338 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXV.

THE SHERMAN BRIGADE.

EARLIEST STEPS- MR. SHERMAN'S ARRIVAL IN MANSFIELD-NOTE-INTERVIEW WITH BRINRERHOFF-COMMENCEMENT OF RECRUITING-WM. BLAIR LORD-CAPTAINS GASS, MCILVAIN, AYERS AND OTHERS-SELECTION OF CAMP BUCHINGHAM-ARRIVAL OF MAJ. R. S. GRANGER-HIS FORMER LIFE, CHARACTER AND STANDING -HE PUTS THE CAMP UNDER MILITARY DISCIPLINE-ORGANIZATION OF THE SIXTY-FOURTH AND SIXTY-FIFTH REGIMENTS-THE CAVALRY AND ARTILLERY-SENATOR SHERMAN's LETTER TO THE BRIGADE-QUARTER-MASTER BRINKERHOFF DETACHED FROM THE BRIGADE-THE BRIGADE'S DEPARTURE FOR THE FRONT-ITS DISINTEGRATION AS A BRIGADE-ROSTERS AND HISTORIES OF THE SIXTY-FOURTH, THE SIXTY-FIFTH, THE CAVALRY AND THE ARTILLERY.

WHEN the Thirty-second and Fifteenth Regiments left Mansfield, quiet from camp life resulted. Companies were still being enlisted, but they were those credited to other counties, whose recruiting officers came to Mansfield and its vicinity for men to fill their ranks. The county furnished a good many men in this way ; more than were really credited to it.

The Government was needing still more men. The war was assuming its real proportions, and the North was rising to meet the conflict. One of the best men in the halls of Congress at that time was John Sherman. now the honored Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, and brother to the veteran who led an army through the heart of the enemy's country. Mr. Sherman had been active in the discharge of his duties during all the opening years of the war, and had gone as far as his station would permit. He was needed in the legislative halls and there he remained, doing, meanwhile, all he could to aid the volunteers.

In September, 1861, soon after the Thirty-second had departed for the field, and while the Fifteenth was still in camp, Mr. Sherman was commissioned to raise a brigade to consist of two regiments of infantry one squadron of cavalry and one battery of artillery. In order to raise this brigade, Mr. Sherman came to Mansfield Saturday, the 21st day of September, and at once set about the task.* At that time, Mr. Sherman was living on West Market street in the house now occupied by Mr. A. L. Grimes. Immediately on his arrival, he sent for Mr. Roeliff Brinkerhoff, afterward Gen. Brinkerhoff, who then resided two doors west, in the house now occupied by Mathew Lind. Mr. Sherman stated to Mr. Brinkerhoff that he had authority to raise a brigade of troops, and that it was necessary and in compliance with his own wishes to do it as quickly as possible. He indicated that his plan would be not to issue any commissions to officers, except as Recruiting Lieutenants, until they would earn the commission by recruiting men. He also indicated the number of men he would expect a second lieutenant's commission to bring; also a first lieutenant's, and a captain's. He further stated, however, that he must have a quartermaster at once, as

* On the day Mr. Sherman came home, S. M. Wolff, Michael Keiser and Alexander McIlvaine had sworn in, at Miller's Hall, at 1 o'clock in the afternoon twenty-one men, who had organized themselves into a rifle company, intending to join an independent rifle regiment organizing in the western part of the State. They had enlisted in all about thirty men. Mr. Sherman sent for Mr. McIlvaine, and desired his services to aid in recruiting the brigade. He then learned of the organization of this rifle company. McIlvaine would not act until he had seen his associates, Wolff and Keiser. They at once said, when the subject was broached to them, that it would be difficult to recruit a company for a foreign county if a camp was to be established near home, and advised that the company be transferred the Sherman brigade. This was done; the company was given the first place in the Sixty-fourth, and McIlvaine made Captain.

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it was impossible to obtain supplies except through a regularly commissioned officer. "I want you to take that place," said the Senator, and then we can go to work at once." Mr. Brinkerhoff at first declined on account of personal and family reasons which seemed almost insuperable. His law partner, Judge Dirlam, and his brother-in-law, Robert Bentley, had both gone into the army, and their business interests in a measure devolved upon him, so that, taking all things together, he felt that he ought to be excused. Mr. Sherman, however, insisted, stating that he had arranged with Gov. Dennison to issue commissions to such persons as he should designate as necessary to start the recruiting, and further asked Mr. Brinkerhoff to take time--till the next morning-to think over the matter. The next morning, on his way to church, Mr. Brinkerhoff called at Mr. Sherman's, and consented to act. His name was at once sent to the Governor, and a commission, bearing date September 28, 1861, sent him as First Lieutenant of the Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteers, the first regiment of infantry to be raised. A commission was also sent to Mr. Sherman as Colonel of the same regiment.

Without waiting for these commissions, Senator Sherman and Mr. Brinkerhoff established their headquarters in the latter gentleman's law office (then the office of Dirlam & Brinkerhoff), over Millers clothing store, and went to work. Soon after, Mr. William Blair Lord, of Washington City, a stenographer, and one of the official reporters of the House of Representatives, came to Mansfield and took charge of the correspondence, which quickly became very voluminous. He received a commission as First Lieutenant in the Sixty-fourth, and acted as Adjutant of the regiment whilst it remained at Mansfield. "He was a valuable man, and an able and efficient writer, whose real services were never fully recognized by the Government.

One of the first things to do, was to send notices throughout the county notifying the people of the proposed brigade, and urging the young men to volunteer. The Herald of October 5, contains the first notice* of the Senator, and the plan he proposed to follow regarding the appointment of officers.

