Steuben County, Indiana - Chapter 4: Political History, 1885

Chapter 4: Political History

Stkonglt Whig, and latterly Republican. - Eakly Majorities. - Cursory View of Presidential Votes from 1840 to 1884. - Political Complexion of the Several Townships. - Total Vote AT EACH Presidential Election. - Local Independence of Party Fetters. - Personal Campaigns. - Luce and Dawson. - Importance of one Vote. - " Underground Railway" Station at Orland. - Abstract of Official Vote at all General Elections FROM 1839 TO 1884. - Official List. - Judges of Circuit Court. - Associate Judges. - Probate Judges. - Common Pleas Judges. - Circuit Prosecutors. - Common Prosecutors. - County Commissioners. - State Senators. - Representatives. - Clerks of the Circuit Court. - Count r Auditors. - County Treasurer. - County Sheriffs. - County Recorders. - County Surveyors. - School Examiners and Superintendents.

The hardy New Englanders who settled Mill Grove Township brought their politics with them, and made Vermont settlement a center of Whig and Free-Soil strength. Through sympathy, other townships were settled by kindred spirits, so that in the early days Steuben was generally safe for the Whig party. Chester Stocker, elected County Clerk in 1843, himself a Democrat, wrote on the fly leaf of one of the record books now in the court-house, that previous to his election the county usually gave a reliable majority for the Whigs of about 100; and that he himself was only elected by a combination of peculiar circumstances. His figures seem to be rather high, and not warranted by the official returns. At the August election of 1839, the Whig majority was tbirty-six. A year later it was twenty-three. At the presidential election of 1840, the first after the organization of the county. General William Henry Harrison (who was elected) received 245 votes, while 183 were cast for his Democratic rival, Martin Van Buren, the former's majority being accordingly sixty-two. Harrison carried all the townships except York, Jackson and Otsego, which gave two, seventeen and sixteen majority, respectively for Van

Buren, and Richland, whose vote]was a tie. Mill Grove gave fortynine votes to Harrison, and nine to Yan Buren. Fremont's Whig majority was fourteen; Pleasant, twenty-three; Salem, twelve; Steuben, eight.

In 1844 Henry Clay, the unsuccessful Whig leader, received 328 votes to 303 for James K. Polk, nominated by the Democratic party, a plurality of twenty-five. The Free-Soil party, which had just sprung into existence, was in the field with its candidate, James G, Birney, who ])olled forty-two votes in this county, twentythree of them being in Mill. Grove Township. The Whig plurality in Mill Grove was eight; Jamestown, two, Fremont, twenty-seven. Pleasant, twenty-three; Steuben, thirty -one. Five townships gave Democratic majorities, as follows : York, five; Jackson, thirtyfour; Salem, ten; Otsego, fifteen, and Richland, five.

In 1848 the veteran General Zachary Taylor, who was the Whig nominee, and who was elected, received 315 votes; and General Lewis Cass, the candidate of the Democracy, received 352 votes, a plurality of thirty-seven. The Free Soil party, led by Martin Yan Buren, polled a very large vote in this county - 194, and carried Fremont Township b}'^ a plurality of twentj'-fonr. Five townships gave the following Democratic pluralities: Pleasant (previously Whig, and this its only Democratic year), twenty-one; Jackson, twenty-four; Salem (Democratic only in 1848 and 1852), twenty-four; Otsego, fourteen; and Richland, nine. Taylor carried four townships by the following pluralities: Mill Grove,four; Jamestown, six; York, sixteen; Steuben, thirty-two.

In 1852, the Democracy nominated Franklin Pierce, the Whigs chose Winfield Scott, and the Free-Soilers, John P. Hale. Never was a party which had hoped for success so overwhelmingly defeated as this year, when Pierce received a triumphant majority of both the popular and electoral votes. In this county, for a second time, a Democratic victory was achieved, the vote being as follows : Pierce, 543; Scott, 487; Hale, ninety; Pierce's pluralit}^, fifty-six. The Democrats carried the following seven townships by the pluralities indicated: Jamestown, seven; Fremont (for the only time since its organization Democratic), three; York, six; Jackson, twenty-three; Salem, thirty-seven; Otsego, twenty-six; Richland, fourteen. The Whigs carried five townships - Mill Grove by ten; Clear Lake by eleven; Scott, nine; Pleasant, thirteen; Steuben, seventeen.

The anti-slavery people were alienated, and the party of Clay and Webster was, having by their death fallen into weaker hands, not only defeated but killed for all time. During four campaigns, it had carried Steuben County twice, and lost it an equal number of times. In 1854 and 1855 a new party arose on its ruins, and absorbed the strength of both the Whigs and the Abolitionists. From that time on Steuben County has given decisive Republican majorities, the figures varying from 662 in 1856 to 1,242 in 1876.

For its first campaign, which was unsuccessful, the new Republican party put in nomination General John C. Fremont; the Democracy put forward James Buchanan; and the American, or K.now-Nothing, party ran as a candidate ex-President Millard Fillmore. The result in this county was as follows : Fremont, 1,215; Buchanan, 553; Fillmore, nineteen; Republican plurality, 662. Jamestown gave a Democratic plurality of one, and every remaining township gave pluralities to Fremont, as follows: Mill Grove, 119; Fremont, ninety-seven; Clear Lake, ten; York, sixty-six; Scott, seventy-one; Pleasant, nineteen; Jackson, fifty-nine; Salem, ninetysix; Steuben, 102; Otsego, fifty-four; Richland, thirty.

In the memorable campaign of 1860, just before our civil war, the voters of the LFnited States were called upon to choose between Abraham Lincoln (Republican), Stephen A. Douglas (Democratic), John C. Breckinridge (Democratic), and John Bell (Union). Through the disagreement of the northern and southern wings ot the Democracy, Lincoln was elected though receiving but twofifths of the popular vote. The campaign was unusually exciting in this county, where the successful candidate received 1,560 votes; Douglas, 547; Bell, eighty-two; Breckinridge, eight; Lincoln's plurality, 1,013. Every township in the county helped to swell the Republican vote, the pluralities being : Mill Grove, 136; Jamestown, one; Fremont, ninety-two; Clear Lake, twenty -four; York, ninetj'^-eight; Scott, ninety-five; Pleasant, 116; Jackson, 100; Salem, sixty-eight; Steuben, 108; Otsego, ninety-nine; Richland, seventy-six.

In the last year of the war was held the next presidential election. The Democracy placed in the field the popular soldier George B. McClellan in opposition to Lincoln, who was renominated. The sentiment of the North being decidedly with the administration, Abraham Lincoln was re-elected. In this county he received 1,642 votes to 609 for McClellan. The Republicans carried all the townships, the pluralities being, in Mill Grove, 154;

Jamestown, thirty-four; Fremont, seventy-four; Clear Lake, nine; York, sixty-two; Scott, 129, Pleasant, 136; Jackson, 101; Salem, 132; Steuben, 107; Otsego, 125; Richland, seventy.

The next campaign occurred during the reconstruction era. The Eepublicans nominated their war hero. General Ulysses S. Grant, while the Democrats selected as their standard bearer the eminent New York Governor, Horatio Seymour. The result was a Republican victory. In this county the vote was: For Grant, 1,881; for Seymour, 830; Grant's majority, 1,051. Clear Lake Township this year went over to the Democracy giving Seymour a majority of nine. The remaining townships, eleven in number, gave the following Republican majorities : Mill Grove, 147; Jamestown, seventy-two; Fremont, eighty-two; York, seventy- three ; Scott, 153; Pleasant, 123 ; Jackson, 103 ; Salem, thirty-four ; Steuben, 129; Otsego, eighty; Richland, 164.

Dissatisfied with Grant's administration, a number of Republicans, calling themselves Liberals, held a convention in 1872, and nominated Horace Greeley, Grant having been renominated by the regular Republican convention. Disheartened, or rather hoping to achieve success by fostering a division in their rival party, the Democratic leaders, in convention assembled, endorsed Greeley. This was very unsatisfactory to a large proportion of Democrats, who accordingly refused to vote on election day. A few voted for Charles O'Conor, the "straight-out" Democratic candidate, but not enough to influence the result. Grant received an overwhelming plurality of the people's vote, not by his own popularity, but by Greeley's unpopularity. While in 1868 the Democratic vote in Steuben County was 830, in 1872 it fell to 714, a decrease of 116. Allowing for increase of population, there should have been an increase of 100 or more, so that it is likely that 200 or more Democrats refused to vote. Grant received 1,877 votes, and O'Conor thirty-two, in this C(»unty; Grant's plurality over Greeley, 1,163. Excepting Clear Lake, which gave eighteen plurality for Greeley, the Republicans carried all the townships by the following figures: Mill Grove, ninety ; Jamestown, seventy-one; Fremont, twenty; York, 106; Scott, 157; Pleasant, 157; Jackson, 118; Salem, ninetyfour; Steuben, 136; Otsego, sixty-seven; Richland, ninety-eight.

