History of Porter County, 1882County history published by F. A. Battey and Company . . . .
Source Citation:
Goodspeed, Weston A., and Charles Blanchard. 1882.
Counties of Lake and
Porter, Indiana: Historical and Biographical. Chicago, Illinois: F. A.
Battey and Company. 771 p.
HISTORY OF PORTER COUNTY
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CHAPTER III.
BY REV. ROBERT BEER.
MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY - SOLDIERS OF THE EARLIER WARS - WAR OF THE
REBELLION - POLITICAL SITUATION IN 1860 - CALLS FOR TROOPS - FALL OF SUMTER -
WAR MEETINGS - NEWSPAPER COMMENTS - VOLUNTEERS - THE BOYS IN THE FIELD - DRAFTS
- FACTS AND FIGURES - MUSTER ROLLS - PUBLIC FEELING AFTER THE CLOSE.
THE territory comprised in this county has been, within historic times at least,
the scene of no invasions, sieges or battles. Its settlement having been begun
nearly fifty years after the close of the war of the Revolution, not many of the
survivors of that war could be expected to find homes or end their days here. So
far as known to the writer, the only soldiers of the war of Independence who
have ever resided in the county were Henry Battan and Joseph Jones. Of the
personal history of these but little is now known. The name of the former is
found on the poll books of an election held at City West not long after the
organization of the county, from which it is inferred that he was a resident of
Westchester Township at the time. From the records of the Presbyterian Church of
Valparaiso, it appears that he was received as a member of that church at its
organization, on the 3d of July, 1840, and upon evidence of his good standing in
the Presbyterian Church in the State of Virginia. Several of the old citizens of
Valparaiso remember him as a Revolutionary pensioner residing here with a
daughter, but have no recollection of what he may have said as to his services.
From the records of the same church, it appears that he died on the 1st of
February, 1845. His pastor, Rev. Dr. Brown, in an anniversary sermon preached in
November, 1859, speaks of him as "Old Father Battan, at once a soldier of the
country and of the cross. At ninety-four he gained the victory and the crown."
Of Joseph Jones only these things are known, viz., that before coming to this
county he had resided for some time in Holmes County, Ohio; that he was married
to the grandmother of the present Mayor of Valparaiso, the Hon. Thomas G. Lytle;
that in the spring of the year 1841, he removed to this county and settled at
Boone Grove; that after a few years he died at a very advanced age and was
buried in the Cornell Graveyard, where his place of repose is unmarked by any
monument.
Mrs. Susannah Fifield, the widow of a Revolutionary soldier, came to this county
from Enfield, N. H. The writer is able to state only this,
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that she was received by letter into the Presbyterian Church of this place
August 22, 1852, and that her pastor says of her in 1858: "Out of her
Revolutionary pension, she annually gave me $10 for Foreign Missions. A godly
woman, at an advanced age, she recently crossed over Jordan."
Isaac Cornell and Robert Folsom, soldiers of the war of 1812, were buried in the
Cornell Graveyard. John Curtis, who went from the State of New York as a farrier
in the same war, came to this county in 1836, settled near Wheeler, and died
there in 1865. Eliphalet D. Curtis, another soldier of that war, enlisted in New
York, came to this county in 1838, settled near Porter Cross Roads, and died in
the spring of 1865. Myron Powell enlisted in Vermont, moved subsequently to the
Western Reserve in Ohio, came to Porter County, Ind., and died here in 1865. The
only soldiers of the Black Hawk war who ever resided in this county, as far as
learned, were Ruel Starr and James M. Buel, the former now deceased, the latter
is a resident of Chicago.
No company was organized in this county to serve in the Mexican war, but Joseph
P. Smith, of Lake County, at the time holding a county office, resigned and
enlisted a company to serve in 1846. After the expiration of their term of
service, they re-enlisted to serve from 1847 to 1848. About thirty persons from
Porter County enlisted in that company, among whom were William Unruh, Ezra
Wilcox, Peter Musselman, two men named Aley, two named Patterson, Mr. Brown, Mr.
Risden, Mr. Preston, Mr. Hopkins and Mr. Wells. It is believed that the only
survivors of that company, now in the county, are William Unruh, of Tassinong,
and Jacob Aley, of Hebron. It was the duty of this company, while in Mexico, to
guard wagon trains, and the climate proved to be very deadly in its influence
upon them, as out of 119 men who went out, only thirty-six returned. In addition
to these, Samuel Meekam, now of Valparaiso, Clinton Frazier, a man named Briggs,
an-other named Hesser, and still others from this county, were soldiers in that
war, but in what organization they went out is not known.
The War of the Rebellion. -- The political campaign of 1860 waxed warm in
this county. The great majority of the Democrats voted for Mr. Douglas, though
there were some votes cast for Breckenridge. On the one hand it was charged upon
the Republicans that they were responsible for all the dangers that threatened
the country, and on the other that the Democrats were in sympathy with Southern
secessionists. In reality, until the Southern States began to pass their
ordinances of secession, none really believed that the issues between the two
sections of the country were to be tried upon the field of battle, much less
that four years of blood and horror were soon to follow. After the election of
Lincoln, when the alarm had become general at the threatened insurrection
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in the South, when conservative men of the North and South were endeavoring to
avert the calamities of war by timely compromise, the general opinion of the
Republicans in this part of the country, as evinced by the press, was decidedly
against any compromise which might bind more closely the fetters of the slave or
recognize the institution of slavery as National in its character. The
Republic of that day, then published in Valparaiso, was very decided in
opposition to the Crittenden and all other compromises, the tendency of which
would be to surrender any vantage-ground that had hitherto been gained in
rescuing territory from the domination of the peculiar institution. All who are
old enough can remember the peculiar feelings which prevailed at that time.
