Washington County, Indiana - Chapter 9: Military History, 1916 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 9: Military History

In 1854 a Mexican War veteran left Washington county and emigrated to Texas. During the Civil War he belonged to the state piilitia, and was assigned for duty at a post where a of Union prisoners were imprisoned. Major Horace N. Atkinson, of Salem, was a prisoner there at the time, and who should he find one day, as his guard, but his old comrade, with whom he had fought through the Mexican War. Both were astounded at thus meeting each other at such a time and in such a place. They did not recognize each other when others were present and conversed together as little as possible ; but these two soldiers had feelings within their bosoms that common hardships and toils of other days upon Mexican sands had implanted there that could not be eradicated by all the antagonisms of the rebellion in the land. In due course of time Major Atkinson escaped, and it was by the aid and assistance of that old war-worn comrade of his in other days that he escaped and made his way back to the Cnion forces. This secret was not revealed until the close of .the war, when Anilrew Ratts related how he had dared to aid and assist, at the risk of his own life, one with whom he bivouacked under the flag of his country : one whom he stood beside in the battle of Buena Vista. Andrew H. Ratts kept a diary during the time he was a Mexican soldier, from which most of the facts now known concerning the part \\'ashington county soldiers took in that war are gleaned.

Declaration Of War

On May 11, 1846, by the act of Mexico, in which she sent an armed force, and invaded the soil of the United States, and killed and wounded ])eaceable citizens, the Congress of the Ignited States declared that war actually existed between the two republics. In order to sustain the honor of the llag and carry on the war. Congress authorized the President to call out such numbers of volunteers as he thought proper, not to exceed fifty thous- and in number. He accordingly called upon the state of Indiana- ^or three regiments. Soon after this call, one company and about twa->-ljirds. of - another were raised in this county. On May 13, 1846, Abram Dennis and David C. Shanks announced their intention of raising a company ^uid called a meeting at the court house to raise volunteers. - Speeches were niadc- by leading citizens, much enthusiasm was aroused and soon the roll of tJie company was completed. The Whig party was opposed to the war, in order to prevent the accession of slave territory, while the Democratic party, led mostly by the Southern wing, was in favor of the war, for the opposite riason.

The company as organized was mainly made up of young men .from both parties, who were sworn in at Salem on June 4, 1846. The day before the departure of the company for New Albany, the place of . regimental rendezvous, the boys were drawn up in rank on the north side of court square, where they were addressed by Miss Patsy Gordon, who, with appropriate remarks, fittingly rendered, presented them with a fine flag, donated by the citizens of the town. Captain Dennis responded for the company, pledging their lives to maintain the sacredness of the banner. On the morning of their departure, Rev. Cyrus Nutt, a resident minister, afterward president of the State University, delivered an elequent speech, at the cemetery. The iron paling around the grave of Mr. Buckman, a Revolutionary soldier, was taken down and piled up, and on this was placed the tombstone upon which the speaker stood while delivering his address. Each- member of the company was then presented with a Testament, and then the march for New Albany was ordered, wagons being furnished free by the patriotic citizens of the town and country.

The Muster Roll

Those who died of disease were John Leach antl I'rank Perdue. Those killed in battle or died of wounds received were Thomas C. Parr, -Michael Lee. William Richardson and James H. Sladen.

The second company was raised mainly in the vicinity of Livonia. \vestern Washington and eastern Orange counties. The muster roll showed the following officers; Nathan Kimball, captain: William Schoonover. hrst lieutenant: W. K. Panabaker. second liemen;mt: Thomas T. Hogan. third lieutenant: Daniel Haines, P. I). Kels' .\rthur Homer and l'~. Blalock, sargcantb John Jackson. Simeon Lynn, James Cooke and Thomas Rawlins, corporals; T. B. Wilmoth and John M. Redfield, inusicians. These companies were rendezvoused at New .Mban\' on June i8. 1846, and were mustered into the service, by Colonel Simonson. of the United States army, alx)ut June 22. They were encamped about one mile up the ri\ei from New Albany, where they remained for about four weeks, for the purpose -of forining the regiment, selecting field officers and perfecting thetrLselves in the manual of arms and in the drill. They were drilled imder "Scott's tactics."

There were ten companies in the regiment, the Salem company being D and the Livonia G. Joseph Lane \\a> elected colonel. In after years he was go\ernor of Oregon and L'nited States senator from that state. He was also candidate for vice-president on the ticket with John C. Breckenridge. William R. Hadden was elected lieutenant-colonel and James A. Cravens, major. David C. Shanks was promoted to the adjutancy of the regiment. The President appointed Colonel Lane to be brigadier-general, thus leaving the regiment without a colonel. .\n effort was made to elect one before the regiment left New Albany, but no one was selected and Col- <inel Hadden conmianded until the\' arrived at the seat of war.

Loom, Such As Was Found In Many Pioneer Homes Trip To The Front

On July II, 1846, the right wing of the regiment was put aboard the boat "Uncle Sam," the left wing on the "Empire," five companies on each boat, which crowded things up considerably. They were five days getting to New Orleans. The regiment was landed six miles below the city and went into camp on Jackson's old battlefield. They waited there two days before shipping was provided to carry them to Brazos Santiago, at the mouth of the Rio Grande. While at New Orleans it rained continually and their only chance to lie down was to pile down cord wood and brush upon which their blankets were spread. On July i8, 1846, they boarded the transport "Governor Davis" and the trip to the Rio Grande took five days, and was a most disagreeable one, as the sea was rough, boats crowded and everybody sick. Arriving at Brazos, they were not very comfortably situated, as the island was nothing but a barren stretch of sand and the water brackish. Worse than all, a constant gale filled the air with fine sand and made it impossible to get even a good breath. They stayed at Brazos island a week ; measles broke out and a number of the regiment died. While there, an election was held to select a colonel, Capt. William A. Bowles, of Orange county, and Capt. William Sanderson, of Floyd county, being the candidates. Bowles was successful, but not a few predicted that owing to his incompetency, the regiment would have trouble, which certainly came in after days, in a real humiliating manner, ft was not that the men under Colonel Bowles were not brave and heroic, as much so as any of Sparta's sons, but because of the want of sound judgment and prompt decision on the part of the regimental commander. Much time was spent drilling the troops,, notwithstanding the excessive heat..

On the night of August 31, four companies of a Georgia regiment had been ordered up the river and went aboard a corvette at anchor, in the river. They raised a riot among themselves, wherein some were killed and several tiirown overboard. Colonel Baker, of the Fourth Illinois Regiment, was sent with two companies to quell the disturbance. They went without cartridges, and were roughly handled by the rioters, whereupon the Indiana regiment was called out, with instructions to shoot to kill, if it was necessary, which ended the row.

The regiment remained at Camp Belknap, having a comparatively easy time until about the ist of December, when orders were received to get (19) ready to move into the interior of Mexico. On December 5, 184O, they struck camp and started for Camargo. The trip was made by water and wa's very tedious, as the transports were hea\'il\- loaded and the water was low. At Camargo a few days' stop was made for the purpose of having the baggage wagons brought up, and to break in the mule teams as they were as wild as could be. On the 19th of December, they were ordered to Monterey, a distance of one hundred and forty miles. The way was dry and dusty, which made marching very disagreeable. The\- were nine days in reaching Monterey, arriving there on December 27. There were mountains all about Monterey with fertile valleys between. General Worth had captured the city a short time previous and occupied the forts. They remained but one day at Walnut Springs, in the outskirts of the city, and then took up the line of march for Saltillo, about seventy miles distant. They were four days on this march and stopped at Camp Butler, seven miles from Saltillo, January i, 1847. There they recuperated and were put iji good fighting trim, and on January 12. they were ordered into Saltillo for garrison duty. There matters went along smoothly, e.xcept an occasional false alarm, or slight brushes along the picket lines. Upon one occasion Major Gaines and Captain Clay were taken pri. oners.

On February 2, Gen. Zachary Taylor arrived at Saltillo from Monterey, with a considerable force and ga\e orders for an immediate advance to Aqua Neuva, twenty miles out. on the road to San Louis Potosi. The Mexicans lay in considerable force farther, on a wild, sandy plain lying between the two armies. The Second Indiana marched well to the front and on February 6, reached .\qua Nueva, where they remained in camp for nearly two weeks, when it was ascertained b\- scouts that General Santa Anna was collecting a large force aljout fort\- miles south. It was al>o ascertained that they meant to swoo]) down upon the "^'ankees" with a force of infantrw lancers. ca\-alry anil artiller\- niuubeiing fully twent\-h\e thousand men, while ( leneral Taxlor'^ whole force did uox (|uite reach six thou.sand, and the latter therefore deemed it advisable to fall back to a stronger position, .\ccordingly they took up a position a few miles back at a ranch called "Buena \'i^ta." where the i^round fav(5red a strong defenst against greatly superior number.-. General Taylor's command took theii stand on the evening of February 21. They had little provision in camp and no wood with whicli to cook what they had. Baggage wagons were sent back to bring up suppHes, while the troops, after eating up what they had carried with them, laid down, rolled up in their blankets, and slept as best they could. The baggage train was only partly loaded when they saw the Mexicans coming, and started at once for the American lines, setting fire to the supplies left behind them preventing them from falling into the hands of the Mexicans. The wagon train got back to camp about daylight on February 22, and reported the Mexicans in possession of their old camp. The train pickets also came in and reported the Mexicans advancing with a determination to capture General Taylor's army. By ten o'clock the American army was out in line of battle, awaiting the coming of Santa Anna's forces. Soon the Mexicans came in sight and they covered the whole valley, their arms gleaming and sparkling in the sun like silver.

