CHAPTER XXII.


>MILITARY HISTORY.


The War of 1812—Mexican War—Volunteers of the War of the Rebellion, with Brief Histories of Regiments Recruited in whole or in part in Sandusky County.


THE war of the Revolution was history, the Indian wars in which Wayne's memorable campaign occurred, the memorable battles at sea, the battles of Tippecanoe and the Thames under Harrison, the last gun fired by Jackson at New Orleans had ceased to reverberate, Packenham had surrendered, and the War of 1812 brought to a glorious termination by American valor, before Sandusky county, as a civil and political organization, came into existence.


Although the county was not organized until several years after the close of the War of 1812, a number of the soldiers of that war were pioneer settlers and aided in the organization. Amongst these we are able to give the following names, not doubting that there were others whose names cannot now be obtained. Among those soldiers of the war with England commonly designated as the War of 1812, who are known to have been here when the county was organized, we give the following: David Gallagher, Jeremiah Everett, Thomas L. Hawkins, Charles B. Fitch, Captain Jonathan H. Jerome, Israel Harrington, Josiah Rumery, and James Justice.


The county, however, embraces ground rendered memorable by the War of 1812, and such localities as Fort Stephenson, in the present city of Fremont, and Ball's battle ground, in Ballville township, are places of which our people are proud, and from which they still inhale the inspiration of true patriotism. The war with Mexico offered the citizens of the county theirfirst opportunity to display their zeal in the military service of the country. In the spring of 847, a company of infantry was promptly recruited by Captain Samuel Thompson, a veteran who was wounded in the battle of Lundy's Lane, in the War of 1812. The members of this company were:


COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Captain Samuel Thompson.

First Lieutenant Isaac Knapp.

Second Lieutenant George M. Tillotson.

Second Lieutenant Lewis Leppelman.


NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Orderly Sergeant Isaac Swank.

Sergeant Thomas Pinkerton.

Sergeant Michael Wegstein.

Sergeant James R. Francisco.

Corporal John Williams.

Corporal John M. Crowell.

Corporal Benjamin Myers.

Corporal Edward Leppelman.

Musician Charles Everett.

Musician Grant Forgerson.


PRIVATES.


William Scothorne, David Beery, C. D. Bishop, David Mowry, Joseph Stout, John Quinn, David Sane, David Beagel, John Beagel, Charles Faught, Charles Dennis, Samuel Faught, Timothy Wilcox, Franklin Dirlam, Frank Rathbun, Hosea Maxham, Henry McMillen, George A. Wheeler, Byron Wheeler, David Westfall, Albert Stinson, W. L. Engst, George Smith, Henry Swint, Sebastian Smith, John Deterly, Christian Steblin, Jacob Gugle, Jacob Fuller, Alexander Hartdrink, G. F. Wisner, L. D. Bunce, John Linebaugh, Darwin Clark, David Morton, Martin Zeigler, George Newman, William Parrish, Elias Shawl, Lewis Barkimer, Levi Hufford, Holly Newton, Elias Lowens, John McConnel, Samuel Hartly, John Stull, David Garret, Monroe Coffin, Erastus Honeywell, John G. Bartow, John J. Clark, Henry Lovejoy, Evan Davis, George Beem, Barzillia Inman, Holly Seeley, Theodore Fitzgerald, Frank Robbins, Charles Michael, Jacob Yanny, John Davis, John Fabing, James Van Pelt, Henry Fisher, Daniel Bender, George W, Kershner, Frederick Grider, Fred-


242 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.


erick Weiker, Jacob Sabley, Lewis Newcomcr, Patrick Dougherty, Richard Cowper, Thomas Mason, Charles Cook, Charles Fitch.


After Captain Thompson had enlisted the required number of men for his company, he was ordered to report. at Cincinnati. The company travelled by wagons from Lower Sandusky, now Fremont, to Perrysburg, where canal-boats were furnished for their further movement. Thence they were transported through the Miami Canal to Cincinnati on the same boats. They arrived at Cincinnati in due time, and in June, 847, were mustered into service in the Fourth regiment of Ohio Volunteers, then forming in that city.


The Fourth regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which this company, C, now formed a part, were:


Colonel Charles H. Brough.

Lieutenant-Colonel Augustus Moore.

Major William P. Young.

Surgeon Oliver M. Langdon.

Assistant Surgeon Henry E. Foote.


The regiment was transported by steamboat down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to a place called Carleton, eight miles above New Orleans. From New Orleans the regiment was transported by steamer to Brazos Santiago, Texas, thence it marched to the mouth of the Rio Grande River. From the mouth of the the Rio Grande the regiment moved by water transportation to Matamoras; thence to Vera Cruz, where the regiment was incorporated into, and became part of Brevet Major-General Joseph Lane's brigade.


At Vera Cruz Captain Thompson returned home, on account of age and disability, and from that time the command of the company devolved upon Lieutenant Knapp through the entire war.


The company, with the brigade, left Vera Cruz on the afternoon of Sunday, September 19, 1847. At this time General Lane's brigade consisted of a battery of five pieces from the Third regiment

United States artillery, under Captain George Taylor, also a battery of two pieces from the Second artillery, under First Lieutenant Henry C. Pratt, Lewis's cavalry, Simon's battalion, Fourth regiment Indiana volunteer infantry, and Fourth regiment of Ohio volunteer infantry, commanded by Colonel Charles H. Brough. A part of the road between Vergara and Puentade Marino, lay through sand ridges almost destitute of verdure, and the soldiers were obliged to push the artillery carriages up many of the steep ascents, on account of the large, deep ruts which had been formed. General Lane and his staff accompanied the brigade. About nightfall the brigade halted for the night at a little hamlet called Santa Fe. Here were found signs of the ravages of war, in the blacked and charred remains of the beautiful little hamlet. It had been the scene of a fight on the 25th of March, 1847, between Harney, with his dragoons, and a body of Mexicans. At this place the command camped for the night.


The brigade marched thence with various interesting incidents, to the National bridge. This bridge is an ancient structure, and a brief description of it will be interesting to the general reader, and especially so to those who have an interest in what the volunteers from Sandusky saw on their march, as well as where they went. The National bridge of Mexico is a magnificent structure, and crosses the Rio Antaiqua, a swift stream .which rises near the base of Mount Orizaba, and rests on a number of arches. The masonry is of the most durable character. It was finished in the year 1776, and at that date, 1847, near three-quarters of a century after its completion, showed no sign of decay or displacement. At the middle of the bridge is a monument giving the date of its commencement and its completion, and by it are stone seats for weary


HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 243


travelers. There is a strong wall on each side of the bridge, running the whole length of it, which is between three and four feet high. Midway between the east and west ends of the bridge there is a high rocky eminence on which a fort was built by the Mexican empire. The bridge was formerly called Puente del Rey, or the Bridge of the King, but after Mexico became a republic the name was changed to Puenta Nacional, or National Bridge, and was a point of great military importance during the revolutions in Mexico. This bridge, with surrounding scenery, travelers say without doubt forms one of the most sublime landscapes in Mexico. The brigade of which the Sandusky volunteers formed a part, arrived at the National bridge about the 23d of September, 1847. The bridge was then under the control of the American forces, but the possession of it had cost several severe struggles and the loss of more than a hundred brave men. Finally Colonel Hughes, in command of a battalion of Maryland, District of Columbia troops, after a hard struggle obtained possession' of the fort at the summit of the rocky elevation, and thenceforward there was no more trouble from that fort. This action took place on the 9th of September, and about two weeks before General Lane's brigade arrived at that point.


The ascent of this eminence, which was necessary to dislodge the Mexicans, was, if possible, more difficult than that of Lookout Mountain. Historians say that the only way the men could get up, was to pull themselves up by clinging to the roots and branches of the shrubs which covered the rocks on the sides of the steep acclivity.


The brigade pushed forward, passing the battle ground of Cerro Gordo, and reaching the city of Jalapa on the afternoon of the 30th of September, 1847.


Although it would be interesting to describe minutely the marches, incidents, country, and scenery through which our Sandusky boys passed, still such narration would involve a portion of the history of the Mexican War, and would hardly be pertinent to our history of the county—still, to show the true state of affairs, and why Lane's brigade was urged on to Pueblo, it is proper to say, that when General Scott advanced upon the city of Mexico, which is seventy miles from Pueblo, he left Colonel Childs, of the artillery, at Pueblo with a body of men to guard the city, and protect the sick who were in the hospitals to the number of eighteen hundred men. The force left under the command of Colonel Childs numbered in all three hundred and ninety-three men. The cured from the hospitals afterward swelled this force to the number of fourteen hundred effective men.


Everything was quiet about Pueblo while Scott was fighting at the city of Mexico, but as soon as the Mexicans there were overcome, they turned their attention toward Pueblo. On the 24th of September a large body of Mexicans came into Pueblo, and commenced the siege of that place which lasted until the 12th of October, when General Lane arrived with his column.


On the 22d of September, 1847, Santa Anna arrived at Pueblo from Mexico, with a considerable force, and assumed command of the Mexican forces, which at this time amounted to eight thousand men. Childs was summoned to surrender, but politely declined to do so, saying that Americans were not inclined to do such things. And he did not surrender, but held the fort until the arrival of Lane with his brigade, which, after a fight in the streets of Pueblo, drove the Mexicans away, and relieved Colonel Childs.


The Fourteenth Ohio regiment re-


244 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.


mained at Pueblo until after the treaty with Mexico was ratified. On the 2d of June, 1848, the regiment left Pueblo on the return home. They reached Cincinnati in the latter part of July, where they were discharged, and Company C, homeward bound, travelled to Tiffin by railroad, thence to Fremont by wagons, to be warmly and thankfully received by their friends. Although the company lost few in battle, there were few sound men in the ranks when they reached home. Nearly all were greatly enfeebled by the diseases incident to Mexico and army life, and chronic diarrhoea carried off a number after reaching home, and enfeebled many during the remainder of life.


Captains Amon C. Bradley and J. A. Jones also recruited a number 0f men in Sandusky county for the Mexican war. It has been ascertained that the following named were enlisted in the company of Captain Jones, whose company, however, was chiefly composed of men from Huron county, their headquarters being at Norwalk:


Matthew H. Chance, John Stahl, George Momeny, John Griffin, Nathan Griffin.


The following other named men were volunteers from Sandusky county, and went into service, but whether in Captain Bradley's or Captain Jones' company, cannot be determined by the information within our reach, to wit :


Jesse Herbster, Ephraim Herbster, Amos Crain, Frederick Noss, Michael Oberst, Amos Cumings, Aitkin Morton, George Fafer, George Parrish, Joseph F. Francis, Henry S. Francisco, and Andrew Kline.


THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.


The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, gave offense to the leading statesmen of the South.


The baneful teachings of Calhoun had planted deeply and widely in the minds of the Southern people the political heresy that the several States of the Union wereeach sovereign, and had the right to secede, and to be the judge of their cause for seceding, and when they might respectively exercise the right. Not only did this doctrine prevail in the South, but the Northern Democracy, under the same, had for years given at least tacit assent to the teachings of Calhoun as the true theory of our Government. The Republican party rejected this theory, and claimed that we were a Nation, that for National purposes the Government of the United States must necessarily be supreme and the States subordinate.


The right and wrong of slavery in the Southern States, and the question of its extension into the territories which were soon to become States, had for years been debated in Congress, by the press of the country, by orators on the stump, and by lecturers on the platform, until the public mind had become profoundly agitated on the subject, both North and South.


The election of Abraham Lincoln demonstrated that the institution of slavery could not be extended, and Southern statesmen whose influence had dominated the Government so long, saw plainly that without an extension of their peculiar institution, their power was destined to pass away, and that the sentiment of freedom would dominate in all departments of the Government. They clearly foresaw that such a condition, coupled with the growing and aggressive anti-slavery sentiment in the free States, would not only take from them the ascendency in the Government and the benefits of its patronage, but threatened the very existence of their own peculiar institution of slavery in the States where it existed. Hence, we see, political convictions, State pride, love of power, and a tremendous force of self interest in the ownership of slaves, all converging to drive them to the terrible resort of a conflict of armed force.


HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 245


It is unnecessary here to recite all the steps taken by the enemies of the Union anterior to the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln.


Fort Moultrie, when surrounded by scowling, deadly foes too numerous to be resisted, had been wisely abandoned by Major Anderson, who was compelled to transfer his feeble force to Fort Sumter in the night of December 26, 1860.


John B. Floyd, Secretary of War, had resigned his post on the 29th of the same month.


Jacob Thompson, Secretary of the Interior, had left his post with a heavy defalcation of eight hundred and seventy thousand dollars in his department.


The Star of the West, carrying reinforcements and supplies to Major Anderson at Fort Sumter, had been fired upon by the rebels and compelled to turn back.


