368 - HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY
CHAPTER XLI.
WAR OF THE REBELLION-CONTINUED.
One Hundred and Twenty-second-bluster Rolls-Record of
its Services-Seventy-eighth Regiment - Its Services in the n Field.
THE One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio was recruited in the counties of Muskingum, Morgan, Coshocton and Guernsey. The Coshocton complement consisted of two companies, viz
PAGE 369 - PICTURE OF COL PREM METHAM FARM
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY. - 371
D and G, and were recruited mainly under the supervision of Captains Benjamin F. Sells of Company D, and 0. C. Farquhar of Company G,
The muster rolls of these companies at enlistment were as follows:
COMPANY G.
Officers.
O. C. Farquhar, Captain.
G. H. Banger, First Lieutenant.
John Anderson, Second Lieutenant.
Josiah Norman, First Sergeant.
William Gorsline, Second Sergeant:
Calvin Meizer, Third Sergeant.
Daniel Shuck, Fourth Sergeant.
Samuel Dougherty, Fifth Sergeant.
Thomas P. Chance, First Corporal.
Thomas G. Arnold, Second Corporal.
George Graham, Third Corporal.
Edwin Powers, Fourth Corporal.
James S. Anderson, Fifth Corporal.
John Minor, Sixth Corporal.
Christopher Philabaum, Seventh Corporal.
George N. Putt, Eighth Corporal.
J. H. Loveless and James W. Law, Musicians.
Emzy Maxfield, Teamster.
Privates -Robert Axline, Levi Bailey, Lewis D. Barge, Levi Brown, Daniel Barr, Caleb Berry, George Boyd, William Brilhart, Amos Buckmaster, William Cassiday, Wash. Collies, Richard Dyer, Nathan Daugherty, William Donovan, Benjamin B. Emmerson, Alexander Finton, McConnel Fortune, J. A. Fleckenger, John H. Fretney, Gottleib Fear, William Gribben, David Garber, Peter Gephart. Zeth Goodhue, John Hawk, John Hawkins, David M. Harmon, George W. Har-on, Lewis Hines, James Hamby, Samuel Hamby, Henry Hoogland, Zeb. Huff, Archie Heuston, George Jones, Porter Kinney, David Kost, Samuel Lewis, Enos J. Lower, Moses Lower, Luther B. Martin, Arch Martin, John A. Milligan, David C. Miser, John T. Miller, Thomas J. Murphy, Benjamin Milligan, James Maxfield, Thomas McPherson, N. C. McClain, Charles Moore, Andy Norman, Ezekiel Poland, James H. Poland, William Pyles, Nat Reed, Thomas Riggle,. J. W. Rinehart, David Reed, Edwin Riggle, Isaac Stafford, Lyman Spaulding, Andy P. Stultz, David N. Thomas, Palentine Thatcher, Amos Winklepleck, William Ward, Peter Worley, Samuel Worth, George Younker.
COMPANY D.
Officers.
B. F. Sells, Captain.
James Work, First Lieutenant.
James Sells, Second Lieutenant.
William A. McGruder, First Sergeant.
Henry Forrest, Second Sergeant.
Jacob Rogers, Third Sergeant.
David Cooper, Fourth Sergeant.
James Bradfield, Fifth Sergeant.
John G. Powelson, First Corporal.
John W. Watson, Second Corporal.
Jacob Gribeler, Third Corporal.
Caleb C. Wheeler, Fourth Corporal.
James H. Goodman, Fifth Corporal.
James C. Stringfellow, Sixth Corporal.
John W. Phillips, Seventh Corporal.
Andrew D. Keefer, Eighth Corporal.
Privates.-George W. Adams, Lewis Bickelor, Charles Bertho, Samuel Banger, Ambrose Bryan, Ira C. Billman, Robert Brink, Adam Bodine, Noah Blackford, James Buckmaster, Joseph Cross, Elisha Cross, John P. Cly, Tames O. Cochran, John Cochran, William H. Callentine, James B. Cooper, John Casebier, James Carter, William Camp, Vincent Clark, Augustus Cox, John Darr, William H. Divan, Joseph O. Donnely, John M. P. Davis, Samuel H. Elliott, Gotleib Feas, Henry Freteg, Eli Former, Peter Former, William King, George King, William W. Kincaid, George Kiser, Zach M. Jewell, James Layland, George Ladees, John Lafland, Hugh Lynch, James Miller, Robert Marshman, Thomas Mullen, John W. Magruder, Adam Murry, Patrick Murphy, Alexander Martin, John Meyers, John Moore, Frank Morton, William McFee, Aaron Norris, Samuel Neptune, John T. Nelson, Samuel Phillips, John H. Ravir, William Roney, John W. Ridenbaugh, Levi Rose, William Roderick, William Reay.
Companies A, B, D, E and H, of the One Hundred and Twenty-second, were mustered into the United States service on the 30th day of October,
372 - HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
1862, at Zanesville; Company C, October 3; G, October 5; F, October G; and Companies I and I K, and the field and staff officers, October 8. On the 23d of October, the regiment left Camp Zanesville, with an aggregate. of 927 men ; embarked at Zanesville, on the steamers Powell and Patton, descended the Muskingum, and encamped at Parkersburg, Virginia. It moved by railroad to Clarksburg, and became a part of, the second brigade of Milroy's division; the brigade being composed of the One Hundred I and Tenth, One Hundred and Sixteenth, One Hundred and Twenty-second, and One Hundred j and Twenty-third Ohio regiments, Carlin's Virginia battery, and one or two Virginia companies of cavalry, and being commanded by Colonel Washburne, of the One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio. On the 15th of November, the regiment j moved by railroad to New Creek, and on the 5th of December was temporarily assigned to the first brigade of Milroy's division, Brigadier- General Cluseret, commanding.
The brigade was ordered on an expedition up the valley of the South Branch of the Potomac, and, in a blinding snow storm, the regiment began its first march. The column advanced by way of Petersburg, in Hardy county, and Wardensville, and struck the valley pike at Strasburg. The train accompanying the expedition was '! guarded by a detachment from the One Hundred and Twenty-second, and was attacked by McNeil's guerillas at Wardensville, but they were repulsed with some loss. The regiment was ordered to Wardensville to keep open communications, but lest it might be overpowered by the combined forces of Jones, Imboden and McNeil, it was ordered to Moorefield, and moved from there, with Milroy's command, toward Romney. McNeil attacked the train just north of the ford of the South Branch, and captured the teams and teamsters of eleven wagons and four men of Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-second, who were guarding that portion of the train. Passing through Romney, the regiment entered Winchester on the 1st of January, 1863, and, with the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio, constituted the garrison of the place.
On March 14, Milroy's division became the Second Division, Eighth Army Corps, and the four Ohio regiments which had composed the second brigade of the old division, were organized into the first brigade of the new division, in connection with Carlin's battery and some cavalry, under the command of Brigadier General Elliott. The regiment was on scouts and expeditions, either as a whole or in detachments, to Newton, Front Royal, Summit Point, White Post, Cedar Creek, Millwood, and the Blue Ridge. During General Hooker's Chancellorsville campaign the One Hundred and Twenty-second, with other regiments, was sent up the Shenandoah valley to capture the town of Staunton. The expedition moved on the 4th of May, and advanced to New Market, when it was ordered back to Winchester by General Schenck.
On June 13, Companies A and F, of the One Hundred and Twenty-second, met the advance of J. E. B. Stewart's raid on the Strasburg road, and after a brisk skirmish retired to Winchester. The next day the entire regiment was engaged, and at eight, it, with other troops, forced a way through the rebel lines and marched to Harper's Ferry. The regiment lost several officers and men captured, some of whom were not exchanged until April, 1865..
The regiment spent one night on Bolivar Heights, and then crossed the Potomac and became a part of the garrison of Maryland land Heights. Upon the evacuation of Maryland Heights, it accompanied the heavy guns and public stores to Georgetown, District of Columbia; moved through Washington City, and thence by rail to Frederick, where it was assigned to the Second Brigade, Third Division, Third Army Corps. The brigade at once marched against Lee, crossed the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, passed London Heights by the road around their northern base; marched southward along the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge, passed through Manassas Gap, and on the afternoon of July 23, marched in line I of battle, as Ewell fell back from Wapping Heights. The next day it returned, passing through the Gap and through Warrenton, encamped about the 1st of August near the Rappahannock.
On account of the New York riots, the regiment was ordered to that city, and was distributed by detachments through the disturbed
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY. - 373
quarters. In September it rejoined the brigade, in camp on the Rappahannock, and marched to Culpepper Court House. During the fight at Winchester, about 100 officers and men of the One Hundred and Twenty-second became separated from the regiment, and moved with the One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio to Cumberland, and thence to Bloody Run. They were attached to the command of Major-General Couch, and following his movements through the Cumberland valley, formed a part of the garrison at Martinsburg. This detachment joined the regiment at Culpepper, in the latter part of September. The One Hundred and Twenty-second moved from Culpepper to Centerville in October, and held its election for Governor and State officers while in line of battle, on the afternoon that Warren so roughly handled A. P. Hill, at Bristow Station. Returning toward the Rappahannock, it crossed the river November S, and took part in the skirmish at Brandy Station. On the 26th, the regiment was again on the march, crossed the Rapidan, and fought at Locust Grove. It returned to Brandy Station, December 3, occupied ground on the farm of J. Minor Botts, and constructed winter-quarters. In March, 1864, the the third division of the Third Corps, became the third division of the Sixth Corps.
On May 4, winter quarters were abandoned. The next day the brigade guarded the road leading up the south bank of the Rapidan until noon, when it marched to the front, in the battle of the Wilderness. The regiment maintained itself well through the fight, losing on the first day over one hundred and twenty men. During the subsequent movements to Spottsylvania, to Guinea Depot, to the North Anna, and across the Pamunkey, the regiment performed its full share of picket and skirmish-duty, being under fire almost every day. Arriving at Tolopotomy Creek, May 30, it was placed on the skirmish line, and on the 31st aided in capturing a rifle-pit from the enemy. The regiment moved to Coal Harbor, and was engaged in a general assault on the rebel works, taking and holding those in its front. On the 3d of June it again advanced, and occupied a new position. The regiment moved forward by regular approaches, being continually under fire and sustaining considerable loss, until June 12, when it marched to Jones' Bridge, on the Chicahominy, and thence, via Charles City, C. H., to Wilcox Landing, on the James; ascended the river and reported to General Butler, at Bermuda Hundred.
Here a detachment of eighty conscripts and substitutes joined the regiment, and, on the 10th, it crossed the Appomattox and marched to the lines in front of Petersburg. After a few days' rest it went into position on the extreme left, and, after heavy skirmishing on the 22d and 23d, obtained possession of the Weldon railroad. It was held until a portion of it was destroyed, when the rebels, having received reenforcements, regained it. On the 29th the regiment marched to Ream's Station, fortified, destroyed a mile or two of railroad, and returned to Petersburg July 1. On the same day between fifty and sixty conscripts and substitutes joined the regiment, and, on the 6th, it moved, with the division, on steamers via Fortress Monroe and the Chesapeake to Baltimore. The One Hundred and Twenty-second was divided, and, owing to an accident, one half of it did not arrive in the Patapsco until July 9, when it, with the Sixth Maryland and Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania, started by rail for Frederick. On that day the other half of the regiment, with remainder of the division, fought the battle of Monocacy Junction. The troops on the cars arrived in time to cover the retreat, and the third division marched to Ellicott's Mills, and moved thence by care to Baltimore. The third division proceeded to Washington, and from there through Tenallytown across the Potomac, below the mouth of Goose creek, and joined the corps near Leesburg..
The regiment followed Early through Snicker's Gap to near Berryville, and then returned to Tenallytown. It soon after advanced via Rockville and Monocacy Junction to Harper's Ferry. On the 30th of July the army recrossed the Potomac, and concentrated near the junction, where the regiment enjoyed a few days' rest, for the first time since the opening of the campaign. ' On the 7th of August the army moved to Halltown, and on the 10th marched via Clifton, Berryville and Newton, to the front of Early's works at Fisher's Hill. After various marches and skirmishes, on the 19th of September Sheridan moved down to
374 - HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
the crossing of the Opequan, between Berryville and Winchester, drove in the rebel pickets, and by 10 o'clock A. M, the Sixth Corps was formed in order of bottle, two and o half miles east of Winchester. In the bottle which ensued the regiment bore on important part, and in entering the town it come upon the old camp ground which it occupied in 1863 under Milroy. Before daybreak the next day the troops were again on the march, and soon after midday come up with Early at Fisher's Hill. On the 22d five companies of the regiment, with other troops on the skirmish line, drove the rebel skirmishers into their main works, and occupied the hills close to Early's intrenchments.
As soon as Crook was known to hove gained the enemy's flank, the second brigade pushed over the breastworks, captured three guns, and assisted in driving the rebels from their position. The regiment pursued Early as far as Mount Crawford, and returning to Strasburg, rested o short time, and then moved via Front Royal toward Alexandria. When the head of the column was approaching the Shenandoah, opposite Ashley's Gap, it was overtaken by an order to return to Cedar creek, as Early was coming down again; and on the 14th of October the Sixth Corps was in position along the hills bordering Cedar creek. On the 19th the regiment was actively engaged, and assisted. in driving Early across Cedar creek.
Sheridan's army went into cantonments south of Kernstown, November 10, and on the 3d of December the Sixth Corps moved by cars to Washington, and thence by boot to City Point. A few days later the One Hundred and Twenty-second was in the lines before Petersburg, holding the "curtain" between Forts Keen and Wadsworth, just west of the Weldon railroad.
