Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-10-28
GRESHAM, OF INDIANA.
A Sketch OF War History when Mo-
ton Was Governor


Gen. w. Q. Gresham, United States
district judge for the district of Indi-
ana, was prominently mentioned in
connection with a place In Garfeld's
cabinet, and newspaper men who were
near the throne said he would have
been appointed secretary of war had
not Senator Harrison failed to agree
upon him. The reason alleged that
the Indiana senator did not harmonic
on the judge was that Gresham had al
ways been an active Grant man In his
feelings, and, being on the bench,
would never figure as a politician. L
do not know that these rumors were
true, but do know that Gen. Gresham,
while an active republican and an ar
dent admirer of Grant and Conkling,
never did political act which, as
judge, would subject him to criticism.
His political history when taken with
his military record is such that his per-
sonal friends are more numerous than
those of any one public man in Indi-
ana. In the legislature of 1861 he was
the youngest member of the house,
and, though it was apparent that the
country would be plunged into civil
war, he was made chairman of the
military committee of the house, then
the most important committee of the
| legislature. The state was without
militia or militia law, and without
gun or a pound of powder. A militia
law was important for the reasons that
it would point out to the governor what
| he ought to do, and at the same time
give him the power to do it. Indiana
at the time was loyal to the union in
every part, democrats and republicans
alike being Mortified at the idea Of a
dissolution of the union. To make In
| diana's loyalty to the union actively eff
fective, perfect militia law was ne
cessity, and upon young Gresham fell
the task of outlining how Indiana was
to legally take front place III the war
for the union. How well he did that
work the efficiency of the law proved.
And he did the work without one single
suggestion from Gov Morton. The
bill, as reported, was prepared by Ores
ham, and, though it had active opposi-
ton, was passed as it came from the
committee. A few DAYS later Lincoln
called for troops, and Indiana respond
ed in three days with her full quota,
and would have furnished the entire
seventy-five thousand men had she
been allowed to do so.
Gov. Morton was in high glee over
the magnificent success of the law, and
told Gresham that he would make him
colonel of one of the regiments But
somehow it was not convenient to give
such be m to young man who had
displayed so much knowledge of mill
tary necessities, and the young man
was left to repose on the character
gained as legislator In short time
il became known that system of rob-
berry was being practiced upon the sol
diery, and as Gresham had been the
author of the militia law, the COM
plants were laid before him. After
becoming satisfied that there We're Just
grounds of complaint, he introduced a
resolution calling for an investigation.
The governor, feeling that an investi-
CATION of his subordinates would be
reflection on his administration, felt
bound to oppose it by those indirect
methods so easily reached by an exec
utive. The speaker, Hon. C. l.. Dun
ham, appointed the committee, and,
disregarding all parliamentary usages,
did not even put Gresham on the COM
mittee, leaving him as prosecuting wit
ness, while the governor, the speaker
of the house and all their friends re-
manned on the side of the defense.
4 When the report came it asserted that
u few trifiing Irregularities existed, due
generally to the ignorance of the Off
Gals and the excitement incident to
raising troops among people who
we're without military education by ex-
perience. Mr.. Gresham got the floor
and demolished the report by proofs
which he presented, but the influences
against him were too great, and tn
report was adopted. Nevertheless, the
officials against whom the charges were
made resigned or were given other
places. The fighting legislator twas
growing troublesome, and il became
apparent that his desire for military
| glory must be gratified, or if he was a
coward that he be given chance to
dodge, and he was given a lieutenant
colonePs commission, which he prompt
ly accepted, and went ut once to the
front. In Il little time his conspicuous
military abilities attracted the atten-
ton of Grant and Sherman, and they
urged his promotion. Friends at home
urged the same, but for long time
nothing came of it. Finally he was OF
fered the colonelcy of skeleton regi-
| ment, which seemed certain Of failing
| in its recruitment. But the young
man, knowing the influences at work to
break him down, consulted Sherman,
who told him to go home on leave
without being mustered on his commits
sion, and II he could recruit the regi-
ment, all right if not, he could return
to his old command. He acted on the
advice, and probably TO his own aston
ishment succeeded in filling the regi-
ment Sherman had promised him
command of 4 brigade if he came back
as colonel, but the powers that were
sent his regiment to Missouri in spite
of his earnest entreaties to be sent to
Grant.
But III time the fortunes of war car
ried his regiment into the army of the
Tennessee, where he again became as
sociated with his former commander
and friends. Naturally, as they knew
his soldierly qualities, he was soon in
command of brigade. Sometime
after this he fled protest with the
governor of his state against some ac-
ton affecting his regiment. The letter
seemed 10 rile Gov. Morton. who at
once wrote him that he was chronic
grumbler: that he had reluctantly given
him his commission, and that he would
be given certain number of DAYS in
which to resign. This made the young
colonel hot, and the way he used strong
words in reply is said to have been If
ritating to that degree that the COVER
nor asked of Lincoln his dismissal from
the service. But just at that time he
was an efficient brigade commander,
and Grant, Sherman and Mcpherson.
insisted that he be retained. The csm-
paign against Nicksburg finally sue
ceeded, and the president informed
Gen. Grant that he could have the nom-
nation of FIVE brigadiers. Col. Gresham
was named as one of the FIVE. and was
promptly confirmed. At once he was
placed III command of u division, and
proved success from that time to the |
end of the war, aud would have been
promoted to major general had there |
been vacancy.
His political history, in an active
way, since the war, was confined to a |
race for congress in district with three |
thousand democratic majority. Presi-
dent Grant offered him tn, caliactor