294 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. CHAPTER VII (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) WAR HISTORY-THE REVOLUTION AND 1812-INDIAN AND MEXICAN WARS-THE LATE REBELLION-AID SOCIETIES. "And Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars." . IN the early history of the Ohio Territory, a large tract of land was reserved within the limits, and designated "United States Military Land." This land had been set apart by the Federal Government for the purpose of rewarding its soldiers of the Revolutionary war. These old soldiers had spent their best years fighting for the independence of their country, and peace found them broken down in health. and many of them in fortune, so that when a grateful but impoverished Government offered them homes in the distant West, they gladly accepted the offer. This was the means of bringing many of these old Revolutionary heroes to the Ohio Territory: and to the State of Ohio after its admission into the Federal Union. These war worn veterans had often faced the British legions on hard-fought fields, as well as fought the Indian in his own fashion. Hence they felt themselves fully competent to contest with the red man his right to the hunting-grounds of Ohio. It cannot be said that Ohio took part in the Revolutionary war, yet many of her early settlers took an active part in it previously, however. HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 295 to their coming to the Territory, as the war was over long before a white settlement was made in what is now the great State of Ohio. After their settlement here, they were often called upon to defend their homes and families against Indian attacks and incursions and long familiarity with savage warfare well fitted them for such scenes. But, as the Indian wars and Indian history pertaining to Crawford County are given more fully in another chapter. We merely allude to them here by way of preface to a chapter that is devoted chiefly to " wars and rumors of wars." How many of the pioneers of Crawford County served in the war of the Revolution is not now known. But, as settlements were made here little more than a quarter of a century after the close of the war for independence, it is altogether probable that a number of these old heroes were among the early settlers. It is impossible however to learn the facts at this date: and we will pass to later struggles in which the people in this section were more particularly interested. In the war of 1812, when the British lion was again unchained and turned loose upon this free country. Crawford County was then unformed and unsettled: it was as yet in the Indian country, and near the theater of some of the stirring events of 1812-15. After the close of this war, a large scope of country was opened in this portion of the state to till, white people, who were not slow to take possession. Among the first settler; were many soldiers of the last tear with Great Britain. These, like the Revolutionary soldiers, found their way here for the purpose of obtaining cheap homes for themselves and their children. In another portion of this work will be found many biographical sketches of these soldiers of 1812. The Mexican war, after the Indian Wars mentioned elsewhere was the next call to arms of the American people. They had enjoyed a long peace and a long season of prosperity." It "Red Battle," with his "blood-red tresses deepening in the sun," had raged to and fro in lands beyond the great deep, the "thunder of his goings " came to us but as the "dying cadence " of the voice of a distant cloud, whose lightings could harm us not. We moved on undisturbed until 1846-the commencement of the Mexican war. All readers of American history are familiar with the facts which resulted in a collision between the United States ;and Mexico. Briefly, the causes of the war grew out of the admission of Texas into the Federal Union. The "Lone Star.'' as it was called. had been a province of Mexico, but, some years previous to its annexation to the United States, it had thrown off the rotten yoke of the Spaniard. In the battle of San Jacinto, which occurred in 1836, the Texans captured Santa Anna. then Dictator of Mexico, together with the larger part of his army, and succeeded in forcing from him all acknowledgment of their independence. Mexico, however, refused to recognize this treaty, and continued to treat Texts and her people as she had previously done. From this time forth, petitions were frequently presented to the United States by the Texans. praying for admission into the Union. There was a strong element in the country opposed to the admission of Texas, while Mexico constantly declared that such an event would be regarded as sufficient cause for a declaration of war on her part. In the Presidential canvass of 1844, between Clay and Polk the annexation of Texas was one of the leading issues before the people, and Mr. Polk, whose party favored the admission of Texas, being elected, this was taken as a public declaration on the subject. After this Congress had no hesitancy in granting the petition of Texas, and on the 1st of March 1845, formally received her into the sisterhood of States. Mexico at once broke oft all diplomatic relations with the United States, calling home her minister immediately, which was a clear declaration of war - 296 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. -and war soon followed. Congress passed an act authorizing the President to accept the services of 50,000 volunteers, and appropriating $10,000,000 for the prosecution of the war. As the war feeling, like an epidemic, swept over the country, the people caught the spirit of enthusiasm and their patriotism was aroused to the highest pitch of excitement. The old State Militia was then in force, requiring the enrollment of every able-bodied man between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years for military duty. In these old militia organizations, were found the nucleus of the regiments called for by the President in the coming war. A local correspondent. writing to the Forum some years later, thus humorously refers to the matter, and the opening of the war: "I remember well, that a meeting of the best men was assembled at the court house, then a fourcornered, mansard-roofed institution. The paper Generals, Colonels. Majors, Captains. etc., were on hand, and made high-toned and toploftical speeches. Patriotism fairly oozed out at the ends of their fingers. They were willing to allow their bones to bleach on the plains of San Jacinto-provided it was necessary! In a few brief weeks, the time came for our stalwart sons to enroll themselves under that banner which floats , over every land and sea, to kiss a gentle good-bye to home and friends, and be off to the wars." In the President's call for 50.000 men, Ohio was required to furnish three regiments. With her characteristic patriotism, she filled her quota in a few weeks. The troops rendezvoused at Cincinnati, and. upon the organization of the three regiments, there were nearly troops enough left to form another regiment. These were furnished transportation to their homes at the expense of the Government. The regiments, as organized, were officered as follows: First Regiment-A. M. Mitchell, of Cincinnati, Colonel ; John B. Weller, of Butler County, Lieutenant Colonel; T. L. Hamer, of Brown County, Major. Second Regiment- G. W. Morgan, of Knox County, Colonel; William Irvin, of Fairfield, Lieutenant Colonel; William Hall, of Athens, Major, Third Regiment-S. R. Curtis, of Wayne County, Colonel; G. W. McCook, of Jefferson, Lieutenant Colonel; and J. T. Love. of Morgan, Major. Crawford County was well represented in these regiments, as it was, also, in the next call, which was known as the " Ten Regiments Bill," and made at a later day, for the prosecution of the war. "The names of those participating in this war. so far as we have been able to obtain them, will be found in the biographical department of this work. To go into the details of the war, and the battles fought during its continuation, is but to repeat what is familiar to all. Suffice it to say, that the entire war was a series of triumphs to the American arms-triumphs such as rarely fall to any nation in a long and sanguinary war. From the opening battle of Palo Alto until the Stars and Stripes waved in triumph over the "halls of the Montezumas." not one single victory was lost by the American Army. This is glory enough. The war of the rebellion next claims our attention. We do not design in this connection, to write a history of the war between the States, but a history of Crawford County that did not contain its war record. would not he considered much of a history. Nothing will be of a greater interest to coming generations in our country than a true and faithful account of the events of those four long and gloomy years. It is a duty we owe to the soldiers that took part in the bloody struggle. to record and preserve the leading facts. Especially do we owe this to the long list of the dead, who laid down their live for their country's honor and preservation; we owe it to the maimed and mangled cripples who were lacerated and torn by shot and shell; and last, but no means least, we owe it to the widows and orphans of PAGE 297 - PICTURE OF Z. RONN PAGE 298 - BLANK HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 299 the brave soldiers, who, for love of country, forsook home with all its endearments, and whose bodies lie rotting in the far distant South. The people of Crawford County require no facts to remind them of those exciting times, or to recall the names of those who served their country by fighting the battles of the Union. Their names will live in characters as bright and imperishable as Austerlitz's sun. Many who went from this county to fight for their country came back shrined in glory; many left limbs upon the distant battle-fields; and many still bear the marks of the strife that raged at Gettysburg, Shenandoah, Chickamauga, Stone River, on the heights of Lookout Mountain, where, in the language of Prentice. "--------they burnt, Like spirits of destruction, through the clouds, and, 'mid a thousand hurtling missiles, swept Their foes before them, as the whirlwind sweeps The strong oaks of the forest.'' But there were many who came not back. They fell by the wayside, or from the prison and battle-field, crossed over and mingled in the ranks of that grand army-beyond the river their memory is held in sacred keeping. And there are others, whose systems, poisoned by disease, came home to die, and now sleep beside their ancestors in