The centennial year brought with it another vote for President of the Nation. The choice was between Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican), of Ohio, and Samuel J. Tilden (Democrat), of New York. After one of the closest electoral contests which history records, Hayes was declared elected by one electoral vote. He received 2,293 votes in this county, leaving 1,051 for Tilden, and 219 for Peter Cooper, the National, or Greenback candidate. Hayes's plurality was therefore 1,242, the largest plurality the county has ever given for any candidate. Clear Lake gave Tilden ten more votes than Hayes, but the latter received in the remaining eleven townships the following pluralities : Mill Grove, 145; Jamestown, seventy-six; Fremont, sixty-two; York, 127; Scott, 120; Pleasant, 204; Jackson, ninety-four; Salem, seventy-four; Steuben, 172; Otsego, eighty-three; Richland, ninety-five.

James A. Garfield, of Ohio, and Winfield S. Hancock, of Pennsylvania, represented the Republican and Democratic parties respectively in the presidential campaign of 1880. The National party put forward General James B. Weaver, of Iowa. Once more, but for the last time in continuous line, the Republicans triumphed, and Garfield was seated, to enjoy for a few months the highest oflice in the land, before his vigorous life was cut short by the assassin's bullet. He received in Steuben County a plurality of 1,042. The vote was: Garfield 2,325 ; Hancock, 1,283; Weaver, 106; Neal Dow (Prohibitionist), two. Clear Lake's Democratic plurality was fourteen. The Republican pluralities were: Mill Grove, 114; Jamestown, seventy-one; Fremont, sixty- six; York, 105; Scott, 109; Pleasant, 122; Jackson, sixty-eight; Salem, seventy-four; Steuben, 154; Otsego, ninety-three; Richland, eighty.

The warmly waged campaign of 1884, with its disagreeable episodes and its many candidates, is fresh in the minds of all. First nominated was General Benjamin F. Butler, of Massachusetts, by the Greenback, Labor and Anti-monopoly conventions. The Republican convention at Chicago, in the month of June, nominated James G. Blaine, of Maine, for President, and General John A. Logan, of Illinois, for Vice-President. In the same cit}^, a month later, the Democratic convention selected as its nominee for President, Grover Cleveland, of New York, and for Vice-President, Thomas A. Hendricks, of Indiana. The Prohibitionists nominated John P. St. John, of Kansas, and played a very important part in the campaign, to the delight of some, and the chagrin of others. In the State of New York they drew to St. John twenty times the number of votes by which Blaine was defeated for the Presidency. The campaign was conducted with unusual vigor in Steuben County, and a very full vote was polled, with the following result: Blaine, 2,220; Cleveland, 1,314; Butler, 106; St. John, fifty-three;

Blaine's plurality, 906. Every township, even Clear Lake, voted for Blaine. The following are the pluralities: ^Mill Grove, seventyeight ; Jamestown, forty-eight ; Fremont, ninety ; Clear Lake, seven ; York, 123 ; Scott, sixty-three ; Pleasant, eighty-seven ; Jackson, fifty-seven ; Salem, fifty-nine ; Steuben, 113 ; Otsego, ninety-one; Richland, ninety-two.

In local elections the Kepublicans have been generally successful, but there has been a commendable tendency to disregard the party lines in choosing county and township ofiicials.

In years gone by, before the era of railroads, it was customary for rival candidates to travel through the country in company, and speak against each other for votes. Cyrus G. Luce, of one of the first families to settle in Mill Grove Township, lived in that part of Steuben County until twenty-five years old, when he removed to Branch County, Mich. He has since been prominent in Michigan affairs, holding many important official positions. The year before he left Indiana he was the Whig candidate for member of the Legislature from this district, comprising Steuben and De Kalb counties. His opponent was a man named Reuben Dawson, who was a well-known politician in early days in De Kalb County. They canvassed the district together, riding on horseback, and spoke twice each day during a large portion of the time. Dawson rode a fine, large white horse, and Mr. Luce had a small, black animal. The former was a large man, while Mr. Luce was of medium size. Before they would arrive at the places where they were to speak the horses would be obliged to carry from one to three children each.'

Mr. Dawson could take more on his horse, for he had the largest animal. At that time there was not a newspaper published in the district and but few taken. An occasional copy of a Cincinnati Baptist paper could be seen, "only that and nothing more." The canvass was a very bitter one, and there was any amount of blackguardism. Mr. Luce was young, then, and had not had the experience which enabled him to compete in abuse with his rival.

Dawson. The free-school discussion furnished a fruitful theme for the politicians. A friend of Mr. Luce told him that his argument in favor of free schools was all right, "but," said he, -Luce, you don abuse Dawson enough. When you speak next time tellthe people how he has been drunk, and every other mean thing you can think of that he has done." The advice was followed, and thereafter the debates were more interesting than ever. After the election it was found that Mr. Luce had eleven majority in Steuben Ooun y, while Dawson had over 100 majority in De Kalb County, therefore the latter was elected.

An incident in the early history of this county illustrates the importance of one vote, and is of peculiar interest since the close election of 1884 has caused all the old heads throughout the country to revive their memories of even contests for the past fifty years ihe facts are stated somewhat differently by various parties, but the true version seemed to be the following, which we give on the authority of Eev. John Paul Jones, an early preacher throughout mis region, and present auditor of Lagrange County -

Dr. Madison Marsh and Captain Beall, both residents of this county were candidates for the office of Representative in the b-eneral Assembly, for the counties of Steuben and De Kalb Captain Beall received the certificate of election, but his seat was contested, the result being that Dr. Marsh was declared duly elected by one vote, it having been ascertained that the Board of Canvassers had improperly, on account of some informality, thrown out a vote intended for Marsh. At the ensuing sessfon of the Legislature, 1845, Edward A. Hannegan was chosen United States Senator by a majority of one, Dr. Marsh casting his vote for Hannegan. It is claimed that Texas was admitted into the Union in consequence of Hannegan's vote, and now the Mexican war and other momentous results of that afi^air are attributed to Steuben bounty's irregular voter.

The present strong Republican vote in the county is the natural result of the ardent anti-slavery temper of its citizens before the war. Some of the oldest and most respectable residents were prosecuted for alleged violation of the fugitive slave law, in aiding and abetting some liberty-loving people of dusky hue in their flight toward the Queen's dominions. An indignation meeting was held at Orland, largely attended, when those who were regarded as instrumental in these prosecutions were denounced in unmeasured terms. There is no doubt that Steuben County was a favorite route for the "underground railroad," and that the "stations" were well officered. The results of the war have, however, settled these questions forever, and it is pleasing now to contemplate the fact that the scenes which gave rise to such feelings are no more to be enacted.

The following pages contain an abstract of the vote cast in Steuben County since its organization, except the first, which cannot be obtained :

Official List

The following is a summary, in chronological order, of those who have filled the various district and county offices since the organization of Steuben Couuty :

Probate Judges

The Associate Judges of the Circuit Court were ex-ojlcio Judges of the Probate Court until 1840. Enos Beall, 1840 to 1841; Alonzo P. Clark, 1841; Avery Emerson, 1841 to 1848; Theron Storrs, 1848 to 1851; Amasa M. Cleveland, 1851 to 1852. The probate business was then transferred to the Court of Common Pleas, and when this court was abolished the clerk of the Circuit Court was given the duties formerly performed by probate judges.

County Auditors

The Clerk of the Circuit Court was ex-oficio County Auditor until 1841; Adonijah Smith, 1841 to 1844; Daniel E. Palmer, 1844 to 1847 (Adonijah Smith died Sept. 7, 1844, and Daniel E. Palmer was appointed to fill the vacancy. In 1845 William Albee was elected Auditor by a majority of two votes. The election was contested by Edwin R. May, the opposing candidate. The case was finally carried to the Supreme Court, where a decision was reached in 1846, in Albee's favor, but prior to which Albee died; consequently the ofSce was held by Palmer, under appointment, under the general election of 1847); Leland H. Stocker, 1847 to 1851; William Carkhuff, 1851 to 1856; Samuel W. Scoville, 1856 to 1860; Samuel E. Heath, 1860 to 1864; Francis Macartney, 1864 to 1872; Marvin B. Butler, 1872 to 1876; Jesse H. Carpenter, 1876 to 1880; Robert H. Johnson, 1880 to 188 - .

