207 - THE REBELLION
THE REBELLION.
THE Mexican War ended, as we have seen, with complete victory by the United States, and we now had no enemy nor any foreign controversy. War seemed far distant. Our boundary troubles, which for several years had seemed likely to result in bloodshed, had been amicably closed two years before the beginning of the contest with Mexico, and the small portion which remained unadjusted, respecting the channel between Vancouver's Island and Oregon, was, by the wisdom and patience of General Sentt, quietly composed. Our differences with Spain respecting Cuba had passed by, and nothing remained for us to do except to sit under our own vine and fig tree and watch the development of the country. Yet the seed of discord was there, and war was soon to break out among us on an unexampled scale. The remote cause was negro slavery ; the immediate cause was State rights, so called, pushed to an unnatural and dangerous extent—a length never dreamed of by those who were most strenuous in opposing the adoption of the Federal Constitution, and certainly not by those who favored it.
The baneful effects of slavery were seen everywhere in the South. The fields of Kentucky, even at this day, do not compare with those of Ohio. Liberty of speech was inhibited, strangers from other States were forbidden to sojourn in Southern towns in cases where it was suspected their views of the peculiar institution differed from those of their neighbors, the press was muzzled, the pulpit not allowed to speak on one of the most flagrant violations of morality ever committed, and all these ultra views were sustained by a phalanx of Congressmen who could be depended upon in any emergency. No such unanimity existed among the representatives from the free States, and it was impossible to conceive of their being so completely of one mind as those who dwelt South of Mason and Dixon's line, for differences of opinion always spring up in a free governiaent. What mild dissent might have been allowed at the beginning of the century, when Jefferson uttered his philosophic doubts, and Madison and other Virginia statesmen hoped that emancipation might come some day, had entirely disappeared. The recruits never disclosed any individual ideas. The two strong men of the South who entertained latest a difference of opinion, Henry Clay and Thomas H. Benton, disappeared from the scene before the final struggle. After them came Davis, Yancey, Slidell, Wigfall, and others, who breathed forth the real views of the people of the South. Slavery had been used to aggravate their people at every election until they had resolved to embrace civil war rather than endure the slightest interference in the Territories, the District of Columbia, or in regard to the return of fugitives.
Nor in this respect was the North unblamable. Demagogues among us steadily fanned the feelings of enmity of the Southern people to those who only wished to do justice to a poor, ignorant, and weak class of the American people. In some of the States free colored men were not permitted to sojourn; in others it was a State's-prison offense for the two races to marry, never reflecting that nature itself would prevent them, and here in Butler County the bitterest prejudices prevailed. Any man of color who attempted to settle in Rossville was speedily driven out by a mob. Should any one of that race go South he was liable to be taken up and sold, as being presumptively a runaway, and the most distinguished colored citizen of the county at present, a man always free, and whose abilities and acquirements are at least equal to those of any other man in Butler, was forced to pretend, in order to prevent being enslaved in New Orleans and other places where he traveled in his youth, that he was an Indian.
It is difficult to speak coolly of the years before the Rebellion—more difficult than to do so of the great struggle itself. The last was the effort of a people to free itself from what it regarded as oppression, but the true stain on the character of the people of the South is the long course of injuries practiced upon a defenseless people, and the crime against free speech and liberty thereby engendered. With the toil of a dozen of these wretches, who slept in dirty cabins, ate the rudest food, and wore the coarsest clothes, the master dressed in broadcloth and fine linen; with a dozen more his wife maintained her state; and with the spoil of a hundred the family visited Saratoga or the White Sulphur Springs, the sons were sent to college and the daughter to boarding-schools, the parents enjoyed the luxuries of life, and the children were brought up to follow in their footsteps. Yet the same man would not have accepted a gift of five dollars from another white man, and would have resisted with his life any attempt to wrest from him a penny of his property. His moral sense, by a long course of tampering, was degraded. Walpole saw nothing wrong in giving a bribe to members of Parliament, nor did
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they in receiving it, and the nobility in France resisted the payment of all taxes and sustained the privileges of their order until they fell under the ruins of the monarchy. Daylight came to the Southern masses only at the close of the war.
It would be unprofitable to relate the chain of events that preceded the beginning of the American conflict. In general terms the war may be traced to the compromise measures of 1850, and to the passage of the Kansas and Nebraska act. Fighting began in Kansas in 1855. A little later John Brown made his attack upon Harper's Ferry, and failed. Sumner had been beaten over the head by a bludgeon, his assailant reaping a great increase of popularity. The fugitive slave law was occasionally and spasmodically enforced through the North, each recovery making an anti-slavery majority in the neighborhood. Finally, as the result of the election of Abraham Lincoln, South Carolina seceded, and was followed by other States. Major Anderson maintained his position hi Charleston Harbor with diffrculty, and at last, after removal from one of the islands to another, was attacked by the Secessionist forces under General Beau-
regard.
The Intelligencer of this city, in its next issue after the fall of Sumter, says :
" The news of the fall of Sumter, and the call of the President for 75,000 volunteers to defend the country against the organized forces of traitors and rebels, has fired the Northern heart to a pitch of indignant enthusiasm never before equaled since the days of the Revolution. From every city, town, village, and hamlet comes up the enthusiastic response to the call of the government for aid to sustain the integrity of the Union, and uphold its Constitution and laws. The public sentiment of the North is assuming a unanimity of tone and temper that will strike terror to the hearts of the traitors of the Southern Confederacy and their misguided dupes. It is wonderful what a revolution a few days have wrought in public opinion in the free States of the republic. The partisan has emerged in the patriot, and now Dem= ocrat and Republican alike feel and proclaim that the honor of the stars and stripes must be preserved at all hazards ; that the very existence of the government is involved in enforcing obedience to its legally constituted authorities, and in holding possession of its public property. Judging from all we see and hear at home and abroad such now seems to be the almost universal sentiment. The daily papers are literally filled with telegraphic dispatches from every quarter, giving brief notices of the proceedings of public meetings of the people, which show that the North is waking up to a sense of the awful peril in which our institutions are involved by the great rebellion, and that it is rushing with one accord to the rescue."
For the next Monday a war meeting was called at Beckett's Hall. It was organized by the appointment of Josiah Scott as president, Israel Williams as vice-president, and E. A. Dalton as secretary. It was largely attended by persons of every shade of sentiment, Democratic and Republican.
John W: Wilson, A. F. Hume, Minor Millikin, N. C. McFarland, Thomas Millikin, John H. Falconer, Israel Williams, John S. Wiles, and Ransford Smith addressed the meeting, urging it to sustain the Union and maintain the dignity of the United States flag. By all the speakers party was forgotten, and only the country remembered. Judge Scott in alluding to the very natural repugnance which all feel against going to war with their countrymen, said substantially, " Why is it worse to war against a domestic than against a foreign foe? Foreign nations may have no cause for gratitude toward us, but these rebel States, who owe all their prosperity and greatness to the fostering hand of the general government—like the viper warmed into vitality in the bosom of its benefactor—have turned their deadly fangs upon their own country with the wicked design of destroying it. What punishment can be too severe for such ingratitude and outrage ?"
The following resolution was introduced by John W. Wilson, and was passed unanimously—the meeting numbering two thousand five hundred persons:
"Whereas, War has been commenced against the government of the United States, and the honor of our national flag tarnished by being lowered to traitors,
"Resolved, That we will, with all the means in our power, maintain the government and flag of the United States."
On motion of E. G. Dyer, a committee of three from each ward of the city, for the purpose of organizing military companies and procuring arms, was appointed. The names of the committee were as follows :
First Ward.-Thomas Stone, S. K. Lighter, W. C. Rossman.
Second Ward.—Captain Humbach, Captain Van Der- veer, H. H. Wallace.
Third Ward.—E. G. Dyer, C. Morganthaler, R. L. Weston.
The following resolution was adopted :
"Resolved, That it is expedient for the present Legislature to appropriate one million dollars for furnishing and equipping the military of this State, and our senator from this district and our representative from this county be requested to give their aid and support to the passage of the same."
The meeting, with three cheers for the Union, the Constitution, and the enforcement of the laws, then adjourned.
The next week a more formal meeting was held. Owing to the short notice which was given for the previous one many of our citizens were unable to attend, and scarcely any from the country.
The following call was issued :
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MEN OF BUTLER,
Rally! Rally!
At a mass-meeting of the citizens of Hamilton, the undersigned were appointed a committee to invite every man in Butler County to meet in Hamilton, on Wednesday, April 24, 1861, to take counsel together, and adopt such measures as may be deemed advisable in this alarming crisis of our country. Armed rebels have stolen the property of the general government, have attacked and battered down one of its strong forts, and taken a gallant garrison prisoners, have trampled and trailed our glorious flag in the dust, and now, in the pride of their success and madness of their treason, are making preparations to capture and destroy the Capital, at Washington, and to utterly overthrow and subvert our government.
We, therefore, invite every man in Butler County, without distinction of age, sect, religion, or party, to meet in Hamilton on the day above named, and take such measures as may be thought advisable to aid our government to suppress and punish treason, to protect our Capital, to wipe out the insult offered to our glorious flag, and to sustain and defend our blessed and beloved Constitution. Distinguished speakers will be present and address the meeting. Come one, come all!
THOMAS MILLIKIN,
WILLIAM S. PHARES,
ALEX. F. HUME,
E. A. DALTON,
JOHN W. SOHN,
H. H. WALLACE,
Committee.
It was duly held, and was large and enthusiastic. A national salute was fired in the morning and again at noon, and the stars and stripes were gayly floating from hundreds of houses all over the city. At one o'clock the meeting was organized by appointing as president, Judge Fergus Anderson; vice-presidents, Robert Gibson, Fairfield ; John K. Wilson, St. Clair; Robert Beckett, Hanover ; James S. Chambers, Milford; William H. Roberts, Oxford; Colonel William Stevens, Reily; Absalom McKain, Morgan; Samuel Dick, Ross; John Cox, Union; Peter Murphy, Liberty; Colonel Hendrickson, Lemon; Jacob Banker, Madison; John S. Witherow, Wayne; James Rossman, First Ward, Hamilton; Thos. Connaughton, Second Ward; Christopher Morganthaler, Third Ward; secretaries, Israel Williams, Fred. Landis.
The following committee on resolutions was then appointed: Thomas Millikin, N. C. McFarland, Alex. F. Hume, Ferdinand Van Derveer, W. H. Miller, Milton Cooper, Wm. H. Smith, George Jacoby, Abraham P. Cox, and John S. Earheart.
While the committee were preparing resolutions the meeting was addressed by Messrs. Gaylord, Christy, Gilmore, L. D. Campbell, and others, during which the committee on resolutions returned with the following preamble and resolutions, through their chairman, Thos. Millikin, who remarked in presenting them that they were principally copied from the resolutions adopted at the great Union meeting held in New York City a few days before.
" Whereas, The Union of-the States, under the guidance of Divine Providence, has been the fruitful source of prosperity and domestic peace to the country for nearly three qdarters of a century; and
"Whereas, The Constitution, framed by our Revolutionary fathers, contains within itself all needful provisions for the exigencies of the government, and in the progress of events, for such amendments as are necessary to meet new emergencies ; and
"Whereas, An armed combination has been formed to break up the Union by throwing off the obligations of the Constitution, and has, in several of the States, carried on its criminal purpose, and finally, by assaulting Fort Sumter, a fortress of the United States, occupied by a slender but heroic garrison, and capturing it by an overwhelming force, after a gallant defense, thus setting the authority of the government at defiance and insulting the national flag; and
"Whereas, The government of the United States, with an earnest desire to avert the evils of civil war, has silently submitted to these aggressions and insults with a patient forbearance unparalleled in the annals of history, but has at last deemed it due to the public honor and safety to appeal to the people of the _Union for the means of maintaining its authority, of enforcing the execution of the laws, and of saving our country from dismemberment, and our political institutions from destruction; therefore,
" 1. Resolved, That we are sacredly bound by every sentiment of honor, of affection, of duty, and interest to maintain and preserve our national government, the most equal and beneficent hitherto known among men, unbroken and unsullied for our generation, and to transmit it to our posterity ; and that to the maintenance of this sacred trust, and in support of that government, we devote all that we possess, and are prepared to shed our blood and lay down our lives.
" 2. Resolved, That the Constitution of the United States, the basis and the safeguard of the Federal Union, having been framed and ratified by the original States, and accepted by those which subsequently became parties to it, is binding upon all; and that any resumption by any one of them of the rights delegated to the federal government, without first seeking a release from its obligations through the concurrence of common sovereignty, is unauthorized, unjust to all the others, and destructive of all social and political order.
" 3. Resolved, That when the authority of the federal government shall have been re-established, and peaceful obedience to the Constitution and laws prevails, we shall be ready to confer and co-operate with all loyal citizens thoughout the Union, in Congress, or in convention, for the consideration of all supposed grievances, the redress of all wrongs, and the protection of every right, yielding ourselves, and expecting all others to yield to the will of the people, as constitutionally and lawfully expressed.
" 4. Resolved, That it is the duty of all good citizens, overlooking past differences of opinion, to contribute by
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all means in their power to maintain the Union of States, defend the Constitution, to preserve the national flag from insult, and uphold the authority of the general government against all acts of rebellion everywhere, which, if longer unresisted and unpunished, would inevitably end in breaking down all the barriers erected by our fathers for the protection of life, liberty, and property, and involve the country in universal anarchy and confusion.
" 5. Resolved, That we urgently insist that the representative in Congress from this district shall, at the session thereof to meet on the 4th of July next, cordially and promptly support and vote for all proper measures, and all necessary appropriations of money and supplies of men to enable the general government to execute its laws and maintain the rightful authority of the Constitution, and to suppress and punish the present rebellion and treason in the South, and to punish treason in every State and Territory in the whole Union.
" 6. Resolved, That we deny the right of any State to assume the position of armed neutrality as between the federal government and any State or States in rebellion against its authority ; and to refuse to furnish its proper quota of men to aid the federal government to enforce its laws and maintain the authority of the Constitution everywhere in the Union, when properly and legally called upon by the President so to do; and we deny the right of any State to refuse to allow the federal government to transport its soldiers over its territory for any lawful purpose, and to any place in the Union; and we condemn and denounce the conduct of all such States as have refused to respond to the call of President Lincoln for volunteers to suppress the rebellion in the South, and to allow the volunteers of other States to pass over their territory, as recreant to their duty, and as affording aid and comfort to rebellion and treason.
"7. Resolved, That as soon as it is authorized by law, we request that our county commissioners shall levy a tax of sufficient amount upon all the property in the county to furnish all needful support to the families of volunteers during their absence in the service of their country.
" 8. Resolved, That we recommend that all able-bodied men in the county shall immediately form themselves into military companies, procure arms, elect officers, and thoroughly drill themselves, and stand ready to obey any call of their country that may be made upon them for their services.
" 9. Resolved, That we disapprove of all attempts to control by violence the honest expression of opinion by any of our citizens ulwm the exciting subjects of the day, but we recommend at in the present excited state of our country all abstain from discussions calculated to excite ill feeling or party prejudice.
" 10. Resolved, That Major Anderson, by his prudence prior to the attack upon Fort Sumter, and for his gallant and heroic defense of that fort, is entitled to the thanks and admiration of the whole country."
A large and enthusiastic meeting of the citizens in the neighborhood of Jones's Station was held on Monday evening, April 22d. Milton Cooper was chosen chairman and J. C. Long, secretary.
A call for funds for the purchase of a flag, etc., was promptly responded to, after which the following preamble and resolutions, presented by C. F. Warren, were read and unanimously adopted as expressing the sentiments of the meeting:
"Whereas, A state of war exists and the destruction of our government is threatened by a band of armed traitors ; therefore, be it
"Resolved, That as loyal citizens we will use all the means in our power to sustain the government and the honor of that flag under which we have lived for eighty years in unexampled prosperity. That banner, which like one of old proclaimed wherever it was seen a great cause before it, and a powerful nation behind it, must be sustained, and no less honored and respected—the nation's pride and citizens' defense.
"Resolved, That we look upon the reasons of the rebels as only pretexts for usurping the government, maturing a treason of thirty years' standing, which was nipped in the bud in 1832, and must be again met in 1861, and taught 64 know that the patriots of this country will never yield the birthrights handed down to them by their fathers either to foreign or. domestic foes.
"Resolved, That while we hail the people of all nations seeking home on our soil as brothers, so long as they assist in defending our flag, we are no less ready to take up arms against traitors whenever or from whatever section they may appear."
After the adoption of the resolutions Mr. G. W. Jones being called for, replied in a few remarks, in which he expressed his regret at the unhappy condition of our country, and his determination to defend it at any cost. The meeting concluded with three hearty cheers for the Constitution, the Union, and the enforcement of the laws.
The citizens of Port Union and surrounding country met at the hall, on Saturday evening, April 20, 1861, and organized by calling Philip Nash to the chair, and appointing A. J. Foster, secretary.
The objects of the meeting were made known by E. Bone in a brief address, stating the condition and demands of the country, after which Dr. Reed presented the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:
"Whereas, Wicked and designing persons have sought and obtained control of the government of some of the States of this Union, which States are now in rebellion against the general government ; and
"Whereas, It is uncertain what effect the prompt and energetic measures now being inaugurated by the administration to put down the same may have upon some of the remaining loyal States; and
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"Whereas, Threats have repeatedly been made that in the event of the border slave States seceding and joining their fortunes with those who are trampling our country's flag in the dust, that the cities, towns, and country along the Southern boundary of our State will be overrun and made the special objects of their hatred; therefore, be it
"Resolved, That we have heard of such threats with profound regret, and while we deprecate war, with its terrors and devastating consequences, we will not shrink from its rugged issues when forced upon us.
"Resolved, That we pledge our fortunes, our honor, and our sacred lives to defend the stars and stripes, and protect our country from all lawless raids, come from whatever source they may. And be it further
"Resolved, That to more fully carry out the foregoing resolutions, we will form ourselves into a home protecting company, and that we appeal to the patriotism of our fellow-citizens, and cordially invite them to join with us in preparing and being prepared to meet whatever emergency may be forced upon us."
Patriotic remarks were made by D. Stiles, J. M. Thompson, Dr. Reed, and others, taking strong grounds in favor of protecting the whole country, and sustaining the government against all enemies at home and abroad.
Thirty names responded to the call for members to the company, after which the meeting ordered a copy of the minutes to be furnished the Hamilton papers, with a request that they be published, and adjourned to meet the next Monday evening for organization of a military company.
In the mean time the volunteers had not been slow in coming forward. Companies sprang into existence all over the State. The first from this county that reached Columbus in time to go into the first regiments was the Jackson Guards, Captain J. P. Bruck. This was company K, First Ohio, and the regimental organization was made on the 18th of April. There were no arms, ammunition, or clothing, but it was determined to hurry the men on to Washington, where they could be provided for. Its earliest action was at Vienna, and it covered the retreat at Bull Run, afterwards being reorganized for the three years' service.
Captain Rossman immediately organized the Hamilton Guards, and left for Columbus on the 21st. An immense congregation assembled at Beckett's Hall on Sunday, the 20th, to hear a discourse by the Rev. William Davidson. Thetermon was able, patriotic, and eloquent, and was listened to with earnest attention, and often with deep emotion. He spoke of the cause in which the loyal States were engaged as just and righteous, and said that if the war of. the Revolution was holy, this was thrice holy, if that was sanctified this was thrice sanctified. History left no record of any war where the people were called upon more imperatively to take part in its prosecution than this people in defense of their government against the traitors who were then in array against it. If they were not subdued our government was a nullity, and anarchy would reign supreme. At the conclusion of the sermon Mr. Richardson made a few pertinent remarks, followed by a brief address from Mr. McMillan. Miss Kate Emmons presented one of the volunteers with a Bible and a revolver, and Mr. Ezra Potter, on behalf of the citizens of Hamilton, presented Captain Rossman one hundred dollars to be expended at his discretion for the benefit of his company.
The previous day the young ladies of this city presented the guards with an elegant silk flag. The ceremonies took place in the public square, and were opened by an impressive and earnest prayer by Rev. Mr. Lowrey, after which Miss Kate Campbell presented the flag with the following appropriate address:
"Hamilton Guards,-Your country demands your services, and you are promptly honoring her call. Traitors have made war upon our government and seek to overthrow our noble institutions secured to us by the wisdom, the toils, and the blood of our venerated forefathers. Your sisters can not share your dangers in the field, but their hearts will go with you. They present this banner as a token of their earnest sympathies with you, and with the sacred cause of freedom and justice in which you go to fight. It is the same emblem of constitutional liberty under which Washington and all our national heroes fought and conquered. Stand by it with your lives, if necessary. Let no rebel hands bring reproach upon its honored folds; let its stars ever remind you of your duty to the Union, and its stripes keep you thoughtful of the punishment due to fratricidal traitors. Take it, soldiers, and carry it on to victory. And may the God of battles watch over and protect you; and may he preserve our country and our Constitution to be the protectors of the oppressed of all lands to generations yet unborn."
Captain Rossman received the flag on behalf of the guards, and responded as follows:
"Young Ladies of Hamilton,—Our country, which for so long a time has been the home of peace and liberty, is now rocking in the storm of civil war. Armed desperadoes have insulted our flag and defied our government. Men have been found in this country base enough to strike the mother who reared and protected them. The wounded government demands reparation. In obedience to that call we shall soon march to the scene of war. Going out from you, we desire to take with us this work of love and patriotism at your hands, and if the ardor of the company can be augmented I can only wish that their patriotism may be as bright as the stars, and their loyalty as unfading as the colors of the flag which has been so handsomely presented. We accept this flag, and in the coming contest, if one, little band can do aught to maintain the honor of our government, what man in the Hamilton Guards but will, in that con-
212 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
test, strike with renewed ardor by the remembrance of this day's honor? We shall plant it on the outer wall, and its post shall be to us the post of honor.
"Some, perchance, in this company, in defense of that flag, may fall. Some of us, whose hearts beat high with proud hopes, and who are emulated to do deeds of glory, will return no more. But if a sacrifice from the guards is demanded to procure constitutional liberty and our Union, that sacrifice shall be cheerfully given. Yet they will not die; but from their ashes, as from the ancient phoenix, will arise their names, and in letters of living light will they be enrolled on a page of an immortal history. We accept this flag, and we promise to bring it back with no lost laurels, no tarnished fame. Its symmetry may be destroyed by the elements and by the strife, but these, in your estimation, will be but honorable scars.
" In conclusion, ladies, all that strong arms and stout hearts can do to maintain it, all that your patriotism can infuse into our hearts, to defend it, all that the high hopes and good wishes of this city can stimulate us to vindicate, all the courage of a righteous cause, and of truth and liberty can give us to protect, all these shall, we trust, nerve every arm and heart in this company to vindicate the high confidence reposed in them by the young ladies of Hamilton, in the compliment to their patriotism and readiness to defend their country, signified in the presentation of this flag to the Hamilton Guards."
After Captain Rossman had concluded John W. Wilson, one of the company, made an earnest and eloquent appeal in behalf of the cause in which they were engaged. His remarks were full of the true Revolutionary fire, and were loudly cheered by the multitude on the ground. When he sat down a company of amateur musicians, under the lead of Mr. Boynton, sang the Star-spangled Banner, after which ex-Mayor Smith called for three cheers for the flag, three for the volunteers, and three for the young ladies, which were all given with a will, and the assemblage adjourned. The soldiers left home on Monday, a large crowd being at the depot to see them off.
A company of volunteers from Oxford passed through Hamilton on Monday, the 22d. A large number of the students volunteered, and the school was almost broken up. A list of those who served in the war, who had previously been in that college, may be found under the head of Miami University.
Two military companies were ready to march from Middletown that week, and another full company of volunteers was ready in Hanieon. The following were the officers: J. W. C. Smith, Captain; John Sutherland, 1st Lieutenant ; L. M. Leflar, 2d Lieutenant.
An enthusiastic Union meeting was held at Collinsville on the 25th of Aprilawhich was addressed by Isaac Robertson, C. K. Smith, aid Rev. Mr. Davis. Another meeting was held in Okeana, on the 4th of May, 1861, which was addressed by Isaac Robertson.
David W. McClung, who is now surveyor of the port in Cincinnati, was appointed quartermaster at Camp Dennison.
The following companies were speedily accepted from Butler County:
Hamilton.—Jackson Guards, Captain Bruck; Hamilton Guards, Captain Rossman; Butler Pioneers, Captain Smith; Infantry Company, Captain Humbach; Hamilton Rifles, Captain Miller.
Outside of Hamilton.—University Rifles, Oxford, Captain Dodds; Infantry Company, Middletown, Captain Hilt; Infantry Company, Middletown, Captain McClelland.
In addition to these, forty Germans of Hamilton attached themselves to a Cincinnati Company, and were at Camp Harrison. These went out on the 18th of April. They were known as Company B, 9th Ohio.
Some of these companies were very large, as for instance Captain Dodds's, one hundred and fifty-two men, and Captain Rossman's, one hundred and eleven men.
Two other companies were forming in the city, a cavalry company by Minor Millikin, and an infantry company by John S. Earhart, the latter to be composed of men of five feet seven inches and upwards in height, together with an infantry company at Princeton, and an artillery company at Middletown. Add to these a company of home guards for each of the three wards of the city.
Henry C. Campbell, George Camp, James Willis, James Whittaker, Albert Whittaker, and H. H. Adams, were honorably discharged on the 27th of April, by order of Captain W. C. Rossman.
Twenty-five families of those who had volunteered for the country's defense were being supported by the citizens of Hamilton and the surrounding country. The store house was directly opposite the court house, and contributions were received by D. D. Conover, chairman.
There were then in the camp three companies from Hamilton, one from Middletown, and two companies from Eaton. Captain Hilt's company from Middletown had left. While there a presentation of a flag was made to the Butler Pioneers, and also to the company of Captain Humbach.
Port Union sent up a liberal supply of good things to the relief committee for the benefit of the families of volunteers.
The Butler Pioneers, after spending a week in the hotels of Hamilton, and being drilled in the streets, removed to Camp Hamilton, or the Fair Grounds, on the 23d of prik They were the first troops there. The ladies or Hamilton had presented them with a splendid flag, accompanied with an eloquent and patriotic speech from Mrs. Ryan. Captain J. W. C. Smith made an appropriate response.
On arrival at camp they found the change any thing but pleasant. The first 'two or three nights were very
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cold for that season of the /ear. They had but little straw for bedding, and but few of the soldiers were so fortunate as to have blankets of their own. The unfortunate shared with the fortunate, and it was laughable to see a half dozen trying to sleep under one blanket. The consequence was a great deal of shivering, only a little sleep, and a great deal of catching cold. They were not forgotten by the ladies of Hamilton, lending blankets and supplying a shirt to each, and the farmers brought in immense quantities of straw. The halls and cattle stalls of the Fair Grounds were suitably fitted up for sleeping apartments, and after this the volunteers rested well. The eating department was conducted by Straub, Renal & Co., for thirty-five cents per day, and tables were put up so that four hundred could eat at a time.
This was a three-months' company, and as the complement had been filled it did not go out to the war. Many of the men afterwards served in the three-year regiments.
Colonel W. H. Miller, commandant at Camp Hamilton, issued the following orders on May 9th:
" Sentinels will pass out no soldier without a written pass from the commandant, and such pass will not be given except upon the statement of the captain that the absenee is Atcessary.
" Citizens will be permitted to pass out at any time by sentinels, if known ,to be such; otherwise not permitted to pass without the orders of some commissioned officer in the camp.
"Before 12 M. citizens will not be permitted to pass into the camp without a written pass from the commandant, but may be admitted during the afternoon upon the order of any commissioned officer in the camp.
" Persons connected with the subsistence department are exempted from this order, and will be passed in and out without delay."
The following officers were detailed for duty : Captain Thomas Morton, of the Eaton National Guards, to act in the absence of the commandant; Samuel L 'Hommedieu, Hamilton Rifles, Adjutant; N. T. Peatman, Butler Pioneers, Sergeant; Major John Sutherland, Butler Pioneers, Quartermaster; J. W. Sater, Eaton National Guards, Assistant Quartermaster ; James McClelland, Middletown Veterans, Surgeon; W. Palmer Dunn, University Rifles, Secretary of Commandant.
In an order of Colonel H. B. Carrington, Adjutant-general of the State, organizing the militia, he assigns fifteen companies as the necessary quota from Butler.
The Eleventh Regiment and the right wing of the Third Regiment were owed to Camp Dennison on Monday, the 29th of April. The train had thirty-three cars, and was cheered in _every village or hamlet it passed through. Flags and handkerchiefs were waved from every farm-house along the road, showing the sentiment of the people.
At half-past one, says one of the volunteers from the Third Regiment, the train stopped in the midst of a level tract, surrounded by high hills. This they were told was Camp Dennison. There was no tent or hut, and not even a board of which to make a shelter—nothing but corn fields and wheat fields. There were no shade trees, not as much as a hickory sprout in a fence corner. Reluctantly leaving the cars, they formed and marched through the plowed field. Soon after a lumber train arrived, and the soldiers were told to take off their coats and carry boards across a twenty-acre field, there to build their quarters. The crowd reached the cars, and there was a struggle for a place. The more modest were disposed to hold back, until they thought of the night soon to come. One young theological student, who understood human nature, mounted the cars, took plank after plank, crying the name of his company at the top of his voice. Numbers of them were soon by his side, and before long all were sufficiently provided. The men were tired and hungry ; they had had nothing to eat since morning, and the commissariat broke down, as it always does in new organizations.
It began raining before sleep reached them, but the next day all was fair. On Friday it rained all day long. Over four hundred buildings were put up in all—seven to one of the companies from Butler County. The fare was not exactly the kind to please epicures. Bread, rice, beans, salt pork, and coffee constituted the table. As one grim humorist remarked, three-fourths of the pork was pure fat, the remainder all fat. Still the soldiers enjoyed themselves. They laughed and cracked jokes, and met the situation with good humor. Their friends at Hamilton did not neglect them, and sent forward bountiful supplies of provision and clothing.
Monroe was not behind the other towns in its patriotic acts. It sent a large number of young men in the Middletown company—nineteen on the first call—and supplied them with blankets, shirts, pocket money, and so 'on. They requested the commissioners to levy a tax for the aid of the families of volunteers, and raised by subscription over a thousand dollars to meet pressing necessities. The home guard there numbered over one hundred men, who drilled from four to six nights per week.
