Daviess County, Indiana - Chapter 9, 1886

Chapter 9

Military History - The Old Militia Companies - Gen. Harrison and the Indians - Campaign of Tippecanoe - The Black Hawk War - The Mexicax Company - Opening of the Rebellion - Volunteers - Sketches of the Regiments - Casualties - The Drafts - Bounty and Relief - Camp Knox.

QUITE a number of Revolutionary heroes settled at Vincennes after the close of that memorable struggle ; among them were Benjamin Parke, Henry Vanderburg and Gen. W. Johnson. These meu did good service in the Indian wars later. Almost all the inhabitants capable of bearing arms were members of some militia company, and prepared for service at a moment's warning. The following is the list of effectives belonging to Capt. Pierre Gamelin's company: Paul Gamelin, captain; Christopher Wyant, ensign; Peter Thorne, sergeant; Fred Mehl and Jeremiah Meyer, sergeants; also, Richard Johnson, cadet; privates - Robert Johnson, Joseph Cloud, Daniel Pea, John Loe, Godfrey Peters, John Murphy, John Lafferty, Frederick Barger, George Barger, Peter Barger, Frederick Middler, Ben Becker, Robert Day, Edward Shoebrook, John Westfall, Ed Johnson, Joshua Harbin, John Robbins, John Martin, Abe Westfall, James "Walls, Thomas Jordan, Robert Smith, Daniel Smith, James Johnson, Teke Holiday, Michael Thome, Solomon Thorne, Daniel Thorne, Charles Thorne, Abraham Barkman, Charles Barkman, John Rice Jones, Patrick Simpson, John Melmore, Frederick Lindsay, Mathew Dubbons, Hugh Dempsey, John Culbert, Robert Garavert and Isaac Carpenter.

In all the wars which have been waged in the United States since the organization of Knox County, which in any way affected the county, her military record has been honorable. From the time of the capture of Vincennes, February 24, 1779, by Col. Clark and his heroic band, to the close of the second war of independence. The men serving as militiamen in 1790 were each allowed 100 acres of land for their services. The following is a

Thorn, Abraham Barrackman, Matthew Dobbin, John Dorrett, Edward Shoebrook, James Johnson, J. R. Johns, William Mayea, Jeremiah Mayes, Abe Westfall, John Harbin, Joshua Harbin, Daniel Meredith, Henry Holliday, Patrick Simpson, and Frangois Vigo. These men and others did service in occasional "brushes" with the Indians till the general outbreak in 1811.

Gen. Harbison And The Indians

Complications with Great Britain doubtless had much to do in stirring up hostilities with the Indians. Early in 1811 the Indians grew so aggressive and intolerant, committing depredations and murders, that Gen. Harrison sent a message to Tecumseh, warning him of the danger of the course he was taking, and threatening him with arms in case he did not desist. The message of Harrison was politely received by Tecumseh, and in reply he agreed to visit Harrison at Vincennes in a few days. He arrived July 27, 1811, bringing with him a considerable force of Indians. This created alarm among the inhabitants. Harrison had taken the precaution to have the militia armed and ready, about 750 in all; two companies of dragoons were near. Tecumseh seeing the precautions taken by Harrison, professed friendship and agreed to mutual forgiveness. He then, with about twenty of his followers, started south, on a visit to the southern Indians. Harrison determined to forestall Tecumseh in his movements. He determined to erect a fort at the mouth of the Wabash, and to break up the assemblage of Indians at the Prophet's town. For the latter purpose Col. Boyd's regiment was ordered from the falls of the Ohio to Vincennes. When Harrison was on the point of starting for Prophet's town, a delegation of chiefs arrived in Vincennes, on September 25, 1811, and held a conference with Gen. Harrison. In that conference the Indians protested against any evil intention on their part, and declared their willingness to comply with the wishes of the Government.

The Tippecanoe Campaign

Gen. Harrison was not deceived by their false promises, and on the next day, September 26, he took up his line of march from Vincennes for Prophet's town. He kept near the river, and arrived near Terre Haute on October 3, where he built Fort Harrison. On the night of the 11th a sentinel was wounded by the Indians. On the 28th Fort Harrison was finished, and, leaving a small garrison under Col. Miller, on the 29th he again moved forward. His army consisted of about 900 men, 270 of whom were mounted, and 250, under Col. Boyd, were regular troops. When within a half-mile of Prophetstown, a conference was opened with the Prophet. The Indians manifested surprise at Harrison's appearance among them with hostile intentions. It was mutually agreed, in words, that there should be no battle that night, and that another conference should take place the next morning. Harrison selected the best place possible for a camp, yet not a very desirable one. He selected a dry oak ridge, rising about ten feet above the marshy prairie toward the Indian town. In the rear was a small stream bordered with willow and brushwood. Toward the left the ridge widened considerably, but toward the right it became narrower, and at the distance of 150 yards terminated abruptly. Two columns of infantry occupied the front and rear. One flank was filled by two companies of 120 men, mounted riflemen, under command of Maj.-Gen. Wells, of the Kentucky militia, and one by Spencer's company of 80 mounted riflemen. The front line was composed of one battalion of United States infantry, under Maj. Floyd. To the right of these were two companies of militia, and to the left one company. The rear line was composed of a battalion of United States dra- goons under Capt. Bean, and four companies of militia under Lieut. -Col. Decker. Capt. Spencei-'s company formed an angle with Decker's men, on the left. Two troops of dragoons encamped to the rear of the left flank, and Capt. Parke's company to the rear of the right flank. The men encamped in the order of battle, and slept on their arms. Gen. Harrison, knowing the cunning foe he had to deal with, was prepared for what his judgment foresaw would take place.

