Civil War Diaries

The following is from "Warrick and Its Prominent People: A History of Warrick County, Indiana from the Time of Its Organization and Settlement, with Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent People of the Past and Present", By William Fortune, 1881, Transcribed by Terry Winchester.

WARRICK IN THE WAR.
At the beginning of the war in 1861 Warrick county was one 
of the foremost in responding to the call for soldiers to put down 
the rebellion, and "being a border county, the danger and excitement 
were consequently great. Those who did not, or could 
not, in consequence of old age or other infirmities, participate in 
the trials and dangers of the camp and field, were unable to do more 
than to protect and subsist themselves and the wives and families 
of those who did." However, further than being badly frightened 
by Col. John Morgan's guerrillas, Warrick county suffered 
no serious intrusion from the enemy.
 
Many of the soldiers from Warrick county belonged to companies 
organized in other parts of the State, but of the volunteer 
companies composed almost wholly of soldiers from this county 
we are enabled to present the following accounts of their respective 
movements:
COMPANY E, 120TH INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
 
Company E went into camp at Vincennes in February and 
was mustered into the service about the first of March, 1864. 
The following named persons were elected the officers of the 
company:

Captain — Thos. J. Downs.
First Lieutentant — Wm. Helder.
Second Lieutenant — James Dailey.
Orderly Sergeant — Daniel W. Brown.

It then went to Indianapolis and after remaining there a few 
days went by way of Jeffersonville to Louisville and thence to 
Park Barracks, about three miles from the city, where it remained
a short time and then went to Nashville about the first of April.
 
As the regiment left the depot it became very dark, and by the 
time we reached a suitable place to camp a heavy rain was felling. 
Some put up no tents at all, but wrapped their blankets 
about them and laid down on the damp earth to rest their weary 
bodies. The company remained in camp but a short time until 
orders were received to go to Charleston, Tennessee, on the Hi- 
wasa river. This march lasted several days and it almost wore " 
the boys " out On the march through Tennessee the soldiers 
threw away considerable clothing and blankets to lessen their 
burdens. From Charleston the company went into the campaign 
which resulted in the taking of Atlanta, Georgia. They then 
went into camp at Decatur, Georgia, about ten miles from Atlanta, 
and from there they moved to Altoona, but were too late 
to participate in the heavy skirmish which took place at that 
point. The regiment next started in pursuit of General Hood, 
following to Dalton, Georgia, where it took the cars for Nashville 
and from Nashville went to Pulaski, Tennessee. There it took 
the back track to Lynnville, Tennessee; thence to Columbia, in 
the same State, where we stopped a few days, during which 
time details from our own company were engaged in some heavy 
skirmishing with the enemy. During a skirmish one morning, 
Jacob Rheinhart, of our company, was killed. We fell back to 
Spring Hill, Tennessee, where the right wing of our regiment, 
including our company, was engaged in a heavy skirmish.
From there we moved to Franklin, Tennessee, after night, and 
were engaged in the battle at that place from 4:30 o'clock until 
11 o'clock at night, after which we went to Nashville, this time 
with General Hood in our rear, where we were engaged in battle 
two days. We then went to Franklin again in pursuit of the enemy, 
and from there to Columbia, where we waited several days 
for orders. Orders came to move to Clifton, Tennessee,
and there we embarked on board a steamer for Cincinnati, and 
from there we went to Washington, D. C., where we again 
awaited orders, which came at last. We then took passage for 
Morehead, N. C., and from there we proceeded up the country 
to Newburn, thence to where we were engaged in considerable 
of a battle near Kinston, N. C. From there we proceeded to 
Goldsboro, and on up the road to Raleigh, the capitol. Then 
we took up our line of march for Greensboro, where General 
Joe E. Johnson was in camp, and where he finally surrendered. 
We stayed here but a short time when orders came to proceed to 
Charlotte, which we did by rail. We were stationed there a 
month or so and were then ordered back to Greensboro, where 
we remained at least two months. Then we returned to Raleigh, 
where we staid nearly all winter, and it was here that we received 
orders to repair to the capitol of our State to be mustered out of 
the service.

