Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-09-01


ton of the present railroad system
which centers at Indianapolis.
In July, 1853, be became connected
with The Bellefontsine line, in the man
agement of which be displayed the 6rst
order of business talent
This active. business life suited him,
and il was with unfeigned reluctance
that after fifteen yssrs of retirement, he
obeyed the call Of the people of his ma
tive State to become their standard
bearer against treason In 1858 Bat be
could not refuse what Was SO plainly his
duty. 4
His Patriotic Labors IN 1864
Il was under the administration of
Mr. Brough that Chic was enabled to
distinguish herself above all her sister
States in the prosecution of the war
First on the list in respect to the mill
tary talent contributed to the war, her
patriotic Chief Executive was ambitious
to give her the FIRST rank in men and
For three years the war had ragged
with unequalled sary. The campaign of
1864 was about to open in still greater
earnest. 1t was universally acknewl-
edged By the rebels that it was to be
their last struggle, and the impression
prevailed throughout the loyal States
that the war would terminate with the
approaching campaign. All patriots
hoped and many believed that il would
result in the restoration of the Union;
but the syuasathizers we're confident that
the rebels would be still unsubdued and
the people of the North would come to a
compromise gs-ss.
Among those of naturally small hope
but of vivid patriotism was Gov. Brough.
His day-thoughts and night-dreams we're
for the complete triumphof the old flag.
How to promote it Was his chief study.
Gen. Grant had been made Lieuten-
ant General and took command on the
Potomac tie was rallying al his
strength for the approaching conflicts
with Gen. Lee; and while be was plan
ming there, Gov. Brough at Columbus
was equally intent upon the question,
How can the Army of the Potomac be
so strengthened as to make victory GER
tain2 he thought 10 some purpose.
He fonnd in Ohio q National Guard
organized to defend the State against
inYasionsa from the south. Slraightway
be proposed to several of the Western
Governors to offer to the General Gov
ernment the temporary service of an
extra force of something like one hun-
dred thousand men, to enable Gen.
Grant 10 call to bis aid all the forces
doing guard duty over a wide area Of
territory. They responded TO his sug-
gestion. II was proposed to bling into
the field 8 large force Of State militia,
TO serve for one hundred days The
offer vas accepted, and Gov Brough,
on the 23d of April, telegraphed the
Adiutaut General of Ohio to order out
$4,000 militia the greater portion to
eerve out of the State. This was Satur-
day On the following Monday an order
was issued calling out to several places
of rendezvous the National Guards, to
be mustered into the United States SER
vice for one hundred days They were
to appear on the I'd of May, and By four
o'clock the commandants were to report
the number present for duty A short
time, truly, for so large-a q number Of the
leading citizens Of the State to set their
houses and affairs in order for a mill
| tary campaign But the day came
round, and though it was one of the
most dismal and gloomy of the season,
the Guard almost unanimously respond
ed, and by half past seven O'Clock that
evening tbirtyIeight thousand men we're
reported at camp, and clsmorous to be
sent forward. Then came the exhaust
ing work of consolidation, organization,
muster, and equipment; but by the l6.,h
all was accomplished, and Gov Brough
| found himself embarrassed with sur.
| plus Of nearly six thousand men, that
he scarcely knew how to dispose of. He
telegraphed the Secretary Of War, and
received for answer, {" We teGnt ecery
man nosr," as other States will be de-
/ fcient, and Behind time" They were
all sent forward sBumbering 80, ,982 men.
They were scattered oil along the line
/ of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,
placed ID the forts at Baltimore, in the
trenches at Washington, and a consid.
\ srabie number went to the front to as
sist IN fighting it out on that line; and
TO the credit Of the people it must be
said that of all this force bat one com
pany proved recusant and It was dis
/ honorably dismissed the. Guard, under
the ban of never again being admitted
to its ranks. -..e a-
Thus in the busiest season of the year
when the plow was preparing the grount
for planting, did 35, 5,9S2, nearly all o
whom had the most pressing business al
home, rally to the glorious work of help
ing on the final Campaign to termina
ton so gratifying TO all patriots. ThiI
work win eFer stand out as the proudes
monument to the energy and patriotism
Of Governor Brough. Heoriginated tn
movement in 9 proposition presented Il
Mr. Lincoln in bis own Handwriting
y The Governors we're at Washington con
smiling With the President and Genera
Grant, when the measure was started
aud the latter has said that the Nations
Guard gave him As, 600 veteran troops
and enabled him to win the battle O
Spottsylvania Court House. - f.
Gov. Brough always evineed grsa
confidence in Mr. Lincoln, and the latte
reposed great confidence in his jude
ment, ability and devotion to country
He frequently sent for him. Bu
Brough and Stanton Secretary Of War
: were perhaps the most devoted friends
as there was . strong rese embIgnee G
} character-both being earnest mer
hating treason, dishonesty and fraud
l-'a His Character as Statesman.
Brough was statesman. HIS view
of pablc policy we're broad and eatl
! ole, and his course was goserned b
, what seemed to be the best interest {
the people, without regard to party ez
pedieney, or personal advancement
he was peEfectly honest and incorrupti
Z bic, rigidly just and plain even to blum
! ness. BE had not particle of dissin
5 ulasion, and of coHrse was the opposit
8 of Maehiavelle- People thonght hi
Z ilI-BataFed, rude, and hard hearted d
; was not; he was simply a plain, homes
: straigI tforward mar, devoted o bushes
g BE had not the sudriter IN Bsodo. Tn
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