At 4 o'clock on the morning of November 7 the firing of a sentinel's gun announced the attack of the enemy. Gen. Harrison had just risen; the men were quickly in line; the storm struck Capt. Barton's company of the Fourth Regiment and Capt. Geiger's mounted riflemen, who formed the left angle of the rear line; these men suffered severely. The morning was dark and cloudy ; the camp fires of the Americans gave the Indians the advantage of the light ; these were quickly extinguished. Gen. Harrison quickly mounted his horse and rode boldly into the thickest of the fight. Cook and Wentworth were ordered to the relief of Barton and Geiger. Bean, Snelling and Prescott held the center. Maj. Daviess was ordered to dislodge some Indians sheltered in a clump of trees a short distance away. The attempt was boldly made but with too small a force, and he was struck in the flanks by the enemy and compelled to fall back, and himself was mortally wounded. Capt. Snelling's company did the work attempted by Maj. Daviess. According to Gen. Harrison's policy the lines were kept entire till daylight, when a general charge along the whole line was made and the Indians driven in precipitate flight. Harrison had 700 effective men and the Indians possibly more. Harrison lost 37 killed, 35 mortally wounded and 126 with lighter wounds. Among the officers killed were Daviess, Spencer, Owen, Warrick, Randolph, Bean and White. The Indians left thirty-eight dead upon the field ; their exact loss is not known. This battle was effective in breaking up the Indian confederacy. On the 11th the American Army returned to Yincennes, where the greater part was discharged.

The following is a roster of the officers and soldiers who went from Vincennes to Tippecanoe, together with the casualties : Luke Decker, lieutenant-colonel commanding; Noah Purcell, major;

The Indian troubles ceased for a time, but on the outbreak of the war with Great Britain they were again renewed. In tbe first part of the year 1812 Capt. Russell raised a company of fifty men, and later, Capts. Perry and Modrell each raised a company in the vicinity; also Capt. Beckes commanded a small company of rangers or scouts. The history of the campaigns of Hull and Harrison in that war need not be recited here. The

The Black Hawk Campaign

The next struggle which affected materially the people of Knox County was the heroic struggle of Black Hawk and his band in their effort to avenge either real or fancied wrongs, and to check the progress of civilization. " For the protection of the frontier " a company of United States Rangers was enlisted at Vincennes in the summer and fall of 1832 by Capt. B. V. Beckes. These men camped at " Cantonment Johnson," on the river Deshee, in the winter of 1832-33. The following is the line of march as taken from Capt. Beckes' report: "I left Cantonment Johnson by way of Carlisle, Merom,Terre Haute, Clinton, Danville, Iroquois, Beaver Creek, Rock Creek, Hickory Creek, DuPage, Fox River, 'Pop Pan' Grove, Dixon's Ferry, and encamped four miles west of Dixon's Ferry on my way to Fort Armstrong, with my company in good order and fit for service." In October he says: "I marched my company from near Fort Armstrong on the 22d of September, 1832, by Fort Clarke, Springfield, York River and Palestine, and reached my present place on the 24th of October, 1832, and have built Cantonments. On the 31st I arrested four men belonging to Capt. Ford's company, and sent them to him under guard." In December, he says: " My command arrived at Cantonment Johnson and commenced building barracks, which have been completed some time, and the company regularly drilled since."

The company was enlisted for one year, and was known as Company B, of Mounted Rangers, Army of the United States, commanded by Maj. Henry Dodge. The following is a roster of the men and officers, which is copied from the muster roll for September and October, 1832, the roll being the one returned by Capt. Beckes: Ben V. Beckes, captain; Samuel Smith, first lieutenant; George Leach, second lieutenant; privates, Joseph Brat-

The Mexican War

From the foregoing it will be seen that in the latter part of the last century and the first part of the present, the inhabitants of Knox County were not unaccustomed to civil turmoils. Bred as they were amidst turmoils with the French, the Indians, or the British, they readily took to arms. A period of nearly a generation of perfect peace had passed away when their troubles with

Mexico occurred. In that very unequal and none too just a cause, the complement of Indiana was quickly filled; but no organized body was furnished by Knox County. Capt. Samuel Ford in 1847 raised a few men in the county, and it is probable that a few entered the service in 1816 in various organizations.

Events Preceding The Bebellion

In the momentous forensic contest during the political campaign of I860, the minds of the people were worked up to the intensest pitch. It was not only on account of the questions of political preferences, but from the tragic results that were to follow. The opinions of honest men differed as widely as to the policy to be pursued as was possible. In these struggles the political organs of the parties more or less reflect the opinions of the people. A rather extreme view is presented inthe»S«Hof October 23, 1860. Commenting on the election of Mr. Lincoln the Sun said: " Freemen of America, there is danger. Let the contest in October be as a warning to rouse us to timely action. The black Republican party with its piratical flag is marching in dense columns over the face of our beloved country. Would we save this Union! Is there no hope? Shall the Black Republican party, stalking like a thunderbolt, pin us to the rocks? God forbid."

