All government has its origin in the wishes of the people, but only intelligence rendered extended suffrage and republicanism a success. Peopled by the descendants of those who had emancipated themselves from kingly thraldom and intolerant persecution. Ohio early became, and has since continued to be, the central field of conservatism wherein political parties, swaying first to one side, then to the other. in numerical power, have held extreme measures in check, and conduced to State and national welfare. Territorial government in the Northwest Territory was provided for in the ordinance passed by Congress July 13, 1787, and October 21 of the same year. received her first Governor. in the person of Gen. Arthur St. Clair, at Marietta. The Territory was so large and St. Clair became so unpopular that a large party was formed, in 1801, in favor of a State government, and in the following year, Thomas Worthington, at Philadelphia, used his influence, "which, terminating the influence of tyranny " was to "meliorate the circumstances of thousands by freeing them from the domination of a despotic chief." His efforts proved successful. and March 4 a report was made to the House in favor of authorizing a State Convention. The first General Assembly, under the State Constitution, assembled at Chillicothe, March 1. 1803, and formed eight new counties, one of which was Montgomery. In 1816, the seat of State government was removed to Columbus. and speedily measures were brought forward agitating the question of a canal linking the Ohio with Lake Erie, and eventually resulting in the Miami Canal. by which Darke settlers found at Piqua an early market for produce.

In 1836, the Congressional district was composed of Darke, Preble and Butler, and Taylor Webster. of Butler, a Democrat, was elected. In 1838, John B. Weller. Democrat, of Butler, was chosen over John Beers, of Darke County, a Whig. Weller was re-elected in 1840 and 1842 over L. D. Campbell, a Whig, of Butler, but in 1844. F. A. Cunningham, of Eaton, Preble Co., was elected over Campbell. In 1846, the district was composed of Darke, Montgomery, Greene and Preble Counties. when H. C. Schenck, Whig, of Dayton, was elected. Two years later. he was re-elected over J. W. McCorkle. of Dayton. In 1850, the Third District was composed of the same counties, when Hiram Bell, Whig, of Greenville, was elected. In 1852. the district was composed of Darke, Miami, Shelby, Auglaize, Allen and Mercer, when M. H. Nichols, of Lima, Democrat, was successful over Joseph Plunket. Whig, of St. Mary's. In 1854, Nichols withdrew from the Democratic Convention of the district, held at Sidney, and, announcing himself as an independent anti-Nebraska candidate, was elected by a majority of 6,000 over D. G. Dorsey, of Piqua, the nominee of the convention after the withdrawal of Nichols. In 1856, Nichols again ran against Dorsey and won, by a Republican majority of 256. At the next election. William Allen, Democrat, by 78 majority, was chosen over Nichols, and re-elected for the same office in 1860 by 600 majority

over Hart. In 1862, the district was composed of Darke, Warren, Shelby, Logan and Champaign, and J. T. McKinney, Democrat, of Piqua, was elected over W. H. West, Republican, whose defeat was largely attributable to the draft made at that time by order of Gov. Tod. In 1864, Mr. William Laramore was chosen over McKinney, and was re-elected for 1866-68 ; then, in 1870, McKinney was successful over W. B. McClung. In 1872, the district was constituted of Darke, Preble, Greene and Montgomery, and L. B. Gunkel, Republican, elected over J. J. Warner, of Greene. In 1874, the election went Democratic, sending John A. McMahon, of Dayton, to Congress over Gunkel. In 1876, McMahon was returned over John Hand, of Dayton. In 1878, the district was composed of Darke, Shelby, Warren, Preble, Auglaize and Mercer, and B. S. Lesser, of Sidney, was elected over Wilson of the same place.

The senatorial district was formerly composed of Darke, Shelby and Miami Counties, and always went Whig or Republican. The new constitution came into force in 1851, and made Darke County a representative district of itself. Previous to 1856, the majorities of the dominant party had averaged about one hundred votes. In 1857, J. L. Winner, Democrat, was elected Senator, and on the expiration of his term was re-elected. Since that time, the county has been increasingly Democratic, and has now about one thousand majority. The qualifications for eligibility to be a Senator are citizenship of the United States, two years' residence in the district whence chosen, thirty years of age, and be known to have paid State and county taxes. The Representative must be twenty-five years of age, a resident of the county, with the other qualifications above given.

As a convenient and instructive record connected with the political and official list of the county, we supply the lists of members of Assembly from 1842. and county officers from the organization of the county to the present time : Members of Assembly-1843, James Bryson ; 1844, D. I. Hostetter ; 1848, Luther Montfort ; 1849, George Ward ; 1850, Judge Lennox ; 1851, P. V. Banta ; 1853, Evan Baker ; 1855, J. C. Williamson ; 1857-59. J. L. Winner ; 1861, L. B. Lott (served two terms); 1865, Scipio Myer ; 1867-69, Jacob Baker (two terms) ; 1871, E. N. Walker ; 1873, D. T. D. Styles ; 1875-77, Dr. Hostetter (two terms); 1879, Charles Negley and W. Long.

The following is the list of County Commissioners, with time of service : 1817-Archibald Bryson, two years ; Abraham Studabaker, three years ; Silas Atchison, one year ; 1818, Jacob Miller, one year. (We have an incomplete record at this point, and resume with 1823.) 1823-William Cury, one year: Abraham Studabaker, ten years ; John McNeill, two years ; 1824, Joshua Howell. two years ; 1825, Dennis Hart, three years ; 1826, James Bryson, four years ; Robert Robeson, one year ; 1828, David Briggs, one year ; 1831, Jacob Harter, three years ; 1832, Solomon Riffle, five years ; 1833, John Swisher, two years ; 1837, Richard Lucas, two years ; 1840, Moses Woods, three years, and William B. Ladd. one year ; 1841, George Ward, three years ; 1842. John McGriff, Jr.; 1843. John Colville, five years ; 1844, Henry Lipps, two years ; 1845, William Arnold, two Years ; 1848 (March), John Miller, one year ; 1848 (October), Christian Harshey. two years ; Adam Baker, who resigned, and Henry Arnold appointed till next election ; 1849, Samuel C. Baker, two years, and Isaac Reed, three years ; 1851, Daniel Reigle, five years ; 1852, David Studabaker, five years ; 1853, Abel Stonaker, two years ; 1855. S. A. Green, three years : 1856. William Kerr, three years ; 1857, Michael Zick, three years ; 1858, William Wright. three years ; 1859, Riley Gard, three years ; 1863. John Stoltz, six years ; 1864, George Ivester. six years : 1865, Samuel Alexander, three years ; 1868, David Oliver, three years ; 1869, Jesse Woods, three years ; 1871. James Auld. three years : 1872. J. II. Holland, four years ; 1873, Elisha Berry, flan. years : 1874. John Antonides, one ear ; 1877, George D. Miller, three years: 1878. William Archard ; 1879. Samuel Wilson. Probate Judges-John Wharry, elected in 1851: A. H. Calderwood. 1854 ; • D. H. R. Jobes, 1857 ; J. C. McKeny, 1866. resigned 1868, and A. F. Bodle was

appointed to serve from April to November of that year ; James T. Meeker was elected in October. 1868. to complete the term. then elected in 1869 for three years, and again chosen in 1872 ; then J. A. Jobes was chosen in 1875, and re-elected in 187S. and is now incumbent of the office. As is observed, the officer holds for three years. The Prosecuting Attorney is biennially elected, his term of office to begin the first Monday of January next after his election. No person is eligible to this office who is not a duly licensed counselor at law, authorized to practice in the State. No Prosecuting Attorney should be a member of the General Assembly of the State, or Mayor of a city, and no county officer should he a candidate for the office. Bond not less than $1,000 is required. to be approved by the Court of Common Pleas in the Probate Court. which may appoint to till vacancy. His general duties are to prosecute in the name of the State- all complaints, suits and controversies in which the State is a party. In case of conviction, he shall cause execution to issue and faithfully urge collection, which shall be paid to County Treasurer. He shall be the legal adviser of the county officers, shall not enter a oolle pros. without leave of the court. He shall prepare and accept the bonds of all county officers. He is held to see that county funds are not misapplied, and in lieu of failure is open to suit by taxpayers. No list is given.

The Clerk of Common Pleas Court is elected triennially ; term begins February 9, next after his election. Bond not less than $10,000 nor more than $40,000, as determined by County Commissioners, with approved sureties. He shall also be the Clerk of the District Court. and of any superior court held in the county. Auditor or Commissioners may appoint to fill vacancy. Clerk may appoint one or more deputies. His general duties are to indorse and tile all papers, to enter all orders, decrees and judgments, to engross proceedings of his court. He may administer oaths, take affidavits and depositions. Reports to the Secretary of State annually all crimes and criminals. Once in four years. he reports number of males over twenty--one years, furnishes poll-books and tally- sheets, is held for security of law reports and other books of law library ; is depository of all costs and fees taxed upon writs, and pay over to person entitled. No charge shall be made for certificates made for pensioners of the Government. for any oath administered connected with pensions. Linus Bascom was the first Clerk appointed in Darke County, and held one year. Easton Morris, appointed in June. 1818, served seven years. David Morris sere ed four years and deceased, when L. R. Brownell served pro tem. from August to November of 1829 ; John Beers served three terms. from 1829 to 1856 ; David Beers then served a few months, after which J. W. Frizzell was appointed for a term of seven years, but the new constitution, which was adopted in 1852. reduced the term to three years. Samuel Robinson was elected October. 1854 ; William C. Porterfield, in October, 1860, but deceased before expiration of term. and was succeeded by Henry Miller, who served as Clerk pro tem. until October. 1862, when lie was elected and served two terms ; Hamilton Slade was elected in 1868 ; Wesley Gorsuch, in 1873, and John H. Martin filled three months of the unexpired term following Gorsuch's resignation ; finally John II. Martin was elected in 1879.

The Sheriff and Coroner are chosen biennially. They give bonds for not less than $5.000, nor to exceed $50.000. The general duty of the Sheriff is the preservation of the public peace, attend upon all courts, shall have the power to call to his aid such persons as he shall find necessary. He shall keep a foreign execution docket and a cash-hook. The books shall be open to inspection by all persons; the fee for producing the books is 124 cents. which entitles to a certified copy of entry. On retiring from office, all moneys are paid to the Clerk of the court. In regard to Coroners, it may be said that. on being notified that the body of a person, whose death is supposed to have been caused by violence, has been found within the county, lie issues subpoenas for witnesses. administers oaths and takes testimony in writing. He shall draw up his findings in writing, subscribe the same, and. if he find any person or persons inculpated. he shall arrest and take him or

them before a proper officer for examination. At once, after finding a body, if friends or relatives be known, they shall he notified by the Coroner, by letter ; if unknown, advertisement shall be made. All articles and moneys found shall be returned to the Probate Court. After one year and due publication, public sale may be made of these articles. The first Sheriff, who was appointed in 1817, served till 1820 ; his successor was William Scott, who served till 1824 ; then, Mark T. Mills, till 1828 ; Joshua Howell, till 1830 ; John Howell, till 1834 ; James Craig was appointed, but died, and William Vance served till 1836 ; David Angel, till 1840 ; Thomas Vantilburg, 1844, and 1852 till 1856 ; George Coover, 1848 ; David Stamm, 1852 ; Joshua Townsend, till 1860 ; Hamilton, till 1862 ; Chauncey Riffle, 1866 ; A. P. Vandyke, till 1870.; N. M. Wilson,Aill 1875 ; J. W. Hall, till 1879 ; and Jerry Runkle is the present official.