One of the first duties incumbent on Col. Sherman and Lieut. Brinkerhoff, was the selection of a camp for the brigade. A site was chosen on the " John's farm," adjoining the city on the north, and the same rented from Mr. Z. S. Stocking, the representative of the John's estate. The camp was named " Camp Buckingham." The reader will remember Camp Bartley was so named by Col. Ford, though the name was not recognized by the State authorities.

The establishment of the camp necessitated a requisition for supplies. Both Col. Sherman and Lieut. Brinkerhoff were novices in the art of. filling out such applications. They went to work, however, with a will, following the instructions to the letter, and soon produced a requisition,; if not exactly according to rule, it was one the Department could understand. It was sent to Washington, and had the desired effect. Others followed it, until the men, as fast as they were recruited, were equipped.

Among the first appointees as Lieutenants were Isaac Gass and Capt. Alexander McIlvain. Isaac N. Ayres was also appointed in the same capacity. These three men were at once put in the field at active recruiting service.

* The following is the notice in the Herald: "To THE YOUNG Max of OHIO: I am authorized by the Governor of Ohio to raise at once two regiments of infantry, one squadron of cavalry, and one battery of artillery. I am also authorized to recommend one Lieutenant for each company. who shall receive his commission and be furnished with proper facilities for enlisting. I am now ready to receive applications for such appointments, accompanied with evidences of good habits and character, the age of applicant, and his fitness and ability to recruit a company. Maj. William McLaughlin will command the cavalry. The company officers will be designated by the soldiers of each company, subject to the approval of the Governor. The field officers are not yet designated, but will be men of experience, and, if possible, men of military education. The. soldiers shall have, without diminution, all they are entitled to by law. Danger is imminent. Promptness is indispensable. Let the people of Ohio now repay the debt which their fathom incurred to the gallant people of Kentucky for the defense of Ohio against the Indians and British. They now appeal to tie for help against an Invasion more unjustifiable and barbarous. Letters can be addressed to ms, marked 'Free,' at Mansfield, Ohio.

"JOHN SHERMAN."

340 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

All these men were favorably noticed in the local papers, which evidenced commendable pride in the brigade about to be raised. In the semiweekly Herald of October 12, a call for blankets is issued by Gen. M. C. Meigs, Quartermaster General of the United States. Immediately underneath his call, Quartermaster Brinkerhoff publishes a notice that he will receive blankets for the use of the soldiers in Camp Buckingham, for which " the usual Government prices will be paid:"

The same paper of October 19 states that "Maj. R. S. Granger, of the Eighth United States Infantry, has arrived here to take charge of the force now being raised by Hon. John Sherman. He is a distinguished officer," continues the same paper, "of thorough military attainments and tried courage." Capt. Granger was a true military officer, an excellent and dignified gentleman, a graduate of West Point, and had seen about twenty-five years of military life. He had been released by the rebels on parole, when captured at his post in San Antonio, Tex., and was in consequence disqualified from active service. He immediately put the camp in order and began a thorough drill of the men, as fast as they were recruited. He was greatly admired by them and remained here until the brigade left for the field. He was afterward exchanged and again entered the army, emerging at the close of the war as a Major General of volunteers, a rank deservedly earned.

The Herald of October 23 gives considerably in detail the existence of affairs at that date in Camp Buckingham. Its local columns state that recruiting is going on rapidly in the brigade ; that " up to last Saturday night about nine hundred men have been sworn in," and " that by the close of the present week; the first regiment of the brigade will be full." The same issue states that " Capt. McIlvain's company is now so near full that it will have its complement in two or three days." Also that "there arb now in the camp parts of three or four companies," among which it mentions Capt. McIlvain's company, and adds "that an artillery company from Akron is here, composed of thirty-five fine-looking men." "There are also fragments from Mount Vernon and Canton," says the paper.

" Capt. Andrews' company, from Lexington, was expected to go into camp yesterday; Capt. Finfrock's, of Van Wert, and Capt. Cunningham's, of Knox, will be here to-day or tomorrow. Capt. Brown, of Marion, and Capt. Gass, of this city, will also go into camp this week.

"Capt. Austin is succeeding well in the northern part of the county and in Huron, as is also Lieut. Sarr, of Crestline. These companies will be complete at an early day."

Speaking of the cavalry, the paper continues " Maj. McLaughlin's squadron of cavalry is now ready for camping, It is comprised of one company from Mansfield, Capt. McFall, and one from Lima, Capt Buckmaster." Referring to Maj. Granger and the progress of recruiting, the Herald continues

"Maj. Granger, who superintends Camp Buckingham, informs us that he never saw recruiting progress more rapidly than it does for the Sherman Brigade:, The Major has seen considerable recruiting, both in the volunteer and regular service, and his testimony is worth much.'"

The same paper gives the order of "daily exercises at the camp," and refers to the excellent discipline maintained by Maj. Granger, and the prompt efficiency of Quartermaster Brinkerhof. Advertisements for straw and wood appear in the paper, while Mr. Blair Lord, as Adjutant of the Sixty-fourth, notifies the soldiers and citizens how they may obtain egress and ingress to the camp. Though no sick are reported, the paper says: "Surgeon Henry O. Mack has commenced his duties," though it does not state what those duties were.

