Battle of Julesburg (Colorado)-- Part 1: Indian Response to Sand Creek Massacre

In the last post, I wrote about two companies of Nebraska Militia being involved in a battle here and at Camp Rankin in extreme northeastern Colorado.

From Wikipedia.

The Battle of Julesburg took place January 7, 1865, near Julesburg, Co. between 1,000 Cheyenne, Arapaho and Lakota Indians and about 60 U.S. soldiers and 40-50 civilians.  The Indians defeated the U.S. soldiers and for the next few weeks  plundered ranches and stagecoach stations up and down  the valley of the South Platte River.

This was in response to the Sand Creek Massacre on November 29, 1865.

Julesburg was an important  way station on the Overland Trail, consisting of  a stage coach station, stables, an express and telegraph office, a warehouse and a large store catering to travelers along.  The residents of the place at the time were described as fifty men armed to the teeth.

One mile west of Julesburg was Fort (or Camp) Rankin (later Fort Sedgwick) with one company of cavalry under Captain Nicholas J. Obrien.  The fort was  only about four months old at the time, but quite formidable, measuring 240 by 360-feet and ringed by a sod wall 18 feet tall.

--Old Secesh

First Nebraska Militia

From Wikipedia.

A temporary military force organized by Territorial Governor Alvin Saunders in August 1864 during the Indian Uprising of that year which threatened travelers on the Overland Trail and settlers on the frontier.  The First Nebraska Militia reinforced the 7th Iowa Cavalry, which previously had been deployed and had constructed Fort McPherson near present-day North Platte, Nebraska and the 1st Nebraska Veteran Volunteer Cavalry.

There were two brigades in the group with four companies who served anywhere from two months to six months.  Also a company of artillery with 13 men under a captain.

Companies B and C First Nebraska Mounted were present at the January 1865 attack on Camp Rankin and Julesburg and, under the command of General Robert B. Mitchell, were part of  the force that engaged in the fruitless pursuit of marauding Indians after the battle.

--Old Secesh

Nebraska Troops in the War-- Part 1: Infantry, Cavalry and Scouts

From Wikipedia.

Some of these only saw action on the frontier battling the Indians.  Nebraska raised just one infantry  regiment, the 1st Nebraska which later became cavalry. Also raised were a regiment and battalion of cavalry, several militia companies and two scout companies.

1st Nebraska Infantry
1st Nebraska Militia

1st Nebraska Cavalry (created from 1st Nebraska Infantry in 1863)
1st Battalion Nebraska Veteran Volunteer Cavalry
2nd Nebraska Cavalry

Independent Company "A" Pawnee Scouts, Nebraska Cavalry
Independent Company Omaha Scouts, Nebraska Cavalry

Stuff'ts Independent Company of Indian Scouts

That's All of Them.  --Old Secesh

Nebraska in the Civil War-- Part 4: "Galvanized Yankees" and SUV, CWRT, SUVCW, MOLLUS and DUVCW

Later in the war, some of the soldiers serving at Fort Kearny were "Galvanized Yankees," former Confederate soldiers who had changed their allegiance to the Union.

By the end of the war, more than a third of men of military age in Nebraska Territory has served in the Union military (3,157).

In addition to the 1st Nebraska, the territory raised three other full regiments of cavalry as well as several battalions of militia.  Thirty-five Nebraskans were killed in action during the war, while another 204 died of other causes, mostly disease.

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THE CIVIL WAR TODAY IN NEBRASKA

Today, several groups exist in Nebraska that trace their ancestry to postbellum veterans organizations like the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS).  There is also at least one Civil War Round Table.  Four camps of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War (DUVCW) are also listed.

--Old Secesh

Nebraska in the Civil War-- Part 3: Service of the 1st Nebraska

Called to the fighting,the 1st Nebraska was with Gen. U.S. Grant in the attack and capture of Fort Donelson and earned honor.  Then they were at the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862.  Later, they participated in minor engagements in Missouri and Arkansas.

In October 1863, the regiment was changed from infantry to cavalry and transferred to the frontier to keep the Plains Indians in check.  It was mustered out of service in 1866.

A total of 1,370 men served in the regiment during the war.

Commanders were:

Colonel John Milton Thayer
Lt. Col.  William McCord (commanded at Shiloh)
Lt. Col. Robert Livingston (commanded at Siege of Corinth)

--Old Secesh

Nebraska in the Civil War-- Part 2: 1st Nebraska Raised for Territory Defense

No battles or skirmishes were fought in Nebraska Territory during the war nor was it invaded by Confederate soldiers.  But Nebraskans did serve as soldiers in the Union armies.

