Late in 1863, a company was raised for the war from the County Legion, and became G of the Eleventh Cavalry (One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Regiment). About the 1st of May, 1864, the regiment left Indianapolis, moved to Nashville, thence early in June to Northern Alabama, where it guarded railroads, stores, etc., and in October returned to Nashville, where it was mounted. It was then engaged in and around Nashville, and later joined in the pursuit of Hood, going to Gravelly Springs, where it was dismounted and placed on provost duty. It occupied various positions in this capacity, but in May, 1865, was transferred to St. Louis, Mo., where it was remounted, and then marched to Rolla, thence to Fort Riley, Kan., early in July. It occupied other points until September, and was then transferred to Fort Leavenworth, where on the 19th of September it was mustered out. The following is the personal record:
the last two being recruits of the fall of 1864. In the spring of 1864, the veterans of the Seventeenth, Thirty-first and Fifty-ninth Regiments came home on veteran furlough, and were received at several places in the county with the pomp and circumstance of glorious war. The friends of the war could not do too much for the boys, who were honored with dinners and dances, toasts and parties. They were feted and praised and stuffed like anacondas with delicacies until their dreams were disturbed with the red havoc of war. As the day appeared for their departure, the citizens of Carlisle tendered the boys in that vicinity a sumptuous farewell dinner, and good advice was given them in public addresses by Dr. Helms, Col. Alexander and Capt. Van Fossen. They left early in March. In May, 1864, nearly half a company was raised in the county for the one hundred days' service by N. G. Buff, who became Captain, and J. D. Parvin, who became Second Lieutenant. The remainder of the company was from Knox and Martin Counties, and the First Lieutenant was W. B. Mattingly, of Loogootee. The men were mustered in as Company G, of the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Regiment, on the 26th of May. The following were the Sullivan County men:
During the summer and fall of 1864, crime again ran riot over the county. Many horses were stolen and many houses burst open and robbed of money and other valuables. In June, the Paymaster's train on the E. & T. H. Railroad was thrown from the track a short distance south of Sullivan in broad daylight, and robbed of $300. In July, a squad of soldiers and a number of young men in Fairbanks Township got into an altercation at a picnic, when one of the latter was killed by one of the former. A large organized gang of law-breakers connected with similar bands in other counties overran the county, and a detective from abroad joined them to learn of their haunts and methods, and to break them up. Finally, in September a descent was made upon them and twelve or fifteen were arrested at one time, though in different places, when lo! it was found that among the number were several well-known residents of the county. Others were arrested afterward, and all were confined in the county jail, but in November broke out, or as many suppose, were let out and escaped. During the autumn, on several occasions, squads of soldiers entered the county, often in the night, and arrested citizens charged with the offense of harboring conscripts. This created much excitement, and in some cases the soldiers were forcibly opposed, but they usually succeeded in carrying their orders into effect. During the political campaign of the year, the most intense enthusiasm prevailed. Enormous mass-meetings were held especially by the Democracy, and among their speakers were Voorhees, Cookerly, Mack, Smith, Humphreys, Hanna, Caulfield et al. Gov. Joe Wright spoke at Republican meetings. The campaign was very bitter and left a lasting impression. All political and war matters became quieter when the elections were over, and when it was found that the course of the administration of Mr. Lincoln and of Gov. Morton was endorsed by augmented majorities, in all the Northern States. In the early part of December, 1864, two companies of United troops under Capt. O'Neill and one company of Monroe County Home Guards came to the county, but when it was found they were well received by all parties, which was contrary to expectation, one company of United States troops and the company of Home Guards returned whence they came, leaving the other company of United States troops encamped in the court house and court yard. The company was present to arrest deserters in the county, to see that drafted men reported, to see that the excise laws were observed, and to keep order generally. On Christmas Day the soldiers were given a fine dinner by the citizens of the county seat and vicinity, including those who had been the bitterest in opposing the continuance of the war. Turkey, chicken, puddings, pies, delicious cake, luscious custard, ravishing jams and jellies, etc., etc., without limit in cost or quantity, were spread before the men of war, by those, in some cases, who a few weeks before had denounced them. In December, another raid was made on the haunts of criminals, one place being Phelps' Ferry on the Wabash, where thirteen of the outlaws were secreted, all of whom were captured. One who fired and severely wounded a soldier was in turn shot and mortally wounded. Since the lamented death of Fletcher Freeman, efforts had been made to discover the murderer, and