207 - THE REBELLION
THE REBELLION.
THE Mexican War ended, as we have seen, with complete victory by the United States, and we now had no enemy nor any foreign controversy. War seemed far distant. Our boundary troubles, which for several years had seemed likely to result in bloodshed, had been amicably closed two years before the beginning of the contest with Mexico, and the small portion which remained unadjusted, respecting the channel between Vancouver's Island and Oregon, was, by the wisdom and patience of General Sentt, quietly composed. Our differences with Spain respecting Cuba had passed by, and nothing remained for us to do except to sit under our own vine and fig tree and watch the development of the country. Yet the seed of discord was there, and war was soon to break out among us on an unexampled scale. The remote cause was negro slavery ; the immediate cause was State rights, so called, pushed to an unnatural and dangerous extent—a length never dreamed of by those who were most strenuous in opposing the adoption of the Federal Constitution, and certainly not by those who favored it.
The baneful effects of slavery were seen everywhere in the South. The fields of Kentucky, even at this day, do not compare with those of Ohio. Liberty of speech was inhibited, strangers from other States were forbidden to sojourn in Southern towns in cases where it was suspected their views of the peculiar institution differed from those of their neighbors, the press was muzzled, the pulpit not allowed to speak on one of the most flagrant violations of morality ever committed, and all these ultra views were sustained by a phalanx of Congressmen who could be depended upon in any emergency. No such unanimity existed among the representatives from the free States, and it was impossible to conceive of their being so completely of one mind as those who dwelt South of Mason and Dixon's line, for differences of opinion always spring up in a free governiaent. What mild dissent might have been allowed at the beginning of the century, when Jefferson uttered his philosophic doubts, and Madison and other Virginia statesmen hoped that emancipation might come some day, had entirely disappeared. The recruits never disclosed any individual ideas. The two strong men of the South who entertained latest a difference of opinion, Henry Clay and Thomas H. Benton, disappeared from the scene before the final struggle. After them came Davis, Yancey, Slidell, Wigfall, and others, who breathed forth the real views of the people of the South. Slavery had been used to aggravate their people at every election until they had resolved to embrace civil war rather than endure the slightest interference in the Territories, the District of Columbia, or in regard to the return of fugitives.
Nor in this respect was the North unblamable. Demagogues among us steadily fanned the feelings of enmity of the Southern people to those who only wished to do justice to a poor, ignorant, and weak class of the American people. In some of the States free colored men were not permitted to sojourn; in others it was a State's-prison offense for the two races to marry, never reflecting that nature itself would prevent them, and here in Butler County the bitterest prejudices prevailed. Any man of color who attempted to settle in Rossville was speedily driven out by a mob. Should any one of that race go South he was liable to be taken up and sold, as being presumptively a runaway, and the most distinguished colored citizen of the county at present, a man always free, and whose abilities and acquirements are at least equal to those of any other man in Butler, was forced to pretend, in order to prevent being enslaved in New Orleans and other places where he traveled in his youth, that he was an Indian.
It is difficult to speak coolly of the years before the Rebellion—more difficult than to do so of the great struggle itself. The last was the effort of a people to free itself from what it regarded as oppression, but the true stain on the character of the people of the South is the long course of injuries practiced upon a defenseless people, and the crime against free speech and liberty thereby engendered. With the toil of a dozen of these wretches, who slept in dirty cabins, ate the rudest food, and wore the coarsest clothes, the master dressed in broadcloth and fine linen; with a dozen more his wife maintained her state; and with the spoil of a hundred the family visited Saratoga or the White Sulphur Springs, the sons were sent to college and the daughter to boarding-schools, the parents enjoyed the luxuries of life, and the children were brought up to follow in their footsteps. Yet the same man would not have accepted a gift of five dollars from another white man, and would have resisted with his life any attempt to wrest from him a penny of his property. His moral sense, by a long course of tampering, was degraded. Walpole saw nothing wrong in giving a bribe to members of Parliament, nor did
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they in receiving it, and the nobility in France resisted the payment of all taxes and sustained the privileges of their order until they fell under the ruins of the monarchy. Daylight came to the Southern masses only at the close of the war.
It would be unprofitable to relate the chain of events that preceded the beginning of the American conflict. In general terms the war may be traced to the compromise measures of 1850, and to the passage of the Kansas and Nebraska act. Fighting began in Kansas in 1855. A little later John Brown made his attack upon Harper's Ferry, and failed. Sumner had been beaten over the head by a bludgeon, his assailant reaping a great increase of popularity. The fugitive slave law was occasionally and spasmodically enforced through the North, each recovery making an anti-slavery majority in the neighborhood. Finally, as the result of the election of Abraham Lincoln, South Carolina seceded, and was followed by other States. Major Anderson maintained his position hi Charleston Harbor with diffrculty, and at last, after removal from one of the islands to another, was attacked by the Secessionist forces under General Beau-
regard.
The Intelligencer of this city, in its next issue after the fall of Sumter, says :
" The news of the fall of Sumter, and the call of the President for 75,000 volunteers to defend the country against the organized forces of traitors and rebels, has fired the Northern heart to a pitch of indignant enthusiasm never before equaled since the days of the Revolution. From every city, town, village, and hamlet comes up the enthusiastic response to the call of the government for aid to sustain the integrity of the Union, and uphold its Constitution and laws. The public sentiment of the North is assuming a unanimity of tone and temper that will strike terror to the hearts of the traitors of the Southern Confederacy and their misguided dupes. It is wonderful what a revolution a few days have wrought in public opinion in the free States of the republic. The partisan has emerged in the patriot, and now Dem= ocrat and Republican alike feel and proclaim that the honor of the stars and stripes must be preserved at all hazards ; that the very existence of the government is involved in enforcing obedience to its legally constituted authorities, and in holding possession of its public property. Judging from all we see and hear at home and abroad such now seems to be the almost universal sentiment. The daily papers are literally filled with telegraphic dispatches from every quarter, giving brief notices of the proceedings of public meetings of the people, which show that the North is waking up to a sense of the awful peril in which our institutions are involved by the great rebellion, and that it is rushing with one accord to the rescue."
For the next Monday a war meeting was called at Beckett's Hall. It was organized by the appointment of Josiah Scott as president, Israel Williams as vice-president, and E. A. Dalton as secretary. It was largely attended by persons of every shade of sentiment, Democratic and Republican.
John W: Wilson, A. F. Hume, Minor Millikin, N. C. McFarland, Thomas Millikin, John H. Falconer, Israel Williams, John S. Wiles, and Ransford Smith addressed the meeting, urging it to sustain the Union and maintain the dignity of the United States flag. By all the speakers party was forgotten, and only the country remembered. Judge Scott in alluding to the very natural repugnance which all feel against going to war with their countrymen, said substantially, " Why is it worse to war against a domestic than against a foreign foe? Foreign nations may have no cause for gratitude toward us, but these rebel States, who owe all their prosperity and greatness to the fostering hand of the general government—like the viper warmed into vitality in the bosom of its benefactor—have turned their deadly fangs upon their own country with the wicked design of destroying it. What punishment can be too severe for such ingratitude and outrage ?"
The following resolution was introduced by John W. Wilson, and was passed unanimously—the meeting numbering two thousand five hundred persons:
"Whereas, War has been commenced against the government of the United States, and the honor of our national flag tarnished by being lowered to traitors,
"Resolved, That we will, with all the means in our power, maintain the government and flag of the United States."
On motion of E. G. Dyer, a committee of three from each ward of the city, for the purpose of organizing military companies and procuring arms, was appointed. The names of the committee were as follows :
First Ward.-Thomas Stone, S. K. Lighter, W. C. Rossman.
Second Ward.—Captain Humbach, Captain Van Der- veer, H. H. Wallace.
Third Ward.—E. G. Dyer, C. Morganthaler, R. L. Weston.
The following resolution was adopted :
"Resolved, That it is expedient for the present Legislature to appropriate one million dollars for furnishing and equipping the military of this State, and our senator from this district and our representative from this county be requested to give their aid and support to the passage of the same."
The meeting, with three cheers for the Union, the Constitution, and the enforcement of the laws, then adjourned.
The next week a more formal meeting was held. Owing to the short notice which was given for the previous one many of our citizens were unable to attend, and scarcely any from the country.
The following call was issued :
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MEN OF BUTLER,
Rally! Rally!
At a mass-meeting of the citizens of Hamilton, the undersigned were appointed a committee to invite every man in Butler County to meet in Hamilton, on Wednesday, April 24, 1861, to take counsel together, and adopt such measures as may be deemed advisable in this alarming crisis of our country. Armed rebels have stolen the property of the general government, have attacked and battered down one of its strong forts, and taken a gallant garrison prisoners, have trampled and trailed our glorious flag in the dust, and now, in the pride of their success and madness of their treason, are making preparations to capture and destroy the Capital, at Washington, and to utterly overthrow and subvert our government.
We, therefore, invite every man in Butler County, without distinction of age, sect, religion, or party, to meet in Hamilton on the day above named, and take such measures as may be thought advisable to aid our government to suppress and punish treason, to protect our Capital, to wipe out the insult offered to our glorious flag, and to sustain and defend our blessed and beloved Constitution. Distinguished speakers will be present and address the meeting. Come one, come all!
THOMAS MILLIKIN,
WILLIAM S. PHARES,
ALEX. F. HUME,
E. A. DALTON,
JOHN W. SOHN,
H. H. WALLACE,
Committee.
It was duly held, and was large and enthusiastic. A national salute was fired in the morning and again at noon, and the stars and stripes were gayly floating from hundreds of houses all over the city. At one o'clock the meeting was organized by appointing as president, Judge Fergus Anderson; vice-presidents, Robert Gibson, Fairfield ; John K. Wilson, St. Clair; Robert Beckett, Hanover ; James S. Chambers, Milford; William H. Roberts, Oxford; Colonel William Stevens, Reily; Absalom McKain, Morgan; Samuel Dick, Ross; John Cox, Union; Peter Murphy, Liberty; Colonel Hendrickson, Lemon; Jacob Banker, Madison; John S. Witherow, Wayne; James Rossman, First Ward, Hamilton; Thos. Connaughton, Second Ward; Christopher Morganthaler, Third Ward; secretaries, Israel Williams, Fred. Landis.
The following committee on resolutions was then appointed: Thomas Millikin, N. C. McFarland, Alex. F. Hume, Ferdinand Van Derveer, W. H. Miller, Milton Cooper, Wm. H. Smith, George Jacoby, Abraham P. Cox, and John S. Earheart.
While the committee were preparing resolutions the meeting was addressed by Messrs. Gaylord, Christy, Gilmore, L. D. Campbell, and others, during which the committee on resolutions returned with the following preamble and resolutions, through their chairman, Thos. Millikin, who remarked in presenting them that they were principally copied from the resolutions adopted at the great Union meeting held in New York City a few days before.
" Whereas, The Union of-the States, under the guidance of Divine Providence, has been the fruitful source of prosperity and domestic peace to the country for nearly three qdarters of a century; and
"Whereas, The Constitution, framed by our Revolutionary fathers, contains within itself all needful provisions for the exigencies of the government, and in the progress of events, for such amendments as are necessary to meet new emergencies ; and
"Whereas, An armed combination has been formed to break up the Union by throwing off the obligations of the Constitution, and has, in several of the States, carried on its criminal purpose, and finally, by assaulting Fort Sumter, a fortress of the United States, occupied by a slender but heroic garrison, and capturing it by an overwhelming force, after a gallant defense, thus setting the authority of the government at defiance and insulting the national flag; and
"Whereas, The government of the United States, with an earnest desire to avert the evils of civil war, has silently submitted to these aggressions and insults with a patient forbearance unparalleled in the annals of history, but has at last deemed it due to the public honor and safety to appeal to the people of the _Union for the means of maintaining its authority, of enforcing the execution of the laws, and of saving our country from dismemberment, and our political institutions from destruction; therefore,
" 1. Resolved, That we are sacredly bound by every sentiment of honor, of affection, of duty, and interest to maintain and preserve our national government, the most equal and beneficent hitherto known among men, unbroken and unsullied for our generation, and to transmit it to our posterity ; and that to the maintenance of this sacred trust, and in support of that government, we devote all that we possess, and are prepared to shed our blood and lay down our lives.
" 2. Resolved, That the Constitution of the United States, the basis and the safeguard of the Federal Union, having been framed and ratified by the original States, and accepted by those which subsequently became parties to it, is binding upon all; and that any resumption by any one of them of the rights delegated to the federal government, without first seeking a release from its obligations through the concurrence of common sovereignty, is unauthorized, unjust to all the others, and destructive of all social and political order.
" 3. Resolved, That when the authority of the federal government shall have been re-established, and peaceful obedience to the Constitution and laws prevails, we shall be ready to confer and co-operate with all loyal citizens thoughout the Union, in Congress, or in convention, for the consideration of all supposed grievances, the redress of all wrongs, and the protection of every right, yielding ourselves, and expecting all others to yield to the will of the people, as constitutionally and lawfully expressed.
