Clark County, Indiana - Chapter 19, 1909

Chapter 19

Immediately following the organization of the Forty-ninth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry the Twelfth Battery of Indiana Light Artillery was recruited. George W. Sterling, who was a blacksmith in Jefifersonville became enthused when he received a contract to build the wood and iron work for several batteries of artillery. He was joined in his efiforts by Wilford Walkins, M. Stradler, Benjamin Lutz and Samuel Glover. The organization left for Indianapolis December 19, 1861, one hundred and fifty-six strong, officers and men, and were mustered in January 25, 1862. Their equipment consisted of six brass twenty pounders, one hundred and twelve horses and seventy-six mules and the batteiy was in excellent condition when it went south. Captain Sterling resigned and the lieutenants did likewise soon after the battle of Shiloh. Governor Morton, who was there soon after, commissioned James E. White, captain ; George Leach, Sr., first lieutenant : Moody Dustin, Jr., first lieutenant; James Dunwoody, Sr., second lieutenant, and Joseph Shaw, Jr., second lieutenant. The battery was engaged before Nashville and was in the battle incident to the great victories at Lookout Mountain and Missionan,' Ridge. For the rest of the war they remained as the garrison in Fort Negley at Nashville. They returned to Indianapolis July i, 1865, one hundred and eleven strong, and were mustered out of the sennce July 7th. This battery was a Clark county organization and though their service was confined to few actions, yet their record measures up to the standard set by Clark county men elsewhere in the great struggle.

When the Fifty-third Regiment of Indiana Volunteers was organized at New Albany in January, 1862, Company D represented Clark county's quota. This company was organized by Seth Daily, one of the most popular men of Charlestown. He established his headquarters in the old Zed Griffith hotel, which stood on the corner of Main and Market streets, and here he received his recruits. The Clark county officers of this company were as follows: Captains, Seth Daily, of Charlestown and William Howard, of Jefifersonville ; Howard was commissioned second lieutenant. May 23, 1863, and was promoted captain July 23, 1864. The colonel of this regiment was Walter O. Gresham. This organization served in Tennessee ; with Grant in Mississippi ; was at the siege and capitulation of Vicivsburg; in the Atlanta campaign/with Sherman to Savannah, and in the Carolinas. It was mustered out at Indianapolis in July, 1865.

The Sixty-sixth regiment, wliich was organized at Camp Noble, Xew^ Albany, in August, 1862, had two Charlestown men to serve it as quartermasters - Campbell Hay, Jr., the nephew of the Black Hawk war veteran, and Thomas C. Hammond. Dr. Nathaniel Field, of Jeffersonville, went out as surgeon, and Dr. James C. Simonson, of Charlestown, returned with the regiment as surgeon.

The Seventy-seventh had one company from Clark county ; Company D, from Charlestown, recruited by Warren Horr and Edmund J. Davis. This company was officered by first class material, two of its captains being promated majors, and one lieutenant was brevetted captain. The regiment was organized at Indianapolis, August 22, 1862, as the Fourth Cavaln,'. It sen-ed in Kentucky and Tennessee in 1862 and 1863, and participated in Chickamauga, Fayetteville, ]\Iossy Creek, Talbots, Dandridge, the Atlanta campaign, and back into Tennessee in 1865. The Clark county officers were as follows: \\'arren Horr, captain ; promoted major. Samuel E. W. Simonson, captain ; promoted major of the Seventh Cavalry. Richard F. Nugent, captain, all of Charlestown. Thomas B. Prather, first lieutenant, of Jeffersonville, brevetted captain. Edmund J. Davis, second lieutenant, of Charlestown ; Enoch S. Boston, second lieutenant, of Jeffersonville; Isaac M. Koons, second lieutenant, of Charlestown ; Albert Taggert, second lieutenant, of Charlestown. Besides these officers Dr. John F. Taggert, of Charlestown. "went out as assistant surgeon, and he was afterward promoted regimental surgeon.