General Twiggs, commanding the United States military forces in Texas, had, on the 23d of February, 1860, treacherously, traitorously, turned over to the State of rebellious Texas, all the forces under his command, being nearly half the then regular army of the United States, with all the property and military stores in that State, amounting to near two millions of dollars in value.


The ship Star of the West, which, after its return from the abortive attempt to reinforce and provision Fort Sumter, was dispatched, laden with supplies for the army of the frontier, went into the harbor of Indianola unsuspicious of the extent of the rebellion, and became an easy prey to the exultant rebels.


The defensive fortifications located within the seceded States, mounting over three thousand guns, and having cost more than twenty millions of dollars, had been seized and appropriated by the Confederates—all under the eyes of President Buchanan, without a hand raised to prevent the robbery of the Nation, or to punish treason to the Government.


There it no doubt but the naturally weak President, by accepting the doctrines of Calhoun, and by pledges to administer the Government according to the requirements of Southern statesmen, was fettered and bound hand and foot, and all his powers to save the Union were paralyzed. Hence he stood stupid, amazed, and helpless while the Union was crumbling, betrayed, and robbed, and an opposing confederacy formed with the purpose of overthrowing the Constitution of the fathers, and subjugating the North by armed force.


While the later events above noticed were being enacted, and on the 11th of February, 1861, Abraham Lincoln left his home at Springfield, Illinois, for Washington City. The story of his journey, how the people honored him on the way, how at Harrisburg his friends, having good ground to believe he would be assassinated at Baltimore if he should pass through there at the appointed time, started him on his journey through that city twenty-four hours in advance of the contemplated time, that he should escape from the assassins lying in wait for their opportunity; how he arrived at Washington; how he was inaugurated, his pleading with the rebels to desist and accept his most generous offers for peace consistent with the existence of the Union, are all too familiar to the people to need particularizing here:


On the 15th of April, 1861, President Lincoln issued his proclamation for seventy-five thousand volunteer militia to be furnished by the several States according to population. The apportionment to Ohio was thirteen regiments, of seven hundred and eighty men each.

The intelligent people of Sandusky county had watched all the events preceding this proclamation, with a burning, pat-


246 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.


riotic indignation. And now, when this proclamation came to them, they fairly leaped into the service. The first opportunity offered was to form two companies of the Eighth Ohio volunteer infantry, to serve three months. Hundreds of ablebodied men of Sandusky county offered to volunteer, but the quota for Ohio was so suddenly filled that they were denied the coveted privilege of serving their country under this first call.


The Eighth regiment Ohio volunteers was first organized as a three months' regiment, at Camp Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio, and sent to Camp Dennison for equipment and drill, April 28, 1861. It was subsequently reorganized for three years, and left camp for West Virginia July 8, 1861, the following named officers and companies having been mustered into the service:


FIELD AND STAFF.


Colonel Herman G. DePuy, Erie county.

Lieutenant Colonel Charles .A. Park, Lorain county.

Major Franklin Sawyer, Huron county.

Adjutant Joseph R. Swigout, Crawford county.

Quartermaster Herman Reuss Huron county.

Surgeon Benjamin Tappan, Jefferson county.

Assistant Surgeon Samuel Sexton, Hamilton county.

Chaplain L. N. Freeman, Erie county.

Surgeons B. Tappan, resigned; Thomas McEbright, resigned; Joseph L. Bunton.

Assistant Surgeons—S. Sexton, resigned; T. Culver, resigned; Freeman A. Tuttle and James S. Pollock.

Chaplains—Rev. L. N. Freeman, resigned, and Alexander Miller.

Adjutants—Lieutenant Joseph R. Swigart, transferred to General Kimball's staff; Lieutenant David Lewis, promoted to captain, and Lieutenant John W. DePuy.

Quartermasters—Lieutenant Herman Ruess and Lieutenant E. F. Dickinson, promoted to captain.


The regiment was composed of ten companies: Company A, from Seneca county; Company B, Cleveland; Company C, Crawford county; Company D, Huron county; Company E, Erie county; Companies F and G, Sandusky county; Company H, Medina and Lorain; Company I, Lorain, and Company K, Medina.


Company F was organized in Sandusky county. Captain George M. Tillotson died at Fremont, Ohio, March 4, 1863; First Lieutenant Charles M. Fouke, resigned; Second Lieutenant E. W. Cook, resigned; First Lieutenant Henry Farnum, promoted from sergeant, also promoted to captain, wounded at Gettysburg; Second Lieutenant Thomas H. Thornburgh, promoted from sergeant, wounded at Mine Run.


Company G was organized in Sandusky county. Captain William E. Haynes, promoted to Lieutenant Colonel Tenth Ohio volunteer cavalry; First Lieutenant Edward F. Dickinson, promoted to captain, served as regimental quartermaster (since a member of Forty-first Congress from Ninth Congressional district of Ohio); Second Lieutenant Creighton Thompson, wounded at Antietam.


The regiment left Camp Dennison for Virginia, July 8, 1861, and served in the campaign against Garnett's force; was present at an attempt on Romney, under Colonel Cantwell of the Eighty-second Ohio, at its capture under General Kelley. It was also engaged in a skirmish at Blue Gap and at Bloomey Gap. During the winter of 1861-62 it formed a part of General Lander's force, on the Upper Potomac, Patterson's Creek, and Paw Paw Tunnel.


In November, 1861, Colonel De Puy and Lieutenant-Colonel Park resigned and Captain S. S. Carroll, of the United States Army, was appointed colonel. Major Sawyer was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and Captain A. H. Winslow to major. Colonel Carroll was a graduate of West Point, brave, active, and devoted to his profession. During six weeks tinder his command, at Romney, the regiment attained a high state of proficiency in drill and tac-


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tics, and the esprit du corps for which it was afterwards greatly celebrated.


In March, 1862, the regiment joined General Shields' division, in the Valley of the Shenandoah, and took part in the campaign against "Stonewall" Jackson ; and, on the 23d of March, in the battle of Winchester, Colonel Carroll, with part of the regiment, was at one time hotly engaged on the left of the position, losing three men killed, and receiving several balls in his clothing. Colonel Sawyer, with companies C, D, E, and H, was on the right, and charged the enemy in flank, in conjunction with the Fifth and Sixty-second Ohio. The loss in these four companies in killed and wounded was more than one-fourth the number engaged.


After this battle Colonel Carroll was placed in command of a brigade, and did not again command the regiment, which was, during the balance of its service, in command of Lieutenant-Colonel Sawyer, with brief exception. The regiment was at this time assigned to General Kimball's brigade, consisting of the Fourth and Eighth Ohio, Fourteenth Indiana, and Seventh Virginia.


Shields' division now moved to Fredericksburg, and left General Banks to his fate in the valley; and as soon as he had been driven back into Maryland, Shields marched back to the valley. Kimball's brigade retook Front Royal, the Eighth being in front, and Captain Haynes, of Company G, entered the' town, capturing most of the force and supplies of the rebels, also capturing the famous Belle Boyd. After Shields' failure at Port Republic he was relieved, and Kimball, with his brigade, sent to join McClellan, on the James, where he arrived on the 2d of July, by steamer, and debarked at Harrison's Landing as McClellan was falling back from Malvern Hill. Immediately, under command of General Ferry, thebrigade pushed out for the Chickahominy, constantly skirmishing with the enemy for several days. On the 4th of July the Eighth drove in the enemy's pickets, losing seven men` killed and wounded.


The regiment remained at Harrison's Landing until the line of the James River was abandoned, August 16, 1862, when, being organized with French's division, Sumner's corps, then and afterwards known as Second Division, Second Corps, the regiment returned to Yorktown, thence to Newport News, whence, by transports, it arrived at Alexandria; thence marched to Centreville, where the retreating army of Pope was met. Here the corps protected the retreat of the army; supported Kearney at Chantilly, and moved on the left Rank, crossing the Potomac at the chain bridge. From this point the corps moved to the Monocacy, having a brisk skirmish, thence to South Mountain, where the corps supported Burnside, and witnessed the battle of the 15th September. The corps crossed the mountain next morning, and took position on the Antietam which it crossed early on the morning of the 17th, and attacked the enemy by divisions in front of Sharpsburg. The First division, under Sedgwick, had been driven back, and our division, under French, was ordered forward, and finally carried an important position at the point of the bayonet. Kimball led his brigade gallantly to the work; not a man faltered, but the position was gained only at a loss of nearly one-half his men. But few over three hundred, rank and file, of the Eighth were present, and its loss in the battle was one hundred and sixty-two killed and wounded. Lieutenants Delany, Lantry, Bill, and Barnes were killed, and Lieutenants Shilletto Smith, company A, and Thompson, company G, each losing an eye, were carried from the field supposed to be dead. Nine other officers


248 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.


were severely wounded. Colonel Sawyer's and Adjutant Lewis' horses were both shot. Lieutenant Dickinson, then acting as quartermaster, was on the field during the day acting as aid-de-camp to General Kimball. The Fourteenth Indiana lost heavily, and in conjunction with the Eighth made a partial change of position under fire. The Seventh Virginia lost heavily also, and Colonel Oakford, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania, was killed. This regiment—One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania—replaced the Fourth Ohio, which was at the time in convalescent camp at some distance from the battlefield. General French honored the brigade with the title of "the Gibraltar brigade."


From this place the brigade was pushed rapidly to Harper's Ferry, and thence to Leesburgh, on a tedious and fruitless expedition. From Harper's Ferry the regiment, with the army, marched to Falmouth, and participated in the battle of Frederieksburgh, December 12, 1862. In this battle the Eighth and Fourth Ohio and First Delaware on the left, in command of Colonel Sawyer, formed a sort of forlorn hope, being ordered to drive in the pickets and sharpshooters between the town and Marie's Hill, to cut and level the fences, etc. This was gallantly done, and the position designated taken by the troops, at a point beyond which no organization of troops passed during the terrible battle that followed.


Captain Allen, company I, and Sergeant-Major Henthorn were killed, and several men were killed and wounded.


Winter quarters were established at Falmouth. General Kimball having been severely wounded was relieved from command. On the loth of January, 1863, Colonel Carroll assumed command of the brigade, which he retained until wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania, May 12,1864.


The next battle was Chancellorsville. The Eighth regiment, though engaged in line of battle during the 2d, 3d, and 4th days of May, suffered but little, losing but one man killed and six wounded.


Next came the Gettysburg campaign. In this battle the regiment showed conspicuous bravery. Midway between the two armies the turnpike is cut through a ridge, thus forming a good rifle-pit. This the rebels held, and from it their sharpshooters were picking off our officers and men. The Eighth was ordered to take and hold the place. Colonel Sawyer led the charge, mounted, and drove out and captured the rebels in fine style. They were soon reinforced and attempted to retake it, but were driven back with great loss.


This was on the afternoon of July 2d. The loss in the regiment had been severe, but the order was to "hold the fort." At daylight on the morning of the 3d the rebels again made a determined attack, but were repulsed. About noon a tremendous cannonade began, the shot from both armies passing overhead, and two of the men were killed. As soon as the artillery duel had ceased the rebel infantry began to move in force toward the line, the main body moving to our right, but three regiments confronting us. The whole regiment now remaining was drawn up in line and made a desperate charge with the bayonet as the rebel line approached, which broke and ran, leaving half its men and three battle-flags in our hands. One-half the regiment present were killed and wounded. Among the killed were Lieutenant Hayden, company H, Sergeant Kipko, company A, and Sergeant Peters, company G; among the wounded were Lieutenants Farnam and Thornburgh, company F, and Captains Pierce, Miller, Ried and Nickerson. The regiment, with its corps, followed up the rebels, skirmish-


HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 249


ing continually, to Harper's Ferry, and thence to Culpeper. At this point the regiment was relieved from the front, and sent, with other troops, to New York city, by steamer, to suppress the draft riots. This trip was, to all, a most pleasant episode in army life.


Returning from New York the regiment joined its corps, still at Culpeper. General Lee had turned the right wing of the army and was forcing it back over the path of Pope's retreat of the year before. During the retreat the Eighth was engaged in a severe skirmish at Auburn, and the brisk little battle at Bristow Station. Colonel Carroll's horse was killed, our baggage horses captured, and several men wounded.


Lee now fell back to Mine Run, and Meade, commanding our army, followed. At a skirmish near Robinson's Tavern Colonel Sawyer's horse was killed, and several men killed and wounded.


The army now went into winter quarters. On the 8th of February the Eighth participated in the skirmish at Morton's Ford, crossing the ford with the division under General Alexander Hayes.


On the 3d of May, 1864, the regiment, with its corps, the Second, still commanded by General Hancock, crossed the Rapidan for the final campaign. The corps struck the enemy on the afternoon of the 5th, and the Eighth recaptured a gun just taken from Sedgwick, in which skirmish Lieutenant McKisson was wounded. The next morning the brigade was pushed forward, and the Eighth become hotly engaged in an almost hand to hand fight. Captain Craig, commanding company F, was killed, and Captain Lewis, commanding company G, was dangerously wounded, his left thigh bone being shot off. Several other losses occurred. Two wounded men fell into the hands of the rebels, and were carried to Andersonville. Following the enemy to Spottsylvania the Eighth was engaged on the 9th, charging the enemy's works, with the division, which was repulsed. Lieutenant Huysung and Colorbearer James Conlan, were among the severely wounded.