On November 16, 1860, after the election of Mr. Lincoln was known, the same paper said: " While we do not deny the right to peaceful secession, we think that the present emergency requires no such harsh measures .as are foreshadowed. While we would be the first to condemn and oppose anything like coercion or force, while we would ever raise our voice against any extreme measure on the part of the administration in power by which a drop of American blood should be spilt in civil war, nevertheless we believe our Southern friends should wait till an attempt is made to infringe upon their rights. But whatever shall befall us, let not one step be taken by the heads of Government to compel any of our sister States to remain in the Union if they think they have a sufficient reason for withdrawing - -this is a government of opinion, not of force." On December 14, 1860, the same paper said: " Ten millions of Americans figh ting for their homes can- not be conquered." On April 16, after the fall of Fort Sumter, the same paper gave expression to the following: "We need not repeat that we hold the Lincoln dynasty to a terrible account for this calamity; while we do not sympathize with the Lincoln dynasty in their conduct in regard to Fort Sumter; but if the South commit any overt act we will not be one to sustain her. A dissent from the policy of the administration does not release one from obligation to sustain the Government. We shall ever protest, however, against force being used against our Southern brethren."

Sometimes party prejudice almost led to the abandonment of principle. On January 12, 1861, after the firing on the " Star of the West." the Gazette asked: "Now, will our Government pass this insult silently by? If it does not send down enough troops and vessels to storm and take Charleston, the people should rise up and put down the' present administration, and put Gen. Scott or some other competent man at the head of affairs. It is time for action; 'action' should be the rallying cry." On April 20, 1861, the same paper, in commenting on the duties of citizens in regard to the Government, said: "Oar country, right or wrong." These quotations but illustrate the divided sentiment of the people. Happily the firing on Fort Sumter and Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteers 'compelled men either to take sides with the Government or with its enemies.

Judge Law, who was not in sympathy with the administration, said: "If we have a Government, and I think we have, it is our duty to sustain it." Union meetings were held in almost every precinct in the county. One was called at Market Place, in Vincennes, of which Clark Willis was chosen president, and Pierre Brouillette, Thomas Beckes, Dr. Joseph Somer, and Dr. Hiram Decker were made vice-presidents, and John Baker secretary. The following was the committee on resolutions: Hon. W. E. Niblack, C. T. Coons, Laz Noble, A. L. Conoyer, William R. McCord, and J. N. Conway. They adopted patriotic resolutions, and adjourned after appointing a " committee of safety" for each township: Vincennes, William Burtch, N. Smith, and J. Rose; Washington, Andrew Davis; Widner, E. AV. Robertson; Busseron, Andrew Fullerton; Vigo, Dr. Benjamin Keith; Steen,

Samuel Dunn; Palmyra, Robert McCord; Harrison, Hugh Edwards; Johnson, Edward Mooney; Decker, N. B. Edwards. A Union meeting was held at the Patterson Schoolhouse on Thursday evening, April. 25, 1861, with Capt. Abe Smith, ohairman. It was resolved, among other things, "that he who is not for us is against us, and that we will stand by them who stand by the Union."

First Companies Formed

Vincennes and Knox County were rapidly putting on a warlike appearance. On April 27, 1861, a company of Home Guards was organized in Vincennes. The officers were J. H Massey, captain ; P. E. Laplante, J. T. Coleman, J. C. Denny, lieutenants ; J. S. Lander, S. C. Whiting, H. V. Sanders and J. E. Case, sergeants; J. D. Green, J. C. Turner, W. H. Bishop and O. F. Baker, corporals. On the 19th an enthusiastic meeting was held at Edwardsport, composed of Republicans, Democrats and Bell men, which passed patriotic resolutions. Among the active participants in the meeting were D. J. Trout, F. H. Roe, J. T. Freeland, J. L. Culbertson and E. E. Evans. On May 25, 1861, a meeting was held at Spaldingville, at which William Junkins and Lewis Reel presided, and a company of home guards was organized, sixty-five in number. The officers chosen were Asa Thorne, captain; H. A. Wease, J. H. Myers and Benjamin McCoy, lieutenants ; C. A. Spaulding, S. H. Stuckey and J. Small, sergeants ; J. Junkins, Samuel Reel, John Patterson, corporals. The following resolution was passed, which created some comment at the time: "Resolved, That the object of this organization is peace at home, not destruction abroad - not an aggressive war but a defensive peace - not for subjugation or coercion, but to arrest turmoil and to maintain the law." It is but justice to these men to say that a large portion soon after entered the regular service. Two large companies of home guards were organized at Bruceville. The officers of the first were A. Dunn, captain ; F. Hollingsworth, B. Thompson, J.W. Benifield, lieutenants; J. H. Bruce, O. S. and A. A. Bruce, ensigns. The officers of the other company were J. P. Martin, captain ; J. W. Haley, J. C. Bruce and C. Hill, lieutenants ; J. T. Willis, orderly sergeant. A full company of men was also organized at Vincennes, called the German

Home Guards. The " Old Post Guards" and the Knox County " Invincibles" were the first to offer their services as companies. They were furnished an elegant dinner by the ladies of Vincennes before starting for Camp Vigo, and in return three times three cheers were given for the ladies, and a vote of thanks was tendered by the soldiers. The Invincibles left for Terre Haute on May 10, 1861. Before leaving they were presented with a beautiful silk flag by the ladies of Vincennes. The presentation took place at the residence of Capt. Denny. The flag was presented in behalf of the ladies by Mrs. Carrie L. Stallard. Her speech was most beautiful and touching, and was responded to most happily by Capt. Harrow.

