Greene County IN Archives History - Books .....Chapter X 1884
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Book Title: History Of Greene And Sullivan Counties, Indiana

CHAPTER X *

WAR HISTORY CONCLUDED—THE NINETY-SEVENTH REGIMENT—ITS MOVEMENTS—ADVANCE TO
MEMPHIS—BATTLE OF MISSION RIDGE—LADIES IN CAMP—THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN—BATTLE OF
KENESAW MOUNTAIN— ON THE OCEAN—BURNING OF COLUMBIA—"HOMEWARD BOUND"— OFFICERS,
FIELD AND STAFF—INDIVIDUAL RECORD OF THE COMPANIES-LOYALTY AND DISLOYALTY IN
GREENE COUNTY—INTERESTING ITEMS— CAPT. BRYAN'S COMPANY—FOURTH OF
JULY—RECRUITING—THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN—THE SECOND DRAFT—SUMMARY OF MEN FURNISHED
—LADIES' AND SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETIES—BOUNTY AND RELIEF.

    *This excellent sketch of the Ninety-seventh Regiment was prepared and
furnished for this volume by Capt. John D. Alexander.

THE following companies of the Ninety-seventh Regiment were made up in Greene
County, Ind.: Company A, by A. J. Axtell; Company E, by Capt. Thomas Flynn;
Company C, by Capt. John W. Carmichael; Company G, by Capt. John Fields, and a
part of Company I, commanded by Capt. James Holdson, of Sullivan County, and a
part of Company I, commanded by Capt. Zack Dean. These companies were made up
under the call of the President, in the summer of 1862. The whole county seemed
to be turned into a military camp. Every day for two or three weeks a meeting
was held where speeches were made. A dinner was brought in the baskets of the
patriotic women, and after dinner the fife and drum commenced to "beat up" for
volunteers. The favorite tunes seemed to be "Jay Bird," the " Greene County Hang
On," and "The Girl I Left Behind Me." About the 25th of August, 1862, all these
companies were ordered to rendezvous at camp Dick Thompson at Terre Haute. While
here the regiment was organized, and mustered into service September 20, 1862,
by Capt James Beddle, of the regular army. The officers of the companies named
from Greene County, Ind., are as follows:

  Company A, Captain, A. J. Axtell, Solsberry; First Lieutenant, Nathaniel
Crane, of Solsberry; Second Lieutenant, John Catron, Scotland. Company E,
Captain, Thomas Flinn, Hobbieville; First Lieutenant, Joseph T. Oliphant,
Hobbieville; Second Lieutenant, Elijah Mitchell, Hobbieville. Company C,
Captain, John W. Carmicheal, of Cincinnati; First Lieutenant, Jacob E. Fletcher,
of Hobbieville; Second Lieutenant, William F. Jerrall, Hobbieville. Company G,
Captain, John Fields, Owensburg; First Lieutenant, William Hatfield, Owensburg;
Second Lieutenant, Henry Gastineau, Owensburg.

MARCHING ORDERS.

   In October, 1862, Bragg was advancing on Louisville, and the regiment
received its first marching orders, and was then ordered to Indianapolis, where
it went into quarters at Camp Morton. While here we had nothing to do but draw
rations, cook-, do police and guard duty, and "shine up" for dress parade; and
from the papers found that Capt. Robert F. Catterson, of the Fourteenth
Regiment, had been appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment, and Aden G.
Cavins, of the Fifty-ninth Regiment, had been appointed Major; Alexander
McGregor, Adjutant; and William Johnson, Quartermaster; and John G. Shryer,
Quarmaster [sic] Sergeant; Dr. Alexander D. Murphy, Surgeon; J. C. Hilburn,
Assistant Surgeon, and George Terry, Chaplain.

   About the 20th of October, the regiment was ordered to Louisville, Ky., and
after being in camp a few days was ordered out to guard a wagon train with
supplies for Buell's army as far as Bardstown, Ky. This was our first march,
about eighty miles there and back, and it is safe to suppose there were about
10,000 blistered toes when we got back to Louisville, as marching on a pike was
a new experience and one likely to bring on such a calamity, a great many of the
boys gave out and some of the thoroughbred horses and mules of Kentucky had to
be pressed into service, as well as their chivalrous owners, to bring us into camp.

ADVANCE TO MEMPHIS.

   The regiment remained here until November 9, 1862, when it was ordered to
Memphis, Tenn. We boarded two transports, the "Mary Miller" and the "Hetty
Gillmore," and started down the Ohio River. It was beautiful weather. The
autumnal dyes of scarlet, gold and purple, were upon the trees, and the haze of
Indian summer hung upon the hills. Six companies were aboard the Mary Miller and
four companies aboard the Hettie Gillmore. Everything went merry until the Mary
Miller struck a snag above Evansville; but fortunately kept afloat, until the
damage was repaired. The Hetty Gillmore kept afloat well until she struck on a
sand bar at the mouth of the Cumberland River. Here we staid all night, and the
soldiers were put out on a lighter with the Sutler's stores, and the next
morning cigars, tobacco, butter and crackers, and I suppose the Sutler thinks to
this day that they were all thrown overboard, but the boys did smoke after this,
and chewed considerable tobacco that looked like they were of the same brand the
Sutler used.

   The regiment reached Memphis November 15, 1862, and remained there until
November 25, when the army moved south to Holly Springs and to reach Vicksburg.
At Memphis, we were brigaded with the Ninety-ninth Indiana, Fifty-third and
Seventieth Ohio Regiments, Gen. Denver, commanding; advanced with the army under
Grant and Sherman, to Yacknapatafa River, when we halted and remained about a
week subsisting mainly on Mississippi yams. The rebels took Holly Springs,
captured the garrison there, and we had to retrace our steps. When we reached
that place, Lieut. Col. Catterson received his commission as Colonel, and Maj.
Cavins his commission as Lieutenant Colonel. In a few days we were on the march
again and went to La Grange, Tenn., reaching there about January 8, 1863, when
we went into what was called winter quarters.

   Quite a number of men died at this place, as it was quite sickly, raining
most of the time. We remained here until March 8, 1863, when we went to Fort
Grissom, located at a bridge on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, west of La
Grange about twenty miles. We guarded this bridge until some time in April,
1863, when the regiment was ordered to Moscow, Tenn., remained there a short
time and went to La Grange. In June, 1863, the regiment was ordered to Vicksburg
via Memphis. The regiment marched to Memphis and there, with the other
regiments, took transports to Vicksburg. The Ninety-seventh Indiana and a
battery went down on the steamer "John Warner." There were probably thirty or
forty transports loaded with troops, horses and artillery, wagons and horses one
following another, with a convoy of gunboats on either side. Every little while
rebel cavalry would appear on the banks and the gunboats would wake the echoes
and shell the woods. When we reached the mouth of the Yazoo River, we went up
that river and disembarked at "Snyder's Bluff." Here we were employed in
building breastworks and fortifications, facing to the rear and watching the
movements of the rebel Gen. Joe Johnston, who was out in the direction of
Jackson, Miss., and whose army the rebels expected would raise the siege of
Vicksburg. We were about twelve or fifteen miles from Vicksburg, but could
plainly see the smoke from their famous cannon, "Whistling Dick," and could
plainly hear the roar of the guns when our men would make a charge. About June
26, we were ordered to move more directly to the rear of Vicksburg, and in the
direction of Jackson, to a place called "Oak Ridge," where we remained until
after the fall of Vicksburg. We were at that time a part of Gen. Smith's
division. On July 5, day after the surrender at Vicksburg, we were ordered to
march on Jackson, Miss. The regiment encountered sharp opposition in crossing
Black River. We advanced rapidly on Jackson, Miss., and had two days of sharp
skirmishing. Lieut. Col. Aden G. Cavins had his horse killed with a cannon shot.
Lieut. Jerrall, of Company C, had an arm shot off, of which he died at Black
River, where the regiment went into camp. Afterward, Capt Dean, of Company F,
was hit with a spent ball, and from the shock and debility, resulted in his
death at Camp Sherman. The Ninety-seventh Indiana and Fortieth Illinois advanced
on the fortifications of Jackson as skirmishers, took the rebel rifle pits, were
not supplied by the battle column, and, after lying close under the rebel guns
for several hours, retired. George W. Corbin, of Company G, was killed at
Jackson, Miss., July 16, 1863.