When within about a mile of the Americans the Mexicans halted and Santa Anna sent a flag of truce to General Taylor for a conference. The Mexican general demanded of General Taylor that he surrender his whole army and war material. In the message he notified General Taylor that he had over twenty thousand of the choicest troops of the Mexican army, besides a strong support of cavalry and artillery, against which it would be useless and foolish for him to contend, and that he made this overture "to save the effusion of blood;" that if General Taylor would surrender, he and his men should be well treated. The party bearing these tidings were told to go back and tell their chief to come on as soon as he liked, as the army of General Taylor had come there to fight, and that they coiila whip all the force Santa Anna could bring to bear against them. The wily Mexican general did not lead on his army to an attack at once, but undertook to weaken the American forces by strategy. He threw out a large body of men from his left, expecting General Taylor would send out a lorce to meet them, but General Taylor showed that he could not be tricked or induced to scatter his forces.

Indiana Riflemen In Action

About three o'clock in the afternoon a cannon was fired by the Mexicans as a signal that the battle was on. Santa Anna immediately sent a large force upon the mountain in front of the American left. The Indiana riflemen were sent to Oppose this move and to prevent the enemy from getting into the rear. Thus was commenced the grand battle that was to have its influence on the destinies of America. A remarkable coincidence of events happened then and there, it being a battle that meant so much to Americans, happening on the birthday of the immortal Washington. Soldiers were exhorted to do their duty and remember that it was the birthday of the father of their comtry. As the riflemen advanced, the Second Indiana Regiment was ordered to the extreme left at the base of the mountain, f'iring immediately began and it was kept up till nightfall, very little execution having been done on either side. -Vt dark all was silent and the soldiers prepared themselves for their first night on the l^attletield : all anxiou? as to when and how the contest that had begun would end. At early dawn tlie Mexicans fired a cannon as a signal that the battle was to be renewed. They moved down upon the Americans in countless numbers, the whole valley being lined with glittering steel, with officers, mounted on panoplied steeds, riding over the plateau in every direction. They planted a large battery at the base of the mountain, opposite the American left. (Jeneral Lane marched the Second Indiana Regiment, consisting of eight companies, as tjie two rifle companies had been detached, and joined the rifle brigade, to meet the onset of the Mexicans. He formed a line parallel to theirs and at right angles with their battery.

A Disastrous Order

A destructive fire was oi>ened upon the Indiana regiment both from the line in front of them and from the battery, which was returned with much vigor and with great destruction to the enemy. They stood in this position until there had been twenty-one rounds discharged, when Colonel Bowles gave the order to '"cease firing and retreat." The order was given the third time before a single man was willing to obey. At this moment Lieutenant Spicely (afterwards a brigadier-general in the L'nion army during the Civil War), understood that it was General Lane who had given the order to retreat and ordered his company to fall back. When this company started, Captain Dennis started his company also, and then the rest of the regiment broke off by file, until all had abandoned their positions. About four thousand Mexicans then swooped down and helped to scatter the Second Regiment in e\ery direction. The Mexican lancers charged uj)on them as they were attempting to rally, but s<i close and so numerous were the Mexicans that they were forced to retreat again.

Some of the officers tried to rally the men after they had crossed a ravine, while other ofticers ordered them to retreat to the ranch, still (Jthers ordering tju'iii to fall hack t,. Saltillo. Then there was coiifnM.iii c\'ima- where and no one knew what was best to do. The greater part of the regiment went to the ranch, which was the best, as it turned out, for some three thousand lancers had undertaken to capture the wagon train which Was corralled at the ranch and which was guarded by a part of the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry. It was fortunate for that part of the army that the Second Indiana arrived at the ranch when it did, for every man now went to fighting on his own hook, without officers or commander and soon haid the Mexicans put to flight. ThcA' thus formed themselves into a body and returned to the battlefield. Colonel Bowles, with a number of his men, had fallen in with Jefif Davis's Mississippians and fought through with them, the battle raging furiously all day long. The American forces were driven back at times and again drove the enemy, in turn, until dark, when the firing ceased. Those who were not wounded, prepared themselves for rest o^i the battlefield as best they could, wondering how the contest would end on the morrow. It had been a terrible day. The Americans had met the flower of the Mexican army and held their ground. The well-mounted lancers had charged in serried ranks down upon the American ranks in grand style, but it was the charge to their death. It was in one of these charges that young Henry Clay fell. It was here, when lancers and infantry massed against Captain Bragg's battery, that the memorable order of General Taylor rang out: "A little more grape, Captain Bragg!" and the gallant captain poured in the missiles of death until the Mexican columns halted, reeled and fled.

The Mexicans Retire

The carnage was fearful in the ranks of the Mexicans on the 23rd. When the sun arose on the morning of the 24th, there were no Mexicans to be seen. During the night they had silently folded their tents and gone back into the country. They left dead upon the battlefield over two thousand men. The American loss was also severe, amounting in killed, wounded and missing to seven hundred and forty-six.

The troops were at once .set to work, gathering up the dead, who were buried as well as circumstances would permit, and everything was put in proper order as rapidly as possible. While the army was being reorgaoixed and put in fighting condition again, the officers were busy making out their reports of the battle. Colonel Bowles had quite a lengthy report to make to his suj>erior, General Lane. He stated that "his regiment had fled 'without orders, and that he could only rally forty men with which he joined the Mis- sissippi regiment." That his report was false in toto, every soldier who was under him was ready to testify, and after they returned home they invariably pronounced his report an unmitigated falsehood and an outrage upon the fair fame of his regiment and all Indian troops. A court of inquiry was ordered upon Colonel Bowles's conduct and the evidence showed that he did give the order to retreat, and that he abandoned his regiment, and also thait the men had rallied again without their officers and had fought well all day. It should not be forgotten that Indianians fired the first shot in that terrible battle ; that they had the first man wounded, the first man killed, the last man killed and that they fired the last gun at the close of the day The men under his command always asserted that had it not been tor Colonel Bowles's order to retreat, no troops would have left that battlefield with more honor, or upon whose arms a brighter lustre would have shown, than upoH the Second Indiana.

India.Vians Start Home

On February 27, 1847, General Taylor moved his command back to Aqua Nueva, where they remained for two weeks, at the end of which time they went again to Buena Vista. There General Taylor took leave of his command and went to Monterey, leaving Gen. John E. Wool in command. The latter was a very rigid disciplinarian and was disliked by the men under him. On the loth of May, (ieneral Lane received orders from (ieneral Yaylor to put his command in readiness to march to the Rio (xrande. They took up this line of march on Ma\ J4 and were five days reaching Montere}. After resting a 'ew days they started to Camargo and were six days in reaching that iwinl. The ^Mexicans had now been dri\ en out of the northern portion of their country, .\fter his defeat at Buena \ista. Santa Anna went to Mexico City io battle against (leneral .Scott's force;-, (leneral Taylor was instructed to return t<i the states with the men he had in his comiiiand. The Second Indiana arriwd at the UKHith of the Rici Crande on June 13. The next dav the\ inarched to lirazo- and took shipping for New (Orleans, which jjoun was reached on June 1 X. They had to stay at New Orleans one week before tlu-y were discharged on June _\^. i<'*47.

In the battle of Buena X'ista the conipaiiy lost four men killed. Lieut Thomas C. Parr. .Michael Lee. jaines Slayden and W illiam Richardson. Seven were wounded, nanuly- Andrew II Uatts. J.iines Webb, Gus Jones, D \V. C. Thomas. Alexander M Woods llciiiv I logaii. Luke B. Coggswell

On arriving at New Albany, the regiment was tendered a grand reception. People flocked with their wagons and teams to that city from Salem to bring them home, where they were extended a grand ovation. They brought with them the remains of Lieutenant Parr, and before arriving in .Salem, a meeting was held and a committee was appointed to prepare for the funeral. Arrangements were made for the exercises to be held at the court house, conducted by Rev. William Shanks, but when the time arrived, so great was the crowd that attended the funeral that ten court rooms would not have more than given them accommodations, so the assembly adjourned to a grove where all could witness the ceremonies. The remains were borne liy comrades, to Crown Hill cemetery, where a volley of rhusketry was fired over the grave of the dead soldier. A few days later a barbecue was given in honor of the soldier boys. An immense procession was formed in the IHiblic square, headed by a band and the soldiers, who marched in rank out on the Orleans road about a mile where, in the forks of the road, fatted calves and pigs browned and sputtered over a roaring furnace. Rev. William Shanks delivered the welcome address, to which several members of the company replied. It was an occasion remembered and talked of for more than half a century. L^pon this occasion the following lines were read, penned by John G. Dunn, assistant surgeon of the United States, who attended upon the wounded Indiana soldiers at Buena Vista.

Battle Of Buena Vista The Washington Rifles

There were some very interesting incidents connected with the Mexican campaign. The Salem company called themselves the "Washingt6n Rifles." As it was being organized the citizens raised money and purchased cloth for their uniforms, as the government then paid money in lieu of clothing. The ladies of the town and country made .up the uniforms, each soldier being presented with a pair of pants, a coat and a cap. They could not obtain clothing in Mexico, so the one suit had to do them till they returned to New Orleans, a year later and they were a ragged-looking set when they arrived on American soil.

When the company started front Salem, tne people fomied in single file around, tne square to bid thern adieu. The. Salem brass band accompanied them to New Albany and. enlivened the way with music, song and laughter. While in camp at New Albany the boys were absent about half their time, having a good time. They had a man named James Hammersly,,a fine looking six-footer, who was active and could run like a "quarter horse." They backed him against all comers, and he always came out ahead. They took him to Louisville, where, for a large purse, he ran against the city champion, beating him badly. As soon as they got to Mexico this champion became homesick, and cried until he was discharged.

