Clark County, Indiana - Chapter 17: The .military History of Clark County Durixg the War of the Rebelliox, 1909

Chapter 17: The .military History of Clark County Durixg the War of the Rebelliox

No part of the history of Clark county was so thoroughly saturated with military life as the period of the War of the Rebellion. The record of her -enlistments, and the ser\'ice of. her soldiers leave no doubts of her loyalty, but of honest Southern sympathizers there were enough to add a spice to even those strenuous times. The towns, villages and farms contributed their share of loyal men to the armies in the field, but the city of Jeffersonville, from her situation, was the center of activities. From the rugged hills of LTtica, along the border lands of the Ohio, to the peaceful village of Bethlehem, men needed but to gaze at the "dark and bloody ground" beyond the silent waters to receive the inspiration to do and die for their coimtry, as did their forbears of '1876. when Paul Revere aroused them to heroic deeds at Concord and Le.Kington. From the heights and valleys of the knobs of Borden, from the undulating farms and country sides, from the old pioneer town of Charlestown and the country to the north, from the banks of Silver creek and Pleasant run, from Clarksville to New Washington, the trumpet call for volunteers was answered by fathers, sons and brothers. \A'ith the hosts of the nation's chivalry in the South the question of equipment and subsistence was no small task for those still left at home, and thus sprang up a labor of a magnitude undreamed of, when the struggle began. Jeffersonville being at one of the principal gateways of the South, she became the scene of an ever changing panorama of troops of all arms of the service either passing through the city, camping here awaiting orders, or returning north decimated and mangled after their blood}^ campaigns, bound for the great hospitals or their homes beyond. During this period nearly every man and boy in the city was connected at one 'time or another with the army in some capacity, and the vast storehouses, shops, factories, offices, hospitals and barracks were to be found scattered over all parts of Jeffersonville and its vicinity.

The tramp of marching men and horses and the heavy rumble of artillery were not the only outward and "visible signs" of the great struggle then in progress. Jeffersonville was the base from which all troops and supplies for the L'nion army were transported to points south of Louisville. Infantry, cavalry and artillery, ordnance, quartermaster, commissar}- and medical stores had to be transported across the river from the J., M. & I. depot at Court avenue and

Wall street to tlie Louisville and Xashville Railroad depot in Louisville by the ferry, and this, together with the various army institutions which were maintained in Jeffersonville during almost five years, gave the little city the busiest period of her history. Camp Joe Holt, the camping place of many regiments on their way south, was situated just above the Big Eddy, on the river bank. This historic camping ground extended back from Front street to Todd street, and north past Montgomery street almost to the present location of the P. C. C. & St. L. tracks and Cane Run creek. It derived its name from Gen. Joseph Holt, Secretary of War under Buchanan, and later judge advocate general. Being a native of Kentucky, he was sent to that state to influence people towards loyalty, but his mission failed and the state declared for neutrality. Lovell H. Rosseau, a pr(iniinent lawyer of Louisville, believing that man\- Kentuckians were prevented from enlisting by this neutrality, accepted a colonel's commission from President Lincoln and began to organize his regiment across the river on Lidiana soil, and in honor of the eloquent Kentuckian named his camp "Joe Holt".

One of Rousseau's captains was Edward J. Mitchell, of Louisville, who later became a citizen of Clark county. He commanded Company F, of the Second Kentucky Cavalry, and recruited several men for his company whose homes were in Clark county. James M. Patterson, his brother-in-law, went out with him as his first lieutenant. Companies A and C, of the Sixth Kentucky Infantry, were the only companies mustered into the L'nited States service at camp Joe Holt, although there were other companies forming there at that time. Battery A, of the First Kentucky Light Artillery, was organized there at that time, all of these organizations constituting the force under the command of General Rousseau. Captain Mitchell's company was the only one, so far as we know, that drew men from Clark county, and we should congratulate ourselves on this fact, because from the records of the Kentucky adjutant general's office we would infer that Battery A was not as gallant a body as the "Twelve Hundred" or "The Old Guard". There were one hundred and twenty desertions from it. Rousseau's force crossed the river on the night of September 15, 1861, being the first troops to move south.

After the camp ceased to be used as rendezvous, a hospital was established and maintained until early in 1864, when the new JefYerson General Hospital was put in commission. The camp, however, was used almost continually until near the close of the war by regiments arriving or leaving at various times. The hospitals there consisted of a number of frame buildings for wards, offices and a chapel, the latter being purchased by St. Paul's parish of the Episcopal church, and moved to a lot on the lower side of Mulberry' street between Chestnut and Alaple. where it stood for many years, being used by the congregation as a place of worship until 1892. This building at Camp Joe Holt was situated on the west side of what is now Front street, and lav at the extreme west end of Montgomerv street.

