The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-17
Brave Old Quaker Commu-
nifty First to Send Troops
to indianapolis to Fight for
the Union.
GEN. BENTON FIRST
TO OFFER SERVICES
He Quickly Organized a
Company of Infantry and
Reported to Wayne's Great
Son, Gov. Morton.

Wayne county has a "war record"
which Its citizens are Justly proud of.
In this county. In the city Of Rich
mond, was organized the first company
OF troops to report at Indianapolis in
response to the call OF Governor Nor
ton. There were "a men In this COM
pany and Its captain was Judge Wil.
liam p. Benton. More companies
were promptly organized at Richmond,
Centerville and Cambridge City and
were Incorporated I'm the Eighth In
diana Infantry. Judge Benton was
promoted to the rank OF colonel and
placed In command Of this regiment,
which served with great gallantry dur
Ing the war. Judge Benton left the
service with the rank Of major-gener-
al.
Young's history OF Wayne county,
the plates OF which were destroyed a
few years ago In big Cincinnati fire
and there now being only few vol
umes In existence. gives the following
graphic account OF conditions In
Wayne county during the exciting
days at the outbreak Of the Civil war:
Trsmors Of Excitement.
The succession of South Carolina.
the firing on the "Star of the West"
and the attempted interference with
the journey Of President-elect to the
capital for inauguration caused ire
mors Of excitement in this as In all
other communities. But Northern
people were little inclined to believe
that the South meant war: nor Is 1t
likely that the Southerners themselves
anticipated It's extent and result.
The news of the bombardment of
Fort Sumpter fell Unexpectedly upon
our citizens; bug II did not find them
undecided what to do. In Richmond
. public meeting was called on Mon
day. April Is. the day ON which the
news wes received, to be held In the
evening. The citizens met on the cor
ner OF Main and Marion streets. The
meeting was large and enthusiastic
and composed OF men OF the different
parties. II was opened with prayer
by the Rev. J. w. T. McMullen. John
A. Brigland. Beli.Everett, candidate
for elector In the recent campaign. was
chosen psesident of the meeting. VIII
liam p. Benton, John Yaryan. John c.
Whitridge. Mr.. Brigland and John H.
Popp. addressed the citizens.
Morton Issues Call.
The next day Governor Morton's
g. -.
months was received and Judge Ben.
ton opened an enlisting place at JUS
tice Lyle's office. on South Pear
street near Main. He was the first to
sign the enlistment paper. Before the
next day closed. one full company.
(eightyfour men, was enrolled and
firty-five more were obtained. On the
morning OF the 18th. about sunrise. the
volunteers began to assemble and
vast concourse Of citizens. They were
transported free to indianapolis. be.
ing the first company to arrive In that
city.
The excitement during these two
days was equally intense elsewhere.
AZ Centerville and Cambridge City
parts Of companies were enlisted. Vol.
unteers came in from other townships.
These volunteers left for Indianapo-
lis the day on which those from Rich
mond went. All from this county form
Cd part OF the Eighth Infantry regi-
ment. commanded by William p Ben.
ton. who was commissioner colonel.
Volunteering continued in Rich
mnnd. Another company was in readi-
ness at the depot on the next Mon.
day. the 23rd. But the requisition on
the state was already full: and while
at the depot dispatch was received
directing this company to so into camp
On the fair grounds south of the city.
Raise Six Regiments.
The state decided to raise six regi-
ments for one year and this company
was sworn into the states service.
The fair grounds was established as
. camp and named Camp Wayne"
and preparations were made for or.
eantzing and instructing a regiment
there. Companies from several coun-
ties came and were mustered in as the
Sixteenth regiment. This regiment
remained In camp until July %, when.
having been transferred to the federal
service. 1t proceeded to the seat OF
war. II was the first body Of troops
that marched through Baltimore AZ
ter the assault on the Sixth Massachu-
sets Regiment in April.
On Thursday, July 25. the Sixth In
diana Infantry. returning from West
Virginia, passed through Richmond.
The citizens. appraised OF its coming.
prepared breakfast as q welcome to
the soldiers OF their state. The next
day the Eighth Reriment was ban.
quoted IN similar manner.
The summer OF 1861 was an exciting
season. Meetings were frequently
held throughout the county to secure
volunteers. An infantry company
was raised for the Nineteenth Regi-
ment by william W. Dudley; two for
the Eighth (three years term), By
Alex J. Kenny, at Richmond. and F. g.
Wysong IN the western part OF the