School Examiners And Superintendents

Prior to 1852, School Examiners were appointed by the Judge of the Circuit Court. From 1852 to 1861, Examiners were deputies appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Under these systems the office was held at different times by James McConnell, Stephen A. Powers, Elisha Steere, Leland H. Stocker, Jacob Patch, Jesse M. Gale and others. From 1861 to 1873, Examiners were appointed by the Board of Commissioners, as follows: Luke Barr, 1861 to 1865; John Kelland, 1865 to 1866;

In 1873 the office of County Superintendent was created. This office was held by John W. Cowen until 1875, when it was abolished by law, and that of Examiner restored. The latter position was held by Lyman R. Williams until 1876, when the Supreme Court ruled against the last change in the law, leaving the law of 1873 in force. Under this law Cyrus Cline served from 1876 to 1883, when he was succeeded by Robert V. Carlin, the present incumbent.

Chapter The Civil War

Opening of the Strife. - Springing to Arms. - First Company in Steuben County. - Too Late for Acceptance. - Early Enlistments. - Scott Township Guards. - Subsequent Contributions TO THE Army. - Regimental Sketches. - Twenty- Ninth. History OF Company A, by Irenus McGowan. - Forty-Fourth.

Forty-Eighth. - One Hundredth. - One Hundred and Twentyseventh (Twelfth Cavalry), - One Hundred and Twentyninth. - One Hundred and Fifty-second. - List of Steuben County's Volunteers. - Soldiers' Reunion at Angola.

About dajbreak on the 12th of April, 1861, the stillness of Charleston Bay was disturbed by the firing of a large mortar and the shriek of a shell as it rushed through the air. The shell burst over Fort Sumter, and the war of the Great Rebellion was begun. In the North, the hope had been tenaciously clung to that the peace of the country was not to be disturbed. This dream was rudely broken by the siege of Fort Sumter. The North awakened suddenly to the awful certainty that civil war was begun. There was a deep feeling of indignation at the traitors who were willing to ruin their country that slavery might be secure. There was a full appreciation of the danger and an instant universal determination that at whatever cost, the National life must be preserved. Personal sacrifice was unconsidered; individual interests were merged in the general good. Political difterence, ordinarily so bitter, was tor the time almost efi'aced. Nothing was of interest but the question how this audacious rebellion was to be suppressed and the American nation upheld in the great place which it claimed among men.

Two days after the fall of Fort Sumter, Mr. Lincoln intimated by proclamation the dishonor done to the laws of the United States, and called out the militia to the extent of 75,000 men. The Free States responded enthusiastically to the call. So prompt was their action that on the very next day several companies ar- rived in Washington. Flushed by their easily won victory, the Southerners talked boastfully of seizing the capital. In a very short time there were 50,000 loyal mon ready to prevent that, and the safety of Washington was secured.

The North pushed forward with boundless energy her warlike preparations. Rich men offered money with so much liberality that in a few days nearly $25,000,000 had been contributed. The school-teachers of Boston dedicated fixed proportions of their incomes to the support of the Government, while the war should last. All over the country the excited people gathered themselves into crowded meetings and breathed forth in fervid resolutions their determination to spend fortune and life in defense of their Union. Volunteer companies were rapidly formed. In the cities ladies began to organize themselves for the relief of sick and wounded soldiers. It had been fabled that the North would not fight. With a fiery promptitude unknown before in modern history, the people sprang to arms.

Steuben County had at this time a population of little more than 10,000 persons. Almost a day's travel from railroad or telegraph communications, as remote from the capital as the limits of the State would permit, with a people mainly devoted to agriculture, who knew nothing of war except by history or tradition, it could hardly be expected that a warlike spirit would soon disturb the peaceful population. But we know little of the fire that slumbers in quiet breasts until occasion calls it forth.

Under the call for 75,000 volunteers, the quota of Indiana was fixed at six regiments. The response was prompt from all parts of the State, and from none more hearty than from Steuben County. In five days, a compauy was en listed and daily under drill. Baldwin J. Crosswait, who had by hard service and gallantry won a Captain's commission in the war with Mexico, was chosen as Captain. This company was at once tendered to Governor Morton, but, owing to distance and the slow means of communication, the tender was too late; the quota of the State was full. In eight days from the date of the call, Governor Morton had proffers of twelve regiments, and in less than thirty days, 40,000 men w^ere offered him.

Chao-rined, but not discouraged, by the failure of their first effort at enlistment, Steuben County boys began to enlist wherever a chance offered. They went singly and in squads to Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and to other counties in this State. On the 24th of May some thirty-five men left at one time and enlisted in the Fourth Michigan Infantry, at Adrian. In August nearly thirty men were enlisted by a recruiting officer from Chicago, for the Forty-second Illinois.

On the 16th of August, 1861, the Scott Township Guards rallied to die tap of the drum, and dressed in their suits of blue denims adorned with red and white stripes and stars, they each one imagined they could almost subdue the entire rebel force. It was there that Captain J. H. M. Judkins enrolled the first man for what was afterward Company A, Twenty-ninth Eegiment. It needed no long speeches to arouse enthusiasm. The news had been conveyed to every hamlet in the land that our glorious country was in danger. But few words were spoken, but with compressed lip each looked at his comrade or bosom friend, as much as to say : "Will you go?" The answer was quick and decisive, while each with a steady hand subscribed his name to the musterroll. Older men looked on and thought this all boys' play, but the result showed that although many who were enrolled that day were boys, yet they did a man's duty.

William E. Sergeant was First Lieutenant and K. W. Melendy Second Lieutenant of this company. Two weeks later, Company A and about one-half of Company K, Forty-fourth Indiana, were enlisted. Of Company A, Charles F. Kinney was Captain, Elias O. Kose, First Lieutenant, and Birge Smith, Second Lieutenant. Of Company K, Simeon C. Aldrich was Captain, and N orris S. Bennett, First Lieutenant, although neither held the position named on the first organization of the company. Simeon C. Aldrich was afterward Colonel of his regiment, and held the position at the time of his death. On the first organization of the regiment, Baldwin J. Crosswait was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and George W. McConnell, Quartermaster. About the same time, several Steuben County men enlisted in the Thirtieth Indiana, among them being Lieutenant William H. H. Day, of Angola (now of Moberly, Mo).

In August, 1862, a full company (H) was furnished for the Seventy-fourth Regiment, with Sylvanus B. George as Captain, Lawrence Gates as First Lieutenant, and B. F. Dawson as Second Lieutenant. Immediately following a full company (B) was furnished for the One Hundredth Regiment; of this, J. W. Gillespie was Captain, Orlo J.Fast First, Lieutenant, and Edwin Goldsmith,

In the fall of 1863 nearly a full company was raised for the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Kegiment (Twelfth Cavalry), ol which Major D. Williams was made Captain. About tlie same time, a full company (A) was raised for the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment, of which William H. Cole was Captain, Birge Smith, First Lieutenant, and T. S. Bonney, Second Lieutenant. Captain Cole was afterward promoted Major. Emery G. Melendy was Adjutant of the regiment. In March, 1865, nearly a full company (K) was raised for the One Hundred and Fiftysecond Regiment, with John M. Everhart as Captain, Madison Rodgers as First Lieutenant, and John T. Young as Second Lieutenant. George E. Young was Adjutant of the regiment.

A respectable percentage of the early volunteers from the county re-enlisted, either in their own or other regiments. It is not an over-estimate to say that Steuben County furnished over 1,000 men for the service - a full regiment of hardy, brave and loyal soldiers, who went forth to do and die for their country. They died on the battle-field, in the hospitals or prison-pens, or lingered a few months to enjoy the blessed privilege of dying at home.

Twenty-Ninth Regiment

This was the first regiment in which any considerable number of men were credited to Steuben County. It contained one whole company (A) from this county, and parts of two others (I and K). The regiment was organized at La Porte, and was mustered into service for three years, on the 27th of August, 1861, with John F. Miller as Colonel. On the 9th of October it joined General Rousseau's command at Camp Nevin, Ky., and moved with the army to the vicinity of Munfordville, remaining there until the movement upon Bowling Green was commenced, in February, 1862, Reaching Nashville in March, it moved with McCook's division to the Tennessee River, and participated in the battle of Shiloh on the Yth of April. In this engagement the regiment was under fire for more than five hours, suftering severely in killed and wounded.

and Tennessee into Kentucky, and followed in pursuit of Brag^g through the latter State, returning to Nashville in December. Marching with Rosecrans' army toward Murfreesboro, it participated in the battle of Stone Eiver on the 31st of December, 1862^ and the 1st and 2d of January, 1863, losing many men and officers. After the occupation of Murfreesboro, the regiment remained at that place until May when it moved forward with Rosecrans' army to TuUahoma, and afterward to Chattanooga. In addition to the engagements before mentioned the Twenty-ninth after joining Rosecrans' army, participated with the skirmishes had with the enemy at Lavergne, Triune and Liberty Gap.

In the great battle of Chickamauga the regiment was engao-ed both days, and sustained heavy losses. After this battle the regiment was stationed at Bridgeport, Ala., where it re-enlisted as a veteran organization, on the 1st of January, 1864, and the same month proceeded to Indianapolis on veteran furlough.

