Wayne County Indiana
WAR HISTORY
Public
Meetings; Enlistments
The
secession of South Carolina, the firing on the " Star of the West," and
the attempted interference with the journey of the President-elect to
the Capital for inauguration, caused tremors of excitement in this as
in all other communities. But northern people were little inclined to
believe that the South meant war; nor is it likely that the southerners
themselves anticipated its extent and result.
The
news of the bombardment of Fort Sumter fell unexpectedly upon our
citizens; but it did not find them undecided what to do. In Richmond a
public meeting was called on Monday, April 15th, the day on which the
news was received, to be held in the evening. The citizens met on the
corner of Main and Marion streets. The meeting was large and
enthusiastic, and composed of men of the different parties. It was
opened with prayer by J. W. T. McMullen. John A. Bridgland,
Bell-Everett candidate for elector in the recent campaign, was chosen
President of the meeting. William A. Bickle, Democratic candidate for
Congress the year
previous; Judge Wm.. P. Benton, John Yaryan, John C. Whitridge, Mr.
Bridgland, and John H. Popp, addressed the citizens.
The
next day, Governor Morton's call for six regiments for three months was
received, and Judge Benton opened an enlisting place at Justice Lyle's
office, on South Pearl street, near Main. He was the first to sign the
enlistment paper. Before the next day closed, one full company,
[eighty-four men,] was enrolled, and forty-five more men were obtained.
On the morning of the 18th, about sunrise, the volunteers began to
assemble, and marched to the depot, accompanied by a vast concourse of
citizens. They were transported free to Indianapolis, being the first
company to arrive at that city.
The
excitement during these two days was equally intense elsewhere. At
Centerville and Cambridge City, parts of companies were enlisted.
Volunteers came in from other townships. These volunteers left for
Indianapolis the day on which those from Richmond went All from this
county formed part of the Eighth Infantry Regiment, commanded by Wm. P.
Benton, who was commissioned Colonel.
Volunteering continued in Richmond. Another company was in readiness at
the depot on the next Monday [23d]. But the requisition upon the state
was already full; and while at the depot, a dispatch was received
directing this company to go into camp on the Fair ground, south of the
city. The state decided to raise six regiments for one year; and this
company was sworn into the state service. The Fair ground was
established as a camp, and named "Camp Wayne;" and preparations were
made for organizing and instructing a regiment there. Companies from
several counties came, and were mustered in as the Sixteenth Regiment.
This regiment remained in camp until July 23d, when, having been
transferred to the Federal service, it proceeded to the seat of war. It
was with the first body of troops that marched through Baltimore after
the assault on the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment in April.
On
Thursday of that week, [25th,] the Sixth Indiana Infantry, returning
from West Virginia, passed through Richmond. The citizens,
apprised of its coming, prepared a breakfast as a welcome to the
soldiers of their state. The next day the Eighth Regiment was banqueted
in a similar manner.
The
summer of 1861 was an exciting season. Meetings were frequently held
throughout the county to secure volunteers. An infantry company was
raised for the Nineteenth Regiment, by Wm.. W. Dudley; two for the
Eighth, (three years' term,) by Alex. J. Kenny, at Richmond, and F. 8.
Wysong in the western part of the county, and several parts of
companies for other regiments and cavalry. New regiments were raised in
each congressional district; and in August companies began to arrive at
Camp Wayne for the formation of the Thirty-sixth Regiment. George
Hoover, of Richmond, and John Sim, of Cambridge City, commanded
companies from this county. This regiment remained in camp until
October, when, being full, it left under the command of Col. Win. Grose.
Preparations were immediately begun for the organization of another
regiment. Rev. J. W. T. McMullen and Rev. Frank A. Hardin were
commissioned, and proceeded to raise recruits for this regiment, which
became the Fifty-seventh. John S. McGraw and John Hunt, of Richmond,
Joseph F. Stidham, of Centerville, and Cyrus W. Burket, of Hagerstown,
commanded companies raised in this county. Cold weather coming on, the
soldiers in camp prepared their quarters for winter. They remained
until the 10th of December, when they were sent to the field.
Relief of Soldiers' Families
Hardly had the war broken out, before efforts began
to be made for the assistance of soldiers' families, the relief of the
sick and wounded, and for the sanitary needs of those in field and
hospital. While the first volunteers were at the depot, Jesse P.