The County Auditor holds three years. He may administer oaths, appoint deputies, is Secretary of the County Commissioners ; he records their proceedings, files papers deposited in his office, keeps an account current with the Treasurer, issues warrants on the treasury for all moneys payable out of the same, except moneys due the State ; may discharge from jail persons confined for fines, when convinced that these fines cannot be paid. He shall make out the tax duplicate ; shall keep a book of additions and deductions, in which he shall enter all corrections of the duplicate made after the delivery of the same to the Treasurer. Settlement is made with the Treasurer by the 15th of February and the 10th of August. He shall make return, to the Auditor of State. of the number of domestic animals state indebtedness of county, report number of sheep killed and amounts paid owners. He is sealer of weights and measures. His compensation varies with the population and extent of services required. The following named have served as Auditors : June 5, 1821, John Devor, appointed ; 1822, H. D. Williams ; March, 1824, John Craig, elected, died, and June, 1826, John Beers appointed to fill vacancy, elected, and in December, 1829, resigned to accept appointment of Clerk of Court, and January, 1830, David Cole was appointed to fill vacancy ; in October, 1832, Hiram Bellows elected, resigned October 5, 1836, and David Angel served until January, 1837, when John Mcllthanney took his seat—the latter deceased, and at a special meeting called by the Sheriff, September, 1837, C. C. Craig was appointed, then elected, and served till 1840, when he resigned, and William M. Wilson succeeded ; held till October, 1846, when he resigned and John L. Winner was appointed to fill the unexpired term. David Stamm served a term, followed by F. Gram, who died, and A. R. Doty filled vacancy ; A. L. Northrop served from October, 1849, to 1852, when George W. Coover was elected ; Joseph C. Shepherd chosen in 1854 ; John E. Matchett, 1857 ; D. B. Cleves, 1861 ; E. H. Wright, 1865 ; 0. C. Perry, 1867 ; John E. Matchett, 1871 ; W. J. Kelly, 1873 ; and John C. Turpen, 1879.

The County Treasurer is elected biennially. Bond to the amount required by Commissioners, at the hands of four or more freehold sureties, or the office vacant, and appointment made. Additional bond may be required, if deemed necessary. All payments are made, except on tax duplicate, on the draft of the Auditor, or when moneys are received from the State by the Auditor of State. Duplicate receipts must be given for all moneys paid, except taxes—one to the person paying, the other to the Auditor. Receipt of tax duplicate is made known by legal notice given. The office shall be kept open, for the collection of taxes, from the time of the delivery of the duplicate to him until January 25, and from April 1 to July 20. Taxes may be paid on or before December 20, or one-half before that time and the remainder on or before June 20, but all road taxes shall be paid prior to December 20. After June 20, the penalty is 5 per cent.; after December 20, the overdue taxes may by collected by distress and sale, etc. W the Treasurer is unable to collect by distress, he shall apply to the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, and cause to be served upon the delinquent person or corporation, requiring them to show cause for failure in payment, in default of

which a rule shall be entered, having the force and effect of a judgment. The right to redeem lands sold for tax holds two years from date of sale, by payment to the holder, the amount, expense of deed, with 6 per cent interest and 25 per cent on account of said judgment. When any warrant on the treasury is presented and cannot be paid for want of funds, it shall be indorsed and bear 6 per cent interest from date of indorsement by Treasurer. If the Treasurer, either directly or indirectly, purchases warrants of his county at any discount, he shall, upon settlement, forfeit the whole amount due thereon. Advance payments may be made to local authorities, not exceeding two-thirds of the current collection of taxes of the corporation. In ease of embezzlement, the incumbent shall be removed and a new Treasurer appointed. The following have been the Treasurers of Darke County : John Devor, appointed June, 1817, 1818 and 1819 ; = Daniel Briggs, 1821 ; Linus Bascom, 1822 and 1824 ; John Beers, 1825 ; A. Scribner, 1826 and 1827 ; Loring R. Brownell, elected October, 1831 ; Henry D. Williams, 1835 ; James 3L Dorsey, 1839 ; Daniel Irwin, 1839 ; James Devor, appointed to fill vacancy caused by death of Irwin, May, 1844 ; Charles Hutchins, 1847 ; James Irwin, elected 1851 and 1853; William Schmidt, appointed 1854 ; James McKhann, 1855 and 1857 ; George H. Martz, 1859 and 1861 • Thomas P. Turpen, 1862 ; Eli Helm, 1866 ; Peter V. Banta, 1870, two terms ; W. R. Kerlin, 1874. and Amos Hahn, 1878.

The County Recorder keeps four sets of records, viz., deeds, mortgages, plats and leases. He shall furnish a fair and accurate copy of any record in his office, and certify the same to any person demanding and tendering the fees therefor. He shall make and keep up suitable indexes. Abraham Scribner was the first Recorder, appointed in 1817 ; Eastin Morris, 1822 ; Josiah D. Farrar, Thomas Rush, John Wharry ; Elias Brumminager. elected 1844 ; John S. Shepherd, 1850 ; S. C. Eddington. 1856 : Daniel Stevenson, 1859 ; A. F. Medford, 1865 ; Benjamin Beers. 1868 ; P. H. Maher, 1874, re-elected in 1878, and still in office. Besides these officers, there are the Infirmary Directors, three in number, who hold for three years ; a Superintendent of the asylum and a County Surveyor.

For a few years from first settlement, comparatively little interest was taken in politics ; people were too much absorbed in the struggle for bread. Later, the district was carried by the Whigs, uniforn,'y, but by moderate majorities only, until after the new constitution came into force, in 1851. An increasing interest was felt in politics as years went by, and both national and local issues were discussed with much warmth. privately and publicly. During the Presidential campaign which resulted in making James Buchanan chief magistrate of the nation, the political pulse of the people rose to, a pitch previously unknown in the history of Darke, while, during the whole period of the war, Greenville was one of the most deeply engaged and thoroughly aroused places in this part of Ohio. The local prints did not mince matters, but criminations and recriminations were frequent. The editorial pencils were held firmly, and moved by fervid energy. Italics, small caps and capitals wearied the printer ; political writers and speakers dealt in denunciations, threats and charges ; the Democrat office was pied, and pitched into the street. Later years aroused a more conservative spirit, and a courtesy prevails which speaks well for the intelligence and patriotism of the citizens. The county is fully recognized as Democratic, the strength of which party, compared with the Republican, is illustrated by the vote of 1876 for President : Samuel J. Tilden received 4,667 votes ; Rutherford B. Hayes, 3,577 ; a total of 8,239. In 1877. the vote stood for Governor : William H. West, 2,612 ; Richard M. Bishop, 3.947. In 1878, for Secretary of State, Milton Barnes, 2,980 ; David R. Paige, 4,202. The following, respecting population, shows the progress of the county in this regard : In 1820, 3.717 ; in 1830, 6,204 ; in 1840, 13,282 ; in 1850, 20,276 ; in 1860, 26,009 ; in 1870, 32,278.

The following illustrates the growth between 1840 and 1850, by townships : Greenville, 1.851 to 3,417 ; Twin, 1,057 to 1,400; Richland, 589 to 793 ; Harrison,

1,866 to 1,705 ; Washington, 898 to 1,250 ; Van Buren, 421 to 770 ; German, 1,173 to 1,601 ; Wayne, 727 to 1,162 ; Brown, 293 to 684 ; Butler, 1,116 to 1,446 ; Monroe, 171 to 913 ; Jackson, 304 to 566 ; Adams, 698 to 1,416 ; Neave, 635 to 883 ; York, 371 to 497 ; Franklin, 291 to 451 ; Mississinewa, 124 to 318 ; Patterson, attached to Wayne, 319 ; Allen, 194 to 290 ; Wabash, attached to York in 1840, in 1850 gave 309. Gibson, with 276, was attached to Mercer County when Auglaize was erected. About one-half of Allen and parts of Patterson and Wabash were given to Mercer at the same time. Add the population of Patterson to Wayne, of which it was formed, and 1,481 shows the population to have doubled. The same is true of York when Wabash is added. All townships but Harrison showed heavy increase compare with 1840. We conclude-this chapter by the following from the pen of Hon. James Hanaway, of Kansas, formerly a resident of Butler Township, this county :

"When African slavery existed as an institution in the Southern States, there was an organization in most of the free States known as the underground railroad.' Although the term was very generally used to designate a society which gave aid and assistance to such fugitives as had escaped from their servitude, and were in search of liberty, yet there were but few persons in any community who had any practical knowledge of the workings of this mysterious and humane society. The cabalistic letters 'U. G. R. R.' were generally used when referring to the association. It was first bestowed by slave-owners. Fugitive slaves on their way to the free States were not unfrequently close upon capture when they suddenly disappeared. Once, pursuit was so close that success seemed sure, when trace was lost, and one of the slave-hunters, on his return. gave it as his opinion that the Abolitionists had an underground railroad on which the fugitives were spirited away. From this originated the term, which the Abolitionists adopted as the name of their organization.

" Although there was not a regularly established line of the underground railroad in Darke County, there were persons in different localities who were always ready to render assistance when called on. Fugitives were often taken across the county to another line of road which was in active operation ; for example, from Miami or Montgomery County to Newport, Ind. This was necessary, sometimes, to throw the hunters off the track, and was always effective.

" The question was often, and is even now, asked, How did the slave know whom to apply to in a strange country for assistance ? In all towns and cities there are always found a large number of free blacks ; some of them have bought their freedom ; some are fugitives from far-off, distant States, and feel safe in their new homes. This class of persons are shrewd observers of things, and they readily detect a stranger. In this way, thousands became aware of the existence of the underground railroad, and entrusted themselves to its care. Many slaves, before they started on their hazardous undertaking, possessed knowledge sufficient to work their way to a free State. While up in-the Red River country, in Louisiana, many years ago, an old house-servant came to me just as I was starting homeward, and in a low voice said : Massa, I heard you tell ole Massa that you lived near Cincinnati, Ohio. I have often prayed to my Maker to take me to that blessed place before I die.' This language was strange and unexpected, but I soon found out how he, as well as others like him in the land of bondage, had learned some little about the free States. Slaveholders, in their social meetings, would become quite indignant against the people of the free States, branding them as 'nigger-thieves,' etc., because they sometimes aided a fugitive to 0 1 a refuge in Canada. Cincinnati was always spoken of as the headquarters of Abolitionists. . These conversations were no uncommon occurrence among slave-owners, and the ignorant bondmen, while listening, would naturally reason : Cincinnati

must be filled with good people who are friends to the colored folks, because Massa and the white folks are always cussing it and calling it a den of thieves, who help niggers run away to the British country, where they are forever free.'

" The underground railroad was bold and open in its operations until the passage of the fugitive-slave law' of 1850, when it became necessary to adopt a more cautious and less hazardous plan of operations. Instead of men of means placing themselves in front as depot-agents and conductors, as heretofore, they transferred these duties to trusty poor men, off whom the law could not collect the heavy penalties of transgression, and the funds were provided by men of wealth.

" The fugitive-slave law of 1850 was a firebrand cast at freedom by that Senator;a1 traitor, Mason, of Virginia but it proved to be a valuable auxiliary to the cause of freedom. My old friend, Dr. Otwell, now living in Greenville, said to me upon the receipt of the news of the passage of the law : It will arouse the North, agitation will follow, and it will result in good.'

