REPORT OF
GENERAL JOHN LOVE. INDIANAPOLIS, July 20, 1863,
His
EXCELLENCY, 0. P. MORTON, Governor of Indiana ;
By appointment as your Aid-de-Camp to visit
New Albany, on the receipt of news here that Morgan was in the vicinity of
Corydon, and to advise you of the condition of affairs there, I left this city,
on tho 9th inst., at 4 o clock P. M.; reached Jeffersonville at 10, and New
Albany at 11 P. M., where I found General James Hughes in command. General
Hughes had made the best disposition possible of the forces under him. About two
o clock A. M. of the 10th, we learned that Morgan did not intend an attack on
New Albany, but was marching towards Salem. General Hughes being relieved from
the command about this time, with his Staff, we took the early Jeffersonville
train for Seymour, arriving at 10 A. M. General Hughes joined the troops who had
organized and stationed at Mitchell. I remained at Seymour to organize Minute
Men, and make the necessary disposition to meet Morgan, should he advance on
Seymour, as then appeared quite probable. There were at Seymour two regiments of
United States volunteers. To enable me to command all the forces, General
Willcox appointed me Acting Brigadier General. The town of Seymour was filled
with men from the neighborhood. These men were speedily organized, sworn into
the State service for the emergency, and armed and equipped, to the number of
three hundred. Mounted men, armed with their own rifles and shot-guns, were
patrolling the country, and giving me information of the enemys whereabouts. For
several hours after certain information that Morgan had taken Salem, it was
impossible to learn what course he would next take. If his object was to damage
the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, then Mitchell would be the next place; if to
march on Indianapolis, as many supposed, then his route would be towards Seymour
from Salem. At 2 o clock on the morning of the llth, an engineer on the
Jeffersonville Railroad arrived at Seymour, and reported that Morgan with his
entire force was passing through Vienna at 6 o clock the evening before.
Independent scouts, who left the vicinity of Salem at 6 o clock the evening
before, reported Morgans whole force marching towards Vienna. This information,
confirmed by two different and reliable sources, satisfied me, and I so reported
to your excellency, and to General Wilcox. It was the more satisfactory to get
such reliable information at this time, as all sorts of reports were in
circulation ; amongst others, that Morgan had actually taken Orleans, and was
marching on Mitchell. About 3 o clock P. M. on the llth I received an order from
General Willcox to proceed with my command to Vernon. Taking all the
transportation at Seymour, we started for Vernon at 3 o clock, with the Michigan
Sharp-shooters, under Colonel De Land, and a battalion under Lieutenant Colonel
Frank Hays, composed of a portion of the 63d Indiana, and detachments of
exchanged men. I turned over the post of Seymour to Captain M. W. Shields, of
Jackson, who had been active in arousing the neighborhood to arms, and who
placed himself at the head of the mounted men, and rendered invaluable service.
We reached North Vernon at about 4 o clock P. M., where the
wildest excitement prevailed. Rumors were current that Morgan had three times
demanded the surrender of Vernon, and was then within one mile of the town. At
North Vernon, I found Colonel Burkham, with part of his Regiment, from Dearborn
county, and ordered him to Vernon by the line of the rail road. In ten minutes,
our column was on the old road to Vernon, a distance of two miles. By rapid
marching, much of the time in double-quick, although the day was intensely hot,
we reached Vernon at about 5 o clock, our men in the best of spirits. When the
head of the column reached Vernon, I received a message from Col. Williams, of
Ohio county, then in command, to hasten in person to the front. Here I
found Col. Williams with an Aid of Morgans, who was within our lines with a flag
of truce, to demand, for the second time, the surrender of the town. I directed
the Aid to say to Gen. Morgan that I had a sufficient force for my purpose, that
the country was swarming with armed men, that it would be impossible for him to
escape, and that if he would surrender to me, I would treat him as a prisoner of
war. Having but 1,000 men, and assured that Morgans whole force was around the
town, I sent to Morgan to ask two hours to remove the women and children before
he commenced the attack. He replied, he would give but fifteen minutes. It was
now nearly dark ; the women and children were hurried out of the town, and
disposition made to defend to the last. Arriving so late in the day, and a
stranger to the country, and unacquainted with the roads, to and from the town,
it was impossible to make such arrangements as I would otherwise have done. From
reports brought me, and the firing in the rear towards North Vernon, I supposed
Morgan intended to march round the town, take North Vernon, and so cut us off.