   The regiment then returned to Black River, "Camp Sherman," after tearing up
miles of railroad track, and remained there until ordered to march to
Chattanooga; went from Black River to Vicksburg, and thence by boats to Memphis,
Tenn. We left there in October, 1863, and marched all the way to Bridgeport,
near Chattanooga; took a short rest at Nickajack Cave; were then ordered to
cross Sand Mountain to Trenton, in Lookout Mountain Valley. Here we encountered
some* of our old friends in the Thirty-first Indiana and other regiments of the
Fourth Corps, who, in bidding us good-bye, said we would see sights before we
got five miles away. The most of the regiment was in splended order, and the
boys of the Ninety-seventh answered that they had come to fight and wanted to
engage the best troops of the rebel army. We crossed Sand Mountain and arrived
at Trenton, twenty miles from the nose or point of Lookout Mountain. After some
slight skirmishing, was ordered to join the army near Chattanooga; marched down
the valley, crossed the Tennessee River on pontoons, and camped behind the hills
opposite the mouth of the Chickamauga Creek; crossed the Tennessee again on
pontoons, and were in the advance on Mission Ridge, and were inside their picket
guard line when we arrived fronting that part of the ridge through which the
railroad tunnel passes, which was strongly fortified and occupied in strong
force by the rebel army.

BATTLE OF MISSION RIDGE.

   The fight next day was a bloody one, and lasted all day. Masses of
re-enforcements could be seen swarming in all day to increase the rebel forces,
and Sherman's men, the Thirteenth Corps made but little headway against the
heavy columns of the enemy. Dr. A. M. Murphy, our regimental Surgeon, now
enjoying the ease and dignity of a mature age, did all in his power to brighten
the sufferings of the wounded. All the day of the battle, and until nearly
sunrise the next morning, he was to be found on the field. After the retreat of
the rebel army from this place, we followed them near Ringgold Pass. We were
then ordered to march to Knoxville, E. Tenn., to relieve Gen. Burnside, who was
besieged by Gen. Longstreet. We marched without tents or other camp equipage
through rain and snow, camped late at night, and on our return to Chattanooga,
eighty-six of our men of the regiment out of 310 had no shoes. We marched west
along the Memphis & Charleston Railroad via Bridgeport & Stevenson to
Bridgeport, Ala., and here we went into winter quarters December 25, 1863. While
here, our camp was north of the railroad and town, in a little cave, and near a
large spring. We had little else to do but eat, smoke, write letters and do
guard duty until February, when the regiment was ordered on a scout with some
other troops, Tinder the command of Gen. Morgan L. Smith, then commanding at
Huntsville. Our scout extended south as far as Lebanon, Ala. We saw no enemy,
and the "boys" only succeeded in capturing some applejack and fighting roosters,
and in returning to camp the boys would have a rooster fight whenever we would
stop to rest. The roosters would crow as we marched along, the boys carrying
them under their arms. While here, about the last of February or the 1st of
March, 1864, our regiment was sent with others to East Tennessee, and from there
we made reconnoissance in the direction of Tunnel Hill and Dalton, Ga. It was
said that Sherman, with a large force, had moved from Vicksburg in the direction
of Meridian, Miss., and was tearing up railroad tracks and destroying the
rolling stock and depots, and that a corps of the rebel army was about starting
from Tunnel Hill to re-enforce the rebel army, and our march there was to bring
them back; whether we did or not, I can't say, but I do know that the rebels
swarmed out on us so thick that we had to retreat pretty suddenly one night, and
they kept at our heels the nest day until noon, popping away at us all the time.

LADIES IN CAMP.

   On the last-named expedition, Capt. David Shelly, of Company K, from
Vermillion County, was in command of the regiment. When we returned to
Scottsboro, Ala., our camp was enlivened by the presence of Mrs. Col. Cavins, of
Bloomfield, Mrs. Capt. White, of Spencer, and Mrs. Capt. Fields, of Owensburg.
On the last day of April, the writer of this was in command of a picket guard at
the mountain pass, on the north side of the camp, with orders to let no one pass
in or out the line without a pass. Mrs. Cavins and Mrs. White came up the
mountain hunting wild flowers, and came to the picket post. Just beyond the
lines were some beautiful flowers, and the ladies with the writer went to get
them. When the ladies returned to camp and told they got their flowers beyond
the lines, Col. Cavins said he would send at once and arrest the officer in
command for allowing them beyond the lines, but through the intercession of Mrs.
Cavins the writer was saved from such a calamity. While here, we sent to New
York and purchased two beautiful swords, one for Col. Cavins, and one for Col.
Catterson; when received were duly presented, J. D. Alexander making the
presentation speech, to which the donees made very excellent replies, and
returned thanks. This is a little of the poetry of war.

THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN.

   On the 30th of April, 1864, I heard a bustle outside of my tent and inquired
what was the matter, hearing everywhere "we've got marching orders." Three days'
rations and forty rounds of ammunition was the order, and the next morning, May
1, 1864, the whole army broke camp and marched out with flags flying and bands
playing, and started for Chattanooga. We had started on the "Atlanta campaign."
As we neared Chattanooga, infantry, cavalry and artillery were all moving to the
south, a great army was coming together and moving to the south. At this time
the Ninety-seventh was brigaded with the One Hundredth Indiana, Forty-sixth
Ohio, Twenty-sixth Illinois, Fortieth Illinois, One Hundred and Third Illinois
and Sixth Iowa, commanded by Gen. C. C. Walcott, who now resides at Columbus,
Ohio. We were in the First Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, Gen. Harrah
commanding division, Gen. Logan commanding the corps, and in the Army of the
Tennesssee commanded by Gen. McPherson. The Army of the Tennessee, composed of
Fifteenth, Sixteenth and Seventeenth Corps, formed the right wing of the army,
and the Fifteenth Corps, from its facility in moving from the right to the left
of the line was called the "whip lash." We moved to the right and passed through
Snake Creek Gap, and on the 13th day of May, encountered the left wing of the
rebel army under Gen. Joe E. Johnston, at Resaca, and after sharp skirmishing
with them drove them back into their breastworks.

   On the 14th day of May, Company E of the regiment was on the skirmish line
commanded by Capt. J. T. Oliphant, who lost two of his men killed, George Mood
and Coen Cullison. Wesley M. Bonuff was wounded and died of wound June 20, 1864.
About the 20th of May, the rebels evacuated the place and we still moved on and
struck them again in their intrenchments at Dallas, Ga., about May 25. Sharp
shirmishing [sic] we had with them until the 29th of May. Capt. Holdson, with
his company, I, were on the skirmish line, and the rebels made a desperate
charge on the extreme right of our army, we being a part of same, and before
Company I got inside of our works Capt. Holdson was wounded twice, and so close
were the rebels upon us, our line commenced firing, and Orderly Hinkle, of
Company I, laid down between two logs and remained there between the lines until
we had repulsed the enemy.

   Our corps was then moved further to the left to New Hope Church and relieved
the Twentieth Corps under Hooker, who moved further to the left. One rainy
morning, after sitting in the trenches all night in mud and water expecting a
charge from the enemy, to our surprise we found them all gone. We then moved on
and next encountered the enemy at Big Shanty, about June 12, near Lost and
Kenesaw Mountains. On the 15th of June, our division was ordered to advance to
the left and had not gone far until the Ninety-seventh Indiana was stretched out
into a skirmish line. We were ordered to charge, which we did with the balance
of our brigade. Just following were two brigades, one on each flank; we captured
the skirmish line just as the enemy were forming their lines of battle. But they
never got them formed, for they took to their heels, and a few hid in the bushes
whom we captured, together with the Thirty-first Alabama Regiment, who formed
the skirmish line. In this battle, Company A lost in killed James M. Anderson,
and had six men wounded. Company E lost one killed, Christian J. Halterman, and
John W. Rutlege, Orderly Sergeant, was wounded and died of same, at Chattanooga,
Tenn. Company I lost one killed, Byron M. Reed, of Greene County. We then moved
to the right, opposite Kenesaw Mountain.