In January, 1865, it moved with the corps to the left, when Grant extended his lines beyond Hatcher's Run, and was placed in position near Fort Fisher. On the 25th, of March, with the brigade, it captured and held the rebel picket trenches.
At four o'clock A. M., April 2, the Sixth Corps advanced against the enemy and drove them from their fortifications. Marching in pursuit, the corps struck Lee's flying army, with the One Hundred and Twenty-second on the skirmish line, and broke the rebel columns. It was present at Lee's surrender, and afterward marched to Danville, Virginia. It returned to Washington City in June, and was reviewed by the President and members of the Cabinet.
It was mustered out on the 26th of July, with on aggregate of 585 men, and was paid and discharged at Columbus on the 30th of July, 1865.
The following letters from different members of the One Hundred and Twenty-second, who were enlisted in Coshocton county, give, besides personal reminiscences, more directly the port taken in the various bottles of the regiment by the Coshocton companies.
WHEELING, VA., June 19, 1863.
In regard to the Winchester battle, having been for four months previous thereto detailed from my regiment as judge advocate of our general court martial in the Second Division of the Eighth Army Corps, I was ordered to report for field duty on General Milroy's staff, in which position I acted during the engagement, on Saturday at 10 o'clock A. M. The One Hundred and Twenty-second was not engaged outside the forts until Monday, and up to that time had lost but few men and had only twelve wounded; but on Monday its lose was heavy, as the regimentwas ordered to assault a rebel battery to the woods, having a severe fight and making a gallant charge. The sensation produced on one after being under fire for awhile is very different from what I expected. I felt, after the first hour or so, all right. Monday morning I was sent to some place on the field with an order, and getting cut off from the main body, had o hard ride to keep from going to Richmond. The force attacking us was Jackson's old corps, under Ewell, about 30,000 strong; our force was about 8,000 effective men. At 2 o'clock on Monday, we spiked all our guns, leaving wagons, baggage, etc. I lost everything I had except what I had on.
G. H. BARGER.
Captain Barger is still o resident of Coshocton county and o prominent member of the bar. At the time when the above letter was written Captain Barger was First Lieutenant of Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio. He dues promoted to the captaincy, and commissioned, March 26, 1864, and resigned from the service October, 1864.
The following is from the Age, of date December 31, 1863:
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY. - 375
The One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio was near the front during the advance of the Army of the Potomac. Colonel Ball telegraphed from Brandy Station that all the officers were safe, but that the regiment had lost six killed and thirty-two wounded, of whom twenty-two are seriously hurt. The killed are: Edward Green, John Morling and William A. Phillips, of Company C; Solomon Thompson, Company E; William R. Tudor, Company I; John Hawkins, Company G.
And in the Age, of date January 23, 1864, the following from Captain B. F. Sells, of Company D:
CAMP NEAR BEALTON STATION, VIRGINIA, Dec. 25, 1863.
I have just received official information of the death of another member of my company. Private Robert Marshman died at Second Division Hospital, at Alexandria, December 21, from a gunshot wound received in the fight at Dune Run, the 27th day of November, 1863. Private Marshman was a prompt and efficient soldier, always ready and willing for duty-he had no superior and few equals. B. F. SELLS.
In the Age, of date June 18, 1864, these deaths are recorded
THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND O. V. I-This gallant regiment has suffered severely in the Virginia battles. From along list of casualties we copy the following of Coshocton companies
Company D-Killed, Martin Vance. Wounded, John P. Cly, Joseph O'Donnel, James Cooper and Thomas Nelson.
Company G - Killed, Corporal E. Polan. Wounded, First Sergeant William Gorsline, Sergeant C. C. Meyer, R. H. Axline, D. B. Myser, E. Riggler, William Ward, .J. W. Rinehart, Lewis Smith, W. King, Es. Polen and H. Moore. We have noticed Captain Work's death in a previous issue.
SEVENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.
Guite a number of the citizens of Coshocton county enlisted in the Seventy-eighth Ohio, who Were not credited to Coshocton. While not enumerating any, except such as have contributed personal reminiscences, it would not be just to omit a consideration of the regimental history of the Seventy-eighth. It was raised under special authority from Governor Dennison, issued to M. D. Leggett, Esq:, of Zanesville, Muskingum county, Ohio. M. D. Leggett, afterward appointed brigadier general, was Well and favorably knoWn in Coshocton county, and his popularity accounted for the enrollment of a large number of those citizens whose homes were in the adjacent townships of Coshocton county, making Zanesville as near a point of rendezvous as Coshocton,
The first man of the regiment was enlisted on the 30th day of October, 1861. The organization was completed on the 11th day of January, 1862. and the regiment left by cars for Cincinnati on the 11th day of February, where steamers were found, on which it embarked for Fort Donelson, on the Tennessee river. This point was reached on the 16th of February and the regiment went into position on the battle-field, but too late to take part in the action. Immediately after this battle the regiment saw its first field duty, that of taking care of the rebel prisoners and stores.
On the 1st of March the regiment marched across the country to Metal Landing on the Tennessee river, where it went into camp awaiting transportation. About the 10th of March it moved With the national forces to Crump's Landing, and thence to Adamsville, on the road to Purdy, to guard an exposed flank of the army at Pittsburgh Landing. Nothing of interest transpired here except a few slight skirmishes with the enemy.
Early on the morning of the 6th of April picket firing Was heard by the troops stationed at Adamsville. The whole command was immediately drawn up in line awaiting orders. Receiving orders at twelve o'clock M., the Seventy-eighth, with its brigade, marched to the battlefield, a distance of fourteen miles, and reached Pittsburg Landing at eight o'clock in the evening, in company With General Lew Wallace;s division. The fight being over for the day the regiment went into camp for the 'night on the extreme right of the national army. At daylight on the morning of the 7th the regiment went into battle on the right and was under fire throughout the day, with, however, but slight loss, only one man was killed and nine wounded. Retaining its position on the right, the Seventy-eighth shared the movement on Corinth. In guarding the right flank of the army the regiment was frequently engaged in reconnoissances and skirmishes with the enemy.
On the evacuation of Corinth, the regiment marched with Lew Wallace's Division to Bethel,
376 - HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
where it was detached and sent with the Thirtieth Illinois, under command of Colonel Leggett, to Jackson, Tennessee. The town was found in possession of a small rebel force, which was driven off, and the place occupied. At this place the regiment had the honor to raise a national flag on the pole where the first rebel flag Was raised in Tennessee.
At Jackson, the Seventy-eighth was transferred from Lew Wallace's division to General Logan's division. From Jackson, the Seventy-eighth, With the Thirtieth Illinois, Were again sent, under Colonel Leggett, to Grand Junction. It remained at this point one month, and then returned to Bolivar. While there the regiment made several important and arduous reconnoissances, in Which a number of skirmishes were had with the enemy. On the 30th of August, the Seventy-eighth and Twentieth Ohio, one company of the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, and a section of the Ninth Indiana Artillery, had a brisk engagement at Spring Creek, sixteen miles from Bolivar. While the engagement was in progress, four companies of the Second Illinois Cavalry, under Colonel Hogg, reported and took part in the fight. Colonel Hogg was killed. On the day before the fight, a force of mounted infantry Was improvised from the Seventy-eighth and Twentieth Ohio, by selecting three tried men from each company. This force under command of Lieutenants G. D. Munson, of the Seventy-eighth, and Ayers, of the Twentieth Ohio, Was sent on a reconnoissance the night previous, and discovered the enemy• in force. After capturing the rebel outposts it fell back to its main body. On the the next day this "mule cavalry" performed excellent service, and to them was attributed largely the successful result of the fight. In this affair the loss of the regiment was slight.
When the rebel army, under Price and Van Dorn, moved on Iuka, the Seventy-eighth marched, with Logan's division, to that point, but did not participate in the battle. Returning to Bolivar it joined Grant's forces in the movement toward Grenada, Mississippi, and was near Grenada in advance of the whole army, When, in consequence of the destruction by the enemy of Holly Springs, it fell back with the national army on that place. Immediately thereafter it accompanied Grant's forces to Memphis, Tennessee, and thence by steamer to Lake Providence, Where it was employed in cutting the bank of the Mississippi, and opening Bayou Jackson for the purpose of overflowing the country below. While lying at this point the regiment, with its brigade, went to Eagle Point and up Mud Bayou to aid in saving some gunboats surrounded by the enemy. Milliken's Bend was the next point to which the Seventy-eighth was sent, where it joined the national army, under General Grant, then concentrating for the march on Vicksburg. On the occasion of running the blockade of Vicksburg with transports, twelve members of the Seventy-eighth Ohio were selected as part of the crew of one of the boats of this detail. Sergeant James McLaughlin and private Huffman occupied themselves during the trip in playing cards by the light of the enemies guns. Crossing the Mississippi river at Bruinsburg, the regiment marched with the army to the rear of Vicksburg. On this march it participated in the battle of Raymond, on the 12th of May, 1863, and lost in killed and Wounded about eighty men.
On the 16th of May it was engaged in the battle of Champion Hills, Where it lost 116 men killed and Wounded. During these battles General Leggett was commanding the brigade having received his commission as Brigadier General on the 29th of November, 1862. On the 17th, 18th, and 19th of May, the investment of Vicksburg Was completed. On the 22d of May, the Seventy-eighth .participated in the general charge of that day on the enemy's works, With slight loss. About the 25th of May the regiment Was joined to a force sent up the Yazoo river, under General Frank P. Blair, to look after a rebel force reported to be moving to the relief of Vicksburg, under General Joseph E. Johnston. Johnston having changed his line of march to a point further south-toward Jackson-the command returned to Vicksburg, and the Seventy-eighth Ohio resumed its position before the city. At this point General- Leggett was transferred to the command of the first brigade of General Logan's division. On the 22d of June the Seventy-eighth Was again sent with a force to prevent the rebels under Johnston from crossing the Black river at Bovina. The regiment remained
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY. - 377
at Bovina until after the surrender of Vicksburg. On the 4th of July the Seventy-eighth joined Sherman in his march on Jackson, Mississippi. It was left at Clinton, where, on the 7th of July, it was attacked by rebel cavalry, which attack it handsomely repulsed. On the return of the national forces to Vicksburg, the regiment accompanied them and remained there until the latter part of August. It then marched with McPherson's expedition, to destroy the rebel mills, near Canton. Coming back to Vicksburg, it went with General Loan's division to Monroeville, Louisiana, on the Washita river, to look after a force of rebels reported to be in that vicinity.
On the 5th of January, 1864, the Seventy-eighth re-enlisted for the war. Immediately thereafter the regiment marched with General Sherman on the Meridian expedition, and on its return Was sent home on veteran furlough. The regiment returned on the 1st of May, and rendezvoused at Cairo, Illionis. The division Was reorganized at this point, and moved by steamers up the Tennessee river to Clifton. From Clifton it marched over the Blue mountain Midge and joined General Sherman's army at Acworth, Georgia. It was immediately placed in position on the left, and commenced its part of the campaign at Atlanta.
On the 17th of June, the regiment took part in the attack on and capture of Bushy mountain. About the time the order Was given to move on the mountain a heavy rain storm commenced. General M. D. Leggett, commanding the third division of Logan's corps, dashed up the slope and captured the rebel works, turning its guns on the rebels as they fled. By reason of the driving rain, the other divisions that were to co-operate in the affair, did not perceive General Leggett's movement, and supposed the rebels still held the mountain and were firing on the national cavalry, directed their batteries on Leggett's division, and shelled the mountain until a staff officer was sent to undeceive them.
On the 27th of June the regiment participated in the battle of Kenesaw mountain. The regiment, with the Army of the Tennessee, then swung around the mountain to the extreme right of Sherman's line, extending to the Chattahoochie, at the mouth of the Nicojack creek, thus flanking the rebel forces and causing them to evacuate the mountain. From the 5th to the 6th of July the regiment was engaged in an almost continuous skirmishing and artillery duel. During this time, at intervals, it was almost impossible to prevent the privates of the two armies from affiliating. On one occasion a Large boat Was procured and placed in the middle of .the Chattahoochie river, in each end of which a hostage Was seated, and a squad of either party placed on the banks to shoot the hostage if treachery Was practiced. Brisk trade and card playing then commenced and continued until discovered and stopped by some of the officers.
On the night of the 15th of July the rebels evacuated the north side of the Chattahoochie river, and, on the 16th, the regiment, with its brigade and division marched to Rosswell Factories and crossed the Chattahoochie at that place. While the Seventy-eighth was on its march to this point, an affecting incident occurred. Major James Reeves, the surgeon of the regiment, while walking through a clump of bushes, Was accosted by a citizen of the country With a request for a national surgeon to administer medical aid to his sick daughter. The doctor at first demurred, but on reflection concluded to go With the man, who took him down in a valley and into a cave. In this secluded spot Were congregated about 200 Union refugees, hiding from the persecution of the rebel authorities.
From Rossville the regiment moved directly on Atlanta. On the 21st of July the regiment participated in the attack on and capture of Bald Knob, a position commanding the city of Atlanta. The rebels occupied it in force, behind strong works. In carrying it the division suffered severely. This position being carried, shells were at once thrown into Atlanta by the national artillery. This position was considered so important by the rebel commander that in his anxiety to retake it he, on the neat day, threw his whole army on the left flank of the national lines and a terrible battle was the result, costing the life of the brave McPherson. The Seventy-eighth Ohio suffered severely. It lost 203 officers and men killed and wounded. At a critical moment the Seventy-eighth and Sixty-eighth Ohio held a lice near Bald Knob, on Which the rebels made a deter-
378 - HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
mined attack. A hand-to-hand fight occurred in which desperate valor was displayed on both sides. Of thirteen flag and color bearers of the Seventy-eighth Ohio, all Were either killed or Wounded. On one occasion a rebel was about to capture the flag, When Captain John Orr, of Company H, seized a short sword from the ground and almost decapitated him. For this the Captain received a gold medal from the board of honor of the Army of the Tennessee.
