Franklin County, Indiana - Chapter 12: Military History of Franklin County, 1915 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 12: Military History of Franklin County

There were seven counties organized in Indiana Territory at the time the War of 1812 opened, namely: Knox, Clark, Dearl)<jrn, llarrrson, Jefferson, Wayne and Franklin. It is fair to presume that there were enlistments from each county in the War of 1812, but, unfortunately, Tranklin county has retained no record of the men who went from this county. There were in the county at that time a number of Revolutionary soldiers, but whether any of them served in the War of 1812 is not known. In fact, the military history of Franklin county up to the time of the Mexican War is more or less obscure, due to the fact that public records, as well as newspai>ers, are not available.

The Indians were still sufficiently numerous in 1812 to give much uneasiness to the settlers of Franklin county, and, in order to protect themselves from possible attacks, the citizens erected at least twelve blockhouses at different points in the county. In addition to the blockhouses, there were many of the early log cabins built with the idea of making them easy to defend. Overjetting upper stories and portholes were provided, but, so far as local history records, there was never any occasion for the Franklin county settlers to use either their blockhouses or fortified cabins. However, there are undisputed instances where the Indians murdered early settlers in the county. Undoubtedly the best account of these early troubles with the Indians is to be found in an account written by the late William McClure ("died June 24, 1882), an early settler of the county and a man who had the abilitv to observe things and write graphically of what he saw. The historian is glad to avail himself of I\Ir. ]McClure's account, which, with a few alterations, is given as he wrote it :

"When the White Water valley was first settled the Indians were peaceably disposed, and many an Indian traded his pelts at the thriving little villages of New Trenton and Brookville as late as 1816. At the opening of the War of 1S12 the Indians began to be hostile and committed several depredations upon the settlers, with the result that the people began to build blockhouses and prepare their cabins for defense. There was a blockhouse about one-half mile above Johnson's Fork and another, built bv Conrad Savior, three miles and a half bcl<ju JJruukvillc, on White Water, one-half mile east of where the Little Cedar thurth stands. There were several others erected on the West I'ork of White Water, a few on the East Fork, as well as one or two on Pipe and Salt creeks. The settlers near Metamora built a blockhouse known as the Mount blockhouse. There is an old house on my farm (two and one-half miles north of Brookville, on the East Fork of White Water) which has two portholes in it, made by Benjamin McCariy, who owned and lived on the place at that time. I suppose if an Indian had come in range of his gun he would have been in danger, for he was a dead shot of a deer. There were five blijckhouses in Laurel township and three in Salt Creek township.

"I will try to describe the fort at the mouth of Little Cedar, w-here we freqently had to go on the alarm of Indians. It was a square, containing from a quarter to half an acre, and with a blockhouse at each corner. The outsides of the blockhouses, at a distance of seven feet from the ground, projected about three feet farther than the under part of the buildings. The upper story had a platform on which to stand, with portholes above and below for rifles. The building v.'as well chinked with wood so as to be bulletproof. There was a ditch about three feet deep dug from one blockhouse to another and puncheons, ten or twelve feet long, well set in the ditch so as to break the joints. A strong door in this enclosed palisade completed a structure which was capable of holding; at least five hundred people, as well as a considerable amount of live stock

"During the progress of the War of 18 12 the people around this blockhouse fled to it more than once ttpon hearing that the Indians were in the vicinity. Probably the recognized strength of the palisade was such that the Indians felt that it would be useless to attack it ; at least, the Indians never ventured to make an assault on the sturdy little fort. However, there were several persons killed by the Indians up and down the White Water during the War of 18 12. Just how many met their death in Franklin count\- there is no means of ascertaining. Two men, by the name of Stafford and Toone. were killed one night while burning brush on Salt creek. It happened that there were some turkey hunters on West Fork, who brought the news back to Brookville, and were so excited that they reported the Indians had broken loose and were killing CA-erybody in the western part of the county. Bv the time the news got down to the neighborhood around the blockhouse at the mouth of Little Cedar, it had undoubtedly been distorted until the frig-]itened settlers were ready to believe that all the Indians in the Mississippi valley were about to make a descent upon them.

"Our neighborhood was soon collected in the Little Cedar blockhouse, and John Clayton and one or two more volunteered to go to Brookville that night and ascertain the truth about the report. They returned in the morning with word that it was a false alarm.

The Killing Of Bill Killbuck

"The murder of Stal'ford and Toone led to the killing of Killbuck, an Indian, who was a prominent figure in Laurel and Salt Creek townships for jnany years. The lirewater of the palefaces was sufhcient to put the Indian in a bellicose mood, and at such times he was liable to cause trouble. Ab(jut 1817 Killbuck was at the town of Somersett and had imbibed rather freely of whisky. About the time he got warmed up properly he met Hugh Brison, and, stepping up to him, gave him a resounding whack on his back and said : 'Damn you, Brison, I could have caught you by the moccasin string when you were running through the tall grass.' In saying this, Killbuck was referring to the time immediately following the killing of Stafford and Toone. Killbuck was one of the three Indians who was implicatcrl in this dastardly deed. The other two Indians were killed by the whites who set out after them, and this statement of Killbuck's was the first intimation that the settlers had which connected Killbuck with the deed.

"Killbuck, however, was destined to live a while longer. By 1S20 all the Indians were gone from this section of the state except Killbuck. who lingered around his old haunts in the Brison neighborhood in Laurel township. One day the old Indian urged Hugh Brison to accompany him to an adjoining farm south of the Brison farm. Brison made several excuses, but finally consented, and the two started off. Meanwhile, John Bri son's father had overheard the whole conversation and resolved to keep watch of their movements. They soon reached a piece of woods and Killbuck began picking a quan-el with Brison and made a movement to take the gun from his shoulder and shoot. The elder Brison rushed up. jerked the weapon from the Indian's hand and knocked him down with the butt of it ; tliey then took away his knife and tomahawk and turned him adrift, while they returned home. Killbuck started off in another direction through the woods, and. after traveling some distance, sat down on a log at the foot of the hill to mature new plans for revenge.

"Cornelius Brison, still another member of the family, had followed the party later, and he resolved to put an end to the trouble by beg-inning at the root. He took a course which he thought would bring him across the Indian's path and followed it to the top of the hiil, expecting to see the Indian come in sight. He placed himself behind a tree and waited a short time, when he chanced to look down one side of the hill, and there sat old Killbuck on a log. A moment later, and the Indian tumbled off 'with a grin.' He was buried the following day on the spot where he was killed, and no doubt the community rested easier with the old savage under the sod.

"We had men of those days who did not run worth a cent. Among them were Abel and David Webb, Samuel Logan, Stephen Goble, John Stafford, John Clayton, Elliott and Arch Herndon, Ben and Patrick McCarty, Isaac Fuller and some others whom I do not remember. These men were old hunters and were always on the alert for marauding Indians. Several companies of soldiers were sent by the territorial government to attack the Indians in the central part of the state, and by 1813 the territorial authorities had the Indians so cowed that they gave the settlers little trouble after that year.

'Tt has already been mentioned that there were no definite records showing the part that Franklin county settlers took in the War of 1812. It is known, however, that Elliott Herndon had command of a riile comijany. which was frequently called out and did good service. A company of mounted rangers was raised on Whitewater and enlisted by the government for two years' service. This company of rangers was used for defense against the Indians in the White Water and was under the command of Frederick Shultz.

"I recollect witnessing several drafts, which were done b\- some movement while the men were in line or platoon. The lucky ones would go out and serve a tour, which scarcely ever exceeded a week, and then they were exempt until the company had all served a tour. (The historian presumes that Mr. McCIure means that the "some movement" refers to the selection of the men by lot.)

"The last Indian I ever saw in the county was in about 18 19 or i8_^o. William W^est, James Stucky and myself had been to Brookville and when we got as far a? Riley Woodworth's we met two Indians there wanting to see Woodworth about a horse trade he had made with them. They alleged that he had cheated them, but Woodworth was not to be found. Mrs. Wood - worth and the children were dreadfully frightened and had sent to her father, Henry Newkirk, a heavy-set man about sixty years of age, who lived near Woodworth's. on the hill. We soon saw him coming down the hill as fast as he could. He had on a pair of heavy stog}- boots - about the first there had been in the country. I thought he ran very strong, but not fast, and made a great deal of noise with his boots, and was out of wind. He walked right into one of the Indians, without any ceremony, and down went Mr. Indian. The latter soon got out of the old man's clutches and was up and drew a large knife and flourished it about. West and Stucky interfered to prevent blood being spilled on the occasion. The Indians soon left, and I never heard

"There are numerous stories of Indians and their relations to the white settlers during the early hi.stor\- of the county, but many of them are of a doubtful or uncertain character. Such stories are common to ever}'- locality on the old frontier line, and Franldin county, having two Indian boundary lines running through it, possessed its share of Indian stories."

Revolutioxary Soi.Dikrs Of Franklin County

It is impossible to know how many Revolutionary soldiers have lived in Franklin county at one time or another, although a report, published some time between 1834 and 1S40, of the pensioners of that war who were residents of the county, shows that there were thirty-two living here at that time. How long they had lived here and where they were living at the time of their death the historian has been unable to discover. The list of thirtvtwo is given as it appears, although there is reason to believe that there were other Revolutionary soldiers living in the county at the time. It does not. of course, include those who had lived and died in the county:

The Franklin Comity Historical Society has endeavored to locate the burial places of all Revolutionary soldiers in the county. It is known that the following veterans of the struggle for independence are buried in Franklin county:

John Vincent - Born August 24, 1750: died January 5, 1837: buried on the farm now owned by Harry AI. Stoops on land he entered in 1806. section 19, township 9, range 2 west.

James H. Speer served in the War of 1812 and was under General Hull in Detroit when that general surrendered the city, August 16, 1812. Speer was kept a prisoner by the British until the close of the war, and after his release returned to Cincinnati. He followed the carpenter's trade for two or three years, then entered the book trade, and in 18 19 built the first pai>er mill in Cincinnati. He followed this line of business until 1834, wiien he came to Brookville and established a paper mill, wliich was in continuous operation for many years. He was born in New Jersey, July 27, 178G; located in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 181 1; came to Brookville in 1834, and died in the latter place November 21, 1863.