There was a class of politicians at the South called fire-eaters. They had
always been given to bluster and hifalutin. The people of the North had become
accustomed to threats of the dissolution of the Union, and they had listened to
that kind of talk until they supposed it might go on ad infinitum, and
nothing ever come of it. Yet things were certainly looking more serious than
ever before. South Carolina had seceded. Mississippi had seceded. It looked as
though all the cotton States would go out. They did go out, one after another,
in rapid succession. Men who had been elected to the legislatures of their
several States as Union men were either persuaded or terrified into voting for
secession. Twiggs proved a traitor and turned over his forces so far as he could
to the cause of disunion. Pensacola and Mobile, with their fortifications, fell
into rebel hands. But still the feeling was strong in many minds that all this
had been done by a sort of collusion with the administration for the purpose of
terrifying the North into compromises which would forever perpetuate the slave
power in the Union, and set it in unassailable control. It was believed there
were too many friends of the Union in the South ever to suffer the fire-eaters
to sunder the bonds of the States. The old Whigs, who had no sympathy with that
sort of thing, would assert themselves, and the sober second thought of the
people would be for bearing their present ills rather than to fly to others
which they knew not of. And then, suppose they did rebel? What of it? The North
is stronger than the South, and whatever may come we will not submit to have
slavery enthroned over the whole land. We will not suffer men to bring their
slaves into the free States and there hold them. So the Republic, voicing
the feelings of one party, said emphatically, "No compromise." The opposition
paper, on the other hand, was saying in effect: "See how mad you have made the
Southern people by your abolitionism. We always told you this was what you would
bring the country to. The only way now to escape dissolution and the horrors of
war is to submit to what the slaveholders demand for their security, and let us
take charge of affairs. It is no
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[Illustration of Nelson Barnard]
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wonder that the South should rebel at the election of an Abolitionist for
President." But when the memorable day came, after all the uncertainty and
suspense about the Star of the West, and about what would come of it all, that
the flag was fired upon and that the South had invoked the arbitrament of war,
all the talk of compromise ceased. The great majority of all parties said, The
Union must be preserved. Over the wires came the proclamation of the President
for 75,000 men to serve three months. In the South it was received with
derision. There it was known far better than here that 75,000 raw volunteers
would not be able to put an end to a conspiracy so vast. With the Mississippi
River, Galveston, New Orleans, Mobile, Pensacola, Savannah, Charleston,
Wilmington and Richmond in their possession, and with sympathizers in Kentucky
and Maryland and Missouri, it was childish to suppose it could all be ended in
ninety days and by soldiers the majority of whom had never smelled gunpowder in
their lives. But who can describe the thrill of patriotism with which that
message was received in the North? Seventy-five thousand men! They would overawe
all opposition. When the South saw that the North would fight rather than
surrender all, that would end the matter. Each volunteer then felt strong, and
with the almost unanimous current of feeling it was thought by many that they
would have a kind of holiday, would play at war for awhile, and then return home
when the Union had been restored to receive the plaudits that would await them.
It was an era of hallucinations. None foresaw the future, none in the North and
none in the South. The Southern fire-eaters had utterly miscalculated the spirit
of the North, and the terrible earnestness of the Southern fire-eaters was not
understood in the North. On Sunday, April 14, the telegraph carried the news of
the firing on Fort Sumter. On Monday afternoon, the 15th, the following call was
issued for a meeting at the court house.
Americans! Union Men! Rally. The war has begun. Fort Sumter has fallen!
Our flag has been insulted, fired upon and struck to traitors! A Pelican and
Rattlesnake banner floats in its stead! Let it be torn down and the stars and
stripes float in its place, or let us perish in the attempt. Davis, the traitor,
says that next the Secession flag shall wave over the Capitol at Washington!
Shall it be so? A thousand times No! Then tonight let us rally at the court
house, burying all party names, and come to the rescue of the Republic against
its mortal enemies. We are beaten at Sumter, but not conquered, and must rally
to preserve the inheritance left us by our fathers. Come one, come all who love
their country! To-night let us pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred
honor to the defense of the proudest flag that ever waved over a free people!
War Meetings and Enlistments. -- The court house was crowded early. The
following are the official proceedings of the meeting. "On motion of R. A.
Cameron, M. D., editor of the Republic, Dr. E. Jones was called to the
chair, Messrs. E. R. Chapin and Alanson Finney chosen as Vice Presidents, and J.
F. McCarthy, Esq., and J. A. Berry, editor of
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the Starke County Press, chosen as Secretaries. The object of the meeting
having been fully stated, on motion of Dr. Cameron, a committee of five (Messrs.
Cameron, S. S. Skinner, J. N. Skinner, Jacob Brewer and M. L. De Motte) were
appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. The
Committee retired, and after a short absence returned and reported the following
preamble and resolutions, which were received amid deafening applause. (Here
follow preamble and resolutions of the most patriotic character.)
"The meeting was addressed by Messrs. De Motte, Cameron, Lytle, Jones, Rock,
Pierce, Putnam and others, Democrats and Republicans, who, heretofore differing
widely politically, were a unit on sustaining the Government, protecting the
honor of our flag, and rebuking the thieves, murderers and traitors of the
South. At the opening of the meeting, two American flags, emblems of our
nation's glory, were brought in and suspended over the stand occupied by the
President and Vice Presidents, which were hailed with long, loud and
enthusiastic raptures of delight by the large audience present, to which
additional excitement was added by the presence of the Union Band, that
discoursed a number of national airs, such as 'Hail Columbia,' 'Marseilles
Hymn,' etc. At the close of the meeting, an opportunity was given those who
desired to register their names as volunteers, when a number of gentlemen came
promptly forward, enrolled their names, expressing the sentiment that it was
not for glory, but to fight."
The same number of the Republic contains general orders numbered one to
twelve from Lewis Wallace, Adjutant General in regard to the organization of
military companies, a proclamation of Gov. Morton calling for the organization
of troops, the account of the bombardment of Sumter, and also a proclamation
from Gov. Morton convening the Legislature in special session on the 24th of
April.
The following number of the Republic (April 25) was issued with the name
of E. R. Beebe as associate editor, R. A. Cameron having gone to Indianapolis
with his company, and the first editorial correspondence, dated at that place,
appears. Henceforth, correspondence from the scene of active operations made up
a large part of each issue. Letters poured in, not only from the editor, but
from Gil Pierce, who even then wielded the pen of a ready writer, De Witt C.
Hodsden, J. F. McCarthy and numerous others. On Thursday, April 18, a meeting
had been called at the court house (in the afternoon), to which the citizens
came en masse, without distinction of party. Joseph Peirce was Chairman,
G. Bloch, Secretary. Speeches were made by Messrs. Morrison, Hodsden, W.
Bartholomew, J. N. Skinner, Rev. Gurney, M. L. De Motte, I. C. B. Suman, Charles
Gurney and G. Bloch. Among the resolutions adopted,
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was this: "That if it is found that there are Secessionists in our midst, we
will not encourage violence and bloodshed at home, but we will withdraw from
them our social relations, and if business men, we will not favor them with our
patronage. "After the adjournment of the regular meeting, those who had
signified their willingness to volunteer for the defense of the stars and
stripes, whenever and wherever called, remained to organize and elect officers.
The following were elected officers: R. A. Cameron, Captain; Lieutenants --
First, I. C. B. Suman; Second, G. A. Pierce; Third, O. H. Ray; Ensign, J. F.
McCarthy, etc.