arrests were made from time to time on suspicion, without being able to fix the guilt on any one. On the 29th of December, the company of soldiers occupying the court house returned to Terre Haute. In July, 1864, Lieut. Col. Neff, of the Thirty-first Regiment, who had been killed in battle near Atlanta, was buried at Sullivan with military honors, by a squad of soldiers under Capt. Walls. No attempt to hold a celebration at Sullivan of the 4th of July was made, but a pleasant picnic south of town was enjoyed. Under the heavy calls of the spring and summer of 1864, the county made sorry progress in enlisting volunteers. The call in July for 500,000 men staggered the county, and the indications were that the requisition would not be honored with volunteers. The Democrat said, referring to the call in the district: "We have no idea it will be honored." So the indications were that a heavy draft would be the consequence. During the months of August and September, only a conparatively few volunteers left the county. Early in October, the draft took place at Terre Haute with the following result:
The result in the other townships cannot be given. It is said that Hamilton furnished her quota. A few days before this draft, when it was certain it would occur, many volunteered to secure the bounty of $600, and even after the draft many conscripts enlisted, as that privilege was extended to them. Immediately after this draft, a petition was circulated and largely signed, asking the County Board to appropriate from the county treasury a bounty for drafted men, whereupon the Commissioners ordered an election held throughout the county to decide the matter, with the following result:
Accordingly the County Board ordered at first $75,000 worth of county bonds sold, afterward increased to $83,400, being $300 for each man necessary to clear the county quota. Besides this, heavy local bounties were offered. In December, a heavy supplemental draft was held to supply the deficiency caused by the non-appearance of numbers of drafted men. Six were drafted in Cass, 13 in Jefferson, 19 in Gill, 17 in Jackson, 22 in Curry and 17 in Turman. The other townships had furnished their quotas, either of drafted, volunteers or substitutes. Eight men joined the Twelfth Regiment; 6 the Eleventh; 4 the Ninth; 9 the Thirteenth; 6 the Sixteenth; 14 the Seventeenth; 50 the Twenty-first; 6 the Twenty-ninth; 30 the Forty-third; 40 the Fifty-seventh; 15 the Fifty-ninth; and a few others joined other regiments. These men were mustered in in December 1864, under the call of July. The call of December, 1864, for 300,000 men roused the county again, though it was found difficult to secure volunteers, yet easier than under the July call, as the elections had practically pledged the country to crush the rebellion; and those disposed to be disloyal saw it was wiser to enlist, as it began to be discerned through the gloom that the North would be triumphant. Late in December, a large meeting was held at the court house, to devise means to clear the quotas. Other meetings were held in nearly all the townships to raise local bounties, and here and there "substitute clubs " were formed, each member of which was assessed a certain amount, to be used in procuring substitutes for such members of the clubs as should be drafted. Hamilton Township at first offered a bounty of $300, but afterward increased it to $350, to equal that offered in Haddon and other townships. By the 25th of January, 1865, Hamilton Township, under the December call, had raised twenty-six men, and by the 1st of February had forty-two men. Gill Township paid at first $300 bounty, but afterward raised it. On the 1st of February, the following number of men was due from each township: Haddon, 45; Gill, 18; Turman, 32; Curry, 17; Fairbanks, 23; Cass, 10; Jefferson, 37; Jackson, 6; and Hamilton had a surplus of 12. Prior to February 23, 1865, Fairbanks had paid $7,000 for township bounty. In April, another draft occurred, ten in Curry, six in Jackson, the others not being published. The men raised in January and February were mustered into the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regiment. Those raised after that, including the drafted of April, 1865, were not mustered, as the war ended, and the enlistments were abandoned about the 14th of April. The following men were in Company A:
and the following in Company D:
and the following in Company E:
and the following in Company G:
and the following in other companies:
Company G was officered by the following men from Sullivan County:
This regiment took the field in Tennessee early in March, 1865, and soon afterward moved to Decatur, Ala., in which vicinity it did duty until mustered out. It received the surrender of the rebel forces under Gens. Roddy and Polk. On the 27th of September it was mustered out at Nashville. Early in April came the news of the surrender of Gen. Lee, and the sure prospect of peace created universal joy. In more than one place in the county public meetings were held to mingle congratulations over the welcome news. The joy was yet ascendant when the news was received of the assassination of President Lincoln. A few seemed pleased at the crime, and so expressed themselves, but the majority of all parties denounced the deed and hoped that speedy death would be meted out to the murderer. The Democrat of April 20, said: " Whatever opinion we may have entertained of Mr. Lincoln's policy in managing the affairs of the nation with respect to the great rebellion, we