When the war started, U.S. regular soldiers were withdrawn from Fort Kearny and Fort Randall to fight the Confederates.  This left Nebraska territory open to Indian attack.  The federal government asked that the territory form a volunteer regiment, with some companies to stay behind as defense against the Indians.

The territorial legislature  met in a special session in Omaha and  and agreed to raise the force.

Thus, the 1st Nebraska Volunteer Infantry was formed in June and July 1861, with future governor of Nebraska and Wyoming Territory, John Milton Thayer, as its first colonel.

However, the government reneged on its promise to have part of the regiment used for territory defense, and all of them were sent east to fight in August 1861.

--Old Secesh

Nebraska in the Civil War-- Part 1: Anti-Slavery

From Wikipedia.

Nebraska was a territory during the Civil War and did not achieve statehood until March 1, 1867 (157 years ago this month).  Even so, Nebraska did contribute to the war.

Nebraska Territory was largely rural and unsettled, at the edge of the American Frontier.  The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 has established the 40th parallel as the dividing line between Kansas and Nebraska.  It had also repealed the Missouri Compromise which had allowed  settlers in those territories to determine if they wanted slavery or not.

Anti-Secession feelings  ran high in the Nebraska Territory.  Seward County was originally named Greene County, but after Colton Greene pitched his lot in with the Confederacy, the county was renamed after Lincoln's Secretary of State, William H. Seward.

--Old Secesh

Monument Proposed for Nebraska Soldiers-- Part 3: A Major Accomplishment at Fort Donelson

The 1st Nebraska played a significant role in Grant's capture of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, in February 1862.  It was well fortified with a large garrison.  Union troops also faced the additional problems of it being around ten degrees and with a lack of supplies such as tents, blankets or coats.

A first attempt to break through the Confederate lines failed and Union General Lew Wallace ordered the 1st up to block a Confederate counterattack.  They formed a defensive line and charged, driving the enemy back into their fortifications and they soon surrendered.

After the battle, Lew Wallace complimented the Nebraskans saying:  "Their conduct was splendid.  They alone repelled the charge."

His victory here led to U.S. Grant's name recognition throughout the country.  Had the 1st Nebraska, led by Col. Thayer, not stopped that charge the battle might have been lost.

Hope They Get the Monument.  I Also Hope They Get a Monument on the Capitol Grounds.  --Old Secesh

Monument Proposed for Nebraska Soldiers at Fort Donelson-- Part 2

The bill would also direct the Nebraska Secretary of State to request the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to authorize the placement  of the monument and create a monument construction committee.  This monument will be privately funded, with no public money going to it.

Steve Guenzel and Gayla Koerting, members of the Nebraska Civil War Round Table, testified at the hearing for the bill which has no opposition.

There is already a marker recognizing the 1st Nebraska's role at the Battle of Fort Donelson, but it is not much according to Mr. Guenzel.  He visited the fort and was expecting to see some sort of grand granite thing, but was disappointed that it was just a metal sign.

--Old Secesh

Monument for Nebraska Soldiers Proposed for Fort Donelson-- Part 1

From the March 23, 2020, Omaha (Neb) World Herald  "Monument proposed for Nebraska soldiers who helped  win a crucial Civil War battle" by Mia Azizah.

A picture of Colonel John M. Thayer, who led the 1st Nebraska Volunteer Infantry at the Battle of Fort Donelson in February 1862.  Thayer would later be governor of Nebraska and represent the state in the U.S. senate.

Sounds a lot like Francis E. Warren in Wyoming.

Nebraska was only a territory during he warm but her soldiers were instrumental in a major Union victory at Fort Donelson, which led to the fall of Nashville, Tennessee, the first capital to fall.

Senator Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln thinks they should be honored with a monument and has introduced Legislative Bill 850, which would create a monument to honor the 1st Nebraska at Fort Donelson National Battlefield in Tennessee.

This is actually the first I've ever heard of Nebraska military units in the Civil War.

Completely in Favor of a Monument for Them.  --Old Secesh

More Mascots-- Part 5: Sheep, Chickens, Badgers and Cats

DICK the SHEEP--  The 2nd Rhode Island Infantry Regiment had a sheep named Dick and taught him all manner of tricks.  But, upon reaching Washington, D.C., they had a hard decision to make.