The Jeffersox Ge Hospital Ix 18O4

One of the largest and most important government institutions in the city was the Jefferson General Hospital. Adjoining the village of Port Fulton to the east lay a beautiful farm reaching to the water's edge, the property of the Hon. Jesse D. Bright, at that time United States Senator fixim Indiana. Gently rolling to the southward and separated from the river bottom by a bluff of some fifteen feet, with a sufficient depth of water and a good landing the year around, a mile and a half from the Louisville ferry and about as far from the old J., M. & I. depot, it afforded an ideal location for the establishment of a hospital. Senator Bright had forsaken his congressional duties and had cast his fortunes with the Southern Confederacy. The Federal government had seized the land and here they erected a plant which was one *of the finest in the United States for the care of their wounded and sick from the camps and battlefields in the South. It was the third largest hospital in the country, and was built on the plan of the Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia. From a great circular corridor, exactly one-half of a mile in circumference and eight hundred and forty feet across, under roof and enclosed by sliding glazed sash, there radiated outwardly like spokes from a hub, twenty-seven spacious buildings, each one hundred and seventy-five feet long and twenty feet wide. l"wenty-four of these were wards, each containing fifty-three beds for patients and one for the ward master. The walls were high, the roof ribbed, without ceiling, the comb being open for ventilation. The windows, of which there was one between every two beds, extended from a foot above the floor to the eaves, so that there was a complete absence of hospital odor summer and winter, day and night, and every bed had a sunbath every day the sun shone. One of the remaining "spoke" buildings was equipped as a carpenter and repair shop for such emergencies as chanced to arise. The other two "spoke" buildings were of two stories each and were used for storage and supplies, with quarters over one of them for the women nurses. As an equator to the circle from north to south was a covered passage way, but not enclosed.

Each of the wards had its mess room and buttery in front and opening out on the circular corridor, while at the outer end of each building, in a small ell, was located a ward master's room, bath and toilet.

Just between the extreme outer ends of each two wards was an open coal bin, from which supplies were drawn during the winter to heat the buildings. Each ward was supplied with four large cast iron stoves, and they were sufficient to inake the rooms comfortable. The large building located inside the circle was the much used little chapel and reading rooms, one hundred and fifty feet long by forty feet wide, and the small addition joining it on the north was the chaplain's office. The operating room lay just beyond, while farther in the distance was located the headquarters, a building two hundred and ten feet north and south, and thirty feet wide. The full and light diet kitchens, engine room, and machine shop in a building one hundred and II eighty feet long by thirty feet wide; the mess rooms and nurses sleeping apartments in another building one hundred and seventy-five feet by thirty feet, and the commissary department in a building one hundred and seventyfive feet long by fifty feet wide, were situated at the extreme western side of the circle near the baggage room and guard house. On each side of the circle were located two large hot water tanks, while just above, and to the east of the grounds, was located the pumping station, which furnished an ample supply of water from a well sunk to a great depth. It may be a matter of interest to know that one of these tanks is still in use at the circular saw-mill at Howard's shipyard ( 1909).

In the circle were also located the post-office, drug and instrument house and the dead house. In the distance and to the left was the river with Louisville beyond, while to the right and the distance among the trees could be seen the stables, and back of that Price's ditch, a great skating pond for Port Fulton boys up to a few years ago.

Barracks for soldiers guarding the hospital and doing necessary police duty were situated near by, and the great laundry was located on the river bank, about a quarter of a mile above the present pumping station of the Jeffersonville water works.

The hospital was opened for the reception of patients on Feljruary 21, 1864, and was closed in December. 1866. Long before the war closed the capacity of the institution was found to be unequal to the demand and several tent divisions were in constant use. i\t one time, after Hood's defeat before Nashville, in the dead of winter, with snow of unusual depth, it became necessary to close the sash of the circular corridor and transform it into an immense ward. At that time the hospital had five thousand two hundred (5,200) beds, and they were all occupied. Besides the large number of soldiers and male nurses employed there was a corps of women nurses under the supervision of IMrs. Arbuckle, as chief nurse. The chief surgeon during the life-time of the hospital was Dr. Middleton Goldsmith, who in civil life had been a surgeon of large experience and great success. The position of executive officer, second in command, was at different times filled l^y Dr. W. T. Okie, LTnited States Army: Dr. J. C. Happersett, Dr. A. B. Prescott "and Dr. F. A. Seymour. There were Iiut two chaplains, who, with equal rank remained throughout - Chaplain Chauncey W. Fitch, an Episcopal clergyman and the father of Col. Edw. ^\^ Fitch ; and Chaplain L. G. Olmstead, a Presbyterian. They were men of great heart as well as brain, and Chaplain Olmstead being a great lover of flowers was responsible for adding materially to the beauty and attractiveness of the grounds by planting many trees and flower beds to cheer the homesick sufiferers.

During the existence of the hospital sixteen thousand, one hundred and twenty patients were cared for, and in providing wholesome rations for so vast a family great care and economy were necessary. It is doubtful if ever a meal was late. During this time there were served two million six hundred jand sixty-four thousand three hundred and thirty-six meals, or what was equivalent to that many meals for one person. The economical disposal of the waste resulted in the saving of seventy-one thousand dollars, which in turn was applied to the purchase of provisions and medicines, some of which were not obtainable on the government supply list.