BATTLE OF KENESAW MOUNTAIN.

   On Sunday night, June 26, Col. Cavins, who was in command of the regiment,
sent for all the commissioned officers and told us an assault was to be made on
the mountain the next day; and our brigade had been specially named to form a
part of the assaulting column under command of Gen. Morgan L. Smith, and wanted
to know how we all felt about it. Some said "We would go right up," but Capt.
Jordan, of Company K, a practical, cool-headed fellow, said, "Well, you'll all
smell fire before you get to the top of that mountain." Before day, on 27th, we
moved out of our works under cover of the woods, got our breakfast and moved
further to the right to our position in the line. By this time, the enemy
observing our movements, it was all active, and were re-enforcing at all points,
and kept up a bitter fire upon us with shot and shell. In our brigade, the
Forty-sixth Ohio took the advance as skirmishers, the Ninety-seventh Indiana,
One Hundred and Third Illinois on front line of battle, and the Sixth Iowa and
Fortieth Illinois as the supporting column, advanced rapidly until we came to
the foot of the mountain, drove the skirmishers from their works and started up
the mountain through every conceivable obstruction, fallen timber, etc., under a
front and enfilading fire from the enemy. We got within about fifty yards of the
enemy's works when we had to retire. William Sullivan, of Company A, was killed.
Capt. Joe Young, of Company C, was killed; also Robert F. Hegwood, and Sergt.
James A. Butcher, of Company C, was mortally wounded, Aaron Hall, of Company E,
was killed. John Hays, of Company G, was killed, as was also George W. Mosier.
Orderly Sergt. William F. Moore, of Point Commerce, commanding Company F, was
killed. A great many of the regiment were killed and wounded, which the space we
are allowed will not permit us to give their names. The regiment lost in killed
and wounded 70 out of 300 engaged. The rebels then retired across the
Chattahooehe River into their works around Atlanta.

   In the battle of Atlanta, we were engaged during the entire battle, and
captured the Fifth Confederate Tennessee, that killed Gen. McPherson July 22,
1864; were at the battle of Ezra Chapel on night of July 28, 1864, and in the
battle of Jonesboro, south of Atlanta. After Hood left Atlanta and started
north, the regiment followed with the army as far as Resaca and Taylor's Gap,
and then Sherman, leaving Hood to the tender mercies of "Pap Thomas," went back
to Atlanta. After tearing up the railroad for a few days, on the 15th of
November, 1864, we started with Sherman on his famous "march to the sea." Col.
Cavins, having been granted a leave after the fall of Atlanta, did not reach us
before the railroad was torn up, and was given an important command in East
Tennessee. On the march to the sea, we saw no enemy of any considerable force
until we were near Macon, Ga.

THE MARCH TO THE SEA.

   On the morning of November 25, 1864, our brigade was to make a reconnoissance
in the direction of Macon until the troops and wagon train were out upon the
road. We started, but had not gone far until we met a cavalry regiment of
Pennsylvania troops coming toward us at full speed. Wheeler had surprised them
near Griswoldville, captured some, and the rest were on the wing. Some had lost
their guns, some horses were running on three legs, some shot in the nose, and
all were flying in confusion. Two companies of one regiment, and two of the One
Hundred and Third Illinois were deployed at once as skirmishers, and moved
through a pine woods until we came to rising ground, east of a large farm.
Wheeler's cavalry was on the west side, about one-half mile away. A few troops
followed them to Griswoldville, then came back, and the brigade formed-in line
of battle, the Ninety-seventh Indiana on the extreme right, and the Forty-sixth
Ohio on the extreme left, and a battery in the center. The boys called it the
"spectacle battery," because the Captain wore spectacles. Company G of our
regiment was deployed as skirmishers on the west side of the farm. Arms were
stacked, fires made, and we were getting our dinners at 1 P. M., dreaming of no
danger, when the pickets began to fire and fall back. We were ordered to throw
up breastworks as best we could, which we did with logs, rails, etc., when we
saw three or four lines of battle coming—a whole division of Georgia militia.
They were marching in splendid style—at a right-shoulder-shift arms. Our battery
opened fire on them, when they opened one on us, and killed nearly every horse
in our battery, and quite a number of men in the Sixth Iowa supporting it. A
piece of shell wounded Gen. Walcott, commanding. Col. Catterson, of our
regiment, at once took command of our brigade. The fight lasted from 1 P. M.
until 4 P. M., the enemy making one charge after another. When the fight was
practically over, a skirmish line was sent out, and quite a number of the enemy
captured, expecting to wait until night and then get away.

   The captured and killed were nearly all very young and very old men, who had
white cotton shirts in their knapsacks, and butter and bread in their
haversacks, with slices of fried ham. We built fires, and brought a great many
wounded men to the fires, as the night was chilly, and at 10 P. M. we retired
from the place and joined the main army and continued our march toward the sea.
It was said that in this engagement we killed and captured 1,500 of the enemy.
We moved on, crossing the Ocmulgee and Oconee Rivers, and met with no other
serious disturbance until we got in the neighborhood of Savannah, where we
struck the enemy. We had works on one side of a rice farm, and they on the
other. The water had been let in on the farm, and here we remained about a week,
until Fort McAllister fell, which was taken by the Second Division of our
Fifteen Corps, commanded by Gen. Hazen. "We were then very short of rations, and
had to depend mostly on the rice we got off the rice farm. We could see the
masts of our ships loaded with supplies at the mouth of the Ogechee River in
"Ossabaw Sound," but they could not reach us until Fort McAllister was taken.
After that, Hardee and his army remained in Savannah but a few days, and on the
21st of December, 1864, Sherman took possession of the city.

ON THE OCEAN.

   We remained there until about the 15th of January, 1865, when our regiment
and a cavalry regiment went aboard a blockade runner that had-been captured,
called the "Louisburg," and dropped down the Savannah River and out to sea, and
went round to Port Royal, S. C. Here we remained until the last days of January,
1865, when we started on the march, our objective point being Columbia, S. C. On
the 15th of February, we met the enemy, some fifteen miles from there, and began
to skirmish with Wade Hampton's cavalry. That night we threw up breastworks, and
went into camp. Next morning we moved out and began to skirmish again. The
Fortieth Illinois of our brigade was deployed as skirmishers, the One Hundred
and Third Illinois, with our regiment, as a reserve. We drove them at first, but
they became more and more stubborn as we neared Congaree Creek, where they had a
line of works on the west side and a battery of artillery on the east side, and
a considerable force of infantry. Our men drove them out of their works, and
across the bridge, and as we came up, and were running into the works they left,
their battery opened on us, and a shell exploded just in the works and cut off
the head of Preston Flinn, of Company E, and mortally wounded John Mood, a
Corporal of Company E, he dying in a few minutes.

THE BURNING OF COLUMBIA.