" 4. Resolved, That it is the duty of all good citizens, overlooking past differences of opinion, to contribute by
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all means in their power to maintain the Union of States, defend the Constitution, to preserve the national flag from insult, and uphold the authority of the general government against all acts of rebellion everywhere, which, if longer unresisted and unpunished, would inevitably end in breaking down all the barriers erected by our fathers for the protection of life, liberty, and property, and involve the country in universal anarchy and confusion.
" 5. Resolved, That we urgently insist that the representative in Congress from this district shall, at the session thereof to meet on the 4th of July next, cordially and promptly support and vote for all proper measures, and all necessary appropriations of money and supplies of men to enable the general government to execute its laws and maintain the rightful authority of the Constitution, and to suppress and punish the present rebellion and treason in the South, and to punish treason in every State and Territory in the whole Union.
" 6. Resolved, That we deny the right of any State to assume the position of armed neutrality as between the federal government and any State or States in rebellion against its authority ; and to refuse to furnish its proper quota of men to aid the federal government to enforce its laws and maintain the authority of the Constitution everywhere in the Union, when properly and legally called upon by the President so to do; and we deny the right of any State to refuse to allow the federal government to transport its soldiers over its territory for any lawful purpose, and to any place in the Union; and we condemn and denounce the conduct of all such States as have refused to respond to the call of President Lincoln for volunteers to suppress the rebellion in the South, and to allow the volunteers of other States to pass over their territory, as recreant to their duty, and as affording aid and comfort to rebellion and treason.
"7. Resolved, That as soon as it is authorized by law, we request that our county commissioners shall levy a tax of sufficient amount upon all the property in the county to furnish all needful support to the families of volunteers during their absence in the service of their country.
" 8. Resolved, That we recommend that all able-bodied men in the county shall immediately form themselves into military companies, procure arms, elect officers, and thoroughly drill themselves, and stand ready to obey any call of their country that may be made upon them for their services.
" 9. Resolved, That we disapprove of all attempts to control by violence the honest expression of opinion by any of our citizens ulwm the exciting subjects of the day, but we recommend at in the present excited state of our country all abstain from discussions calculated to excite ill feeling or party prejudice.
" 10. Resolved, That Major Anderson, by his prudence prior to the attack upon Fort Sumter, and for his gallant and heroic defense of that fort, is entitled to the thanks and admiration of the whole country."
A large and enthusiastic meeting of the citizens in the neighborhood of Jones's Station was held on Monday evening, April 22d. Milton Cooper was chosen chairman and J. C. Long, secretary.
A call for funds for the purchase of a flag, etc., was promptly responded to, after which the following preamble and resolutions, presented by C. F. Warren, were read and unanimously adopted as expressing the sentiments of the meeting:
"Whereas, A state of war exists and the destruction of our government is threatened by a band of armed traitors ; therefore, be it
"Resolved, That as loyal citizens we will use all the means in our power to sustain the government and the honor of that flag under which we have lived for eighty years in unexampled prosperity. That banner, which like one of old proclaimed wherever it was seen a great cause before it, and a powerful nation behind it, must be sustained, and no less honored and respected—the nation's pride and citizens' defense.
"Resolved, That we look upon the reasons of the rebels as only pretexts for usurping the government, maturing a treason of thirty years' standing, which was nipped in the bud in 1832, and must be again met in 1861, and taught 64 know that the patriots of this country will never yield the birthrights handed down to them by their fathers either to foreign or. domestic foes.
"Resolved, That while we hail the people of all nations seeking home on our soil as brothers, so long as they assist in defending our flag, we are no less ready to take up arms against traitors whenever or from whatever section they may appear."
After the adoption of the resolutions Mr. G. W. Jones being called for, replied in a few remarks, in which he expressed his regret at the unhappy condition of our country, and his determination to defend it at any cost. The meeting concluded with three hearty cheers for the Constitution, the Union, and the enforcement of the laws.
The citizens of Port Union and surrounding country met at the hall, on Saturday evening, April 20, 1861, and organized by calling Philip Nash to the chair, and appointing A. J. Foster, secretary.
The objects of the meeting were made known by E. Bone in a brief address, stating the condition and demands of the country, after which Dr. Reed presented the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:
"Whereas, Wicked and designing persons have sought and obtained control of the government of some of the States of this Union, which States are now in rebellion against the general government ; and
"Whereas, It is uncertain what effect the prompt and energetic measures now being inaugurated by the administration to put down the same may have upon some of the remaining loyal States; and
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"Whereas, Threats have repeatedly been made that in the event of the border slave States seceding and joining their fortunes with those who are trampling our country's flag in the dust, that the cities, towns, and country along the Southern boundary of our State will be overrun and made the special objects of their hatred; therefore, be it
"Resolved, That we have heard of such threats with profound regret, and while we deprecate war, with its terrors and devastating consequences, we will not shrink from its rugged issues when forced upon us.
"Resolved, That we pledge our fortunes, our honor, and our sacred lives to defend the stars and stripes, and protect our country from all lawless raids, come from whatever source they may. And be it further
"Resolved, That to more fully carry out the foregoing resolutions, we will form ourselves into a home protecting company, and that we appeal to the patriotism of our fellow-citizens, and cordially invite them to join with us in preparing and being prepared to meet whatever emergency may be forced upon us."
Patriotic remarks were made by D. Stiles, J. M. Thompson, Dr. Reed, and others, taking strong grounds in favor of protecting the whole country, and sustaining the government against all enemies at home and abroad.
Thirty names responded to the call for members to the company, after which the meeting ordered a copy of the minutes to be furnished the Hamilton papers, with a request that they be published, and adjourned to meet the next Monday evening for organization of a military company.
In the mean time the volunteers had not been slow in coming forward. Companies sprang into existence all over the State. The first from this county that reached Columbus in time to go into the first regiments was the Jackson Guards, Captain J. P. Bruck. This was company K, First Ohio, and the regimental organization was made on the 18th of April. There were no arms, ammunition, or clothing, but it was determined to hurry the men on to Washington, where they could be provided for. Its earliest action was at Vienna, and it covered the retreat at Bull Run, afterwards being reorganized for the three years' service.
Captain Rossman immediately organized the Hamilton Guards, and left for Columbus on the 21st. An immense congregation assembled at Beckett's Hall on Sunday, the 20th, to hear a discourse by the Rev. William Davidson. Thetermon was able, patriotic, and eloquent, and was listened to with earnest attention, and often with deep emotion. He spoke of the cause in which the loyal States were engaged as just and righteous, and said that if the war of. the Revolution was holy, this was thrice holy, if that was sanctified this was thrice sanctified. History left no record of any war where the people were called upon more imperatively to take part in its prosecution than this people in defense of their government against the traitors who were then in array against it. If they were not subdued our government was a nullity, and anarchy would reign supreme. At the conclusion of the sermon Mr. Richardson made a few pertinent remarks, followed by a brief address from Mr. McMillan. Miss Kate Emmons presented one of the volunteers with a Bible and a revolver, and Mr. Ezra Potter, on behalf of the citizens of Hamilton, presented Captain Rossman one hundred dollars to be expended at his discretion for the benefit of his company.
The previous day the young ladies of this city presented the guards with an elegant silk flag. The ceremonies took place in the public square, and were opened by an impressive and earnest prayer by Rev. Mr. Lowrey, after which Miss Kate Campbell presented the flag with the following appropriate address:
"Hamilton Guards,-Your country demands your services, and you are promptly honoring her call. Traitors have made war upon our government and seek to overthrow our noble institutions secured to us by the wisdom, the toils, and the blood of our venerated forefathers. Your sisters can not share your dangers in the field, but their hearts will go with you. They present this banner as a token of their earnest sympathies with you, and with the sacred cause of freedom and justice in which you go to fight. It is the same emblem of constitutional liberty under which Washington and all our national heroes fought and conquered. Stand by it with your lives, if necessary. Let no rebel hands bring reproach upon its honored folds; let its stars ever remind you of your duty to the Union, and its stripes keep you thoughtful of the punishment due to fratricidal traitors. Take it, soldiers, and carry it on to victory. And may the God of battles watch over and protect you; and may he preserve our country and our Constitution to be the protectors of the oppressed of all lands to generations yet unborn."
Captain Rossman received the flag on behalf of the guards, and responded as follows:
"Young Ladies of Hamilton,—Our country, which for so long a time has been the home of peace and liberty, is now rocking in the storm of civil war. Armed desperadoes have insulted our flag and defied our government. Men have been found in this country base enough to strike the mother who reared and protected them. The wounded government demands reparation. In obedience to that call we shall soon march to the scene of war. Going out from you, we desire to take with us this work of love and patriotism at your hands, and if the ardor of the company can be augmented I can only wish that their patriotism may be as bright as the stars, and their loyalty as unfading as the colors of the flag which has been so handsomely presented. We accept this flag, and in the coming contest, if one, little band can do aught to maintain the honor of our government, what man in the Hamilton Guards but will, in that con-
212 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
test, strike with renewed ardor by the remembrance of this day's honor? We shall plant it on the outer wall, and its post shall be to us the post of honor.
"Some, perchance, in this company, in defense of that flag, may fall. Some of us, whose hearts beat high with proud hopes, and who are emulated to do deeds of glory, will return no more. But if a sacrifice from the guards is demanded to procure constitutional liberty and our Union, that sacrifice shall be cheerfully given. Yet they will not die; but from their ashes, as from the ancient phoenix, will arise their names, and in letters of living light will they be enrolled on a page of an immortal history. We accept this flag, and we promise to bring it back with no lost laurels, no tarnished fame. Its symmetry may be destroyed by the elements and by the strife, but these, in your estimation, will be but honorable scars.
" In conclusion, ladies, all that strong arms and stout hearts can do to maintain it, all that your patriotism can infuse into our hearts, to defend it, all that the high hopes and good wishes of this city can stimulate us to vindicate, all the courage of a righteous cause, and of truth and liberty can give us to protect, all these shall, we trust, nerve every arm and heart in this company to vindicate the high confidence reposed in them by the young ladies of Hamilton, in the compliment to their patriotism and readiness to defend their country, signified in the presentation of this flag to the Hamilton Guards."
After Captain Rossman had concluded John W. Wilson, one of the company, made an earnest and eloquent appeal in behalf of the cause in which they were engaged. His remarks were full of the true Revolutionary fire, and were loudly cheered by the multitude on the ground. When he sat down a company of amateur musicians, under the lead of Mr. Boynton, sang the Star-spangled Banner, after which ex-Mayor Smith called for three cheers for the flag, three for the volunteers, and three for the young ladies, which were all given with a will, and the assemblage adjourned. The soldiers left home on Monday, a large crowd being at the depot to see them off.
A company of volunteers from Oxford passed through Hamilton on Monday, the 22d. A large number of the students volunteered, and the school was almost broken up. A list of those who served in the war, who had previously been in that college, may be found under the head of Miami University.
Two military companies were ready to march from Middletown that week, and another full company of volunteers was ready in Hanieon. The following were the officers: J. W. C. Smith, Captain; John Sutherland, 1st Lieutenant ; L. M. Leflar, 2d Lieutenant.
An enthusiastic Union meeting was held at Collinsville on the 25th of Aprilawhich was addressed by Isaac Robertson, C. K. Smith, aid Rev. Mr. Davis. Another meeting was held in Okeana, on the 4th of May, 1861, which was addressed by Isaac Robertson.
David W. McClung, who is now surveyor of the port in Cincinnati, was appointed quartermaster at Camp Dennison.
The following companies were speedily accepted from Butler County:
Hamilton.—Jackson Guards, Captain Bruck; Hamilton Guards, Captain Rossman; Butler Pioneers, Captain Smith; Infantry Company, Captain Humbach; Hamilton Rifles, Captain Miller.
Outside of Hamilton.—University Rifles, Oxford, Captain Dodds; Infantry Company, Middletown, Captain Hilt; Infantry Company, Middletown, Captain McClelland.
In addition to these, forty Germans of Hamilton attached themselves to a Cincinnati Company, and were at Camp Harrison. These went out on the 18th of April. They were known as Company B, 9th Ohio.
Some of these companies were very large, as for instance Captain Dodds's, one hundred and fifty-two men, and Captain Rossman's, one hundred and eleven men.
Two other companies were forming in the city, a cavalry company by Minor Millikin, and an infantry company by John S. Earhart, the latter to be composed of men of five feet seven inches and upwards in height, together with an infantry company at Princeton, and an artillery company at Middletown. Add to these a company of home guards for each of the three wards of the city.
Henry C. Campbell, George Camp, James Willis, James Whittaker, Albert Whittaker, and H. H. Adams, were honorably discharged on the 27th of April, by order of Captain W. C. Rossman.
Twenty-five families of those who had volunteered for the country's defense were being supported by the citizens of Hamilton and the surrounding country. The store house was directly opposite the court house, and contributions were received by D. D. Conover, chairman.