According to Captain Elisha Hunt Rhodes:  "We took our pet sheep  with us, but upon reaching Washington, the field and staff officers found themselves without money, so we sacrificed our sentiment  and sold poor Dick to a butcher for $5.00  and invested the proceeds of the sale in Bologna sausage."

DICK the CHICKEN of the 96th Ohio.

The 26th Wisconsin had a badger as a mascot and others as well.

Cats were more commonly found as mascots in forts, prisons and ships.

--Old Secesh

More Mascots-- Part 4: About Old Douglas, the Camel

Company B of the 43rd Mississippi has a camel named Old Douglas.  Though, I saw it was Co. A in several sources.  He even has a Wikipedia page.  And, one of those government-issue grave stones.  Because of him, the 43rd became known as "The Camel Regiment."

According to the Wiki article,he was from Jefferson Davis' (while U.S. Secretary of War) plan to use camels in the southwest instead of horses, so he had two Confederate connections.

During the war, he was assigned to the regimental band and carried instruments.  The men tried to treat him like a horse, but Old Douglas could break any tether, so they just let him graze freely.  He participated in the Battle of Corinth and was killed by Union sharpshooters at the Siege of Vicksburg.

He has his own grave at  Vicksburg's Cedar Hill Cemetery.

--Old Secesh

More Mascots-- Part 3: Then There Was Bruin the Bear of the 12th Wisconsin

The Confederates had dogs as mascots as well.  But, there were not too many Navy dogs.

Bruin the Bear was with the 12th Wisconsin.  The bear was about one third grown when he joined Company E and was housed in a large crate at Camp Randall during training and kept on a long rope which allowed him to climb up to a 12-foot perch.

When the regiment left for the South in January 1862, the bear boarded the train with his comrades.  When they had to move between train stations, the bear would be at the head of the the column.  In Quincy, Illinois, the bear was perfectly comfortable sleeping in the snow while his comrades shivered the night away.

When they reached St. Joseph, Missouri, he was quite the target of attention from local slaves.

But, because they were going to march to Texas, the bear was sold in Leavenworth, Kansas, and that was the last known for him.

--Old Secesh

More Mascots-- Part 3: "The Barking Dog Regiment" from Ohio, Custer and Jack of the 102nd Pa.

The 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry became known as the "Barking Dog Regiment" because of its mascot named Harvey.  He was one of three dogs the regiment had, but served the longest.  He would bark at the enemy and was wounded at least twice.

The first time he was wounded, he was also captured, but returned the next day under a flag of truce.

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George Custer was rarely without a dog during and after the war.

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The 102nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry had Jack.  Many of the regiment came from Pittsburgh and one company had men from a local fire department who had Jack before the war.  When they enlisted, Jack went along with them in 1861 and served until 1864.

Jack was in many battles and skirmishes and would run to the front and along the lines.   He twice received wounds.  The first time was a serious one at the Battle of Malvern Hill, but medics were able to save him.  The other time was at Fredericksburg.  And, he was captured twice.  The first time he escaped six hours later.  The second time, he was exchanged for a Confederate prisoner.

--Old Secesh

More Civil War Mascots-- Part 2: Sallie of the 11th Pennsylvania

By far, the biggest number of mascots in either Army during the war were dogs.  Lots and lots of dogs.  Hey, dogs don't require much in the way of care and are loyal, somewhat obedient, except around food.

They accompanied their men on the march and usually stayed in camp during fighting, though some went right out on the battlefield and were in the thick of the action.

One famous dog was Sallie of the 11th Pennsylvania, who had four litters of puppies during the war.  She was in the thick of fighting until killed by a bullet on February 6, 1865, at the Battle of Hatcher's Run.

She was an American Staffordshire Terrier and adopted quickly to the military life, joining her soldiers at drill and at least twice in front of President Lincoln.  On the first day of Gettysburg, she became separated from her soldiers during the retreat to Cemetery Hill and she was feared killed, but was found days later still guarding her wounded and dead companions.

A statue of her graces the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment's memorial at the Battle of Gettysburg.

--Old PettheDog

Old Abe and Friends-- Part 4: Retired, Fame and the Fires

In 1864, Old Abe, already famous, was presented to the State of Wisconsin and lived in his own room at the Capitol Building.  He was often taken on the road to help raise money for veterans causes.  In 1880, he made his last appearance for a GAR meeting in Milwaukee.

In 1881, there was a small fire in the Capitol Building.  Old Abe raised the alarm and it was put out, but not after he had inhaled much smoke and he later died of it on March 26.