The Seventy-eighth participated in the subsequent movements of the Army of the Tennessee till the fall of Atlanta. It then went into camp near Atlanta, and remained there until about the middle of October, when it Was sent up the Atlanta railroad to the vicinity of Chattanooga, to guard that line of supply. When Hood left the railroad and marched toward Decatur, the Seventy-eighth returned to Atlanta, by the way of Lost Mountain, reaching that place on the 13th of November. On the 15th, it started with General Sherman's forces on the March to the Sea.
After the taking of Savannah, and the march through the Carolinas, up to the surrender of Johnston's army, the regiment accompanied the national forces through Richmond, Virginia, to Washington City, and there participated in the grand review.
From Washington it Was sent by rail and river to Louisville, Kentucky. On the 9th day of July it started for Columbus, Ohio, and on the 11th was paid off and mustered out of service.
The Seventy-eighth passed through a series of battles said skirmishes that involved an immense amount of fatiguing duty and severe exposure. One of the saddest results that followed this taxing service, finds an illustration in the person of Hamilton Caton, from one of the best families in Coshocton county, and who is still living under the care of relatives in the county, incurably insane. William Caton was a faithful soldier, a private in the ranks of the Seventy-eighth; he did not shrink from any task, and met any amount of exposure with a truly Spartan fortitude; the result of this physical drain, combined with the impressions produced by the horrors of war, was to becloud the mind of this patriot and soldier with the dark shadows of the insane, and though long years have elapsed since the war, and he has been through them all, the recipient of a grateful country's bounty, he still tramps over swamp and through thicket, and digs trench, and stands picket, ever hearing, day and night, the shrieks of shells and the dying.
Coshocton still retains as a citizen, another prominent member of the Seventy-eighth, in the person of A. W. Search, Who, entering the service as a private, at the organization of the regiment, Was promoted .to the first lieutenancy July 1, 1863, and to the captaincy January 11, 1865. While holding the position of lieutenant, Captain Search Was assigned to duty as adjutant of the regiment, and was also appointed judge advocate for the Third Division, Seventeenth Army Corps. Captain Search has for quite a number of years edited the Coshocton Age, and has been a prominent citizen in his influence in the county. Within the first three months the year 1881, he has retired from the more public life of a newspaper man, to that of mercantile pursuits.
The following interesting sketch of personal reminiscence is furnished by Captain Search:
The Seventy-eighth had a few of that class in her private ranks, Who were mighty men and brave-in words-and who continually boasted in camp of the prowess they would manifest upon the field. A shrewd colonel, haying overheard their warlike speech while the division Was on the march from Crump's Landing to Purdy, concluded it was bad to keep them waiting, and detailed a small scouting squad, taking in every man "of Words " from the various companies, at midnight, to go ahead on a corduroy road and be vigilant and brave, and notify the main body if the. enemy was found. A staff officer was sent after them to sound the recall in a short time, Who in leading his horse over the corduroy road and trailing his sword thereon so frightened the scouting squad of braves that they fled incontinently, minus guns, hats, and sometimes coats. In going to La Grange, Tennessee, the regiment made a forced march which told so heavily on the boys that only a few men out of each company showed up when the regiment first arrived, the balance coming on behind exhausted and spent. At La Grange there was a seminary located, the resident of which, like Horace Greeley, pride himself upon °'what he knew about farming" and gave good evidence of it, in a large field one side of his residence which
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY. - 379
was crowded with finely growing sweet potatoes; the boys of the Seventy-eighth immediately took possession and commenced digging them out with their bayonets.
The professor came out and ordered them off, and, not a man giving the slightest heed, he then pompously asked: "Is this the manner in which you come to defend a down-trodden country?" and Was answered by a shock-headed Coshocton county farmer in this wise: "Not much, boss; this is the way we dig taters." The professor surrendered and retired. On the Water Valley campaign an interesting incident occurred, showing the advantage of being the possessor of ingenuity. General Logan's division came to the banks of a stream too deep to ford, the bridge over which had been burnt by the rebels. General Logan rode to the front with his engineer, and inquired how long it would take to put a bridge over. The engineer said, "Three days." Captain Wiles, of Company C, Seventy-eighth, spoke up and told General Logan if he Would furnish three reliefs, of a hundred men each, he would have it ready the next morning. The men were furnished, the bridge was built, and the division was over according to agreement, although the engineer swore it could not be done. It was managed by tearing down a cotton gin on the banks, and by cutting and floating limbs of trees into place.
At Atlanta, during the severest part of the fight, while the Seventy-eighth was behind some earthworks, two brothers belonging to one of the companies of the Seventy-eighth, of the name Cocochnower, were so intense in their fighting hatred that they jumped upon the top of the works and loaded and fired until they were both killed.
Company C, under command of Captain Wiles, Was the pioneer company of the corps, and had charge of the mining and sapping, in order to accomplish which they were compelled to load up a long wagon with bales of cotton, and push it on ahead to cover them from the fire of sharpshoot shooters. Many efforts were made by the reels to burn it, and they finally shelled it and set it on fire.
While pushing the mining and sapping the men who were so detailed were continually attacked; among other methods that of the hand grenade being employed, and, in numerous instances, our boys would coolly pick them up, burning fuse and all, and throw them beck in the rebel works, not Without some fatal results however.
Captain Search, it may be added, was, at on time, captured by a small body of rebels who Were hidden in the bush along side of the road leading to Resaca, and upon Which road the Union forces were moving to meet Hood.
Captain Search was then a staff officer, and was coming back on the road with orders to close up the sections of artillery on the road. As he was riding back he met a slouchy appearing man coming toward him, who, in the dusk of the evening, he supposed Was one of the gunners or teamsters, when directly opposite Captain Search he seized the lines, thrust a pistol in his face, and, taking him off the road about three hundred yards, placed him in charge of a company of about one hundred.
Considerable badgering was indulged in about appropriating the captain's property, but, finally, when they were ready to depart, he was allowed to mount his own horse, which, being a good one, as they struck the road in crossing he put spurs to and dashed off, succeeding in getting away from his captors, it being too risky for them to pursue him on the open highway.
CHAPTER XLII
WAR OF THE REBELLION-CONTINUED.
Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry-Its Operations in the
Field-Thirty-seventh Ohio-A Record of its Services.
HE Fifteenth and Thirty-seventh regiments, in so fax as they find a representation in Coshocton county, obtained the Coshocton men somewhat similarly. The men who enlisted proposed going into other regiments, but Were too late, and consequently became absorbed in the Fifteenth and Thirty-seventh. The following history of the Fifteenth is from "Ohio in the War":
The Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry was one of the first to respond to the President's call for seventy-five thousand men for three months' service, and, on the 4th of May, 1861, the regiment was organized at Camp Jackson, Columbus, to Ohio, and four days after moved to Camp Goddard, near Zanesville, Ohio. Here it spent about. ten days, engaged in drilling, disciplining and active preparations for the field. It. was then ordered into West Virginia, and, crossing the ad Ohio river at Bellaire, it was employed for some
380 - HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
time in guard duty on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, advancing as far as Grafton. It was engaged in the rout of the rebels under General Porterfield at Phillippi, on the 13th of June, and afterward took part in the affairs of Laurel Hill and Carrick's Ford. The regiment performed a large amount of marching and guard duty, and rendered valuable services to the Government in assisting to stay the progress of the rebels, who were endeavoring to carry the war into the north. Having served its term of enlistment, it returned to Columbus, Ohio, and was discharged about the 1st of August, having lost but two men, one killed and one dying of disease.
The President having issued his call for three hundred thousand men for three years, the soldiers of the Fifteenth felt the importance of a hearty response, and with their patriotism and ardor not lessened, but rather increased, by the trials and exposure incident to their three months' campaign, they almost immediately and almost unanimously resolved to reenlist; and the regiment was reorganized at Camp Mordecai Bartley, near Mansfield, Ohio, and left Camp Bartley for Camp Dennison on the 26th of September, 1861. At this place they received their arms and the remainder of their clothing, camp and garrison equipage. The regiment was armed with old Springfield and Harper's Ferry muskets altered, except Companies A and B, which received En field rifles. The outfit being completed on the 4th of October the regiment left for the field, its destination being Lexington. Kentucky. It remained in camp at Lexington until the 12th, When it was transported by rail to Louisville, and from there to Camp Nevin, near Notin's Station, Kentucky. At this place it was assigned to the sixth brigade, (General R. W. Johnson commanding) Second Division, (General A. McD. McCook, commanding) of the Army of the Ohio, then commanded by General W. T. Sherman, subsequently by General Buell. The regiment remained at Camp Nevin until the 9th of December, 1861, when the division marched to Bacon creek, and on the following day the sixth brigade occupied Mumfordsville. On the morning of the 14th the second division broke camp, moving in the direction of West Point to embark for Fort Donelson ; but upon receiving intelligence of its capture the division was marched to Bowling Green. Crossing Barren river on the 27th, the command marched for Nashville, Tennessee, which place was reached on the 2d of March. Camping grounds were selected about three miles from the city, and the army rested until the 16th, when the march to Savannah began; which point was reached on the night of April 6, and on the morning of the 7th the regiment embarked for the battle-field and was engaged from about twelve M., till four P. M.., when the enemy retreated. In this engagement the regiment lost six men killed and sixty-two wounded.
In the subsequent operations against Corinth, the second division formed the reserve of the army, and did not take the front until the 27th of May.
It was continually skirmishing with the enemy until the 30th, when the town was occupied by our forces. On the 10th of June the division marched to Battle Creek, Tennessee, crossing the Tennessee river at Florence, and, resting there several days, arrived at Battle Creek on the 18th of July. The regiment was engaged in building a fort at the mouth of Battle Creek and in the ordinary duties of camp until the 20th of August, when General McCook's command moved to Altemonte, on the Cumberland mountains, in «-hick direction the invading army under Bragg was marching. From Altemonte the division marched, via Manchester and Murfreesboro, to Nashville, arriving there on the 8th of September. After halting two or three days the army marched to Bowling Green, and thence, by way of West Point, to Louisville, arriving on the 25th of September. On the 1st of October the second division marched on the Shelbyville pike in pursuit of the enemy, reaching Shelbyville the second day. Remaining in camp a few days, the march was resumed to Lawrenceburg, where a skirmish was had with the enemy in which the regiment was engaged. The division then marched to Perryville, which was reached a few days after the battle of Chaplin Hills, and there joined the main army and marched in pursuit of Bragg as far as Crab Orchard, where it remained several days, and then marched to Nashville, where it arrived on the 7th of November, 1862.
The army was reorganized and thoroughly
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY. - 381
drilled here, and, on the 26th of December, advanced on the enemy's position at Murfreesboro. In the battle of Stone River the regiment was heavily engaged, losing eighteen killed and eighty-nine wounded. After the occupation of Murfreesboro by the army, under General Rosecrans, the Fifteenth was engaged in drilling, foraging, fortifying and picket duty until the 24th of July, when an advance was ordered on Tullahoma and Shelbyville, which places were occupied by our army after the enemy was dislodged from his strong position :at Golner's and Liberty Gaps, the latter being carried by the second division, and the Fifteenth taking a very prominent part therein.
In this engagement, one officer and seven men were tilled, and twenty-three Wounded. The second division was stationed at Tullahoma till the 16th of August, when it was ordered to Bellefonte, Alabama, marching via Winchester and Salem, and arriving at its destination on the 22d. Remaining there about a week, the division marched to near Stevenson, Alabama. On the 2d of September the march was resumed in the direction of Rome, Georgia, crossing Lookout Mountain and camping at the eastern foot, near Alpine, on the 10th. After remaining in position for ten days, the command re-crossed Lookout Mountain to Winson's valley, and, on the 11th, marched to a position in connection with main army in Lookout valley.
The regiment remained in position on the extreme right flank of the army until the morning of the 19th, when it marched for the battlefield of Chickamauga, a distance of thirteen miles, and was engaged soon after its arrival. At Chickamauga the regiment lost one officer and nine men killed, two officers and silty-nine men wounded, and forty men missing. The regiment bore its share in the arduous labors and privations of the Beige of Chattanooga, and on the 25th of November participated in the brilliant assault of Mission Ridge, capturing a number of prisoners and some artillery.
On the 28th of November the regiment, then belonging to the First Brigade, Third Division, Fourth Army Corps, marched with the corps the relief of Knoxville, Tennessee, arriving on the 8th of December; on the 20th the command moved to Strawberry Plains by Way of Flat creek. On the 14th of January, 1864, the greater portion of the regiment having re-enlisted as veterans, it started for Columbus, Ohio, via Chattanooga, preparatory to being furloughed. The regiment arrived in Columbus, with 350 veterans,. on the 10th of February, and the, men were furloughed on the 12th.
On the 14th of March the regiment assembled at Camp Chase to return to the held, having recruited to upward of 900 men. Upon arriving at Nashville, on the 22d, the regiment was ordered to march to Chattanooga, arriving on the 5th of April. On the 8th the regiment moved to Cleveland, Tennessee, meeting with a serious accident near Charleston, Tennessee, by a railroad train being thrown from the track, by which twenty men were more or less injured.