Spencer Wiley, who w-as one of the most prominent citizens of Brookville for many years, was appointed an ensign by Governor William Henrv Harrison. April 10, 181 1. On June 13, 1813. he was commissioned captain of a company in the Third Regiment of Indiana Militia. His daughter. IMary \\'iley, of Brookville, has in her possession his cominission signed bv Governor Thomas Posey. Mr. \\^iley was a member of the state Legislature. 1845-46, and again in 1857-58. He was also a memlicr from Franklin county in the con.stitutional convention of 1850-51.

In the Indiana American of January 21. 1S70, there appeared a list of pensioners of the War of 1812. The following appear from Franklin county: William Wilson, Laurel; Daniel ^^lorford. Whitcomb; T. P. Case. New Trenton; C. W. Burt. Laurel: Carlton Taylor. Whitcomb: George Crist, Vv'hitcomb; James Ware, Laurel; Theodore Hulmock, Laurel: Ruth

Brysoii, Laurel; Ijallard \\'i!,-,(.n, Metaniora; lilizahctli Elwell, Laurel. These names were attached tu a petition asking Cunsi^ress for the pa.ssage of a law to increase the pension of all veterans of the War of 1812 and their widows. There was at least one soldier who fought at the battle of Tippecanoe, Noveml)er 7, iSii, wdio later located in l-'ranklin county and spent tne remainder of his life here. This was Hugh West, the grandfather of Hugh West, a veteran of the Civil War and a resident of Brook\-ille at the present time. He came from Virginia and returned to that state at the close of the War of 1812. In 1827 he came to Franklin county, and died in Brookville township in 184J. He is buried on Little Cedar creek in that township.

When the forty-three men wdio made the constitution of 181G came to the question of providing military protection for the i>eople of the infant state, they planned to have all of the men of the state capable of bearing arms organized into companies, regiments and brigades. At that time threefourths of the state was still owned and occupied by the Indians and it was essential to the welfare of the state that ample provisions be made for the protection of the settlers. After the state was organized the legislature took cognizance of the need for protection and various laws were passed year by year to provide proper security against the Indians.

Within one year after the state was organized, Franklin county had raised a company, which was attached to' the Sixth Brigade of the Third Division. The names of some of the ofticers of these early militia companies have been preserved, and the following list contains many of the most prominent men of the county in their day:

The following captains have been found in the record: Jesse Clements. William Chilton, John Br}'son. Jonathan McCarty, Isaac Fuller. Andrew- Shirk. James McKinney. Robert Faucett, Samuel Lee. John Dutilap. Edge-

Fraxklix Couxtv, Ixuiana. 2S3

The following- men served as lieutenants in local militia companies: Martin McKee, Thomas Winscott, Alexander Gardner, James Abercrombie, John Hackleniaii. Powell Scott. Joim Hiday, Thomas Water, Geort,^e Rudicel. Timothy Ellison, William Jones, James Smith, Jolin Xewlaiid, William Nichols, Thomas A. R. Eaton, Robert Nng-ent, John I'eter.

Ensigns of the early militia companies included the followincj: James Dixon, Henry A. Reed, William Maple, William Goldin,:.,^ Peter Brackin. Joseph Moore, Jacob P'aucett, Elisha Clark, James Peter, Ji^hn Adams. Peter Vandike, Benjamin Gully, Enoch Wright, John Brown, William Davis, George Cline.

Although there were plenty of the early settlers of Franklin county who were willing to fight, there were some who were conscientiously opposed to the bearing of arms. In the early history of Indiana it was provided by statute that persons opposed to military service were to be exempt from jktforming military duties upon the payment of a certain stipulated sum. On February 29, 1820, there was returned to the commissioners of Franklin county by Lieut-Col. John ^Miller, of the Sixteenth Regiment of Indiana Militia, a list of such persons as had indicated their opposition to military service, presumably on account of religi(His scruples. Upon the filing of these names the commissioners ordered that each person so exempted be required to pay a tax of four ditllars, the same to be collected by the .-.heritt of the county. It seems frum tiie record that Samuel Ritter and Menrv Elkinberry were assessed only two dollars, but no reason is assigned for this reduction in the tax. The list is here given in full as it appears upon the record: Samuel Howell. Jacoli Maxwell. Samuel Ritter. Samuel Kingery. John Whittier. Henry Elkinberry. John Richardson. Jonathan Hudelson. Caleb Wickersham, William Maxwell, Christojjher Furnice. Aaron Stanton. \\'illiam Tolbert, Eothan Stanton. Isaac Cook. Jr.. Isaac Cook. Sr.. Zimri Cook. William Bird. Ezekiel Hollingsworth. ITi Henderson. Isaac Gardner. William Gardner. William Pierson, Joseph Cook, Thomas Maxwell. Thomas Swain. Richard Tolbert, Thomas Gardner, Paul Gardner, John Hay worth. Joel Havworth and William Lewis.

The old militia system which was established by the Legislature early in the history of the state was continued without much change until 1S31. Bv 1828 an official repiMt of the adjutant-general slates that there were sixtvfive regiments, which were organized into eighteen brigades, with a total enrollment of forty thousand officers and privates. In 183 1 the Legislature re- vised the militia laws of the state, but froin that time forward interest in local militias ^M-adually died out. In 1832 the adjutant-general reported fifty thousand nine hundred and thirteen officers and privates. That as late as 1833 Franklin county was still devoted to the idea of keeping a local militia company is shown iiy tiie fact that in that year notices were run in the local newspapers concerning- the companies in Franklin county. In order that future generations may have s.ome idea of what regimental orders meant in those days, the following is taken in its entirety from the Rrnokvillc Enquirer of February 22, 1833:

"The 7th Regiment I. M. will take notice that the following persons have been by me appointed the Regimental Staff, to be obeyed and respected as such, viz :

"ist Battalion at David Mount's, Friday, May 3. "2nd Battalion at Isaac McCarty's, Saturday, May 4. "Regimental at Brookville, Friday, October 4. "Drill, Friday and Saturday, April 5-6, at Brookville. "Court of Assessment, First Monday in November. "Court of Appeals, First Monday in December.

"It is expected that all pri\ate3 will appear armed at each of above [Musters - in case; of failure, the law will be rigitlly enforced. The officers must appear in the uniform prescribed for this Regiment and will be particular in noting the delinquences in their respective commands.

"All that part of the company commonly called Brookville Company, east of the West Fork of White Water is attached to Captain Clary's, and that part west of said river to Captain Alley's company, of which all concerned will take notice.

Muster Day

Holidays were few and far between in the early days of Indiana, but there was one day in the year toward which old and young looked forward to with pleasant aniicipatiun. It was muster day - the day on which the local militia donned their uniforms, shouldered their muskets and side arms and paraded before an admiring populace. The law required all able-bodied men between the ages of eighteen and forty-five to muster at least once a year, and from reports which have come down through the children of these patriotic citizens it seems that muster day was the one big day of the year. Regimental musters were held in the spring or fall, and owing to the fact that the county had several infantry and cavalry companies, it was necessary to provide drill or parade grounds. One was near Vandyke's tavern on the old Holland road on the farm owned by John R. Goodwin. The other parade ground was located at ^^letamora. The general muster, which by law must be held once a year, brought forth all the men of military age in the county. Absence from the drill on this particular day was followed by arrest and the assessment of a fine. In writing of this general muster day the late T. A. Goodwin pictured it in the following interesting manner:

"They came on horseback, on foot and in wagons ; the old came and the young. They came partly to see the muster, partly to see each other, but chiefly to eat ginger bread and drink cider, beer or something stronger, and some to engage in regular annual fist fights. The column was usually formed on or about the public square in Brookville, then unfenced, and thence marched into the bottom, down James street to the residence of Judge McKinney ; thence north to the open ground between the tan yard and the mill. There were then no houses in that part of town. The infantry and other uniformed companies led in the march ; then followed the great unwashed, the 'flat-foots/ which constituted the finest possible burlesque on military movements. Men with all kinds of hats, or no hats at all, hundreds of them bare-footed, most of them in their shirt sleeves or at best with linscy wamuses, some with canes, some with hoop-poles, some with com stalks, some with fence rails ten feet long, sometimes four abreast and sometimes ten; some sober and some drunk - and thus they marched. Ludicrous as this inust have been, yet it constituted a muster in the eyes of the law.

"The companies were dismissed soon after reaching the parade grounds, much to the relief of the uniformed companies, which then spent an hour or two in drilling. The disbanding ui the 'great unwasherl,' as the cornstalk militia was called, was the signal for an attack upon the gingerbread wagons which had stationed themselves all over the bottom. So great was the attendance upon these days that the gingerbrearl merchants o£ Brookville were not equal to the occasion of satisfying the rapacious ajjpetites of the multitude, and dealers in the ginger commodity frcjm far and near resorted to Brookville and also reaped a har\est. It was said that at one muster, about 1826 or 1827, one of these gingerbread dealers sold a half a cord of his famous brown pastry. It would be interesting to know just how this gingerbread was made, but the reccipe for this delicious confectitni has been lost with other valuable records. However, some mathematical statements concerning it have been preserved. It was sixteen inches square and an inch and a half thick, with lines deeply sunken dividing the whole cake into four equal parts. These were respectively sections and quarter sections, and the country beau or big lirother who could march up with his own sister, or somebody else's sister, and invest a quarter in a section of ginger cake, with another (juarter in cider or spruce beer. u>ually secured the right to take that sister to singing school for the next twelve months at least, as against a rival who had not treated the sister in a similar manner at the general muster.

"My recollection is that most of these wagons usually handled whisky as well as cider and beer. There was no lager beer in those days and temperance laws were unknown. Whisky retailed at fifteen cents a quart and some of those old cornstalk soldiers could drink several fifteen cents' worth in a day. By noon on this eventful day the fist fights began, and from then on until the day was over individual combats were waged on every side. More blood was shed in this way than was ever spilled by the militia in the performance of their duties."

