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Remembering the Civil War in Fort Wayne

Col. David Foster is memorialized in Swinney Park in Fort Wayne. Foster is known as the "Father of the Fort Wayne Parks System." (Photo by Laura Weston-Elchert of The News-Sentinel)
During his three years of military service, Col. David N. Foster (1841-1934) fought in the battles of Gettysburg and Fredericksburg. After the war, Foster's lengthy involvement with the Parks Board earned him the title, "Father of the Fort Wayne Parks System."
This drawing of Henry Lawton was made in 1900, about a year after his death. It is part of the Civil War display at the History Center.
Aaron Luther fought in the Civil War's 19th Regiment. After enlisting in August 1862, Luther died on the battlefield from gunshot wounds only four months later. At the time, his family lived in Washington Township, Allen County. His father, Israel Luther, enlisted in 1864.
Israel Luther is the father of Aaron Luther, and both fought in the Civil War. Israel Luther enlisted in November 1864 and was discharged in July 1865.
This area located on the west side of the St. Marys River served as a training ground for more than 4,000 soldiers. The city turned the site into Camp Allen Park in 1912.
Susan McCulloch was the wife of Hugh McCulloch, a Fort Wayne banker appointed by President Lincoln in 1863 as the nation's first comptroller. During the Civil War, she kept her husband updated with information on weather, crops, weddings and deaths. At the time, Fort Wayne was a city somewhat divided on issues surrounding the war.
The Greek Revival home was built in 1843 for Hugh MuCulloch and his wife, Susan. In 1863, he was appointed comptroller of the currency by President Abraham Lincoln. He also served as secretary of the treasury for presidents Lincoln, Andrew Johnson and Chester Arthur.
This memorial at Lawton Park East in Fort Wayne was erected for those who served in the Civil War.
Col. Hugh B. Reed (1818-1890) served as first commander of the 44th Indiana Regiment. He operated the city's first drugstore at the Landing and Calhoun St. He fought in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh.
Daniel Bates was one of three generations to fight in the Civil War. He fought in the Battle of the Peninsula in Falmouth, Va. Serving in the military was a family business for the Bates. His father, Asa, fought in the Revolutionary War.
Edwin Bates enlisted in 1864, just before his 16th birthday. He served until the end of the Civil War.
Gen. Henry Lawton is honored with a statue in Lakeside Park. Lawton enlisted in the army in 1861 and served in the 9thn Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He continued his military career after the Civil War, serving until he was killed in 1899 in the Philippines.
Capt. John McPherson Godown (1832-1911) served in the 12th Indiana Regiment. He took part in the battles of Vicksburg and joined Gen. William T. Sherman on his famous march to the sea.
Col. Sion Bass served in the 30th Indiana Regiment (Bloody Thirtieth) and became a colonel in 1861. He lost his life a week after being wounded at the Battle of Shiloh. He was considered Fort Wayne's first fallen hero of the war.
Col. Bass bought this brick Italianate two-story house in the mid-1850s for his family. He died from wounds he suffered during the Battle of Shiloh. His widow lived in the house until the late 1870s.
This image of Sion Bass is in the collection of the History Center in Fort Wayne. His mother-in-law, Eliza George, enlisted as a military nurse after his death on the battlefield.
Civil War nurse Eliza George, or "Mother George," began military service after her son-in-law Sion Bass died on the battlefield.
Eliza George (1808-1865) was buried with full military honors.
At the 300 block of East Berry St., a plaque locates Eliza George's former Fort Wayne home.
Allen County native David Eggiman served in the 126th Regiment during the Civil War. He was a bugler and then became the leader of the regimental band.
Margaret Hobson of Spencerville has spent 20 years researching the history of the men who served in the 44th Indiana Regiment in the Civil War. Most of the men were from northeast Indiana. Hobson, who found much of her information at the Allen County Public Library's Genealogy Department, hopes to publish the story of the 44th as a book or series of books.
Private Gideon Kennedy served in the 19th Indiana Volunteer Regiment, which was also known as the "Black Hat Brigade."
This photo of Charles Augustus Keeler is well-known among Civil War buffs, as it may be the only known image showing the white leggings used early on by the Iron Brigade.
Built in 1894, this memorial was created as a tribute to those who served in the war. It was restored and rededicated in 2006.
Robert Stoddart Robertson (1839-1906) was wounded in the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. He was a recipient of the Medal of Honor.
Lewis Griffith of Hamilton served with the 44th Indiana Regiment in the Civil War, rising in rank from private to captain.
Col. Charles A. Zollinger (1838-1893) served with Gen. William T. Sherman in his march to Atlanta. After the war, he served numerous terms as mayor.
Dr. William Hause fought in the 52nd Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
John Dawson (1820-1877) was the editor of the fort Wayne Daily Times. In 1861, he spoke against the presence of Camp Allen. He believed it would encourage further debauchery in the city.
Joseph Poinsett was born in Germantown, Ohio, but came with his parents to Allen County about 1834. During the Civil War, he enlisted in the 47th Indiana Infantry Regiment.
Col. William Link served as commander of the 12th Indiana Infantry. He was wounded in the leg by a Minie ball during battle in Richmond, Ky. Three weeks later, he died in a military hospital.
Only six Civil War veterans see the Memorial Day parade from the reviewing stand in 1934. Pictured are Col. David N. Foster, William B. Donaldson, Thomas Cragg, John Young, William H. Hannen and Alexander Ormison.
Only five Civil War veterans attended the 1935 Memorial Day program. From left are William Donaldson, Alex Ormiston, Thomas Cragg, William H. Hannen and John Young.
In 1936, four members of Bass-Lawton Post No. 40 G.A.R. reminisce about the Civil War. Pictured are William H. Hannen, 90; Alex Ormiston, 93; Thomas Craff, 89; and John Young, 90.
Pictured are Civil War veterans William H. Hannen, Alex Ormiston, Thomas Cragg, John Young in 1936.
Pictured in this 1937 photo are Civil War veterans William H. Hannen, Alexander Ormiston, William Donaldson, John T. Young and William Devlin.
Civil War veterans William H. Hannen, W.X. Stafford, John Townsend Young, William Devlin and Alex Ormiston attend a parade in 1938.
Civil War veterans Alex Ormiston and John Young salute the flag in 1939.
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