At a little after midnight on the morning of the lath, the Second Corps drew out of its position, and, amid profound darkness, passed noiselessly to the left, with the design of attacking the enemy's right wing. By daylight we were supposed to be in its vicinity. The Eighth Ohio and First Delaware, in command of Colonel Sawyer, were ordered forward to clear out what appeared to be a few troops in an orchard and some negro huts in front. This developed the picket line, and the whole corps was soon in motion. The Eighth joined its brigade as it came up, and the whole division, moving forward at a quickstep, came upon a rebel brigade, which surrendered with hardly a shot, and soon received the first volley from the real rebel line.


The salient, as the rebel right was repulsed, had been struck, and the whole corps, pushing forward at a doublequick, was soon master of the rebel works. The whole corps suffered fearfully, and the loss in the Eighth was terrible. Lieutenant Manahan, Company D, was killed; the colorbearer, Sergeant Gallagher, mortally wounded, with many others. Colonel Sawyer was severely wounded, at the time it was supposed mortally; Colonel Coons,. Fourteenth Indiana, with other officers of his regiment, were killed; Colonel Lockwood, Seventh Virginia, terribly wounded; Colonel Davis, Twelfth New Jersey, the captain commanding the First Delaware, and several officers of the Fourth Ohio, all from our little brigade, lay dead around us as the smoke of the battle for a moment cleared away. The enemy soon rallied, and the fight went on. During


250 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.


the day Colonel Carroll was severely wounded and carried from the field.


Major Winslow now assumed command of the regiment. On the 19th it participated in the battle of the North Anna, crossing the river under fire, and losing several men. On the 26th it was again engaged at Hanover Court House, and on the 31st at Cold Harbor, in which battle the loss in the regiment was twenty-four killed and several wounded.


The regiment was not again seriously engaged, but followed the fortunes of the Second Corps to the front of Petersburg, from which place it was relieved, and returned home, its term of enlistment having expired. It arrived in Cleveland on the morning of the 3d of July, 1864, and was mustered out on the 13th, numbering less than one hundred rank and file fit for duty.


The regiment had been engaged in forty-eight battles and skirmishes. It had never wavered in its duty, never had lost its position in battle, had lost, all told, but six prisoners, and they were wounded and unable to be removed from the field. It had taken four rebel battle flags and twice its own number of prisoners. It had frequently, as a regiment, been commended by commanding generals for its bravery, and was complimented by Governor Brough as one of the best of Ohio's brave regiments.


COMPANY F.


COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Captain George M. Tillotson died March 4, 1863, at Fremont, Ohio.

First Lieutenant Charles M. Fouke, resigned.

Second Lieutenant Edward W. Cook, resigned.


NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Sergeant Henry A. Farnum, promoted to first lieutenant and captain, wounded at Gettysburgh, July 3, 1863.

Sergeant Thomas H. Thornburgh, promoted to second lieutenant, wounded at Gettysburgh, July 3, 1863, and at Mine Run, December 4, 1863.

Sergeant James Daugherty, jr.

Sergeant William H. Kirk, wounded at Antietam and discharged.

Sergeant Joseph A. Fry, discharged January 16, 1862, for disability.

Corporal Alfred M. Brown, discharged February 4, 1863, for disability.

Corporal Louis Mathews, killed at Antietam, September 17, 1862.

Corporal Michael Halderman, killed at Antietam.

Corporal Richard Smithurst, killed at Antietam.

Corporal Joseph Fisher, killed at Antietam.

Corporal Edward S. Cooper.

Corporal Charles A. Klegin, wounded at Chancellorsville.

Corporal William H. Myers.


PRIVATES.


Charles D. Atkinson, discharged for disability; Zenus Nye, wounded at Antietam; Michael Moore, killed at Gettysburg; Philip Andrews, wounded at Gettysburg; Rudolph Arman; Noah Alspah; John Ashnell; Jonas Bosler, killed at Antietam; William Burton, died September 21, 1872; Bernard Bondeli, discharged; John A. Bonnell, wounded at Winchester, discharged (since has been county treasurer of Wood county, Ohio); William W. Crandal, wounded at Antietam; Frank C. Culley, discharged for disability; Anthony C. Culver, discharged for disability; Isaac C. Chamberlain, wounded at Antietam; Vincent Dungbeet, wounded at Chanceilorsville, May 6, 1863; John B. Davis, discharged for disability; Benjamin D. Evans, discharged for disability; Josiah Fitzgerald; Joseph Fitzgerald; John S. Fields, killed at Antietam; Matthew Freek, discharged for disability; Theodore Foster, wounded before Richmond; John D. Francis, discharged for disability; Henry Fairbanks, discharged for disability; Thomas W. Gordon, discharged for disability; Charles S. Grant; George Grisshaber, discharged for disability; Charles Guss, discharged for disability; Henry Graback, wounded in battle; Simon Gobble wounded in battle; John Heller; Morris Hill, wounded at Antietam and discharged; William Jones, promoted to sergeant; Christian Jacobs; Joseph Kihm, discharged for disability; Josiah Linton, discharged for disability; John E. Lemon, died November 21, 1862; Balsar Leblo, wounded at Gettysburg; Emelius J. Leppleman, discharged for disability; Devit C. Lloyd: discharged for disability; John C. Mason, discharged for disability; William McBride; William Mullen, killed at Fredericksburgh, December, 1862; William Miller; George W. Myers, wounded at Winchester; Anthony Magram, killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864; Sophery Mayram; Jacob H. Milburn; Rufus M. Norton, wounded at Wilderness and Spottsylvania; James Olds, killed at Antietam; Samuel Paden, wounded at Cold Harbor; John Pepfer, discharged; W. S. Palmeter, killed at Antietam; Eurotus A. Peiton, discharged; Francis B. Reynolds, killed at Antietam; Julius Reynolds, killed at Antietam; James


>HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 251


Richmond, killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 18E4; George Saur, wounded at Gettysburg; Martin A. Shrenk, promoted to ordnance sergeant; Eli Stanley, discharged; Emanuel Smith, wounded at Antietam and discharged; John Teel, wounded in Wilderness; Charles Taylor wounded at Fredericksburgh and discharged; William A. Wilson, wounded at Gettysburg; Louis Zimmerman, wounded at Antietam and discharged; Simon Louis, discharged; Andrew J. Beith; Myron Watts, wounded at Chancellorsville and died; George Meyers, wounded at Winchester and discharged; Joseph Gullant, died at Grafton, Virginia, August 27, 1861; George Douglass, died at Grafton, Virginia, August 31, 1861; David A. Lemon, killed at Mine Run, November 27, 1863; John Fisher, wounded at Antietam; C. Shoemaker, died in Andersonville prison.


COMPANY G.


COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Captain William E. Haynes, promoted to lieutenant-colonel Tenth Regiment Ohio cavalry. First Lieutenant Edward F. Dickinson, promoted to captain, and served as regimental quartermaster, Second Lieutenant Creighton Thompson, wounded at Antietam, and resigned.


NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Sergeant Harrison Hoffman.

Sergeant Morris Morrison, died December 9, 1862, at Cumberland, Maryland.

Sergeant Daniel Miller, wounded at Winchester and the Wilderness.

Sergeant Philip Tracy, wounded at Gettysburg, and died July 6, 1863.

Sergeant Cyrus P. Taylor, wounded at Antietam.

Corporal Charles W. Arlin.

Corporal John A. Bevington, wounded at Winchester and Gettysburg.

Corporal Virgil J. Crowel, wounded at Antietam.

Corporal Manville Moore, wounded at Gettysburg, and died at Baltimore.

Corporal William Luckey.

Corporal Samuel S. Thirwictor.

Corporal Rodolphus Dickinson, wounded at Antietam.

Corporal James Hagarty, wounded at Gettysburg.

Bugler Edward Sheetinzer.


PRIVATES.


Henry Hone, Charles H. Culp, Charles G. Aldrich, Lewis S. Baker, Nicholas Frunkhouser, Wilbur G. Finch, Peter Grover, John Ghense, Michael Gassin; Charles Baker, George J. Bixler, John D. Brady, Charles F. Clark, Albert Fayo, Alvin R: Gossard, Anthony George, Peter J. Hershey, John J. Haynes, James Lordand, David Nighswander, John W. Stone, discharged for disability; David Biddle, died February 13, 1863 ; Christian Hinkley, Peter Bolder, wounded at Fredericksburg; Orville B. Cole, killed at Antietam; Bartholomew Conner, George W. Crosley, Richard Clark, Tobias M. Edwards, killed at Winchester; Nathaniel G. Foster, wounded at Gettysburg; John Guither, wounded at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg; John Gazin; John M. Hite, wounded at Antietam and discharged; Henry Herman; Eugene A. Hodges, wounded at Gettysburg; Thos. M. Heffner, Peter Heidelman, Adam Inns, Jason J. Jack, John W. James; Professor James, wounded at Antietam; William Jacobs, wounded at Fredericksburg; Matthias Knobble, killed at Fredericksburg; John Keran, killed at Antietam; John M. Roch; Samuel Kepfer, killed at Spottsylvania; Henry Kaettz, John Keefer; Jacob Saemstell, died March 12, 1862, at Cumberland, Maryland; Daniel Sarg, Cornelius Mulachi; Philip Michael, wounded at Antietam and discharged; Samuel Metzker, died at Cumberland, Maryland; Homer Millious, wounded at Gettysburg; James McKeefer, died in Andersonville prison; Anthony Moier, wounded at Antietam and discharged; Austin J. Moore, died at Falmouth, Virginia, April 17, 1863; John Miller, Henry Nahliz, Joseph Orr, Henry Pulaski; John G. Peters, promoted to sergeant, and killed at Gettysburg July 3, 1863; George Reinhard, wounded at Antietam and Gettysburg; Francis M. Rivets, wounded at Gettysburg; Patrick Roch, wounded at Antietam; William Shuher; Jefferson Taylor, died at Grafton, Virginia, September 6, 1861; John M. Vail, Isadore Wentling; Lewis Winegardner, died at Fortress Monroe; Hiram Wing, wounded at Gettysburg and Antietam; John A. Williams, died at Fremont, Ohio, in November, 1862; John Walker, Morris Yates; Absalom Zeducer, wounded at Spottsylvania; Milton Miers, James M. Johnson; Myron Watts, wounded at Chancellorsville; Samuel Nafe.


THE TWENTY-FIFTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.


Sandusky contributed a company, or nearly a company, to the Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was organized at Camp Chase in June, 86r, and contained men from various localities in all quarters of the State. On the 29th day of July, 1861, it went into service in West Virginia, and was stationed along the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, from Oakland to the Ohio River. While there the regiment paid attention to bushwhackers which infested the vicinity and broke up several gangs of them, to the great relief of the forces, as well as the loyal inhabitants. The regiment went through a long course


252 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.


of suffering and arduous service. It was in the battles of Cheat Mountain, Greenbriar, Camp Baldwin, Monterey; the engagements and marches in the Shenandoah Valley; in General Pope's campaign along the Rappahannock, in the second battle of Bull Run, at Gettysburg, and a great many battles, and many trying marches.


It re-enlisted on the 15th of January, 1864, and started for home, on veteran furlough, reaching Camp Chase on the 5th of March, 1864. While there, many recruits were added to the regiment, and were organized, and called Company B.


On the 16th of February, 1864, the regimental flags, which had passed through twenty battles, and under which eighteen colorbearers had been killed or wounded, were presented to Governor Brough, to be placed in the archives of the State, and the regiment received a beautiful new stand of colors.


It served well in the Carolinas, and, in fact, all through the war; and on the 18th of June, 1866, when it held its last parade at Columbus, Ohio, surrendered again its second set of colors to Governor Cox, and was then mustered out, and discharged, having been in active service over five years.


The following are the men of Sandusky county who enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and who are entitled to a share of its glory, and the thanks of the country:


COMPANY E.


COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Captain Moses H. Crowell, resigned.

Captain Michael Murray.

First Lieutenant Hezekiah Thomas.

Second Lieutenant George W. Iden.


NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Sergeant Peter Molyett.

Sergeant Samuel Hoffman.

Sergeant Henry Barnup.

Sergeant Christian Joseph.

Corporal Henry Overmeyer.

Corporal Frederick Gilyer.

Corporal John Wise.

Corporal Edward J. Teeple.

Corporal Richard Kenny.

Corporal Daniel Potter.

Corporal Frederick Holderman.

Corporal Byron Hutchins.

Wagoner Joseph Hess.

Musician Bryan Carrigan.

Musician Andrew J. Lake.