COMPANY E, 65TH INDIANA VOLUNTEERS
 
Was mustered into the United States service on the i8th of 
August, 1862. The original company organization was as follows: 
EDWARD A. BAKER, Capt. JOHN W. HAMMOND, 1st Lieut. 
THOS. N. MASTERS, 2d Lieut. ROBERT BRODIE, Orderly Serg't. 
JACOB V. ADMIRE, 1st Serg't. JAMES B. CARTER, 2d Serg't. 
SALVIN COLLINS, 3d Serg't- REES YOUNG, 4th Serg't- 
Corporals — First, William Selby; Second, Thomas A. Low- 
ranee; Third, Jessie Willis; Fourth, George W. Jones; Fifth, 
Wm. R. Stephens; Sixth, Charles E. Jarrett; Seventh, Daniel 
A. Bohanan ; Eighth, Adolphus W. Walden. 
Musicians — Martin S. Harmon and Alexander Jordon. 
Wagoner — Robert R. Baker. 
Company E served one year in Kentucky, with headquarters 
at Henderson, during which time the company guarded 1,000 
prisoners to Camp Chase and Johnson's Island. In April, 
1863, the company were mounted by order of Gen. Boyle, and 
received marching orders for East Tennessee, and were among 
the first troops to enter Knoxville on the ist of September, 1863. J. W. 
Hammond was promoted to Captain of Company K; Sergeant J. V. 
Admire was promoted to Second Lieutenant in 
April, 1863, and March ist, 1864, to First Lieutenant; Sergeant J. B. 
Carter was promoted to Second Lieutenant. September 
21st, 1864, Lieutenant J. B. Carter was discharged on surgeon's 
certificate of disability, and Martin S. Harmon was promoted 
from Sergeant to First Lieutenant. First Sergeant Bailey Hick- 
man was promoted to Second Lieutenant.

Company E participated in the pursuit of Colonel John 
Morgan and followed him as far as Louisville, Kentucky. 
*The first engagement in which the company participated was 
the battle of Blountville, Tennessee, in October, 1863, in which 
Geo. W. White was killed. The company was engaged at 
Been's Station, in November, 1863, in which engagement 
James Nickolson was killed. At the close of the East Tennessee 
campaign, the company was dismounted and placed in the 
Third Division of the Twenty-third Army Corps, and fought 
through the Georgia campaign under Gen. Sherman. On the 
28th of August, 1865, Captain J. V. Admire took command of 
the company, Captain Baker having been assigned to the command 
of the regiment. On the 2 8th day of September, 1864, 
the company, with a small detail from the regiment, one hundred 
and twenty-five men, all told, under the command of Major 
Baker, fought five hundred rebel cavalry, near Decatur, Georgia, 
and repulsed them with heavy loss — the company bringing 
off their dead and wounded — among whom was Lieutenant 
Martin S. Harmon. For their gallant services on this occasion 
they received a complimentary order from General I. D. 
Cox. During the Georgia campaign the company participated 
in the following named battles : Resacca, Pumpkin Vine Ridge, 
Snake Creek Gap, Kenesaw Mountain, Ringold and Burnt 
Hickory.
 
After the fall of Atlanta, the 65th Indiana was transferred to 
General Thomas' army, and made the campaign against Hood, 
in Tennessee, participating in the battles of Columbia, Spring 
Hill, Franklin, and Nashville, and followed Hood's retreating 
army to Clifton, Tennessee, where the company took a boat for 
Cincinnati, Ohio, thence to Washington City by rail. After re-
*fn: The first engagement of Company E was really with a band of guerillas 
at MadisonTifle, Kentucky, on August 25th, 1862.

ceiving an outfit at Washington City the company was sent to 
Federal Point, North Carolina, and there led the advance at the 
storming of Fort Fisher, and participated in all the battles in 
North Carolina, under General Schofield, and was present at the 
surrender of Jo. Johnson's army.

After the fighting was all over, the company lay in camp at 
Greensboro, North Carolina, until mustered out in July. From 
Greensboro, the company traveled by rail to Indianapolis, Indiana, 
where the men were paid and received their discharges, 
having been in the service two years and eleven months. 
The following is a list of the killed in battle: George W. 
White, James Nickolson, James Hale, James W. Clark, and 
Perry T. Moore.

The following named members of the Company, died while 
in the service : George W. Biers, Isom Blankenship, Solomon 
Cox, James Donaldson, Abraham Eby, James Fields, Samuel 
Goodwin, Alexander H. Jordan, Joseph Lowrence, Jas F. Tur- 
pin, Nicholas Taylor, William Wallace and Joseph C. Wood.
Edwin Adams' History of Warrick County.