" Some time since I cut the following paragraph from a newspaper. It is introduced here, because the fugitives mentioned were taken through Darke County, and because it will give the uninitiated a peep behind the curtain :

“Judge Sharkey, at present a petitioner before the Supreme Court, is charged with being the author of an infamous decision, consigning a widow and her children into slavery. The former had been the wife of a Mississippi planter, who had legalized his marriage with her in a Northern State. The children had been educated in Ohio. Returning South, they were seized by relatives of the deceased planter, and on application to Sharkey were doomed to slavery.'

“It is true, the relatives attempted to seize the mother and five children under the decision of Judge Sharkey, but before the officers could secure their human chattels, they made their escape to Cincinnati, and were landed safely in Canada through the agency of the underground railroad.

"Prior to their last visit to Mississippi, they had consulted an eminent lawyer of antislavery proclivities, Salmon P. Chase, of Cincinnati, and he advised them not to risk anything in a Mississippi court. They therefore left what in common law was their property by the decease of the husband and father, and escaped to Cincinnati by steamboat. Although the children had been educated in Ohio, and papers confirming the marriage were on record, it was deemed unsafe to risk the decisions of the courts, so they were assisted on their way north, by those who sympathized with them. In a few days, they arrived in the city of Dayton, and were taken in charge by a well-known agent of the road.

“The same evening, the slave hunters arrived, for they learned the colored family had taken passage on a canal-boat. Fortunately, by the blustering manner of the slave-hunters, the anti-slavery people of Cincinnati became apprised of their errand, and a courier was at once despatched to Dayton, arriving but a short time in advance of the pursuers, and measures were at once adopted for the protection of the fugitives. They were stowed away in a dark cellar, and at 12 o'clock at night. they were conveyed out of the city in a close carriage, and taken across the country toward Newport. Ind. The person having this valuable freight in charge was ordered to go by way of Ithaca, Castine and New Madison. At Ithaca he took the road leading to Fort Jefferson, which took him several miles out of the way. They reached New Madison about breakfast-time. Dr. Rufus Kilpatrick took charge of them and conveyed them westward to Anderson Spencer. On the following morning, they were forwarded to Newport, Ind., and thus escaped the clutches of those who would make,merchandise of their own flesh and blood.

A few days after these occurrences, the Circuit Court met in Greenville. Judge Holt. Judge Crane. and several lawyers from Dayton, had witnessed the furor which had taken place at the hotel in Dayton, when the slave-hunters found their victims had escaped. They raved and swore, and denounced the people of the North as a pack of negro-thieves. This outburst produced quite a sensation, even

in the proslavery element of the community. The Judges and lawyers were especially severe in their condemnation of such sentiments.

" A fugitive by the name of Wash McQuerry, who resided for a time in the western part of Darke County, took up his residence near Troy, Miami County, believing he would be safe from the pursuit of his old master, one Henry Miller, near Louisville, Ky. It appears that a man named John Russell, living near Piqua, learned that Wash was a fugitive, and ascertaining the name and address of his owner, basely, or. perhaps actuated by a desire for gain, wrote a letter to Henry Miller, informing him where his chattel could be found.

" A posse of slave-hunters visited Miami County, and Wash was arrested while working on a canal-boat. There were other fugitives supposed to be in Miami and Darke Counties. The hunters visited Greenville, and after consultation with a certain law firm, they went in the night to the colored settlement and searched several cabins. I received information from Greenville that the slave-hunters were hunting lost property in the neighborhood. I immediately started with a friend, in a buggy, for the colored settlement, arriving about dark. I found the whole settlement in arms. Every cross-road was guarded by armed men. Being somewhat acquainted, I was allowed to pass without molestation. That night I tarried in the academy, but the news I was so anxious to convey was there ahead of me.

"Wash, the fugitive, was taken to Cincinnati, and. after an able defense by Messrs. Birney & Joliffe, was ordered to be delivered to the claimant. This was the first case under the law of 1850. It was tried before Judge McLean.

"One of the most interesting events during my connection with the underground railroad, was the following :

"Twenty-eight slaves escaped one night from Boone County, Ky. They were delayed in crossing the river, and it was nearly daylight before they arrived in the suburbs of Cincinnati. Carriages were obtained from a certain German in the city to convey them into the country, as it was deemed unsafe for the fugitives to remain in the quarters where they were secreted. After food and suitable clothing had been furnished them, at the suggestion of the late Levi Coffin, they formed procession as if going to a funeral, and moved solemnly along the road to Cumminsville. The route decided on by the agents of the road, was via College Hill, Hamilton, West Elkton, Eaton, Paris, to Newport, Ind. The same night on which these twenty-eight fugitives arrived at Newport. three slave-hunters from Boone County, Ky., stopped over night in the village of Castine. Newport is sixteen miles West of Castine. But from the fact that the fugitives took the longest route from Paris, by mistake, they must have been overtaken. My suspicions had been aroused that these strangers might be in search of lost property. As they were about leaving the village, one of the party recognized an old friend and classmate, in one of the bystanders. They had been classmates in the Ohio Medical College some years before. To this friend he confided his business, but gained no information from him. After their departure, my friend,* who was a leading Democrat, informed me all about the business of the three strangers—where they were going, etc. They had tracked the fugitives to Eaton, where they lost the trail. From Eaton the hunters came to Castine.

" A few minutes after I received this information from the Doctor, I was on the road to Newport. The hunters arrived ahead of me, had already put up their horses when I arrived, and were walking the streets, asking the price of furniture, garden-seeds, etc., and taking a general inspection of things.

"When I made my mission known to the agents of the road, it created a sensation. One of them said that only ten minutes before, he had seen some of the children of the fugitives at play in a yard, near the main street of the village, and might be seen by any one passing along.

"About 1 o'clock P. M.. the hunters left Newport, but the friends of the fugitives were fearful that they had gone north to Winchester, for assistance. Before

evening, however, we found that they had made no discovery. That night the fugitives were taken to Cabin Creek, Randolph Co., Ind., and, after a few weeks, were forwarded to Canada.

" Nine thousand dollars reward was offered for these fugitives ; $1,000 to any one who would put the owners on the trail. One of these male fugitives had been purchased eight months before for $1,200. Another was a Baptist preacher, a smart fellow, though he did not believe the New Testament a slave code.

" The rising generation can have but a faint conception of the state of public opinion thirty to forty years ago. The influence which the slave power exercised throughout the United States, was almost irresistible ; it controlled every department of government. The leading churches pandered to its power—the Bible became a slave code. Free speech was crushed out,'under the plea of protecting public liberty."

The construction of roads and water ways are characteristic of ancient and powerful nations advanced in civilization, and knit together in all their interests by bonds of profitable commerce Rome made her roads for the expeditious marches of her legions, but America has made hers for the facility of peaceful intercourse, in the interests of commerce, trade and agriculture. It was a discouraging aspect shown by Darke in the earlier day, when trails, traces and tracks were numerous and roads none, and it was true as at the time said, " There is not one beyond the mountains and but few this side, that is acquainted with the hardships of the pioneers. Twenty or thirty years must elapse before they can have a comfortable road to get to mill or to the court house. How many thousands would rejoice if they had the privilege of working out upon the highways a per cent of the proceeds of the common domain, rather than to pay cash for which they receive no benefit whatever." The privilege was in time accorded of' working out tax, but it is questionable whether taxes paid and expended under a competent roadmaster would not be a better procedure. At the first settlement of Darke, and for many years after, all State roads were laid out and established by the Legislature by special act. The first State road laid out in the county was the highway from Troy to Greenville. This was the road traveled by the settlers coming into the county in 1811, although the locating may not have been regularly done farther than the boundary line west of Miami County. It crossed Greenville' Creek, where the road now crosses near Gettysburg, and this intersected Wayne's old trace from Fort Recovery to Greenville. It came up on the north side of the creek and crossed again north of the Turner Mill, at what was called the Boomershire fording. It had, however, been altered during the period of the war of 1812 ; at that time it crossed the creek at the lower end of Main street, Greenville, about where the Beamsville road now crosses. A short time before 1817, a survey had been made, and a road located from Piqua to Greenville, but the road had not at that time been opened. This intersected the Troy road near the present site of Gettysburg. When there was no established road opened between Piqua and Greenville, settlers made their own road till they struck the Troy road at the Studabaker block-house. At that time there were but two or three families living between Piqua and the point just named. The following named roads had been laid out just after the organization of the county, and their original and present routes do not materially differ : the Milton, Shanesville, Fort Recovery and Fort Jefferson. The roads that were first laid out under the order of the County Commissioners were generally located to suit the people of the different neighborhoods through which they passed ; they circled about ponds and marshes, angled and curved their way the nearest and best track from one house to another. As a result, most roads located by first settlers have been changed or entirely vacated. The location of roads was not always according to the unanimous wishes' of the settlers, and as an

instance, we give the history of what was known as the " Western or Winchester road," which caused considerable strife and difficulty. The settlers west of Greenville joined in a petition to the Commissioners for a county road from Greenville to the State line in the direction of Winchester. A view was ordered ; viewers met, started at or near the mouth of Mud Creek, ran nearly direct until they intersected the old Indian trace leading from the Indian town on Mud Creek to Muncie, Ind. This was at the crossing of the West Branch, from which they ran as close as practicable with the old trace to the State line. This location did not satisfy all parties to the petition, and another party arose. Names were bestowed upon each. The first was known as the Squaw road party, the other the Jersey road. The latter petitioned for a road to run a course about a mile north of the other ; their petition was granted. There were now two roads, and each party, emulating the other, set to work to open the respective roads. Not long after, an order was received from the Legislature to lay out and establish a State road from Troy via Greenville to the State line. In the mean time Randolph County, Ind., had laid out a road from Winchester to the State line, ending at the corner of a section about midway between the two Ohio roads. The State viewers learning at Greenville of the two roads and the strife, ran their line midway to strike the Indiana road, and in proportion as the one party rejoiced the other was displeased. The line is now the Greenville and State Line turnpike. Soon the defeated party petitioned at Columbus for change of location ; it was granted without delay or investigation, and for a number of sears the Squaw road was traveled as the State road. Partially-foiled, the Jerseys went to work vigorously to open and put in repair their road. It thus happened that there were two roads running parallel not a mile apart. No bridge had been built over the mouth of Mud Creek, and the only entry or exit from the town was around and across Greenville Creek. For several years this anomalous condition of affairs, continued ; finally the people undertook of their own accord to build a bridge over the mouth of Mud Creek. Abutments were erected, laid on the sills and it was partially floored with split slabs, but its completion was delayed and it was not made passable for teams. It stood in this condition several years, until the timber became rotten. when, at one of the terms of court, some lawyers strolled out one evening, laid hold and shook it down. The County Commissioners then made an appropriation for the building of a bridge at this place, and a temporary structure was in time erected. The rival roads were maintained a score of years, much to the public disadvantage. As a finality there came an order from the Legislature to lay a State road from the branch of Mad River in Champaign County, via Piqua and Greenville to the State line. This was located on the track of the former road, and the difficulty was thus finally settled.