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The Herald of October 20 has a long article describing the uniform of the men, and the daily life in camp. It states that four companies, Capt. McIlvain's, Capt. Brown's, Capt. Anderson's and Capt. Smith's, are full, also that the Sixty-fifth Regiment is started with one full company, Capt. Cassil's, from Knox County. The " cavalry is now in camp in almost complete order," says the paper. " Capt. McFall's company went into camp Monday," it continues, "with Gaylord McFall, Captain; Enoch J. Smith, First Lieutenant, and Samuel E. Fisher, Second Lieutenant."

Two sections of the artillery were now in camp, one battery from Akron and part of Lieut. McElroy's company from Mansfield. Religious services were held each Sabbath, generally both forenoon and afternoon, the city Pastors conducting the exercises, The camp, like those that preceded it, was quite a resort for townspeople and visitors.

November 9, the Herald reports that there were" actually enlisted and sworn in on last Wednesday, 769 men in the Sixty-fourth; 707 in the Sixty-fifth ; 137 in the cavalry and 160 in the artillery, a total of 1,713 men." Others were constantly arriving, and were being pro vided with uniforms, tents, etc. The first dress parade of the force took place Thursday, November 7, when more than one thousand men were in line. The paper states that Capt. Phalan, of Lucas, " is recruiting men for the Eighty-second Regiment, and meeting with very good success. It also mentions the fact of Capt. Christophel recruiting men, and stating that he "already has half a company raised."

The camp was the center of observation for all the country while the enlisting progressed. Farmers brought wood and straw, for which they received good prices. While the camp remained, there was always a good cash market for all such articles. Quartermaster Brinkerhoff was a busy man then, employing quite a number of assistants.

Before the month of November had expired, the brigade was fully organized. Its complete organization is given in the Herald of November 27. It is, however, incomplete in its details, and is revised, given in full and vouched for as correct, in the issue of December 4. It is as follows

Sixty-fourth-Colonel, James W. Forsythe ; Lieutenant Colonel, Isaac Gass ; Major, John William; Quartermaster, Lorenzo D. Myers ; Surgeon, H. O. Mack; Surgeon's Mate, H. P. Anderson; Chaplain, Alex. R. Brown; Sutler, William W. Drennan ; Sergeant-Major, W. H. Massey ; Quartermaster-Sergeant, Pinckney Lewis; Leader of Band, Theodore E. Bates.

Company A-Mansfield. Alex. McIlvain, Captain ; M. Keiser, First, and Samuel M. Wolff, Second Lieutenants.

Company B-Marion. James Brown, Captain ; D. A. Scott, First, and Bryant Grafton, Second, Lieutenants.

Company C-Lexington. R. C. Brown, Captain ; A. S. Campbell, First, and C. S. Freeman, Second, Lieutenants.

Company D-Marion. W. W. Smith, Captain ; C. C. White, First, and I. F. Biggerstaff, Second, Lieutenants.

Company E-Mansfield. Samuel Coulter, Captain; Warner Young, First, and Chancey Woodruff, Second, Lieutenants.

Company F-Van Wert. J. H. Finfrock, Captain; S. B. Conn and N. K. Brown, Lieutenants.

Company G-Akron. S. Neeper, Captain; A. N. Goldwood and J. L. Smith, Lieutenants.

Company H-Shelby. C. R. Lord; Captain; T. S. Marvin and William McDowell, Lieutenants.

Company I-Stark and Wayne Counties. T. C. Meyer, Captain ; M. F. Meyer and T. McGill, Lieutenants.

Company K-Bucyrus. J. B. Sweet (U. S. A.), Captain; E. B. Finley and W. O. Starr; Lieutenants.

342 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Sixty-fifth. - Colonel, C. G. Harker, U. S. A. ; .Lieutenant Colonel, Daniel French; Quartermaster, William M. Farrar; Adjutant, Horace H. Justis ; Surgeon, John G. Kyle; Mate, John C. Gill; Chaplain, Andrew Burns ; Sutler, Huros F. Horner.

Company A-Mount Vernon. A. Cassill, Captain , A. Ellis and Jacob Hammond, Lieutenants.

Company B-Alliance. H. Camp, Captain ; D. G. Swain and J. Armstrong, Lieutenants.

Company C-Plymouth. E. L. Austin, Captain; Samuel L. Boulby and Frank B. Hunt, Lieutenants.

Company D-Mount Gilead. J. C. Baxter, Captain; D. H. Rowland and John F. Hyatt, Lieutenants.

Company E-Berea. N. N. Whitbeck, Captain; T. Powell and G. W. Huckings, Lieutenants.

Company F-Millersburgh. R. M. Vorhees. Captain; N. L. Williams and Jasper P. Brady, Lieutenants.

Company G-Ashland and Sandusky, Orlow Smith, Captain; C. S. Gregg and Charles Tannehill, Lieutenants.

Company H-Guernsey County. S. C. Brown, Captain; F. H. Graham and Samuel McKinnie, Lieutenants.

Company I-Mansfield. J. Christofel, Captain ; L. B. Eaton and A. Howenstein, Lieutenants.

Company- K-Findlay. J. Preble, Captain ; Joseph Ransdall and J. C. Matthias, Lieutenants.

Cavalry. - Major, William McLaughlin. Company A- Mansfield. Gaylord McFall, Captain: Enoch Smith and Samuel Fisher. Lieutenants.

Company- B-Wooster and Lima. J. Buckmaster. Captain; Beni. J. Lake and Hermon Alleman, Lieutenants.

Artillery.-Culler Bradley (U. S. A.). Captain; Ayers. McElroy, Ferguson and Baldwin.

Lieutenants ; recruited at Mansfield, Akron and Urichville.