On Friday, the excitement was still unabated. Numbers enlisted, and the office
of the Republic, where the lists were opened, was crowded most of the
day. In the evening another meeting was called at the court house, presided over
by T. G. Lytle. Some 200 blankets were donated by the citizens for the use of
the soldiers, and $40 were raised for the purchase of a flag for the company. On
Saturday afternoon, the Union Band presented, through M. L. De Motte, their
beautiful flag, which had a short time before been presented to them by the
ladies. Speeches were made in behalf of the company, by Cameron, McCarthy and
Rev. S. C. Logan. On the Sabbath, a sermon was preached to the company by Rev.
A. Gurney, and on that evening the company took the train for Indianapolis, many
of the citizens accompanying them as far as Wanatah.
In the Field. -- Arrived at Indianapolis, the company, which numbered
130, was divided and the overplus joined with the overplus of another company
from Ft. Wayne, formed a new company under the command of Capt. Comparet. In
this company, J. F. McCarthy and O. H. Ray were Lieutenants. On the 29th of May,
the Ninth Regiment, Col. Milroy, in which the Valparaiso boys constituted
Company H, left Camp Morton for Virginia. The first trial the boys had of actual
conflict with the rebels was at Philippi, on the 3d of June, where all the
Indiana regiments were engaged. The rebels were taken by surprise, and a large
amount of arms, horses, etc., was captured.
On Saturday, June 22, a meeting of the citizens of the county was held for the
purpose of obtaining recruits. Speeches were made by James M. Lytle, F. Church,
S. L. Bartholomew and Mr. Bartlet. On Monday, June 24, the volunteers met to
effect their organization. The meeting was presided over by E. J. Jones, D. L.
Skinner, Secretary. The officers of the company were chosen as follows; Captain,
James M. Lytle; Lieutenants, Galbreath and Carr. Capt. Lytle gave his life on
the field of battle. A mass meeting was held on the Fourth of July, to bid
farewell to the company, as they were to leave on the evening of that day for
Camp Tippecanoe.
In the Republic of July 19th appeared this song, composed by a
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member of the Ninth Indiana Regiment. (It was forwarded by Gil Pierce, and
doubtless he was the author):
"On Sumter's proud ramparts a traitorous hand,
Has torn from its staff the bright flag of our glory;
And blessed be God, who inspires our bold band,
That flag we'll replace though the ramparts be gory.
And the 'Bloody Ninth's' name, and the 'Bloody Ninth's'
fame
Shall shine in our history in letters of flame.
And the Star Spangled Banner, once more it shall wave
O'er our country united, the home of the brave.
"Shall we shrink from the contest, brave comrades? Oh, no!
Let us fight while one stripe of that banner is waving,
Or fall with each face bravely 'turned to the foe' --
To the traitors who fight for their country's enslaving;
Contented to die, if that flag waves on high,
But never before the base rebels to fly;
For we've sworn that the Star Spangled Banner shall wave
O'er the Union again, or the 'Bloody Ninth's' grave.
"Let them come with their Beauregard, Davis and Wise,
The 'Ninth' will be there with their Colonel to lead 'em,
And while that proud banner is floating the skies.
With him they will fight for their Union and freedom.
The foe we'll destroy, and the name of Milroy
Shall sound through our country in paeans of joy,
While the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."
On July 24, the "Bloody Ninth" reached Indianapolis from the seat of war to be
re-organized for the three years' service. The Twentieth Regiment, Col. W. L.
Brown, with Capt. James M. Ly tie's company, from Porter County, left
Indianapolis for Washington on the 31st of July, just ten days after the Bull
Run disaster.
October 24, 1861, this delicate compliment is paid in the Republic to
Secretary Cameron: "A number of horses, numbering 250, were sent this regiment
(First Regiment Northwestern Cavalry in which was Capt. Buell's Company) from
Pennsylvania, Secretary Cameron's State, and twenty-five of that number and only
twenty-five were found fit for service, 227 being rejected as unsound and
deficient in almost every conceivable manner. This is a fair specimen of
Pennsylvania swindling, connived at by officials high in power. Let the West
furnish her men with their equipments and horses, and Pennsylvania retain her
old broken-down hacks for her own use, if the Secretary insists upon using all
the ring-boned, spavined, windgalled, blind, stump-tailed, lamed, knock-kneed,
worn-out broken-winded scrubs first." In Company G, of that Cavalry Regiment,
were forty-seven Porter County men, of whom the Adjutant General's report of
Indiana takes no notice.
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The capture of Fort Donelson, on Sunday, February 16, 1862, was one of the
bright spots in the history of the war, and gave rise to great rejoicing in
Valparaiso as well as in other parts of the land. On Monday evening the court
house was packed with the " chivalry and beauty" of Valparaiso. The ladies were
out in full force, although it drizzled rain. Dr. Newland was called to the
chair, and speeches were made (after prayer) by Gurney, Mattingly, Church,
Bartholomew, President Sims and A. L. Jones. Of course a resolution was adopted.
What would a meeting in the United States of America be without at least one
resolution? This was one of "unbounded confidence in the wisdom and patriotism
of our military leaders," etc. Of course, with 15,000 rebel prisoners just
taken, they could afford to have a little confidence in the men who took them.
In the Republic of March 20, 1862, is a detailed account of the
devastation wrought to the frigates Cumberland and Congress, by the rebel ram
Merrimac, in Hampton Roads, on March 9, written by Capt. Lytle, whose regiment,
the Twentieth, was engaged during the fight, together with the repulse of the
Merrimac by the iron-clad Monitor. On the 15th of April, seventeen or eighteen
men of the Ninth Regiment, who had been wounded in the engagement at Pittsburg
Landing, were received at Valparaiso, and were kindly cared for by the citizens.
In that engagement, David Thatcher, James Mitchell and David Armitage, belonging
to Company H, were killed, and twenty-nine others were wounded. It began indeed
to be the "Bloody Ninth." Sixty-two officers and men went into the action and
thirty passed through it unscathed.
May 1, 1862, a meeting was held at the residence of Rev. S. C. Logan, to devise
means of sending relief to the sick and wounded of the Indiana regiments.
A sanitary commission was appointed at a meeting held at the court house which
issued an address to the people of Northwestern Indiana. The commission
consisted of S. W. Smith, A. J. Buel, Elias Axe, Joseph Peirce, M. A. Salisbury,
E. J. Jones and R. Bell, Jr. On the 28th of April, the following patriotic
appeal was made to the Germans of Porter County:
An die Deutscen von Porter County.
Der Unterzeichnete ist bereit
Beitrage zum Ankaufe eines Landgutes fuer Major General FRANZ SIGEL anzunehmen.
Komme yeder und gebe sein scherflein zu einem so noblen Uuternehmen.
