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Saturday, Sept. 14, 1963.Civil War 'Battle Of BrazilrfWhich Failed To Take PlaceBy GEORGE H. JAMESThis is the 100th anniversary ofthe '‘Battle of Brazil” in the CivilWar. The battle never got Intohistory because It never really gotto the points where the southerneympathizers, known as the “Butternuts” and the Union forces got within gun shot range of each other and the invaders, set on seizing Brazil, were literally talked out of the attack by the Union Generalmented by soldiers on leave and other volunteers.General Streight found the Butternuts in two divisions, the eastern segment of about 300 men and another detachment of about 200, whowere to attack from the west.iThe Union force of about 100 men was placed to resist this eastern attack. The Brazil Guards andvolunteer citizens were sent to re-2cc«sist the western attack.tStreight, who bravely walked into the lines of the attacking forces. Reading about the centennialcelebration of the attack on Vernon, Ind., by Morgan’s Raiders, I recalled the story that was told tome once by John Robison, a Civil War veteran, whom, if 1 recall correctly, was at home at the time erd was one of the volunteers whoassisted the home guard troops in breaking up the attack from the western detachment of ButternutArmy, lie told me that when the Butternuts saw the blue coats and trifles of the Union troops they itampeded and broke into a hasty retreat. This near-engagement took place west of Brazil in the little valley where the Otter Creek branch of the C. E. I. Railroad(Pea Vine) now follows.Interested In substantiating Mr. Robison’s story I received valuableassistance from John Robey, re-•carch assistant, Indiana Civil War Centennial Commission. Mr. Robey referred me to a chapter in the rare, old volumn, “History of Clay and Owen Counties,” by Charles Blanchard, editor, F. A. Battey 1* Co., Chicago, 1884, published, which fortunately, we had a here at The Times Office.General Streight arrived on the morning of the proposed attack. Accompanied by D. C. Stunkard, he went into the enemy lines of the eastern group and began to parley with them pointing out their dangers in such an attack. A gun was drawn on him but GeneralcI£tStreight remarked that he had had whole regiments of guns pointed at him. He was not afraid. Hewent ahead with his speech. He advised them that their attack onBrazil would be met with resistenceand it would be a bloody battle. His warning seemed to have had the desired effect as the assembled troops despersed and went home.General Streight then hurried to the “western front” to talk to thiscopyThe Clay County data was provided by that famous editor of the Brazil Miner andcontingent. But, according to Mr. Robison, the sight of army blue coats was enough.The Butternuts rode home and never again attempted to show their power. By this time the Union forces were winning the battle in the deep South and the end of the war was in sight.Mr. Robison, youngest of a family of patriots, did not get into service until May 1864 and served to September the same year. Hewas one of ten children, the menIa newspaper at Clay City, William Travis and his atatements therein conform fairly well with those of John Robison.During the Civil War there were many in the North who sympha-aized with the South or opposed going to war over the matter of freeing the slaves. These sympha-•i/ers became rather well organized and were known either as theof whom served with military credit. Pearson, Thomas and William enlisted for the three months vol-rtunteer service and reenlisted to fight throughout the war. Amos died in service in Georgia in 1864. William was one of General Mc-cICCKnights of the Golden Circle ormerely “Butternuts.” My mother, who was reared in Parke County, told me that the name came from Ihe clothes which many of them wore, colored brown from the dye made by butternut hulls. A sort of guerrilla warfare was planned by these men to cooperate with Gen. John Morgan’s raid through southern Indiana. There was to be demonstrations of military strength and sympathy with the South all over southern Indiana.Cook’s scouts. Serving with General Sherman in the famous march to the sea, he was captured and incarcerated nine months In war prisons Including eight months in the terrible Andersonville Prison. Thomas