COMPANY I, 25TH INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
 
Company I, of the 25th Indiana Volunteer Regiment, was organized 
in Newburgh, Indiana, on the 8th day of July, 1861, 
and went into Camp Vanderburgh the next day. It was mustered 
into the United States service by Major Wood, on the 9th 
day of August, 1861, and was transferred, with the regiment, to 
St. Louis, where we remained in camp for instruction about one 
month. While in St. Louis the captain resigned, and James S. 
Marks was elected to fill his place. We then moved to Jefferson 
City, Missouri, remaining there but a few days. We were then 
ordered to relieve the garrison at Lexington, Missouri, but on arriving 
at Georgetown we learned that the Fort had surrendered. 
We remained in camp about Georgetown and Otterville until the 
movement against Springfield, Missouri. We joined the main 
army at that place, and started upon the return march the next 
day. We participated in the capture of the Blackwater prisoners,
and were assigned the duty of guarding them to St. Louis. 
Here the first lieutenant of the company resigned and Robert 
Brodie was appointed to fill the vacancy. About the middle of 
January, 1862, we were transferred to Grant's army at Cairo, 
Illinois, and embarked up the Tennessee river to Fort Henry. 
We lead the first assault on the works at Fort Donaldson and after 
its fall marched to Shiloh and participated in the two days' fighting.
In this battle three of our men, John Ingle, John Taylor 
and James Connell were killed, while three others, Jacob Rash, 
John Ranee and A. J. Goad, received fatal wounds. First 
Lieutenant Robertson was slightly wounded and Second Sergeant 
West, severely. After the battle the captain and first lieutenant 
resigned, and second lieutenant J. P. Johnson was promoted 
to the captaincy, J. S. Robertson, first lieutenant, and H. C. 
West, second lieutenant. We were in the seige of Corinth, 
Mississippi, and after its evacuation we marched to Holly Springs, 
Mississippi, thence to Lagrange and Memphis, Tennessee, where 
we were kept on provost duty for eight months. We joined 
General Grant's movement against Vicksburg by way of Canton 
and Jackson. Our regiment was left at Davis Mills, twenty-five 
miles from Holly Springs, to hold the railroad and keep open 
communication with the army. While here we were attacked by 
Van Dorn with 5,000 men, whom we repulsed with heavy loss, 
without losing a single man ourselves. We again marched to 
Bolivar, Tennessee. While at Bolivar the rebels, under Prke [Pike?]
and Van Dorn, attacked our forces at Corinth, and they were put 
to flight. The forces at Bolivar, under Generals Hulburt and 
Veatch, were sent in pursuit of the Confederates. They overtook 
and again routed them on the Hatchie river, about sixty 
miles from Bolivar, Tennessee. Being now cleared of Confederates 
we were ordered to Memphis, where we embarked on 
steamers for Vicksburg, Mississippi. Arriving at Vicksburg
we started immediately on the march for Meridian, Mississippi.
 
On our return the company re-enlisted at Canton, Mississippi, on 
the 18th of February, 1864, and came home on a fifty days' furlough 
in March, 1864. The regiment again re-organized below 
Evansville and embarked on the steamer Armada for Cairo, Illinois, 
where we were ordered to Nashville, Tennessee, from 
whence we were sent to Decatur, Alabama, and there we remained 
until the first of August, 1864, when we joined the army 
in front of Atlanta. After the capture of Atlanta, Captain Johnson 
resigned and First Lieutenant Robertson was appointed to 
fill the vacancy. We took part in the battle at Jonesboro, Georgia, 
and the chase after Hood, and fought at Snake Creek Gap, 
and we went with Sherman to the sea. At Bentonville, South 
Carolina, John Fritenberg was killed. Captain Robertson resigned 
and was succeeded by W. F. Martin, and Peter Saber- 
cool was made first lieutenant. We marched through North and 
South Carolina, and Virginia to Washington, D. C. , and were 
then sent to Louisville, Kentucky, were we were mustered out. 
The company lost during the service sixty-six men, killed, wounded 
and died of disease.
COMPANY I 53D INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
 
The original organization of this company consisted of seventy-
two enlisted men, two musicians, eight corporals, five sergeants 
and three commissioned officers — a total of ninety men. 
During the term of service in the field one hundred and one additional 
recruits were assigned to the company to fill up the places 
in the ranks made vacant by death, discharge and desertion. 
The total number of men who were identified with the company 
during our term of service was one hundred and ninety one. 
The company was recruited in the fall and winter of 1861-2 for 
Col. Wm. Jones' 62d regiment, but owing to a failure to recruit
a full regiment the 62d was consolidated with the 53d, W. Q. 
Gresham, receiving the position of colonel and Wm. Jones the 
lieutenant colonel's.
 
The organization of the company was as follows:

WM. S. LANGFORD, Capt. 		 BEN'J. PULLER, 1st. Lieut
DAVID WHITE, 2d. Lieut.		 S. M. DAVIS, 1st. Serg t.
CHAS. DILLINGHAM, 2d Serg't.	 WM GERHART, 3d. Se
NATH. MATHEWS, 4th Serg't.	 G. P. WILLIAMS, 5th Serg't

The following named persons, all of Boonville, were corporals 
of the company: 

Samuel A. Stroud, Israel Mills, Phillip Nonweiler, S. F. Mc 
Laughlin, B. F. Small, Moses Shaul, J. S. Lowe and S. G. Clutter. 
Albert Rowe and Wesley Wilson were the musicians.
 