DR. MET. MAX
HOFFMAN.
The cry of "fight mit Sigel" was taken up in Porter County.
On the 29th of May, 1862, was issued a call for a non-partisan convention to
send delegates to the Union State Convention, which was to meet in Indianapolis
on the 8th of June, and to appoint a Union County Central Committee to act for
the year.
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July 10, 1862, there appeared the following letter:
COLUMBIA HOSPITAL, WASHINGTON, D. C.
MY DEAR MRS. LARNED: This morning, for the first time, I am able to write you a
short note. I was shot in the left side and the left thigh, and the right wrist
(slightly the latter). Three shots pierced my coat, so you see I was very
fortunate to get off at all. There are no bones broken, and I am improving
rapidly. My folks at B. come over to see me, and I will go home with them as
soon as I am able to ride. I think it will be from four to six weeks before I
could think of venturing West, but will go as soon as possible. Of my own brave
boys, fifteen are gone and five are here wounded. They did their duty to a man.
God bless them; but we all did so. LYTLE.
This was Capt. James M. Lytle, of the Twentieth. He was wounded in front of
Richmond.
July 17, 1862, this item appears, "We regret to learn that the Rev. Dr. Brown,
Chaplain of the Forty-eighth Regiment, is lying critically ill at Paducah. His
wife was telegraphed for on Saturday evening last, requiring her to repair to
his bedside as speedily as possible. She started for that place on the first
train. The Presbyterian Church of this place, of which he was formerly pastor,
appointed A. J. Buel, Esq., on its behalf on Sabbath to visit him. Mr. Buel left
with his lady that evening." The Republic of the following week published
the obituary of Dr. Brown, who died July 14, and the gallant Lytle passed away
after long suffering, on the 20th of August following. Thus were the people
tasting of the horrors of the war, and learning at what a price the Union was to
be restored.
The order for the first draft for 300,000 men to serve for nine months was
issued August 4, 1862. There was also a call for 300,000 volunteers. Both these
calls were met with thanks on the part of the people. On Monday, August 10, a
mass-meeting was held at the court house, which was addressed by Hon. C. W.
Cathcart, of La Porte County. Dr. L. A. Cass was chosen as President of the
meeting, and Thomas Jewell, Secretary. The purpose of the meeting was to raise
$25 bounty for each man enlisting from the county. By the 14th of August, two
full companies had gone into camp at South Bend. Not less than three hundred and
fifty men had enlisted under the call for 600,000 men. The subscriptions were
liberal and numerous, ranging from $1 to $100. But it would be impossible to
follow up that eventful history to its close, and necessity compels us to
summarize the work done by Porter County in suppressing the rebellion.
Military Statistics. — It is impossible to ascertain just how many men
from Porter County were engaged in the war. The reports of the Adjutant General
are very imperfect, omitting the names of some persons who served in Indiana
Regiments, even those of some commissioned officers, and of those who enlisted
in the regiments of other States he has
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given no account. We have seen how many there were in a single regiment of
cavalry which went from Illinois, and there were many who enlisted in the
gunboat or naval service, or in Tennessee and Kentucky regiments. Many also were
wounded or killed of whom these records preserve no account. The names of Porter
County soldiers are found upon the rolls of twenty-nine regiments of infantry,
four regiments of cavalry and two batteries of artillery which went from this
State. But these names are chiefly to be found in the Ninth, Twentieth,
Seventy-third, Ninety-ninth, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth, One Hundred and
Thirty-eighth and One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiments of Infantry, and in the
Fifth, Seventh and Twelfth Cavalry and the Fourth Battery. Of those whose names
are found in the Adjutant General's report, 156 were honorably discharged on
account of disabilities from wounds or sickness, or for other reasons not given.
Five hundred and thirty-nine were mustered out at the expiration of their term
of service, or at the close of the war; twenty-five were promoted from the ranks
to be commissioned officers; sixty were wounded in battle, of whom fourteen
died; twenty-seven were killed in battle; fifty-eight deserted; in some cases
the same person deserted twice; even one who had served three years and had
re-enlisted as a veteran deserted before the close of the war; 106 died of
sickness. The mere reading of this shows how imperfectly the report of the
Adjutant General was made out, when we remember what befell Company H, of the
Ninth, at Pittsburg Landing, and Capt. Lytle's company in the battles before
Richmond. It must strike all readers as strange that there should have been
fifty-eight desertions and only twenty-seven killed in battle. The terms of
service of the several Indiana regiments containing Porter County men were as
follows: The Ninth, three months; for three years. Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth,
Thirteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-second,
Twenty-fifth, Twenty-ninth, Thirty-fifth, Thirty-eighth, Fifty-ninth,
Sixty-third, Seventy-third, Ninety-ninth, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth; for one
year, the One Hundred and Forty-second and One Hundred and Fifty-first; for 100
days, the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth.
The various calls for troops were as follows: First call for 75,000 men, three
months, April 15, 1861; second call for 42,000 men, for three years, May 30,
1861; third call for 300,000 men for nine months, August 4, 1862; fourth call
for 100,000 men for six months, June 15, 1863; fifth call for 300,000 men for
three years, October 17, 1863; sixth call for 500,000 men for one, two and three
years, July 18, 1864; seventh call for 300,000 men for one, two and three years,
December 10, 1864.
Porter County paid for bounties during the war $65.227. 50. For
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relief, that is for sanitary and Christian commissions, and for the families of
soldiers, $54,606.33. For the draft of October 6, 1862, T. G. Lytle was Draft
Commissioner, W. S. Dunning Marshal, and J. H. Newland, Surgeon. Only nineteen
men were drafted at that time. The second draft was on the 17th of October,
1863. The total credits by enrollment and draft to July 18, 1864, were 686.
Total to be furnished by second draft, sixty-nine. Under the draft ordered for
December 19, 1864, there were 145 recruits; drafted men, seventy; total, 215.
The revised enrollment, according to the Adjutant General's report, showed a
total enrollment of 1,136 from Porter County.
It would be impossible, in the limits assigned, to give a history of the
encampments, marches, battles, sieges, imprisonments, etc., of all the regiments
having soldiers from this county. They made a gallant record, endured great
hardships, and are deserving of the gratitude of their countrymen. As they
returned home they were welcomed at Indianapolis and at Valparaiso, and since
that time many of them have enjoyed public honors, and many have been entered
upon the pension rolls of the nation. These things are worthy of mention: That
ninety-nine re-enlisted as veterans after serving full three years. Nine are
reported to have died in prison; two were dishonorably discharged. Of those who
are reported as deserters, the writer, after a residence of seventeen years in
the county, can say that he does not know one of them. The names are not
familiar, and they have evidently sought other scenes.