   The rebels retired across a large farm in the direction of Columbia, and our
division was hurried across the bridge, our brigade in the advance. A line of
battle was formed, and the Forty-sixth Ohio deployed as skirmishers, and about
this time a line of cavalry skirmishers came sweeping toward us, but the Spencer
rifles of the Forty-sixth Ohio soon put them to flight. We camped on the farm
that night, and the rebels gave us a shot, or shell, about every ten minutes
that night from a battery across the Congaree River, with no material damage,
however. The next night, after crossing the Saluda River, we camped on Broad
River, north of the city, and the next morning our brigade was the second one in
the city. The enemy had gone, and along the main streets of the city there had
been placed cotton bales, end to end, for a considerable distance near the
curbstone, and had been set on fire before we entered the city. An Iowa brigade
attempted to put out the fire, and it was still smoking when we passed it.
Negroes thronged the streets, and gave us a rousing reception by singing the
"Jubilee Song," dancing, and showing their teeth, but were not disposed to bite.
They carried out coffee, hams, bacon, rice, and brandy, whisky and wine to us,
and made every demonstration of joy. Our regiment camped a mile out that night.
In the night, I was aroused by the explosion of cartridges and shells, and
thought the enemy had attacked us, but when I looked toward the city, a great
fire seemed to be sweeping over it, and the explosions were caused by the fire
having reached the arsenal. At daylight, the Ninety-seventh Indiana Regiment was
ordered to the city on provost duty, and so remained during our stay in the
city. A part of the city was burned. The fire seemed to sweep over the city from
southwest to northeast, and seemed to sweep everything as it went. Sherman, it
is said, captured here provisions enough for his whole army for thirty days, all
of which was burned, and during the night of the fire he and his general
officers all had to move their headquarters.

   It was generally thought that the smoldering cotton gave rise to the fire.
The day we entered the city it was as calm as a May day, but at night a strong
wind blew from the southwest, and carried tufts of the burning cotton to the
buildings, from whence it spread to the northeast It has been said by the
confederate authorities that the city was burned by order of Gen. Sherman, but
the fact is that Sherman, having captured enough provisions for his whole army
for thirty days, and established his headquarters in the city, and then order
the city fired, when he knew it would destroy everything, seems to be absurd. I
have never yet seen the soldier of Sherman's army that believed such a thing. We
had too much confidence in his good sense to believe such a thing, and now,
after the lapse of eighteen years, still have as much confidence and love for
"our General" as we did when we followed him through the fire and storms of
battle, over the mountains of Georgia, during the Atlanta campaign, or over the
rivers and marshes, and through the savannas further south, on the march to the
sea, and through the Carolinas to Washington, D. C. When we left Columbia, the
negroes who said they had been run into Columbia from all points of the South to
save being captured, followed us in great numbers—some on foot, on horseback, in
carts, carriages and wagons, etc., taking everything they had in the way of
household goods— and started, as they said, "to the land of freedom." We marched
from here to Cheraw, S. C, where we camped two nights, waiting for the pontoon
bridges to be finished over the Big Peedee River. From here we marched to
Fayettville, N. C, on Cape Fear River. But before we reached that place, while
at Lynch River, Lieut. Stanley, of Company I of our regiment, was out with a
squad of foragers, and he was captured, with some of his men. Thomas S.
Martindale, who was with him, and generally called "Sid," was wounded, but got
to our camp, and died of his wounds several years after the war ended. At
Fayettville, the colored people were all sent down the river, and we marched on
until Johnston engaged the Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps in battle near
Bentonville, N. C, and our corps and the Seventeenth were marched in quick order
for two days to get on the left flank of Johnston's army. On the second night,
the writer of this was Officer of the Day, and put out his pickets, and we knew
we were close to the enemy, for by putting our ears to the ground we could hear
the tramp of horses and the rattling of sabers. "When we broke camp the nest
morning, we marched about one mile, when we struck the rebel skirmishers.
Companies A, F and D were deployed at once on the right of the road under
command of Capt. Alexander, of Company D, and Companies I, C and H, under
command of Capt. Holdson, of Company I, the balance of the regiment and brigade
moving after us as a reserve.

   We had to go up one hill and down another. The rebels would wait till we got
to the top of the hill—give us a volley, and run until they got over the next
hill. We drove them thus five or six miles, when we ran out of ammunition, and
becoming very stubborn as they neared their works, the Sixth Iowa took our
place, and had not gone far until they drove them back to their works, where
they were in strong force. The Forty-sixth Ohio took the front, and the One
Hundredth Indiana the left; the Sixth Iowa was going into line on the right,
when the Forty-sixth Ohio made a charge on the works. The One Hundredth Indiana
boys began to shoot when the pack mules and negroes took a stampede and broke to
the rear. At once the air seemed full not only of bullets, but frying pans,
coffee pots, tin plates, cups, etc. We drove the enemy out of their first lines
of works into their second line, fought them two days and nights, when the enemy
retreated by way of Bentonville, and we started for Goldsboro, N. C. We had to
"corduroy" nearly the whole way through North Carolina. The mud was deep and
sticky, like tar, and often for days in South Carolina and North Carolina we
passed through pine forests where trees had been tapped for resin, that were all
on fire, and the smoke was stifling, and made our faces and hands as black as
could possibly be.

   When we reached Goldsboro, N. C, we were sights indeed. Some had no hats,
some one pant leg off at the knee, and very nearly none at all to come to the
other knee, rims off of hats, some with straw hats, holes in hats and hair
sticking through, some with rebel gray pants and an old blouse with no sleeves
in, toes peeping out of boots and shoes, no under-garments at all, and all of us
had our old socks made out of flyings down under the heels of our shoes. Mules,
horses and men, nearly all worn out. We reached here March 20, 1865. Here we met
Col. Cavins, who had come round from East Tennessee via Baltimore, and down the
coast, and who had in charge a great many men who belonged to the army who had
been left sick at different places and wounded, and had come to rejoin us, and
who were home on furlough and did not get back before we had burned the bridges
behind us and started for the sea. We remained here until about 10th of April,
1865, and drew better clothing and rested, when we started for Raleigh, N. C,
which we reached April 20, 1865; passed review here and went into camp north of
the city. Gen. Johnston's army was near us and west. While here we learned that
Lee had surrendered, and in a few days Johnston surrendered, and the 30th of
April, marching orders came, and we started toward Washington and home. It was
at this place that our rejoicing was turned to mourning. We learned that the
President was assassinated—news that threw a cloud over the whole army.

HOMEWARD BOUND.

   It seemed to be a race among the Generals who would get to Washington first;
at least the men thought so from the distance traveled each day. We came first
to Petersburg, Va., and over the grounds that have become historic, through the
crumbling earthworks, and by the graves of the fallen, friend and foe. Then "on
to Richmond," where we remained two days, visiting Belle Isle, the State House
and the confederate capitol, Libby Prison, Castle Thunder and other points of
interest; then through that beautiful country east of the Blue Ridge, with its
green fields and bright crystal streams, to Fredericksburg— crossed, but never
"re-crossed" the Rappahannock; then to Mt. Vernon, and looked upon and paid
homage at the tomb of Washington; and thence to Alexandria, where we remained
and prepared for our last grand parade—the review at Washington City. The Army
of the Potomac passed review probably May 24, and Sherman's army on the next
day. On the night of the 24th, our division marched over the "Long Bridge" and
camped on the commons in the vicinity of the Capitol building. The next morning,
moved into A street by columns of company, and waited for 9 o' clock A, M. and
the signal gun. At that time we started on our last and grandest review. When we
wheeled into Pennsylvania avenue and column after column of companies of the
tried veterans came marching on, with the sun glistening on their guns and the
kind breezes of the morning causing the dear old tattered flags and banners to
flutter and fly, bands playing and drums beating, such huzzas as went up from
people—crowded to the curbstones, in every story of the houses, and on
housetops, and in windows; bouquets came showering down upon the soldiers and
tattered flags from everywhere until we passed the reviewing stand, where the
President and Cabinet, Judges of the Supreme Court, Diplomatic Corps, Gens.
Sherman and Grant, and most all the prominent commanders in the war. "We then
passed out of the city and camped on the Frederick pike, and remained here until
June 9,1865, when the regiment was mustered out of service and started for
Indianapolis, via Baltimore & Ohio Railroad to Parkersburg, Va., thence to
Lawrenceburg, thence to Indianapolis.