The firing turned out to be a skirmish between some of our men and a detachment
of Morgan s men, sent to damage the O & M. R. R. track to the west of
North Vernon. Morgans detachment reached the O & M. R. R., but did no
damage beyond such as was repaired in two hours. Having only about forty mounted
men, it was impossible to get information of the movements of the enemy, our
mounted men being employed as videttes to the picket stations, to prevent
surprise. At 1 o clock at night, the Recorder of Jennings County, Thos. Riley,
Esq., who was taken prisoner in the morning, made his way into town, and gave me
information that Morgan had marched towards Dupont. I sent all the mounted men I
could raise about twenty under Capt. Boyd, to follow him. Our scouts followed to
within two miles of Dupont, returning about 8 o clock in the morning, with
twenty prisoners, their horses, arms, and equipments. The prisoners were sent to
this city. The women and children were sent for in time to reach their homes at
daylight. I am pleased to be able to report, that beyond the natural alarm
occasioned by so unexpected and apparently great danger, no serious disaster
occurred to the women and children, the night being warm and cloudy. On the
morning of the 12th, I joined my forces with Maj. Gen. Wallace, who arrived at
Vernon at 9 o clock. Rumors were conflicting all day of the 12th. He was
supposed to be attempting to escape by Madison. On the 13th we heard he, was at
Versailles, when, on the evening of that day, we proceeded by rail to Osgood. On
the 14th, Gen. Wallace marched by land towards Sunman, on the I. & C. R. R.,
joining Gen. Hughes at Milan. Our entire force, under Gen. Wallace, reached
Sunman at 6 o clock P. M. of the 14th, after a fatiguing march of eighteen
miles.
Morgan now being far in the State of Ohio,
our troops were brought to this city, and, on the 17th, discharged. It is due to
Col. Williams and his gallant regiment from Ohio County, to say, that with only
two hundred men of his regiment, and the armed citizens of Jennings County, he
refused to surrender Vernon to Morgans force of forty-five hundred, with five
pieces of artillery. On my arrival at Vernon, I found Col. Williams had made the
best disposition of the three small field pieces under his command, and that he
was determined to hold out till reinforced. The failure to take Vernon was the
first check Morgan had met with since entering our State, and, it is believed,
embarrassed him, by turning him back on his route ten miles from the course he
had probably marked out. His plan was, no doubt, to take North Vernon, and thus
damage the roads centering there. It is proper that I should mention that James
H. Vawter, Esq., of Vernon, and Col. James H. Cravens, of Ripley, were most
active and energetic, and rendered untiring service. No people could have
behaved better than did the citizens of Vernon, and particularly would I speak
of the women and children. When they found it was necessary for them to leave,
temporarily, their homes, not an exciting sound or act escaped them, and all
moved out calmly. It should be to us all a source of congratulation at the
alacrity and earnestness with which our citizens, to a man, sprang to arms, and
vied with each other who should be fore most and render the most service. What
Morgans plans may have been, time has not yet developed, but if the most natural
that of cutting our communications he signally failed in our State. So rapidly
was he pursued, that he failed to break communication on any road for more than
twenty-four hours, and many of them not more than six hours. We pursued him to
the Ohio line, and I think turned him over to the care of Ohio in such an
exhausted condition that I should not be surprised at the report of the rout and
capture of his command being confirmed. My impromptu staff, consisting of Maj.
C. T. Woolfolk, Surg. Thomas B. Harvey, Capts. J. L. Buell, H. A. N. Sain, C.
Durham, and Charles Pool, were very efficient and rendered valuable assistance.
My brigade, as finally organized under Gen. Wallace, consisted of the Boone
County regiment, under Col. Gregory ; the Hendricks County regiment, under the
immediate command of Col. Bennet, of the 69th regiment Indiana Volunteers, who,
though on sick leave, and then suffering, volunteered his services ; the
splendid battery of Yon Sehlen; and, as before stated, the Michigan
Sharpshooters; and a battalion of the 63d regiment Indiana, and a detachment of
exchanged men. It is with pleasure I bear testimony to the zeal and earnestness
of every officer and soldier of the brigade, and the uncomplaining endurance of
the hard ships of this brief but exciting expedition. To Gen. O. B. Willcox the
State is under obligations for his hearty co-operation with the State
authorities, and his energy and skill in the disposition of the forces.