J. S. Patterson, of Berlin Heights, Huron County, in an article to the Ohio Farmer, written in 1870, said : Who would have thought thirty-seven years ago, when the writer first saw old Darke County.' that it would ever stand foremost among the counties of State for its road enterprise. Why the county should have surpassed every other in the State in this regard, I am unable to explain. It may be accounted for on the theory of extremes—the roads were very bad, they are very good. Perhaps the people thrown upon their own resources pushed their way in this direction. It is certain that the pike business became in time a local epidemic. The many rival stations fostered a spirit of rivalry. A condition of things that favored the enterprise of turnpike construction was the tendency of the people to invest in what promised to be a permanent improvement. Whatever may be the explanation, the Secretary's report for 1868 puts down 393 miles of turnpike roads for Darke County ; Warren follows with 224 ; Clermont and Wood. 200 each ; Hamilton, 195 ; Montgomery, 152 ; Champaign, 136 ; Greene, 117 ; Butler 112, etc.

Of course, the burden of taxation is heavy and not every farmer is in condition to pay $4 an acre road tax. Some were obliged to sell off land to enable them to meet assessments, but hard as it was, even such gained in the end by the

rise in local values. It is quite a general feeling among the people that they have taken too much upon their hands at once. And as wheat is their staple product, the county ranking fifth in the State, the low price at which their surplus will probably have to be sold, may operate somewhat discouragingly ; but the resources of the county are abundant, and the people will no doubt come out all right, and all the better for their excellent system of roads. Parts of the county with which I was perfectly familiar ten years ago, I did not recognize when passing through them last summer." There are now over 700 miles of turnpike in Darke County, and several short roads are building. The writer of the above was correct in supposing that the outcome of this special enterprise would be favorable even to those most heavily taxed. for so it has proven. Within an area of 600 square miles there are just about 200 piked roads and-part of roads, having a separate name. To merely enumerate them would be a task ; to state their individual history would require almost a volume. The first one was built from Greenville to Gettysburg in 1853. It was then, and is still a toll pike. All the others are free. The turnpikes of this county are estimated by competent authority to have cost in the aggregate just about $1.500,000. The lines radiating from Greenville, as seen on the map, resemble somewhat the radiating lines of a spider's web, while the connecting cross roads complete the ideal comparison. Railroads began to exercise their powerful influence in this section about thirty years ago. The pioneer road of this county was known as the Dayton & Union Railroad. The company was chartered Feb. 26. 1846, as the Greenville & Miami Railroad Company," for the construction of a railroad from the town of Greenville to any point on the Dayton & Western Railroad, or any point on the Miami or Miami Extension Canal, which the Directors might determine. The incorporators were Daniel R. Davis, Hiram Bell, William M. Wilson. Rufus Kilpatrick, John Colville, George Ward, John McClure, Jr., John C. Potter, Erastus Putnam, Alfred Kitchen, James Hanaway, Henry Arnold, W. B. Beall, I. N. Gard. Abraham Scribner, Russell Evans, John C. Shepherd. Adam Baker, Abraham Studabaker, Charles Hutchins, Joseph Ford and Solomon Riffle, of Darke County ; Gen. H. Bell was the first President ; Henry Arnold. Esq.. first Treasurer ; and Hon. William M. Wilson, the first Secretary. The capital stock of the company was $200,000, divided into shares of $50 each. At the expiration of a year, Dr. I. N. Gard was elected President, succeeded by David Studabaker. During 1S4S. the enterprise was first fully presented to the people of the county for their support. Among those most active in forwarding the undertaking, not only to obtain a favorable vote, but to secure means to do the necessary preliminary work, were Dr. Gard, Judge Wilson, Gen. Bell, Mr. Studabaker, Mr. Kitchen and Maj. Davis. There was then but little money in the county ; the largest subscriptions that could be obtained were $500, and there were but eight of ten of these.

On January 5, 1848, an act was passed by the Legislature, authorizing the Commissioners of Darke County to purchase stock in the G. & M. It. It. Company to any amount not to exceed $50,000, provided a majority of the voters of the county were in favor thereof. On the first Monday of April, the proposition to aid was carried by a majority of 637 votes, and on the 13th, the Commissioners subscribed the maximum amount in aid of the road. August 21, the Auditor was authorized to issue an order on the Treasurer for $110 to, pay for the sirvey of the road. February 2, 1849, the Town Council of Greenville was in like manner empowered to subscribe thereto any amount not exceeding $10,000. Judge Wilson continued Secretary of the company from organization to about 1850, that is, during the preliminary work of the company. In 1850, a new organization was effected, with E. B. Taylor as President, and an act was passed authorizing the county and town to sell any or all stock to said company, or any other formed to extend the railroad from Greenville to the State line. Mr. Taylor went to New York, negotiated a loan of $150,000, bought iron and other necessaries to equipment. In July, 1850, the first locomotive intended to be used for laying the track

of the road from Dayton to Greenville, arrived at Dayton. It was brought from the establishment of Swinburn, Smith & Co., of Patterson. N. J.. and weighed fourteen tons. The first installment of iron was shipped from New York for Dayton on the 26th of June. The residue of the iron was then on the way from Liverpool to New York. It was of the T pattern, and weighed about nineteen pounds to the square foot. The bridge across the Miami River at Dayton was completed and intended for use by three roads, the others being the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton, and the Dayton & Western. The contract for laying the track was let to A. De Graff. The depot and other buildings were placed under contract, and all the work systematically pushed forward. Two additional locomotives, weighing eighteen tons each, were contracted for delivery, one in August, the other in October. Two passenger cars were constructed at Dayton. in the establishment of Thresher, Packard & Co. The "burthen". cars were manufactured at the Greenville foundry and machine-shops of Messrs. Edmonson & Evans, and Taylor Brothers. The grain crop of 1851 was unprecedentedly large, and the road was expected to highly benefit all interests. whether farming, mechanical, mercantile or commercial. It was stated at the time that this event " was an important epoch in Darke County history," and such it has since proved to have been. It enhanced values and facilitated communication. It was noted that " the running time between Greenville and Dayton will be less than one hour and a half, and the distance may be performed with perfect safety in less than one hour." On February 19, 1851, De Graff started out from Dayton with a train to be used for track laying. The train was platform cars with houses built on them—three for sleeping-rooms, one for dining and one for a kitchen. The job of laying the iron was in charge of John Horrien. On Mar 25. the main track of the road was finished to the depot buildings, and a meeting was called to arrange for a celebration of the event. The event duly honored, was marked by a large crowd, and made memorable by an event at Greenville. on part of the roughs. The Board of Directors, at a meeting held at Dayton August 30, 1553. declared a 10 per cent dividend from the earnings of the road, from January 1 to September 1. This dividend was declared after deducting expense of repairs, running, interest and other expenses, and there remained a reserve fund of $5.000. The receipts for August were for passengers, $6.261 ; transportation. $4.215 ; mail. $333 ; total, nearly $11,000. The cost of the road was about $550.000. Outstanding bonds, $341,000, and the liberal dividend to stockholders created an enthusiasm which greatly facilitated the induction and completion of the road to Union. and of other roads constructed through the county. Mr. Taylor continued to be President of the road until July, 1855. when he resigned. Meantime. the company had been authorized by the Legislature to extend the railroad to the Indiana State line, by such route as the Directors might select. within the county of Darke." and the act had been accepted by resolution of the Board of Directors as an amendment to the charter of the company. The road was built through to Union City three years after its completion to Greenville, that is. in 1853. When President Taylor resigned, the road went into the hands of the bondholders, by whom it was operated. At length, suit was brought for foreclosure of the mortgage August, 1861, but a plan of re-organization and capitalization of stock and debt was agreed upon, and the road was sold October 30. 1862, to H. C. Stimson and S. J. Tilden for $1,000, subject to the mortgage of $150,000. In 1855. Judge Wilson. Secretary, resigned, and the chief office was removed to Dayton. All control of the road passed from the citizens of the county that year.

In the summer of 1854, the road was completed from Dodson to Dayton, and the company continued to operate the entire line from Dayton to Union City until April, 1863, when, in accordance with an agreement on .January 19, prevb sly the joint use of the track of the Dayton & Western Railroad Company, from Day. ton to Dobson (fifteen miles), was secured, between which points each company ha(' a line of road running nearly parallel. By this agreement, the company was enabled

to take up and dispose of the iron between Dayton and Dobson. January 19, 1863, the company was re-organized, under the name of the Dayton & Union. Railroad Company. When the road was opened for business, in 1850, land along its line- might have been bought for $5 per acre ; it has since been sold for $100 per acre. The country was wet, and water stood in the woods and clearings along the track for months at a time. This is now drained amble and valuable. Then, about Arcanum, houses were to be seen at long intervals ; now fine farm houses dot the landscape in all directions. Arrangements are now in progress to relay the old track, and annul the agreement for the joint use of the Dayton & Western rails.

When the road was first opened, a single train—mixed passenger and freight —ran during the day. R. A. Knox was the first conductor on the road. The first engineer was Mr. Johnson. The first freight and passenger agent was Daniel R. Davis, who, on leaving Greenville, took charge of the station at Dayton. The passenger receipts for 1879, on the Dayton & Union Railroad, were $7,578.85 ; freight receipts, $13,165.09 ; freight forwarded, $10,882.99. Of officers, James McDaniel is President ; C. C. Gale, Superintendent ; John L. Miller, General Ticket Agent, and Charles E. Miller, General Freight Agent.

The Columbus, Piqua & Indiana Railroad, extending across the county in a direct line from Bradford to Union City, was begun within the limits of Darke County in 1852, and the grading completed, or nearly so, during that and the following year. In 1854, the work ceased, the company being much embarrassed in regard to finances. In 1858, the enterprise was again carried forward, and track laying was begun. The completion of the work of laying the iron was effected about the middle of March, 1859. By the last of April, trains were running regularly from Columbus to Union City, making close connections with trains from the west. R. Walkup was Superintendent ; L. Purcell, conductor. Judge Mitchell was President until the road was leased to the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railway Company, and he was succeeded by Mr. Smith. William Wilson and John C. Potter, of Darke County, with others from Miami, Champaign, Madison and Franklin Counties, were the corporators. The capital stock was $2,000,000. The road, running from Bradford somewhat north of west, crosses Adams Township, the northern part of Greenville, and crosses Jackson to the State Line at Union City. Intermediate stations are Bradford, Horatio, Stelvideo, Pikeville and Woodington.

The Cincinnati & Mackinaw Railroad was graded but never completed ; its history is quite interesting in this connection. In May, 1853, the subject of building this road began to be agitated. A large meeting was held at Van Wert on the 27th of May. An enthusiastic meeting was held in Greenville on June 25, and a committee of fourteen was appointed to attend a meeting to be held at Van Wert July 9. Meetings were also held at New Castine and other points on the line of the proposed road. Survey commenced early in August, and, later in the month, Moses Hart, Esq., had been duly authorized to take subscriptions to the stock of the road, and books were opened at his store in Greenville. Later still, a meeting of incorporators was held at Greenville, and the project so far gained favor that, by October 19, $200,000 had been subscribed, and, an election, being held, William Gunkle was chosen President, and the Directors were William Gunkle, C. G. Espich, J. L. Winner, I. W. Riley, I. W. Kirk, P. De Puy and R. Thisbee. The final report of the survey gave the distance from Greenville to the State line, on the route proposed, as 111 miles, with but three-fourths of a mile curved line in the whole distance. No grade exceeded twenty-five feet to the mile. The cost of building was less than $17,500 per mile. The entire line, from the Straits of Mackinaw to Cincinnati, was 500 miles, of which about one-fifth was completed. In 1853, Mr. Taylor became Director, vice Dr. Espich. A year later, the hopes of the company were placed in the prospective grant of land, while pressure in the money market delayed the prosecution of the work. The Directors did not despair, but, from time to time, held meetings to compare notes, view reports of engineer and

general agent, and to determine upon the location of that portion of the line lying between Greenville and Celina—two lines having been run in Darke County—and encouragement was given by a Congressional grant of above a million acres of land to aid in the construction of the northern part of the line. A meeting was held April 21, 1S5S. at Greenville. to examine bids heretofore received for the work between that city and Celina : distance. thirty-two miles. Alfred Kitchen, of Darke, was appointed to superintend the construction, and J. W. Frizzel was chosen Secretary. On June 2, the Directors held a three-days meeting, in the course of which fifteen miles of road were placed under contract, and the trestle and culvert work of the entire thirty-two miles. Mr. Pomeroy was chosen engineer; vice Col. Frink, resigned. The remaining seventeen miles were resurveyed. with a view of important alterations. In the spring of 1 S59, negotiations were attempted in Europe for the sale of bonds, without success, and the enterprise was abandoned for want of means, after a large portion of the grading had been done, thus adding in this locality one more to the many failures of the times.

