Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-11-03
GRESHAM, OF INDIANA.
n Sketch of War History when Nor
ton Was Governor.

zen. w. =. Gresham, United States
district judge for the district of Indi.
ana, was prominently mentioned in
Connection with a place in Garfield'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. [
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 C1nkling.
never did a 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 a
gun or pound of powder. A militia
law was important for the reasons that
1t 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
dissolution Of the union. To make In
diana's loyalty to the union actively ef-
fective, a perfect militia law was 8 ne
cessity, and upon young Gresham fell
the task of outlining how Indiana was
to legally take front place in 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 Gres-
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 ne would make him
colonel of one of the regiments. But
somehow it was not convenient to give
such boom to a 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
it became known that a 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 were Just
grounds of complaint, he introduced
resolution calling for an investigation.
The governor, feeling that an investi-
cation of his subordinates would be a
reflection on his administration, felt
bound to oppose it by those indirect
methods so easily reached by an exec
uive. The speaker, Hon. G. L. Dun
ham, appointed the committee, 'pue
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-
mained on the side Of the defense.
When the report came it asserted that
few trifing irregularities existed, due
generally to the ignorance of the Off
CIal lc hn
raising troops among a people who
were 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 the
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 it became
apparent that his desire for military
glory must be gratified, or if he was a
coward that he be given a chance to
Dodge, and he was given lieutenant
colonePs commission, which he prompt
ly accepted, and went at once to the
front. In 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 a long time
nothing came Of it. Finally he was OF
fered the colonelcy Of a skeleton regi-
ment, which seemed certain of failing
in its recruitm ent. 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 if 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 a 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 in 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 a brigade. Sometime
after this he filed a protest with the
| governor of his state against some ac-
| ton affecting his regiment. The letter
| seemed to rile Gov. Morton, who at
once wrote him that he was a chro vic
grumbler: that ne had reluctantly gi ,en
! him his commission, and that he would
I - e Il