LaGRANGE and NOBLE INDIANA HISTORICAL and BIOGRAPHICAL
Chicago F.A. Battey and Company Publishers 1882
BY J. H. RERICK, M. D.
For, thirty prosperous years La Grange County developed in population and resources without knowing the spirit of war. Children were born and grew to manhood without ever seeing a soldier in military dress. Mothers and maidens had never felt the anguish of separation from husband or lover at the stern call of a nation at war. Perhaps not half a score of men in the county at the opening of the rebellion had any knowledge, except through tradition and reading, of the forced march, scanty rations, the exposed bivouac, guard and picket duty, toilsome work on breastworks, rifle-pits and forts, the marshaling of the armed hosts for “ battle's magnificently stern array,” the fury of the storm of shot and shell, the falling dead and mangled human forms, the rejoicing of victory and the despair of defeat, the heart?sickening scenes in hospital, the anxious waiting at home for news of the great battles which is to be to them a sorrowful joy or dead despair — of all the painful, terrible, magnificent things which go to make up war.
For a number of years after the first settlement, a few old soldiers of the Revolution, who lived in the county, were honored on Independence Day, put on the platforms and cheered for their services, but all these had long since passed away, and were slumbering among the dead in peace. There were, besides, a few survivors of that later and less heroic war of 1812, who could tell some stories of old-time bravery, but these were very few. The Mexican war had drawn a few soldiers from the county, and some of its heroes had come into the county after the war. But, as we said before, all counted, not more than ten had “smelled gunpowder.” Indeed, when the first squad of volunteers assembled in 1861, there was but one man in the community with sufficient military knowledge to give commands for the simplest maneuvers. This soldier was William B. Bingham, who had served in the ranks of an Ohio regiment the Mexican war.
So it can be seen what a new and before unfelt thrill went through hearts of the people of the county when, in April, 1861, the flag of the nation was insulted and outraged at Fort Sumter. A common glow of patriotism fired every bosom. Every man, woman and child, possessing a spark of heroism, was raised from a devotion to little things into a higher life of consecration to an idea — the preservation of the nation — a tumult of emotions, before unfelt and undreamed of. Indignation at the insult to that flag, which that for the first time, began to have a significance; apprehensions of the perils to happy homes; duty's call to the front; the restraining thought of death and sorrow — all these swarmed in the minds of the men. The hearts of mothers and wives sank, at first, in anguish at the sight of the portentous cloud coming over the sky, but soon rose with a sublime patriotism which taught them that no sacrifice was too costly for the altar of our country.
On the 15th of April, 1861, President Lincoln called for 75,000 militia and on the next day Gov. Morton issued his proclamation for the organization of six regiments, the quota of Indiana. The first paper published in La Grange after this, contained a call for a public meeting at the court house to which all Union-loving citizens, irrespective of party affiliation in the past, were invited to take action for the "organization of a military company, and for aiding and assisting the families of those who may volunteer." At that meeting, the court house was filled to its utmost capacity. John Kromer, an old citizen, and a soldier of 1812, presided. Nathan P. Osborne and Samuel Sprague acted as Vice Presidents, and C. O. Myers and A. B. Kennedy as Secretaries. The Committee on Resolutions were A. S. Case, Harley Crockett, Dr. F. P. Griffith, Dr. J. H. Rerick, Thomas J. Skeet and Alexander B. Kennedy. The resolutions reported were unanimously adopted, and were as follows:
WHEREAS we deplore the circumstances
which have inaugurated civil war and brought the people of a portion of
the South in conflict with the General Government of the United States
James M. Flagg and Hon. Robert Parrett made patriotic speeches. Mr. Flagg recalled the words of Jefferson, that about once in thirty years the tree of liberty mast be watered with human blood. The time for such a sacrifice, he said, was at hand. Acts, not words, are now necessary. Mr. Parrett eloquently and feelingly argued that it was a time when all former issues should be laid aside — the only questions now being, union or disunion. Mr. Andrew Ellison was called upon, who, speaking in a candid manner, said his sentiments were not wholly in accord with the previous speakers, but that he was a citizen of the Republic, and acknowledged his allegiance to it, and proposed to stand by its laws under all circumstances and contingencies. William S. Boyd thought there had been talking enough, and proposed that steps be at once taken for the organization of a company, whereupon John H. Rerick drew from his pocket an enlistment paper already prepared, which was read, approved, and enlistment at once commenced. William Cummings, William Selby and John Kromer were appointed a committee for soliciting contributions for the families of those who should enlist.
This was the first war meeting ever held in the county.
Others quickly followed — one at Lima on the 23d, addressed by Hon.
J. B. Howe, Revs. Farland and Cory, and another at Wolcottville
on the same day, presided over by A. J. Atwood, with L. L. Wildman,
as Secretary, and Dr. Martin, O. B. Taylor and Henry Youngs
as committee on resolutions. These demanded a prompt and vigorous execution
of the Federal laws, the retaking of the forts, arsenals and other public
property seized by the rebels, and that the insult to the United States
by the so-called Confederacy in attacking Fort Sumter was one that should
be redressed, if it was necessary to
Resolved, That we will sustain
the Constitution of the United States of America, and uphold the authorities
thereof in sustaining the laws and protecting the flag of our country and
our enemies, both North and South.
A committee was appointed to devise the best method
of organizing a military company and reported, recommending that the Secretary
open his books for immediate enrollment, which was done, and some names
were entered. On May 4, another meeting was held at La Grange, "for the
purpose of holding a council of war,"
The organization of the company was completed in
a few days, and formation of the fact forwarded to the authorities at Indianapolis.
When public indignation for rebels ran so high as it did then, and a furious
and speedy overthrow was anticipated, it was not strange that the most
terrific names should be suggested for company titles. In obedience to
this prevalent feeling our first military organization assumed the belligerent
cognomen of the
LA GRANGE, Ind., April 1, 1861,The undersigned hereby agree to organize themselves into a Volunteer Military Company in accordance with the statutes of the State of Indiana, and to be at the service and comet of the Governor thereof, whenever in his opinion the exigencies of the country demand, for a term of three months from date of reception for duty. They also agree, when the required number (84) of signatures for a company have been obtained, to meet, elect their officers, and report for service.
All this enlistment and preparation for the field
had been done without any definite arrangement or order from