Fallen hero
Historical Society obtains Hendrick portrait
Civil
War officer had illustrious career
before dying in battle
Editor’s note: The Jefferson County Historical Society in April purchased a large portrait of John Abram Hendrick, which now hangs in the museum at 615 W. First St., Madison. The unsigned portrait had been obtained from a descendant’s estate by a dealer in California. The dealer called the historical society and offered to sell it. The historical society is now seeking $1,000 in donations to have the portrait cleaned. Historical society member and historian Gordon Whitney wrote this article about Hendrick for RoundAbout.
By
Gordon Whitney
Special to RoundAbout
(May 2005) – Life was good for John Abram Hendrick.
He was born on March 7, 1823, into one of the first families of Madison,
Ind. His maternal grandfather was John Paul, one of the founders of
Madison. His mother was the eldest daughter of John Paul. His father
was William Hendrick, Indiana’s second governor and also represented
Indiana in the United States Senate. He was also one of the leaders
of the Democratic Party in the state.
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John Hendrick protrait |
Hendrick received a good education and became an attorney
and would serve as City Attorney for Madison.
On Oct. 2, 1831, he married Francis Norwood. As a wedding present, they
received from the senior Hendrick a home at (High) First and Elm. As
the years progressed, his law firm prospered, establishing his reputation
as a competent and honest attorney.
Like so many men in the community, he served in a militia unit, the
Madison Greys. With the advent of the Mexican War in 1846, Hendrick
served as a captain in the 3rd Indiana Infantry seeing action at the
Battle of Buena Vista in Mexico.
Upon his return, he formed a partnership with William Dunn. The office
was located on Maincross, between Main and Walnut streets in Madison.
In the late 1850s, the turmoil in the country over the slavery problem
was growing to a point that war was imminent and like so many others,
Hendrick felt the need to serve. It was common knowledge that a high
command in the military would be a necessity in the post world and would
be imperative in furthering one’s career, or the establishment
of a new one. However, commissions were awarded by the present political
party, and in 1860 the new Republican Party had swept Indiana, as well
as the nation.
Since the Hendricks were known as such stalwart Democrats, it was questionable
as to what kind of commission he would receive, if any. Hendrick would
have to bide his time as to what Gov. Oliver P. Morton, a Republican,
would offer. After a bit of political arm twisting, not to mention the
growing need for officers, in July 1861 Hendrick received a commission
of lieutenant colonel and was assigned to a new regiment that was being
formed in North Madison at Camp Noble. (Camp Noble was on the site of
the old Jefferson County Fairgrounds.)
The 22nd Indiana Volunteer Infantry would become a big regiment with
more than 900 men in 10 companies. It even boasted its own silver cornet
band.
On Aug. 2, 1861, the new colonel and commander of the 22nd arrived – Jefferson
C. Davis, a regular Army man who had served at Fort Sumter. Accompanying
Davis was Gov. Morton, who in a stirring speech introduced the regiment
to its new Colonel. Lt. Col Davis and Hendrick had little in common,
outside of their politics – both were Democrats.
Davis was the product of the regular Army, hard and disciplined, whereas
Hendrick was the product of an affluent family who enjoyed a comfortable
and easy lifestyle. How these two different men would function together
remained to be seen.
On Aug. 14, the regiment left Madison for Indianapolis. Three days later
they were in St. Louis, and from there they moved to Jefferson City,
Mo., arriving on Aug. 26. Here they were brigaded with the 8th and 26th
Indiana Infantry. Gen. Davis assumed command, turning the 22nd over
to Hendrick. In that short time, Davis and Hendrick worked well together.
Hendrick was well liked by his men and had established a good rapport
with his subordinate officers.
Meanwhile, in Lexington, Mo., some 3,600 men were under siege by Gen.
Sterling Price’s Confederates. On Sept. 18, 1861, Hendrick was
ordered to take a command consisting of the 22nd and part of the 18th
Indiana and go to their relief. He divided his command sending five
companies of the 22nd by land and the remaining five and part of the
18th boarded the transport War Eagle. The 18th and part of the 26th
followed on the Iatan river boat on the Missouri River.
On the night of Sept. 26, the War Eagle and Iatan put into Glasgow,
Mo., for the night. There, Hendrick learned that there was $75,000 in
the bank at Glasgow. Maj. Tanner of the 22nd requested permission to
take 500 men into town and take the money. Hendrick was reluctant to
approve the venture since there were reports of Confederates in the
area. After much pleading and against his better judgment, Hendrick
let Tanner go.
Tanner and his men had not gone far when they came under heavy fire,
which they returned. The fighting went on for some 15 minutes before
they learned that they were being fired upon by men of the 16th Indiana,
part of the force that had been moving by land. When order was restored,
Tanner was found mortally wounded with that column, which returned to
the War Eagle. When Hendrick heard the news he was very upset and saddened,
feeling the tragedy could have been prevented if he had been more firm.
It was a hard lesson for him: A good leader must have good judgment
and the courage to stick with his convictions.