Our first camp was near Rockport, on a Mr. Jeff Snider's 
farm. It was known as "Camp Reynolds." The barracks were 
of our own build, made from logs, cut in an adjacent wood, put 
up, covered, chinked and daubed in old pioneer style by the 
members of the company. The winter up to the latter part of 
February, 1862, was spent in this camp recruiting and drilling 
preparatory to entering the field. About the aoth of February, 
1862, we were ordered aboard the steamer John T. McCombs 
for Camp Noble, near New Albany, for consolidation, final mus 
ter and completion of our regimental organization. Company B 
of the 62d was assigned the position of Company I, 53d. After 
leaving New Albany on the 24th we went to Camp Morton, 
Indianapolis, to guard the prisoners from Fort Donaldson, where 
we staid about one month. We went from there to St. Louis on 
the railroad, and from St. Louis to Savannah, Tennessee, on the 
Tennessee river, at which place we arrived about the last of 
March and remained about one month. We were at this point 
when the battle of Shiloh was fought — in hearing of the battle all
day Sunday and Monday. General Grant's headquarters were 
at this point, together with considerable government stores, 
which our regiment was left to guard. Wm. Horger died at this 
place June 20th. Nothing of special interest occurred during 
our stay at Savannah. Peter Collins was detailed as a clerk at 
General Grant's headquarters. Several of the boys took French 
leave, among the number some of our non-commissioned officers, 
and visited Pittsburgh Landing. The consequence was the noncommissioned 
officers were reduced to ranks and the privates put 
on extra duty from Savannah. We went to Pittsburgh Landing, 
arriving at night. Peter Earth, in stepping from our boat to another, 
missed his footing and fell between the boats. Having his 
knapsack and cartridge box on he sunk at once and was 
drowned. Our regiment was now assigned to General Veatch's 
brigade, in General Hulburt's division. We at once joined the 
army in the advance on Corinth. At a camp known as "Pea 
Ridge," Nathan Sutton died. All the month of May was 
spent in the advance on Corinth. Governor Morton visited the 
Indiana troops during the month, inquiring after the welfare 
and needs of the men. He was hailed everywhere with cheers 
that awoke the "sleeping Johnnies." On the night of May 29th 
Captain Langford came through the company and ordered every 
man to sleep with his clothing and cartridge box on and his gun 
by his side, as in the morning 5,000 Indians were going to charge 
our works and that we might expect bloody work when they 
came, but it seemed that the Captain wns more alarmed than 
the men. The Indians did not come. Next morning, May 30th, 
our last advance was made, works thrown up and a general 
sharp skirmish kept up all day. Just as our works were finished 
a deer came bounding out of the rebel lines through our picket 
line, jumped the breast works and lit among the men in the line. 
He was soon killed and furnished a dainty morsel for a hungry
soldier. At night the Confederates evacuated the stronghold, 
and on the ad of June we marched through the town of Corinth 
and started in the direction of Memphis. James Sims died June 
20th at Corinth. We camped a few days ten miles west of Corinth, 
where we received our first pay, in greenbacks, gold and silver.
Our march was continued west to Grand Junction, where we went 
in camp one mile south of the town. At this camp William Marts 
died. From here we went to Holly Springs, and returning spent 
our Fourth of July in the town. We went from there to La 
grange and camped at a place called the Sand Hill, west of town 
on Wolf river. We made another march to Holly Springs, distant 
eighteen miles, in search of Chalmers, " the guerrilla chief." 
Our next march was to Memphis, where we arrived some time 
during the last of July, so ragged that it was almost a breach of 
common decency to march through the city in daylight. We 
camped first five miles below the city on the bluff opposite President 
Island. At this camp Lieutenant Ben Fuller left us on account 
of sickness, and he resigned soon after. Lieutenant David 
White had been transferred to General Veatch's staff; Captain 
Wm. S. Langford was the only officer in command. We drew 
clothing, changed our camp and started out on a scouting expedition 
to Noncomah creek, on the Hernando road. We made 
several other reconnoisances from Memphis. About the first of 
September we were ordered to Bolivar, Tenn. , at which place 
we remained until October 4th, when we were ordered to march 
in the direction of Corinth to intercept Price, who was retreating 
before General Grant. October 5th, we met the enemy and fought 
a battle at Davis' bridge, on the Hatchie river. Company I 
lost in this engagement two killed and five wounded. James 
Moore was struck in the legs by a grape shot and died in a few 
minutes. Solomon Severs was shot through the heart and 