Siddall responded to a call for a speech, by recommending the
appointment of a committee, that the soldiers might feel assured that
their families would be cared for. Lewis Burk, J. A. Bridgland, and
Rev. J. W. T. McMullen were appointed. A public meeting was held on the
evening of the 19th of April, in Starr (now Phillips) Hall.
Committees were
appointed to urge upon the city council and county commissioners the
necessity of providing means for the relief of such as needed it. The
council met in called session the next day, and heard the petition of
the citizens' meeting. Resolutions were adopted providing the needed
assistance, and authorizing the Mayor to advertise for contributions of
provisions; authorizing money immediately needed to be drawn from the
treasury; and ordering all city work except repairs to be suspended. W.
E. Wilcox and Phil. E. Wiggins were appointed to ascertain the number
of needy families. J. M. Paxson was appointed to solicit for
provisions, wood, etc., among the farmers. Mayor Finley issued a call,
and the back room of the Warner building became, for a while, the
depository for the relief provisions. The county commissioners took
proper action, and, during the following winter, seven hundred dollars
were dispensed weekly, chiefly in the form of orders on the county.
These orders were given to the persons needing assistance, and readily
accepted by merchants and provision dealers.
On the
10th of April, 1862, a public meeting was held in Starr Hall, at which
was chosen a "sanitary committee" for Wayne township. Lewis Burk, J. M.
Paxson, John W. Grubbs, John M. Gaar, John Roberts, John P. Smith,
Stephen R. Wiggins, and Christopher C. Beeler, composed this committee.
Five hundred and twenty-two dollars were subscribed that evening. The
committee issued an appeal for contributions, and requested other
townships to co-operate. Several townships responded, sending money,
clothing, and food for hospital use. Washington township was among the
first, and sent a large contribution. On the 28th of May, 1862, the
sanitary committee published a report, showing that $1,166.66 had been
paid in, besides clothing and provisions. Fourteen packages had been
shipped on the 25th of April to Nashville; thirty-three to Pittsburg
Landing on the 25th of May; and eighteen furnished the State Sanitary
Commission on the 12th of May.
The
ladies of Richmond had previously formed a " Soldiers' Relief Circle,"
which, together with the sanitary committee, continued labors during
the war. Several of the churches formed aid societies among
their respective memberships.
The Social Circle of
Union Chapel M. E. Church turned its attention to sanitary work, and
grew into the largest aid society in the city. Persons not members of
the congregation cooperated. Much of the money used by these
organizations was raised by suppers and amateur concerts given by
citizens. The comfort of the soldiers in Camp Wayne, especially of the
sick, was constantly attended to by these organizations.
Calls for More Troops
In the summer of 1862, calls were made for large numbers of troops. The
Sixteenth Regiment returned from its one year's service May 23, and
most of its members re-enlisted. Early in July, Wm. A. Bickle received
a commission as commandant of Camp Wayne, with instructions to raise a
regiment in the Fifth congressional district. He proceeded immediately
to that work; and, as good inducements were offered, and the victories
of the previous spring had an inspiring effect, volunteering was brisk.
The county commissioners appropriated $20,000 for bounties. The
Nineteenth Battery was recruited in the western part of the county, by
S. L. Gregg, W. P. Stackhouse, and others. It went into camp at
Cambridge City until August 11, when it left for Indianapolis on the
way to Kentucky. A large crowd bid it farewell at the Cambridge depot.
A cavalry company was raised by John S. Lyle, Moses D. Leeson, and W.
C. Jeffries. On the 14th of August, they reported to Col. Bickle, and
shortly afterward went to join the Fifth Cavalry Regiment at
Indianapolis. In a short time, more companies than were necessary for
one regiment were reported. One regiment, the Sixty-ninth, was
organized, and the remaining companies went into camp as the nucleus of
another regiment, numbered Eighty-fourth. John H. Finley, of Richmond,
and Joseph L. Marsh, of Williamsburg, commanded companies in the
Sixty-ninth, which were raised in this county; and Wm. A. Boyd, of
Centerville, was captain of one in the Eighty-fourth.