reenlisted several times during the war.Mr. Robison, who platted Robison’s subdivision to the city of Brazil, lived in the home on west National Road, now occupied by Col. Bertram F. DuckwalJ, M.D., retired U. S. Army, and his wife.hvPCsaetlfitivoooThe butternut was adopted as anemblem of sesession. Badges or pins, made of that material, were extensively worn to show sympathy with the Rebels' cause. The wearing of these emblems resulted in many riots in which considerable blood was shed. Union men felt it was their bounded duty to tear the disloyal emblems from the Butternuts’ clothing. The emblem was considered as the greatest insult that could he inflicted.Mr. and Mrs. Roy Froderman ol Cory visited here Saturday evening with Mr. and Mrs. Royal SlankardMiss Olive Backfish is spending the week here with relatives.Mr. and Mrs. Richard King ancfamily of Terre Haute were Sunday evening guests of Miss Mai) Armel.Mrs. Lela Butts and son Shermai were Sunday dinner guests of Mrs Goldie Fortner.In July, 1863, the Butternuts organization reached its peak. While the Butternuts were not strong in the town of Brazil they were recruited by the hundreds in thenorthern part of the county and Parke County, especially in the breaks of Sugar Creek.A place of rendezvous was established in Van Buren Township on the farm of Jolm Trump. Recruits poured in from all points on the compass and soon a force of 500 armed men was collected. They remained hidden for two days on this farm while planning the attack on Brazil. But the Union got Information of the remarkable gathering and immediately prepared to resist the attack. The plan was to march into Brazil, take po.session and hold it for the advance of Morgan’s Raiders, or ifnecessary, burn the town downwnh a general destruction of property, Some residents, especially women and children were terrified with fear,hadMr. and Mrs. Raymond Draki and family, Mr. and Mrs. Floy* Drake and family of Brazil, R. Rspent the weekend with friends it Kentucky.Albert McGill of Brazil and PauMcGill of Clay City visited hen during the week with their mother Mrs. Joyce McGill.Recent guests of Mr. and Mrs I.ester Steuerwald included Mr. amMrs. Reanis bullion and daughteSharon of Bowling Green, R. R Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hurz of OhicMr. and Mrs. James Steuerwal and Lora Lee, Mrs. Lona Anderso of Cory R. R., and Mrs. Lela Butt and son Sherman.Mr. and Mrs. Harry Kohbcrge of Terre Haute visited here Sundawith relatives.Mrs. Margaret Brown of KnightivilJe was the Tuesday guest i Miss Mary Armel.Mr. and Mrs. John Moss anchildren Tressa, Pamela and Kevi of Southport, Mr. and Mrs. Aaro Royer and children Donnell, Dai rell and Darla of Staunton visilePreparations had gone so far that arrangements had been made In Brazil for hay to feed the horses of the Butternut troops here.At that time in Brazil there were two companies of soldiers of limited experience. They were the Home Guards, under Captain Carney and the Brazil Guards under Command of Captain Olds. Both Companies were well armed with regulation rifles furnished by the federal government. The local companies received word of the actual day on which the attack on Brazil was to be made. Word wasthe past week here with Mr. ariMrs. Roy Moss.Mrs. Joyce McGill visited Thuriday with relatives at Greencasth Mr. and Mrs. Larry Hughbank are the proud parents of a bah boy born Thursday at Clay Clt; Hospital, The mother is the foi mer Miss Margaret Killion, an the father is in the armed serviceand located in Germany.Mrs. Lela Butts and Sherms visited Sunday evening with M and Mrs. Flsworth Hogue.msent to Governor Morton, who, in turn, dispatched General Streight fiom Camp Morton, at Indianapolis, to take charge of the Union forces but, which by this time were aug*Accidents, according to the Na tional Safety Council are the lead ing cause of death to school agi children.Always alight from your car anthe curb aide. Many people have been fatally Injured by stepping Into the traffic from their care.
Newspaper Details
Brazil Daily Times
Brazil, Indiana, US
Sat, Sep 14, 1963
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Misty B.
USA 26 Feb 2021
Other Publications Near Brazil, Indiana
Brazil National Index
Brazil Manufacture and Miner
Brazil Clay County Enterprise
Brazil Weekly News
Brazil Weekly Democrat