The following is the speech of Mrs. Stallard: "Sir, with mingled feelings of pain and pleasure we look upon your noble company ; pain, when we look upon the distracted condition of our once happy country ; pleasure, when we remember that we have such a gallant band willing to leave home and friends and go forth at their country's call. History will write of the great Rebellion of the nineteenth century, and of those who laid down their lives when their country was in danger. May your names be enrolled among the Union's brave sons. In behalf of the ladies of Vincennes I present you with the American flag. Should the star spangled banner wave o'er the battle field, as your eyes rest upon it, think of home and country. Our best wishes and prayers will attend you, while our sympathies and feelings will be with your loved ones at home. We need not charge you to be true to the stars and stripes. We believe the bravest and best blood would be poured out in defense of the flag under which our fathers, with George Washington as their leader, fought and won such glorious victories. Our heavenly Father was with them. He will be with you. Death to the traitor that would dare to trail that flag through the dust of shame. All honest hearts in this will share and follow it to death or fame."

Capt. Harrow responded as follows : "Ladies - My companions in arms, self included, tender you our heartfelt acknowledgments for this emblem of our country's greatness and glory. We beg of you to look to the time when we shall return, and be again reunited with you as we have been in the past. We now bid you fare- well, trusting to your prayers and the justice of our cause for speedy and safe deliverance, and until we meet again commend to your care and protection the loved ones at home. Once more, farewell !"

Sketch Of The Fourteenth

These men enlisted under the call of the State for six regiments of twelve months' men, but almost immediately entered the United States service for three years. These two companies became Companies B and G, of the celebrated Fourteenth Indiana. They were enlisted in the three years' service under the July call for 500,000 men. The following were the officers of Company B: Jonathan Wood, captain, May 7, 1861, Mathew N. Green, December 21, 1861, and William Donaldson, September 15, 1862; first lieutenants, L. M. Terrell, commissioned May 7, 1861, M. N. Green, September 15, 1861, William Donaldson, December 20, 1861, T. C. Bailey, September 19, 1862, and A. S. Andrews, October 28, 1862 ; second lieutenants, William D. Lewis, commissioned May 17, 1861, William Donaldson, September 15,

1862. This regiment was the first to enter the United States service from Indiana. It was mustered into service at Terre Haute, June 7, 1861. It went to Indianajiolis on June 24, where it remained till July 5, when it started for the seat of war in West Virginia, under command of Col. Nathan Kimball, the whole numbering 1,134 men.

The regiment was in the reserve line at the battle of Rich Mountain, and on the 12th of September it took an active part in the battle of Cheat Mountain, losing 3 killed, 11 wounded and 2 prisoners. The regiment fought at Green Brier on October 3, and lost 5 killed and 11 wounded. The regiment did guard and other duty at Huttonsville, Philippi, Green Spring Run, Romney and Paw Paw Tunnel till March 4, 1862. It marched to Martinsburg, and thence to Winchester, where it began skirmishing with Stonewall Jackson on the 22d, and on the 23d when it was in the decisive battle of Winchester Heights, losing 5 killed and 58 wounded. Gen. Shields having been wounded on the 22d, the command of the army devolved on Col. Kimball, and the regiment on Lieut. -Col. Harrow. The regiment marched and countermarched. It passed to Fredericksburg, Manassas Gap, Front Eoyal, Luray, Bristow Station and Alexandria ; thence by water to Turkey Bend on the James. On the 13th of August it passed with the army from Harrison's Landing to Newport News, thence to Alexandria again, then to Centreville, on the 30th to Frederick City and South Mountain on the 12th, and on the 17th of September took part in the terrific battle of Antietam. being a part of Kimball's brigade of French's division. For its gallantry in the engagement, it was called by Gen. French the " Gibraltar Brigade." It was the only portion of the line that did not at some time give way. The ground was strewn with the killed and wounded of the enemy in front of the Fourteenth. It was engaged four hours within sixty yards of the enemy, and when its sixty rounds of ammunition was exhausted it supplied itself froin its own dead and wounded companions. It went into the fight with 320 men, and lost 31 killed and 151 wounded. Among the killed were 3 officers, and among the wounded were 7. The regiment moved next to Harper's Ferry ; thence to Warrenton ; afterward to Falmouth, and on the 13th of December led the charge on Fredericksburg. The works being impregnable the regiment lay partially sheltered till sundown, when the army was withdrawn with a loss to the Fourteenth of i killed, 17 wounded, and 8 missing. The regiment again fell back to its old quarters at Falmouth, where it remained till April 28, 1862, when it crossed the river at United States Ford to take part in the battle of Chancellorsville on May 1 and 2, but being in reserve, did not become engaged till the 3d. On that day the regiment lost 7 killed, 51 wounded and 2 missing. The Fourteenth followed the army of Meade to Gettysburg, where it did good service on the second day of the battle. On the afternoon of the third day the regiment was a part of the second corps, that bore the brunt of Longstreet's desperate charge. In the battle of Gettysburg the regiment lost 123 men and officers killed and wounded. In August the regiment was sent to New York to help quell the riots there. The regiment was again assigned to its place in the army, fighting and skirmishing with the enemy till May 4th, when the whole army advanced under Gen. Grant. The Fourteenth was a part of Hancock's second corps, and took part in all the bloody battles till after Cold Harbor. At Spottsylvania Col. Coons was killed while bravely leading a charge. On the Gth of June, 1864, those of the regiment who had not re-enlisted were ordered to report to Indianapolis, where they arrived on the 12th, and were mustered out on the 20th. A portion of these veterans re-enlisted on the 24th of December, 1863, and they were on the 1st of August, 1864, consolidated with the Thirtieth. They remained with the Second Corps till close of the war, and were mustered out of service at Louisville, Ky., July 14, 1865.