All sorts of gamblers followed the soldiers, and some of the boys would take a hand at a chance game occasionally. In the. Third Indiana, was a noted character, who once lived in Salem, named "Buck" McKinney, a desperate character. Upon one occasion he went over 'among the Georgians and won a lot of money. They got into a row and McKinney slashed one of the Georgians with a knife, almost severing his shoulder blade from his body. McKinney fled, but wa.s pursued by the (Georgians. Nearing the camp, he called for Colonel Lane, who came to his rescue and saved his life. At Matampras they found an old resident of Salem, Robert Kingsbury, son of John Kingsbury, a not-'d lawyer. Robert had gone to Mexico, married a wealthy native and had settled down. He afterwards became a noted man of Brownsville, Texas. On the 24th of June. 1847, the Masons in the regiment went out on a mountain and opened a Ifxlge in due and ancient form, the lodge being presided o\er b\- ficneral Curtis, later of the Civil War fame.

The general government was \ery tardy in granting pensions to Mexican soldiers, though they deserved the same, if ever a faithful soldiery did; for they went to war, furnishing their own outfit, and only got seven dollars a month. They waged war in a foreign country, amid its barren and desolate plains ; were most of the time on short rations : and added as much territory to the United States as was then possessed east of the Mississippi - land rich beyond estimation in fertile soil and precious metals.

At the outbreak of the Civil War th ; people of Washington county were very much divided in opinion concerning the right of the South to withdraw from the Union, as well as the best means to be adopted in preserving the Union. All were desirous of seeing the unity of the country preserved, but there were many opinions about the best methods to be adopted to hold the states together. In the main the Democratic party favored the compromise to war, while the Republicans stood for force, and would listen to no terms of arbitration. The election of Lincoln, in the fall of i860, was regarded by the South as a just cause for tiie dissolution of the Union, and on the 20th of December, i8<io. South Carolina took the initial step to secede from the Union of States.

It was a step of fearful importance. The action was contagious and the whole country was prompt in taking sides one way or the other. At this time there were two papers published in Salem, the Times (Republican) and the Democrat, the former edited by Trueblood and Huston, the latter by Horace Heflfren. On January 3, 1861, the Ti)ncs said editorially: "We are clearly of the opinion that a judicious firmness on the part of the chief executive (Buchanan) at the outbreak of this disunion movement at the South would have done more toward quelling it than all the compromises, concessions or patriotic appeals that have l>een or can be made by our wisest

Statesmen. He gave the South an inch and they have taken a span. They have not been in the least checked in their traitorous movements, but have gained strength from the beginning. They see clearly that they are likely to meet with no resistance from the federal power, and they are doubly bold in executing the damning plan of disunion. It would be useless for us to attempt to express our opinion in regard to the cowardly course of the President. We fail to find words severe enough in the Enghsh language, and therefore cannot do the subject justice. Poor old wretch - what can he promise himself while he is permitted to live on earth, and when he knows in a few years at most he must go down to the grave unwept, unhonored and unsung?" The Democrat in its next issue said: "When Abe Lincoln and his abolition hordes, or Kepublican allies, undertake to compel our southern brethren to surrender their rights and lilierties, to compel them by fire and sword at the cannon's mouth and bayonet's point, to give up their rights, then we become a private in the sovuhern army, and do by them as Lafayette did by our fathers."

The above quotations show the two extreme views of the political leaders - the moulders of public opinion in the county at that time. The masses of the people were probably less extreme in their views, but none hesitated to give their views upon the momentous situation of afifairs. Public meetings and speakings were held in different parts of the county, called for the purpose of discussing ways and means of preserving the Union, and if possible avoid a bloody civil war.

Local Sentiment Towards Secession

The first meeting of this kind was held at the court house in Salem, January lo, 1861, the principal speakers being R. Boling, of Kentucky; J. M. Brown, of New Albany, and C. L. Dunham, each of whom were willing to resort to extreme measures to preserve the Union of States. Later on similar meetings were held all over the county, the principal speakers being Hon. James A. Cravens, C. L. Dunham, John I. Morrison, S. E. Barr and A. Hubbard. At a public meeting in Salem on February 16 the following, among other resolutions, were adopted :

"Resolved, That in view of the geographical position of the state of Indiana in the United States of America, her commercial, agricultural, mechanical and manufacturing interests being, as in our judgment we conceive them to be, interwoven and fostered chiefly by the South and southern institutions, that a separation therefrom would be fatal to the pros- perity, glory and wealth of our beloved state. And that while we deprecate and deplore a separation of our glorious Union and believe it to be our duty as well as our interest to do all that can be done to avert so fearful a calamity; yet if separation must and will come the line of division must run north of us.

"Resolved, That we look with fear and horror upon any attempt either of the state or federal government to compel us to take up arms against our southern brethren, and while we regret to see this government crumbling away and its foundations broken up, yet we prefer that peaceable dissolution should take place rather than coercion, which is but another name for civil war; and when the time comes, if come it must, and we are compelled to choose between marching under the banner of coercion and the banner of a people fighting to preserve and retain their equal rights and liberties, we should be wanting in patriotism and oblivious to the example of the heroes and patriotic sires of the Revolution should we do else than shoulder our arms and follow that flag upon whose ample folds is inscribed 'Liberty and Equal Rights to All Against Any and All Opposers, Come From Where They May.' "

Minority reports were read at this meeting favoring war rather than dissolution, but their adoption was rejected. Excitement was intense. Nothing was discussed but the possibilities of war and the final outcome of a clash of arms which then seemed inevitable.

There was an ultra element in the county that found fault with Mr. Lincoln's administration because it was not more pronounced in its plans and moves against the seceding states, believing in giving them a crushing and effective blow as speedily as possible. They looked upon Mr. Lincoln's hesitancy as a practical acknowledgment that no way could be seen under the constitution of a settlement of existing differences. They even charged the administration with being weak, vacillating and lacking in courage which usually accompanies con\iction.

This \iew was taken for a time by the Salciii Times, but after the fall of h'ort Sumpter. when gigantic prejiarations were begun in earnest, it was soon dispelled and a heavy su]>port was extended the administration without criticism. It said editorially: "The heart of every true lo\er of the Union is fired into a blaze of indignation at the attack on Fort Sumpter and the insults off'ered to the star-spangled haiintT. the pride of the I'nitcd .States.

and her true-lieaited sons and daughters. Shall this glorious Union be destroyed, broken up, wiped out, by rebels who are rallying under a rattlesnake flag, is a question that rises in the mind of every patriot. Shall, the American flag be insulted and trailed in the dust? Will Union men look quietly on and see the capitol fall into the hands of traitors? Never! Never! The war excitement among our citizens has put a check to all kinds of business. The shrill notes of the fife, the reverberating sound of the drum and the steady measured tread of the marching soldiers are the order of the day and part of the night. Crowds of men assemble upon the sidewalks, and but one subject engages their attention, and that is war, and we rejoice to say that the Union sentiment grows stronger every day. We are also glad to see so many of our citizens interested in the formation of a home guard. This is right, for while our friends and relatives are gone to> fight for our country, our people and property mvist be protected at home.""

War Begun

"We give up as much room as we can to the war news of the day. The battle has begun and God knows when it will end. War, with its grimvisaged front, and all its attendant horrors, is upon us. The Abolition party of the land is responsible for; the calamity. They are- the ones on whose heads should be visited the fierce furies of popular indignation. .Abraham Lincoln has done the deed that all good men should regret. He has laid his impious hand uix)n the best government man was ever blessed with. By his touch the Union crumbles to pieces. By his orders civil war is inaugurated, brother made to fight brother; and he is but the embodiment of the party he leads. When such men as Seward and Chase, Wade and Giddings and Greeley control the administration, what can we expect? Lincoln, to all appearances an imbecile, old ignoramus, is but an instrument in the hands of l)ad men to destroy the Union. Everything he touches withers and crumbles away like the sensitive plant from the touch of mortal. Yet we have been tolcl In these Republicans that there was no danger. The second Washington wuuld make all right, and he told us nobody was hurt. Commerce is ^ta^;natc(l. industry is paralyzed! in short, everything is prostrated, and nohdd) is hurt. .\ c^reat sage is this Lincoln! Now he dips his hand in the blood of his countrymen and calls for 75,000 .A.bolition cohorts tolicl]) him carry dexastation and carnage among our southern brethren; and

Governor Morton, the coward at heart, aids and abets him. Indiana is called upon for six regiments of volunteers, amounting to about 6,000 troops, to go south and fight the men whose ancestors came to the wilds of Indiana and protected us from t'-'e tomahawk and scalping knife. We are asked to forget Joe Davis and his noble men, whose bones lie sleeping at Tippecanoe, where they gave up their lives to save our people. We are asked to fight the friends, relatives and neighbors of Washington, Henry, Jackson and Jefferson. We are bid by Abolition leaders to plunge the bayonet to the heart of our best- friend and make carnage and distress on every hand and side. Men of Washington county, will you do it? Will you imbrue your hands in the blood of your friends? Will you wage war upon your kinsmen? No, you never will. Your hearts beat responsive to the 'rights of the South,' and of her heroic sons. You cannot be base enough to do so horrid and damnable an act, you could not degrade yoursehes l)y so ungrateful a course; and if you could, you would be deserving the scorn and contempt of the world and should be held up as worse than Judas Iscariot. As for ourselves, we say openly and boldly, come life or death, come weal or woe, we never will raise our hands or pay one farthing to aid in the ungodly act of waging a war upon the southern people, who demand their rights and nothing more. May our arm be palsied before we even attempt the act. We go a step further, and say we do not desire trouble in Indiana, and that we believe none except hot-headed fools do, but We never want to see men mustering in old Washington to fight our friends : for we have no doubt serious trouble would be the consequence."