After the hospital was discontinued in 1866, the ground and buildings were turned over to the state of Indiana for the purpose of converting them into a soldiers' home, but after two months' possession the proposed home was moved to Knightstown, Ind.. and the property was reconveyed to the United States. From this time on until 1874 the buildings were used as store houses for clothing, blankets, etc., and hundreds of thousands of these articles were kept here for use. The small brick house just above the stand pipe in Port Fulton, is the only remaining building which was connected with the hospital during the war. It was used by Doctor Goldsmith as his private quarters, and is now known as the old Zulauf house.

There were several camps of soldiers during the war in and around Jeffersonville besides Joe Holt and the hospital camp, but they had no permanent existence. The following institutions were housed in the city, and were a part of its life and business during the progress of hostilities.

During the early part of the war a bakery or hard tack factory was established in what is now Warder Park. The three buildings which composed this plant faced Spring street, ran back to Wall street, and filled the present area of the park. Here much of the hard tack for the army was made until near the close of the war and its necessity ceased.

On Wall street, between Eighth and Ninth, were four large warehouses of the usual size (about fifty feet by two hundred feet) for ordnance and magazine purposes. Other buildings of the same size, ten in number, were situated between Market street and the river and just above Mechanic street, and were used for storing commissary stores. There were two government fire engine houses for the protection of these buildings. One called the "Ever Ready No. i" was on the northeast corner of Wall and Eighth streets for the magazines just beyond, and one called "No. 2" was on the northwest corner of Market and Penn streets for the warehouses on the opposite side of the street. A third company of eigh men, making twenty-four in the whole government department, with Billy Patterson as chief, constituted a hook and ladder company, and was stationed at the Jefiferson General Hospital above Port Fulton.

wag-on hospital, tliere being a large frame building in the southeast corner Avhich was used for the manufacture of harness and wagons, with a blacksmith shop attached. The government stables were situated on the upper side of Meigs avenue, between Seventh and Eighth. Farther down Court avenue, on the northwest corner of Walnut street, stood the feed and grain warehouses. On the west side of Spring street, the second door south of Chestnut street, the building, including the upper floors, was used as a hospital for convalescents. All of the quartermaster store houses and offices were finally consolidated anil now constitute the United States Quarter IVlaster depot. During the year 1864 the passage of troops and munitions of war became so heavy (all having to be transported across the river by the ferry boat) the engineers constructed a pontoon bridge, the Jeffersonville end striking the bank at the foot of Fort street. This bridge was kept here for about fifteen months, and over it were transported thousands of troops of all arms of the service.

On the northeast corner of Wall and Front streets the quartermaster's offices were located, and the three-story brick building on the west side of Spring street, near Front street, was used for hospital purposes. For many months early in the war a company of infantry was kept in barracks built on the lot at the comer of Wall and Maple streets, now owned by the German Roman church.

In 1863-64 it became necessary to resort to the draft system in order to hll out the quotas of many parts of the state. Before this time the state had furnished troops as required by the simple process of enlistment, but under the draft system the Federal government took charge and provost marshals were appointed for each congressional district. The provost marshal for this district was James Merriwether, and his headquarters were located in a large building belonging to Judge Read, standing on the west corner of Front and IMulberr)' streets. Here the names of all citizens between the ages of eighteen and forty-five were placed in a wheel, and the required number drawn out. Physical disability being a satisfactory excuse from ser\-ice, it is said that a peirusal of the records of this district, now filed in the archives at Washington, would show a most alarming and appalling list of diseases and ailments which -then afflicted many of our citizens who favored the quiet walks of peace to the clash of arms or tented field.

On the present site of Ebert's flour mill, corner of Wall and Park streets, stood a large two-story brick I)uilding which was temporarily used for a hospital; and the brick building just in the rear of the new Citizens' Bank on Court avenue was used for a like purpose until the government had provided better quarters for her sick and wounded.

Of all the institutions and industries maintained by the Federal government in the city of Jeffersonville during the War of the Rebellion but one remains, and that is the Jeffersonville depot of tlie United States Quarter Master Department. \Vork was begun in the spring of 1871 on the buildings which were to be used for the consoHdation of the ware liouses and offices still scattered around the city, and the commodious and spacious brick building covering the four city blocks from Tenth to Twelfth and from Watt to Mechanic streets were first occupied in 1874. The general plan of the depot was designed by Brevet Major General M. C. Meigs, quartermaster general U. S. army at that time. It is eight hundred one feet and four inches on each front, and its inside dimensions are six hundred and ninety-six feet each way. The building is of brick with metal roof, and is divided into forty compartments, each about fifty feet deep and giving a total storage capacity of two million seven hundred thousand cubit feet. In center is the commanding officers's office, a brick building, originally surmounted by a tower one hundred feet high, which was torn down in igo2.

This quarter master's depot has steadily grown in importance since its beginning, until it has become one of the principal supply stations of the quarter master's department of the United States army.

