The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-01
INDIANA AT CHICKAMAUGA.
A Glorious Record which Should Be
FittingIy CommemOrated.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
The brilliant story of Indiana troops in
all the armies of the Union. and especially
in the Army of the Cumberland, can never
grow old for the veterans of that State or
their friends, or those who have the honor
of Indiana at heart. Because this is so,
and because it is reported in Washington
that the Legislature of your State
is considering the proposition to mark
the lines of battle OF Indiana sol
diers in tie National Military Park, ask
for, the opportunity of briefly abiding to
the matter. AS all now know, the government
has purchased the entire field of Chicka-
mauga--ten square miles in extent. AS
many do not know. it was one of the dead
Hest engagements of all modern wars. few.
if any, exceeding its percentages of losses
for both sides. No battle of the war exhib-
tied in more striking manner the pluck. en-
durance and resolution of American sol
diers.
In all the elements which have made this
great battle renowned Indiana stood second
to other State. One State exceeded her
in the number of her regiments. But there
was no division on the field without Indiana
troops. OF the thirty-three infantry brig
AIDES of Rosecrans's army Indiana was
strongly represented in twenty-six She
had regiments, besides, in both of the cav
airy divisions. OF the thirty-five batteries
engaged eight. or nearly a quarter, were
from Indiana. While eleven Northern
States and the regular army had troops in
the battle, Indiana had thirty-seven organ
lzationS out of the total of i82, one-fifth
of all.
Turning to the list of distinguished officers
on the field of Chickamauga the record of
Indiana is such as may well awaken intense
state pride. There were four corps of in
ana ofiicers We're in Command s of one co 11
and three divisions. Gen. T. t. Crittenden
commanded the CORPS The division COM
Ed Nj. McCook and Maj. Gen. Joseph J.
Reynolds. OF the twenty-six brigades con-
tanning Indiana troops Indiana officers COM
manded eleven, and one of these was COM
manded in succession by Indiana officers,
the first commander being killed. The his
tory of all that is most notable and inspir-
ing in the battle, as the following list of
Baldwin, Col. George P. Buell.. Brig. Gen.
Charles Cruft, Col. George F. Dick, Col.
William Grose, Col. Morton c.. Hunter, Col.
Edward A. King, succeeded when killed by
Col. Milton s. Robinson. Col. B. F. Scrib-
ner, Brig. Gen. George D. Wagner, Col.
John t. Wilder and Brig Gen. August Will
Itch. Such were the many and famous In
diana organizations.
1t will be interesting to those who are
considering the amount to be expended in
honoring the great deeds of Indiana soldiers
on the Chickamauga field to know what
d
fifty-five organizations, has appropriated
$95, 600, and her monuments are in place;
Minnesota appropriated $1,000 for five monu-
ments, and these have been erected Mich
igan has just appropriated $4,000 for eleven
monuments, and Wisconsin $4,000 for ten.
Kansas had only one regiment, but she has
appropriated for a monument in each of its
three fighting positions. The Pennsylvania
appropriation bill, which has been favor
ably reported, contains $4,000 for six mon
uments at Chickamauga and twelve at
Chattanooga. Bills for similar generous
amounts are pending before the legislatures
of several Other. States, but the sums
named above will afford sufficient meas
ure of what Indiana's sister States are do
ing.
The Indiana Chckamauga commission,
appointed by Governor Matthews, has made
two prolonged visits to the field, the men,
bers defraying their own expenses. No
State commission has performed more care
full and efficient work, and, result, the
positions of all Indiana troops have been
ascertained and permanently marked on the
typographical maps of the field. The State,
and especially the veterans of the State,
owe this commission warm thanks.
III. v. BOYNTON.
Washington. D. c.. Feb. q.