There were then in the camp three companies from Hamilton, one from Middletown, and two companies from Eaton. Captain Hilt's company from Middletown had left. While there a presentation of a flag was made to the Butler Pioneers, and also to the company of Captain Humbach.
Port Union sent up a liberal supply of good things to the relief committee for the benefit of the families of volunteers.
The Butler Pioneers, after spending a week in the hotels of Hamilton, and being drilled in the streets, removed to Camp Hamilton, or the Fair Grounds, on the 23d of prik They were the first troops there. The ladies or Hamilton had presented them with a splendid flag, accompanied with an eloquent and patriotic speech from Mrs. Ryan. Captain J. W. C. Smith made an appropriate response.
On arrival at camp they found the change any thing but pleasant. The first 'two or three nights were very
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cold for that season of the /ear. They had but little straw for bedding, and but few of the soldiers were so fortunate as to have blankets of their own. The unfortunate shared with the fortunate, and it was laughable to see a half dozen trying to sleep under one blanket. The consequence was a great deal of shivering, only a little sleep, and a great deal of catching cold. They were not forgotten by the ladies of Hamilton, lending blankets and supplying a shirt to each, and the farmers brought in immense quantities of straw. The halls and cattle stalls of the Fair Grounds were suitably fitted up for sleeping apartments, and after this the volunteers rested well. The eating department was conducted by Straub, Renal & Co., for thirty-five cents per day, and tables were put up so that four hundred could eat at a time.
This was a three-months' company, and as the complement had been filled it did not go out to the war. Many of the men afterwards served in the three-year regiments.
Colonel W. H. Miller, commandant at Camp Hamilton, issued the following orders on May 9th:
" Sentinels will pass out no soldier without a written pass from the commandant, and such pass will not be given except upon the statement of the captain that the absenee is Atcessary.
" Citizens will be permitted to pass out at any time by sentinels, if known ,to be such; otherwise not permitted to pass without the orders of some commissioned officer in the camp.
"Before 12 M. citizens will not be permitted to pass into the camp without a written pass from the commandant, but may be admitted during the afternoon upon the order of any commissioned officer in the camp.
" Persons connected with the subsistence department are exempted from this order, and will be passed in and out without delay."
The following officers were detailed for duty : Captain Thomas Morton, of the Eaton National Guards, to act in the absence of the commandant; Samuel L 'Hommedieu, Hamilton Rifles, Adjutant; N. T. Peatman, Butler Pioneers, Sergeant; Major John Sutherland, Butler Pioneers, Quartermaster; J. W. Sater, Eaton National Guards, Assistant Quartermaster ; James McClelland, Middletown Veterans, Surgeon; W. Palmer Dunn, University Rifles, Secretary of Commandant.
In an order of Colonel H. B. Carrington, Adjutant-general of the State, organizing the militia, he assigns fifteen companies as the necessary quota from Butler.
The Eleventh Regiment and the right wing of the Third Regiment were owed to Camp Dennison on Monday, the 29th of April. The train had thirty-three cars, and was cheered in _every village or hamlet it passed through. Flags and handkerchiefs were waved from every farm-house along the road, showing the sentiment of the people.
At half-past one, says one of the volunteers from the Third Regiment, the train stopped in the midst of a level tract, surrounded by high hills. This they were told was Camp Dennison. There was no tent or hut, and not even a board of which to make a shelter—nothing but corn fields and wheat fields. There were no shade trees, not as much as a hickory sprout in a fence corner. Reluctantly leaving the cars, they formed and marched through the plowed field. Soon after a lumber train arrived, and the soldiers were told to take off their coats and carry boards across a twenty-acre field, there to build their quarters. The crowd reached the cars, and there was a struggle for a place. The more modest were disposed to hold back, until they thought of the night soon to come. One young theological student, who understood human nature, mounted the cars, took plank after plank, crying the name of his company at the top of his voice. Numbers of them were soon by his side, and before long all were sufficiently provided. The men were tired and hungry ; they had had nothing to eat since morning, and the commissariat broke down, as it always does in new organizations.
It began raining before sleep reached them, but the next day all was fair. On Friday it rained all day long. Over four hundred buildings were put up in all—seven to one of the companies from Butler County. The fare was not exactly the kind to please epicures. Bread, rice, beans, salt pork, and coffee constituted the table. As one grim humorist remarked, three-fourths of the pork was pure fat, the remainder all fat. Still the soldiers enjoyed themselves. They laughed and cracked jokes, and met the situation with good humor. Their friends at Hamilton did not neglect them, and sent forward bountiful supplies of provision and clothing.
Monroe was not behind the other towns in its patriotic acts. It sent a large number of young men in the Middletown company—nineteen on the first call—and supplied them with blankets, shirts, pocket money, and so 'on. They requested the commissioners to levy a tax for the aid of the families of volunteers, and raised by subscription over a thousand dollars to meet pressing necessities. The home guard there numbered over one hundred men, who drilled from four to six nights per week.
CITY COUNCIL.
The following important resolutions were passed Monday evening, November 17th:
A LOAN OF MONEY TO THE COUNTY FOR RELIEF OF FAMILIES OF VOLUNTEERS.
"Whereas, The attention of this council has been called to the fact that considerable suffering now exists among the families of our soldiers in the service of their country from this city, and still more suffering is apprehended from the rigors of the approaching Winter ; and
"Whereas, We are further advised that the county commissioners assert that they have no means at their
214 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
command from which to grant the necessary aid that should be immediately rendered to such families; therefore,
"Resolved, That we hereby fender to said county commissioners, to meet the want above indicated, a loan of the sum of two thousand dollars, from the funds now in the city treasury, for such time as may be required, not to exceed fourteen months, and upon payment of six per cent interest for the use of the same.
"Resolved, That the city clerk furnish to said commissioners a copy of, the foregoing preamble and resolutions at his earliest convenience. Also, a resolution granting to Messrs. Long, Black & Allstatter the pump of the old fire-engine Water Witch, to be fixed up at their manufactory for fire purposes."
The young men of Hamilton and vicinity, between the ages of fifteen and nineteen years, formed a company to be known as the Young Guard, and were drilled by Lewis D. Campbell, ex-member of Congress, and formerly captain of the Butler Guards.
Wm. H. H. Russell and others formed a military company, drilling at Jacob's Hall. Gov. Dennison had, on or before the 20th of May, accepted Captain J. W. C. Smith's Pioneers as one of thirty-three companies outside of the regular regiments.
At Camp Hamilton the Pioneers had some amusement in hanging Jeff. Davis in effigy. The ceremonies were imposing. Jeff. was appropriately represented as a negro, and was upborne by four men at the head of a squad of about fifty, ably commanded by Benjamin Franklin Stevens, as captain, and Thomas Benton Hart, as lieutenant. The procession moved from camp at 2 P. M. for Hamilton, marching through the principal streets. It halted at Squire Wiles's, who pronounced the sentence of the law upon Jeff. He was not worthy of a soldier's death by being shot, but must be hung by the neck until dead. The procession then returned to camp and proceeded to put the sentence of the court in execution. An Adams officiated as hangman. The drop soon fell, and Jeff. was suspended between heaven and earth, dying without a struggle. Shouts went up from the multitude, groans were given for all traitors, and cheers for the Union. ,
A large portion of the early drilling of recruits was done here by Captain John McCleary, son of Andrew McCleary, of West Hamilton. He had been admitted into the regular army, and was at home on a leave of absence when the civil war broke out. He was a graduate of the United States Military Academy, at West Point, in the dag's of 1854, and was appointed a second lieutenant in 1855. He was promoted to first lieutenant in 1860, and captain on the 17th May, 1861. He was breveted as major for gallant and meritorious services a‘, the battle of Gettysburg, and afterwards was creditably employed as an officer in command of post in South Carolina during the reconstruction pirod. He was a participant in the battles of Antietam, September 16 and 17, 1862 ; crossing of the Potomac at Shepherdstown, August 18, 1862 ; Skinner's, at or near Leetown, Virginia, September 20, 1862 ; Snicker's Gap, November 3, 1862 ; Fredericksburg, 13th and 14th of December ; Chancellorsville, May 1, 1863; Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
Major McCleary died on the 25th of February, 1868. He had been complaining a little for a day or two, and kept in his room. On the morning of his death, he wrote an order which he gave to his servant for his breakfast, but When the boy returned with it he found McCleary insensible and bathed in blood. The doctor reached him immediately, and tried to rally him, but it was of no avail, and he went off unconscious and without pain. The cause of his death was the bursting of an aneurism of the aorta, opening into the oesophagus. His remains were carefully embalmed and sent home, under the charge of an officer. The ladies of the army decorated the coffin most beautifully with flowers. Major James P. Roy, commanding the military post of Charleston, South Carolina, issued a general order announcing Major McCleary's death. The deceased had, he said, been continuously in the service of his country for fourteen years. " In the performance of his duty during this period, a large share of which has been checkered by events memorable in history, he has borne his part with a fidelity only equaled by that modesty of deportment which distinguished his personal character. On the frontier, in warfare with the savages, in marches across the continent, in the arduous and hard fought campaigns of the army of the Potomac in the late stupendous war, no‘ superior has found him deficient in courage and capacity, and no comrade has known him but to respect him. His record has been uniformly that of a duty officer, a conscientious soldier. Of irreproachable morals and -unsullied honor, his private character has been that of a retiring and estimable gentleman. In him the army loses a valuable officer and his associates a trustworthy friend."
The commandant of the other detachment of his regiment, then stationed at Fort Gibson, in the Cherokee nation, Brevet-major M. Bryant, also issued a feeling order in respect to the decease of Major McCleary. He said :
" Major McCleary entered the service in 1854, having graduated that year from the United States Military Academy. He served several years on the western frontier and in California, where he performed arduous and gallant services in campaigns against hostile Indians, and in the late war, participating in every battle in which his regiment was engaged, from Yorktown to Gettysburg, receiving the brevet of major for gallant and meritorious services in the latter battle.
" A high-toned and estimable gentleman, a gallant and true-hearted soldier, has gone to his rest, leaving behind him a bright example of soldierly bearing, and of a conscientious and upright performance of duty,
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worthy the emulation of the comrades who now mourn his loss. As a token of respect for the memory of the deceased, the officers of the regiment will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days."
The Butler Grays, organized at Princeton, under command of Captain Murphy, was one of the best in the county. A splendid flag was presented to it by the ladies of Princeton and vicinity, through Miss Mollie Urmston.
The Reeder Cadets, who were young fellows from the ages of fifteen to seventeen, organized under the supervision of Captain N. Reeder. Their officers were Charles Potter, Captain ; Thomas Shafer, First Lieutenant ; F. A. Lighter, Second Lieutenant; and Joseph Wyman, Orderly Sergeant. They received many gifts from the citizens of Hamilton.
The Butler Pioneers suffered much from shortness of tobacco. As their money had given out they could get no more. But the establishment of a sutler afterwards enabled them to get as much as they wanted, and have the value deducted from their monthly pay.
B. F. Miller and F. W. Keil began recruiting for a new company, and a roll was also left at Heppards's store, in Collinsville, and with W. S. Lewis, New London.
The three myths' recruits returned home in July and August, and were warmly received.
The University Rifles returned from their campaign in Western Virginia on the 8th of August. They were welcomed home by the military 'companies of the city and a large crowd of citizens, who greeted them with a salute of artillery and musketry, and the cheers of assembled thousands
A fine company, under the style of Union Rifles, composed mainly of citizens of Union Township, left Oxford, on the 8th of August, for Camp Dennison.
Captain Stone's company of three years volunteers, the Anderson Grays, went into camp at the Hamilton Fair Grounds on the 10th of August. Captain Thoms, of Seven-Mile, had a company partly ready.
On the 15th of August, 1861, there were at Camp Hamilton three companies, the Anderson Grays, the Butler Blues, and Captain Reeder's. The last two were not full, but were being rapidly filled up.
Captain Stone's and Captain J. S. Earhart's companies were sworn into the service of the United States on Tuesday, the 20th of August. Captain Fred. Heser left Hamilton for Camp Dennison on the 22d, with seventy or eighty good fighting men, to join the Porschner. regiment, which was to join Fremont’s column immediately.
By an arrangement of the commissioners the families of such volunteers from Butler County as had been̊ sworn into the public service could obtain relief by application, as follows: Those living in Pe townships of Morgan, Reily, Oxford, Milford, Hanover, and Ross apply to J. J. Owens; in Wayne, Madison, Lemon, Lib- erty, and Union, to William Davidson ; in St. Clair and Fairfield Township, and in the city of Hamilton, to James Giffen.
The location of Camp Hamilton was changed in August from the Fair Ground to the common at the head of Third Street, on the old cricket ground. This was done principally to secure a good parade ground, where there would be no obstruction to drill.
Dr. Mallory began raising a company in Hamilton in September. He had forty-two names on his roll.
Charles Murray was also getting up a company of cavalry. The company, when completed, would be commanded by Captain White, a graduate of West Point, and for twelve years a captain in the regular army. The company was to be attached to Colonel Taylor's regiment, which was to be ordered to St. Louis.