the village church-yard. There the violets on their mounds speak in tender accents of womanly sweetness, and womanly, devotion and affection. Their memory, too is immortal. Beautiful as a crown of gold, the rays of the sunset be upon the little hillocks above them. Others still, sleep in unknown graves in the land of "cotton anti cane." But the same trees which shelter the sepulchers of their foemen, shade their tombs also: the same birds carol their matins to both: the same flowers sweeten the air with their fragrance, and the same daisies caress the graves of both as the breezes toss them into rippling eddies. But, while we weave a laurel crown for our own dead heroes, let us twine a few sad cypress leaves and wreathe them about the memory of those who fell on the other side, and who, though arrayed against us and their country, were - OUR BROTHERS. Terribly mistaken as they were, we remember hundreds of them over whose moldering dust we would gladly plant flowers with our own hands. Now that the war is long over, and the issues that caused it are buried past resurrection, let us extend to those upon whom the fortunes of war frowned, the hand of charity, and, knowing no "Solid South " or " Solid -North," again become. what we should ever have been, "brothers all." The President's first call for troops, in the spring of 1861, for three months, was responded to with the utmost promptness. That the Union was in danger, was sufficient cause, and the requisite number of volunteers (75,000) was soon furnished. The country, however, was not long in discovering that the "breakfast spell.' as many termed it, was likely to prove more than had been anticipated. Another call for troops was soon made, and this time for 300,000, to serve for three years, and was filled almost as promptly as the first call-quite so, perhaps, but, being for a larger number of men, it took a little snore time to fill the quota. Under the President's first call for troops, a company was raised in Crawford County, which became a part of the Eighth Ohio Infantry and was mustered into the service for three months It was known as Company C. and was officered as follows at its organization : F. W. Butterfield, Captain: E. W. Merriman, First Lieutenant: and David Lewis, Second Lieutenant. Capt. Butterfield served faithfully until the expiration of the term of service of the regiment, when he assisted in raising the One Hundred and Ninety second Infantry, for one year's service, and was made its Colonel. This regiment he commanded until it was mustered out of the service. As this was the first company from Crawford County, before it left for the front, the boys com- 300 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. posing it were invited to church, and a sermon by the Pastor preached to them, and many Godspeeds tendered by the friends of the Union, who offered up prayers for their protection and preservation. This company served out its three years, and perhaps saw as much hard service as any troops during the war. A report made of Company C, from Falmouth, Va., Dec. 31, 1862, will show something of its hard service: It is as follows: Killed in battle . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Discharged of wounds received in battle . . . . . . . . . . 6 Wounded and now in hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Wounded in battle and now recovered . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Died of disease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Sick of disease and now in hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Discharged on account of ill health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Deserted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Enlisted in U. S. Cavalry. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 On duty Dec. 31, 1862- Commissioned officers . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Non-commissioned officers . . . . . . . . 8 Privates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Total fit for duty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Number of miles marched . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,739 Number of battles fought . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 FALMOUTH, Va , December 31, 1862. The Eighth Infantry, to which Capt. Butterfield's Company C belonged, was originally enlisted for three months, as we have stated, under the President's call for 75,000 men. It was assembled at Camp Taylor, Cleveland, where the regiment was organized, and, on the 2d of May, 1861, sent to Camp Dennison, where it at once commenced drill, preparatory to going to the field. It soon became apparent however, that the soldiers at this camp would not be sent to the front, and efforts were at once inaugurated to re-enlist the regiment for three years. To this proposition, Company C heartily responded, as did every company in the regiment except Company I, and the regiment, nine companies strong, was mustered into the United States service for three years. Company I, however, reconsidered its action, and, in the following September, joined the regiment at Grafton, Va., the other companies having been sworn into the service in June. Leaving Canip Dennison for Virginia on the 9th of July 1861, the first service of the Eighth was along the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, protecting it from bands of rebels prowling in its vicinity. On the 24th of September, it participated in an attack on Romney, and was again engaged at the same place on the 24th of October. In January, 1862, the regiment was in an engagement at Blue Gap, and, on the 14th of February, it took part in a severe skirmish at Bloomery Gap, where Col. Baldwin, his staff, and a part of his command, were captured. In March, the division to which the Eighth belonged moved to the Shenandoah Valley, where, on the 18th and 19th, sharp engagements took place at Cedar Creek and Strasburg. In these actions the regiment acted as skirmishers, a branch of duty in which it established an excellent reputation. In the severe battle of Winchester, which took place on the 23d of March, the Eighth was deployed as skirmishers, both the evening before and on the morning of the battle, and lost in killed and wounded over one-fourth of the number engaged. The companies engaged were C, E, D and H, all of which suffered severely. During the months of March and April, the regiment followed the enemy up the valley, and engaged in skirmishes at Woodstock, Mount Jackson, Edinburg and New Market. At the latter place, Col. Kimball, who had been for some time in command of the brigade, received his commission as Brigadier General, and became commander of the brigade to which the Eighth belonged. It joined McDowell's corps on the 22d of May at Fredericksburg, and, on the 25th, was ordered back with its division to the valley to confront Stonewall Jackson, who had driven hence Gen. Banks. On the 30th, Front Royal was recaptured. The Eighth skirmished all the way from Rectortown, a dis- HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 301 tance of eighteen miles, capturing among other prisoners the famous Belle Boyd. Shields' division was soon after broken up, and on the 3d and 4th of July, the Eighth was thrown out toward the swamps of the Chickahominy, having several severe skirmishes, in which it lost a number of men. While the army lay at Harrison's Landing, the Eighth was united with the second Corps. French's division and Kimball's brigade, with which force it continued during the remainder of its service. The Second Corps acted as rear guard to the army in its retreat until after it crossed tire Chickahominy. It then proceeded to Alexandria via Yorktown and Newport News, arriving on the 28th of July. On this march, until the troops arrived at Chain Bridge, the Eighth was under fire but once, and that at Germantown a few miles north of Fairfax Court House. Soon after this the battles of South Mountain and Antietam took place. In the first, the corps to which the eighth belonged was not actively engaged but crossed the mountain and skirmished with the enemy at Booneshoro and Keedysville, where a heavy artillery duel commenced on the morning of the 16th of September. In almost the first discharge of the enemy's guns. W. W. Farmer, a Color Sergeant of the Eighth, was killed in the battle of Antietam on the following day, the regiment particularly distinguished itself, changing front, together with the Fourteenth Indiana, a movement executed in fine style and at an opportune moment, thereby saving the brigade from rout and winning for it the title of the "Gibraltar Brigade" from Gen. Sumner, who commanded the Second Corps, after this battle the regiment moved to Bolivar Heights, then to Falmouth. participating in a number of skirmishes by the way. On the 13th of December, at the battle of Fredericksburg, the Eighth formed the right wing of the forlorn hope and in the movement lost twenty-eight killed and wounded. The army remained in camp here until the 28th of April, 1863, when it crossed over the river and fought the battle of Chancellorsville, in which engagement the Eighth lost two men killed and eleven wounded. This was the last battle in which the gallant Eighth took part, until that of Gettysburg. In this hard-fought and bravely contested fight, it took an honorable part, and lost one hundred and two in killed and wounded. It followed in the pursuit of Gen. Lee's army across the Potomac, participating in several skirmishes, and moved with the national forces to the Rapidan. It was sent to New York City in August to quell the riots consequent upon the draft, after which it returned to the field and joined the army at Culpepper, on the 10th of October, where it again fronted the enemy. In November, it took part in the battle of Robinson's Cross Roads, Locust Grove and Mine Run, acting most of the time as skirmishers. If with the troops, crossed the Rapidan, February 6, 1864, and fought the battle of Morton's Ford, having several officer; and men wounded. The campaign of 1864 opened on the 3 of May, and in the battle: which followed. the Eighth bore its accustomed part, and was under fire for two days, at one time. In these several engagements its loss was upward of sixty killed and wounded. In the numerous skirmishes from Spottsylvania to Petersburg, and in the battles of North Anna, Cold Harbor, and in front of Petershurg, it was actively engaged. The term of service of the gallant Eight expired on the 25th of .June, and it was relieve from duty, being at the time in the trenches before Petersburg. With a handful of war worn