Revolutionary War - Putnam

Washburn Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, unveiled in Greencastle, Indiana, November 5, 1915, a monument to the Revolutionary heroes buried in Putnam County. This celebration was unique in that the monument is the first in Indiana to have been dedicated by the Daughters to the soldiers of the Revolutionary War—unique, also, in the fact that on the various hillsides of the community lie sleeping thirty-three Revolutionary heroes.

The records of these soldiers show that some one or more took part in most of the decisive battles of the war, from Ticonderoga to the surrender of Cornwallis, as well as many other of the minor skirmishes and engagements.

The monument in question is a handsome stone of Barre granite of generous proportions. The inscription on the face

reads: "In memory of the Revolutionary Dead of Putnam County. Erected by the Washburn Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution—1776-1815."

The names of the Putnam County Revolutionary dead are on a bronze tablet in the rotunda of the court-house. They are: Isaac Armstrong, William Ranks, John Bartee, Charles Bowen, William Brown, John Buck, Jonathan Byrd, William Cornwell, Nathaniel Cunningham, William Denney, Samuel Denny, William Edmundson, Julius Glazebrook, Jacob Grider, Lathan Hall, George Hammer, Silas Hopkins, Thomas Jones, Joseph LaFollette, William McGaughey, John McIIaffie, Andrew McPheeters, Ben Mahorney, Samuel Moore, John Norman, Thomas Rhoten, Isaiah Slavens, Abraham Stonebaugh, Peter Stoner, Thomas Tucker, John Welden, Robert Whitehead, John Wiles.

The services of the day were impressive. The banks, stores and schools were all closed in honor of the occasion. The business men and the college authorities joined with the patriotic organizations of the city in making the day one long to be remembered in Greencastle.

The program was divided into two parts—the unveiling services in the afternoon and a lecture in the evening on the Revolutionary War.

At 2:30 the parade started at the public library for Forest Hill Cemetery, where the monument had been placed.

After prayer and music Mrs. Frank Coss, Regent of the local Chapter, spoke briefly, giving a short outline of the work that had been done by Washburn Chapter and of the pride that the Chapter took in the final consummation of their plans and the success of the occasion. She then in a few well-chosen words introduced the speaker of the day, the Hon. William L. Taylor, of Indianapolis.

Mr. Taylor spoke of the great work of the D. A. R. in fostering patriotism and in erecting monuments in commemoration of the services of the heroes of our country.

He urged, further, the marking and preservation of old trails, roads and the famous highways through Indiana.

He spoke of the work of the Indiana Commission in tracing the hroken and circuitous routes taken through Indiana by Abraham Lincoln, and urged that Washington's Farewell Address be read at least once a year in every school in America—embodying, as it does, the spirit of Americanism, which is as vital today as it was when first given to the American people.

His address closed with a plea for peace, except in defense or in preservation of territory.

At the close of the address the quartet sang the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," in the chorus of which the large audience joined with fervor.

The monument, which, until this time, had been draped in flags, was then disclosed to the public, the unveiling being done by Mrs. Mary Washburn Florer, for whose family the Chapter had been named.

The address of the evening, which was complimentary to the community, on the part of Washburn Chapter and De Pauw University, was on "The Revolution in Words and Pictures." It was given by Prof. Warren Washburn Florer, president of Washtenaw Chapter, S. A. R., of Ann Arbor, Mich.

The talk of Professor Florer was illustrated by means of slides, taken from original etchings, drawings and portraits made during, or shortly after, the period of the American Revolution, which gave them historical accuracy.

Although the lecture was not arranged in order to tell the story of the Revolutionary soldiers buried in Putnam County, yet it so happened that the heroes of 76 who are resting in Putnam County came West with that great emigration from Virginia and Pennsylvania.

In connection with the first picture of West Point, which was founded at the suggestion of Von Steuben, the speaker urged the necessity of the preparation of young men, so they could carry out at once the spirit of 76, of 1812 and 1861.

At the close of the lecture the speaker, in connection with the picture of George Washington, who was broad enough to recognize the fact that all countries bring forth good men, said that we at the present time should fully recognize the fact that men of all nationalities had contributed to the development of our country.

Mrs. Henry A. Beck, of Indianapolis, State Regent of the D. A. R., was the special guest of Washburn Chapter for the day.

Mrs. Jodie Cravens Torr,
Cor. Sec, Washburn Chapter, D. A. R.