cannot regard the manner of his removal with any other than feelings of the utmost horror. It is not Abraham Lincoln alone, but in him the President of the nation. It has been our boast that in this country we can change our rulers and the entire policy of the Government by the peaceful means of the ballot box, and the calmness and unruffled quiet with which the people witnessed such great changes, was a marvel to Europeans. This assassination is a blow at our beautiful system of free government, which must be condemned and execrated by all who love their country. The death of President Lincoln we regard as an especial calamity at this particular juncture of our affairs. We had come to regard Mr. Lincoln as kindly disposed toward the erring and misguided people of the South, who, wasted and almost exhausted with four years of a hopeless struggle, were about ready to accept such amnesty as was indicated he would be likely to offer. He had no personal wrongs to redress, no feelings of revenge to gratify—indeed, he is represented as being eminently kind-hearted and forgiving. We wish we could say the same of his successor." Immediately after the sorrowful news was received, appropriate memorial ceremonies were held in several of the churches, and resolutions passed, extolling the virtues of the eminent dead, and denouncing in cutting words the awful deed. The paper said: "The effect on our community was plainly visible; it cast a gloom OD every countenance, and a feeling of depression on every heart." On the 19th of September, 1862, the county was credited with having furnished 1,098 volunteers, of whom 1,067 were then in the service. Using this as a basis, the approximate number of men furnished by the county to quell the rebellion can be ascertained. Under the call of June, 1863, for six months' men, the county quota was not less than sixty men. Under the October call, 1863, the county quota was 167 men; under the February call, 1864, was 321 men; under the March call, 1864, was 128 men; under the July call, 1864, was 368 men, and under the last call of the war, December, 1864, was 239 men. The county filled her quotas in 1863, and under the calls of 1864, by the 31st of December, was credited with 771 men, volunteers, conscripts and substitutes. On the 14th of April, 1865, when all attempts to raise troops in the State were abandoned, the county was credited with having furnished under the call of December, 1864, a total of 217 men, and at this time there was a county deficiency of twenty-two men. From this it will be seen that the total credits of the county during war were the sum of 1,098, 60, 167, 771 and 217, from which sum the deficiency of twenty-two men must be deducted. This gives a total credit of 2,291 men. This is a good showing, but it must be observed that each man has been counted as often as he entered the service, which in some instances was as high as three times; and it must be further observed that under the last call of the war and perhaps others, all men who enlisted for three years, were equivalent (so counted), to three times as many men for one year. But Sullivan County, notwithstanding the hard name it received, did better than some counties of greater pretended loyalty. She did well the first two years, but fell off the closing years of the war, though the drafts brought out the troops. During the early summer of 1861, the ladies of the county, and the citizens generally, contributed from their private means and labor to assist the families of volunteers, and to supply the hospitals with bandages, fruits, stores, etc. And again in the winter of 1861-62, private help was furnished quite liberally, though appropriation of public funds was not regarded with favor. In the spring of 1862, the action taken is referred to back in this chapter. The winter of 1862-63, revived the donation of local relief, but it was not until November, 1863, that a Ladies' Aid Society was organized at the county seat. At that time, at a meeting held at the court house, presided over by George Parks, President, and Daniel Langdon, Secretary, Sewell Coulson moved that a committee of one dozen ladies should be appointed to solicit money and supplies of clothing and provisions for soldiers' families, whereupon the following committee was appointed: Mrs. F. D. Neff, Mrs. Dr. Thompson, Mrs. M. Malott, Mrs. William Griffith, Miss Mattie Stark, Miss C. M. Reed, and Messrs. J. H. Weir, J. H. Wilson, Matthew McCammon, James W. Hinkle, W. G. Neff and William Griffith. On motion, the following committee was appointed to distribute the supplies: Murray Briggs, George Parks and James W. Brodie. This organization did excellent service during the winter, hauling wood, buying clothing, groceries, meat, flour, etc., for the families of soldiers. After this winter, no action seems to have been taken in this direction. What was done in other localities of the county, if anything, cannot be stated. The county paid no bounty until near the close of the war, when a heavy drain was made upon the treasury to make up for lost time, besides which large amounts were paid by the townships. The following, taken from the Adjutant General's reports, is the best statement of the bounty paid that can be given:
FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT; TOGETHER WITH INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, REMINISCENCES, NOTES, ETC. ILLUSTRATED. 1884, CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. |
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