The Herald noticing the organization of the brigade makes the following comments

" We cannot close our notice of the Sherman Brigade without a word for Maj. R. S. Granger. Perfectly acquainted with all the details of military service, he has made himself a valuable officer by the management of the camp and the fine discipline of the men. He is universally liked. We learn that there is some probability of his exchange."

It will be noticed in the foregoing that Senator Sherman, the originator of the brigade, was at one time the Colonel of the Sixty-fourth, the first regiment raised. His duties as Senator would not allow him to take command of the regiment, which then devolved upon Col. Forsyth. On leaving the regiment, Senator Sherman issued the following order:*

"The Colonel commanding deems it proper in taking leave of this force, to express his grateful acknowledgments to all the officers and men composing, it for their prompt response to the call of their country in its time of need. He will ever remember with the warmest feelings of gratitude the assistance rendered in recruiting this force by every man connected with it, and take pride in its achievements ; and feels assured that they will reflect honor upon the State from which they come and upon the country they serve.

"He leaves them with more confidence, in that they will have the active service of experienced officers, who, he is certain, will temper military discipline by the forbearance due to citizen soldiers voluntarily assuming the duties of military life.

"He also takes this occasion for himself, and, as he believes, for this entire force, to return hi acknowledgments to Maj. Robert S. Granger, Fifth Infantry. U. S. A. for his valuable services in organizing this force."

* Dated December 1, 1861.

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After the brigade was organized, Quartermaster Brinkerhoff, went in advance of it to Cincinnati and Louisville, to arrange for transportation and supplies. He had recently received from President Lincoln a commission as Captain and Assistant Quartermaster of United States Volunteers, and after his arrival at Louisville reported to Gen. Swords, Chief Quartermaster of the Department, and was assigned to duty as Post Quartermaster at Bardstown, Ky., and was never again associated with the Sherman Brigade, except during the Corinth campaign he was in charge of the field transportation of the Army of the Ohio, of which the Sherman Brigade was a part.

The brigade, fully complete, well drilled and ready for service, left Camp Buckingham December 17 and 18. The Sixty-fourth left at 12 o'clock on the morning of the 17th, en route for Louisville, Ky. Two trains of twenty cars each were required. McLaughlin's squadron of cavalry accompanied the regiment. The next morning the Sixty-fifth and the battery left the camp, and that place, which had known so much bustle and life, was quiet. " The city is empty of soldiers," says the Herald; " and Camp Buckingham, which has, for three months past, been so animated and busy, is deserted, save by the few shanties occupied by the regi mental officers. We presume that the brigade is now united, and that, as far as practicable, it will be kept so during its term of service." This, however, as its subsequent history shows, was not the case. After getting to the field the brigade was separated, and was never in the service as a brigade; its regiments belonging to other divisions, as their history in the field shows.

The history of each of the Sixty-fourth, Sixty-fifth, the cavalry and the artillery, are given separately, as each has a separate history. That of the Sixty-fourth was written by Col. R. C. Brown, who kept a diary all through the war. The others were gathered from various sources, chiefly from Whitelaw Reid's book, " Ohio, in .the War."

ROSTER OF THE SIXTY-FOURTH REGIMENT, SHOWING ONLY THOSE OFFICERS WHO WENT FROM RICHLAND COUNTY.

344 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

ROSTER OF THE SIXTY-FOURTH REGIMENT-Continued.

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.345

ROSTER OF THE SIXTY-FOURTH REGIMENT-Continued.

Armed with Springfield rifled muskets, the Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry (Col. Forsythe commanding), broke camp at Mansfield, Ohio, iii December, 1861, and moved by rail to Cincinnati, thence by steamer to Louisville, Ky., where each company put up, with military precision, their five Sibley and two officers' tents. When not engaged in company and regimental drill, most of the regiment gave assistance to the teamsters in breaking in their six-mule teams, as wagons and unbroken mules were furnished at this place. Here, for the first time, on Christmas, "hard tack " was issued. Started to Bardstown on the 26th, where the regiment arrived after three days' march. While here, many of the men were prostrated by sickness. After a brief stay, went to Lebanon, still occupying the time in company and regimental drill. The next move was to Danville and Hall's Gap, where the regiment was engaged for some time building corduroy roads. Here Col. Forsythe left the regiment, Col. Gals taking commend. From this, moved back by way of Lebanon to Munfordsville, where the Sixty-fourth and Sixty-fifth Regiments and Sixth Ohio Battery were brigaded with the Thirteenth Michigan and Fifty-first Indiana. While here, Col, John Ferguson took command of the Sixty-fourth, and the regiment was paid off in gold. After this, marched to Bowling Green, and thence to Nashville, Tenn. The roads for the preceding two months were almost impassable, but now sunshine again improved the health and spirits of the boys. On the 29th of March, the Army of the Ohio to which the Sixty fourth belonged, was ordered to Pittsburg Landing. Passing through Columbia, moved steadily on, until the morning of the 6th of April, when the artillery from Pittsburg Landing was heard. Orders were given to leave all surplus baggage with the wagon train, and hasten to the scene of action. The command halted but a short time for supper, then plodded on through the darkness, the terrors of the night increased by a frightful thunder-storm ; stopping two hours before day for rest, then moved on, reaching Savannah, seven miles from the battle-field of Shiloh, before noon. From this was sent by steamer, arriving in the afternoon of the 7th of April. The regiment, with its brigade, commanded by Gen. Garfield, disembarked, and was moved on the double-quick toward the scene of conflict, but the enemy was now giving way, and only Company A was brought into action. After the battle, the regiment was engaged in burying the dead, doing picket duty, and getting up supplies, which had to be carried over the swamps lying between Pittsburg Landing and Corinth. Participating in the siege of Corinth, Miss., June 1, it set out