The business of the institution consists of the manufacture and issue of army clothing, and the issue of quarter master supplies of all kinds to the army throughout the United States, the Philippines, Cuba, Porto Rico and the Hawaiian Islands. The commanding officers of the depot since its completion in 1874 have been as follows :

One of the phases of military life in Clark county which should not be overlooked, was the draft. This horrible nightmare to some men stalked through the state, carrying nervous prostration and stage-fright to more than one poor thing who should have been at the front. It is said that if the records at Washington could be examined that it would disclose a roster of men who had the worst and most varied collection of ailments ever known to the medical profession.

A poor excuse was better than none, and it is a wonder that the officers in charge of the draft did not call a convention of the local M. D.'s to liehold, for once at least, this galaxy of athletic cripples and sound decrepits.

From the Mexican war period there was Httle of the mihtary spirit manifesting itself throughout the country ; but from the response to the heavy calls for men to put down the Rebellion, it is evident that the spirit was donnant and not dead. The relations between the North and South had reached a state of strain bordering on rupture. In Jeffersonville a meeting was called for the purpose of organizing a military company in March, i860. At the next meetning, March 8, i860, held in the Mayor's office, which seems to have been the same building on Front street where the first meeting was held, the organization was effected by the election of John N. Ingram, captain ; Nathaniel Field, first lieutenant ; Robert F. Bence, second lieutenant : James G. Caldwell, third llieutenant; William M. Darrough, orderly sergeant, and John S. McCauley, secretary. A careful survey of their old minute book, and inquiry among those who still sur\'ive, show a roster of seventy names.

At the organization the following non-commissioned officers were appointed, the first sergeant having been elected, as were the commissioned officers:

The "Indiana Greys" was the euphonious name selected, and it was also recorded that it was the express wish of the company that their uniforms should be a "grey suit trimmed with black, and that the buttons on the suit should be a silver color with an eagle on the face." The drill hall selected was known as Pratt's Hall, and was located on Spring street about one hundred and fifty feet from Front street, and about opposite Strauss' Hotel.

There seems to have been more or less enthusiasm at the early meetings of the Indiana Greys. New members were proposed and elected, various committees were appointed to attend every^thing imaginable, and fines were assessed and collected ; but the spurt did not last, and the company decided on Alay 30, i860, to "suspend operations until January i, 1861." The awakening, however, which did not take place until February 21, 1861, seems to have been an entirely new' move, as a mass meeting was called for the purpose of organizing a niilitar\- company. This company elected the following officers, re-electing the captain of the former company on account of his experience in the ^Mexican war :

Shortly afterward John Kane was elected third lieutenant and Gabriel Poindexter to be second lieutenant. The name selected by the company was the "Clark Guards" and they began their service, which was carried on during such critical times and which reflected so much credit on them. Some of their first meetings were held at the residence of David Dr\'den, on Walnut street, but very soon afterward they procured Spark's Hall on Wall street, between Market and Chestnut, and used it for a drill hall and assembling place as long as they remained in the state service. This building remained here until the summer of 1903, when it was torn down to make room for a modern dwelling, having been used at diiiferent times for hall, armory, theater, r^Iethodist church, dance hall and stable. The City Council gave the company three hundred dollars with which to procure uniforms, and the purchase of these, the purchase of a keg of powder, three thousand gim caps, and the manufacture of paper cartridges, etc., etc., fitted the men out in true military style. The uniform adopted was a frock coat, so states the minutes, but even this scanty and abbreviated costume was only decided upon after various pros and cons between it and "a hunting shirt with stiff collar." "A cap similar to the National Blues of Louisville" was added to their apparel by almost unanimous vote, the only one voting against it being \\''illiam Howard, and he held out for a "tall cap."

There being practically a total lack of military knowledge in Jeffersonville, as well as elsewhere in the Union at this time, it was deemed advisable to get instniction from some outside source. A committee which had been appointed to attend to the matter reported on March 13, 1861, that Captain Woodruff, of Louisville, would give the company twenty lessons for seventy-five dollars. Considering the time and the condition of the country, this offer seems anything but patriotic. This gentleman afterward became a brigadier general in the Union army. In the early fall of this year Captain Woodruff was succeeded b}- Captain Mussey, of the regular army. He was here on recruiting service at the time and his instructions were gladly given to the company without pay. He brought them to a high state of efficiency. Among other fancy drills which he taught them was the "bayonet drill," an exhibition which made the company very popular at fairs, etc. The organization was in a remarkably prosperous condition when the Legislature enacted a new militia law, which necessitated a reorganization. On June 5, 1861, the Deputy Adjutant General of Indiana, J. W. Ray, mustered the company into the state service and the records at Indianapolis contained the following roster of the Clark Guards, officers and noncommissioned officers :

From the organization of the Clark Guards in Jefferson\-ille up to the summer of 1862 the company did excellent work, at a time when the armies-to-be evolving themselves from chaos, and when guards such as these were sorely needed. They served until the volunteer regiments began to be formed and were relieved by them of much of their work, and most of their men and officers.

This company continued to exist through the whole period of the War of the Rebellion, and together with the other but later Clark county companies performed a valiant and valuable service. It later on became part of the Eighth Regiment, Indiana Legion. Clark county at the beginning of the War of the Rebellion was in a similar condition to the rest of the state. Although there were a few independent companies such as the Clark Guards, here and there, rthere was no organized militia anywhere when the war had actuallv commenced.