This diatribe, and many others like utito it, emanated from a pen that was afterwards laid aside to take up the sword in defense of the Union cause.

First Company Off For The War

The fall of Fort Sumpter occasioned great excitement all over the whole country, and Washington county was soon in a turmoil. In response to Governor Morton's call for 6,000 volunteers a full company was organized for the service within a week. S. D. Sales, H. N. Atkinson, A. C. Trueblood and others were active in raising these men. But a dispatch from Adjutant General Wallace stated that the state quota was full and that the company could not then be received, but should be kept in readiness for the first opening.

On May 9, 1861, a dispatch was received from Indianapolis ordering the company to proceed to the state capital at once, and accordingly prep- arations were made to leave the next day. It seemed that the whole county turned out to see the boys off, and Salem was excited as it had never baen before. The company was escorted to the depot by the Salem Home Guards and the Silver Grays, two recently organized companies of militia. At the station the company was lined up in rank and was addressed by Messrs. May, Martin, Dunham and Heffren, in patriotic and eloquent speeches of good advice and affectionate farewell. Captain Sayle« replied on behalf of the company. The occasion was sorrowful and impressive, and among the thousands present there were few dry eyes, as friends and relatives bade goodby and Godspeed to the dear ones they never expected to see again. only similar scene was that of fifteen years before, when the soldier boys were off for Mexico.

At last the train came and the boys left amid the tears and clinging farewells of loved ones. They remained in camp at Indianapolis, doing guard duty and drilling until June 19, when they were mustered into the United States service for three years as Company G of the Thirteenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with the following officers : Stephen D. Sayles, captain: Horace N. Atkinson, first lieutenant; E. M. Butler, second lieutenant.

This regiment was among the very first to enter the United States service for three years, or during the war. J. C. Sullivan was its first colonel. On the 4th of July, 1861, the regiment left Indianapolis and joined General McClelland's forces near Rich Mountain, Virginia, in July 10. The following day it was in the battle of Rich Mountain, Josing 8 killed and 9 wounded. On July [3 it was removed to Beverly, thence to Cheat Mountain Pass, where it was engaged in several skirmishes with the forces of General Lee. It was at Greenl)rier on October 3, and December 13 fought at AHeg^any under General Milroy.

The first winter out was spent at Green Spring Run, when in March, 1862, it moved to Winchester. At the battle of Winchester Heights on March 22, it lost 6 killed and 33 wounded. In May, R. S. Foster became colonel. At Somerville on May 7, the regiment lost 4 wounded and 24 jirisoners. It was then successively at Port Republic, Alexandria, on the James River, and Fortress Monroe, making a march of over 400 miles ; losing 2 killed, 19 wounded and 7 prisoners. In June, 1863, C. J. Dobbs became colonel. In 1864 the regiment veteranized and was than in en(gagements at Folly Island, Morris Island, Fort Wagner, Waltijal Junction, Chester Station and Foster's Farm; losing in all about 200 men. (20)

The regiment joined the Army of Potomac on June i. and fouglit at Cold Harbor, and took active part in many important nio\-ements. It fought at Strawberry Plains, Chapin's Bluff, Fort Gilmore and at Richmond. It was engaged in the assa lit on Fort Foster and helped capture Fort Anderson. September 5. 1865, it was mustered out and sent home, reaching Indianapolis on September 15, with 29 officers and 550 enlisted men.

Captain Sayles was the first man in Washington county to head the list of volunteers in his country's cause. By reason of disal)ility he was mustered out of the service, February 22. 1863, but shortly thereafter again went to the front as lieutenant-colonel of the CJne Hundred and Seventeenth Regiment, and was in command of the regiment until his final discharge in 1864. He was twice wounded, once at Malvern Hills, and again at Winchester.

Recruiting Continued

With the departure of the first company to enter the war, it was plain to l>e seen that the conflict was likely to continue much longer than at first expected, and with the second call for volunteers mass meetings were held in all parts of the county to form new companies of militia. On Saturday, May 18, John I. Morrison and oihers spoke at South Boston, where a full company was raised, with Jasper N. Rodman captain, and Horace Gra}-, first lieutenant. At a meeting at Li\'onia, May 25, several speeches were made, and it was "Resohed, That we approve of the vigorous but cautious steps taken as a last resort by the government and General Scott to check and put down the treasonable rebellion and re-establish its rightful claims, authority and supremacy over the places and property belonging to the United States and its legal jurisdiction within the seceded states."

June I, at a large meeting at Kossuth. Monroe township, a combined pole of hickory and poplar was erected, and on the flag run up in large letters was the word "Union." The parties had united meetings at Flower's Gap, Claysville and Kansas school house, Howard township, where Jonah Green organized a company. Capt. F. W. Shanks organized a company in Pierce township. Captain \"oyles also had a company at Martinsburg.

Second Company For The War

at the depot to see them off. There was quite a turn out of militia, with martial bands playing and fiags flying to enliven the occasion. At Indianapolis they were made Company G of the Eighteenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantr}-, Captain Thomas was advanced to the office of major. John ^V. Jones was selected captain in Thomas's place.

The company was mustered in on August i6, 1861. The Eighteenth Regiment saw a great deal of hard service. It was first commanded by Col. Thomas Pattison. The day after it was mustered in it was moved to St. Louis, and at once participated in General Fremont's movement on Springfield and Otterville. It was in the battle of Pea Ridge and Leetown. After the fight at Elkhom Tavern it marched to Sulphur Springs, Missouri, where it remained on duty during the winter of 1862-3. The following spring the regiment joined Grant's army, participating in the movement on Grand Gulf, the fight at Port Gibson, Champion's Hill and Black River Bridge. During the siege of Vicksburg it was actively engaged in numerous assaults on the enemies' works till they were captured. It then saw service in Texas, for se\eral months.

January i, 1864, the regiment veteranized and returned home on furlough. It took the field again in July, joining General Butler's forces in Virginia. It joined General Sheridan on August 19. September 10 it fought at Opequon, losing 54 killed and wounded; September 22, lost 7 men in the pursuit of General Early; October 19, lost 51 killed and wounded and 35 l)risoners at Cedar Creek. In January, 1865, the regiment was stationed at Savannah and Augusta, till the war closed, and was mustered out, August 28, and sent home, arriving at Indianapolis on September 17.

Early in August, 1861, twenty men left Gibson township to join Company H, of the Twenty-second Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, recruiting at Lexington, Scott county. .Vbout the middle of August the third company for the war was raised, the officers being Capt. John B. Glover, A\ ith Lieuts. Stephen C. Atkinson and James H. Low. They left on August 24, and joined the Thirty-eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, organized at Camp Noble, New Albany. They became Company P, and were mustered in, September 18. 1861. As usual a very large crowd were at the railroad station when the company took its departure, John I. Morrison delivering the farewell address, a speech very impressive, eloquent and patriotic.

This regirtient Was stationed at Elizabethtown, Kentucky, September 21, in which vicinity the winter of 1861-2 was passed. In February it moved with BueTl's army against Bowling Green and Nashville. It was located for a time at Franklin, Colrmbia and other points, moving several times against Morgan's cavalry. It pazticipated in the campaign against Bragg in Kentucky, fighting gallantly at Perry ville, losing 27 killed, 123 wounded and 7 prisoners. It was next placed in the Fourteenth Army Corps and for a time was stationed at Nashville and Murfreestoro. On December 31, 1862, and the 1st and 2nd of January, 1863, it took part in the galling battle of Stone's River, losing 14 killed and 86 wounded. It then moved towards Chattanooga and at Hoover's Gap lost i killed and 15 wounded. On the 19th and 20th of September, 1863. it was desperately engaged at bloody Chickamauga; losing 9 kflled, 59 wounded and 42 missing. Later it was in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge.

The winter was passed at and near Chattanooga. The regiment was veteranized, and allowed to return to Indianapolis on furlough, where they arrived on January 9, 1864, with 360 men, and officers. Late in February it took the field at Chattanooga, and was in the Atlanta campaign, participating in all the engagements on that famous march; losing a total of 103 men, killed, wounded and missing. The regiment was on Sherman's "March to the sea," thence to Richmond and on to Washington. It reached Indianapolis on July 18 with about 600 men, where the veterans were given a public reception by Governor Morton and discharged.

Fourth Company Sent Out

In the eariy part of Septewiber, 1861, W. L. McKnight issued a call for volunteers to form a company of cavalr}'. During September, October and Novemfefer, various fragments of volimteers through the county were finally united, and selected as otficers : H. N. Atkisson, captain; with Joseph L. Marsh and Delos Heffren, lieutenant. Later on Atkisson was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the Fifteenth Regiment, to which this company, known as C, was assigned. Dr. W. C. Flack, of Salem, was regimental surgeon. Cyi-us L. Dunham was chosen colonel and Horace Heffren served as lieutenant-colonel for about nine months, in 1861-2.

The Fiftieth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, was raised at Seym^our and mustered into service late in December, 1861. Its first duty was to serve as guard for the Louisville & Nashville railroad. August 20, 1862, Captain Atkinson, with twenty men in a stockade near Edgefield June- tion, was attacked by i,ooo men under John Morgan, and repulsed them three successive times in three hours' sharp fighting, killing 8 and wounding 1 8 of Morgan's men. In September the regiment moved to Munfordville, where it was overpowered and captured. The. men wer* paroled and. returned to Indiana, and on November i were exchanged and sent back to Tennessee. On December 31, the regiment fought all day at Parker's Cross Roads, capturing 500 prisoners and seven pieces of artillery. In the spring of 1863 it was sent to Memphis and thence to Little Rock, where it engaged the enemy. In January, 1865, it moved down to Mobile and participated in its capture. It was mustered out at Montgomery, Alabama, September 10, 1865.

