The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-01
SERVICE OF THE 16OTH
SUMMARY OF THE REGIMENTS HIS
TORY BY THE CHAPLAIN.
IL Was Frequently Moved About
Only Twelve of Its
Men Died.

The Observation-Disclosures Indiana
Regiment started into active service under
discouraging conditions, but notwithstand-
ing them. has had an experience that has
been both pleasant and profitable. Chaplain
W. j. Vigus, OF the regiment in reviewing
the history of the organization, makes the
following statement: Thousands OF citi-
zens in the twelve cities furnishing COM
panies for the One-hundred-and-sixtieth
Indiana Regiment are interested in every
thing relating to that organization. 1t will
be remembered that the four Indiana regt-
ments constituted the militia of the State
and was organized oil a peace basis with
only the remote possibility OF ever seeing
other service than that of suppressing riots
within the border Of the State. When,
therefore, war was declared with Spain,
these regiments were called into the service
Differed very much as in time of peace.
This will account for some of the difficulties
encountered during the year OF more or less
active service. II is safe to say had these
companies and regiments been organized
under the call of the President, and with
special reference to war, the organization
would have been different, though possibly
not more efficient.
THE call for troops was issued April 23
1898, by the President, and on the 18th of the
same month Governor Mount issued the call
for the troops to assemble at Indianapolis,
and by the evening of the next day 1900
men were encamped within the Enclosure
of the fair grounds. On the afternoon of
May u the fourth regiment, with whose
history we are more directly interested, was
mustered into the United States service,
and on May Is pitched tents in Camp
f0lra Do On Tttlx
the regiment was ordered TO Newport News.
from whence 1t was to embark for Porto
An ex d de stey AT NeWpart News Was
ended by the command being ordered 10
Lexington, Ky. On Nov. the regiment
was ordered TO Camp Conrad, Columbus.
Ga, and from thence to Matanzas, Cuba
from which place 1t was ordered to Savan-
nan, Ga, for muster out, which occurred
April =. just one year from the time the
call was issued for the assembling of the
troops. Those who first came to Camp
Mount will not soon forget the discourage
ing circumstances OF these few weeks, not
the least OF which was the regiment turn
ing over its equipment to other organiza-
tSen it Was to %cve rst Without smns
and with scarcely a whole pair of trousers
in company the regiment presenting gro
looked-for start was made for the South.
Up TO the time of the disappointment at
Newport News In being ordered TO Lexing
ton, the soldiers hoped TO see real war. But
from that time the spirit of the men was
broken and the desire TO return home be-
came more and more intense. The order to
Cuba was somewhat OF relief and compen-
stated for the long wait endured. And now
that II is over venture TO say. Ii is looked
sodes in the history of the regiment, and by
far the most talked about. 1t not only gave
the Hoosier boys an opportunity of seeing
foreign service, but that OF knowing some
thing OF a country and people about which
they knew but little and which are destined
to become part of this Republic. The regi-
n rnrf xxyffh .lxr
twelve OF whom died, a showing unprece-
denied among Indiana troops, or perhaps
yn ss , OF any other state. The greatest care
maintain cleanliness, a healthful diet and in
short everything which could contribute to
the best interest of the regiment. 1t could
not be otherwise than that some animosities
should be engendered. This doubtless was
sometimes the fault of the officers, whose
who did IL in offensive, unnecessarily
severe manner, but more frequently
it, was due to that independence TO
in home life. Every one who has had
any experience in such matters knows
that the most difficult thing is to learn the
to superiors in office. This is especially
true, when in private life the enlisted man
ranked the officer in intelligence social posi-
fion business capacity and moral character.
1t was pleasure, however, to observe that
as the time approached for muster-out these
animosities softened and were percepti-
BILE only in a few cases when the regiment
was disbanded; and it is hoped these will
entirely disappear in civil life. No word has
such significance to old veterans as COM
rade, and in time IL will have equal signifi-
canoe TO the soldiers of the American-Span-
ish war. IL was the verdict of the people
in every place where the regiment was en-
camped, of the train men and boat crews
transporting US from place to place, that the
one hundred-and-sixtfeth Regiment was one
OF the most orderly and gentlemanly COM
mands In the service. While all were anx.
ious to return home when the war vas end
ed, and post duty only could be e. 1ected,
yet there was an element Of intense sad
ness in the breaking up of the associations
or army life. The twelve who had fallen
were affectionately remembered. as well as
their friends whose heart wounds would be
opened afresh by the absence of dear ones
from the ranks of the returning companies
Ihat the regiment was not In the hottest of
the fight was not its fault. Every man was
anxious for it. and had the opportunity been
AFFORDED, Indiana would have been proud of
Its record But IL had the honor of being a
part OF the great reserve that gave conf
dence 10 the country and inspired our enc
mics with respectful fear. From colonel to
private we are proud OF our regiment and of
It's history In the most remarkable war on
record. To all we say heartily, Good bye
Jim, take keer O yourself "