   Here we were received by Gov. Morton and the State officers, and went into
camp. The regiment was paid off, and this band of veterans melted away into
civil life like snow when springtime breathes upon it. And when the "boys" came
marching home, in some homes there was rejoicing—in others, sorrow and tears.
Some came back that went away with loved ones that had been left behind. Some
had died in battle or of wounds received, or of sickness and disease, and his
wife was a widow and his children fatherless. The wounds of the heart, partially
healed, bled anew at the thought of his absence when the sound of the drum is
heard to which the remaining ones came marching home. The writer of this history
wishes that he could have gone more into details and given the history of each
comrade who " soldiered " with him for three years, but to every soldier of the
Ninety-seventh Indiana, living or dead, and to his friends, this sketch in
respectfully dedicated by its author.

OFFICERS, FIELD AND STAFF.

   Robert F. Catterson was the first Colonel of the regiment. He formerly
resided in Rockville, Ind. Before the close of the rebellion, he was promoted to
Brigadier General of volunteers. At the close of the war he went to Arkansas;
was appointed Brigadier General of the State Militia during the reconstruction
troubles. He was then elected to the Legislature, and afterward appointed United
States Marshal for the Eastern District of Arkansas. He resigned this office and
now resides in Chicago, Ill.

   Aden G. Cavins, Lieutenant Colonel, then Colonel of the regiment, is an old
resident of Greene County. He had been in Bloomfield quite a number of years
before the war; was Captain of Company E, Fifty-ninth Indiana, and in the field
when appointed Major of the Ninety-seventh Indiana Regiment. He made a most
excellent officer, and was always found where duty called, and at the end of the
war returned to his old home where he has enjoyed and still is enjoying a
lucrative practice in the law, and the confidence of the citizens of his county.

   William H. Schlater was appointed Major of the regiment after Col. Cavins'
promotion, but never joined us in the field, having immediately been appointed
on the military staff of Gov. Morton.

   Alexander McGregor was our first Adjutant who resigned, and Edward
Groenendyke commissioned who resigned in a short time, when David E. Sluss, of
Putnam County, was appointed, and who remained with us until the end of the war;
"Dave" as he was called, made a most excellent and efficient officer, beloved by
all, and one with whom we all parted with the kindest of feelings when the
circumstance and pomp of war was over.

   William H. Johnson, of Bloomfield, was our first Quartermaster, and was
succeeded by John G. Shryer, of Bloomfield, Ind., a fine business man—one who
always had the "hard tack" and bacon for the boys when it was to be had. He is
now a resident of Terre Haute, Ind., engaged in the hardware trade, and at this
late day I'll tell him what became of his corn at Savannah, Ga. We stole it from
the mules and parched it and put it into our haversacks. A few months before the
war closed, he resigned and was succeeded by John W. Garner, who made us an
excellent Quartermaster until the close of the war.

   George W. Terry, of Stinesville, Monroe County, Ind., was our Chaplain who
preached and mended the watches of the "boys." He was and is a Baptist preacher,
and is still preaching the word of God at his old home. He was efficient in the
field in taking care of the wounded soldiers.

   Alexander M. Murphy of Sullivan, Ind., was our first Surgeon—a most excellent
man and a good Surgeon. He still resides at Sullivan, enjoying a competency in
his declining years. While the battle was raging, he always seemed to administer
to the wounded and was always ready, not only with medicines for the sick, but a
word of comfort and sympathy. He resigned May 14, 1864, on account of disability.

   J. C. Hilburn of Spencer, succeeded Mr. Murphy, and A. M. Murphy, whom we all
called "Dud," was appointed Assistant Surgeon. Both did their work well to the
end of the war, both of whom have warm places in our memory.

   James H. McNutt, of Harveysburg, Ind., was also an Assistant Surgeon, who was
honorably discharged November 24, 1864, and when the old Surgeon said "Let's see
your tongue," and then said "Give him a Dover," we went away satisfied that,
after a good sweat, we'd be all right in the morning. He was one of the best
officers in the regiment, and all regretted to lose him.

   David Shelly, Captain of Company K, received a commission as Major of the
regiment March 19, 1864, but declined, and died in the field (of disease), as
Captain of his company. He resided in Eugene, Ind.

   John Fields, Captain of Company G, was promoted Lieutenant Colonel, January
1, 1865. He now resides in Ellettsville, Ind., having changed his residence
since his return from the war—was never mustered as Lieutenant Colonel.

   James Holdson, Captain of Company I, was promoted Major June 1, 1865, but was
mustered out as Captain of his company. He resides in Sullivan County, Ind.

RECORD OF COMPANY A.

William O. Lyon, died at St. Louis, Mo., January, 1863; 
William H. Edwards, died at Memphis, Tenn., December, 1862; 
John R. Crook, died Holly Springs, Miss., December, 1862; 
Philip Miller, died La Grange, Tenn., March, 1863; 
Jeremiah Nash, died La Grange, Tenn., March, 1863; 
Nathan Weaver, died Louisville, Ky., November, 1863; 
James M. Anderson, killed Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June, 1862; 
Elias Abrams, missing in action Atlanta, July, 1864; 
Greene N. Crawford, missing in action Atlanta, July, 1864; 
James Corlett, died La Grange, Tenn., April, 1863; 
Peter Cochran, died La Grange, Tenn., January, 1863; 
William H. Davis, died La Grange, Tenn., February, 1863; 
John L. Daniel, died Moscow, Tenn., May, 1863; 
James Edwards, died Louisville, Ky., December, 1862; 
Samuel Gardner, died Memphis, Tenn., April, 1864; 
Abram Heywood, died Camp Sherman, Miss., September, 1863; 
Ulick B. Jackson, died Louisville, Ky., April, 1862; 
John H. King, died Indianapolis, October, 1862; 
George W. Moury, died Memphis, Tenn., November, 1862; 
John Pore, died New Albany, Ind., November, 1862; 
William Sullivan, killed in battle Kenesaw Mountain, June, 1864; 
Barton Wills, missing in action Atlanta, July, 1864; 
James Wilkinson, died Louisville, Ky., December, 1862; 
William Shirts, died Chattanooga, Tenn., June, 1864; 
John Cotren, died February, 1863.

RECORD OF COMPANY C

Capt. Joe W. Young, killed at Kenesaw Mountain, June, 1864: 
F. J. Nault, Sergeant, died of wound at Camp Sherman, July, 1863;
James A Butcher, died at home of wounds received at Kenesaw Mountain,
   June, 1864; 
Corral S. Sexon, died of disease, La Grange, Tenn., February, 1863; 
William H. Carmichael, died Moscow, Tenn., April, 1863; 
Elijah D. Fuller, died Marietta, Ga., July, 1864; 
George Casner, died La Grange, Tenn., February, 1863; 
James A. Arthur, died Nashville, Tenn., March, 1864;
Mitchell Burch, Jr., died Memphis, Tenn., November, 1864; 
Joshua Bays, died Memphis, Tenn., December, 1862; 
Edward Bingam, died Snyder's Bluff, July, 1863; 
Oliver H. B. Brown, died Camp Sherman, Miss., September, 1863; 
William C. Borens, died Indianapolis, Ind., October, 1862; 
Alfred Bowers, killed Atlanta, Ga., August, 1864; 
Joe J. Carmichael, died La Grange, Tenn., February, 1863; 
John C. Carter, died at home, Monroe County, Ind., September, 1863; 
George W. Collings, died La Grange, Tenn., February, 1863; 
Robert F. Heywood, killed in battle, Kenesaw Mountain, June, 1864; 
James A. Hall, died at St. Louis, Mo., July, 1863; 
Samuel C. Jones, died Camp Sherman, Miss., August, 1863; 
William Langford, died Marietta, Ga., August, 1864; 
James A. Martindale, died Chattanooga, Tenn., November, 1864; 
Tobias Minks, died at Jackson, Miss., July, 1863; 
Hiram Reed, died Fort Pickering, Tenn., September, 1863; 
Pleasant Shields died Scottsburg, Ala., February, 1864; 
James H. Sparks, died Camp Sherman, September, 1863; 
Micajah Todd, died Memphis, Tenn., September, 1863.

RECORD OF COMPANY E.