On returning to the field the regiment was stationed at Cliattanooga, where it remained until December, when it moved to- Decatur, Ala., and was engaged in a skirmish at that place on the 27th of December, 1864. Returning to Chattanooga it remained at that place until May, 1865, when it moved to Dalton^ Ga., where it participated in a skirmish with the enemv. Subse quently the Twenty -ninth marched to Marietta, Ga., where it was stationed, performing post duty, for some' time. It was mustered out of the service Dec. 2, 1865. On the 5th of January, 1864, Colonel Miller (who, since the month of Feburary, 1862^ had been serving as post and brigade commander at j^ashville and elsewhere) was promoted Brigadier-General, whereupon Lieutenant Colonel David M. Dunn was commissioned Colonel.

As Company A was the first company raised in Steuben County,, and contained the scions of many of the best families, a more extended sketch would be of interest. For this purpose we take the following, from the pen of Lieutenant Irenus McGowan, who was one of the best soldiers in the regiment, was for fifteen years after the war a prominent citizen of Mill Grove Township, and in 1880 went West:

" R. W. Melendy commenced the enrollment of soldiers in August, 1861. I went into the service as Second Lieutenant of Company A, Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, which was the first com. pany organized in Steuben County. Some soldiers had left previousto that who had joined the Forty-fourth Illinois. They went from bere expecting to go into an independent organization called the IN ortli western Riflemen. Company A, of the Twenty-ninth In- <iiana, rendezvoused at Angola, Aug. 16,1861. The officers elected -were: J. H. M. Jenkins, Captain; Ed Sergeant, First Lieutenant; and R.W. Melendy, Second Lieutenant. The first night we remained at the Russell House, and the following morning left town with all the enthusiasm imaginable for La Porte, that being the rendezvous of the Twenty-ninth.

^' The I^inth also rendezvoused at La Porte, their regiment being nearly full. Colonel Milroy, afterward Brigadier-General, was Colonel of that regiment. There being a call for help on the part of our army in Virginia, Milroy obtained permission to fill his regiment from volunteer enlistment from ours. He made a speech one night, telling the boys how imminent the peril was and called for volunteers. Two of the boys from Angola left Company A and joined the Ninth, their names being John Nichols and George Leavitt. They had cause to regret such a step as that, for soldiers that left their original organization and went into a new stood no chance for promotion. The majority of those who went into La Porte continued enthusiastic for two weeks and were ready to -go on but some were sad after the first novelty wore away. Some became quite despondent. Several cases of illness were reported, -caused mainly by homesickness.

*' The majority of the regiment went on into Kentucky and spent the first winter. The experience in Camp Kevin was when we lirst began to realize the actual hardships of soldiering. We then «carae down to Government rations and some of the boys experienced the effects of Government whisky, which was dealt out to prevent camp difficulty. I was satisfied then, and have been ever that whisky was a curse. After leaving Camp Nevin we moved down to Munfordville. In the afternoon we reached there w^e experienced our first speck of war. Colonel Willich with the 'Thirty-second Indiana was there. The regiment was a finely ^drilled one composed mostly of Germans. The afternoon we arrived there one battalion was across the river drilling. Before they had 'Completed the drill and were ready to return to the north bank, 4hey were attacked by a regiment of rebel cavalry and thirteen were Skilled. The long roll was beaten in the camp on the 29th, but as the river was high we did not cross. Willich's regiment was more than a match for the Black Horse cavalry. We then realized we were in war.

" We spent two or three months there in camp on the Green River and then pressed on toward Bowling Green, reaching there about the time of the engagement at Fort Donelson. The rebels were withdrawn from our front so as to concentrate their forces at that place. Buell had command then of the Twentieth Army Corps, We next moved on to Nashville and were thrown forward to reinforce Grant's army which was being concentrated at Shiloh. When within twenty or twenty-live miles of Shiloh we heard the guns on the tirst day. All extra baggage was thrown one side and we went forward in light marching order. We spent the night of the 6th of April in the streets of Savannah, on the banks of the Tennessee. In the morning we were put on board the vessels and moved up toward Pittsburg Landing. We reached the field of battle on the 7th.

"Disembarking from the vessel we climbed a hill which was thoroughly lined with soldiers who had been whipped the day before. They had fled, taking refuge on the bluff. The Twenty-ninth was pushed on the field in support of Rosseau until his troops had exhausted their ammunition. His brigade was then withdrawn and the Twenty-ninth was put in the front. We were kept there until sundown at which time the rebels retired. That was the tirst experience the company had in battle and it suffered severely, twenty-three men being killed or wounded. I was struck twice, once in the hand and once in the leg. I was quite glad to see the rebels disappear. The night following was a terrible one. We had no shelter nor provisions, and had marched the previous day and night with the exception of the time we were on the river, and had been on the battle-field, all day. We were completely exhausted and had nothing to eat. A terrible rain-storm set in and we were without shelter tents of any kind. The rain, however, was an actual blessing to the soldiers as otherwise many would have perished with thirst. The soldiers were so completely exhausted that when they awoke they found themselves in several inches, of water. It was then that they realized the full sense of all the terrors of warfare.

" Previous to that time Ed Sergeant had resigned. On the battle-field of Shiloh, I received my commission as Second Lieutenant. The recollection of those days following the battle is very vivid. I witnessed then for the first time all the horrors of the battle-field, mangled bodies of horses and men and broken caissons We remained some days camped immediately upon the field and then began to press forward to Corinth, General Halleck being assigned command of all the forces in front of that place. "We approached the town gradually by means of parallels constructed by the army. We remained there besieging Corinth nntil the latter part of May. The army suffered ranch from camp complaints, many of the boys being disabled from sickness. They stood the trials well until that siege, but being in a malarious country they succumbed on account of constant watchfnlness; digging in ditches and heavy rains falling in the spring of the year, many were attacked with inflammatory rheumatism.

"After the evacuation of Corinth, Buell's army was separated and sent easterly through Northern Mississippi and Alabama and laid at Battle Creek, Tenn., for some time previous to what is known as the Bragg-Bnell campaign. Bragg moved around the bend of the river and commenced his famous march toward Louisville- Buell concentrated his forces and followed. The Twenty-ninth Indiana was in the rear of the rebel army most of the way toward Louisville until Bragg turned his troops north toward Shelbyville. Buell moved west far enough to pass Bragg's left wing, the latter keeping to the right toward Shelbyville. Buell's army entered Louisville in time to prevent any assault from Bragg's forces. After lying there a few days we moved out to attack Bragg's army which was then at Frankfort. The retrogade movement then began and continued until after the battle of Ferry ville.

"The Union army reached Nashville the second time and remained in that vicinity nearly all the winter following. The Twenty-ninth Indiana, with the other regiments in the division, laid in camp at the Asylum grounds, south of the city. We spent as pleasant a winter as possible for a body of men in camp. We had plenty of meat most of the time, but sometimes were short. Some contributions were received from the surrounding country, but, of course, they were enforced. At the commencement of the Stone Eiver campaign, Dec. 26, 1862, we broke camp. General McCook commanded our corps, and the Twenty-ninth Indiana led the advance toward Murfreesboro. General Rosecrans superseded Euell in the command of the Army of the Cumberland. We had a severe skirmish at Triune, Company A being on the line all day. After that skirmish the army got into position in front of Murfreesboro on the 30th of December, 1862, McCook's corps holding the right wing. The Twenty-ninth Indiana was in the center and the Thirty-fourth on the right. Skirmishing had been going on for three or four days. We deployed in double line on the night of the 30th in the expectation of action on the lollowing day. Were called up at two o'clock the next morning and stood in line until just at break of day, when the rebels massed their forces under Hardee and attacked the extreme right of the line. We deployed in single line of battle and they attacked in double line. The Twenty -ninth held its ground until the Thirty-fourth had been broken and one column of the rebel troops had passed, before the former regiment was ordered to retreat. The retreat was made in great haste from that position. The right swung back until it struck the railroad three-fourths of a mile distant. There, receiving the support of fresh troops, the line held its own until the close of the battle. Fighting continued throughout the 31st of December. The 1st of January, 1863, was quiet. On the 2d the rebels made an assault on the right but were repulsed. There was considerable fighting on the 3d but that night the rebels fell back.

"After the conclusion of the battle of Murfreesboro the Twentyninth remained at that place the remainder of the winter, and with the balance of the brigade were engaged in working on the fortifications, being aided by the engineer corps. We continued at that for fully three months, a portion of the time the work being prosecuted night and day. The companies of the regiment were divided into reliefs, working four hours at a time. After the completion of the works the regiment remained there until Rosecrans made his advance to Tullahoma, where we remained in camp some two months. The regiment was actively engaged until the Chickamauga campaign, at which time it lost very heavily. More than one-half of the Twenty-ninth in that battle were killed, wounded or taken prisoners. Those of the regiment not captured suffered all the horrors of the confinement in Chattanooga. Company A remained at Chattanooga after the battle of Missionary Ridge, as part of the garrison, until the close of the war.

