Chapter 17 -- continued

Those most actively engaged in enlisting the company were Messrs. C. H. Clark, S. L. Wilson and Nimrod Headington. On the 6th of August they were ordered to report at Indianapolis at once. Messengers were dispatched to all parts of the county to notify the members of the company. It was a very busy season; but the members of this company held their country's call paramount to every other interest. The unmeasured calico was left upon the counter; the plow remained in the furrow, and the scythe was left to rust in the unmown meadow. The blessed implements of peaceful industry were thrown aside for the musket and sword. All hearts were more than ever turned toward the war, and especially the brave boys who were hurrying into the conflict. ON the morning of August 9th a great crowd of citizens assembled in Portland to bid farewell to the first company Jay County sent to the war for the Union. It was a trying hour to the unwarlike people of Jay. They had been reared to love the arts of Peace; but they loved their country more, and now began to lay their sons by hundred upon her altar.

The parting scenes were thus sketched at the time of by "The Jay Torch-Light," more vividly than they can be at this distant date:

"Early on Friday morning the 'reveille' summoned the soldiers together at Camp Ross, and a march around town was the order. This the boys performed with the greatest enthusiasm. They marched in front of each house where any of them had been boarding, and gave them hearty cheers. By this time the people from all parts of the county began to assemble, to witness the departure of the volunteers and bid them farewell.

"The town was soon crowded. Everything and everybody was in motion; and as the afternoon approached, many countenances were serious and sorrowful. But the volunteers seemed in the highest spirits and full of enthusiasm at the prospects of an early chance to fight for their country and slay rebels. The farmers of the county had tendered their services with their teams, to take the boys to Winchester, so freely that more teams were on the ground than could be used. About one o'clock, P.M., the soldiers were drawn up in line, the wagons and carriages brought out, and preparations were being made to start. This was the last opportunity to say 'Farewell' to the brave fellows who were now going to the war, perhaps never to return; and it was well improved. It is useless for us to attempt a description of the scenes and incidents of that parting. The streets were filled with men and women crowding around the volunteers, shaking hands, speaking words of encouragement, giving the parting charge, and bidding farewell.

"It was an affecting scene. Few indeed were the eyes not wet with tears at that hour. The Volunteers met the occasion like soldiers: they wept, as good soldiers always can, but they swerved not a moment in their purpose to go forth and fight for the maintenance of our glorious Government."

Amid loud cheers and waving of hats and handkerchiefs, the long train of wagons and carriages started, carrying two hundred persons, over one hundred of who were a citizens escort. At Winchester the citizens gladly entertained the soldiers, and the next day they reached Indianapolis; were sent to Camp Morton, and on the 11th were sworn into the United States service for three years. Here they remained nearly one month, when they were assigned to the 39th Regiment Indiana Volunteers, Company C, and were then transferred to Camp Harrison, named in honor of their gallant Colonel, Thomas J. Harrison, who has been with them in all their meanderings upon the theatre of war. Here and at Camp Morton they were visited by many of the citizens of Jay. They were constantly drilled until September 21st, when they marched Dixieward, arriving at Louisville the next morning. Here they were cordially welcomed by a sumptuous dinner, and addressed by a member of the Kentucky Legislature, who complimented them as being the first regiment from Indiana to cross the Ohio River in response to Kentucky's call for help against traitors, many of whom were those of her own bosom. ON platform cars they were at once taken to Muldraugh's Hill, nearly fifty miles south of Louisville, which was then considered "the front." At Rolling Fork, on Salt River, they pitched tents, put out guards and pickets, passed their first night in the south. The next morning, gleeful at having marching orders, they were early equipped and on the march. They soon reached a stream, which they were ordered to wade, after taking off their "pants." This was fine sport, several things occurring which created great merriment.

That was the first hard march experienced by Company C. Only those who have performed similar marches can fully appreciate the hardships of the soldiers during the remainder of the march that day. The sun beamed down its most scorching rays, the dust was several inches deep, and the least stir in the air whirled it in suffocating clouds around them. They were heavily burdened with knapsacks, haversacks and accoutrements; but by constant rallying they reached their destination about sunset. They were filed off into an open field, where they were complacently enjoying their rest, when a strange sound started them to their feet with an inquiry of alarm upon their countenances. It was the "long roll," beat upon a false alarm. Their ears had long since become familiar with that sound, yet it never fails to start their blood and bodies in quicker motion. Upon outspread blankets they passed the night in such a sleep as only wearied soldiers know how to appreciate.