\\'hen Captain Caldwell of the Twenty-third Indiana resigned March 28, 1862, and returned to Jeft'ersonville, it was not to remain long. In August the Eighty-first was organized, and he was made adjutant, and eight days later promoted colonel, there having been no ci.immander commissioned. Andrew J. Howard (Jack) resigned as second lieutenant of Company H, Thirtyeighth Indiana, July 16, 1862, and returned home to raise a company for this new (Eighty-first) Regiment, and re-entered the service as its captain. A sketch of this regiment is doubly interesting from the fact of it being commanded bv a Clark ciiunty man. and having a Jeft'erson\ille and a Charlestown company in it. "Jack" Howard began to recruit his company in the city and several meetings were held in Sterling's old blacksmith shop, on Spring street. Sterling having left with his battery, the Twelfth, some time previous. Some time prior to this \\'ilIiamD. Evritt, Jolin Carney and John Schwallier, of Charlestown. had begun the systematic organization of a company of men for the Sixty-sixth Indiana. Schwallier had gone to New Albany, where the regiment was forming, while Evritt and Carney went out in the county around Charlestown after recruits, sending them to Schwallier as fast as found. A total of fifty-eiglit men was recruited, but tlie company was refused, as its roster was too short, and because there were other full companies ready to enter the sen-ice, already organized. John C. McCormack, of Charlestown, had raised fifty men for the Eighty-first, then fonning, and the earlier company, spliced with his. made a full company and was mustered in as Company I. The men of this organization were from Charlestown, New Washington and Bethlehem, and were a well organized and thoroughly efiicient company. The regiment was mustered in at New Albany, at Camp Noble, August 29, 1862, left there and marched up the old plank road, the present route of the "dinky" track, to Jeffersonville, where they received their equipment at the Jeffersonville. Madison & Indianapolis depot. They then marched to the river, took the ferry to Louisville, and camped that night south of the city at Camp Neffler. After moving camp several times, they returned to Louisville, when Kirby Smith was reported to be marching on the city. They afterward crossed to Jeffersonville on their way to Cincinnati, Ohio, but their orders were countermanded and the regiment went into camp just above Port Fulton, on the top of the river bluff above the deep diggings, where the present water works pumping station is located. Details from Company B were made to guard the ferry boat, while at Camp Gilbert, as it was called, but outside of this duty the men spent an enjoyable period while here, receiving from their friends and relatives much to help out their usual camp fare. They moved south again about the middle of September, 1862, and acted as support for artillery during the battle of Perryville. Company B was selected at almost even,- opportunity for picket duty, the first mention of this duty being near Lebanon, Kentucky. The regiment remained in Kentucky until the early part of November, when they moved into Tennessee, where they lost Lievttenant Morgan, of Company B, at the battle of Stone River. While the regiment lay at Nashville, Corporal John J. Gallager, of Company B, was appointed ordnance sergeant and with him were detailed Neil McClellan and Mel Bruner of the same company. They were all captured by the rebels, but afterwards, being paroled, were exchanged October 7, 1863. In the roll of honor published at this time appear the names of a number of men from both Company I and Company B.

In August. 1863, Lieutenant Schwallier of Company I commanded a company of the Pioneer Corps and assisted in constructing a pontoon bridge over four hundred feet long across the Tennessee river. During a skirmish outside of Murfreesboro, Sergeant James 'M. ^litchell of Company B was mortally wounded and died on the field. The latter part of the summer of 1863 the regiment was engaged in the advance upon Chattanooga, and it was while they were camped at \\'inchester that Colonel Caldwell and Capt. A. J. Howard of Company B left the sen'ice. Lieutenant Northcutt (Bill) was wounded at Chickamauga, and Lieut. Eugene Schell, who was acting as regi- mental adjutant at the time, received some very high compHments for his actions during the same engagement. From this time on, all through the campaigns in Georgia, Companies B and I had a great deal of hazardous duty. Detail after detail, as skirmishes, pickets, flankers, advance and rear guard were given them, and on March 31, 1864, Company B was detailed to guard Confederate prisoners. At the siege of Atlanta, the men were under fire for twenty- four days. On June 20. 1864, Joseph Kenner, of Company B, was wounded while on the skirmish line, and had to be left on the field, but on Tune 22, the enemy having been driven back somewhat. Lieutenant Schell, with two men volunteered to undertake the very dangerous duty of going out to find him. They were successful and brought him in after he had lain on the field two days and one night. He had been robbed of everything he had, and had been refused food and water by the rebels. He was sent to the hospital at Chattanooga for care and treatment, but died a few weeks later.