" Of the 101 men of the company who left Angola in 1861, 1 do not know of but nineteen who are now living. Captain W. H. Cole, of Angola, was one of the original members of the company. At the battle of Shiloh, he was wounded in the foot and was discharged in consequence of the wound. He afterward enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, and was elected Captain of one of the companies. Philip Haynes, of Salem Township, was shot through the head at the battle of Shiloh. William Jenkins was discharged in consequence of wounds received there. James Woodworth was killed in the same battle. Caleb Talbot was killed at the battle of Stone River. Fred Clock was killed at the battle of Chickaraauga, and N. P. Hanna was killed at the same place. David Allen, Edward Parker and Yalentiue Somerlott died at Anderson ville."

Forty- Fourth Regiment

The companies composing the Forty-fourth Regiment were raised in the Tenth Congressional District, and rendezvoused at Fort "Wayne, where the organization of the regiment was completed on the 24th of October, 1861, with Hugh B. Reed as Colonel. Companies A and K, and parts of D, F and H were from Steuben County. In December the regiment was transported to Indianapolis, and from thence to Henderson, Ky. Reporting to General Thomas L. Crittenden, it was assigned to General Cruft's brigade and went into camp at Calhoun, on Green River. Here it remained until February, 1862, when it was transferred to Fort Henry, and from thence to Fort Donelson, where it participated in the siege and battle at that place, suffering considerable loss in killed and wounded.

After the capitulation the regiment marched to Fort Henry, and from thence it was transported on steamers to Pittsburg Landing, It was engaged on both days at the battle of Shiloh, losing thirtythree killed and 177 wounded, making a total of 210. After this it marched on Corinth, taking part in several skirmishes before Corinth, and upon the evacuation of that place joined in the pursuit of the enemy, going as far as Booneville. Returning from this expedition it moved with Buell's army into Northern Alabama and Southern Tennessee, and when Bragg marched his army northward, it moved across the Cumberland Mountains to Nashville and thence to Louisville, Ky., reaching there on the 26th of September. In the campaign through Kentucky it was actively engaged, participating in the battle of Perry ville, and going as far as Wildcat in pursuit of Bragg.

Returning to the vicinity of Nashville, it participated in a skirmish on Russell Hill, at Silver Springs. About the first of December it went into camp near Nashville. From the 20th of August to the 1st of December the regiment had marched over 725 miles, being an average march of ten miles per day, and the whole performed without tents or shelter of any kind. The Fortyfourth moved with the army of the Cumberland toward Murfreesv bore, where it participated in the battle of Stone River on the 31st of December, 1862, and the 1st and 2d of January, 1863, sustaining losses as follows : Eight killed; fifty -two wounded ; twentyfive missing - a total loss of eighty-five.

After remaining in camp near Murfreesboro for some months, it moved with Van Clove's division of Rosecrans's army across the Cumberland Mountains to Chattanooga, going by way of McMinnville, Dunlap, Jasper, Bridgeport, Shell Mound and Whiteside. It participated in the engagement at Chickamauga on the 19th and 20th of September, and on the 23d, in connection with the Thirtyninth Indiana, fought the enemy again at Mission Ridge. In these engagements the regiment lost three killed, fifty-nine wounded and twenty missing, making a total of eighty-two. About the middle of October it was assigned to provost duty at Chattanooga, and while here the regiment re- enlisted in January, 1864, and returned to Indiana on veteran furlough, reaching Indianapolis on the 26th of January. Returning to the field the regiment was again placed on provost duty at Chattanooga, on which duty it continued until the 14th of September, 1865, when it was mustered out of service.

It then returned home, reaching Indianapolis on the 17th of September, in command of Colonel Curtiss, with thirty ofiicers and 670 men. Of these, 193 were original enlisted men, of whom thirty-three returned as commissioned oflScers, eighty-nine as noncommissioned ofiicers, and seventy-one as privates. The regiment, during its term of service, lost 350 in killed and wounded, and by death from disease fifty-eight. In July, 1865, 360 remaining recruits of the Sixty-eighth and Seventy-second Indiana were transferred to the Forty-fourth, and these continued in service with the latter regiment until its muster out.

Just before its final discharge the Forty-fourth was present at a reception given to returned troops in the capitol grounds at Indianapolis, on which occasion it was addressed by Governor Morton, Generals Grose and "Washburn, and others.

Forty-Eighth Regiment

The Forty-eighth was organized at Goshen on the 6th of December, 1861, with Company H filled with Steuben County men. Under the command of Norman Eddy as Colonel it left for Fort Donelson by way of Cairo, Feb. 1, 1862, where it arrived the day of the surrender. It then moved to Paducah, where it remained until May, when it moved up the Tennessee River and engaged in the seige of Corinth. After the evacuation of that city it was assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division of the Army of tlie Mississippi, and took part in the marclies and countermarches in pursuit of General Price.

On the 19th of September it participated in the battle ol luka, losing 116 men in ivilled and wounded out of 420 engaged. On the 3d and 4th of October it was engaged in the second battle at Corinth (under Rosecrans), and lost twenty-six killed and wounded. The regiment moved down the Mississippi Central Railroad as far as Oxford, Miss., and on its return marched to Memphis, where, in January, 1863, it was assigned to the First Brigade, Seventh Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps.

After remaining here two months it was transported down the Mississippi, and then joining the army of General Grant marched with him to the rear of Yicksburg. During this campaign the regiment participated in the skirmish of Forty Hills, on the 3d of May; the battle of Raymond, on the 13th of May; the battle of Jackson, on the 14th of May; and the engagement at Champion Hills, on the 16th of May, losing in the latter battle thirty-three killed and wounded. It was actively engaged in the trenches during the long siege of the rebel works at Yicksburg, and took part in the assault on the 22d of May, losing thirty-eight in killed and wounded.

After the surrender of Yicksburg it remained in that vicinity until August, and then moved up the river to Memphis, and from thence marched across the country to Chattanooga, and while in that vicinity engaged the enemy at Tunnel Hill. From the latter place it marched back to Huntsville, Ala., and while stationed there, in January, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as a veteran organization and returned home on veteran furlough. The soldiers reached Indianapolis on the 6th of February, numbering 369 veterans, and on the 8th were publicly received in welcoming speeches by Governor Morton and others.

After the expiration of its furlough the Forty-eighth proceeded to Huntsville, Ala., where it remained until June. The regiment then moved to Cartersville, Ga., and was kept on duty in that vicinity looking after guerrillas and protecting General Sherman's railroad communications during the campaign against Atlanta. It was continued on this duty until Hood's invasion, when it joined Sherman's army and marched with the First Brigade, Third

Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps in its campaign from Atlanta to Savannah. From Savannah it first moved to Beaufort, and then on the campaign through the Carolinas, going through Columbia, Cheraw, Fayetteville and Goldsboro to Kaleigh.

From Raleigh it moved northward, after the surrender of Johnson's army, making the distance from Raleigh to Petersburg, 165 iniles, in six days. From Petersburg it marched to Washington, and soon after its arrival there was transferred to Louisville, Ky., where it was mustered out of service on the 15th of July, 1865. Returning to Indianapolis it was present at a public reception given to a large number of returned troops in the capitol grounds on the 18th of July, on which occasion addresses were made by Governor Morton, General Hovey and others.

While at Washington about 250 men were transferred to the Forty-eighth from the Twelfth, Eighty-third, Kinety-seventh and Ninety-ninth regiments, being retained recruits whose organizations had been mustered out. These transferred men served with the Forty-eighth until its final muster-out, and were discharged with it. Daring its term of service the regiment lost in battle 213 men, in killed and wounded.

One Hundredth Regiment

The One Hundredth Regiment was organized in the Tenth Congressional District during the month of August, 1864, and rendezvoused at Fort Wayne. Steuben County furnished all ot Company B and parts of Companies D and K. Two companies recruited for the Ninety-eighth Regiment in the Eighth Congressional District were assigned to the One Hundredth Regiment, completing its organization, and the regiment was mustered into the service on the 10th of September, 1862, with Sanford J. Stoughton as Colonel. On the 11th of November the regiment left for Memphis, Tenn., arriving there on the 16th. The regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division, Army of the Tennessee, and on the 26th moved with an expedition through Northern Mississippi, having Vicksburg for its objective point. This movement, however, was unsuccessful, owing to the surprise and capture of Holly Springs by the rebels. The column then returned to the vicinity of Memphis, and the regiment was assigned to garrison duty at Collierville, and as guards along the Memphis & Charleston Railroad.

joined the army of General Grant at the siege of Vicksburg, arriving in front of the rebel works on the 14th. The regiment took part in the siege of Yicksburg, and after its surrender moved with Sherman's array upon Jackson, Miss., arriving in front of that place July 11. Five days were occupied in the siege of Jackson, the regiment being constantly engaged. On the 16th the rebel army evacuated and our forces entered the place and destroyed its military resources. During these movements the regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Albert Heath, and formed part of the First Brigade, First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps. From Jackson the regiment marched to the Big Black River, where it remained in camp during the summer.