And so it continued until the latter part of the thirties wdien the interest in the local militia practically died out. No effort was made to keep the companies full and the men equipped according to the law. The Indians had disappeared : England was no longer to be feared and consequently there did not appear to the hard-headed Hoosier that there w-as any necessity for spending sd much time in drilling and parading. During the Alexican War the Legislature passed an act putting an end to the local militia, and the muster days became a thing of the past.

The Mkxican War

The Mexican War was bruuy^lit about by the annexation of Te.vas to the United States in 1845. ^" '<^3^^ Te.xas had declared her independence from Mexican rule and from that time until 1845 it was trying to induce Congress to annex it to the L'nited States. The immediate cause of the break between the l'nited States and Mexico was a dispute over the territory between the Rio Grande and Nueces rivers, a strip about one hundred miles wide. In the spring of 1^4'^) the L'nited States sent General Taylor to the frontier of Te.xas and when he crossed the Rio Grande it amountecl to a declaration of war on the part of the United States. With the shedding of the first blood, the President of tlie United States issued a call for volunteers, and as soon as this was known in Indiana the Governor of the state immediately began to raise the quota assigned to the state.

On May 22, 1846, Governor Whitcomb issued a call for volunteers, and in the Indiana American of ]May 29, 1846, the Governor's proclamation is graced with a flaming eagle and the words : "Polk, Dallas, Texas and Victory." The Governor first called for three regiments of volunteers and Franklin county took immediate steps toward raising a company. On Tuesday evening. May 26, a large number of citizens of Brookville and vicinity met at the court house to discuss the question of raising a local militia company. Doctor Kennedy was called to the chair. William Robeson was appointed vice-president and James X. Tyner officiated as secretan,-. William M. McCarty was delegated to prepare a set of resolutions, and he performed his duty faithfully, as is evidenced l\v the eleven resolutions which he read before the meeting. The whole tenor of the resolutions were to the eftect that Franklin county was enthusiastically in favor of the war and that its citizens were ready to shoulder their arms and fight. Before the meeting closed a committee «)f eleven citizens, one for each townshi]), was appointed to receive the names of volunteers. The committee was as follows : Brookville, William M. McCarty; White Water, J. B. Campbell: Springfield. A. Boyd; Bath. William Bake; Fairfield, Dr. Crookshank; Blooming Grove. Dr. Miller; Laurel, H. D. Johnson: Posey, John H. Farote: Salt Creek. Reuben Flawkins ; Ray, Sanford Hutchison: Highland, B. Cottrell.

Before the meeting closed Dr. Berr}- offered a resolution that Franklin county "be requested to appropriate the sum of ten dollars out of the countv treasury to each of the first ninety-three citizens of this countv who shall volunteer and muster into the servdce of the United States in the manner directed bv the irovernor of the state."

It is to be noted that according to the Governor's proclamation, "All the volunteers are to furnish their own clothing, serve twelve months, must be between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, and while engaged in actual service they shall be subject to the rules of war." Privates received eight dollars a month and the pay ranged upwards through tl'.e various ranks to the captain, who received forty dollars a month. It is interesting to note the clothing which each volunteer had to furnish. It was as follows : Dress cap, forage cap of glazed silk, uniform coat, woolen jacket, two pair of woolen overalls, cotton jacket, three pairs of cotton overalls, two flannel shirts, two pairs of drawers, four pairs of bootees, four pairs of socks, leather or silk stock, great coat, linen fatigue frock, blanket. The official notice concerning the equipment says : "No more clothing is necessary and inspecting officers will see that volunteers are not overloaded with baggage." A company such as Franklin county hoped to raise consisted of one captain, one first lieutenant, one second lieutenant, four sergeants, four corporals, two musicians and eighty privates - a total of ninety-three men.

By the first of June Franklin county was endeavoring to raise two companies. On June 5, the Indiana American reported that McCarty's company was nearly full and that Captain Sullenberger's company was fast filling up. C. F. Clarkson, the editor of the American, seemed to have been a bellicose individual himself. An editorial in his paper of June 5th. said : "We believe two companies will be easily raised in' this county. The American office is contributing to the rank and file of our gallant army; two or three of our journeymen have already left for the seat of war and two or three more want to go. The editor has enrolled his name and will soon be on his way to Mexico, full of war and cabbage."

On Monday, June 8, the first Franklin county company, called the Franklin Guards, was organized with the following officers : William 2^1. McCarty, captain; John B. Campbell, first lieutenant; John E. ^Meyers, second lieutenant. They immediately tendered their services to the Governor and were instructed to collect at Brook ville. Sunday evening, June 14. to be ready to go to New Albany early the next morning. There were no railroads then and the men were taken by canal packets to the Ohio river and thence down the river to New Albany, where they were ordered to report. On leaving, the Franklin county boys were escorted to the canal boat by practically the whole population of Brookville, and just before the boat started.

Mr. Johnson, in behalf ot the town and county, bid them farewell in a short and appropriate speech. When the company reached Harrison they were presented with a Hag- by the ladies of that town.

It was known in Brookville by tiie lime the American came out on June 19, that the LVankliu Guards were the thirty-first company organized in the state, and, since the Governor had only called for thirty companies, the Franklin Guards would not get a chance to be mustered in unless someone of the thirty companies failed to put in an appearance at New Albany. As soon as it was found out that the thirty companies had already been raised, Captain Sullenberger ceased all exertions to complete his company.

In the issue of June 26, 1846, the American says that the Franklin Guards had been disbanded as a company. Many of them returned home, while other enlisted in other companies. There appears to have been some politics mixed up in the refusal of the Governor to accept the company from Franklin county, or at least the editor of the American seemed to think so. "We have no doubt that our company was outrageously treated by the Governor. We Iiave been told by a distinguished Democrat of this congressional district that lie was in the secretary of state's office when the offer of the Franklin Guards arrived at that office - and that it was the twentyeighth company. But it was pushed over to make way for some favorite."

There evidently was some tnith in the charge that the Franklin Guards should have been accepted. The American of July 3 has a long article from John M. Meyers, who was second lieutenant of the local company, and later a member of the Columbus Company. He maintains strongly, violently and even profanely that "W^hitcomb is the damndest rogue of all and so universally despised is he here that each soldier thinks it is his duty to insult him." Twenty of the Franklin county boys joined Captain Boardman's company from Columbus, and ^McCarty, who had been elected captain of the local company, enlisted as a private in the same company. Later, McCarty was elected lieutenant-colonel of the Second Regiment.

No roster has been found giving tlie names of the ninety-three men who composed the Franklin Guards, due to the fact that they were never mustered in as a company. However, as has been mentioned, several of the Franklin county boys enrolled in other companies, and in a letter of John M. Meyers, dated July 28, 1846, and appearing in the American on the 4th of the following month, he gives their names. At that time Meyers states that none of the Franklin county boys in his regiment, the Third, are missing. Andrew Berrv, John B. Gilmore, Robert Harper, Willis ]Moore axid a few others have been sick, but were on the way to recovery. The total number of the FrankHn county boys in the Third Regiment was as follows: William M. McCarty, J. C. Burton, Robert Harper, Willis Moore, Thomas V. Kimble, Peter Headrick, Andrew Berry, Orville Dyer, Henry H. Green, R. W. Lane, T. F. Reardon, William Landfair, J. B. Gilmore, J. C. Wilkinson, John Pludson, Henry Smith, Alexander Eads, John Miller, J. M. Conrad, Lewis Fedderman and John ]\1. Meyers.

Michael Batzner was another Franklin county recruit in the Mexican War and after his return took an active part in politics. He was elected sheriff twice and later filled the office of county treasurer. Before the expiration of his term he absconded with thirty thousand dollars of the county's money and fled to Canada.

Alfred Stoops, an uncle of Harry ^L Stoops, of Brook villc. ran away from home to enlist in the Mexican War. He was killed at the battle of Monteroy and his father later secured his bounty of one hundred and si.xty acres in Howard county. Indiana. Other I'Yanklin county volunteers in the Mexican War were Lawrence \\'ertz. GcoriL^^e Fetty rmd Charles W. Seymour.

In a letter dated September 6, 1846, J. M. Meyers reported to the American that four Franklin county boys, John ^Miller, Willis Moore, Andrew Berry and William I^^ndfair had been discharc^ed for disability. The editor of the American announced in his issue of November 6, 1846, that J. M. Meyers had lately been promoted to the rank of a ser<;-eant-major.

The first Franklin county soldiers reported as wounded in the columns of the American are noticed in the issue of April 9. 1847. Jo^*" C. Burton lost an arm at the battle of Buena Vista and Orville Dyer was slightly wounded in the same engagement.

On April 24, 1847, Governor Whitcomb issued a call for an additional regiment of ten companies. As soon as the news of this call reached Franklin county, A. W. Sullenberger made an attempt to raise a company of eighty-four men. The pay had been raised to ten dollars a month and, as an additional inducement for enlistments, one hundred and sixty acres of land was offered, "to be located by the volunteer or by his heirs at any land office of the United States." At the same time John B. Campbell made an effort to reorganize the Franklin Guards and called upon all of the patriotic young men of Franklin county "who felt like repairing to the newly-made graves of our g^allant countn'men who have fallen in battle.''

It appears that Governor Whitcomb accepted a regiment before Franklin county could enroll a company, l-'rom the tenor of the letters appearinj^ in the local papers from the seat of war, there does not seem to have been much love for the Governor among the volunteers from Franklin county. This dislike for the Governor will fully account for the difficulty in organizing' another company in Franklin in the spring of 1847. A very interesting statement is noticed in the American of June ii, 1847. George W. Kimble ran a card in this issue announcing his candidacy for the office of recorder of Franklin county and states that "the proceeds of the office he hereby pledges to his son, Thomas V. Kimble, a minor, now serving his country in the army in Mexico." Most of the FVanklin county volunteers returned to Brookville Monday, July 5, 1H47, and of the twenty who were in the Columbus (Indiana) company all returned on that day except T. F. Reardon, J. C. Wilkinson, Alexander Eads and Lewis Feddermann.