About July 24, 1864, Captain Xorthcutt rejoined the regiment, after a furlough home, but resigned soon after and Schell, that "l^ravest of the brave," was commissioned captain. Soon afterward he was granted a well earned leave and returned home, rejoining the regiment, however, October 31, 1864, the command then being beneath the shadow of Lookout Mountain. His sen-ices from this time cm were but a continuation of that manliness and dignity which had marked him before. His personal bravery and gallantry had alreadv been proven, and his actions at the battle of Nashville were but a repetition of those whicli had marked him ever since he had won an enviable reputation and practically his commission at the battle of Stone River. At Nashville, the Eighty-first Lidiana, with Schell leading Company B, charged a hill beyond Fort Negley and captured part of the Thirty-fifth Mississippi. The action was won, but at the cost of a life of great promise. Captain Schell falling, and dying on the field. It is no reflection upon the other soldiers which Clark county has furnished to laud this brave and gallant young ofiicer. His reputation among his associates in the army and among his home people before he entered the sen-ice was one of great promise, and it is to be regretted that his life was not spared for the successes and honors which would undoubtedly have been his had he lived. The regiment was mustered out of the sendee June 13, 1865, and arrived at Indianapolis June 13. During its term of service it participated in the following engagements : Perryville, Libertv Lick. Rocky Face. Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, Franklin, Stone River, Chickamauga, Resaca, Kingston, Bald Knob, Marietta, Siege of Atlanta, Lovejoy's Station, Nashville. The following are the Clark county officers of the Eighty-first Indiana :

The next time Clark county appears as furnishing a company was in December, 1863, and the movement was headed by one John W. Bradburn, an erstwhile Jeft'ersonville man, who had been authorized to raise a company or rather a troop for the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Indiana, better known as the Tenth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry. He opened a recruiting office in a' little frame building on the east side of Spring street about one hundred and fifty feet north of Front. The only enlisted man from Jeft'ersonville was Walter Eversole, and in procuring recruits and taking care of them he seemed to be the chief cook and bottle washer. With hardly an exception all the other enlisted men were Southerners, hailing as Eversole says, from Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. At this time there were many refugees from the South coming north, and Jeffersonville being on one of the main lines of travel in that direction, many of them reached there. Some of the travelers had procured jobs as wood-choppers in the woods which then stretched away from the hospital buildings in Port Fulton. A few of these refugees were inveigled into the new company by the promise of three hundred dollars bounty by the county. Bradburn, however, not being satisfied with this, offered four hundred dollars (for which he had no authority) and many additional recruits were received. They were usually met at the ferry boat by Eversole, and sent to the otifice on Spring street, where Bradburn administered the oath. The recruits were quartered in tiK Hrge brickhouse which stands on the north side of Market street between Meigs avenue and Walnut street, and were sent in squads of twenty from here to the fair grounds in New Albany, where the company was mustered in. The other companies of the regiment were organized and mustered in elsewhere.

This conglomerate mass of soldiers, many of whom, according to Eversole, had served in the rebel army, constituted the worst company which is credited to Clark county. Their past record was not open to inspection, and the history of the company reflected no honor on either themselves, the county, state or nation. Their incomparable act in the military tragedy of Clark county, was a melodrama. It opens with a brilliant display, where their officers as stars appear on the stage playing the natural parts of the most damnable ignorance, viciousness and general cussedness, which it will be ne.xt to impossible to duplicate in any other Indiana organization. It is a matter of regret that Walter Eversole ever pulled the fair name of Clark county into this aggregation by going into it, and although the county is credited with this quota of men, she should not be held responsible for their acts in the service. Bradburn, the captain of this crew, is not remembered by the older citizens of Jeffersonville with a great deal of pleasure, for some reason or other, and his record together with that of his first and second lieutenants, who hailed from Jeffersonville also, would lead the unprejudiced mind to conclude that they were not what ofificers should be. Terrell's reports give the following record of their services: Bradburn was compelled to resign for the good of the service, November 29, 1864. First Lieutenant John T. Dunlap was dismissed from the service for general worth'essness April 12, 1865, and F. G. W^all, second lieutenant, was sent to the pern"tentiary before he was mustered and his commission revoked. The enlisted men themselves showed a complete lack of that careful early training which tends to elevate and ennoble the mind. The regiment passed through Jeffersonville (in their way south, and at Louisville they were given mounts, and what more appropriate mounts could have been selected than the old reliable army mules which they received, a few horses being thrown in for variety's sake. Bradburn and Company E, together with one other company, were detached from the regiment and ordered to Pulaski, Tennessee, arriving in time for the fight there. Their actions here were quite noteworthy in that they ran like the Old Harry at the first few shots, Bradburn in the lead, and they never lost a man, although it is quite possible that some of the warriors were pretty well blown when they reached town. This was the only fight they ever got near enough to smell smoke, but their fear of being captured by their former comrades in the Confederate army must be remembered and accepted as the reason of their successful retreat.