William H. Furguson, died La Grange, Tenn., January, 1863; 
John W. Rutledge, died Chattanooga, June, 1864; 
William H. Riley, died of wounds received at Kenesaw Mountain, October, 1863; 
Benjamin A. Carson, died near Atlanta, Ga., July, 1864; 
John Mood, killed in battle near Columbia, February, 1865; 
Preston Flinn, killed in battle near Columbia, February, 1865; 
William J. Allen, died Memphis, Tenn., July, 1863; 
Oladian Allen, died Moscow, Tenn., May, 1863; 
William E. Andrews, died Memphis, Tenn., October, 1863; 
Wesley Boruff, died Resaca, of wounds received in battle, June, 1864; 
John Clemens, died La Grange, Tenn., February, 1863; 
Edmond C. Cullison, killed at Resaca, Ga., May, 1864; 
Edmond Edington, died at Louisville, Ky., January. 1863; 
William Fulk, died Cumberland, July, 1864; 
Richard Flater, died Memphis, Tenn., October, 1863; 
Squire Graves, died New Albany, Ind., January, 1863; 
Joseph Guthrie, died Memphis, Tenn., December, 1863; 
Aaron Hall, killed Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June, 1864; 
Chris Halterman, killed Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June, 1864; 
Harrison Long, died La Grange, Tenn., January, 1863; 
George Mood, killed at Resaca, Ga., May, 1864; 
William H. Mansfield, died at Snyder's Bluff, Miss., July, 1863; 
Melcherd Price, died Camp Sherman, Miss., September, 1863; 
Henry Stone, died Scottsboro, Ala., January, 1864; 
Jeremiah Tryon, died Memphis, Tenn., October, 1863; 
Albert Wright, died Moscow, Tenn., April, 1863; 
Pleasant C. Walters, died La Grange, Tenn., February, 1863; 
Thomas B. Emery, died Camp Sherman, August. 1863.

RECORD OF COMPANY G.

Robert Owens, died Louisville, Ky., November, 1863; 
Anderson J. Pool, died Chattanooga, Tenn., December, 1864; 
Cuthbert Bridwell, died Holly Springs, Miss., January, 1863; 
Evan Baker, died Fort Garrison, Tenn., April, 1863; 
John Brock, died Camp Sherman, Miss., September, 1863; 
Josephus Brock, died Scottsboro, Ala., February, 1864, 
Hamilton Baker, died Memphis, Tenn., August, 1863; 
George W. Corbin, killed Jackson, Miss., July, 1863; 
Francis A. Edington, died La Grange, Tenn., March. 1863; 
William Fisher, died Louisville, Ky., January, 1864; 
David Field, died of wounds Big Shanty, Ga., June, 1864; 
John Hays, died of wounds at Kenesaw Mountain, June, 1864; 
John R. Hatfield, died Memphis, Tenn., January, 1863; 
Isaac Harper, died Louisville, Ky., December, 1862; 
Wesley Titten, died La Grange,Tenn., February, 1862; 
Elijah Titten, died Memphis, Tenn., December, 1862;
Alfred Miller, died Huntsville, Ala., July, 1864;
Samuel W. Mitchell, died Memphis, Tenn., December, 1862; 
John Martin, died Memphis, Tenn., November, 1863; 
Asbury Marrow, died in Martin County, Ind., March, 1863; 
George A. Mosier, killed Kenesaw Mountain, June, 1864; 
John Meltan, died Louisville, Ky., December, 1862; 
William Mosier, died Camp Sherman, September, 1863; 
Theodore D. Page, died Chattanooga, October, 1863; 
Jonathan Smith, died of wounds, Rome, Ga., August, 1864; 
Lewis Shadley, died Camp Sherman, Miss., September, 1863; 
John A. Sibert, died Memphis, Term., November, 1863; 
Hiram Taylor, died Memphis, Tenn., September, 1863; 
Taylor Meredith, died Memphis, Tenn., November, 1863.

RECORD OF COMPANY F.

William F. Moon, killed at Kenesaw Mountain, June, 1864; 
David McCoy, died in Greene County, Ind., March, 1864; 
John R. Goff, killed at Atlanta, Ga., July, 1864; 
John Halton, died at Memphis, Tenn., October, 1863; 
James N. Martin, died Sidney Bluff, July, 1863; 
George Trent, died La Grange, Tenn., February, 1863; 
Isaac Workman, died Mound City, August, 1863.

RECORD OF COMPANY I.

   Nicholas J. Beck, died of wounds, Camp Sherman, August, 1863; 
Joseph Garling, died Camp Sherman, August, 1863; 
Era Hase, died of wounds in the field, July, 1864; 
Byron M. Reed, killed at Big Shanty, Ga., June, 1864.

LOYALTY AND DISLOYALTY.

   The Worthington Gazette of February 5, 1863, said: "Our county is being
overrun with deserters from the army. It is believed by many that there are men
in Greene County who have written to the different regiments advising those who
are dissatisfied to desert and come home, and that they would protect them and
shield them from arrest. We should arrest all the deserters and take them back
to their regiments. Let the matter be tested whether we have traitors in our
county or not. What say you Union men of Greene County?" The same issue of the
paper suggested that a Union meeting be held at Bloomfield to thoroughly
organize clubs of the Union League in every township. The feeling at this time
with a large number of the citizens of Greene County was hostile to a
continuance of the war. A mass meeting held at Bloomfield on Saturday, the 7th
of February, 1863, declared that the soldiers in the field should be called
home, and no more men nor money should be furnished, memorialized Congress to
pass a bill increasing the pay of private soldiers, and passed the following
among a series of resolutions: "Resolved, that all questions and doubts as to
the object for which the war is being waged having been removed by the
Emancipation Proclamation of Abraham Lincoln and by the dismissal from time to
time of conservative Generals and appointing in their stead men of radical
abolition proclivities, we hereby declare our opposition to the further
prosecution of the war as it is now being waged, that we are not in favor of
furnishing the present administration another man, gun or dollar for such a
hellish, unchristian crusade." Among the leading citizens at this meeting were
Hughes East, Dr. Conley, Dr. Jackson, Andrew Humphreys and Prof. Isenhower.

   On Saturday, February 21, 1863, a mass meeting of the opposite character was
held at the county seat. Dayton Topping was made President of the Day, and I. N.
Morrison and S. A. Bynum, Secretaries. John F. O'Neal stated the object of the
meeting to be the consideration of the state of the country, and to take steps
to organize Union Leagues throughout the county. Elias Dayhoof, Henry C. Owen,
Drayton Ritter, James R. Baxter and I. N. Morrison were appointed a committee to
draft certain resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. A long series
was prepared and adopted, two of the number being as follows: "Resolved, that
the political demagogues now striving to obtain an armistice between the armies
of the United States and the rebels are acting in bad faith to the Government
and are therefore traitors, and that we will oppose any such movement under
present circumstances, by all proper means, as we believe its design and
tendency is to aid the rebellion, assist treason, and in the end secure the
secession of the northwestern States, Resolved, that the resolution passed by
the falsely self-styled Democracy of this county on the 7th inst., pledging
themselves against 'furnishing the present administration another man, gun or
dollar' for what they call 'a hellish unchristian crusade,' may express the
sentiments of rebel sympathizers, but do not express the sentiments of the loyal
people of this county." Col. G. H. Voss, of Greencastle, spoke at this meeting
for three hours. His speech was the most loyal, scathing, eloquent and brilliant
delivered in the county up to that time. Feeling on the question of the war grew
more bitter as time passed.

INTERESTING NOTES.

