The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-21
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
"Hovey,. Babiesv and Resaca.

s'Hovey's Babies" and Resaca-
10 the EDITOR of the indianapolis journal.
Not for myself do speak, but for those who
faithfully and calamity served their country I'M
der my command in the hour of its utmost peril
In January, 1864, was directed to proceed to
Indianapolis and aid Governor Oliver p Nor
ton in raising and organizing an Indiana division
of volunteers On the 9th of February follow
ing General Grant wrote me as follows:
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE1
MISSISSIPPI, NASHVILLE, Tenn,
Feb. 8, 1864.
BrIgadier- General A. P. Hovey, indianapolis. Ind.
Dear General-The early winter we have had
betokens an early spring. / am very desirous OF
roads to commence a campaign. Before L can
start however, many OF our veterans
must return, and the new leves brought
into the field. Now, General, my
particular object, il detailing you for the serv-
ice you are now in, was to have some one who
knew the Importance of organization and disci-
pline with new troops. from their enlistment. In
this way / expected to have troops ready for
duty from the moment they report for duty. 1
wish you would urge upon Governor Morton the
Importance of this. and ask him, for me- to or
ganlze into companies and regiments all those
who are to go into new regiments, and to attach
those who are destined to fill up old organlza-
tions at once We will have some sharp fighting
In the spring, and, if successful / believe the
war will be ended within the year: if the enemy
gain temporary advantages the war will be post
poned. | want ten thousand new troops badly.
With such number, / could let my veterans go,
and could drive Longstreet out of East Tennes-
see. l wish you could prevail on the
Governor to organize all the forces he has
and send you here at once. 1 would keep tho
division together. and where. by contact with
other troops, they would improve more in one
day than in six where they are. l am respect
fully your obedient servant.
U. S. GRANT, Major general
To stimulate the young men of Indiana in rap
idly volunteering for the defense of the Union, l
published throughout the State the following
hand bill:
ITO THE YOUNG MEN OF INDIANA:
II have been ordered by Major general Grant
to take command of the United States volunteers
now being raised in Indiana, and organize them
into brigades and divisions For the first time
during the you will have chance to belong
to an INDIANA BRIGADE. Come ana let us place
the proud name of our state still higher the
scroll of fame. This is no ordinary opportu-
ardently sought by almost every
regiment that has entered the service. This
may be the only chance you will have OF serving
your country, and those who stand back will
hereafter deeply regret that they have failed to
respond to their countrys call. YOUNG MEN, DO
THE RANKS THAT PROPERLY BELONG TO YOU IN
THE FIELD OF GLORY AND OF DANGER
CALVIN P HoVEY,
"Brigadier general, u. S. Vols.
January, 1864"
Under this eall ten regiments. of over 1000
each, and aggregating over 10000. officers and
men, marched to the front, with orders to re-
port to Major general Sherman This speed
lily done, but only six of the regiments SO raised
were assigned to my command need not ad-
vert to the silent and deeply-felt disappointment
that followed npon the separation of these In
diana volunteers. They expected to be formed
dress when General Sherman decreed their
separation.
'Theirs not to make reply.
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do or die"
The first division of the Twenty third Army
Corps, commanded by Major-peneral Schofield,
was assigned to me. and embraced the following
regiments: Zone hu ldred- and twentieth Reg-
ment Indiana Volunteers, Gel. Richard F.
Barter; One hundred aud-twenty third Regi-
ment Indiana Volunteers. Col. John G. McQues-
ton; One hundred -and-twenty-fonrth Regiment
Indiana Volunteers Col. James Burgess; One
hundred and twenty eighth Regiment Indiana
Volunteers, Col Richard P De Hart; One
hundred -and-twenty ninth Regiment Indiana
Volunteers, Col. Charles Case: One hundred
Charles S. Parish" The other yegiments raised
by me under the above cali, were scattered in
other directions. A very large proportion of the
men in the above regiments were. in conformity
with my call, unmarried, and under the age of
twenty-one years. and hence. as they marched
before the old veterans in front, were humor-
ously called "Hoveys babies" or ''Hovey's
seedlings" but better troops fought
under the stars and stripes-I will only give one
illustration.
Iii oo1,i nd 6rh%i
Ga, had continued for several days with severe
losses on both sides. On the 18th day of May,
my division was ordered to the front, on the ex-
treme left of our army. On that part
of the field there was chain
of high hills, or ridges. forming horseshoe,
around a level open field The rebel forces oc-
cupied the hills the northern and western
side whilst the federal forces faced them on the
east. across the field. On the morning of the
18th day of May, 1864. | was ordered to charge
across the open field with my 900 babies,
whilst both armies could look down upon my
charging columns. AS we debouched through a
valley into the open field General Sherman and
General Thomas stood, passed, with
watches In hand, carefully regarding our move
ments. Slight barricades at this point had been
erected by our forces the night before. Shells
and rife balls cut down several men in front.
Bayonets were fixed. and it was splendid sight,
in the full glare of the morning sun to see 900
men charging over an open field, with the two
armies or over 4u,OUO men on the hlliSldes as
spectators With fixed bayonets my troops
rushed forward by battaions in close echelon
The cheers of our comrades and the shouts of de-
fance by the enemy could be distinctly heard
above the din of battle The enemy gave way
without waiting to cross bayonets, the babies
were triumphant, and the battle of Resaca was
over. We slept that night upon the enemy's
field of battle, and saw, for the first time in that
campaign. the dead and wounded of the army of
the gallant and able johnson. Let the author
of ''The Memoirs" DENY this and thousands of
men, friends and former foes, will answer On
the next morning our whole army was in hot
pursuit of the retreating foe. Thus ended the
battle of Resaca, Ga No historian has
deigned to mention this brilliant and effective
charge, although there are thousands of men
now living. on both sides of that battle, who
saw the grand and chivalrous dash of ''Hovey's
babies" from the hlllsldes. 1t is doubtful if any
similar charge of 5000 bayonets can be found in
the pages of history. In conclusion | will only
say that have never understood why General