After Pulaski the regiment went south on steamers to New Orleans and thence on transports to Mobile, where they were stationed for some time on courier d-tvV no doubt on account of the great speed they had shown previously in the service. They must have been saturated with the spirit of courier duty for they allowed nothing to interfere with it in the least. In climbing aboard their mules most of the men found that their sabres would get tangled up in their legs, and they forthwith threw them (the sabres and not their legs) away. Even the mules were sold and the money used by the fortunate seller to indulge his fancy as his fancy saw fit. This, however, was always fixed up with the captain, and an accounting of some sort made to the government. From Mobile the regiment moved to Vicksburg, where they were mustered out of the sen-ice and sent to Indianapolis to get their pay and discharge papers. Many of the men deserted to remain in the land of their birth, and Indiana was relieved of their citizenship, which at least should be entered to their credit. By the testimony of reliable citizens, not a single member of this foreign crew has ever been seen in Jefifersonville since.

So endeth the lesson extaiding from December 30, 1863, to August 31, 1865. Let us, therefore draw the veil and proceed to further chronicles of better men. The historian feels justified in reciting this wonderful tale. For fear that the narrative of brave men and brave deeds may become tiresome, he has recited this history in full as a change. It is true, unfortunately. Walter Eversole and General Terrell had no reason to misrepresent.

The Thirteenth Cavalry, One Hundred Thirty-first Regiment, was the last cavalry organization raised in the state. Company M of this regiment was recruited from Charlestown by Dillon Bridges and George P. Bunce, of that town, as captain and first lieutenant. James M. Ross, of Charlestown, was promoted first lieutenant in June, 1865. Company M was unmounted until after the battle of Nashville, in which it participated, but after receiving an entirely new equipment the regiment embarked on transports for New Orleans February 11, 1865. Here they re-embarked for Navy Cove, Mobile Bay, arriving there in time for the operations against the defences of Mobile. They were mustered out at Vicksburg, Mississippi, November 18, 1865.

When the One Hundred Thirty-seventh Regiment was organized in May, 1864. Thomas D. Fouts, of Jefifersonville, was commissioned as lieutenant colonel, although there was no Clark county company in the command.

The month of January, 1865, saw the organization of a movement to raise the last Clark county troops for the war. It might have been argued that the county had already furnished enough, but evidently her citizens thought otherwise, for both Jeffersonville and Charlestown appear in the roster of companies. John F. Wilson took the lead in organizing the Jeffersonville company although he was sadly lacking in military knowledge. The men were examined by Doctor Collum. and sent by squads to Indianapolis.

The officers of this company were Henry H. Ewing, captain, and lohn F. Wilson, first heutenant, both of Jeffersonville. The company was designated as Company G. One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteers. Company H was commanded by Stephen S. Cole, of CharlestDwn. The regiment was sent to Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and was subsequently engaged in guard dutv in Virginia and Alarvland, until mustered out August 5. 1865.

From the close of the War oi the Rebellion until 1876 Clark county remained without a military organization of any kind. This condition can hardly be criticised as the county had responded so often to calls that were necessary regardless of the cost it entailed during the progress of the war that the spirit of war had about run out. Besides this the tame attractions of a militiaman's life were so far below that of the service just finished in the South that few if any recruits could have been secured. It was onlv when a new vintage of youths had reached maturity that a company became possible.

Jeffersonville Rifles, 1876

The period immetliately preceding the Presidential campaign of 1876 seems to have been a time when the martial spirit of the young men of Jeffersonville demanded expression. The movement to organize a military company met with an enthusiastic response, for an organization of eighty-two men was the result. They elected their officers and organized on the night of November i, 1876. This meeting was held in the old council chamber at the corner of Spring and Court avenue, where the engine house now stands. "Bill" Carter was appointed temporary chairman, and in the election of officers which ensued, J. P. Wallace was elected captain, W. H. Carter (Bill), first lieutenant, and James B. Young, second lieutenant. The non-commissioned officers were as follows :

William C. Glossbrenner, orderly sergeant. Lloyd White, first duty sergeant. Pink Schell, second duty sergeant. Peter Miller, third duty sergeant. James Pierson, fourth duty sergeant.