killed instantly. Captain Langford, Nathan Matthews, John
Hotchkiss, Norman Taylor and Hiram Ellis were wounded, but 
all recovered. The Confederates were driven back with a loss 
of their wagon train, a battery of artillery and 1,000 stands of 
arms. On the yth we started on our return for Bolivar, where 
we remained in camp until about the ist of November, when we 
started south through Lagrange, Holly Springs, Waterford and 
Oxford to Coffeeville, Miss., where we remained but a short 
time until we returned to Waterford station, at which place we remained 
about two weeks. Our Christmas was spent at this 
place, and a dreary Christmas it was. Our supplies had been 
destroyed by Van Dorn and we were compelled to live off the 
country. Salt was not to be found in that part of Dixie, so we 
scraped up the salt that had been in the salt-beef and pork barrels 
and thrown away on our trip down, to season the cow peas 
that now constituted the principal article of diet with us. We 
also got a little meal which was ground from corn obtained 
in the country. About the end of the first week in January, 
1863, we again started north, passed through Holly Springs 
and Moscow. We made two or three trips between Moscow 
and Lafayette, and finally went to Collierville, where we guarded 
the railroad until the middle of March. 
At Collierville we were again paid off. Steven Vincent died 
here of small-pox. From here we went to Memphis. We next 
embarked on transports for Vicksburg to join in the seige and 
battles around that place. We landed at Young's Point, marched 
across the point, got on board the boats below and went to Grand 
Gulf; but Grant was too far on the road to Jackson to catch up 
with him. We returned to Young's Point and went up the Ya 
zoo river to Haine's Bluffs. From there we went to the extreme 
southern part of the line investing the city, where we took our 
position and held it until the final surrender July 4, 1863. Immediately 
after the fall of Vicksburg our company went with the
expedition to Jackson, Miss., which place was evacuated by the 
Confederates on the night of July 16. We returned again to 
Vicksburg, where we remained but a few days until we were ordered 
to Natchez, Miss. The balance of the summer and fall 
were spent at this place. On several occasions Company I was 
sent out scouting in pursuit of guerillas and cotton burners. We 
went on an expedition to Louisiana, a distance of sixty miles, 
captured Fort Beauregard, on Washitaw river, destroyed 
it, and returned. Our camp at Natchez was first on Mr. 
North's farm, a short distance from the town, but we soon 
removed to the bluff in Juniper Park. Uncle John McDaniel 
died at Natchez. This was the most beautiful camp we occupied 
during the war. We were again paid off here. Several 
members of Company I were detailed to guard prisoners to 
New Orleans. At the mouth of Red river the boat was fired 
into by a 12 gun rebel battery. The boat was disabled, but was 
rescued by the U. S. gunboats before the Confederates could destroy 
it. From Natchez we again went to Vicksburg and camped 
eleven miles east, at what was known as Camp Hebron In the 
early part of 1864 we joined Sherman's expedition to Jackson 
and Meridian. During this expedition and after our return to 
Camp Hebron thirty-five of the original ninety re enlisted and 
were granted a thirty days' furlough and started north for God's 
country. While on the boat we were again paid off. At the expiration 
of our furlough we reported to New Albany; from there 
by steamer to Cairo, Illinois; thence to Paducah, where we 
waited two or three days for all our fleet to come up. While 
lying at Paducah, Albert Rowe, our drummer, got into a difficulty 
with a drunken man who was imposing on him, when Albert 
drew his revolver and shot him twice, not dangerously, however.
From here we went to Clifton on the Tennessee river, where we 
disembarked and started overland to join Sherman's army, then
advancing from Chattanooga. Our line of march was through 
Pulaski, Huntsville, Decatur, Rome and Cartersville, to Ack- 
worth, where we joined the army and went on the line at Big 
Shanty, Georgia, (the place where General Mitchell's scouts 
stole the locomotives from the Confederacy and attempted the 
breaking up of their communication) when sharp and earnest 
work commenced. After driving the Confederates from their 
temporary line at Big Shanty, their next stand was at Kenesaw 
mountain. Our position was just to the left of the Chattanooga 
and Atlanta R. R. A constant skirmish and artillery fire was 
kept up by both sides until the morning of June 27th, when Gen 
eral Sherman ordered a general assault along the whole line, but 
in our front only the picket line advanced. Company I was on 
picket that morning when the brigade commander sent orders to 
Lieut. David White, who was in command of the Company, to 
deploy his Company and charge the mountain at ten o'clock.
 