PRIVATES.


Obediah A. Bidgely, Gephard Rush, P. Duffey, Thomas J. Overman, Joseph Valiance, Samuel Black, George W. Algyer, John Higley, James Bacon, Frederick T. Bigler, James W. Barnes, Charles Cimmerer, Elbridge Comstock, Frederick Cannel), Charles Caul, George W. Clelland, Thomas C. Coalwell, Samuel H. Deselms, Andrew J. Davis, George Dagan, Samuel Edgar, John Everingham, Isaiah Eastick, George C. Edgerton, Josiah Fought, Samuel Frantz, August Frech, John Ferrell, Monta Heath, Harvey N. Hall, Thomas C. Hemminger, William S. Hutton, Thomas Howell, John Q. Hutchins, Frederick Halderman, Oliver P. Hershey, Virgil Jacobs, John Jell, George Kessler, John Knappenberger, Jesse Little, John Leary, John Lose, Lawson Marsh, Joseph Mitchell, William Meuser, Linnus Marsh, Darius Minnier, William Mackey, john Morris, Lewis Moore, Michael Mulgrove, Blando L. Mills, Harrison I. Meyers, Peter Miller, Isaac Nye, Hiram Odell, Hiram Ostrander, Richard D. Phelps, Alexander Pemberton, John E. Rearick, Joseph Riddle, Lewis Robber, Frederick Shultz, William R. Stump, Abednego Stephens, Norton G. Skinner, Joel Spohn, Levi S. Stewart, Henry Smuch, Florian Smith, Alexander Scott, Benjamin Staley, Charles Slaughterbeck, Edward Teeple, Christopher Thayer, John Tweedle, Decatur Whiting, George D. Wormwood, Joseph C. Wright, Lewis Zeigler, Volney A. Dubel.


THE FORTY-NINTH REGIMENT, OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.


This regiment, which did such conspicuous service in the war for the suppression of the Rebellion, was organized at Tiffin, in the county of Seneca. It left Camp Noble, near Tiffin, on the loth of September, 861, for Camp Dennison, where it received its equipments on the 21st of the same month, and moved for Louisville, Kentucky. The next day it reported to Brigadier General Robert Anderson, then in command at that place, and was the first organized Union regiment to enter Kentucky, where it met a most cordial re-


HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 253


ception on its arrival at Louisville. Two boats lashed together, conveying the regiment, approached the wharf at Louisville, while the regimental band was playing National airs. Its arrival was a surprise to military headquarters, and as the regiment debarked, the people received them with great enthusiasm. As they marched from the landing, the citizens formed in the rear and marched with them through the principal streets to the headquarters of General Anderson. The General appeared on the balcony of the hotel, and welcomed the regiment in a short address. To this address General Gibson responded, and tradition says that his response was full of that soul-stirring, heart-warming eloquence in behalf of the Union cause for which he is so celebrated wherever he speaks on the great theme of Union and liberty.


A magnificent dinner for the regiment was given at the Louisville hotel by the citizens, and the men of the regiment were magnificently entertained. In the evening of the same day the regiment started from Louisville by railroad for Lebanon junction, to report to General W. T. Sherman, then at that point. The next morning it crossed the Rolling Fork, wading the river, and marched to Elizabethtown and went into camp at Muldsdraugh's Hill. Here the regiment remained until the loth of October, when it moved to Nolan Creek, and went into Camp Nevin.


The Forty-ninth regiment was soon after assigned to the Sixth Brigade under command of General R. W. Johnson, of the Second Division of the Army of Ohio. On the loth of December, 1861, the Second Division moved to Mumfordsville, on the Green River, and drove the rebels to the opposite side of the river, and established Camp Wood. On the 17th of December the National pickets from the Thirty-second Indiana Infantry, on the south side of Green River, were attacked by Hinman's Arkansas Brigade and Terry's Texas Rangers. In sending troops to the relief of the pickets, the Forty-ninth Ohio was the first to cross the river, followed by the Thirty-ninth Indiana. The enemy was met and repulsed, Colonel Terry, one of the rebel commanders, being killed.


The regiment remained at Camp Wood perfecting itself in discipline and drill until the lath of February, 1862, when it left the camp for Bowling Green, Kentucky. It marched thence towards Nashville, Tennessee, which place it reached on the 3d of March, 1862, and established there Camp Andrew Johnson. From this camp it moved on the 16th of March with Buell's army, to join General Grant's forces at Pittsburg Landing, and arrived there on the 6th of April. Here Colonel Gibson took command of the brigade, leaving the Forty-ninth regiment under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel A. M. Blackman. The regiment went into the fight at 11 o'clock in the morning, occupying the left of the brigade, and next to Crittenden's division. This position was maintained under a terrible fire from the enemy until 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when, with the enemy in full retreat, the regiment stacked arms and lay down to rest. In this battle the regiment twice successfully performed the hazardous feat of changing front under fire.


The Forty-ninth then moved towards-Corinth. The other portions of the army had some severe fighting at Bredges's Creek, and at other points on the way, and entered Corinth with the army on the 30th of May, 1862. From Corinth it was sent in pursuit of the enemy, passing through Jericho, Iuka, and other points to Tuscumbia, Alabama, and Florence, crossing the river at Florence. Thence it marched to Battle Creek, Tennessee. At this time


254 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.


Bragg's army was found to be threatening Louisville, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, and the Forty ninth was put in pursuit of him. On the march from Battle Creek, Tennessee, the Union forces were urged forward with all the speed the men could endure, and they suffered terribly from exhaustion, intense heat 0f the weather and from want of water and rations. These sufferings were, however, born with fortitude by the men, and the apprehension that their own Ohio might be invaded by rebels nerved them to most extraordinary endurance and hard marches. The regiment reached Louisville on the 29th of September, where, after a few clays rest, the march in pursuit of the enemy was resumed. Moving out on the Frankfort turnpike, through Shelbyville, driving the enemy before them, Frankfort was reached on the 5th of October in time to disperse the rebel troops gathered there to guard the inauguration of Captain Dick Hawes as rebel Governor of Kentucky. The march was resumed on the morning of the 7th of October, under orders to join the main army, the junction being made the day following the battle of Perryville. During the whole of the march from Louisville to Perryville, there was daily skirmishing. At Lawrence and Dog Walk brisk engagements were fought, in each of which the Forty-ninth Ohio was conspicuously engaged, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Levi Drake. Pursuing the enemy to Crab Orchard the regiment, with its brigade and division, marched to Bowling Green. Thence it marched toward Nashville, and on the 5th of November was with the advance that raised the siege of that city. The regiment then went into camp at Mill Creek, where it remained until the 26th day of December. On the 26th of December, 862, General Rosecrans then, incommand of the Army of the Cumberland, commenced his movement on Murfreesboro. The Forty-ninth moved out of Nashville, on Nelsonville turnpike, with the right wing, under Major General McCook, and after constant skirmishing found itself in line of battle on the extreme right of the Union army before Murfreesboro, on the evening of the 30th of December, 1862. At six o'clock the next morning Kirk's brigade was furiously assaulted by the enemy, and giving way was pressed back on the Forty-ninth, which at once became engaged, and was in its turn borne back by overwhelming numbers to the Nashville turnpike, a distance of a mile and a half from the point of encounter. In this resistance to the rebel forces the Forty-ninth sustained an incessant conflict of nine hours' duration.


The following morning the regiment was sent to reconnoiter on the right and rear of the main army. Returning from this duty, it rejoined its brigade, and that day was more or less engaged, operating on the extreme right of the army, in connection with Stanley's cavalry. On Friday, January 2, it occupied a position in reserve to the centre until late in the afternoon, when, upon the repulse of Van Cleve's division on the left, it was ordered, with its brigade, to retrieve the fortunes of the day on that part of the field. It joined in a magnificent bayonet charge, which resulted in recovering the lost ground, and a severe defeat of the enemy.


The Forty-ninth went into this battle with the entire field and staff officers present. At its close it was under command of junior Captain S. F. Gray. The capture of General Willich placed Colonel Gibson, of the Forty-ninth, in command of the brigade. Lieutenant Colonel Drake was killed while bravely cheering on his men. Major Porter was wounded, and all the senior captains present were either

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 255


killed or wounded. It should be noted here that, before this battle, Captain J. R. Bartlett had been promoted to the office of major, and was not in the immediate command of Company F, but served during the fight.


For a time after this battle the Forty-ninth was engaged in various foraging expeditions, wherein it had frequent encounters with the enemy, and lost a number of men.


From Murfreesboro, the regiment marched, on the 24th of June, 1863, and found the enemy strongly posted at Liberty Gap, to dispute the further advance 0f the Union forces. The Forty-ninth was attached to the First brigade, which was at once formed in line of battle, and, after some hard fighting, the Forty-ninth assaulted the enemy's works on a high hill, advanced upon him, scaled the heights in the face of severe fire, and drove the enemy from that position, and compelled him to fall back upon another equally strong position about a mile in the rear.


On the following day the National forces attacked the enemy again in the new position. The Forty-ninth was brought into action about 3 o'clock P. M., after other troops had been engaged several hours. The regiment was selected to attack the enemy's centre, which rested in a valley, while the flanks rested upon the hill, on both sides. Here the Forty-ninth adopted a new method of attack, which had then lately been introduced, by the formation of four ranks, and to advance while firing. This method of attack proved efficient in this case, and the enemy's centre was soon broken, and the position occupied by the Union army. Without further fighting, the brigade, with the Forth-ninth, reached Tullahoma July 1, and the regiment then went into camp.


At the bloody battle of Chickamauga the Forty-ninth did great service, and displayed the fighting qualities of veterans. It made a charge on the right of the enemy, drove him out of a dense wood, and captured two pieces of artillery.


The next day the Forty-ninth was constantly engaged in various parts of the field, and accomplished a brilliant exploit in connection with Goodspeed's Battery, the Fifteenth Ohio, and other troops, .which, it is claimed, saved Thomas' Corps from being swept from the field.


In the battle of Mission Ridge the Forty-ninth shone with conspicuous gallantry, and was amongst the first to plant its colors on the summit of the ridge. It next moved with Granger's Corps to the relief of Burnside's forces at Knoxville. This march was of the most severely trying nature upon the troops. The weather was intensely cold, and snow was on the ground. The men were almost naked, and without shoes, and the rations were exhausted. Like the march from Valley Forge in the Revolutionary War, the army could be tracked by the bloody foot marks of the indomitable patriots who went out to save the Union. And yet these brave men did not complain, but were eager to be led against the foes of their country who were also the foes of liberty. At Strawberry Plain they heard that Burnside had repulsed Longstreet, and as he was no longer in need of relief the National troops returned to Chattanooga. At the heel of all this suffering, the men of the Forty-ninth were called upon the re-enlist for the war. To this call a prompt response was given in the affirmative. The regiment returned to Ohio to enjoy its veteran furlough 0f thirty days. At Tiffin, its place of organization, the regiment was received with every possible manifestation of respect and honor. Judge John K. Hord, now of the Cleveland Bar, but formerly a citizen of Tiffin,


256 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.


welcomed the brave men in an eloquent speech in their praise, which was responded to by Colonel Gibson and other officers of the regiment.


Thirty days, oh ! how brief to the soldier who returns after three years' absence, to see his father, mother, wife, children and friends, and meantime hear the plaudits, and enjoy the feastings and manifestations of honor from a grateful people, for whom he has encountered danger and toiled and suffered. Still true to country, with the instinctive patriotism of the Union soldier, the Forty-ninth in due time reported at the headquarters of the Fourth Army Corps at Cleveland, Tennessee.


At this time the National forces were concentrating and reorganizing at Cleveland, Tennessee, and making all things ready for the campaign against Atlanta, Georgia. Here the Forty-ninth was incorporated into the Fourth Army Corps, and the history of that corps is the history of the Forty-ninth regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The regiment participated in the engagements at Dalton, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie River, and Atlanta, suffering severely in the loss of men killed and wounded in all these battles. The regiment pushed on with the army beyond Atlanta, and participated in the battles at Jonesborough, and at Lovejoy's Station, and after abandoning the pursuit of the enemy, returned to camp at Atlanta. The Forty-ninth from

this time was assigned with the Army of the Cumberland to the command of General Thomas who was left to look after the rebel forces under General Hood, who was moving toward Nashville.


In the movements of Thomas' forces the Forty-ninth Ohio, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Strong, fully sustained its reputation for bravery and military skill, and bore a prominent part in many skirmishes and displayed great courage and efficiency in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. The battle of Nashville occurred in December, 1864, and on the 15th and 16th of that month the regiment made several brilliant charges and suffered severely in killed and wounded.