John P. Wallace, the captain, was a veteran of the Civil war. having been chief of scouts under botli Burnside and Sherman. He was retained in the service after the war and was in Custer's regiment. He seems to have been an excellent soldier, but the company fell to pieces after he left it in 1877.

"Bill" Carter is still a fixture of Jeffersonville, having filled various positions in the city's political business for many years. At his election to the first lieutenantcy he knew nothing of his duties but Idv study became a fairly good mihtia officer of that time. He owed his election solely to the fact that he had worked hard to bring the organization to a consummation. The men composing the company, with possibly one exception, were all Jeffersonville citizens, and an article in the Jeffersonville Evening News, of November 15, 1876, speaks of them as being composed of "clever and brave men." and predicted that with their enthusiasm they would soon be the "best military company in the state." The number of their members certainly speaks well for their prospects for the writer well knows that eighty-two men in 1876 were an indication of enthusiasm, when in 1895 fifty members were as many as could be induced to go into the state's ser\nce. Tlie Jeff Blues were mustered in as an Independent company November 27, 1876. The city of Jeffersonville helped the company in various ways in their organization. On November 22, 1876, a resolution was adopted "That we hereby tender our hearty thanks to the Honorable Council and City of Jeffersonville, for the kind encouragement extended to us in perfecting our organization : that we will endeavor to show in some measure our appreciation of their kindness by trying to make it the 'crack company of the state.' " Soon after this, on December 6, 1876, one hundred breech-loading 45-calil)er Springfield rifles were received from Indianapolis.

The armory of the company was the lower floor of the Odd Fellows" building, at the corner of Market and ^^'all streets, and here the weekly drills were held except when the}^ used the streets or commons. The large open commons below Graham street and extending on either side of Maple street were used most frequently for drills and marching, while the commons just above the Pennsylvania bridge fill, between the state prison and the river, were used for target practice and turkey shooting, the fill making an excellent abutment' in which to fire, ranges up to two hundred and fift}' yards being laid out. These target practices were frecjuent occurrences, the state furnishing the ammunition. Washington's birthday, 1877, was the occasion of the largest turkey shooting. This was held at the usual place, the target being placed against the fill and a range of one hundred and fifty yards laid ofi. A large crowd of friends attended the "shoot," among their number being several soldiers from the garrison of the government buildings. These regulars had arrived here. Company I, Second Infantry, U. S. A., January 7, 1877, to protect the militaiy stores from harm by the hot heads during the great strikes of this year. Later on, July 26, 1877, Company B and Company C, of tlie Eighteenth Infantry. U. S. A., arrived.

During the whole time of this company's service it was only once under arms for actual duty. At that time, during the great strikes, when President Standiford's house in Louisville was stoned by reckless men, the rumor had become current that the mob intended to seize the old ferr\- boat, W'athen, come to Jeffersonville and capture the rifles wliich tl'Cy thought were stored at the quartermaster's depot. The company remained under arms for fort)-- eight hours at their armory, but the rioters never appeared ; whether it was because they had heard of the ferocious warriors awaiting them, or other reasons, no one ever knew.

On September 20, 1877, the enthusiasm had waned to such an extent tliat a meeting at was held by the citizens to raise money for uniforms for the entire company. Tiiis mass meeting at their armory was foHowed by an appeal in the Evening News, and an entertainment was projected, but as the efforts of tlie citizens did not seem to be appreciated the subject was dropped. From this time on interest lagged and the organization gradually went to pieces, the arms being returned to the government depot.

The company at one time took a practice march to New Albany, participating in a parade while there, and marching back later in the day. They were also invited to Louisville to join with the Louisville Legion and some regular troops in the parade at the opening of the first Louisville exposition at Fourth and Chestnut streets. The boys were first taken to the Gait house, where they were given their dinner, after which the parade took place.