CITY COUNCIL.
The following important resolutions were passed Monday evening, November 17th:
A LOAN OF MONEY TO THE COUNTY FOR RELIEF OF FAMILIES OF VOLUNTEERS.
"Whereas, The attention of this council has been called to the fact that considerable suffering now exists among the families of our soldiers in the service of their country from this city, and still more suffering is apprehended from the rigors of the approaching Winter ; and
"Whereas, We are further advised that the county commissioners assert that they have no means at their
214 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
command from which to grant the necessary aid that should be immediately rendered to such families; therefore,
"Resolved, That we hereby fender to said county commissioners, to meet the want above indicated, a loan of the sum of two thousand dollars, from the funds now in the city treasury, for such time as may be required, not to exceed fourteen months, and upon payment of six per cent interest for the use of the same.
"Resolved, That the city clerk furnish to said commissioners a copy of, the foregoing preamble and resolutions at his earliest convenience. Also, a resolution granting to Messrs. Long, Black & Allstatter the pump of the old fire-engine Water Witch, to be fixed up at their manufactory for fire purposes."
The young men of Hamilton and vicinity, between the ages of fifteen and nineteen years, formed a company to be known as the Young Guard, and were drilled by Lewis D. Campbell, ex-member of Congress, and formerly captain of the Butler Guards.
Wm. H. H. Russell and others formed a military company, drilling at Jacob's Hall. Gov. Dennison had, on or before the 20th of May, accepted Captain J. W. C. Smith's Pioneers as one of thirty-three companies outside of the regular regiments.
At Camp Hamilton the Pioneers had some amusement in hanging Jeff. Davis in effigy. The ceremonies were imposing. Jeff. was appropriately represented as a negro, and was upborne by four men at the head of a squad of about fifty, ably commanded by Benjamin Franklin Stevens, as captain, and Thomas Benton Hart, as lieutenant. The procession moved from camp at 2 P. M. for Hamilton, marching through the principal streets. It halted at Squire Wiles's, who pronounced the sentence of the law upon Jeff. He was not worthy of a soldier's death by being shot, but must be hung by the neck until dead. The procession then returned to camp and proceeded to put the sentence of the court in execution. An Adams officiated as hangman. The drop soon fell, and Jeff. was suspended between heaven and earth, dying without a struggle. Shouts went up from the multitude, groans were given for all traitors, and cheers for the Union. ,
A large portion of the early drilling of recruits was done here by Captain John McCleary, son of Andrew McCleary, of West Hamilton. He had been admitted into the regular army, and was at home on a leave of absence when the civil war broke out. He was a graduate of the United States Military Academy, at West Point, in the dag's of 1854, and was appointed a second lieutenant in 1855. He was promoted to first lieutenant in 1860, and captain on the 17th May, 1861. He was breveted as major for gallant and meritorious services a‘, the battle of Gettysburg, and afterwards was creditably employed as an officer in command of post in South Carolina during the reconstruction pirod. He was a participant in the battles of Antietam, September 16 and 17, 1862 ; crossing of the Potomac at Shepherdstown, August 18, 1862 ; Skinner's, at or near Leetown, Virginia, September 20, 1862 ; Snicker's Gap, November 3, 1862 ; Fredericksburg, 13th and 14th of December ; Chancellorsville, May 1, 1863; Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
Major McCleary died on the 25th of February, 1868. He had been complaining a little for a day or two, and kept in his room. On the morning of his death, he wrote an order which he gave to his servant for his breakfast, but When the boy returned with it he found McCleary insensible and bathed in blood. The doctor reached him immediately, and tried to rally him, but it was of no avail, and he went off unconscious and without pain. The cause of his death was the bursting of an aneurism of the aorta, opening into the oesophagus. His remains were carefully embalmed and sent home, under the charge of an officer. The ladies of the army decorated the coffin most beautifully with flowers. Major James P. Roy, commanding the military post of Charleston, South Carolina, issued a general order announcing Major McCleary's death. The deceased had, he said, been continuously in the service of his country for fourteen years. " In the performance of his duty during this period, a large share of which has been checkered by events memorable in history, he has borne his part with a fidelity only equaled by that modesty of deportment which distinguished his personal character. On the frontier, in warfare with the savages, in marches across the continent, in the arduous and hard fought campaigns of the army of the Potomac in the late stupendous war, no‘ superior has found him deficient in courage and capacity, and no comrade has known him but to respect him. His record has been uniformly that of a duty officer, a conscientious soldier. Of irreproachable morals and -unsullied honor, his private character has been that of a retiring and estimable gentleman. In him the army loses a valuable officer and his associates a trustworthy friend."
The commandant of the other detachment of his regiment, then stationed at Fort Gibson, in the Cherokee nation, Brevet-major M. Bryant, also issued a feeling order in respect to the decease of Major McCleary. He said :
" Major McCleary entered the service in 1854, having graduated that year from the United States Military Academy. He served several years on the western frontier and in California, where he performed arduous and gallant services in campaigns against hostile Indians, and in the late war, participating in every battle in which his regiment was engaged, from Yorktown to Gettysburg, receiving the brevet of major for gallant and meritorious services in the latter battle.
" A high-toned and estimable gentleman, a gallant and true-hearted soldier, has gone to his rest, leaving behind him a bright example of soldierly bearing, and of a conscientious and upright performance of duty,
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worthy the emulation of the comrades who now mourn his loss. As a token of respect for the memory of the deceased, the officers of the regiment will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days."
The Butler Grays, organized at Princeton, under command of Captain Murphy, was one of the best in the county. A splendid flag was presented to it by the ladies of Princeton and vicinity, through Miss Mollie Urmston.
The Reeder Cadets, who were young fellows from the ages of fifteen to seventeen, organized under the supervision of Captain N. Reeder. Their officers were Charles Potter, Captain ; Thomas Shafer, First Lieutenant ; F. A. Lighter, Second Lieutenant; and Joseph Wyman, Orderly Sergeant. They received many gifts from the citizens of Hamilton.
The Butler Pioneers suffered much from shortness of tobacco. As their money had given out they could get no more. But the establishment of a sutler afterwards enabled them to get as much as they wanted, and have the value deducted from their monthly pay.
B. F. Miller and F. W. Keil began recruiting for a new company, and a roll was also left at Heppards's store, in Collinsville, and with W. S. Lewis, New London.
The three myths' recruits returned home in July and August, and were warmly received.
The University Rifles returned from their campaign in Western Virginia on the 8th of August. They were welcomed home by the military 'companies of the city and a large crowd of citizens, who greeted them with a salute of artillery and musketry, and the cheers of assembled thousands
A fine company, under the style of Union Rifles, composed mainly of citizens of Union Township, left Oxford, on the 8th of August, for Camp Dennison.
Captain Stone's company of three years volunteers, the Anderson Grays, went into camp at the Hamilton Fair Grounds on the 10th of August. Captain Thoms, of Seven-Mile, had a company partly ready.
On the 15th of August, 1861, there were at Camp Hamilton three companies, the Anderson Grays, the Butler Blues, and Captain Reeder's. The last two were not full, but were being rapidly filled up.
Captain Stone's and Captain J. S. Earhart's companies were sworn into the service of the United States on Tuesday, the 20th of August. Captain Fred. Heser left Hamilton for Camp Dennison on the 22d, with seventy or eighty good fighting men, to join the Porschner. regiment, which was to join Fremont’s column immediately.
By an arrangement of the commissioners the families of such volunteers from Butler County as had been̊ sworn into the public service could obtain relief by application, as follows: Those living in Pe townships of Morgan, Reily, Oxford, Milford, Hanover, and Ross apply to J. J. Owens; in Wayne, Madison, Lemon, Lib- erty, and Union, to William Davidson ; in St. Clair and Fairfield Township, and in the city of Hamilton, to James Giffen.
The location of Camp Hamilton was changed in August from the Fair Ground to the common at the head of Third Street, on the old cricket ground. This was done principally to secure a good parade ground, where there would be no obstruction to drill.
Dr. Mallory began raising a company in Hamilton in September. He had forty-two names on his roll.
Charles Murray was also getting up a company of cavalry. The company, when completed, would be commanded by Captain White, a graduate of West Point, and for twelve years a captain in the regular army. The company was to be attached to Colonel Taylor's regiment, which was to be ordered to St. Louis.
W. H. Wade was engaged in recruiting for a cavalry company. It was nearly full, and only a few men more were wanted. It was to be under the command of Captain Hunt, late of Burdsall's dragoons, well known for their effective service in Western Virginia.
One of the earliest companies raised was by William Clement Rossman. It was attached to the Third Ohio Infantry, its colonel being Isaac Marrow, of Columbus; its lieutenant-colonel, John Beatty, of Morrow County; and its major, J. Warren Keifer, of Clarke County. The regiment was at first at Camp Jackson, but afterwards at Camp Dennison. The three months' service had expired before they were called upon to take the field, and a great portion of the regiment re-enlisted. On the 20th of January they were supplied with arms and ammunition, an I ordered to Grafton, Virginia, being the first three years' regiment to leave the State. At Rich Mount ain, although present, the regiment was not engaged, as the fighting was in the rear of the fortifications. It joined in the pursuit of the enemy, and • afterwards assisted in fortifying the passes of the Alleghenies.
The rebels, under General Robert E. Lee, attacked their position at Elkwater Junction, on the 11th of September, driving in the pickets as they advanced. Colonel John A. Washington, of Mount Vernon, Virginia, was killed in this contest. It returned to Cincinnati on the 28th of November, re-embarked for Louisville, and thence marched to Camp Jenkins, four miles distant, where the army of the Ohio was organized. It was placed in the Third Division, General Ormsby M. Mitchel commanding. It went into Winter-quarters at Bacon Creek. Colonel Marrow here resigned, and promotions followed throughout the entire regiment.
From this camp, which it left on the 22d of February, 1862, it went to Bowling Green, entering that place just as the rebels left it, and then going to Nashville. It took an active part in all the events of that stirring and brilliant campaign, including the capture of Murfreesboro, and the occupation of Shelbyville and Fayetteville. In the battle of Bridgeport the Third acted its part. In the
216 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
latter part of August General Bragg, with the rebel army, made a bold push towards Louisville, Kentucky, and Buell concentrated his forces in that direction. The march northward was extremely fatiguing. The roads were very dry, and there was scarcely any water, but they reached Louisville on the 25th of September.
Shortly after, in marching out, it was a part of the forces that engaged with the rebels at Perryville. It fought bravely and valiantly, nearly onementhird of its number being brought to the ground. Color-sergeant William V. McCoubrie was shot down while carrying the flag a-little in advance of the guard, and five others subsequently shared the same fate. The last hero who held the standard aloft was a beardless boy of seventeen, David C. Walker, who successfully carried it through the action, and was made color-sergeant on the field by Colonel Beatty. General Rousseau, after the close of the action, rode up to the regiment and thanked it for its gallant conduct. Its loss in the action was two hundred and fifteen killed and wounded.
In the battle of Stone River it took a noble part, being commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Lawson. It engaged very early, maintaining its line until, upon the edge of a cotton field, the whole tide of battle seemed to roll down from the right and launch itself upon the center, where the Third was. It then began to give ground, stubbornly, delivering its fire steadily and effectively, though receiving two volumes for one. It was long exposed to a galling fire, and lost heavily. The second day it was occupied in guarding a ford, but on the last day it was again under fire. This was the end of the battle, and the rebels then retreated to Shelbyville.
In April, 1863, the Third was detached from the army proper, and in company with the Fifty-first and Seventy- third Indiana, Eightieth Illinois, and two companies of the First Alabama cavalry, was dispatched to destroy the Rome Iron Works, and the foundries and arsenals also situated there. On the 30th of April the command was attacked by General Roddy, with a large cavalry force. After a fierce contest the enemy were soon routed, but General Forrest was near by, and soon after made a fresh attack. After a severe engagement he was compelled to retreat.
Shortly after, the rebels again engaged, the Union troops losing a large number of men. The horses and men were both worn out, and it was determined to send forward two hundred and fifty of the best mounted men to destroy the iron works and Rome. Ferry-boats could not be found at the Catoosa River, the troops going up the road four miles to a ford, which wet their ammunition. Forrest came up again, and demanded their surrenclerdrihich they were compelled to yield.
They were immediately sent to Belle Isle, and from there to Libby Prison, the officers being retained there until a late period in the war. The men were paroled, and afterwards exchanged. They were stationed at vari ous places until the conclusion of their term of service, many of the officers and men then re-enlisting in other regiments.
Henry Smith, of Captain Rossman's company, Third Ohio Volunteers, died at Annapolis, Maryland, February 21, 1863, from wounds received at the battle of Stone River. He was wounded and taken prisoner at Murfreesboro, and removed from there to Richmond, Virginia, where he was exchanged. His remains were brought to this city.
Alexander Schmidtman entered into the service of his country as a soldier soon after the breaking out of the Rebellion, and was a faithful member of Company F, Sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteers, dntil the failure of his health. He took part in several of the severest battles fought during the war, among which was that at Pittsburg Landing. He was then taken sick, patiently suffering during his protracted illness. He died September 7, 1863, in the thirty-ninth year of his age.
The First Cavalry was organized in the Summer of 1861. A large number of men desired to join this regiment, and the officers were consequently enabled to use discrimination in the selection of recruits. It was mustered into the service on the 5th of October, at Camp Chase, and three of the companies were soon after assigned on detached service in West Virginia. Several lost their lives, and among them was Seeley Mensch. He was an earnest worker in the organization of the company, riding regularly to drill from Seven-Mile after his day's work, and shrinking from no labor or trouble in getting in men and horses. He left for his father's home in Michigan, where he intended to leave his infant children the express condition that he should be telegraphed if any thing occurred, and on being notified that they were about to depart he immediately joined them in camp. During the short time spent in Carthage in the laborious drilling incident to the preparing of men and horses for immediate service, Mensch was most efficient and industrious, responding with ready acquiescence to the entirely unexpected order to leave for Virginia. -
During the four weeks' campaign, immediately following the departure from Clarksburg, in which, it is safe to say, no dragoons ever saw harder or more exacting service, Mensch was always the ready, cheerful, and brave soldier. In the midst of perplexing irregularities of the company in the arrangement of messes, the distribution of the equipments, and the incidental dissatisfaction and chafing of the men against each other, while learning camp duty and camp life, he did much by his conciliation and kindness to settle all 'into regularity and content. When by the severe picket and guard duty to which the company was exposed, as the only cavalry in the brigade, the men were so worn out as to be really unfit for further service, Mensch was always willing and ready to volunteer in the place of some weaker, though not so severely tasked comrade. If there was any scout-
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ing promising danger, or any midnight expedition looking towards a skirmish, Mensch asked to go. He was one of their best couriers, riding fearlessly, but with discretion. He was present in tl1e arduous march around the flank of the enemy entrenched at Rich Mountain, and was in the fight afterwards. He was under the fire of the enemy for nearly an hour without flinching, although not permitted to fight, only regretting that the logs, rocks, and trees prevented his being at the cannon's mouth. He was in that section of his company that rode next morning first of all the army into the camp of the rebels. He was patient. in difficulty, cheerful under hardship, fearless in assault, cool in danger, forbearing with his comrades, respectful and obedient to officers, and perfectly brave. His was an intelligent and active bravery too. He understood perfectly well what he joined the army for—what he wanted to accomplish, and why he wanted it. He fought on principle, recognizing the magnitude of the issues at stake and the duty which presented itself to him as a citizen and a man. There were no hostile soldiers near the camp, and no dangers anticipated. He was fired upon by murderous citizens skulking in the bushes.
On the 9th of December the regiment went to Louisville, where it arrived on the 11th, being the first regiment of cavalry to enter that department. It remained in Louisville and Lebanon until the 28th of February, when it moved to Nashville. In the meantime Colonel 0. P. Ransom and Lieutenant-colonel T. C. H. Smith had resigned, and the command devolved upon a new colonel, Minor Millikin, a native of Butler County. On the 14th of March, the First Cavalry took the advance of the column moving towards Columbia, encountering and putting to flight the rear guard of the enemy. The regiment marched through Tennessee with General Thomas's division, arriving at Pittsburg Landing just after the battle of that name had been fought. It participated in the advance upon Corinth, having frequent skirmishes with the enemy, and afterwards joined in the pursuit of Beauregard's army. During this pursuit it had four sharp engagements with the enemy, with, however, but little loss. During June the regiment was constantly employed in scouting and reconnoitering, and a detachment from Tuscumbia, under command of Colonel Emery, had a severe engagement about the 1st of July with Roddy's rebel command. Although successful, the detachment suffered severely, losing among others Captain Emery, mortally wounded.
On the 15th of July Captain Writer, with a squad, was attacked by a superior force of rebel cavalry under General Anderson. Two of the men were captured and four injured, and the captain was severely wounded. On the 25th of July companies E and K, commanded by Captain Eggleston, with two companies of the Tenth Kentucky Infantry, were attacked by a large body of
rebel cavalry under General Anderson. They, held out for a considerable time, but were finally compelled to retire, the enemy having captured the infantry, Captain Eggleston, and twenty-one of the cavalry. On the 1st of August the regiment moved for Decherd, Tennessee, arriving there on the 5th. Colonel Millikin, with six companies, moved to McMinnville soon after, while four companies, under Captain Patten, went on a scout to Fayetteville, where on the 19th Lieutenant Rhea, of Company I, and six men were captured. Considerable skirmishing was done, and in October the regiment, or portions of it, participated in an engagement near Shepherdstown, and in the advance on Perryville. On the day after the last battle the regiment was reunited, and remained so until its final discharge, a period of three years.
General Morgan and his band of guerrillas becoming troublesome, the First Ohio and the First Kentucky cavalry were sent in pursuit of him, following him many miles through the center of the State. With other troops with whom they were brigaded they met Morgan's command of twenty-five hundred men at Gallatin, routing it, and capturing twenty-five prisoners. In the advance on Murfreesboro it moved out on the Franklin P.ike, reaching that town in the afternoon, and routing the rebel force stationed there. On the 29th it encountered and defeated Wharton's brigade of rebel cavalry. On the evening of the same day the brigade and regiment took position upon the extreme right of the army, and held it throughout the struggle. On the 31st the brigade covered the retreat of our infantry, falling back slowly. Colonel Millikin had received no orders from his brigade commander applicable to such a case, and took the responsibility of sending orderlies to the various regimental commanders of the brigade, requesting them to support him in a saber charge upon the advancing foe. The occasion was pressing, and Colonel Millikin, without waiting for a response, wheeled his men into line, and threw it upon the enemy, driving them a quarter of a mile. The rebels gathered and closed in on his rear, making his situation one of extreme difficulty. Perceiving his danger, he turned his men about, and they fought their way through, but among those who lay dead on the field was the gallant young commander, Minor Millikin. Besides him, Major D. A. B. Moore and Lieutenant Condit were killed, and Adjutant Scott and Lieutenant Fordyce wounded, together with many non-commissioned officers and privates. The command of the regiment devolved upon Major Laughlin, under whom it continued to fight until the battle of Stone River was complete.
In June it did much skirmishing and reconnoitering, and captured large quantities of rebel stores. This it continued in July, and in August several hundred horses and mules were captured. On the 2d of September it went in the direction of Rome, Georgia, meeting the enemy, and driving them from their position after a contest of an hour. The loss was ten killed and wounded.
218 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
On the 19th the First arrived on the Chickamauga battle-field, and after being engaged the whole morning, were ordered, under Lieutenant-colonel Cupp, to charge the enemy's line. The mistake of issuing such an order was quickly perceived, and was immediately countermanded, but not before the two hundred and fifty men had started under a deadly fire. One moment more and scarcely one could have been saved. Lieutenant-colonel Cupp was killed, and one-fifth of the rank and file were among the killed and wounded. He was universally beloved, and was brave to a fault. The command now devolved upon Major T. J. Patten, under whom the regiment fell back to Chattanooga.
On the 26th of September General Crook's division, of which the First Cavalry was a part, was dispatched to guard a line on the Tennessee River of fifty miles in length. On the 1st the rebel General Wheeler, with eight thousand cavalry, broke through this weak defense. His advance was met by a battalion of the First, under Major James Scott, and a severe engagement followed, in which Captain Conn, of Company B, was wounded and twenty-five men of the battalion were wounded and captured. The rebels compelled them to retire, but General Crooks soon took up the pursuit and drove them for a long distance. On the 10th the rebels succeeded, with a remnant of the overwhelming force that had crossed the Tennessee in triumph eight days before, in re-crossing that stream. They were weakened, demoralized, and disheartened; they had lost their artillery and more than a thousand prisoners, and had been five times routed by a force of less than half their numbers.
On the 18th of November, with five hundred men in its ranks, the First Cavalry moved towards, Chattanooga, arriving there on the morning of the 22d of November. On the evening of the same day General Sherman, having already moved his forces across the river above the town, the First Ohio and five other cavalry regiments, under Colonel Long, crossed over under cover of the infantry, and made a raid in the rear of Bragg's position, which for its brilliant success and happy termination is unsurpassed in the annals of the cavalry. The results were the destruction of twenty miles of railroad and the largest percussion cap and torpedo manufactory in the Confederacy ; two hund wagons burned, six hundred horses and mules, and five hundred prisoners captured. Only twenty men were lost. On this raid the First had a severe engagement with the enemy at Cleveland, losing fifteen . men, but inflicting on the enemy a loss of at least fifty.
On the 27th of October Colonel Long's division marched towards Knoxville, having several severe skirmishes by the way, and capturing many prisoners. Then it went dik a raid into North Carolina, bringing back only oneThundred and twenty effective men, instead of the five hundred it had had a month before.
At Calhoun, a town on the Hiawassee River, December 16th, the rebel General Wheeler, with twenty-eight hundred men, attacked a wagon train lying upon the opposite side of the Tennessee River, guarded by infantry alone. Perceiving their danger, Colonel Long, with sixty-five men of the First Cavalry, immediately crossed over, and charging the enemy, in connection with the infantry, completely routed the rebels. Leaving the infantry, the little band of cavalry pushed forward four miles, scattering the rebels, and inflicting upon them a loss of twenty-five killed and eighty wounded, and capturing one hundred and thirty-one prisoners. This brilliant affair cost the cavalry but one man killed and three wounded. Taking into account the disparity of numbers, it is almost impossible to find a parallel in the history of modern warfare.
About this time Colonel B. B. Eggleston returned from recruiting service in Ohio, and assumed command of the regiment. In January and February the men nearly all re-enlisted, and came up North on a. month's furlough. Those who did not re-enlist continued with Long's brigade the whole Winter.
On the 1st of April, 1864, the First was again reunited at Nashville, Tennessee, recruited to full ranks. On the 22d of May it joined Sherman on his celebrated march. It was in a severe engagement at Moulton, resulting in the complete defeat of General Roddy, who, with a force of six regiments and a battery of artillery, had attacked Long's brigade. The First lost in this about twenty killed and wounded. In front of Kenesaw the regiment had frequent and severe skirmishing, in which it lost about thirty men. The regiment accompanied General Kilpatrick in his raid around Atlanta. When surrounded by the enemy at Lovejoy's Station the First Cavalry particularly distinguished itself by holding in check for some time a force from Cleburne's rebel infantry division, with a loss of fifty men. Among the killed was Captain W. H. Scott. The brigade commander, Colonel Eli Long, was severely wounded in this affair, which devolved the command of the brigade upon Colonel B. B. Eggleston, and the regiment upon Lieutenant-colonel Thomas J. Patten, its old and tried chief. When General Hood attempted to cut Sherman's communications the First Cavalry followed in pursuit.
On the 13th of October it carried the advance of Garrard's division in the fight near Rome, Georgia, resulting in the complete discomfiture of General Armstrong's division of rebel cavalry. The regiment, with others, was then sent to Louisville, Kentucky, to be entirely refitted for the field, arriving there on the 17th of November. On the 22d of March the cavalry, which had been at Chickas7tv Landing, on the south side of the Tennessee, loved out, and on the 26th Company A, of the First, struck a body of rebels at Jasper, and routed them. On the 27th they forded the Black Warrior River; 29th burned a large iron furnace, and drove Patterson's cavalry across the Catawba River; 31st, about noon, the pickets were attacked at Montevallo, but were
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charged and routed by the4Fifth Iowa. They proved to be a part of Lyon's brigade of Forrest's cavalry, which were here found in strong position. defending the road and ford. Lyon was dislodged, and again put upon the retreat.
On the morning of the 1st of April the regiment again took the advance, and Forrest's pickets were driven out of Randolph, and considerable skirmishing continued all day, until at last the head of the column struck For- rest's command in position near Ebenezer Church. The First Ohio was on the right, and the enemy's battery, of three guns, was on a wooded hill by the church, directly in front. After a severe struggle all along the line the First took the battery of artillery, and Forrest's far famed horsemen were routed in twenty minutes from the main attack. Here fell the gallant Frank P. Allen, the quartermaster's sergeant of the regiment. On the 2d of April Selma was taken; the 9th the command began crossing the Alabama; 12th and 13th it rested in Montgomery ; 14th, took up its march towards Columbus, Georgia; 15th, Buford's division was driven ahead of us, and on the 16th the advance met the enemy near Crawford, Georgia, and charged them nine miles across the Ogeechee River. About a mile and a half from Columbus the first battalion of the First Ohio encountered the enemy, drew sabers, and charged down the hill into the town of Girard, under the fire of twenty-five guns that had been worked until then. The regiment was also engaged in the night attack upon Columbus, the capture of the works, and the saving of the two bridges which opened up Columbus, its arsenals and factories, and gave, as the result of one of the most desperate night assaults ever made, twelve hundred prisoners and ninety-six cannon. On the 22d Macon was entered, when the troops heard of the surrender of Lee. The regiment then garrisoned Georgia and South Carolina until the 13th of September, when it was mustered out, paid off, and discharged at Columbus, Ohio, on the 28th day of September, 1865.
Colonel Minor Millikin, whose death we have noticed above, was the son of John M. Millikin and Mary G. Hough. He was born on the 9th of July, 1834. An account of his early training is given on a preceding page. We can not describe his character better than in the following words of Professor David Swing, the great preacher of Chicago, who was intimately acquainted with him :
"The battle of Murfreesboro has brought to this region some realization of the sadness of war. The desolation of which we have read so much, we are at last compelled to see face to face. The tears of the widow fall before our own eye, and the home once so happy becomes the asylum of almost broken hearts.
" The dispatch which announced the death of Colonel Millikin announced the fall of a gifted man, a brave soldier, an ardent patriot. The soul of Minor was of the intense schook What he was, he was thoroughly; whom he loved, he loved deeply; whom he disliked, he disliked cordially; and this intensity of feeling led him early to grasp his sword in defense of the government and country he loved, and against the Confederacy he despised. The character of Colonel Millikin can not be pictured at a stroke. His mind was many sided. To the taste for literature he added a love of the practical in ordinary life. He was philosophic and romantic, ready to lecture upon reform or to weave together such thoughts as might win for one the title of a poet. He loved that progress which comes by a better education, and he loved also that progress of ideas which comes through the sword. He was ready to teach kindly a little child or to meet his foe with terrible force upon the battle-field. Talented, original, independent, brave, he was also affectionate and religious. He had some faults, but far more virtues, and the deformity of the former fades from our sight while we look upon the beauty of the latter, just as the spots upon the sun are not remembered while we stand in the fields of June. But his heart, so strong and yet so kind, so patriotic, so chivalrous and mindful of duty, has grown quiet. Amid the clash of swords and the awful din of the battle-field of Murfreesboro, Minor Millikin fell, and for his country yielded up his young life."
James M. Allen, formerly of his regiment, in the Ohio State Journal paid the following tribute to his character :
" I know nothing of his parentage, but if the blood of the Puritans did not run in his veins (which I think probable) their spirit at least animated his soul. That sterling love of truth and justice, that nice regard for right in business transactions, that prompt and thorough doing of what ought to be done, that constant outlooking for the path of duty (which clearly seen, men's opinions to the contrary, were as chaff before the wind), that ever present recognition of God's law and special providence, that unswerving obedience to the almighty ought, so that if he saw he ought to do, to speak or not to speak, that ought was his Shekinah, and finally, that plain steady piety, which made his tent a house of prayer,' are manifest characteristics of the man I mourn.
"Quick to perceive and relieve sorrow; free, but humble in the social circle ; liberal, but exact in business; economical in his living; strictly temperate in his appetites and habits; free from vulgarity ; affable and polite; these were qualities that made him an agreeable associate, while the others would make him a strict disciplinarian, a rigid commander, a fearless warrior, and, if the path of duty led tea dozen batteries, to them would he go without a quiver of hesitation. The scarcity of such men in tiur army makes his loss doubly severe."
Another friendly hand thus writes of his military career:
" Among the first levy of three months' men he entered the army as first lieutenant of cavalry. In the
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first campaign of Western Virginia he saw severe service, and acquired a reputation for bravery and fidelity. At the expiration of this term an unsolicited appointment as major of the First Cavalry was conferred upon him. Scarcely had tha regiment been set to active service before he was promoted to the colonelcy, just then vacated. The title to,this position, which was not reached without opposition, he had since made good—fairly and fully winning it by diligence, zeal, and the exhibition of more than ordinary capacity. The great esteem in which he was held by his superior officers is acknowledged by all who know their opinions, and these opinions were not concealed. More than once was it intimated that yet higher promotion would soon be conferred. The high place which he held in the affections of the officers and men of his regiment was the result of the uniform courtesy and real kindness which accompanied the most rigid discipline, combined with a consistent and high toned morality ; and both commended to the true soldier by daring and skill. In all the expeditions of greater or less importance with which he was intrusted, the men of the First Ohio Cavalry followed their colonel with confidence, and were rewarded by success. But all the previous instances of this were eclipsed by the history of the 31st of December. At early morning the regiment was called to arms. Its position was on the advance of our right wing, under General McCook. While the second major had just given the command to fall in, the regiment lost his valuable services, and he was deprived of life by the explosion of the first shell fired by the enemy. Left thus, without the assistance of a single field officer, Colonel Millikin led his regiment through the enemy, by whom they were quickly surrounded. During the whole day he maneuvered the regiment with the greatest coolness, gallantry, and skill, and beyond this there was, on that day, a peculiar tenderness in his care for the regiment, and a peculiar gentleness in the tone of his orders, which more than once brought tears to the eyes of his brave men. Their battle-field was but two miles and a half in width, and was fought over from four o'clock A. M. to three P. M. Forced back by superior numbers, every inch was stubbornly contested. Three separate and successful charges were led by the colonel in person. Alas! the third was only too successful. The regiment formed the center of the charging column, and pierced the center of the enemy, but the right and left supporting regiments failing to drive the foe, the gallant First was speedily flanked. It was at this point, while occupying an exposed position, that a squad of the enemy made a bold dash, distinctly to capture him. They reached and surrounded him. The demand for his surrender was made, but though one of his own men cried out, 0, colonel, do give up; they’ll kill you,' it was answered only by the heavy swinging of the colonel's saber. With a cut to the rear, one assailant was cloven down, and with a stroke to the front another ; but just as valor seemed ready to be crowned by success the fatal shot was fired. The ball, supposed to be from a carbine, entered the neck and severed the jugular vein. Unconsciousness must have immediately ensued. The body was recovered within thirty minutes, stripped of overcoat, saber, and valuables while in the throes of death, and life ended with one gasp as it was committed to the ambulance. Thus was death braved and met by as lofty courage as ever inspired a soldier, whether the records of this war or others be searched.