346 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

for Iuka, then Tuscumbia, where it drove stakes for a few days, then moved on to Decatur, crossed the Tennessee. River on the pontoon bridge, and stopped at Mooresville, where, on the 4th of July, it was publicly announced that Vicksburg had surrendered unconditionally. From this, went by rail to Stevenson, Ala. Here it assisted in building Fort Harker, in honor of its brave and talented brigade commander. About the latter part of August, the rebel Gen. Bragg, stealing a march, started for Nashville. This required Buell to bestir himself, and to facilitate the movement, tents and other extra baggage were destroyed, and the men (their food consisting chiefly of green corn), started for a race with Bragg, arriving before him in Nashville, then renewing the race to Bowling Green, and next to Louisville, making on this march of about four hundred miles, sometimes upward of forty miles per day. The regiment being again supplied with shoes and other articles of clothing, it again assumed the aggressive, and next is found at Perryville. Pursuing the enemy through Wild Cat, it then turned back through Stanford, Scottsville and Gallatin, to Nashville, and camped near the Nolinsville pike, where, Christmas, 1862, found it. While at Nashville, the army was re-organized by Gen. Rosecrans. The Sixty-fourth became a part of the Third Brigade, First Division and Twenty-first Army Corps, Harker commanding the brigade, Wood the division and Crittenden the corps.

The advance on Murfreesboro being now undertaken, the regiment under command of Col. McIlvain, on the night of December 30, crossed Stone River and skirmished with the enemy, but soon withdrew to the main line on the opposite side, and rested on its arms until morning. At sunrise, it was ordered to double-quick to the relief of Gen. McCook's command on the right wing, where, with the brigade and other opportune forces, it met and drove back the advancing foe for a time. Re-enforcements arriving, the enemy in turn drove back the Federal lines, capturing two guns of the Sixth Ohio Battery ; another moment, and a charge made in desperation retook the guns, and here it maintained the line until relieved by McCook's rallied forces, when it moved back to the position it occupied in the morning. On the 1st of January, it was not actively engaged, but the next day supported the Sixth Ohio Battery under a galling fire, and, on the two remaining days of the battle, participated in the movements of the brigade, losing in the last five days more than seventy-five men. The regiment remained at Murfreesboro until the early part of June, 1863, when it struck out, passing through Tullahoma and Chattanooga, and confronting the foe at Chickamauga. Skirmished with the enemy a few days near Lee & Gordon's mills, then' engaged in the hard-fought battles of the 19th and 20th of September. On both these days, the Sixty-fourth was in the front, only falling back to Mission Ridge on the night of the 20th, and losing in the two days more than one hundred men, out of about three hundred.

Remained at Chattanooga, building works, until November 23. Rations were scarce; the men frequently, from necessity, gathered the corn spilled by the horses while eating, washed and parched it for their own use. While here the army was re-organized. Harker's Brigade was now attached to Gen. Sheridan's division, Fourth Army Corps, and the army, with Grant in command, advanced and drove the enemy back into their fortifications. On the afternoon of the 25th, they were ordered to take the line of works at the foot of the ridge. The men charged over the works, and, without orders, swept on up the ridge, driving the enemy from its crest and capturing many guns, Harker's brigade being the first one to reach the summit. In this engagement. the regiment' lost about sixty men, Capt. Kling being among the killed and Capts. Wolff and Hall and Lieut. Albach among the wounded.

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Immediately following this engagement, the Sixty-fourth was sent with the expedition for the relief of Knoxville, and. marched as far as Strawberry Plains. The siege of Knoxville being raised, the regiment returned to Chattanooga. Here the men of the Sixty-fourth (with few exceptions) enlisted for three years more, and were sent to Ohio, with a leave of absence for thirty days.

The following is a list of officers of the field, staff and line, after the re-enlistment of the regiment:

Field and Staff Colonel, Alex. McIlvain ; Lieutenant Colonel, Robert C. Brown ; Major, S. L. Coulter-, Adjutant, C. Woodruff; Surgeon, A. McMahon ; Assistant Surgeon, H. P. Anderson ; Chaplain, Rev. R. G. Thompson ; Quartermaster, Tip. S. Marvin. Captains Samuel Neeper, Michael Keiser, W. O. Sarr, S. M Wolff, N. K. Brown, R. S. Chamberlain, B. Grafton. First Lieutenants-D. C. Carr, T. H. Ehlers, G. Hall, T. E. Tilotson, J. K. Shelenbarger, T. R. Smith, F. H. Killinger, D. Cummins, J. C. Marshal, R. Albach. Second Lieutenants John Blecker, J. D. Herbst, J. Q. McIlvain, D. Howe, A. Hancock, J. G. Bittinger, L. High, A. M. Bloom, A. A. Reed.