In the fall of 1847 Governor Whitcomb issued a call for another regiment of troops for service in Mexico. Major John M. ]Meyers, of Brookville, began to raise a company as soon as he heard of the new requisition. He had about forty names on his roll when he ascertained that those companies would be first accepted which contained the largest number of old volunteers. Since Franklin county only had twenty men in the war up to this time, who had returned, there did not seem to be any chance of having a Franklin county company accepted. Hence, Major Meyers did not put forth any further efforts to complete a company. In speaking of the war and the part which I'Vanklin had played in it thus far, the editor of the American on September 10, 1S47, said: "The fates appear to be against the brave spirits of old Franklin, who wished to serve their country and win glory and renown. Had there been any chance for ]\Iajor Meyers' company he could have had it nearly full by this time. We believe, with exertion, two or three companies could be raised in this county at once. We feel a little proud of the patriotic feeling in our community and of the determination to avenge our countr\''s wrong."

The American reported in its issue of October 29. 1847, ^^^^ John M. Meyers had been elected major of the Fifth Regiment of Indiana \'olunteers. This regiment left ^Madison on October 25-27, 1847. ^'^^ the seat of war. There were some recruits from Franklin county in the Fifth Regiment, but their names have not been found. In addition to those of the Third and Fifth Regiments, Franklin county furnished a number of men for the Texan Rangers, a troop of cavalry which was recruited from southern Indiana and Ohio. There were also Franklin county boys in the regular

Dr. George Berry left Brookville April 8, 1847, to assume the duties of surgeon of the Sixteenth Regiment of United States Infantry. He was first stationed at ]\Iontcrey and later had charge of the Ceralvo ("Mexico; hospital, where he remained until the close of the war.

It seems appropriate to close the discussion of the Mexican War with a picnic - or an account of one at least. On July 13, 1847, an all-day picnic and big dinner was given in Butler's Grove adjoining Brookville in honor of the veterans of the Mexican War who had just returned to their homes. Unfortunately, the issues of the local papers for that week are missing, but it is fair to presume that it was a most enjoyable occasion. In addition to the soldiers of this county, those from adjoining counties had been asked to attend. As far as is known, Alfred Stoops is the only Franklin county volunteer who lost his life on ^Mexican soil.

The Civil War

On Sunday morning, April 14, 1S61, the streets of Brookville were filled with people discussing the fall of Fort Sumter, which had taken place the day previous. It is doubtful whether a more solemn Sabbath had ever befallen the United States. I'or more than a decade there had been threats of disunion, but no one really believed that the South would ever openly rebel and secede - but the fall of Fort Sumter was conclusive proof that the longexj)ected break between the North and South had finally come. To tell in detail the storj' of Franklin county and the part it played in the Civil War would take more space than could be given to it in this work.

In writing this part of Franklin county's history the historian has three different sources from which to draw his material, namely : the veterans still living, Adjutant-General Terrell's report and the files of the newspapers of that period. The Grand Army of the Republic at Brookville has given every possible assistance in furnishing data and has rectified manv of the inaccuracies of Terrell's reports. Unfortunately, one of the best sources of infonnation is not available. The newspapers - the American and Doiiocrat - are missing for the Civil War period, with exception of the Democrat from May 31, 1861, to August 7, 1863. This means that there is no local accountof the opening or closing of the Avar, and furthemiore deprives the historian of being able to give an intimate view of the war from a local standpoint.

In many counties in the state there was much strife and bitter feehng between the Repubhcan.s and Democrats and I'rankhn cuunty passed through some trying times poHticaUy. There is no question but that the Democratic party in b'ranklin county was very loyal to the Union cause, at least a spirit of loyalty is found in the Democrat until the fall of 1863. ^^'Ilat tlie sentiment was after that date is not known, since the hies of the pajxjr arc missing from that time until 1866.

As soon as President Lincoln's call for volunteers was received in Brookville, C. B. Bently, the editor of the Democrat stood upon a chair in front of his printing office and read aloud the proclamation. On Saturday, April 20, Dr. Samuel Davis, of New Trenton, a cousin of Jefferson Davis, President of the Southern Confederacy, drew up a paper calling f(^r volunteers and left it at the law office of Holland Ik Binckley. On die following Monday morning John C. Burton, who lost an arm in the Mexican War at the battle of Buena Vista, took the paper and started to enroll men. The first man who signed the roll was George IMcCoy Sleeth, a compositor in the Democrat office. It may be said in passing that Sleeth served over four years in Company C, Thirteenth Regiment, and died in Indianapolis, July 15, 1S95.

The enrolling continued during the following week and on Saturdav. April 27, a rousing Union meeting was held in the court house for the purpose of encouraging enlistments. Speeches were made by prominent citizens and, irrespective of parties, great enthusiasm was manifested. There A\ere large delegations from various parts of the county and Metamora sent a large crowd down by boat. After the meeting closed a tall hickory pole was drawn up over the fire wall of the court house and run out through the scuttle in the roof of the tower. A large flag was suspended from the pole and there it waved until the war closed. The next day, Sunday, April 28. the volunteers attended the senices at the Methodist church in a body and the pastor. Rev. W. W. Snyder, delivered an appropriate semion. On die next m.orning, April 29, 1861, the first company of soldiers left Brookville for the war.

This company was called the Franklin Guards in remembrance of the company of that name which had tried to be mustered in at the opening of the Mexican War. The captain of the company was John C. Burton. The other officers were as follow : Edmund Finn, first lieutenant ; Tames Rothrock. second lieutenant: John A. Smith, third lieutenant: George Claypool, orderly sergeant. The privates include the following: George Z^IcSleeth. Theodore Reifel. C. Clay Hutchinson, Thomas Castle. Adolphus Winans. J. R. Posey. E. L. Powers. John Fowder. William Hadley. Ezekiel Washburn.

William Bell, George M. Chapman, Thomas Chapman, Jesse Wilshire, Preston Gates, John J. Reid, Joseph B. Davis, Richard W. Reid, William Sheppard, James G. Howland, William F. Winans, Joseph Alagoon, Thomas Conley, John Conley, John Burkhardt, M. Richard, John Rogers, Conrad Kernel, F"rank Fogel, J. C. Searle, William H. Skinner, James Conley, A. J. Posey, Henry Hartman, W. T. Jones, Adam Felz, Joseph Cook, Oscar A. Becks, M. Sattlcr, Fred Ulrich, F. M. Chamberlain, James C. Bernard, W. C. Rolf, John Walters, J. L. Bilderbloom, Hczekiah Chapman, Enoch George, William Stewart, A. M. Lawson, John H. Lapp, Sineas Ryman, Martin Warner, T. A. Kleinard, Michael Fogel, Benjamin M. McCarty. James Castle, A. Koehler, C. C. Kirk, H. B. Sheppard, Charles Link, Oliver Carpenter, Hiram Tucker, Richard Weston, John H. Gifford, J. G. White, F. M. Faurote, James Harry, Josiah Hires. Richard Jenks, Thomas Weston, Thomas G. Morow, Perry Williams, Simpton Smith, M. Garmichael, Andrew K. Stout, W. H. Davis, Alfred Doughty, S. J. Cronner, J. D. George, Daniel Utsler, G. W. Burris, John McCann, Frank Longsley, David Campbell, Henry Eradburn, John McGuire, Henry Amerein, Andrew Hueth. A. J. Bordman, George H. Thomas, G. A. McGloskey, William H. Ee?t, G. F. Johnson. Charles M. Royer, H. H. Guppy, David T. Hadley. Holtslider, J. K. Proctor, Andrew N. Smith. G. E. Shafer, John M. ZvIcXeely, George Moton. W. D. Pursel. R. W. Scudder, W. W. Andre. James Br}-3on. The women of Brookville presented each member of the Franklin Guards, just before they left town, with a bible. ^Mrs. ^Morrow made the presentation speech Monday morning. April 28, 1861. On that same morning they were loaded into big wagons, hauled to Sunman's Station and remained there until they proceeded to Richmond, Indiana, where thev went into camp for drilling purposes.

The President first made a call for seventy-five thousand troops for three months' service, and Indiana's quota was six thousand. Indiana had furnished five regiments for the ^Mexican War and consequently the first regiment of the Civil War was the sixth. The state responded so quickly to the Governor's call for troops that the Franklin county company did not get mustered in with tlie first six regiments. The state's quota was filled and mustered into the service on April 27, the day before the Franklin countscompany left Brookville. .

seventeen and to be mustered in for one year only. These troops were held by the Governor witli the expectation that they would soon be called for by the President - and the call soon came. On May 1 1, 1861, the President issued a call for three-year troops, and, although the six state regiments had been mustered in only for one year, yet the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Seventeenth readily volunteered for the three-year service with the exception of a few hundred. Those who did not wish to serve for the three years were discharged and returned home. The other two state regiments - the Twelfth and Sixteenth - remained in the state service until July 18, 1861, and were then mustered into the United States service for the unexpired portion of their one-year service. These two regiments were later reorganized for another year's service.

As has been stated, the Franklin Guards did not get into camp soon enough to be enrolled in the first six regiments, but were later organized into parts of the state regiments. Part of them were assigned to Company A of the Thirteenth Regiment and the remainder to the Sixteenth Regiment.

The Franklin Guards were not a unit in deciding to enlist for three years, but finally most of them joined either the Thirteenth or Sixteenth Regiments. Companies A, B, C, D and E of the Thirteenth Regiment contained Franklin county recruits. Company A contained 2"/, with four ofificers, as follows: William H. Skinner, first sergeant; John L. Gilderbloom, second sergeant; Peter Franzman, Amos W. Batson and Joseph C. Jaques, corporals. Company B had four privates from this county. Company C went into the Thirteenth Regiment with its full complement of officers : Captains John C. Burton and James C. Rothrock, the former being promoted to major; First Lieutenants Edmund Finn, James C. Rothrock and Alfred Dawdy; Second Lieutenants, James C. Rothrock, .Alfred Dawdy, William Jones and Theodore Langsdorf; Corporal George M. Sleeth. In addition to these officers there was one private in Company C. There was one private in Company D. three in Company E and one in Company H.

According to the record there were only eleven men from the countv who enlisted in the Sixteenth Regiment, two in Company D in the vear service and two in Company A in the three-year service. In addition there were seven unassigned recruits in the three-year ser\-ice. IMany of the men in both the Thirteenth and Sixteenth Regiments re-enlistd upon the expiration of their term of service.