" Colonel Millikin had entered the army from principle at the first, and at the same high behest he continued in it to the end. His cup of earthly happiness was filled by a circle of warmer friends than most men know, by ample means, by literary plans and pursuits, and by an affectionate family. The persuasion of being in the line of duty was his constant solace, and he sought to make it such to those whom he loved as his own life. In his private character the same qualities which made Colonel Millikin liked as a good officer were even more conspicuous. Here there was firmness, but no rudeness; there was lofty purpose unaccompanied by petty ambition; there was the tendency to the exaction of all duties from others characteristic of a strong mind, but it never became tyranny. Indeed, it was not the least remarkable of his traits that he combined the most gentle and delicate feelings with the greatest strength of character. A more thoroughly honest man than Colonel Millikin did not breathe. He hated dishonesty of every kind and of every shade with a perfect hatred.
" It was within the circle of warm friendship that his peculiar power and influence were felt. He universally secured respect, even from opponents. It is thus that one ;writes who was once a chaplain to the regiment: Brave, strong, noble, full of life and hope and love, happy himself, and making others happy, filling so nobly and well his part in the world, who that knew Minor Millikin, though only to respect him while living, will not mourn that he is dead? For us who knew him better and loved him there will be more than transient regret.'
" Colonel Millikin's mental powers were rapidly maturing into a gratifying fulfillment of earlier promise. None were able more fully to transfuse the soul into whatever was to be written. The productions of his pen were children of his heart always, and bore witness to their parentage. Lectures or letters, addresses or editorials, every thing was terse, vigorous, and strong, yet smooth.
" Colonel Millikin possessed that true courage which distinctly apprehends danger, but in the strength of high princiiAle defies it. This appeared every way, but in none more clearly than in the habitual preparation for death which he sought to maintain. In camp, near Nashville, on the 9th of December, he thus prefaced his will: Death is always the condition of living, but, to the
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soldier, its imminency and certainty seems also the condition 9f his usefulness and glory. It has been my habit to keep a will, but as my last is uselessly long, and, as to my human gaze, life seems less than likely to stay long with me, I write now another.'
" The remains were brought home. It was his high wish, expressed in his will, that he should be buried without pomp ; that a slab of native stone, plainly engraved, might mark his resting place ; that over it wild vines might grow unrestrained ; `and then,' it was added, ` let it be forgotten that I am there."
The first entire regiment that went out from Butler County and vicinity was the Thirty-fifth. Nearly all of its members came from this county ; it suffered more severely than any other, and many of its men are now residents of this vicinity. On the field of Chickamauga the dead of Butler County lie thickly. Companies A and F were recruited in Warren County, H in Montgomery, E, and part of G, in Preble, and the others in Butler County.
It was organized at Hamilton during the months of August and September, 1861, although some of the companies had been begun earlier. On the 26th of September the regiment broke camp at Hamilton and moved to Covington, Kentucky, and, on .the same night, under orders from General 0. M. Mitchel, took a train on the Kentucky' Central Railroad, and placing parties at all the bridges along the road through Harrison and Bourbon Counties made the headquarters of the regiment at Cynthiana. It was at this time apprehended that the rebels would burn these bridges before troops could reach them; but by seizing the telegraph offices at every point on the way the movement was a complete surprise, and entirely unsuspected until guards had possession of every bridge.
Afterwards the regiment was removed to Paris, where it remained until the first days of November, when it marched to Somerset, and reported to Brigadier-general Schoepff.
At the battle of Mill Springs they were not actively engaged, having been ordered by General Thomas to remain at Somerset. Here they were brigaded with the Eighteenth Regulars, Ninth Ohio, and Second Minnesota, under the command of Brigadier-general Robert L. McCook, remaining with the last two regiments during their entire term of service. This was one of the brigades long composing General George H. Thomas's division. After the battle of Mill Springs the' regiment marched to Louisville, and thence took steamer to Nashville. Soon after, Buell having organized the Army of the Ohio, they marched to Pittsburg Landing. Thomas's division, being the rear guard, did not get up in time for the fight at Pittsburg Landing.
The Thirty-fifth participated in some of the skirmishes during the siege of Corinth, and was among the first to enter the works at that place. Afterwards they marched to Tuscumbia, Alabama, and about the last of July, 1862, to Winchester, Tennessee. It was on this last march that General McCook was killed by rebel guerrillas, near New Market.
Shortly after began that memorable race between Buell and Bragg, the goal being Louisville. From Nashville northward the regiment made about twenty-eight miles per day. In the movement on Bragg, the fight at Perryville, and the pursuit to Crab Orchard, they have an honorable part. After Buell had been superseded by Rosecrans the division, then commanded by General Speed S. Fry, marched to Bowling Green, and thence to a camp near Gallatin, Tennessee. In February, 1863, Colonel Van Derveer was assigned to the command of the brigade, and Lieutenant-colonel Long assumed command of the regiment. All through the campaign, which began at Murfreesboro and ended at Chattanooga, the Thirty-fifth was in the front of the marching and fighting. In July of that year Lieutenant-colonel. Long resigned, and Major Boynton was promoted to the vacancy, Captain Budd receiving the majority. From this time until it left the service the regiment was under Colonel Boynton's command when he was able to do duty, but for much of the time was under the command of Major Budd and Captain L'Hommedieu.
Captain John S. Earhart died at the headquarters of General Brannan, at Winchester, Tennessee, August 10th, at eleven o'clock. His remains reached Hamilton Friday morning the 14th, and were buried from the Presbyterian Church at four o'clock P. M. of that day, with military escorts and honors.
On the first day of the fight at Chickamauga, says. Reid in his " Ohio in the War," the Thirty-fifth and the other regiments composing Colonel Van Derveer's brigade were stationed on the extreme left of our line, where they engaged, and, after several hours of a fair, stand-up fight, repulsed and beat back three several attacks of Hood's division of Longstreet's corps, the pick of the rebel army. On the next day, September 20th, they were again brought early into action, and with the rest of the brigade made a charge upon Breckinridge's division, which at that time had passed entirely around the left of our fortified line. The conflict, like that of the previous day, was severe and desperate in the open field, and without any protection. Here was presented the uncommon spedtacle of two armies charging each other at the same instant. That of the enemy was disorderly, and with but little attention to discipline, while our men' moved as if on drill, and under complete controk The brigade had been moving through the woods in two lines, the first composed of the Second Minnesota and Eighty- seventh Indiana, the second of the Thirty-fifth and Ninth Ohio. Suddenly, emerging from an open field, they found themselves exposed to a murderous fire from artillery and musketry, under which they changed front, and, in pursuance of orders, laid flat on the ground. The enemy were then about one hundred and fifty yards dis-
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tant, and charging on a run. When the distance was decreased to seventy-five yards, the first line rose and delivered their fire. Immediately the order was given : "Thirty-fifth and Ninth, pass lines to the front! Brigade, charge!" The order was executed promptly, and the rebel line hurled back for almost half a mile at a double-quick, finally making a stand in the woods, where they were effectually protected by their reserves. For more than an hour an obstinate contest was kept up, most effectually ending the attempt to flank the federal line upon the left. When the order was given to return to the position occupied by the brigade previous to the chargt it was done in order, by passing lines to the rear, each regiment delivering its fire as it retired.
At half-past two on that day the brigade was reported for duty to General Thomas, who was then holding a ridge to the rear and right of the line of the morning. Here the Thirty-fifth was placed in the front line, where it built a slight work of wood and stone, less than a foot in height. Behind this it remained until the last enemy had retired, repelling repeated charges of the most formidable and desperate character. Line after line of fresh troops of rebels were sent to the attack, always meeting the same reception, always beaten and crushed. Late in the day anxious inquiry was made for ammunition, but the wagons had been ordered to Chattanooga: Then men and officers could be seen searching the cartridge-boxes of the dead and wounded, and finally, when the brfigade commander ordered them to hold their places with the bayonet, these heroes laughed, and promised to stay there.
When night came the Thirty-fifth was formed on and facing the left of the line, and when it was too dark to recognize friend from foe a force of the enemy appeared before them. Those who had ammunition fired, and the enemy precipitately retreated. Those were the last shots fired on the battle-field of Chickamauga by either side. Not a single musket was heard afterwards; and the whole army having nwhed on the road towards Rossville, Van Derveer's brigade, the last to leave the field, under orders from General Thomas, followed.
In the two days' fight at Chickamauga the Thirty-fifth Ohio lost just fifty per cent of those engaged. Colonel Boynton was conspicuous during the whole fight for his gallantry and the skill with which he managed his men, and the regiment was highly commended in the reports of that action.
Lucius B. Potter sent home a letter descriptive of the battle, in which he says the brigade, after marching all night on the 18th, and going without breakfast the next morning, was engaged over six hours on the 19th, and then bivouacked on the battle-field without blankets or fires, although a white frost covered the ground. On the 20th they were engaged from. ten A. M. until seven P. M. In no case (nil tie Third Brigade, or any part of it, retreat until ordered so to do, although the entire right wing was crushed and driven back. At one time, on the 19th, the brigade repulsed an entire rebel division twice within an hour and a half. On the 20th the brigade charged and drove back a greatly superior number for a third of a mile at the point of the bayonet. Even when the ammunition gave out the old Third stood its ground, and maintained its position until relieved and ordered back. The musketry was terrific, and was pronounced more severe than in any other engagement during this war. Men who were at Stone River said that battle was a skirmish by the side of this. The loss of the regiment was as follows- Killed, 21; wounded, 146; missing, 27; total, 194. Most of the missing were known to be captured. Both of the surgeons were in the hands of the enemy, having remained to care for the wounded. The regiment took into the fight 394 officers and men. Of this number 194 were lost. From this it can be judged whether the regiment fought or not. The loss of the brigade was 843, and of the division 2,353.
During the two days' fighting they were never driven back, never gave an inch until ordered, and repeatedly repulsed and drove back four times their number. The Ninth Ohio retook a battery which had been captured from the regular brigade. The brigade captured a good many rebels, the exact number not being ascertained. Colonel Boynton in his report said: "To have belonged to the Third Brigade will be the crowning glory of your old age." And not a soldier's heart but swells with pride at the thought of the deeds done by Colonel Van Derveer's command during those two bloody days. Colonel Van Derveer, said Mr. Potter, would undoubtedly get his "star." No braver or cooler man was ever seen in action. The manner in which he handled his brigade won the admiration of his superior officers.
Colonel Boynton did nobly, and had doubly endeared himself to his men. Not an offrcer in the regiment flinched. Mr. Potter's horse was killed in the first fight, being shot through the belly with a mine, and a bullet grazed Potter's hat band.
Dr. A. H. Landis, in the Hamilton Telegraph, furnishes a list of men confined in Libby Prison at the end of November, 1863. He was captured at Chickamauga, and was in prison forty-four days:
"Lieutenant Cottingham, E ; Higgins, D; Vannatta, C; Surface, E; Strickler, A; Leach, A; Lohman, K; Martindale, I; Brook, I; Clark, G; Rohrer, B; Gillian, K; Warner, E; Evans, E; Harrison, F ; Shellabarger, C; Jackson, E."
After the return of Surgeon Landis he wrote a long letter giving a description of the cruelties practiced in Libby Prison:
" On Saturday, September 19th, soon after the commencement of the battle of Chickamauga, I was ordered by the medical director of my division to the division hospital. It was on Cloud's farm, and at that time nearly
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two miles north of the left wing of our army. Early on Sabbath morning, in consequence of repeated flank movements on our left by the rebels, our hospital became exposed to a fire of shell and solid shot. The most of these deadly missiles passed over us, but some fell in our midst.
About eleven o'clock a line of rebel skirmishers were seen to emerge from a wood about four hundred yards distant, followed by a large force of Forrest's cavalry. All the ambulances we had were loaded with wounded and sent to Chattanooga, and many of the slightly wounded were sent on foot. The enemy continued to advance until they ascertained it was a hospital, when a squad of them rode up, and for the first time we were in the hands of the rebels.
" Soon afterward Granger's forces approaching from toward Chattanooga, the rebels fell back, and we saw no more of them until the following morning, when they took us into custody, and from that time on we were prisoners. Generals Forrest, Cheatham, and Armstrong honored us with their presence. General Forrest told us to go ahead and attend to our wounded, and we should not be molested. He also told us that our wounded yet on the field should be removed to the hospitals and receive precisely the lame treatment that their wounded received ; also that parties had been detailed to bury the dead on both sides. In a conversation I had with Dr. Fluellan, medical director of Bragg's army, the following day at Cheatham's division hospital, he made the same promises. These promises may have been in good faith, but from observation I know—find every other medical officer who fell into their hands knows—they were not realized.
I was over a portion of the battle-field three days after the battle, and the rebel dead were buried and ours unburied, and nearly all of them were stripped of their pants and shoes. Their appearance was most revolting, having been exposed three days to a September sun; they were so swollen and changed in appearance that recognition was impossi I found also at least three hundred of our wounded, all suffering from the gnawings of hunger. Every last wounded rebel had been removed. Some of our men were in cabins, some had been gathered in groups and laid on the ground, and some were still in the fields and woods, where they were wounded, in the immediate vicinity of the dead bodies of their comrades. To the credit of the rebels, they did furnish them some rations the following day. Some of these poor fellows remained in this condition for eight days.
"The question might be asked, Why did we not have them removed to our hospital? We had no ambulance, no wagon, no vehicle of any kind, and the rebels refused to furnish us any ; in addition, we had a contract already at one hospital of such magnitude that our energies were taxed to their utmost. Our provisions ran out at our hospital two days after our capture, and then starvation stared us in the face. Finally, after two days' entreaties, we were furnished with fresh beef, hard bread, bacon, and corn meal. The bacon and hard bread were good in quality, but very deficient in quantity. The beef was of Pharaoh's lean kine, but we were glad to get it. Some of the corn meal was musty and scarcely fit for the swill barrel.
" Monday, September 28th, General Rosecrans sent us rations, and from that time, as long as we remained at Chickamauga, Uncle Sam was our commissary, and we fared sumptuously.
"Friday, October 2d, our wounded having been paroled and sent through the lines, we were taken, eighty in number, seven of whom were surgeons and the remainder enlisted men, to Chickamauga Station, seven miles distant, where we took the cars for Atlanta. We reached Atlanta the following evening, and were lodged in the prisoners' barracks. These barracks consist of about two acres of ground, inclosed by a board fence twelve feet high. The few blankets the privates and non-commissioned officers had were taken from them on entering that filthy hole, and those poor fellows, while they remained there, were without blankets or overcoats, and spent the cold frosty nights with the earth for a bed and the sky for a blanket.
"There were two board shanties in these barracks, in which were about forty of our wounded, all of whom were lying on the floor with but a single blanket, and all of them suffered terribly from cold during the night. Dr. Ashman, one of our surgeons, repeatedly asked the surgeon in charge for straw, and in response received some glorious promises, but the straw never came. Major Morely, of Tennessee, was in those barracks, and had a fifty pound ball and chain for his bed-fellow. He was at the time, dangerously ill with typhoid fever, and finally died. Surgeon Young, of the Seventy-ninth Illinois, who remained several weeks at Atlanta with our wounded, told me that the major had to wear the ball and chain until within twenty-four hours of his death. Two days after our arrival at Atlanta forty surgeons, captured at Chickamauga, and several hundred other prisoners arrived.
" October 6th, all the surgeons but those who remained with our wounded and enlisted men, numbering in all three hundred, were put aboard the cars for Richmond. We passed through Augusta, Georgia; Hamburg, Branchville, and Columbia, South Carolina ; and Salisbury, Raleigh, and Weldon, North Carolina, and reached Richmond, Sabbath, October 11th, and all the surgeons were lodged in Libby Prison.
" Libby is a substantial brick building, one hundred and fitly feet long, and one hundred and ten feet wide, and three stories high besides the basement. The upper two stories are each divided into three rooms, and in these six rooms, before our release, were over one thou-
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sand prisoners, all commissioned officers. The following sign is on the outside of the building:
LIBBY & SON,
Ship Chandlers and Grocers.
"Each room has a sink, immediately contiguous to it, and the stench coming therefrom is almost unendurable. The windows were all unglazed when we arrived, and at times we suffered terribly from cold. The most of them were still open when we left, and as the mercury may fall to zero any day in Richmond during the Winter, no one knows what tortures the inmates of Libby may have to endure the coming Winter. Three days before our release the officers in charge of Libby were so obliging as to furnish two stoves for each room, but strange to say, we suffered with cold just as we did without them, for the simple reason that we were not furnished with a single stick of wood, and such will probably be the case through the Winter, as they sometimes refused to furnish us a single stick of wood to cook with for nearly a whole day at a time.
"At one time sope of our soldiers, who had been wounded at Chickamauga, were quartered in one of the lower rooms of Libby, immediately under one of the rooms occupied by us. Through a small opening in the floor they told us they had been without food for twenty- four hours, and implored us for something to eat. We had little to spare, but what we had we divided with the—m. Captain Turner, officer in charge of the prison, heard of it, and arrested three officers and reprimanded them severely, and ordered that the men should go forty-eight hours longer without food for the crime of talking to the officers. Whether this order was enforced or not we never could learn, as the boys were removed to other quarters. Some of our soldiers came to one of the lower rooms of Libby daily after rations. Some men ore barefooted, some bareheaded, and I once noticed one poor fellow barefooted, bareheaded, and without a shirt. We never were allowed to ask them any questions in reference to their treatment, but the mere appearance of their faces told us starvation and exposure were closing the work of death. November 20th, I saw twenty of our boys at work on the street, cleaning one of -the gutters, and nine of them were barefooted.
"I will here mention an act of brutality that occurred at Augusta, Georgia. When we reached Augusta we had with us a wounded man, who had become so ill that his surgeon, Dr. McGavrin, of the Twenty-sixth Ohio, proposed to Lieutenant Bass, officer in charge of us, to leave him in the hospital. Lieutenant Bass presented the case to Captain Rains, commandant of the post. The captain refused to receive him into the hospital, but told Lieutenant Bass to knock him in the head.
"I might extend this communication ad infinitum, and relate some of• the horrors of Belle Island, the terrible mortality among our men at Richmond, the manner in which we were tortured by the lice in Libby, also the quality and quantity of our rations. But this is unnecessary, as those facts are all embraced in a report, adopted unanimously, and published by the surgeons released from Libby Prison. Sparta knew the names of the men lost in her cause at the pass of Thermopylae,' but America will never know how many of her noble sons perished in the dens of Richmond.
"The manner in which most of us were swindled out of our money at Richmond makes theft and highway robbery honorable. There is no state-prison in North America that can belch forth a more infamous pack of liars and thieves than the offrcers in charge of Libby Prison. When we entered the prison we were told by Captain Turner that we must hand over our greenbacks and gold and silver, if we had any, and should we need money while in prison we should have Confederate money at the rate of seven dollars for one, and when released or exchanged our money should be refunded in kind; and if we refused to hand it over, we would be searched, and if money was found it would be confiscated. This proposition was so fair that about nine-tenths of us deposited our cash in the Libby Bank. When we left, November 24th, they commenced paying us off in Confederate money. A few who had small sums deposited received greenbacks, but a large majority had either to take Confederate money or nothing.
" Of the cleared land we saw traveling from Chickamauga to Richmond, a distance of nine hundred miles, I do not think more than one acre in twenty was tilled this year. What little was tilled was in corn, except a few cotton fields. I do not think the corn would have yielded over five bushels to the acre."
During the Fall of 1863 the Thirty-fifth lay with the rest of the army at Chattanooga, and frequently engaged in skirmishes before that place. They were on the front line at Mission Ridge, and were among the first to reach the enemy's works on the crest, from which they drove the rebel force and captured three pieces of artillery. Early in the fight Colonel Boynton was severely wounded while leading his men up the height, when the command devolved upon Major Budd. Next morning the enemy was pursued to Ringgold, Georgia.
The Thirty-fifth took an active part in the storming of Mission Ridge, capturing three twelve pounders and two flags. Lieutenant-colonel Boynton received a flesh wound in the thigh;" which disabled him for several weeks.
The following letter from W. H. Sharer, of Company B, dated December 2d, 1863, will be found full of interest:
"Well, here we are, snug in camp again, after a flying trip to Ringgold, Georgia, and back, which we completed on the evening of the 29th of November, and to
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tell the truth, after writing on the 25th of November, about four o'clock P. M., I thought it was somewhat doubtfdl whether I would ever get back to camp or not.
" Colonel Van Derveer was ordered to take his brigade and move to the left, which he did immediately, and, after some maneuvering, we were thrown into line, and marched toward Missionary Ridge. After gaining good ground, within five or six hundred yards of their first line of works, at the extreme foot of the Ridge, we were halted, and laid down, not thinking for a moment that they would attempt to charge the Ridge. The brigade now was in two lines, with the Second Minnesota as skirmishers. The signal to advance, which was six guns, was soon heard, the sound of which had not died away before I saw the Second Minnesota take the first line of the enemy's works, and the graybacks flying toward the top of the Ridge. By this time we had advanced into an open field, where the rebels began to try their batteries upon us. We were ordered forward on the double- quick, and I thought the rebels were loading and firing double-quick the way the shells flew around and among us. I saw one burst in the very midst of Company E, and saw several men stagger, but strange as it is, not a man was hurt from it, and I believe all reached the first line in safety. After resting, for we were all out of breath, we were again ordered forward under a most desperate fire. Shot, shell, grape, canister, old musket barrels, ram-rods, and everything else flew around thickly. Lieutenant-colonel H. V. N. Boynton, commanding the Thirty-fifth, was wounded shortly after leaving the first line of works;4 but I am happy to say not mortally. He thinks he will soon be able to lead us again. As soon as Pe gained the top the rebels fell back on our left, where they concentrated, and a desperate fight was the result. But darkness coming on enabled them to escape next morning.
"After burying the dead and taking care of the wounded, we started in pursuit, and came up to the enemy just in time to see them driven from Ringgold, Georgia, and out of Taylor's Gap. Here the Seventh Ohio lost heavily; all their officers but one were killed or wounded as they attempted to charge Taylor's Ridge. This was on the 27th. On the 29th we marched back to camp, and now all appears quiet. The loss of the Thirty-fifth was five killed and twenty-eight wounded."
At the storming of Missionary Ridge, near Chattanooga, November 25th, Sergeant William C. Stokes, of Company C, son of James M. Stokes, was killed. He was in his twenty-first yea?. At the same place and time, Simon Kumler, private in Company C, son of Jacob Kumler, was killed. He was in his twenty-second year. The former was shot through the head and lived but three hours, the latter shot through the abdomen and living twenty-four hours. They were young men of unusual promise, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all who knew them.
In February, 1864, the regiment was engaged in the first battles at Buzzard's Roost, near Dalton, after which they were stationed at Ringgold until the beginning of the Atlanta campaign. They were with Sherman from the initiation of this movement until the expiration of their term of service, which occurred while lying before Atlanta. They were engaged at Dalton, Resaca, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw, Peachtree Creek, and several other of the fights of that bloody contest.
The Thirty-fifth was mustered out in August, 1864, at Chattanooga.
In their term of three years, says a high authority, the regiment never turned its back upon the enemy, and was never driven from a field.
The following is a list of the commissioned and noncommissioned officers of the regiment:
Colonel.-Ferdinand Van Derveer, commanding brigade after February 28, 1863.
Lieutenant-colonels.-Charles L'H. Long, resigned July 13, 1863, on account of disability. Henry V. N. Boynton, July 13, 1863; wounded at Mission Ridge, November 25th; resigned September 8, 1864.
Major.-Joseph L. Budd.
Adjutants.-George B. Wright, resigned September 18, 1863, on account of disability. John Van Derveer, promoted to captain of Company C, March 19, 1864. James H. Bone, September 24, 1863; promoted to captain Company D, March 17, 1864. James E. Harris, April 10, 1864.
Surgeon.-Perkins A. Gordon, resigned November 2, 1863, on account of disability.
Assistant Surgeons.-Francis D. Morris, resigned August 8, 1862, on account of disability. Charles O. Wright, resigned June 18, 1864. Abram H. Landis, mustered out September 27, 1864.
Chaplains.-John Woods, resigned November 19, 1862. Joshua C. Hablit, resigned February 19, 1863.
Sergeant-majors.-Benjamin Clark, reduced to the ranks May 1, 1862, for continued absence. John Adams, May 1, 1862; promoted to second lieutenant October 4, 1862; wounded at Chickamauga. Lucius B. Potter, October 14, 1862.
Quartermaster's Sergeants.-Joseph F. Sanders, promoted to second lieutenant November 27, 1862. Martin Betz, November 29, 1862.
Commissary Sergeants.-George W. Leitch, discharged for disability June 30, 1862. Joseph S. Claypoole, promoted from sergeant Company C, July 1, 18e; second lieutenant September, 1862. Lorenzo Brown, October 1, 1862.
Hospital Stewards.-Samuel Hart, discharged September 10, 1861, for disability. Mordecai Cleaver, January 1, 1862.
Principal Musicians.-William H. Bussard. Clark J. Castator.
Ordnance Sergeant.-James D. Ratliff.
Company A.
Captains.-Joseph L. Budd, promoted to major July 9, 1803. Lewis F. Daugherty, promoted from first lieutenant August 9, 1863; killed in action at Peachtree Creek, Georgia, July 20, 1864.
First Lieutenants.-James H. Bone, promoted from second lieutenant August 9, 1863 ; promoted to captain March 30, 1864, and assigned to Company D. James Sabin, promoted
226 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
from sergeant to first sergeant July 1, 1862; second lieutenant, August 9, 1863; first lieutenant, March 30, 1864.
First Sergeants.-Selby Wiley, promoted from ranks September 21, 1863; died from wounds received in action at Pine Ridge, Georgia, June 16, 1864. George W. Keever, killed at battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
Sergeants.-Thomas Starry, promoted from corporal September 3, 1863. Albert S. Mercer, promoted from the ranks July 1, 1862. Samuel A. Spurgeon. Archelus D. Strickler, from corporal, August 20, 1862. John Linber, discharged August 9, 1862, for disability. Oliver H. Parshall, promoted to captain, and transferred to Company F, September. 1861. Perry Gregg, promoted to first lieutenant, and transferred to the Mississippi marine service.
Corporals.-John W. Bogar, October 1, 1862. James L. McLain, January 1, 1862. Thomas Gillespie, July 1, 1862. Albert S. Booth, July 1, 1862. Ira Lackey, August 30, 1862. John B. Shay, May 1, 1863. Thomas G. Strickler, killed at battle of Chickamauga. John D. Smith, discharged April 1, 1862, John Adams, promoted to sergeant-major. Lemuel B. Stump, assigned to Company K.
Company B.
Captains.-Thomas Stone, resigned June 6, 1862. Ransford Smith, from first lieutenant June 6, 1862; resigned February 28, 1863. Jonathan Henninger, first lieutenant February 24, 1863 ; captain, May 12, 1863.
First Lieutenant.-Samuel L. Houser, corporal, October 16, 1861 ; sergeant, October 16, 1862 ; second lieutenant, February 24, 1863; first lieutenant, May 12, 1863.
Second Lieutenants.-William H. Eacott, resigned January 30, 1863; Robert B. Davidson, promoted from corporal to sergeant Oclknber 2, 1861; first sergeant, February 24, 1863 ; seq. lieutenant, May 12, 1863; first lieutenant, Company I, ., April 1, 1864.
First Sergeant.-Alonzo Fisk, May 12, 1863, wounded at Chickamauga.
Sergeants.-George W. Kimble, from corporal, February 24, 1863. George W. Leitch, commissary sergeant, August 20, 1861. Robert C. Nicholas, assigned to Company K; promoted to lieutenant September 2, 1861. Robert J. Livingston, corporal, October 2, 1861; promoted February 24, 1863; assigned to Company K. James D. Ratcliff, corporal, November 12, 1861; sergeant, March 12, 1863; assigned to Company K.
Corporals.-John West, January 20, 1862. David W. Brady, reduced to ranks from sergeant; made corporal February 28, 1863; wounded at Chickamauga. Enos Wilson, September 24, 1862; wounded at Chickamauga. George Baur, May 12, 1863. Jacob W. Houser, July 16, 1863. William G. Mass, February 28, 1864. Solomon W. Smith, died in hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, November 14, 1863. Abraham S. Bell, discharged for disability September 16, 1861. James W. Coppage, discharged for disability April 5, 1863, at Nashville, Tennessee.. George N. Lewis, transferred to invalid corps March 15, 1864; wounded at Chickamauga. Alonzo Runyan, transferred to invalid corps April 30, 1864 ; wounded at Chickamauga.
Company C.