Tliere were less tlian five hundred stands of effective first class small arms in the state, and eight pieces of weather-worn and dismantled cannon. Throughout the various counties there was an unknown number of old flint-locks, altered to percussion cap muskets which had been issued to militiamen years before, but these were useless, except for drilling purposes. The nucleus of the newly organizing regiments and brigades was the few independent companies which already existed. The Clark Guards became one of the three original companies in the Eighth Regiment, Second Brigade, Second Military Division, when Col. James Keigwin was commissioned to the command of the regiment August 30. 1861. the other t\Vo companies being Ben Lutz's company, the Battle Creek Guards, from just this side of Charlestown, and Ben Henderson's company, tlie "Union Company," from Hibernia. The resignation of Colonel Keigwin soon afterward to become lieutenant colonel of the Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, caused John N. Ingram, the captain of the Clark Guards, to be promoted and commissioned colonel October 6, 1861.

This Eighth regiment was augmented by the addition of several other companies from Scott and Clark counties and was considered a very fair organization. Generals Mansfield and Lane were at the head of the state troops at this time, and among the most efficient officers on the southern border of the state were James Keigwin, John N. Ingram and John F. Willey.

Colonel Willey succeeded to the command of the Eighth Regiment October 13. 1862. and at this time had seventeen companies under his command, of which twelve were in Clark county.

The Jeff'ersonville Artillery, one of the units of the regiment, was only a paper com])any ; the r)fficers were George L. Ke>-, captain : Reuben Wells, first lieutenant ; James Wathea, second lieutenant. This batterv was supposed to hail from Jeffersonville, but no record exists of its service. The Battle Creek Guards, an infantr}- company from Utica township and froiu the south of Charlestown, was a loyal and efficient organization.

that saw a great deal of active service during the war. Their organization was kept up from the date of muster all through the war period, and it was a service not wholly of the nature of the service of Home Guards elsewhere. In October, 1861, the company was called into service and was taken down the Ohio by steamboat to the mouth of Salt river. Here they volunteered to cross the river, although their legal service did not extend beyond the state of Indiana. Thev here formed a part of quite a force of volunteers and were engaged, a part of the time, in collecting all the boats on Salt river. Their service here lasted about ten days, and while here they were quartered on a steamboat. They were on active service during Morgan's raid and added in no small way to the effectiveness of the militia force sent out to meet the invader.

The officers of this company, during its term of service, were Captains Benjamin F. Lutz, John F. Willey and Dennis F. Willey: First Lieutenants, Isaac M. Koons, George W. Luman and Oscar F. Lutz ; Second Lieutenants, Alban Lutz and S. L. Jacobs.

The Union Home Guards was recruited from Memphis and vicinity. Its officers were Captains, James M. Gwin, Josiah W. Gwin and Joseph C. Drummond; First Lieutenants, William C. Combs, and Second Lieutenant John C. Peden.

The Oregon Guards, from Oregon township, had as officers : Captains. Francis M. Carr and Jesse Summers; First Lieutenants, William W. Watson and Wilshire Minor; Second Lieutenants, Cornelius B. Ruddle and Joseph Carr.

The Ellsworth Zouaves, of Jeffersonville, was one of the phantom companies of the Eighth Regiment. It existed only on paper. Its officers were : Captain, William W. Caldwell ; First Lieutenant, Thomas Gray, and Second Lieutenant, George W. Brown.

The Union company was recruited from the vicinity of Hibernia. Its officers were: Captain, Benjamin Henderson; First Lieutenants, John D. Noe and Jacob P. Bare ; Second Lieutenants, Paron Crop and Calid Scott.

The Hemwville Grays was an infantry company, with officers for its two years of service as follows : Captain, Cyrus M. Clark; First Lieutenants, J. S. Ryan, Luke S. Becket and James V. Herron; Second Lieutenants, J. A. C. M'cCoy, H. H. Prall and Alexander G. Biggs.'

The Hoosier Guards were from New Hope and vicinity and added their quota of strength to the defense against the !\Iorgans who might dare invade Clark county soil. The officers were : Captains, John T. Hamilton and John J. Baur; First Lieutenant, Chesterfield Hutsell; and Second Lieutenants, Edward W. Thawley and William K. Matthews.

The Utica Rough and Ready Guards came from the hills and valleys of Utica. Jesse Combs was captain, Moses H. Tvler, first lieutenant and Thomas J. Worrall, second lieutenant.

Bairds History Of Clark Co., Ixd. I7I

The Silver Creek Guards came from Sellersburg. E. W. Moore was cap- ,tain, George Bottorff was first lieutenant, and P. J. Ash, second lieutenant.

The Charlestown Cavalry was commanded by Captain Warren Horr. Isaac Koons was first lieutenant, and Benjamin Perdue was second lieutenant. This troop completes the roster of companies in the Clark county regiment.

