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Did You Know?

• The 27th Indiana had the tallest soldiers of the Civil War? David C. Van Buskirk of Company F was 6'10.5" tall and was also the single tallest soldier in on either side. This would be about 7'4" inches today by comparison. He was called the 'Biggest Yankee in the World' by the Southern press. When captured at Winchester on 25 May, 1862, David was sent to the infamous Libby Prison in Richmond. He attracted the attention of none other than Confederate President Jefferson Davis. On a visit to the prison, Davis asked about his home and family. "Back home at Bloomington Indiana," answered Van Buskirk, "I have six sisters. When they told me goodbye, as I was standing with my company, they all walked up, leaned down, and kissed me on top of the head." David was paroled in September of 1862 and took command of Company F when Peter Kopp was killed at Antietam. Company F boasted 35 men over six feet. Incredibly, as large a target as David might present, he was never wounded. He served with the regiment until April 1864.

• The 27th Indiana coined the phrase, "Gosport Money" as a popular Civil War term meaning something of absolutely no value? The term resulted from an overaggressive sutler disregarding Colonel Colgrove's strict rules about entering the 27th's camp at Frederick, Maryland in the Winter of 1862-63. The sutler bypassed Colgrove's guards and entered the camp with his shoddy or high-priced wares. He had no idea that several soldiers from Company F had brought with them large sums of worthless, unsigned bank notes from a failed bank in Gosport, Indiana. Never intending to use the notes as actual currency, the perpetrators could not resist to put one over on this 'thief.' The sutler was amazed to see how readily the boys bought up his goods and seemed to have lots of cash to boot (signed by their peers). He left camp in an empty wagon and in high spirits. You can imagine his horror when he learned the real value of the notes when he attempted to deposit them. You can also imagine the sympathetic ear he received when he complained to the Colonel shortly thereafter. Needless to say, the Colonel sent him on his way empty handed once more, but after a good swearing and cursing about the matter. Soon, word of the incident spread throughout the Army of the Potomac and among many banks and sutlers.

• The 27th Indiana was instrumental in changing the course of the Civil War? By finding Lee's Lost Order, the rebel invasion of Maryland was doomed. President Lincoln stated after the bloody battle, "God had decided the question in favor of the slaves," and issued his Emancipation Proclamation. Foreign powers were deeply affected by the proclamation. From this point, no foreign power was willing to embrace the Confederacy with slavery as an institution. The rest is history, all because John M. Bloss and Barton W. Mitchell found three cigars wrapped with Special Orders 191 in a clover field at their old campsite in Frederick, Maryland.

Special Orders 191

• The 27th Indiana fought in six major campaigns and eleven major engagements? Its combat death loss from so many severe actions were among the top 20 in the Union Army, and the largest in 12th/20th Corps when figured by percent of those enrolled. It stood its ground in Miller's Cornfield at Antietam, forcing the 27th Georgia and Colquitt's Brigade to retire. Along with its brigade, it checked the advance of the rebel attack at Chancellorsville, allowing fresh troops to stabilize the line, thus saving the Union forces from total defeat. Its attack at Culp's Hill at Gettysburg confused Ewell into thinking a Union assault was being launched, causing Pickett's attack to be uncoordinated with the rebel left. Its valor at Resaca, Georgia helped defeat Hood's attack on the vulnerable Union left. In this battle it would capture the colonel, colors and scores of prisoners from the 38th Alabama and would add a Medal of Honor to its ranks. In all of its service, it never lost a color or a cannon under its care. Incredibly, this unparalleled regiment escapes most historians' notice outside of the lost orders incident. Without fancy names or fancy hats, the 27th contributed blood and immeasurable service to help preserve the United States of America and end human suffering.

Where to learn more about the 27th Indiana

	General Alpheus S. Williams

"The Twenty-Seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry," by Edmund R. Brown (of Company C), 1899. The Official History. Reprinted by Butternut Press, Gaithersburg, MD in 1980s. Original and Reprints are extremely hard to find.