On the 10th of October they "struck tents" and marched to Camp Nevin, twelve miles farther South. The force collected at this camp was the nucleus of what afterward became the grand "Army of the Cumberland." It was near this camp that the first blood of the Rebellion, which fell upon Kentucky soil, was shed. Forty picked scouts (Jefferson Sewell and W. H. Blowers, from Company C) were sent out under Lieutenant Colonel Jones against a marauding body of two hundred Rebels, near Bacon Creek. Taking a position in a log house - the residences of the widow of the notorious villain, John A. Murrell - this squad, without receiving any injury, repulsed the Rebels, wounding several. Sewell, by a timely stepping out of the cabin door, was saved from a Rebel bullet.

It was here also, that Company C was first called upon to lay some of its members in a soldier's grave. In a quiet, country graveyard, on the banks of Nolin River, this sorrowing company consigned to the tomb the remains of Sergeant Robert G. Jackson, who died December 6th 1861, of typhoid fever. He was sick for a long time in a church near the camp, used for a hospital, where the best care possible under the circumstances was bestowed upon him. He was a brave soldier, a true and generous friend, and well beloved by his fellow soldiers and friends at home.

On the tenth of the same month another brave young man from that company - John McCroskey - was consigned to a resting place beside his comrade Jackson.

On the tenth of December the army marched to Munfordsville or Green River, Camp Wood.

Here the army remained until February 15th 1862, when, a sufficient force having collected, it moved against Bowling Green, occupied by General Buckner. A flank movement by General Mitchell compelled the enemy to fall back to Nashville, and our forces moved forward to that point. The capture of Fort Donelson by our forces, led to the evacuation of Nashville by the Rebels, and our army took quiet possession. While encamped south of that city, the 39th Regiment picketed that part of the country lying between Nolensville and the Franklin Pike, and on the 15th of March, Company C had the honor of welcoming within the Federal lines that bold and sterling Tennessee patriot, W. G. Brownlow. Upon alighting from his vehicle, he waved his hat, raised his eyes towards heaven and shouted "Glory to God! Once more inside the Union pickets!"

On arriving at Nashville, some were entirely bare-footed, having traveled in that condition many weary miles over the rough stone pike, their feet blistered and bleeding. But their hardships were borne with heroic fortitude, and that wise philosophy which quietly submits to ills that cannot be remedied. They consoled themselves with allusions to the privations of the Revolutionary fathers, and seemed proud to be called upon to emulate their courage and fortitude. But supplies soon arrived.

On the 16th of March 1862, the army at Nashville, (General Buell's), set out on the march for the southwest. On Saturday April 5th, Major General McCook's Division, in which was the 39th Regiment, encamped twenty-seven miles from Savannah, Tennessee, to prepare rations. Beeves were slaughtered, and the soldiers were congratulating themselves on the prospect of fresh beef and a day's rest, but the morning's sun brought to their ears the booming of cannon, and the word that General Grant's army had been attacked and a terrible battle was in progress. A forced march was now ordered to reinforce Grant. Taking three-day's rations, the soldiers threw away blankets and knapsacks, and moved forward rapidly. As they drew nearer, the cannonading grew more distinct and furious. At midnight, worn out an exhausted, they reached Savannah, seven miles from Pittsburg Landing - the scene of the terrific contest. No boats being ready, the soldiers threw themselves down in the streets. A pelting hailstorm made sleep impossible.

In the morning the roaring of cannon told them that the contest on the battlefield was renewed, even more fiercely than on the day previous. A boat transferred their brigade, consisting of the 32nd and 39th Indiana, and 15th and 49th Ohio to the scene of conflict, arriving about 11 o'clock A.M. The fighting was then nearly two miles from the landing.

Standing upon the boat's deck they listened to the noise of the battle, which was one continual roar of cannon and rattle of musketry. They saw behind the hill a large force of cowardly stragglers, who had fled, unharmed, from the front, and hundreds of the wounded and dying borne back from the field. They marched immediately to the battleground, where they were ordered to lie down as reserves, which they did for half an hour, while the shock of the raging battle seemed to shake the very earth upon which they lay. They then marched to the front and opened their part of the fight amid on incessant peal of musketry. Company C fought bravely for two hours and a half, when the sight of the retreating enemy brought enthusiastic cheers from our army.