Besides the ser\-ice which these companies gave, "they were a prolific nursery for the volunteer service, a quickener of the patriotic impulse and a conservator of genuine loyalty." The service given by this regiment is summed up in the report of Colonel W'illey for 1863-64 as follows :

"We had five battalions, and were called mto service by order of the Governor, June 20th. to meet the raid under Captain Hines ; July 6, 1863. called into ser\-ice by Adjutant General Noble; rendezvoused at Jeffersonville : July 7th. dismissed the command: July 8th. met at Jeffersonville to repel Morgan raid ; were in line of battle but no enemy came; July 15th relieved from duty and command dismissed; June 9, 1864, called into ser\-ice by order of the Governor to meet a raid from Kenlucky by jMorgan ; dismissed June 25th ; August loth called companies A and H to picket the Ohio river in the vicinity of the Grassy Flats to stop guerrillas under rebel Jesse from crossing; pickets fired on guerrillas, fire returned, but no one hurt; dismissed August 20, 1864. We had two battalion drills in April, 1864, one regimental drill in 'Sla.y and one in October. The regiment is well drilled for militia, and is ready and willing to turn out whenever called on."

The Morgan raid across the southern part of the state in July. 1863. was the cause of an abnormal activity among both the active and sedentaiy militia, and although it amounted to nothing so far as active service was concerned, it caused more or less patriotism to suddenly appear in the breasts of the stay-athomes and an outward and visible sign of a desire to fight that must have been gratifying if not amusing to the boys in blue at the front.

A movement was commenced to intercept ^Morgan at \'ienna on the afternoon of the loth by sending a brigade of infantry and a battery of artillery from Jeffersonville by rail, and the troops were already embarked on cars, in high spirits, when an order from General Bovle. to whom the military "post" at Jeffersonville belonged, stopped them. The militia, as stated in Colonel \\ illey's report, were called to duty July 9th for the same purpose, but the public mind was in such a wrought-up state that these United States volunteers and militia did not give satisfactory assurance of perfect safety from the dreaded bugaboo, so a volunteer force was raised besides. This force appeared in the ;shape of a so-called regiment of men from Jeflrersonville, which seemed to spring, mushroom-like, out of the ground over night. The "raiders" were (Coming and everybody was ready to fight. This hurry-up organization amount- ed to from six Imndred to eight hundred men, besides two "quick" troops of cavah-y (if the historian may be pardoned for so designating them), the above mentioned bodies having about all the able bodied men of Jefiferson\ille :in their ranks.

The battle of Corvdon was an inspiration to the luke-warm. so the advance of this bodv of men to the rear of the city was an imposing one so far as numbers went. The first night out they camped in Taylor's woods, and then moved out near the springs property on Spring street, near Twelfth, there to welcome the dread invader "with bloody hands to hospitable graves." The fact that although thev had been armed w^ith muskets, yet had been issued no ammunition. never dawning upon them until after the scare. They remained on duty about six davs. but it is stated by some that when the remnant of the regiment returned to the city at the end of their duty they found that the largest portion had alreadv arrived before them, not ha\-ing waited for such an inconsequential thing as an order or permit to leave and return homeward.

Among these brave defenders was one Isaac Gaither. a brother of Perry Gaither. the Falls pilot. He was a most enthusiastic shouting Methodist and a ileader in the ^\'all Street church. The night being cool when ]\Iorgan was expected, and the anticipation of a fight being rather trying to many, a bottle of that "licker" commonly called "spirits frumentii," was circulated among the boys, and Gaither was persuaded to take a pull for his health's sake. As the spirits in the bottle lowered the spirits of the men rose, especially Gaither's. and he finally seized his gun, jumped into the middle of the road, raised the weapon to his shoulder and shouted, "John Morgan, if you're coming, come on NOW !" This show of spirits did not seem to appeal to some and touched the risibles of none, for one of them, "Bill" Jackson by name, replied in a stage whisper, "Shet up, you damned fool, some of Morgan's men might be out there and hear you."

This body of Jeffersonville soldiery disappeared as it came, and its history is only what can be gleaned from the tales told by the survivors at this day.

The citizen soldiery of Charlestown lost no opportunity to perfect themselves in the art of war, and night after night found them drilling in the courthouse. During the winter of i860 and 1861, these drills were kept up, Harry Daily being the drill master. During the period of nervous prostration which General Morgan had caused to be an epidemic in Clark county, and when the militia had assembled to repulse the invader, about five hundred rebels started to cross the river at Twelve-Mile Island, but a gunboat opened fire on them and only one boat load of forty-six succeeded in reaching the northern shore, or rather in escaping to it. At this time there was a deep-laid, well-organized conspiracy throughout the southern part of the state to assist Morgan in every way possible. That treasonable, disloyal and infamous secret society, called the "Knights of the Golden Circle," had plotted and planned to make Morgan's raid successful. Clark county was unfortunate enough to have within her borders men who were traitors to their country and flag, and to these men the invaders at Tweh-e-I\Iiie Island looked for support. Of the forty-six who succeeded in invading Clark county, hardly a one escaped capture, while Morgan's force itself went around to the north. The militia force returned home, and the coun- 'try-side guards who had, like Putnam of old, left field or team to defend their homes, returned once more to peaceful pursuits.