The Artillery Company

The next regiment represented from Knox County was the Twenty-first (heavy artillery). Quite a number from the vicinity of Oaktown joined Company D, which was made up from Sullivan and Carlisle. Company G, Capt. Edward McLaflin's company, was made up from Vincennes and vicinity. On the promotion of Capt. McLaflin, First Lieut. B. S. Harrison was made captain. First lieutenants of this company were George Wood, B. S. Harrison, J. M. Adams, W. H. H. Turner, and Thomas Seibert. Second lieutenants, B. S. Harrison, J. M. Adams, W. H. H. Turner, Kobert Fuller, and John Erbert. This company originally consisted of a complement of officers, and ninety-nine enlisted men, and afterward received 167 recruits. The Twenty-first was mustered into the service as an infantry regiment on the 24th of July, 1861, under command of Col. J. W. McMillan. The regiment immediately left for the East. It reached Baltimore the 3d of August, and remained till February 19, 1862. The regiment did service on the eastern shore of Virginia. The regiment left Baltimore for Newport News, and thence sailed on the "Constitution," with Butler's expedition against New Orleans. On the 13th of April, 1862, on board the "Great Republic," the regiment sailed for the mouth of the Mississippi, where it lay till the 29th. During the bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Phillip, a portion of the regiment was landed, and the remainder went up Pass L/Outre to New Orleans on May 1, and was the first to touch the wharf, the regimental band playing " Picayune Butler 's coming, coming." The regiment did good service against the blockade runners and foraging till the 5th of August, when it participated in the battle of Baton Kouge, fighting firmly for three and a half hours, and losing 126 men, killed and wounded. On the Sth of September the regiment surprised Waller's Texas Rangers, at Des Allemarde, killing twelve, and capturing thirty or forty prisoners. The regiment did good service in that vicinity till February, 1863, when it was changed to heavy artillery service, and was called the First Heavy Artillery. This regiment took part in the siege of Port Hudson, and during a siege of forty-two days and nights the regiment lost twenty-eight men. After skirmishing till the winter of 1863-64, the greater part of the Twenty-first re-enlisted as veterans. The regiment returned to Indiana, and a grand reception was given it at Metropolitan Hall, Indianapolis, February 19th, 1864. Addresses were made by Gov. Morton, Maj. Craven, Gen. Hovey and Cols. Slack and Keith. On its return a portion of the regiment took part in Banks1 Bed Biver expedition. Six batteries of the regiment took part in the reduction of Forts Morgan, Gaines, and Spanish Fort, and the capture of Mobile. From this time the regiment did guard duty at Forts Morgan, Gaines, and Barancas, Baton Rouge and at Mobile till the close of the war, when it was mustered out of the service. A few men from Knox were in the Twenty-second, a part of the band of the Twenty-fourth ; also parts of Companies C and K, neither of which was properly credited to Knox County, Vanderburg having got the credit for C. For a sketch of the Twenty-fourth see History of Daviess County, of this volume.

The Twenty-Sixth Begiment

The next full company from this county was Capt. Hargis' company, B, which was made up at Edwardsport, Bruceville and Freelandsville. The officers of this company were - captains, Benjamin Hargis, R. F. Braden, Benjamin McMurray, J. M. Rob-

It took part in Fremont's campaign to Springfield, and then returned to Sedalia to do guard duty till July, 1862. It was actively engaged in the field till May, 1863. It took part in the battle of Newtonia, Mo., Prairie Grove and Van Buren. At Prairie Grove the regiment suffered severely. After the battle at Van Buren, the regiment did guard duty till June, 1863, when the regiment joined Grant's army, in the rear of Vicksburg and remained with that army till the fall of Vicksburg and Port Hudson. September 29, at Camp Sterling, near Morganza, the regiment was defeated, and about half of its men and officers were captured. The regiment went to Brazos, Santiago, thence to Brownsville, where, on February 1, it re-enlisted, and returned to Indiana on a visit, after which it returned to the field again in June. February 18, 1865, a portion of the Sixtieth was consolidated with the Twenty-sixth, which still retained its organization. In the campaign against Mobile, the Twenty-sixth was a part of Gen. A. J. Smith's sixteenth corps, and participated in the assault upon Spanish Fort. After the capture of Mobile, the regiment did guard duty for a time, then was marched, by way of Montgomery and Selma, Ala., to Meridian, Miss., thence to Macon, Miss. The strength of the regiment in October, including recruits, was 375 men. The regiment was soon afterward mustered out of the service. Those who did not re-enlist were mustered out in September before.

The Thirty-Third Regiment

pany B, of the Thirty-third, drawn mainly from Freelandsville and upper parts of the county. However nearly half of Company D, of the Twenty-ninth was from Knox County. The officers of the company were - Captains, John T. Freeland, J. L. Banks, W. W. Hollingsworth and B. H. Freeland ; first lieutenants were Andrew Fullerton, James L. Banks, W. W. Hollingsworth, B. H. Freeland, Henry H. Jetter and Israel M. Adams ; second lieutenants; E. M. Adams, J. L. Banks, W. W. Hollingsworth, B. H. Freeland, W. S. Keed, I. M. Adams and John F. Gillis. This company first went into camp at Camp Knox August 15, 1861, this camp for recruits and instruction having been previously established. The Thirty-third was mustered into the service under Col. John M. Coburn September lGth, at Indianapolis, and on the 28th left for Louisville and encamped at Camp Dick Robinson. It joined Gen. Thomas October 2 ; on the 13th it marched to Crab Orchard, thence to Camp Wildcat, where on the 21st it assisted in the defeat of Zollicoffer. The regiment marched and countermarched in Kentucky till June 18, when Cumberland Gap was taken, the same kind of work was done in East Tennessee till the evacuation of the Gap September 18, 1862, when the regiment fell back into Kentucky for the defense of Cincinnati and Louisville. The regiment passed to Nashville, thence to Franklin and Columbia, when on March 1 it fought with Van Dorn, and on the 5th at Thompson's Station the regiment lost about 100 men killed and wounded and 400 captured.