The following is a list of officers from Porter County who served in the war of
the rebellion:
Ninth Infantry. -- Robert A. Cameron, Captain of Company H, three months,
commissioned April 22, 1861; mustered out at expiration of term; re-entered
service and commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the Nineteenth Regiment, July 29,
1861; transferred to Thirty-fourth Regiment February 3, 1862; promoted Colonel,
June 15, 1862; appointed Brigadier General United States Volunteers, August 11,
1863; appointed Major General by brevet, March 13, 1865; resigned July 22, 1865.
I. C. B. Suman, First Lieutenant Company H, April 22, 1861, three months;
re-entered as Captain Company H, August 29, 1861; promoted Lieutenant Colonel,
August 20, 1862; promoted Colonel April 17, 1863; appointed Brigadier General by
brevet March 13, 1865. G. A. Pierce, Second Lieutenant Company H, April 22,
1861, three months; appointed Assistant Quartermaster August 3, 1861. W. H.
Benny, Second Lieutenant Company H, August 29, 1861; Adjutant May 30, 1862;
resigned November 24, 1862. Stephen P. Hodsden, Second Lieutenant Company E,
September 1, 1861; promoted Adjutant March 3, 1863; promoted
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Captain Company H, August 1, 1864. La Fayette Burr, Adjutant August 1, 1864;
Quartermaster February 18, 1865; promoted Captain Company G; resigned April 5,
1865. Zaccheus B. Fifield, Second Lieutenant May 30, 1862; promoted Adjutant
March 31, 1865. Harry Smith, Chaplain, November 17, 1863; resigned July 28,
1864. John K. Blackstone, Captain Company E, September 1, 1861; promoted
Assistant Surgeon, November 15, 1861; resigned March 11, 1862. Max F. A.
Hoffman, Assistant Surgeon, September 25, 1868; Surgeon One Hundred and
Twenty-eighth, March 8, 1864. George W. Bloomfield, veteran. First Lieutenant,
February 4, 1865. De Witt C. Hodsden, First Lieutenant Company H, August 29,
1861; Captain, August 20, 1862; died July 27, 1864, of wounds received in
action. Robert F. Drulinger, First Lieutenant Company H, September 29, 1862;
mustered out January 24, 1865. William Turner, First Lieutenant Company H, March
16, 1865. John VV. Brown, Second Lieutenant, March 16, 1865.
Fifteenth (three years) Infantry. -- John F. McCarthy,
Second Lieutenant Company C, April 21, 1861; promoted First Lieutenant March 25,
1862; resigned July 23, 1862; appointed Assistant Surgeon, Twenty-ninth Infantry
January 29, 1863; Surgeon December 9, 1863. Oliver H. Ray, First Lieutenant
Company C, April 21, 1861; resigned March 23, 1862.
Twentieth Infantry -- Erasmus C. Galbreath, First Lieutenant Company I,
July 22, 1861; promoted Captain August 20, 1862; Major, June 6, 1863; mustered
out October 19, 1864; appointed First Lieutenant regular army, February 23,
1866; now (1882) Captain. James M. Lytle, Captain Company I, July 22, 1861; died
of wounds August 19, 1862. Lorenzo D. Corey, Second Lieutenant Company I, August
20, 1862; First Lieutenant, March 25, 1863; Captain, June 6, 1863; mustered out.
William T. Carr, Second Lieutenant Company I, July 22, 1861; First Lieutenant,
August 20, 1842; dismissed March 20, 1863. William W. Stearns, Second Lieutenant
Company I, March, 21, 1863; First Lieutenant, June 6, 1863; mustered out October
10, 1864. William S. Babbitt, Captain Company C, September 16, 1862; honorably
discharged July 22, 1863. Anthony W. Smith, Second Lieutenant Company D
(re-organized). May 16, 1865; mustered out as First Sergeant with regiment.
Orpheus Everts, Surgeon, July 23, 1861; transferred to Twentieth Regiment at
re-organization; mustered out with regiment. W. E. Brown, Commissary Sergeant at
re-organization; Adjutant One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, 1865; Quartermaster,
April 18, 1865; declined July 19, 1865.
Twenty-ninth Infantry. -- J. F. Heaton, Assistant Surgeon, June 15, 1865.
Samuel E. Wetzel, First Lieutenant Company F, May 17, 1864;
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Captain, June 1, 1865. Anson Goodwin, Second Lieutenant Company I, September 10,
1861; resigned January 11, 1862; Captain Company B, One Hundred and Fiftieth,
February 20, 1865; mustered out with regiment.
Thirty-fourth Infantry. -- Stephen L. Bartholomew, Quartermaster,
September 20, 1863; resigned December 4, 1863. S. C. Logan, Chaplain, September
20, 1863.
Forty-eight Infantry. -- James C. Brown, Chaplain, 1862; died in hospital
at Paducah, Ky., of sickness contracted in the service. Theophilus Matott,
Second Lieutenant Company D. November 1, 1862; First Lieutenant, January 23,
1863; resigned September 18, 1863.
Sixty-third Infantry. -- Henry O. Skinner, First Lieutenant Company B,
July 1, 1864; Captain, August 18, 1864; mustered out May 20, 1865.
Seventy-third Infantry. -- Robert W. Graham, First Lieutenant Company I,
August 5, 1862; Captain, October 20, 1862; Lieutenant Colonel, February 13,
1863; resigned March 9, 1863, from disability. Emanuel M. Williamson, Second
Lieutenant Company I, August 5, 1862; First Lieutenant, October 20, 1862;
Captain, February 13, 1863. Rollin M. Pratt, Captain Company I, August 5, 1862;
resigned October 19, 1862. William C. Eaton, Second Lieutenant Company I,
October 20, 1862; First Lieutenant, February 13, 1863; Captain, March 1, 1864;
mustered out. Adolphus H. Booher, Second Lieutenant Company I, February 13,
1863; First Lieutenant, March 1, 1864; mustered out with regiment as Second
Lieutenant. Charles S. Arnold, Second Lieutenant Company I, March 1, 1864;
honorably discharged June 10, 1865. John L. Brown, Company E, Sergeant; promoted
First Lieutenant.
Eighty-sixth Infantry. -- Nicholas E. Manville, Chaplain, January 8,
1862; resigned April 9, 1863.
Ninety-ninth Infantry. -- Fred W. Drawans, First Lieutenant Company C,
March 2, 1862; resigned January 1, 1865. William Harmon, Second Lieutenant
Company C, October 25, 1862; resigned March 1, 1864. Jacob Brewer, Captain
Company C, August 18, 1862; resigned August 4, 1863. Charles R. Loux, Second
Lieutenant Company C, May 1, 1865; mustered out with regiment.
