Note: 2013 continues the 150th anniversary of the greatest conflict in which Americans were ever engaged – the Civil War. This is the twenty-sixth in a series of articles providing a month by month synopsis from the pages of The Indianapolis Daily Journal of Hoosier reactions to national events.
February 1863
As the month began, reports reached Indianapolis of soldiers being fired upon near the Morgan County community of Waverly, Indiana as an attempt to arrest deserters was taking place. When cavalry reinforcements arrived on the scene additional shots were fired from ambush by about forty armed horsemen. However, the cavalry quickly dispersed the assailants, apprehending three deserters and nine citizens who were brought into court to stand trial for their crime. Thankfully, no blood was shed in “the Morgan County War.” A strict regulation of passes was ordered for the officers and soldiers because of citizen complaints “as to depredations” and the large number of soldiers on the streets of the city without passes. Gov. Morton issued an appeal for 3,000 barrels of potatoes, 500 barrels of onions, 50 barrels of cornmeal, and 50 barrels of dried fruits for use by the sick and wounded Indiana soldiers in the various hospitals.
Real estate agent Frank Smith was offering “the cheapest and most desirable lots” in McGuire’s Subdivision, west of Blackford St. and “cornering the Old Fair Ground.” The gas lights along New York St. offered nighttime security, too. Miss Charlotte Thompson returned to the Metropolitan Hall playing the double character of Edith & Zeldia “unusually well” before a well attended house. Later in the month, Miss Alice Placide appeared in Madelaine and Murder at the Farm, and the 18th Regimental band played a benefit for hospitalized soldiers at Masonic Hall. The crowd was gratified to hear “Annie Laurie,” “Dixie,” “Red, White and Blue,” and “John Brown” among the tunes played.
The post office was besieged throughout Valentine’s Day by “an army of valentine seekers” most of whom were minors, the youngest seemingly to be “the most anxious to receive a share of those illustrated love tokens” to the great delight of young ladies. Washington’s Birthday was commemorated on Monday, February 23, 1863 with a “military display exceeding the most imposing military demonstration of the present year.” The city’s bakers are increasing the size of a loaf of bread from one pound to one and a quarter pounds, and increasing the price from four cents to five cents. The scarcity of pennies has necessitated the change.
Memorials and resolutions began arriving from Indiana regiments to the State Legislature opposing “anything like an armistice or cessation of hostilities” and affirming “prosecuting this war boldly and vigorously to the crushing out of the rebellion and the restoration of the union” amid reports of secret societies — the Knights of the Golden Circle — “working now in our midst” and “secret combinations” seeking to separate states, including Indiana, into a North Western Confederacy. In response to these “secret cliques,” a federal grand jury met in Indianapolis to “inquire into any and all conspiracies to resist and obstruct the laws of the United States.” Union meetings continued to be held around the state culminating in the “GRAND RALLY of the loyal Union citizens of Indiana” on Thursday, February 26, 1863 at Indianapolis. Crowds began arriving the previous day, and by evening there was not an accommodation to be had in the city. The next morning, despite the rain, trains arrived with lengths of cars loaded with people. Flags flew from many buildings, and by late morning the sun broke through the clouds and the crowds swelled faster as the warm rays filled the sky with long processions snaking through the gate to the State House yard quickly filling the grounds out to the streets. Among the featured guest speakers to address the multitude of more than 25,000 Unionists was Gov. Andrew Johnson of Tennessee whose remarks were greeted with cheers and applause.
The ladies of Christ Church held a festival at Masonic Hall that was well attended. The funds made at the festival will be used to complete the finishing of the church sanctuary. Chaplain Locke visited churches in the city seeking clothing and other necessities for about 5,000 Negro “contrabands” that have sought refuge within the lines of Gen. Grant’s army.