veterans. comprising but seventy-two officers and men fit for duty, of the ten companies, which had entered it three years before the Eighth started for home. The little band was frequently greeted with tokens of respect on the way, especially at Zanesville where collation was spread for them. It arrived a 302 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. Cleveland on the morning of July 3, and was cordially received by the Mayor and Military Committee. On the 13th of July, 1864, the regiment was paid off, and formally mustered out of the United States service. The Twenty--third Ohio Infantry is the next regiment in which Crawford County was represented by an organized body of men. Company C was raised in and around Galion, and was known originally as the "Gallon Guards." They were many of them, railroad men, were a fine-looking body, and as good soldiers as went from the county during the war. The commissioned officers were John W. Skiles, Captain J. R. McMullin, First Lieutenant and T. P. Harding, Second Lieutenant, Capt. Skiles was an old soldier of the Mexican war and an efficient officer. "He was wounded." says the Bucyrus Journal, "at Middletown, Md., which resulted in the loss of an arm at the elbow." He was promoted to Major of the Eighty-eighth Ohio Infantry on the 29th of July. 1863, in which capacity he served until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. Lieut. McMullin was originally Captain of the old "Mansfield Artillery Company," a position he creditably filled. He was early promoted to Quartermaster of the Twenty-third. Further information of the commissioned officers of Company C. we have been unable to obtain. The Twenty-third was a regiment that turned out many gallant officers during the late war; in fact. it was sometimes called " the regiment of Brigadier Generals." Among its first officers, several became noted Generals. Its first Colonel. Gen. Rosecrans, became one of the ablest Generals of the army. Scammon, Hayes (now President) and Stanley Matthews were also gallant officers. Several others became Brigadiers. The regiment was organized at Camp Chase in June 1861, and before leaving for the field Col. Rosecrans, its Commander, was promoted to Brigadier General, and Col. Scammon succeeded to the command of the Twenty-third. On the 25th of July the regiment was ordered to West Virginia where it arrived on the 27th. and the next day proceeded to Weston. For some time after it arrival in West Virginia, it operated principally against scattered bands of the enemy, being divided up into squads. On the 1st of September, the regiment was united, and moved with the main body of Gen. Rosecrans' army, but participated in no particular engagement. During the winter its time was devoted chief to discipline and drill. Orders were receive on the 17 th of April, 1862, to quit winter quarters, and. accordingly, on the 22d the army moved in the direction of Princeton, the Twenty third being in the advance. Princeton was reached May 1, but until the 8th the time was spent mostly in foraging and in slight skirmishing with the enemy. On the 8th, the Twenty-third was attacked by the rebel Gen. Heath, with an overwhelming force, and compelled to fall back, which it did in good order. During this expedition, the regiment suffered extreme hardships, owing to the enemy having cut of all sources of supplies. It was ordered to Green Meadows on the 13th of July, and on the 15th of August orders were received to hasten to Camp Piatt, on the Great Kanawha where it arrived on the morning of the 18th having marched one hundred and four miles in a little more than three days march claimed by its officers to be the fastest on record made by any considerable force. The regiment embarked for Parkersburg, where it took cars for Washington City, from whence it proceeded with Gen. McClellan's army to Frederick City It reached Middletown, Md.., on the 12th where was commenced the battle of South Mountain which culminated in the great battle of Antietam, on the 17th of September, in both of which engagements the Twenty-third took an active part. At South Mountain, it was the first Infantry engaged, being under command HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 303 at the time, of Lieut. Col. Hayes. In this engagement, Col. Hayes, Capt. Skiles (of Company C), Lieuts. Hood, Ritter and Smith, were badly wounded. Capt. Skiles was shot through the elbow and had his arm amputated. Additional to these, over one hundred were killed and wounded, out of three hundred and fifty who went into action. During the entire day, the regiment lost nearly two hundred men, of whom one-fourth were killed on the field. or afterward died from their wounds. The regimental colors were riddled, and the blue field almost completely carried away by shells and bullets. In the battle of Antietam which followed. the Twenty-third fought with the Kanawha Division. and, though for a time fully exposed, escaped without very great loss. It returned with the Kanawha Division to West Virginia. where it arrived on the 10th of October. After considerable marching and counter-marching in the Kanawha Valley, the regiment went into winter quarters at the falls of the Great Kanawha. In the early part of 1863, it was ordered to Charleston, Va., when March, April, May, June and a part of July were spent in light duties. In the latter part of July, it participated in the Morgan raid and did good service in heading off Morgan's band on the line of the Ohio River. at Buffington Bar and near Hockingport. It then returned to Charleston, Va., where it remained inactive until April 29, 1864, when it joined Gen. Crook for a raid on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. This was a long and toilsome march over the mountains, but was cheerfully performed. On the 9th of May, the battle of Cloyd Mountain was fought. In this engagement. Capt. Hunter, of Company K, and Lieut. Seaman, commanding Compact D. were killed ; Capt. Rice, Company A was slightly wounded, and Lieut. Abbott, of Company I, severely, while a large number of privates were killed and wounded. Another engagement took place next day at New River Bridge, in which artillery was mostly used. The march was continued for many days, and the troops suffered accordingly. The Twenty-third arrived at Staunton, Va., on the 8th of June, where it joined Gen. Hunter's command. The three years term of the regiment expired on the 11 th of June, when those not re-enlisting were sent home, also the old colors, which were no longer in a condition for service. The troops continued skirmishing in the country, and June 11 reached Lexington. Here Gen. Hunter did an act unworthy of glory. By his order, the Military Academy, Washington College and Gov. Letcher's residence were burned. Says Whitelaw Reid: "Good discipline only secured the execution of this order, which was protested against, formally, by Gens. Crook and Averill. and. tacitly by nearly every officer and man of the entire command." Skirmishing and fighting and marching continuously was the regular routine for some time, and culminated in the retreat of the National forces from Lynchburg. The hardships endured may be fitly illustrated by the following extract from the diary of an officer of the Twenty-third: "June 19.-Marched all day. dragging along very slowly. The men had nothing to eat. the trains having been sent in advance. It is almost incredible that men should have been able to endure so much, but they never faltered and not a murmur escaped them. Often men would drop out silently, exhausted but not a word of complaint was spoken. Shortly after dark, at Liberty, had a brisk little fight with the enemy's advance: reached Buford's Gap about 10 A. M. of the 20th. Gen. Crook remained here with Hayes' Brigade, holding the Gap until dark, inviting an attack. The army was. however, too cautious to do more than skirmish. After dark we withdrew and marched all night to overtake the command in the advance. Reached Salem about 9 A. M. Hunter had passed through Salem, and a body of the enemy's Cavalry had fallen upon his train and captured the greater part of his artillery. 304 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. About the same time Crook was attacked in front and rear and after a sharp fight pushed through, losing nothing. Heavy skirmishing all day, and nothing to eat, and no sleep. Continued the march until about 10 P. M. when we reached the foot of North Mountain and Slept. At 4 A.. M. next morning (22d) left in the advance, the first time since the retreat commenced. By a mistake a march of eight miles was made for nothing. Thus we toiled on suffering, intensely with exhaustion, want of fool, clothing, etc. Om the 27th, a supply train was met on Big Sewell Mountain, Men all crazy. Stopped and ate: marched and ate: camped about dark and ate all night. Marched 180 miles in the last nine days, fighting nearly all the time and with very little to eat.. On the 1st of July, the column reached Charleston, where it took a rest until the 10th, when the Twenty-third embarked for Parkersburg. The command reached Martinsburg on the 14th and on the 18th, moved to Cabletown, beyond Harper's Ferry. Hayes brigade, including the Twenty-third. was sent to attack Early's army of 20,000 men in flank. The enemy had already whipped the First Division, with the whole Sixth Corps to back them. After some heavy skirmishing, the Twenty--third and Twenty--sixth Ohio were surrounded by two divisions of the enemy's cavalry, but fought their way out and returned to camp. In the battle of Winchester, on the 24th of July, the National forces were defeated after a well-contested fight. The Twenty-third lost in the engagement one hundred and fifty-three men, ten of whom were commissioned officers. A series of marches and counter-marches were made, and continued until the 14th of August when Duval's brigade had quite a battle with a large rebel force. The Twenty-third was in a hard fight at Berryville on the 3d of September, which took place after dark, in which it lost Capts. Austin and Gillis, both brave and gallant officers. The battle of Opequan followed on the 19th, and was one of the most severe fights of the war. The regiment suffered heavily. It also took part in the battle of North Mountain on the 20th, suffering but a slight loss. The troops now enjoyed a rest until tile 19th of October, when he battle of Cedar Creck occurred in which the Twenty- third participated with its accustomed bravery. It was to this battle, that Sheridan made his famous ride from Winchester, which is thus described by a chronicler of the time: "Suddenly