Fifth Company

During the winter of 1862-3 very few men left the county for the war. Everyone anxious watched and waited. Aid societies were organized in almost every neighborhood and supplies were collected and forwarded to hospitals where they were most needed. About the ist of June, 1862, J. H. Red field and others again began to "beat up" for volunteers. Under the call of July 2, 1862, for 300,000 men, the county, fearful of a draft, began to stir herself. The two county papers came out vigorously for volunteers. By the 1 6th of July a full company was made up for the reorganized Sixteenth Regiment. It became Company B, with James H. Redfield. captain, and Cyrus Rayhill and John N. Thompson, lieutenants.

The Sixteenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, was mustered in, August 19, 1862, with Colonel Lucas in command, and on the same day left for Kentucky to assist in repelling Kirby Smith. On August 30, it was in the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, losing the appalling number of 200 men killed and wounded and 600 prisoners. The prisoners were paroled and sent to Indianapolis, but, were exchanged on November i. On November 20, the regiment moved to Cairo, thence down the river in the Vicksburg campaign.

On the way it made a forced march of sixty-five miles in thirty-six hours, cutting the Texas & Shreeveport railroad at Dallas, swimming two bayous, destroying ten miles of railroad and burning one million dollars" worth of rebel cotton. In the fight at Arkansas Post it lost "jj men, killed and wounded, and was the first to plant its colors on the fort. After engaging in various skirmishes, it entered the trenches before Vicksburg on May 19. During the siege it lost 60 men, killed and wounded.

river, participating in sixteen engagements. It was transferred to the Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, early in 1865, and reached Indianapolis on July 10. when it was discharged. Captain Redfield was promoted until he was colonel of the legiment.

More War Companies

Washington county was dropping tehind in furnishing its quota of volunteers in the fall of 1862, so an enormous war meeting was planned to be held at the old fair grounds, a mile east of Salem, on the Canton road. At least five thousand people were present. James A. Cravens delivered a lengthy speech, before the basket dinner was served, advocating a vigorous prosecution of the war. After dinner Col. Roger Martin took the stand, and for more than an hour exhorted all able-bodied patriots to rally to their country's standard. A subscription of one hundred and eighteen dollars and fifty cents was raised for soldiers' families. At this meeting and following it the enlistment of men was pushed forward under hard work and threats of draft.

A company of 107 men was raised in the county under Ca])t. J. i\. Koaman, and being the first in camp, early in August, for the Sixty-sixth Regiment, won the $400 prize as the first company to report. The lieutenants of this company were Samuel P. Reid and William H. Peters. It became Company B, About the same time another company was raised at Saltillo and became Company A, of the Sixty-sixth Regiment. The officers were: John F. Baird, captain; Charles H. Cornwell, first lieutenant; Archil>ald Baxter, second lieutenant. Company F, of the Sixty-sixth regiment was" also raised in Washington county, mostly from around Little York, and officered as follows: Alfred Morris, captain; Chester P. Davis, first lieutenant, and George R. Davis, second lieutenant. Company H, of the same regiment, was also almost wholly from Fredericksburg and vicinity, with the following officers : James D. McPheeters, captain; William N. Bogle and David Simson, lieutenants. Company K, of this regiment, contained about fifteen men from this county; there being in the Si.xty-sixth Regiment over four full companies of troops from this county. Dr. D. \\'. \'o\'les and Dr. J. R. Barr were surgeons to the regiment, and Dr. S. F. ^Martin, assistant surgeon. Roger Martin went out as lieutenant-colonel, and in March, 1864, was made colonel.

The Sixt\--sixth Regiment, Indiana \'oluntecr Infantry, rendez\(nised at New .\lban\-. It was sent at once to Richmond, Kentucky, where, on the 30th of .Vugust, it participated in the battle, losing the greater portion of the command as prisoners. The paroled men were sent to Indianapolis. The entire regiment was gotten together on November i8, and an exchange was duly made, when it was sent to Corinth. It wintered at Pulaski. Tennessee, and in the spring of 1864, participated in the Atlanta campaign; fighting at Resaca, Lay"s Ferry, Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenasaw, before Atlanta and Jonesboro. In December the regiment marched across Georgia to Savannah. It then moved through the Carolinas, and after Johnson's surrender reached Washington city, May 24. 1865. It was mustered out on July 17, 1865, at Louis\'ille.

First Cavalry Company

On the 1 6th of August, i80j. james P. Banta commenced enrolling names for a cavalry company. The day previous some thirty-five men had gone to New Albany to enlist in the Sixty-sixth Regiment, but it had just completed its full quota, so most of them returned to Salem and enrolled their names as members of the future Company E, Fifth Indiana Cavalry. By the 21st of August the company was full and started on their way to Indianapolis.

At this date aft'airs looked none the best for the Union army. In the East there had been many disasters and defeats. The army of the West had made little or no progress, and this state of affairs had partially unsettled the feeling of confidence that had prevailed in the minds of loyal people everywhere, and doubt and uncertainty seemed to discourage all. Every day brought fresh tidings that the L^nion forces had been defeated with terrible losses, and day after day the feeling of gloom and despondency increased. McClellan had met with a reverse at Chickahominy and was retreating, (jenerals Pope and Hunter had been forcefl to retire after severe fighting and great loss of men. The magnitude of the war became more apparent than e\ er before, showing the necessity for a much larger force of men to be sent to the field. A call was issued by the President for 300,000 more men, and the Fifth Indiana Cavalry was raised in obedience to this call. The regiment was mustered into the service on September 4, and received arms, bounty and uniforms. The company officers were: James P. Banta, captain; with William H. Ward and Thomas J. Menaugh, lieutenants.

On I])ecember 18. 1862, Companies It and H were ordered to Cannelton, to perform guard duty on the Ohio river, and they remained there most of the winter. F,arly in March, 1863, they were sent to Glasgow, Kentucky, where they were scouting for several months and battling John Morgan's forces. They burned Celina, Tennessee, and spent almost a month chasing Morgan through Kentucky. On the ist of September, 1863, they reached Knoxville. They were the first Union troops that had ever penetrated that part of the country and hey were greeted with applause by the native Union people, and stars and stripes were fiung to the breeze that had been hidden away since the war began.

A Record Of Hard Service

The stop in Knoxville was brief, the cavalry being ordered to scout through the country taking in Smoky Mountain, and Greenville, and taking part in the fight at Bristol, Virginia. A skirmish was of almost daily occurrence from September to January, 1864. On September 2t, the Fifth Indiana Cavalry lead the fight at Zollicotfer, which lasted for four days. On the 22nd it was engaged in the battle of Blountsville. This was a battle in the woods. On Octolser 11, 1863, it was engaged in the battle of Henderson's Mill. The next engagement was at Rheatown where the regiment was surrounded and had to cut its way out. Another desi)erate right occurred at Blountsville on October 14, in which the regiment lost several men. There was a stubborn fight at Dandridge. January 17, 1864. in which Company E lost several men.

.After doing scout duty for almost a month, a halt for a few days was made at Mt. Sterling, and the regiment was remounted and refitted. In May it joined General Sherman, in Georgia. With him it made many long, wear\- some marches and almost every day battled with Gen. Joe Johnston's forces, who fiercely contested every inch of ground for fi\e long months. Company E took part in the historic battles of that contest, including Buzzard Roost, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek. Burnt Hickory, Chattahoochie, Kenesaw Mountain and in front of Atlanta.

On July 2", 1864, Company E was able to muster only Ji al)le-bodied men, with equipments, to participate in General Stoneman's raid on Macon, Georgia. The armies engaged in a hard fight at Clinton, which continued a part of two days, when Stoneman's forces were compelled to surrender, including the Fifth Indiana Cavalry. It stood the l)runt of the battle, and e\ery other regiment was retreating when the old Fifth held her ground. The loss to the regiment was i8 conimissioneil officers and 368 men. Of the Ji men belonging to Company E it was at first thought none were left to tell the tale, but after some days, 7 of them came straggling into camp. 14 having been captured by the enemy and sent to .Vndersonville prison. Tlie l'~ifth had lost all their horses and were transformed into infantrv. ( )n the nuTP-

Early in 1865 this regiment was located near Pulaski, Tennessee, where the Fifth saw its last service, skirmishing with bushwhackers and doing guard duty. It was mustered out after Lee's surrender, in April, 1865. Company E, or what was left of it, arrived home in Salem, on June 29, 1865. The regiment was in twenty-four hard-fought battles, and skirmishes unnumbered. It marched oxer 2,500 miles and was transported 1,000 miles by water. It captured 640 prisoners; lost 34 killed in action, 13 by wounds, 115 were in rebel prisons, 74 in hospitals, ^2 wounded in action, 497 captured, 6 officers wounded, 17 taken prisoners. Total casualties, 829.

First Draft, October, 1 862

The extra effort put forth in Augu.st, 1862, to enlist men in the service resulted in something near 500 recruits, but not quite sufficient to fill the county's required cjuota. In polling the county in Septeml^er it was found that the total enrollment of militia was 2,352; volunteers sent out, 1,339; exempt from duty on account of imperfections, 493; opposed to hearing arms, 35; total volunteers in the service, 1,272;. total subject to draft, 1,824.