A company from Louisville, named the "Clark Rifles," challenged the Jeffersonville Rifles to a turkey shooting match, at the range of the latter. The result was a tie, and Captain Wallace, of the JelTersonville Rifles, and Captain Clark, of the Clark Rifles, shot to decide it. W^allace won and saved the day. The return match was shot at Lion Garden on Preston street, between St. Catharine and Kentucky, and at this match Jeffersonville won, and was given a supper and dance. These and other like occasions enlivened the existence of the organization, but it went the way of manv others, where there was so little inducement to serve the state in a military capacity-, and Jeffersonville remained without a military organization until 1892.

On October 11, 1892, a company of the National Guard was mustered in at Jeffersonville, about sixty strong, as Company G, First Infantry Indiana National Guard. The officers at muster were Captain L. C. Baird : First Lieutenant C. H. Kelly, and Second Lieutenant H. H. Thacker. Lieutenant Thacker was promoted first lieutenant, vice Kelly, resigned, and First Sergeant W. ^^^ Crooker was commissioned second lieutenant, vice Thacker. promoted. Later on H. E. Barrett was commissioned second lieutenant, vice Crooker. resigned. This company was armed with Springfield 45-caliber rifles, and uniformed in the regulation army uniform. Captain Baird had shortly before resigned as midshipman of the United States Navy from Annapolis. Lieutenant Thacker had served in the Louisville Legion, but aside from these two, there were no others who had had any mihtary training. The company made an excehent reputation for discipHne and drill, and on June 3, 1894, they reported near Princeton, Indiana, on active service in the strikes of that year. Their record here was excellent although their duties were tr\'ing. They, with other troops, were engaged in restoring law and order near Shelburn, Farmersburg and Alum Cave until June iSth. The only casualty was when Captain Baird was accidentally shot in the foot while Company G was left in charge of the train at Alum Cave. After two weeks in the field they were ordered home, the lawlessness having been subdued, and were received by a great demonstration on the part of friends, mothers and sweethearts.

In June, 1893 the company attended the state encampment at Terre Haute and in June, 1895 at Fairview Park, Indianapolis. Visits to New Albany and Scottsburg, dances in their armorj- on Pearl street near Court avenue, and several picnics at Fem Grove added an interest and helped to cement the organization. When the Twenty-ninth Annual Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic was held at Louisville, Company G invited some si.x or eight companies down to partake of her hospitality and participate in a sham battle at Four Mile Springs, just above Jeffersonville. The battle was a roaring success. In the summer of 1893 a rifle range was established at Four 'SUle Springs, and practice was given the men in target shooting.

The various inspections held by the regimental and brigade ofificers were always passed with flying colors and the company acquired a more than local reputation for soldierly qualities. On October 11, 1895, the three year term of enlistment having expired, the company was mustered out of service and the arms and equipment reshipped to the state quartermaster general at Indianapolis. During the three years' ser\'ice of this company there were all told eighty-five enlistments.

War With Spain 1898-1899

The National Guard of Indiana filled the state's quota in the first call of President McKinley for troops. The second call fourid Clark county waiting and ready. Alay 28, 1898, a meeting was held in Jefl^ersonville, officers elected, and enlistment lists opened. The company was recruited above the maximum. On the evening of June 30, 1898. the ladies of Jeffersonville presented the company a stand of colors, and on July ist, the boys left for Indianapolis, with the following officers : Captain Lewis C. Baird, First Lieutenant James Fortune, and Second Lieutenant W. W. Crooker. Captain Baird and Lieutenant Crooker had had experience in military training. Lieutenant Fortune had served as a Columbian guard at the World's Fair at Chicago. Edward McCawley, the first sergeant, was afterward commissioned second lieutenant, upon the promotion of Lieutenant Crooker. He and John Van Liew, the new first sergeant, were both old Companj' G men.

On July 1st. the company arrived at the regimental rendezvous at In- (HanapoHs. While camped at the old fair grounds here the diii'erent companies were quartered in the barns on the grounds. The Clark county company was designated as Company E. and the regiment as the One Hundred and Sixtyfirst Indiana Volunteer Infantry. They were mustered into the United States service July 12, 1898. and remained in Indianapolis until August nth, when they moved south. At Jacksonville, Florida, tiie regiment was made a part of the Seventh Army Corps under the command of Major-General Fitzhugh Lee. Lea\ing- Camp "Cuba Libre" October 24th, the regiment moved to "Camp Onward." at Savannah. Georgia, and remained there two months. \\'hile camped there the Clark county company was detached and Captain Baird was placed in C(immand of the Avondale Rifle range as range otficer. On December 12th, the regiment boarded the Lnited States transport. Mobile, and arrived in Havana. Cuba, December 15th. going into camp at Camp Columbia, near Mariana, about eight miles beyond Havana, on a beautiful tableland overlooking the gulf. The regiment remained in Cuba until March. 1899, ^vhen they were ordered home for muster out, and they were finally mustered out and discharged April 30, 1899, ^t Savannah, Georgia.