The Cincinnati. Columbus & Indiana Central Railroad.—The Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad Company operates two lines through Darke County— the old Columbus, Piqua & Indianapolis. and the first division of the Columbus & Indianapolis Central. In 1861. what was called the Richmond & Covington Railroad Company was organized for the purpose of making a road through Bradford. on Columbus, Piqua and Indianapolis Railroad, to Richmond, Ind., to connect with the Indiana Central Railroad. It was built during the years 1862-63, and trains began to run in the fall of the latter year. An advantage in construction of the road was the grand ridges abounding in the best of material for ballasting the road. Money was liberally subscribed to pay for necessary surveys. The estimate for building the road and placing it in running order was placed at $7,000 per mile. To construct the entire route would cost about $210,000, and Darke County was asked for $25,000. A. Price, contractor, began work June 9. In February, 1863, the Greenville Journal, says : " The work upon the Richmond & Covington Railroad is progressing very rapidly. In the hands of such men as E. Baker, the Careys, P. Pomeroy and Tom Waring, there is no such thing as failure." Evan Baker, of Greenville, was President of the road from the time of its organization, until near its completion, when E. B. Smith, of Columbus, was elected President of this road and also of the Columbus, Piqua & Indianapolis Railroad, at which time he perfected a running arrangement with the Indiana Central. The owners of that line subsequently bought the stock of the Richmond & Covington Railroad, got control of the stock of the Indiana Central Railroad. which embraced the entire line. Subsequently, this company purchased the Chicago Air Line, and the name " Cincinnati, Columbus & Indiana Central Railroad." was adopted. This company is now the owner of the road, including the branch from Bradford to Richmond. In January, 1869, the Cincinnati. Columbus & Indiana Central Railway, made a permanent lease of its line to the Pittsburgh. Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, by which it is now being operated. The following is an exhibit of the passenger receipts at the Greenville station, for the year 1879, $9,188. Total for the year of freight was $17,923.67 total receipts. $27,011.67.

An adjunct of the railroad, and a convenience especially to the business man, is the telegraph, which is in use here as elsewhere. About 1870, the Pacific & Atlantic Telegraph Company owned the line on the Dayton & Union road, and the Western Union had charge of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis line ; the latter had its office at the lower depot. Postmaster Stevenson was at that time Manager of the Pacific & Atlantic, although not an operator. The two companies were consolidated, and the uptown office was established. This consolidation was perfected in December. 1873. when Jacob F. Martin was appointed manager or the Western Union, which had absorbed the Pacific & Atlantic line. He continued manager until July 2. 1876. Then L. Smith. of Urbana. Ohio, was appointed

local manager. and held this position until May 20, 1879. at which time .John L. Garber. took charge. and is still in office. There are two lines on the road from Bradford to Richmond—one wire is exclusively used in the transaction of railroad business, the other transacts both railroad and commercial business. One line in the up-town office is for commercial transactions alone ; the other is used for the work of both business and railroad. The Dayton & Union Railroad has only one wire. which is used for both purposes. The line between Dayton and Union commenced working at 3 o'clock. June 28. 1854. and the office was in charge of Mr. Swayne.

A full history of banking in Ohio is not expected, yet, prefatory to the record of these indispensable institutions in Darke County, it will prove of interest to learn of the initiatory steps toward bank organization in the State.

The bank is a help to commerce. Managed with fidelity, its notes are more eenvenient than specie, and its vaults are more secure than the receptacles of private dwellings. As it facilitates exchange. renders possible great undertakings and accotnodates the necessities of business men, it has met a patronage that has repeatedly been used to defraud the people by dishonesty and by excessive circulation.

The State endeavors to protect the people, and her Legislature. from time to time. frames acts regulating the conduct of banking. Several times, prior to the civil war. specie payments had been suspended in Ohio, but the interval from 1Si;1 to 1S79 has been a period so protracted that the recent disbursements of gold and silver are a novelty to the generation accustomed to fractional currency. greenbacks and national bank notes.

“Wild-cat” banks were long a feature in the Western country, and bank issues were held at more or less a discount, which increased in geometriizoper- tion as the distance increased from the location of the institution that iss .hem. Bank-note reporters lay upon the counters, each bill was duly examined.Wd the Ilurtuations of value were noted and enforced with each new report.

This was all changed by the war. The exigencies of the times created the national system. still in vogue, by which bonds of the Government, purchased by an association, are deposited with the Treasurer of the United States for security. and 90 per cent of their face value in national currency issued to the bank for circulation. The system has been very popular from the uniform equality in value. freedom from counterfeiting and from their absolute security ; yet there arc many people who are opposed to the plan, and opinions as to their continuance are conflicting. Whatever may be done, they tided the Government over a critical period and have been of incalculable good to the country.

The earliest bank chartered in Ohio was the Miami Exporting Company, of Cincinnati. the bill for whose incorporation passed the Legislature in April, 1803. The primary object of this association was more with a view of stimulating and aiding business. then languishing. than to do regular banking work, and it was not until 1808 that the first bank devoted to commercial interests was established. It was located at Marietta. and bore the name of the place. At the same session during which this charter was given, Mr. Worthington reported upon a proposition to found a State bank, and, as a result of this legislation, the- Bank of Chillicothe was subsequently established.

Charters were severally granted to similar institutions till 1816, when a banking law was passed which incorporated twelve new banks, continued existing charters. and made the State. without outlay, a party to the profits and capital thus created and continued. The plan was as follows : " Each new bank was, at the outset. to set apart one share in twenty-five for the State, without payment, and each Bank whose charter was renewed was to create for the State stock in the saute proportion : each bank. new and old, was yearly to set apart out of its profits

a stun which would make. at the time the charter expired. a sum equal to one- twenty-fifth of the whole stock. which was to belong to the State : and the dividends coming to the State were to be invested and re-invested until one-sixth of the stock was State property. This last provision was made subject to change. if found desirable. The State's interest in her banks continued until 1825. when an amendment changed the stock into a 2 per cent tax upon all dividends up to that date. and 4 per cent upon those made afterward. Outlier change was made till March. 1831. when the tax was augmented to a per cent. In 1839. a law was enacted by which Bank Commissioners were appointment to make regular examinations of the various hanks and to report upon their condition. This was unpopular with bankers. and was opposed by some of them. and the result was considerable discussion. both within and without the Legislature. A new system of banking was adopted in 1845, which included the State Bank. its branches and independent banks. It was not until 1853. that Darke County began to realize the benefits accruing from the establishment of a local banking office. Prior to this date. loans were frequently negotiated between persons. amounting. in aggregate to considerable sums. Two or three citizens of Greenville whose names have eve, since been locally prominent in financial transactions. were engaged in private brokerage in a limited degree. hut. with the development of the country and the .growth of the town. there was a growing demand. if not all urgent itecessity. regular accommodations in the interests of trade.

The Farmers’ Bank, a personal or partnership institution. was organized October. 1853. by Messrs. J. W. Frizzel and J. L. Winner. with what. at that time. was a very respectable capital of $30,000. The bank was honored hy the popular confidence. and was considered reliable : and the fact that it passed easily and triumphantly through the crucial period culminating in the disasters of 1857 and 1861. proved that the high estimation in which it was held was merited. In 'lay. 1865. the bank was re-organized. by the original proprietors. into a national. It may be remarked. at this time. that. previous to going into banking. Mr. Frizzel was clerk of the Court of Common Pleas. had practiced law. am1 had taught school. He had at one period been the preceptor of a military school and his partner. Mr. Winner. had for several years. subsequent to 1836. engaged in hotel-keeping. in a building which stood on the present site of the Kipp drug store.

The Farmers’ National Bank, originating from the Farmers, was organized April 3, 1865. with a capital of @84,000. Washington A. Weston was it first President. and John L. Winner its first Cashier. The first directors were W. A. Weston. J. L. Winner. H. W. Emerson. G. W. Studabaker and J. W. Frizzel. The following are the changes that have taken place in its officers: On the 9^th of January. 1866. J. Pitsenberger and J. C. McKernev were elected Directors. in place of G. W. Studahaker and J. W. Frizzel : J. L. Winner was Cashier. and T. S. Waring was Teller. On the 29th of May. 1566. E,lisha Dawes was appointed Director. in the place of J. C. McKerney. and. January 8. 1867, G. W. Studahaker was chosen to succeed E. Dawes. T. S. Waring was math, Assistant Cashier January 10. 1871. and was elected Cashier April 7, 1873. and T. E. Clark. Teller. at the same time. Mr. Waring superseded Mr. Winner as Director. On January 13. 1875. George D. Farrar was appointed to succeed Mr. Clark as Teller. May 11. 1876. J. L. Weston was chosen Direttor. vice W. A. Weston. deceased, and H. W. Emerson was elected President. On the 8th of January. 1878, C. M. Anderson took position as Director, in place of H. W. Emerson. deceased. and G. W. Studabaker was elected President. January 14. 1879. F. McWhinnev and Noah Arnold were chosen Directors, in place of J. Pitsenberger. deceased. and J. L. Weston. This old, well-known and firmly established hank has earned and receives a party, heavy support from farmers and business men. and sustains a first-class reputation for sterling business capacity. The office is located at No. 66. near the public square. on Broadway. in Greenville.

The Exchange Book was the next one organized in Greenville, and held a meeting for the purpose of starting a financial institution. on the 11th of January, 1869 Frank McWhinney was the originator and proprietor. J. M. Landsdowne was appointed Cashier, and business begun. April 1. 1873. Mr. McWhinney sold to John L. Winner, who is the present owner. From the opening of the bank. the same building has been occupied—the one which stands on the southeast corner of Broadway and the public square. Previous to entering upon banking, Mr. MeWhinney had been a merchant at El Dorado. Ohio. From that place he had gone to Madison, and engaged in merchandising and dealing in grain, while acting, also, as railroad agent.

The Bank of Greenville was organized February 22. 1876. by Messrs. Allen Co., proprietors. with a capital stock of s200.000. the stockholders being held individually liable. The officers chosen were John Hittingle, President : Judge William Allen. Vice President. and I,. I,. Bell. Cashier. The Directors are John Hufnagle, Judge James J. Meeker. John Devor. Esq.. and L. L. Bell. This bank always made good all its promises, and issued exchange every day. as called for, through the stringent times of 1877. There have been no changes in the officiary. Messrs. Hufnagle. Bell and Meeker are among the largest owners of real estate in Darke County. Mr. Hufnagle had been discounting for about forty years previous to the organization of the Greenville Bank. and L. L. Bell had been a broker and insurance agent for some years. Judge Allen was a practicing attorney. and had been a member of Congress four years. All the officers of the bank are old residents of Greenville. except Mr. Bell. and he has been here twelve years. The bank was first organized for three years. at the expiration of which time the charter was renewed. and has been continued until the present time. The bank building is one of the best in the city. having been built for banking purposes expressly. It stands on the northwest corner of Broadway :mil Fourth streets.

