Civil War - for several years prior to 1861, the country had been drifting surely toward civil war.  The two sections, the North and 
the South, had different interests to serve in the administration of national affairs.  The republican party was then in its infancy, 
but it contained some elements that foretold destruction to the greatest institution of the Southern States - slavery.  It is true that 
the party had not then taken any direct stand upon the question of slavery, but its leaders were among the avowed opponents of 
that institution, and many had been identified with the movement for its abolition.  Abraham Lincoln had publicly declared that it 
was his deliberate conviction that the government could not exist half slave and half free.  His election to the presidency, was, 
therefore, by the Southern States, accepted as a menace to their institution, which had long been sanctioned by the laws, and as 
they thought, with apparent right.  In that section of the Union, the doctrine of state rights as paramount to national rights, had 
long been thought under the leadership of John C. Calhoun.  Accordingly, they did not long hesitate to secede from the Union, 
when it was known that Lincoln had been elected president.  In order to show to some extent what the sentiments of the people 
in this locality were, the following piece of editorial is given from the Democratic Herald of November 22, 1860.  The paper was 
then edited by D. D. Banta.

	"The present state of affairs in the south indicate that which all good, patriotic men would deprecate - a dissolution of the 
Union.  The roll of the drum and the sound of the bugle is calling the advocates of secession together, and their numbers are 
far from being despicable.  There are those who pretend to see no danger in the movement and confine it merely to politicians.  
But to all such we would say, politicians, seldom or never undertake to precipitate a great measure unless they know the 
temper of their people justify it.  It required but little sagacity to see the result of Mr. Lincoln's election.  It was but the voice 
of the northern people in favor of that idea that is now depleting the border states of their slaves.  It was virtually saying to 
Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and other northern states that have nullified the Federal constitution, by refusing to recognize 
the validity of the Fugitive Slave Law, go on in your work of nullification, we will stand by you.  So, at least, southern men 
understand it, and we fear, that acting upon this understanding, great misery will fall upon our unhappy land.  To us it seems 
however, that prudence would be the better part of valor, in this instance.  Mr. Lincoln has been elected in a constitutional 
manner.  He was the choice of the people, and his election, merely, can afford no good pretext for secession.  Nothing but 
an omission on his part, to perform a duty, or the commission of a wrong, would justify such a course.  And we earnestly 
hope and pray that "the sober second thought," will come in time to save an imperiled Union, and a happy land rendered 
glorious by the united efforts of both northern and southern men."

South Carolina took the first active steps, and passed an ordinance of secession December 20, 1860.  In this movement she 
was followed in quick succession by Mississippi, January 9, 1861; Alabama and Florida, January 11; Georgia, January 19, 
Louisiana, January 26; Texas, February 1; Virginia, April 17; Arkansas and Tennessee, May 6; North Carolina, May 21.  No 
president ever assumed the high office under such trying circumstances.  In February succeeding the inauguration of Lincoln, 
a peace convention was held at Baltimore.  This was attended by representatives from nearly all the states, but it utterly failed in 
its purpose; excitement was at the greatest tension throughout the country, and the public spirit ran high.  Mass meetings were 
held in all parts of the north.

While the country was in this strained condition, Fort Sumter was fired upon.  That deed, more than all others, united the loyal 
hearts of the North in defense of the national flag that had been fired upon by those in rebellion.  They welcomed it perhaps as 
the only solution of the question, and gladly responded to the call to arms.  The news of the fall of Fort Sumter was received at 
Indianapolis on Sunday morning the 14th of April, 1861, and at Columbus on the evening of the same day; President Lincoln 
issued a call on the 15th for 75,000 troops.  This was followed on the 16th by a proclamation from Gov. Morton calling for the 
six regiments, the quota for Indiana, as fixed by the secretary of war.  In this county the wildest enthusiasm was manifested, 
and the most intense excitement prevailed.

On Monday, April 15th, the people of Franklin held a large and enthusiastic meeting at the courthouse, to take steps toward 
organizing a company, and for expressing their sentiments on the stirring deeds of the hour.  Samuel P. Oyler was chosen president, 
David G. Vawter, vice-president, Joseph P. Gill, and G. W. Allison, secretaries.  A committee on resolutions was appointed, 
consisting of G. W. Branham, Josiah Drake, and G. M. Overstreet.  Addresses were made by Mr. Oyler, Dr. Ritchey, Daniel Howe, 
T. J. Morgan, Bank Byfield, G. W. Grubbs, and Rev. J. Brumback.  Among the resolutions adopted was the following: "Be it 
resolved by the people of Johnson County, that while we have heretofore deprecated the horrors of civil war, and still do most 
sincerely regret and deplore the madness and crimes which have participated the country into those horrors, we are firmly and 
unalterable attached, as we have always hitherto been, to the Federal Union and its legitimate government; and will employ all 
wise, just, and necessary means in our power to maintain and sustain both, and to enforce all the laws thereof; and that we unite 
as one man to repel all treasonable assaults upon the government, its property and citizens in every department of the 
Union - peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must."  The whole was patriotic and strong in behalf of maintaining the union of the 
states unimpaired.  When volunteers were called for, there was a general rush for the meeting of the company was held, and 
Samuel P. Oyler was chosen captain, Joseph P. Gill, first lieutenant, and William Ellis, second lieutenant.

It is probably that no county in the state was more active during the first week that followed the firing on Fort Sumter, than 
Johnson.  The following item from the Herald will give some idea of the unusual excitement: "We were always under the impression 
that our quiet town was peaceably disposed, and that any other fever but the war fever could find its way here.  The events of the 
last week, however, have somewhat dispelled this illusion, and since our last issue scarcely an hour passes without hearing the 
martial strains of the fife and drum, and witnessing the parade of some company who have enrolled themselves for the war.  Six 
companies have been formed here, and if every little town will do as well we can send enough men from Indiana alone to protect 
the capitol and do all the fighting."  In the same issue of the paper appears the following list of officers for the various companies: 
Johnson County Minute Men, George W. Allison, captain; Felix Graham, first lieutenant; Samuel Lambertson, second lieutenant.  
Home Guards, Company A, W. H. Barnett, captain; Jacob F. McClellan, first lieutenant; Simon B. Moore, second lieutenant.  Home 
Guards, company B, G. W. Branham, captain; J. O. Martin, first lieutenant; W. H. Myers, second lieutenant.  Home Guards, Company C, 
T. W. Woollen, captain; G. M. Overstreet, first lieutenant; C. F. Johnson, second lieutenant.

The first company organized in the county was the one commanded by S. P. Oyler.  It left for the camp of rendezvous on 
Monday, April 22, 1861, with 105 men.  The preceding Saturday the ladies of Franklin had presented the company with a splendid 
silk flag.  The company was assigned the position of H, in the Seventh Regiment.  Capt. Oyler was immediately promoted major 
of the regiment.  In the company Joseph P. Gill became captain, William B. Ellis, and Welcome B. McLaughlin, first and second 
lieutenants.  The company had a total enrollment of seventy-four men.  The Seventh was one of the three months' regiments that 
went from Indiana under the president'' first call for troops.  Its time was mostly spent in western Virginia, and was under the command 
of Ebenezer Dumont as colonel.  It was engaged at Philippi, the first place in which Indiana troops were under fire during the Rebellion.  
At Corrick's Ford it bore a conspicuous part.

Transcribed by Cheryl Zufall Parker