there is a dust in the rear, on the Winchester pike: and almost before they are aware, a young man in full Major General's uniform, and riding furiously a magnificent black horse, literally flecked with foam, reins up and springs off by Gen. Crook's side. There is a perfect roar as everybody recognized SHERIDAN ! He talks with Crook a little while, cutting away at the top of the weeds with his; riding-whip; Gen.. Crook speaks half a dozen sentences that sound a great deal like the crack of the whip; and by that time some of the staff are up. They are soon sent flying in all directions, etc."The regiment saw little more hard fighting after this, but was engaged mostly during the fall of' 1864, as train guard and on the 1st of January 1865, proceeded to Cumberland. and on the 12th to Grafton. Here it was detailed to protect the railroad until the 19th when it returned to Cumberland, and there remained in drill and discipline until March 1. After the surrender of Gen. Lee, the regiment lay in idleness until July 26, when the welcome order was received "to go home." The Twenty-third was mustered out at Cumberland, and took the cars for Camp Taylor, near Cleveland, when it was paid off and discharged. The Thirty-fourth Infantry drew a company from Crawford County. Company E was from this county, and was organized with the following officers: J. W. Shaw. Captain; F. B. Helwig, First Lieutenant. and W. H. Carpenter, Second Lieutenant. HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 305 Capt. Shaw was promoted to Major, October 10, 1862, to Lieutenant Colonel, July 18, 1863, and was killed July 24, 1864, at the battle of Winchester. First Lieut. Helwig was promoted to Captain, July 17, 1862, and mustered out with regiment. Second Lieut. Carpenter was discharged August 1, 1863. Isaac P. Grover was promoted to Second Lieutenant, December 3, 1862, to First Lieutenant, March 2, 1864, and to Captain, September 30, 1864. Isaiah C. Lindsey was promoted to Second Lieutenant March 16, 1864. and as such mustered out. N. P. Marvell was promoted to Second Lieutenant, September 30, 1864, to First Lieutenant, November 26, 1864, and mustered out April 4, 1865. The Thirty-fourth was organized at Camp Lucas in July and August, 1861, and on the 1st of September it moved to Camp Dennison. It was there prepared for the field, and adopted as its uniform (a license allowable at that early period of the war) a light blue Zouave dress. In compliment to their Colonel. A. S.. Piatt. of Logan County,. the name " Piatt Zouaves " was adopted. The regiment left Camp Dennison for Western Virginia on the 15th of September, 1861, with full ranks, and on the 20th arrived at Camp Enyart, on the Kanawha River. Its first battle was fought at Chapmansville, on the 25th, where it lost one man killed and eight wounded. During the remainder of autumn and winter, it was kept pretty-busy in guarding the rear of Gen. Rosecrans' army. In March, 1862, it was ordered to Gauley Bridge to join Gen. Cox in his demonstrations on the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad. It participated in the battle of Princeton on the 17th and 18th of May, losing several men, and having Lieuts. Peck and Peters wounded, and Capt. O. P. Evans taken prisoner. In August, 1862, Gen. Cox was ordered to join Gen. McClellan, when there were but six regiments left to guard the Kanawha Valley. The Thirty-fourth and Thirty-seventh vere attacked at Fayetteville, on the morning of September 10, by a rebel force 10,000 strong, under Gen. Loring. By the aid of breastworks previously constructed, and a few pieces of artillery, they were enabled to hold the place until midnight, when they evacuated it. The Thirty--fourth fought for a part of the time in an open field against odds, and necessarily lost heavily. Of six companies engaged (the other four being absent on a scout) the loss was 130, or fully one-third engaged. One-half of the officers were either killed or wounded. Cutting their way out. they fell back to the Kanawha River, made a stand at Cotton Mountain the next day, and at Charleston on the 12th, where a severe engagement took place. From this point the National forces fell back to Point Pleasant, leaving the entire valley in the hands of the enemy. Gen. Cox returned, in October, with his command, and the valley was regained. Nothing of moment occurred from this time until in May, 1863, when the regiment was supplied with horses, and became "Mounted Rifles." An expedition, on the 13th of July, consisting of the Thirty-fourth, two companies of the First. and seven companies of the Second Virginia Cavalry, under command of Col. Toland, made a descent on the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad, and had a severe engagement at Wytheville. in which they were victorious, but lost heavily. Among the killed of the Thirty-fourth was Col. Toland. With his dying breath, he requested his horse and sword to be sent his mother. The brigade left Camp Piatt with nearly one thousand men, marched six hundred and fifty-two miles in eleven days, traversing some of the highest mountains in Western Virginia. Over two hundred and fifty horses were captured, together with three hundred and sixty prisoners, two pieces of artillery and a large amount of commissary stores. Upon the fall of Col. Toland, the command devolved on Lieut. Col. Franklin, who attempted 306 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. a retrograde movement, but found it difficult to perform from the great numbers of the enemy in the vicinity. For several days the command was moving aimlessly in the mountains, destitute of food for themselves or horses, and continuously harassed by the rebel cavalry. The command finally reached Wytheville considerably worn out and exhausted. Several short expeditions under Gen. Duffle, who had assumed command of the Kanawha cavalry, closed the year's campaign. About two-thirds of the Thirty-fourth re-enlisted as veterans in January, 1864. Another expedition in May, against the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad, was inaugurated. in which the Thirty-fourth participated. but without any severe loss. It left Meadow Bluffs, where it had been some time stationed. to join Gen. Hunter in the Shenandoah Valley, and at Panther Gap Mountain had a slight skirmish. On the 5th of June, it reached Goshen, where another slight skirmish took place with a body of the enemy's cavalry. Staunton was reached on the 8th of June, where the regiment joined Gen. Hunter in his disastrous raid to Lynchburg. The command passed through Brownsburg, Lexington, Buckhannon, and, crossing the Blue Ridge at the Peaks of Otter, reached the town of Liberty on the 16th, where another skirmish occurred. The attack was made on Lynchburg in the afternoon of the 18th, and was partially successful, but a re-enforcement of twenty thousand men from Richmond, under the rebel Gen. Early, so strengthened the town, that the national forces found it advisable to fall back. The Thirty-fourth suffered severely. The retreat commenced at dark on the evening of the 19th, the rear being heavily pressed by the enemy. A second skirmish took place at Liberty. At Salem, Gen. Hunter lost most of his artillery, but the mounted portion of the Thirty-fourth, being a few miles in the rear, hurried to the scene of acticn, and, under Lieut. Col. Shaw, succeeded in recapturing it. The retreat continued, and on the 1st of July, the exhausted, ragged and starved troops reached Charleston, and were permitted to rest. The constant skirmishing, the starved bodies and blistered feet of those who took part in it, made "Hunter's retreat from Lynchburg " an event long to be remembered. While lying at Charleston, the regiment was dismounted and its horses and equipments turned over to the cavalry. On the 10th of July, it embarked for Parkersburg. The regiment was now in the Shenandoah Valley. On the 20th of July a fight occurred near Winchester. in which the Thirty-fourth lost ten men killed and twenty wounded. Four days later occurred the fourth battle of Winchester, in which Gen. Early. taking advantage of the absence of the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps, overwhelmed Gen. Crook; the latter, however, effected a retreat with the loss of only a few wagons. In this battle. Gen. Duval's Brigade (of which the Thirty-fourth was a part) had the honor of bringing up the rear, and the Thirty-fourth suffered severely losing their commander. Lieut. Col. Shaw a cool and determined soldier and officer. Capt. G. W. McKay was severely wounded, and died at Sandy Hook, Md., where he was taken by his comrades. The command of the regiment now devolved on Capt. West, who sustained well his reputation as a brave and gallant officer. Several months were now spent in skirmishing. marching and counter-marching, and, on the 1st of September, the Thirty-fourth again occupied Charleston, where the regimental officers were busily engaged in making up the necessary papers for the discharge of the non-veterans, who, on the morning of the 3d of September, proceeded to Columbus, Ohio, in charge of Capt. West. The Thirty-fourth, during the few months previous to this, had been receiving new recruits, and now numbered between four and five hundred men, present and absent, besides the non-veterans. The regiment marched to Summit Point, where it lay in camp until the HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 307 19th of September, the day on which occurred Sheridan's famous battle of Winchester, it being the third time the regiment had fought over nearly the same ground. It suffered terribly that day, the color-guard having no less than six men, in quick succession, killed and wounded while carrying the flag. It was finally brought through safely by George Rynals, of Company A. On the 22d occurred the battle of Fisher's Hill. The loss of the Thirty-fourth in these two engagements was sixty-one killed. It participated in the battle of Middletown, where it behaved with its accustomed bravery. Its loss was two killed, twelve wounded and eighteen prisoners, among the latter Lieut Col. Furney, who escaped at Mount Jackson a few days thereafter and rejoined his command. On the 11th of January 1865. the Thirty-fourth and a part of the Eighth Cavalry were attacked at Beverley by the rebel Gen. Rosser. So secret was the attack that nearly the entire force was captured. though many afterward escaped. The survivors fell back to Philippi and from there were ordered to Cumberland, Md., where they were consolidated with the Thirty-sixth Ohio. This union dates from February 22, 1865, in which the old Thirty-fourth