"Madison During the Years 1861 - 1865
Madison, being on the border line between Kentucky and Indiana, was an
interesting place and much happened here. A great deal of travel took
place on the river --this was a port of entry and the ferry boat was
ordered to tie up on this side of the river except when in use. Troops
traveled by boat --ammunition was sent down --cannon camuflaged in bales
of hay --citizen committees took coffee and pies to wharves when
soldiers were expected. Camp Noble was situated at North Madison and one
day ladies took 1200 black-berry pies to them.
There were two hospitals here during the war; first one on West St.
and a larger one built in what is now the Beech Grove Park, Country
Club.
The following letter to the late Miss Drusilla Cravens from Dr. J.G.
Rogers tells of the hospital.
'The Madison General Hospital had a capacity of 3,000 beds and was at
one time second only in size to the Chestnut Hill hospital near
Philadelphia. It was opened in 1863 and closed in the spring of 1865, I
think in May: thereupon it was torn down and the material sold by the
government, so that in a few weeks nothing remained of it.
Many thousands of disabled soldiers were taken care of here during the
latter part of the war, some of them fresh from the battlefields of
Kentucky and Tennessee. Dr. Grant, surgeon U. S. Volunteers, was the
first surgeon in charge, after the opening of the hospital. He was
succeeded after a year and a half by Dr. Rauch. At one time 30 surgeons
were employed. My services began as acting assistant surgeon, U.S.A. in
April 1864 and continued until the following May, shortly after the
close of the war. I remember the Government spent about $5000,000 in
the construction and equipment of the Hospital.'
An interesting story of this hospital was printed in the April 1907
Palimpsest, a magazine published by the State Historical Society of
Iowa. An attempt was made by the women of this country to regulate the
diet kitchens of the hospital during the War. A woman helper, at
Madison, complained of the food being served, especially of the coffee.
An assistant was sent to investigate and she found out that the
attendants had been ordered to deposit all coffee grounds in a barrel by
the kitchen door. She learned further that the grounds were spread out
and dried on the commissary floor. Upon further investigations, she
found that the gournds were adulterated with logwood, and extract used
for dyeing. With proof of this she visited the Assistant Surgeon
General at Louisville. The officer was surprised, exclaiming 'Why, he
is one of my best surgeons.' A commission was appointed to investigate,
but when they arrived at Madison, the guilty surgeon sent in his
resignation and left --unpunished. The hospital, however, benefited by
his absence.
Home Guards were formed in each township and several companies were
formed for actual service --there were many volunteers and some waited
till the draft came. Jefferson County Museum has one Navy discharge
from the Civil War in its possession.
Money was appropriated by the Commissioners for arms and by the City
Council for defense. The ladies were kept busy making flannel shirts
and knitting socks, and meeting boats with eatables for the soldiers.
Scott's Garden was used as training ground for soldiers.
There was a custom house here for travelers going south. Much travel
on the river; 3500 troops passed here on 6 steamers on day.
UNIFORMS:
An army chaplain was to wear a plain black frock coat, with standing
collar; 1 row of 9 black buttons; plain black pantaloons; black felt hat
or army forage cap without ornament, or for ceremony a plain chapeau may
be worn.
The soldiers of Mexican War organized the Washington Guards; uniform
was a blue frock coat, light blue pants with white stripes and white
buttons.
Many meetings were held to arouse patriotism, to celebrate victories,
to oppose right to secede, etc.
In Kentucky, a motion was brought up in the Legislature some years
previously, regarding a bridge across the Ohio. It was voted down
because it would be too tempting for slaves to try to escape.
The close of the war brought general rejoicing which was turned to
sadness a few days later by the assassination of Lincoln.
In 1862, Jesse D. Bright, a Senator, was expelled from the Senate
supposedly because he wrote a letter addressing it to Jefferson Davis,
Presidency of the Confederacy.
In 1862, 100 wounded soldiers were brought by boat to the Madison
Hospital. On April 28th 240 wounded soldiers were brought here by boat.
The list of wanted articles, which were not supplied by the Government
included butter, eggs, dried fruit, blackberry wine, brandy, whiskey and
dressed fowls.
There were 7 wards in the hospital and 217 patients; a cemetery lot
was provided for soldiers and these bodies were removed later to New
Albany.
Morgans Raid provided a lot of excitement in this county and he did
pass through, taking food and horses. He was gone before the most of
the people knew about it. Some real spies were sent out of Madison.
Jack Adams, a color bearer, had an arm shot off in the war, he then
carried the flag in his other arm --when it was shot off, he carried the
flag between his teeth. He was killed in action.
The Knights of the Golden Circle were southern sympathizers.
A wood measurer was appointed, for wood was brought in town for the
families of soldiers. Prices were high during the war and one school
was closed on account of the high price of fuel.
A fleet of boats with 5,000 soldiers passed up river."