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| Eleventh Indiana Regiment. |
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and condition?”
Then followed the consent of the Government to have them considered “contraband of war,” already noticed.1
We have observed that the loyal people of the country were greatly disappointed and mortified by the affair at Great Bethel.
That disappointment and chagrin were somewhat relieved by a victory obtained over insurgent troops at Romney, in Hampshire County, Northwestern Virginia, achieved on the following day by a detachment of the Eleventh Indiana (Zouaves),
commanded by Colonel Wallace, whose speedy organization of the first volunteer regiments of that State we have already observed.2 That regiment, in material, deportment, drill, and discipline, was considered one of the best in the State.
Its colors had been presented by the women of Indiana with imposing ceremonies,3 and anticipations concerning its services had been raised which were never disappointed.4 It expected to accompany the Indiana and Ohio troops whom General McClellan sent to Western Virginia, but was ordered instead to Evansville, on the Ohio, in Southern Indiana, to act as a police force in preventing supplies and munitions of war being sent to the South, and to protect that region from threatened invasion.
The regiment chafed in its comparatively inactive service, with an earnest desire for duty in the field, and it was delighted by an order issued on the 6th of June, by the General-in-chief, to “proceed by rail to Cumberland, Maryland, and report to Major-General Patterson,” then moving from Pennsylvania toward Harper's Ferry, where the insurgents were in strong force under General Joseph E. Johnston.
This order was the result of the urgent importunities of Colonel Wallace and his friends, to allow his fine regiment an opportunity for active duties.
During the few weeks it had encamped at Evansville, it had been thoroughly drilled by the most severe discipline.
On the day after the receipt of the order, Wallace and his regiment were passing rapidly through Indiana and Ohio by railway, and were everywhere greeted by the most hearty demonstrations of good-will.
At Grafton, it received ammunition; and on the night of the 9th, it reached the vicinity of
1 See page 501.
2 See page 456.
3 The presentation of colors took place in front of the State House at Indianapolis. The ladies of Terre Haute presented the National flag, and those of Indianapolis the regimental flag. Each presentation was accompanied by an address, to which Colonel Wallace responded. He then turned to his men, reminded them of the unmerited stain which Jefferson Davis had cast upon the military fame of Indianians in connection with the battle of Buena Vista, and exhorted them to remember that vile slander, and dedicate themselves specially to its revenge. He then bade them kneel, and, with uncovered heads and uplifted hands, swear “To stand by their flag, and remember Buena Vista!” They did so, as one man. It was a most impressive scene. The whole affair was spontaneous and without preconcert. The huzzas of the vast multitude of spectators filled the air when they arose from their knees; and “Remember Buena Vista!” became the motto of the regiment.
4 A large majority of the members of this regiment became officers in the war that ensued; and every member of the Montgomery Guards-Wallace's original Zouave Company, who accompanied him on this tour of duty-received a commission. These commissions ranged from that of second lieutenant to major-general.
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