Sept. 28, the same year, the regiment marched to Yicksburg, embarked on transports and sailed to Memphis, arriving there Oct. 9. The regiment at this time belonged to the Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps. It moved with its division on a rapid march across the country to Stevenson and Bridgeport, Ala., thence over Sandstone Mountain, and down Lookout Yalley to Trenton, Ga., and succeeded in turning the left flank of Bragg's army, then in position upon Lookout Mountain. This column secured a foothold on the mountain and drove the enemy from its position, but without following in pursuit pushed for Chattanooga, which place it reached after a rapid march, on the 23d of November.

On the 25th the column moved upon the enemy's stronghold on Mission Ridge, and took part in that severe battle. Its division gained the crest of the hill and held the position, notwithstanding the concentric tire of the enemy and his repeated assaults. The fight lasted from ten o'clock in the morning until dark, and the attack on the enemy's left was so persistent as to draw vast masses of the enemy to that flank, and enable General Thomas to break through the enemy's center. In this battle it sufiered a loss of 132 in killed and wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel Heath was severely wounded early in the action, and Major R. M. Johnson assumed command of the regiment.

- The next morning the command moved in pursuit of Bragg's army as far as Graysville. It then moved toward Knoxville, for the purpose of relieving General Burnside. This was accomplished,the head of our column reaching Knoxville on the 6th of December. But a few weeks before that, this army had left the banks of the Tennessee River with only two-days rations, and no extra clotliing, and during that time had fought a severe battle, and marched over 800 miles through mud, rain and snow, part of the command barefooted, and yet all was endured without a murmur. The regiment remained in camp at Scottsboro until May 1, 1864.

The entire army of General Sherman moved from Chattanooga early in May, 1864, on its campaign against the "gate city of Georgia," Atlanta. The two hostile armies were separated by Eocky Face Ridge, cloven by Buzzard's Roost Gap, through which runs the railroad. This pass was so fortified as to render it unapproachable. Sherman decided to turn the position. The Army of the Tennessee moved through Snake Creek Gap and threatened the enemy's rear at Dalton. The regiment was attached to this arm}^ and took part in all its movements and battles, being engaged at Dalton, Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, Chattahoochie River, Decatur, Atlanta, Cedar Bluffs, Jonesboro and Lovejoy's Station. The regiment then moved with its corps to Atlanta, and camped at East Point, after marching and fighting nearly 100 days.

On the 3d of October the regiment marched with its corps in pursuit of Hood, and after forced marches through Northern Georgia and Alabama, drove Hood across the Tennessee River, left General Thomas to meet and check his further career, and returned to its old camping ground near Atlanta.

At daybreak on the 14th of November the regiment moved with the column for Savannah and the sea. Atlanta lay behind, a mass of smoldering ruins - before was an untrodden path, an unknown enemy and adventure. The march of that army was marked by destroyed railroads and a ruined country. The regiment svas assigned to the Second Brigade (Walcott's), First Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, in this march. On the 22d of ISovember, near Griswoldville, Ga., its brigade was engaged in a desperate fight.

Our position was defended by a slight barricade. The eneraj' made an assault with a largely superior force, and four pieces of artillery; he was, however, completely repulsed. The action continued four hours, and the enemy made several assaults, only to be met with severe loss. General Walcott was wounded, and Colonel Patterson, of the Ninety-seventh Indiana, took command of the brigade. Forty-nine prisoners were captured, and the regiment was complimented by the commanding General. After a perilous march through almost impassable swamps and morasses and over swollen streams, the column debouched in front of Savannah on the 10th of December, and that city was entered by our army on the 23d.

From Savannah the regiment moved with its corps by steamer to Beauford, S. C, and thence through the Carolinas, capturing successively Branchville, Columbia, Georgetown and Cheraw, S. C, and met the enemy at Bentonville, N. C, where a severe battle ensued, and the enemy were defeated and driven from the field. The column then moved to Goldsboro, reaching that place March 26, 1865, having marched 1,300 miles and fought seventeen battles since leaving Chattanooga in May, 1864.

The regiment remained at Goldsboro until the 10th of April. It then moved with the army to Kaleigh, where it remained until after the surrender of Johnston's army. The regiment then marched by way of Richmond, Ya., to Washington, D. C, reaching that place May 20, 1865. The regiment remained in camp near Washington until June 9, 1865, when it was mustered out of service, the remaining recruits being transferred to the Forty-eighth Indiana, with which organization they continued to serve until its muster-out at Louisville, Ky., June 15, 1865.

The One Hundredth left for the field with an aggregate of 937 men, and returned with 618 men for muster-out. It lost in killed in action and died from wounds 89; discharged for disability by reason of wounds, or otherwise, 225; died from disease, 150; total casualties, 464. It marched during its term of service 4,000 miles, was engaged in twenty-five battles, and was on skirmishing duty nearly one-third of the time it was in the field. After its musterout it started for Indianapolis, and upon its arrival there was present at a public reception in the State House grounds on the 14th of June, and welcomed with addresses by Governor Morton and others. Its members then dispersed to their respective homes.

Twelfth Indiana. Volunteer Cavalry

The Twelfth Cavalry, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Regiment, was organized at Kendall ville, Ind., in the Tenth Congressional District, March 1, 1864, eight companies of which were recruited by Colonel Edward Anderson in the Ninth Congressional District, in the fall and winter of 1863, and were rendezvoused at Michigan City; and four companies were recruited in the Tenth Congressional District in the fall and winter of 1863, and were rendezvoused at Kendallville, for the purpose of completing the regimental organization, and Colonel Edward Anderson was made Colonel of the regiment. Parts of Companies B, C and I were raised in Steuben County.

Early in May, 1864, the regiment left camp at Kendallville and proceeded to Indianapolis, and on the 6th of the same month it left Indianapolis for the field, under orders to proceed to Nashville, Tenn. But six of the companies were mounted, and all were armed as infantry, for want of cavalry arms, until the regiment arrived at Louisville, where the infantry arms were turned over by the six mounted companies, and cavalry arms were issued instead. The mounted portion of the regiment, also the mounted portions of the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry Regiments marched from Louisville to Nashville, under the command of Colonel Anderson, while the dismounted portion of the regiment proceeded to Nashville by rail, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Alfred Reed.

The Twelfth remained at Nashville in camp of instruction for about three weeks, when it was ordered to Huntsville, Ala., for "which place it started May 29, the dismounted portion proceeding thence by rail, under command of Colonel Anderson, and the mounted portion marching from Nashville, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Reed. Colonel Anderson was assigned to the command of the railroad defenses from Decatur, Ala., to Paint Rock, Ala., a distance of about sixty miles, and to the command of all that district of country lying between Huntsville and Paint Rock, and between the Tennessee River and the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, that portion of the country being at the time infested with several bands of guerrillas and "bushwhackers."

The dismounted companies were assigned to the especial defense of the railroad, and to the erection of block-houses, under the command of Major Orris Blake, and the six mounted companies (which were the only mounted cavalry then at or near Huntsville), under command of Colonel Anderson, were employed very actively in fighting and ridding the country of guerrillas and "bushwhackers," in which numerous skirmishes and engagements were fought, and quite a large number of the regiment were killed and wounded.

For about a month after the arrival of the regiment at Huntsville, the headquarters of the regiment were at that place, when they were removed to Brownsborough, where they remained until Sept. 15, 1864, when the Twelfth was ordered to Tullahoma, Tenn., to garrison that post, where it arrived on the night of the same day, and reported to Major General Milroj. Colonel Anderson was assigned to the command of the post, and also retained command of the regiment. On the 23d of September Colonel Anderson was relieved bj orders from the Secretary of War, and was ordered to Indianapolis to report to Governor Morton for special service, soon after which he rejoined his command i n the field. In the absence of Colonel Anderson, Major Blake was assigned to the command of the post of Tullahoma and of the regiment, during which time the regiment was constantly employed in watching the movements of the rebel General Forrest, who, with a large force was then threatening Tullahoma and several other points along the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. In the meantime the regiment had several skirmishes with a part of Forrest's command and with bands of guerrillas. In the month of October, 1864, Major Blake was ordered by the Secretary of War to report for duty to the Acting Assistant Provost Marshal General at Indianapolis as assistant.