   In March, 1863, John T. Owen raised about ten recruits for the Seventy-first
Regiment. The Gazette of March 26th said: "During the past six weeks, fourteen
deserters belonging to different regiments have been arrested in this county."
About the 1st of April, a militia company was formed at Worthington, partly with
a view of insuring peace at home. The Gazette of April 2d said: "Union men of
Greene County! We do not wish to create unnecessary alarm, but we warn you of
the fact that you are sleeping upon a volcano. The day is probably not far
distant when you will be called upon to defend yourselves and your families. Our
enemies in this county are well organized, and we honestly believe that on ten
hours' notice they can collect together 1,000 armed men." As the spring months
passed, it became more and more apparent that the disloyal element in the county
was arming and drilling. Several other companies were formed about this time for
home protection. Col. Dick Thompson spoke at Worthington, on May 28, for three
hours to about 1,200 people. He was eloquent and loyal. On the 8th of June, the
enrollment of county militia under the conscript act was commenced in the
county, under the supervision of George K. Steele, Commissioner; Richard W.
Thompson, Provost Marshal, and Albert G. Preston, Surgeon. This was accomplished
with great care, and without outbreak. A mysterious gathering of nearly 500 men
in Beech Creek Township, late in June, adjourned without noteworthy action. The
Worthington Gazette was so outspoken and bitter against all forms of disloyalty
that constant threats were made, not only to throw the office in the canal, but
to reduce that town to ashes as well. Both office and town were constantly
guarded by armed men for some time. The paper finally saw that it was wiser to
be milder, and adopted that course. Perhaps no man accomplished more for loyalty
in Greene County during the war than Isaac N. Morrison, the editor of the
Gazette. Every issue of his paper contained caustic editorials and pungent
locals, urging on the enlistment of men, and the vigorous prosecution of the
war. He merits unlimited credit for his work.

THE SIX MONTHS' COMPANY.

   On the 15th of June, 1863, came the call for six months' men, and three
several efforts were made to raise companies. 1. Lieuts. Bryan and Taylor. 2.
Jacob McIntosh and others. 3. B. L. Brookshire and others. The first of these
attempts was successful. On the 27th of July, eighty-nine men left the county
under this call for Indianapolis, where they became Company A of the One Hundred
and Fifteenth Regiment, six months' service. The One Hundred and Fifteenth
Regiment was organized on the 13th of August. Company A was mustered into the
service July 28. The regiment took the field at Nicholasville, Ky., about the
middle of September, where it joined the command of Gen. Wilcox. Here, with
three other six months regiments, it was formed into a brigade, under the
command of Col. Mahan, after which Lieut. Col. Hawn had the immediate command of
the regiment. Late in September, the regiment moved to Cumberland Gap, arriving
on the 3d of October. On the 6th, moved again, and reached Morristown on the
8th. On the 10th, it reached Blue Springs, where the enemy was driven from his
position, and pursued fifteen miles. It then moved to Greenville, remained there
until November 6, thence moved to Bull's Gap, where it fortified mountain
passes. Great hardships were endured here from insufficient food and clothing.
In December, it moved to Clinch Gap, thence to Sycamore, thence to Walker's
Ford, and during the remainder of the winter of 1863-64 was kept on duty in the
mountains of East Tennessee, where it suffered incredible privations, and tilled
the hospitals with sick and exhausted men. The regiment returned to Indianapolis
February 10, 1864, and soon afterward was mustered out.

PERSONAL RECORD

   The following is the best personal record that can be given of Company A of
the One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment: 

Spencer L. Bryan, Captain, mustered out, term expired; 
Merritt C. Taylor, First Lieutenant, mustered out, term expired; 
Addison G. Sanders, Second Lieutenant, mustered out, term expired; 
A. S. Rainbolt; 
W. H. Armstrong, died in Greene County, 1864; 
J. M. Parsley, 
Verlin Watson. 
Absalom Hamilton, 
John W. Alexander, 
Benjamin Ferguson, 
J. O. D. Bland, 
George Jean, 
Eli Stalcup, 
Coley Selman, 
L. C. Walker, 
W. T. Danely, 
Stephen Schrum, 
Eli W. Adams, 
Edward Bryan, 
George Baughman, 
William Brewer, 
J. D. Blaker,
Emanuel Bach, Jr., 
Enoch F. Bland, 
Isaac Bartley, 
R. H. Bland; 
W. J. Carmichael, died at Cumberland Gap, 1863; 
J. T. Carmichael, 
J. M. Cullison, 
J. D. Cooper, 
F. D. Conant, 
Mark Clark, 
R. L. Corvin, 
W. B. Calvert, 
S. M. Chambers, 
O. F. Fox, died at Knoxville, Tenn., March, 1864; 
John Fulk, 
C. C. Foley,
J. A. Griffith,
J. W. Griffith; 
Michael Gentry, died at Rock Castle, Ky., January, 1864; 
W. G. Goodwin, 
John H. Griffith, 
Allen Gaskill, 
S. S. Hawley, 
T. H. Hollis; 
S. T. Howe, discharged September, 1863, disability; 
A. H. Holliday, died at Indianapolis of disease, February, 1864; 
Alfred Hayward, 
S. A. Holman, 
Zachariah Harrell, 
H. D. Hoagland, 
A. M. Inman, 
H. C. Ingersoll; 
J. H. Irons, died at Indianapolis, August, 1863; 
John S. Myers, 
S. W. Moore, 
Ira Miller, 
George McLaren, 
Edward Molden, 
I. W. McKinnon, 
Samuel Myers, 
Oliver Noble, 
Ephraim Norman, 
C. A. Osborn, 
W. H. H. Owen, 
Nephi Owen; 
John Peeden, died at Cumberland Gap, November, 1863; 
Garry Peugh; 
Freeman Peeden, died at Knoxville, October, 1863; 
W. J. Plume,
T. S. Pope, 
W. T. Richardson,
Merider Steel, 
William Shepard;
A. H. Shouse, died at Knoxville, December, 1863;
J. M. Starnes, 
J. G. Tally, 
F. E. Taylor, 
S. J. Vaughn, 
Shepard Willis, 
Peter Woodall, 
A. C. Wetherly, 
G. M. Wetherly, 
Ransom Walker, 
Jacob Warner, 
J. H. Barnes, 
Uriah Culberson, 
Mason Faucett; 
W. B. Fry, died at Cumberland Gap, November, 1863; 
D. W. McBride, 
W. H. McArthur, 
Wickliffe Osborn, 
J. S. Sherwood, 
H. S. Shouse. 

Where no remarks are made, the men were mustered out at the expiration of the
term of service.

THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1863.

   This day was celebrated at Worthington with greater attendance and enthusiasm
than ever before, about 3,000 people being present. The music was excellent,
both vocal and band; Rev. L. L. Walker and John H. Martin were the speakers.
Squire Bays was Marshal of the Day. Nineteen men volunteered in the company for
the six months' service, which was then forming. Fifteen toasts were read and
responded to by the leading citizens. One of these was as follows: "Meade—may it
prove too strong a beverage for Southern traitors." Immediately after this came
the news that John Morgan had invaded Indiana, and was marching upon
Indianapolis, whereupon about 300 men left the county going to Bloomington to
offer their services to repel the enemy. They were not wanted and soon returned.

RECRUITING.

   In October, 1863, came another call for men, and Capt. John Simons began to
recruit for the Fourteenth Regiment. He was assisted materially by E. H. Sabin.
But the work progressed slowly. The county quota was 157 men. Comparatively no
progress was made; men did not care to enlist. The draft was threatened January
5, 1864, but that did not rouse the people from their lethargy or disloyalty.
The County Board, though petitioned, refused to offer a bounty for volunteers.
War meetings were held at all the principal towns. In March, 1864, many of the
veterans returned and were tendered public receptions and feasted and toasted to
their hearts' content by loving friends and grateful neighbors. This and the
February, March and April calls for troops rekindled the enlistment of men.
During the months of March, April and May, the enlistment or the recruiting of
men was pushed on quite vigorously. About fifteen were sent to the Fourteenth
Regiment; forty to the Twenty-first; thirty-five to the Thirty-first; thirty to
the Forty-third; ten to the Fiftieth; sixty or seventy to the Fifty-ninth; about
a dozen to the Seventy-first; a few to the Eightieth, and a few to the
Eighty-fifth, and others indefinite in number to various regiments. In July,
when the call came for 500,000 men, it was found that the county had a surplus
over all former calls of 73 men; Richland had a surplus of 44, Jackson of 32,
Center of 1, Wright of 12, Jefferson of 5, Fairplay of 8, and Washington of 1.
Taylor had a deficit of 4, Beech Creek of 9, Highland of 5, Eel River of 1,
Smith of 3, Stafford of 6, and Cass of 3. Stockton had neither surplus nor
deficit. War meetings were again held in all portions of the county to clear the
quota, but with indifferent success. Both political parties were so interested
over the approaching Gubernatorial and Presidential campaigns that the work of
enlisting men was almost wholly dropped.