It seemed for a time that several townships in the county would be behind and their quotas would have to be filled by draft. James T. Campbell was appointed draft commissioner; James F. Cutshaw, provost marshal; ?,. S. ("rozier, surgeon. The enlistment of men continued until the last day, when eleven townships came u]j with full enrollment, the other two, Polk and Pierce, being a few men short. The draft was held on October 6, when twelve men were drafted in Pierce and four in Polk. While the drawing of names proceeded, a very anxious throng awaited the result, for it was a serious matter to l>e taken from home to serve in the army which then seemed to lie getting the worst of the tussel. But the county then had all demands: for men supplied and people settled down again to watching and waiting.

The emanicipation proclamation, issued the latter part of 1862, brought forth a great deal of comment and criticism. The Salem Democrat, which was again edited b)- Horace Heffren, who had surrendered his commission in the Fiftieth Regiment, on account of the freeing of the negroes, contained some extremely bitter editorials on questions growing out of the conduct of the war. In the issue of January i, 1863, it said : "This is the day Abraham Lincoln is to proclaim all the negroes free in the rebellious states. Such an act is a violation of the Constitution, without warrant or form of law. Will the American people always submit to tyrants? Will they become base hirelings? Will they l)ecome slaves of a more than dictator? Will they long continue to tamely be insulted and mocked at? Will they not send forth a mighty shout against the act and deed?" in many succeeding articles the course of the President in proclaiming the slaves free was denounced in the severest terms. The paper took the position at this time for a vigorous prosecution of the war, for the quelling of the rehellicjn and the maintenance (if the Union, but bitterly denounced the freeing of the slaves as wholly unnecessary and unwarranted under the Constitution. It also took the pnsitinn that the prosecution of the war as far as it related tn freeing the slaxes, ^hiiuld receive no countenance or support.

At a. mass meeting held at Salem, January 31, 1803, a series of resolutions based on these facts was adopted. One read as follows : "Resolved, That we denounce and condemn the proclamation of the President in taking negroes as soldiers or marines and that the present bill before Congress, which makes negroes brigadier or major-generals, and allows them to command white soldiers is a damnable act of abolitionism, a disgrace to humanity and the age in which we live; and if such act ever Itecomes a law that we fa\or the instant recall of Indiana's 100,000 soldiers, that they may return to the pursuits in which the\- were heretofore engaged, instead of being made the associates of negroes, or commanded by them."

In the spring of 1863 an organization known as the Knignis ol the Golden Circle was started in the Ixirder states and found support from those who disliked the manner in which the war was being conducted, particularly in regard to southern slaves. It was reported that this organization had secured and were concealing arms and anmiunition at certain points through the county and several military officers with search warrants came into the county to locate the same, but they made no important discoveries. Their visit only tended to increase the bad feeling that alread\- existed between opposing factions, the result of which was that contentions arose, serious fights ensued and in some instances murders were committed, caused liy the agitation of war cjuestions.

It seemed that the whole conntr\- wa^ doomed to rack and ruin, for no one could foretell what a few days or weeks might develop. But the war went on, and with it came the demand for more soldiers. There was no way <if shifting or a\-oiding the call for men to go to the front, accordingly, early in June, 1863. enrolling officers for the county were appointed as follows: Gibson township. Hezekiah Thomas; Monroe, Norval Peugh; Jefiferson, R. L, Brown ; Brown, R. A. Campbell ; Vernon, S. S. Robison ; Washington, B. F. Huston and James F. Manley ; Franklin, Henry Wright ; Polk, Richard Newlen ; Pierce, Thomas Baker ; Howard, John Grubb ; Madison, James A. McPheeters; Posey, Charles Mitten; Jackson, Robert Strain. The enrollment was conducted without excitement or much opposition, and the names of e\ery able-bodied man, subject to service in the army, were secured.

War meetings were kept up, and there was scarcely a school house in the county where some sort of a war demonstration was not held. The best of talent the county afforded was sent out to orate to the people, and speakers usually were given a good hearing. Col. C. L. Dunham, spent considerable time attending these meetings, strongly advocating giving rebellion a death blow, and exhorting all Union loving men to rally and stand by the flag. Many others lent a helping hand at these meetings, but Dunham was by far the most eloquent man in the county, few equalling him upon the stump in the entire state. These meetings did a great deal of good, encouraging the doubting and timid ones to renewed efforts in *-^e Union cause.

Warnings Of An Invasion

Occasional rumors of rebel raids into Southern Indiana kept the county in a state of uneasiness. On June 22, 1863, great excitement was caused in Salem by the report that a whole regiment of rebel cavalry had crossed the Ohio river into Harrison county, and was marching north, its objective point being Salem and its purpose pillage, burning and plunder. In a few hours' time over 400 Home Guards, armed in the best manner possible, gathered on the public square in Salem, 500 collected at Hardinsburgh, and strong squads assembled in other places through the county to protect life and property. The report proved to be false.

A short time after a Captain Hinds, with a company of rebels, crossed the Ohio at Blue River Lsland, and came north as far as the southwest corner of the county, capturing horses, and creating a great deal of excitement, but otherwise doing little damage. Some of the Home Guards joined in chasing them back to the river, and assisted in capturing most of the raiders. A few of them succeeded in making their escape by swimming their horses across the Ohio, but some were drowned.

During the first days of July, 1863, frequent reports were circulated that General Morgan intended to make a raid through Indiana, and preparations were made to receive him in battle array. Several companies of "minute men" were organized in the county, and in all thirteen regiments were put in fighting trim along the border of southern Indiana. Captain Carr raised a company at Campbellsburj.- becoming Company C, of the One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment, which was mustered in on July 9, and mustered out on July 17, 1863. The regiment was located at Mitchell, Indiana, under Col. H. F. Braxton, was sent thence to Seymour, and on to Indianapolis where the troops were discharged.

General Morgan'S Raid

Relying on numerous reports received concerning public sentiment in southern Indiana, as well as information that large bodies of men were organized and ready to do battle for the South as soon as an opportunity presented itself, General Morgan planned a raid across the Ohio and up into the state as far as practical, recruiting his forces as he went along. The Ohio was crossed at Brandenburg, on July 8, 1863, his force consisting of some 4,000 men. They carried along with them three rifled twenty-four pound parrots and two twelve-pound howitzers. At Corydon there was quite a skirmish in which two of Morgan's men were killed, and some twenty wounded, who were left l)ehind. They failed to And any sympathizers armed and ready to join their cause, -ijut concluded to press on and do as much damage as possible.

Salem was reached on July 10. Xo one knew what route General Morgan would take and there was no concentration of Home Guards at Salem in sufificient number to offer resistance. A few companies had gathered on the public square, but Morgan's forces were on the hills south of town so suddenly and unexpectedly that the militia skedaddled in short order without tiring a shot.

Captain Jones, of -Morgan's vanguard marched down to the top of the rise just south of the creek, where he displayed a flag of truce, and came to a halt. In a short time a delegation of citizens marched down, also under a white flag. The surrender of the town was demanded, and inquir}' was made as to whether or not resistance was intended, b'inding the way clear, the rebels moved on, promising to resjject prixale projierty. except such as was needed for food, clothing and mounts. The}" immediately took complete possession of the town, placing guards over stores antl streets.

The Raiders In Salem

General Morgan made his headquarters at the Persise House, on the southeast corner of the square. The raiders entered the town at nine o'clock in the morning and left at three o'clock in the afternoon, going east through Canton and New Philadelphia. Several parties who refused to obey the commands of guards when ordered to halt were shot at. John H. Wible, of Livonia, was killed and Henry Hoar and Joshua Bottorff were wounded. Mr. Hoar died from the effects of the wound several years afterward. Others were shot at, but managed to escape injury. Jacob Hattabough, a cripple, and eighty-three years old, was hobbling down Main street when he was halted by a sentinel and asked if he was an abolitionist or a Democrat. "I am a Democrat," replied the old man. The rebel then ordered him to hurrah for Jeff Davis, to which demand the old man bluntly refused. He was then commanded to move on or "he'd have a bullet hole put through his carcass." This the old man refused to do till he got ready, saying: "You don't know who you're talking to. Shoot, d - n you. Kill me if you want to, for you can't cheat me out of many days, anyway, you dirty scoundrel." The rebel moved on saying to a companion, "that old chap is the grittiest and contrariest old fellow I ever saw." Hattabough then went to the hotel, introduced himself to General Morgan, passed a few jokes with him, and told him if he ever got back south alive he might consider himself a very lucky individual.

While in Salem the raider burned the large brick depot and all the cars on the tracks and the railroad bridges on each side of town. They taxed the two fiour-rrrills, owned by- De Pan w and Knight, $i,ooo each, and levied the same amount on Allen's woolen factory. They looted the grocery and clothing stores, and appropriated many things from ail the merchants in town. Total loss sustained was estimated at about $15,000. While on the march they spread out over the country quite a distance. Some of them got as far east as Pekin, when they encountered a company of Home Guards, and in the skirmish i rebel was killed and 5 wounded and 19 captured.

Obtaining Fresh Horses

Morgan's men were always on the go, and had been riding most of the time day and night, and this had caused many of their horses .to have sore backs and to be out of condition in many ways. Every j;ood horse they could find was picked up and one of the jaded, worn-out critters was left in its place, while they sang, "We'll ride them till their hacks are sure, then turn them out and steal some more." I'robalily 500 horses were thus appropriated by Morgan's men as they passed through the count}. Alany of those who lost horses at the hands of "^he inxaders picked up the sore-liacked horses and thought the\" would keep them in place of the ones they had lost; but the government sent men around and ])icke(l uj) all horses that Morgan's men had left behind, and a sale was held in Salem at which they were all disposed of. Many farmers who learned that ^Morgan was coming took the precaution to hustle their horses back into the hills, or secreted them in out-of-the- ay t'lickets where they were kept till Cieneral Hobson's L'nion forces put in ?n appearance the following day

There were nt) residences burned as the eneni_\- passed through the Co mty the greatest hardship endured lieing put upon the w<jmen folks who were required to cook for the hungT_\- marauders until their larders were exhausted. The scene changed on the nth when Hobson's men came into the town on forced march, hoping to soon overtake the rebels. They were greeted i)y squads of young ladies on the street corners, who sang patriotic songs, and scores of elderly matrons who carried baskets of cooked food for the hungry soldiers, which they handed out without price.