Three mounted companies, C, D and H, stationed at Huntsville under the command of Captain Major D. Williams, of Company C, participated in the defense of that place with the Thirteenth Cavalry, Oct. 1, 1864, against the attack of a portion of the rebel Forrest's command. These companies subsequently joined the regiment at Tullahoma, and on the 26th of November, upon the evacuation of that post, the regiment proceeded to Murfreesboro, Tenn., and participated in the battle of Wilkinson's Pike and Overall's Creek. It was also employed in the several skirmishes in the defense of Murfreesboro against the command of Forrest in December, 1864, Lieutenant-Colonel Reed commanding the regiment, and Colonel Anderson commanding the brigade to which the regiment was attached. Soon after this the regiment proceeded to Nashville and went into winter quarters, and there received new arms, and was assigned to the Second Brigade, Seventh Division, Cavalry Corps.

Feb. 11, 1865, the regiment embarked on board transports and steamers, under orders to proceed to New Orleans, La., which orders were subsequently countermanded, and the regiment disembarked at Yicksburg, Miss., by order of Major General Canby, to engage in a raid along the Mobile & Ohio Railroad. These orders were also subsequently countermanded, and the regiment was newly mounted, arms changed, and embarked again for New Orleans, where it arrived March 12, 1865, thence proceeding to Navy Cove,

Mobile Bay. There it reported to Major-General Canby, and participated in the operations against the forts and defenses of Mobile, Ala., a portion of the regiment acting as escort to Major- General Canby, and the remainder engaged also in running a courier line into Florida, from near Fort Blakely, Ala.

After the fall of Mobile the regiment reported, April 17, to Major General Grierson, and under the command of Major William H. Calkins, participated in the raid of over 800 miles through Alabama into Georgia, and then across the State of Alabama again to Columbus, Miss., where it arrived May 20, 1865. It was highly and specially complimented by Major-General Grierson, in a letter to Governor Morton, for its gallant conduct and military discipline. Here the regiment remained under the command of Major Blake until about the middle of July, when Colonel Anderson rejoined his command after a temporary absence, and proceeded with a portion of the regiment to Grenada, Miss., establishing the headquarters of the regiment there. Three companies, D, K and L, proceeded to Austin, on the Mississippi River, in command of Captain D. M. Graves, where they remained about two months, employed in protecting Government cotton and other property, and then again reported for duty to Colonel Anderson at Grenada, where that portion of the regiment remained until orders were received for muster-out.

The remaining six companies remained at Columbus, Miss., and vicinity, engaged in protecting Government cotton and otherwise, under the command of Major Blake, until they were ordered to proceed to Yicksburg, Miss., to join the remainder of the regiment which had preceded them. These companies arrived on the 2d of November, and Nov. 10, 1865, the Twelfth Cavalry was mustgred out of the service of the United States at Yicksburg, and ordered to proceed to Indianapolis, where it arrived on the 16th of November On the next day it was honored with a public dinner by the citizens of the city, and was welcomed home by a public reception at the State House grove, where addresses were delivered by Governor Baker and Colonel Trussler, Secretary of State, and were responded to by Colonel Anderson, Lieutenant-Colonel Reed, Major Calkins and Major Blake. The regiment was finally paid off, and its members received their discharge Nov. 22, 1865.

One Hundred And Twenty-Ninth Regiment

from the Tenth Congressional District during the winter of 1863-'64:, rendezvoused at Michigan City, and was mustered into the service March 1, 1864, with Charles Case as Colonel and Charles A. Zollinger as Lieutenant-Colonel. All of Company A and parts of Companies B, F, H, I and K were composed of Steuben County volunteers.

On the 30th of March the regiment left camp at Michigan City, and was conveyed by rail via Louisville to Nashville, where it arrived on the 7th of April. Lieutenant-Colonel Zollinger was in command of the regiment. Upon its arrival at Nashville, it was assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division, Twenty-third Army Corps. On the 5th of April the regiment took up its line of march for Loudon, E. Tenn.. but, before reaching that point, its orders were changed, and the regiment marched for Charleston, E.Tenn., arriving there on the 2J:th, Thus was accomplished a march of 200 miles by a regiment fresh from the hamlets and towns of Northern Indiana. As the column wound through the fertile valleys and over the rugged mountains that characterize the countr}^ through which it passed, the men were enthusiastic in their admiration of the natural beauty of the country. There was but a little time for rest, however, for as soon as the First Division had joined its corps at Charleston, orders came to move on a campaign that was to strike a formidable blow at the rebel strongholds guarding Atlanta,

On the 3d of May the regiment moved with its corps toward Dal ton, reaching there in time to participate in the initiatory demonstration that opened the campaign a^rainst Atlanta. On the 12th it marched through Snake Creek Gap, and, breaking through a dense forest, took position near Resaca. Three days later a heayy battle ensued at Resaca, the enemy being defeated and driven across the Oostanaula River. The regiment joined in the pursuit, movi g over blind roads on the left, and, crossing the Oostanaula River above Resaca, found the enemy strongly entrenched near Cassville. On the 20th the rebel army fled across the Etowah River. The regiment reached the banks of that stream, and encamped for two days, waiting for supplies. On the 25tli the regiment crossed the Etowah River and moved upon the enemy's position at New Hope Church. Before reaching there, however, the enemy, after a severe engagement wi:h a portion of our army, had fallen back to Lost Mountain. The regiment was for several weeks afterward almost constantly skirmishing with the enemy, pushing through deep defiles and heavy underbrush.

During this period the rain fell almost continuouely, rendering the roads almost impassable. On the 15th of June Lieutenant- Colonel Zollinger was promoted Colonel, having had active command of the regiment ever since its departure for the field. Colonel Case resigned early in June. On the 19th of July the regiment was engaged in a severe fight near Decatur, Ga., losinar very heavily in killed and wounded. Sherman's army was now closing around Atlanta, and brisk skirmishing met our advance in every new movement. On the 5th of August a brigade of Schofield's corps tried to break through the enemy's line about a mile below Utoy Creek, but failed to carry the position. The next day General Hascail, commanding the division to which the regiment was attached, attacked and turned the position, resulting in the engagement at Strawberry Run, in which the One Hundred and Twentyninth lost twenty-five in killed and wounded.

On the 29th of August the regiment marched with its corps around East Point, and came into position near Hough and Ready, on the railroad, which was at once destroyed. Other portions of Sherman's army were doing similar work, and on the 1st of September it was ascertained that the enemy had abandoned Atlanta. The regiment then marched with its corps to Decatur, and went into camp. Thus, after four months' campaign, our army gained possession of the mountain regions of the center of the rebel dominion, and the Atlantic and Gulf slopes were open to the movement of our veterans.

On the 4th of October the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth moved with its corps in pursuit of Hood, who had cut Sherman's communications at Big Shanty, and was demonstrating on the garrisons guarding our supplies along the railroad that formed our only line of supply. Moving by way of Marietta, Allatoona, Cassville, Kingston, Rome, Resaca and Snake Creek Gap, it arrived at Gaylesville, Ala., where further pursuit of Hood's flying columns ceased. The Twenty-third Corps was then attached to the command of General Thomas, and the regiment marched with its corps to Chattanooga. Thence it was transported by rail to Nashville and Johnsonville, where it remained until the 20th of November. It then moved to Columbia and occupied the crossings of Duck River.

For three days the enemy pressed our position at Columbia, and heavy skirmishing was carried on. On the 29th the roginient fell back across the Duck River, burning the railroad bridge in its rear.

The enemy's column having passed our flank, the regiment marched rapidij with its corps to Franklin, The enemy followed closely, and on the 30th assaulted our position at that place. Our ground was well chosen, and after several severe assaults the enemy was decisively repulsed with great loss. The regiment met with heavy loss in the battle of Franklin. Our army fell back during the night to Nashville, and the regiment took position in the suburbs of that city, and threw up defensive works.

On the 15th of December the regiment moved from Nashville, and, advancing with General Thomas's army on the fortified position of the rebel army of General Hood, participated in the two days' battle which resulted in the utter rout of the enemy, and in his disastrous retreat across the Tennessee River. The regiment joined in the pursuit until the same was discontinued.

Jan. 5, 1865, the regiment marched with its division to Clifton, and embarking in transports sailed to Cincinnati. Thence it was' conveyed by railroad to Washington City, and thence by steamer to Cape Fear inlet. Fort Fisher being already captured, and Wilmington secured by General Schofleld, the regiment, without landing, sailed by sea to Morehead City, to reinforce the column about to move from Newborn.

On the 6th of March the regiment moved with the main column from Newbern, and marched along the railroad in the direction of Kingston, repairing the railroad as it advanced. On the 8th the enemy encountered our advance^ and captured two regiments of Connecticut volunteers. Flushed with success his columns rapidly advanced and endeavored to check our further progress; but he was met and checked by Ruger's division of the Twerity- third Corps, to which the regiment was attached. Yery heavy skirmishing at once ensued, the enemy making bold attempts to drive our line from position. On the 10th, the enemy being largely reinforced, the heavy skirmishing culminated in a battle. The enemy made several desperate assaults, all of which were met and repulsed, with great loss to the enemy, and during the following night the enemy fled in great disorder, leaving his killed and wounded.