W. H. Wade was engaged in recruiting for a cavalry company. It was nearly full, and only a few men more were wanted. It was to be under the command of Captain Hunt, late of Burdsall's dragoons, well known for their effective service in Western Virginia.
One of the earliest companies raised was by William Clement Rossman. It was attached to the Third Ohio Infantry, its colonel being Isaac Marrow, of Columbus; its lieutenant-colonel, John Beatty, of Morrow County; and its major, J. Warren Keifer, of Clarke County. The regiment was at first at Camp Jackson, but afterwards at Camp Dennison. The three months' service had expired before they were called upon to take the field, and a great portion of the regiment re-enlisted. On the 20th of January they were supplied with arms and ammunition, an I ordered to Grafton, Virginia, being the first three years' regiment to leave the State. At Rich Mount ain, although present, the regiment was not engaged, as the fighting was in the rear of the fortifications. It joined in the pursuit of the enemy, and • afterwards assisted in fortifying the passes of the Alleghenies.
The rebels, under General Robert E. Lee, attacked their position at Elkwater Junction, on the 11th of September, driving in the pickets as they advanced. Colonel John A. Washington, of Mount Vernon, Virginia, was killed in this contest. It returned to Cincinnati on the 28th of November, re-embarked for Louisville, and thence marched to Camp Jenkins, four miles distant, where the army of the Ohio was organized. It was placed in the Third Division, General Ormsby M. Mitchel commanding. It went into Winter-quarters at Bacon Creek. Colonel Marrow here resigned, and promotions followed throughout the entire regiment.
From this camp, which it left on the 22d of February, 1862, it went to Bowling Green, entering that place just as the rebels left it, and then going to Nashville. It took an active part in all the events of that stirring and brilliant campaign, including the capture of Murfreesboro, and the occupation of Shelbyville and Fayetteville. In the battle of Bridgeport the Third acted its part. In the
216 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
latter part of August General Bragg, with the rebel army, made a bold push towards Louisville, Kentucky, and Buell concentrated his forces in that direction. The march northward was extremely fatiguing. The roads were very dry, and there was scarcely any water, but they reached Louisville on the 25th of September.
Shortly after, in marching out, it was a part of the forces that engaged with the rebels at Perryville. It fought bravely and valiantly, nearly onementhird of its number being brought to the ground. Color-sergeant William V. McCoubrie was shot down while carrying the flag a-little in advance of the guard, and five others subsequently shared the same fate. The last hero who held the standard aloft was a beardless boy of seventeen, David C. Walker, who successfully carried it through the action, and was made color-sergeant on the field by Colonel Beatty. General Rousseau, after the close of the action, rode up to the regiment and thanked it for its gallant conduct. Its loss in the action was two hundred and fifteen killed and wounded.
In the battle of Stone River it took a noble part, being commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Lawson. It engaged very early, maintaining its line until, upon the edge of a cotton field, the whole tide of battle seemed to roll down from the right and launch itself upon the center, where the Third was. It then began to give ground, stubbornly, delivering its fire steadily and effectively, though receiving two volumes for one. It was long exposed to a galling fire, and lost heavily. The second day it was occupied in guarding a ford, but on the last day it was again under fire. This was the end of the battle, and the rebels then retreated to Shelbyville.
In April, 1863, the Third was detached from the army proper, and in company with the Fifty-first and Seventy- third Indiana, Eightieth Illinois, and two companies of the First Alabama cavalry, was dispatched to destroy the Rome Iron Works, and the foundries and arsenals also situated there. On the 30th of April the command was attacked by General Roddy, with a large cavalry force. After a fierce contest the enemy were soon routed, but General Forrest was near by, and soon after made a fresh attack. After a severe engagement he was compelled to retreat.
Shortly after, the rebels again engaged, the Union troops losing a large number of men. The horses and men were both worn out, and it was determined to send forward two hundred and fifty of the best mounted men to destroy the iron works and Rome. Ferry-boats could not be found at the Catoosa River, the troops going up the road four miles to a ford, which wet their ammunition. Forrest came up again, and demanded their surrenclerdrihich they were compelled to yield.
They were immediately sent to Belle Isle, and from there to Libby Prison, the officers being retained there until a late period in the war. The men were paroled, and afterwards exchanged. They were stationed at vari ous places until the conclusion of their term of service, many of the officers and men then re-enlisting in other regiments.
Henry Smith, of Captain Rossman's company, Third Ohio Volunteers, died at Annapolis, Maryland, February 21, 1863, from wounds received at the battle of Stone River. He was wounded and taken prisoner at Murfreesboro, and removed from there to Richmond, Virginia, where he was exchanged. His remains were brought to this city.
Alexander Schmidtman entered into the service of his country as a soldier soon after the breaking out of the Rebellion, and was a faithful member of Company F, Sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteers, dntil the failure of his health. He took part in several of the severest battles fought during the war, among which was that at Pittsburg Landing. He was then taken sick, patiently suffering during his protracted illness. He died September 7, 1863, in the thirty-ninth year of his age.
The First Cavalry was organized in the Summer of 1861. A large number of men desired to join this regiment, and the officers were consequently enabled to use discrimination in the selection of recruits. It was mustered into the service on the 5th of October, at Camp Chase, and three of the companies were soon after assigned on detached service in West Virginia. Several lost their lives, and among them was Seeley Mensch. He was an earnest worker in the organization of the company, riding regularly to drill from Seven-Mile after his day's work, and shrinking from no labor or trouble in getting in men and horses. He left for his father's home in Michigan, where he intended to leave his infant children the express condition that he should be telegraphed if any thing occurred, and on being notified that they were about to depart he immediately joined them in camp. During the short time spent in Carthage in the laborious drilling incident to the preparing of men and horses for immediate service, Mensch was most efficient and industrious, responding with ready acquiescence to the entirely unexpected order to leave for Virginia. -
During the four weeks' campaign, immediately following the departure from Clarksburg, in which, it is safe to say, no dragoons ever saw harder or more exacting service, Mensch was always the ready, cheerful, and brave soldier. In the midst of perplexing irregularities of the company in the arrangement of messes, the distribution of the equipments, and the incidental dissatisfaction and chafing of the men against each other, while learning camp duty and camp life, he did much by his conciliation and kindness to settle all 'into regularity and content. When by the severe picket and guard duty to which the company was exposed, as the only cavalry in the brigade, the men were so worn out as to be really unfit for further service, Mensch was always willing and ready to volunteer in the place of some weaker, though not so severely tasked comrade. If there was any scout-
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ing promising danger, or any midnight expedition looking towards a skirmish, Mensch asked to go. He was one of their best couriers, riding fearlessly, but with discretion. He was present in tl1e arduous march around the flank of the enemy entrenched at Rich Mountain, and was in the fight afterwards. He was under the fire of the enemy for nearly an hour without flinching, although not permitted to fight, only regretting that the logs, rocks, and trees prevented his being at the cannon's mouth. He was in that section of his company that rode next morning first of all the army into the camp of the rebels. He was patient. in difficulty, cheerful under hardship, fearless in assault, cool in danger, forbearing with his comrades, respectful and obedient to officers, and perfectly brave. His was an intelligent and active bravery too. He understood perfectly well what he joined the army for—what he wanted to accomplish, and why he wanted it. He fought on principle, recognizing the magnitude of the issues at stake and the duty which presented itself to him as a citizen and a man. There were no hostile soldiers near the camp, and no dangers anticipated. He was fired upon by murderous citizens skulking in the bushes.
On the 9th of December the regiment went to Louisville, where it arrived on the 11th, being the first regiment of cavalry to enter that department. It remained in Louisville and Lebanon until the 28th of February, when it moved to Nashville. In the meantime Colonel 0. P. Ransom and Lieutenant-colonel T. C. H. Smith had resigned, and the command devolved upon a new colonel, Minor Millikin, a native of Butler County. On the 14th of March, the First Cavalry took the advance of the column moving towards Columbia, encountering and putting to flight the rear guard of the enemy. The regiment marched through Tennessee with General Thomas's division, arriving at Pittsburg Landing just after the battle of that name had been fought. It participated in the advance upon Corinth, having frequent skirmishes with the enemy, and afterwards joined in the pursuit of Beauregard's army. During this pursuit it had four sharp engagements with the enemy, with, however, but little loss. During June the regiment was constantly employed in scouting and reconnoitering, and a detachment from Tuscumbia, under command of Colonel Emery, had a severe engagement about the 1st of July with Roddy's rebel command. Although successful, the detachment suffered severely, losing among others Captain Emery, mortally wounded.
On the 15th of July Captain Writer, with a squad, was attacked by a superior force of rebel cavalry under General Anderson. Two of the men were captured and four injured, and the captain was severely wounded. On the 25th of July companies E and K, commanded by Captain Eggleston, with two companies of the Tenth Kentucky Infantry, were attacked by a large body of
rebel cavalry under General Anderson. They, held out for a considerable time, but were finally compelled to retire, the enemy having captured the infantry, Captain Eggleston, and twenty-one of the cavalry. On the 1st of August the regiment moved for Decherd, Tennessee, arriving there on the 5th. Colonel Millikin, with six companies, moved to McMinnville soon after, while four companies, under Captain Patten, went on a scout to Fayetteville, where on the 19th Lieutenant Rhea, of Company I, and six men were captured. Considerable skirmishing was done, and in October the regiment, or portions of it, participated in an engagement near Shepherdstown, and in the advance on Perryville. On the day after the last battle the regiment was reunited, and remained so until its final discharge, a period of three years.
General Morgan and his band of guerrillas becoming troublesome, the First Ohio and the First Kentucky cavalry were sent in pursuit of him, following him many miles through the center of the State. With other troops with whom they were brigaded they met Morgan's command of twenty-five hundred men at Gallatin, routing it, and capturing twenty-five prisoners. In the advance on Murfreesboro it moved out on the Franklin P.ike, reaching that town in the afternoon, and routing the rebel force stationed there. On the 29th it encountered and defeated Wharton's brigade of rebel cavalry. On the evening of the same day the brigade and regiment took position upon the extreme right of the army, and held it throughout the struggle. On the 31st the brigade covered the retreat of our infantry, falling back slowly. Colonel Millikin had received no orders from his brigade commander applicable to such a case, and took the responsibility of sending orderlies to the various regimental commanders of the brigade, requesting them to support him in a saber charge upon the advancing foe. The occasion was pressing, and Colonel Millikin, without waiting for a response, wheeled his men into line, and threw it upon the enemy, driving them a quarter of a mile. The rebels gathered and closed in on his rear, making his situation one of extreme difficulty. Perceiving his danger, he turned his men about, and they fought their way through, but among those who lay dead on the field was the gallant young commander, Minor Millikin. Besides him, Major D. A. B. Moore and Lieutenant Condit were killed, and Adjutant Scott and Lieutenant Fordyce wounded, together with many non-commissioned officers and privates. The command of the regiment devolved upon Major Laughlin, under whom it continued to fight until the battle of Stone River was complete.
In June it did much skirmishing and reconnoitering, and captured large quantities of rebel stores. This it continued in July, and in August several hundred horses and mules were captured. On the 2d of September it went in the direction of Rome, Georgia, meeting the enemy, and driving them from their position after a contest of an hour. The loss was ten killed and wounded.
218 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
On the 19th the First arrived on the Chickamauga battle-field, and after being engaged the whole morning, were ordered, under Lieutenant-colonel Cupp, to charge the enemy's line. The mistake of issuing such an order was quickly perceived, and was immediately countermanded, but not before the two hundred and fifty men had started under a deadly fire. One moment more and scarcely one could have been saved. Lieutenant-colonel Cupp was killed, and one-fifth of the rank and file were among the killed and wounded. He was universally beloved, and was brave to a fault. The command now devolved upon Major T. J. Patten, under whom the regiment fell back to Chattanooga.
On the 26th of September General Crook's division, of which the First Cavalry was a part, was dispatched to guard a line on the Tennessee River of fifty miles in length. On the 1st the rebel General Wheeler, with eight thousand cavalry, broke through this weak defense. His advance was met by a battalion of the First, under Major James Scott, and a severe engagement followed, in which Captain Conn, of Company B, was wounded and twenty-five men of the battalion were wounded and captured. The rebels compelled them to retire, but General Crooks soon took up the pursuit and drove them for a long distance. On the 10th the rebels succeeded, with a remnant of the overwhelming force that had crossed the Tennessee in triumph eight days before, in re-crossing that stream. They were weakened, demoralized, and disheartened; they had lost their artillery and more than a thousand prisoners, and had been five times routed by a force of less than half their numbers.
On the 18th of November, with five hundred men in its ranks, the First Cavalry moved towards, Chattanooga, arriving there on the morning of the 22d of November. On the evening of the same day General Sherman, having already moved his forces across the river above the town, the First Ohio and five other cavalry regiments, under Colonel Long, crossed over under cover of the infantry, and made a raid in the rear of Bragg's position, which for its brilliant success and happy termination is unsurpassed in the annals of the cavalry. The results were the destruction of twenty miles of railroad and the largest percussion cap and torpedo manufactory in the Confederacy ; two hund wagons burned, six hundred horses and mules, and five hundred prisoners captured. Only twenty men were lost. On this raid the First had a severe engagement with the enemy at Cleveland, losing fifteen . men, but inflicting on the enemy a loss of at least fifty.