Mustered into service August 20, 1861, and entered Kentucky September 26, 1861. This company entered the field 102 strong-commissioned and non-commissioned officers and privates-and received four recruits during term of service. The losses were 16 discharged for disabilities ; 2 dis charged to accept promotions ; 13 died of diseases ; 2 died of wounds received in action ; 6 killed in action, Sixty- seven commissioned and non-commissioned officers and privates were mustered out at expiration of service at Chattanooga, Tennessee, 1864. It was at the battles of Mill Spring, Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Perryville, Chapel Hill, Hoover's Gap, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Buzzards' Roost, Tunnel Hill, Resaca, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, and Siege of Atlanta.
Captains.-John S. Earhart, detached as topographical engineer on General Steadman's staff; died at Dechart, Tennessee, August, 1863. John Van Derveer, never with the company ; detailed as quartermaster of regiment. Fred. W. Keil, first lieutenant ; promoted to be captain June, 1864.
First Lieutenant.-Benj. F. Miller, second lieutenant; promoted to be first lieutenant February, 1864.
Sergeants.-Leonard Allen, first sergeant, discharged. Jos. S. Claypool, sergeant; promoted to be second lieutenant. Jas, E. Hants, sergeant; promoted to be first lieutenant and adjutant of regiment. Jas. A. Huginin, sergeant, discharged. Saml. M. Hippard, sergeant ; promoted to first sergeant. Mark B. Price, color sergeant.
Corporals.-Wm. Beachler. Jno. Van Dine, discharged for disability. W. C. Stokes, promoted to sergeant ; killed at Missionary Ridge. John M. Davis, promoted to sergeant. Francis Barnett, discharged for disability. Jno. Haller, promoted to sergeant. Jos. Zeller, discharged to enter regimental band. Benj. F. Keil, promoted to sergeant; killed at Chickamauga.
Regimental Appointments.-Lucius B. Potter, promoted to sergeant-major. Frank A. Lighter, regimental postmaster Jno. M. Bradstreet, commissary sergeant.
Discharged for Disabilities.-Alfred H. Burr, October 28, 1861, Cynthiana, Ky. Isaac H. Davis, May 3, 1862, Nashville, Tenn. Alex. P. Richardson, May 18, 1862, near Corinth, Miss. Jno. S. Davis, July 24, 1862, Tuscumbia, Tenn. Benj. F. Arnold, July 24, 1862, Tuscumbia, Tenn. Fred. D. McKasson, October 1, 1862, Camp Dennison. Hezekiah Carl, October 6, 1862, Louisville, Ky. Jno. W. Enbody, October 6, 1862, Camp Dennison. Benj. F. Fox, October 11, 1862, Camp Dennison. Francis Barnett, October 11, 1862, Camp Dennison. Hayward Woodhurst, February 18, 1863, Camp Dennison. Jno. R. Emons, February 20, 1863, Camp Dennison. W. B. Milliker, March 9, 1863, Triune, Tenn. Leonard Allen, March 11, 1863, St. Louis, Mo. Chas. E. Bickmore. Daniel Cooper, for wounds received at Chickamauga.
Died of Disease while in Service.-Jonah Dickey, November 19, 1861, Paris, Ky. James Dickey, March 10, 1862, Somerset, Ky. Isaac R. Henry, March 16, 1862, Nashville, Tenn. Jos. Robinson, April 14, 1862, Indian Creek Hospital, Tenn. Geo. Hine, April 23, 1862, Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. Saml. Parker, May 17, 1862, Seven-Mile, Ohio. Jas. A. Huginin, February 13, 1863, Winchester, Ohio. Jno. Haller, November 23, 1863, Nashville, Tenn. Jes4 G. Matthews, January 12, 1864, Louisville, Ky. John Wolverton, January, 1864, Jacksonburg, Ohio. Squire H. Vanatta, 1864, on his way home from rebel prison. John S. Earhart, captain, August, 1863, Decherd, Tenn.
Killed in Action.-Benj. A. Reed, Chickamauga. Henry C. Ray, Chickamauga. B. F. Keil, Chickamauga. Wm. C. Stokes, Missionary Ridge. Simon Kumler, Missionary Ridge. Peter Kapp, Missionary Ridge.
Died of Wounds received in Action.-Jos. H. Vannatta, in field hospital, Chickamauga. Cassius C. Brown, Nashville, Tenn., wounded at Chickamauga.
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Company D.
Captains.—Nathaniel Reeder, dismissed the service by general court-martial, August 24, 1863, for absence without leave ; afterwards reinstated. James H. Bone, first lieutenant Company A, July 19, 1863; adjutant, September 24, 1863; captain, March 19, 1864, and assigned to Company D, April 12, 1864.
First Lieutenants.—William C. Dine, resigned February, 1863. Julian H. Fitch, September 4, 1863. J. Adams, second lieutenant, October 16, 1862; first lieutenant, March 19, 1864. J. F. Saunders, second lieutenant, November 19, 1862; first lieutenant, March 19, 1864.
Sergeants.—Albert S. Morgan, discharged for disability, March 28, 1862. Tipton WI Clary, discharged for disability, December, 1863. Clark S. Thompson, discharged, September 23, 1864, on expiration term of service. John S. Shedd, died March 14, 1864, at Hamilton. Joseph W. Myers, promoted to first sergeant. Hiram Shedd, April 1, 1863. 1
Corporals.—William Walters, deserted. David S. Pegan, seriously wounded at Chickamauga. Hezekiah Campbell, discharged for disability, March 28, 1862. William B. Long. Charley S. Wilson. John Spencer, seriously wounded at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863. Samuel Russell.
Died.—Corporal D. S. Pegan, at Ringgold, May 7, 1864. C. Willson.
Company E.
Captains.—William H. C. Steele, mustered as captain of Company E, May 16, 1864; in command Company G, from May 16,64. David M. Gans, died at Eaton, Ohio, November 25, 1 3.
First lieutenant.—Edward Cottingham, captured at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
Second Lieutenant. —Levi P. Thompson, wounded September 19, 1863, and taken prisoner; paroled October 4th.
First Sergeant.—William B. Mikesell.
Sergeants.—Moses Thompson. Benjamin F. Kemp. William S. Ware. John W. Dunkins, died of wounds received at Chickamauga, October 10, 1863.
Corporals.—Andrew I. Stakbake, wounded at Mission Ridge. Philip Bladner. Charles C. Gavin. William Wilson, captured September 17, 1863. John W. Cottingh, killed at Chickamauga. William H. Bowles, died of wounds received at Chickamauga, October 24, 1863. Charles H. Thompson, died at Chattanooga, September 27, 1863, of wound received at battle of Chattanooga. Joseph Larrison.
Company F.
Captain.Oliver H. Parshall, promoted from first sergeant of Company A, September 5, 1861; killed at Chickamauga.
First Lieutenants.—Joseph C. Thomas, resigned November 3, 1862. Thomas M. Harlan; January 1, 1863 ; killed at Chickamauga.
Second Lieutenant.—Joseph H. Taylor, January 1, 1863.
Sergeants.—James Jackson, June 19, 1863, wounded at Chickamauga. James H. Frost. rJoseph Harris, wounded at Chickamauga. Morris Gratz, reduced; .wounded at Chickamauga. Samuel M. Denny, February 3, 1862; discharged November 9, 1862. John D. Vinson.
Corporals.—Thomas W. Rose, wounded and taken prisoner at Chickamauga. Benjamin F. Boatman, died October 30, 1863, from wounds received at Chickamauga. Sock Harlan. William Hamilton, promoted to sergeant, November 1, 1862. John D. Cornelius. Jesse K. Randall, died in hospital, December 3, 1861. Henry Richster, deserted from hospital. John W. Kemp. Wesley Randall. Franklin Drake. Andrew J. Griffin.
Company G.
Captains.—Samuel L'Hommedieu. William H. C. Steele, promoted to captain May 16, 1864, and assigned to Company E.
First Lieutenant. —Levi P. Thompson, promoted from second lieutenant, Company E, June 8, 1864.
Second Lieutenants.—George T. Earhart, resigned October 17, 1862, by reason of disability. John Adams, promoted from sergeant-major, September 26, 1861.
Sergeants.—John H. Huber, November 30, 1863. - James Cloney, January 20, 1862.
Corporals.—Lester Shaw, September 25, 1861, wounded at Chickamauga. Calvin Levingood, October, 1861; taken prisoner at Chickamauga. Thomas Conklin, June 9, 1864.
Killed.—Peter A. Byers, corporal, killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863. William Newsock, corporal, killed at Mission Ridge, November 25, 1863.
Died.—Ephraim A. Day, sergeant, at Chattanooga, September 26, 1861. William O, Paine, corporal, at Louisville, Ky., January 5, 1864, James M. Wyrick, sergeant, at Nashville, Tenn., November 30, 1863.
Discharged.—Nelson Thompson, corporal, for disability, March 19, 1862. Lorenzo Brown, transferred, George W. Gover, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps.
Company H.
Captains.—Michael S. Gunckel, resigned on account of disability, October 24, 1862 ; afterwards paymaster. Samuel Martindale, October 24, 1863; dismissed by general court- martial, August 21, 1863. Theodore D. Mather, first lieutenant, October 24, 7864; captain, March 19, 1864.
First Lieutenant.—David W. Schaeffer, second lieutenant, October 24, 1862 ; first lieutenant, March 19, 1864.
First Sergeant. —John Giller, October 24, 1862.
Sergeants.—William B. Campbell, killed at Chickamauga. Charles Hamilton, reduced to ranks. Henry A. Bradford, reduced to ranks; killed by a shell at Bridgeport, Ala., September 30, 1863. John A. Ladd, February 9, 1863. Edward S. Weakley, July 1, 1862. Richard Miller, October 12, 1862. Andrew Ball, November 1, 1863.
Corporals.—Charles T, Shipman, reduced, November 4, 1861; deserted, November 1, 1862. William Britton, transferred to invalid corps. William Earhart, reduced, June 1, 1862; deserted, June 10, 1862. Barney Covens, reduced December 1, 1862. David Huber. Martin Miller. Abia 4 Hoffman. John G. Schmeltzer. James Gunckel. Andrew J. Hetzler. ,
Company I.
Captains.—Henry Mallory, resigned February 17, 1862. Andrew J. Lewis, promoted from first lieutenant to captain February 17, 1862 ; resigned, January 2, 1864, on account of disability; wounded at Chickamauga. Phil. Rothenbush, promoted from first sergeant to first lieutenant February 17, 1862 ; captain, March 30, 1864 ; wounded at Chickamauga.
First Lieutenant.—Robert B. Davidson, promoted from first sergeant Company B to second lieutenant Company B, May 12, 1863; first lieutenant, March 30, 1864, assigned to Company I.
Second Lieutenant.—William Andrew, resigned March 23, 1863.
First Sergeants.—W. H. H. Kimble, reduced to ranks November 4, 1862; died February 20, 1864, at Hamilton, Ohio.
228 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Isaac L. Fisher, November 6, 1862 ; transferred to invalid corps, August 25, 1863. William K. Van Horn, August 25, 1863; wounded November 25, 1863, at Mission Ridge, Tennessee.
Sergeants.-John A. Whitaker, reduced to ranks August 9, 1862; transferred to invalid corps, December 1, 1863. George Jenkins, reduced to ranks November 6, 1862; deserted November 6, 1862, at Bowling Green, Ky. John S. Giffen, August 9, 1862; died, November 6, 1862, at Hamilton, Ohio. John M. Fenton, May 25, 1863, taken prisoner at Chickamauga, September 20th, dying in prison. Aaron Moore, May 25, 1863. Louis D. Herman, May 25, 1863. Daniel Castator, May 25, 1863. George Bourrell, November 6, 1862.
Corporals.-William Elarson, transferred to invalid corps November 1, 1863. Moses J. Wetzel. John Hull, died at Nashville, Tenn., March 20, 1862. John P. Brooks, wounded, captured at Chickamauga. Robert Blair. John Selig John Miller. Charles Bitner. Jeremiah Boatman.
Wounded.-Captain A. J. Lewis, at Chickamauga. First Lieutenant Phil. Rothenbush, at Chickamauga. First Sergeant W. K. Van Horn, at Mission Ridge. First Sergeant John M. Fenton, captured at Chickamauga: John Kapp, at Chickatnauga. Archey McLeod, captured at Chickamauga. Alexander Sterret, at Chickamauga. Richard Herman, at Chickamauga.. William McLaughlin, at Chickamauga. Michael D. Garver, at Kenesaw Mountain. John P. Brooks, corporal, taken prisoner at Chickamauga, September 19, 1863. John Brooks, private, taken prisoner at Chickamauga, September 19, 1863. Daniel Castator, at Chickamauga, September 19, 1863. Charles Daugherty, at Chickamauga, September 19, 1863. Robert Dine, taken prisoner at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863. Stephen H. Elkins, taken prisoner at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863. Emanuel Gratz, died at Stevenson, Ala., October 19, 1863, of wounds received at Chickamauga. Frank W. Hillman, died at Chattanooga, Tenn., October 11, 1863, of wounds received at Chickamauga. Thompson Legget, killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863. John Oliver, taken prisoner at Chickamauga. John Smith, died at Chattanooga, Tenn., October 5, 1863, of wound received at Chickamauga. Henry Willis, at Chickamauga. John Miller, taken prisoner at Chickamauga, David Richardson, taken prisoner at Chickamauga; died at Belle Island. Abraham Martindale, taken prisoner at Chickamauga; died at Belle Island.
Deaths.-John Hull, March 20, 1862, at Nashville, Tenn. James K. P. Garver, July 15, 1862, at Hamilton, Ohio. Isaac Shellhouse, January 30, 1863, at Gallatin, Tenn. Jackson Harlmack, February 8, 1862, at Somerset, Ky. Sanford P. Stitzell, June 30, 1840, at Gallatin, Tenn. JameS H. Strode, January 2, 1863, at Hamilton, Ohio. W. H. H. Kimble, February 20, 1864, at Hamilton, Ohio.
Deserted.-Thomas H. Price, November 4, 1862; sentenced by court-martial to be shot to death ; the President mitigated his sentence to imprisonment during the war at Dry Tortugas, Florida, Willison Cumons, September 20, 1862 ; sentenced by court-martial to be confined at Jefferson, Ind., penitentiary during the war. Patrick Doil, Cynthiana, Ky., September 29, 1861. George W. Jenkins, Bowling Green, Ky., November 6, 1862. Wm. Lewellen, Bowling Green, Ky,, November 4, 1862. Solomon Mandelbaum, Bowling Green, Ky., November 6, 1862. Wakefield Martindill, Bowling Green, Ky., November 6, 1862. Charles Scheid, Bowling Green, Ky., November 6, 1862. Jacob Houser, absent without leave, April 20, 1862.
Company K.
Captain.-Joel K. Deardoff, died October 8, 1863, of wounds received at Chickamauga.
First Lieutenant.-Lewis Lambright, wounded at the storming of Mission Ridge.
Second Lieutenant.-David Stiles, brigade quartermaster after July 3, 1862.
First Sergeant.-Richard H. Ford, wounded and paroled at the battle of Chickamauga.
Sergeants.-Thomas C. Pearson, wounded at Chickamauga; died in hospital of small-pox at Nashville, December 11, 1863. James M. Denny. Jacob Leibes, reduced to ranks May 28, 1862, at his own request ; discharged for disability June 18, 1862. James Blair, taken prisoner at Somerset, Ky., December 8, 1861; returned to duty February 22, 1862. Miles M. Hale, January 10, 1862; deserted, August 31, 1863. Harvey Elliott, May 24, 1862 ; killed at Chickamauga. Henry B. Steller, May 28, 1862.
Corporals.-George W. Gillmore, killed at Chickamauga. Charles R. Howard; discharged for disability May 18, 1862. William C. Mullinix, died in hospital at Corinth, June 22, 1862.
During the Summer of 1861 a number of other organizations were begun, but no other regiment than the Thirty-fifth went out from this county that season. Captain Peter Murphy organized a company of some sixty rank and file for State service in Liberty Township. They were all provided with uniforms and performed their tactical operations with skill and accuracy.
On the 16th of May the Butler Pioneers reached ninety men, who had enlisted for three years. They left on the seventeenth for Columbus, going to Camp Jackson. There proved to be a misunderstanding' about the orders to move, and they 7.returned to Camp Hamilton at midnight. On the 1st of June, Second Lieutenant F. M. Leflar was the recipient of a sword, given him by his friends in Hamilton. The presentation speech was made by Robert Christy. Mr. Leflar responded briefly as follows :
" Sir, this valuable present indicates a feeling of respect and affection for me of which I feel altogether unworthy. It creates within me a feeling of pleasure and gratitude which I am unable properly to express; Be assured that it will inspire me with renewed courage. In the defense of our country I shall endeavor to use this sword in a manner that will be no disgrace to its liberal and patriotic donors."
June 9th the Butler Pioneers went to Camp Jackson, Columbus. Previously they were entertained by M. C. Ryan and Dr. McElwee.
Mr. E. G. Dyer forwarded one hundred dollars to the Jackson Guards, stationed at Washington, to be divided among the men, which was done.
Company F, Second Regiment, were quartered on the 24th of June at Grafton, Virginia. On the way they were treated with great kindness. At one village the people turned out in crowds, and bountifully supplied the soldiers with bread and butter, cakes, pies, and other
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delicacies. On their way they met a company from Oxford. In 'West Virginia they had their first experience in a march of any length. They found the accouterments welt heavy. It was pretty hard work to carry a knapsack as full as it would hold, and forty rounds of ammunition, with a belt for bayonet and caps, a haversack with two days' rations, a plate, knife, fork, cup, and 'spoon, and gun weighing ten pounds; this formed a good load for a strong man.
A company called Anderso Grays was organized and uniformed in Hamilton as la reserve company of Ohio Volunteers. It was under the command of Captain Stone, of the First Ward, and exhibited remarkable proficiency. On the 8th of August, 1861, the Butler Pioneers, or Company A, Twenty-sixth Ohio, were at Summersville, West Virginia. They had seen some service. The company had volunteered to break up a nest of rebels, some twenty miles from the regimental camp. They were gone three days, returning successfully and bringing back with them two prisoners of Wise's army, one a lieutenant. General Garrison was getting up a battalion of infantry. His camp was established on the grounds of William Beckett, south of the depot. The first company was nearly fulk As fast as the companies were filled up they were to be sent to Camp Fremont, at St. Louis.
September 12th C. H. Murray had over fifty recruits for Captain White's Cavalry Company, Second Regiment Ohio Cavalry. Wilkeson Beatty and J. A. Zeller had begun recruiting a company for the Fiftieth Regiment. Robert Cullen had received authority to raise a company for the Fiftieth. A. J. Lewis had also received the same authority.
Captain Margedant, of the Engineering Corps, won the most favorable mention from the press for his enthusiasm, personal exposure, and admirable services in reconnoitering, at constant personal risk, the enemy's lines. Forty men were in the Ninth Regiment which left under Captain Margedant, and about twenty-five men, under Lieutenant William H. Miller, attached to the Twelfth. It also contributed about forty men to the regular army.
Companies Ivre in process of formation, on the 19th of September, as follows:
Infantry.-Captain Beatty, Captain Huber, Captain A. J. Lewis, Captain C. D. Smith, Captain Cullen.
Cavalry.-Captain White, Captain William Moore.
Charles Murray's company went to Camp Dick Corwine on the 26th of September with nearly a full company of cavalry. This was the fourteenth company from the county.
A national fast was observed on the 26th of September, 1861.
The company of cavalry which left Hamilton for Camp Cor wine held an election on the 28th of September for officers, with the following result: Clement Murphy, Captain ; C. H. Murray, First Lieutenant; and Alexander C. Rossman, Second Lieutenant.
From Hamilton several families sent more than one member to the army. Among them were four sons of James Whittaker; three sons of Mrs. Castator; W. H. H. Kimble and two sons; J. Houser and two sons; L. W. Morris and two sons. Henry S. Earhart had two sons in the army.
Colonel L. D. Campbell was appointed colonel of the Sixty-ninth Regiment, and a recruiting office was opened at Miami Hall.
Recruits were taken in Hamilton for the Martin Guards of the Fifty-eighth Regiment. N. C. McLean, Colonel; William H. Martin, of the Hamilton and Dayton Railroad, Lieutenant Colonel ; and Robert Reily, of Cincinnati, Major. W. T. Tibbitts was the authorized recruiting agent.
The recruiting for the Sixty-ninth progressed rapidly.
Louis Ferree Berry, son of Philip and Rachel S. Berry, died at Camp Gauley, West Virginia, of congestive fever. He was in the three months' service, and afterwards enlisted for the three years' service. He served in a number of skirmishes and displayed a gallantry and coolness wonderful in one so young. He was probably the youngest of the victims from this county in the civil war, lacking, at the time of his death, one month of sixteen years of age.
Captain Murphy's company of cavalry visited Hamilton on the 6th of November, and were handsomely entertained by the Sixty-ninth.
Robert Cullen, captain, was engaged in Hamilton in recruiting men for Meagher's Zouaves, Fiftieth Regiment, to be composed exclusively of Irishmen.
John Fitch, a member of Company D, Thirty-ninth Regiment, died in the hospital of Camp Foster, near Macon, Missouri, on the 29th of November, 1861, aged twenty-four. He was from Butler County. He was buried with honors. Colonel Groesbeck led the regiment to the graveyard, three volleys were fired over his grave, and the chaplain, Rev. B. W. Chidlaw,An'ade an eloquent address and offered up a fervent prayer. .
Eleven hundred and forty-one men were enlisted in Butler County under the calls of the first year.
The civil war had many opponents in this county, and the first year had not passed without vigorous protests from them. The first burst of enthusiasm had silenced every voice, but in the course of two or three months objectors could again be heard in every part of the county. The Democratic party was divided into two camps, but the peace faction obtained the preponderating influence in the convention, which was duly held on the 2d of August, and they used their power. M. N. Maginnis was the leading spirit. He introduced a set of resolutions denouncing the war and reaffirming the principles of the resolutions of 1798, of the most ultra kind. They were warmly received, and were passed. But the
230 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
sober sense of the party asserted itself afterwards, and the convention reassembled on the 21st, which the previous resolutions were disavowed, and a more moderate series were passed. Many of those who had not been present previously were on hand, and the yeomanry were also in attendance, and it is safe to say that the latter meeting more thoroughly reflected the feelings of the Democracy than the former one did. There were then two newspapers published in Hamilton which were nominally Democratic, but they really differing as far as the poles. In the one controlled by Dr. McElwee the most undisguised denunciations of the war, its leaders and the abolitionists, were to be found. To be a friend of the Union, as it was likely to be reconstructed, was had enough ; but to have a sympathy for a man with a colored skin was enough to cause a citizen's name to be written down among the most infamous of the human race. The Union Party, as the Republicans entitled themselves for this campaign, appealed to every patriotic sentiment of the country, and canvassed each township with great spirit, and carvery near carrying the election. Two of the ticket were elected, the rest being defeated.
The Sixty-ninth Regiment was not wholly from this county. Besides Butler, it counts upon its lists the names of Darke, Montgomery, Preble, Harrison, and Fairfield. The first call for recruits was as follows:
TO ARMS! TO ARMS!!
"If any man hauls down the American flag, shoot him on the spot."—John A. Dix.
CAMPBELL'S REGIMENT.
The governor of Ohio has authorized the undersigned to recruit the Sixty-ninth Regiment of Infantry for service for three yearsor the war, and has established the rendezvous at Hamilton. It is important that this duty should be promptly executed, and I therefore invoke the active aid of all patriotic people. The vile traitors who have sacrilegiously defied the Constitution of our country, trampled the stars and stripes in the dust, and attempted to dissever the Union purchased by the blood of cfttr fathers, are now rapidly approaching the borders of our State in battle array. These infamous miscreants bring in their train desolation and woe, and we can no longer hope for peace to our country or safety to our homes and firesides except by flying speedily to arms. Already our sister State, Kentucky, whose gallant sons came to our relief when we were weak, and watered the soil of Ohio with their best blood in the war of 1812, supplicates us for aid. Let us not prove ungrateful to them in this their hour of peril, or forget our high duties to ourselves and to posterity. Let the alarm cry be sounded and—
To Arms! To Arms !!
Recruiting officers have been appointed by the adjutant- general, and volunteers will be paid and subsisted from the date of enlistment.
The fair-grounds and buildings of the Agricultural Society will be immediately occupied as an encampment, where companies, squads, or single volunteers will be received and provided for.
LEWIS D. CAMPBELL.
HAMILTON, 0., October 5, 1861.
The people responded enthusiastically. Recruiting went on all the latter part of 1861, and on the 19th of February the regiment, which had been organized in camp near Hamilton, took the railroad for Camp Chase. It was under the command of Colonel Lewis D. Campbell, long and favorably known as the congressman from this district. On the 19th of February the Sixty-ninth was sent to Nashville, Tennessee, arriving there on the 22d. It went into camp on the grounds of Major Lewis, and was reviewed by Andrew Johnson, the warm personal friend of the colonel, then the military governor of Tennessee, and afterwards the Vice-president and President of the United States. On the 1st of May it went to Franklin, where it acted as the guard for forty miles of the Tennessee and Alabama Railroad. The rebel women of Franklin were especially bitter, and on one occasion evinced their venom against the national dead buried in the cemetery by dancing on their graves. Colonel Campbell issued an order commenting in severe terms upon this indignity, and warning the people of Franklin against a repetition of such dastardly insults.
The regiment returned to Nashville on the 8th of June, going from that place by rail to Murfreesboro, atrd joining an expedition across the Cumberland Mountains. It returned to Murfreesb6ro at its close, having given a good illustration of its powers of marching. The troops suffered severely, and the rations proved to be in very short supply. .
On the 20th of June it again entered Nashville, where it remained, doing provost duty until the last of July, Colonel Campbell acting as provost marshak General l• Morgan, the rebel cavalry officer, made a descent upon Gallatin while the Sixty-ninth was in Nashville, and that regiment, with the Eleventh Michigan, went out to meet them, which they did with success, driving the enemy away, but losing one man, Isaac Repp, of Dayton. This was the first loss of the Sixty-ninth in battle.
Colonel Campbell resigned on the 9th of August, and was succeeded by Lieutenant-colonel William B. Cassilly. When Bragg's army attempted a flank movement towards Louisville, the Sixty-ninth and other regiments were left in Nashville as a garrison for the city, a duty that proved very arduous, as there were not enough men to do it properly. Skirmishes were constantly Staking place, and the men were becoming inured to military duty.
December 26th the regiment moved, with the army under General Rosecrans, towards Murfreesboro. On the first day of the battle of Stone River the regiment was engaged with the enemy, taking position in the advance line of General George H. Thomas's corps. It became involved in the disaster on the right, and was compelled to fight its enemy back to the Nashville Turnpike, suffering severely both in killed and wounded. On Friday, January 2d, the Sixty-ninth took part in the brilliant and desperate charge across Stone River against Breckinridge's rebel corps, in which the enemy were
THE REBELLION - 231
driven back with heavy loss. In this charge it captured a part of the famous Washington Battery, from New Orleans, the flag being taken by Sergeant Frederick Wilson, of Company E. The fight lasted until after dark, and proved to be the end of the battle, as on the morning the rebel army was not to be seen Many were killed and wounded.
Colonel Elliott wrote, shortly after the battle of Murfreesboro, as follows:
" We have passed through a terrible struggle, lasting five days. Most of that time it was raining hard and we were without tents and blankets, and had but little to eat. But the Sixty-ninth passed through all this without a murmur, and with few exceptions both officers and men behaved with great gallantry and bravery. I did not see an officer who had not done his whole duty, and I doubt if a" braver set of men can be found in this army. Our loss, though not large, we feel deeply. The wounded are as well cared for as circumstances will admit of, and we hope soon to be able to provide for all their. junts. But, amid the confusion, death, and carnage, hard to do any thing. It is but fair to add Mat the enemy treated all of our men who were wounded and taken prisoners most kindly. Some of the Sixty- ninth I found in private houses and tenderly waited on. Below find a list of killed and wounded :
" KILLED.
"Captain Councellor, Company H, whilst bravely leading his company ; at the same time and place, Sergeant McGillan, Company B; Corporal Allbright, Company E; Corporal J. C. Brown, Company G; Private H. Aikens, Company D; December 31, Benj. Stewart, Company A.
" WOUNDED.
" Colonel Cassilly, arm ; Major Hickcox, horse shot and fell on him ; Captain W. Patton, Company G, in back and foot ; Adjutant Boynton, leg; Captain Devor, Company D, neck, slightly ; Lieutenant Hicks, Company A, arm ; Lieutenant Tucker, Company B, shoulder.
" Company, A .—FitSt Sergeant J. S. Scott, shoulder (missing); Corporal D.B. Tetrick, leg (prisoner); Private Lewis Hulse, leg; W. Coulson, ankle ; J. Bragg, leg ; J. Simpson, arm (prisoner) ; R. Marchant, leg; W. McLellan (prisoner); Geo. Ballard (missing).
" Company B.—W. Porter, cheek (prisoner); J. Bulger, hand ; D. Stebbins, ankle.
" Company C.—Captain Geo. B. Hubbard, hand ; W. Longfellow, side ; P. Birch, cheek, slight ; J. R. McGill, shoulder, slight ; V. Hellferick, shoulder, slight.
" Company D.—Sergeant Tipton King, hand ; C. C. Wilson, thigh ; Henry Stolte, thigh ; Henry Zumi, hand ; Abram Hawkins, shoulder.
" Company E.—Sergeant Thomas Perry, hand; James Rea, side ; Geo. A. Davis, arm (prisoner); Isaiah Venable knee ; Nathan Jones, face and shoulder.
" Company F.—Sergeant George Shedd, shoulder ; Corporal Jesse M. Hovens, leg; John J, Simmonds, foot.
Company G .—Corporal F. Buck, arm ; Corporal George Pritz, leg (prisoner); Jacob Holler, neck ; Joseph Howell, hand ; Frank Castor, head ; Joel Wagoner, shoulder.
" Company H—Sergeant G. W. Estridge, thigh ; Corporal Jacob Brobeck, abdomen ; G. Weiderlich, back; C. Peterson, thigh.
" Company I.—Sergeant J. C. Clark, hand, slight ; Corporal J. M. Williams, heel (leg amputated) ; Corporal R. McKelors, heel ; J. McAlister, hand (prisoner); J. Kildon, heel; R. Wells, shoulder, slightly.
" Company K.—Corporal G. M. Jones, back ; Ch. Graham, thigh ; D. Gavern, slightly ; N. Johnson, slightly.