One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Infantry. -- William H. Calkins,
Quartermaster, December 8, 1863; promoted Major Twelfth Cavalry, March 4, 1864;
mustered out with regiment. John E. Cass, First Lieutenant Company E, December
19, 1863; resigned March 25, 1865. John Fitzwilliams, Second Lieutenant Company
E, June 1, 1865; discharged as First Sergeant. Benjamin Sheffield, Captain
Company E, December 19, 1863; honorably discharged December 10, 1864.
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One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Infantry. -- Thomas G. Lytle, Captain
Company D (100 days), May 13, 1864; mustered out. Homer A. Goodwin, First
Lieutenant Company D, May 13, 1864; mustered out.
One Hundred and Fifty-first Infantry. -- John B. Marshall, Second
Lieutenant Company 13, February 20, 1865; mustered out. John E. Moon, First
Lieutenant Company B, February 20, 1865; mustered out. Aaron W. Lytle, Captain
Company E, February 23, 1865; mustered out. Charles E. Youngs, First Lieutenant
Company E, February 23, 1865; mustered out. Orlando R. Beebe, Second Lieutenant
Company E, September 10, 1865; mustered out with regiment as First Sergeant.
Fourth Battery. -- Henry J. Willetts, Second Lieutenant, Light Artillery,
July 2, 1863; mustered out October 6, 1863 (term expired). Mark L. De Motte,
First Lieutenant, September 15, 1861; resigned March 8, 1862; commissioned
Assistant Quartermaster by the President April 14, 1862; resigned January 12,
1864. Augustus A. Starr, Second Lieutenant, September 15, 1861; resigned July 1,
1863.
Twentieth Battery. -- Warren C. Gilbreath, Second Lieutenant, March 16,
1865; mustered out with battery.
Fifth Cavalry. -- Arthur M. Buell, First Lieutenant, September 3, 1862;
resigned December 1, 1862.
Seventh Cavalry. -- John C. Febles, Captain Company A, August 15, 1863;
Major, October 27, 1863; resigned February 28, 1865. Aaron L. Jones,
Quartermaster, June 24, 1864; transferred to Residuary Battalion as
Quartermaster. John R. Parmelee, First Lieutenant Company A, August 15, 1863;
Captain, October 27, 1863; mustered out as supernumerary. Henry S. Stoddard,
Second Lieutenant Company A, September 1, 1863; First Lieutenant, October 27,
1863; resigned November 25, 1863, as Second Lieutenant. John Douch, Second
Lieutenant Company A, October 27, 1863; First Lieutenant, November 26, 1863;
transferred to Residuary Battalion, Company C. John C. Harmon, Second Lieutenant
Company A, November 26, 1863; resigned August 13, 1864. Charles H. Gleason,
Second Lieutenant Company A, August 14, 1864; transferred to Company C,
Residuary Battalion.
Twelfth Cavalry. -- James H. Claypool, Chaplain, April 22, 1864; resigned
January 5, 1865. William Bissell, First Lieutenant Company M, January 9, 1864;
mustered out with regiment. Lewis Stoddard, Captain Company M, January 9, 1864;
honorably discharged November 4, 1864. James M. Buell, Second Lieutenant,
January 9, 1864; mustered out with regiment.
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Sundry Corps. -- Alfred H. Laing, First Lieutenant Company E, Residuary
Battalion Thirtieth Regiment, December 19, 1864. Ambrose Y. Moore, Hospital
Chaplain, August 6, 1862. Henry Monroe Buell, Captain Illinois Cavalry.
PORTER COUNTY ROLL OF HONOR.
Seventh
Infantry. -- Jesse Kindig, died at Nashville, Tenn., December 4, 1862.
Eighth Infantry. -- Henry Powers, died January 4, 1863, of wounds
received at Stone River.
Ninth Infantry. -- David Arvin, died near Marietta, Ga., January, 1864;
John Ablet, died at Paducah, Ky., April, 1862, of wounds received at Shiloh;
David Armitage, killed at Shiloh April 7, 1862; Elias J. Axe, died September 24,
1863, of wounds received at Missionary Ridge; William D. Brown, killed at
Chickamauga, September 19, 1863. James Bullis, killed at Chickamauga; George
Beebe, died July 19, 1865; Ham Gibbs, died January 24, 1863; Charles Gould, died
July 5, 1864; W. H. H. Howard, died July 25, 1864, of wounds received at Kenesaw
Mountain; Benjamin F. Huntingden, killed at Buffalo Mountain, December 31, 1861;
Lewis Keller, died of wounds received at Shiloh; Thomas R. Mackey, killed at
Buffalo Mountain December 31, 1861; Henry Pratt, died February 2, 1862; Abner
Sanders, died at Cheat Mountain January 3, 1861; Levi O. Spafford, died at
Evansville, Ind., April 28, 1862; Manford Thatcher, killed at Resaca May 14,
1864; David Thatcher, killed at Shiloh April 7, 1862; Joseph Turner, killed at
Chickamauga September 20, 1863.
Seventeenth Infantry. -- Asahel G. Carmen, killed at Selma, Ala., April
2, 1865; Thomas W. Maxwell, killed at Selma April 2, 1865.
Eighteenth Infantry. -- Charles Allen, died at Bellaire, Ohio, February
13, 1862, of wounds.
Twentieth Infantry. -- John H. Cook, killed at Gettysburg, Penn.; Duane
Ellis, died at Andersonville Prison September 5, 1864; Anton Fuller, killed at
Chickahominy; John Torpy, killed at Gettysburg; John Shaffer, died at Washington
December 2, 1862; Thomas Vanness, died at Washington June 6, 1864.
Twenty-ninth Infantry. -- Warren Babbitt, died at Andersonville Prison
September 15, 1864; Fred Kocher, died at Andersonville Prison August 10, 1864;
John Oliver, killed at Corinth May 9, 1862; Charles F. Skinner, died at
Nashville.
Thirty-fifth Infantry. -- Charles C. Gaylord, died at Bull's Gap; Henry
Granger, died at Nashville; George Miller, killed at Stone River January 2,
1863; Moses Spangle, died at Indianapolis.
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Sixty-third Infantry. -- Preston Bauhm, died of wounds June 18, 1864;
Jacob Jones, died of wounds June 2, 1864.
Seventy-third Infantry. -- Andrew Black, died at Gallatin, Tex., February
9, 1863; George J. Bradley, died at Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 1862; N. B.