On the 27th of October Colonel Long's division marched towards Knoxville, having several severe skirmishes by the way, and capturing many prisoners. Then it went dik a raid into North Carolina, bringing back only oneThundred and twenty effective men, instead of the five hundred it had had a month before.
At Calhoun, a town on the Hiawassee River, December 16th, the rebel General Wheeler, with twenty-eight hundred men, attacked a wagon train lying upon the opposite side of the Tennessee River, guarded by infantry alone. Perceiving their danger, Colonel Long, with sixty-five men of the First Cavalry, immediately crossed over, and charging the enemy, in connection with the infantry, completely routed the rebels. Leaving the infantry, the little band of cavalry pushed forward four miles, scattering the rebels, and inflicting upon them a loss of twenty-five killed and eighty wounded, and capturing one hundred and thirty-one prisoners. This brilliant affair cost the cavalry but one man killed and three wounded. Taking into account the disparity of numbers, it is almost impossible to find a parallel in the history of modern warfare.
About this time Colonel B. B. Eggleston returned from recruiting service in Ohio, and assumed command of the regiment. In January and February the men nearly all re-enlisted, and came up North on a. month's furlough. Those who did not re-enlist continued with Long's brigade the whole Winter.
On the 1st of April, 1864, the First was again reunited at Nashville, Tennessee, recruited to full ranks. On the 22d of May it joined Sherman on his celebrated march. It was in a severe engagement at Moulton, resulting in the complete defeat of General Roddy, who, with a force of six regiments and a battery of artillery, had attacked Long's brigade. The First lost in this about twenty killed and wounded. In front of Kenesaw the regiment had frequent and severe skirmishing, in which it lost about thirty men. The regiment accompanied General Kilpatrick in his raid around Atlanta. When surrounded by the enemy at Lovejoy's Station the First Cavalry particularly distinguished itself by holding in check for some time a force from Cleburne's rebel infantry division, with a loss of fifty men. Among the killed was Captain W. H. Scott. The brigade commander, Colonel Eli Long, was severely wounded in this affair, which devolved the command of the brigade upon Colonel B. B. Eggleston, and the regiment upon Lieutenant-colonel Thomas J. Patten, its old and tried chief. When General Hood attempted to cut Sherman's communications the First Cavalry followed in pursuit.
On the 13th of October it carried the advance of Garrard's division in the fight near Rome, Georgia, resulting in the complete discomfiture of General Armstrong's division of rebel cavalry. The regiment, with others, was then sent to Louisville, Kentucky, to be entirely refitted for the field, arriving there on the 17th of November. On the 22d of March the cavalry, which had been at Chickas7tv Landing, on the south side of the Tennessee, loved out, and on the 26th Company A, of the First, struck a body of rebels at Jasper, and routed them. On the 27th they forded the Black Warrior River; 29th burned a large iron furnace, and drove Patterson's cavalry across the Catawba River; 31st, about noon, the pickets were attacked at Montevallo, but were
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charged and routed by the4Fifth Iowa. They proved to be a part of Lyon's brigade of Forrest's cavalry, which were here found in strong position. defending the road and ford. Lyon was dislodged, and again put upon the retreat.
On the morning of the 1st of April the regiment again took the advance, and Forrest's pickets were driven out of Randolph, and considerable skirmishing continued all day, until at last the head of the column struck For- rest's command in position near Ebenezer Church. The First Ohio was on the right, and the enemy's battery, of three guns, was on a wooded hill by the church, directly in front. After a severe struggle all along the line the First took the battery of artillery, and Forrest's far famed horsemen were routed in twenty minutes from the main attack. Here fell the gallant Frank P. Allen, the quartermaster's sergeant of the regiment. On the 2d of April Selma was taken; the 9th the command began crossing the Alabama; 12th and 13th it rested in Montgomery ; 14th, took up its march towards Columbus, Georgia; 15th, Buford's division was driven ahead of us, and on the 16th the advance met the enemy near Crawford, Georgia, and charged them nine miles across the Ogeechee River. About a mile and a half from Columbus the first battalion of the First Ohio encountered the enemy, drew sabers, and charged down the hill into the town of Girard, under the fire of twenty-five guns that had been worked until then. The regiment was also engaged in the night attack upon Columbus, the capture of the works, and the saving of the two bridges which opened up Columbus, its arsenals and factories, and gave, as the result of one of the most desperate night assaults ever made, twelve hundred prisoners and ninety-six cannon. On the 22d Macon was entered, when the troops heard of the surrender of Lee. The regiment then garrisoned Georgia and South Carolina until the 13th of September, when it was mustered out, paid off, and discharged at Columbus, Ohio, on the 28th day of September, 1865.
Colonel Minor Millikin, whose death we have noticed above, was the son of John M. Millikin and Mary G. Hough. He was born on the 9th of July, 1834. An account of his early training is given on a preceding page. We can not describe his character better than in the following words of Professor David Swing, the great preacher of Chicago, who was intimately acquainted with him :
"The battle of Murfreesboro has brought to this region some realization of the sadness of war. The desolation of which we have read so much, we are at last compelled to see face to face. The tears of the widow fall before our own eye, and the home once so happy becomes the asylum of almost broken hearts.
" The dispatch which announced the death of Colonel Millikin announced the fall of a gifted man, a brave soldier, an ardent patriot. The soul of Minor was of the intense schook What he was, he was thoroughly; whom he loved, he loved deeply; whom he disliked, he disliked cordially; and this intensity of feeling led him early to grasp his sword in defense of the government and country he loved, and against the Confederacy he despised. The character of Colonel Millikin can not be pictured at a stroke. His mind was many sided. To the taste for literature he added a love of the practical in ordinary life. He was philosophic and romantic, ready to lecture upon reform or to weave together such thoughts as might win for one the title of a poet. He loved that progress which comes by a better education, and he loved also that progress of ideas which comes through the sword. He was ready to teach kindly a little child or to meet his foe with terrible force upon the battle-field. Talented, original, independent, brave, he was also affectionate and religious. He had some faults, but far more virtues, and the deformity of the former fades from our sight while we look upon the beauty of the latter, just as the spots upon the sun are not remembered while we stand in the fields of June. But his heart, so strong and yet so kind, so patriotic, so chivalrous and mindful of duty, has grown quiet. Amid the clash of swords and the awful din of the battle-field of Murfreesboro, Minor Millikin fell, and for his country yielded up his young life."
James M. Allen, formerly of his regiment, in the Ohio State Journal paid the following tribute to his character :
" I know nothing of his parentage, but if the blood of the Puritans did not run in his veins (which I think probable) their spirit at least animated his soul. That sterling love of truth and justice, that nice regard for right in business transactions, that prompt and thorough doing of what ought to be done, that constant outlooking for the path of duty (which clearly seen, men's opinions to the contrary, were as chaff before the wind), that ever present recognition of God's law and special providence, that unswerving obedience to the almighty ought, so that if he saw he ought to do, to speak or not to speak, that ought was his Shekinah, and finally, that plain steady piety, which made his tent a house of prayer,' are manifest characteristics of the man I mourn.
"Quick to perceive and relieve sorrow; free, but humble in the social circle ; liberal, but exact in business; economical in his living; strictly temperate in his appetites and habits; free from vulgarity ; affable and polite; these were qualities that made him an agreeable associate, while the others would make him a strict disciplinarian, a rigid commander, a fearless warrior, and, if the path of duty led tea dozen batteries, to them would he go without a quiver of hesitation. The scarcity of such men in tiur army makes his loss doubly severe."
Another friendly hand thus writes of his military career:
" Among the first levy of three months' men he entered the army as first lieutenant of cavalry. In the
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first campaign of Western Virginia he saw severe service, and acquired a reputation for bravery and fidelity. At the expiration of this term an unsolicited appointment as major of the First Cavalry was conferred upon him. Scarcely had tha regiment been set to active service before he was promoted to the colonelcy, just then vacated. The title to,this position, which was not reached without opposition, he had since made good—fairly and fully winning it by diligence, zeal, and the exhibition of more than ordinary capacity. The great esteem in which he was held by his superior officers is acknowledged by all who know their opinions, and these opinions were not concealed. More than once was it intimated that yet higher promotion would soon be conferred. The high place which he held in the affections of the officers and men of his regiment was the result of the uniform courtesy and real kindness which accompanied the most rigid discipline, combined with a consistent and high toned morality ; and both commended to the true soldier by daring and skill. In all the expeditions of greater or less importance with which he was intrusted, the men of the First Ohio Cavalry followed their colonel with confidence, and were rewarded by success. But all the previous instances of this were eclipsed by the history of the 31st of December. At early morning the regiment was called to arms. Its position was on the advance of our right wing, under General McCook. While the second major had just given the command to fall in, the regiment lost his valuable services, and he was deprived of life by the explosion of the first shell fired by the enemy. Left thus, without the assistance of a single field officer, Colonel Millikin led his regiment through the enemy, by whom they were quickly surrounded. During the whole day he maneuvered the regiment with the greatest coolness, gallantry, and skill, and beyond this there was, on that day, a peculiar tenderness in his care for the regiment, and a peculiar gentleness in the tone of his orders, which more than once brought tears to the eyes of his brave men. Their battle-field was but two miles and a half in width, and was fought over from four o'clock A. M. to three P. M. Forced back by superior numbers, every inch was stubbornly contested. Three separate and successful charges were led by the colonel in person. Alas! the third was only too successful. The regiment formed the center of the charging column, and pierced the center of the enemy, but the right and left supporting regiments failing to drive the foe, the gallant First was speedily flanked. It was at this point, while occupying an exposed position, that a squad of the enemy made a bold dash, distinctly to capture him. They reached and surrounded him. The demand for his surrender was made, but though one of his own men cried out, 0, colonel, do give up; they’ll kill you,' it was answered only by the heavy swinging of the colonel's saber. With a cut to the rear, one assailant was cloven down, and with a stroke to the front another ; but just as valor seemed ready to be crowned by success the fatal shot was fired. The ball, supposed to be from a carbine, entered the neck and severed the jugular vein. Unconsciousness must have immediately ensued. The body was recovered within thirty minutes, stripped of overcoat, saber, and valuables while in the throes of death, and life ended with one gasp as it was committed to the ambulance. Thus was death braved and met by as lofty courage as ever inspired a soldier, whether the records of this war or others be searched.
" Colonel Millikin had entered the army from principle at the first, and at the same high behest he continued in it to the end. His cup of earthly happiness was filled by a circle of warmer friends than most men know, by ample means, by literary plans and pursuits, and by an affectionate family. The persuasion of being in the line of duty was his constant solace, and he sought to make it such to those whom he loved as his own life. In his private character the same qualities which made Colonel Millikin liked as a good officer were even more conspicuous. Here there was firmness, but no rudeness; there was lofty purpose unaccompanied by petty ambition; there was the tendency to the exaction of all duties from others characteristic of a strong mind, but it never became tyranny. Indeed, it was not the least remarkable of his traits that he combined the most gentle and delicate feelings with the greatest strength of character. A more thoroughly honest man than Colonel Millikin did not breathe. He hated dishonesty of every kind and of every shade with a perfect hatred.
" It was within the circle of warm friendship that his peculiar power and influence were felt. He universally secured respect, even from opponents. It is thus that one ;writes who was once a chaplain to the regiment: Brave, strong, noble, full of life and hope and love, happy himself, and making others happy, filling so nobly and well his part in the world, who that knew Minor Millikin, though only to respect him while living, will not mourn that he is dead? For us who knew him better and loved him there will be more than transient regret.'
" Colonel Millikin's mental powers were rapidly maturing into a gratifying fulfillment of earlier promise. None were able more fully to transfuse the soul into whatever was to be written. The productions of his pen were children of his heart always, and bore witness to their parentage. Lectures or letters, addresses or editorials, every thing was terse, vigorous, and strong, yet smooth.
" Colonel Millikin possessed that true courage which distinctly apprehends danger, but in the strength of high princiiAle defies it. This appeared every way, but in none more clearly than in the habitual preparation for death which he sought to maintain. In camp, near Nashville, on the 9th of December, he thus prefaced his will: Death is always the condition of living, but, to the
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soldier, its imminency and certainty seems also the condition 9f his usefulness and glory. It has been my habit to keep a will, but as my last is uselessly long, and, as to my human gaze, life seems less than likely to stay long with me, I write now another.'
" The remains were brought home. It was his high wish, expressed in his will, that he should be buried without pomp ; that a slab of native stone, plainly engraved, might mark his resting place ; that over it wild vines might grow unrestrained ; `and then,' it was added, ` let it be forgotten that I am there."
