US Army
1872 Junior Officer's Frock Coat
Taken in Edinburg, Indiana, this image shows a young man wearing the 1872 pattern junior officer's frock coat (note the gold lace on the cuff). This coat was worn until replaced by the 1879 frock coat which was similar but did not have the gold lace.
Indiana Militia Participant
Ribbons for the National Drill,
In May 1887, militia groups from nineteen states and the District of Columbia participated in a drill competition on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
They set up their tents on the grounds of the Washington Monument and participated in marching, drilling, and shooting competitions on the Ellipse.
Shown here are two of the participant ribbons worn by the Indiana militia.
1892 Pattern Officer's Undress Coat
Not popular with the officers of the Army, this coat was only worn from 1893 through 1895. The coat seen here was worn by an officer in the 3rd Indiana Infantry Regiment.
Officer of the 1st Indiana Infantry wearing the 1892 pattern undress coat.
Roby Riots Medal
The Indiana Legion, forerunner of the Indiana National Guard was called to active duty in 1893 in response to a planned prize fight in the small Northwestern Indiana town of Roby. Strikes by the railroad unions in 1894 necessitated the Indiana Legion once again being called to active service.
This medal was privately minted by the Roby family in appreciation of the Legion's service during these periods. Mrs. Edward Roby traveled throughout the state presenting these medals to members of the Indiana Legion.
Major General Henry Ware Lawton
Fort Wayne
Medal of Honor Recipient
Born in 1843 in Maumee, Ohio, Lawton's family moved to Fort Wayne that same year. When President Lincoln called for volunteers in 1861, Lawton was quick to join. He served in the 9th Indiana Infantry, being mustered out in July 1861 at the end of his enlistment. One month later, he reenlisted into the 30th Indiana Infantry fighting at the battles of Stones River (Tennessee) and Chickamauga (Georgia) . Lawton was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Atlanta.
After the war, Lawton graduated from Harvard Law School and returned to the Army, serving in the west. Lawton is credited with the capture of the Apache chief Geronimo.
When America declared war on Spain, Lawton was promoted to Brigadier General of Volunteers serving in Cuba. He was promoted to Major General of Volunteers and with victory in Cuba, he became the Military Governor of Santiago de Cuba province.
After his return to the United States, he was placed in command of the 1st Division of the 8th Army Corps in the Philippines. During the Battle of Paye, Lawton was killed by Filipino sharpshooter.
Indiana Monument
This monument was erected by the 161st Indiana Volunteer Infantry in Havana, Cuba, This was the first memorial the American Soldier. ever erected on foreign soil.
Assistant Surgeon
Reginald W. Garstang
(Indianapolis)
Reginald Garstang served with the 157th Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American War. From The Indianapolis News dated June 3, 1898: "Dr. Garstang, of this city, twenty-three years old, was connected with the artillery branch of the Indiana State Militia for several years, of which the famous Battery A was a part. When it was decided not to send the artillery to the front as a battalion, he was commissioned by the Governor as assistant surgeon of the One-hundred-and -fifty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, under Col. G.M. Studebaker, which regiment was the first to be mustered into the Untied States service and the first to leave Chickamauga for Tampa. With the exception of one hospital steward, Dr. Garstang is the only Indianapolis man in the regiment and the first to the front from this city.
Gauntlets worn by
Corporal Frank F. Barr
(Fort Wayne)
CPL Barr was from Fort Wayne, Indiana and joined Battery E in July, 1894. Battery E was activated in 1898 and reorganized as the 28th Battery of Light Artillery, Indiana Volunteers. The battery was sent from Camp Mount in Indianapolis to Camp Thomas at Chickamauga Park, Georgia. In September, 1898, the battery was then ordered to return to Camp Mount to be mustered out.
The gloves were manufactured by Daniel Hays & Company and bears his stamp. Also, the gloves are nicely marked with CPL Barr's name and unit.
Photo of Corporal Barr wearing his gauntlets.
The Pattern of 1898 Field Service Blouse as Worn by Captain William F. Ranke, 28th Indiana Light Artillery.
(Fort Wayne)
The example of the 1898 pattern blouse was worn by Captain William F. Ranke, who commanded the 28th Indiana Light Artillery. Ranke, who was a pharmacist in Fort Wayne, Indiana, had been a member of the Indiana National Guard before the War with Spain. Serving with the “Zollinger Battery”, named after Colonel Charles Zollinger, who had served with and commanded various Indiana volunteer Infantry regiments during the Civil War and was elected mayor of Fort Wayne seven times. Ranke began his service in 1888 as a private, advanced to First sergeant and then promoted to Captain of the battery in 1894.
At the outbreak of war, the “Zollinger Battery” (Battery E, 1st Indiana National Guard) was called to active duty as the 28th Battery of Light Artillery, Indiana Volunteers. The 28th was mustered into Federal service at Camp Mount in Indianapolis. Like many of the volunteer regiments, the 28th was sent to Camp George H. Thomas at Chickamauga Park near Chattanooga, Tennessee. While in camp, the battery prepared to be sent to Cuba, but after almost four months at Camp Thomas, the 28th was ordered back to Camp Mount. After a 30-day furlough, the men of the 28th were mustered out and discharged.