The "Jay Torch-Light" of April 24th speaking of this company said"

"By letter from Lieutenant Clark, we learn the part borne by the Jay County boys in the great battle of Shiloh. They were in the thickest of the fight for two and one-half hours, and, during that time, the Rebels commenced their retreat. They fought bravely and well, though it was the first battle they had ever engaged in. It was a trying time to their nerve and courage. For nearly two days the battle had raged most furiously, and, more than half that time the rebels had driven our men. The boys heard the cannonading from the opening roar and had seen hundreds of the wounded and dying borne from the field. In these circumstances they were called into the field and placed in the center. It was like marching into the jaws of death. But they went forward boldly and fought well. All honor to them. Jay County is proud of her soldiers."

Captain Wilson being at home on the recruiting service, Lieutenants J. G. Cowell and C. H. Clark commanded the company. The casualties in Company C were as follows: Stephen J. Bailey, mortally wounded in the thigh, James Q. Odle, mortally wounded in the arm, Edwin Hoover, wounded in the left arm, Penbroke S. Bodle, slightly in the neck, J. N. Stratton, slightly in the neck.

When Bailey was being carried from the field, he said to Lieutenant Clark, "Tell my mother I died like a man, fighting for my country." At that moment the cheers of our troops were heard, and he inquired what it meant. Upon being told that the Rebels were running, he said, "then I die in peace." He was carried from the field, placed upon a boat, and taken to Mound City Hospital, Illinois, where he died, April 17th, 1863. He was a very intelligent young man, interesting in conversation, quiet and industrious. He was the son of Mrs. Mary Bailey, of Camden, and was raised a Quaker. He was the first soldier from Jay County to yield up his life to Rebel bullets, and was worthy of this honorable niche in the history of the War.

James Q. Odle died at the residence of his brother, at Windsor, Randolph County, Indiana, June 18th, 1862. His remains were interred at Deerfield, Indiana.

Many soldiers contracted diseases from exposure by encamping in the field after the heat and excitement of that battle. Among them was Mr. James Hathaway, who died May 16th 1862, at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. He was forty-eight years of age when he volunteered in his country's service, leaving a large family. He was a Christian, in every sense of the term. While he served God faithfully, he was true to his country. He was the patriarch and moral monitor of the Company. Vice, in many of its members, eh would reprove in a manner that always elicited from the reproved warm love and respect, and they all sincerely mourned his death. From his position as musician, he was not required to go into battle, but, laying aside the fife at Pittsburg Landing, he went with the Company into the battle, unarmed, but seizing the first deserted musket, bravely fought until the battle was over. His memory will be cherished as on of Jay County's noblest soldiers.

The army encamped on the battlefield for several days, and then marched against Corinth. At Bridge Creek, Company C participated in a severe fight, but received no injury.

They remained near Corinth until about the middle of June, when they marched southward to Huntsville, Alabama, arriving there July 4th. Here the 39th were ordered to Bridgeport, Alabama, to guard the crossing of the Tennessee River, which they did until August 20th, when they joined the forces collecting at Battle Creek for an advance upon Chattanooga. But, when within a few miles of the place, an order, surprising every soldier, was given for them to return. Then commenced the famous "Buell's Retreat," or race with General Bragg, across Tennessee and Kentucky, which though honorable to the soldiers, was very disgraceful to their commander.

In this fatiguing march the soldiers were most of the time destitute of rations, and had to exist upon fruit, green corn and meat supplied by foraging parties. As the corn became hard they parted their canteens and, punching them full of holes, made graters, from which, with commendable perseverance, they manufactured sufficient corn meal to keep off actual want, yet many nights they had to lie down, not only tired, but also very hungry.

The appearance of the army on reaching Louisville clearly indicated the hard marching and privations to which it had been subjected. Tarrying long enough to replenish their exhausted wardrobe, on the 1st day of October 1862, they again started on the long, forward march to redeem the territory that incompetence, or half-hearted loyalty, had given to the rebellion.

The marching was as severe in this advance as it had been in the retreat. The weather was very hot, the earth parched, and water scarce. The men often marched until midnight, and would then have to walk one or two miles for water. Swine were driven from the wallow and the water used to make coffee and quench thirst, and, on one occasion, even drinking water from a hole in which lay dead horses, mules and dogs! And, at other times, pushing back a green scum, an inch in thickness, to fill their canteens. Amid these trying circumstances, an indomitable spirit of patriotism prevailed and few complaints were uttered.