The first entire regiment that went out from Butler County and vicinity was the Thirty-fifth. Nearly all of its members came from this county ; it suffered more severely than any other, and many of its men are now residents of this vicinity. On the field of Chickamauga the dead of Butler County lie thickly. Companies A and F were recruited in Warren County, H in Montgomery, E, and part of G, in Preble, and the others in Butler County.
It was organized at Hamilton during the months of August and September, 1861, although some of the companies had been begun earlier. On the 26th of September the regiment broke camp at Hamilton and moved to Covington, Kentucky, and, on .the same night, under orders from General 0. M. Mitchel, took a train on the Kentucky' Central Railroad, and placing parties at all the bridges along the road through Harrison and Bourbon Counties made the headquarters of the regiment at Cynthiana. It was at this time apprehended that the rebels would burn these bridges before troops could reach them; but by seizing the telegraph offices at every point on the way the movement was a complete surprise, and entirely unsuspected until guards had possession of every bridge.
Afterwards the regiment was removed to Paris, where it remained until the first days of November, when it marched to Somerset, and reported to Brigadier-general Schoepff.
At the battle of Mill Springs they were not actively engaged, having been ordered by General Thomas to remain at Somerset. Here they were brigaded with the Eighteenth Regulars, Ninth Ohio, and Second Minnesota, under the command of Brigadier-general Robert L. McCook, remaining with the last two regiments during their entire term of service. This was one of the brigades long composing General George H. Thomas's division. After the battle of Mill Springs the' regiment marched to Louisville, and thence took steamer to Nashville. Soon after, Buell having organized the Army of the Ohio, they marched to Pittsburg Landing. Thomas's division, being the rear guard, did not get up in time for the fight at Pittsburg Landing.
The Thirty-fifth participated in some of the skirmishes during the siege of Corinth, and was among the first to enter the works at that place. Afterwards they marched to Tuscumbia, Alabama, and about the last of July, 1862, to Winchester, Tennessee. It was on this last march that General McCook was killed by rebel guerrillas, near New Market.
Shortly after began that memorable race between Buell and Bragg, the goal being Louisville. From Nashville northward the regiment made about twenty-eight miles per day. In the movement on Bragg, the fight at Perryville, and the pursuit to Crab Orchard, they have an honorable part. After Buell had been superseded by Rosecrans the division, then commanded by General Speed S. Fry, marched to Bowling Green, and thence to a camp near Gallatin, Tennessee. In February, 1863, Colonel Van Derveer was assigned to the command of the brigade, and Lieutenant-colonel Long assumed command of the regiment. All through the campaign, which began at Murfreesboro and ended at Chattanooga, the Thirty-fifth was in the front of the marching and fighting. In July of that year Lieutenant-colonel. Long resigned, and Major Boynton was promoted to the vacancy, Captain Budd receiving the majority. From this time until it left the service the regiment was under Colonel Boynton's command when he was able to do duty, but for much of the time was under the command of Major Budd and Captain L'Hommedieu.
Captain John S. Earhart died at the headquarters of General Brannan, at Winchester, Tennessee, August 10th, at eleven o'clock. His remains reached Hamilton Friday morning the 14th, and were buried from the Presbyterian Church at four o'clock P. M. of that day, with military escorts and honors.
On the first day of the fight at Chickamauga, says. Reid in his " Ohio in the War," the Thirty-fifth and the other regiments composing Colonel Van Derveer's brigade were stationed on the extreme left of our line, where they engaged, and, after several hours of a fair, stand-up fight, repulsed and beat back three several attacks of Hood's division of Longstreet's corps, the pick of the rebel army. On the next day, September 20th, they were again brought early into action, and with the rest of the brigade made a charge upon Breckinridge's division, which at that time had passed entirely around the left of our fortified line. The conflict, like that of the previous day, was severe and desperate in the open field, and without any protection. Here was presented the uncommon spedtacle of two armies charging each other at the same instant. That of the enemy was disorderly, and with but little attention to discipline, while our men' moved as if on drill, and under complete controk The brigade had been moving through the woods in two lines, the first composed of the Second Minnesota and Eighty- seventh Indiana, the second of the Thirty-fifth and Ninth Ohio. Suddenly, emerging from an open field, they found themselves exposed to a murderous fire from artillery and musketry, under which they changed front, and, in pursuance of orders, laid flat on the ground. The enemy were then about one hundred and fifty yards dis-
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tant, and charging on a run. When the distance was decreased to seventy-five yards, the first line rose and delivered their fire. Immediately the order was given : "Thirty-fifth and Ninth, pass lines to the front! Brigade, charge!" The order was executed promptly, and the rebel line hurled back for almost half a mile at a double-quick, finally making a stand in the woods, where they were effectually protected by their reserves. For more than an hour an obstinate contest was kept up, most effectually ending the attempt to flank the federal line upon the left. When the order was given to return to the position occupied by the brigade previous to the chargt it was done in order, by passing lines to the rear, each regiment delivering its fire as it retired.
At half-past two on that day the brigade was reported for duty to General Thomas, who was then holding a ridge to the rear and right of the line of the morning. Here the Thirty-fifth was placed in the front line, where it built a slight work of wood and stone, less than a foot in height. Behind this it remained until the last enemy had retired, repelling repeated charges of the most formidable and desperate character. Line after line of fresh troops of rebels were sent to the attack, always meeting the same reception, always beaten and crushed. Late in the day anxious inquiry was made for ammunition, but the wagons had been ordered to Chattanooga: Then men and officers could be seen searching the cartridge-boxes of the dead and wounded, and finally, when the brfigade commander ordered them to hold their places with the bayonet, these heroes laughed, and promised to stay there.
When night came the Thirty-fifth was formed on and facing the left of the line, and when it was too dark to recognize friend from foe a force of the enemy appeared before them. Those who had ammunition fired, and the enemy precipitately retreated. Those were the last shots fired on the battle-field of Chickamauga by either side. Not a single musket was heard afterwards; and the whole army having nwhed on the road towards Rossville, Van Derveer's brigade, the last to leave the field, under orders from General Thomas, followed.
In the two days' fight at Chickamauga the Thirty-fifth Ohio lost just fifty per cent of those engaged. Colonel Boynton was conspicuous during the whole fight for his gallantry and the skill with which he managed his men, and the regiment was highly commended in the reports of that action.
Lucius B. Potter sent home a letter descriptive of the battle, in which he says the brigade, after marching all night on the 18th, and going without breakfast the next morning, was engaged over six hours on the 19th, and then bivouacked on the battle-field without blankets or fires, although a white frost covered the ground. On the 20th they were engaged from. ten A. M. until seven P. M. In no case (nil tie Third Brigade, or any part of it, retreat until ordered so to do, although the entire right wing was crushed and driven back. At one time, on the 19th, the brigade repulsed an entire rebel division twice within an hour and a half. On the 20th the brigade charged and drove back a greatly superior number for a third of a mile at the point of the bayonet. Even when the ammunition gave out the old Third stood its ground, and maintained its position until relieved and ordered back. The musketry was terrific, and was pronounced more severe than in any other engagement during this war. Men who were at Stone River said that battle was a skirmish by the side of this. The loss of the regiment was as follows- Killed, 21; wounded, 146; missing, 27; total, 194. Most of the missing were known to be captured. Both of the surgeons were in the hands of the enemy, having remained to care for the wounded. The regiment took into the fight 394 officers and men. Of this number 194 were lost. From this it can be judged whether the regiment fought or not. The loss of the brigade was 843, and of the division 2,353.
During the two days' fighting they were never driven back, never gave an inch until ordered, and repeatedly repulsed and drove back four times their number. The Ninth Ohio retook a battery which had been captured from the regular brigade. The brigade captured a good many rebels, the exact number not being ascertained. Colonel Boynton in his report said: "To have belonged to the Third Brigade will be the crowning glory of your old age." And not a soldier's heart but swells with pride at the thought of the deeds done by Colonel Van Derveer's command during those two bloody days. Colonel Van Derveer, said Mr. Potter, would undoubtedly get his "star." No braver or cooler man was ever seen in action. The manner in which he handled his brigade won the admiration of his superior officers.
Colonel Boynton did nobly, and had doubly endeared himself to his men. Not an offrcer in the regiment flinched. Mr. Potter's horse was killed in the first fight, being shot through the belly with a mine, and a bullet grazed Potter's hat band.
Dr. A. H. Landis, in the Hamilton Telegraph, furnishes a list of men confined in Libby Prison at the end of November, 1863. He was captured at Chickamauga, and was in prison forty-four days:
"Lieutenant Cottingham, E ; Higgins, D; Vannatta, C; Surface, E; Strickler, A; Leach, A; Lohman, K; Martindale, I; Brook, I; Clark, G; Rohrer, B; Gillian, K; Warner, E; Evans, E; Harrison, F ; Shellabarger, C; Jackson, E."
After the return of Surgeon Landis he wrote a long letter giving a description of the cruelties practiced in Libby Prison:
" On Saturday, September 19th, soon after the commencement of the battle of Chickamauga, I was ordered by the medical director of my division to the division hospital. It was on Cloud's farm, and at that time nearly
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two miles north of the left wing of our army. Early on Sabbath morning, in consequence of repeated flank movements on our left by the rebels, our hospital became exposed to a fire of shell and solid shot. The most of these deadly missiles passed over us, but some fell in our midst.
About eleven o'clock a line of rebel skirmishers were seen to emerge from a wood about four hundred yards distant, followed by a large force of Forrest's cavalry. All the ambulances we had were loaded with wounded and sent to Chattanooga, and many of the slightly wounded were sent on foot. The enemy continued to advance until they ascertained it was a hospital, when a squad of them rode up, and for the first time we were in the hands of the rebels.
" Soon afterward Granger's forces approaching from toward Chattanooga, the rebels fell back, and we saw no more of them until the following morning, when they took us into custody, and from that time on we were prisoners. Generals Forrest, Cheatham, and Armstrong honored us with their presence. General Forrest told us to go ahead and attend to our wounded, and we should not be molested. He also told us that our wounded yet on the field should be removed to the hospitals and receive precisely the lame treatment that their wounded received ; also that parties had been detailed to bury the dead on both sides. In a conversation I had with Dr. Fluellan, medical director of Bragg's army, the following day at Cheatham's division hospital, he made the same promises. These promises may have been in good faith, but from observation I know—find every other medical officer who fell into their hands knows—they were not realized.
I was over a portion of the battle-field three days after the battle, and the rebel dead were buried and ours unburied, and nearly all of them were stripped of their pants and shoes. Their appearance was most revolting, having been exposed three days to a September sun; they were so swollen and changed in appearance that recognition was impossi I found also at least three hundred of our wounded, all suffering from the gnawings of hunger. Every last wounded rebel had been removed. Some of our men were in cabins, some had been gathered in groups and laid on the ground, and some were still in the fields and woods, where they were wounded, in the immediate vicinity of the dead bodies of their comrades. To the credit of the rebels, they did furnish them some rations the following day. Some of these poor fellows remained in this condition for eight days.
"The question might be asked, Why did we not have them removed to our hospital? We had no ambulance, no wagon, no vehicle of any kind, and the rebels refused to furnish us any ; in addition, we had a contract already at one hospital of such magnitude that our energies were taxed to their utmost. Our provisions ran out at our hospital two days after our capture, and then starvation stared us in the face. Finally, after two days' entreaties, we were furnished with fresh beef, hard bread, bacon, and corn meal. The bacon and hard bread were good in quality, but very deficient in quantity. The beef was of Pharaoh's lean kine, but we were glad to get it. Some of the corn meal was musty and scarcely fit for the swill barrel.
" Monday, September 28th, General Rosecrans sent us rations, and from that time, as long as we remained at Chickamauga, Uncle Sam was our commissary, and we fared sumptuously.
"Friday, October 2d, our wounded having been paroled and sent through the lines, we were taken, eighty in number, seven of whom were surgeons and the remainder enlisted men, to Chickamauga Station, seven miles distant, where we took the cars for Atlanta. We reached Atlanta the following evening, and were lodged in the prisoners' barracks. These barracks consist of about two acres of ground, inclosed by a board fence twelve feet high. The few blankets the privates and non-commissioned officers had were taken from them on entering that filthy hole, and those poor fellows, while they remained there, were without blankets or overcoats, and spent the cold frosty nights with the earth for a bed and the sky for a blanket.
"There were two board shanties in these barracks, in which were about forty of our wounded, all of whom were lying on the floor with but a single blanket, and all of them suffered terribly from cold during the night. Dr. Ashman, one of our surgeons, repeatedly asked the surgeon in charge for straw, and in response received some glorious promises, but the straw never came. Major Morely, of Tennessee, was in those barracks, and had a fifty pound ball and chain for his bed-fellow. He was at the time, dangerously ill with typhoid fever, and finally died. Surgeon Young, of the Seventy-ninth Illinois, who remained several weeks at Atlanta with our wounded, told me that the major had to wear the ball and chain until within twenty-four hours of his death. Two days after our arrival at Atlanta forty surgeons, captured at Chickamauga, and several hundred other prisoners arrived.