The regiment moved to McDonald's Station on the 20th, and remained there till the opening of the spring campaign. At noon, on the 3d of May, the regiment broke camp and marched to Tunnel Hill, where General Sherman's army took position, and was constantly skirmishing with the enemy, this regiment being frequently engaged until the 13th, when the enemy evacuated Rocky Face Ridge and our army took possession of Dalton.
The Fifteenth participated in the subsequent pursuit of the rebels, in the battle of Resaca and again in the pursuit and engagement near Dallas, where the regiment suffered severely, losing nineteen men killed, three officers and silty-one men wounded and nineteen men missing, who were supposed to be either killed or severely wounded. The color guard, with the exception of one corporal, were all either .killed or wounded, but the colors Were safely brought off by the surviving member of the guard, Corporal David Hart, of Company I. The rebels having evacuated their works on the 5th of June; the army moved to the vicinity of Acworth, and on the 10th advanced to near Kenesaw Mountain. While skirmishing sharply, on the 14th of June, the regiment lost one officer and one man killed, and five men wounded, all belonging to Company A. On the to morning of June 18, the rebels having withdrawn; a party of three or four men advanced to reconnoiter, and picking up a couple of stragglers, they
382 - HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
were sent back in charge of Peter Cupp, a private of Company H, who, in returning to the regiment, suddenly came upon a rebel outpost, which had been left by accident. Cupp announced the withdrawal to them and ordered them to stack their arms and surrender, which they did, and one captain, one lieutenant and sixteen men of the First Georgia volunteers were marched into our lines by Private Cupp. While in the vicinity the regiment was engaged in scouting and skirmishing, frequently capturing prisoners.
After crossing the Chattahoochie the regiment moved down the river on the 11th of July, and in connection with the division, drove back the en emy's cavalry and covered the crossing of the Fourteenth Corps. The line was advanced each day until it closed in around the rebel works before Atlanta. On the night of August 25, the command to which the regiment belonged withdrew from the works in front and commenced the movement upon the communications in the rear of Atlanta, skirmishing with the enemy at Lovejoy's Station on the night of September 5, and, reaching Atlanta the 8th, the Fourth Corps encamped near Decatur.
When the army of Hood began its raid upon our communications the regiment marched via Marietta and Rome, to the relief of Resaca, October 3, and from Resaca it marched through Snake Creek Gap, by way of Salesville, Chattanooga and Pulaski to Columbia, where it was engaged in a alight skirmish. From Columbia the army moved toward Franklin, passing in view of the camp-fires of a corps of the enemy near Spring Hill, Tennessee. The regiment did not participate in the battle of Franklin, but was assigned the duty of covering the withdrawal of the forces and the retreat to Nashville. At Nashville the regiment formed the extreme left of the army, and when the order came for the left to move forward the regiment advanced rapidly, capturing a fine battery of four brass guns and some thirty prisoners
On the 16th of December, the enemy was found entrenched in a strong position on Franklin pike, about five miles from the city. The regiment participated in a movement upon these works, capturing prisoners to the number of two commissioned officers and one hundred men. The entire loss sustained by the regiment in the two days of the fight was two officers and one man killed and two officers and twenty-four men wounded. The most vigorous pursuit was made by our army, but the infantry was unable to overtake the flying enemy, and after following the rebels to Lexington, Alabama, the corps moved in the direction of Huntsville, and the regiment :cent into camp at Bird Springs about the 4th or 5th of January, 1865, and remained until the 15th of March when it was ordered to move into East Tennessee. It moved by rail to New Market, Tennessee, and then took up the line of march to Greenville, to assist in preventing the escape of Lee and Johnson, while Grant and Sherman pressed them to a surrender. The Fifteenth arrived at Greenville on the 5th of April, and on the 22d was ordered back to Nashville. On this march the regiment acted as train guard and reached Nashville about the 1st of May, 1865. From this time till the 16th of June, the regiment was in camp near Nashville, Tennessee, when orders were received to move to Texas. With a good degree of cheerfulness the men turned their backs once more upon their homes, went to Johnstonville and thence by boat to New Orleans. Moving down a short distance below the city they bivouacked in the old Jackson battle ground till July 5, when they shipped for Texas.
The regiment arrived at Indianola, Texas, July 9, disembarked, and in order to obtain a sufficient supply of water, marched that same night to Green Lake, a distance of about twenty miles. Remaining here just one month, on the 10th of August it marched for San Antonio, a distance of one hundred and fifty miles. The scarcity of water, the extreme heat, the want of suitable rations, together with inadequate transportation, all combined, made this one of the most severe marches the regiment ever endured. It reached the Salado, a small stream near the San Antonio, on the 21st of August, and remained there until October 20, when it was designated to perform post duty in the city, and it continued to act in this capacity till November 21, when it was mustered out and ordered to Columbus, Ohio, for final discharge.
The regiment left San Antonio on the 24th of November and marched to Indianola, proceeding
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY. - 383
thence, by way of New Orleans and Cairo, to Columbus, Ohio, where it arrived December 25, and was finally discharged from the service of the United States, on the 27th of December, 1865.
The Fifteenth was among the first regiments to be mustered in, and among the last to be mustered out, having been in the service as an organization about four years and eight months.
Few regiments present a bitter record upon battle fields and marches than the Fifteenth, while in respect to the intelligence and moral character of its officers and soldiers, it holds an enviable position.
It is worthy of note, that the Coshocton soldiers in the Fifteenth, though not numerous, in following the varied vicissitudes of the regiment, as they did, from its muster in till its muster out, escaped without a death or a wound.
THIRTY-SEVENTH.
In viewing the record of the Thirty-seventh Ohio, it would be will to note the fact that it was recruited as a German regiment, and as such was the third of its kind raised in Ohio. A large portion of the regiment was taken from Tuscarawas county, and the German settlements of Coshocton county bordering on Tuscarawas contributed liberally in enlistments that wire credited to Tuscarawas. The record of the regiment is as follows:
The Thirty-seventh was principally recruited among the patriotic Germans of Cleveland, Toledo and Chillicothe. The counties of Auglaize, Franklin, Mahoning and Tuscarawas (Coshocton min) furnished a number of the men; Erie, Wyandot and Mercer also contributed liberally. Its organization was commenced under the call of President Lincoln for 300,000 men, in August, 1861. By the latter part of September, seven full companies had reported, and on the 1st of October 800 min were enrolled. With this number the regiment was placed in Camp Dennison, and on the 2d of October it was mustered into the service armed and equipped. Colonel E. Siber, an accomplished German officer, who had seen active service in Prussia and Brazil, was selected as the commander of the regiment; L. Von Blessingh, of Toledo, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Charles Ankele, of Cleveland, Major. Its line officers were selected from those who had seen service in the preceding three months' campaign.
The regiment moved via Cincinnati to a point on the Kanawha river, in West Virginia, where it reported to General Rosecrans, then commanding that department: Shortly after its arrival, the regiment was sent up the Kanawha, in company with other forces, to the oil works at Cannelton, with the view of driving the rebel General Floyd out of that valley. The national forces moved up the valley, marching along Loup creek, flanked, and forced the rebels to evacuate Cotton Hill, and pursued them to within seven miles of Raleigh Court House. On its return from this expedition, the regiment went into winter-quarters, at Clifton, where it occupied itself in drilling and perfecting its organization, guarding all the principal points in the vicinity, and occasionally sending out scouting parties in all sections of that part of West Virginia. In January, 1862, it went out on an expedition to Logan Court House, east of Guyandotte river, and eighty miles distant from Clifton. After marching and brisk skirmishing with the enemy's cavalry, the place was captured and all the war material destroyed. This accomplished, the regiment returned to Clifton, having suffered a loss of one officer and one man killed. In March, 1862, the Thirty-seventh Ohio was added to the third provisional brigade of the Kanawha division, and ordered to accompany that division on a raid to the southern part of West Virginia, with the view of reaching and destroying, if possible, the Virginia and East Tennessee railroad, near Wytheville, Virginia. But, after severe and unsuccessful fighting at and near Princeton, on East river, in which the regiment lost one officer and thirteen men killed, two officers and forty-six men wounded, and fourteen men missing, the national forces were compelled to retreat to Flattop Mountain, where they remained in :bivouac until the tat of August, 1862. On that day the regiment marched to Raleigh, garrisoned the place, and scoured the country for a circuit of twenty-five miles.
In an expedition to Wyoming Court House, a detachment of the regiment fell lento an ambuscade, and were surrounded by the enemy, but out
384 - HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
their way out of the difficulty with the loss of two killed, and one officer and seven men taken prisoners. In the latter part of August the regiment marched in detachments to Fayetteville, Virginia, Which place Was garrisoned by the Thirty-seventh and Thirty-fourth Ohio, and a temporary battery, composed of men from the Thirty-seventh Ohio on temporary duty.
On the 10th of September two companies of the regiment were sent out on the Princeton road, and, after reaching a spot one and a half miles from their starting point, they encountered the enemy in heavy force, making it necessary to fall back. Shortly after, the whole force Was engaged With the enemy, led by General Loring. The fight lasted from 12 M. until dark, When Colonel 'Siber, the commanding officer of the Thirty-seventh Ohio, being informed that another force of the enemy Was threatening the national rear and line of retreat, the retreat was sounded, and, at 2 o'clock in the morning, the regiment moved back on the Gauley road, taking a position on Cotton Hill, and engaging the enemy an hour with effective results. The retreat was then resumed, and, on the 12th of September, the national troops crossed the Kanawha river at Camp Piatt, and arrived at Charleston on the next day. The enemy, who had followed at a respectful distance, was here engaged and kept at bay until dark. This stand was necessary in order to cover the retreat of a valuable train of seven hundred wagons loaded with the entire supplies of all the troops in the Kanawha valley.
After a very exhausting march of three days and nights, the Ohio river was reached on the 15th, at a point nearly opposite Ripley, Ohio, and the troops crossed over, but almost immediately thereafter re-crossed the river, and went into camp at Point Pleasant. In this unfortunate retreat the Thirty-seventh Ohio lost two men killed, three Wounded and sixty-three missing, of which latter a large portion were teamsters and train guards. All the company wagons, camp equipage and officers' baggage Were lost near Fayetteville by a rear attack of the enemy.
On the 15th of October the company entered Kanawha valley, under command of Lieutenant L. Von Blessingh. Gauley Bridge was reached November 19th, where a camp was formed and occupied up to December, 1862, on which day the regiment marched to Camp Piatt, and from thence embarked on steamers for Cincinnati. While lying at the wharf there Colonel Siber assumed command of the regiment, and Was fortunate enough to procure new Enfield rifles in exchange for the arms then in use: Proceeding down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, the regiment Was landed at Napoleon, Arkansas, on the 16th of January, 1862. Here it was with other regiments, formed into the Third Brigade, Second Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps. On the 21st of January the troops moved over to Miliken's bend, nearly opposite Vicksburg, Mississippi, where they Were engaged in the construction of the canal which was to isolate Vicksburg from the river, and make it an inland town. A freshet in the Mississippi river compelled the regiment, with the other troops, to seek higher ground for encampment. Young's Point was selected. From Young's Point a number of expeditions were sent to the east side of the Mississippi and up the Yazoo river, in all of which the Thirty-seventh participated.
On the 29th of April, 1862, the regiment, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel L. Von Blessingh, with eight other regiments of the division embarked on steamers and were taken up the Yazoo river to Haines' Bluff. This movement was made as a feint to cover the movements of General Grant, to the southeast of Vicksburg. The regiment returned to the west side of the Mississippi and again went into camp at Young's Point, performing guard and fatigue duty u until the 13th of May, when it Was sent down to Grand Gulf. From that place it marched with the force under General Gram to the rear of Vicksburg, where it was assigned as a portion of the front line of the army• investing that place. In the bloody but unsuccessful assaults on the enemy's works, May 19 and 22, and the subsequent siege of Vicksburg, the regiment lost nineteen killed and seventy-five wounded including among the Wounded Lieutenant Colonel L. Von Blessingh. This casualty devolved the command of the regiment upon Major C. Hipp until the 18th of June, when Colonel Siber reported from his leave of absence, and resumed command.
After the surrender of Vicksburg the Thirty-
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY. - 385
seventh participated in the expedition against Jackson. Mississippi, and on its capture, July 17, it performed provost-guard duty for some days. On the 23d of July it marched to a camp of rest and reorganization, called Camp Sherman, near Big Black river. It remained in this camp up to the 26th of September, 1863, on which day it marched into Vicksburg and embarked on the steamer Nashville for Memphis, Tennessee. From Memphis the regiment marched into Corinth, Mississippi ; thence to Cherokee Station, Alabama, reaching the latter place on the 20th of October, and remaining in bivouac until the 26th of the same month.
The rebel General Forrest becoming troublesome, the Thirty-seventh Ohio marched, with its division, to drive off his cavalry, who were operating with the view of impeding the march of the national forces toward and for the relief of Chattanooga. On the 21st of November Chattanooga was reached, and on the nights of the 23d and 24th the regiment crossed the Tennessee river, , opposite Mission Ridge, and held a hill in front of the enemy during the night of the 24th, in order to maintain communication with the first brigade of the division. On the morning of November 25 the regiment participated in an as saint on the enemy's fortified position, in which it lost five men killed and thirty-six wounded, five of the latter being officers. Although not successful in the charge, other points of the rebel line were broken and the enemy• retreated during the following night, and was pursued as far as Ringgold..