lost its identity, the new organization being known as the Thirty-sixth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry. The Forty-ninth Infantry contained a company of Crawford County men, viz., Company B. It was organized with the following commissioned officers: Amos Keller, Captain: A. H. Keller. First Lieutenant; and J. N. Biddle, Second Lieutenant, Capt and Lieut. Keller were killed in the battle of Stone River. The Bucyrus, .Journal says: "February 15, 1863, the funeral of Capt. Amos Keller and Lieut. A. H. Keller took place in Bucyrus, the largest ever in the town. They were of Company B of the Forty-ninth Regiment. Both were born in the same month, ten years apart, and both sleep in the same grave in Oakwood Cemetery. Both were wounded at Stone River, December 31, 186?. Amos lived thirty-six hours, and A. H. lived until January 25, 1863." This regiment was organized at Tiffin, under special authority from the Secretary of War. It moved to Camp Dennison on the 10th of September, 1861, received its equipments on the 21st, and proceeded to Louisville, Ky., where it arrived next day, and reported to Gen. Robert Anderson, who had just assumed command at that place. It was the first organized regiment to enter Kentucky. Its reception was cordial in the extreme. A magnificent dinner was given them at the Louisville Hotel, and the members of the regiment had a good time generally. In the evening, it took the cars for Lebanon Junction, with orders to report to Gen. Sherman, in command at that point. The next morning, it crossed Rolling Fork and marched to Elizabethtown. and went into Camp Nevin. When the Second Division of the Army of Ohio was organized later, the Forty-ninth was assigned to the Sixth Brigade, Gen. R. W. Johnson commanding. From the 17th of December to the 14th of February, 1862, the regiment lay in camp, perfecting drill and discipline. It left camp for Nashville, where it arrived on the 3d of March, and established Camp Andrew Johnson. On the 16th, it moved with Buell's army to join Grants forces at Pittsburg Landing, where it arrived on the morning of the 6th of April, and went into battle with its brigade. During the battle; it twice performed the hazardous movement of changing front under fire. In the succeeding operations against Corinth, the Forty-ninth took part, having a sharp fight at Bridge's Creek, and at other points on the way, entering Corinth on the 30th of May. It participated in the great race of Bragg and Buell to Louisville, Ky., arriving at the latter place on the 29th of September. Resting but a few days, it resumed the march in pursuit of the enemy. Though not in the battle of Perryville, yet it was engaged in skirmishing all the way from Louisville to Crab Orchard. It 308 - HISTORY Of CRAWFORD COUNTY. marched from Crab Orchard to Bowling Green, and then to Nashville. On the 26th of December, Gen. Rosecrans, then commanding the Army of the Cumberland, commenced his movement against Murfreesboro. In these operations the Forty-ninth took an active part and suffered severely. When the great battle opened the entire field and staff of the Forty-ninth were present ; at its close, the regiment was in command of the junior Captain. S. F. Gray. It was in this battle that Capt. and Lieut. Keller, of Company B were wounded. from which both afterward died. By the capture of Gen. Willich. Col. Gibson. of the Forty-ninth, succeeded to the command of the brigade; Lieut. Col. Drake was killed while bravely cheering on his men ; Maj. Porter was wounded, and all the Senior Captains either killed or wounded. June 24, 1863, the regiment moved from Murfreesboro and had a severe engagement at Liberty Gap, where it lost several men. July 1, it reached Tullahoma and went into camp. The Forty-ninth, in the battle of Chickamauga. under command of Maj. Gray, did some hard fighting and suffered severe loss. In the second day's fight. it is claimed that the Forty-ninth, in connection with Goodspeed's battery the Fifteenth Ohio and other troops, saved Thomas' Corps from being utterly swept from the field. When the National forces withdrew at night, the Forty-ninth, with its brigade, was the last to retire. On the 24th of November, it took part in the fight at Mission Ridge, and was among the first to plant its colors upon the summit. Soon after this, it moved with Granger's corps to the relief of Burnside, at Knoxville. This was one of the hardest campaigns of the war, and in the midst of it, the gallant Forty-ninth, almost to a man, re-enlisted, and then came home to Ohio on a furlough, where it was received with great honor. The regiment, at the expiration of its furlough, reported at the headquarters of the Fourth Corps at Cleveland, Tenn., where the National forces were then concentrating and re-organizing for the Atlanta campaign. In this arduous campaign, the history of the regiment was that of the Fourth Army Corps. It took part in the engagements of Dalton, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie River and Atlanta, exhibiting in every emergency its qualities of courage and discipline, and suffering severely in the loss of men killed and wounded. When the army was divided and Sherman commenced his march to the Sea the Forty-ninth remained with the Army of the Cumberland, under Gen. Thomas, and participated in all the skirmishes, and the battles of Franklin and Nashville. Before Nashville, on the 15th and 16th of December 1864 it took part in several brilliant charges made by the Fourth Army Corps, and suffered severely in killed and wounded. After the pursuit of Hood's army ceased, it returned and went into camp at Huntsville, Ala.. and remained there until the middle of March 1865. On the 15th of June. it was sent to Texas. Four months it endured the hard service of that section, and was mustered out of the service at Victoria on the 30th of November, 1865. The following statistics will show something of the hard service of the forty-ninth: "The whole number of names upon its rolls is one thousand five hundred and fifty-two ; eight officers were killed in battle, and twenty wounded, six mortally. Of the privates, one hundred and twenty-seven were killed in battle, seventy-one were mortally wounded, one hundred and sixty-five died from hardships or disease. and seven perished in rebel prisons at Andersonville and Danville. Six hundred and sixteen were discharged on account of wounds or other disability. Five survive with the loss of an arm, and two with the loss of a leg. The men of the regiment suffered nine hundred and forty-two gunshot wounds. The Sixty-fourth Infantry comes next in the calendar, and drew from Crawford County Com- HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 309 pany H. and furnished, also, recruits to Company K. Company H was organized with E. B. Finley, Captain; William Starr, of Crestline, First Lieutenant, and Pinkney Lewis, Second Lieutenant. Of other commissioned officers of either Company H. or Company K we have been unable to lean anything definite or of special importance This regiment was organized at Mansfield. November 9, 1861, and was a part of what was known as the "Sherman Brigade." About the middle of December, it moved to Cincinnati. thence to Louisville, Ky. December 26, it proceeded to Bardstown, Ky., and was there brigaded, after which it moved to Hall's Gap. After the battle of Mill Springs, it was ordered to Bowling Green, where it joined the national forces, and then proceeded to Nashville, Tenn. It remained at Nashville but a few days, when it was ordered to Pittsburg Landing, but did not arrive on the battle-field until 11 o'clock of the 7th of April, and then the brunt of the great battle was over. One Company of the regiment however (Company A. Capt. McIlvaine) succeeded in getting into action. The Sixty-fourth participated in the siege of Corinth, and afterward was sent to Iuka, Tuscumbia, Decatur, Huntsville and Stevenson, Here it erected Fort Harker. in honor of its brave Brigade Commander. About the 1st of August 1862, it moved with its brigade to Nashville, and from there with the national forces pushed on after Gen. Bragg to Louisvillie. The regiment remained at Louisville about ten days, when it marched toward Perryville and had the mortification of witnessing that battle without permission to help their hard-pressed comrades. Following the enemy beyond Wild Cat the national forces then returned. and proceeded to Nashville, and went into camp three miles from the city. The next battle in which the Sixty-fourth participated was that of Stone River. In this battle, it did some hard fighting and of about three hundred engaged, it lost seventy-five killed and wounded. At Murfreesboro and the fighting and skirmishing incident thereto the Sixty-fourth bore its part. In the battle of Chickamauga (19th and 20th of September) it lost in killed wounded and missing over one hundred men. Falling back to Chattanooga, it was mostly employed on picket duty until the movement of the national forces under Hooker. It took part in the battle of Mission Ridge, and lost Capt. King killed and several men. In January, 1864, about three-fourths of the regiment re-enlisted and was sent home on furlough for thirty days. They were warmly received at Mansfield, and given a grand supper. At the expiration of its furlough, the regiment left for the front, arriving, at Chattanooga on the 1st of April. The movements commenced now against Atlanta, and at the battle of Rocky Face Ridge, Col. Alexander McIlvaine then in command of the Sixty-fourth, and Lieut. Thomas H. Elders, with nineteen men were killed and sixty-five were wounded. At Resaca, on the 14th of June, the regiment lost several men killed and wounded, and on the 18th, at Muddy Creek, it again participated, but with slight loss. During the whole campaign, it was almost constantly engaged in skirmishing, and, at the battle of Peach-Tree Creek, on the 20th of July. Among its loss, was Sergt. Marion Trage, of Company H., who was shot through the head. From the date its brigade and division moved in front of Atlanta. until the 26th of August, the Sixty-fourth was almost hourly under fire. At Jonesboro, on the 3d of September, and at Lovejoy Station, on the 6th, it was engaged with but slight loss. After the fall of Atlanta, it went into camp there, until dispatched with the Fourth Army Corps in pursuit of Hood to Chattanooga; while there, it received four hundred new recruits from Ohio. It now went on a reconnaissance in pursuit of Hood to Alpine, Ga., after which it returned to Chattanooga. At the 310 - HISTORY OF CRAW FORD COUNTY. battle of Spring Hill, the regiment