I have the honor to be, Governor, Very Respectfully,
JOHN LOVE, Actg Brig. Gen,
REPORT OF COLONEL SAM. B. SERRING,
COMMANDING
9lH REGIMENT, (JEFFERSON COUNTY) INDIANA L.EGION
To
Maj. Gen. J. L. Mansfield : SIR: In compliance with your order of 21st inst., I
beg to submit the following Report of the acts of my regiment since 1st day of
January 1863. At that time the organized Legion of this county consisted of four
companies of Infantry, two companies of cavalry, and one company of artillery,
all-armed and mostly uniformed. Previous to this date, four companies of
Infantry were called upon to guard prisoners of war, at Indianapolis, where they
were mustered into the service of the United States for a period of three
months. On their return home, these companies were disbanded ; other companies
were organized previous to this date, but failing to be provided with arms they
were disbanded. In addition to the regular organized Legion of the county, the
citizens of Madison organized eight companies of Infantry, (minute men) and
tendered their services to repel invasion of the State.
During the winter and spring of 1863, there was no occasion to
call upon the Legion and minute men to perform duty along this portion of the
border until about 8th July, when information was communicated to us by Gov.
Morton, that John Morgan, with a large force, had crossed the Ohio river at
Brandenburg, and was marching into the interior of the State. I also received
orders from Gov. Morton, directing that the Legion of this county be called
immediately into active service, and to hold transports ready to convey
them to New Albany. All the companies of my command reported promptly for duty,
and transports were held in readiness to convey them to New Albany. On the 5th
July orders were received from headquarters to hold my command at Madison that
Morgan was moving in this direction, and calling upon us to use every effort to
check his progress and to prevent him crossing the river at this point. The
citizens and minute men responded promptly to the call of the Governor, and
every preparation made to defend this point and prevent the enemy from crossing
into Kentucky. On Friday the 6th July, Gov. Morton informed me by telegraph,
that Morgan had crossed the Jeffersonville Railroad at Vienna, and was moving in
the direction of Madison, through Lexington, Scott county, at the same time he
informed us that reinforcements would be sent to this point as rapidly as
possible. The same evening, the Legion from Johnson and Bartholomew counties
arrived, numbering some 400 men. Early next morning we were further re-inforced
by a regiment of the Legion from Switzerland county, numbering 500 men, also,
one section of artillery from the same county thus furnishing us a force of
about 2,000 men, Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery. A company of Cavalry had been
dispatched on Friday evening, in the direction of Vienna with instructions to
proceed until they met Morgans force and to ascertain the direction of his
march. Early Saturday morning a messenger from our cavalry, informed us that
Morgan s force rested at Lexington, Scott county, some 18 miles west from this
place. The troops were immediately called into line, and after making the
necessary details for duty along the river and in the city, We at once proceeded
on the road leading to Lexington and South Hanover. After proceeding some 5
miles on this road we took a strong position on the hills covering the turnpike
road to Lexing ton, and also the road to South Hanover, with about 1800 Infantry
and 4 pieces Artillery. This position was greatly strengthened by obstructions
thrown across the roads, and by falling trees in the immediate vicinity, which
afforded a good shelter in case of an action. These precautionary and valuable
preparations were made by the citizens under the imme diate direction of Hon. D.
C. Branham. Getting our small force into the best possible position we waited
for the appearance of the enemy, who we presumed would attempt to pass through
our lines on the turnpike road leading to the river. Until late in the
afternoon, we were much annoyed by uncertain and contradictory reports from our
scouts in front. Morgan s forces were reported on every road leading in this
direction, and until late in the afternoon we were not advised that his main
column was moving to the north of us, and thus threatening to enter the city
from the north side. Ascertaining that his whole force had gone in this
direction, at 12 o clock Saturday night, we got our force into column and
marched in the direction of North Madison, distant 6 miles. The night being
exceedingly dark, we did not reach that point until daylight Sunday morning.
Soon after arriving at this point, our scouts came in and reported Mogans forces
again on the roads leading to North Madison. Our troops were immediately thrown
into line of battle, and every preparation made to give them a warm reception.
Later in the day it was ascertained that the enemy was moving in the direction
of Versailles, Ripley county, but fearing that he might suddenly change his
direction, our troops were kept in line, resting on their arms, until Monday
morning, when learning that the enemy was moving east, we went into camp at
North Madison where we remained until the 16th July, when the troops were
dismissed from service by order of Gov. Morton.