The Eighteenth Regiment was organized and mustered into the service at Indianapolis, August 16, 1861, with Thomas Pattison as colonel. David E. Adanis was commissioned adjutant October 25, 1862, and resigned June 25,

1863. Company F was recruited in and around Metaniora and during its three years' serv.ee had the follown,, oftkers : Captains, Peter C. Woods Uorge \V . Kimble Peter D. Pelser and Edward Vount; hrst heutenants, Ceorj,^e \\ . Kimble', John L. Lowes, Peter D. Pelser. Edward Young; ^'^^'^-'^ "^^T!"^ David E. Adams. John L. Lowes, Peter D. Pelser. ^'^^^^f'^^ sergeant, John L. Lowes; sergeants, Francis M. Evans, P'^"^'" J^/J^^^^' Wihiam Gramradd and Abner Lee; corporals, David Campbell. W.lham U Sanders, John Treinor. James Holland. Abraham B. Lowes. George \V ^ Philip John W. Speer and Joseph J. Rickets; musicians, Aaron Conlm and George Foster; wagoner, George W. Bull. In addition to the above named officers Franklin county had sixty-six privates m this company.

The Twenty-first Regiment was organized and mustered into tlic serx ice as an infantrv or-anizati(Mi fur three years at Indianapolis, July 24, 18G1, with James W. McMillin as colonel. There were a few Franklin county volunteers in this regiment: Three in Company K. three in Company M and nineteen unassigned recruits. John B. Davis, of Brookville. wa= mustered in this regiment as assistant surgeon.

The Thirty-second Regiment was the first German regiment organized in the state and was made possible through the e.xertions ot August W ilhch a distinguished officer of the German Revolution of 1848. It was organized at Indianapolis and Willich was mustered in with it as colonel on August 24. 1861 It was sent into Kentucky and fought all the time m the South, closin- its career with Sherm.in in Georgia. Immediately alter the capture of Atfantan the non-veterans were returned to Indianapolis and mustered out September 7 1864. The three Franklin county volunteers m this regiment were Christian Ellerman (Company A). Joseph Freihage (Company B). and William J. Hahn, who was commissioned captain ot Company I, May II 1863 Both of these men enlisted October 20, 1862, as recruits in their respective companies and upon the reorganization of the Thirty-second they were transferred to a residuarv battalion of four compames and placed in command of Lieutenant Hans Blume. Upon the return of the army to Tennessee this battalion was left at Chattanooga, where it remained on duty until June. 1S65. It was then taken to New Orleans, where it remained until the latter part of 1865.

The Thirty-fifth Regiment was the first Irish regiment and was organized at Indianapolis and mustered in on December 11. 1S61, with John C Walker as colonel. The regiment was taken to Kentucky and later transferred to Nashville, Tennessee. It fought at Stone's River and then participated in the engagements around Chlckamauga and then joined

Sherman in his advance on Atlanta. After the battle of Kenebuw Mountain the Ihirty-fifth continued iiglitinj^ in Georgia until after the battle of Atlanta; it then returned to Tennessee and fought at Franklin and Xashville. In June, 18O5, 't- ^''^ i't^'it to Te.xas, where it remained on duty until September, when it was mustered out. Franklin county had a total of forty-five men in the Thirty-tifth scattered through five different companies. There were eighteen in A. twelve in U, iive in C, seven in E, and three in K.

The Tliirly-sevenlh Rci^inicnt was organized at Lawrenceburg, September 18, 1861, with George W. Hazzard as colonel. Franklin county had nearly two complete companies, B and G. in this regiment. Thomas \'. Kimble was commissioned major of this regiment August 14, i86j, and John R. Goodwin was commissioned assistant surgeon. .September 22. 1861. Franklin county had one man in Company A. James Coulter, rir^t lieutenant Company B only had three men in it who were not enrolled in Frankli. county. The captains of Company B were Thomas \'. Kimble and Robert ^^ Goodwin; first lieutenants, Robert M. Goodwin and William H. Wilkinson; second lieutenants. William H. Wilkinson and Jacob W. Stoner. John McCoy and Daniel S. Sliafer were captains of Company G; A. F. Allen, B. S. Shafer and W. H. Baughman. first lieutenants; I). S. Shafer and W. H. Baughman, second lieutenants; J. M. DeArmond, first sergeant; W. H. Baughman, A. S. Lee, John S. Hetrick and J. S. Clenck-nning, sergeants : J. W. Bartow, John M. Gray, P. M. Gray. J. J. Hinds. Peter Keen, Samuel R. Bayles, Oliver B. Baker and Samuel B. Rowe. :\Iusicians, John H. Fo;c and Samuel C. Shields. All of the privates in Company G were enrolled in this county. This regiment was mustered out in October, 1S64, and later five veteran companies and tlie remaining recruits were consolidated into two companies known as A and B detachment of the Thirty-seventh Regiment. Franklin county had thirteen men in Companv A and thirty-six in Company B of the reorganized regiment.

The Forty-fifth Regiment (Third Indiana Cavalry) was organized at different times. Six companies were originally organized for the Twentveighth Regiment (First CavalrvO ' at Madison. August 22. 1861. These companies had been sent to Virginia at once and there they were joined on October 22, i86r, with four companies which had been organized in September and October. In December. 1862, two new companies were organized and added to the regiment. The regiment was composed of what was known as the right wing, con-^isting of Companies A. B. C. D. E and F, and the left wing, consisting of Companies G, H, I and K. The first six companies operated in Virginia and the left wing was sent into Kentucky.

The Other two companies, L and M, remained at Indianapolis for nearly a year and then were transferred to the eastern part of Tennessee and united with the left wing-. The right wing- fought in many of the most severe eng-agements in the East and was tinally mustered out of service August 7, 1865. Tlie casuahties of these si.x coni[)anies totaled six hundred and five men. The left wing participated in the battles of Murfreesboro, Missionary Ridge and in all of the engagements fought by Sherman in his march through Georgia. While at Savannah the remainuig veterans and recruits were consolidated with the Eighth Indiana Cavalry. From that city this regiment followed Sherman north through the Carolinas and was mustered out at Lexington, North Carolina, July 20, 1865. Franklin county liad at least one member in Company L, John M. Colescott ; four in Com])any M, John Batzner, Alfred H. Lawson, Samuel .Spidle and John Stewart. Among the unassigned recruits were George S. Golden, who was mustered in September 18. 1863. and discharged with his company August 7, 1865.

The Fifty-second Regiment was partially organized at Rushville and marched to Indianapolis, where it was consolidated with the Fifty-si.xth or Railroad Regiment. The regimental organization was perfected during the first week in February, 1862, and on the 9th of that month it appeared before Fort Henry, Tennessee. Franklin county was well rej^resented in this regiment, having volunteers in Companies B, F, G and H. There were six privates in Company B. There were seventy-two in Company F, including fifty-four privates and eighteen commissioned and non-commissioned officers. A. J. Ross was commissioned captain of this company October 3, 186 r. and resigned January 19, 1863. Salem M. Shumway was the first lieutenant, resigning his commission April 17, 1862. Edward A. Boaz was the first second lieutenant. John E. Swarts was first sergeant; Charles White. John G. Cowan, W. H. Houston and S. C. Cramer, sergeants; Early Burk, Orange Ryan, William E. W^ilson, J. L. Grinstead. Jabez Smith, Louis Gilbert. George W. Osborn and Thomas D. Monroe, corporals; Lewis Lawrence and William I. Wilson, musicians ; wagoner, James Pruett. Companv G had five privates. Company H had forty privates and five non-commissioned officers. Frederick Deike, of New Trenton, was captain of this company, and John P. T. Davis, second lieutenant.

The Fifty-seventh Regiment was recruited from the fifth and eleventh congressional districts, mainly through the efforts of Rev. J. W. T. McMuUen and Rev. F. A. Hardin. It was mustered into the service November 18, 1861, at Richmond, Indiana. Franklin county had eight men in Company G of this regiment and all of them enlisted as privates from Fairfield.

The Sixty-eighth Regiment was recruited in the fourth coiigresbional district, and organized at Greciislnirij under tlie superintendence of iJenjamin C. Shaw, formerly major of the Seventh Indiana and heutenant-colonel of the Sixty-eightli upon its organization. The regiment was mustered into the service at Indianapolis August 19, 1862, with Edward A. King as colonel, and at midnight of the same day it started for Louisville, Kentucky. Practically all of its service was in the South and it was mustered out at Nashville, June 20, 1865. Franklin county had more men in this regiment than in and other recruited in this county; Brookville at this time had one hundred five men at the front out of two hundred thirty voters. Three complete companies, officers and privates were recruited in the county, C, G and H. Edmund Finn was commissioned major of this regiment November 6, 1863, promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel November 15, 1863, and mustered out with the rank of major. Edwin W. High was commissioned adjutant of the regiment January i, 1864, and mustered out as commissary sergeant. Three successive quartermasters of this regiment came from Brookville, namely: Augustus D. Lynch, E. W. Willis and William H. Remy. Dr. L. W. Hodgkins, of Fairfield, was commissioned assistant surgeon August 19, 1862. Company A had twelve non-commissioned officers and privates. Company C was made up entirely from Franklin county. Its commissioned officers were as follows : Captains, William 11. Smith and Richard L. Leeson; first lieutenants, R. L. Leeson, John Reese and John R. Kennedy; second lieutenants, John Reese, Moses H. Kibbe, John Burkhardt and Isaac C. Worden. Company D had two from this county, John Francis and Jefferson E. Trimbly. Company G was composed entirely of Franklin county recruits. The commissioned officers were as follows : Captains, Lawrence V. C. Lynn and George W. Clayjxjol; first lieutenants, George W. Claypool. Joseph R. Clarke and Oliver B. Hoisted; second lieutenants, Austin Webb, Joseph R. Clarke, C. B. Moore and A. R. R\Tnan. Company H was also composed entirely of Franklin county volunteers. The commissioned officers were as follows : Captains, Edmund Finn and F. M. Wilkinson; first lieutenants, Francis M. Wilkinson, E. H. Case and John M. Davis; second lieutenants, L. W. Buckingham, E. H. Case and Shadrach Stringer.