was engaged, but its loss was slight. From that place, it proceeded to Franklin, and took part in that battle, with a very severe loss, in killed, wounded and missing. This was the last struggle in this part of the country. The Sixty-fourth was sent to New Orleans, in June, where it remained three mouths, and was then sent to Victoria, Tex. Here. it performed garrison duty until December 3, 1865, when it was mustered out of the service and sent home. The Eighty-sixth Infantry also drew a company from this county, together with some of its field officers, of whom W. C. Lemert, was Major, and afterward, when the regiment was re-organized, was its Colonel. Company K was officered as follows: E. C. Moderwell, Captain Samuel Smalley, First Lieutenant, and Horace Potter, Second Lieutenant; J. M. McCracken was Orderly Sergeant; J. B. Scroggs, Sergeant Major; B. F. Lauck. Quartermaster's Sergeant, and H. V. Potter, Regimental Postmaster. The Eighty-sixth was a three months' regiment, raised under the President's call for seventy-five thousand men, in May 1862. There were two organizations, numbered as the Eighty-sixth Infantry, the one for three months the other for twenty-four months. The first, or three months' regiment. left Camp Chase for Western Virginia, on the 16th of June 1862, and operated in that section of the country during its term of service. It was engaged mostly at Clarksburg and Parkersburg, in skirmishing with prowling bands of rebels, and in garrison duty. After its three mouths had expired, it returned to Camp Delaware. where it was paid off and discharged. The rebels, however, still manifesting a purpose to invade the northern border States, some of the old officers conceived the idea of reorganizing the Eighty-sixth for six mouths. Maj. Lemert, of Bucyrus, received permission from Gov. Tod, and completed the organization of the regiment at Camp Cleveland. becoming its Colonel. About the time the regiment was completely organized. the rebel Gen. Morgan was making his raid through Indiana and Ohio, and by orders of Gov. Tod, the Eighty-sixth was ordered to join in his pursuit, and, accordingly, it participated in that short but intensely lively campaign. After the capture of Morgan, the regiment returned to Camp Tod, and on the 8th of August 1863. was ordered to Camp Nelson, Kentucky, there to join in an expedition against Cumberland Gap. After the capture of the Gap, the Eighty-sixth remained as a part of the garrison, until its term of service expired. On the 16th of January, 1864, it started for home, arriving at Cleveland on the 26th and on the 10th of February, it was mustered out of the United States service. The One Hundred and First Infantry contained two companies from Crawford County, viz.. Companies C and E. The first was organized with the following officers: B. B. McDonald, Captain; Isaac Anderson, First Lieutenant, and J. B. Biddle, Second Lieutenant. Capt. McDonald was promoted to Major December 26, 1863. and to Lieutenant Colonel February 18, 1864, in which position he was mustered out with the regiment. Lieut. Anderson resigned January 2, 1863, on account of disability; Second Lieut. Biddle was killed December 31, 1862. W. N. Beer was promoted from Sergeant Major to First Lieutenant on the 2d of January 1863, and to Captain March 19, 1864, and as such mustered out with the regiment. J. M. Roberts was promoted to Second Lieutenant for bravery at the battle of Murfreesboro, December 31, 1862: to First Lieutenant March 19, 1864, and to Captain February 10, 1865, and was transferred to Company K. The almost romantic story of the capture of Capt. McDonald and a number of his comrades and the Captain's escape from Libby Prison is well-known to the people of Crawford County. He was captured September 20, 1863, during the Chattanooga campaign, and re HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 311 mained in that "Black Hole of Calcutta," Libby Prison, until the spring of 1864, when he, with a few fellow-officers, escaped by tunneling underneath the prison-walls. There is in possession of his family, a large photograph of Libby Prison, in which his own quarters, while a prisoner within its somber walls, is marked. His daughters in Bucyrus have carefully preserved, as a relic, the chisel which he used in tunneling out of prison. It is a relic they highly prize as the instrument which assisted their father, a gallant officer, to liberty. Company E was organized with the following commissioned officers: William C. Parsons. Captain; Lyman Parcher, First Lieutenant and Robert D. Lord, Second Lieutenant. Capt. Parsons died November 15, 1862 ; Lieut. Parcher was promoted to Captain, November 15, 1862; and resigned February 26, 1863, Second Lieut. Lord was promoted to First Lieutenant, November 15, 1862 ; to Captain, February 26, 1863, and was honorably discharged August 12, 1863. Samuel S. Blowers was promoted to Second Lieutenant andl resigned January 9, 1864. Of other promotions and commissioned officers in Company E., we have been unable to learn anything definite. The One hundred and First was one of that series of patriotic regiments raised in the dark days of 1862, when the national cause secured to he drifting into final defeat. It was organized and mustered into the service at Monroeville, on the 30th day of August 1862. On the 4th of September, it was hurried off to Cincinnati, though scarcely ready for field-service and thence to Covington, to assist in repelling a threatened attack of Gen. Kirby Smith. September 24, it proceeded to Louisville, Ky., and was incorporated into Gen. Buell's army, then lying; at that place, after its forced march after Gen. Bragg. It was placed in the brigade commanded by Gen. Carlin, and in the division of Gen. Robert B. Mitchell. October 1, it marched with the national forces in pursuit of Gen. Bragg, and took part in the battle of Perryville, on the 8th of October. This was the initial battle of the One Hundred and First, and it bore itself bravely during the entire engagement, meriting and receiving the praises of both its brigade and division commanders, and losing several men. It followed in pursuit of the Rebels, and, at Lancaster, Ky., had a pretty severe skirmish with their rear-guard. Its march was continued through Crab Orchard, Danville, Lebanon and Bowling Green, and thence to Nashville, Tenn. At Nashville, Gen. Jeff C. Davis took command of the division, and on the 26th of December it marched with the army of the Cumberland, under Gen. Rosecrans. On the same evening, a force of the enemy was met by the Second Brigade, of Gen. Davis' division, of which the One Hundred and First was a part, and a severe skirmish took place. During the engagement, the One Hundred and First carried the crest of a hill under a heavy fire, and captured two bronze field-pieces. The regiment, being a new one, behaved like veterans, particularly signalizing itself. One of the guns captured had on it the word "Shiloh," and belonged to Georgia troops. On the 30th of December, the brigade to which the One Hundred and First belonged, was the first to arrive on the battle-field of Stone River. It engaged the enemy's outposts that evening, and drove them in with quite a severe skirmish. The regiment lay down on its arms at night, to dream of home, and many to sleep their last. With its brigade it stood firm, and was the first troops to receive the shock of battle, which came at daylight on the memorable 31st of December. During the entire fight, the One Hundred and First continued in the hottest, taking up six different positions and stubbornly maintaining them during the day. Col. Stern and Lieut. Col. Wooster were both killed on the front line of the army, and both died leading on their men to deeds of daring. The regiment continued in the front 312 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. . of the battle until its close, and lost seven officers and two hundred and twelve men killed and wounded. During, the remainder of the winter, the One Hundred and First was engaged on expeditions around Murfreesboro, suffering very much from fatigue and exposure. Says a publication of that day: "It was no uncommon thing to see as many as fifty men of the regiment marching without shoes on their feet, and so ragged as to excite both the sympathies and risibilities of their companions. This marching up and down the country--the purposes of utility of which were oftentimes wholly unknown-lasted until April 1863, when the regiment was allowed to go into camp at Murfreesforo, for rest, and for the purpose of perfecting its drill." The Tullahoma campaign was inaugurated the 24th of June, and the One Hundred and First moved with that portion of the army which operated at Liberty Gap. Here they were engaged with the enemy for two day's, and lost a number of men. It followed the fortunes of the army up to Chattanooga, and at the close of that campaign was with Gen. Davis' division at Winchester, Tenn. It marched on the Chattanooga campaign, August 17, and crossed the Tennessee River at Caperton's Ferry. From there it marched over Sand and Lookout Mountain, to near Alpine, Ga.; counter-marching, it re-crossed Lookout Mountain to the field of Chickamauga, where it engaged in that battle on the 19th and 20th of August, displaying great coolness and gallantry. During the second day's battle, the One Hundred and First retook a National battery from the enemy, fighting over the guns with clubbed muskets. At Chattanooga, the army was re-organized, and the One Hundred and First Ohio became a part of the First Brigade, First Division, of the Fourth Army Corps, and on the 28th of October this brigade marched to Bridgeport, Ala., where it remained in camp until January 16, 1864, and then marched to Ooltewah, Tenn. May 3 it moved with its brigade on the Atlanta campaign, and bore its part in all the hard fighting, until the fall of Atlanta changed the theater of war to another section. Its loss was heavy in the several battles and skirmishes of that arduous campaign. It marched from Atlanta to Pulaski, Tenn., and from there to Nashville. At the battle of Franklin, the One Hundred and First was ordered to retake an angle in the works held by the enemy. This it succeeded in doing, and held them until 10 o'clock P. M.. although the enemy was within bayonet reach. In the Rattle of Nashville, on the 15th and 16th of December, the One Hundred and First participated in the assault upon the enemy's works. After the battle and rout of Hood, it followed in pursuit as far as Lexington, Ala., and then marched to Huntsville, where it, went into camp. It remained here until June 12, 