One of the earliest organizations of men in Clark county formed for the purpose of entering into active service in the great conflict, was headed quite naturally by that patriotic citizen of Jeffersonville, wdiomi every one knew and everybody liked, James Keigwin, later the gallant colonel of the Fortv-ninth Indiana. \\'hen the President had issued his first call for 75,000 men. April 15. 1861, to put down the rebellion, JefYersonville, like every other city and town in the state of Indiana, had its company of men ready in a few hours after receiving the news. This company consisted of about sixty men and they were quartered temporarily in Spark's Hall, on Wall street, where stoves to cook upon and bedding and provisions were provided, not, however, by the State or Federal Government, but out of the private purse of the man raising the organization. Indiana's quota being filled almost as soon as the call was made, the men whom Keigwin had assembled sought other fields and the only reward or satisfaction he received for his patriotism at that time was a knowledge that he had done his duty, the three hundred dollars spent for subsistence being credited ito profit and loss.

A company of first-call men was raised in Charlestown the same time that Keigwin raised his Jefifersonville company. Clark county made her initial bow in this conflict as early as any other county in the state, and the standard which she set at the outset was kept up throughout the jjeriod. When Sumter was fired on, several young men at the county-seat began the organization of an infantry company, and Henry Ferguson assumed the leadership in the movement. J. B. Roland was slated for first lieutenant and Isaac Haymaker for second lieutenant. -A drum and fife corps was made up, and these ofiicers, together with a few others, started out to visit the neighboring villages near Charlestown to recruit their company. Vesta, Solon, New Washington, New Market and other places were visited and the temper of the men was shown by a roster of one hundred and thirty-eight enlistments. The recruits marched to Charlestown and camped in the public square, but they were doomed to the same disappointment which Keigwin met, and their offer of service was refused, as those companies nearer Indianapolis had alread}' been accepted. Da\id Daily was not discouraged, however, and took seventy-eight of these men up to Indianapolis on a special train, marched them up to the State House and offered their services to Governor Morton. It was too late, but the men had only to wait a short while before an opportunity was gi\-en for them to (ifTer their ser\'ices in newer

The next body of men raised in Jeffersonville was headed by David M. Drydan, the pilot. An old riverman named Jesse J. Stepleton had interested Drydan in raising a company for immediate sei-vice. Stepleton had been a mate or one of the river boats and Dr}'dan very naturally fell in with his plans, and raised a good-sized squad of men in and around Jeffersonville. For this work he was made a second lieutenant when the company was mustered in.

Drydan's squad consisted of twenty-seven men from Jeffersonville, Utica, Charlestown and vicinity. These men. with a number from Louisville, aggregating about one hundred and six, embarked on the mail boat and were taken to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they were mustered in as Company F, First Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, by Major S. Burbank. of the First Infantry, U. S. A., at Camp Clay, June 4, 1861. Captain Stepleton resigned soon afterward, it is said, from fear of his men, whonl he had treated with great brutality, and Drydan was promoted to fill his place. The regiment was ordered to the Department of W^est Virginia and performed much valuable service in the early part of the war. From there it was ordered to the Department of the Cumberland in January. 1862. and took active part in the advance on Nashville and participated in the following engagements: Gauley Bridge, Red House and Peytonia, Virginia; Shiloh, Tennessee; Corinth, Mississippi: Stone River, Tennessee, and Chickamauga, Georgia.

These men composed the first bod}- of soldiers to go into the army, and as they went into a Kentucky regiment, neither Indiana nor Clark county received the credit for them. They served until mustered out at Covington, Kentucky, June 18, 1864.

The first volunteers from Clark county to go into an Indiana regiment were Company D, of the Twenty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, from Charlestown. This was the regiment commanded by Col. Jeft' C. Davis. Colonel Davis was promoted brigadier general of the United States Voluniteers, December 18, 1861, and brevetted major general, August 8, 1864. The organization and muster of this company was but the prelude to that proud chapter in Clark county's histoiy. wherein is written the patriotic service of her sons in many regiments.

"How they went forth to die ! Pale, earnest thousands from the dizzy mills. And sunburnt thousands from the harvest hills. Quick, eager thousands from the city's streets, And storm-tried thousands from the fisher's fleets, How they went forth to die!"

Company D. of the Twenty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteers, was headed quite naturally by David W. Dailey, who had made such strenuous efforts to force his earlier company into the service. A\"iHiam H. Ratts went out as first lieutenant, and Isaac X. Ha}-maker as second lieutenant. Dailev rose to the lieutenant colonelcy after the death of John A. Hendricks at the battle of Pea Ridge, March 6, 1862. During the service of this company, David W. Dailey, Isaac X. Haymaker, James M. Parker, Thomas H. Dailey and Patrick H. Carney, served as captain ; William H. Ratts, James M. Parker, Samuel H. Campbell, Thomas H. Dailey, Patrick H. Carney and George G. Taff as first lieutenants and Isaac X. Haymaker, Samuel H. Campbell, Thomas H. Dailey, Patrick H. Carney, David X. Runyan and Charles J. Giles second lieutenants.