These were soon afterward exchanged and rejoined the regiment, which did various guard duties till January and February, 1864, when 450 veterans returned home on furlough. The regiment returned to Tennessee and was assigned to the second corps of Sherman's army. It took part in the battles of Resaca, Cassville, New Hope Church, Golgotha Church, Culp's Farm, Kenesaw, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek, Turner's Ferry, and September 2 its colonel received the surrender of Atlanta. In these engagements the regiment lost over 300 men. November 13 this regiment, withthearmy, began the "march to the sea." Itwas in the left wing under Slocum. The Thirty-third passed with Sherman's army to Savannah, thence up through the Carolinas. It took part in the engagements at Averysboro and Bentonville, and reached

Goldsboro March 23, and on April 13 entered Raleigh. On May 1 it began its homeward march by way of Richmond, which it reached on the 11th, and on the 12th resumed its march for Washington City, where it arrived on the 21st. It remained in Washington till the last of June, when it was sent to Louisville, Ky., and was mustered out on the 21st of July, 1865.

The Fifty-First Regiment

The next soldiers from Knox County, with the exception of a few drafted men sent to the Forty-second, Forty-fourth and Fiftieth were Companies E and H, of the Fifty-first. All the officers of Company E, both commissioned and non-commissioned, were from Vincennes, while the enlisted men were drawn largely from Washington, Harrison and some of the other townships. Company H was mainly made up at Bruceville ; there were, however, some from Steen, some from Vigo and some from Busseron. The former mustered at Vincennes, the latter at Bruceville. The commissioned officers of Company E, were - Captains, William Denny, William N. Denny, D. L. Wright and Ellis House; first lieutenants were Daniel Trent, David Wright, D. A. Denny, Ellis House, A. R. Harris and H. C. Byers; second lieutenants were J. A. Welton, A. R. Harris and N. P. Scott. The commissioned officers of Company H, were: Captains, Clark Willis (afterward promoted to major). T. F. Chambers, Alfred Gude and W. P. McClure; first lieutenants were J. W. Haley, A. Gude, William Willis, William P. McClure and W. H. Dunn; second lieutenants were J. W. Haley, A. Gude, William Willis, Hiram Mallory and J. W. Manning. The latter company left Bruceville on Tuesday, October 22, 1861, for Emison Station, where it embarked for Indianapolis. There was a train of 157 wagons and 175 persons on horseback accompanying them to the train, where a crowd estimated at 2,000 had assembled. While waiting the assembly listened to speeches by Capt. Freeland, Revs. Jones and Moore, and others. The Fifty -first was mustered into the United States service December 14, 1861, under Col. A. D. Streight. The regiment proceeded from Indianapolis to Bardstown, Ky., thence in February with Buell's army to Nashville and thence to Shiloh, arriving too late to take part in that bloody battle, but assisted in the siege of Corinth. After the fall of Corinth it passed through northern Alabama to Stevenson; thence with Buell's army in their retreat to Louisville; thence back to Nashville and to Stone's Eiver, where it took part in that battle December 31, 1862, and January 1 and 2, 1863, losing 5 killed, 36 wounded and 8 missing - 49 in all. The regiment lay at Murfreesboro till April, when it formed a part of a brigade under Col. Streight, intended to capture Rome, Ga., and cut off Bragg's supplies, his army then being at Tullahoma, Tenn. The brigade consisted of about 1,700 men, about half of whom were mounted. The body started from Eastport, Miss., April 21, and fought Forrest on the 29th and 30th at Day's Gap near Sand Mountain, losing 31 men but driving off the enemy. It fought again May 1 at Crooked Creek, and on the 2d at Blunt's farm and on the 3d it was overtaken near Gaylesburg, Ala., and compelled to surrender.

These men suffered the horrors of a rebel prison for some time, but at length the enlisted men were released on parole. Col. Streight made his escape from Libby prison by tunneling February 9, 1864. In November, 1863, the regiment was exchanged and did guard duty in various parts of Tennessee till January and February, 1864, when most of the men re-enlisted, and returned to Indiana on thirty days' furlough. It again returned to service in April. The regiment did duty at Chattanooga till the fall of Atlanta, when it moved with the Fourth Corps by way of Pulaski, Columbia, Franklin, to Nashville. On the 14th of December the non-veterans were mustered out and sent home, and on the 15th the regiment took part in the battle of Nashville, and defeat and pursuit of Hood to Huntsville, Ala. Here it remained till March, 1865, then moved to east Tennessee, then in May again to Nashville, where the remnant of the Seventy-ninth was attached to the Fifty-first. In June the regiment was sent to New Orleans with the Fourth Corps, and later into western Texas, where it remained till called home to be mustered out.