After this battle and after returning from the pursuit of Hood's army, the regiment went into camp at Huntsville, Alabama, where it remained until the middle of March, 865. It then moved by rail into East Tennessee and went into camp at Greenville. On its return from the expedition to Nashville the regiment was, on the 16th of June, 1864, taken by transports to Texas, by way of New Orleans. Reaching Texas in July, the regiment landed at Victoria, and moved to the interior as far as San Antonio, passing by way of Green Lake and Gonzales. After suffering great hardships in this service for four months the regiment returned to Victoria, where it was mustered out of service on the 30th day of November, 865.


The whole number of names on the rolls of the regiment was fifteen hundred and fifty-two. Nineteen were born in Europe, seven hundred and sixty in Ohio, of whom four hundred and forty were from Seneca county. Eight officers were killed in battle, and twenty wounded (six of them mortally). Of the privates, one hundred and twenty-seven were killed in battle, seventy-one were mortally wounded, one hundred and sixty-five died from hardships or disease, and seven perished in rebel prisons at Andersonville and Danville. Six hundred and sixteen were discharged on account of wounds or other disability, five survived with the loss of an arm, and two with the loss of a leg. The killed and mortally wounded of the enlisted men were as one to seven and four-fifths, and the entire deaths as one to


HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 257


five and one-sixth. The men of the regiment suffered nine hundred and forty-two gunshot wounds. During two-thirds of his term of service, Colonel Gibson commanded a brigade by virtue of his rank.


Although the Forty-ninth Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer infantry, engaged in the war for the suppression of the Southern Rebellion, was organized in the adjoining county of Seneca, and drew largely and chiefly from the patriotic and able bodied citizens of that county, Sandusky county, in her exuberance of patriotism, contributed a company to the regiment, consisting 0f some of her best and bravest men. The history of Company F cannot be fully and fairly written without giving an account of its organization, marches, battles, victories, achievements, sufferings and losses of the regiment, of which it formed an important part.


We would here acknowledge that for many of the facts regarding this regiment we are indebted to Colonel J. R. Bartlett, also to Ohio in the War, by Whitelaw Reid, as well as from records kindly submitted for inspection by the Adjutant-General of Ohio.


INCIDENTS AND PERSONAL MENTION.


The following incident, which occurred in the battle of Shiloh, in front of the Forty-ninth regiment, illustrates the appreciation which true soldiers entertain for bravery and desperate daring, when displayed by an enemy. The Forty-ninth made a dashing and sudden charge on the enemy in front of it, and drove them with great precipitation from their position. So sudden was the onset and the retreat, that the rebels forgot their colors, leaving them standing on the ground from which they retired. A storm of bullets were flying after the retreating foe, when the enemy discovered their forsaken flag, then but a little way in advance of the Forty-ninth. Suddenly a rebel on a white horse was seento leave the ranks, coming at full speed back t0 the flag. As soon as the men of the Forty-ninth realized the object of the desperate attempt to rescue the flag, struck by the bravery and daring of the act, and recognizing his qualities as a soldier devoted to his colors, they instinctively ceased firing and spared the life of the brave fellow while he took the flag and carried it back to his command, without harm. Had they not ceased firing as they did, the man would have been cut to pieces by their volleys.


ORGANIZATION OF COMPANY F.


Captain Joseph R. Bartlett began recruiting, 0r rather enlisting men for Company F, in July, 861. After obtaining about forty men recruiting became dull and it seemed impossible to obtain a full company in any reasonable time. Charles A. Norton had assisted actively so far in procuring men, and expected to be first lieutenant of the company. Meantime Timothy H. Wilcox had enlisted about forty men to form a company of Home Guards, who were willing to join Captain Bartlett's company, and go into the service, on condition that Mr. Wilcox should have the position 0f first lieutenant. Mr. Norton generously gave way to Mr. Wilcox, and the men enlisted by the latter entered, and this, with little further effort, soon completed the company, and it went to Camp Noble, near Tiffin, Seneca county, for equipment and drill.


The generosity of Mr. Norton soon met with reward in his appointment to the office of adjutant of the regiment, in which capacity he proved a good soldier and efficient officer during the service.


About the middle of November, 1862, Captain Bartlett's soldierly qualities attracted the attention of General I. W. Sill, who appointed him Inspector-General of the Second Division of the Army of the Cumberland, of which General Sill


258 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.


was then in command. In December, 1862, General Sill was assigned to another command, and on leaving the division addressed to Inspector Bartlett the following complimentary and friendly letter:


CAMP ON MILL CREEK, December 10, 1862. Captain Bartlett, Acting Division Inspector, Division Aid-de-Camp:


SIR: In parting with you I beg to express my thanks for the zeal and fidelity with which you have performed your duties, and to assure you that if associated in future it will be a source of much gratification, as it is now a source of regret, that I am obliged to separate from you. Whatever be your course hereafter, I doubt not it will be creditable in the highest degree, and I tender you my best wishes for your success and promotion.


Very respectfully, your friend,

I. W. SILL, Brigadier-General.


General R. W. Johnson then took command of the division, and continued Captain Bartlett in the same position on his staff that he had held under General Sill, and, until after the battle of Liberty Gap, he acted as chief of staff and Adjutant-General of the division, in addition to the duties of Inspector-General. Captain Bartlett has numerous testimonials of faithful service, and also recommendations for promotion. Amongst these are found commendations and recommendations from Colonel Keufler, commanding Third Brigade, Third Division, Fourth Army Corps; Major-General D. S. Stanley, commanding Fourth Army Corps; Major-General O. O. Howard, formerly commander of the same corps; Brigadier-General Thomas J. Wood, commander Third Division, same corps; also Colonel William H. Gibson, afterwards Brigadier-General commanding First Brigade, Third Division.


COMPANY F.

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Captain Joseph R. Bartlett.

First Lieutenant Morris E. Tyler.

Second Lieutenant Timothy Wilcox.


NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Sergeant John J. Kessler.

Sergeant Israel C. Totten.

Sergeant Charles W. England.

Sergeant Levi Laughlin.

Sergeant Myron Sweet.

Corporal James Maxwell.

Corporal Edward Haff.

Corporal Eli Lewman.

Corporal William H. H. Wadsworth.

Corporal David J. Wilson.

Corporal William Whittaker.

Corporal John W. Heason.

Corporal Josiah Terry.

Drummer James Michael.

Fifer Thomas P. Folton.


PRIVATES.


(All of Fremont.)


Isaac N. Anderson, David Armstrong, James M Dennison, John Wesley Ash, Lewis Baker, Austin O. Bolton, Gustavus Boesh, David H. Barber, George H. Bearss, Thomas Bovill, Charles S. Bon, James N. Campbell, Eli Chaney, Thomas Clarke, George Davis, Albert Dodge, Jonathan Durfee, Wilson S. Flaugher, LaQuino Fletcher, Benjamin S. Frank, John Frees. Richard Gallagher, George W. Gurst, Charles E. Haskins, Joseph Huntsinger, George W. Heberling, Oscar June, Daniel Jackson, Edward D. Kintz, Cyrus C. Laughlin, Henry O. Marsh, John D. Maine, Henry Markwalter, George Mears, Wesley Miller, Lewis Michael, John L. McAfee, Daniel McSorley, John W. Maxwell, John A. Nash, Charles A Norton, Jasper Palmer, John Charles Parrish, George H. Phillip, Joshua Powell. James Ragan, James Ramsey, Jeremiah Reed, Phillip Reiling, Moses Rogers, Josiah Rollins, Josiah T. Russell, William B. Richards, George Skinner, Josiah Stocking, Charles Stull, Daniel Sweet, Albert Sweet, Joel G. Shutts, Jeremiah Smith, John H. Stoner, George J. Ferry, Luther White, George W. Veneer, William J. Yencer.


THE FIFTY-FIFTH REGIMENT OF OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.


This regiment went into camp at Norwalk, Ohio, on the 17th of October, 1861. On the 25th of January, 1862, it left Norwalk for Grafton, West Virginia, and after a short stay there it moved to New Creek. It moved by hard marches thence through Romney to Moorefield, where it participated in some skirmishing. It was raised chiefly by the exertions of Colonel John C. Lee, who afterwards became Lieutenant Governor of Ohio. Colonel Lee resigned May 8, 1863, and the command of the regiment devolved on Lieutenant Colo-


HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 259


nel Charles Gambee, of Bellevue. Colonel Gambee was killed at the battle of Resaca, on the 15th of May, 1864. On the 1st of January, 1864, three hundred and nineteen of the men of the Fifty-fifth had re-enlisted and returned to Ohio, arriving at Norwalk on the 10th of the same month. On the 4th of March, 1864, it was again encamped in Lookout Valley. It marched through Atlanta with the Twentieth Army Corps, toward the sea coast, and entered Savannah, Georgia, on the 21st of December and camped near that city. After much hard service and suffering, having passed through Goldsboro and Raleigh, on the 30th of April, 1865, it commenced its march to Washington, reaching Richmond on the 11th of May, and on the 8th camped in the vicinity of Alexandria. On the 24th of May, 1865, it crossed the long bridge and participated in the grand review and went into camp near Washington. On the 11th of July, 1865, the Fifty-fifth was mustered out of service, was paid off at Cleveland, Ohio, and discharged on the 19th day of July, 1865.


The fighting qualities of this regiment are displayed in a brief statement. During its term of service it enrolled one thousand three hundred and fifty men, and of these about seven hundred and fifty were either killed or wounded in battle.


A number of good men for this regiment were recruited in Sandusky county in the vicinity of Bellevue. The memoranda furnished the writer gives the names of men of certain companies of the regiment, but does not designate those of Sandusky county from those enlisted from other counties. We therefore give the list as furnished, as the time allowed the writer to finish his work will not permit of further search or investigation into the places of enlistment.


COMPANY A.


COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Captain Charles B. Gambee.

First Lieutenant Benjamin F. Eldridge.

Second Lieutenant William H. Long.


NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Sergeant Henry H. Moore.

Sergeant John E. Kunkel.

Sergeant Charles M. Smith.

Sergeant Albert J. Demick.

Sergeant William H. Harringer.

Corporal Lyman Ford.

Corporal Martin O. Smith.

Corporal John Stevens.

Corporal John Ryan.

Corporal James W. Saunders.

Corporal George H. Stillson.

Corporal Sidney F. Sinclair.

Corporal Oren J. Stark.

Musician Daniel Herring.

Musician George W. Goodell,

Wagoner William H. Cryder.


PRIVATES.


Horace B. Adams, Horace A. Bartlett, Nelson Barber, Philip Beckley, Thomas Beckley, Stephen Beckley, James Boughton, Lewis S. Bergstrener, Joseph Ball, James Carrer, John Chenrock, Howard M. Coleman, Albert Chapman, Albert P. Curry, William Charrill, Nelson Crockett, Elliot A. Cobb, Alonzo Corser, Henry R. Carrer, Levi Close, Miles Duesler, John J. Duesler, Francis Davis, George G. Deitrich, Uriah M. Eckhart, Martin J. Ford, Benjamin F. Fulkerson, Arthur Franklin, John Grubb William H. Goodson, Francis Gale, Henry Gale, John Gleason, Henry Gerring, George H. Gale, Charles Gale. Charles Haler, Henry J. Hayward, Henry Hanney, Theopholis P. Howard, William Hartman, Samuel Henney, William J. Hanson, William Hyde, Dexter R. Jones, Rollin Jacoy, Henry C. James, Thomas A. Kunkel, Jesse Kline, William E. Miller, John Moyer, Charles Mathis,. Mandus Mohr, Aretas Miller, James G. Millen, David McCormick, James C. Moon, George W Orning, John Peightle, Silas P. Riley, Elias Smith, William Stegman, Samuel Smith, Elias Stephens, Dewalt J. Swander, James Slinker, Jonas Shoemaker, William E. Sheffield, James Sowards, William Sowards, Ashael P. Smith, Ross C. Treamain, Amaziah Thorp, George W. Todd, Charles H. Welch, Eli C. Wright, George O. Winters, Jefferson Wright, Moses P. Wilt, Russell S. Williams. Benjamin Zimmerman, Martin Kinney, Samuel Hoofnagle, Francis A. Pixley. Moses H. Smith James H. Bitting, Sylvester Hevelone, Martin Laudenschlager, William M. Giles, James J. Null, Milton Crockett, Edward Farnsworth, John Norris, Robert Otis, John Ryan.


260 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.


COMPANY E.


PRIVATES.

William Clinton,

Joseph Hewitt.


COMPANY A.

Private Francis Pixley.


COMPANY E.


Private William Clinton.


COMPANY D.


Private William Upton.


FIFTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.


The Fifty-seventh regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camp Vance, near Findlay, in Hancock county, Ohio, under authority of Governor Dennison, given September 14, 1861. Before its organization was completed the regiment, on the 22d of January, 1862, moved to Camp Chase, where its organization was completed, on February 10, 1862. It numbered, when mustered in, nine hundred and fifty six men, and thirty-eight commissioned officers.


Sandusky county furnished a number of men for different companies of the Fifty-seventh, whose services cannot be properly known and appreciated without a brief sketch of the services of the whole regiment.