1865, when with other regiments it was mustered out of the service. It at once started for home, and at Cleveland, Ohio, was paid off and discharged. The following. from the Bucyrus' Journal of June 24, 1865, is a fitting, finale to the history of this gallant regiment: "The One Hundred and First regiment has been mustered out and the members belonging to this county arrived at home during the past week. This regiment was recruited in Erie, Huron, Seneca. Wyandot and Crawford Counties, anal left for the front on the 4th of September, 1862, nine hundred and eighty strong, under command of Col. Leander Stern, a prominent citizen of Tiffin. He fell at the battle of Murfreesboro, December 31, 1862. The following is the present roster of the regiment: Colonel. I. M. Kirby: Lieutenant Colonel. B. B. McDonald; Major. J. M. Latimer; Chaplain Rev. F. M. Cravath: Adjutant, James L. Neff; Surgeon, T. M. Cook: Assistant Surgeon, H. H. Russell; Quartermaster O. J. Benham. Company A Lieutenant. B. F. Bryant. Company B-Captain. J. C. Butler: Lieutenant, Charles Mor-. HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 313 foot. Company C - Captain, D. Smith; Lieutenant, J. R.. Homer. Company D-Captain, J. M. Latimer. Company E-Lieutenant, J. M. Williamson Company F-Captain. G. W. Hale, Company G-Captain. J. P. Fleming; Lieutenant. J. F. Webster. Company H-Captain. W. N. Beer. Company I-Lieutenant, J. C. Smith, Company K-Captain .James M. Roberts; Lieutenant, W. R. Davis, Col. Kirby is a Brevet Brigadier General. He went into the field as Captain of Company F and has won his star by brave deeds, and wears his well-earned honors with becoming dignity. The regiment is under command of Lieut. Col. McDonald, and returns with two hundred and thirty-five men and twenty officers. The record of the One Hundred and First has been a glorious one, having participated in every important battle from Perryville to Atlanta, and always in the hottest of the fight. It took a very active part in saving the day at the bloody battle of Franklin." The One Hundred and Twenty-third Infantry was represented by a company from Crawford County, together with quite a number of scattering recruits in other companies of the same regiment. When orders were received to raise this regiment. this county obtained permission to recruit three of the ten companies. But one full company, however (Company H). was raised and mustered into the One Hundred and Twenty third. This company was officered as follows : John Newman, Captain: David S. Caldwell. First Lieutenant, and H. S. Bevington, Second Lieutenant, Capt. Newman resigned February 3. 1863. Lieut. Caldwell was promoted to Captain February 3, 1863, and honorably, discharged .July 24, 1864, Lieut Bevington was promoted to First Lieutenant February 3, 1863, to Captain January 6, 1865, and honorably discharged February 1, 1865 William A. Williams was promoted from Orderly Sergeant to Second Lieutenant February 3, 1863, and honorably discharged July 29, 1864. This regiment was organized at Monroeville, in Huron County, and mustered into the United States service for three years. This process was completed on the 16th of October, 1862, and on the same day the regiment proceeded to Zanesville, and from thence to Marietta. From Marietta it proceeded direct to Clarksburg, Va., where it arrived on the 20th and on the 24th, left for Buckhannon. The fall and winter were spent in continual marching and countermarching, until January 10, 1863, when it proceeded to Romney, where it arrived on the 12th. Here six weeks were spent in scouting and guarding the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. On the 1st of March the regiment was sent to Winchester, and made several raids up the Shenandoah Valley. On the evening of June 13, tire One Hundred and Twenty-third with its brigade, had an engagement with Gen. Early's corps, in which it lost nearly one hundred men killed and wounded. On the 14th the national forces were driven into their fortifications and hardly pressed by overwhelming numbers of the enemy. It was finally decided to evacuate the place, and the troops marched out of the works in silence, at 2 o'clock in the morning, leaving the heavy artillery in position, but spiked. On the Martinsburg road the enemy was found in a strong position and, in attempting to cut its way through, the One Hundred and Twenty-third lost fifty men killed and wounded. During this time, Col. Ely, of the Eighteenth Connecticut, who was temporarily in command of the brigade, without apparent cause, surrendered to the enemy; the whole brigade except Company D, of the One Hundred and Twenty-third were made prisoners of war and sent to Richmond. where the officers of the One Hundred arid Twenty-third remained in Libby prison about eleven months. Capt. D. S. Caldwell and Lieut. William D. Williams made their escape. Maj. Kellogg, who was wounded and made his escape at Winchester, collected the stragglers of the regiment at Mar- 314 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY tinsburg, where the paroled men, after exchange joined him, about the 1st of September, 1863. At this place the regiment was newly armed and equipped, but, being deficient in officers, it was engaged mainly in provost and picket duty, until March 1, 1864,. when it was distributed as guards along the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, between Harper's Ferry and Monocacy Junction. The regiment was collected about the 1st of April, at Martinsburg, and from thence moved to Winchester. Under command of Gen. Sigel, it made a raid up the valley, and, after a sharp fight on the 15th of May, at New Market, in which the One Hundred and Twenty-third lost seventy men in killed and wounded, Gen. Sigel was forced to fall back to Cedar Creek. In a short time he was superseded by Gen. Hunter, who made preparations at once for the memorable Lynchburg raid. This ill-fated expedition has already been described in the history of some of the other regiments representing Crawford County. The history of the One Hundred and Twenty-third, in the expedition, was the history of those already given. Hard marching. almost constant skirmishing, exposure and fatigue were some of its hardships, with loss of a number of men killed, wounded and missing. On the last of June, the worn-out and famished troops reached Gauley Bridge, where supplies were met and distributed to the starving troops. For two months, the troops were marching from one place to another, scouting, and foraging, and finally reached Martinsburg again, where they had a brief rest. From Martinsburg they proceeded to Harper's Ferry and moved on to Loudoun Valley, east of the Blue Ride, for the purpose of intercepting Early's retreat to the Shenandoah Valley. After numerous defeats and losses, the command of the national army, in the valley, was given to Gen. Sheridan, who soon changed the aspect of affairs. The rebels were defeated at Berryville and at Winchester, in both of which engagements the One Hundred and Twenty-third participated. Its loss was five officers and about fifty men. After these operations the national, troops remained at Cedar Creek until the 19th of October, watching the enemy and building fortifications. These fortifications were destined to fall into the hand of the enemy. The battle followed in which Sheridan made his famous ride from "Winchester, twenty miles away." The One Hundred and Twenty-third bore an active part in it an lost several men. After this battle the One Hundred and Twenty-third was engaged for one mouth guarding the Harper's Ferry & Winchester Railroad, after which it was attached to the Twenty-fourth Army Corp (Gen. Ord's). in the department then commanded by Gen. Butler. It arrived at Deep Bottom on the 27th of December 1864, where it lay until the 25th of March 1865, at which time it broke camp and moved to the Chickahoming. On the 30th of March, an advance was male on the rebel works, and skirmishing continued until the morning of the 2d of April when the rebel works were carried. The One Hundred and Twenty-third, during this tune was three days on the skirmish line without relief, and their provisions had to be carried to them by the Regimental Quartermaster. The loss of the regiment was quite severe while on this long skirmish. On the 3d of April, the whole national army marched in pursuit of Gen. Lee toward Manville. The One Hundred and Twenty-third was sent with other troops to burn High Bridge, and was unexpectedly surrounded by Gen. Lees cavalry, and the entire force captured. and carried along, as prisoners of war, to Appomattox Court House, where the rebel army some time afterward surrendered an event that virtually closed the war. Soon after this, the regiment proceeded to Annapolis, Md., and from thence went home to Camp Chase, where, on the 12th of June it was mustered out of the United States service. The One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Infantry PAGE 315 - PICTURE OF J. W. SHAW PAGE 316 - BLANK HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 317 for one hundred days' service, had two Companies from Crawford County. This one hundred days' service was designated "National Guard" service. The two companies of the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth, were Companies A and C. The first was officered as follows: Samuel Smalley, Captain; George Myers, First Lieutenant, and James W. Fulkerson, Second Lieutenant, Company C was officered-W. A. Mitchell, Captain; Ira M. Cory, First Lieutenant, and E. Paul. Second Lieutenant. The regiment reported at Camp Chase May 12, 1861: was mustered, uniformed, armed, equipped, and shipped to Washington City. It remained on garrison duty in and around Washington during its entire term of service, which expired August 20, 1861, when it was mustered out and discharged. The One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Infantry drew a company from Crawford County, Company B which was mustered into the service with the following commissioned officers: Lyman Parcher, Captain; Thomas A. Patterson, First Lieutenant and Isaac Z. Bryant, Second Lieutenant. These officers were all mustered out with the regiment at the close of its term of service. The One Hundred and Seventy-ninth was organized for one year's service and was mustered in at Camp Chase on the 28th of September 1864. It was ordered to Nashville, Tenn. when it was assigned to the Second Brigade, Fourth Division. Twentieth Army Corps. It was present at the battle of Nashville, but was only partly engaged. The regiment remained on duty at Nashville until June 18, 1865 when. its services being no