The Waynedale News

On April 20, men were called to the Whitley County Court House, in 1861. Almost to the date, 150 years later, a commemoration of enlistment day for the service of the Union Army took place on Saturday, April 16, 2011. Re-enactors from the 30th Indiana Volunteer Infantry and the 44th Indiana plus Huntington Civil War Company Singers recalled the time when the first Whitley County men answered the call from President Lincoln for troops.

In Columbia City opening commemoration began with a prayer by Governor John Cravins, portrayed by Dr. Russell Gilliom. Cravins began, "My fellow citizens...preserving the Union of these United States of America." He continued to speak of compromise and outrages, ie, Jefferson Davis elected Confederate President. During that time the question was asked, "Who wants to be the first to sign up? ... to join President Lincoln's army?"

"...if those who volunteer in this county shall be called into service, we will contribute of our money and means to maintain and support their families while they shall be in service of their country."

"Yeh!" George Stough was the first man to sign up for the war from Whitley County. Stough, portrayed on this day by David Walker, responded to the call and called out to others to join him. Emotions ran high as 54 names were quickly enrolled. To enlist, men were supposed to be 18-45 years old. But history shows several were 14-years of age and the oldest member was 65.
Men from Whitley County fought with Volunteer Infantry groups: 17th, 44th, 74th, 88th, 100th, 129th, 152nd, and one artillery group the 5th. Many of these names are on the Whitley County Courthouse Civil War Monument (dated 1897) that currently stands on the courthouse square.

Nearly 1800 men from Whitley County served in the Civil War. The population during that period was just over 11,000 and that included men, women and children. Indiana was one of only a few states to fill the quota during the four years of the Civil War 1861-1865.