The Sixty-Fifth And The Eightieth Regiments

was organized. Company C and a part of G were made up from Knox County. The officers of C were - Captains Isaac Mass and J. H. Averill, Capt. Mass having served a short time before ; first lieutenants were N. Miller, J. T. Coleman, J. H. Averill, J. A. Smith, and L. Mallory; second lieutenants were J. T. Coleman and C. C. Burnett. The Sixty-fifth first went into camp at Camp Gibson, Princeton, Ind., under Col. John W. Foster. For a sketch of this regiment see History of Daviess in this volume.

Companies C, G, and I, of the Eightieth Indiana, were also from Knox County. Company C was made up almost entirely at Edwardsport in September, 1862. Its officers were: Captains, J. L. Culbertson, promoted to major, and John T. Cochran; first lieutenants were Thomas Chambers, W. C. Chambers, and Eli P. Bicknell; second lieutenants were W. C. Chambers and E. P. Bicknell. Company G was made up from various parts of the county. Its commissioned officers were: Captains, W. H. Watson, J. C. Gladdish, promoted to major, and J. F. Cantwell; first lieutenants were S. E. Smith, J. C. Gladdish, W. T. Dunn, and W. H. Clements; second lieutenants were Porter Clarkson, W. T. Dunn, and W. H. Clements. I was mainly from Vinceunes. Its commissioned officers were: Captains, W. D. Lewis, W. S. Emery, mortally wounded at Besaca, and E. TV". Slack ; first lieutenants, T. J. Walker, E. W. Slack, and C. L. Sellers, L. C. Turbett, accidentally killed, and W. S. Emery. This regiment went into camp at Princeton in August and September. On September 8 the regiment left Camp Gibson for the seat of war in Kentucky. It went by way of Indianapolis to Louisville, thence to Perryville, where it took a conspicuous part in that engagement just one month after leaving Camp Gibson. In this engagement it lost 150 officers and men in killed, wounded, and captured.

The regiment engaged in skirmishing and chasing John Morgan till July 5, 1803. On August 11th the regiment with Burnside's command entered East Tennessee, occupying Kingston, Knoxville, and other places. It fought at Kingston, Massey Creek, and took a prominent part in the defense of Knoxville against Longstreet. In the spring of 1864 it was attached to the Twenty-third Army Corps, under command of Gen. Scofield.

On May 9 it began the forward movement with Sherman's army toward Atlanta. It began fighting at Dalton, and was almost continually engaged till the fall of Atlanta. It suffered terribly at Resaca, and considerably at Peach Tree Creek. In the Atlanta campaign it suffered a total loss of 175 men. After the fall of Atlanta the regiment joined in the pursuit of Hood till that was abandoned; it was then detached and formed a part of Thomas' army for the defense of Nashville, It fell back by way of Puluski, Columbia, Spring Hill, Franklin, to Nashville. On November 30, with parts of Twenty-third and Fourth Corps under Scofield, it succeeded in giving Hood that very bloody repulse at Franklin, thus saving the army train, and again on the loth and 16th of December it assisted very materially in the destruction of Hood's army. After the pursuit of Hood's army to the Tennessee this regiment, with the Twenty-third Corps, was transferred (in January, 1860) by water and rail to Alexandria; thence by steamer to North Carolina. It took part in the attack on Fort Anderson near Wilmington, Kingston, Goldsboro, and Raleigh, and all the movements till the surrender of Johnston. After the surrender the regiment proceeded to Indianapolis, where a grand reception was tendered them and other returned soldiers. Addresses of welcome were made by Gov. Morton and others. There were but 320 men and officers of the regiment returned for discharge. During its term of service the regiment lost 327 men killed, wounded, and prisoners, and traveled 7,245 miles.

One Hundred And Twentieth Regiment

On demand of the General Government for eleven new regiments, in the fall of 1863, two companies, G and F, were raised in Knox County for the One Hunched and Twentieth Kegiment. Company F was made from different counties, but largely from Knox, while G was almost wholly from this county. Its officers were : Captain, Henry Gilham ; first lieutenants, H. Gilham and A. Cantwell; second lieutenants were W. H. Greeg and J. H. Simpson. The regiments of which the One Hundred and Twentieth was one, were formed into a division under command of Gen. Hovey. The regiment left for Nashville in April, 1864, and was assigned to the Twenty-third Army Corps, operating in east

Tennessee. The regiment was mustered into the service on the 1st of March, 1864, under command of Col. R. F. Barter. On May 2, a part of the Twenty-third Corps began its advance upon Atlanta. On May 6 it was near Red Clay, close to Dalton, and a demonstration was made against Rocky Face ; the column passed through Snake Creek Gap, and on the 15ih of May fought the enemy at Resaca. On June 15 it was at Lost Mountain, and on the 27th in the charge upon Kenesaw ; on the 22d of July it took part in the desperate battle of Peach Tree Creek, which resulted in the defeat of the enemy. After the fall of Atlanta the regiment was in the fruitless chase of Hood, and was desperately assaulted by the enemy at Allatoona. On October 30 the corps was detached from Sherman's army and was ordered to join Thomas in the defense of Nashville. It fell back by way of Chattanooga, reached Columbia on November 24, on the 27th crossed Duck River and skirmished with the enemy two days. The division to which the regiment belonged was cut off at Spring Hill, but by making a detour of twenty-five miles in a night march the regiment reached Franklin on the 30th. Here it took part in that sanguinary contest, lasting from 4 o'clock till 10 at night, losing 48 men killed and wounded; among the former was Maj. E. B. Brasher. The next day the regiment reached Nashville and took position on Thomas' left. In the battles of the 15th and 16th of December the regiment was again engaged, and then joined in the pursuit of Hood's routed army. On January 15 the regiment boarded a steamer at Clifton, passed down the Tennessee, thence up the Ohio to Cincinnati, thence by rail to Washington City. From Washington it was transferred by water to Newbern, N. C. March 6 the regiment left Newbern, going toward Kingston; on the 8th it encountered the enemy at Wise's Forks in a sharp skirmish, and on the 10th a severe engagement was fought with the enemy, in which the regiment lost 7 men killed and 48 wounded; the enemy, however, was defeated. On the 11th the march toward Kingston was resumed, a union having been effected with the forces of Gen. Cox. The force reached Goldsboro on March 20, thus uniting with the forces of Gen. Sherman. The forces passed to Smithfield, and on April 30 entered Raleigh, where Johnston surrendered, April 26. The regiment did guard