The publication of newspapers from insignificant beginnings has become a most formidable and powerful agency in forming the people, molding public opinion and exposing wrong-doing. The press has shown constant growth in the number of papers issued, in their character, size and composition. Allied with the telegraph, it has become the myriad-tongued voice of all peoples. It has enlarged the field of thought, imparted intelligence and stimulated enterprise. whether national in the construction of mountain tunnel. isthmus canal and overland railway, or local in the building of turnpikes. the drainage of land and improvement of towns. Preliminary to a brief history of the press of Dnrke County, a few facts of earlier record will be perused with general interest. The first press. we are told, was but a news bulletin. The first English newspaper was published in 1558, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. and was in manuscript.

The first paper printed, was entitled the Politicus Mercury, and was started or Political Mercury, and was started during the reign of Charles I. in 1631. and continued through Cromwell's time. In 1775, there were in the United States 37 papers published. In 1810, the number was 358. In 1840, 2.000, and in 1850, 2,500. The latter increase-has kept pace with-the progress of events. and the problem of the greatest amount of news within the shortest time, with the minimum cost. seems to have reached a solution. The history of the press of Darke County is not unlike that of a thousand others. Short-lived ventures have sprung up like mushrooms and as suddenly expired. The stanch, well-known journals of the present, edited by experienced journalists, are a moral, educational and political power to which. perhaps unconsciously, the county owes much of its reputation for enterprise and intelligence.

The first paper in the county of Darke, was printed and published by E. Donnellan. and was entitled, the Western Statesman and Greenville Courier. The

initial number was issued on June 25. 1832. Its terms in brief, were as follows : " The Western Stateman and Greenville Courier is printed weekly on a super-royal sheet. The price is per year, but may be discharged by payment of $2 in advance. or $2.50 within the year. Copies of the pioneer paper are rarities, yet No. 16, Vol. 1, owned by M. L. Hamilton, of Greenville, furnishes an opportunity of making known the contents of a paper of half a century ago. Extracts are made from the Detroit Journal. New Hampshire Gazette. National intelligences and the Boston Patriot. The war with the Sacs and Foxes. led by Black Hawk. was near its close. An overwhelming force under Gen. Dodge. following the Indians. gave them no rest, and dead bodies found on the trail were emaciated by starvation. Cures for cholera are given. A. Stober. tailor. advertises his place of business one door south of the jail. and John Briggs desires payment on the principle, "frequent settlements make lasting friendships.- and such as do not respond are threatened with the law. Announcements as candidates for the offices of Auditor. Assessor, Representative and Clerk, were made by Hiram Bell. Esq.. Col. M. J. Purviance. M. P. Baskersville and Dennis Hart. respectively. William Brady calls attention to blacksmithing, John Curtis is silversmith and jeweler, and H. Bell is real-estate agent.

The Greenville .Journal may be regarded as a continuation of the paper above noted. later changed in name to Journal, since which time it has enjoyed an uninterrupted publication, although changing owners and publishers many times during the first twenty years of its existence. The paper began to be published on April 19, 1850. under the management of E. B. Taylor and J. G. Reese. The proprietors advocated Whig principles, and had for their motto : "Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable.” The strength of political parties in the county at this time is shown by the result of the fall elections of 1849 and 1850. In the former year, the Whig vote for Representative was 1,670. while the vote of the Loco-focos was 1,519. Both parties did not come out in full strength in 1850. but but the higs were the dominant party in the county by a small majority. On June 1851, partnership was dissolved and Mr. Taylor for the time retired, having been connected with the paper under other names for seven years, and beginning with a list of 150 subscribers in 1844. 3I. B. Reese became a partner April 29, 1852, and the Journal was edited and published by J. G. & M. B. Reese. Much space was taken by the publication of laws of Ohio in many numbers. In politics, the Whigs were stated to be " willing to stand by the compromise measure, but no steps further." Unwilling to keep up the agitation about slavery, the fugitive-slave law was obeyed but disliked as unjust. The North did not want an influx of negroes, and acquiesced in the act. while its moral influence South was immense. July 1, 1853, the Journal changed its name temporarily to The Mad Anthony, with frontier scene for heading, and taking as its motto, "Devoted to the propagation of truth and the elevation of the masses."

In the early part of 1860, the Journal was purchased from E. B. Taylor, to whom it had passed from the hands of Messrs, Reese. by Messrs. E. W. Otwell and James M. Craig, who took possession of the same on the 14th day of March, 1860, and published it under the firm name of E. W. Otwell & Co. When these gentlemen acquired the paper, they found a meager list of subscribers ; its circulation of bona fide subscribers did not exceed one hundred and fifty. It was then a seven-column folio. Under the new management numerous subscriptions were received, rapidly extending its influence, and the columns became much more readable and the paper increased in value as a family newspaper. The Presidential campaign which resulted in the election of Abraham Lincoln occurred in the summer and fall of 1860. In this political contest, which resulted in the triumph of the Republican party, the Journal was a stanch party organ, and has al -vs stood firm and unshaken in its advocacy of the principles of its party. In April. 1861, when the war of the rebellion was commenced, and during the few years following, the times were trying for the existence of the paper. In clue time,

however. it weathered the storms incident to the times, and gained, as the years succeeded. in favor among the people of the county.

On the 14th of December, 1869. the Journal again experienced a change in ownership. by the sale by Mr. Craig of his interest to E. W. Otwell, his partner, who then became the sole owner. publisher and editor, which he has continued to be from that time to the present.

On the 8th day of August. 1873. the Journal was enlarged to a nine-column folio, making it. at that time. the largest paper published in the county. In this shape and size it remained until 1879, when, on August 28. it was enlarged to the proportions of a seven-column quarto, making it again the largest newspaper then published in the county. and containing the greatest quantity of reading matter. On the 1st of September. 1879, E. W. Otwell entered the law office of Judge William Allen. and turned over the publication of the Journal to his son Curt Otwell. In April, 1880. the paper is prosperous, influential, and has a circulation of 1.176, with prospects of a steady increase in the number of its readers.

The Democratic Herald was started at Greenville, Ohio. in April. 1847. Previous to this date, the Democratic party in Darke had been without a home paper, the best and only paper in the interest of the party having been published about 1830, by C. B. Floyd. now of Columbus, and known' widely as the veteran editor of the State. The Herald was published by Messrs. Mehaffey & Adams. and took for its motto. " The sovereignty of the people, the rights of the States. and a light and simple government. Its name and motto indicate its principles. James Mehaffey had expected before the end of the first year to become sole proprietor, and to renew the publication in the second volume as the Glen Democrat. "augmented in reading matter and sound in politics;" but the project failed. and instead he sold his interest to William Allen, Esq., who, in connection with Thomas Adams, conducted the paper as the Greenville Telegraph. Allen was then acting as Prosecuting Attorney. Both men were high in popular estimation. persons of integrity and sound Democrats. They asked a fair chance, declaring that they” will condemn no man because he honestly possesses' political principles differing from theirs." In June, 1851, Adams sold his interest, and was succeeded by Dr. J. L. Sorber. who conducted the paper until the fall of 1852, when Rufus Putnam became the proprietor. The paper rapidly changed ownership and name. being by Putnam entitled the Mad Anthony, under which title it was issued until the summer of 1854. With the Know-Nothing excitement, young Putnam removed the press to Union City, Ind., where he started a paper in the interest of the American party. as it was called, in the fall of the same year.

In the fall of 1854. leading Democrats of the county raised a small sum by subscription. and Messrs. William Allen and Thomas Perry went to Cincinnati, and haying purchased new press and metal, Mr. Perry was made the publisher of what was entitled the Greenville Eagle. But he suffered so many indignities at the hands of Know-Nothings. that at the end of six months he left in disgust, and the office was closed for a number of months. In the spring of 1855, A. G. Clark came from Hamilton to Greenville, and commenced the publication of the Darke County Democrat. At the end of a year or more, in July, 1856, Mr. Clark was superseded by Henry Miller, and the office was located over Messrs. Weston & Ullery’s hardware store, on the corner of Broadway and Third street. Mr. Miller took for his motto : " Truth crushed to earth will rise again ; the eternal years of God are hers :" and continued steadily to edit and publish the paper until March 20. 1861. when his connection ceased and his place was taken by Messrs. J. B. Price and George D. Farrar. Mr. Miller had been appointed Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in the place of Dr. W. C. Porterfield, deceased. The county which had been Whig till 1857, changed over during that year, and the Democracy succeeded in electing their entire county ticket, as they have done ever since. It was due to Mr. Miller that under him the Democrat was established on a permanent basis. Price conducted the publication until the

winter of 1863-64. when a number of soldiers at home on furlough sacked the office and threw the metal into the street. Subsequently other parties procured an interest in what was left of the concern. and removed the office from the Weston building to Mechanics. building. where the paper was once more published. In a short time the paper was again sold to Messrs. McKay & Kinder, who continued the publication until their interest was purchase(', by Charles Roland. who removed to Greenville from Lancaster in 1Stiti. Mr. Roland became proprietor and editor. and has continued to publish the paper to this date. and is in receipt of good success and hearty support—the appreciation paid by the public to acknowledged merit.

The Greenville Sunday Courier was started May 22. 1875. by George W. Calderwood. and December 10. 1876. A. R. Calderwocid assumed editorial control and the paper was published by the firm of Calderwood & Studabaker. The office is in the third story of the Hart & Wilson New Block. on the corner of Third street and Broadway. It advocates Republican doctrines and has a growing circulation. Its prospectus opened with the following.: “The Sunday Courier live; a life of happiness and so will its readers. Consumptive men, on the verge of the grave, have recovered and are live and active men because they read it. Poverty cursed individuals, almost at the door of the almshouse. have picked it up and saved themselves a life of wretchedness and woe. Statesmen have been brought from obscurity and elevated to position from casual glances over its columns.”

The American Prohibitionist was published for a time by George Calderwood. and, after a few months, was removed to Columbus. Its brief career in Greenville was promising. It waged an uncompromising war on saloons and gained rapidly in circulation. It was published at the office of the Daily Gazette started in 1879 by the same publisher, Mr. Calderwood.

It is surprising how transitory is the existence of a newspaper ; it is the creation and has the existence of a day. There are no complete files of Darke County papers to be found. and their value is not realized till the time to use them is at hand. The present publishers of Darke County are men of experience. prominence and means ; they are all persons of sterling principles. and few counties can boast of more energetic workers.

