Deer Creek Township
E. M. BARNES The subject of this sketch was in Lockport, Adams Township, Carroll Co., Ind., March 14,1838. He is the lineal descendent of an honorable and patriotic ancestry, briefly sketched in the biography of his brother James H. Barnes, on the preceding page. While yet a lad, his father moved on a farm where Edward as grew up, found active employment, spending his winters, however in school. The death of his father in 1854, devolved greater responsibilities upon him, but he bravely met them and was highly successful in his conduct of the farm. At the age of Twenty years, he left the farm and entered school in the city of Delphi, where he pursued his studies with vigor for some time, and then entered the academy at Waveland. He spent about two years at the Waveland school, passing his vacations in the Auditor's office of Carroll County. When the war broke out, he promptly enlisted in Company A, Ninth Indiana Infantry, in response to the first call for volunteers. He participated in the marches and battles of the regiment in the Western Virginia campaign, and took and active part in the sharp engagements at Philippi, Laurel Hill and Carrick's Ford. After the expiration of his Virginia campaign, he returned to Delphi and promptly re-enlisted in Company A, Second Indiana Cavalry, September 18, 1861, which by the way, was the first complete regiment of cavalry raised in Indiana. Mr. Barnes was appointed First Sergeant of the company. The regiment entered the service the latter part of December, 1861. In February, 1862, it marched with Buell's army toward Nashville, whence it moved to the Tennessee River, reaching the field of Shiloh and participating in the second day's fight. On the 9th of April, it had a skirmish with the enemy on the road to Corinth, and on the 15th participated in the sharp engagement at Pea Ridge. About this time Mr. Barnes was taken sick and during his sickness received the appointment of First Lieutenant of his company, which he rejoined just in time to participate in the occupation of Corinth. Thence he participated in the movements of Buell's army into Northern Alabama, and in the battle of Tuscambia, and afterwards in the Tennessee campaign, resulting in the battles of McMinnville and Gallatin. At the latter place, a part of the regiment, including Company A, was surrounded by the enemy, and only escaped capture by a heroic charge. In this engagement, his horse was shot under him. Afterward, the command participated in the Bragg and Buell campaign in Kentucky, engaging the enemy at Vinegar Hill and Perryville. It then resumed observations in Tennessee and Georgia, participating in the engagements at Triune and Chickamauga, where he commanded his company. The Command was then ordered to East Tennessee to relieve Knoxville from the threatened attack of Gen. Longstreet. On the 13th of March 1861, Mr. Barnes was made a prisoner of war, and sent to Salisbury. On the 29th of May, while en route to a rebel prison in Georgia he with three other officers succeeded in escaping from the train by sawing out the iron bars and escaping through the car window while the train was moving up a heavy grade near Chesterville, Ga. After wearying marches by night, under the guidance of plantation negroes, they crossed the mountains in North Carolina and arrived safe within the Union lines at Knoxville on the 30th of June. After accepting a furlough to recuperate his health, he rejoined his regiment at Cartersville, Ga., and continued with it, in command of the company, through the remainder of its service, participating in the Wheeler raid through Tennessee. Returning from this raid, he was honorably mustered out, with his regiment, at Indianapolis, July 22, 1865. Mr. Barnes returned to Delphi, and after a short time spent in teaching, opened a news and bookstore, a business he has successfully conducted to the present time.He was married, November 10, 1861, to Miss Mary E. Martin, daughter of the late Lewis Martin, Esq., one of the pioneer businessmen of Delphi. After its organization, he became a member of Boothroyd Post, G.A.R. of Delphi. He and his wife have for many years been active members of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Barnes is a valued citizen and a very successful businessman.
County Coordinator: Suzy Sprague suzyq.wa@worldnet.att.net