On September 17, 1881, his stuffed remains  were placed in a glass display case in the rotunda.  The remains were later transferred to two other buildings before being returned to the Capitol Building in 1903.  Sadly, another fire in 1904 destroyed Old Abe's remains

Since 1915, a replica of Old Abe has presided over  the General Assembly Chamber and another one is on display at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison.

For 100 years, the J.I. Case agricultural company incorporated Old Abe in its logo and he is also on the insignia of the 101st Airborne Division in the Army.

--Old Secesh

Old Abe and Friends-- Part 3: The Story of an Eagle

Old Abe was the War Eagle (and a Bald Eagle at that) of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

The eaglet was captured by local Indians and sold to a white settler who later sold it to a company of the 8th for $2.50.  Upon acquisition of the young eagle (who still did not have the "white" head), this company had its name changed from the Eau Claire Badgers to the Eagle Company.

The company's captain named the bird Old Abe after the president and the company quartermaster built a special Union shield perch for Old Abe.    James McGinnis became the handler.

Old Abe was not a favorite of the Confederates and sometimes referred to as the "Yankee Buzzard."  Special efforts were always made to kill him.

But, during the course of Old Abe's service, he was in 42 battles and skirmishes.

--Old Secesh

Old Abe and Friends-- Part 2: A Dog's Best Friend at the MCCWRT

TUESDAY, MARCH 10

I re-enlisted for two more years of McHenry County Civil War Round Table membership for $50.

This is our first meeting since November.  December was our annual Christmas party and then we go into two months of winter quarters in January and February before renewing active campaigning this month.

We're not sure about future meetings because of you-know-what these days.  Hopefully the April meeting will take place as scheduled.

Tonight's speaker was Jan Rasmussen on "Old Abe and Friends:  Civil War Mascots."  She says she comes by this interest naturally because she is a veterinarian technician.

Mascots are important to soldiers because they inspire loyalty.  Dogs were by far the most common Civil War mascots.  They are loyal as we know, but I'm sure also reminded the soldiers of home in more pleasant times.

But, along with dogs, there were also cats, squirrels and a pelican and a camel among many others.  And then, there was probably the very best-known mascot of them all, and that would be Old Abe, the War Eagle.

And Jan knew a whole lot about a whole lot of them.

Screechin' and Howlin'.  --Old Secesh

Old Abe and Friends-- Part 1: Eating Mexican Where Bill Murray Tred in Woodstock, Illinois

The McHenry County Civil War Round Table opened its speaker series for 2020 this past Tuesday, March 10 at the Woodstock, Illinois Public Library.

I got to Woodstock early and ate at the Taqueria La Placita Mexican restaurant on the famous Woodstock Square dating to the 1840s.  Tuesdays they have $1 tacos and I sure enjoyed those buck tacos.  Plus, this place is the site of the Tip Top Cafe from the movie "Groundhog Day."  This is where Bill Murray stuffed his face and where he stepped into that puddle was right outside it.  I sat in the very spot Bill was sitting in while stuffing.

"Groundhog Day" is my third all-time favorite movie and a whole lot of that movie was filmed in Woodstock.  They even have a walking tour of sites.  Bill Murray returned to Woodstock this past fall to film the Jeep commercial that showed during Super Bowl.

In case you're wondering about my top two movies, they are "Animal House" #1 and "Blues Brothers" #2.

Eating, A Movie And History.  Three of My Favorite Things.  --Old Groundhog

Jesse Merrill-- Part 7: Further Administrative Duty and Major General

In the fall of 1864,he went east on a sick leave, and was soon afterwards assigned  to duties in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the James, and later in the Department of the South, where he had his headquarters at Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Here he remained until mustered out of the service in October 1865.

It was at this time that he was brevetted to major  by President Johnson for long , faithful and meritorious service.

He returned to Lock Haven in November 1865, and resumed the practice of law.  An April 1871, he was appointed major-general of the Pennsylvania National Guard by Governor Geary.  It was during this term that the Eleventh Division was called out to quell the riot at Williamsport.

In 1880, General Merrill received the Republican nomination for assembly, but was defeated by S. Woods Caldwell, the democratic nominee.

--Old Secesh

Jesse Merrill-- Part 6: The Signal Service Corps

Jesse Merrill enlisted in Company D, Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the spring of 1861, and received a commission as second lieutenant .  In the fall of the same year, he was detailed for duty in the Signal Service Corps.