At Gravesville, on the 29th of November, the regiment received orders to march with the division to East Tennessee to drive the rebels under Longstreet from that part of the State. This campaign lasted for three weeks, and is memorable from the intense suffering endured by the troops. The weather was intensely cold, the men half clad, and numbers of them shoeless, and were compelled to subsist on half rations ; and yet these brave men endured all these privations without a murmur. On the contrary, unreasonable as it may seem, the men generally were in exuberant spirits, and it was noticed that more humorous jokes were current on that campaign than any that preceded it. On the march back, the regiment remained at Bridgeport, Alabama, until the 26th of December, when it went into camp at Larkinsville, Alabama.
In the beginning of the month of February, 1864, the Thirty-seventh formed part of an expedition sent toward Lebanon, Alabama, and on the 15th of the same month it marched to Cleveland, Tennessee, with the Fifteenth Army Corps, on a reconnoissance to the vicinity of Dalton, Georgia,, returning to Larkinsville, Alabama, March 2.
On the 8th of March, three-fourths of the men having re-enlisted for another term of three y ears; they were again mustered into the service, and placed in the Second Brigade, Second Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps. The usual thirty days' leave was accorded, which the regiment enjoyed at their homes in Ohio.
At the expiration of the furlough the men promptly rendezvoused at Camp Taylor, near Cleveland, and by the 28th of April, 1864, were again at the front, ready for duty. On their way to duty a disastrous railroad accident occurred near Mumfordsville, Kentucky, by which thirty men were wounded and one killed.
On the arrival of the regiment at Chattanooga it Was newly armed and equipped, and was immediately ordered to join its division (May 10), then operating in Sugar creek valley, Georgia. On the 13th of May it participated in the advance on Resaca, in which it lost three killed, two of whom were officers, and ten men Wounded.
The enemy having been driven out of his strongholds, the division and regiment crossed the Oostenaula river at Lay's Ferry, and marched towards Kingston, Georgia, reaching there on the 19th of May. At this time the Thirty-seventh Ohio was under the command of Major C. Hipp, Lieutenant Colonel L. Von Blessingh being in Ohio on sick leave.
In the march on Atlanta, Dallas Was the next point reached. On the 23d of May, the enemy was encountered in strong force at that place, sheltered by a strongly fortified position. In this engagement and at New Hope Church (May 28, 29 and June 1), the regiment only lost four men wounded. On the retreat of the enemy the Thirty-seventh pursued toward Acworth, and went into line of battle in front of Kenesaw
386 - HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
Mountain, and participated in the memorable and disastrous assault made by the national forces against that stronghold, in which the enemy was compelled to fall back and abandon the position. Up to this point (from June 11 to July 2), the regiment lost four men killed and nineteen wounded.
Again on the march, the regiment was next found, with its division, to the extreme right of the army, supporting the Twenty-third Army Corps in the engagements near the Chattahoochie river and Nicojack creek. Immediately after, it was ordered to the left (July 12), and marched through Marietta, Rosswell Factories and across the Chattahoochie river. Strong breast works were built on the south side of the river, and the regiment moved by a rapid march to the Atlanta and Augusta railroad, which was destroyed for a considerable distance. It then moved through Decatur on Atlanta, and on the 20th of July, 1864, encamped within two miles of that city.
On the 22d of July the Thirty-seventh Ohio held a position on the right of its division, in the breastworks abandoned by the enemy on the previous night. The enemy, receiving heavy reinforcements, succeeded in breaking the national lines on the left, whereby the Thirty-seventh was flanked and compelled to"get out of that" In this reversed movement it lost four men killed, ten wounded, and thirty-eight taken prisoners. The national forces, stung to the quick by the success of the enemy, turned fiercely upon them, and with the help of the Sixteenth Army Corps, retook the position and held it. On the 27th of July the Fifteenth Army Corps was moved to the right of the besieging army, thereby threatening the enemy's communication With Macon and the South generally. Perceiving too late the advantage that had been gained by the national movement, the enemy made an effort to drive them from their position, and for that purpose the battle of Ezra Chapel was fought (a fierce encounter) in Which the rebels were severely punished. The Thirty-seventh Ohio held the extreme right in this engagement, was deployed as skirmishers and completely frustrated an attempt of the enemy to turn the national right. Major C. Hipp commanded the regiment in this affair, and lost his left arm at the commencement of the battle. This devolved the command on Captain Morritz, who took the regiment through the remainder of the battle. The regiment lost one man killed and five wounded.
Very nearly a month (from July 23 to August 26) was consumed in advancing the national lines toward the fortifications in front of the railroad leading from Atlanta to East Point, during which period the regiment lost five men killed and eight wounded. It then moved With its division, over the Atlanta and Montgomery railroad, toward Jonesboro on the Atlantic and Macon railroad.
The 30th of August found the Thirty-seventh in line of battle, moving on Jonesboro in advance of the brigade. Driving the enemy's skirmishers before it, at sundown it had gained a position one half mile west of the railroad, where, during the night, it threw up intrenchments, and participated in the bloody repulse of the enemy's repeated charges on the national position. The loss o. the regiment during these two days (August 30th and 31st), was two killed and seven wounded.
Jonesboro was entered by the national troops on the 1st of September at noon. By night, Atlanta was occupied, and the national forces in full pursuit of the rebel army. The pursuit was abandoned at Lovejoy's Station, and the regiment returned to East Point (September 7), where it went into camp and rested until the 4th of October, 1864. The Thirty-seventh Ohio left its camp, in pursuit of the rebel forces under Hood, on the 4th of October. Forced marches were made over Northern Georgia and Alabama, and the enemy's cavalry rear guard encountered near Gadsden, Alabama, on the Coosa river. On the advance of the brigade in line of battle, the enemy retreated in such haste that it was useless for infantry to attempt the pursuit The regiment then returned to Ruffin's Station, near the Chattahoochie river, where it remained up to the 13;h of November. Lieutenant Colonel L. Von Blessingh, having recovered from his illness, joined and resumed command of the regiment, relieving Captain G. Boehm, who had taken the place of Captain Morritz, absent on leave.
The great March to the Sea was forming, and its energetic commander, Major General W. T. Sherman, had ordered up to Atlanta all the regi-
PAGE 387 - PICTURES OF SAMUEL AND SUSANNAH MOORE
PAGE 388 - BLANK
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY. - 389
menu and divisions that could be spared from a General Thomas and the other army corps.
On the 13th of November, 1864, the Thirty-seventh Ohio marched into Atlanta to draw the necessary outfit for the long march about to be made. On the 15th it took up the line of march. 'The route of the regiment passed over McDonough's Indian Springs, near which place it crossed the Ocmulgee river; thence through the towns of Hillsboro and Clinton. At the latter place it performed, in company with the Fifteenth Michigan Infantry, valuable guard duty, in preventing the enemy's cavalry from crossing the road leading to Marion, with the view of capturing and destroying a division train, then parked in the town of Clinton. Covering the rear of the division, the regiment marched the next day to Griswold, where it joined its division, and having crossed the Georgia Central Railroad, marched through Ironton. It crossed the Oconee on the 26th of November and, after marching through extensive swamps, arrived at Summertown, November 13. Continuing its march through the low and swampy lands of Georgia., along the southern side of the Ogeechee river, it crossed the Connonchee river on the 9th of December; thence to the line of the Savannah and Gulf Railroad, miles of which, with the assistance of other regiments, it destroyed. Recrossing the Cannonchee, it passed the Ogeechee river and advanced to within nine miles of Savannah. On the 13th, it again crossed the Ogeechee, at King's bridge, advanced on Fort McAllister, which was invested by the national forces and carried by assault the same day.
After some days rest the division again marched to the Savannah and Gulf Railroad and completed its destruction for a distance of thirty miles: On the return of the brigade to Savannah it received orders to report to the headquarters of the Fifteenth Army Corps to take part in the contemplated general attack on Savannah. In the meantime, however, the enemy evacuated the city, and the Thirty-seventh Ohio went into bivouac in a camp eleven miles west of the place.
It afterward moved into the immediate vicinity of the city and occupied itself in drilling, perfecting its equipment and in fortifying against the enemy, who, it was thought, might possibly make an effort to regain possession of Savannah. On he 19th of January, 1865, the regiment, under orders, marched to Fort Thunderbolt, on the Savannah river, where it embarked for Beaufort, South Carolina, which was reached on the 22d of January. At this point the regiment went into camp until the 27th of January, when it returned o Beaufort and took the division train out of the transports then lying in port at that place. On the 30th it escorted this train to Pocotoligo, and from thence marched to McPhersonville, where it joined the division, and went with it through South Carolina and the southern part of North Carolina.
On this march it crossed Coosawattee, the Big and Little Combahee, the South and North Edisto, often wading through water up to the arm pits of the men, and attacking the enemy in fortified positions. After crossing the Congaree, the regiment bivouacked on its banks, five miles south of Columbia. On the 16th of February it crossed the Saluda river, four miles above Columbia, and guarded the division train into Columbia. It crossed Broad river February 18, and was engaged for two days in destroying the track of the Columbia and Charleston railroad. On the 20th of February the regiment continued its march, crossing the Wateree and wading Lynch creek (which had assumed the dimensions of a river), on the 26th. At this point the regiment was compelled to halt until the 2d of March, to allow the balance of the division to come up, freshets and the carrying away of a bridge having retarded the march.
On the 7th of March, Cheraw, South Carolina, was entered, and the Great Pedee crossed.
The next day (March 8), the State line of North Carolina was crossed. After having crossed the headwaters of the Little Pedee, Lumber river, and Little river, the regiment was ordered to escort General Howard's headquarters and pontoon` trains of the Army of the Tennessee (right wing). It brought the trains safely into Fayetteville, North Carolina, on the 11th of March.
On the 14th of March, Cape Fear rider was crossed, the regiment marching on the road leading to Clinton, which was guarded from the enemy's cavalry, then demonstrating in the national front. On the 17th, Beaman's Cross-
390 - HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
roads was reached, and the national army drew near Goldsboro', North Carolina.
On the 22d of March, the regiment marched towards Goldsboro', crossed the Neuse river on the 24th and went into camp two miles east of the town. The regiment remained in this camp until the capitulation of Lee and Johnson, when, with the rest of the national army, it marched, via Richmond, Virginia, to Washington City, there passed in review before President Johnson and his Cabinet. Thence it was transported by rail to Louisville, Kentucky, where it lay until the latter part of June, when the regiment was sent with the Second Division of the Fifteenth. Army Corps to Little Rock, Arkansas, arriving on the 4th of July. The regiment remained in camp there until the 12th of August, when it was mustered out and transported to Cleveland, Ohio, and there discharged, and the men returned to their respective homes.
CHAPTER XLIII.
WAR OF THE REBELLION-CONTINUED.
Sixty-Ninth Battalion, or One Hundred and Forty-Second
Ohio N. G. and One Hundred and Forty-Third Ohio N. G
-Review of the Sixty-Ninth Battalion-Rosters of Five
Companies-Record of the One Hundred and Forty-Second
and One Hundred and Forty-Third-Correspondence fro the Front.
THE Sixty-ninth Battalion was originally com posed of six companies, but at the time Governor Brough made a call upon the National Guar of Ohio there were but five companies. Two of these companies went into the One Hundred an Forty-second Ohio, and three into the One Hundred and Forty-third Ohio.
The Sixty-ninth Battalion absorbed nearly all of the fighting element that was left in Coshocton county, and the interest that was felt in the organization is manifest in the following, published in the Age of date May 14,1864:
The Coshocton county National Guards, that had been temporarily dismissed to their home on Wednesday, the 4th inst., reported promptly for duty again on Monday last, and rendezvoused in the fair ground at 4 P. M. Tuesday, when the went aboard a special train, provided to convey them to Camp Chase. The weather, Tuesday was very unpropitious, a cold rain falling all day, and our streets were very muddy, but notwithstanding, a large concourse of people assembled at the depot to see the Sixty-ninth Battalion, O. N. G., depart, and many a friend wished them God speed and a safe return. They are as fine a looking body of men as have yet left the county, and are commanded by officers of known ability. Although calling them into service at the present time is very hard on many of them-in many cases no one being left to cultivate their farms yet they went off cheerfully and in good spirits,. determined to do their duty wherever they may be sent.
The Sixty-ninth Battalion was known in the• military records solely as part of the two regiment to which it was assigned as mentioned above. The muster rolls of the five companies are given as they were assigned.
Muster rolls of Companies E, G and H, of the One Hundred and Forty-third Ohio:
OMPANY E.
Officers: .
N. R. Tidball, Captain.
D. F. Denman, First Lieutenant.
J. Willis, Second Lieutenant.
M. L. Norris, First Sergeant.
C. C. Thompson, Second Sergeant.
J. D. Evans, Third Sergeant.
J. E. Milner Fourth Sergeant.
Reuben Jennings, Fifth Sergeant.
D. Laffer, First Corporal.
John Day, Second Corporal.
F. Suttlemeyer, Third Corporal.
D. S. Waggoner, Fourth Corporal.
William Watson, Fifth Corporal.
George Moffit, Sixth Corporal:
William H. Mayberry, Seventh Corporal.
D. W. Horton, Eighth Corporal.
Alonzo McClure, Drummer. M. S. Beebe, Fifer.
Privates. - S. Anderson, A. J. Bricker, W. E_ Butler, Howard Cass, H. Lurch, James Donehew, John Dennis, J. B. Elliott, Jackson Engle, D. H. Ewing, William Frew, H. Fortune, J. Fortune,. Joseph Guinther, Joel Glover, G. W. Gilbert, James Hay, A. C. Hay, J. P. Hay, F. Hammtree.. E. Hastings, Harrison Hart, Alexander Jennings,.E. Kingler, 0. Laclore, William Lanzer, Robert.