March 14, 1864, after a month of rest and good cheer at home, the regiment again set out for the front, traveling by rail to Nashville, then marched to Chattanooga, thence to Cleveland, Tenn.. and joined Sherman's forces, preparatory to the Atlanta campaign. From Cleveland, Tenn., the Sixty-fourth, with Sherman's army, started on the Atlanta campaign. At Rocky Face Ridge. May 9, the regiment. with the brigade and division, made an unsuccessful charge, losing seventeen killed and fifty-seven wounded. Col. McIlvain, Lieut. Elders, and Sergt. Patterson, color-bearer, and Sergt. Parr, were among the killed. At this place, Lieut. Col. Brown took command of the regiment. On the night of the 12th inst., the enemy withdrew, Sherman pursuing, and on the 14th engaged the foe at Resaca, the Sixty-fourth losing two killed and fifteen wounded. Again engaged him at Adairsville, Altoona, Dallas and New Hope Church, with a slight loss at each place. At Acworth, Gen. Harker assembled the field officers of his brigade and announced that he had just received a commission as Brigadier General. His toast was, " To the officers and men of my command, who made me Brigadier General." At Lost Mountain, June 18, the Sixty-fourth had seven men wounded, and on the 27th, it participated in the unsuccessful charge on the enemy's works at Kenesaw Mountain, losing one killed and four wounded. Here, Gen. Harker was killed, having held his commission as Brigadier General less than one month. Again, at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, July 20, the regiment was engaged, with loss, Sergt. Trego being among the killed. Two days more skirmishing, with some loss, and the regiment was fortified in front of Atlanta, Ga. Here, the next month, like the preceding ten weeks, was almost one continuous battle. The booming of cannon was the soldier's reveille, and the shrieking of shell his evening lullaby. The whole course of the army was marked by the graves of its fallen heroes and endless lines of fortifications. The flanking movement on Jonesboro being commenced, the Sixty-fourth, at 3 o'clock on the morning of the 1st of September, reached the Macon Railroad, near Battle Station ; and, following along toward Jonesboro destroying the track, until ordered to the front in the afternoon. reaching Jonesboro before sunset. The regiment was immediately brought into action, meeting some loss. The day following, it met the enerny at Lovejoy Station, where Sergt. Towsley was killed and some others wounded. Atlanta being now evacuated. the Sixty-fourth, on the 8th of September. marched back through and camped near the city. Two weeks later, the regiment left the Gate City by rail for Bridgeport, Ala.. thence to Whitesides. Tenn., and, two weeks later, to

348 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Chattanooga. At the latter place, the regiment received 200 recruits from Ohio, and was paid up to the 31st of August; 1864. On the 22d of October. the Sixty-fourth, with the Fourth Army Corps, started in pursuit of the enemy's forces to Alpine. Ga., fifty miles south. Returning to Chattanooga. the regiment went by rail to Athens, Ala., from there it marched to Pulaski, Tenn. Here, on the 8th of November, 1864 (being the day for Presidential election), the regiment balloted, the vote standing 232 votes for Lincoln and 64 for McClellan.

From this it marched through Linville to Columbia; here fortified against the enemy. On the morning of the 29th inst., it was discovered that one corps of the enemy's forces had crossed Duck River and were moving toward Spring Hill. The Sixty-fourth, with its division, making a forced march, met the enemy's cavalry at Spring Hill. Wagner's division (the only one having arrived from Columbia) being formed, the Sixty-fourth was ordered forward as skirmishers. It met and drove back the cavalry more than a mile, when the enemy was met advancing in force. Here, in baffling the foe, meeting their cavalry, charges and Bank movements, the brave boys of the Sixty-fourth displayed an amount of courage and skill seldom equaled. Space forbids a detailed account of the struggle of the regiment in this engagement. Suffice it to say, the Sixty-fourth never did better service. Driven back, inch by inch, into the works hastily thrown up by the division and such forces as had arrived, the enemy charged and carried the whole line; but here night, that wished for boon of Wellington at Waterloo, interposed, and the enemy settled down on his arms, while our artillery and army trains were moved by under cover of darkness, that, too, within a few hundred yards of the enemy's lines. In this engagement, the Sixty-fourth sustained a loss in killed, wounded and missing. of forty-seven. Before daylight on the morning of the 30th, the regiment, with the army, was on the road to Franklin, Tenn., distance twelve miles. Here the Harpeth River had to be crossed on a single pontoon bridge, and, at the same time, the pursuing enemy must be held in check, to allow the trains time to pass over. This resulted in a bloody struggle. Here again the Sixty-fourth was in requisition. With the foe in front and the Harpeth in rear, it was blood to the sword hilt or surrender. At first the Sixty-fourth, with one other regiment occupied an advanced position, covering the center, but retired before a superior force to the main line, crossing the pike, and in front of the historic gin-house. It here engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict, the men even using their bayonets and butts of their guns. The regiment met with considerable loss. Gen. Cleburn, of the rebel army, fell on the works in front of this regiment, and his Adjutant General, with his leg broken, was pulled off the works by a member of the regiment. The enemy; repulsed in their repeated efforts to carry the line, withdrew, when the Army of the Cumberland moved quietly back to Nashville. Here the Sixty-fourth was engaged in the sorties, and, finally. the battles, on the 15th and 16th days of December, 1864, sustaining less loss than at the preceding engagements: Following this, the regiment pursued Hood's scattered forces across the Tennessee River, then turned to Huntsville, Ala.; from this was ordered to Decatur, and then to Athens, where it did post duty for more than two months. While here, in February, 1865, Col. R. C. Brown and Maj. S. L. Coulter resigned, and S. M. Wolff was promoted to the colonelcy of the the regiment. From this it was ordered to Huntsville, thence to East Tennessee, and in a week was ordered

*While in this "hand-to-hand" conflict, an incident occurred worth preserving. The Colonel of a Mississippi regiment, Austin by name, crossed the works, and, encountering Capt S. M. Wolff, demanded his surrender. The Captain did not comply, but made the same demand. The Colonel accepting the situation, gracefully complied. Capt Wolff bore home a fine sword as a trophy of the event which he now owns. It is inscribed, "Presented to Col. Austin by his friend A. J. Smith."