In
August of 1862, the Confederate Gen. Kirby Smith entered Kentucky, and
threatened Louisville and Cincinnati. Unparalleled activity was
displayed by Indiana. Troops were hurried forward for the defense of
the border. The Sixty-ninth Regiment was ordered to
Indianapolis for arms. It left Camp Wayne on the 18th of August, and on
the 30th took part in the disastrous battle of Richmond, Ky., where the
Union forces were compelled to face overwhelming numbers of the foe.
This regiment suffered terribly in killed and wounded; and nearly five
hundred were taken prisoners. These prisoners were paroled, and
returned to Indianapolis. Meanwhile. the Eighty-fourth had been
organized by Col. Bickle, and though not full to the maximum, it was
sent to Cincinnati, where it was armed and equipped. It left camp
September 10th, under Col. Nelson Trusler.
During
the siege of Cincinnati Richmond
was alive with excitement, A public meeting was called by the mayor, to
be held at Engine Hall, No. 2, on the 3d of September. But the crowd
being so large the meeting adjourned to the Public Square, now occupied
by the First Ward Public School. Judge James Perry presided, and Rev.
J. H. Goode acted as secretary. It was decided to proceed immediately
to the formation of military
companies for drill. A company of Home Guards, popularly known
as the " Silver Greys," because composed of men over the age for active
service, had been previously organized, and was commanded by Daniel B.
Crawford. Three other companies, one composed of Germans, were formed.
By proclamation of the mayor the places of business were closed at four
o'clock p. M., and the citizens repaired to the several places of
rendezvous for drill. The principal drill-ground was a vacant square,
now occupied by the Friends' meeting-house and school-house, between
Eighth and Ninth streets, north of Main. This arrangement was continued
for several weeks until the danger was past. The broken ranks of the
Sixty-ninth Regiment returned to Camp Wayne, where they remained until
released from their parol and recruited, and on the 18th of November,
again left camp under the command of Col. Thomas W. Bennett.
Extraordinary Contributions
The winter of 1862-63 was a severe one upon many families, whose
support and providers were fighting for their country. The Aid
Societies made frequent appeals to the citizens for assistance, and were thus
enabled to alleviate much suffering. One morning in January, 1863,
twenty-five wagons loaded with woody and one with flour, meal,
potatoes, &c, suddenly and unexpectedly made their appearance on
the streets of Richmond. They were from the farmers in the neighborhood
of Middleboro, and were for the " aid and comfort" of soldiers'
families. A band of musicians volunteered their services, and, hoisting
the national flag, the donation was paraded through the streets, and
then delivered where needed.
On
Saturday, February 14th, a delegation came from Boston township,
bringing more than sixty cords of wood, three thousand pounds of flour
and meal, besides other provisions. A spirit of rivalry in this good
work was soon developed, and the various neighborhoods in the vicinity
of Richmond vied with each other in contributions of this character. On
the 28th of February, the farmers residing along and near the National
road east from town, brought, in a large procession, ninety-two cords
of wood over two thousand pounds of flour, forty bushels of corn meal,
six bushels of potatoes, &c. The procession filled Main street for
a distance of eight blocks! The following Monday the rival procession
of farmers residing along and near the National road west from town
came in. It has never been decided which of these contributions was the
largest. Both parties claimed the palm.
The
Middleboro' farmers having started these generous outpourings,
concluded to put a finishing touch to the work for this season. So on
the 28th of March, they came into town with a train of wagons nearly a
mile long. Residents of Hillsboro, [now Whitewater,] joined their
neighbors of Middleboro. The farmers along the Liberty turnpike also
brought in a contribution. A new feature attended this demonstration.
Fresh beef and poultry were brought in, sold on the streets to
citizens, and the proceeds given to the aid fund. One hundred and
ninety-two dollars were thus realized. One hundred and twenty-eight
cords of wood, over two thousand pounds of flour, and seventy-five
bushels of meal, besides other provisions, were contributed. The whole
donation amounted in value to nearly thirteen hundred dollars. The
citizens had prepared a reception. The procession was
halted on Main
street. Hermon B.
Payne made the welcoming speech; short speeches by Elihu Cox, of
Middleboro', Israel Woodruff, of Franklin township, and others. The
citizens invited the generous farmers to dinner, and the day was one of
general rejoicing. The influence of these acts extended to other towns.
Centerviile, among others, received a large donation on the 19th of
March.