" October 6th, all the surgeons but those who remained with our wounded and enlisted men, numbering in all three hundred, were put aboard the cars for Richmond. We passed through Augusta, Georgia; Hamburg, Branchville, and Columbia, South Carolina ; and Salisbury, Raleigh, and Weldon, North Carolina, and reached Richmond, Sabbath, October 11th, and all the surgeons were lodged in Libby Prison.
" Libby is a substantial brick building, one hundred and fitly feet long, and one hundred and ten feet wide, and three stories high besides the basement. The upper two stories are each divided into three rooms, and in these six rooms, before our release, were over one thou-
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sand prisoners, all commissioned officers. The following sign is on the outside of the building:
LIBBY & SON,
Ship Chandlers and Grocers.
"Each room has a sink, immediately contiguous to it, and the stench coming therefrom is almost unendurable. The windows were all unglazed when we arrived, and at times we suffered terribly from cold. The most of them were still open when we left, and as the mercury may fall to zero any day in Richmond during the Winter, no one knows what tortures the inmates of Libby may have to endure the coming Winter. Three days before our release the officers in charge of Libby were so obliging as to furnish two stoves for each room, but strange to say, we suffered with cold just as we did without them, for the simple reason that we were not furnished with a single stick of wood, and such will probably be the case through the Winter, as they sometimes refused to furnish us a single stick of wood to cook with for nearly a whole day at a time.
"At one time sope of our soldiers, who had been wounded at Chickamauga, were quartered in one of the lower rooms of Libby, immediately under one of the rooms occupied by us. Through a small opening in the floor they told us they had been without food for twenty- four hours, and implored us for something to eat. We had little to spare, but what we had we divided with the—m. Captain Turner, officer in charge of the prison, heard of it, and arrested three officers and reprimanded them severely, and ordered that the men should go forty-eight hours longer without food for the crime of talking to the officers. Whether this order was enforced or not we never could learn, as the boys were removed to other quarters. Some of our soldiers came to one of the lower rooms of Libby daily after rations. Some men ore barefooted, some bareheaded, and I once noticed one poor fellow barefooted, bareheaded, and without a shirt. We never were allowed to ask them any questions in reference to their treatment, but the mere appearance of their faces told us starvation and exposure were closing the work of death. November 20th, I saw twenty of our boys at work on the street, cleaning one of -the gutters, and nine of them were barefooted.
"I will here mention an act of brutality that occurred at Augusta, Georgia. When we reached Augusta we had with us a wounded man, who had become so ill that his surgeon, Dr. McGavrin, of the Twenty-sixth Ohio, proposed to Lieutenant Bass, officer in charge of us, to leave him in the hospital. Lieutenant Bass presented the case to Captain Rains, commandant of the post. The captain refused to receive him into the hospital, but told Lieutenant Bass to knock him in the head.
"I might extend this communication ad infinitum, and relate some of• the horrors of Belle Island, the terrible mortality among our men at Richmond, the manner in which we were tortured by the lice in Libby, also the quality and quantity of our rations. But this is unnecessary, as those facts are all embraced in a report, adopted unanimously, and published by the surgeons released from Libby Prison. Sparta knew the names of the men lost in her cause at the pass of Thermopylae,' but America will never know how many of her noble sons perished in the dens of Richmond.
"The manner in which most of us were swindled out of our money at Richmond makes theft and highway robbery honorable. There is no state-prison in North America that can belch forth a more infamous pack of liars and thieves than the offrcers in charge of Libby Prison. When we entered the prison we were told by Captain Turner that we must hand over our greenbacks and gold and silver, if we had any, and should we need money while in prison we should have Confederate money at the rate of seven dollars for one, and when released or exchanged our money should be refunded in kind; and if we refused to hand it over, we would be searched, and if money was found it would be confiscated. This proposition was so fair that about nine-tenths of us deposited our cash in the Libby Bank. When we left, November 24th, they commenced paying us off in Confederate money. A few who had small sums deposited received greenbacks, but a large majority had either to take Confederate money or nothing.
" Of the cleared land we saw traveling from Chickamauga to Richmond, a distance of nine hundred miles, I do not think more than one acre in twenty was tilled this year. What little was tilled was in corn, except a few cotton fields. I do not think the corn would have yielded over five bushels to the acre."
During the Fall of 1863 the Thirty-fifth lay with the rest of the army at Chattanooga, and frequently engaged in skirmishes before that place. They were on the front line at Mission Ridge, and were among the first to reach the enemy's works on the crest, from which they drove the rebel force and captured three pieces of artillery. Early in the fight Colonel Boynton was severely wounded while leading his men up the height, when the command devolved upon Major Budd. Next morning the enemy was pursued to Ringgold, Georgia.
The Thirty-fifth took an active part in the storming of Mission Ridge, capturing three twelve pounders and two flags. Lieutenant-colonel Boynton received a flesh wound in the thigh;" which disabled him for several weeks.
The following letter from W. H. Sharer, of Company B, dated December 2d, 1863, will be found full of interest:
"Well, here we are, snug in camp again, after a flying trip to Ringgold, Georgia, and back, which we completed on the evening of the 29th of November, and to
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tell the truth, after writing on the 25th of November, about four o'clock P. M., I thought it was somewhat doubtfdl whether I would ever get back to camp or not.
" Colonel Van Derveer was ordered to take his brigade and move to the left, which he did immediately, and, after some maneuvering, we were thrown into line, and marched toward Missionary Ridge. After gaining good ground, within five or six hundred yards of their first line of works, at the extreme foot of the Ridge, we were halted, and laid down, not thinking for a moment that they would attempt to charge the Ridge. The brigade now was in two lines, with the Second Minnesota as skirmishers. The signal to advance, which was six guns, was soon heard, the sound of which had not died away before I saw the Second Minnesota take the first line of the enemy's works, and the graybacks flying toward the top of the Ridge. By this time we had advanced into an open field, where the rebels began to try their batteries upon us. We were ordered forward on the double- quick, and I thought the rebels were loading and firing double-quick the way the shells flew around and among us. I saw one burst in the very midst of Company E, and saw several men stagger, but strange as it is, not a man was hurt from it, and I believe all reached the first line in safety. After resting, for we were all out of breath, we were again ordered forward under a most desperate fire. Shot, shell, grape, canister, old musket barrels, ram-rods, and everything else flew around thickly. Lieutenant-colonel H. V. N. Boynton, commanding the Thirty-fifth, was wounded shortly after leaving the first line of works;4 but I am happy to say not mortally. He thinks he will soon be able to lead us again. As soon as Pe gained the top the rebels fell back on our left, where they concentrated, and a desperate fight was the result. But darkness coming on enabled them to escape next morning.
"After burying the dead and taking care of the wounded, we started in pursuit, and came up to the enemy just in time to see them driven from Ringgold, Georgia, and out of Taylor's Gap. Here the Seventh Ohio lost heavily; all their officers but one were killed or wounded as they attempted to charge Taylor's Ridge. This was on the 27th. On the 29th we marched back to camp, and now all appears quiet. The loss of the Thirty-fifth was five killed and twenty-eight wounded."
At the storming of Missionary Ridge, near Chattanooga, November 25th, Sergeant William C. Stokes, of Company C, son of James M. Stokes, was killed. He was in his twenty-first yea?. At the same place and time, Simon Kumler, private in Company C, son of Jacob Kumler, was killed. He was in his twenty-second year. The former was shot through the head and lived but three hours, the latter shot through the abdomen and living twenty-four hours. They were young men of unusual promise, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all who knew them.
In February, 1864, the regiment was engaged in the first battles at Buzzard's Roost, near Dalton, after which they were stationed at Ringgold until the beginning of the Atlanta campaign. They were with Sherman from the initiation of this movement until the expiration of their term of service, which occurred while lying before Atlanta. They were engaged at Dalton, Resaca, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw, Peachtree Creek, and several other of the fights of that bloody contest.
The Thirty-fifth was mustered out in August, 1864, at Chattanooga.
In their term of three years, says a high authority, the regiment never turned its back upon the enemy, and was never driven from a field.
The following is a list of the commissioned and noncommissioned officers of the regiment:
Colonel.-Ferdinand Van Derveer, commanding brigade after February 28, 1863.
Lieutenant-colonels.-Charles L'H. Long, resigned July 13, 1863, on account of disability. Henry V. N. Boynton, July 13, 1863; wounded at Mission Ridge, November 25th; resigned September 8, 1864.
Major.-Joseph L. Budd.
Adjutants.-George B. Wright, resigned September 18, 1863, on account of disability. John Van Derveer, promoted to captain of Company C, March 19, 1864. James H. Bone, September 24, 1863; promoted to captain Company D, March 17, 1864. James E. Harris, April 10, 1864.
Surgeon.-Perkins A. Gordon, resigned November 2, 1863, on account of disability.
Assistant Surgeons.-Francis D. Morris, resigned August 8, 1862, on account of disability. Charles O. Wright, resigned June 18, 1864. Abram H. Landis, mustered out September 27, 1864.
Chaplains.-John Woods, resigned November 19, 1862. Joshua C. Hablit, resigned February 19, 1863.
Sergeant-majors.-Benjamin Clark, reduced to the ranks May 1, 1862, for continued absence. John Adams, May 1, 1862; promoted to second lieutenant October 4, 1862; wounded at Chickamauga. Lucius B. Potter, October 14, 1862.
Quartermaster's Sergeants.-Joseph F. Sanders, promoted to second lieutenant November 27, 1862. Martin Betz, November 29, 1862.
Commissary Sergeants.-George W. Leitch, discharged for disability June 30, 1862. Joseph S. Claypoole, promoted from sergeant Company C, July 1, 18e; second lieutenant September, 1862. Lorenzo Brown, October 1, 1862.
Hospital Stewards.-Samuel Hart, discharged September 10, 1861, for disability. Mordecai Cleaver, January 1, 1862.
Principal Musicians.-William H. Bussard. Clark J. Castator.
Ordnance Sergeant.-James D. Ratliff.
Company A.
Captains.-Joseph L. Budd, promoted to major July 9, 1803. Lewis F. Daugherty, promoted from first lieutenant August 9, 1863; killed in action at Peachtree Creek, Georgia, July 20, 1864.
First Lieutenants.-James H. Bone, promoted from second lieutenant August 9, 1863 ; promoted to captain March 30, 1864, and assigned to Company D. James Sabin, promoted
226 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
from sergeant to first sergeant July 1, 1862; second lieutenant, August 9, 1863; first lieutenant, March 30, 1864.
First Sergeants.-Selby Wiley, promoted from ranks September 21, 1863; died from wounds received in action at Pine Ridge, Georgia, June 16, 1864. George W. Keever, killed at battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
Sergeants.-Thomas Starry, promoted from corporal September 3, 1863. Albert S. Mercer, promoted from the ranks July 1, 1862. Samuel A. Spurgeon. Archelus D. Strickler, from corporal, August 20, 1862. John Linber, discharged August 9, 1862, for disability. Oliver H. Parshall, promoted to captain, and transferred to Company F, September. 1861. Perry Gregg, promoted to first lieutenant, and transferred to the Mississippi marine service.
Corporals.-John W. Bogar, October 1, 1862. James L. McLain, January 1, 1862. Thomas Gillespie, July 1, 1862. Albert S. Booth, July 1, 1862. Ira Lackey, August 30, 1862. John B. Shay, May 1, 1863. Thomas G. Strickler, killed at battle of Chickamauga. John D. Smith, discharged April 1, 1862, John Adams, promoted to sergeant-major. Lemuel B. Stump, assigned to Company K.
Company B.
Captains.-Thomas Stone, resigned June 6, 1862. Ransford Smith, from first lieutenant June 6, 1862; resigned February 28, 1863. Jonathan Henninger, first lieutenant February 24, 1863 ; captain, May 12, 1863.
First Lieutenant.-Samuel L. Houser, corporal, October 16, 1861 ; sergeant, October 16, 1862 ; second lieutenant, February 24, 1863; first lieutenant, May 12, 1863.
Second Lieutenants.-William H. Eacott, resigned January 30, 1863; Robert B. Davidson, promoted from corporal to sergeant Oclknber 2, 1861; first sergeant, February 24, 1863 ; seq. lieutenant, May 12, 1863; first lieutenant, Company I, ., April 1, 1864.
First Sergeant.-Alonzo Fisk, May 12, 1863, wounded at Chickamauga.
Sergeants.-George W. Kimble, from corporal, February 24, 1863. George W. Leitch, commissary sergeant, August 20, 1861. Robert C. Nicholas, assigned to Company K; promoted to lieutenant September 2, 1861. Robert J. Livingston, corporal, October 2, 1861; promoted February 24, 1863; assigned to Company K. James D. Ratcliff, corporal, November 12, 1861; sergeant, March 12, 1863; assigned to Company K.
