they may be worth. I am fully satisfied that the committee of which you are chairman, will be able to draft a law worthy of the times and of the State, whether the Legislature will pass it, is a different thing. I submit herewith a report in regard to the arms, &c., furnished the county. In conclusion allow me to respectfully urge upon you the necessity and justice of a speedy distribution of the military fund. The Legion here has incurred many expenses for armory rent, gas, music, &c., which should be paid; the honor of the State requires that these debts should be paid without further delay, and the future prosperity of the Legion depends in a great measure upon the assistance it will receive from the fund appropriated for its benefit. I remain, General, very truly yours, EDMUND A. MAGINNESS, Colonel, Indiana Legion. REPORT OF COLONEL JOHN JOHN F. WILLEY COMMANDING EIGHTH REGIMENT, THIRD General JOHN F. MANSFIELD, INDIANA LEGION, December 4, 1842. Commanding Eighth Regiment, Indiana Legion. GENERAL-Inclosed I send you a full report of the strength and condition of the Eighth Regiment, Indiana Legion. I have but recently taken command, and you must pardon me for any errors I may commit in my report, as it is the first. Our condition would immediately brighten if we had an efficient inilitia law. The Legion has been of great service during the fall, in guarding the shoals on the Ohio, such as the Grassy flats, guarded by company A, Captain B. S. Henderson, and others. We are a terror to those in our midst, who would sympathize with rebellion. I hope you will use your influence to secure that law. We will not call the battalion together, unless ordered to do so, until April next, when we would be happy to see you, and will give you notice of the time and place. I am, General, yours respectfully, JOHN F. WILLEY, Colonel, Com'd Eighth Regt., Ind. Legion Commanding Third Brigade, Indiana Legion: SIR: In compliance with your order, I have the honor to submit the following imperfect report of the operations of the Ninth Regiment, Indiana Legion, since its organization: This regiment was partially organized in the spring of 1861, under the command of the late Colonel John A. Hendricks, who was actively engaged in the discharge of this duty, when he was called to a more useful position in the Twenty-Second Regiment, Indiana Volunteers. On the 30th day of August, 1861, I received authority from his Excellency, Governor Morton, to take command of this regiment, and at once entered upon the discharge of this duty. At that time the regiment was composed of ten companies of infantry and one of artillery. But one company of infantry had received arms, and the "Western Artillery Company," Captain Israel Fowler. had in their possession one regular 6-pounder smooth-bore gun. and two irregular sized brass guns, without the ordinary equipments and accoutrements necessary for an artillery company. Previous to this time, some five hundred United States muskets had been distributed to independent companies in the county. On the 19th of September, 1861, a message was received requesting that the artillery company, and as many of the infantry as were willing to go, should report at once to General Anderson, at Louisville, (that city being threatened by the advance of rebel troops under General Buckner.) The artillery company, under the command of Lieutenant Z. M. Crawford, and the "Madison Zouaves," Captain Purcell, responded to the call, (there being no other companies of the regiment armed;) also, a portion of the independent companies of the city. This small force proceeded to Louisville, and reported as directed. The danger having passed, and their services not being needed at Louisville, they returned home. About this time, a considerable force of rebel troops were encamped in Owen county, Kentucky, some twenty miles from this city, and recruiting for the Southern army was progressing in the county opposite. It was deemed necessary to guard closely this portion of the border, and to hold in readiness all the military force at our command, to meet any emergency. Six companies of this regiment, having been furnished with arms, rendered valuable assistance in furnishing guards, and held themselves in readiness to march to any point where their services might be required. From this period to the 26th day of May, 1862, but little service was required of this regiment, except their regular drills and parades. On the 26th of May, 1862, an order was received to furnish three companies of infantry, from this regiment, to guard prisoners at Camp Morton, Indianapolis. The "Madison Zouaves," Captain Purcell, the "Washington Grays," Captain Comley, and the "Shelby Grays," Captain Woodfill, responded to this call, and proceeded at once to Indianapolis, where they were mustered into the service of the United States for three months. After remaining at Camp Morton some two weeks, they were ordered into Kentucky. Captain Comley's company was detailed for duty on the line of the Louisville and Nashville railroad; Captain Woodfill's and Captain Purcell's companies were part of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, and were engaged in the battle of Richmond, where they acquitted themselves with credit. Captain Comley's company did valuable service on the line of the Nashville railroad, until the expiration of their term of service. About the 10th of June, 1862, this regiment was again called upon to furnish three more companies of infantry to guard prisoners at Camp Morton, Indianapolis. The "Saluda Guards," Captain Monroe, the "Bee Camp Guards," Captain Richardson, and the "Middle-Fork Guards," Captain Patten, responded to this call, and at once proceeded to Camp Morton, where they served some sixty days, when the prisoners were exchanged, and their services no longer required. Captain Monroe's company was sent, with a portion of the prisoners, to Vicksburg, Mississippi, and was absent on this duty about one month. About the 1st of September, 1862, our border was again threatened by the advance of rebel troops under the command of Generals Kirby Smith, Bragg, and others; and there being rebel camps in our immediate vicinity, in Kentucky, it was deemed necessary to call into active service a portion of the regiment. On the 12th of September, 1862, by your order, the Western Artillery Company, Captain Fowler, the Bee Camp Guards, Captain Richardson, and the Middle-Fork Guards, Captain Patten, were called into active service for a period of two weeks, unless sooner discharged. This force was posted at points along the river, in this county, and served the time required. The Western Artillery company was retained in service one month, when they were discharged. Since that time this regiment has not been required to do any active duty. But I take pleasure in stating that they hold themselves in readiness to obey your orders, and to go to any point where their services may be required. Not knowing that I would be required to furnish a report of the unimportant military operations of this regiment, I have not taken the trouble to keep a memorandum that I could refer to, to enable me to make a more acceptable report. I have the honor to be, Your obedient servant, SAMUEL B. SERING, Colonel Commanding. |