The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-08-28

execute the laws and protect the rights OF the
citizens. Indiana 5 quota OF that call for troops
was less than five thousand men. That great
war governor and patriotic citizen of Indiana,
Oliver p. Morton, called upon the people of the
state Tor sixty companies OF troops, and In
forty-eight hours that call was responded TO by
more than a sufficient number of men to
make up the full complement These sixty
companies were Immediately organized into SIX
regiments. Indiana had furnished five regi-
ments during the Mexican war, aud to avoid
confusion and keep up the military record of
the state in numerical order. the new regiments
were numbered, beginning at the point arrived
at with the close OF the war with Mexico. The
Sixth. Seventh. Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and
Eleventh regiments, therefore, became part
of the military history of the state. Five
OF these regiments were commanded by
by Thomas t. Crittenden the Seventh by
Ebenezer Dumont, the Ninth by Robert II. Mil
roy, the Tenth by Mahlon ID. Manson, and the
Eleventh by Lewis Wallace. The Eighth regi-
ment was commanded by William p. Benton,
who was not a soldier of the Mexican war.
These regiments were organized and sent into
the field for ninety days only. They went into
the service at once and from the commence
ment greatly distinguish dthemselves. At the
expiration OF the ninety days for which they
enlisted, they were all recognized by Gov.
Morton for three-years' service, and placed in
command of the same colonies with the same
commissions.
All honor to these old soldiers of the Mexican
war, who at the first call to arms came at once,
rushed forward TO maintain the integrity and
honor OF the government whose authority they
had indicated and whose flag they had pro-
tected and defended on foreign soil years before.
Theirs was an example of valOr and patriotism
TO the people of the state which was worthy OF
the men, and "a ft and brilliant justification of
the great cause to be supported.
Gov. Morton then organized, and during the
war sent into the field 15l regiments of infan-
try, thirteen regiments of cavalry, twenty-five
batteries Of artillery, all properly manned and
equipped. The grand total OF troops, commits
stoned officers, non-cOmmissioned officers and
privates furnished by this state In the war OF
1861 TO 1868 amounted to $50, 367. Such was
the true valor and vigorous patriotism of the
people of Indiana that every call upon her for
troops was met promptly, and often with an
enthusiasm which caused them to come singing:
''we're coming Father Abraham,
Three hundred thousand more
This monument now being erected by the
state of Indiana in pursuance OF a law passed
by her legislature, and in full accord with the
feelings and wishes of all her peOple-the
placing of whose cornerstone is so Justly made
the occasion of such grand ceremony and pa
triotic demonstratiOn-ist to perpetuate, through
all time. the memory OF the patriotism, courage
and valor of the soldiers and sailors from this
state in all the wars that have taken place,
since her organization as territory and state,
in which her citizens. as soldiers and sailors,
have participated.
The struggles under Gen. Clark at Vincennes
in III; those under Gen. Harrison at Tippe-
canoe in 1911: the Mexican war in 1916 and
1s47 and the civil of 1861 10 1S65-this
monument is TO the memory OF them all, and is
intended, most 6ttingly, to make permanent
the valor. patriotism and devotion of Indiana
soldiers and sailors, in every contest for the
honor, glory and perpetuity OF united people,
with one country, under one constitution and
one flag The ancient Greeks have been much
celebrated for the wisdom displayed by them
in their attempts TO organize govern
ments resting for their support in
the unity and strength of the will of the peo-
pie. There are many interesting lessons to be
learned from the grand simplicity. sterling in
tegrity and manly vigor exhibited by that great
and wonderful people. They said, at one
time, TO have enacted a public statute forbid
ding the erection of monument in honor of
any battle fought between the different
sections of the people of that country,
out of any other material than wood,
so that when the wood decayed and
the monument fell down, there would be moth
ing to perpetuate the memory OF the battle, OF
remind the people of the differences which
gave rise to the occasion for battle. But this
monument represents nothing OF this peculiar
character and il is 10 be built out of the
strongest, the best, the most lasting and durable
material so that il shall stand tor all time. The
shaft so grandly planned, to arise from the
foundation here laid, is not to perpetuate the
memory of war fought among the states, nor
the people OF the states. II is a state soldiers
and sailors monument" in honor of our COM
mon struggles for the maintenance OF the form
of government established bv q devotion TO
principles aud to keep alive the great truth.