All on the line knew the terrible consequences of such an order, 
but like true soldiers, when the order was given, "Attention, 
Company! as skirmishers, to the right and left deploy. Forward, 
double quick, march!" they bounded from their hiding places, 
formed in line almost like magic and away through the broom 
sage and small sassafras, across the railroad track, over a rail 
fence almost to the rebel picket line, when the order was given 
to "Halt! and lie down." On looking the field over after the 
evacuation it seemed almost impossible that any man could make 
that charge and live. This was truly a day of sorrow for Company 
I and many tender hearts here in Indiana were made to 
bleed over the fearful consequence of that bloody days' work. 
Company I jumped from the skirmish pits on the reception of the 
order to advance with thirty-two men and two commissioned officers. 
Of that number eighteen came back unhurt. Lieut. David 
White, one of the most promising young officers in the regiment,
the joy of a widowed mother's home, the favorite of a large circle 
of young people, truly one of nature's noblemen, was mortally 
wounded, and when the order was given to retreat, he implored 
one of the boys in passing to shoot him and end his terrible suffering 
at once. He died on the spot where he fell. His remains 
were subsequently brought back to Indiana by his cousin, 
John T. White, who succeeded him as commander of the company. 
Thomas Vincent, Robert Wilkinson, Conrad Mann, William 
H. Raisch, Jno. S. Knight, Drummond Carse and Duncan 
Neeves, were killed; William Gerhart, Henry Lang, Nicholas 
Keith, James M. Ikard and Lieutenant Charles H. Dillingham 
were wounded. Boon Laslie, James Lee and Ben Whittinghill 
were captured. Lee and Laslie both died in prison and Whittinghill 
was so emaciated by ill-treatment and starvation that he 
could scarcely walk when he got out of prison. This day's 
work left us with but eighteen men and no commissioned officer.
Sergeant John T. White now assumed command of the company.
From this point we went to the extreme right of the line on what 
is called the Sand Town road. On the 5th of July we formed a 
line of battle in the morning and advanced five miles in line over 
the roughest, bushiest, hilliest country in Georgia. We started 
up Joe Brown and his Georgia militia two or three times during 
the day. About an hour before sunset we came on the enemy 
in pretty strong force. A general charge was ordered, but 
a deep, impassable creek, called Nick-a-Jack, just in front of a 
heavy line of works, put an end to the charge. We fell back a 
few rods and threw up fortifications. On the evening of the 
roth, just at sunset, the whole of the rebel artillery was turned 
loose on us at once, and here we got the most furious shelling we 
had during the war; but little damage to life was done, however. 
From here we went to the extreme left of the army and crossed 
the Chatahoochee river at a little town called Roswell. On the
20th and 21st of July we were engaged in heavy skirmishing. 
On the 2ist Phillip Nonweiler was wounded in the hip, from 
which he died. Arnold Westfall was also wounded. On the 
following day, July 22d, was fought the severest battle of the campaign.
In this day's battle Company I lost James A. Keith, 
Thomas Leech and James K. Crowder, killed ; Moses Shaul, 
Romey Perigo, and Nicholas Taylor, wounded. Nicholas 
Taylor was captured and died in prison. Samuel Crow and Nathan 
Matthews were also captured and taken to Andersonville 
prison. Crow died in prison. Col. Wm. Jones was killed by a 
cannon ball (which struck him in the head, leaving not a spoon 
full of brain in the cavity of the skull. The ball struck just above 
the eyes, leaving the face recognizable, but tearing away the entire 
skull) after being wounded in the leg by a musket ball. This 
was the day McPherson, the "beloved of the army," fell. John 
A. Logan succeeded to his command, winning the gratitude of 
the army for his conduct during the remainder of the day. From 
this position we were again transferred to the extreme right of 
the line, where we laid in one position for thirty days. July 
2oth Geo. Shepard and Amos Hart were wounded. At this 
camp Captain Langford resigned at the request of the company. 
August 28th Peter Korb was wounded in the arm. Our company 
moved with the army that passed to the rear of Hood and followed 
him to Lovejoy station. After the evacuation of Atlanta 
we followed Hood in his march North to Galesville, Alabama, 
where we retraced our steps to Merietta, where we were paid off, 
and on the i3th of November we started on Sherman's famous 
march to the sea. Sam McLaughlin, who had been detailed 
with the 7th Ohio battery, was captured by bushwackers, just as 
we were ready to start, and taken to Anderson prison, where 
he was kept until March following, when he made his escape 
and joined the company near Cheraw, South Carolina. Nothing
of special interest occurred during the march of thirty days 
through an enemy's country with no communication with the 
outside world. We fared well on the march — no sickness, but 
little fighting and plenty to eat. Arrived at Savannah December 
13; it was evacuated December 20. We staid but a short time at 
Savannah until we were transferred to Beaufort, South Carolina, 
which place we left January 27, 1865, and on the 30th we came 
on to the Confederates at Pocotaligo station, on the Savannah 
and Charleston R. R. We drove them away. Our march was 
continued on to Columbia, at which place we arrived on the 
morning of February 27th. The bridge over the Congoree 
river was burned and Wade Hampton occupied the city. 
Company I was detailed as skirmishers to go down immediately 
to the river bank and ascertain if it was possible 
to wade the river, which we soon found to be an impossibility. 
Pontoon bridges were built during the day 
and by night all had crossed over. During the night the city 
was burned, and in the morning our march was resumed through 
South Carolina to Fayetteville, N. C., where we met a gunboat 
from Wilmington, which brought us our mail-— the 
first since January 30th, this being March I3th. Our march 
was resumed in the direction of Goldsboro. At Bentonville, on 
the 19th, we met Joe Johnson, and a part of the army became 
warmly engaged, but our company failed to get into the engagement. 
At night the Confederates retreated in the direction 
of Raleigh. Our column was headed for Goldsboro, where we 
met the army of Scofield from Wilmington. At this camp, those 
who did not re-enlist were discharged and started for home. 
After a short stay we started in pursuit of Johnson, who had 
stopped at Raliegh; but when we reached the city Johnson had 
retreated to Greensboro. At this point we received the news 
of President Lincoln's assassination. We recived the news of
the surrender of Gen. Lee, on the march from Goldsboro to 
Raleigh. After the surrender of Johnson we started overland, 
by way of Petersburg, Richmond, Fredericksburgh and Alexandria, 
for Washington, where we camped but a short time until 
we were ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, by way of the Baltimore 
& Ohio railroad, to Parkersburgh, Virginia, thence by 
boat to Louisville, where we staid until July 21st. At this 
camp, John T. White was commissioned captain ; John S. 
Lowe, first lieutenant; Norman Taylor, second lieutenant, 
although they had been filling the respective positions for some 
time. Charles Dillingham was appointed first and Nathan 
Matthews, second lieutenants, but owing to disability from 
wounds received by both, and imprisonment of Matthews, 
neither of them were mustered in and qualified for their respective 
appointments. From Louisville we went to Camp Carring 
ton, near Indianapolis, where we were paid off August 5th, 
1865. After four years association, as members of Company "I," 
we separated. 
In this hastily written sketch there are doubtless errors, and 
some matters that would be of interest omitted, but considering 
the fact that it is nineteen years ago since the beginning of this 
narrative, the survivors will pardon errors and omissions. To 
those members of the company who are living it will be a matter 
of interest to them as being almost a personal history, and 
perhaps a fuller one than will ever be written of their almost 
four years' service in the army. To the relatives of those 
who died of disease while in the service and since their return 
home, and especially to the relatives of those who were killed
on the field of battle, or died in the prison pen; to the relatives 
of