On the 18th of February, 1862, the Fifty-seventh was ordered to report at Fort Donelson, On its way, and while at Smithland, Kentucky, the order was changed, and it consequently reported at Paducah, Kentucky. Here it was assigned to the Third Brigade, Fifth Division of the Army of the Tennessee. Thence it was moved, by the steamer Continental, to Fort Henry, arriving there on the 9th of March, 1862. From Fort Henry it moved to Savannah, Tennessee, arriving there on the 11th of March. After participating in an ineffectual attempt to strike the Memphis and Charleston railroad at Iuka, Mississippi, they returned and went to Pittsburg Landing, where they arrived on the 16th of March. Here the Fifth Division was employed in reconnoitering towards Pea Ridge, and also towards Corinth. On the 19th it went into camp at Shiloh Chapel, three miles south of the Landing. On the 1st of April the regiment in company with other troops and two gunboats, went to Eastport, Mississippi, about thirty miles from the Landing. The Fifty-seventh was on the foremost transport. The boats shelled the woods and towns along the way, but elicited no reply. Passing up as far as Chickasaw, Alabama, they there shelled the town and the rebel works, but the enemy had left, and the Fifty-seventh was ordered to debark and scout the surrounding hills and villages. In this scouting the regiment captured a few prisoners, men and boys, and then returned to camp.


So much had the regiment suffered from sickness, that on the morning of the 6th of April there were but four hundred and fifty men for duty. Being posted with the right resting on the Corinth road immediately south of the church, it was among the first to meet the advance of the rebel forces. About six o'clock A. M., of the 6th of April, 1862, the Fifty-seventh formed and advanced until it reached the little eminence upon which Shiloh church stood. It held this position until ten o'clock, and successfully withstood the attack of the Mississippi Rifles, Crescent Guards from New Orleans, and the Fourteenth Tennessee, from Memphis. It was then ordered to fall back upon the Purdy and Hamburg road, which it did in good order. The Union line was pressed back three-quarters of a mile further. In three days fighting in and around Shiloh, the Fifty-seventh lost twenty-seven killed and one hundred and fifty were wounded (sixteen mortally), and ten captured. The regiment remained in


HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 261


camp at Shiloh Church until the 29th of April, and was engaged in drilling and preparing for the coming campaign. On the 29th the regiment started for Corinth, and did good service until the rebels evacuated that place. It did good fighting at camps Six and Seven, and at the Russell House was warmly engaged. While advancing on Corinth the Fifty-seventh was assigned to the First brigade of the Fifth division. After various services in repairing roads and guarding bridges, the regiment, on the 12th of November, was assigned to the First brigade of the First division of the Fifteenth Army Corps. During the stay at Memphis the regiment was drilled thoroughly in the skirmish drill and bayonet exercise.


The Fifty-seventh was part of a considerable force sent against General Price on the Tallahatchee River near Wyatt, in Mississippi, which place it reached on the 2d of December, and finding the place evacuated the march was continued towards Grenada.


On the 9th of December the Fifteenth Corps returned to Memphis, where it arrived on the 13th. Here the Fifty-seventh was strengthened by receiving one hundred and eighteen volunteers and two hundred and five drafted men, which made the aggregate force six hundred and fifty men. Thence the regiment next moved, with the Fifteenth Army Corps, down the Mississippi, and reached Young's Point on the 26th of December. The corps next moved up the Yazoo River and disembarked at Sidney Johnson's plantation; marched thence to Chickasaw Bayou, where the corps, in trying to. effect a crossing, was for five days engaged with the enemy. In this action the Fifty-seventh lost thirty-seven killed and wounded.


On the 2d of January, 1863, the corps moved down the Yazoo to the Mississippi, and up the Mississippi to White River, and up the latter river to the cut-off, and through the cut-off into the Arkansas, and up the Arkansas to Arkansas Post, disembarking there on the loth of January, 1863.


The Fifty-seventh led the brigade in the charge and assault of Fort Henderson, where, after three days hard fighting, the enemy surrendered. In this action the regiment lost in killed and wounded, thirty-seven men. The regiment then moved back towards Vicksburg, disembarking at Young's Point on the 21st of January, 1863, and went to work on the canal. The regiment advanced upon Vicksburg, participating in the battles of Raymond, Champion Hill, and Black River, and reached the works around Vicksburg on the 8th of May, and participated in the general assault on the 19th, and after considerable hard fighting, was within seventy yards of the rebel line when, at 2 o'clock of the morning of the 20th, the entire brigade was withdrawn to a position three hundred yards in the rear of the line of fortifications. Excepting a short time spent in reconnoitering between the Big Black and Yazoo Rivers, the regiment was in service in the trenches or on picket duty, until the surrender of Vicksburg.


After much hard service, on the 1st of January, 1864, it re-enlisted in the Fifteenth Army Corps.. After spending a furlough of thirty days at home among friends, the regiment rendezvoused at Camp Chase with two hundred and seven recruits. On the 29th of March, 1864, it arrived at Nashville, and was there detained until the 4th of April when it marched to Larkinsville, Alabama, where, on the 17th of April, it rejoined its brigade. On the 1st of May it moved with the corps in the Atlanta campaign, arriving


262 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.


in the vicinity of Chattanooga on the 6th, and advanced through Snake Creek Gap to Resaca, where it participated in the battle at that place, on the 13th and 14th of May, 1864 This was one of the most severe contests in which the regiment was engaged, and its loss was fifty-seven killed and wounded. It joined in the pursuit of the enemy, who made a stand at Dallas, where fighting continued for three days. The regiment here lost fifteen men. After several days skirmishing, the regiment, on the 27th of June, participated in an assault on the enemy's lines at Kenesaw. In this engagement it lost fifty-seven men in killed and wounded.


From Atlanta the regiment was with Sherman's army, doing good service and enduring much hardship, until it reached Richmond by way of Petersburg. Thence it passed to Washington city and was in the grand review there on the 24th of May, 1865 ; was ordered thence to Louisville, Kentucky, where it arrived on the 7th of June. On the 14th of June it was mustered out and paid at Camp Chase and finally discharged from the service.


When the Fifty-seventh was first organized the regimental officers were : Colonel William Mungen, Lieutenant Colonel William Mungen, Major Silas B. Walker, Surgeon John P. Haggett. There were many promotions and changes in rank and date of rank of these officers which are here omitted.


The following list shows the men of Sandusky county who volunteered and served with the Fifty-seventh regiment and the companies to which they belonged.


COMPANY C.


COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Captain Samuel R. Mott.

First Lieutenant John W. Underwood.

Second Lieutenant John Doncyson.


NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.


Sergeant George Bush.

Sergeant David W. Baker.

Sergeant David C. Edmiston.

Sergeant Anthony Bentler.

Corporal Hamilton Granville.

Corporal Israel W. Giberson.

Corporal Franklin Burden.

Corporal Henry Bruntuter.

Corporal David Clenger.

Corporal Francis Ganther.

Corporal William H. Kellison.

Corporal John Schlegel.

Musician John M. Lanning.

Musician John T. Schawn.

Teamster Andrew L. Donnelly.


PRIVATES.


George Casanova, Jacob Frank, Anthony Frees, Frederick Heltwein, Joseph Haberstock, Henry Link, Andrew Mal tine, John Malliet, Henry Winnes, Griffith F. Wilson, George Shriner, Anthony Rendlez, David Ohlinger, William P. Ayres.


COMPANY F.

 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

 

Captain Alva S. Skilton.

First Lieutenant George T. Blystone.

Second Lieutenant Edward E. Root.

 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS..

 

Sergeant Marcellus B. Dickey.

Sergeant Henry H. Swisher.

Sergeant Alexander K. Sipes.

Sergeant Peter N. Gaberel.

Sergeant William Berwick.

Corporal Lewis Winemiller.

Corporal William H. Pelton.

Corporal Alonzo Blackson.

Corporal William H. Green.

Corporal David T. Bull.

Corporal James Hathaway.

Corporal Charles Hathaway.

Corporal John Byers.

Musician Sidney D. Briggs.

 

PRIVATES.

 

William Brown, Daniel Boyer, Peter Boyer, Moses Courchune, Thomas Current, John Current, John P. Franks, William King, John Matthews, John Mallett, Patrick Madigan, Frederick Picker, Lewis Peter, Edgar Peter, Frank Snope, Adam Sorg, Levi Smith, John W. Smith.

 

COMPANY H.

 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

 

Captain Daniel N. Strayer.

First Lieutenant John A. Smith.

Second Lieutenant Lucius Call.

 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

 

Sergeant William M. Newell.

Sergeant Thomas B. McCormick.

 

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 263

 

Sergeant Stephen H. Carey.

Sergeant George M. Berger.

Sergeant James R. Wilson.

Corporal Robert J. Hemden.

Corporal Jesse Meranda.

Corporal William B. Carl.

Corporal James R. McCormick.

Corporal Bernard Poorman.

Corporal Philip Hank.

Corporal Henry Whitney.

Corporal Henry Schultz.

Musician Josephus Dodd.

Musician John Botkin.

 

PRIVATES.

 

Levi Binkley, Melancthon Binkley, Eugene A. Chapman, Ernst Dippman, James Heart, Emanuel Lyburger, Daniel McMahon, James McMahon, Jacob Miniries, Michael Norton, Albert Overmier, William Poorman, Thomas Poorman, George S. Royce, Samuel Shannon, Samuel A. Shroud.

 

COMPANY I.

 

PRIVATES.

Edgar Peter, Levi Smith, Perry Russell, John Molliett, William O'Neil, Tarleton Schultz, Frank Swope, Daniel Boyer, Peter Boyer, Thomas Current, John P. Franks, John Matthews.

 

COMPANY K.

PRIVATES.

 

Henry E. Charrs, Edwin Wrenn, George Wagerman, Philip Harck.

 

THE SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT OF OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

 

Although Sandusky county had furnished quite liberally of her brave and patriotic men to the Eighth, the Twenty-fifth, Forty-ninth, and Fifty-seventh regiments of volunteer infantry, all of which were organized in other counties, and also to the naval, artillery and cavalry service, and although these different organizations attracted those most ready and eager to go, there remained in the county many patriotic men whose business, family ties, or some particular temporary reasons held them back. But as the progress of events developed the dangers which environed the Nation and threatened more alarmingly the existence of the Union, it became evident that another appeal must be made to the men of the county, and more sacrifices offered to save the country's flag from disgrace and to rescue the Constitution from the hands of traitors. These grave apprehensions for the Nation's existence brought out that state of feeling which induced the organization of the

 

SEVENTY-SECOND OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

 

The first formal public notice of such an undertaking appeared in the Fremont Journal of October 4, 1861. It was an editorial mention that Hon. R. P. Buckland, of Fremont, had received orders from Governor Dennison, dated October 2, 1861, to raise regiment number seventy-two, and establish Camp Croghan in Fremont, of which he had been commissioned Lieutenant - Colonel. Isaac M. Keeler, then editor of the Journal, made an appeal to the people to come forward and help to fill and organize the proposed regiment, and send it forward promptly to sustain the Constitution and the Union.

 

The next issue of the paper, October 11, 1861, contained a call over the signature of Colonel Buckland. He reminded the men of Sandusky county that Kentuckians fought for us at Fort Stephenson, and that Kentucky was now appealing for help from us to drive back the invading enemies of the Constitution and of liberty; of the obligations we owed them and to the cause of constitutional liberty, and urged men to enlist and fill up the regiment as soon as possible, and march to the aid of brothers and fathers who had preceded them to the scenes of conflict and danger, and assist in rescuing them from impending danger and destruction.

 

On the 6th of December it was announced through the press that recruiting for the Seventy-second was progressing satisfactorily. At that date company A, Captain C. G. Eaton, of Clyde, Ohio, had eighty-four men ; company B,—Captain George Raymond, First Lieutenant Henry

 

264 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

 

W. Buckland, Second Lieutenant William T. Fisher—had eighty-three men; company F,—Captain S. A. J. Snyder, First Lieutenant Jacob Snyder, Second Lieutenant Daniel Huffman—had eighty-four men ; that two hundred Enfield rifles for the flanking companies, A and B, had been received at camp.

 

On the 19th of December, 1861, the citizens of Fremont presented Colonel R. P. Buckland with a beautiful and trusty sword, .which he still retains and treasures with great care.

 

On the 20th of December, 1861, the citizens of Clyde presented a sword to Captain C. G. Eaton, with an appropriate address, to which Captain Eaton responded in a short address, full of patriotism and eliciting hearty applause.

 

On Friday, the 17th day of January, 1862, it was announced that the Seventy-second regiment was full and formed, and that the captains and lieutenants were as follows :

 

COMPANY A.

(One hundred men.)

 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

 

Captain G. C. Eaton.

First Lieutenant W. H. Gifford.

Second Lieutenant S. Russell.

 

COMPANY B.

 

(Eighty-six men.)