This
commendable practice was revived the following autumn. On the last day
of October the " Middleboro' patriots " came into Richmond with sixty
cords of wood, and a large quantity of provisions. The value of this
contribution was over live hundred dollars. Gov. Morton was present by
invitation, and addressed the farmers and citizens. Generals Benton and
Mansfield followed in short speeches. The wood was delivered to the
care of Wm.. Parry, the township trustee, who distributed it among the
needy. On the following Monday and Tuesday, some fifty young men of
Richmond formed a " Saw-buck Brigade," and sawed and split the wood for
use.
Thanksgiving day of that year was the occasion of another
demonstration. One hundred cords of wood, and pyramids of floury meat
and other provisions were brought in by the farmers along the National
road, east of Richmond. The citizens prepared a dinner in Starr Hall,
which was partaken of by soldiers' families and the "wood-haulers."
The
Relief Circle, of which Mrs. L. J. Seymour, Mrs. S. A. Wrigley, and
Mrs. Martha Smith were officers, prepared large quantities of hospital
supplies. The Union Chapel Aid Society was made an auxiliary by the
State Sanitary Commission, and did an arduous labor. Mrs. Sarah A.
Iliff, Mrs. Margaret J. Newton, Mrs. Sarah Hays, Mrs. Eliza Scott, Miss
Beulah McPherson, and Miss Jane Morrow, were prominent workers. The
great battles made demands upon the aid societies. Union Chapel Aid
Society devoted several days, including a Sunday, after the battle of
Stone River, to preparing bandages, &c.; for the wounded.
Morgan's Invasion
In July, 1863, the rebel guerrilla, John Morgan, crossed the Ohio river
with his band, and commenced pillaging in Southern Indiana. The day
after the invasion, the Mayor of Richmond issued a proclamation for the
citizens to meet in the several wards to organize and drill. At ten
o'clock Thursday night, [July 9th,] a dispatch came, calling for the
militia and volunteers to report at Indianapolis immediately. The fire
bells were rung, and the citizens assembled to prepare for their
departure, which took place early next morning.
A
battalion of militia had been organized in the county, and its
companies immediately responded, and large numbers of citizens
volunteered. Two companies left Richmond, commanded by John C. Davis
and Daniel B. Crawford. Abington sent one company under Capt. Jonathan
Jarrett; Bethel, one under A. V. Garrett; Centerville, one under J. C.
Page; Cambridge City, one under G. T. Weast; Dublin, one under W. P.
Goolman; East Germantown, one under P. S. Binkley. Three companies were
sent to various points, and in a week were mustered out and returned
home, the invaders having been driven into Ohio, where they were
captured.
Large Money Contributions
A great combination effort to raise money for sanitary purposes was
made in December, 1863, under the direction of the Sanitary Committee
and Aid Societies, assisted by Chaplain J. H. Lozier, traveling agent
for the State Sanitary Commission. The whole community, without
distinction of party, joined in the labors. In Richmond, a supper was
given on the evening of the 3d of December, an amateur concert the next
evening, a dinner the day following, and a tableaux exhibition in the
evening.
The following Monday,
[7th,] began a Fair, which continued through that week. At Centerville,
a dinner, a supper, and a concert were given on the 9th and 10th. At
Cambridge City, a contribution of wood and provisions were brought in
for soldiers' families, and a liberal subscription taken for the
sanitary fund. At
Whitewater, a dinner and a supper were given. Meetings were held by the
state agent in Dublin, Milton, Clay township, Abington, Harrison
township, Hagerstown, Newport, Williamsburg, Economy, and Dalton
township. Subscriptions were raised in these places by the efforts of
Rev. James Crawford, J. F. Nicholson, Captain Hale, R. Baldridge, J. M.
Bohrer, A. H. Harris, Jesse Cates, B. Reynolds, and others. The net
proceeds in Wayne township were $7,063.11; in Green, $686.80 were
raised; in Washington and Center townships, nearly $500 each. The other
townships swelled the total to $11,300. For this liberal contribution,
Wayne county was honored with the prize banner presented by the state
officers and Sanitary Commission.
More Troops Raised
A regiment from the Fifth Congressional District was called for,
September 24,1863. John F. Kibbey was appointed commandant of Camp
Wayne.
A
cavalry company was raised, and went into camp at the same place.