At Nashville, General Rosecrans succeeded to the command, in the place of Buell, removed, which was hailed with enthusiastic delight by the Army of the Cumberland.

General Bragg had halted in his precipitate retreat, and fortified Murfreesboro, and the 39th being encamped some distance in front of Nashville, were much of the time skirmishing with scouting parties of the enemy.

On the 25th of December General Rosecrans ordered an attack upon the Rebels, which was the preliminary of the great Battle of Stone River. On the night of the 29th, the army encamped upon the open field before the enemy. On the 30th an engagement with part of the line took place, and General McCook's Division, in which was the 39th, was moved up as a reserve, and, in the evening, was placed upon the right, on picket.

Just as daylight, next morning, the enemy, several lines deep, attacked the 39th, driving them back in confusion, killing and capturing many. The loss of Company C was as follows: John Hilton, mortally wounded, Eugene Plumb, mortally wounded, Cyrus Stanley, severely wounded, G. H. Bassett, severely wounded in groin, John McClelland, wounded in neck and forty prisoners, as indicated in the list of members.

On New Year's 1864, these prisoners were put on board cars at Murfreesboro and started toward Richmond, where they arrived in two weeks, having suffered severely on the route, for want of food. They were first confined in a tobacco warehouse, and afterward in Libby Prison. Their stomachs rebelled against the meager, unsavory prison rations. A small loaf of bread, some soup and bad beef, was, at first, and allowance for each man, daily, but before they left, this supply was divided between six men.

On the 28th of January 1863, the unwounded privates of Company C, with many others, marched through the city to the canal. While crossing this the bridge gave way and precipitated them twenty feet, into water fifteen feet deep. The canal was walled with stone, and the men could not get our without assistance, but the guard and citizens viewed the spectacle with folded arms. By the said of comrades in the rear they escaped. In this half drowned condition they were placed upon filthy stock cars and sent to City Point, Virginia, and thence to Annapolis. There joy at being once more under the "Stars and Stripes" found vent in hearty cheers. Their warm welcome home made them forget for a season their recent hardships.

During the battle, Cyrus Stanley was struck near the backbone, by a musket ball, which entered his right kidney. While Daniel Walter was helping him off the field, Stanley's hat was shot off, and tow balls passed through Walter's clothiers. But they were both captured. With is wound undressed and bleeding, on platform cars without covering, Stanley was taken to Chattanooga, having been there three days and nights without one morsel of food! Six rebel surgeons examined his wound and pronounced it fatal. But his quiet spirit and courageous determination saved him from a southern grave.

On the 5th of March 1863, he and thirteen others were taken to Knoxville, and thence (March 8th) to Libby Prison - that dungeon whose mention brings to mind all that is horrible and revolting in human suffering. All this time Stanley had not recovered sufficiently to walk, even upon crutches. He was confined in a room with nearly three hundred others. Their scanty daily allowance was of the most repulsive kind, and some died in the room of actual starvation. On the 18th of March he was taken to Washington DC, where he wrote to his friends in Jay. The letter was like a voice from the dead, for they had supposed his wound had long since proved fatal. He was taken to David' Island, New York, on the 5th of May, and in one month was able to start home. He is now County Recorder. Capt. J. G. Crowell and Lieut. G. T. Winters were not exchanged for some time after this. A mere fragment of the company could be rallied on the battlefield on that New Year's Day. Early in May, the paroled members of company C having been exchanged, rejoined the regiment at Nashville, where they found their comrades had been mounted and armed with the Spencer rifle. They have since been designated as the 8th Indiana Mounted Infantry. At Tullahoma the regiment had the post of danger, and distinguished itself whenever engaged. At Dechard Ford, two miles south of Winchester, Company C mad a gallant charge and was highly complimented. Lieut. Winters was wounded in the foot, Luther J. Baker in the leg, L. W. Lemasters severely in the breast, and eleven horses killed. In the sanguinary struggle at Chickamauga, the 39th took an honorable part and came out unscathed. Soon after this, many of these veterans re-enlisted, receiving three hundred and four dollars additional bounty. On the 20th of February 1864, the Regiment distinguished itself by a noted reconnaissance at Tunnel Hill, Buzzard Roost and Dalton, and remained in the immediate front until March 25th, when the whole regiment was furloughed and came home. The war-worn veterans were warmly welcomed by the citizens of Indianapolis, and hastened home to enjoy the company of friends and relatives, from whom they had so long been absent. In a few days company B, 34th Indiana Regiment, came home, also on veteran furlough, and the two companies were publicly welcomed by large parties and fine suppers at Portland, Camden and College Corner. At the expiration of their furlough, the Regiment reassembled at Indianapolis, and, May 11th, left for Nashville to renew their conflicts with traitors. Early in July they were ordered to Marietta, where they have lately distinguished themselves in a daring and effectual raid. This regiment has participated in the following battles:

Shiloh, Tennessee.