Corporals.-John West, January 20, 1862. David W. Brady, reduced to ranks from sergeant; made corporal February 28, 1863; wounded at Chickamauga. Enos Wilson, September 24, 1862; wounded at Chickamauga. George Baur, May 12, 1863. Jacob W. Houser, July 16, 1863. William G. Mass, February 28, 1864. Solomon W. Smith, died in hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, November 14, 1863. Abraham S. Bell, discharged for disability September 16, 1861. James W. Coppage, discharged for disability April 5, 1863, at Nashville, Tennessee.. George N. Lewis, transferred to invalid corps March 15, 1864; wounded at Chickamauga. Alonzo Runyan, transferred to invalid corps April 30, 1864 ; wounded at Chickamauga.
Company C.
Mustered into service August 20, 1861, and entered Kentucky September 26, 1861. This company entered the field 102 strong-commissioned and non-commissioned officers and privates-and received four recruits during term of service. The losses were 16 discharged for disabilities ; 2 dis charged to accept promotions ; 13 died of diseases ; 2 died of wounds received in action ; 6 killed in action, Sixty- seven commissioned and non-commissioned officers and privates were mustered out at expiration of service at Chattanooga, Tennessee, 1864. It was at the battles of Mill Spring, Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Perryville, Chapel Hill, Hoover's Gap, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Buzzards' Roost, Tunnel Hill, Resaca, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, and Siege of Atlanta.
Captains.-John S. Earhart, detached as topographical engineer on General Steadman's staff; died at Dechart, Tennessee, August, 1863. John Van Derveer, never with the company ; detailed as quartermaster of regiment. Fred. W. Keil, first lieutenant ; promoted to be captain June, 1864.
First Lieutenant.-Benj. F. Miller, second lieutenant; promoted to be first lieutenant February, 1864.
Sergeants.-Leonard Allen, first sergeant, discharged. Jos. S. Claypool, sergeant; promoted to be second lieutenant. Jas, E. Hants, sergeant; promoted to be first lieutenant and adjutant of regiment. Jas. A. Huginin, sergeant, discharged. Saml. M. Hippard, sergeant ; promoted to first sergeant. Mark B. Price, color sergeant.
Corporals.-Wm. Beachler. Jno. Van Dine, discharged for disability. W. C. Stokes, promoted to sergeant ; killed at Missionary Ridge. John M. Davis, promoted to sergeant. Francis Barnett, discharged for disability. Jno. Haller, promoted to sergeant. Jos. Zeller, discharged to enter regimental band. Benj. F. Keil, promoted to sergeant; killed at Chickamauga.
Regimental Appointments.-Lucius B. Potter, promoted to sergeant-major. Frank A. Lighter, regimental postmaster Jno. M. Bradstreet, commissary sergeant.
Discharged for Disabilities.-Alfred H. Burr, October 28, 1861, Cynthiana, Ky. Isaac H. Davis, May 3, 1862, Nashville, Tenn. Alex. P. Richardson, May 18, 1862, near Corinth, Miss. Jno. S. Davis, July 24, 1862, Tuscumbia, Tenn. Benj. F. Arnold, July 24, 1862, Tuscumbia, Tenn. Fred. D. McKasson, October 1, 1862, Camp Dennison. Hezekiah Carl, October 6, 1862, Louisville, Ky. Jno. W. Enbody, October 6, 1862, Camp Dennison. Benj. F. Fox, October 11, 1862, Camp Dennison. Francis Barnett, October 11, 1862, Camp Dennison. Hayward Woodhurst, February 18, 1863, Camp Dennison. Jno. R. Emons, February 20, 1863, Camp Dennison. W. B. Milliker, March 9, 1863, Triune, Tenn. Leonard Allen, March 11, 1863, St. Louis, Mo. Chas. E. Bickmore. Daniel Cooper, for wounds received at Chickamauga.
Died of Disease while in Service.-Jonah Dickey, November 19, 1861, Paris, Ky. James Dickey, March 10, 1862, Somerset, Ky. Isaac R. Henry, March 16, 1862, Nashville, Tenn. Jos. Robinson, April 14, 1862, Indian Creek Hospital, Tenn. Geo. Hine, April 23, 1862, Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. Saml. Parker, May 17, 1862, Seven-Mile, Ohio. Jas. A. Huginin, February 13, 1863, Winchester, Ohio. Jno. Haller, November 23, 1863, Nashville, Tenn. Jes4 G. Matthews, January 12, 1864, Louisville, Ky. John Wolverton, January, 1864, Jacksonburg, Ohio. Squire H. Vanatta, 1864, on his way home from rebel prison. John S. Earhart, captain, August, 1863, Decherd, Tenn.
Killed in Action.-Benj. A. Reed, Chickamauga. Henry C. Ray, Chickamauga. B. F. Keil, Chickamauga. Wm. C. Stokes, Missionary Ridge. Simon Kumler, Missionary Ridge. Peter Kapp, Missionary Ridge.
Died of Wounds received in Action.-Jos. H. Vannatta, in field hospital, Chickamauga. Cassius C. Brown, Nashville, Tenn., wounded at Chickamauga.
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Company D.
Captains.—Nathaniel Reeder, dismissed the service by general court-martial, August 24, 1863, for absence without leave ; afterwards reinstated. James H. Bone, first lieutenant Company A, July 19, 1863; adjutant, September 24, 1863; captain, March 19, 1864, and assigned to Company D, April 12, 1864.
First Lieutenants.—William C. Dine, resigned February, 1863. Julian H. Fitch, September 4, 1863. J. Adams, second lieutenant, October 16, 1862; first lieutenant, March 19, 1864. J. F. Saunders, second lieutenant, November 19, 1862; first lieutenant, March 19, 1864.
Sergeants.—Albert S. Morgan, discharged for disability, March 28, 1862. Tipton WI Clary, discharged for disability, December, 1863. Clark S. Thompson, discharged, September 23, 1864, on expiration term of service. John S. Shedd, died March 14, 1864, at Hamilton. Joseph W. Myers, promoted to first sergeant. Hiram Shedd, April 1, 1863. 1
Corporals.—William Walters, deserted. David S. Pegan, seriously wounded at Chickamauga. Hezekiah Campbell, discharged for disability, March 28, 1862. William B. Long. Charley S. Wilson. John Spencer, seriously wounded at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863. Samuel Russell.
Died.—Corporal D. S. Pegan, at Ringgold, May 7, 1864. C. Willson.
Company E.
Captains.—William H. C. Steele, mustered as captain of Company E, May 16, 1864; in command Company G, from May 16,64. David M. Gans, died at Eaton, Ohio, November 25, 1 3.
First lieutenant.—Edward Cottingham, captured at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
Second Lieutenant. —Levi P. Thompson, wounded September 19, 1863, and taken prisoner; paroled October 4th.
First Sergeant.—William B. Mikesell.
Sergeants.—Moses Thompson. Benjamin F. Kemp. William S. Ware. John W. Dunkins, died of wounds received at Chickamauga, October 10, 1863.
Corporals.—Andrew I. Stakbake, wounded at Mission Ridge. Philip Bladner. Charles C. Gavin. William Wilson, captured September 17, 1863. John W. Cottingh, killed at Chickamauga. William H. Bowles, died of wounds received at Chickamauga, October 24, 1863. Charles H. Thompson, died at Chattanooga, September 27, 1863, of wound received at battle of Chattanooga. Joseph Larrison.
Company F.
Captain.Oliver H. Parshall, promoted from first sergeant of Company A, September 5, 1861; killed at Chickamauga.
First Lieutenants.—Joseph C. Thomas, resigned November 3, 1862. Thomas M. Harlan; January 1, 1863 ; killed at Chickamauga.
Second Lieutenant.—Joseph H. Taylor, January 1, 1863.
Sergeants.—James Jackson, June 19, 1863, wounded at Chickamauga. James H. Frost. rJoseph Harris, wounded at Chickamauga. Morris Gratz, reduced; .wounded at Chickamauga. Samuel M. Denny, February 3, 1862; discharged November 9, 1862. John D. Vinson.
Corporals.—Thomas W. Rose, wounded and taken prisoner at Chickamauga. Benjamin F. Boatman, died October 30, 1863, from wounds received at Chickamauga. Sock Harlan. William Hamilton, promoted to sergeant, November 1, 1862. John D. Cornelius. Jesse K. Randall, died in hospital, December 3, 1861. Henry Richster, deserted from hospital. John W. Kemp. Wesley Randall. Franklin Drake. Andrew J. Griffin.
Company G.
Captains.—Samuel L'Hommedieu. William H. C. Steele, promoted to captain May 16, 1864, and assigned to Company E.
First Lieutenant. —Levi P. Thompson, promoted from second lieutenant, Company E, June 8, 1864.
Second Lieutenants.—George T. Earhart, resigned October 17, 1862, by reason of disability. John Adams, promoted from sergeant-major, September 26, 1861.
Sergeants.—John H. Huber, November 30, 1863. - James Cloney, January 20, 1862.
Corporals.—Lester Shaw, September 25, 1861, wounded at Chickamauga. Calvin Levingood, October, 1861; taken prisoner at Chickamauga. Thomas Conklin, June 9, 1864.
Killed.—Peter A. Byers, corporal, killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863. William Newsock, corporal, killed at Mission Ridge, November 25, 1863.
Died.—Ephraim A. Day, sergeant, at Chattanooga, September 26, 1861. William O, Paine, corporal, at Louisville, Ky., January 5, 1864, James M. Wyrick, sergeant, at Nashville, Tenn., November 30, 1863.
Discharged.—Nelson Thompson, corporal, for disability, March 19, 1862. Lorenzo Brown, transferred, George W. Gover, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps.
Company H.
Captains.—Michael S. Gunckel, resigned on account of disability, October 24, 1862 ; afterwards paymaster. Samuel Martindale, October 24, 1863; dismissed by general court- martial, August 21, 1863. Theodore D. Mather, first lieutenant, October 24, 7864; captain, March 19, 1864.
First Lieutenant.—David W. Schaeffer, second lieutenant, October 24, 1862 ; first lieutenant, March 19, 1864.
First Sergeant. —John Giller, October 24, 1862.
Sergeants.—William B. Campbell, killed at Chickamauga. Charles Hamilton, reduced to ranks. Henry A. Bradford, reduced to ranks; killed by a shell at Bridgeport, Ala., September 30, 1863. John A. Ladd, February 9, 1863. Edward S. Weakley, July 1, 1862. Richard Miller, October 12, 1862. Andrew Ball, November 1, 1863.
Corporals.—Charles T, Shipman, reduced, November 4, 1861; deserted, November 1, 1862. William Britton, transferred to invalid corps. William Earhart, reduced, June 1, 1862; deserted, June 10, 1862. Barney Covens, reduced December 1, 1862. David Huber. Martin Miller. Abia 4 Hoffman. John G. Schmeltzer. James Gunckel. Andrew J. Hetzler. ,
Company I.
Captains.—Henry Mallory, resigned February 17, 1862. Andrew J. Lewis, promoted from first lieutenant to captain February 17, 1862 ; resigned, January 2, 1864, on account of disability; wounded at Chickamauga. Phil. Rothenbush, promoted from first sergeant to first lieutenant February 17, 1862 ; captain, March 30, 1864 ; wounded at Chickamauga.
First Lieutenant.—Robert B. Davidson, promoted from first sergeant Company B to second lieutenant Company B, May 12, 1863; first lieutenant, March 30, 1864, assigned to Company I.
Second Lieutenant.—William Andrew, resigned March 23, 1863.
First Sergeants.—W. H. H. Kimble, reduced to ranks November 4, 1862; died February 20, 1864, at Hamilton, Ohio.
228 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Isaac L. Fisher, November 6, 1862 ; transferred to invalid corps, August 25, 1863. William K. Van Horn, August 25, 1863; wounded November 25, 1863, at Mission Ridge, Tennessee.
Sergeants.-John A. Whitaker, reduced to ranks August 9, 1862; transferred to invalid corps, December 1, 1863. George Jenkins, reduced to ranks November 6, 1862; deserted November 6, 1862, at Bowling Green, Ky. John S. Giffen, August 9, 1862; died, November 6, 1862, at Hamilton, Ohio. John M. Fenton, May 25, 1863, taken prisoner at Chickamauga, September 20th, dying in prison. Aaron Moore, May 25, 1863. Louis D. Herman, May 25, 1863. Daniel Castator, May 25, 1863. George Bourrell, November 6, 1862.
Corporals.-William Elarson, transferred to invalid corps November 1, 1863. Moses J. Wetzel. John Hull, died at Nashville, Tenn., March 20, 1862. John P. Brooks, wounded, captured at Chickamauga. Robert Blair. John Selig John Miller. Charles Bitner. Jeremiah Boatman.
Wounded.-Captain A. J. Lewis, at Chickamauga. First Lieutenant Phil. Rothenbush, at Chickamauga. First Sergeant W. K. Van Horn, at Mission Ridge. First Sergeant John M. Fenton, captured at Chickamauga: John Kapp, at Chickatnauga. Archey McLeod, captured at Chickamauga. Alexander Sterret,