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 349

back to Nashville, from where it was taken by transports to New Orleans, where it remained for three months, losing heavily by sickness. From this city it moved to Victoria, Tex., about the middle of September, and remained there until the 3d of December, 1865. It was mustered out and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, where it was paid off and discharged January 3, 1866, never again to fall in for roll call or battle charge.

At the battles of Stone River and Chickamauga, the colors were carried by Sergt. James Irving, of Company D, who was wounded at each engagement; at Mission Ridge, by Corp. William Dillon, of Company E ; at Rocky Face Ridge, by Sergt. William D. Patterson, of Company C, who was there killed ; at Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and Atlanta, by Sergt. Asaph O. Cranmer, of Company B ; at Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville, by Sergt. Stephen A. McCollum, of Company B ; at Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and Rocky Face Ridge, the regiment was commanded by Col. Alexander McIlvain, who was killed in the latter engagement ; at Resaca, Adairsville. Dallas, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Spring Hill,

Franklin and Nashville, by Col. Robert C. Brown; at Kenesaw Mountain, by Maj. S. L. Coulter.

The following table shows the loss in each company, also in field and staff

Losing 444 officers and men, out of less than 900 who originally belonged to the regiment.

The Sixty-fifth.- Very few men from Richland County belonged to this regiment. Two companies, C and I, were from Plymouth and Mansfield. The following roster shows the officers of these companies

The Sixty-fifth left Mansfield on the 13th of December, 1861, for Louisville, Ky., where it remained for a week and then marched to Camp Morton, four miles east of Bardstown. On the 13th of January, 1862, it moved to Hall's Gap, arriving on the 24^th. On the 7th of February, it marched to Lebanon and on the 12th embarked on the cars for Green River. On the 23d, it crossed Green River, arriving at Nashville on the 13th of March. On the 29th of March, it began the march to Savannah, arriving on the 6th of April, and on the

350 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

7th moved by steamer to Pittsburg Landing, At 4, P. M., it arrived on the battlefield, but was not actively engaged.

After the evacuation of Corinth it marched northward in pursuit of Bragg's army, arriving at Louisville on 24th of September. After resting a week it moved to the vicinity of Perryville and marched from there to Nashville. On the 26th of December, it moved on the Nashville pike, fighting its way up to Stone River. On the night of the 29th, it crossed Stone River, in the face of a heavy fire. In the battles that followed it lost very heavily.

On the 7th of June, 1863, it moved to the vicinity of Chattanooga, participating in the battles of Chattanooga and Mission Ridge, in both of which its losses were very severe.

In the Atlanta campaign, it was under fire almost constantly. After the evacuation of Atlanta, it went into camp, remaining about three weeks and then moved in pursuit of Hood. On the 29th of November, it participated in the battle of Springfield and on the 30th in the battle of Franklin. It was also engaged in the battle of Nashville and in the pursuit of the enemy across the Tennessee. When the pursuit was abandoned, it returned to Nashville. Leaving there in June, 1865, it embarked on transports for New Orleans. It was then ordered to Texas, performing garrison duty at San Antonio, until December, 1865, when it was ordered to Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, and mustered out January 2, 1866.

McLaughlin's Squadron of Cavalry.-Following the Sixty-fourth and Sixty-fifth, this squadron, as part of the brigade, was raised partly in this county. Its roster of officers shows the following who went from Richland County:

Maj. McLaughlin's squadron was raised as part of the Sherman Brigade, but, when it arrived at Cincinnati, it was detached from the other parts of the brigade. and was not with then in service in the field as its history shows.

In the latter part of October, 1861; the Secretary of War, at the request of the Governor of Ohio, issued a special order to Mayor William McLaughlin of Mansfield, to raise a force of cavalry, which should be an independent command and named " McLaughlin's Squadron." Maj. McLaughlin was an old citizen of Mansfield and had participated in the Mexican war. He was quite advanced in years, of rough exterior and iron will, and just the man to take to the field and successfully carry through an independent command of this kind. He was patriotic in the extreme and was always at his post in the. hour of battle. The exertions and privations of his last service were, however, too much for one of his tears, find July 19, 1862, he went to his rest, in the field, on the Big Sandy River, in Kentucky. His remains were sent to his home in Mansfield and buried with the honors of war.

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The squadron left Mansfield for the field in the latter part of November and was sent to Eastern Kentucky to look after Humphrey Marshall's rebel command then near Painesville. It operated with the command of Col. Garfield of the Forty-third Ohio and was with that command at the battles of Middle Creek. Pikeville and Pound Gap. The squadron was then sent to Gladesville, W. Va., across the Cumberland Mountains and after burning Gladesville, it surprised and captured a rebel regiment just being formed by Col. Caudle.

The movements above described consumed nearly two tears of service, the greater part of which was taken up by scouting. forced marches and skirmishing with the enemy.

In August, 1863, the squadron left Eastern Kentucky and joined the Twenty-third Army Corps. under Gen. Hartsuff, then marching for Knoxville in Eastern Tennessee. While at Knoxville, it performed escort and picket duty, with occasional skirmishes with the enemy until January 10, 1864, at which time it re-enlisted and returned to Ohio to enjoy its veteran furlough of thirty days.

