Former Carmel Police Officer John P. Etter has revealed events surrounding the involvement of Indiana's many community militias in the book "The Indiana Legion: A Civil War Militia."

Published by Hawthorne Publishing, Etter carefully researched the book, which tells of those men who chose to stay at home during the Civil War (1861-65) and guard the state against the Copperheads (Southern sympathizers), break up political riots, thwart incursions across the borders, guard prison camps and provide intelligence to the regular army and to Indiana Gov. Oliver P. Morton.

Many towns and cities had their own militias. Hamilton County had several, including those in very small communities such as Boxley and Clarksville.

The book shows that while their members often were derided for not being brave enough to serve in the regular Army, these militias served a useful purpose in helping stop the activities of such treasonous secret societies as the Sons of Liberty, whose purpose was to overthrow state government and make it a Confederate state.

The Indiana Legion was involved in largely containing Confederate raider Gen. John Hunt Morgan in his attack on Southern Indiana in 1863. They also intervened in the raid on Newburgh by Gen. Adam "Stovepipe" Johnson in 1862.

Etter recently retired from the Police Department after nearly 30 years. For a number of his earlier years, he had been a canine officer. It was "the best job I had as a police officer," he said.

During that period, Etter had two different dogs, a German shepherd and a Labrador retriever. He said the retriever was particularly adept at sniffing out drugs.

"The shepherd was a good dog, too, but while he'd go upstairs, he wouldn't come down."

Etter had to carry the 88-pound dog down the stairs. He received a lot of ribbing about that from other officers.

"The Indiana Legion" began as material for Etter's master's thesis. He earned his master's in history from Butler University in 2003. The book took 41/2 years to research and write.

Etter said he is continuing his research into the personal lives of many of the state's militiamen, with the intent of writing another book, delving more closely into individual units.

Etter admitted that he finds writing difficult.

"I think I'd rather face a man with a gun than write. It's hard work," he said jokingly.

For many years, Etter was involved as a Civil War re-enactor. While still fascinated by it, he no longer sees himself directly involved.

"It's a great hobby," he said, "but marching around in a wool uniform in July isn't fun anymore. I'm too old."