LINCOLN LOGS by Jim Redwine

Gavel Gamut By Jim Redwine

LINCOLN LOGS

Last week we were contemplating why tourists should visit Posey County, Indiana. I postulated that our unique history is our main attraction. By coincidence, my friend and Posey County historian, Jerry King, published an excellent article last week on some of Abraham Lincoln’s connections to Posey County.

Jerry and his wife, Marsha, give generously of their knowledge, time, labor and money to preserving Posey County history. They have built a Pioneer Village in Solitude on the banks of Big Creek, five miles north of Mt. Vernon.

Jerry studied log cabin building techniques and has recreated an entire settlement that includes a church, a general store, several other structures and even Abraham Lincoln’s law office. Jerry and Marsha open their village for free to children and adults for history lessons, church services, weddings and an occasional dinner. It has even served as a movie set.

If you are a tourist searching for a Lincoln or Civil War era experience, you can find either or both in Posey County. As Jerry pointed out in his article, Lincoln visited our county several times and had numerous interpersonal connections to Posey County residents. A few things Jerry knew about Lincoln, the Civil War and Posey County, but did not have space to include are set forth below.

For example, if you are looking for the site of a Civil War incursion into Indiana by Confederates, you can visit West Franklin on the banks of the Ohio River near the Vanderburgh County line. On November 08, 1862 Posey County was invaded by members of the Fourth Regiment of the Kentucky cavalry under the command of Col. E.G. Hall. The rebels kidnapped local physician William K. Harris and held him for one week in Kentucky. No blood was shed, but when the Southerners were captured by Union forces and turned over to Posey County authorities, the Circuit Court Judge, William F. Parrett, Jr., refused to afford them prisoner of war status.

Posey County furnished three generals to the Union during the Civil war. One of them, Alvin P. Hovey, went on to become governor of Indiana after the war. All three generals had direct connections to President Lincoln. Hovey and Lincoln read from the same law books furnished by Posey County Judge John Pitcher. General Thomas Pitcher, John’s son, lived close to Lincoln as a boy. General William Harrow rode the law circuit with Lincoln in Illinois before Harrow moved to Posey County. Harrow and Hovey married the James sisters from Mt. Vernon. General Hovey served at Shiloh next to General Lew Wallace of Ben Hur fame. General Pitcher served as the Commandant of West Point after the war.

Hovey was one of the heroes of the siege of Vicksburg. When Hovey was in the thick of the battle at Shiloh and had a moment to reflect he wrote:

“The groans of the wounded and dying fell sadly on the stillness of that gloomy night. Friends and foes seem to be intermingled on one broad field of carnage ….”

Posey County had another close, but tragic connection to Abraham Lincoln through Union private John Ramsey, who was born and died in Posey County. During the War he was assigned to guard duty at Ford’s Theater during a play called Our American Cousin attended by President and Mrs. Lincoln. Ramsey helped carry the President from the theater across the street to the Peterson Boarding House. Lincoln’s blood soaked Ramsey’s uniform. This precious artifact was lost in a fire at the Ramsey home in Posey County.

Perhaps it was Jerry’s article or perhaps because I am writing this on February 12, but Lincoln, the Civil War and Posey County seem right for tourists interested in history. If you visit us, you might experience the same feeling.