Thus ended the engagement at Wise's Forks, in which the regiment took an active part, losing very heavily. Our way was now open to Kingston, and the regiment pushed on with the main column to that place, and thence to Goldsboro, reaching there on the 21st. From Goldsboro the regiment moved to Mosley ITall, where it remained until the 5th of April. It then moved to

Goldsboro, rejoined its corps and marched to Raleigh. From that capital the command moved to Charlotte, reaching there on the 9th of May. Here it was engaged in provost duty during the summer of 1865. On the 29th of August, 1865, the regiment was mustered out of the service of the United States at Charlotte, N. C, and started for home. It reached Indianapolis early in September with 503 officers and men, was present at a reception to returned soldiers in the State House grove, and welcomed by addresses from General Manslield'and others. The regiment soon received final payment and discharge, and its members returned to the peaceful vocations of life.

One Hundred And Fifty-Second Regiment

The One Hundred and Fifty-second Regiment was recruited in the Tenth Congressional District, and was organized at Indianapolis March 16, 1865, with Whedon W. Griswold as Colonel. It left Indianapolis on the 18th for Harper's Ferry, Ya., and on arriving there was assigned to duty with one of the provisional divisions of the Army of the Shenandoah. It was stationed for a short time at Charlestown, Stevenson Station and Summit Point, and then moved to Clarksburg, W. Va., where it remained until its muster-out, on the 30th of August, 1865. On the first of September it reached Indianapolis with 770 men and officers, where it was finally discharged.

Following is a list of Steuben County volunteers, classified by regiments and companies. It is attempted to give not only the name of each soldier, but his rank, date of muster-in, promotions and date of discharge or muster-out; or if died in the service, when and where. The list is taken mainly from the Adjutant-General's report, and is consequently imperfect in many respects. Only those credited to Indiana regiments are given :

Twenty-Ninth Infantry

McGowan, Irenus, mustered in as First Sergeant Aug. 27, 1861, commissioned Second Lieutenant April 12, 1862, wounded at Shiloh, commissioned First Lieutenant June 11, 1864.

Forty-Fourth Infantry

Butler, M. B., mustered in as First Sergeant Nov. 22, 1861, commissioned Second Lieutenant Sept. 11, 1862, First Lieutenant Nov. 27, 1862, resigned May 20, 1863.

Aldrich, E. S., mustered in as Sergeant Nov. 22, 1861, commissioned Second Lieutenant Nov. 27, 1862, First Lieutenant April 17, 1863, mustered out Dec. 5, 1864.

Seventy-Fourth Infantry

Pierce, Ora, mustered in as Corporal Aug. 9, 1862, commissioned First Lieutenant March 1, 1865, Captain May 16, 1865, mustered out as First Lieutenant June 9, 1865.

Perfect, Middleton, mustered in as Sergeant Aug. 7, 1862, commissioned First Lieutenant Ma}' 1, 1864, diseliarged Jan. 19, 1865, for wounds.

Hawver, Henry, mustered in Aug. 9, 1862, promoted Sergeant, commissioned Second Lieutenant May 1, 1865, mustered out as Sergeant June 9, 1865.

One Hundredth Infantry

Sabin, Marden, mustered in as Sergeant Aug. 15, 1862, comnjissiuned First Lieutenant May 1, 1864, Captain May 1, 1865 mustered out June 8, 1865.

Frederick, George, mustered in Sept. 3, 1863, out June 5, 1865. Mortorff, Samuel, mustered in Sept. 3, 1863, transferred to Seventh Cavalry, reorganized.

One Hundred And Twenty-Ninth Infantry

Cole, John, mustered in as Sergeant Dec. 16, 1863, commissioned Second Lieutenant April 8, 1865, First Lieutenant May 1, 1865, Captain June 1, 1865, mustered out as First Lieutenant.

Manhood, J. D. , mustered in as Corporal Jan. 10, 1864, commissioned Second Lieutenant May 1, 1865, mustered out as Sergeant- Major Aug. 29, 1865

Reunion

Steuben's veterans often have attended 'celebrations at points outside the county, but the iirst attempt at holding a reunion at Angola was not made until as late as 1879, or sixteen years after the last of the armed bands were sent peacefully to their liomes after the suppression of the rebellion. Sept. 9, 1879, a very successful meeting was held, after due preparation.

At the preliminary meeting held July 26, previously, twentyfive veterans attended, and elected the following ofiicers: President, Kewell Lewis, of Angola; Vice-Presidents, Irenus McGowan, of Mill Grove; Frank Green, of Jamestown; J. D. Mawhood, of Fremont; R. H. Johnson, of Clear Lake; G. W. Powers, of York; Charles Stafford, of Scott; G. W. McConnell, of Pleasant; George Twichell, of Jackson; D. Gillespie, of Salem; George E. Young, of Steuben; Lew Griffith, of Otsego; John Williams, of Richland; Secretary, E.J. Fitch; Treasurer, O. Carver; Marshal, E. G. Melendy; Chaplain, William Keyes; Executive Committee, Lawrence Gates, E. G. Melendy, Irenus McGowan, Samuel Beight and Marvin Butler.

At an early hour on the 9th of September the inhabitants of Angola were awakened by the firing of a military salute, and soon after the streets were alive with people. Those who had flags, or who could beg or borrow them, soon decorated their places of business with the red, white and blue in honor of the reunion. The morning trains brought large delegations of ex-soldiers and others from the surrounding towns, and by ten o'clock there was a perfect jam, it being almost impossible to move in the vicinity of the public square. The old battle flags of the Twelfth, One Hun- dred and Twenty-ninth, One Hundredth, Forty-fourth, Eightyeighth and Seventy -fourth Indiana regiments were exhibited near Kinney & Co.'s bank, and attracted universal attention.

At ten o'ch>ck the marshals began to form the procession, and promptly at 10:30 the veterans took up tiieir line of march in the following order :

Fourth, One Hundred and Seven tj^-seventh. One Hundred and Eighty-second, Twenty-ninth, Fifty-second, Seventy-first, Sixtyeighth, Twenty-first, Forty-ninth, One Hundred and Second, Eleventh, Twentieth, Sixtieth, Thirty-eighth, Fifty-seventh, One Hundred and First, Seventy-sixth, Twenty-fifth, One Hundred and Eleventh, Twenty-first, One Hundred and Thirty-first, Fourteenth, Sixty -fifth. Tenth, One Hundred and Seventy-ninth, Eighty-second, One Hundred and Eighteenth, One Hundred and Twenty-third, Twenty-sixth, One Hundred and ]N"inety -fifth. Thirty-second, One Hundred and Ninety-seventh, One Hundred and Forty-second, One Hundred and Twenty-eiglith, Eighty-eighth, One Hundred and Fifth and Sixth Ohio Infantries; Second and Third Ohio Cavalry; First and Nineteenth Ohio Artillery; First Ohio Sharpshooters; Ninth, Twenty -first. One Hundred and Twenty-eighth, Twentieth, Eighty-eighth, Forty-first, Ninetieth, Thirty-eighth, One Hundred and Eighteenth, Thirteenth, Nineteenth, Fiftysecond, Thirty-second, Thirty -filth. Eighty -fourth, One Hundred and Forty-seventh and Eighty -ninth Indiana Infantries; First, Fifth, Seventh, Second and Twelfth Indiana Cavalries; Twenty-third Indiana Light Artillery ; First, Fifth and Eleventh Indiana Heavy Batteries; One Hundred and Forty-second, Forty-second, Sixtyfirst, Tenth, Thirteenth and First Illinois Infantries; Sixty-fifth, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth, Seventy-fifth, Twenty-third, Thirtythird, Forty-second, Fiftieth and One Hundred and Seventeenth fantries; First Wisconsin Artillery; Eighteenth, Fifteenth and Sixth United States Infantries; Fourth, Seventh, Twenty-first, Sixteenth, Eleventh, Seventeenth, Thirteenth, Second, Thirtieth, Twenty-eighth and Eighteenth Michigan Infantries ; Sixth and Ninth Michigan Cavalries ; Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry ; Second and Fifty third Kentucky Infantries ; Fourth Iowa Infantry ; Third Iowa Artillery.

There were more than TOO soldiers present, many of whom were from other counties and States, and eighty distinct commands were registered. The procession marched to Wickwire's Grove, where a previously prepared programme of exercises was carried out. The ladies who had taken upon themselves the providing and arranging of the dinner tables did nobly. Owing to the absence of General Gibson, who was expected to address the audience, but whose attendance was prevented on account of sickness, the time was taken up and the meeting well entertained by a number of short, impromptu speeches by soldiers and others. General Lewis J. Blair, of Waterloo; Judge Melendy, of Centreville, Mich., and Captain J. K. Morrow were among the speakers.