"Giants in the Cornfield," by Wilbur D. Jones, Jr., 1997. White Mane Publishers, Shippenburg, PA. This is the definitive work on the 27th Indiana. Captures the emotional and social involvement of the men in their own words. Lets you see what it was like to be in an infantry regiment during the war. This work is not a rehash of the official history. Mr. Jones has unearthed important new material, most of which is not in the official history. Information on this work, including autographed copies, can be obtained ($30 + $4 S&H )by writing:

Wilbur Jones Compositions 4700 Chamberlain Lane Wilmington NC 28409

Or check out Mr. Jones web site at www.wilburjones.com.

E-mail Wilbur Jones

"From the Cannon's Mouth," edited by Milo M. Quaife, 1959, Wayne State Univ. Press, Detroit, MI. These are the wartime letters of Alpheus S. Williams. This book is extremely hard to find but worth the price. General Williams was the 27th Indiana's division commander throughout the war. He commanded the XII Corps at Gettysburg and on occasion in the Atlanta Campaign. Williams is truly one of the unsung heroes of the war. You can read his letters, learn more about Williams, and explore the 27th's parent units at Lowell Forest Boileau's outstanding home page called "Plug Ugly" (Williams' horse).

"Soldiering: The Civil War Diary of Rice C. Bull," edited by K. Jack Bauer, 1977, Presidio, Novato, CA. Rice Bull was a member of the 123d New York Infantry, which joined the 27th Indiana's brigade from Chancellorsville through Atlanta. Contains many vivid recollections of the Hoosiers.

"A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion" by Frederick H. Dyer (1908), reprints possibly available through Broadfoot Publishing. Guild Press includes this monumental work in their Official Records CD-ROM.

"The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies", There are a total of 16 volumes of the Official Records that purport to contain some mention of the 27th Indiana Infantry. The hardbacks are available through Broadfoot Publishing. The CD-ROM versions are offered by three main suppliers. Guild Press' version includes Dyer's Compendium, Fox's Regimental Losses, Great Battles, and the Official Guide to the Use of the Official Records.

"The Army of the Potomac," by Bruce Catton, 1962, Doubleday, Garden City, NY. Mr. Catton features the 27th Indiana to tell his story in this classic work.

"Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac," by William Swinton, 1866. Blue & Grey Press, Secaucus, NJ, offers a fine reprint of this essential work.

"History of the Army of the Cumberland," by Thomas B. Van Horne, 1875. Broadfoot Publishing offers an excellent exact reprint (covers and all) of perhaps the best large unit history to come out of the war.

"Stonewall Jackson at Cedar Mountain," by Robert K. Krick, 1990. This is the best description of the battle but some reviewers feel it is done from the southern perspective.

"Antietam: The Photographic Legacy of America's Bloodiest Day," by William A. Frassanito, 1978, Scribner's, New York, NY. This book allowed me to walk directly to the exact sites where the 27th fought. Best in-depth study available.

"Chancellorsville," by Stephen W. Sears, 1996, Houghton Mifflin, New York, NY. Finally, the history has been written that explains the 27th's important role.

"Gettysburg: A Journey in Time," by William A. Frassanito, 1975, Scribner's, New York, NY. As good as the Antietam work. Details the 27th Indiana and 2d Massachusetts attack at Spangler's Spring at Culp's Hill.

"Gettysburg: Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill," by Harry W. Pfanz, 1993, UNC Press, Chapel Hill, NC. THE work on the 'other Gettysburg.' Provides insight to the implications of the attack at Spangler's Spring.

James River Publications Provides a good resource on the net for where to find Civil War books. This site also includes a list of every known Civil War Regimental History published.

Well, that's all I have for now. If you would like to add to this list or comment on unique facts about the 27th Indiana, please e-mail Steve Russell.