In the early history of Darke County the schools were mainly supported by the individual contributions of the parents sending their children. The wages of teachers were low, averaging from $9 to $12 per month. The public fund received by each township was derived from Section 16, which was spoken of as the " school section.” It was finally sold. the purchase money paid to the State Treasurer. and the interest on the same is still divided among the several school districts in the townships. The educational interests of the county have always received that attention from the people that their importance seemed to demand. Often, when the farmer had done his day's work. he would attend the evening school, organized by private enterprise. and not only become a student himself. but by his presence and influence encourage the children and youth to renewed diligence in acquiring even a limited education. Among the early teachers of the county we will mention Rev. Mr. Swallow. who preached in different localities, and at the same time taught grammar schools wherever he could collect a class. But grammar was. a step in advance of the requirements of the teacher of the day school, who was only required to teach reading. writimr. and arithmetic to the single rule of three.- We can certainly notice a contrast between the requirements of the teacher then and now. Henry D. Williams taught in 1830 and 1833. and afterward became County Treasurer. Dow Roll. Mrs. McIntyre. John Townsend And Noah Arnold were among the pioneer teachers of the county. and did efficient work in the schoolroom. Schools were held about three months. and were supported by the income of Section 16. fines and individual contributions. until the

present financial school-law went into operation. But fines only yielded a small sum, the proceeds of Section 16 were small. when apportioned among the several schools of the township: money was scarce and difficult to obtain. either by labor or produce. for there was but little demand for either, and had it not been for the low wages of teaching, schools could not have been continued for three months. The first schoolhouses in the county were rude structures, built of round logs. covered by clapboards. held in their places by poles laid upon them. The writing desks were generally slabs. laid upon pins driven in holes bored in the wall, while the seats were rude benches made of slabs. with two holes bored in each end, into which the legs were driven. The floors were also made of puncheon, dressed on one side. and the writer remembers that the second house in which lie taught had only a part of the floor thus made, while the other part was the ground leveled off to correspond with the puncheons, and ground-squirrels and rats would frequently come out of their holes. during school hours, and run across the floor, to the no small amusement of the pupils.

In many of the schools, pupils were required to study a loud tone, and hence called a loud school. the object being to let the teacher know they were engaged upon their lessons, and not in mischief. Classes in arithmetic and writing were never formed. but each pupil " ciphered away at will," and received personal assistance from the teacher when the same was needed. Writing was taught by the teacher " setting the copy:" and the pupil trying to imitate the same. The "quill pen " was used by the pupil. and the “ master " was expected to make the pen. and mend the same when the pupil thought it unfit for use. The custom of barring out., teacher, and compelling him to " treat." about the holidays, was indulged in by the pupils as a general custom. and sanctioned by the parents ; but this relic of barbarism has almost entirely disappeared from our schools. Until the present school law went into operation. there were two County School Examiners. who examined applicants for certificates to teach school, at any time they were called upon. the fee being fifty cents. and the grade of qualification necessarily low. compared with the qualifications during the past twenty years: Among the early Examiners, we may mention John Beers, Dr. J. Briggs, C. F. Dempsey, J. R. Knox and A. L. Northrop : the latter also taught school in 1844, and claims that he first taught mental arithmetic in the schools under his charge. He afterward became County Auditor. and has ever been a warm friend of education. and a firm supporter of our common-school system. John Beers, John Wharry, J. P. Knox and William Allen were, respectively. members of the Board of Examiners until the year 1856. when C. G. Matchett. E. B. Putnam and G. H. Martz constituted the board. This board required mental arithmetic to be taught, and made it a grade of qualification for the teacher. Many applicants for certificates were rejected for incompetency ; the standard of teaching was raised, and the schools necessarily took a higher standing in education and usefulness. A vacancy occurred in the board. by the death of E. B. Putnam, and A. T. Bodle was appointed a member of the same. At the breaking-out of the. rebellion, G. Matchett raised a company of the Fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served with honor and distinction during the war, and, at its close, located, as a lawyer, in Greenville. Ohio. filled the office of Prosecuting Attorney with fidelity, and is now a prominent member of the Greenville bar. G. II. Martz followed teaching for a number of years, served four years as Treasurer of Darke County, and is now serving his third term as County School Superintendent of Greenwood County, Kan. A. T. Bodle followed the profession of teaching for a number of years. and is now a, prominent member of the Greenville bar. The first meeting of teachers was held about the year 1856, the object being the mutual exchange of views relative to the duties and responsibilities of teachers. In 1859, A. T. Bodle, L. S. B. Otwell and J. T. Martz. being then School Examiners, in connection with other teachers organized the Darke County Teachers Association. which was kept alive for some time : and. after the enactment of the law creating a teachers.

institute fund was passed, the association was re-organized, and has been kept in existence from that time to the present. J. T. Martz has been President of this association for a number of years, and, previous to March, 1879, was member of the Board of School Examiners for more than twenty successive years. He has taught a number of normal schools for teachers, in different parts of the counts. With Prof. Lang, of Gambier, Ohio, A. J. Rickoff, Superintendent of the public schools of Cleveland, Ohio, and Rev. A. L. McKinney, of Troy, Ohio. He held the first teachers' institute in the county. He has been one of the instructors of the Darke County Teachers' Institute for a number of years, and has just completed his ninth successive year as Superintendent of the Greenville Union School. The last teachers' institute enrolled 150 members, and was one of the most successful held in the county. Hon. T. W. Harvey, John Hancock. Rev. J. F. Reinmund, and other distinguished educators of the State. have been teachers and lecturers at our institutes, and they have taken front rank with like institutes in the State.

Education in the county seems to be progressive. The public schools are generally well attended, and there seems to be a desire on the part of both teacher and pupil to make all possible progress in the acquisition of knowledge. Teachers make themselves acquainted with the modern methods of teaching, and adopt the same when preferred. Graded schools have been established at the following- places, and under the control of the following Superintendents : At Bradford, D. S. Myers ; at Gettysburg. Rev. C. W. Shoate : at Versailles. J. E. Polly : at Dallas, J. S. Royer, who is also a member of the Board of Examiners at Union City,..Ohio side. B.. F. Landis is Superintendent at New Madison : Thomas Eubank, who is also a member of the Board of Examiners. at Arcanum. A goodly showing this, of nine graded schools in the county, together with 200 schoolhouses, requiring 250 teachers. It will be well in this connection to review somewhat the history of education in the State in order to understand how it has been possible to reach the present system of education in the county of Darke.

Ohio, educationally, has been a favored state. When, nearly a century ago, the Confederate Congress passed an act for the survey of Western lands, one section of each township was reserved “for the maintenance of public schools within said township." In the act for governing the Northwest Territory. passed July 13, 1787, it was provided : "Religion. morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." Later. one-thirty-sixth of the entire land of the State was given to the State in trust for the support of schools. The State constitution of 1802 provided : “Religion. morality and knowledge being essentially necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged by legislative provision, not inconsistent with the rights of conscience." Despite these provisions for education, the schools of Darke, as intimated in earlier chapters, were for many years of little moment. The law of 1821 left it to the vote of each township whether school districts should be formed. Four years later. action in this regard was changed, and Township Trustees were required to divide the township into districts. A tax for schools was levied by the county and provided a fund of about $10 for one ordinary country district.

In 1838, the first efficient law was adopted by the General Assembly. It provided that School Directors " may determine the studies to be pursued in each school, so that reading, writing and arithmetic may be taught in the English language." In 1849, teachers, in addition to examination in spelling. reading, writing and arithmetic, were required to show qualifications in geography and grammar. The present cost, condition and value of Darke. County schools mr he ascertained by a consideration of the following statistics for the year 1879 :

The balance of school money on hand September 1. 1877. was $71,982.88 ; the State tax gave $19,899. the irreducible school fund added $4,553.69 : time .

local tax for school and schoolhouse purposes gave $68,333.56 ; the amount received on sale of bonds was $940 : from other sources, $1,611.49—thus making the total receipts $167,320.62. The following were the disbursements during the same year : The amount paid teachers was—primary. $58,276.99 ; high school, $6,095—total $64.371.99 ; managing and superintending, $675 ; sites and buildings, $10.892.79 ; bond interest. $8,205.66 ; fuel and other expenses, $18,925.5:3 ; a total expenditure of $103.070.97—leaving a balance. September 1, 1878. of $64,249.65. The State received, during the fiscal year ending November 15,1878, from the county, of common-school fund, $18.586.15, and paid to the county $19,899, or an excess of $1.312.86. The number of youths between six and twenty-one was 13,175. The Section 16 school fund amounted to $5,135.92.

Darke has 20 townships. 177 subdivisions. 9 separate districts and 9 subdivisions. included in separate districts. During the year. 5 primary schoolhouses were erected in the townships, at a cost of $5,000. The value of school property is about $200,000 in townships and $130.000 in separate districts, or a total of about $330,000. There were 230 schoolrooms, requiring 231 teachers. There were employed, within the year, 186 gentlemen and 71 ladies, in primary schools ; 22 gentlemen and 24 ladies, in separate districts, or a total of 303 teachers. The number of teachers who taught the entire time the schools were in session were 154. The average wages of gentlemen, in primary township schools, was $38 ladies, $26. In separate districts—primary, $49 ; ladies. $32 ; high, gentlemen. $61. The average number of weeks' schools were in .session, was 28. 31 and 33. The local tax of townships, 1878-79, was 3.4 : separate districts. 7. The number of pupils enrolled within the year was : of boys, 4,973 ; girls. 4,161—total, 9,124 ; in primary, in townships : separate districts—primary, boys. 1.050 : girls; 958 ; high. boys. 201 girls; 197—total, 2.406 : grand total, 11,530. The average daily attendance was 6.918. the per cent, in townships. being 76, and in separate districts, 82.

The number in each branch of study is thus given : Alphabet, 1.767 ; reading. 8.988 ; spelling, 9,832 : writing, 7.826 ; arithmetic. 6.775 : geography, 2,750 ; grammar. 1,830 ; oral lessons, 2.271 ; composition, 1.05-1 : drawing, 436 ; vocal music. 1,395 ; map drawing, 373 ; history, 283 ; physiology, 28 ; physical geography, 13 ; natural philosophy, 23, and German, 145 ; algebra, 336 ; geometry. 26 : trigonometry. 11 ; surveying, 2 ; chemistry. 11 ; geology, 11 : botany,,10 ; astronomy, 1 ; book-keeping, 22.

The School Examiners of Darke, in 1879, were E. B. Leitz, J. T. Martz and E. Lockett. the last named resident of Gettysburg. Eighteen meetings were held for examination of teachers ; 368 gentlemen made application for license and 187 ladies—total. 555 ; of these 205 were rejected. Fourteen persons, all gentlemen, received license for two years ; 46 for eighteen months ; 226 for a year, the remainder for six months ; entire number licensed, 350 ; 37 per cent were rejected. The institute, held at Greenville, commenced August 19, 1878, was in session eleven days. and 160 persons were in attendance.

Thus briefly we learn of the large sums annually paid for education, the full supply of teachers, the fair wages and the increasing exactions of the people for better qualifications. The institute, the high schools and the common schools provide means for acquiring that knowledge so indispensable to the control and instruction of the young. The schools are by no means perfect, but they are progressive, and, as compared with the past, have shown surprising advance.

The local historian nowhere finds a more interesting field for research, or one more fruitful, than that which embraces the experience of the pioneers of Darke —the men who literally hewed out the county from the sturdy and unbroken forest, wherein the ax of the woodman had never before resounded ; who conquered a scanty subsistence from the unused soil which the plowshares of civilization

had never disturbed : who not only were hindered by these primitive :aid inert conditions. but positively opposed by the rigors of the climate, the malarial influences of the atmosphere, and the depredations or Wild animals : whose crops were even preyed upon by the birds of the forest and the smaller predatory animals. “peace hath her victories” and adversity and savagery combined withstood not the constant onward march of the vanguard of the grand army of civilization. whose pioneers. discharging their daily routine of duty. unwittingly recorded then deeds in history.