The company was rendezvoused in Charlestown. the squads of recruits camping in the court-house yard. The movement to raise this body of men was not coincident with the organization of the Twenty-second Regiment, most of ithe men being the remains of Dailey's old company wb.o had been kept together and drilled from time to time. The regimental rendezvous was at Madison and here, on July 15, 1861, they were organized, and soon after left for Indianapolis, where they were mustered into the United States ser\-ice. August 15, 1861, for three years.

The battle of Pea Ridge, Siege of Corinth, pursuit of Bragg, Perryville. Stone River, the charge up Mission Ridge, and Sherman's "Marching Through Georgia," were all part of its history, and Company D's return to Charlestown after muster-out at Washington, D. C, in June, 18G5, was the occasion of well merited congratulations.

The next troops were Companies B and I, Twenty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Most of the men in B company were from Jefifersonville and vicinity, while those in I company were from Charlestown. One of the prime movers in organizing Company B, besides William \Y. Caldwell, was James B. Merriwether, who later on served as lieutenant colonel of the Thirty-eighth Indiana, vice \\'alter O. Gresham, resigned, and still later as provost marshal of the second district. The company was organized in their own camp at Taylor's Woods, just back of Jeffersonville, and was mustered in at Xew Albany, July 29, 1861. In February, 1862, several men of this company lost their li\es on the ill-fated gunboat Essex, eleven guns, when her boilers blew up. Lieut. Daniel Trotter being one of the unfortunates.

Caldwell took out with him William M. Darrough as first lieutenant and Daniel Trotter as second lieutenant. Darrough was promoted captain and was killed at Vicksburg and Trotter was killed at Fort Henry in 1862.

Company I was recniited in Charlestown during the month of June, and on July 8th received orders from Gov. O. P. IMorton to proceed to Camp X'oble at X^ew Albany. On July 27th they were mustered into the Ignited States service, and on August 15th left Camp X'oble for St. Louis.

The battle of Shiloh, the Siege of Corinth, the capture of luka, Thompson's Hill, Raymond, Champion Hill, Jackson, Vicksburg, the Atlanta Cam- paign, the pursuit of Hood, with Sherman to Savannah, the campaign of the Carolinas and the battle of Bentonville, is a record that any regiment could be proud of, and our companies of the Twenty-third did their share of duty. The officers of Company B were as follows :

When the Thirty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteers was organized it had two companies from Clark county. Company H, of Jeffersonville, and Company F, of Charlestown. Company H was raised by Capt. Gabriel Poindexter, who at the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, was in the hardware business on Spring street, near Front. During this company's term of service it had the following Clark county officers : Gabriel Poindexter, Victor M. Carr and Andrew J. Crandell, captains; Victor M. Carr, Andrew J. Crandell and Joseph L. Leach, first lieutenants, and Andrew J. Howard and Victor M. Carr as second lieutenants.

About three o'clock on a beautiful afternoon in the early part of September. 1 86 1, the men composing the company assembled and took wagons for Xew Albany. The leave taking of soldiers was still new to the city, and a goodly crowd assembled to witness their departure. The road that led to New Albany in those days was on the present right of way of the Pennsylvania Railroad. They were not mustered in until September i8th, but before that time one nf their number died. His name is not to he found now on mortal rolls, but all the h.onors of war were accorded him in his funeral obsequies. Besides the officers and men who composed this company and who hailed from Jeffersonville. there were James B. Merriwether, lieutenant colonel of the regiment; Joshua B. Jenkins, major, and T. ,C. Mercer, of Utica, assistant surgeon. In Charlestown the company for this regiment was raised by ^^'esley Connor. There w^as no lack of enthusiasm, and the quota was filled without trouble. Wesley Connor, Joshua B. Jenkins and \\'illiam M. Pangburn served as captains ; Stephen S. Cole, Joshua B. Jenkins. William M. Pangburn and Thomas R. Mitchell served as first lieutenants, and Joshua B. Jenkins, Thomas H. Adams and Elias Daily as second lieutenants. The men composing this company were recruited from the vicinity of Charlestown, Otisco, New Market and New Washington, and as was usual in those days, rode to the place of rendezvous at New Albany in farmers' wagons. The history of these companies was the history of the regiment throughout the war. They served in the campaigns in Kentucky, 1861 ; Tennessee and Kentucky in 1862: pursuit of Bragg, 1862: Rosecrans' campaign in Tennessee, 1863; against Chattanooga, 1863; against Atlanta, 1864; pursuit of Hood, 1864; Sherman's march to the sea, 1864, and through the Carolinas in 1865. They were sent to Louisville in 1865 and remained there until the middle of July of that year. The two companies of Clark countv men were mustered out with the regiment July 15, 1865, participated in a public reception at Indianap<:)lis July i8th, where they were addressed by Governor Morton. During the service of this regiment it covered an immense amount of territory in its marches. After the campaign in the Carolinas it marched to \\'ashington, D. C, a distance of one hundred and ninety-two miles in six days, an average of thirty-two miles per day. The sum total of its service is more than creditable.