There was no active duty for the One Hundred and Sixty-first Regiment to perform during its term of senice. and there were no casualties : but its "foreign service" was performed with credit and pleasure and it returned to Indiana with an honorable record to its name. This regiment together with all other troops in the province of Havana, participated in the impressive ceremonies of January i. 1899, when the flag of Castile and Aragon was lowered from the staff over Moro Castle, and the stars and stripes run up, thus terminating Spanish rule in the New World, and placing the United States before humanity as the greatest benefactor ever known ainong nations.

In 1902 an effort was made to organize a company of the National Guard in JefTersonville by James Fortune, but it resulted in a discouraging fizzle. Later on others took up the matter and a roster was quickly made up. John Van Liew, late first sergeant of Company E, One Hundred and Sixty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in the Spanish war, and Dr. George Twomey. a late m.ember of the same company, headed the movement, and to their ability and management may be attributed the successful organization. There being no vacancy the company was not accepted until 1906 It was mustered into the state service February 9, 1906, in a store room on the west side of Spring street, about four doors south of Market street. John R. Van Liew was commissioned captain : George Twomey, first lieutenant, and William W. Fitch second lieutenant. The company procured the third floor of Spieth's hall on

Spring and Chestnut streets for their drill hall, and also a large room on the second floor which they fitted up as gun rooms, and for gallery target practice. These quarters were used as a club room and were attractively furnished for the use of members of the organization. The company was designated as Company M. First Infantr\' Indiana National Guard, and was assigned to the First Battalion, commanded by ]\laj. W. J- Coleman, of New Albany.

Lieutenant Twomey was detailed and appointed battalion adjutant October 12, 1906; Fitch was promoted first lieutenant ; and First Sergeant Francis B. Shepherd was commissioned second lieutenant. Captain Van Liew resigned June 19, 1908. and Lieutenant Fitch July i, 1908. Lieutenant Shepherd was promoted captain : First Lieutenant Leon Harrell was transferred from Company C, First Infantry, and Private Lawrence G. Smith was commissioned second lieutenant.

The company participated in the maneuvers at Fort Benjamin Harrison in 1906 and 1908, and in the state encampment in 1907. They formed part of the military display at the Madison Centennial. July 4, 1906. and at the dedication of the soldiers' monument at ISIadison. May 29. 1908. In marksmanship this company has made an enviable reputation, being the third best in the state and the first in the regiment. In 1907 it had two expert riflemen, four sharpshooters and five marksmen. The personnel of the company is good, the officers earnest and hard-working, and the rank and file composed of men who seem to realize the character of the service in which they have enlisted. The present membership is sixty-eight.

A recital of the things military in Clark county, and of the men military who were her citizens would be incomplete if mention were not made of the fact that hundreds of sturdy youths and young men had enlisted in the regular sen'ice of their country, afloat and ashore. During the \\'ar of the Rebellion and since, there has been a small but steady stream of enlistments in the army and navy which is large in the aggregate.

Lemuel Ford in the thirties, Jefferson C. Davis and John S. Simonson, in the sixties, were prominent men in the regular army and were all Clark county men. Richard S. Collum was appointed a lieutenant in the Marine Corps. L^nited States Xavy, in 1865. Frank Spear Armstrong entered West Point from Jeffersonville in 1887, and is at present in the Philippines as captain in the Ninth Cavalry. Jonas Howard Ingram, ensign in the United States Navy who was with the battle ship fleet that circumnavigated the globe, is a native of Jefifersonville. These and others, besides the large number of enlisted men, present a most creditable showing, and indicate that despite the foolish and un- American refusal of some workingmen to sen'e in the state troops, there underlies a mighty stream of patriotism which has only to be tapped to bring forth companies, regiments and brigades, if necessary.