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY. - 391
Love, M. L. Linsey. W. S. Lutz, E. Michael, Wesley Marlatt, Edwin Murphy, Lennel Marlatt, William F. Mobley, D. F. Meyers, R. A. Mohler, J. W. Norman, J. E. Oxley, Thomas Parson, A. P. Perking, S. L. Ricketts, Alexander Richards, Joseph Richards, Robert Sands, William Scott, Thomas Scott, John Sherrod, A. Steward, L. S. Smith, James Stone, Nick Swartz, M. Steenhine, Samuel Taylor, W. S. Tidball, John Fish, Joseph Vincel, Jacob Vincel, George W. Vincel, William Webb, H. Waggoner, A. D. Wells, I. F. Wait, Thomas I. Wells, Elias West, W. H. Williamson, L. H. Whinery, I. A. Williamson.
COMPANY G.
Officers:
John L. Daugherty, Captaiin.
Andrew J. Stover, First Lieutenant.
Daniel Rose, Second Lieutenant.
Lewis Carhart, First Sergeant.
Leander Bryant, Second Sergeant.
Barzilla Shaw, Third Sergeant.
John W. Graves, Fourth Sergeant.
James Reed, Fifth Sergeant.
Alexander McCullough, First Corporal.
Thomas Le Retilley, Second Corporal.
Hiram Hall, Third Corporal.
William Austin, Fourth Corporal.
Albert Wright, Fifth Corporal.
Joseph Graves, Sixth Corporal.
Phillip Bible, Seventh Corporal.
Samuel S. Waddle, Eighth Corporal.
Lewis Reed, Fifer.
Martin Hack, Drummer. Samuel Squires, Wagonmaster.
Privates -John Allen, Henry Akeroyd, Joseph Blackburn, Henry Bradfield, James Brennernan, William Bradfield, Jeremiah Barcroft, Moses Chaney, Thomas Cook, W. H. Cox, Lewis Cain, William Cullison, Franklin Catrel, William Dodd, William Dawson, J. Dawson, William Dunfee Jared Doolittle, Jesse Fortune, T. J. Edward's, R. Finnel, T. A Finnel, N. Graves, James Graham S. Gooden, Wesley Graves, George Hill, J. Huff man, J. Husten, William Huffman, S. Hues, S Keyes, D. Kern, D. R. Larr, T. Lowery, J. Lowery J. McCullough, F. D. Miller, William McCullough, H. Mulford, J. North, A. Ogle, L. Owen, J. Peart, William Peoples, William Phillip, R. Platt, A. J. Randles, W. G. Ross, Josephus Reed, J. H. Reed, G. Roney, G. C. Robinson, J. Sprigley, G. Sheron, Stewell Squire, J. Stevens, T. Smith, J. Stone, J. W. Taylor, J. W. Turner, M. D. Vaneman, J. W. Vansickel, H. Vansickel, H. Wright, G. W. Wright,
COMPANY H.
Officers:
James Rarie, Captain.
John T. Crawford, First Lieutenant.
Nathan Elliott, Second Lieutenant.
W. H. Park, First Sergeant.
Elias Steward, Second Sergeant.
Nathan Glover, Third Sergeant.
Thomas Love, Fourth Sergeant.
Andrew Jack, Fifth Sergeant.
John Waters, First Corporal.
John Weir, Second Corporal.
John E. Baker, Third Corporal.
Harvey Ford, Fourth Corporal.
Robert McGee, Fifth Corporal.
John A. Duncan, Sixth Corporal.
Robert McKarr, Seventh Corporal.
Daniel Overholt, Eighth Corporal.
James P. Lanning, Musician.
Privates -John M. Adams, John Andrews, Gabriel Andrews, Robert D. Boyd, Samuel E. Bechtol, Ramsey W. Boyd, James H. Boyd, Henry B. Boyd, Samuel G. Bechtol, John C. Boyd, Francis M. Buckalew, Aaron Fitzwater, Hammon Carnahan, William A. Carnahari, Leander Catterell, John Derr, Joseph Davis, Jonas H. Duncan, Joseph R. Duncan, George Derr, William Derr, Thomas G. Ensley, Simeon H. Ellis, James Elliott, George W. Elliott, William A. Ensley, Robert B. Finley, William G. Jack, Thomas L. Karr, John W. Karr, Andrew Karr, George Kuhn, Benjamin J. Lower, Harrison Ling; Miland A. Larance, Sylvester Leant, John B. Linn, Joseph Ling, James L. Moorhead, Alex. McConnell, James Overholt, John J. Robertson, Cyrus Rey, James E. Reed, Harvey E. Shannon, William Shannon, Samuel Stonehocker, William Stewart, William F. Sands, Thomas Shannon; Isaac Stafford, Thomas C. Sager, Joseph Stonehocker, Emanuel Spangler, Isaac M. Smith, Abraham
392 - HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
Shaffer, David Stewart, Robert G. Terbit, Robert W. Thompson, Richard Watters, J. A. Williamson, Ebenezer Williamson, John T. Whitemore, Emanuel Winklepleck.
Muster Rolls of Companies E and G of the One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio:
COMPANY E.
Officers
Lambert B. Wolf, Captain.
John Weatherwax, First Lieutenant.
B. F. Leighninger, Second Lieutenant.
Joseph Fletcher, First Sergeant.
Ralph Barcroft, Second Sergeant.
Anderson Hedge; Third Sergeant.
William McLaughlin, Fourth Sergeant.
Charles Conley, Fifth Sergeant.
Hiram Phillips, First Corporal.
Asa H. Lose, Second Corporal.
Aaron G. Hedge, Third Corporal.
George Leighninger, Fourth Corporal.
Orin Jennings, Fifth Corporal.
Milton Brelsford, Sixth Corporal.
B. F. Chamberlain, Seventh Corporal.
F. W. Culbertson, Eighth Corporal.
Musicians - Joseph Love, Fifer; Alonzo Sibley, Drummer.
Privates.- L. F. Annsbaugh, Adam Aaronhalt, E. D. Baker, Jacob Brewer, Josiah Bible, Trusdal Babcock, David Barcroft, Christ. Bowers, Samuel Brillhart jr., L. G. Cheverant, Isaac Casbear, H W. Duling, Martin Duling, James Frazee, W. H. Fowler, Benjamin Fuller, Eli Fox, Josiah Green, Porter Hedge, Peter Holser, O. P. Jones, Joseph Jones, Samuel Jones, H. W. Jennings, James H. Johnson, D. W. Kelley, A. H. Lewis, A. J. Loos, Levi Lehninger, Levi Levengood, J. M. Mathena, C. H. Mathena, Francis McGuire, C. Meek, D. B. Mulvaine, Samuel McKee, A.W. Moffet, John Morrison, W. S. Magness, A. J. McCoy, J. A. McClain, David Norman, Richard Owens, J. Poland, Philemon Phillips, David Phillips, John Phillips, Adam Potter, W. J. Price, Joel Reherd, Lemuel Reherd, James Richmond, Henry Vanolinder, James Vanolinder, Levi Vansickle, William Venrick, Harrison West, William Williamson, E. D. Wells, William Wolf, Milton N. Wolf, S. P. Woodward, William Williams, J. L. Watson, J. Williamson, E. Weathwax.
COMPANY G.
Officers:
Caleb Wheeler, Captain.
David Lawson, First Lieutenant.
Solomon McNabb, Second Lieutenant.
Joseph J. Barren, First Sergeant.
Joseph J. Maggs, Second Sergeant.
John Johnson, Third Sergeant.
L. H. Hogle, Fourth Sergeant.
John J. Given, Fifth Sergeant.
Aaron Clark, First Corporal.
John W. Edwards, Second Corporal.
J. W. Moore, Third Corporal.
William H. Cullison, Fourth Corporal.
J. W. Thompson, Fifth Corporal.
Cyrus Elder, Sixth Corporal.
Adam Trimble, Seventh Corporal.
G. W. Cullison, Eighth Corporal.
Privates. - Joshua Ammond, John Barrett, James Barrett, John Bennett, M. Batemen, Alexander Barren, J. S. Barcroft, Henry Brilhart, G. W. Crooks, John Cullison, Daniel Cammel, Newton Calhoon, D. Cullison, M. Cullison, Ben Cullison, J. W. Clark, J. S. Churchill, Alonzo Clark, Thomas Carter, Charles Dehuff, Jesse Downer, John Darr, Samuel Deviney, D. Dorsey, David Daniels, Stanton Fry, N. C. Guinn, S. Gilbert, Henry Hayns, William Hubenthal, Thomas Jones, Samuel Knoff, Robert Kyle, Joseph Landers, John Little, Robert Long, Thomas Little, W. N. Lamey, S. Lanning, Daniel Miller, A. J. Mackey, W. S. Masterson, Corwin McCoy, Joseph McCoy, L. Ogean, R. Phillips, W. R. Polo, M. Pomeroy, H. Plummer, David Richcreek, T. O. Schooley, Joseph Speaks, J. W. Stanton, G. W. Smith, William Stewart, Joseph Smith, R. Smith, G. W. Stover, Joseph Treadway, H. Terry, John Taylor, G. S. Tredway, N. Thompson, Franklin Ulman, R. Willis, C. W. Wilson, H. Wolford, John Yunker.
The One Hundred and Forty-second was organized at Camp Chase, Ohio, and mustered into the service of the United States for 100 days, May 12, 1864.
On the 14th it was marched through the streets
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY. - 393
of Columbus to the State arsenal, where it was supplied with Enfield muskets. Thence it took ears for Martinsburg, Virginia, where it remained drilling until the 19th of May, and then left for Washington, D. C., but meeting with detention at Harper's Ferry, on account of the bridge being destroyed at that point, it did not reach the capitol until the 21st.
From Washington it marched out to Fort Lyon, nine miles distant. The regiment did not reach the fort until late at night, and finding no barracks, the men tasted their first experience of soldier life by lying prone upon the naked ground. That night's experience will be long remembered ; and many a good jolly laugh has been expended at the recollections of the learned and serious conversations of the night about "suffering for the country," " the Valley Forge day s repeated," etc. Their subsequent experience of the hardships and privations of the soldier's life threw that night's "frolic" far into the shade.
The regiment remained at Fort Lyon, busily engaged in strengthening the fortifications and perfecting its drill, until the 5th of June, when orders were received to report to General Abercrombie at White House Landing, on the Pamunkey river. Among the men some astonishment was expressed that they should be selected for duty at the extreme front; but as good loyal soldiers, they felt gratified at the confidence reposed in them.
The regiment took steamer at Alexandria on the 7th of June, and arrived at the White House Landing, Pamunkey river, on the 9th of June about midnight, and went into camp in the open field. The wounded from the battle of Coal Harbor, then in progress, were being brought in a gloomy reception to inexperienced soldiers.
Without rest, the regiment, carrying six days' rations, left all its baggage and marched, at 4 o'clock in the morning, to guard a supply train through the Wilderness„ to General Grant's front, near Coal Harbor, a distance of sixteen miles. Arriving there in the evening, Colonel Cooper reported to General Meade, who ordered him to report his regiment to General Butter, at Bermuda Hundred. This point was reached, by water, on the 13th of June, where, without being permitted to land, it was conveyed on transports to Point of Rocks, about five miles below Petersburg. Here it was landed, and marched about six miles to the extreme right of the national line. Thinking to get a night's rest, the tired soldiers lay down on their blankets, but just as they had lapsed into dreamy forgetfulness, the long roll was sounded. Leaving its tents standing, the regiment was marched three miles on the double-quick, through a dense pine forest, dark, and filled with stumps and underbrush, over which the men often stumbled and fell. The point to be defended was reached, and the men were immediately placed in rifle-pits, in which exposed position they passed about a week. They were then detailed to destroy a line of earthworks from which the enemy had been driven. While engaged in this duty, they were resisted by the rebels, but the regiment, with the aid of other troops on the line, not only effectually completed the destruction, but drove the rebels from the field.
Hardly a day passed without the regiment or detachments from it being detailed to perform picket and fatigue duty. At one time the whole regiment was detailed to build a fort at Turkey Bend, on James river, which duty it performed with credit and dispatch, although incessantly annoyed by shells from a hostile battery.
On the 19th of August it received orders to repair to Washington City, as its term of service had about expired. It accordingly embarked on transports, at Bermuda Hundred and reached Washington City on the 21st It then went by rail to Camp Chase, Ohio, and was there mustered out of the service of the United States on the 2d of September, 1864.
The One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio National Guard was principally raised in the county . of Knox, and was composed of men from all the various departments of life. The farmer, the mechanic, the lawyer-aye, and the minister-all ceased their vocations for a time, and offered their services-and their lives, if need be to insure the perpetuity of the Union and its institutions.
Out of an aggregate strength of eight hundred and forty-five men the regiment lost fifty, mostly from disease incident to camp life, excessive fatigue and exposure.
394 - HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
The One Hundred and Forty-third regiment was formed by consolidating the Eighteenth Battalion, Ohio National Guard, of Columbiana county, with the Sixty-ninth Battalion, Ohio National Guard, of Coshocton county. It was organized at Camp Chase, Ohio, on the 13th of May, and on the 15th left for Washington City.
On its arrival it was assigned to Haskins' division, Second Army Corps, and was placed on garrison duty in Forts Slemmer, Slocum and Stevens, north of the Potomac. On the 8th of June the regiment embarked for White House, but without debarking, it was ordered to Bermuda Hundred. It was assigned to the Tenth Army Corps, and was placed in the intrenchments at City Point, where it remained until ordered to Fort Pceahontas. It was relieved from duty at Fort Pocahontas, August 29, and proceeded to Camp Chase, where it arrived on the 5th of September, and was mustered out of service on the 12th.