Blachley, died at Silver Springs November 16, 1863; Samuel Conner, died at
Summersville, Ky., March 11, 1863; William Crisman, died at Nashville, Tenn.,
December 9, 1863; Curtis Dorsey, died at Nashville, Tenn., November 28, 1862;
Nelse A. Erickson, died at Scottsville, Ky., November 11, 1862; Josiah B. Fox,
died at Bowling Green, Ky., February 27, 1863; Robert Fluellan, killed at
Decatur, Ala., October 27, 1864; Asa Glazor, died at Louisville, Ky., December
8, 1862; George N. Gunter, died at Nashville, Tenn., March 28, 1864; Lester
Hitchcock, died at Danville, Ky., December 8, 1862; John Hineline, died at
Scottsville, Ky., November 17, 1862; Theodore R. Hall, died at Camp Chase, Ohio,
June 8, 1863; John Hawkins, died at Camp Lebanon, Ky., October 29, 1862; William
H. Hendee, killed at Stone River December 31, 1862; Robert Jackson, killed at
Day's Gap, Ala., April 30, 1863; Andrew Johnson, died at Indianapolis, Ind.,
October 23, 1863; Daniel Kouts, died of wounds January 18, 1863; Charles Munson,
died at Silver Springs, Tenn., November 18, 1862; David G. Maine, died at
Nashville, Tenn., November 30, 1862; Harlow Marsh, died at Danville, Ky., May
15, 1865; James McNally, killed at Stone River; James E. Piper, died at
Louisville, Ky., March 17, 1863; Charles S. Spear, died at Stevenson, Ala..
December 7, 1864; Thomas Shell, killed at Stone River; Alexander Smith, died at
Murfreesboro July 23, 1863; Charles Stinchcomb, killed at Stone River; Edward S.
Squires, died at Danville, Ky., October 20, 1862; John A. Tidball, died at
Louisville, Ky., November 9, 1862; Stephen Thornton, died in hospital January
24, 1865; William H. Underwood, died at Nashville, February 19, 1863; Elias
Wheeler, died at Gallatin January 28, 1863; Wesley Watson, died at Danville,
Ky., October 19, 1862; Hiram W. Walton, died at Nashville, Tenn., February 19,
1863.
Seventy fourth Infantry. -- Chancy R. Coulson, died at Jeffersonville,
Ind., February 1, 1865.
Ninety-ninth Infantry. -- Justice Bartholomew, died at Andersonville,
Ga., August 22, 1864; George W. Biggs, died at La Grange, Tenn., January 19,
1863; Benjamin Biggs, died at La Grange, Tenn., March 16, 1863; George W. Birch,
died at Scottsboro, Ala., April 21, 1864; Hiram A. Case, died at La Grange,
Tenn., March 10, 1863; Wallace L. Depance, died at Black River, Miss., August
27, 1863; Ira Doolittle, died at Snyder's Bluff, Miss., July 9, 1863; James
Foster, killed at Atlanta, Ga.; John L. Kesler, died at La Grange, Tenn., Feb-
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ruary 25, 1863; George W. Livingood, died at La Grange, Tenn., February 25,
1863; Charles Sleeper, died at La Grange, Tenn., March 7, 1863; John W. Taylor,
died in Kentucky, November 17, 1862; Harvey White, died at La Grange, Tenn.,
March 11, 1863; William Wooster, died at Camp Towler, Tenn., February 4, 1863.
One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Infantry. -- Amos Coleman, died at
Knoxville, Tenn., April 1, 1864; William Coleman, died near Marietta, Ga.,
August, 1864; Giles E. Cole, died at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., December 12, 1864;
Thomas Dolan, died at Michigan City, Ind., March 22, 1864; Samuel Furgeson, died
at New Berne, N. C, March 14, 1865; George W. Hunt, wounded, supposed to be
dead; Frederick Keene, died at Nashville, Tenn., April, 1864; John B. Millard,
died at Nashville, Tenn., January 5, 1865; William Marshall, died of wounds at
Calumet, Ind., January, 1864; Oliver P. Quinn, died at Alexandria, Va., June 12,
1865; Myron S. Robinson, died at Cleveland, Tenn., August 1, 1864; Chris. S.
Sholer, died near Kenesaw, Ga., June 23, 1864.
One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Infantry. -- Edward J. Garwood, died at
Tullahoma, Tenn., September 16, 1864; Frank Johnson, died at Tullahoma, Tenn.,
September 15, 1864.
One Hundred and Fifty-first Infantry. -- Elbridge Clark, died at
Louisville, Ky., August 11, 1865; Reuben Clark, died at home March 5, 1865;
Edgar Field, died at Tullahoma, Tenn., May 18, 1865; John P. Jones, died at
Nashville, Tenn., June 30, 1865; George Lansing, died at Jeffersonville, Ind.,
April 7, 1865; Luther Smith, died at Deep River, Ind.; Ambrose S. White, died at
Nashville, Tenn, July 19, 1865.
Fifth Cavalry. -- John R. Alyea, died at Florence, S. C; John Billings,
died at Indianapolis; Daniel C. Bagley, died at Cleveland, Ohio, May 22, 1864;
Homer O. Cadwell, died in rebel prison, Florence, S. C, in January, 1865; Isaac
L. Downes, died in Andersonville Prison September 29, 1864; Leander Lightfoot,
killed at Marrowbone May 26, 1863; Edwin W. Shumaker, died in Andersonville
Prison August 12, 1864; James Southward, died at Knoxville, Tenn., October 13,
1863, of wounds; William Terrica, died at Knoxville September 23, 1862; Philip
Walters, died at Kingston, Tenn.; Jacob Walters, died at Andersonville Prison
October 28, 1864; Lewis Walters, killed at Resaca Ga., May 15, 1864.
Seventh Cavalry. -- Stephen Adams, died at Memphis, Tenn., March 13,
1864; John L. Babcock, died May 24, 1864; Edward Carpenter, drowned in the
Mississippi River; Samuel P. Dunn, accidentally shot January 3, 1864; John
Johnson, died at Andersonville Prison January 28, 1864; Henry Miller, died at
Memphis, Tenn., May 4, 1864; Isaac
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Margeston, died at Andersonville Prison August 14, 1864; John Marsh, killed at
Guntown, Miss., June 10, 1864; Cornelius O'Neil, died at Cahawba, Ala., March
16, 1864; Clark S. Williams, died at Indianapolis, December 31, 1863; Alvin
Welsh, died on hospital steamer August 15, 1864.