From this period until the close of 1863, the Legion of
this county were not again called into active service, but occasional
demonstrations by small parties of guerrillas in Kentucky, opposite this point,
required an occasional guard along the river, and almost constant watchfulness
on the part of the officers of the Legion. During the fall of 1863 one company
of cavalry was organized in this county and was added to my command, thus giving
us on the 1st of January, 1864, a force of 3 companies of cavalry, 4 companies
of infantry, and 1 company of artillery of Legion. From this period until the
9th of June, 1864, the Legion of this county were not called into active
service. On that day I received an order from Gov. Morton, to immediately
assemble my command and hold them subject to further orders. The companies of my
command promptly responded to the call, and on the 12th day of June, I was
directed to secure transportation by the river and be in readiness to embark my
command for Jeffersonville. Boats were secured and we remained here under these
orders until June 15th, 1864, when by order of the Governor, the command was
dismissed and sent to their homes.
During this
service it was found necessary to guard closely the border along the front of
our county, in consequence of the presence of a Confederate force in Trimble and
Henry counties, Kentucky, under the command of "Col." Jesse. Upon this, as well
as upon all other occasions, the Legion of this county were prompt to respond to
the call of the Governor, although at a season of the year when the crops of the
country required the constant attention of the farmers, and their absence from
home at this time was a matter of serious loss to them. Since that time until
the present writing we have been in a constant state of suspense in consequence
of the presence of parties of guerrillas in the counties opposite this place,
and their frequent approaches to the river. Neither the citizens of Madison, nor
the city authorities have evinced that interest which the circumstances around
them would demand, but seem almost lost to any sense of danger, and our city is
suffered to remain exposed and liable to attacks of the enemy, and would be
easily captured whenever they are disposed to make the effort. Recently a small
band of guerrillas have visited Carrolton, twelve jniles above, Garrits Landing,
fifteen miles below, Spring Creek, eight miles below, and even Milton, just
opposite this city, and from all these points have fired upon passing boats. The
steamer Boston, Capt. David, plying between this place and Cincinnati, has been
fired upon by this band several times during the past week. At the solicitation
of Capt. David, I provided him with thirty-seven muskets and ammunition, and on
his upward trip he was again fired upon ; he returned the fire and drove the
guerrillas in confusion. On Friday last, learning that this boat would probably
be attacked by a larger force, at the request of Capt. David, I sent on board
one of our cannon, with cannister, shells, etc., under the command of Lieut.
Crawford, of Western Artillery Company, with instructions to fire upon the
guerrillas wherever seen. The boat has returned without meeting with the
guerrillas; she will, however, retain the gun a few days longer. The organized
Legion of this county consists, at this time, of four companies of infantry,
three companies of cavalry, and one company of artillery. All of these companies
are small, and in consequence of the recent draft, and the enlistment of the men
in the regular service, it requires constant exertion on the part of the
officers to keep up an organization. These companies have all uniformed
themselves (and some of them more than once), have drilled regularly, with few
exceptions, and have done much duty, for which they have received a very small
compensation.
Before closing this
report, allow me to express the hope that the convening Legislature will adopt
some means for the better defense. of the border counties and the State, and a
more complete and efficient organization of the militia of the State. Under the
present inefficient law, the organization of the Legion is small, and, I am
informed, mostly confined to the border counties, where their services are
frequently required, and they are called upon to perform military duty, and to
guard the State against inva sion, while the citizens of the interior of the
State are seldom called upon to do military duty. It would, perhaps, be
difficult to provide a law that would fully remedy this objection, but means
might be provided to better compensate those doing service on the border than
the present law provides. I make the above remarks, knowing that I express the
views of the officers and men of my command, as often expressed by them, but
would not be understood as offering complaints for the past only desiring a
better condition of affairs in the future.
I have the honor to be, Very
respectfully, Your obedient servant,
SAM. B. SERRNG, Col Comdg 9th Ind.
Legion.
NAMES OF REGIMENTS OF INDIANA LEGION BY COUNTY
Jefferson County
Jennings County
Switzerland County
Graham Home Guards
Vernon Greys
Hoosier Cavalry Guards
Madison Zouaves
Freedom Guards
Craig Township Guards
Western Artillery Company
Butlerville Guards
Fairville Guards
Washington Greys
Bigger Guards
Harrison Guards
Shelby Greys
Scipio Guards
Indian Creek Rifle Company
Middle Fork Union Guards
Weston Guards
Bennington Guards
Saluda Guards
Queensville Guards
Pleasant Guards
Shelby Light Horse Guards
Mt. Zion Guards
Union Guards
Bee Camp Union Guards
Paris Guards
Enterprise Guards
Saluda Rangers
Jennings Rangers
Posey Township Guards
Hanover Videttes
Marion Guards
Vevay Union Guards
Graham Rangers
Graham Guards
Florence Cavalry Guards
Cana Cadets
Craig Township Rangers
Morton Guards
York Township Guards
Wolf Creek Scouts
Artillery State Guards
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