Recruiting commenced ; but it was March, 1864, before the regiment left
camp. It was numbered One Hundred and Twenty-fourth, and commanded by
Col. James Burgess. James Conner, Jonathan J. Wright, and John Messick,
of Richmond, and Caleb B. Jackson, of Centerville, were captains of
companies principally recruited in this county.
The
drafts of 1862 and 1864 called forth considerable activity in
encouraging volunteering. High bounties were offered. The larger part
of these sums was contributed by the people. The county commissioners
offered $100 in four installments as additional bounty to volunteers.
Few townships failed to fill their quotas; and in these the requisition
was greatly reduced. During the war Wayne county and the townships
expended for bounties, $379,093.35; for the relief of soldiers'
families, $ 184,350. Total, $563,443.35.
In the
spring of 1864, the governors of the Northern States offered the
National Government large bodies of troops to take the places of the
veteran forces guarding the rear, and hence allow them to go to the
front. These new troops were to serve for one hundred
days. A series of meetings was held in
Richmond for the purpose
of raising a company for this service.
These
meetings began on Tuesday, April 26th, and continued nine evenings.
Large sums were subscribed for bounties. The city council met on the
28th, and voted ten dollars to each volunteer. Ladies offered to take
the places of clerks during their absence. By contributions and
subscriptions nearly one thousand dollars were raised for the support
of families during the one hundred days. By the 11th of May a company
was enrolled, and left under the command of Capt. Wm.. R. Mount.
The Last
Contribution
Recruiting and
enlisting as veterans were steadily going on during the year 1864. The
attention to relief and sanitary matters was not neglected. Funds were
raised by concerts and entertainments as in previous years. The
approaching winter made it necessary again to provide for the needy. A
meeting of citizens and farmers was held, and it was decided to have a
combined donation of wood. To encourage a spirit of emulation, a banner
was promised to the largest delegation, and purses and buffalo robes of
various values to the four delegations. This demonstration took place
December 23, 1864. The delegation coming by the National road from the
east, brought one hundred and eleven cords of wood, and took the first
prize; that from the west by the National road and Williamsburg
turnpike, seventy cords; that by the Liberty and Boston turnpikes,
thirty-three cords; and that by the Hillsboro' and the Newport
turnpikes, twenty-eight cords. One load from the east contained
eighteen cords and twenty feet!
End of the War;
Death of Lincoln
The news of the capture of rebel Richmond, Virginia,
was received in loyal Richmond, Indiana, with much rejoicing. On the
evening of April 3, 1865, speeches were made, cannon fired, and
bonfires lighted. But when the news of Lee's surrender came, one week
later, there was a grander outburst of joy. Main and other streets had
the sidewalks covered with sheds and awnings. A movement being made to
have them removed, their owners, by common consent, took them down, and, piling them at the
street-crossings, burned them in the evening. Business was abandoned;
residents of the country came in and joined in the demonstrations.
This
joy was soon turned to sorrow. When the sad news of the assassination
of President Lincoln reached Richmond, all business was suspended,
stores and shops were closed, flags displayed at half mast, bells
tolled, and doors of business places and of dwellings draped in
mourning. Crowds appeared on the streets, and the deepest feeling was
manifested. Men of all parties lamented as if it were a personal
affliction. In the afternoon a large meeting assembled in Starr Hall.
Speeches were made, and expressive resolutions adopted. Similar
meetings were held at Hagerstown and other places.
The
train bearing the remains of the President, passed through Wayne county
on the morning of April 30th. A train containing state officials,
citizens of Indianapolis and others, came to act as escort. It met the
funeral cortege at the state line, and together they came through
Richmond at two o'clock in the morning. An.arch of mourning spanned the
track near the depot; and amid the tolling of bells and dirges of
music, the trains passed. An immense crowd was present, notwithstanding
the early hour.
At
Centerville a large concourse of people awaited the cortege ; and the
depot was draped in mourning. Salvoes of artillery paid homage to the
dead at Cambridge City. There and at Dublin were arches over the track,
through which the slow moving trains passed in the dim light of morning.
The
war was now ended. During its continuance considerable activity was
manifested in the towns. Hundreds of families moved into the larger
towns to be within the reach of assistance if needed. Especially was
this true of Richmond; hence the calling for those large donations
which were made at that place. The surviving soldiers returned to their
former occupations in the summer of 1865, and gradually the entire
community resumed the ways of peace.
Source: History of Wayne County, Indiana by Andrew W. Young 1872