When the Signal Corps was organized as a separate branch of the service, he was transferred to from his company with the rank of captain. In January 1862, he was appointed to organize the Signal Service in the Army of the Ohio, and he took command the following year.

By virtue of his position as signal officer, Captain Merrill was on the staff of Generals Buell, Rosecrans and Thomas, and they in succession, commanded the Army of the Ohio, which afterwards became the Army of the Cumberland.

--Old Secesh

Jesse Merrill-- Part 5: A Teacher, Then Lawyer Before the War

From Civil War Signals.org.

General Jesse Merrill, was born in New Berlin, Union County, Pennsylvania, March 28, 1836.  He was the son of James Merrill, a prominent lawyer of Union County, and a member of the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention of 1838.

Jesse Merrill attended  public school in New Berlin until age sixteen, then attended a year at the Tuscarora Academy in Juaniata County, Pennsylvania, after which he began teaching for four years.  he then began the study of law with his brother in New Berlin.

The following year he entered the law office of Lawson & brown in Milton, Pa., where he remained at his studies until 1859, when he was admitted to practice law in the courts of Northumberland County, Pa.,

He shortly afterward came to Lock Haven, where he has remained ever since.

--Old secesh

McHenry County Civil War Round Table Meets Tuesday, March 10: Of Birds and Dogs

The McHenry County (Illinois)  Civil War Round Table (MCCWRT) meets this Tuesday at the Woodstock Public Library, 414 West Judd Street, a couple blocks off the famous Woodstock Square where much of the famous "Groundhog Day" movie was filmed.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m..

This month's speaker is Jan Rasmussen, who will speak about the Birds and the Dogs of War, "Old Abe and Friends:  Civil War Mascots."

Everyone with an interest in history is invited.

Bark, Bark.  --Old Secesh

Jesse Merrill-- Part 4: Obituary

GENERAL JESSE MERRILL

General John Jesse Merrill died at his home in Lock Haven on Saturday night last, of paralysis.  General Merrill was born  in New Berlin and was the son of the late James Merrill and was sixty-five years old.

He studied law with with Hon. W.C. Lawson of Milton and located in Lock Haven. 

During the Civil War he enlisted as a member of Company D, 7th Pennsylvania Reserves, and was detailed for duty with the Signal Corps. In 1862, he organized the Signal Service for the Army of Ohio., of which he took command shortly after.

He also served on the staffs of Generals Buell, Rosecrans and Thomas.

In 1871, he was appointed by Governor Geary major general of the National Guard of Pennsylvania.  While serving in the latter position he had charge of the Eleventh division, which he called out to quell the Williamsport riots in 1872.

He was married in 1866 to Miss Julia McCleerry, sister of Col. John McCleery.  Mrs. Merrill died about five years ago.

The deceased enjoyed a large practice in Clinton County., and was at one time postmaster of Lock Haven.

He was buried at Milton on Tuesday.

--Old Secesh

Jesse Merrill-- Part 3: Of Pennsylvania and U.S. Signal Corps

From Find A Grave.

MG JESSE MERRILL

Brother of Lewis Merrill

Birth:  28 March 1838 New Berlin, Pa.

Death:  14 January 1899  Milton, Pa.

Buried:  Milton Cemetery, Milton, Pa.

During the Civil War, he was commissioned  as First Lieutenant of Co. D, 36th Pa. on April 24, 1861.  Promoted to Captain and transferred to U.S. Signal Corps in 1863.  Mustered out in 1865.

He was a lawyer by profession.  In April 1871, he was appointed Major General of Pennsylvania National Guard.

I was wondering where they got the major general from.

--Old Secesh

Jesse Merrill-- Part 2: Service in the 36th Pennsylvania and U.S. Signal Corps

Jesse Merrill was commissioned  2nd lieutenant of Company "D", 36th Pennsylvania Infantry on April 24, 1861.  He was promoted to Captain on May 9, 1862, and was commissioned into the U.S. Signal Corps  on March 3, 1863.

Promoted to Major by brevet on March 13, 1865.  He died January 14, 1899.

During Merrill's service with the 36th Pennsylvania [7th Pa. reserves] the regiment participated in the Seven Days Battles, as well as Second Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg.

Bibles and books inscribed by Civil War Signal Corps members are extremely rare.  Super id'd  collectible.

Sold for $225.

--Old Secesh

Jesse Merrill, Brother of Lewis Merrill and Union Soldier-- Part 1: His New Testament Bible

From the Horse Soldier Fine Military Americana site.