longer needed. it was sent home to Columbus paid off, and discharged on the 27th of June. When mustered out, its rolls bore the mines of 38 officers and 698 men. This comprises the infantry regiments that drew anything like an organized body of men from the county. There were, however, a great many other regiments, in which the county was represented by scattering recruits. The Forty-fifth, Fifty-fourth, Fifty-fifth, Sixty-fifth, and several others, contained more or less men from Crawford County. Also several batteries and Cavalry regiments contained representatives. The Twelfth Cavalry, perhaps, was more strongly represented than any other organization. Company A of this regiment contained many Crawford County men. Capt. E. C. Moderwell and Lieut. D. A. Newell, of Company A. were also of this county. Capt. Moderwell, was promoted to Major, and in that position was mustered out with the regiment. Lieut. Newell was promoted from Second to First Lieutenant November 24, 1863, and was honorably discharged May 20, 1865. The Twelfth Cavalry was recruited in the fall of 1863 and contained men from nearly every county in the State. It was organized at Camp Taylor; near Cleveland, when it was mustered into the service on the 24th of November 1863, and while a portion of it remained on duty at Johnson's Island during the winter, the remainder was equipped and mounted at Camp Dennison, and on the 29th of November, left for Louisville, and from thence was ordered to Lexington and Mount Sterling. It served principally in Kentucky until February, 1865, when it was ordered to Nashville. From thence it moved to Murfreesboro, and then to Knoxville. It accompanied Gen. Stoneman in his raid into North Carolina. It participated in the capture of Jefferson Davis and of Gens Bragg and Wheeler. The Twelfth remained on duty in Tennessee and Alabama until the 14th of November 1865, when it was mustered out at Nashville and sent home to Columbus, paid off and discharged. The Third and Tenth Cavalry regiments also contained men from Crawford County, but just how many we were unable to ascertain. Capt. E. R. Brink was from this county. He entered the regiment as First Lieutenant at its organi- 318 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. zation, was promoted to Captain, and resigned May 9, 1865. Of other representatives in the Third Cavalry, we have no definite information. In compiling the war history of the county we have drawn pretty freely on Whitelaw Reid's history of "Ohio in the War." As it is claimed to be not wholly without errors, we have taken pains to consult members of the different regiments, so far as practicable, and have then compare it with their own recollections. By this means we have been enabled to detect and correct some errors that existed, and think that as now given, the history of the regiments in which Crawford County was represented is substantially correct. There maybe omissions of regiments that should have mention, but, if so it is not our fault. We have used the greatest exertions to obtain full information of the county's military history, but, in many cases have found the facilities for obtaining information meager. The county was twice drafted, but neither time for a very large number of men. The first took place the last of September, 1862, and was for the following numbers of men, by townships : Polk 69; Jackson 102; Whetstone 45; Chatfield. 59; Sandusky 33: Cranberry 42; Texas. 2; Vernon 30; Lykens 40: Liberty 56; Auburn 22; Holmes 55; Bucyrus 22; Dallas 0. The latter, it will be seen, had filled its quota and was not drafted, and it is said to be the only township in the county that had no draft during the war. There was some trouble at the time in regard to the draft. as to forcing the recruits thus obtained into the service. Some of the drafted men resisted. and backed by a numerous party in the county opposed to the war, there were, for a time, indications and strong fears of a riot. It was by great exertions on the part of the lovers of peace and good order that a collision was prevented and serious consequences avoided. As it was, there were a few little scenes occurred that did not redound to the credit of all parties concerned. Another draft took place on the 16th of May, 1864, for a smaller number of men than the previous one. It was as follows. by townships Bucyrus. 16; Auburn 9: Holmes 11; Texas 2; Chatfield, 2; Cranberry 1: Todd 23; Polk, 24; Liberty 8: Jackson 5. These, however, we believe, were mostly filled up by voluntary enlistment before the day set for the drafted men to report at headquarters. Poets and painters have, by common accord, agreed to represent the angel of pity and sympathy in a female form-a tribute that is in no wise unmerited. From the earliest periods of the worlds history, the kindest feelings of women have been excited by the woes of suffering humanity, and her warmest sympathies aroused in alleviating trouble and affliction and in the exercise of her kind and generous ministrations. The most notable instance on record of woman's love and affection occurred over eighteen hundred years ago, at the home of Martha and Mary, at Bethany and at the sepulcher at the foot of Mount Calvary. And from that day to this, like an angel of mercy, woman has ever been found in the midst of woe and misery and suffering and sorrow. In sickness, there is no hand like hers to smooth the pillow, moisten the fevered lips, and wipe the cold, damp dews of agony from the throbbing brow. This angelic spirit of the sex was beautifully exemplified during the late war. How many thousands of noble-hearted women left all the comforts and luxuries of home, and, braving the dangers of field and hospital, spent those four long, gloomy years in administering to the wants of suffering soldiers ! They went forth to the post of duty, expressing the conviction that. if they fell, their loss would not be felt. Heroic but mistaken souls ! The world sustains its heaviest loss when such spirits fall. But all the good accomplished during the war by female hands was not due alone to those HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. - 319 who went forth to nurse and take care of the sick and wounded. Those who remained behind performed a work for good. the half of which has not yet been told and which can scarcely be realized by the outside world. The Soldiers' Ladies' Aid Society was an organization of broad and liberal beneficence, and one to which many a poor and wounded soldier was indebted for his very life. The following extract is from a soldier's letter, published is the Bucyrus Journal in an early period of the war, and illustrates the good work of these societies. "It was about 5 o'clock in the afternoon when I arrived in the hospital. Soon after my entrance I was stripped and bathed in a large tub of tepid water, shown to bed, and a nice clean white shirt and a pair of drawers were given me. I soon encased my tired limbs in my new wardrobe, and while doing so, my eves caught sight of the words. ' From the Woman's Aid society,' stamped in black ink on each garment. I lay down, pulled the blanket over my head and thought of my situation. Here I am in a hospital, prostrated with disease, worn out in body and mind, over eight hundred miles from any spot I can call home. My own mother and sister long since dead: but the noble-hearted women (of the North those angels of mercy - are supplying the place of mother and sister, not only to me but to thousands of suffering soldiers from every state. Presently I felt two large tears coursing down my checks and running into my mustache followed by myriads of others dropping on the sheet under my chin, forming innumerable little salt-water pools. When well I am a strong man, and it requires some sudden and deep grief to bring me to tears: but tears of gratitude flowed from me that evening, as freely as drops of rain from an April cloud: and like a spoiled child I cried myself to sleep" This is but one instance of the good accomplished by these societies, originated and maintained by the noble ladies of the land. A soldiers' aid society was one of the earliest organizations inaugurated in the State, for the benefit of the sick and wounded in camp and hospital. This organization found a ready response among the ladies of Crawford County. A society, auxiliary to that of the state, was formed in Bucyrus, with branches in the different townships, which was instrumental in accomplishing a great and noble work. The first organization of the society in Bucyrus took place on the 14th of October 1861. Mrs. Dr. Merriman was elected President: Mrs. William Rowse, Secretary and Mrs. Howbert, Treasurer. Large donations were made to the society, and 10 cents constituted the fee for membership. For some time the society met regularly in Quinby Block, but eventually become lukewarm then dropped off into a Rip Van Winkle nap, from which it was aroused in the fall of 1862. It was re-organized and Mrs. .I. Scroggs was elected President and Mrs. Howbert, Secretary. But it seems to have become dormant again in a short time, in which state it remained until June 1863, when it was re-organized a second time, and Mrs. I. C. Kingsley elected President; Mrs. R. T. Johnston, Vice President: Mrs. J. G. Robinson, Secretary, and Mrs. H. M. Rowse, Treasurer. Under this last organization, it continued in operation until the close of the war, and the return of the troops, no longer required its good work. The great number of boxes of clothing for the well and dainties and sweetmeats for the sick, sent off by the society and its township branches made glad the heart of many a brave and gallant soldier. During the progress of the war, a movement was set on foot, having for its object the erection of a monument to the memory of the soldiers of Crawford County, who had fallen, or might fall, in battle. In January 1863, a proposition was made by the members of Oakwood Cemetery to donate a lot. valued at $125, provided the citizens of the county would subscribe 320 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. a sufficient amount ($2,000) to erect a suitable monument. An organization, or association, was formed, known as the "Crawford County, Ohio, Monumental Association;" by-laws and a constitution were adopted, and officers elected. For a time, great interest was manifested, and the strongest hopes were entertained of an early accomplishment of the laudable undertaking. But the zeal of those entrusted with the work died out, and the county's soldier dead still sleep with no other monument than that raised by their brave deeds in defense of their country.