POLITICS IN 1864.

   The political campaign of 1864 was fought to the last ditch. The county had
never before witnessed such extensive preparation. The real issue at stake was
whether the war should be continued or not, and as this issue was of the most
gigantic proportions the struggle for victory  was correspondingly gigantic. The
county was visited from time to time by men eminent in the councils of the State
and nation, and the enthusiasm ran to fever heat. As early as June, both parties
effected organizations in each township and from that time on until the returns
were in the fiery energy and vigilance of the times were not relaxed. On the 7th
of October, a prominent citizen of the county was arrested by a squad of
soldiers acting under the orders of Gen. Hovey, and taken to Indianapolis; was
there tried for certain public acts and sentenced to imprisonment daring the
remainder of the war; but this sentence seems to have been afterward commuted to
confinement within the limits of Wright and Stockton Townships, Greene County,
while the war continued. This sentence was carried into effect. At the State
election, the county went Democratic by about 200 votes and at the Presidential
election the same by about 300.

THE DRAFT OP OCTOBER, 1864.

   As the county as a whole did but little during the summer and autumn months
of 1864 to clear the county quotas, it became evident that a heavy draft
throughout the whole county would be the inevitable result, and the citizens,
instead of weeping like Niobe, sat down, folded their arms and waited the
result, trusting that the weight would fall upon their neighbors and not upon
themselves. The Southern Indianan, edited at Bloomfield by E. B. Barnard, had
much to do with this apathy in the face of the approaching draft. In the issue
of September 6, the editor said: "Several attempts have been made lately in
different parts of this county to raise volunteers for the army, but with very
indifferent success as far as we can learn. Since it has become an avowed
Abolition war, Democrats have concluded to take no more stock in it, and the
Loyal Leaguers, though loud in their protestations of love for the war and its
sable object, persistently refuse to go into it. When the echo of the squawk the
goose made when the quill was jerked from her wing with which the widow-maker
wrote the Emancipation Proclamation of Devastation is discovered, we may expect
to see a practical exhibition of the patriotism which this class of individuals
profess." Many other articles of a similar nature were published in the paper
from time to time. About the 1st of October, the draft in Greene County came off
at Terre Haute with the following result by townships: Jefferson, 13; Cass, 19;
Washington, 23; Taylor, 28; Beech Creek, 25; Stockton, 22; Highland, 19; Center,
29; Eel River, 6; Wright, 7; total, 191. Richland, Jackson, Smith, Stafford and
Fairplay seem to have cleared themselves. By the 1st day of January, 1865, the
county was credited under this draft with 120 men, the others having failed to
report by that time. On the 19th of December, 1864, came the last call of the
war, but the enlistment of men was almost wholly at a standstill. Accordingly in
February, 1865, another draft was levied as follows: Smith, 12; Beech Creek, 31;
Stafford, 9; Jefferson, 13; Highland, 27; Wright, 13; and the number in the
other townships unknown. By the 14th of April, 1865, when all efforts to raise
troops were abandoned in the State, the county was credited under this draft
with 116 men.

SUMMARY OP MEN FURNISHED FOR THE WAR.

   On the 19th of September, 1862, Greene County was credited with having
furnished 1,432 volunteers for the war. In October of that year, 8 were drafted.
Under the six months' call of June, 1863, 89 men left the county. The quota of
October, 1863, was 157. Under the calls of February, March and July, 1864, the
county was credited with 430 new recruits, 195 veterans and 120 drafted men; and
under the call of December, 1864, the last of the war, it was credited with 65
new recruits, and 116 drafted men. From this can be given an estimate of the men
furnished by the county for the suppression of the rebellion. It is quite
certain that more men went from Greene to enlist than came within her border to
enlist. Placing this number at 200 and adding to it the above numbers, 1,432, 8,
89, 157, 430, 195, 120, 65 and 116, a grand total of 2,812 is obtained. This is
an excellent showing. Of course these figures are only approximate, and each man
has been counted as often as he enlisted. But the county need not be ashamed of
the figures. It will no doubt be observed in reading this chapter that if the
county merits praise for activity during the first year and a half of the war,
it also merits reproof for inactivity during the remainder of the war. This was
no doubt due to conscientious scruples opposed to a continuance of the war by
large masses in the county.

LADIES' AND SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETIES.

   Several soldiers' aid societies were organized in Greene County about the
same time. On the 28th of October, 1861, the ladies of Worthington met, and
after calling Rev. Mr. Hollis to the chair and appointing G. H. Start,
Secretary, elected the following permanent officers: Mrs. H. Hollis, President;
Mrs. S. B. Harrah, Vice President; Mrs. G. H. Start, Secretary; Miss J. D.
Orfeille, Assistant Secretary, Rev. H. Hollis, Corresponding Secretary, and Mrs.
E. H. Sabin, Treasurer. Mrs. D. Topping, Mrs. G. W. Langworthy and Mrs. L.
Burnam were appointed Executive Committee; and Mrs. W. C. Andrews, Mrs. C.
Start, Mrs. G. R. Taylor, Mrs. N. Taylor, Mrs. J. F. Blount, Mrs. P. Burr, Mrs.
R. A. Belden, Mrs. Dr. Smydth, Mrs. L. Farris, Mrs. J. Crull, Mrs. S. H.
Lockwood, Mrs. C. C. Howe and Miss H. Davis, Visiting Committee. The society
went immediately to work, and within a few weeks sent off several large boxes of
blankets, quilts, shirts, mittens, drawers, socks, provisions, etc., besides a
considerable sum of money. All this was sent to the hospitals and to the field.
The society continued to work during the winter of 1861-62, but disbanded in the
spring of 1862. On the 28th of October, 1861, also, the ladies of Bloomfield
met, organized an aid society and elected the following permanent officers: Mrs.
Capt. Rose, President; Mrs. Capt Gavins, Vice President; Mrs. H. C. Hill,
Secretary and Treasurer. All ladies of Bloomfield were invited to join the
society. Mrs. E. E. Rose, Mrs. E. H. C. Cavins, Mrs. W. H. Ferguson, Miss Maggie
Vanslyke, Mrs. A. G. Cavins, Mrs. H. Parsons, Mrs. J. D. Killian, Mrs. W. H.
Johnson, Mrs. E. Brooks, Mrs. J. I. Milam, Mrs. H. Williams, Mrs. J. D. Knapp,
Miss Eliza Vanslyke and Mrs. H. C. Hill were appointed Soliciting Committee.
This society, also, went immediately to work, and soon sent off large boxes of
supplies for hospital and field similar to the above, together with respectable
sums of money. Some half dozen other aid societies were organized in other
portions of the county, but as no record was kept, an account of them cannot be
given in these pages. The ladies all over the county were very active in
1861-62, not only to furnish supplies as stated above, but to encourage
enlistments even of their loved ones.

BOUNTY AND RELIEF.

   Large amounts of money and quantities of provisions were given to soldiers'
families while the war lasted. Every winter the aid societies were re-organized
and kept at work, but when warm weather came they were neglected as there seemed
to be no demand for their existence. In the Adjutant General's Reports Greene
County is credited with having furnished the following relief: County, $70; all
townships, $15,000; grand total, $15,070. The county seems to have offered no
bounty during the war. It stands alone in this respect of all the counties in
the State.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF GREENE AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES,
STATE OF INDIANA,
FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT; TOGETHER WITH INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCHES, REMINISCENCES, NOTES, ETC.

ILLUSTRATED.

CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS.
1884.

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