The two companies of the Sixty-ninth Battalion O. N. G., which were assigned to the One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio, had much severer tasks assigned them than fell to the lot of the three companies forming part of the One Hundred and Forty-third. The causes are worthy of notice. The two regiments pursued the same route and were passing through similar experiences until the 5th of June, when both regiments were ordered to White House Landing, on the Pamunkey river, to re-enforce General Abercrombie. On this passage, while the boat, named "Iolas,"-which contained the three companies of the One Hundred and Forty-third, among others-was on its route, at ten P. M., it was run into by a large schooner, and part of the deck swept overboard. Fortunately no one was up, except Captain N. R. Tidball and Private Lewis Smith, and there was in consequence no personal injury, although the boat was so much damaged, she was lashed to the schooner, and in the morning, was ordered back to Washington. The incident separated the two regiments, and orders did not call them together again during their hundred days service.
While Company E, of the One Hundred and Forty-third, was acting as garrison for Fort Stevens, about four miles north of Washington city, an incident occurred that excited some consternation among the men. Quite a number of the men, upon eating rice, were attacked with sickness and vomiting. Fifteen or twenty gasping, choking victims created quite an excitement in the mess, and it was thought that an effort had been made to poison the men, but no serious results following, and the attempt not being repeated, the matter was passed by without investigation.
During the month of June the One Hundred and Forty-third built a pontoon bridge across the Appomattox; the regiment was then encamped at City Point. It was arduously engaged in this labor, and also in the building of heavy fortifications at Fort Pocahontas, at which point earthworks of the most extensive character were being constructed. These were mainly built by the One Hundred and Forty-third.
The mortality among the men was very heavy, owing partly to the sudden change of climate and water in the hot months of the year, and partly to the heavy exertions required in the building of fortifications and the exposure requisite to their completion.
Company E of the One Hundred and Forty-third lost eight men, all of whom died from exposure and heavy work, even though cared for in the best wards of the hospitals.
The first member of the old Sixty-ninth Battalion who lost his life in the one hundred days' service was Elias West, who had been assigned to Company E of the One Hundred and Forty-third. His death was followed by those of W. E. Butler and A. C. Hay, at Fortress Monroe; John Dennis, Reuben Jennings and Thomas C. Scott, at Wilson's Landing.
The following item, published in the Age of date July 23,1864, will serve to show how heavy was the tax of climate and labor on the boys during their brief, but memorable, one hundred days' service
F. C. Ricketts, of this place, returned a few days ago from a visit to Washington, and reports the following boys on the sick list. His report may be relied upon:
Company H-W. A. Carnahan, in general hospital, Alexandria, Virginia;. Andrew Karr and T. J. Karr, in Howard hospital, Washington, D. C.; Samuel Stonehocker, James Overholt, W. G. Jack, E. Spangler, Joseph Ling, S. Leavitt and J.
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY. - 395
E. Reed, in Hampton hospital, Fortress Monroe, and N. S. Glover, at Wilson's Landing, Virginia. All the above are convalescent. S. E. Bechtol and J. A. Williamson, at the same hospital, are very sick, cases doubtful. T. C. Saver deed at Fortress Monroe, and Eli Seward at Wilson's Landing.
Company G-Sick in Hampton hospital, Fortress Monroe: A. Wright, S. S. Waddle, J. North, J. Dawson, J. Barcroft, H. Wright and J. Forums; sick in cam : L. Cain, W. Austin, W. H. Cox, A. Ogle, W. H. Bradfield, A. McCullough and William Peoples.
Company E-Sick in hospital at Fortress Monroe: Lieutenant D. F. Denman, J. P, Randles, J. R. Stone, A. Donohew, L. Marlatt, T. J. Wells, O. Leeclair, E. Hastings and W. H. Williamson. Captain N. R. Tidball and W. S. Tidball are at Washington, and arc convalescent. J. Vinsel and George Gilbert are in the hospital at Alexandria, Virginia. In camp hospital at Wilson's Landing: Robert Sands, E. McMichael, W. Marlatt, A. P. Perkins, D. F. Meyers, J. C. Glover and W. S. Lutes.
The following extracts from letters from the boys of the One Hundred and Forty-second and One Hundred and Forty-third, will show how they demeaned themselves and how proud they felt of the old Sixty-ninth batallion.
CAMP CHASE, COLUMBUS, OHIO,
May 12, 1864.
Owing to detentions along the road we did not reach Columbus until about twelve o'clock at night. After floundering around the freight depot until nearly two o'clock, e. M., we were ordered to repair to Tod barracks where we obtained quarters till morning.
As the night was cold, and the men pretty well soaked with the rain, our slumbers were not as pleasant as we liked, but a good breakfast in the morning fixed matters all right, and at 11, A. M., we marched for Camp Chase, four miles from Columbus, and by dark we were arranged comfortably.
In organizing one of the companies of the old Sixty-ninth, Company B, of Spring Mountain, suddenly vanished and ceased to exist. Owing to some of the companies being below the minimum strength, it became necessary to consolidate, and Company B, being the smallest it was divided among the others as follows: one man to Company A, one man to Company C, nineteen men to Company D, fourteen men to Company E, eleven men to Company F.
Captain Wetherwax, of Company B, was offered, and accepted, the position of First Lieutenant in Company E, to fill the vacancy caused by the withdrawal of Lieutenant Reherd, who goes home.
A consolidation has been effected by which companies A, C and D, are attached to Columbiana county battalion, forming a regiment Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas retains his position, as does also Surgeon S. H. Lee. We regret the loss of Major George Marshall, Lieutenant S. L. Edwards and Quartermaster George Ridgely, who. are thrown out by the consolidation and are obliged to go home much against their will. They had the honor of going with us as far as they were able. The old Sixty-ninth is no more for 100 days these arrangements lasting only during the time we are mustered into the Unite States service, after which the Sixty-ninth will be herself again.
The following is from the Age of May 28,1864:
HARPER'S FERRY, VA,
We left Columbus Saturday evening, and after a long and tedious ride reached Martinsburg, about twenty miles from Harper's is Ferry: We had the pleasure of meeting William A. McKee, formerly superintendent of the Coshocton Union School. He is stationed at Martinsburg with two companies of his regiment as guards
Other regiments of Ohio National Guards are constantly arriving and are being transported over the river in a common open flat boat or a rope ferry.
Our two Coshocton companies of the One hundred and Forty-second are considered by Colonel Cooper as the beat in the regiment The Colonel is from Mount Vernon and is an older brother of Dr. P. L Cooper, formerly of Coshocton, Much surprise is shown among the people ogle here along the line of the railroad, at Ohio being able to send so many new troops into the field. One, on being informed that the national guard numbered 40; 000 men, all under marching orders, replied, "dey must be lots of you-uns up in 'Hio dar."
Again in the Age, bearing date July 2,1864, appears the following:
WILSON"S LANDING, VIRGINIA, June 22,1864.
EDITOR AGE: Having a little leisure time, I will give you all the news we have. We hear General Grant giving his batteries a little exercise at the rate of about one hundred shots a minute. We hope to hear of the fall of the rebel capitol pretty soon. We are .at present stationed at a very nice, healthy place, situated about twenty-five miles below Richmond, on a high bluff overlooking the James river. "Uncle Abe" has been up, to the front and" is now passing this place on his way back, We have been to the front, but were sent here to guard the "Cracker Line." Our regiment is all on fatigue duty, and, if we stay here long, we will have this place well forti-
396 - HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
fled; in fact it is very strong now, and if the "Johnnies" wish to give us a trial, they will receive a hot reception.
We were \with the One Hundred and Forty-second, the other day, at Point of Rocks. Several of our boys are under the weather; our long trip on the water helped make the most of them sick. Lieutenant Denman has been unfit for duty for several days. The most of the one hundred days' men take to soldiering like ducks to water, and it would be hard to tell them from veterans.
The Age, of date July 23, 1864, publishes as follows
WILSON"S LANDING, July 14, 1864.
ED. AGE: By request of the members of Company E, One Hundred and Forty-third Regiment O. N. G., I write to you, to let our friends in Coshocton county know how we are getting along. Our regiment is doing guard duty at this place, along with the One Hundred and Sixty-third O. N. G., and two batteries of artillery from New York State.
When we came here, the fortifications were only about half completed, and we were called on to do a considerable amount of fatigue duty, to put the place in a more perfect state of defense. Our defenses are now about perfect, and it will require a considerable amount of courage on the part of the rebels to make a successful assault on us. Our sick list has been very large, but it is now getting down to a very few names; it has been up to forty-three.
Also, in same issue:
In a letter just received, from A. F. Fritchey, Quartermaster of the One Hundred and Forty-second O. N. G., he writes as follows of that regiment
Our boys, as a general thing, are contented, and take pleasure in doing their duty, and although we have seen a little rougher times than we did at home, yet we have been favored in every way, when we compare our situation with the veterans who have been here with us. Our food is good and plenty-all receive the regular rations of pork, fresh beef, soft and hard bread, beans, hominy, etc., etc., and the Sanitary Commission, God bless it, has not overlooked us. A number of our boys have been sent to the hospital, sick, but we find the health of our regiment is remarkably good, especially Company G, from Warsaw, Coshocton county. .
And again, in the issue of August 13, is the following
BERMUDA HUNDRED, AUGUST 8, 1864.
ED. AGE : As we are here at Bermuda Hundred, in front of the enemy, in connection with a few other regiments, holding our works from the James river in sight of Fort Darling across to the Appomattox, the old troops relieved by us having gone forward with General Grant's main army, I am glad, and I think that every hundred days' man that ever called himself a "Union man" will be proud that the government has palled upon us to perform some actual service. The government has called upon us to go out in front of our last breastwork, in front of the enemy, to perform picket duty: The boys do this part of their work the most cheerfully and willingly of any, and the more so because it is not generally connected with garrison duty, which was understood to he the extent of the duty required of us when called out from Ohio. As we become more accustomed to a soldier's life we feel its roughness less. We have frequently been called out in line of battle, and the call has always been obeyed with as much alacrity apparently as a call to dinner. We may be attacked any day; if so, I believe the One Hundred and Forty-second will acquit herself honorably.
If our soldierly qualities are not put to such a test before we come home, we want no reception but a friendly shake of the hand-your honors should be reserved for the veterans.
CHAPTER XLIV.
WAR OF THE REBELLION-CONCLUDED.
Cavalry and Artillery-History of the Ninth Ohio Cavalry
Roster of Company M-Correspondence from the Front-
History of the Twenty-sixth Battery-Its Organization from
the Thirty-second Infantry-Petition of Veterans, and En-
dorsement of Coshocton County-Military Committee for
New Organization.
IN the Ninth Ohio Cavalry, Coshocton found a representation in Company M, which was recruited by Colonel James Irvine, formerly colonel of the first organization of the Sixteenth O. V. I. Its muster roll at enlistment was as follows
OFFICERS.
James Irvine, Captain.
Joseph McCulloch, First Lieutenant.
James Stonehocker, Second Lieutenant..
John Carhart, Jr., First Sergeant.
Sylvester A. Ellis, Quartermaster.
Thomas Carnahan, Commissary.
James M. Humphry, First Sergeant.
William Wicken, Second Sergeant.
Charles M. Pike, Third Sergeant.
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY. - 397
John E. Snyder, fourth Sergeant.
Samuel P. Mingus, Fifth Sergeant.
Stephen Novels, First Corporal.
Martin W. Griffin, Second Corporal.
Caleb S. Ely, Third Corporal.
Robert E. Tavener, Fourth Corporal.
Alexander Carnahan, Fifth Corporal.
J. A. Williamson, Sixth Corporal.
Thomas Richards, Seventh Corporal.
Frank H. Pen, Eighth Corporal.
John Glass, Saddler.
Privates.-J. Allen, William Allen, L. W. Barton, J. Bible; S. H. Black, S. Borden, T. Buttler, N. S. Carnahan, S. Collier, M. Comstock, C. H. Critchfield, J. W. Davis, R. H. Deems, T. Dickerson, G. Dusenberry, P. Donoho, T. J. Edwards, W. Enwright, A. Evans, G. Fisher, H. Fivecoats, F. D. Forker, J. T. Frazee, A. Green. G Green, J. Greer, P. Hazle, T. J. Hardesty, :1I. Harrington, C. W. Harrington, G. Hibbetts, S. Hoglan, J. Hoglan, S. Hook, M. Infelt, J. Jennings, A S. Joy, L. Keever, M. Lear, A. Leclair, D. Leech, Long baugh J. H. Luse, J. S. Mankin, F. McCoy, William McLaughlin, S. Michael, Israel Perry, J. Porter, J. Rider, C. F. Sohneid, G. W. Slusser, C. Smith, W. Smith, J. Smith, J. Smith 2d, W. C. Starkey, J. T. Stonehocher, L. Stokes, A. Taylor, D. H. Thocker, J. Thomas, William Thomas, J. Tinsman, A. Wells, J. Wicken, J. Wines, B. F. Wright.
On the 3d of October, 1862, Governor Tod received instructions front the President to raise three regiments of cavalry, to be known as the Eighty-Ninth and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. A short time previous to this Captain W. D. Hamilton, of the Thirty-second Ohio Infantry, then stationed at Winchester, Virginia, had been ordered from the field to recruit another company for that regiment. He had enlisted fifty men for that purpose, when the regiment with a number of others was captured by Stonewall Jackson. September 15, 1862, Captain Hamilton reported for instructions to the Governor, who assigned the duty of organizing a cavalry command, to be known as the Ninth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. The men recruited for the captured regiment formed the nucleus, and the remainder was raised in the eastern portion of Ohio. They rendezvoused at Zanesville. On the 1st December seven companies were ready for muster, but three of these companies were transferred to complete the Tenth Ohio Cavalry, then organizing at Cleveland. The four remaining companies were designated the First Battalion of the Ninth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and were ordered to Camp Dennison.