JAMES MOORE,	 	THOMAS LEECH, 

DAVID WHITE,		DUNCAN NEEVES,

SOLOMON SEVERS,	        DRUMMOND CARSE,

ROMEY PERIGO,		THOMAS VINCENT,

PHILLIP NONWEILER,      WILLIAM H RAISCH, 

ROBERT WILKINSON,	CONRAD MANN,

JAMES A. KEITH,	        JAMES K. CROWDER

who were killed in action or died shortly after being wounded; to 
the relatives of Boon Laslie, James Lee and Nicholas Taylor, 
who died in prison, this sketch will be of especial interest. 
Respectfully, 

W. WILSON, 

Late a member of Company I, Fifty- third Indiana.

COMPANY K, 42D INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
 
Was organized on the 20th of September, 1861, and mustered 
into service on the llth of October, 1861, with the following 
officers : 

DANIEL G. THOMPSON, Capt 	JAMES H. MASTERS, 1st. Lieut.
THOS. L. DENNY, 2nd Lieut.      ED. M. KNOWLES, 1st. Serg't.
NOYCE WHITE, 2nd Serg't.	LEM'L W. FRENCH, 3rd Serg't.
EMORY JOHNSON, 4th Serg't.      J. E. CARNAHAN, 5th Serg't

Whole company, ninety-eight men.
 