 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

 

Captain George Raymond,

First Lieutenant Henry W. Buckland.

Second Lieutenant W. J. Fisher.

 

COMPANY C.

 

(Ninety men.)

 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

 

Captain S. A. J. Snyder.

First Lieutenant Jacob Snyder.

Second Lieutenant D. W. Huffman.

 

COMPANY D.

 

(Eighty-six men.)

 

Captain Andrew Nuhfer.

First Lieutenant M. A. Fowler.

Second Lieutenant Jesse J. Cook.

 

COMPANY E.

 

(Eighty-two men.)

 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

 

Captain J. H. Blinn.

First Lieutenant C. D. Dennis.

Second Lieutenant W. A. Strong.

 

COMPANY F.

 

(Eighty-five men.)

 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

 

Captain Leroy Moore.

First Lieutenant A. H. Rice.

Second Lieutenant J. B. Gilmore.

 

COMPANY G.

(One hundred men.)

 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

 

Captain T. C. Fernald.

First Lieutenant J. Fernald.

Second Lieutenant J. Poyer.

 

COMPANY H.

 

(Eighty-four men.)

 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

 

Captain Michael Weigstein.

First Lieutenant A. Young.

Second Lieutenant A. Kline.

 

COMPANY I.

(Eighty-five men.)

 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

 

Captain Jacob Fickes.

First Lieutenant A. Bates.

Second Lieutenant J. W. Donnell.

 

COMPANY K.

 

(Eighty-one men.)

 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

 

Captain S. A. Barron.

First Lieutenant W. C. Biddle.

Second Lieutenant T. W. Egbert.

 

It was at the same time also announced that the regiment would be armed with Minnie rifles, which were then daily expected at camp.

 

REGIMENTAL COLOR PRESENTATION.

 

On Friday, January 17, 1862, it was announced that the next day, Saturday the 8th, would be a lively day at Camp Croghan. A picnic for the soldiers had been prepared by the ladies of Fremont and vicinity, to be served out to them at 12 o'clock of that day. There was

 

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 265

 

also notice that on the same day at 2 o'clock P. M., a beautiful regimental color, worked by the ladies; would be presented to the regiment by Homer Everett, on behalf of the ladies, and to Captain Weigstein's company (German) through the Rev. Henry Lang, a beautiful National silk flag, thus completing the stand of colors for the regiment.

 

The picnic and flag presentation took place according to announcement, and the following extracts from the Sandusky County Democrat, published on Friday, the 24th day of January, 1862, will show what was done and the manner of the ceremonies on that occasion. These extracts will also awaken in the minds of the surviving soldiers of the Seventysecond regiment, and of the men and women who participated in the ceremonies, many pleasing and many sad thoughts of persons and events connected with the regiment and the men who went out with it.

 

PRESENTATION OF COLORS TO THE SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT.

 

The presentation of a stand of colors to the Seventy-second Regiment took place at Camp Croghan on Saturday last, and was witnessed by a large number of citizens from town and country. The day was very favorable, and the occasion was one of deep and heart-felt interest to all, but more especially to the soldiers, their families, sisters, brothers, fathers, mothers, and sweethearts, who there greeted each other with words of counsel, encouragement, and affection, while their hearts were stirred by those feelings and anxieties which none but they can know.

 

Through the enterprising liberality of the ladies of Fremont, a picnic dinner was served up at 12 o'clock, of which the soldiers partook with a hearty relish. They will never forget the kindness of the ladies, as evinced in this as well as other acts intended to pro_ mote their comfort.

 

After dinner, the chaplain of the regiment, Rev. Mr. Poe, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Bushnell, Lang and Phelps, distributed to each officer and private in the regiment, a copy of the Testament and Psalms.

 

Prayer was then offered by Rev. Mr. Bushnell. Homer Everett, Esq., on behalf of the ladies, then presented the regimental flag—a splendid one—prefacing the presentation by the following address, fora report of which, as well as the other addresses which follow, we are indebted to Mr. J. Burgner, teacher of the Fremont high school :

 

MR. EVERETT'S ADDRESS.

 

"COLONEL BUCKLAND :—The ladies of Fremont have observed your untiring energy and labor, and your exertions in enlisting and organizing the Seventy-second regiment—the Fort Stephenson regiment. They are always patriotic, always quick to observe merit ; and they have observed, sir, how you have proved yourself willing to give up, for a time at least, the enjoyments of an ample competence, a pleasant home, a dear family, and all the enjoyments of social life amongst us, and exchange them for the labors, the trials, and the dangers of a command like yours. They have observed, sir, how, when our county had sent to the service Captains Tillotson, Haynes, Crowell, Bartlett, and Amsden, furnished with men for the service, and had furnished many to other commands to fight the battles of this country, that when more help was called for, you came forward, and by the exertion of your widely extended personal influence, your personal efforts, your zeal, your stirring appeal to the hearts and patriotism of the people, which touched in them a deeper chord than had been touched before, you impelled them to come forward and enroll themselves under your command, and they have observed that, under difficulties which would have prevented others from succeeding, by your perseverance the Seventy-second regiment is formed, and now ready for the field of action. Observing all these merits in you, they have determined to give proof of their appreciation and approval of these virtues, and to that end they have determined to present you with such proof as may be ever present to you and your command, reminding you, and stimulating you to high and noble action; and, sir, as a means of this expression on their part, have bid me present to you this beautiful regimental banner.

 

" You will see, sir, upon its azure field, that beautiful, rich likeness of the soaring eagle, and that motto, 'The Seventy-second, Fort Stephenson regiment and, sir, it is an apt and beautiful inscription. Let the one be ever suggestive to you and to the noble men under your command, of fearless and lofty sentiments; while the other, by its historic recollections and associations, will inspire you to emulate, in deeds of valor and daring, the cherished hero of Fort Stephenson. Sir, the ladies, in presenting this to you, would have me say : Men of the Seventy-second regiment, of Fort Stephenson, officers, privates, and all : The ladies of Fremont have not been inattentive to your merits. They know well that every one of you has sacrificed much and will suffer much in the cause of our country; And they wish me to assure you, each and all, that these sacrifices, these labors on the altar of the country, are seen and appreciated by them, and will be remembered, too.

 

266 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

 

" Colonel Buckland, in your regiment are those of extended relations amongst us. Fathers and brothers, sisters, wives, and lovers, who refused and could not consent that their dear ones should go forward under any other commander, relying upon your justice, your courage, your kindness, and your reputation for all the qualities that fit you for the command, have consented that under you they may go and fight for the restoration of the Government that our fathers gave us, over the rebellious territory.

 

" Sir, what higher expression of approbation of your character could we give? What greater responsibility, sir, could you receive? Your regiment, sir, is composed of those who, by the ties of kindred, acquaintance—father, brother, sister, wife—extends to every heart and hearthstone throughout our county. Not only so, but many of the other counties adjoining, and in distant portions of the State. More than this, your regiment embraces men who have come from Germany, from France, from Ireland, and perhaps from other foreign lands, whose connections and sympathies stretch across the wide Atlantic itself. And, sir, the happiness of all this connection, by this voluntary act on the part of our people, is, for a great measure, committed to your hands; and these sympathies and sentiments on the part of the ladies, permit me to assure you, are entertained by all the people as far as the Seventy-second regiment is known.

 

" Take, then, that beautiful banner; and the ladies bid me say that it is presented to you and to all the members of the Seventy-second regiment; and when you go hence, if it shall be your fortune to do service, remember that the sympathies of all this people will follow you, and let that banner always be speaking to you of their happiness and your responsibilities. Let it be a beacon light, an assurance of the affection, respect, and confidence of the people who have given all these dear ones into your hands with such implicit confidence and trust. And when you are brought upon the soil of the enemies of this Government, whether upon the march, or in camp, or in the front of battle, remember, whenever that banner is unfurled, that the cords of affection in your regiment reach back to us; and that every heart in Sandusky county will thrill with the fortune of the Seventy-second regiment; and if it be its fate to be injured and to fall, every household in Sandusky county will shed a tear over its loss.

 

" Colonel Buckland, take this banner, and remember that the prayers of this extended connection will follow you through every trial, every day and every moment while you are in the service of the country, for your own welfare, and the welfare, safety, and honor of the Seventy-second, Fort Stephenson Regiment."

 

REV. MR. LANG 'S ADDRESS.

 

The flag of the German company, the gift of the German ladies of Fremont, was next presented tothe regiment by Rev. H. Lang, who spoke as follows :

 

"COLONEL BUCKLAND: It has fallen to my lot to present you this day, this standard, bearing the National colors. It was in the first instance the gift of the German ladies of Fremont to the German company of your regiment. In behalf of those ladies, and also of that German company, I bequeath it to you and your regiment, the noble band of patriots whom you have gathered around you to assist in fighting the battles of your country. You will perceive, sir, that it is a true pattern of the old noble ensign of '76; and I believe that the patriotism of those who bequeath it, as well as those who receive it, is of the old stamp of '76. The German company of your regiment, Colonel, will take care that not a leaf of the laurels of the German revolutionary heroes shall be disgraced by their cowardice, their treachery, or their want of bravery. I am proud, sir, of my German countrymen, who have, al lover the land, rushed to the rescue. You will remember Sigel, Blencker, Willich, and other noble German patriots. You will expect bravery from this company as well as from the rest of your regiment, and be assured, sir, you may depend upon them as long as you lead them to battle for the Constitution and the Union. The officers of the German company of your regiment have seen severe military service in Mexico. They have smelt Southern powder once before, and they are going to try it again. They will stand by your side in every contest. Give them an opportunity, sir, and they will show themselves worthy of your trust.

 

"Accept then, this Star Spangled Banner; bear it on to victory and triumph; and be assured, sir, that my prayers and the prayers of this whole community shall follow you to the field of danger and honor; and, if called into actual service, see to it that not one star of this glorious constellation shall fall under the feet of those that have forgotten that they who take the sword shall perish with the sword. May you return with this flag after glorious deeds of millitary honor, and may history inscribe upon its broad stripes: 'The Ohio Seventy-second was as true as the patriots of '76.' God speed you, sir, and let this be the war cry in your regiment: 'The sword of God and our country."

 

On account of the throng it was impossible to obtain a verbatim report of

 

COLONEL BUCKLAND'S RESPONSE.

 

" I tender my heartfelt thanks to you, the noble donors of these flags, and also the thanks of the Seventy-second regiment, which I have the honor to represent; and I know that I express not only my own feeling, but the feelings of the officers and men under my command, when I say to you that, so far as bravery and courage will do it, we have pledged ourselves here today to sustain the honor of the flags which you have done us the honor to present to us.

 

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 267

 

I heartily concur in the remarks made by my friend, Lang, in behalf of my German fellow-soldiers. It is true that incidents are recorded everywhere in the history of this country, in every war, proving that the Germans have been among the bravest, most loyal, and patriotic of our countrymen. They were such during the Revolution, and in the present war we have a Sigel, a Blencker, and a host of German patriots; and wherever the fight has been the hottest, there have been our German fellow-countrymen;—and nobly have they sustained the German character by their courage and patriotism. They are friends of liberty the world over, and when they are fighting under the stars and stripes, they are fighting under the emblem of liberty known wherever civilization has made any headway. They are here now, and we rely upon those in our regiment, as well as in others, to help sustain the honor of the regiment and the honor of the colors you have this day presented to us. I am well aware of the great responsibility I myself have assumed as colonel of this regiment; and I feel that I am not competent to the task; not so well qualified for the position as I wish I were. But all I can say in reply to that is, that I consented to supply that place, and that I will devote all my energies and abilities, whatever they may be, to advance the interests, the comforts, and the glories of the Seventy-second regiment. It is perhaps the greatest undertaking of my life, and I have pledged myself and my all to sustain the honor of this regiment. More than this I cannot do. I know it is one thing to propose what we will do, and another thing to accomplish that promise when the day of trial comes; and it would be useless for me to detain you here today with any promises. All I have to say is, look to these praying men who are surrounding me, and ask yourselves if you have any fears of the result. I say no! you cannot. I believe, yes I have full confidence, that we shall some day return marching under these glorious banners; and when you come to examine them you will not find anywhere on them a single stain of dishonor. However much they may be shattered and torn, they will be untarnised so far as honor is concerned. If I shall be mistaken, then I shall consider that my efforts have been in vain; but I have no fears, so far as the officers and men under me are concerned. When they bear in mind by whose influence these banners have been conferred today, they will be prompted to deeds of bravery, and the presence of these flags will have an influence on every act and every duty which shall be performed by the Seventy-second regiment. Whenever they go into the battlefield and behold these banners, the glorious stars and stripes under which our fathers gained their independence, and under which our men are now in the field fighting for the honor and glory of this country—I say whenever they go into battle under these banners, they will go in with a shout, remembering the beautiful donors, and be encouraged to acts of heroism by the recollection that they are fighting not only for themselves and the regiment, but for the honor of the ladies who have presented these banners to them. Therefore, ladies, I say I have no fear but that when these banners are returned to you, which I hope they will be, they will be returned covered with honor, and that there will be no spot of dishonor anywhere within their folds.