Edwin W. High, of Metamora, was asked by the Sixty-eighth Indiana Veteran Association to write the history of this regiment, and issued in 1902 a volume of more than four hundred pages covering everv phase of the career of this regiment. This volume has the reputation of being one of the best regimental histories ever published in the state and reflects great honor upon its author. Franklin county is glad to claim Mr. High as one of its sterling citizens, lit was born in Buck's county, Pennsylvania, in 1841, and removed to Aietamora, Franklin county, Indiana, in 1852. On August 6, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company C, Sixty-eighth Indiana; app(jinted orderly sergeant on January 3, 1864; appcnnted commissary sergeant of the regiment on March 18, 1864; promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and adjutant of the regiment on .May 20, 1864. However, the regiment being reduced below the number required for the muster of a colonel, he was not mustered into the rank to which he had been appointed.

In June, 18C4, he was i)]aced on detached duty as a clerk at Chattanooga and served there until March 4, 1865. Later he was detailed for duty as clerk in the war department at Washington, I). C, and ordered to rcjiort to Major-General Steedmau in the held. He was assigned to duty as clerk in charge of the court-martial records of the district of Etowah, in which capacity he sensed until June 11, 1865. In 18^6 he accepted a position as inspector and ganger in the United States internal revenue department, and in the following year removed to Louisville, Kentucky, to accept a position in United States service, and was soon given the position of chief of the registered letter division, Lonisxille postoftice. In :8C8 he began the study of law^ in the office of Hon. James Speed, attorney-general of the United States under President Lincoln, which he continued for over three years. In 1871 he was married to Mary D. Banes, of Metamora, Indiana, who ' died in September, 1890. He was engaged in constant practice as a lawyer until his death.

The Fourth Cavalry (Seventy-seventh) Regiment was organized at Indianapolis, Augtist 22, 1862, with Isaac P. Gray as colonel. On the completion of its organization the aspect of afifairs became so threatening in Kentucky that the regiment was divided, four companies being sent to Henderson under command of John A. Platter and the remaining companies to Louisville, whence they were ordered into the interior of Kentucky. The regiment fought in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alississippi and Alabama, and engaged in many of the severest engagements of the war. It was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, June 29, 1865. Franklin county had forty-two privates and two officers in Company B of this regiment. William H. Bracken was commissioned first lieutenant Augxtst 2, 1S62, and mustered out with this rank with his regiment at the close of the war. John P. Wilson was commissioned second lieutenant August 2, 1862. and resigned his commission February 27. 1S63. The non-commissioned officers of Company B included the following: Henry H. Blackman. sergeant: Hu<^h

The Eighty-third Regiment was organized at Lawrenceburg in September, 1862, with Benjamin J. Spooner as colonel. The organization was composed of nine companies of volunteers for three years and one company of drafted men. The latter was discharged from service at the expiration of nine months from November 15, 1862. Shortly after it was mustered in, the regiment was sent to Memphis, Tennessee, and during the rest of 1SO2 and until the fall of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863, the regiment was fighting around that strongliolcl. After the fall of Vicksburg the regiment was tran.sferred to Chattanooga and fought in the great battle at Missionary Ridge, Novmeber 25, 1863. T'ollowim,'- this ilie regiment went with Sherman in his campaig-n until he reached Atlanta, and then turned and moved northward in pursuit of Hood. After driving the rebel commander into northern Alabama the Eighty-third returned to Atlanta and remained with Sherman until he reached Savannah. It then followed him northward through the Carolinas and after the surrender of Lee and Johnson marched to Washington, D. C, where it participated in the Grand Review, May 23-24. 18^5. The regiment was mustered out June 3, 1865, after having traveled four thousand miles by land, eighteen hundred miles on steamboat and four hundred eight-five miles by rail - making- a total of six thoiisand two hundred eighty-five miles traveled during its term of service. During its career the regiment was under actual fire for more than two hundred days. Franklin county had recruits in four companies. D, E, H and K. Company D had ten nine months' privates from this county: Joseph Doerflein, ^lathew Herbert, Bernhard Floelscher, Flenry "Mackc. John Meyrose. Theodore Moormann, Anthony Rahe, Balthasar Roell, Henry Wintering and Frank Zeh. Company E had one private, Peter H. Huber. Company H had three privates, Henry Hensler, Lewis Etter and Herman Weighmeier. Company

K enrolled a total of forty-eight men from this county, including officers and privates. The officers of this company were as follows : Captain, John M, Cresswel; first sergeant, Wilbur F. Hilt; second sergeants, William H. Keeler, John Mixer; corporals, Recompence Carter, Joim \V. Feighan, John H. Kramer and George W. Abraham; musician, Dennis R. Sizelove; wagoner, Patrick Dugan. The privates of this company were as follows: Patrick H. Coleman, Michael Doherty, Aaron C. Fry, James A. Harrell, Peter Huegel, Michael A. Jacob, Joseph Kopp, Nathan Martin, Frederick Meyrose, Lyman B. Reynolds, Moses Rariden, Daniel K. Smith, William Stech, John Siefert, Philip Schwegler, Frank Schlosser, Lewis W. Woodrutt, Jesse M. Woodruff, Frank Wagoner, Conrad Wagner, George Wilhelm, Anthony Weber, Frederick Wachsmann and Anthony Wobbe.

The Fifth Cavalry ( Xmetieth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers) was organized at Indianapolis in August and September, 1862. Four companies were mustered into the service in August, five in September and three in October. The companies were divided and several of them were sent to the southwestern part of the state to keep order and quell any incipient uprising on the part of the Southern sympathizers. Later, all the companies of the regiment united at Glasgow, Kentucky, and during the remainder of their time in service fought in practically all of the Southern states. This regiment was in twenty-two separate battles, and during the month of June, 1864, was under fire every day in the month. It actually marched two thousand four hundred miles and was transported one thousand miles on water. It captured six hundred forty prisoners, a number equivalent to more than half of its own enrollment. Of this regiment thirty-four were killed on the battlefield : thirteen died from wounds : seventy-four died in the hospital ; one hundred fifteen died in rebel prisons ; seventy-tw'Q were wounded in action ; four hundred ninety-seven were captured at various times - making a total casualty list of eight hundred twenty-nine. Franklin county had two men in Companv C. Sevmore L. Pierce and Austin Mason. Pierce was mustered in as first sergeant August 5. 1862. promoted to second lieutenant. May 4, 1863, and commissioned captain March 10, 1864. Austin Mason, also of Laurel, was mustered in as sergeant August 9. 1S65, and was mustered out as a private June 15, 1865. William D. Banvick was a private in Company G.

The One I lundred and Twenty-thirtl Regiment was recruited during the winter of 1863-64 from the fourth and seventh congressional districts and rendezvoused at Grecnsburg. It was mustered into service March 9, 1864, with John C. McOuiston as colonel. Nine days later the regiment left for Nashville and on llic 4th of April the regiment marched to Charleston, Tennessee, spending twenty days marching from morning until night. It joined Sherman's army in Georgia and remained with him until after the fall of Atlanta, when it turned to follow Iluud back into Tennessee. It was in tlie battle of Xa>h\ iile and was later taken to Washington, D. C. From that city it was taken by water to Fort Anderson, North Carolina, and was later sent into the interior of the state to meet General Sherman at Goldsboro. The regiment was mustered out of the service at Raleigh, North Carolina, on August 25, 1865. When it reached Indianapolis on September 4 it only had an aggregate of five hundred, rank and file, left out of the original thousand men. Franklin county had one hundred and thirteen men in the One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment, divided among Companies A, B, D, E, G, H, I and K. There were four in A, thirteen in B, eleven in D, five in E, two in G, six in H, twelve in I and sixty-five in K.

The One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment was mustered into the one-hundred-day service at Indianapolis, May 25, 1864. Franklin county furnished eighty-six privates and the commissioned oftlccrs for Company H. The officers were as follows : Captain, Robert Allen ; first lieutenant, William H. Jones; second lieutenant, Edward D. Waltz. In Terrell's Report (Vol. VII., p. 361) the statement is made that tlicse men were "supposed"' to be mustered out upon the expiration of their enlistment. According to the records, Wilson Morrow, of Brookville, was commissioned major of this regiment on June i, 1864, but for some reason, not disclosed, declined the honor. This regiment saw service in Tennessee.

The One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Regiment was mustered into the service at Indianajjolis. June 8, 1864, with George Himiphrey as colonel This regiment was one of the eight one-hundred-day regiments (numbered consecutively from the one hundred thirty-second to the one hundred thirtyninth, inclusive) which were raised in the summer of 1864. As fast as these regiments were musrered in they were sent to Nashville, Tennessee, and during their three months at the front guarded railroads in Tennessee. Alabama and Georgia for the purpose of keeping open the lines of communication used by General Sherman. These regiments all served beyond their one hundred days and then returned to Indianapolis, where they were discharged from their service. Franklin county had fifty-two privates in Company B of the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Regiment and all of the commissioned officers. The officers were as follows : Captains. John Colter and Abner Lee ; first lieutenants, Allen W. !Monroe, Abner Lee and James Gillespie: second lieutenants, Abner Lee, James Gillespie and Jacob P. Blazier.

The One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment was recruited for the one-year service in July, 1864, most of the companies being from the tenth congressional district. The regiment was organized and mustered into the service on November 3, 1864, with John M. Comparet as colonel. It was sent to Nashville, and later followed Sherman through Georgia as far as Atlanta, it then returned to 'J"enne>see, fuught in the battle <jf Nashville and remained on duty at that city until mustered out July 14, 1865. Franklin county had only two men in this regiment, both being members of Company I, Corporal Henry Bridge, of Laurel, and Private Jesse Bridge of the same place. Both were mustered out with their regiment.