The next day, Hendrick’s command reached Lexington only to find
that the Union force had surrendered and the Rebels were falling back
on Springfield. With that, Hendrick and his men went into camp waiting
for orders.
On the 20th, he learned that he and his command would be part of an
Army that was to move on and capture Springfield, Mo. After a hard and
difficult march on roads that had turned into quagmires, they reached
Springfield only to find it abandoned by the Confederates, who were
retreating south. A force was left in the city to keep order while Hendrick
learned, to his disappointment, that he and his men were ordered to
turn around and march north to Sedalia. The return march was more exacting,
brought on by snow and rain, which made conditions almost unyielding.
On Nov. 20, they made camp at the La Mine Cross Roads, Mo., a few miles
west of Sedalia. There, they went into winter quarters, which was most
welcome by all since many were sick and suffering from fatigue and small
pox. Many had frostbite. Rest and good food made for good medicine,
and most men’s health improved. They were looking forward to Christmas.
But it would not be a good holiday for John Hendrick.
He had received word from Madison that a serious financial problem had
arisen that needed his personal attention. On Jan. 3, 1862, he received
a 30-day leave and returned to Madison to take care of the situation.
Evidently, the situation did improve, for on Jan. 19 he wrote for an
extension of 20 days. In his request he said, “I have by indisposition
been prevented from transacting the business on account of which I obtained
leave of absence,” ending with a P.S.: “Please address me
at Indianapolis.”
Hendrick and his family were heavily invested in Jefferson County real
estate and other ventures. Since his father’s death, Hendrick had
been responsible for the family’s business affairs. Evidently,
he completed his personal business, for he returned to La Mine Camp
on Feb. 9, only to find that the 22nd Indiana had left on Jan. 26 on
their way again to Springfield.
Hendrick caught up with his command shortly after they entered the city
on Feb. 11, 1862. Here he learned that there had been a change in the
Army. The 22nd was now in the 3rd Division Army of the Southwest, commanded
by Gen. Samuel Curtis. His Division Commander was a man he knew well
– the former commander of the 22nd, a man he had served under
not so long ago, and whose relationship had been difficult at times:
Jefferson Davis.
On Feb. 15, Col. Hendrick and the 22nd march out of Springfield, part
of the Army that was in pursuit of the Confederate Army under Gen. Sterling
Price. As before, it was to be an extremely difficult march. The roads
had turned into a sea of mud at Cross Timber Hollow. Close to the Arkansas
line, they caught up with the rear of the rebels and were soon engaged
in light skirmishing. But all too soon, the Confederates retreated.
Curtis Federals now found themselves out of provisions. Adding to their
woe was the weather, which had become wretched, cold, windy and snowy.
Hendrick turned his men lose combing the countryside for whatever could
be found. Regretfully, their search turned up little. Despite the fact
the enemy was close, there was little skirmishing. Then on March 6,
the 22nd and other regiments received orders to prepare for probable
heavy fighting the next day.
Friday, March 7, dawned bright and clear. The air was frigid as men
gathered around fires warming themselves and preparing for breakfast.
Despite the cold, this was a special day for John Hendrick, for this
was his birthday, and his thoughts must have turned back to Madison.
His wife had written him that the family would celebrate his birthday,
wishing he was home. But thoughts of home quickly changed when he received
orders from Gen. Davis around 9 a.m. to change front and move back to
the north, literally to turn around, for an anticipated attack.
By 11 a.m., Hendrick and his men were in their assigned position and
had hardly gotten into line when they were attacked by a unit of cavalry,
which they were able to drive off. This was followed by a strong artillery
strike, causing casualties and bringing on confusion and disorder. Hendrick
dismounted and moved among his men, trying to establish order by telling
his men to stand firm. Then across the field, the enemy infantry could
be seen advancing toward them. All too soon the air was full of shot
and shells. As the fighting intensified, suddenly the left of the regiment
began to give way. Quickly, Hendrick sent word to Col. Pattison, now
commanding the brigade, asking for help.
But there was none to give, Hendrick would have to fend for himself.
As he moved along the line, he was struck as a ball penetrated his left
side, passing through his torso and exiting near his right shoulder.
Then he was struck in the face by a blast from a shotgun shell, killing
him outright. His death almost led to disaster. The regiment, without
its leader, began to give way and fall back. Fortunately, Maj. David
Daily took charge and, after some time, was able to establish some sort
of order.
Back in Madison, Francis Hendrick was celebrating John’s birthday
with friends and family. Learning of his death brought grief, not only
to his wife and family but to the citizens of Madison. Brother Paul
went down to Rolla, Mo., to bring the body back for burial, arriving
in Madison on Monday, March 17. The funeral was the following day at
the North Madison Cemetery in North Madison (now Fairmont).
John A. Hendrick was the highest officer from Madison and the state
of Indiana to fall in battle at that time. Sadly, he would be followed
by more.
• Gordon Whitney resides in Madison, Ind. For information on museum times at the Jefferson County Historical Society, call (812) 265-2335.