 

" Mr. Everett has referred particularly to the part I have taken in getting up this regiment. I wish in reply to that barely to remark that I owe very much to the officers and men who have taken hold with me and worked so faithfully and energetically in this cause. I do not wish to assume to myself the whole honor of getting up the Seventy-second regiment; it does not belong to me. I only say I have done what I could, and I will give honor to those who have done what they could. We have raised a regiment where it was thought none could be raised. It has been well remarked that many of these men have left families and kindred at home. They have made greater sacrifices than I have made. Some can not well leave their families; and I wish now on this occasion to ask you to look well to the families of the men who have assembled here to do battle for our country and for your benefit. In our absence let them not suffer for want of the necessaries of life. I will not detain you longer, but will return you the heartfelt thanks of the whole regiment for these beautiful flags.

 

"And now, fellow soldiers! Attention battalion I propose that the whole battalion give the donors three hearty cheers. " (Cheers by the regiment.)

 

In the afternoon of Friday, the 24th of January, 1862, the Seventy-second left Camp Croghan, and traveled by railroad to Clyde, Ohio, and thence by the same conveyance to Camp Chase.

 

The soldiers were apparently in good spirits and cheerful. But the very heart-strings of social life and love throughout the county quivered with suppressed anguish while the men cheered, and the women waved them on to duty. The Infinite God alone can ever know and measure the secret anguish that found relief in tears shed in secret, and the inarticulate prayers which followed the march of the brave boys of the regiment, as they took their departure for three years to expose their lives to all the chances of war.

 

Companies A, B, C, D, E, F, H, and I

 

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were formed almost entirely of citizens of Sandusky county; company G, with a small portion of companies H and A, were recruited in Erie county, and company K was mostly recruited in Medina county, while a few men in companies C and E were of Wood county, Ohio.

 

As the regiment did not, when it left Fremont, contain the maximum number of men, company K was broken up, and distributed among the other companies, and the officers of that company discharged. A company originally recruited for the Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was assigned to the Seventy-second at Camp Chase, and denominated company K, which made the regiment full.

 

* The regiment was fully equipped in February, and was ordered to report to General Sherman at Paducah. Here it was assigned to a brigade composed of the Forty-eighth, Seventieth, and Seventy-second Ohio regiments, and Colonel Buckland placed in command. The Seventy-second proceeded with Sherman's division to Fort Henry on the steamer Baltic, by way of the Tennessee River. This movement was early in March, 862. From Fort Henry the main army proceeded to Savannah, but Sherman's division was ordered up to Eastport, Mississippi, for the purpose of cutting the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, and thus prevent General J. S. Johnson from reinforcing Beauregard. Heavy rains and consequent high water defeated the plan, and after a detention of sixteen days on board of the boats Buckland's brigade disembarked at Pittsburg Landing, and encamped near Shiloh Church.

 

From the long confinement on the transports and bad water at Shiloh, the troops under General Buckland suffered

 

* For the following account of the services of the Seventy-second regiment we are indebted to Reid's Ohio in the War.

 

greatly in health, and the Seventy-second was weakened and greatly reduced in numbers. On the 3d of April Buckland's brigade was engaged in a reconnoissance, in which the Seventy-second met the rebel pickets, and exchanged shots. On the next day (the 4th of April) companies B and H were ordered to reconnoiter the front of the picket line. These companies became separately engaged, and Major Crockett and two or three men of company H were captured, and several were wounded. Company B was surrounded, but it fought for an hour against great odds, and was saved by the fortunate arrival of companies A, D and F, which were sent forward to their relief. Company B lost four men wounded.

 

All this time the rebels were massing near Shiloh, and preparing to sweep away the Union forces there, by an unexpected attack in force. But General Buckland, by reconnoitering, had felt the enemy, and was too vigilant to be prepared for an attack at any moment, so far as he was concerned. Whatever has been said, or may be said about our forces being surprised at Shiloh, sure it is that General Buckland was not surprised. His brigade was ready, from the time of Crockett's capture, and all that prudence and bravery could do, General Buckland did to be ready for the enemy at any and every moment. He felt sure from the 3d of April, that the rebels intended an attack in force on the army at Pittsburg Landing, and acted accordingly: And when, on the morning of the 6th of April, 1862, the onset came, he was up and ready. His brigade met the enemy on that memorable morning, and withstood the furious onset of three successive lines; and notwithstanding the defection of the brigade on his left, he held his position for two hours, when General Sherman ordered his brigade to retire. The rebels had advanced

 

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on the left, and threatened to cut off the retreat, but Buckland's brigade made a rapid detour to the right through a dense wood, and at 11 o'clock was in position to the right of the National line. The regiment was constantly at the front, and acted with great bravery and coolness throughout the day, and on the 7th effectively participated in the charge which finally swept the enemy from the field, and that night rested in the camp from which it had been ordered to retire the day before. In this action the regiment lost Lieutenant-Colonel Canfield mortally wounded, and two company officers killed, one of them being the brave captain of the German company, H, and one officer missing. Thirteen men were killed, seventy were wounded, and forty-five were missing. The Seventy-second participated in the pursuit of the enemy as far as Monterey.

 

At the siege of Corinth the Seventy-second bore a conspicuous part, and although its losses in the action were not great, it suffered great loss by disease and consequent disability. During the siege General J. W. Denver assumed command of Buckland's brigade, and Colonel Buckland returned to the command of his regiment.

 

After the evacuation of Corinth, Sherman's division moved along the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, in a westerly direction, and on the 21st of July, 1863, entered Memphis. When the regiment arrived at Memphis it presented a dilapidated condition; the men were worn, sick, weary, and ragged, having drawn no clothing since the battle of Pittsburg Landing. Here the Seventy-second was brigaded with the Thirty-second Wisconsin, Ninety-third Indiana, Ninety-third Illinois, and the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois. This brigade was designated the First brigade of the Third division. The division was placed under the command of General Lanman, while Colonel Buckland command d the brigade under the new organization.

 

On the 26th day of November the regiment marched toward Wyatt, on the Tallahatchie. The rebels retreated, and Sherman's forces were ordered back to Memphis. When the Memphis & Charleston Railroad was reached, the regiment was ordered to Moscow, to hold the bridge over Wolf River. Here the regiment fell in with Richardson's guerillas, but experienced no loss. It remained at Moscow about two weeks, in the performance of picket duty there, until the 9th of January, 1863, when it was ordered to Corinth. The march to Corinth was made by way of Bolivar and Purdy. In the night next after arriving at Corinth, the weather became intensely cold, from which the men suffered . severely. Here Buckland's brigade was assigned to the Sixteenth Corps, and was concentrated near Memphis.

 

The Seventy-second reached White's Station, nine miles east of Memphis, on the 31st of January, 1863, and was engaged in picket duty, and in work on the fortifications. It moved to Memphis on the 13th of March, embarked on the steamer Champion, and on the 14th proceeded down the stream.

 

The regiment had been reinforced by about forty nine-months recruits, which, with returning convalescents, somewhat increased its effective strength. On the 2d of April the regiment went into camp four miles above Young's Point. Here it was for a time engaged in working on the canal, and in preparations for the coming campaign. It commenced its march for a position in the rear of Vicksburg on the 2d of May, 1863, moved seventy miles southward, through Louisiana, and reached the Mississippi opposite Grand Gulf. It crossed the river on the

 

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7th of May, and on the 8th moved toward Jackson, Mississippi, and was in the battle there on the 14th of May. The next day the regiment continued the march toward Vicksburg, and arrived there on the 8th.

 

The regiment took a part in the assault on the rebel works at Vicksburg, on the 19th and 22d days of May, and then began the labors of the siege. The position of the regiment was on the right of Tuttle's division, and within a half mile of the Mississippi River, and north of Vicksburg.

 

On the 22d of June the Seventy-second formed part of the force ordered to Big Black River to intercept Joe Johnson, who was attempting the relief of Vicksburg. After this the Seventy-second was thrown out on the advance picket line, and continued to hold that hazardous position until the surrender of Vicksburg.

 

The regiment then moved against General Johnson at Jackson, and after the battle pursued the rebels to Brandon, where it had an engagement. After destroying a portion of the railroad it returned to Big Black to rest and refit.

 

In the latter part of the summer the regiment moved to Oak Ridge, twenty-one miles distant from Vicksburg and near the Yazoo River, and in September it participated in a four days' scout to Mechanisville, in which it experienced some very hard marching, and lively skirmishing. On the 15th of October, 1863, it took part in General McPherson's expedition to Canton, Mississippi, and on its return went into camp eight miles in the rear of Vicksburg. About the middle of November the regiment was ordered with its division to Memphis, to guard the Mississippi and Charleston railroad, and was stationed at Germantown, fourteen miles east of Memphis.

 

On the 2d of January, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted and soon after moved to Memphis. In February it took part inthe expedition under Colonel McMillen, to the Tallahatchie River, to create a diversion in favor of General W. S. Smith's cavalry expedition, all being part of General Sherman's Meridian expedition. This lasted thirteen days, and the regiment marched one hundred and fifty miles.

 

VETERAN FURLOUGH.

 

On the 23d of February, at Memphis, it received a veteran furlough and proceeded North. And it is the pleasing duty of the historian to follow the gallant veterans of the Seventy-second regiment, who had re-enlisted, from the scenes of their labors and suffering, their marches, sieges, and battles, back to their homes and friends and dear ones, from whom they parted more than two years before.

 

On Friday, the 26th day of February, 1864, a telegram to Fremont announced that the regiment was at Cairo the day previous, on its way home. This good news soon put the public mind in the city and county in motion. The brave men we had sent out more than two years before, and who had toiled and suffered, and marched and fought at the front so many weary days, were now coming home to greet those whom they left behind shadowed with anxiety and tears at their departure. It may truly be said that the hearts of the whole county thrilled and throbbed with joyous anticipations at the meeting, and with a desire to honor the veterans on their arrival. The mayor of Fremont at once gave notice of a public meeting of the citizens to make arrangements for a proper reception of the regiment. A large meeting was held, over which the mayor, Captain John M. Kline, was called to preside, and D. W. Krebs was chosen secretary. On motion the mayor and common council of the city appointed a committee of arrangements, with power to appoint such subcommittees as they might think proper. The sub-

 

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committees were then promptly announced as follows: The committee on arrangements and refreshments were: H. R. Shomo, Isaac E. Amsden, John Flaugher, Captain A. Young, C. H. Burdick, and Isaac M. Keeler. The committee on reception were: Homer Everett, J. L. Greene, sr., John Bell, David Betts, James Justice, Dr. Thomas Stilwell, William N. Morgan, Isaac Knapp, Nathaniel Haynes, and William S. Russell. Dispatches were then sent to Columbus, Ohio, inquiring what time the regiment might be expected in Fremont, and also to Governor Brough, asking that the regiment might be ordered to come here in a body, and be furloughed at Fremont instead of at Columbus. To this the Governor gave his assent, and the information came that it was expected to arrive in Columbus Saturday afternoon, and would leave that night at 10 o'clock, and reach Fremont at 10 o'clock A. M., Sunday morning. This left but a few hours to make arrangements to receive the brave men in a proper manner. The great Daniel Webster once proclaimed at Philadelphia during a great financial crisis, that "there are no Sabbaths in revolutionary times." All our statutes on the observation of the Sabbath, have an exception from the prohibition of labor on the Sabbath, which says works of necessity and charity excepted. Here, in the reception of the brave boys in blue, our people found a work of necessity and charity combined, and notwithstanding the fact that our people loved the Sabbath, and the common, quiet duties of that sacred day as well as any other people, on this occasion they made it a holy duty to feed the hungry and thank the brave defenders of our flag.

 

Our people at once took hold of the preparations with a will. Union hall was procured in which to set the tables for refreshments. Word was immediately sent through the town and vicinity for provisions to be sent in. The Ladies' Aid Society at once began work with an energy only known to the women of Fremont, who know no such word as faint or fail. Their efforts soon put the question of ample provision for the patriots beyond all doubt. Had there been twenty-four hours more time there would have been sufficient to feed five times the number.

 

Eight tables were set, each containing forty plates, besides, in the ante-room adjoining, about fifty more plates were set. Tables were never more tastefully arranged, nor more bountifully supplied. There were oysters, stewed and raw, hot coffee, turkeys, chickens, ham, beef, sliced tongue, slaw, pickled cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, peaches, cherries, bread, biscuit, cakes in quantity, pies, apples, canned peaches, strawberries, cherries, currants, with all other varities of fruits. No such sumptuous tables were ever before spread in Fremont; they were, in short, loaded with the best that could be provided. At half past eight o'clock Sunday morning a telegram announced that the train conveying the Seventy