The One Hundred and Forty-si.xth Regiment was recruited in the first, third and fcnirth congressional districts, organized at Indianapolis, March 3, 1865. and mustered into the service si.x days later with M. C. Welsh as colonel. It arrived at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, on ^larch ir, and performed post and guard duty at various places in \'irginia until it was mustered out of the ser\-ice at Baltimore, August 31, 1865. Franklin county had fifty-seven pri\ates and non-commissioned officers and four commissioned officers. Thomas C. Shepperd was commissioned quartermaster, February 24, 1865. Company A had eight privates, as follows: Walker Bacon, James Baker, Samuel Bartlow, Hickman Dean, Charles Hamnian. \\'illiam Hamilton, Franklin Smith and James Wilson. Company F had fortv-four men from Franklin county. John Burkhardt was commissioned captain of this company March i. 1865, '^^^ surrendered his commission on the 27th of the following ^Nlay. James A. Rodman was commissioned second lieutenant of Company F, June i, 1865. Charles Conner and Charles Washburn, both of Metamora, were made sergeants February i, 1865. Thomas Keeler, James B. French. William Heineman and Lucius Gates were corporals. The privates were as follov; : Rollin G. Adams. Henry Butler. Tames Butler. Tames Buckley, John Castle. A. J. Cameron, Frederick Ellerman. Noah Dare. George Frederick, John Ferris, Z. L. Ferguson. Amos ^I. Gever. T-'hn Holiday, William Holiday, John Hurley. J. C. Howard, George W. John.son, John Kclley, Clarence LaRue, George Mc\Miinney, Wilson ^IcAnnallv. Elmore Maguire, James Murray, Lewis Morelock, John ^fcAnnallv, John W. Pettycrcw, William Roberts, Jonathan Rusing, Simpson !M. Rusing. John G. Schoke, James I\I. Steward, John S. Steward, William Stephens, Henry Wolf, George Washingtcm and John A. Wiggans. Companv H had seven Franklin county recruits, Second Lieutenant Frederick Hallowell and six privates, John 'M. Jaqucs, Samuel Abercrnmbie, Henrv C. Bearslev. John A. Liming, John H. Stafford and David Worship.

Franklin' Coijnty, Indiana

The One Hundrcd-Forty-sevcnth Regiment was composed of seven companies from the fifth conj^^rcssional district, two from the eleventh and one composed of detachments from Benton, Henry and Fayette counties. These were organized into a regiment at Indianapolis, ^^larch 13, 1865, with Milton Peden as colonel. It was sent into Virginia, and remained in the Shenandoah valley until mustered out August 4, 1SO5. Franklin county had three privates in Company D, William L. Gilmore, James M. Osborn and John Osborn, all from Metamora. William Feffers, of Fairfield, was a private in Company E.

The One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment was recruited in the sixth congressional district and was mustered in at Indianapolis, February 25, 1865, with Nicholas R. Ruckle as colonel. It performed garrison duty in the central part of Tennessee until it was mustered out of the ser\-ice September 5, 1865. Franklin county had thirty-eight men in this regiment, distributed among Companies A, B and G. The following twenty-three privates were in Company A : Wiley Ackman, John W. Boots, Charles Aplin, William F. Crouch, Charles M. Cole, Benjamin F. Childs, Martin Glaze, John Gray, John Godfrey, Lewis Gordon, John Jackson, Samuel Kaskey, Andrew Kirk, Edward Lowey, James S. Monroe, Patrick ^McKinlcy, Lloyd Rariden, Decatur Simms, Andrew J. Stephenson, Thomas G. Strue, William Stephenson, William T. Snodgrass. William D. Tomlinson and Lawrence Willhof. There were four men in Company B, Samuel Danbury, James Graves, Frederick Ward and John G. Williams. Company G enlisted eleven Franklin county recruits, as follow : John D. Atkinson, John I. Aijrams, David H. Abrams, Charles B. Abrams, Peter Bradley, William Craig, James King, John I\ fills, Joseph Newton and Jones Tobin.

The Nineteenth Battery of Light Artillery was mustered into the service at Indianapolis, August 5, 1S62, with Samuel J. Flarris as captain. It immediately joined the Army of the Ohio in Kentucky and took an active part in driving Bragg out of the state. It fought in numerous engagements in Kentucky and Tennessee and later followed Sherman to Atlanta. After the fall of that city, the Nineteenth Battery pursued Hood into northern Georgia, but rejoined Sherman before he reached Savannah. It remained with that general until the close of the war, and was mustered out June 10, 1865. Franklin county had a few men in this batter}-.

ville. Later it was employed in guarding railroads and also did much skirmishing- through Alabama and Georgia. It took part in the final defeat of Hood's army at Xashville, in Decemljer, 1864. During 1865 it was stationed at Chattanooga most of the time until it was mustered out June 28, 1865. Franklin county had a few men in this battery.

The Twenty-third Battery of Light Artillery was recruited during the fall of 1862 and organized at Lidianapolis, Xovember 8, 1862. From that time until July 4, 1863, the battery was stationed at Indianapolis under the command of Generals Carrington, Hascall and Wilcox. Its duties consisted mainly in aiding the guarding of the rebel prisoners. A part of the Ijattery accompanied the Seventy-lirst Regiment to IMonroe, Sullivan and Green counties, Indiana, to quell disturbances caused by Knights of the Golden Circle. Later the battery was sent into Kentucky and after Morgan came over into Indiana, it was sent after liim to this state. After as^iistiiiLT in his capture it returned to Indianapolis, where it remained until the fall of 1863. In 1864 the battery was sent to Georgia and helped Sherman on his famous march to the sea. After the fall of Atlanta it returned to Tennessee and in the fall of 1S64 it was taken to \'irginia and from thence to Xortli Carolina, where it participated in the last engagement between the Xortliern and Sotithern armies in that state. It was mustered out at Indianapolis, July 2, 1865. Franklin county had some men in this battery.

It is difficult to tell how many colored troops Franklin county furni>hed the Union army during the Civil War. The names of three - Harrison Allen, Nixon C. Cazy and Peter Jones - are listed as being members of the Eighth Regiment of United States Colored Troops. This regiment included three hundred twenty-seven colored men, all of whom were enlisted from Indiana.

In addition to the regiments which have been enumerated as containing Franklin county volunteers, there w"ere other regiments in the state which had one or more recruits from this county. A number of men from this county enlisted in Ohio regiments. W. C. Lynn. Thomas ]\Iarlatt and T. C. Shepperd enlisted in the Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantn.- as musicians and were mustered out in 1862. It is interesting to note that the first man from Franklin county who gave his life for his country was Samuel R. John, a son of Robert and Martha John of Broolc\-ilIe. He had enlisted in the Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry- at the opening of the war and was killed at Middle Fork Bridge in the Rich ^Mountain (Virginia) campaign. John was clerking in a store in Ohio when the war opened, which accounts for the fact that he enlisted in an Ohio regiment.

Franklin Colnty, Indiana Some Civil War Statistics

In 1862 C C. Binkley, provost marshal for Franklin county, gathered the data for the following- table of the county. This shov/s the number of men of militia age in each township, the number of volunteers up to that time, the number exempted on account of physical disability, number now in service, number subject to draft and the percent, of volunteers credited to each township. This table is copied from the Franklin Denwcrat of September 12, 1862.

Fkankli.N County, Indiana. 3O9

These men were to report at Indianapolis, October 15, 1S62, and if any failed to appear they were arrested by the marshal. Drafted men were permitted to volunteer in old regiments or for one year's service. Substitutes were accepted when they reported to the camp at Indianapolis. The other townships in the county had furnished their quota and were not subject to the draft.

Quotas .A.Nd Credits

The following is a statement of quotas and credits of Franklin county under calls of February i, March 14, and July 18, 1864, as shown by Adjutant-General Terrell's Report, December 31, 1864:

It will never be known exactly how many Franklin countv men volunteered in the Civil War, but it is safe to sav that the countv furnished more than the nine hundred and forty-eight men credited to it by Terrell's Reports. The above table .shows in detail some interesting tacts concerning the enlistments in the various townships of the county, and is the last table shown in Terrell's Report. On April 14, 1865, Franklin county was called upon to furnish one hundred and ninety-two men, but before anything wa.s done the war had closed.

Franklin county was credited in iS6r with two thousand seven hundred and five men between the ages of eighteen and forty-five who were subject to militan,' duty. Of this number, four hundred and twelve were exempt for disability or other reason, which left two thousand two hundred and ninety-three subject to the draft. Owing to the fact that many of the men from Franklin county enlisted in other counties, and even in other states, it is very difficult to obtain a complete roster of the men from the county in the Civil War. The original muster rolls are all missing, except that of Company C, Sixty-eighth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry. According to the report of Adjutant-General Terrell, Franklin county furnished nine himdred and forty-eight men for service at the front during the Civil War. This docs not include those who took part in the Morgan invasion or those who were in the Home Guards organized in the fall of 1863.

Relief Of Soldiers And Their F.Vmilies

The outbreak of the rebellion found the national government not only without an army, but without the means to equip it. Out of this double deficiency grew an army of citizens who not only needed more care than the government could give, but who left families dependent upon them needing help which no government has ever given. Before the first year of the war had passed, it was apparent that the soldiers would have to de]:)end upon their local counties for many of the actual necessities of life. There was particularly a demand for clothing and shoes, and when the first cold weather struck the soldiers in the fall of 1861 the women of the North began to prepare and send to the front warm clothing. The efforts' to meet the needs of the soldiers at the front in the way of clothing, food and medical supplies is one of the most interesting sidelights on the great Civil War. In addition to the voluntary contributions of citizens, each county and township in the state raised by taxation sums of money known as bounties and reliefs. Franklin county showed its patriotic zeal and devotion to the Union cause by raising over a quarter of a million of dollars, as is shown bv the following figures :

Fraxklix Couxty, Ixdiaxa. 3Ii

The mothers, wives and sweethearts of the soldiers who went from Franklin county sent large quantities of clothing and provisions to the front during the last three years of the war. Some idea of the nature of these articles may be gathered from the Christmas boxes of 1861, which were sent by the women of Mt. Carmcl to the men of the Thirty-seventh Regiment. The list included the following; 59 woolen blankets. 66 feather pillows, 17 bed sacs, 14 sheets, 8 pillow cases, 6 calico bed gowns, 11 pairs woolen mittens. 28 pairs sox. J2 cans fruit and 2 cans jelly, 22 pecks dried apples, I dozen tin plates, 2 dozen tin cups, 3 sets knives and forks, i dozen spoons; $14 to pay the express on boxes.