" The above is a full list of our killed and wounded. Colonel Cassily, Major Hickcox, and Adjutant Boynton, were wounded seriously in the commencement of the fight, on Wednesday, the 31st, while we were attempting to get position. The adjutant was taken prisoner. I found him and Captain Patton in private houses, well cared for."
Lieutenant Larzalere communicates an account of the conduct of Company F in the battle of Murfreesboro:
"The fight commenced early on Wednesday morning. Company F was ordered into the woods as a reserve to support the skirmishers, who were hotly engaged, somementimes our boys driving the enemy to their rifle-pits. Company F behaved most gallantly, while the tops of trees were falling and bombs bursting, grape and canister plowing through the woods, and the roar of the musketry was dreadful. Such a sight we never witnessed before, but with all this the boys behaved splendidly and every man was at his post. It was then that Sergeant George Shedd was wounded with a cannon ball. He stood directly in front of the company, the ball striking a stump close by me and glancing, striking Sergeant Shedd on the shoulder. I supposed he was killed at the time, being carried off the field. I am proud to say he was not, for he is a brave boy and 'would never ...turn his back to the enemy. A number of the company distinguished themselves on that day. I had four men wounded and four missing. Sergeant Shedd, Pat. urphy, James Havens, and John Simmons were wounded. S. P. Miller, Theo. Seargrist, Simon Waters, and Oscar Bruin were missing. I have entertained the idea that the missing were taken prisoners. I will give a short account of Friday's fight. In the charge across Stone River Company F were in the hottest. They fought with desperation. They were in advance, or at least the whole regiment was in advance. The enemy was on the one side of the river, and we on the other, but our boys were determined to cross the river, which they did. Now the fight became terrible. Every time the boys pulled trig ger down came a rebel, till they could not stand the storm any longer, so off tliey went, throwing away guns, knapsacks, and accouterments, our boys pressing, capturing, and killing them by hundreds. The field was strewn with the dead and dying of the enemy, but still our boys pursued them nearly a mile, capturing one battery—the Washington Battery-said to be the best one in the service. I did not lose a man. Company F behaved most gallantly in this dreadful fight and
232 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
deserted a great deal of credit for it, and they are ready and anxious for another fight. They are all well and in good condition. We are encamped one mile south of Murfreesboro at the present time."
The Tullahoma campaign was begun on the 24th of ,Tune, 1863. The regiment moved with the Fourteenth Corps, meeting no trouble until in the passage through Hoover's Gap, the enemy was engaged in a brisk fight. The enemy also made a stand at Elk River, but was quickly driven forward. A little further on they went into camp, it being impossible to make further progress in that deep mud and the impassable roads of that region. This was at Cowan's Station, and the army then remained until the 8th of September. It was detailed at that time as a guard to an ammunition train of four hundred and fifty wagons, going to Bridgeport, on the Tennessee River. It then marched to Chattanooga.
Joseph W. Boynton, the adjutant, died on the 5th of June, of wounds received at the battle of Stone River. The funeral services were performed by Rev. Mr. Mc- Mille, at the Presbyterian Church, at 2 P. M., Sunday. Th rocession from the church to Greenwood Cemetery was under the superintendence of Colonel Campbell, and consisted of an escort from the One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio and a large number of carriages. Lieutenant Boynton was a resident of Boston, Massachusetts. The officers of the regiment held a meeting in the camp near Murfreesboro, June 9th, for the purpose of giving expression to their sentiments; declared that the meeting was unanimous in their feeling of regret at the loss of so young and promising an officer, and that the news of his death came with a twofold force, from the fact of his friends in Tennessee having hitherto been buoyed up by the almost certain prospect of his ultimate recovery. The service at large, and that regiment in particular, it was believed, had, in the death of Lieutenant Boynton, met with a severe loss, a companion of genial and happy temperament, and an officer whose peculiar military talents were invaluable. The meeting deeply sympathized with the beleaved relatives of Lieutenant Boynton, who had thus offered up his life to his country; another victim added to the hecatombs sacrificed on the altars of rebellion.
Preparatory to the battle of Chickamauga the Sixty- ninth Ohio, with the reserve corps under General Gordon Granger, marched from Rossville to Chickamauga Creek. At this point, in obedience to an order from Colonel Dan. McCook, commanding the brigade, the regiment advanced under Colonel Brigham and burned Reed's Bridge, thus preventing the enemy from coming in on the rear of the national army. The regiment then fell back to Rossville, and immediately thereafter took charge of the division trains. For this reason it did not participate in the battle of Chickamauga. It afterwards aided in covering the retreat of the Fourteenth Corps towards Chattanooga.
The regiment participated in the battle of Mission Ridge, and was among the first to reach the top of the mountain. In this charge it was commanded by Major J. J. Hanna, who was highly complimented for his bravery and efficiency. In ascending the ridge Lieutenant J. S. Scott; Color Sergeant Jacob Wetzell ; Color Corporals D. W. Leach and John W. Meredith ; Corporal E. J. Manche ; privates Kluger, Elsom, Van Kirk, Sewers, and Hefling were killed, and a large number wounded, many of whom subsequently died. March 16, 1864, the regiment, after having re-enlisted as veterans, started for Ohio on a furlough of thirty days. At the end of their furlough the men reported promptly at Camp Dennison, and on the 22d of April again started for the field.
After reaching Nashville they marched to Buzzard's Roost, arriving there on the 11th of May. On May 14th the regiment, with the army, moved through Snake Creek Gap to a point near Resaca, where the enemy was met and engaged. At this place Color Sergeant John A. Compton and four others were killed, and twenty-six men wounded. At Pumpkin Vine Creek and at Dallas the enemy was again engaged. In these affairs the regiment lost five killed and nineteen wounded. Kenesaw Mountain was reached on the evening of June 14th. During this siege two men were killed. At Marietta, July 4th, another engagement was had with the enemy, in which the regiment lost one man killed and seven wounded. The next stand was at the crossing of the Chattahoochie River, in which the regiment escaped without loss. On the 21st one man was killed and ten wounded. July 22d brought the regiment and the army before Atlanta. During the siege nine men were wounded, two of whom subsequently died.
On September 1st the Sixty-ninth took part in the fight at Jonesboro, and lost Lieutenant Jacob S. Pierson, Martin V. Bailey, Color-sergeant Allen L. Jobes, of Company D, and five men killed and thirty-six wounded, some of whom died in a few hours after the fight. The battle caused the evacuation of Atlanta, and the national forces occupied that city. The regiment -participated in the subsequent chase after Hood through the upper part of Georgia and into Alabama. It then returned to Atlanta, and joined Sherman's march to the sea, losing during its progress one man by disease and four captured. Arriving in Savannah, it took position in the front line.
In the campaign through the Carolinas the regiment was engaged with the enemy near Goldsboro, North Carolina, March 19, 1865, and lost two killed and eight wounded. This-was the last affair in which it participated. Then came the march through Richmond, the review at Washington, the transfer to Louisville, and, lastly, the final muster out of the service on the 17th of July, 1865.
The following is a list of the officers and non-commis-
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sioned officers of the regiment, together with the killed and wounded :
Colonels.-Lewis D. Campbell, resigned August 9, 1862. William B. Cassilly, August 9, 1862 ; dismissed December 3, 1862. Marshall F. Moore, appointed colonel from lieutenant-colonel Seventeenth Ohio, February 23, 1863; resigned November; 7, 1864. Joseph H, Brigham, July 10, 1865.
Lieutenant-colonels.-Charles L. Gano, major, October 30, 1861; lieutenant-colonel, August 9, 1862 ; resigned October 24, 1862, on account of disability. George F. Elliott, captain Company C, January 20, 1862; major, August 9, 1862; lieutenant-colonel, October 24, 1862; resigned February 5, 1863, Lewis E. Hicks, July 10, 1865.
Majors.-Eli J. Hickcox, captain Company D, January 20, 1862; major, October 26, 1862; resigned May 24, 1863, on account of disability. James J. Hanna, private Company K, June 23, 1862 ; captain, March 23, 1863; major, June 9, 1863; mustered out March 23, 1865. Lewis E. Hicks, private, September 12, 1861; first sergeant, October 12, 1861; second lieutenant, March 12, 1863; captain, June 13, 1863; major, June 8, 1865. Alex. Lemon, July 14, 1865.
Surgeons.-Lewis Slusser, mustered out, April 10, 1865. Robert A. Stephenson, May 20, 1865.
Assistant Surgeons.-Moses H Hagins, resigned September 10, 1862. Milton A. Frost, .reslied April 25, 1863, on account of disability. Levi B. Northrop, June 26, 1865.
Adjutants.-Richard H. Cunningham, March 5, 1863; relieved August 9, 1863; reappointed December 19, 1863. Joseph W. Boynton, first lieutenant, October 2, 1861, wounded in battle of Stone River, dying in June. William S. Mead, August 9, 1863; relieved and assigned to Company D December 19, 1863. Thomas B. Hoffman, private Company I, January 25, 1862; second lieutenant, March 4, 1862; first lieutenant Company A July 18, 1864; adjutant, December 31, 1864.
Quartermasters.-Frederick B. Landis, captain, mustered out December 31, 1864. Levi E. Chenoweth, private Company E; commissary sergeant, February 26, 1864; first lieutenant, February 2, 1865; captain Company I June 16, 1865. .
Chaplains.-William G. Brownlow, mustered out from date of appointment for absence without leave. William H. Rodgers.
The following persons also appear on the rolls without designated companies:
Captains.-Alex. Mahood, January 20, 1863; resigned November 5, 1864.; William H. Mead, August 11, 1864, dismissed January 7, 1865; Timothy Hubbard, January 18, 1865 ; Jacob J. Ranck, January 2, 1863 ; mustered out second lieutenant. Patrick H. Ludditt, resigned September 18, 1862.
Company A.
Captains.-Joseph H. Brigham, December 11, 1861; lieutenant-colonel, February 23, 1863, Lewis E. Hicks, June 13, 1863; major, June 8, 1865. Jacob Leas, commissary sergeant, February 26, 1864; first lieutenant, February 22, 1864; captain, June 16, 1865.
First Lieutenants.-Richard H. Cunningham, adjutant, September 19, 1863 ; ' mustered out December 31, 1864. Thomas B. Hoffman, adjutant, December 31, 1864.
Second Lieutenants.-Frank Sweeny, October 17, 1861; first lieutenant of Company K, November 20, 1862. John S. Scott, killed in action at Mission Ridge. William N. Ben- edict, promoted to first lieutenant of Company C, February 2, 1865.
First Sergeant.-Thomas Adams, wounded at Catawba River, February 28, 1865.
Sergeants.-Andrew J. Nixon, wounded near Atlanta, July 21, 1864. Allen D. Baysore, Lewis C. Mahan, John W. Simpson.
Corporals.-Millon V. Voorhees, wounded. William H. Bratt, Samuel Rhoads, George C. Ballard, wounded at Jonesboro, Georgia, September 1, 1864. Robert Clendenin, Andrew J. Bennett.
Died.-Benjamin F. Belch, corporal, died of wounds, January 11, 1864; 'Samuel Nixon, corporal, wounded at Jonesboro, dying September 11 1864; William Bishop, wounds received May 29th at Pumikin Vine Creek ; William Coulson, wounds received at Peachtree Creek, July 21, 1864; Philip Kennard, disease, June 23, 1864; Thomas J. Thompson, disease, Milledgeville, December 25, 1864.
Company B.
Captains.-Charles N. Gibbs, second lieutenant, October 7th; captain, December 9th ; resigned August 13, 1862. Marmaduke Welpley, first lieutenant, December 9, 1861; captain, November 1, 1862 ; resigned April 16, 1863. Alexander Lemon, second lieutenant, September 9, 1861 ;
first lieutenant, November 1, 1862; captain, June 13, 1863.
First Lieutenants. -Joseph E. Tucker, June 13, 1863; resigned November 14, 1863. Samuel P. Murray, sergeant, October 15, 1861 ; second lieutenant, June 13, 1863; first lieutenant, August 23, 1864; transferred to Company F June 16, 1865. Thomas B. White, corporal, January 7, 1862 ; first sergeant, March 1, 1865 ; first lieutenant, June 16, 1865.
Second Lieutenant.-Alex. Lemon, promoted to first lieutenant.
Sergeants.-James Wright, corporal, February 19, 1864; sergeant, November 8, 1864; first sergeant, June 16, 1865. John L. Keely, March 1, 1865 ; Moses M. Logan, March 1, 1865 ; George W. Mencle, June 16, 1865 ; David Austin, June 16, 1865.
Corporals-James Crameime, March 1, 1865. Solomon B. Dill, June 16, 1865. Theodorus V. Howe, June 16, 1865 ; Robert Roberson, June 16, 1865; John Faber, June 16, 1865; Michael Dempsey, March 5, 1864; George Penney, March 12, 1864 ; Charles P. Morse, March 1, 1855.
Died.-Walter Scull, corporal, February 19, 1864. George F. Howard, killed at battle of Bentonville, N. C., March 19, 1865. Frederick Ockerhauser, killed at battle. of Jonesboro, Ga., September 1, 1864. Alfred Wilste, killed in action at Kenesaw Mountain, June 16, 1864. Conrad Alt, at Chattanooga, Tenn., July 7, 1864, of wounds received at Resaca. John H. Coombs, in general field hospital, near Atlanta, Ga., August 11, 1864, of wounds received at Atlanta. William Cameron, at Andersonville prison, July 6, 1864. Jacob Lop- land, at sea, March 18, 1865. Jefferson Rail, at Chattanooga, August 20, 1864, in hospital.
Deserted.-William Jones, April 18, 1864. John Smith, April 18, 1864.
Company C.
Captain.-William N. Benedict, first sergeant, February 22, 1864; second lieutenant, August 24, 1864; first lieutenant, February 22, 1865.
First Lieutenants.-Jacob S. Pierson, second lieutenant, May 3, 1863; first lieutenant, June 13, 1863 ; killed at Jonesboro, Ga., September 1, 1864. Danforth B. Thompson, first sergeant, March 6, 1865 ; first lieutenant, June 16, 1865.
234 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
George B. Hubbard, October 9, 1861 ; promoted to captain. Thurston C. Challen.
Second Lieutenants.—William C. Barnett, June 13, 1863. Ross J. Hazeltine, December 9, 1861; promoted to first lieutenant. Abram P. Cox, August 9, 1862 ; appointed captain, Mississippi Marine Brigade.
Sergeants.—Pembroke Birch, corporal, February 6, 1865 ; sergeant, June 16, 1865; first sergeant, June 7, 1865. William B. Bowman, March 19, 1864. James R. McGill, coil)oral, February 22, 1864; sergeant, June 1, 1864. Casper Maile, corporal, February 22, 1864; sergeant, February 6, 1865. Wilbur E. Lott, corporal, March 22, 1864; sergeant-major, May 11, 1865.
Corporals.—Jerome Jordan, February 22, 1864, wounded. James W. Hommer, February 22, 1864. Stiles C. Ireland, February 6, 1865., Daniel Longfellow, February 6, 1865. George W. Crites. David W. Moorehouse, May 1, 1865. Steward Fulk, May 1, 1865.
Died.—John A. Compton, sergeant, killed in action at Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1864. Wilson S. Mercer, sergeant, killed in action at Pumpkin Vine Creek, Ga., May 31, 1864. Thomas W. Broderick, sergeant, died July 19, 1864, of wounds received at Pumpkin Vine Creek, May 31, 1864. John W. Cohen, killed at Jonesboro, Ga., September 1, 1864. Henry C. Campbell, krlled at Jonesboro, Ga. Thomas B. Van Horne, killed at Beneiville, N. C., March 19, 1865. David Ross, died at Nashville,7Cenn., of wounds received at Pumpkin Vine Creek, May 31, 1864. •
Company D.
Captains.—Eli I. Hickcox, second lieutenant, October 5, 1861; captain, December 15, 1861; major, October 24, 1862. James Devor, first lieutenant, December 16, 1861; captain, May 1, 1863; resigned, May 15, 1863. William Larzalere, second lieutenant, Company F, December 16, 1861; first lieutenant, June 13, 1863; captain, Company D, September 26,.
1863; mustered out December 31, 1864. James Wharry, second lieutenant, Company D, June 13, 1863; first lieutenant, Company K, September 23, 1864; captain, Company D, June 16, 1865.
First Lieutenants.:—William S Mead, May 20, 1863. James J. King, June 8, 1865.
Second Lieutenants.—Jacob W. Snively, resigned, June 23, 1862. William S Faulkner, June 22, 1862 ; resigned, May 19, 1863.
Sergeants.—Gavin W. Hamilton, March 7, 1864. Jonathan Bowman, September 1, 1864. Jeremiah S. Reck, May 3, 1865. Ames T. King, March 7, 1864 ; sergeant-major, December 29, 1864. Anthony B. Raymond, quartermaster's sergeant, July 3, 1865.
Corporals. - Jefferson Rynearson. Josiah Rynearson. Adam Robins. Civilian K. Wilson. taken prisoner February 15, 1865; exchanged, March 30, 1865. John Moore, corporal, March 30, 1865. James Thorne, May 15, 1865.
Died.—Allen S. Jobes, sergeant, killed in action September 1, 1864, at Jonesboro, Ga. John M. Fifer, killed near Bentonville, March 19, 1865. John Bowman, at Atlanta, Ga., of wounds received at Jonesboro, Ga., September 1, 1864. Samuel Deforrest, June 13, 1864, of wounds received May 28, 1864. Ross Dugan, June 16, 1864, of wounds received June 3d. Josiah M. Richardson, August 24, 1864, of wounds received August 9th. Dennis Downey, of disease while on furlough, March 16, 1864.
Missing.—Clinton M. Potter, first sergeant, captured November 7, 1864, and since then never heard of.
Deserted.—Frederick Ammon, Henry Adams, Marsalius Baker, Joseph A. Bird, John Coneely, John D. Edwards, Edgar Potter, James F. Sanders, John Shay.
Transferred.—James McDaniel, Veteran Reserve Corps, December 22, 1864. William Frank, United States Engineers.
Company E.
Captains.—George W. Moore, second lieutenant, December 16, 1861; first lieutenant, June 15, 1863; captain, September 26, 1863 ; mustered out February 2, 1864. Nelson T. Chenoweth, second lieutenant, June 15, 1863; first lieutenant, September 16, 1863; captain, March 1, 1865. David Putnam, December 16, 1861, promoted to major.
First Lieutenants.—Jacob Leas, commissary sergeant, February 26, 1864 ; first lieutenant, February 2,-1865 ;- captain, Company A, June 16, 1865. John M. Boatman, October 16, 1861; resigned, April 30, 1862.
Sergeants.—William W. Wilson, corporal, March 7, 1864; sergeant, December 2, 1864; first sergeant, February 22, 1864. James Rea, November 19, 1863 ; sergeant, January 22, 1865 ; wounded at Bentonville, Ga., March 19, 1865. William W. Collins, November 19, 1863. Lewis A. Albright, corporal, November 19, 1863; sergeant, June 1, 1865. Jacob W. Juday, corporal, January 22, 1865; sergeant, July 7, 1865.
Corporals.—Joel T. Chenoweth, February 22, 1864. Harvey Weaver, August 1, 1864. Lewis Alexander, June 1, 1865. George W, McClellan, July 7, 1865. Isaac Kiltner, July 7, 1865. William P. Robinson, July 1, 1865. James C. Fowler, July 7, 1865. David Pierson, July 7, 1865.
Died.—Calvin Brock, killed at the battle of Jonesboro, Ga., September 1, 1864. William B. Anderson, died at amp Chase, August 28, 1864.
Transferred. — Nathan Achey, Veteran Reserve Corps, March 15, 1865. Levi E. Chenoweth, quartermaster's sergeant, March 6, 1864. Harvey Mote, wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1864; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, January 10, 1865. Michael McGuire, transferred to
Veteran Reserve Corps, March 10, 1864. George W. Riekei, wounded in left hand at battle of Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1864; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. Augustus N. Wilson, promoted to hospital steward.
Company F.
Captains.—Robert Clements, dismissed, November 3, 1863. Samuel Murray, sergeant, October 15, 1861; second lieutenant, June 13, 1863; first lieutenant, August 23, 1864 ; captain, June 16, 1865; commanding Company B, January 1st to May 25, 1865.
First Lieutenants.—Clement D. Smith, resigned, May 27, 1863. William Larzalere, September 26; 1863. Frederick Louthan, first sergeant, September 21, 1861; first lieutenant, September 26, 1863. Zenas S. Poulson, promoted to Captain, Company K, June 15, 1865. Oscar F. Smith, May 31, 1865.
Second Lieutenant.—Frederick E. Wilson, promoted first lieutenant, Company H, September 28, 1863.
Sergeants.—Levi Breidenstein, March 6, 1864. Orville L. McClung, January 3, 1865. Stephen Mills, January 3, 1865.
Corporals.—Daniel Spangler, January 3, 1865. Erastus Benton, May 11, 1865, George W. Brown, May 11, 1865. John Tucker, killed in action at. Pumpkin Vine Creek, June 6, 1864. John I. Simmons, killed at Jonesboro, Ga., September 1, 1864. Alexander House, killed at Bentonville, N. C., March 19, 1865.
Died.—Patrick Murphy, killed in action at Pumpkin Vine Creek, Ga., June 3, 1864. Henry Stickle, killed in action, July 21, 1864, near Peachtree Creek, Ga. Oscar F. Smith,
THE REBELLION - 235
sergeant, died of injuries received in railroad accident, June 30, 1865. John Schellhouse, August 19, 1864, at Chattanooga. Michael Schwenk, December 6, 1864, in hospital. Charles Walton, September 25, 1864, at Atlanta, Ga.
Deserters.-Charlew Carter, Edward Carter, William H. Harvey, Michael Keller, Levi Vorris.
Company G.
Captains.-Jacob Shaffer, first sergeant, February 26, 1864; first lieutenant, February 2, 1865; captain, June 16, 1865. William Patton, December 29, 1802; resigned, July 25, 1863.
First Lieutenants.-Martin V. Bailey, September 26, 1863; killed at Jonesboro, Ga., September 1, 1864. William Van Dorn, January 29, 1862; resigned, August 1, 1863.
Second Lieutenant.-David P. Reed, January 29, 1862 ; promoted to first lieutenant.
Sergeants.-George W. Anderson, first sergeant. Franklin Buck. Daniel R. Holderman. Henry Taff. Francis M. Carter.
Corporals.-George Porter. Aaron Wesinger. Joseph Yeagler. Edward Springer. Aaron Wang. Ricca M. Reed. John M. Holderman.
Died.-Elijah Cayler, died in Freed Hospital, Nashville, January 23, 1864. Manuel No%nger, died in Nashville, May 12, 1864. Perry Server, died of wounds received at the battle of Resaca, Ga., May 21, 1864.
Deserted.-George W. Bett, December 17, 1864. William Gustin, January 27, 1865. Thomas Ward, January 27, 1865.
Discharged.-Augustus Mizener, to accept appointment as commissioned officer. Samuel Bernhart, May 22, 1865. Alexander Belt, June 5, 1865. Richard McForan, June 1, 1865. Henry Stanley, for disability, October 17, 1864.
Transferred.-John H. Morris, to Veteran Reserve Corps. Samuel R, Maps, Veteran Reserve Corps.
Company H.
Captains.-Edward R. Black, second lieutenant, January 21, 1862 ; first lieutenant, March 23, 1862 ; captain, June 22, 1863. Leonard C. Councellor, March 3, 1862; killed, January 22, 1863.
First Lieutenants.-David P. Reed, promoted to captain Company G, July 29, 1863. Frederick E. Wilson, resigned, September 10,,1864.
Second Lieutenant.-Frederick Pickering, March 3, 1862 ; dismissed, May 7, 1863.
Sergeants.-Levi A. Boyser first sergeant. John Parsels. Marcus Eaton. John O'Connell. Frederick Hetenhouser.
Corporals.-Irwin T. Jones. George Bowers. Isaac N. Foust. James Justice. George W.-Weaver. John Young. Gunen P. Young. Rufus R. Hurdle.
Died.--John Herry, sergeant, killed in action, May 14, 1864, at Resaca, Ga. Benjamin Roling, killed at Resaca. Thomas Johnson, killed at Resaca. Henry Frankford, killed in action in front of Atlanta, Ga., July 4, 1864. William Scott, died in hospital August 7, 1864, from gunshot wound received in action near Atlanta, Ga.
Deserted.-Henry Fritz, April 22, 1864.
Company I.
Captains.-L. E. Chenoweth, quartermaster's sergeant, February 28, 1864 ; first lieutenant, February 2, 1865 ; captain, June 16, 1865.
First Lieutenants.-Augustus Mizener, sergeant, September 1, 1864 ; first lieutenant, June 16, 1865. James G. Elrick, March 21, 1862; resigned September 18, 1862.
Second Lieutenant.-Thomas B. Hoffman, March 21, 1862, promoted to first lieutenant.
Sergeants.-James W. Clark, first sergeant ; Adam Sturtz, John McAllister, David A. Sayre, Rufus R. Wells, reduced to ranks April 14, 1865 ; reappointed sergeant May 1, 1865.
Corporals.-Henry F. McEndree, John B. Kildow, John K. Eddy, Riley Wiggins, John Turbett, George R. Breckinridge.
Died.-John H. Johnson, first sergeant, September 2, 1864, of wounds received at the battle of Jonesboro. John W. Brooks, first sergeant. died April 4, 1864, of wounds received in a railway accident. William H. Hill, June 5, 1864, of wounds received in action at Pumpkin Vine Creek, Ga. John Munson, October 1, 1864, from wounds received at battle of Jonesboro.
Transferred.-Oliver Wilkison, to the Veteran Reserve Corps.
Company K.
Captains.-Zenas S. Poulson, first sergeant, February 15, 1864; first lieutenant Company D, April 9, 1865; captain Company K, June 15, 1865; John V. Heslip, March 21, 1862; resigned April 11, 1863.
First Lieutenants.-James Wharry, first sergeant, December 16, 1861 ; first lieutenant, June 18, 1863; captain Company D, June 15, 1865. William J. Porter, first sergeant, August 31, 1864; first lieutenant, June 16, 1865. William Cody, March 25, 1862 ; mustered out, December 25, 1862.
Second Lieutenant.-William C Barnett, January 7, 1862, promoted to first lieutenant.
Sergeants.-James W. Worstell, George M. Jones, William H. Harris, George W. Tipton.
Corporals.-Ephraim H. Johnson, James W. McCurdy, John Lisle, George W. Moore, William Cass.
The Fifth Ohio Cavalry went out the first year, and among its companies was I, from this neighborhood. It was at Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Missionary Ridge, all the battles of the Army of the Tennessee during the Atlanta campaign, and marched with Sherman down to the sea, afterwards going up through North Carolina. Company I was commanded by Captain Clem. Murphy ; C. H. Murray was first lieutenant, and A. C. Rossman second lieutenant Captain Murphy was dishonorably discharged before the expiration of his term of service, and Ross- man became a captain, and was transferred to Company E ; Charles E. Giffen became first lieutenant. During the latter portion of its service it received many recruits, but few from Hamilton. Among the non-commissioned officers who can now be remembered are : M. G. Morris, orderly ; Fred, Reigel, Joe Knecht, Joe Cox, Loammi R. Dunwoodie, \ William H. Paullin, S. C. Henderson, Eli Long, Charles Richter, and Emanuel Richter, sergeants; and John Eberhart and Conrad Maybrush, corporals. Sergeant Samuel Stephenson and privates Herman Zegeler and William Ledwell were killed.
The enterprise of forming a new regiment in this congressional district was entered upon in the early part of July, 1862, and, with general accord, Colonel Charles Anderson was chosen to command it.
The military committees of the several counties met in Hamilton on the 16th of July, and selected Hiram
236 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Strong, of Dayton, as lieutenant-colonel ; A. A. Phillips, of Hamilton, as major ; D. P. Thurston, of Dayton, as adjutant ; and John Eastman, of Eaton, as quartermaster.
On the 17th of the same month the line officers were recommended by the military committees, and on the next day most of them were.mustered into the service and recruiting commenced in earnest, the work being greatly facilitated by the patriotic people who contributed to pay the necessary expenses of the campaign.
On the afternoon of the 14th of August Companies A and B, having filled their quotas, went into quarters at "Camp Dayton." On the 19th of the same month the mustering of the regiment by companies was commenced, and by the middle of the afternoon of the 21st the whole regiment had been mustered into service and armed.
The regiment broke camp on the 23d of August, 1862, and got aboard the cars en route for Lexington, Kentucky, where they arrived on the evening of the 24th.
The regiment soon plunged into the strife and made for itself a record that fully entitles it to the lasting gratitude of the nation. Thke grand historic names, Stone River, Chickamauga, Orchard Knob, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Franklin, and Nashville, are all of blood right emblazoned on the war-worn and battle rent banner of the regiment. Then there are the names Strong, Eastman, Birch, Payne, Richards, Patterson, Arnold, Burkett, Mason, and a host of others, patriots who fell on so many well-stricken fields, all attest the severity of the conflicts through which the regiment passed.
The companies from this county were as follows :
Company D.—Captain, Daniel Bowman ; first lieutenant, Timothy Regan ; second lieutenant, Charles Sutphin ; first sergeant, Dan. V. Bonnelk
Company C.—Captain, H. H. Wallace; first lieutenant, John E. Chatten ; second lieutenant, Bennett C. Wilcox ; first sergeants Alex. Scott.
Company F.—Captain, Robert Joyce ; first lieutenant, Henry Richards ; second lieutenant, Arthur C. Morgan; first sergeant, Alexander Johnson.
D was recruited in Middletown and vicinity ; C at Hamilton, Oxford, Darrtown, and Seven Mile; F at Venice.
The following contains a list of the killed and a few names of the wounded of the Ninety-third in the fights at Chattanooga :
Killed.—Major Will Birch ; Company A, Privates David Moss, John D. Funk, Prutsman ; Company B, Andrew Lukenben, J. Speelman ; Company F, Amos McNiel; Company G, Wesley Cassell, John Murphy ; Company H, J. Schnerf; Company K, James Harris, John Blair, James Baird.
