Indiana Governor helped fuel Union effort during the Civil War

We’re having a look again at Indiana historical past. All this week, Information 8’s Adam Pinsker is having a look at Indiana’s position within the Civil Struggle. That is the primary of 5 entries in our newest INside Story sequence.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — He got here to energy throughout a time of deep division throughout the nation. Oliver Morton took workplace simply weeks earlier than the beginning of the Civil Struggle as Indiana’s 14th governor.

He was the was the primary Governor of Indiana who was born within the state. He was additionally staunchly in opposition to slavery, and made main contributions to the Union battle effort.

Morton was initially elected as Lieutenant Governor within the 1860 election. Simply two days into his time period, Morton grew to become governor after Governor-elect Henry S. Lane was appointed to the Senate.

Inside weeks of taking workplace, the Civil Struggle broke out, and Morton, together with different northern governors, assisted with the battle effort.

“Oliver P. Morton was instrumental in ensuring that when Lincoln needed to put out the decision for troops, and put out the decision for the wants of the nation, particularly the wants of the north, Oliver Morton stepped as much as assist,” stated Amy Vedra, Director of Reference Companies on the Indiana Historic Society.

200,000 Hoosiers went to battle for the Union, plus one other 100,000 for the Indiana Legion or Residence Guard.

“Indiana was the second-largest provider of troops, when you think about proportion of inhabitants of the state,” stated Vedra.

Morton additionally helped set up an arsenal initially in downtown, after which moved to the positioning recognized at the moment as Arsenal Tech Excessive Faculty. He additionally had a detailed relationship with President Abraham Lincoln.

“Morton would exit and meet with Lincoln. Morton was massive about going out and seeing the troops, the Indiana troops,” stated Vedra.

Because the battle was winding down, Morton efficiently sought a second time period as governor, despite the fact that the state structure barred a governor from serving two consecutive phrases.

“Oliver P. Morton argued that he was not elected governor, so subsequently he might run once more, and he did run once more, stated Vedra.

After serving a second time period as governor, Morton was elected by the Normal Meeting to the U.S. Senate, the place he served till his loss of life in 1877 on the age of 54.