Twelfth Cavalry. -- Isaac Beam, died at Huntsville, Ala., July 3, 1864;
John H. N. Beck, died at Edgefield June 13, 1865; W. B. Dorrance, died at New
York Harbor April 19, 1865; Charles Friend, died at Nashville, Tenn., February
13, 1865; Ira Green, died at Huntsville, Ala., July 24, 1864; James Garrison,
died at home; John S. Gillman, died at Huntsville, Ala., July 22, 1864; William
H. Huntly, died at Indianapolis August 5, 1864; Erasmus J. Jones, died at
Vicksburg March 22, 1865; Benjamin O. Jones, died at New Orleans; Seth P.
Sherman, died at Valparaiso, Ind., July 9, 1864; Arza B. Spencer, died at
Jeffersonville, Ind., August 27, 1864; Thomas Welch, died at Stark's Landing,
Ala., April 10, 1865.
On record but not properly assigned. -- Thomas Buchanan, died June 13,
1862, of wounds received at Shiloh.
Popular Feeling. -- During the progress of the war, there were in Porter
County as in every other part of the country, those who either were from the
first, or who afterward became disaffected. There were those who were always
discouraged and engaged in discouraging others, continually predicting disasters
and the ultimate ruin of the country. There were those who were always
criticizing the conduct of the war, not making allowances for the fact that as a
people, we were unaccustomed to warfare, greatly destitute of experienced
leaders, and that the work to be done was gigantic. There were those who were
deeply grieved at the proclamation of emancipation, and many who thought, in
1863 and 1864, that the war should be ended and peace procured at any price. But
it is to be said to the credit of Porter County, that her citizens never thought
of making resistance to the power of the Federal Government; that within her
borders there were no treasonable organizations. Nine-tenths of her citizens
would at any time have joined in hearty efforts to put down any treasonable
practices or attempts in their own midst. Men, indeed, became bitter in their
feelings, because of reckless charges made against them of sympathy with
secession, charges that often emanated from malice or from selfish or designing
purposes. When the news came of disaster, deep was the feeling of sorrow on the
part of all. If there were any who rejoiced, and it has been charged that a few
did rejoice at the tidings of disaster, it was in secret. The power of party
prejudice is often strongs and whatever may have been seen on such occasions to
indicate a want of sympathy in the common feeling of horror at the defeats of
which
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sometimes there was news, it should have been attributed rather to gratification
felt that their own predictions and forebodings had been verified, rather than
to any sentiments of disloyalty to their country, or sympathy with those who
were attempting its destruction. It was the feeling that so often prompts the "I
told you so," when we hear of calamities of any kind which we have predicted.
When, just in the midst of the intense joy that was felt over the capture of
Richmond and the surrender of Gen. Lee, there came the news of the assassination
of President Lincoln, there was an almost universal expression of horror. An
incident somewhat remarkable took place in Valparaiso at that time. F. W. Hunt
had a clerk in his employ who had been in the habit of voting the Democratic
ticket, and who was sometimes accused of not being in sympathy with the
prosecution of the war. In the midst of the excitement caused by the
assassination, and when the people were ripe for thoughtless revenge, the
assertion was made by some one, that he had heard this clerk expressing joy at
the death of Lincoln. Immediately, without any inquiry into the truth of the
charge, the report spread from mouth to mouth, and for a time the life of the
young man was in danger. He was deeply hurt, soon after left the place, and, it
was said, never recovered from the effect produced upon his mind by the affair.
Within a year of the time, perhaps, he sank disheartened into an early grave,
having returned to his home in the East. In the mean time, his accuser removed
to the far West, and the matter had almost passed from the minds of men, when
he, being upon his deathbed, confessed, with deep repentance, that the charge
which had cast a blight upon the reputation of another, and had caused his life
to wither, had been an invention of his own, not planned in express malice,
perhaps, but in recklessness, and in the desire to add to the excitement, and to
bring himself into some prominence and notoriety. At that time, public meetings
were held, the usual resolutions were adopted, appropriate sermons were preached
in the various churches, and the appointed fast observed with due solemnity. At
length the cruel war was over, and Johnny came marching home, and nearly every
Johnny had friends to give him a glad welcome. The men who had been over Dixie
from the Island No. 10 to Galveston, following Sherman on his march to the sea,
or fighting "mit Sigel " on the Rappahannock, made the grateful change from the
wild trade of warfare to the tamer pursuits of peace in agriculture or trade,
and by industry and thrift, have helped to build up the nation's wealth with
their own. The record of Porter County during the war, whether as to the number
and the valor of her troops in the field, or the loyalty and liberality of her
citizens who remained at home, is an honorable one. To the women of Porter
County not less than to the men, praise is due for the loyal
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[Illustration of Dr. H. Green]
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spirit that prevailed and the earnest efforts that were made to succor the
wounded, and minister to the wants of the suffering heroes of the county. Since
the close of the war, there have been occasional re-unions at Valparaiso which
have called forth the battle-scarred veterans to recount their adventures in
camp and prison and conflict, and to laugh over their ancient jests retold. On
these occasions, the citizens have taken pleasure in furnishing the needed
refreshments, not only for the soldiers, but for their families. For Johnny is
now not so much of a son and lover as he is husband and father. The boys, many
of them, are turning gray-beards, and after the saving of the nation, are now
helping to develop and control it. They are the Road Supervisors, School
Directors and Township Trustees. Some of them have held county offices. Some are
in the employ of the General Government in various departments. At least two of
them write M. C. after their names, and more of them would be willing to. Nor
has the national custom of honoring the heroic dead by annual visits to the
local cemetery been forgotten. Large numbers of the people assemble for these
rites, and leave upon the graves of deceased soldiers coronals and bouquets of
evergreens and such flowers as this northern latitude produces on the 30th of
May. No effort, however, has been made to perpetuate or develop the warlike
spirit in this community by military organizations. There has not been, since
the war, a military company or battalion or squad in the county, and hence
neither drill nor encampment, nor parades. But the spirit of patriotism that
abides in the hearts of the people is strengthened by the remembrance of the
treasure and blood which our country and her institutions have cost. May God
grant us perpetual and honorable peace, and bring in the day when swords shall
be beaten into plow shares and spears into pruning hooks, and the nations learn
war no more. Amen.
NAVIGATION OF
1882 HISTORY OF PORTER COUNTY
PREFACE
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I. - EARLY HISTORY OF COUNTY
CHAPTER II. - EARLY HISTORY COUNTY (Continued)
CHAPTER III. - MILITARY HISTORY
CHAPTER IV. - VALPARAISO AND CENTRE TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER V. - WESTCHESTER TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER VI. - BOONE TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER VII. - WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER VIII. - MORGAN TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER IX. - UNION TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER X. - JACKSON TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XI. - LIBERTY TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XII. - PORTAGE TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XIII. - PLEASANT TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XIV. - PORTER TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XV. - PINE TOWNSHIP
Transcribed by Steven R. Shook, February 2012