Wounded.-Lieutenant Will Brown, Captain Bowman, Sergeant Major Oscar Gottshall, Privates Oscar Moodie, Charles Anderson, James Fitzpatrick.
This list is derived from Leroy Davies, who was not a member of the Ninety-third, but, to use his own words, was anxious to see the fight. So, when the ball opened, he engaged a partner (a Spencer rifle), and was lucky enough to be one in the taking of a rebel battery, when he received notice to quit in the shape of a minie ball. The letter speaks of the death of Jacob Wetsel, of the Sixty-ninth, and of the severe wound of Jacob Rees, who was seriously injured.
Alfred A. Phillips, the major of this regiment, was born in Orange County, Indiana, May 5, 1825. He was the son of Albert H. Phillips, who was born March 1, 1795, and died in July, 1872, and Mary Hollowell, who died in June, 1845, aged forty-five years. He was married December 20, 1855, in Hamilton, to Miss Emma C. Rush, who was born in Addison County, Vermont, August 2, 1832. She is the daughter of Horatio S. Rush, who died in October, 1875, Ad Caroline De Long, who is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips had six children. Nellie was born August 31, 1857 ; Alice, June 8, 1859 ; Bertha, September 4, 1861 ; Lottie, February 9, 1865 ; Alfred, September 9, 1866, and Josephine, April 11, 1869. Mr. Phillips was sheriff of Butler County from 1860 to 1864, and deputy sheriff for seven years prior to that time. At the outbreak of the Mexican war, being then only about twenty-one years of age, he enlisted, and went out as a member of Company I, First Ohio Regiment, under Colonel Mitchell, serving one year. During the late war he was the major of his regiment, staying in the field, howegtr, only one year, as he was called back by his official duties in Butler County. Major Phillips during life followed different pursuits. He spent three years in Arkansas, owning and having control of saw, grist, and shingle mills, together with a large plantation containing over four thousand acres. In 1863 he owned a third interest in a distillery at this place, and in 1866 he purchased the other two-thirds, which he carried on till 1869, when he sold. He carried on a distillery one year at Lawrenceburg. After that Tie was the proprietor of the Phillips House, now known as the Central House, at the corner of High and Front Streets. At the time of his death, which happened from sunstroke in July, 1881, he was conducting another place of the same name, being the house now occupied by Judge Hume.
Captain Leflar, of the Eighty-third Regiment, wrote in the middle of February, 1863:
"The country down here is low and flat, but I think it is a great cotton-region. We can see Vicksburg plainly from our camp, and the gunboats very often of a morning wake the people up in Vicksburg for breakfast by sending a few shell among them. We are still working away at the canal, which is already eight or ten feet wide, and from four to six feet deep. If we should succeed it will cut Vicksburg off from the river entirely, making a new channel for the river. Many doubt as to
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the success (and I confess I am one of that number) from the fact that they failed to dig down to the sand so as to give it a chance to wash. The present bottom is of smooth black mud. The river is rising very fast, and is just over the banks.
"The health of the soldiers is any thing but good. We have but twenty-five men for duty, though I must say my company has not been reduced altogether by sickness; there have been five desertions from my company to the enemy. I will give you a list of them : Corporal John R. Hancock, Oxford ; Jerome B. Bennett, Hamilton ; George Popp, Oxford ; David Ramsey, Pleasant Run ; Jeremiah Robbins, Mt. Pleasant. There were only two of these men that left the boat the evening previods to the fight, and they were not seen during the engagement. The company fought nobly for three hours and forty-five minutes, at which time the fort was surrendered. The following are the names of those who were wounded in gpie engagement : Hiram Smith, thigh ; William H. Hall, ankle ; Jacob Straub, foot; Bryan McGillan, shot through left cheek and came out at the right ear ; Angus Hine, slightly in head, not disabled from duty ; Erastus Martin, cheek slightly, not disabled for duty.
" We have lost one man since we left Memphis, Sergeant David Thompson, who died from disease of the throat. Sergeant Thompson walb a worthy man and a good soldier, and was universally liked by his comrades. We buried him at Millikin's Bend, on the Mississippi River. Our hearts went with him to the grave.
" The soldiers are dying off very fast here. In a short walk to-day I counted thirty-four newly made graves at our hospitak I am still in good health, as usdal."
James P. Clark, aged nineteen, enlisted into the service at Amanda ; was wounded at Arkansas Post, and died in hospital at Memphis.
John T. Negus, aged twenty-eight, enlisted into the service at Middletown ; was detailed as commissary-sergeant at Camp Dayton. Having been relieved from duty there, he started to rejoin his company. He died March 11th at the post hospital, at Lake Providence, Louisiana, of small-pox.
Richard V. Hanna enlisted at Westchester ; died in hospital boat D. A. January March 15, 1863.
At a meeting of Company H, Eighty-third Regiment, at Smith's plantation, April 25, 1863, Captain Leflar was appointed chairman, and J. A. Witmer, orderly sergeant, secretary. Resolutions were reported by a committee for the, purpose, and unanimously adopted, saying that as it had pleased Almighty God to remove from their ranks Sergeants David Thompson and Jacob C. Strobridge ; Corporal Erastus M. Martin; Privates Louis Snider, John Bridge, William Bonnele; Aaron Freame, and Timothy Sedwell, as a token of respect and esteem for the deceased they would wear the usual badge of mourning on parade and review for the next thirty days. They died martyrs in the cause of their country, and under the folds of the proud and glorious old flag of their forefathers. The soldiers deeply and sincerely synathized with the families and friends of their deceased brothers in arms.
A letter from a member of Company H, when quartered near Vicksburg, in the latter part of June, 1863, says:
" We are now encamped on the line of the Jackson and Vicksburg Railroad, about two miles from the court house, and within a few hundred yards of the enemy's works. Our tents are pitched in a hollow just deep enough to escape the enemy's bullets and cannon balls. We are crowded almost one tent upon another, just odt of reach of any breath of air which may be stirring the favored regions above, and consequently almost insufferably hot; with this proviso, the regiment is quite healthy, and never was in better spirits. Every body feels contented and satisfied of a speedy and successful termination of the siege. We have been before this place so long (ever since last December), thinning our ranks by disease and the bullet, that it will be a happy moment for us when we can reach the goal we have so long tried for. In our present camp, though in no great danger, we are still never safe. Bullets and cannon balls are whistling above and around us continually, and never a day passes but what several poor fellows are brought by from the hills above us wounded or dead. Our line approaches in front of this brigade have been carried almost immediately under the enemy's works. They consist of three lines of rifle-pits or parallels, two of which are completed, and the third one, bringing us within a stone's-throw of the enemy's fortification, or nearly so. Squads from the negro regiments being raised in this vicinity assist in digging the trenches and help toward the progress of the work materially; they seem to hold very light the danger from the enemy's missiles, and work with a steadiness and perseverance greatly to be commended. Picketing in the advanced positions is getting to be very dangerous work. Members of our company on picket in the advance rifle-pits had some very narrow escapes day before yesterday, as we had four men seriously wounded, two of them mortally. Being so near their works the rebels can use percussion shells, in lieu of hand grenades, with great efficiency, and they give our men considerable trouble. Conversations often ensue between our men and the enemy's pickets, sometimes ending with a friendly good night, and at other times with a volley or musketry.
" The camp to-day is very quiet, more so than it has been before since the commencement of the siege; but I am afraid it is the calm before the storm. Osterhaus has telegraphed from Black River to General Grant that Johnson is near by, and a report is going the rounds of the camp that a heavy battle was fought last night, in which Osterhaus was victorious, but I can not vouch for
238 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
its authenticity. Heavy re-enforcements have been sent to him, and they are trying to entice Johnson within our lines by obstructing all roads but one, so that they can flank him on either side. The Fiftieth Indiana, from this brigade, left for Black River last evening, and at midnight the Eighty-third received orders to have two days' cooked rations in their haversacks, and to be ready to move at any moment to support General Sherman in case the rebels should attempt to break through on our right, so you can judge somewhat of our position. It is evident the siege is drawing to a close, and probably before this reaches you you will have intelligence of the final result.
" Since leaving the Mississippi we have all lost many and true friends, and our country honest and tried patriots. John Witmer, Orderly Sergeant Company H, was killed while gallantly leading his company in the charge on the 22d; with him friendship and love for his country were traits whose influence will never cease. Out of eighty-six men with which the company crossed the Ohio River at the memorable siege of Cincinnati, only twenty now are left for duty, and of its officers, that unflinching patriot, Captain F. M. Leflar, is the only one that now remains. With but little or no assistance from his exlieutenants,„he has always been present with his company, and always ready to do any duty which it may fall to his lot to perform, and as a friend and faithful soldier he will be always remembered by those who knew him."
In the Summer of 1862, about the time Cincinnati was threatened by the rebels, who were in arms close at hand, Robert Christy, of this city, a prominent lawyer, who now lives in Washington, D. C., was at the head of a movement for establishing a military force here. It had been authorized by the County Democratic Convention, and had for its ostensible reason the necessity of opposing the Confederate forces, should they come on 'this side of the line. Governor Tod, who was in a patriotic way doing all in his power to serve his country, had some fears that the force might be used against the Union, rather than for it, and refused to give his consent to its authorization. " Whether it was intended," he said in this letter, " by this proceeding to interfere with the voluntary enlistments now being made over all the
State, in response to the President's recent calls for troops, is now immaterial. Believing such to be the effect, I feel it my imperative duty to direct that you, and all associated with you in the effort to raise said regiment, at once desist. It is hoped that you and your associates will give cheerful obedience to this order, and join all loyal citizens of the State in their efforts to suppress the unholy rebellion in the manner designated by the national authorities."
David Beckett, major in the Sixty-first regiment, was born in the year 1838, in Butler. County, Ohio, his parents being Robert and Mary Crawford Beckett. He was educated at the Miami University, where he graduated in 1860. In the year of 1861, on the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, he entered the Union army as a private soldier. In 1862 he was made a captain, and in 1863 was promoted to the rank of major. He participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, and Kenesaw Mountain. At the battle of Kenesaw Mountain he was killed, leaving behind him a reputation for gallantry and manliness which all might envy. He left a wife, but no children to bear his name.
Colonel Robert Reily, of the Seventy-fifth Ohio, was a native of this county, and in his death the people of this region mourned another martyr to the cause of freedom. He fell, his right knee being badly shattered by a minnie ball, at the battle of Chancellorsville, on --Saturday, May 2d, in a gallant effort to check the rout of the Eleventh Corps of Hooker's army, bef0ore the overwhelming advance of the rebels under Jackson.
The retreat of our right wing left him in the hands of the enemy. His thigh was amputated the next morning, the 3d, but he survived the operation only a few hours.
Robert Reily was born in Hamilton, June 1, 1820, and was the third son of that well known citizen, the late John Reily. He commenced active life in the store of W. P. H. Hulbert, of Cincinnati, as a clerk in 1836, and in 1'843 became a partner in the establishment. The financial success of the firm was remarkable—much of it being due to the popular manners and efficient industry of Mr. Reily. In 1852 he retired to a beautiful farm near Lockland, on the Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton Railroad. When this rebellion broke out, his glowing patriotism led him at once to throw all his influence and energy upon the side of his country, and from the first echo of rebel cannon fired against Fort Sumter, until the Autumn of that year, he did every thing which, as a civilian, was in his power to strengthen the hands of the government in the mighty struggle before it. In September, 1861, he entered with Colonel McLean and others, with his characteristic ardor, into the effort to raise the Seventy-fifth regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, locating the regimental rendezvous near his residence. The success of the undertaking was largely owing to his personal popularity and liberal energy. He voluntarily chose the lowest rank of the field officers; was commissioned major of the regiment, accompanied it into Virginia, where, under Milroy, Schenck, Fr.nont, Sigel, Burnside, and Hooker, successively, it was continuously engaged in hard marching and hard fighting. Colonel McLean was soon appointed brigadier, and Lieutenant-colonel Constable having been taken prisoner, Major Reily became commander of the regiment, and led it in nearly all the battles, receiving, in 1862, his commission as colonek
Although by nature modest, gentle, and averse to all violence, yet no sooner had he entered the army and
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taken upon himself the character of a soldier, than he showed himself, as have many other men of his class in this war, to possess the characteristics of a hero. In battle he was ever at the post of danger, riding fearlessly up and down the lines where the men needed either his voice or his example. He never asked a soldier to go where he was not willing to lead.
Among the last words uttered to his faithful attending surgeon were these: "I did not run from the rebels, nor did my regiment flinch under my command." But bravery was not the most valuable of his qualifications as an offrcer. He carefully and constantly sought and cared for the highest interests of his men, temporal and spiritual, sympathized with them in their hardships and sufferings, and to the utmost of his power provided for their wits, physical and morak As a natural consequence, the soldiers idolized him. The adjutant-general of his division, in a letter to a friend, says: "This is the saddest of our misfortunes since the division has been in the army. We have lost many brave and good officers, but none so universally known and respected. He was admired by all, both as an officer and a Christian."
Colonel Reily was firm in discipline. He allowed no drunkenness, profanity, or vulgarity, which he could prevent. Observance of the Sabbath, where practicable, was one of his unfailing requirements. He was a man ,eminent for piety, generosity, and conscientiousness. He never united with any Church, but was in every sphere a "professor of religion." He had no fondness for a soldier's life. His eyes were turned with longing to his home and family.
Company K, Eighty-sixth Ohio, whose term of service expired in February, 1864, passed through Hamilton, on the way to their homes at Oxford and vicinity. The company was raised by Captain McFarland, who upon the organization of the regiment was elected lieutenant- colonel, a position he continued to hold, being most of the time in command of the regiment. The Eighty-sixth had a hard time of it their last Winter, being at Cumberland Gap through all the severe weather, and kept on the alert by the proximity of the enemy. Colonel McFarland, after coming home, resumed his duties as professor of mathematics in Miami University.
The agent sent to Annapolis, in November, 1863, to relieve the wants of the Union soldiers lately from Richmond, mentioned the following men from this county :
John Brooks, Thirty-fifth, Company D, from Hamilton, wounded in left arm, doing well. Alfred W. Harrison, Ninety-third, Company F, from Venice, a Chicka-mauga prisoner, confined on Belle Island, where, after being robbed of blankets and all private property, with half rations of bread and a little meat, he was left to make his bed upon the damp sand, with the sky for a covering. He was very weak, but was then slowly gaining.
Captain Thompson, of the Seventy-second, wrote home to his father in February, 1863:
" In my last you had an account of our march down into Mississippi and back, since which we marched from Moscow, by way of Bolivar and Purdy, to Corinth, nearly one hundred miles, in six days, over miserable roads, and through incessant rain. Arriving in Corinth during the storm, we encamped in an open field, nearly a half mile from the woods, to which we must go for tent poles, as well as fire wood, and this, too, in one of the coldest rain-storms I ever witnessed. That night it snowed an inch, and froze hard enough to bear a man. Many of us nearly froze in our wet clothes, and we could neither get warm nor dry, as it rained out our fires, and we could have none in our tents, as we had no stoves. I had nothing but a tent-fly, which I have used since we left Memphis, and which is like spreading a sheet over a pole to shed the rain, as it is open at both ends, and the wind drives the rain through from end to end. Finding I could not live thus, I found shelter with Dr. Metcalf, of the Seventh Illinois, who kindly compelled me to stay with him while we remained at Corinth.
" Sunday, February 1st, we left Corinth, coming on the railroad by way of Jackson, Tenn., and arrived here the same night in another cold rain-storm, and now, having traveled four hundred miles since November 12th, we are again nearly at our starting place.
"The officers of the Illinois regiments in Corinth, with many other officers, met at Corinth the other night and passed resolutions, denouncing the Illinois traitors at Springfield, and tendering their services to the governor, to come home, if needed, and put down home traitors, believing them to be more damnable than rebels South. I never saw a more determined spirit in any body of men than they showed; irrespective of party. Many of the best speeches were made by good old Democrats, Colonels Baine and Wilcox making the best speeches I heard."
There were two features of the war here that were entirely different from its manifestations in most of the counties of Ohio. The southern line of this county lies only eleven miles from the Kentucky border, and twice during the four years' conflict were we in danger from the attacks of Confederate troops. Happily, the invader did not touch our soil, although very near us, and we were fortunate that our only losses were of time and money. The first time Butler County was threatened was when Kirby Smith was advancing towards Cincinnati. That city Would have supplied every thing he or the Southern States lacked—founderies, machine shops, provisions, arms, and ammunition. On the 1st of September, 1862, he entered Lexington in triumph, and a little later he sent General Heath against Covington and Cincinnati. There were no regular troops there, and nothing to resist him, should he get within gunshot. Every one was frightened, for few Northern people had ever thought that the war might be brought to their own doors. The City Council of Cincinnati at once met,
240 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
and the whole resources of the city were pledged to meet any expenses that might be incurred. General Lew Wallace took the command, martial law was proclaimed, business was stopped, and the ferry-boats and horse-cars ceased running. He was thoroughly alive to the emer- gency, and was well supported by public opinion. Back of Newport and Covington breast-works, rifle-pits, and redoubts were thrown up. Governor Tod was soon on hand, and telegraphed for all available troops to be sent downy Companies of men from Preble. and Butler Counties at once started for the scene of action, and were warmly received. These were the advance guard of the Squirrel Hunters, a name destined to last as long a)Ohio itself. They. came in by thousands, from every nook and corner of the State, some with good modern rifles and clean new uniforms, and others with old shot guns and clothes that had long since seen their best days. Where the fountain now is was their eating house. Three thousand men, judges, mechanics, clergymen, bankers, clerks, labored each day upon the fortifications. On the 10th and 11th it was believed that the attack, then deferred a week and a half, was about to begin, and the entrenchments were manned, and gun-boats placed in the river. But the advance of Buell caused Bragg to call back Kirby Smith. On the 12th it was known that danger was over, and on the 15th every kind of labor was resumed. Cincinnati owed its salvation to the promptness with which its citizens and those of the interior answered to the call for defense. Of those who thus aided the people of Cincinnati none deserve more credit than those of Butler County.
But in the next campaign begun by the rebels against Southern Ohio much real damage was done. The path of Morgan was marked with devastation, and that Butler County escaped his presence may be counted among her instances of good luck. John Morgan, one of the most noted of the guerrilla leaders of the last war, was a native of the city of Lexington, Kentucky, and before the war was there engaged as a manufacturer of woolen goods. At about the outbreak of hostilities he was arrested for sending goods through the lines, and in September, 1861, he abandoned his business and joined the rebel forces, acting as captain. His first formidable raid into Kentucky was in July, 1862, and his were some of the troops that caused the consternation at Cincinnati. On the 17th of July he defeated the Union troops at Cynthiana. In September Augusta was captured, and on the 17th of October the forces of the United States at Lexington were defeated. Elizabethtown, on the 27th of December, was captured. During the course of the next season he won several victories, was once or twice beaten off, and once defeated at McMinnville. The great expedition, however, with which Morgan's name is associated is that begun in 1863, in the Summer, which went through the three States of Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. After ravaging Kentucky, he crossed over into Indiana at Brandenburg, and marched through ,Corydon, being attacked by the citizens there. No sooner had it been learned in Indiana that the Confederates had crossed the border than the feeling became- intense. Within forty- eight hours from the time troops were called out sixty- five thousand men responded, and the victorious march which Morgan had intended became converted into a flight. There can be no doubt that this campaign was designed to relieve General Lee, who was then engaged in his Pennsylvania campaign, by causing the Union forces to be divided. Indiana was passed through in five days, and on his way he avoided the large towns. He reached the Ohio line on Monday, July 13th, at Harrison.
The approach of the Morgan raiders to this city caused the most intense excitement. No desire to make terms with the enemy was manifested, but an almost unanimous intention to fight was shown.. Upon receipt of the dispatches on the 12th, the organization of companies was at once commenced. Monday afternoon five full companies, numbering full six hundred men, marched out on the Venice road to meet the raiders. Of these, three hundred were armed with government arms, one hundred and twenty-five with carbines from Gwyn & Campbell's factory, and some with rifles, etc., while not a few marched with no arms save such as nature had provided them with, but with the evident determination to throw stones if they could find no better weapons. If the enemy had carried out his supposed intention of attacking this city Monday night he would have met with serious resistance; but the active pursuit by Hobson and the determined action of the Butler County men saved Hamilton from a visit.
Tuesday night they were again on duty, picketing the roads south of town. No praise can be too great for the men of all classes and of all creeds who left their business and their families to oppose the march of veteran soldiers upon their homes.
Morgan's original object was, doubtless, to scour Indiana and Ohio, capturing horses, carriages, etc., destroying railroad bridges, mills, and in all respects to eclipse the Grierson raid. By the vigorous action of the Indiana and Ohio home guards, and the United States troops sent in pursuit, this intention was changed to that of getting across the Ohio as rapidly as possible with his tired out men and their plunder. The rapidity of his march since Sunday, his evident determination to avoid battle, his neglecting to 'destroy the Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton, and the Little Miami Railroads, or other bridges or tracks except in his direct route, prove this conclusively. The river was patrolled by armed boats, and Hobson's troops were close upon his rear. The militia were rising in his front; if turned back his exhausted men and horses must of necessity have fallen an easy prey to the troops in pursuit. If he reached and attempted to cross the swollen Ohio, he would have.
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done so at the loss of his artillery and with the loss of many, if not all, of his men.
Hamilton was crowded during Tuesday and Wednesday, the 14th and 15th, with militia and squirrel rifles from Butler, Montgomery, Preble, and other counties, and from Indiana. The entire Eleventh Indiana militia, under Colonel Gray, the Nineteenth Ohio Battery, part of the Twelfth Michigan Battery, a detachment of the Qne Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and two companies of cavalry from Indiana, were here. It is estimated that not less than six thousand troops were present.
The Telegraph remarks:
" We have had a speck of war at home—two days of soldiering; no holiday affair, but real strapping on of accouterments, shouldering of muskets, and marching out to meet the foe; two nights of anxiety, when our roads were guarded and our streets patrolled ; our men all out on the expected field of battle, and our women tortured with visions of suffering fathers, husbands, and brothers, and of visits from the rude enemy. Morgan's men have gone, and with them the watching, the feverish expectation of marching our untrained men against his well drilled regiments.
" Our citizens determined to give fight. Some towns had surrendered to the enemy at his approach, others had fallen after a feeble defense; our citizens determined to save Hamilton from either disgrace, and at once made every preparation within their reach. The situation was not very promising. At the first called meeting it was discovered that there were not arms in the city for more than two hundred men, and as yet no promises of help had been made, while Morgan's men were distant but one day's march, and heading directly for our town. But the exigency only hastened the preparations here.
"As, soon as the approach of the enemy became certain, scouts were sent out a full day's march, to gather information of his advance, and so close did our scouts hang on the front of the enemy that several of them were captured. Companies were rapidly organized, till, within two days after the first alarm, our city furnished over seven hundred well armed and equipped men for duty. These men went out Monday afternoon, and were posted where, in the view of the commander of the post, they could most effectually check the enemy.
"Up to this time no considerable force from any other point had re-enforced us, and it is certain that Morgan's intended visit to Hamilton was postponed by reason of the preparations made by our own citizens to repulse him. It will forever stand to the credit and honor of our town that she beheld the approach of an army of rebels, not with any cowardly desire to capitulate, but with the determination of repulsing the enemy even at the expense of the blood of her best citizens.
" Captain R. Smith commanded the post until the arrival of Major Keith from Dayton. Martial law was declared throughout Butler County Monday, and all men ordered to duty. Six companies from this city went out on the Venice road Monday night, and remained till Tuesday morning. The roads east of the river were guarded by Dayton companies, and a detachment of the One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. As Morgan's intention was developed by his march eastward from New Baltimore, the companies were drawn in from the different roads and were held awaiting orders. Tuesday there were at least five thousand men here, three-fourths of them armed, and the enemy only fifteen miles distant, but no attempt was made either to march men' or throw them in front of the enemy by railway.
"Finally, Tuesday evening, the Indiana militia were sent to Cincinnati, and the city companies were thrown out on picket on the roads east of town.
" Wednesday morning they were recalled with a considerable accumulation of grit in their clothing and skins, if not in their souls, and thus ended the active operations of Butler County against Morgan. Tuesday and Wednesday the square and our streets were thronged with militia from our town and other counties. These mostly left Wednesday, although some companies from out of town remained till Friday morning."
The following is a statement of the different companies from Butler, Preble, and Montgomery Counties in Hamilton on Tuesday, July 14, 1862. We mention first the companies from Hamilton, and of these we give the number on duty that day:
Captain S. W. Potter, 98; Captain Thomas Moore, 110; Captain Ransford Smith, 113 ; Captain F. Bender, 94; Captain John Wilson, 122; Captain J. P. Bruck, 115; Captain Jos. Traber, 50. Total, 703.
Madison Township.—Captain Ben. Thomas, 86 men; Captain G. C. Warvel, 67; Captain W. C. Smith, 40; Captain G. H. Gebhart, 80. Total, 273. These men had no arms.
Wayne Township.—Captain Joseph A. Miltrode, 71 men, no arms.
Lemon Township.—Captain A. B. Cooley, 96 men, no arms; Captain D. B. Schurz, 97 men, no arms.
Morgan. Township.—Captain Timothy Corcoran, 40 men, no arms..
Middletown.—Captain Weitzel, 119 men, armed.
Oxford.-Captain J. T. Porter, 34 men, no arms.
Preble County.—Captain Slocum, Eldorado, 72 men, armed; Captain Overpeck, Gratis Township, 60 men, no arms; Captain Dan May, Harrison Township, 97 men, no arms; Captain Whiteside, Camden, 60 men, no arms.
Montgomery County.—Captain George Hatfield, Dayton, 57 men; Captain G. G. Prugh, Dayton, 90 ; Captain Ed. Jones, Dayton, 84; Captain Jas. Turner, Dayton, 40; Captain Shusan, Miamisburg, 46; Captain Pomroy,
242 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Miamisburg, 65; Captain Schoenfield, Miami Township, 60 ; Captain Geo. Winder, Miami Township, 71. All
RECAPITULATION.
Hamilton City,. - 703
County, - 730
Total from Butler County, - 1,433
Preble County, - 300
Montgomery County, - 513
Total of Ohio militia present, - 2,246
Indiana militia under General Haskel, - 2,600
Total, - 4,846
A detachment of the One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, - 50
Two companies of Indiana Cavalry, - 150
Six gun battery, Nineteenth Ohio, - 100
Total here Tuesday, July 14th, - 5,146
Of the Ohio militia a large number were unarmed. Some other companies in this and other counties telegraphed, offering their services, but were not wanted. One full company from Oxford, under Captain Welpley, went on to Cincinnati. It is impossible to get at perfect accuracy in this report, but it is mainly correct.
On Saturday night the city was illuminated in honor of the splendid successes, which, within the previous month, had crowned our arms. The affair was got up suddenly, and was not so complete as longer notice would have made it; but the crowd out doors was large, while the various decorations, transparencies, etc., reflected much credit on the patriotism and taste of our citizens. The national colors, in every conceivable variety of form, were shining from the windows and yards of most of the residences, and from many of the business houses. Conspicuous among the latter were noticed the stores of Howell, J. W. Davis, Jackson & Co., H. Beardsley, Schwartz's Bakery, Peck's Bank, and others. The telegraph office had the windows fronting on High Street filled with the red, white, and blue, arranged in graceful patterns and bearing various mottoes. The windows of most of our citizens were brilliantly lighted. The most extensive preparations were at the residences of D. Conner, in the First, Thomas Millikin, in the Second, and Thomas V. Howell in the Third Ward. The displays at the houses of Israel Williams, James Boyden, E. G. Dyer, Ezra Potter, J. Snyder, James Thomas, Mrs. Hill, S. Arnold, Dr. Peck, Dr. Falconer, Russell Potter, Colonel Campbell, D. Conner, Jr., Isaac Robertson, N. Curtis, James Whitaker, Thomas Sterritt, Captain F. Landis, S. Shaffer, Lieutenant Andrews, and many others were very pretty. Bonfires burned at the intersections of the principal streets.
A large torch-light procession, with music and transparencies, marched through the city, and finally collected on High Street, near Second, where speeches were made by Colonel Campbell and Thomas Millikin.
The effect of the Morgan raid was to stimulate the local militia. Many new companies were organized. The following companies, under the militia laws of this State, were organized in this county:
"Oxford Guards," Oxford.—Captain, Marmaduke Welpley ; First Lieutenant, James E. Stewart; Second Lieutenant John P. Clough.
" Morgan Guards," Paddy's Run. — Captain, Edward T. Jones; First Lieutenant, Samuel W. Woodruff; Second Lieutenant, Henry Dawson.
"Sigel Guards," Hamilton.—Captain, John Frederick Bender ; First Lieutenant, Jacob Kurz; Second Lieutenant, Philip Winkelhaus.
"Millikin Guards," Seven-Mile.—Captain, Benjamin Bookwalter ; First Lieutenant, Augustus W. Eckert; Second Lieutenant, David T. Stewart.
"Butler Guards," Miltonville.—Captain, George C. Warvel; First Lieutenant, Benjamin F. Banker; Second Lieutenant, John Busenbark.
"Hamilton Rifles," Hamilton.—Captain, Thomas Moore; First Lieutenant, Lafayette Traber; Second Lieutenant, Samuel S. Garver.
" Grant Rifles," Middletown. — Captain, Philip Weitzel ; First Lieutenant, Theodore R. Martin ; Second Lieutenant, Jos. Mantz.
"Milford Guards," Somerville.—Captain, Jas. H. Stephens; First Lieutenant, Daniel S. Keil; Second Lieutenant, Henry P. Dove.
" Van Derveer Guards," Reily.—Captain, Samuel K. Wickard ; First Lieutenant, Jas. Coe; Second Lieutenant, Henry C. Gray.
" Millville Guards," Millville.—Captain, Daniel K. Zeller ; First Lieutenant, John A. Kumler; Second Lieutenant, Washington B. Davis.
" Union Guards," Hamilton.—Captain, John C. Lewis; First Lieutenant, William E. Scobey; Second Lieutenant, James T. Imlay.
"Oxford Scouts," Oxford.—Captain, John Francis Porter; First Lieutenant, Philip H. Welty ; Second Lieutenant, Frank J. Cone.
