The Civil War's Morgan's Raiders and Indiana's 110th Minute Men
By Donna Adair
 On July 8, 1863, Rebel General John Morgan led his 2000 cavalrymen across the Ohio River into southern Indiana, near Corydon. The Great Raid destroyed railroads and private property alike in Morgan's attempt to divert the attention of Union General Burnside away from eastern Tennessee. In fact, Morgan had been expressly forbidden to cross the Ohio River by General Braxton Bragg. Morgan, however, wanted to bring the terror of war into the North. Over the next few days, Morgan earned the sobriquet of "King of the Horse Thieves" as his men plundered throughout southern Indiana.
The following day, July 9, Indiana governor Morton called for volunteers to repel the invasion of Indiana. Throughout the state, approximately 20,000 men responded. Command of the regiment would be given to Major General Lew Wallace. In addition, by July 10, Brigadier General Hobson's 4000-man-strong Union cavalry was in hot pursuit of the Raiders.
 A town meeting was held on the 10th in Logansport, and by nightfall, 140 men had joined the infantry, and thirty had signed up for the cavalry. Unlike the earlier recruitment, those who responded to this call were not young: the young men had already gone. The 110th Indiana Minute Men would be made up of those young men's fathers and uncles.
In Logansport, the cavalry assembled in the main street. These thirty men were among the most prominent citizens of the town, businessmen and educated men. They had ridden their own horses to the meeting and were prepared to ride to their state's defense without delay. Impartial observers might believe that these men had the most to lose by volunteering: fine homes, stores, political success. They themselves, however, felt that those who had been given more, owed more in return.
At 7 a.m., July 11, Colonel Fitch led his small cavalry troop onto the Michigan Road. They were heading for Indianapolis and potential combat. At 2 p.m. on the same day, the infantry left Logansport by rail. Their goal was also Indianapolis. These men, all in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, were prepared to give their lives for their state and their country. The next few days would test their resolve in the rigors of training for war.
Fortunately, the struggles of the 110th were ended on the 13th of July. Morgan and his Raiders crossed into Ohio, leaving a swath of destruction in seven Indiana counties. Hobson's cavalrymen continued their pursuit, but the Indiana regiments stood down. The Minute Men mustered out on the 15th of July, 1863, and the men returned to Logansport where they were feted by the residents. Each man's grave in later years was marked by the symbol of the Grand Army of the Republic, honoring their dedication to their country's cause. The Great Raid ended on July 26, when Morgan and his men were captured in northeastern Ohio.
John Morgan and his Raiders were the only Confederates to directly threaten the state of Indiana during the Civil War. Morgan disobeyed orders in his desire to make the North suffer as the South was suffering. He discovered that Indiana men were ready to counter his assault. Although the 110th Indiana Minute Men only served for a total of two days, they were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their nation.
Donna Gruber Adair, the author of this article, is a former high school teacher of English and creative writing with a degree in history. She is the author of award-winning short fiction and poetry. Her interests include historical research and genealogy, with an emphasis on 19th century American history. Through her researches, she recreates the world around the individuals who lived in those fascinating times. Her new book, An American Odyssey, tells the story of a real-life pioneer family on the frontier. It is available at Amazon.com in soft cover or for Kindle or at http://www.createspace.com/3618194
Article Source: The Civil War's Morgan's Raiders and Indiana's 110th Minute Men
|