Here the battalion was equipped and remained under drill until April 23, when it was ordered to report fur field duty at Lexington, Kentucky. It was then ordered to Clay county„ to drive out a rebel force and protect the country.
The battalion, consisting of 300 effective men moved forward, driving the enemy from the mountain regions, and established its camp at Manchester.
The command remained in this region, having frequent skirmishes with the enemy, until the 16th of June, when an expedition was planned to penetrate into East Tennessee, to ascertain the condition of the inhabitants, and to destroy some extensive factories below Knoxville.
The whole force consisted of about 2,000 mounted men, in which were 200 of the battalion. On the night of the 16th of June, this force crossed the Cumberland river at Williamsburg, and moved toward Big Creek Gap, a rebel stronghold commanding one of the entrances into East Tennessee, between Cumberland Gap and Knoxville. The main road to this point crossed a spur of the Cumberland mountains at Pine Mountain Gap a strong pass which was held by the enemy. By a strategic movement, the rebels were surprised and nearly all captured, without firing a gun. Next morning the command moved toward Big Creek Gap, and when within about twelve miles-the first battalion of the Ninth Ohio, being in the advance-the enemy was encountered, and skirmishing was kept up until he was driven within his works at the Gap. The enemy evacuated, and without opposition, the command accomplished its designs.
The battalion returned to London, Kentucky,, where, on the evening of July 5, an order was received to report to Stanford, Kentucky. It traveled all night and arrived at Stanford, a distance of fifty miles, at three o'clock next day. It
398 - HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
was then ordered to Danville to check the progress of General Morgan. He having avoided Danville, the battalion was ordered back to Wild Cat, near London, to watch and embarrass the progress of the rebel General Scott, who, it was reported, had entered with a cavalry force, by way of Cumber land Gap, to support General Morgan. General Scott took a circuitous route to the right and a force hastily organized at Camp Dick Robinson was sent in pursuit. In the running fight of ten days the battalion, part of the time, marched at the rate of fifty-seven miles in twenty-four hours -the men living chiefly on blackberries, which they gathered by the roadside while the horses were resting.
On the 1st of August the battalion proceeded from Stanford to Glasgow, Kentucky, a distance of one hundred miles, where a cavalry brigade 'was organizing under orders of General Burnside, which was destined to take the advance of his expedition into East Tennessee. On the 17th of August this brigade moved forward and crossed the Cumberland river near Burkesville, where it was met by General Burnside in command of the infantry. The cavalry took the advance across that portion of the Cumberland mountains supposed to present the fewest obstacles to the passage of an army. During this march both men and horses were, sometimes, two days without food. Knoxville was taken with but little opposition. Major Hamilton was appointed provost marshal of the city, and the battalion was assigned to patrol and guard duty around the suburbs.
During this time very strong efforts were made in the North to obtain recruits for the army. An order had been issued to raise two more battalions to complete the Ninth, and Major T. P. Cook, formerly of the Fiftieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was assigned by Governor Tod to take charge of the recruits at Camp Dennison. On the 6th of November, the second battalion for the regi ment was organized. On the 16th of December the regiment was completed by the organization of the third battalion. The two battalions, raised to their maximum number, together with one hundred recruits for the old battalion, were at once furnished with horses, were armed and equipped with sabers and Smith carbines, and were carefully drilled in camp until February 6. 1864, when they were ordered to proceed by water to Nashville, Tennessee.
They embarked at Cincinnati, upon seven steamboats, and proceeded as far as Louisville, Kentucky, where, by reason of the reported presence of some guerrillas in that State, they, disembarked and marched through the country to Nashville. The march was made without opposition. The regiment was then attached to the left wing of the Sixteenth Army Corps and ordered to report for field duty at Athens, Alabama. Here the two battalions were assigned the duty of watching the movements of the enemy along the Tennessee river.
At this time Colonel Hamilton proceeded to Knoxville with orders for the first battalion to join the regiment. The severe campaign, through which this part of the regiment had passed, rendered an entire equipment necessary. For this purpose the men were sent by rail to Nashville, where, after much trouble and delay on account of the difficulty of procuring horses this battalion took the field and joined the others at Athens, Alabama. Four companies were ordered to the shoals of the Tennessee river, twenty-five miles from Athens, to examine the islands in that portion of the river reported to have stock and pro visions secreted there. This occupied nearly a week. During this time Company G was sent to the vicinity of Florence, Alabama, twenty-five miles further down the river, to examine the country and collect stock.
On the night of the 13th of April an Alabama regiment surrounded a barn, in which the men were sleeping, shot two of the sentinels, and, after a short struggle, succeeded in capturing Captain Hetzler, Second Lieutenant Knapp, and thirty-nine men. The remainder of the company escaped and reported at headquarters near the shoals, where they arrived the next evening. The remaining three companies were pushed forward with all speed but they failed to rescue the prisoners. The non-commissioned officers and men were sent to Andersonville prison.
Eight months after the capture, Orderly Sergeant Kennedy reported that twenty-five of the number had died. Captain Hetzler and Lieutenant Knapp were sent to Columbia, South Caro-
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY. - 399
lina. Lieutenant Knapp, after two unsuccessful efforts to escape, in which he was retaken by the aid of bloodhounds, finally succeeded in reaching Knoxville, Tennessee, after traveling three weeks, principally at night, securing food and assistance from the negroes. At one time he heard the hounds on his trail, and again would have been captured but for the generous assistance of a negro, who, after giving him something to eat, said :"Now, bress de Lord, Masse Yank, you jist trust to me, and we'll fool dem dogs You trot along fust, den I'll come, too, steppin' in your tracks. Go 'bout half mile, den you come to some watch ; you take to de right, fro dat, den I'll keep on t'other way.See, dem dogs is used to huntin' niggers ; dey knows de smell, and likes to follow de black man's foot " "But," said the lieutenant, surprised at this singular but devoted offer, " but the dogs will catch you, and probably tear you to pieces." "Oh, massa," said he, "let this nigger alone for dat; I'se fooled dem dogs afo' for de Yanks ; and, bress de Lord, I'll try it again. Now trot along, massa, for I hear dem dogs a comin:" Shortly after crossing the pond the lieutenant heard the hounds howling in the direction taken by the negro, and he was no longer disturbed. He afterward joined the regiment at Savannah, Georgia, in January, 1865. Captain Hertzler remained a prisoner until near the close of the war, when he was exchanged.
Another battalion of the Ninth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry was sent out in the vicinity of Florence to patrol the river and keep watch of the movements of the enemy. In this work the regiment was engaged for about three weeks, living upon the country. The river was guarded for a distance of fifty miles, and frequent skirmishes with the enemy took place. The regiment was ordered to report at Decatur, Alabama, where it arrived on the 5th of May.
On the morning of the 8th, the enemy made an attack upon the place. The Ninth moved out to ascertain the strength of the enemy, upon the skirmish line, a half a mile from the works: The country was about equally divided between tim ber and level, open land. The rebels formed on the open ground, and, as the regiment swung around the timber, a battle took place, in which the rebels were driven back in confusion. The Ninth had one man killed and three severely wounded. For weeks the enemy's pickets were posted within two miles of the town, and cavalry skirmishes were of daily occurrence.
About the 1st of June the regiment was sent to Pulaski, to re-enforce the Seventh Illinois Infantry, which had been driven from Florence. After driving the enemy back beyond Florence and remaining a few days, it returned to Decatur. When it became known that the rebels received large supplies over the Atlanta and West Point railroad, it became necessary to destroy it. Of the 2,500 men chosen to effect this, 700 were from the Ninth Cavalry. The command started as secretly as possible, desiring to strike the road anywhere between the extreme point guarded by General Johnston's troops, and Montgomery, Alabama. It left Decatur on the 10th of July. For three days the command was unmolested, except by bushwhackers. In the evening of the third day the command reached the Coosa river, and found a force of the enemy preparing to dispute its passage. A contest ensued in which the enemy suffered severely.
On the evening of July 17, the command reached the village of Sochopolka, upon the railroad, thirty miles east of Montgomery, and about 200 miles south of Decatur. It was almost exhausted, yet it went immediately to work to destroy the road. For a few days the command was engaged in this work, and was attacked several times, in rear and front, by the enemy.
This expedition traveled, on an average, twenty hours per day, effectually destroyed twenty-five miles of an important railroad, 100 miles beyond the rebel lines, and sustained, comparatively, a small loss. That of the Ninth cavalry amounted to twenty-six men, mostly captured white foraging. Having accomplished its purpose it started in a northeasterly direction, and reached General Sherman's lines, near Marietta, on the 22d of July.
Two days after arriving at Marietta, the regiment was ordered to report to Brigadier General McCook, who was starting upon a raid around the right and rear of Atlanta: Upon arriving at the Chattahoochie river, thirty miles below the city, the horses of the regiment were found to be too much jaded to attempt to make the raid. It remained, therefore, at the river, guarding the pon-
400 - HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
toon bridge which had been brought to effect a crossing. The enemy sent a force to destroy the bridge, but did not succeed. After defending it until the evening of the next day, the regiment lifted the bridge and returned to the national lines.
After a week's rest at Viningo Station, it was ordered to report to Colonel Garrard, commanding a cavalry division upon the extreme right of General Sherman's army in front of Atlanta. Here it remained on duty until the fall of that city, one battalion doing service at the battle of Jonesboro'. Four hundred and fifty men of the regiment, who had been dismounted while with Garrard, were ordered to Nashville to procure horses.
On the night of the 2d of September, while the train containing men was passing Big Shanty, Georgia, it was thrown from the track, and six cars were demolished. The enemy, concealed beside the track, opened fire on the wreck. The fire was returned and the cowards fled. One man was killed and three were wounded, by the accident, and two killed and five wounded, by the enemy's fire. Failing to procure horses in Nashville, the regiment proceeded to Louisville, where it obtained them, and returned to Nashville, en route to the front. About ten hours after arriving at Nashville this portion of the regiment formed a part of the force sent out to check General Forrest, who was reported about twenty miles from the city. After various encounters, during a period of ten days. the enemy was compelled to retire beyond the Tennessee river, below Florence, Alabama. This portion of the regiment then proceeded to Chattanooga, en route for Atlanta,. Here a dispatch was received, that the Ninth had been designated as one the regiments comprising a new cavalry division, in the reorganization of the army under General Sherman, and that this portion of the regiment should march to Marietta, as rapidly as possible. On arriving at Marietta, the regimen found the city vacated and partly burned. Push ing on, it arrived at Atlanta on the morning o November 17, having passed over a distance o eighty miles in thirty-six hours. The city being evacuated, the regiment proceeded to McDowell seventeen miles southward, where it joined the other portion of the Ninth. Although the regiment had suffered some severe losses, in killed and wounded, captured and sickness, yet its strength was sustained by recruits, and it was able to number seven hundred men present for duty.
From this time the \inch was identified with the cavalry division of General Sherman's army to the coast, It had almost daily encounters with the enemy. Its duty was to cover the march of the infantry, make false marches to deceive the enemy, and at all times prevent him from harassing the columns. On the 20th of November, the third day of the march, skirmishing commenced and continued, more or less, until December 4, when a general engagement took place at Waynesboro, in which the regiment made the second charge and broke the rebel lines. After driving the rebels within their works around Savannah, and while the siege was progressing; the regiment, with part of the cavalry command, moved in a southeasterly direction on the Savannah and Gulf railroad, destroyed parts of it as far as the Alabama river, and succeeded in burning a portion of the extensive trestle-work and bridge across the swamp and river. The expedition returned to Savannah, where the army remained until the latter part of January, 1865. At this time, 150 men of the Ninth, who had been attached to General Thomas' army at the battles of Franklin and Nashville, joined their regiment. On the night of the 3d of February, the cavalry division crossed the Savannah river at Sister's Ferry, forty miles above the city, and commenced the decisive campaign of the Carolinas. Most of the night was occupied in crossing a swamp seven miles wide. On the 6th the regiment, having the advance, encountered the rebels at a. swamp near Barnwell. The men dismounted,. waded the swamp, under cover of the timber, and drove them from their position: From this point, during the march, the enemy made several attempts to check the cavalry under General Kilpatrick, and harassed the infantry.
The cavalry was ordered to cover the movements of the army, by making a feint upon Augusta, Georgia.
Striking the Augusta and Charleston railroad e at Blackwell, February 9, it tore up the track
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY. - 401
within five miles of Aiken, and twenty-five miles from Augusta. At Aiken the regiment was engaged and assisted in driving the rebels beyond their lines. Orders came to fall back, and the Ninth guarded the rear and protected the ambu lances and artillery. During the march through the Carolinas, the frequent scarcity of grain, as well as the number and character of swamps encountered, rendered a large number of the horses unfit for service, and as the enemy prevented the capture of others, many of the men were dismounted. These were organized into a "dismounted command."
On the night of the 9th of March, General Kilpatrick went into camp with the third brigade and the dismounted men, about three miles in advance of the remainder of his command. The Fourteenth Army Corps was about, two miles on the right, and the rebel cavalry, under General Hampton, about the same distance on the left. On the 10th, the rebels dashed in upon the camp and captured the wagons, artillery and many of the officers and men, before they had time to dress themselves. The di