It will thus be seen that Morgan made his flying raid through Hamilton County without injuring the lives or property of those in this county. But there were damages done by the State and United States troops, which were laid before the State government, and the amounts paid. A few of his men crossed the Miami River at Venice, but the great bulk of them at New Baltimore. Morgan fled on and on, until it seemed likely that he would reach the Kentucky shore in safety. But at one point the troops came up near enough to give him battle and defeated him, not so badly, however, but that with twelve hundred of his men he was able to escape. Further on he tried to cross the Ohio, but after three hundred had reached the opposite shore in safety he was obliged to return and head the retreat of the remainder, of his men on the north shore. He became environed by the militia, and the volunteers and regulars who were following were close upon him. " Morgan approaches Pennsylvania," says a historian. "Major Rue, of the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, commanding detachments of the Ninth and Eleventh Kentucky Cavalry, and stragglers from different regiments, freshly mounted and sent ahead by order of General Burnside, on the cars, came
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up on the nick of time. Two roads came to a common road. The struggle is which shall arrive first. Morgan leads ; Rue, almost despairing, pursues him. Seeing a road leading off, almost by intuition, he asks a bystander, Does that road come into this one again, and is it nearer to the point where they approach than the main road?' It doeS, and is much nearer.' With renewed hope he dashed off, and ran in ahead about a hundred and fifty yards, and rapidly formed a line of battle. Morgan, with his usual audacity, sends in a flag of truce, and demands an unconditional surrender. Rue indignantly informs the messenger that he does. not belong to the militia that he can be deceived in that manner; that he is a major of the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, and that if Morgan does not surrender at once he will fire upon him. The officer replied, with an oath, that the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry was everywhere. Morgan, finding he could not impose on Rue by the flag of truce, tries another dodge. He now informs him that he had already surrendered to some Ohio militia captain, and that he had paroled them. This captain was a captive in Morgan's hands. He informs Morgan that he will pay no attention to any such surrender, and that he will hold him and his command until his superior, General Shackelford, arrives. In about an hour the general makes his appearance, and then Morgan surrenders, and thus ends the most remarkable chase known in history."
Major George W. Rue is a citizen of Fairfield Township, in this county, and his fame is a matter of importance to us. Since Morgan's capture several attempts have been made to wrest the honor from Major Rue, but without avaik We, therefore, restate the affair, as seen from another standpoint:
" On the evening of the 23d of July, 1863, Major Rue left the barracks at Covington, Kentucky, with a command of three hundred and seventy-five cavalry and three pieces of artillery, from the Fifteenth Indiana Battery. The command departed for Bellaire, via Columbus, arriving there at one o'clock P. M., on Friday, the 24th. On the following day the banks of the Ohio were patrolled, and at one o'clock word was received from Major-general Brooks for Major Rue to proceed with his forces with all possible speed for Steubenville. Not stopping here, he passed on to Shanghee, where he disembarked his command at seven o'clock P. M., Saturday. From this point he proceeded along the public road to Knoxville, where he learned that Morgan had already passed through Richmond at four o'clock of that day, the 25th, and was still pushing northeast. The major left Knoxville at four o'clock Sunday morning, joining General Shackelford at Hammondsville, and proceeded at once to Salinesville, his command in advance. At this place it was learned that Morgan bad been seen last at Mooreville, going eastwardly to Smith's Ford on the Ohio River. General Shackelford sent Rue with the adsvance to intercept Morgan at some point on this road. Marching his men at the rate of seven miles an hour, he started forward, his command having been reduced to three hundred men. When within half a mile of the junction of the road, he learned that Morgan was passing that point on a gallop. Discovering a private road, however, they cut over the fields, and came out on the main road just one hundred and fifty yards in advance of the rebels. A detachment of thirty men were attacking their rear, and the enemy was completely surrounded. A flag of truce was sent by Morgan, demanding Rue's surrender. Major Rde replied that he demanded the unconditional surrender of Morgan and all his men. Major Rue's- terms were acceded to. Morgan surrendered, and kept the prisoners until General Shackelford arrived, when they were turned over to his superior officer.
"The number of rebels captured was three hundred and eighty-four, and four hundred horses. In face of these facts, fully authentic and corroborated by reports, how can General Shackelford lay claim to capturing John Morgan? He, at the time of the surrender, was some miles away, and knew nothing of it until he came to the Beaver Creek Road and met the prisoner. The honor belongs to George W. Rue.",
Since writing the above, we have seen the statement of James Burbeck, to whom Morgan claimed that he had surrendered. He was a captain of a squad, elected to that position by his neighbors, and all his men, except eight, had run away and gone home. Morgan, it will be remembered, had three hundred and eighty-four men. After meeting Morgan Sunder the protection of a white flag, the rebel general asked if he would accept his surrender, and then would grant them a parole. He agreed to the proposition, although expressing doubts as to whether the surrender would be binding. Morgan reassured him, and said, "These are my men, and I can surrender them to a woman if I want to." He pointed in a north-westerly direction, to a cloud of dust rising in the road, and said to Burbeck, " That's the Union forces." Then he took a white handkerchief, tied it to a stick, and gave it to Burbeck. The Union forces got around by another road and drew up in line of battle. They were Shackelford's men, commanded by Major Rue. One of Morgan's captains and Mr. Burbeck rode forward and explained matters. The major sent word to Colonel Shackelford, who was eating dinner at a farm-house about four miles back. The colonel came up and accepted the surrender, but made it unconditional. When taken to Columbus he claimed that he had surrendered conditionally to a militia captain, and should be granted a parole. Governor Tod received Mr. Burbeck's statement of the affair, and as he was not a regularly commissioned offrcer, Morgan was held. These statements are Burbeck's.
Morgan appealed at once to Governor Tod, as commander-in-chief of the Ohio militia. He took a little time to examine the case, and on the 1st of August
244 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
responded: "I find the facts substantially as follows: A private citizen of New Lisbon, by the name of Burbeck, went out with some fifteen or sixteen others to meet your forces, in advance of a volunteer organized military body from the same place, under the command of Captain Curry. Said Burbeck is not and never was a militia officer in the service of this State. He was captured by you, and traveled with you some considerable distance before your surrender. Upon his discovering the regular military forces of the United States to be in your advance in line of battle, you surrendered to said Burbeck, then your prisoner. Whether you supposed him to be a captain in the militia service or not is entirely immaterial."
The end of Morgan's raid is soon told. He and his officers were immured, by order of General Halleck, in the Ohio Penitentiary, from which the general and six of his fellow officers escaped on the 27th of November. He was killed before the close of the war.
During his expedition Butler County had in the State service fourteen companies and twelve hundred and two men. There were paid for them $3,220.73. In 1864 the Legislature appointed a commission to examine and pass upon the claims for damages to property in this raid. This county claimed for damages done by the United States forces $4,818; damages done by other Union forces, not under command of United States officers, $666; amount allowed for the first, $4,175, and the second, $516.
Some of those who were unfriendly to the war formed a Mutual Protection Company, but it did not meet with much favor, and was soon abandoned. Secret political societies for the same purpose flourished.
Citizens of Ross, Reily, Hanover, and Morgan Townships, in Butler County, Ohio, met at the township house in Okeana, on the 17th of July, 1863. The meeting was organized by electing John J. Owens, president, William Kinnard, vice-president, John W. Agnew, secretary, and J. B. Vanlew, assistant secretary. The object of the meeting was stated by the president to be for the purpose of organizing a company for the mutual protection of person and property.
The citizens of Whitewater and Springfield Townships, in Franklin County, Indiana, were invited to participate. A committee of one from each township and one from Indiana was appointed to report to an adjourned meeting to be held at Auburn, on Monday, July 20th, at two o'clock, P. M.
The meeting reconvened at Auburn, pursuant to adjournment, and the committee appointed by the former meeting, through the president, reported the following :
"We, the undersigned citizens of the townships of Ross, Reily, Hanover, and Morgan, in the county of Butler, in the State of Ohio, and of the townships of Springfield and Whitewater, in the county of Franklin, in the State of Indiana, having been fully convinced of the
importance and necessity of protecting persons and property from invasion, by both foreign and domestic enemies of our country, and her laws, do hereby organize ourselves, for the purpose of mutual protection, into an independent company, to be known by the name and style of the Butler County Mutual Protection Company, and to be governed by a constitution and code of by-laws to be hereafter adopted by a majority of those signing this declaration of their determination to protect and defend the rights of our citizens, and to sustain and uphold the supremacy of the laws."
The following named gentlemen were appointed a committee to circulate this paper for signature: John W. Owens, John G. Agnew, and John Cregmile, of Reily Township; C. W. Lane, Washington B. Davis, and W. R. Cochran, of Hanover Township; James Gaultney, Joseph Davis, and Samuel Lloyd, of Morgan Township; John Frost, Daniel Brosius, and A. D. Knox, of Ross Township ; Dr. A. B. James, James Burtonshaw, and John Davis, of Springfield Township, and John Hall, Wm. Mitchell, and John Jacques, of Whitewater Township, Franklin County, Indiana.
S. D. Lloyd and W. B. Davis the flat week wished the newspapers to say that they did not desire to have any thing to do with the "Butler County Mutual Protection Company" for the townships of Hanover, Ross, Reily, and Morgan. They believed that the laws when enforced were sufficient to protect persons and property, and did not care about seeking any new modes of redress under the lead of men known to sympathize with rebellion and riot. "The Constitution as it is, and the enforcement of the laws," was their motto.
An encampment was held in Hamilton in August, 1863, which for more than a week made the town alive with the sounds and paraphernalia of war. It was held on the grounds north of town, between the railroad and the Miami River. No spot could have been found in the State better adapted for the purposes. It was a square tract of land of sixty acres, bounded on all four sides with running water, and with a level plain in the center, well adapted for the purposes of drilling and parade. The camps of the various regiments were pitched on the lower grounds along the sides, and the various head-quarters placed conveniently on higher ground.
The number in attendance was very large. Five regimental organizations were complete; the Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Sixty-first, and eight companies of the Thirty-fourth, and two companies of the Sixty-fifth, also two companies of cavalry. The officers and sergeants of the reserve militia were out in large force, and occupied the ground on the east side of the square. The volunteer organizations occupied the north and west side of the square.
The camp was under command of Colonel Len. A. Harris, and under his supervision the discipline and drill of the camp progressed rapidly. Up till Monday even-
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ing the officers and sergeants of various organizations were massed into companies, and thoroughly instructed by competent drill masters. The programme of each day was as follows: Guard mounting at seven A. M.; company drill from nine to eleven A. M. ; battalion drill 'from three to five P. M.; dress parade at six P. M. On Sunday the company drill was omitted, and divine services held at ten A. M. and three P. M.; battalion drill followed at four P. M. that day, and the usual dress parade. Monday afternoon the men of different regiments began pouring in, and that night the entire ground of the camp was specked with their shelter tents and their gleaming camp fires. Tuesday morning the drilling began at five o'clock and continued with short intermissions all day. At three P. M. battalion drill was held, and at five P. M. a grand review. For the purpose of review the regiments were organized into two brigades, with Colonel Fisher of the Eighth in command, and re_ viewed by the commander of the post. The brigades were arranged in two lines on the east side of the grounds, facing west, and when passing in review marched entirely round the square. The music of several brass bands, and of many field bands, the neat uniforms of most of the men, the gleaming of arms, made the review a fine scene. Most of the marching was well done, and several army officers present expressed surprise at such correct marching and evolutions after so brief a drill. Many of the companies were unarmed. The Seventh Cincinnati bore the palm in marching and in the manual of arms, as the regiment was an old and thoroughly drilled one. Much was said in praise of the Butler County volunteers, especially of Companies A, of the Sixty-first, and A, of the Sixty-fifth. Taken altogether the review was a grand success, and satisfied the immense crowd that came to see it.
Wednesday morning the company drills were continued, and at four P. M., September 2d, the encampment was ended.
Jerome Falconer died Saturday night, August 15th, 1863, at eleven o'clock, at the residence of his father in this city. He had languished seven months and fifteen days since receiving his terrible wounds at Stone River, December 31, 1862. His remains were buried from the Presbyterian Church at ten A. M., Monday, August 17th, with military honors.
He had gone in his boyhood to serve in the ranks of the great Union army, and fell at Stone River, pierced with two wounds. He fell into the hands of the enemy, and remained a prisoner until the capture of Murfreesboro by our forces. For more than six months he was at his father's house in this city, receiving the most tender care and the most skillful medical and surgical treatment. But his wounds were too deep for the physicians' art, and each surgical operation, each day's nursing ended in the temporary relief, but not the improvement of his case. He gradually grew worse, till he sank into the sleep that knows no waking. His youth and extreme sufferings enlisted the warm sympathies of our citizens, and a large concourse followed the body to its resting place.
As a means of aiding the soldiers, fairs were held almost everywhere. The one in this county was very successful in 1863. The two grand novelties of the week were the wood procession and the exhibition at Sohn's Hall.,
The wood procession was made a principal feature of the fair. The appeal to the farmers in the county had been general, and the response was glorious and honorable to old Butler. The weather was bad. A storm of sleet and rain set in early in the day, but at ten o'clock the teams began to straggle in and deposit their contents in the vacant lot adjoining Beardsley's hat store, where the Opera House is now. Soon after ten a procession from Reily, not less than four squares in length, came down High Street, and St. Clair, Morgan, Milford, Hanover, Ross, and Liberty added their delegations, till the lot was packed with wagons, and the new arrivals began unloading on High Street, filling both sides of the street with huge ricks of wood nearly a square in length. As a drenching rain fell during the whole time, there was no music or ceremony, but the citizens mounted the wagons, helped unload, and hurried the donors off to shelter. A fine dinner had been prepared in a room of Sohn's building, where a sumptuous dinner was served. After a pleasant time at dinner the wagons began to rattle out of town, and at dusk there was no sign of the wood procession but the huge piles, which almost blockaded High Street.
Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, the ladies, nothing daunted, began pressing their preparations for the Soldiers' Aid Fair, with a vigor worthy the patriotic cause. The subscriptions were, in many instances, remarkably generous. Some poor persons, in the depth of their gratitude to the brave and suffering soldiers, gave almost their last dollar. Some remarkable instances occurred where even little boys had given the pennies in their savings-banks, amounting to more than some wealthy persons owning splendid farms had given.
In the third year of the war conscription was used to fill up the wasted ranks of the Union forces. The following officers were appointed to carry out the draft : Captain John Mills, of Dayton, Provost Marshal; M. P. Alston, of Fairfield, Commissioner of Enrollment; Dr. Schenck, of Franklin, Examining Surgeon.
After these meetings had been held, a local writer indulged in the following observations :
"The medical examiner, and other members of the board of enrollment, have had a busy time in the last three weeks, prescribing for a new and singular malady. Hardly new, either, as it swept over portions of this State a year since, but its present visit has been unparalelled in violence and extent. It very singularly spared
246 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
old men, women, and children, and wreaked its violence on males between the ages of twenty and forty-five. The patients were seized with a strong desire to overhaul the dates in old family Bibles, to rub up and irritate old scars and other bodily ailments, to practice hollow coughs, to have fits, blindness, deafness, and every malady known in medicine, and some not found there. Its universal characteristic is paleness, and shuddering at the mention of swords, guns, or battle-fields.
" The crowd of afflicted throng to the office, and are only kept at a respectful distance by the bayonet. The surgeon is compelled to make short work of most cases, although occasionally giving a few words of explanation to some applicant who is disappointed to learn that he is not as ill as he might be. Most are cut off with a brief that will do, sir; next.' Perhaps next ' is a great stalwart fellow, who begins with a long string about ailments beginning before his birth, but is stopped with, I don't care, sir, what happened before you were born ; what is the trouble now ?' When he drawls out, That was what I was going to tell you ; when my mother came to this country she got skeered at the shootin' of guns when we landed, and I never could stand shootin' since.' That is no ground for exemption.' They ex' empted me before, doctor.' I can't help that; next.' But, doctor, what shall I do? I never can stand shootin'.' You have heard of Rarey, I suppose. When he found a horse that could n't stand firing he so placed him that he could easily manage him, and then shot over him till he got used to it, and he never minded it afterward. We'll Rarey you—place you in the front rank, with a few bayonets behind you, and after you have been shot at a while, you will get over your nervousness. That will do; next.'"
Two persons were arrested in Hamilton for opposing the war. One was Dr. McElwee, and the other George Donges. Dr. McElwee was the conductor of a newspaper, and in it some violent expressions had been found. Donges had, hurrahed for Jeff. Davis. We give the trial of Donges, who is still a resident of this place :
He was charged with violation of Order No. 38.
" Charge.—Publicly declaring sympathy with the rebel enemies of the United States Government, contrary to Department General Orders, No. 38, and violently assaulting a loyal citizen, who reproved such declaration of sympathy.
"Specification.—In this, that on or about the eighteenth day of April, 1863, the said George Donges, at the city of Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio, did publicly huzza for Jeff. Davis, and on being reproved for the same by one Peter Kregenhofer, a loyal citizen, did violently assault said Kregenhofer, strike him in the face with his fists, knock him down with a slung-shot, and kick him in the face, seriously wounding and bruising him, the said Kregenhofer.
"To which charge, and specification the prisoner pleaded as follows: Not guilty.'
" Finding and sentence.—The commission, after mature deliberation on the evidence adduced, find the accused, George Donges, of Butler County, Ohio, as follows: Of the specification, guilty of the charge guilty.' And the commission do, therefore, sentence him, the said George Donges, of Butler County, Ohio, to four months on Johnson's Island, or such other place as the commanding general shall direct, there to be made to do such hard work as the post commander shall direct.
"The finding .and sentence of the court are approved by General Burnside, and he disposed of the case by ordering that
"The prisoners, George Donges, citizen of Butler County, Ohio, and John McElwee, citizen of Jasper County, Illinois, will also be delivered by the military commander of Cincinnati, Ohio, into the custody of the commanding officer on Johnson's Island, who is charged with the execution of their sentence.
By command of
" MAJOR GENERAL BURNSIDE.
"LEWIS RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant General.
" Official, W. P. ANDERSON, Assistant Adjutant General."
Upon Vallandigham's return from the South and from Canada he made his first appearance in Hamilton. His seizure had been a grave mistake on the part of the government, as it made a martyr of him, and his arrest upon his return would have been a still greater error. But the authorities had learned wisdom, and he harangued the faithful to his heart's content without interruption. It was feared that there would be interference by the soldiers, or by zealous Republicans, in which case there would undoubtedly have been bloodshed. Every thing, however, passed off peaceably. The result of the election was an increased majority for the opposers of the war in this county, bdt through the State no such result prevailed. Lincoln, and not McClellan, carried the electoral vote. This opposition to the war was carried on to the end, and for five or six years after its close the local leaders of the party denounced the results. Time has healed these wounds, and most of those who distinguished themselves during the war and the postbellum period, in violent denunciation of what was done, have accepted the results with equanimity and patience.
The One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Regiment, National Guard, was the third complete, or nearly complete, regiment that went out from this county. It was one intended only for one hundred days' service. It was organized near this city on the 2d of May, 1864, and was sworn into the United States service on the 16th of the same month. On the 18th it received marching orders for West Virginia, and reached Charleston, in that State, on the 21st of May, reporting to Colonel Ewart. Six companies were immediately sent to Camp Piatt, and four to Gauley Bridge. At these points they relieved the Second, Third, and Seventh regiments of Virginia cavalry. The only duty the regiment was called upon
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to perform was guarding government stores, and accompanying trains to and from the main bodies of the national forces in that portion of Western Virginia. The posts were posts of supply. At the conclusion of their terms of service the regiment was promptly relieved, mustered out, and transported home. Many of the men joined other regiments, and went out again.
Following is a list of the officers and non-commissioned officers of the regiment:
Colonel.—Thomas Moore.
Lieutenant-colonel.—James E. Newton.
Major.—John F. Bender.
Surgeon.—Moses H. Haynes.
Assistant Surgeon.—James S. Ferguson.
Adjutant. —Lafayette Traber.
Quartermaster.—Henry P. Dore.
Chaplain.—Jeremiah Geiger.
Company A.
Captain.—James E. Stewart.
First Lieutenant.—James A. Kennedy.
Second Lieutenant.--Charles M. Dexter.
Sergeants. —James T. Longstreet, John C. McCracken, Charles Moore, John W. Craig, Samuel Gath.
Corporals.—George W. Saddler, Joseph Hayden, Samuel McDonald, Richard Butler, Jacob A. Zeller, Abner L. Howren, Cyrus D. Cross, John J. Wright, Jr.
Deserted.—Jacob Haus.
Died.—George S. Smith, August 14, 1864, at Brownstown.
Company B.
Captain.—Edward T. Jones.
First Lieutenant —S. W. Woodruff.
Second Lieutenant.—Crossley Vaughn.
Sergeants.—David Mercer, James Scott, Isaac Erven, J. T. De Armond, L. G. Farr.
Corporals.—Levi Nease, Morris Jones, Cornelius Stoughton, T. G. Caldwell, Alonzo Buell, James E. Bebb, Theo. Fields.
Killed.—John Beihlman, by scouting party of Company G, June 25, 1864.
Company C.
Captain.—John Koenger.
First Lieutenant.—Jacob Kurz.
Second Lieutenant.—Phil. Winkelhaus.
Sergeants.—J. H. Kevers, Louis Woraner, Henry Slein, Ernst Blum, Michael Link, William Wollenweiber.
Corporals.—Jacob Bender, Charles Friebel, Henry Overmeier, Jacob Hammonn, John C. Jahrans, Peter Gratz, Peter Kriegenhoffer.
Deserted.—Isaac Jackson, Frank Schodel.
Company D.
Captain.—B. F. Bookwalter.
First Lieutenant.—A. W. Eckert.
Second Lieutenant.—A. P. Richardson.
Sergeants.—James Ray, William F. Wilson, M. O. Bean, Job Inman, John Jacobs.
Corporals.—A. B. Crist, Amos D. Kumler, John Smith, Samuel Rose, Brown Wilson, William F. Jacobs, Elliott Huffman, John Hunsicker.
Company E.
Captain.—George C. Warvel.
First Lieutenant.—Benjamin F. Banker.
Second Lieutenant.—John Busenbark.
Sergeants.—D. D. Evans, Amos Potter, H. H. Long, Isaac Gebhart, Frank Courthwait.
Corporals.—Henry V. Williamson, Nelson Lucas, Philip H. Kumler, Austin L. Kumler, Henry Carney, Samuel D. Weaver, Albert Potter, Augustus Courthwait.
Deserted.--Ed. Jones, Van Buren Vance.
Company F.
Captain.—John C. Lewis.
First Lieutenant. —James F. E. Imley.
Second Lieutenant.—Samuel S. Garver.
Sergeants.—John S. Chapman, Adam P. Brewer, George W. Anderson, Archibald Laurie, Luther P. Huston.
Corporals.—Harry Bobbinmyer, John P. Stone, Leonard W. O'Brien, Benj. F. Randolph, Timothy E. Scovey, Hiram G. O. Dair, George B. Watson, Daniel W Fitton.
Company G.
Captain.—David B. Kerr.
First Lieutenant.—Thomas H. Robertson.
Second Lieutenant.—William E. McKecknie.
Sergeants.—William Kohr, Frank Banker, Comly P. Bennett, Joel K. Webster, Henry Reed.
Corporals.—Samuel Wickel, A. G. Clendenning, Jacob Servis, Frank Erwin, John Taylor, William S, Holmes, Thomas D. McAdams, Arthur Wilson.
Deserted.—Leonidas H. Butler, Peter Blazor, James Brashear, Thomas A. Kennard, Alfred Keys, Samuel Ralston, James Ross, Jackson Sweeney, Langsdon Sheaff.
Company H.
Captain.—James A. Stevens.
First Lieutenant.—L. D. Keil.
Second Lieutenant.—Levi Jameson.
Seregants.—A. M. Murray, W. R. Woodside, H. R. Weble, Joseph Bonaker, Ira Stevens.
Corporals.—John Earhart, Hosea Samuel, G. W. Robinson, JaMes B. DeCamp, S. D. Thurston, William Stevens, J. H. Keil, O. P. Morey.
Company I.
Captain.—Samuel K. Wickard.
First Lieutenant.—Philip H. Walty.
Second Lieutenant. —Henry C. Gray.
Sergeants.—Playton P. Rees, James P. Martindale, Miles J. Spoor, Freeman P. Applegate.
Corporals.—William B. Wallace, Thomas S. Woodruff, Samuel J. Dunwoody, John D. Scott, Joseph Walty, Rufus Cone, Richard Cole.
Company K.
Captain.—Daniel D. Zeller.
First Lieutenant. —W ashington B. Davis.
Second Lieutenant.—Matthew T. Whipple.
Sergeants.—Alexander B. Emerick, A. C. Cumler, W. T. Roll, W. N. Bailey, A. H. Miller.
Corporals.—William Cochrane, D. D. Beals, Daniel Wickard, Edwin Ross, Abraham Rumple, J. G. Knox, J. D. Goshorn, F. M. Kumler.
Died.—William Sterrett, August 15, 1864; W. J. Williams, August 14, 1864.
Much ought to be said, in however brief a summary of the war, viewed locally, of the noble efforts of those citizens who stayed behind in upholding the hands of the government and in lessening the sufferings of individuals and families. Relief committees were begun at the out-
248 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
break of hostilities in almost all localities ; and in thousands of families the kindly ministrations of neighbors helped to take off the keen edge of poverty. The relief system lasted through the whole war, fairs being held in connection with it. At one of them, held in Hamilton, ten thousand dollars and over was realized. A committee of citizens was appointed by the government, in each county, to aid in the work of recruiting, and as persons on whom it could rely for assistance. Those in this county in 1863 were : N. C. McFarland, chairman ; Israel Williams, secretary ; Alexander F. Hume, Henry Beardsley, and J. M. Millikin. Others were joined with these, and preceded and followed them. To all these the greatest gratitude is due. In the darkest hour of the nation's trouble they formed a rallying point for the faithful.
The end was at last to come. The heroic exertions of four years were crowned with success, and Richmond was ours. The Telegraph of Hamilton had the following head lines :
" Victory—Richmond Ours and Garrisoned by Negro Troops—Petersburg Evacuated—Davis a Fugitive—Lee in Full Retreat—Grant in Full Pursuit—Four Days' Heavy Fighting—Complete Union Success—The Great Hereafter has Come—Where 's Vallandigham ?—Where 's the Chicago Platform ?—Where 's McClellan ?"
A celebration was held on the Friday following the evacuation of Richmond. The day rose brightly, and seemed of itself to impart gladness to all hearts. At sunrise a national salute from the court-house square spoke joyfully, and this was followed by many pealing bells for the space of an hour. Very early in the day it was manifest it was to be a jubilee, and soon the streets were filled with people whose eyes and cheerful faces told their gladness.
At ten o'clock a very large congregation assembled in the Presbyterian Church, where a sermon was delivered by the Rev. J. J. Thompson, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, from Exodus xv, 1, 2, 21. The reverend speaker dr.ew a most striking parallel between the cause of the Confederacy and the cause of Pharaoh, and the total destruction which overtook them both, manifestly by the hands of the Lord. He closed by referring to the fact that while they were then worshiping Sumter's dishonored flag was honored and floated over the battered walls, upon the ocean breeze ; Maryland had washed out their stains, Louisiana and Tennessee had found mooring in the Union docks, and Georgia, Virginia, and the old North State desired to join their sisters. A new and higher destiny awaited them. Let all say, " Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting tb everlasting, and let all the people say Amen."
In the afternoon the whole population were abroad, and flags decorated nearly the whole city. At three o'clock P. M. a great crowd assembled at the court-house, where, after the thundering of cannon, music was given by the city band and the glee club, and eloquent addresses of great ability by L. D. Campbell and by Messrs. Millikin and Moore. They were happily worded and enthusiastically received.
At night the whole population were out about the court-house. Men, women, and children swarmed ; brilliant fireworks were set off under the direction of Brook Saunders.
Scarcely had the nation felt its heart throb with gratitude for the closing of the war and the renewal of peace on a solid and enduring basis, than it was called to mourn the death of Abraham Lincoln, slain by the hand of an assassin. So monstrous seemed the report that few could believe it, and it was not until the arrival of the morning papers that citizens were willing to give credence to the story. But with the perusal of the details came unwilling belief, and soon the tolling bells, the half-masted flags, and the drapery of black gave proof of sorrow.
In the evening a large meeting convened at the courthouse, and organized by the selection of Judge Scott as chairman, and Mr. Selby as secretary. Remarks were made by L. D. Campbell, N. C. McFarland, Rev. J. J. Thompson, and Thomas Moore, expressive of their feelings and that of the community generally. Men of all political parties united in this movement. The chairman was authorized to appoint a committee of nine to make suitable arrangements for observance of the funeral ceremonies of the late President. On Sunday large audiences assembled in all of the churches, most, if not all of which were draped in mourning, and the exercises were generally conducted with reference to the solemn lessons of the hour. In the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Thompson had designed an Easter sermon, but in view of the nation's calamity addressed his congregation from 2 Samuel iii, 38 : " Know ye not there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel ?" His remarks were eloquent and to the point. In the Presbyterian Church, Professor David Swing, of Oxford, now of Chicago, preached from the ninety-seventh Psalm.
In accordance with the recommendation of the acting Secretary of State, Wednesday was observed with fitting ceremonies. All the bells tolled for one hour from 10.30 A. M. Funeral ceremonies were in the Presbyterian Church at 12 noon ; sermon by the Rev. J. M. Pendleton. There was also a general suspension of business from 10 A. M. until 3 P. M., and a display of flags at half-mast. The sermon was from Deuteronomy xxxiv, 8.
At Oxford the various bells were tolled for several hours, flags were shrouded in crape, or displayed at half- mast, and business was almost entirely suspended. This was on Saturday, on the reception of the news. In the afternoon, by a general impulse, a large number of citizens assembled in the hall over the market-house, and a meeting was organized, on motion of Professor Swing, by calling the Rev. Dr. Patterson to the chair. Mr.
THE REBELLION - 249
Duval was appointed secretary. The Rev. L. L. Langstroth opened the exercises by prayer, and then made some remarks ; after which, on motion of Professor Swing, Professor Stoddard, Professor Swing, and Mr. Zeller were appointed a committee to prepare suitable resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. An adjourned meeting was fixed at 2 P. M. of the day on which the obsequies should be observed in Washington, in the Third Presbyterian Church. Remarks were made at different times by the Rev. Mr. McSurely, Kumler, and Morris. On Sunday all the public and many of the private buildings were draped in black.