An interesting sidelight on the relief in Brookville is disclosed by the book in the possession of Harry M. Stoops, containing the reports of the relief committee of the town. From the reports it appears that the greatest amount of relief was given in 1864 and 1865. Subscription papers were circulated asking for assistance, and the following is copied from the head of one of these papers :

"We, the undersigned, subscribe and pay the sums of monev placed opposite our respective names to the relief committee ; said committee to use. pay out and distril)ute to the benefit and relief of soldiers' families, residents of the town of Brookville and vicinity, as they in their discretion mav deem must beneficial." (Dated Februarv' 17, 1864)

This particular paper had donations ranging from Sio to 50 cents, with twenty-eight subscribers, giving a total of S77.50. The relief' committee in charge for practically all of 1864 was composed of C. C. Binkley, George F. Maxwell and John Roberts. They collected not only money, but clothing, provisions and wood. This committee appointed sub-committees, who investigated all cases and recommended such relief as they thought should be

Other reports show wliere Nathaniel Holmes hauled forty-six loads of wood to destitute families, for which he received 25 cents a load. Scores of receipts show where half-bushels of potatoes, turnips, cabbage and apples were distributed to the needy. It is safe to say that no soldier's family in Brookville suffered for the necessities of life if the relief committee was able to learn of their destitution. And what was true of Brookville applies equally to the rest of the county, as is shown by the large amount expended for relief work.

When the Legislature met in January. 1S65, Governor Morton laid before it the question of providing relief for the families of soldiers. That body passed a bill on March 4 assessing a tax of 30 cents on each $100 worth of property in the state, the proceeds of which was to be applied to soldiers' families. In accordance with instructions sent out to the county auditors, August 4, 1865, pursuant to this act, Franklin county reported that there were one thousand seven hundred and twenty-eight beneficiaries in the county who would come under the act. This meant that Franklin county had to raise $13,962.24, the same being raised by taxation, as above stated.

Home Guards

During the course of the Civil War the Legislature authorized the formation of local militia companies, which were to be known as Home Guards, or the Indiana Legion, the latter name being given to it by Adjutant-General Terrell in his report. Pursuant to the order authorizing the fomiation of local companies, Franklin county organized a regiment of nine companies in the fall of 1863. The companies, with their officers, were as follows :

Fairfield Guards - Captains, Zacliariah Ferguson and James A. Mill; first lieutenants, Charles H. Bassett, James A. Mills and Van Buren Rigor; second lieutenant, John A. Hughes.

Franklin Guards (raised at New Trenton) - Captain, Absalom R. Case; first lieutenant, William H. Stowe ; second lieutenant, George R. Adair.

On Wednesday morning, July 8, 1S63, General Morgan crossed over the line from Kentucky to Lidiana. He had four thousand mounted men with him, and for the next five days created more consternation in Indiana than the state has ever known. It is not the purpose of this paragraph to give in detail the story of Morgan's raid in Indiana, only in so far as it is concerned with Franklin county. Morgan first aj)peared before Corydon, and at that place three volunteers were killed and one mortally wounded. On the afternoon of the 9th Morgan marched out of Corydon and soon appeared before Palmyra in the northern part of Harrison county. Here ^Morgan separated his forces, part going to Greenville, part to Paoli and the rest going forward to Vienna. His forces came together at Salem at nine o'clock on the morning of the lOth. From Salem, jMorgan started in an easterly direction, having found out that it was not prudent to advance toward Indianapolis, as he had originally intended to do. Some of his men went through Brownstown and others through Canton and New Philadelphia and spent the nighi at Lexington in Scott county. On Saturday afternoon, the nth, Alorgan came in sight of Vernon, but there was too strong a force posted there, so he passed the town Ijy without making an attempt to capture it. On Saturday night ]Morgan camped near Dupont, about eight miles southeast of \'ernon. About four o'clock on the morning of Sunday. July 12. Morgan passed through Dupont on the way to Versailles in Ripley county. He reached that place at half-past one o'clock, captured Col. J. H. Cravens with three hundred militia, and rol)bed the c<uinty treasury of five thousand dollars of public funds.

his band of marauders was in Ripley and Dearborn counties on that day created the wildest excitement among the citizens of Franklin county. The gallantry and the alacrity with which the citizen soldiery rushed to arms in defense of their homes was praiseworthy and commendable in the highest degree. From early Sunday morning- until Morgan crossed over the line into Ohio on Monday night, Brookville was in a perfect uproar and preparations for defense were to be seen on every hand.

The Franklin Democrat, of Brookville, in its issue of July 17, 1863, gives a graphic description of these few exciting days in the town and county: "In our town, with the most generous enthusiasm, the people have hastened to take up arms to drive out the impudent invaders of our soil. With a zeal and alacrity almost without parallel, they have dropped the sickle and plow and, rifle in hand, have joined in pursuit of the freebooters. On Sunday, learning that the rebels were in the vicinity of Sunman's Station, every conceivable mode of conveyance was procured to convey our amied citizens to the locality where it was supposed a collision would take place. In his march, Morgan is making wholesale work in the way of stealing horses and his men are mounted on the finest stock in the country. Several of the citizens of this county were relieved of their horses by this freebooter and his men. Among the citizens of the couflty who contributed horses to Morgan's cause, against their own will, were John P. Case, of New Trenton, and Dr. John Cleaver, of Drewersburg. " In addition to robbing the stables, the marauding band did not hesitate to appropriate any articles which met their fancy as they rode through the county. According to the best information obtainable, there were only about ten of Morgan's men in Franklin county. Two troopers appeared at Oldenburg on Saturday afternoon, and, riding into the blacksmith shop of J. H. Kessing, they told him they wanted their horses shod at once. They insisted on having new shoes put on their horses, but Kessing told them he did not have any, although he did have some hanging from the ceiling of the shop. There were some farmers in the shop, but the troopers demanded that their horses be shod at once, and told Kessing that when he had them shod to bring them to the Kuntz saloon fnow the Kellermann saloon), and they would pay for his work. He shod them and took them to the saloon, but they immediately jumped upon them and rode away without offering to pay. They rode off toward St. Marys and met Dominic Siefert along the road. Siefert had just sold a horse and had the money in his pocket, but the troopers kindly relieved him of his burden. Before reaching St. Marys they appeared to have passed over into Dearborn county, since they are next heard of at New Alsace.

ley, about three miles west of St. Peters, and asked to be fed. While Mrs. Dudley was preparing something for them to eat they visited the barn to look at Mr. Dudley's horses, but he had heard of their coming and had hidden his horses in the woods. Not getting any horses, they satisfied themselves by taking three shirts off the line in the yard. After eating the meal prepared for them by Mrs. Dudley, the marauders went to the farm of Frank Rosfelt, in the same township, and took a couple of his horses. They continued on east, and on the other side of New Trenton met the omnibus going up the Miami hill and compelled all of the passengers to hand over their money and valuables. One man from Brookville, Albert Loper, escaped some way or other, while the others were being relieved of their money, and hid in an oats field near the road. The omnibus company lost twelve horses.

It was expected that Brookville would be attacked by Morgan, and consequently eveiy effort was made to defend the town. Colonel Clayixjol. of Connersville, brought to Brookville on Sunday the Fayette Minute Men and the Ashland Home Guards, numbering, all together, about one hundred and fifty men. This mounted troup remained in Brookville until Thursdav morning, and, according to the Franklin Democrat, "carried away with them the heartfelt wishes of every member of this community for the soldierly bearing and gentlemanly deportment which characterized the whole troop during their stay. As an evidence of the manner with which they were treated by our citizens, the following resolution was unanimously passed by them just previous to their departure :

" 'Resolved, That the heartfelt thanks of the Fayette Minute Men and the Ashland Home Guards he hereby tendered to the citizens of Brookville, for their generous hospitality and kindness during the time that said companies have been quartered in their midst, and that this resolution be published in the Democrat and Defender:' '''

In the spring of 18S2 a number of veterans of the Civil War residing in and around Brookville began to agitate the establishment of a post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Finally twenty-three veterans petitioned the state organization for a charter, and on April 10. 1882, a charter was granted to the i^etitioners. The charter was issued to Hackleman Post No. 64. the name being suggested by those desiring the charter.

It is pertinent in this connection to say something of Pleasant A. Hackleman, the only general from Indiana killed in the Civil War. He was born

NoveniI>er 15, 1814, in J'raukliii county, Indiana, and was killed at the battle of Corinth, on October 3, iN(,j. lie was mustered in May ii, 1861, as colonel of-the Srxteenth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers for the one-year service, lie was commissioned colonel May 18, l8'6i, and was mustered out May 6, 1862, for pronKjtion to the rank of brigadier-general. On May 13, 1862, he was presented with an elegant sword in the presence of his regiment by the enlisted men of the Sixteenth Indiana, lie continued in command of the reorganized Sixteenth Indiana until his untimely death on the battleiield.

Hackleman Post was formally organized in the town hall at Brookville on the evening of April 18, i88j. Dr. J. L. Wooden, the mustering officer for the state department of the Cirand Army of the Republic, had charge of the meeting and assisted in the organization. The first ofiicers were as follow: William H. Bracken, conmiander ; William II. Jones, senior vice-commander; John J. Sauers. junior vice-commander; John F. McKee, officer of the day; James A. Rodman, oflicer of the guard; Thomas C. Sheppard, chaplain; Alexander W. Lee, surgeon; Oliver B. Baker, quartermaster; John Burkhardt, adjutant; Robert J. Cain, quartermaster sergeant; George Monroe, sergeant major.

"The objects of the Grand Army of the Republic are purely fraternal, and in no way do they conflict or meddle with sect or creed in politics or in the affairs of society. To preserve and strengthen the fraternal feelings that bound soldiers together in camp and upon battlefield; to perpetuate the memory of the history of the beloved dead; to assist such former comradesin-arms as in their declining years and from their wounds and hardships might need hel]) and protection ; to care for the widcnvs and orphans of those who have fallen: to maintain the allegiance and fidelity of the United States and permanent respect for the constitution tested and proved upon the battlefield, and to encourage the spread of uni\ ersal liberty and justice to all men, are the objects of the Grand Army of the Republic."'