Last Calls For Troops

Under the call of December 20, 1864, for eleven new regiments of one year's men from Indiana, two companies were raised in Knox County. Company B was first, commanded by Capt. J. H. Smith, who resigned in March and was succeeded by Capt. William Huffman on the promotion to a captaincy; J. P. Patterson was promoted to first lieutenant, and on his promotion O. F. Baker was made second lieutenant. The regiment to which they were assigned was mustered into the service at Indianapolis on February 21, with John F. Gill as colonel. On the 24th the regiment left for Nashville, thence to Murf reesboro, where it remained till May ; thence to Tullahoma. It was recalled to Nashville on the 26th of May and sent to Clarksville, from which place three companies were sent to garrison Fort Donelson. The regiment was again brought together and mustered out at Nashville, October 17, and the Nineteenth left for Indianapolis, where it arrived on the 21st with 30 officers and 691 men for discharge and to be paid off.

Besides the troops already mentioned Capt. George raised a company in 1861, and it was attached to the Third Kentucky Cavalry. A company and a part of another, under Capt. Swallen, belonged to the Seventh Light Artillery. Colored troops were not thought of in the early part of the war, and the first talk of arming the negroes met with most vehement and bitter opposition by those not friendly toward the administration. The first colored troops from the county went to the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts by permission from Gov. Morton. Later, Company O of the Thirteenth United States Colored Begiment, and Companies B and E of the Twenty-eighth were largely represented from this county. Before the close of the war large numbers of these were employed, and added materially to the cause. Before the close of the war the Confederates began arming them.

The Drafts

Preparatory to the draft of October 6, 1862, for 300,000 men, M. P. Gee was appointed draft commissioner for the county; O. B. Wetzell, marshal, and S. C. Whiting, surgeon.

From the enrollment of the 19th of September, it is shown that Knox County had 2,519 militia, had furnished 1,322 volunteers, had 549 unfit for military duty, and 1,970 subject to draft. Under this call Knox County's quota was 143, but this was filled by all the townships except Johnson, which was deficient 13. In -the call of October 17, 1863, for 300,000, the quota for the State "was 18,597, and of the county, 213; but this was filled without resorting to a draft. Under calls of February 1, March 14, and July 18, 1864, the quota of the county was 374. Tremendous efforts were made to raise the number without draft. Old soldiers, veterans and officers were sent home to encourage volunteers, but a sufficient number could not be procured. The quotas and deficiencies by townships were as follows:

Before the draft was made, Palmyra had reduced her quota -to 40; Vincennes, to 36; Vigo, to 27; Harrison, to 22; Widner, to 27 ; Decker, to 18, and Washington and Steen had filled theirs. Double the number of the above were drafts.

The draft came off at the appointed time without serious trouble, but it was soon found that both the principals and the alternates were exhausted in Vincennes Township, and there was still a deficiency of eight men. Accordingly, on Jannai-y 1, 1865, others were drawn to supply their place.

Camp Knox

CAMP KNOX. Soon after the opening of the war, Knox County became almost an entire camp of instruction. The school boys in many districts took up the martial spirit, and organized themselves into military companies to drill for pastime. Soldiers1 aid societies were formed in every neighborhood. Of the county society Mrs. Caldwell was president ; Mrs. Hays, vice-president ; Mrs. Dr. Mantle, treasurer, and Mrs. Culter, secretary. Nearly every lady in the county gave some luxury or delicacy to the soldiers, either as the thousands passed by on the trains or were encamped at Fort Knox, or boxes of supplies were sent to the field. Camp Knox was established as a camp of instruction and for recruits in July, 1861. This was under command for a time of Gen. John A. Mann, and later under Col. George W. Gorman. The number of men there varied from a mere squad to fifteen full companies. This was visited by thousands of persons. Ministers of the various denominations furnished spiritual aid; among those who preached there were Eevs. E. O'Flynn, Stallard and Hayes.

soldiers' aid societies. According to the policy of Gov. Morton, Indiana soldiers were brought home for treatment and nursing. After the battle of Fort Donelson the Bishop of Vincennes tendered the use of the Catholic Seminary for the sick and wounded, and the assistance of the Sisters in caring for them. The city council of Vincennes, on the 26th of April, 1861, voted $3,000 in aid of the families of soldiers, but the commissioners failed to vote bounties to soldiers on the ground of inability of the people to stand further taxation. The trustees, however, allowed to families from 10 to 75 cents a week for each dependent individual of a soldier's family. The following exhibit, not including thousands given privately, will show the aid furnished by the county and by the township :