The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-17
WILL ERECT A MONUMENT.
The Seventy-Ninth Indiana VIII Put a
stone Chicl&amauSa Field

The veterans of the Seventy-ninth In
diana had the Statehouse yesterday. 1t
was one of the biggest, jollest and hap
pest regimental reunions ever held in the
city. The reunion was held in the Hall of
Representatives and it was well filed with
the veterans and their wives. The follow
ing officers were reelected:
President-Gen. Fred Knefer
Vice PreSident-Col George w Parker
Secretary-Capt. Charles j. Many.
Historian-Sergt. S. j. Thompson
1t was decided that the regiment should
erect a monument on the battlefield of
Chickamauga, where it did such magnifi-
cient service. A committee of one from
each company appointed to carry on
the work, headed by the president and sec
rotary. The funds will be raised on the
building and loan plan Another committee
of one from each company was formed
for the purpose of assisting the historian
in preparing a history of the regiment
The business thus disposed of, the vet
Grams were invited to the basement, where
the wives and daughters of the regiment
had prepared a feast. Chicken boiled ham,
pork and beans. coffee, pickles, pies jams
and jellies galore. and in fact everything
that constitute a good square meal was
there in abundance and daintily served
Fully 250 sat down at the tables and the
way lhc olOliSo VI WdT experiences new
about was enough to brighten a civilian
In the afternoon a social good time was
had in the hall. A. G. Beeson, of Win
1 chester read excellent paper upon his
stirring speeches were made by Captain W.
a Abott OF Des Moines, ana Major John
d. Dunbar. of Greencastle.
The Seventy-ninth Indiana was or
ganiZed IN indianapolis in the month of
August and mustered into the service for
three years on Sept. 2. 1862 with Fred
knefier as colonel. Louisville was then
menaced by General Bragg. commanding
the rebel army and the regiment was hur
rled to the field. arriving at Louisville on
the Sd. 1t participated in the work of
preparation for the expected enemy until
assigned to the First Brigade Third Di-
vision, Invent y-first Army Corps. On Oct.
l it left Louisville with the main army
and joined in the pursuit of Bragg and
was present in reserve at the battle of
Perryvilie. Ky. After the battle the regi-
ment joined in the further pursuit of the
enemy and at Crab Orchard skirmished
with the rebel rear guard, losing one killed
and two wounded The regiment marched
to Logans Cross Roads. and then counter
marched to Gallatin. Tenn, and crossing
the Cumberland river went in camp near
Nashville. 1t took part in the battle of
Stone River on Dec. 81. 1852. and Jan. l and
2. 1863; losing seven killed and forty-four
disaster to the right wing the regiment
was moved to the left wing and took part
pulsed on Jan. 2. 1863: The regiment moved
with the main army into Murfreesboro and
remained until June 2 1t then marched
McMinnVille and Pikeville On Sept. the
regiment moved with the army toward
Chattanooga, on the 9Th il crossed the
Tennessee river at Bridgeport, on the 9th
crossed Lookout mountain and then
marched through Rossville and Ringgoid 10
Lee and Gordon's mill On the 18th it
participated in a reconnaissance during
which there was heavy skirmishing: The
regiment was engaged in the battle of
Chckamauga on Sept 10 and 20. losing one
killed. forty wounded and thirteen missing
During this battle the SeVenty-ninth
charged ana captured the First Virginia
Battery of LotEstreets corps. 1t fell back
upon duty during the siege by the enemy.
Upon the reorganization of the army the
Seventy-ninth was assigned TO the Third
Nov % the army moved TO attack the be-
seging force under General Bragg. Then
Mountain and Mission Ridge. known by
the general names of the battles of Chat
tanooga. Upon this occasion the Eighty
sixth Indiana ordered TO be CONSOLE
dated with the Seventy-ninth Indiana and
both regiments under command of Colonel
Fred Kneler. This consolidated force led
Mission Ridge. planted the Union colors
first the rebel works and captured
eleven pieces OF artillery and several hum
dred prisoners. The loss of the regiment
was small owing TO the rapidity of its adj
vance and the conformation of the coun-
try protecting IL from the fire of the enemy.
On the 9th the regiment moved with the
army under General Sherman toward
Knoxville to relieve General burnside. then
closely besieged by General Longstreet:
The command arrived in the vicinity of
Knoxville on Dec. 8. The division TO which
the Seyenty-ninth was assigned remained
in Tennessee during the winter of 1863 and
1864. suffering much from exposure and be-
ing without sufficient food and clothing.
The regiment was almost constantly en-
gagged IN Reconnaissance, skirmishes and