Greensburg in Decatur County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Civil War General John T. Wilder
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
1. Side 'One' - - Civil War General John T. Wilder Marker
Wilder (1830-1917), resident of Greensburg circa 1858-1869, built this home 1865-1866. He was millwright and inventor; provided major employment in the area. Enlisted in Civil War; appointed lieutenant colonel of Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry 1861 by Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton.
Side two
In 1863, Wilder commanded a brigade which included mounted infantry equipped with new Spencer repeating rifles. Use of rifles helped troops defeat Confederates at Hoover's Gap; earned them nickname Wilder's Lightning Brigade. Wilder was breveted Brigadier General 1864, after Chickamauga.
Erected 2001 by Indiana Historical Bureau and Wal-Mart. (Marker Number 16.2001.1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.
Location. 39° 20.208′ N, 85° 28.682′ W. Marker is in Greensburg, Indiana, in Decatur County. Marker is on East Main Street (State Road 46) west of North Lathrop Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 446 East Main Street, Greensburg IN 47240, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of
this page online
Also see . . .
1. John T. Wilder. American Battlefield Trust website entry (Submitted on July 19, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
2. Colonel Wilder’s Lightning Brigade. Part of the New York Times' Disunion series, Phil Leigh's article (12/25/2012) tells the story Wilder's Lightning Brigade. In the 1880's, Wilder had an unusual business venture: "...He built the luxury Cloudland Hotel atop 6,300-foot Roan Mountain. A line marking the state boundary was drawn down the middle of the dining room, serving alcoholic beverages on one side only. The hotel eventually failed, but the hotel is remembered today with a marker on the Appalachian Trail...." (Submitted on December 26, 2012.)
3. Photos of Dedication. Indiana Historical Bureau website entry (Submitted on January 21, 2013, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
2. Side 'Two' - - Civil War General John T. Wilder Marker
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
3. Long View - - Civil War General John T. Wilder Marker
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
4. Looking West - - Civil War General John T. Wilder Marker
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
5. South/East Corner - - Home of General John T. Wilder
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
6. South Side - Front - - Home of General John T. Wilder
Photographed By Larry Gertner
7. Col. John T. Wilder, USA
Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,429 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 19, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 7. submitted on November 20, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