New Testament identified to Major Jesse Merrill, 36th Pa.  Infantry [7th Pa Reserves] & U.S. Signal Corps.

Published by the American Bible Society, New York, 1857.  Tooled brown leather, measuring 9.25"  X 6", w/ raised bands, with gilt  cover stamp "J. Merrill" and gilt spine lettering.

Owner inscription, front eps "Captain Jesse Merrill/ U.S. S.C." with crossed signal flags drawn in ink.  Five stanza song "The Old, Old Home with chorus, written in the owner's hand in ink in rear eps (end pages).

In terms of condition, , the book exhibits light or medium wear in the extremities, and light foxing of text, which remains entirely legible.  Spine and text  signatures tight.    Owner eps slightly  fades, though entirely legible.  Else VG.

--Old Secesh

Lewis Merrill's Family

From Lewiss Merrill Find a Grave.

Lewis Merrill's father, James Merrill (1790-1840) is listed as a judge and is buried in New Berlin, Pennsylvania.  His mother, Sarah B. Lewis Merrill (1794-1876)  is buried at Lewisburg Cemetery  in Lewisburg, Pa.  She was the third wife of James Merrill.

His brother was Jesse Merrill (1838-1899) who served the Union in the Civil War.  I'll write about him in the next post.

A half brother, Charles Merrill was also in the Union Army and died in 1865.

One of his daughters, Mary Merrill Scott (1862-1950) married Major General Hugh Lenox Scott (1853-1934) and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Another son was Lt.Col. John Houston Merrill, also buried at Arlington.

I'll do research on these people next.

--Old Secesh

Col. Lewis Merrill-- Part 7: Some Serious Accusations

Another reason it took so long for his promotion to lieutenant-colonel in the Regular Army took so long was that he was now much respected by fellow officers in the 7th Cavalry.

Major Marcus Reno called Merrill a "notorious coward and shirk."   Captain Frederick Benteen, who also didn't like Reno, commented: "Poor a soldier as Reno was, he was a long way ahead of Merrill."  he also labeled Merrill as a "chump."

Finally, Merrill was accused of accepting cash awards from a Carpetbagger government for the Ku Klux Klan members he captured and of accepting a bribe while serving as judge advocate in a court martial.

He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

These are some really strong charges that I'll have to investigate some more on.  At this point, Merrill would, if these are true, to be somewhat like the charges and comments about Jacob Smith in the U.S. Army.

I have also heard somewhere that a lot of the pacification techniques used by Merrill and his commands were a bit excessive.

--Old Secesh

Col. Lewis Merrill-- Part 6: "Cleaning Up" South Carolina and Louisiana

Eight days after the attack on Hill, Merrill met with community leaders in York County and demanded change.  But the violence continued into the summer.

Not to be denied, Merrill's efforts eventually led to the dismantling of the Ku Klux Klan.  Opposition leader J. Rufus Braxton, however, escaped to Canada to avoid prosecution for his role in the deaths.  He lived there for several years and never was prosecuted for his role.

Merrill succeeded so well in defusing the situation that he received the thanks of the War Department.  When a similar situation arose in the Red River area of Louisiana, Lewis Merrill was dispatched there in 1875 and by the following year he had it cleared up as well.

As a consequence of that,  he received nomination for the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Regular Army, but that was held up for several years by Southern sympathizers in the Senate.  But it was finally confirmed in 1886, the same year Merrill retired from the Army.

--Old Secesh

Col. Lewis Merrill-- Part 5: The Situation Worsens in York County, S.C.

That truce was broken the next day, February 12, 1871 when 500 to 700 Whites in neighboring Union County killed eight Blacks.  On March 6, 1871, J. Rufus Bratton and a group of seventy white men  attacked a number of black houses and hung Jim Williams.

Companies B, E and K of George Armstrong Custer's 7th Cavalry led by Lewis Merrill were dispatched to the area to quell the violence.

In the meantime, Elias Hill stepped up to lead the Union League which with the deaths was now in disarray.  In another raid by Whites, Hill's nephews, Solomon Hill and June Moore were attacked and forced to renounce their Republican allegiance in the local newspaper, the Yorkville Enquirer.

Elias Hill was also attacked on May 5, 1871.  By then, Merrill was in York County and this was the first activity that Merrill saw of the Ku Klux Klan.  But he found himself unable to step in to protect the black citizens of the county.

--Old Secesh