The many amusing incidents that were related concerning this raid for years after would fill a good-sized volume. \'ery few persons suffered any severe loss, outside of merchants.

In July and August, 1863, under the call for six months' men, the county furnished a full company, officered as follows: S. 1). Sayles, captain; David B. Vance and John R. Freed, lieutenants. They became Company G, of the One Hundred and Se\enteenth Regiment and were mustered in August 12. Sayles was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy and \'ance became captain. September 17 the regiment left Indianapolis for Nicholas\'ille, Kentuck}-, October 3 it was mo\ed to Cumberland Ciaj), and later to Clinch Gap, where it was attacked by the enemy in large numbers, and after i)utting up a stiti' fight retreated during the night to Bean Station. It then '^aw ser\ice at Tazewell, Knoxville, .Strawberry Plains and Mav-n.-irdsxille. The winter was a severe one and the men suffered severely, marching often without shoes and living on quarter rations. Having serx-ed out their time the regiment was returned to Indianapolis and discharged.

raise this number of men considerable effort was required. The county commissioners named a recruiting committee to take the matter in hand and if possible avoid a draft. This committee consisted of Dr. H. D. Henderson, John H. Butler and D. M McMahan, and they selected township assistants as follows. Gibson township Henry Thomas; Monroe, G. A. Smith; Jefferson, E. S. Shields ; Brown, F. D. Badger ; Vernon, T. D. Voyles ; Washington, Emanuel Zink ; Franklin, E. W. Cadwell : Polk, J. A. Bowman; Pierce, E. W. Shanks; Howard, W. A. Lowery ; Madison, H. J. Mobrey; Posey, Charles Mitton; Jackson, Dr. W. Bright. Se\'eral deserters were picked up and returned to their commands.

During the winter of 1863-4 many veterans came home and were warmly welcomed. As most of them re-enlisted they were credited to the county. No effort was made to organize new companies, but many recruits were sent to fill up the ranks of old regiments, so the county's quota was made up and the spring of 1864 passed by without event. In June, at a mass meeting in Salem, a general fight occurred over the wearing of butternut breastpins. Some of these pins were snatched from the coats of several parties, which brought on the fight and several persons were seriously injured.

Miijtary Arrk.Sts

About this time the Knights of the Golden Circle were very numerous throughout the county. Almost every neighborhood had an organization. Threats were made that drafts would be resisted and the South given aid, and to this end military companies were secretly organized and officered. It was rumored that Salem was to be laid in ashes and that several of her citizens were to be hung or shot. A very uneasy feeling took possession of the people generally. Governor Morton was advised of the condition of affairs, and sent spies among the ranks of the Knights, who easily got unto the secrets of the conspirators by representing themselves as being emissaries, sent from the South to ascertain the moti\es of the organization, its strength, and aid in every way to secure arms and ammunition for tne men who were organizing for the uprising.

As time passed on the worst fears ot the law-abiding citizens were tound to be based upon substantial causes. A large element of the county had been organized to oppose the war and to resist the laws. Leading heads of the organization were appointed throughout the southern part of the state, and a time was agreed u]jon for the general uprising. The governor of the state was now perfectly familiar with every move the conspirators were making and had the leaders spotted. -\t the prcjper time they were prtiniptly arre.sted by United States marshals and taken to Indianapolis where they were lodged in prison. Horace Heffren and Dr. J. B. Wilson we. _ taken into custody at Salem. Arrests were m?de at the same time in almost every coimty in the southern part of the state, and consternation was scattered everywhere aniung the ranks of the conspirators.

They were in the main without arms, and wholly unal>le to carry out their plans or offer resistance to the authorities, even if they had been so mclined. All were glad to get out of the trouble hy peacefully submittuig to the authorities and ol>eying the laws. By prompt and concerted action in the arrest and imprisonment of the leaders all serious consequences of disorder and lawlessness were obviated.

A military commission was appointed to try the parties arrested, almost a Imndred in number, which commission consisted of Col. W. \i. McLean, J. T. Wilder, T. J. Lucas, C. D. Alurry, Benjamin Spooner, K. P. DeHart, E. A. Stephens and (ien. Silas I'olgroxf. It was plain to be seen that the uprising had been effectually wiped out, and the autho'-' es were of the opinion that the best results would be obtained by being as i.-ment as possible with the prisoners. They all were expecting that their doom would be death, and no hope was held out to them during the protracted trial that followed. Witnesses were examined, and upon promise of lenienc}' benig e.xtemled to him, Heffren turned state's e\idence, making full confession of his connection with the Sons of Liberty, so that when it came to his turn to l>e tried he was acquitted and sent home. .\ number of the proiuinent parlies arrested received severe sentences, but the governor stepped in and granted them pardons upon }>ronuses of good behaxior and they were released on bond and parole.

While this excitemeiU was on \ery little was done to clear the county quota under the call of July i8, for socc^oo men. Some small squads of recruits were sent t(.i recruit the various regimeiUs already in the held. .\ heavy draft was made in ()ctol)er to bring the count}- up to requirements. After each township was allowed full credit for all \-olunteers furnishetl, men were drafted to make up dehciencies as follows: Gibson township, i ; Monroe, 16; Jefferson, 25: Brown, 11 : X'ernon, 14: Washington, 22; Franklin. 7: Polk, 5; Pierce, 16: Howard, 20: Madison, 13: Posey, 16: Jackson. 11. A total of 177.

One Hundred And Forty-Fourth Regiment

Under the last call of the war, December 19, 1864, for 300,000 men, great efforts were put forth to avoid another draft. That of October having met with a great deal of disfavor, it' was determined, if possible, to avoid another. On January 14, 1865, the county board offered $325 to each \olunteer under the call who should be credited to the county. The quota under this call was 244, but this number had been reduced considerably by the surplus credited to the county after the last draft.

The following recruiting officers for the county were appointed: James A. Ghormley, H. F. Nicholson. T. J. Menaugh and J. A. Redfield. Bonds were issued and money was raised by subscription. The end of the war was plain to be seen, so the danger and risk for volunteers seemed much less than it had been formerly, and it was less difficult to find men who were willing to take their chances in the army. G. W. Smith called for recruits, and soon succeeded in enlisting 22 men for Company A, of the One Hundred and Korty-fourth Regiment; 7 to Company B; all of Company C; 26 to Company F. and about a dozen to other companies in the regimen,t.

The officers of Company C were : S. C. Atkinson, captain ; George W. Smith and Oliver Stanley, lieutenants. The officers of Company F were: Jonathan Peters, captain; D. M. Alspaugh and P. D. Neal, lieutenants. Philli]) L. Da\is was lieutenant in Company B. They entered the service in I'ebruary. 1865. On March 9 the regiment left Indianapolis and reached Harper's Ferry, \'irginia, the 13th. The One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment was employed in guard duty most of the time. First at Halltown, thence to Charlestown, Winchester, Stevenson Depot and Opequan Creek , until August 5, 1865, when it was mustered out, reaching Indianapolis on August 9, it being one of the last regiments to l>e relieved from active duty.

Summary Of Men Furni.Shed

On September 19, 1862, the county was credited with having furnished iv^39 volunteers. Under the June call, 1863, it furnished 100 men. Under the October call, 1863, its quota of 207 men was filled. During the year 1864 a total of 896 men were furnished by enlistment and draft, and under the last call. Deceml)er 19. 1864, 253 men were sent out, a surplus of 9, the quota being 244. Thus the county had a total credit during the entire war of 2,804 men. almost three complete regiments.

Aid Societies

With the beginning of the war there were aid societies in most all tiie towns of the county and in .nany neighborhoods as well. The first recorded aid furnished was in N(5veinber, 1861, when two large boxes nf S(X-ks, blankets, quilts, shirts, drawers, pants, gloves, mittens, wines, etc., to the value of over $100 were forwarded to the county boys then in X'irginia. Besides this, $56 in money was sent to be used in the best manner possible for the benefit of all. A forwarding committee was established at Salem, who took care of all donations for relief purposes, and saw that they were forwarded as rc'inested. In the latter part of December. i86t, two large boxes of wearing apparel and presents, valued at near $_'oo, with $50 in money, were sent to the boys located in Missouri. Several boxes were sent to the boys on the fighting lines in Kentucky, (^ver .'*^-|oo in nume}- and su]>i)lies went to the Kentucky troops.

All destitute seWiers' families were looked after b\- the head commutee, and their needs supplied. This good work was continued through the war. Donation parties were held everywhere, and in addition to food and wearing apparel, all sorts of hospital supplies, such as lints, bandages, linens, towels ?Jid delicacies of all kinds, were sent where demands were most urgent. During the holidays these aid societies paid especial attention to soldiers' families, soliciting funds which weie spent for supplies most needed and necessary. Township trustees were constantly looking after families left without means of support, so that no one was allowed to suffer at anv time during the war.

Salem Relief Corps

Samuel Reed Womans' Relief Corps \o. U>o. auxilliary to Samuel Reed Post No. 87, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized and initiated on May 18. 1891, by Margaret M. Pennington, of New .Albany, Indiana, with twenty-three charter members. The first oliict rs were : President, Mattie S. Hobbs; senior vice-president, Elizabeth Panning : junior vice-president. Pucretia Prow: treasurer, ,A.lice X. Menaugh : secretary, Mary N. Overman; chaplain. Mary R. Smead : conductor. Mora .\', Rerkey : assistant conductor. A-tarie Zinch; guard, Pizzie Zinch ; assistant guard. XX'ilhelniina Shank-.

