HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY
CHAPTER 7

SUMMARY OF MEN FURNISHED BY THE COUNTY

It is impossible to give the exact number of men furnished by the county for the war, but the approximate number can be given. On the 19th of September, 1862, the county was credited with having furnished 1,023 volunteers for the war. As she afterward filled all her quotas, either by voluntary enlistments or by draft, the approximate number of men furnished can be found. Her quota under the June call of 1863, was not less than fifty men, and her quota under the October call of 1863 was 186 men. All these were furnished. Her quota under the call of February, 1864, was 236; under the call of March, 1864, was 94 and under the call of July, 1864, was 250. Under these three calls aggregating 580 men, the county actually furnished 680 men or a surplus of 100. Her quota under the last call of the war, December 19, 1864, was 136, but this number was reduced by surpluses to 79 men, which the county furnished together with a surplus of 61. It is also certain that the county furnished at least 150 men for the war who were not placed to her credit, but left and entered regiments and companies raised elsewhere. Adding the numbers 1,023, 50, 186, 680, 79, 61 and 150, the grand total of 2,229 is obtained as the approximate credits of the county. Of course each man has been counted as often as he enlisted, which in some cases was three times. This is an excellent showing for the county.

COUNTY BOUNTY AND RELIEF

As early as July 8, 1861, the County Commissioners were called upon to make an appropriation out of the County Treasury for the support of soldiers’ families, and the following is the action taken: "Whereas, sundry petitions having been presented asking an appropriation by the Board from the county treasury, for the benefit of the families of those who have or may volunteer in the service of the United States as soldiers to be applied as necessity may require: it is the opinion of the Board upon due consideration, that there is no law authorizing such an appropriation, therefore the Board has no authority to make such appropriation, and this cause is dismissed." This action seems to have been annulled, as in September 9, 1861. the Township Trustees were directed to obtain the names of all families likely to suffer from the absence of husband, father, etc., in the army, and to report the same to the County Board. On the 23d of September, the Board appointed for each civil township one person to superintend the distribution of relief fund to needy soldiers’ families. The following were these appointments: Paoli Township, Hiram Trueblood; Northeast, George Trimble; Orleans, Thomas B. Walker; Orangeville, John A. Ritter; Northwest, Lilies D. Lafferty; French Lick, W. W. McCracken; Jackson, James N. Marlett; Greenfield, John B. Kendall; Southeast, William Holaday; Stampers Creek, William Gilliland. These Superintendents were directed to furnish needed articles to the soldier’ famailies, and report the same to the County Board. Prior to June, 1862, there was thus paid out $433.91. This good work was continued as needs required during the war, and for several years afterward. The table below will show the total amount thus paid out.

So far as can be learned, the first bounty offered by the county for volunteers was under the October call, 1863, for 186 men. December 25, 1863, the County Board "Ordered, that the Auditor of Orange County issue as extra bounty, an order on the Treasurer of said county for the sum of $100, payable one year after date, with interest from date, to each volunteer, not exceeding 186, who shall be accepted and sworn in as a soldier in the service of the United States, and be credited to Orange County upon the call for 300,000 men, now made by the President of the United States, to assist in suppressing the present Rebellion: Provided, however, that said Auditor shall not issue said orders until said volunteers shall produce and file in this office, the certificate of his Captain or Colonel, that said volunteer has been so accepted, sworn in and entered the service in good faith." The following table taken from the Adjutant General’s Reports exhibits the bounty and relief paid by the county:

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