During its stay in Ohio the squadron was recruited up to its maximum. About the 1st of May it moved from Camp Dennison and Joined a brigade of cavalry at Nicholasville. Ky., under command of Col. Capron. of Illinois. Moving through Kentucky and Tennessee it joined Gen. Sherman's forces at Big Shanty. Ga., and formed a part of Gen. Stoneman's command in his raid to Macon. In this raid the squadron suffered severely in killed. wounded and missing. The remainder of the squadron marched back to Marietta. where it rejoined Gen. Sherman's forces in the latter part of July 1864.

Col. Israel Garrard, of the Seventh Ohio Cavalry, having superseded Gen. Stoneman, the squadron marched in company with his command and operated in Sherman's flanking movements toward Atlanta. "Atlanta taken and fairly won," it joined Gen. Kilpatrick at Marietta. Ga., and operated with Sherman's forces from that point to Savannah. Thence it went with the national forces through North and South Carolina, participating in the fight at Bentonville and the brisk skirmish at Blackville and other points on the march up to Raleigh, N. C.

The squadron was then sent up to Lexington and Concord, N. C., returning to Raleigh in July, 1865. At this place it was consolidated with the Fifth Ohio Cavalry. It remained here up to the latter part of October, and was then sent to Salisbury, N. C.; from there went to Raleigh, and then to Charlotte, and was mustered out and discharged from the service at the latter place, on the 1st day of November, 1865. Then returning to Ohio, it was paid off at Camp Chase on the 17th.

The Sixth Ohio Independent Battery, also a part of the "Sherman Brigade," had but two officers from this county. They were Joel Hersh, who was made a Second Lieutenant (commission dated January 18, 1865), was promoted First Lieutenant June 16, and mustered out September 1, and James P. McElroy who went as Second Lieutenant December 16, 1861: promoted First Lieutenant two days after, and resigned March 10, 1864.

The Captain of the battery, Cullen Bradley, after the war became a resident of this county. He was made Captain December 18, 1861, was mustered out January 17, 1865, and was succeeded by Aaron C. Baldwin. who was promoted form the first lieutenancy and was mustered out September l. 1865.

The battery did good service. Like the other parts of the Sherman Brigade, it was detached when it left for the field and like them had an independent field service. The battery was organized at Camp Buckingham. November 20, 1861. Capt. Bradley was an experienced artillerist and before leaving Camp Buckingham, had his battery in complete trim

354 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

for active service. It consisted of four ten-pound Parrott guns and two six-pound bronze Rodmans. December 15, it left for Louisville, Ky., and thence by steamer for Nashville, Tenn.. arriving the 20th.

January 12, 1862, it moved to Columbia, Ky., arriving the 15th. Here it was divided, Lieut. McElroy's section (six-pound guns) remaining at Columbia. while the other four guns were taken to Jamestown, Ky., taking a position at the ferry landing on the Cumberland River, remaining here until the fall of Nashville. It moved from this point to Nashville, arriving the 19th of March. It was here placed in the artillery reserve, and marched with the army to Pittsburg Landing,. arriving April 10, and went into camp on the battlefield; it moved with the army on Corinth ; and, May 1, entered that place on its evacuation by the enemy. June 1, the battery marched through Northern Alabama, to Mooresville arriving July 3. It was countermarched July 9, to Decatur, on the Tennessee River, to cover that point from a threatened attack of the enemy.

July 18, it marched to Stevenson, Ala., and, August 21, joined Buell's forces in their march to Louisville; in pursuit of Bragg's army. Arriving at Louisville September 28,1862, whence, after a rest of three days, it again took up the march, moving in the direction of Perryville, where it arrived on the 8th of October. It took a position within fifteen hundred yards of the rebels, and, although in close range of the enemy, was compelled to be a spectator of the unequal fight. After pursuing the enemy to Mount Vernon, the army returned to Nashville, where it was re-organized by Gen. Rosecrans. In the battle of Stone River, the battery took an active part, losing heavily both in men and horses. During the course of the battle, December 31, it lost two guns, spiking them first, however. Fifteen minutes later, they were retaken, and restored to working order during the night.

September 19, the battle of Chickamauga was fought. The battery lost heavily in men, and during the battle expended 383 rounds of ammunition, lost two caissons, a battery-wagon, and had two horses killed. It then fell back with the army to Chattanooga, to which the rebels immediately laid siege. While in Chattanooga, owing to want of forage, it was dismounted, and its guns placed in Fort Wood.

December 12, 1863, two-thirds of the battery re-enlisted as veterans, the non-veterans being transferred to the Twentieth Ohio Battery. The veterans started for Ohio, on thirty days' furlough, January 1, 1864, and, while at home, added 100 men to their ranks.

In the Atlanta campaign, the battery was under fire almost constantly, and was highly complimented by Gen. O. O. Howard for accurate firing at Kenesaw. From July 13 to the 25th, the battery was busily engaged in bombarding the city of Atlanta. It participated in the flanking movement to Jonesboro, and entered Atlanta September 9.

October 3, it moved, in company with the Fourth Corps, after Hood. Near Franklin, Tenn., the enemy attacked the wagon train, but was quickly repulsed by the Sixth Ohio Battery. In the battle of Franklin, it was assigned to Gen. Riley's brigade: Twenty-third Army Corps. December 16, the second day of the battle before Nashville, it took position in front of Overton's Hill, and engaged Sanford's Mississippi rebel battery, completely silencing their guns.

February 1, 1865, it made a terrible march of eight days' duration, having been ordered to Eastport, Miss. The order was countermanded before reaching there, and it returned to Huntsville, remaining until hostilities ceased. It was brought to Ohio in the latter part of August, 1865, and mustered out at Camp Chase September 1, 1865.