Hard Times at Camp Morton

After most of the officers and men of the 16th Indiana Infantry had been captured at the Battle of Richmond, Kentucky on August 30, 1862, they were given battlefield paroles and sent back home. They soon found themselves in military limbo, stuck at Camp Morton, kept under tight guard, their days filled with endless drill. Morale suffered accordingly.  

          “This is the most unpleasant camp I have ever been in,” one soldier from Co. E complained. “Several of the paroled men refused to drill, the feeling being much warmer in the 12th Indiana than in the 16th. Indeed, there appeared to be whole companies of the 12th who were taken to the guardhouse while there was only two men in our company who suffered that punishment for refusing to drill.”

          The following missive, first published in the October 9, 1862, edition of the Aurora Journal, was written by a “high private” in Co. E of the 16th Indiana who signed the letter as “E.J.”

 

Camp Morton, Indiana

Camp Morton, Indianapolis, Indiana

October 3, 1862

          After the lapse of nearly one month, I again take my pen in hand to let you know how the 16th Indiana is getting along. As you are already acquainted with our movements from Louisville to Indianapolis and of our receiving ten days’ furlough immediately on arriving at the latter city, I shall not mention them. Suffice it to say that we spent a week very pleasantly at home and then started for this place, leaving Lawrenceburg on the 12 o’clock train and arriving at this place in time for dress parade on the 23rd.

          At dress parade we numbered 500 men and since then several more have come in so that at the present time our regiment makes quite a respectable appearance on parade. The day following our arrival here we were drilled for nearly 7 hours and such had been our routine ever since so that the boys, although they had a happy reunion, have not as much enjoyment as might be expected. Indeed, the boys have been kept under stricter discipline than they were in the face of the enemy. Then we could get out of camp occasionally by means of a water pass, but now only four out of each company can get a pass during the day, two in the forenoon and two in the afternoon.

          There are five regiments in camp here, all Indiana regiments: 12th, 16th, 96th, 97th, and 100th. None of these are full. Several of the paroled men refused to drill, the feeling being much warmer in the 12th Indiana than in the 16th. Indeed, there appeared to be whole companies of the 12th who were taken to the guardhouse while there was only two men in our company who suffered that punishment for refusing to drill. After staying under guard about two days and receiving an explanation from the officers, they consented to drill and all went ‘merry as a marriage bell.’

Seven hours a day of drill didn't leave our paroled Hoosiers much time for card playing but undoubtedly they made the most of what free time they had. The close confinement of camp, however, was more than some men could stand as evidenced by the disturbance caused when 150 men rushed the fence in a bid to get loose into Indianapolis on October 2, 1862. 


          Last Wednesday we had a grand review of the troops stationed in this vicinity, numbering 8,000-10,000 men. After passing in review, we formed in line and fired by company, rank, file, wing, and battalion. Our company E was publicly complimented for its good firing. Our situation here, however, is all but pleasant. At first, we did not get sufficient food, however, that was remedied in two or three days. Then we had nothing to eat with but today that evil was remedied as we received plates, knives, forks, and spoons, causing us to have quite a domestic appearance at present.

          This is the most unpleasant camp I have ever been in. It cannot possibly be praised for anything but water and in Indiana not even for that; indeed, our regiment has been unfortunate ever since its last organization but we hope for better success hereafter, hope nay we verily believe we will have. Should we remain here much longer, we believe that most of us will be sick. Appearances justify this conclusion for our company, which was always very healthy, has several on the sick list at present none of whom are at all dangerous. The situation of our quarters is very “aguish.”

          Last night there was great excitement in camp caused by an attempt by some men of the 12th and 16th and, according to accounts, parties of all the other regiments in camp to break guard. The excitement became intense as about 150 men knocked down the fence. Colonel Mahan, commander of the camp, soon calmed them down, sending several to the guardhouse, doubling the guards, and sending out pickets so that all was quiet before taps. I am glad to say that none of Co. E was engaged in this disgraceful occurrence. We heartily wish to leave this place but will wait cheerfully until ordered out.

To learn more about the 16th Indiana’s role at the Battle of Richmond, click here to read “Escaping with the Colors: The 16th Indiana and the Fight for Richmond.”

Source:

Letter from E.J., Co. E, 16th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Aurora Journal (Indiana), October 9, 1862, pg. 2

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