Among those who remained in the army after the close of the war was Colonel Charles Kilgore Smith, the second son of Charles K. Smith, of Hamilton, for a long time one of the leading citizens of this county, and the first secretary of the Territory of Minnesota. He was born in Hamilton on the 22d of October, 1834, and was carefully instructed in all the usual branches of education, receiving in addition a course of training at the military academy at West Point, to which he was appointed in 1850. The rigorous requirements of the place enfeebled his naturally weak constitution, and the idea of a military life was abandoned, he thought, forever ; but at the beginning of the civil war, prompted by duty and patriotism, he entered a company, and, as first lieutenant, aided in drilling and disciplining the troops, accompanied them to Columbus, and when this company finally crystallized into one of those forming the Twenty-sixth Regiment, he was made quartermaster. He accompanied it to Louisville, its first trip, and was, in conjunction with Colonel E. P. Fyffe, who commanded, highly complimented by the press for the able manner iu which his duties were discharged. His efficiency and eminent abilities soon attracted attention, and he was promoted to a captaincy, acting as chief assistant in the quartermaster's department at Chattanooga before, during, and subsequent to the Atlanta campaign. General Rousseau, an excellent judge of men, placed him upon his staff; and evinced by his conduct that he regarded him as one of the most efficient and trustworthy officers in the service. He followed the army in its vicissitudes and perils during its four years of trials and changes, winning each year higher and higher positions, rising from chief assistant in the quartermaster's department to that of chief quartermaster of the department of Georgia, with the grade of colonek At this time he was on the staff of Major-general Steadman, who was in command of that department. He was commissioned major by brevet, March 13, 1865, "for gallant and meritorious services during the war." He did not receive his appointment as major until he had been commissioned a colonel, the appointment of major having been knocked about in the mails for nearly a year before it reached him, owing to the uncertainties of war.
While still very young he joined the Free Masons, in Washington Lodge, Hamilton, of which his father had so long been an ornament, and carried into his everyday life those principles of honor, good faith, and charity there inculcated. He was naturally a Mason. In the army he aided in establishing military lodges, and through his instrumentality in this respect much suffering was alleviated.
He was in public life a model of integrity and industry, but it was in private life that he was justly to be estimated. He was most kind and affectionate. In his deportment to his parents he was respectful, dutiful, and warmly affectionate ; to his brothers and sisters he was considerate, loving, generous, and just, and to his friends constant and true. He could be depended upon in all the relations of life to do that which was right and becoming, neither turning away from the weak and afflicted because they were under a cloud, nor courting the society of those favored with this world's goods because their influence might be valuable to him.
His death, from hemorrhage of the lungs, occurred in Columbia, South Carolina, December 30, 1870, when he had barely entered his thirty-seventh year. It cast a deep shade of sorrow over a large circle of friends, and occasioned the deepest anguish in his family circle. His noble deeds and self-sacrificing devotion have placed his name on the pages of his country's history.
We give the names of the soldiers of our wars buried in Greenwood. Some errors are among them, undoubtedly, but the list has been submitted to careful revision by a number of well-known citizens.
SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION AND THE INDIAN WARS.
Isaac Hammond, 85; died February 22, 1847. He enlisted in the service at the age of fourteen years, and was in the battle of Brandywine.
John Reily, 87 ; died on the 8th of June, 1859. He enlisted at the age of seventeen, and was actively engaged at the battle of Eutaw Springs.
Pierson Sayre, 91 ; major ; died April 4, 1852.
John Wingate, 78, of Fairfield Township, Ohio ; died April 15, 1851. He was in the closing battles of the Revolution, and was also in the war under General Wayne.
Joseph McMaken, 63, of Union Township, Ohio ; died February 10, 1818. He was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania ; enlisted in the Indian war under General St. Clair and General Anthony Wayne. He came to Ohio in 1789, and in 1795 settled on section 4, Union Township.
Isaac Hull, 75; died October 6, 1833. He served seven years in the war.
William McClellan, 60, of St. Clair Township ; October 2, 1827. Was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania ; employed in quartermaster's department as pack horseman.
John Sutherland, 63; September 9, 1834. Born in Scotland. Was in quartermaster's department in Wayne's army.
SOLDIERS OF 1812.
Robert Rosencrans, 75, of Fairfield Township ; born in New Jersey ; died January 1, 1865. He was in Captain Collins's company.
Jacob Garver, 74 ; January 26, 1868.
250 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
John G. Roseborne, 84; June 28, 1877. He was born in Nee Jersey.
John P. Reynolds, 75 ; March 24, 1858.
John Peirce, 88; May 18, 1872. He was born in Delaware, and was in the battle of Lundy's Lane.
Thomas Stone, 67, of Fairfield Township ; April 9, 1837.
Isaac Falconer, 69 ; November 27, 1840.
John Caldwell, 46; January 27, 1826.
Matthew Hueston, 76 ; April 16, 1847. Born in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, and was buried at Collinsville. Was in quartermaster's department in Wayne's campaign.
Captain J. Cleves Symmes, 48; May 29, 1829. Born in Sussex County, New Jersey. Captain First Regiment, United States Infantry.
Wilkins Warwick, 90, of St. Clair Township ; May 9, 1836. Captain Abner Torbert, 75, of St. Clair Township; December 22, 1855. Was born in Pennsylvania.
Thomas Sinnard, 53 ; April 3, 1847.
Dr. Daniel Millikin, 70 ; November 2, 1849.
Dr. Jacob Lewis, 82, of Lemon Township ; July 19, 1852. He was surgeon of the First Regiment, United States Army.
William H. Wilcox, 72 ; September 15, 1851.
N. S. Smith, 63 ; July 28, 1856.
Vincent Cohee, 87, of St. Clair Township ; November 12, 1868. He served under Captain Collins in the Twenty- sixth Regiment, United States Infantry.
F. Perry, of Fairfield Township, 84; June 16,-1873. Born in Vermont, and was wounded at the battle of Plattsburg.
William Clements, 62 ; April 7, 1854. Born in Ireland.
Robert Clements, 74, of Hanover Township; born in Ireland ; died September 21, 1855. He was in Hull's surrender.
John Freeman, 85 ; December 4, 1862.
John Woods, 61 ; July 30, 1855.
John Byers, 79 ; November 24, 1858. He was born in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, and served as wagonmaster.
Isaiah Vale, 80 ; May 7, 1870.
Edward Brown, 82 ; October 23, 1865,
Isaac Paxton, 91 ; October 7, 1861. He enlisted under General Wayne at the age of twenty-two years.
William Dye, 74, of Fairfield Township ; January 11, 1864.
William Sheeley, 69, of Fairfield Township ; September 8, 1859.
Alexander Delorac, 83 ; born in Shepardstown, Pennsylvania; September 1, 1870. Enlisted in the Twenty-sixth Regiment, United States Infantry, under Captain Collins.
John Crain, 68, of Covington, Kentucky ; March 1, 1864. Alexander Smiley, 67; December 27, 1857.
James B. Thomas, 72 ; May 12, 1864.
John Vinnedge, 94, of Union Township ; August 16, 1868.
Frederick Devon, 62 ; April, 1852. Served all through the war of 1812.
Samuel Millikin, 83 ; October 10, 1870. He was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania. He had charge of medical stores of the Northern army.
Major James Patchell, 71, of Union Township ; October 4, 1844. Was major United States Army.
SOLDIERS OF THE REBELLION.
John McCleary, 37; major United States Army ; died at Charleston, South Carolina, February 26, 1868.
Samuel R. Johns, 20; F, 3d; killed in battle at Middle Fork Bridge, West Virginia, July 21, 1861.
J. S. Earhart, 39 ; 35th; captain and topographical engineer; at Camp Thomas, near Winchester, Tennessee, August 10, 1863.
William Anderson, 28; F, 3d; April 30, 1868.
John Giffen, 22; I, 35th; Hanover Township ; November 14, 1862.
Jacob Marsh, 49 ; I, 35th ; January 17, 1863.
Matthias Grissle, 22 ; 167th ; May 25, 1865.
Hamilton Miller, 37; 3d ; June 13, 1861.
J. W. Falconer, 25 ; captain 41st United States colored troops ; from wounds in battle, May 2, 1865.
Andy Byers, 48; 26th ; of Fairfield Township ; July 10, 1862.
W. H. Wilson, 24; sergeant C, 1st; of Indianapolis, Indiana ; April 19; 1862.
J. W. Wilson, 51 ; captain C, 5th ; of St. Clair Township ; February 6, 1871.
Captain O. Minor, 41 ; K, 75th; at Galveston, Texas; April 27, 1868. Born in Eaton, Ohio. Appointed captain by the President.
Wilkison Beaty, 69; 35th; wagon master ; September 30, 1866.
Colonel M. C. Ryan, 41 ; 50th ; regiment consolidated with 61st regiment before his death; October 23, 1861.
W. J. Williams, 19; 167th ; of Millville, Ohio; at Loup Creek, West Virginia, August 14, 1864.
D. J. Beaver, 21; 39th ; November 1, 1862.
S. D. Stephenson, 22; I, 5th; May 26, 1862.
W. H. Eacott, 27; lieutenant, B, 35th; August 12, 1864.
W. C. Stewart, 26; 93d; from wounds at Stone River, February 11, 1863.
J. M. Stewart, 30; K, 37th Indiana Volunteers; killed at New Hope, Georgia, May 27, 1864. Of St. Clair Township.
B. F. Kyle ; C, 35th; missing at Chickamauga, buried in an unknown grave; September 19, 1863.
Wm. H. Miller, 38; second lieutenant, B, 12th ; killed in West Virginia while scouting, September 15, 1861. He was in the battle of Peters Creek.
D. C. Beckett, 27; major, 61st; killed in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, June 22, 1864. Born in Hanover Township.
Jerome Falconer, 19; 93d; from ,-;ounds at Stone River, August 17, 1863.
Adam Richard, 40 ; 3d; May 28, 1864. He was born in Germany.
John Van Derveer, 38; 35th; captain and quartermaster; August 19, 1875.
George D. Dilg, 16 ; 108th ; December 24, 1862.
Sorter Durell, 27; 167th; March 4, 1865. He was in the one hundred days' service from Indiana, and re-enlisted in the 167th.
Henry Smith, 20; 3d; at Annapolis, Md., from wounds received at Murfreesboro, Tenn., February 21, 4863.
A. F. Gargus, 26 ; 38th ; at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., June 25, 1863.
Stephen G. Leflar, 33 ; in a Missouri regiment trot known, April 2, 1870.
Ed, Fairclough, 35 ; 69th; of Fairfield Township; November 6, 1868. Born in England.
Nat. Rogers, 27 ; October 17, 1867. Born in Union Township.
James Jackson, 25; 35th; August 10, 1865.
S. H. Miller, 21; of Reily Township ; January 9, 1865.
Samuel Crawford, 28; 167th ; of Fairfield Township ; September 21, 1870.
Colonel Minor Millikin, 28 ; colonel First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. , Previously first lieutenant Burdsall's Cavalry. Killed at Stone River, December 31, 1862 ; interred, January 8, 1863.
THE REBELLION - 251
Dr. F. D. Morris, 34; surgeon, 35th ; September 21, 1864. Born at Lebanon, Ohio.
Jacob Straub, 31; H, 83d; April 25, 1871.
John C. Elliot, 47; F, 3d; October 7, 1862.
James Strode, 20; I, 35th; January 3, 1863.
William H. Myers, 20; D, 167th; April 4, 1867.
Thomas S. Myers, 29; F, 167th; December 24, 1870.
Fred. Thomas, 26; H, 22d; of Symmes Corner ; April 24, 1863,
Isaac Hagerman, 20 ; 93d ; at Nashville, Tennessee, January 28, 1863. Born in Fairfield Township.
J. C. Schmidtman, 22 ; F, 69th ; December 14, 1863.
Alex. Schmidtman, 28 ; K, 9th ; September 7, 1863.
Wilson Furrey, 33; 69th; of St. Clair Township ; September 21, 1862.
Captain Thomas Stone, 42; B, 35th; May 28, 1865. Born in Fairfield Township.
John F. Stone, 22 ; 167th ; January 27, 1867.
William Kennedy, 22; F, 3d; killed at the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, October 25, 1862.
J. H. Atherton, 23 ; C, 93d ; killed at Perryville, January 12, 1865. Was born in Fairfield Township.
J. C. Chapman, 38 ; F, 183d ; July 21, 1868.
J. W. Miller, 32; of Fairfield Township ; November 13, 1870.
E. H. Scudder, 26; G, 83d; from wounds received at Arkansas Port, July 16, 1863. Born in Liberty Township. John McLean, 24; 93d; February 18, 1865.
Henry C. Rutter, 19; F, 3d; of Fairfield Township; January 3, 1862.
Adolph Gerwig, 50; chaplain, 39th; February 7, 1862. John Myers, 20 ; F, 69th ; January 15, 1869.
Lieutenant B. C. Wilcox, 28 ; C, 93d ; November 5, 1862.
Garrett Parker, 17 ; I, 159th Illinois Volunteers, of Springfield, Illinois ; a prisoner in the hands of the rebels at Nashville, Tennessee, January 13, 1865.
Robert H. Miller, 27 ; C, 93d ; killed by cars, March 7, 1871.
Captain Robert Clements, 38 ; F, 69th ; October 29, 1870. Born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania.
Colonel C. K. Smith, 36; colonel and quartermaster ; January 3, 1871.
Captain J. W. C. Smith, 43 ; A, 26th ; October 31, 1873.
Charles Morris, 21; I, 35th ; February 8, 1863.
James McClellan, 31.; April 16, 1867.
Captain Charles Trounsell, 37; F, 3d ; January 31, 1875. Born in Ireland.
William Longfellow, 44; C, 69th; June 4, 1877. Born in St. Clair Township.
Matthew Miller, 33; C, 93d; September 16, 1872, Born in Clinton County.
Fred. Donges, 20 ; K, 47th ; January 24, 1863.
Peter Vonscyke, 52; A, 26th; April 31, 1866.
Joseph Newell, 42; C, 34th; December 7, 1873. Born in Cincinnati.
Samuel Young, 51; H, 22d ; May 22, 1875. Born in Marietta, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
John Greicell, 48; 106th; January 6, 1873. Born in Germany.
Hiram Shedd, 28; D, 35th; March 19, 1872. Born in New York.
W. H. Helmer, 38; G, 35th; January 16, 1878.
John Weaver, 38; 69th ; killed in battle, September 6, 1862.
Geo. Wilson, 21; 8th; from wounds received at Beverly, West Virginia, November 27, 1864.
Julius Schuster, 30; 108th; December 6, 1868. Born in Germany.
John Maxham, 45 ; June 26, 1866.
John Bruck, 30; 108th; September 19, 1866. Born in Germany:
Robert Ireland, 47; C, 69th; December 30, 1868. He lost an arm at Jonesborough, Georgia. Born in Ireland.
Philip Hailey, 35; C, 167th; May 29, 1871. Born in Germany.
John Rummel, 40; B, 106th; December 17, 1870. Born in Germany.
Matthew Eckenroth, 33; C, 93d; February 4, 1871. John Wagoner, 52; 111th; March 3, 1864.
Dennis Downy, 33 ; 69th ; 1864.
A. W. Sullivan, 20; F, 69th ; of Jones Station ; died of wounds received at Mission Ridge, April 15, 1864.
Lea Brown, 35; 61st; February 17, 1862.
Peter O'Harron, 27 ; 61st ; March 2, 1862.
Henry Adams, 25 ; F, 3d ; killed at the battle of Perryville, October 25, 1862.
Dennis Webster, 45; B, 106th; November 26, 1862.
Herman Reinhart, 28; 7th Indiana Volunteers; September 6, 1863.
G. W. Shellhouse, 17 ; I, 83d ; October 16, 1863.
Lucas Wilde, 35 ; H, 22d ; November 23, 1863.
James Price, 22; 93d; February 1, 1865.
Jos. W. Howell, 40; G, 67th; November 7, 1864.
Isaac Earhart, 21; 83d; of St. Clair Township ; February 28, 1864.
George Kinch, 48; A, 26th; of St. Clair Township ; November 8, 1870. Born in Ireland.
Tom Corwin, 36 ; F, 3d ; October 3, 1871.
Jacob Hash, 35; C, 131st; of Cincinnati ; April 4, 1877.
David Kemple, 36; 167th; April 12, 1872.
Fred. Sweckert, 38; H, 22d; of Cincinnati; killed in battle, April 27, 1862.
A. W. Bone, 22 ; B, 35th ; of Port Union ; killed in battle, October 8, 1862.
Jacob Wetzell, 27; color sergeant, F, 69th; killed at Mission Ridge, November 25, 1863.
Nicholas Hagar, 44; C, 167th ; April 16, 1870. Born in Germany.
Archey Mahon; 2d; April 10, 1871. Born in New York.
J. P. Deitz, 47 ; B, 1st ; April 21, 1871. Was in battle of Bull Run. Born in Germany.
John Hall, 35 ; H, 83d ; at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, May 27, 1864.
James Willis, 24; F, 3d; March 10, 1861.
George W. Erwin, 17; F, 196th; February 26, 1866.
Samuel Shellhouse, 16 ; I, 35th ; of Ross Township ; July 16, 1864.
J. S. Shedd, 25 ; D, 35th ; March 14, 1864.
Philip Huber, 43 ; Burdsall's Cavalry ; April 30, 1865.
W. H. H. Kimble, 52 ; sergeant, I, 35th ; February 20, 1864.
Lieutenant O. F. Smith, 29; F, 69th ; at Grafton, West Virginia, while on the way home, June 30, 1865.
Adjutant C. W. Smith, 30; 5th ; of Cincinnati ; killed at Port Republic, June 19, 1862.
W. J. Sterritt, 27 ; 167th ; of Ross Township ; at Loup Creek, West Virginia, August 15, 1864.
B. F. Boatman, 27; F, 35th ; of St. Clair Township ; of wounds received at Chickamauga, Tennessee, October 30, 1863.
W. Haunstein, 35 ; 28th ; March 4, 1866. Born in Germany.
252 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
John Schmidt, 47; B, 9th ; August 21, 1868. Born in Germany.
W. Martin, 42; A, 28th; January 9, 1869. Born in Germany.
Henry Bruck, 22; K, 47th; February 7, 1870.
Thos. Walton, 51; K, 1st ; of Cincinnati ; January 27, 1868.
Charles Walton, 26; F, 69th; at Atlanta, Georgia, September 28, 1864.
R. G. Rust, 27 ; June 9, 1866.
A. O. House, 22; F, 69th; killed at Bentonville, North Carolina, March 19, 1865.
Peter O. Melin, 28; A, 26th ; August 10, 1863.
John A. Compton, 27 ; F, 69th ; of Fairfield Township ; killed at Resaca, Georgia, May 31, 1864.
James McCormick, 31; F, 6th ; of Symmes Corner; January 23, 1868. Born in Fairfield Township. .
Benj. McCormick, 35 ; F, 93d; of Symmes Corner ; killed in battle of Dalton, Georgia, May 27, 1864. Born in Fairfield Township.
Freeman Berry, 16 ; A, 26th ; in Fayetteville, West Virginia, January 13, 1862.
R. H. Hamaford, 26; C, 93d; May 20, 1879. Of Hanover Township.
J. M. Coppage, 18 ; I, 35th ; April 14, 1863.
John Hull, 23; I, 35th ; of St. Clair Township ; at Nashville, Tennessee, March 20, 1862.
Ichabod Whittaker, 26; F, 3d; November, 5, 1862. Joseph B. Gorsuch, 23; captain, I, 83d; of Liberty Township ; August 8, 1864.
H. R. Keck, 24 ; 93d; of Darrtown, Ohio ; killed in battle, March 27, 1864.
A. Reily, 29; of Ross Township ; April 27, 1871. Born in Hanover Township.
A. P. Cox, 42; K, 69th. Appointed captain Mississippi Brigade by the President. Born in West Chester. Resided at Oxford. Died September 21, 1872.
Henry Peipper, 57 ; B, 9th ; June 7, 1875. Born in Germany.
Charles Waltz, 42; 1st New York Cavalry, quartermaster's sergeant ; August 24, 1878. Born in Germany.
John Post, 38 ; H, 83d ; January 29, 1874. Born in New Jersey.
A. M. Gaylord, 50; chaplain, 13th Massachusetts; March 26, 1873.
Jacob P. Serber, 44; A, 176th Pennsylvania ; March 29, 1879.
Jethro Davidson, 35 ; A, 27th, United States Colored Infantry ; January 22, 1873. Born at Harper's Ferry.
Henry Works, 44; D, 5th United States Colored Infantry; March 16, 1869. Born in North Carolina.
Fred Hoover, 25 ; E, 5th United States Colored Infantry; of Fairfield Township ; May 12, 1874.
Edwin Ellis, 48 ; sergeant, 37th Indiana ; September 24, 1876. Born in England.
Alex. C. Rossman, 31; captain, I, 5th ;. October 10, 1872. Fred Knollenberger, 47 ; D, 23d ; of Fairfield Township ; December 7, 1875.
Peter Flynn, 28 ; Cumberland Army ; August 24, 1873. Born in Ireland.
James McBride, 50 ; I, 35th ; June 21, 1872. Born in Greene County.
Samuel Dunwoody, 32 ; I, 50th ; January 1, 1872. John Schmuck, 36; B, 106th ; May 7, 1879.
August G. Heiser, 27 ; 10th Indiana ; March 5, 1864.
Jacob B. Ruoff, 31; 5th Illinois Artillery, Chicago, Illinois; January 14, 1873. Born in Hamilton.
Alex. D. Radcliff, 26; United States Navy ; August 9, 1870. Born in England.
Anthony Dixon, 45 ; G, 16th United States Colored Infantry.
Winston Lewis; D, 88th United States Colored Infantry ; February, 1867.
Erastus Oakes, 41; A, 97th New York; March 21, 1878. Born in New York.
Julius Bastian, 41; B, 118th Pennsylvania ; December 20, 1878.
Frank Theobald, 47; 169th ; guard duty at Columbus, Ohio; February 3, 1878. Born in Germany.
David Fillers, 37 ; D, 169th ; of Fairfield Township ; December 27, 1869. Born in Virginia.
August Kraft, 49; May 19, 1873. Born in Germany.
George W. Imley, 36 ; 54th ; March 26, 1877. Born in Preble County.
Edward Schlotterbeck, 27; United States Marines, Cumminsville ; July 23, 1874. Born in Germany.
Robt. Waterhouse, 38; 93d; of Jones Station; January 8, 1873.
Robt. Benninghoffen, 28 ; B, 106th; May 26, 1872. Born in Germany.
Clarence E. Arnold, 31; 83d; Cincinnati ; March 22, 1878.
Warren Corwin, 20; C. M. Clay's battalion guarding Washington City. Of Washington, D. C.
John Hull, 42 ; K, 11th ; October 3, 1879.
Ernst Rhodes, 40; E, 18th ; February 3, 1877. Born in Germany.
Thomas B. Bartlett, 34; 167th ; of Covington, Kentucky ; March 20; 1880. Born in Dayton.
Frank Worck ; 106th, C.
Jacob Kurtz, 44 ; C, 7th ; wounded in battle ; died April 6, 1880. Born in Germany.
Daniel Cameron, 56 ; C, Indiana Batt. Cavalry ; March 9, 1875.
George P. Matthias, 26 ; F, 189th ; February 2, 1874.
Everett Rossman, 23 ; F, 167th ; March 23, 1870.
Louis Heries, 46 ; C, 167th ; August 28, 1873. Born in
Germany.
Reuben Parker, 51; 1st ; of St. Clair Township ; June 15, 1876. Born in New Jersey.
Jesse Sullivan, 64 ; E, 2d Kentucky Volunteers; of Fairfield ; January 12, 1872.
Wm. Hill, 38; May 14, 1880.
G. Faist, 48; 167th ; July 24, 1880. Born in Germany.
Finley A. McGrew, 56 ; B, 2d California Cavalry ; July 24, 1880.
Chas. Graemes, 45 ; B, Indiana regiment ; August 9, 1880. Born in Germany.
James E. Bosley, 36 ; 6th ; July 27, 1880. Born in Baltimore. Geo. Kimble, 40; B, 35th; June 30, 1881.
David Rose, 67 ; D, 35th ; April 2, 1881. Born in New Jersey.
Fred. Stitzinger, 50; 44th ; May 28, 1881. Born in Germany.
George Dilg, 47; C, 167th; November 22, 1880. Born in Germany.
Daniel Curtis, February 22, 1881.
Charles H. Lawder, 35 ; I, 1st Ohio Veteran Volunteer Cavalry, Cincinnati. Born in Kentucky. Died February 20, 1881.
Henry Severs, 46; C, 167th; July 13, 1870. Born in Germany.
Henry Hursch, 44; I, 35th; June 2, 1874.,
THE COURTS - 253
Casper Decker, 46; B, 96th ; March 15, 1875. Born in Germany.
Henry Mahn, 37; H, 20th; February 2, 1878. Born in Germany.
Fred. Bruck; F, 28th; December 16, 1862.
John A. Miller, 33; A, 139th; October 10, 1877. Born in Germany.
John Bruck, 63; D, 108th ; also Second Lieutenant of Co. K ; was in the battle of Bull Run; died November 28, 1871. Born in Germany.
William M. Knight, 40; E, 75th; October 22, 1877. He lost an arm at Cedar Mountain, Va. Born in Indiana.
Thomas P. Saunders, 49 ; river defense, Cincinnati; April 24, 1881.
Major A. A. Phillips, 56 ; 93d; July 12, 1881. Also in the Mexican War.
Clark J. Castator, 37 ; B, 35th ; September 10, 1881.
Henry Sprang, 70 ; B, 34th regiment of Richmond, Indiana ; December 1, 1881.
William Kidwell, 42; F, 69th; December 25, 1881. Born in Indiana.
Christian Milds, in Mexican War and B, 28th; January 8, 1882. Born in Germany.
J. H. Barcalow ; E, 14th New York ; May 4, 1882. Born in Franklin.
Joseph Schneider ; H, 22d ; artillery sergeant.
Hermann Runck ; H, 22d ; sergeant.
Henry Meyer ; H, 22d ; sergeant.
George B. Morton ; I, 5th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.
John Connaughton ; I, 74th.
John Rink ; D, 56th.
Maurice Pendergast ; C, 2d.
The following men from Butler County are buried at Chattanooga, in the beautiful national cemetery. Captain Phik Rothenbush copied the names of the soldiers of the Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry sleeping their last sleep in that silent city. We give the names, with the company to which they belonged, and the place they were buried from:
A. Amberlin, H, Chattanooga.
E. Day, C, Chattanooga.
J. C. Gillespie, G, Chattanooga.
Wm. Keys, F. Chattanooga.
McDonald Montgomery, A, Chattanooga.
Wm. Newsocks, G, Chattanooga.
I. Romaine, F, Chattanooga.
John Smith, I, Chattanooga.
C. A. Thompson, H, Chattanooga.
John Van Arr, F, Chattanooga.
Joe. Warner, H, Chattanooga.
T. H. Coop, C, Missionary Ridge.
Wm. C. Stokes, C, Missionary Ridge
Ridge. J. W. Duncan, E, Chickamauga
J. A. Erwin, H, Chickamauga. .
J. C. Perrine, A, Chickamauga.
A. Howard, F, Stevenson, Ala.
Harry McDonald, D, Pine Mountain.
Michael Shields, A, Resaca.
J. Vannata, C, Cloud-Springs.
The following soldiers are buried at Oxford :
Joseph Allendorf.
Isaac W. Caldwell, K, 83d.
Charles Anderson.
George Cone, A, 167th.
Pike Brown, B, 35th.
John Craft, C, 69th.
James M. Brace.
Riley Davis, A, 167th.
Chas. Barrows, C, 93d.
Robert Douglass, A, 86th.
Jas. Coe, Missouri Regiment.
Thos. C. Douglass, A, 168th.
Randolph B. Crecraft.
Wm. M. Ferguson, K, 86th.
Jas. N. Crosby, A, 86th.
Sampson Gath, D, 47th.
Martin Gravin, C, 34th.
Joel C. Osborn, D, 47th.
James Hazeltine, A, 86th.
John Pitner, N. Y. Regm't.
David E. Howell, 146th New
B. F. Rossin, Col. 147th.York Infantry
Geo. Ryland, B, 4th.
J. N. Harding, Mass. Reg'm't.
Geo. Roberts, B, 20th.
H. Hayden, Gunboat Romeo.
Richard Roberts, B, 20th.
Nicholas Jones.
Thos. Rockhold, I, 3d U. S.C. I.
W. F. Kumler, A, 167th.
Wm. A. Kennedy, I, 5th.
Henry Russell, I, 54th Mass. Infantry
John L. Keely, B, 69th.
James Kirby, D, 47th.
Wm. K. Sadler, Surgeon 19th Ky. V. I
Wm. Lintner, 4th O. V. C.
Daniel W. Leach, F, 69th.
Josiah Smith, C, 93d.
Samuel Mountford, L, 2d Ind. Cavalry.
Solomon M. Smith, B, 35th.
Geo. T. Smith, A, 167th.
Duncan McMillan, K, 86th.
Wm. H. Smith, Jr., Cadet U. S. Navy.
Chas. Meyers, N. Y. Regim't.
Wm. F. Moore, C, 93d.
Oliver J. Stork, C, 11th U. S. I.
Sam'l McDonald, A, 167th.
Thos. McCoy, C, 69th.
E. B. Shields, N. Y. Cav.
Joel C. Noland, Gunboat.
Geo. Totten, D, 47th.
Jas. E. Newton, Lt. Col. 167th.
Jas. B. White, A, 167th.
Fred. A. Nagle, A, 167th.
John Wright, A, 167th.
Wm. Null, I, 167th.
Wm. G. Wertz, D, 1st O. H. Art.
Chas. O. Newhal, B, 35th.
Marcus Ormond, H, 140th P. V. I.
Thos. M. Wakeland, D, 47th.
Alfred Weston, Band 69th.