Routes, first year — Camp Vanderburgh to Henderson, Kentucky; 
thence to Calhoun; thence to South Carrolton, and returned 
to Calhoun; thence to Owensboro, and from there to 
Nashville, Tennessee, on transports, where Lieutenant Denny 
resigned and Edmud M. Knowles was promoted Second Lieutenant. 
Thence the regiment followed in the wake of Gen. 
Mitchell's division, to Huntsville, Alabama. On this route, at 
Wartrace, Tennessee, a part of the company were in a fight
when Sergeants White and Carnahan, and Christopher Bra
shears, George W. Floyd and others were wounded — the last 
three mentioned, so as to be discharged and disabled for the 
balance of the war. 
After lying at Huntsville until the 23d of August, 1862, came 
the long notorious retreat of Buell to Louisville, Kentucky, arriving 
there on the 20th of September, 1862. Then they commenced 
the pursuit of the rebel army under Bragg, and on the 
8th of October, 1862, the battle of Perryville was fought, and 
there was killed of company K, on the field, Oliver Buzzing
ham — some died of wounds. Three of the wounded, James 
Humphrey, George L. Masters, and Young Reed are yet living. 
Second Year's Routes and Changes — On the 8th of November, 
1862, James H. Masters was promoted Captain, vice Daniel 
G. Thompson, resigned; Edmund M. Knowles was promoted 
First Lieutenant, vice Masters, promoted; Emory Johnson was 
promoted Second Lieutenant, vice Knowles, promoted, and 
Tilotson M. Neves was made First Sergeant.
Then came the march via Nashville to Stone river, where, 
on the 31st of December, 1862, commenced that sanguinary 
conflict known as the battle of Stone river. Company K, lost — 
killed — on that day, almost at the same instant, Rinaldo Edwards 
and Warrick Clifford. Among the seventy wounded on 
that day were Alvis Ashley, John Coleman, John Ross and 
Martin. After this battle we remained with the main 
army until we moved forward under Gen. Rosencrans through 
Northern Alabama and Georgia to the great battle of Chicka 
mauga, where Miles Matthews and First Lieutenant Edmund 
M. Knowles were made prisoners of war. Miles Matthews, 
one of the best of soldiers, died in Andersonville prison, and 
Lieutenant Edmund M. Knowles was killed outright while a 
prisoner of war.
Third Year's Changes — Next came the sweeping victory of 
Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, of which our company, 
as a part of the First Brigade, First Division, Fourteenth 
Army Corps, took part. Among the wounded were Thomas 
W. Lacer, dangerously, and Ephriam Y. Perigo, slightly. 
On the last of January, 1864, our company re-enlisted, and 
there were still able for service twenty-seven men out of the 
ninety-eight who were first enrolled — all of whom veteranized, 
when we had a short furlough home, and then went back to the 
front at Chattanooga, Tennessee. 
In April, 1864, our company and regiment commenced advancing 
with Gen. Sherman on that almost unceasing battle 
from Goldsboro to Atlanta, Georgia. Among the veterans of 
company K, on the nth of April, 1864, Ephraim Brashears was 
wounded in the leg and made a cripple for life. On the i4th of 
May, George L. Masters was seriously wounded in the right 
lung and through the right shoulder, and made a cripple for 
life. On the 22d of July, 1864, Captain James H. Masters, 
was crippled for life by a gun-shot wound in the right shoulder, 
and Lieutenant Emory Johnson was killed almost instantly by 
a ball passing through his lungs. In a few days afterwards, perhaps 
on the 7th of August, Sergeant Win. Stuckey and Pleasant 
Shepherd were also killed. So rapidly fell the veterans of 
of our company that the late history of the company is not so 
exactly known. The company, however, was recruited and 
started in on its fourth year, when Tilotson M. Neves was 
promoted Captain, vice Masters discharged; Ephraim Y. Perigo 
was promoted First Lieutenant, vice Knowles, killed ; John D. 
Linxwiller, promoted Second Lieutenant, vice Johnson killed. 
The company was discharged at an early period by the dis
bandment of the army after the surrender of Lee.
Among those that died of disease contracted in the army, 
were Wesley Spillman, Reason Barrett, Lewis, C. M. 
Williams, Absalom B. Hendson, and Joseph D. Lemasters.
 

COMPANY H, 25TH INDIANA VOLUNTEERS 
Was principally enlisted at Newburgh, in the county of War- 
rick, and organized on the first day of August, 1861, by Col. 
Wood. The original company organization was as follows:
 
JOHN H. DARBY, Capt.		 DORUS FELLOWS, 1st Lieut.
CHARLES LUCAS, 2d Lieut		 SPKNCER WEBSTER. 1st Serg't.
WM J KEITH, 2d Serg't		 JOSHUA P. DAVIS, 3d Serg't.
V. L. CHAPMAN, 4th Serg't.       E. L. WILLIAMS, 5th Serg't.

Corporals — First, Henry W. Knowles; Second, Samuel Alexander; 
Third, Wm. L. Haynie; Fourth, Albert Cox; Fifth, 
Daniel W. Merrit; Sixth, George L. Robertson; Seventh, John 
Hawley; Eighth, Jesse Hickman.

Musicians — Isaac D. Hall and James A. McGill.
Wagoner — Horace Walters.
Captain Darby resigned, August 20th, 1861, and Lieutenant 
Dorus Fellows was appointed to fill the vacancy, and the other 
promotions, in their usual order, were made. The company did 
its share of fighting, and underwent all the trials, and suffered 
all the injuries usual to a warm and active campaign. It veteranized 
and remained in the service until July 6th, 1865, when it 
was mustered out. — [Edwin Adams' History of Warrick County]
Source: Google Books, citing: 
"Warrick and Its Prominent People: A History of Warrick County, Indiana from the 
Time of Its Organization and Settlement, with Biographical Sketches of Some of 
Its Prominent People of the Past and Present", By William Fortune, Published 1881, 
Original from the New York Public Library, Digitized Feb 8, 2008, 172 pages; 
[accessed: 16 November 2008]

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