Bridge Creek, Mississippi.

Dry Ridge, Kentucky.

Stone River, Tennessee, seven days.

Middleton, Tennessee (twice).

Liberty Gap, Tennessee.

Dechards' Ford, Tennessee.

Davis' Cross Roads, Georgia.

Chickamauga, Georgia, two days.

Tunnel Hill, Georgia.

Nick O'Jack Gap, Georgia.

Stony Face Point, Georgia.

In all of these, Company C have borne an honorable part, reflecting credit upon themselves and the county they represent, and with heroic deeds inscribing an imperishable record upon the annals of their country.

COMPANY C, THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENT INDIANA VOLUNTEERS

[Those marked * reenlisted, and those marked † are discharged. The ‡ denotes those captured at Stone River.]

Sergeants

Corporals

Musicians

Teamster

Privates

Calvin S. Adams, Edwin Adams, † W. G. Adams, † H. H. Antles, † George R. Ashley, * S. J. Bailey, died at Mound City Illinois, April 1st 1862, William Baird, ‡ L. J. Baker, * ‡ G. H. Bassett, * wounded at Stone River Joseph Bisel, died September 14th 1862, W. H. Blowers, * (Adams Co.) J. L. Bockoven, * ‡ P. S. Bodle, * wounded at Shiloh, ‡ Anthony Brown, * ‡ Jason Bryan, * Aaron Brighton, † John Burdg, * William Clawson, * ‡ Michael Cookerly, † H. D. Clevenger, died June 12th 1862, Christian Long, * ‡ L. A. Long, ‡ A. A. Mason, * J. S. Maxwell, * ‡ John McCroskey, died Dec. 10th 1861, William Metty, * J. W. Miller, Isaiah Mills, ‡ W. H. Moore, ‡ John Nidey, Lafayette Nidey, * John Nixon, ‡ A. J. Nuckles, J. Q. Odle, mortally wounded at Shiloh, died June 18th 1862 Reuben Orner, † Christian Parks, * Edward Pingry, * W. J. Ralph, * F. M. Reed, Hezekiah Reed, ‡ Frederick Rhodes, *

William Richmond, ‡ M. L. Collett, * ‡ G. W. Cookerly, J. A. Cummins, ‡ J. H. Darby, died June 14th 1862 J. A. Eicher, * E. R. Fetters, B. F. Freeman, * ‡ William Green, * Samuel Hammitt, * ‡ G. W. Hardy, * ‡ John Hilton, wounded mortally at Stone River, and died Jan. 25th 1863, Samuel Hilton, * ‡ J. W. Hoke, * Edward Hoover, G. H. Jackson, * B. B. Jenkins, L. W. Lemasters, † A. G. Lewis, * Sylvester Lewis, ‡ Jefferson Sewell, * (Adams Co.) S. W. Shannon, * ‡ J. A. Shewalter, * ‡ J. W. Shewalter, ‡ D. T. Skinner, promoted to Captain 7th Indiana Cavalry, Samuel Sloan ‡ Cyrus Stanley, † ‡ William Sturges, † William Stranahan, † J. W. Swallow, died January 5th 1862 D. T. Taylor, * J. N. Vance, died Jan. 13, 1862, W. C. Votaw, * Daniel Walter, * ‡ M. W. Wagner, * D. O. Whipple, † J. B. Worden, C. E. Yost, Franklin Stanley, * ‡

Volunteer Recruits

The following were nine-months' drafted or substitute recruits, who joined this company - all now discharged except one. They were drafted October 6th 1862.

Recapitulation

The history of Company C has been given at length for several reasons. It was the first company to go from the county, and has been longest in the service. Many things, also, connected with its history can be related of all other Jay County companies; but having been given, need not be repeated.