Second. To assist such Union veterans as need our help and protection, and to extend needful aid to their widows and orphans. To find homes and employment, and assure them of sympathy and friends. To cherish and emulate the deeds of our army nurses and of all loyal women who rendered loving service to our country in her hour of peril.

Third. To maintain true allegiance to the United States of America; to inculcate lessons of patriotism and love of country among our children and the communities in which we live; and encourage the spread of universal liberty and equal rights to all.

The corps has a present membership of twenty-five, with the following officers : President, Ida Overshimer ; senior vice-president, Hannah Houston ; junior vice-president, Etta Johnson ; secretary, Anna Sullivan ; treasurer, Mattie S. Hobbs ; chaplain, Alice N. Menaugh; conductor, Flora N. Berkey; guard, Irene B. Reyman; assistant conductor, Emma Rutherford ; patriotic instructor, Mattie S. Hobbs; press correspondent, Lillie Dale Lewis_; color bearers, Leoria Dobbins, Lorinda Conner, Lillie Dale Lewis, Martha Telle; musician, Lula Cauble.

A Time For Rejoicing

Early in April, 1865, came the news of the evacuation of Richmond, tlie flight of the rebel army in the last throes of its existence. On April 10, word came to Salem that Lee had surrendered and that the Civil War was ended and the Union preserved. People were overcome with the glorious news. Nearly every woman in the county came forth in her habiliments of mourning for some dear one lost in the fray, and rejoiced that the terrible struggle was ended, and successfully, for the Union armies. For some days little was done but to meet and congratulate and hold public meetmgs to voice the universal and overpowering happiness felt by all.

But in the midst of their rejoicing, five days after the fate of the South was sealed at Appomattox, came the dreadful news that Lincoln had been assassinated. The revulsion in public feeling was sickening. Millions o-f men and v\omen throughout the country had learned to love and revere the name of Lincoln. He had piloted the ship of state through four long, dark and dismal years of death and destruction - had been the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night through all the starless gloom of civil strife, and now when the national heart was surging with boundless joy, and every knee was bent and every eye filled with tears of grateful thanksgiving, to have tlie great leader cut down was a lieavy burden to bear. Scores wept as they were told of the great misfortune that had befallen the nation as if they had lost their nearest friend. It was weeks before tlie people recovered from the sudden and unexpected stroke.

Arrangements were Made for appropriate memorial services to be held at the Christian church on Wednesday. April iq. and an overflow crowd was present. The church was tastefully draped, as was also the whole town. A large silk flag hung to the left of the pulpit, twined with crape and evergreen sprigs, and over and around the pulpit were back-grounds of white draped with the sable trappings of death.

Lincoln Memori.M. Meeting

A brief eulogy on the martyred President was first delixered b\- Rew I. I. St. John, of the Presbyterian church, after which the Rev. IP B. Naylor. pastor of the Methodist chrrrch delivered the fullowing able address:

"The American people were never before conxened together in their respective houses of worship under circumstances the same as those that now surround them. Presidents have died it is true, biu those deaths ha\e taken place when the official loss was comparati\el\- light. (The ship, ydu know, is safe in a calm, though the helmsman slee])s at his post. ) Presidents ha\e died, but never in our land by the hand of the assassin.

"The honest heart voluntarily pays its homage to the worthy dead. When the news was borne to David that Saul was slain, he forgot his act.-^ of enmity - that his hand could have smitten him with the javelin, that he it was that robbed him of a wife he loved, that liis hatred had drixeii him like a brute to seek a hiding place in the mountain fastnesses - he remembered only that the Lord's anointed had fallen, and he mourned for him many tlays.

"Though dift'erences of opinion may have existed, though particular faiths, creeds, or partisan views may ha\e separated in life, yet these are ever forgotten by the true man when the ojjponent lies cold in death. Thus, do I beliexe that today, the voluntary affections of an appreciative nation pav their tribute to the memory of .\l)raham Lincoln. .And why should it not be so? (lod speaks to us in ex'erything : the opening bud, the expanding leaf, the fragrant flower speak His ])vaisc. There are sermons in the murmuring brook, lessons in the warbling lark, and instructors in the brute creation. livery heart that beats with life, speak^; of its ("realor. and c\'ery death is an impressi\e lecture, whose -subject is 'The Mortalit\' of .Man.'

dence; this great national calamity, to our good, and the glory of God, we invite you to consider with us in the language of David: Know you not that there is a Prince, and a great man fallen this day in Israel ? 2 Sam. 3-38.

"All men pay a willing sacrifice of admiration to greatness, and the world in every age has possessed objects upon which man has been invited to gaze for that purpose. Who can, gazing down the vista of time, catch a view of the cool determination and continued patience of Columbus, as from city to city, and nation to nation, like the pauper begging bread, solicitating the patronage of the powerful and the rich ; through all the opposition of the old world forcing his way, daring the dangers of the deep, the treachery of his crew, and unveiling to the world the object of his long cherished hopes - who can, I say, while gazing upon such a character withhold his silent admiration?

"The wonderful genius and profound knowledge of human nature, exhibited in the writings of a Shakespeare or a Scott beget for their author the homage of thousands of hearts. Independent of his inconsistent, nay, degraded life, Byron, for his pregnant mind and poetic imagery, received the plaudits of his own nation, and many of his writings are today, welcome visitors to every fireside. So, the unbounded arhbition and military skill of an Alexander find their ready worshippers in every land.

"It is in this category of great men we are compelled to place Abner, son of Ner. In the days of David's predecessor, Saul, this man was commander of the Israelitish forces, and when Saul and Jonathan were slain upon the heights of Gibbon, he espoused the cause of Ishbosheth, the King's younger son, and for seven years he struggled against David, vainly hoping to place the crown upon the head of his young master. Having become insulted by his master charging him with a great crime, he forsook the young aspirant to the throne, and oflfered his services to David. David in turn fearing him as a foe, and appreciating him as a military chieftain, gladly acce])te(l his services: hut Joab, the King's 'Captain of the host,' prompted a desire for revenge for the loss of a brother, and probably urged likewise by a spirit of jealousy, treacherously slew him. David mourned' his death, refusing to eat or participate in any of the enjoyments of the court, saying to those who invited him. Know ye not that a Prince has this day fallen in Israel?

"However pleasing it may be to look upon greatness of this character - there is always something lacking. Fame may tell of the wonderful ex]>loits of the sword ; orators may ply the subtle power of the tongue, breath- ing thoughts that Hve and words that burn ; poets may entwine around the brow the fairest wreaths of poesy, set with gems of thought that sparkle hke diamonds and beautify the path. Skill may expend its million blows upon the rough marble, 'hanging it into a thing of beauty, and of almost life, yet, there is a higher greatness that demands a higher praise; this is the greatness of the soul : For to be truly great I must be truly good.

'It is not thus tha-t we can view Abner. He was bold, daring, skillful in war and wise in statesmanship ; yet was he cruel, ambitious, criminal. Hence, in meditating a few moments upon this passage of scripture and applying it to the present, let us look for that true greatness which, developing itself into moral character, receives not only the admiration of earth but the plaudits of heaven.

"There is perhaps no more beautiful trait in the human character than humilky. Arrogance and pride beget hatred and foster resentm.ent ; but true condescension on the part of those in high position creates respect, and not unfrequentiy, love. It was through this knowledge and the practice of it that Napoleon bound to liimself the heart of every soldier in his services. It is thus to a great extent that N'ictoria gained the affections, and occupies today the position of a mother in the hearts of the British nation. Thus, too, it is with your own Grant. It is not so much his stragetic excellence, his firmness of purpose, his braver\- in danger, that endears him to the masses, as it is that great heart that beats in union with theirs beneath so unassuming an exterior - the soldiers are his comrades; they know this, and they in turn make him their idol.

".And was not this a prominent trait or virtue of the character of the lamentetl chieftain of our nation? To me, his past history makes jilain the fact that he never met an honest man whom he deemed his inferior. Taught in infancy \>\ a pious mother, that all men are created e(|ual, and reared in a community where moral character was the only standard of nianh(X)d, he never forgot the lessons he leartied so young; this \er\- excellence earned for him among his brethren of the bar, the title of Counsel for the Poor. Did he lose sight of the first great principle when elected to the higliest seat in this great Republic^ If he was not fearfully slandered, he was accessible to all. the high, the low. tlie rich, the jioor, the learned and unlearned; nay, so much so was this the case, that hi>^ enemies charged him with disgracing the hig-h ofifice by his democratic manners. \'erily he was great for his true humility of character. I'nswening honesty deserxes our admiration as being great in the char;icter of man. .Sureh' an honest man is the noblest work of God.

"Earth may confer her degree? of honor upon her favored children, but this is the impress of God alone. A man may be gifted, and remain a villain; he may be learned, and yet be a knave ; he may be a millionaire, and yet devoid of moral principle ; the three may be in the possession of one man, but lacking moral honesty, they but degrade him all the more. Honesty of life and purpose was a distinguished trait in the character of Mr. Lincoln. Manifesting itself in the early portion of his life, it gained- for him the enviable sobriquet of Honest Abe. His profession as a lawyer stole it not. His career as a statesman sullied not its beauty, and during the four years while acting as President of the United States - in the midst of the boiling, surging waves of treachery and rebellion - the world of friends and foe, in unison, have granted him the noblest title of earth; that of an honest man. Another trait of excellence in the character of the deceased President was, he was himself always. He is an encouraging example to the young men of our age.