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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.
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.
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