Desirous of the benefits of association. the following-named pioneers met in Harts Grove. July 4. 1870, and there organized the first pioneer association of Darke County. viz.: Henry Arnold. Aaron Hiller. Israel Cox. John- S. Hiller, Divid Studabaker. John Wharry. Josiah D. Elston. James Cloyd. John Martin. Robert Martin. Henry W. Emerson, John Stahl and William F. Bishop, in all thirteen. On motion. James Lloyd was elected President ; John S. Hiller, Vice President : Henry W. Emerson. Second Vice President ; John Wharry. Secretary, and H. Arnold, Treasurer. The following was the preamble to the constitution and by-laws : "We. the undersigned. citizens of Darke County. Ohio. believing it commendable to collect and preserve all the incidents and reminiscences as connected with the early settlement of our county. and to preserve them. that those who Ibllow us will. in some degree. be made acquainted with the manners, customs, difficulties, hardships and trials incident to the settlement of a wilderness county, do establish this our constitution. etc. Again. in a year and a day, the pioneers met at the same place. There was singing by Greenville people, prayer by Rev. Levi Purviance, music by Arcanum Band, address by Hon. G. V. Dorsey. of Piqua, on r Pioneers and Pioneer History.r and other music by band and choir. when there was served just such a dinner as pioneers are capable of getting : an overwhelming abundance of the best the land affords. prepared with a culinary skill and neatness peculiar to our pioneer mothers. In the afternoon. G. B. Holt and others gave voluntary addresses. then with due and appropriate ceremonies, the remains of the two Wilson girls, who had been slain by the Indians, were disinterred, buried in the Greenville Cemetery. and a suitable monument erected to commemorate them. The semi-annual meeting was held at the court house in Greenville, January 1. 1872. An address was delivered by Dr. I. N. Gard, and it abounded in historical allusions to events in the early day. It is a subject of deep regret that the addresses delivered before the association had not been written and the papers filed with the Secretary. as the subject matter, however interesting. was lost in its utterance so far as there was any benefit to posterity. A nuer was concluded by a dessert of corn-bread and milk. In the afternoon there was an •r experience meeting.- greatly enjoyed. Israel Cox presented the society with a cabin door made in 1816. of clapboards pinned together by wooden pins and hung on wooden hinges. The annual meeting was held at the fair grounds. The death of James Cloyd was formally announced. suitable resolutions were passed. the constitution was amended. and H. K. McConnell chosen Corresponding Secretary. This gentleman then delivered an address on The Early History of the County.” followed by H. W. Emerson. Dr. Gard. J. S. Hiller and others. when the roll was signed by quite a number of persons. On July 4. 1S7:1. the association met at Morning-Star Grove, Greenville. President Hiller in the chair : William Allen read the Declaration of Independence. when rain threatened and the meeting was adjourned to the court house. where addresses were delivered by Abner Haines. of Eaton. G. D. Hendricks and others. Again. January 1. 1874. the association met at Greenville and listened to a well-prepared interesting address upon. The growth of the country. its resources, and future

vote of thanks was tendered the Judge therefor. Aaron Hiller was chosen Secretary, vice Wharry resigned. A Bible presented by Mrs. J. W. Frizzell was placed in the care of the Corresponding Secretary. The constitution was amended to admit pioneer women as members, and true to the gallantry of "ye

olden times,” the membership fee was remitted. At a semi-annual session, New Year's Day. 1874, the constitution was amended to require five in place of three Vice Presidents, whereupon William Arnold and Lemuel Rush were unanimously chosen. Death was busy before the assembly on July 4. 1874. and H. Arnold, Mrs. Jane Arnold and Mrs. Nancy Gilbert were appointed a committee to draft and report suitable resolutions of condolence on the death of Mrs. Delilah A. Harper. The record at this point contains the following

Henry Arnold, Allen La .Mott, John G. Horner, Rebecca Harter, Aaron Hiller, Mary Ann La Mott, Daniel Drill, William S. Turpen, Israel Cox, John Ketring, John Mark, T. P. Turpen,

John S. lliller, Jane Hart, Noah Arnold, Michael Ritenour, David Studebaker, Sarah Jane Scribner, Mrs. Sarah Hall, Catharine Ritenour, John Wherry, J. W. Frizzell, William Lecklider, Christopher Briney, Josiah I. Elston, Adam Beam, Reynolds Morton, Mrs. Rebecca Ross,

James Cloyd, G. W. Beam, S. T. Mendenhall, Tabitha Oliver, Robert Martin, Dilman Mote, J. W. Hall, Eleanor Bechtolt, John Martin, C. M. Sharp, John V. Hiller, Lewis Wintermote,

Samuel Hine, David Craig, H. R. Calderwood, J. R. Calderwood, Joseph Cole. Jr., Asa Rush,Ezra Lecklider, Catharine Funk, J. G. Gilbert, Lemuel Rush, G. W. Earhart, Mrs. E. A. Funk, John King, S. H. Robison. Mary Lynch, . Sarah Culbertson, Harry House, Dr. E. Lynoh, Gideon Martin, Alanson Brown, Henry Tillman, James Garver, O. C. Perry, Cyrus Boyer,

John R. Knox, Geo. C. Lecklid,T. F. Chenoweth, Turnice Denice, Chas. G. Matchett, Judson Jaqua, T. H. McCune, Hannah Hunter, John M. McNeil, Mrs. Jaqua, John Westfall, D. D. Hunter, Lucy L. Ladd, Franklin Scribner, William Allen, Wesley Jay, Jane Rush, David Riffle,Asa Brady, Laurinda Jay, Samuel Bechtolt, Mrs. Mary Riffle, George Arnold, H. J. Sturgley, A. T. Bodle, Mrs. Robert Martin, John C. Arnold, John L. Winner, Mrs. C. M. H. Bodle, Mrs. Dilman Mote, Dennis Hart, Harrod Mills, James R. Brandon, David Harter, Peter Weaver, Louisa S. Mills, S. C. Baker, Win. Scott Piqua, Elias Ross, Louis B. Lott, Hannah Baker, Robert S. Ross, Isaac Funk. David P. Judy, Nancy Gilbert, Jane Wintermote, H. C. Kerr,Catharine B. Mark, Samuel Hahn, Lewis Byram, Lucinda M. Young, Joseph Bryson,

Martha Larrimore, J. M. Brady. David Brown, John Bruce, Geo. D. Miller, A. L. Wortley, Joseph Phillips, Nancy Stern, Elizabeth Miller, Wash. G. McGee, Mary Jane Craig, William Martin,

W. H. Morningstar, John L. Johns. Lydia Brown, Charles Calkins, H. W. Emerson, John Hagerman. David F. Harter, Jane Studebaker, John Stahl, John McClure, F. H. Hamer, George Arnold, William F. Bishop, Rebecca McClure. Philip Albright. Mary Arnold, William Arnold, Morris Bryson, Henry Snell, William Parent. W. S. Harper, Mary A. C. Bryson, Mary Snell,Hannah Parent, Delilah A. Harper, Mrs. Ellen Hiller, 2d, Aaron Fleming, Phoebe Brady,

Margaret B. Pixler, Mrs. Sarah Stokely, Rachel Fleming, James Marquith, Dr. I. N. Gard, Thomas Stokely, Aaron Clawson, W. H. Matchett, H. Zimmerman, William R. Young, Rachel Clawson, Jason Downing, F. T. Hamilton, Jane House. Elizabeth Fisher, Daniel Reigel, Enos C. Shade, Maria Bishop, Sarah Scribner. Lydia A. Reigel, T. H. McCune, Ruhamer Craig, R. M. Brown, Mahlon Martin. John Stephenson, Phoebe Hamilton, Jeremiah John, Philip Froebe,

Eliza S. Stephenson, Alice House, Christena Chenoweth, Elizabeth Froebe, Tracy House, Maria Lecklider. Josiah Harter, Jesse Woods —211.

On January 1, 1875, the association met in the jury-rooms of the new court house. President in the chair. Meeting was opened with prayer by L. B. Lott. The roll was completed as just given. Mr. Lott was elected Assistant Secretary. D. D. Hunter. N. Arnold and David Craig, appointed as a committee to secure a speaker. recommended the Hon. William Allen. of Greenville.

In consequence of recent rains, the place of the next meeting, on July 5, 1875, was changed from the new fair grounds to the court house. Vice President Emerson in the chair. The thanks of the association were tendered the Hon. Allen for his anniversary address.

It was ascertained that Jane Hart, Lemuel Rush, Aaron Hiller and Lewis Byram had resided in the county sixty years ; and H. W. Emerson, J. M. Brady, David Craig, Mrs. House, R. L. Ross. Peter Weaver. George Arnold and James R. Brandon each not less than fifty-five years.

H. W. Emmerson was advanced to the presidency to fill vacancy caused by death of John S. Hiller. Two Vice Presidents. William Arnold and Asa Rush, having also died, there were three vacancies in the office of Vice President, which -were filled by the appointment of Dennis Hart, David Studabaker and James R. Brandon.

On motion, Rev. T. A. Brandon was appointed to prepare a paper for the next meeting, on "Recollections of Early Life in Darke County."

August 3, 1876, the association met on the fair grounds, President in the chair. Prayer by Elder C. M. Sharp. Reports of committees received. At the afternoon session, W. S. Harper presented the " Constitution of the Darke County Library Association." which was accepted and filed. W. S. Harper read a poem entitled, "A Hundred Years Ago." George Arnold was elected Vice President, vice J. R. Brandon, deceased.

The association met in the Probate Court room July 11, 1877, and listened to an address by Emerson, relative to early settlement. 'and others spoke of the same subject, among them David Brown. eighty-six years of age.

A session was held August 3, 1877. at the city hall, Greenville. Speeches were made, and the committee on deceased members reported the demise of James R. Brandon, Hannah Hunter, L. N. Byram. Sarah Stokely, Aaron Fleming, John McClure, Adam Beam, Isaac Cox. I). P. Judy and J. Mendenhall. a heavy mortality calling away so many.

The session of July 5, 1879, was held in the Probate Court room. with President F. L. Hamilton in the chair. Following prayer, by Chaplain C. M. Sharp. Samuel Hahn and William F. Bishop were elected Vice Presidents, and Joseph Cole, Jr., Secretary. An address was delivered by G. V. Dorsey. of Piqua. Thanks were tendered and the meeting adjourned.

On June 2, 1879, the pioneers, headed by the silver cornet band, met at the city hall in Greenville, whence they proceeded with, C. G. Matchett as Marshal, to the fair ground. The association was called to order by the President, Lemuel Rush. The exercises began by reading the thirtieth Psalm and prayer by Elder T. A. Brandon, of Union City. The death of F. I,. Hamilton was reported, and the election of Thomas P. Turpen to fill vacancy caused by promotion of Mr. Rush to the presidency. A speech was made in the afternoon by A. R. Calderwood ; he was followed by Norman Sumner. of Atlanta. Ill. Mr. Sumner had settled in Darke in 1817, and had moved away about 1850. Other speeches were made, when the society adjourned.

The following are present officers : Lemuel Rush, President ; David Studabaker, First Vice President ; George Arnold. Second Vice President ; Samuel Hahn, Third Vice President ; W. F. Bishop. Fourth Vice President ; Thomas B. Turpen, Fifth Vice President ; Henry Arnold. Treasurer : W. S. Harper, Corresponding Secretary ; Joseph Cole. Jr.. Secretary ; L. B. Scott. Assistant'Secretary.

On October 28, 1879, Mr. Cole tendered his resignation as Secretary of the association. It is hoped that the future of the society may be marked by care in securing and filing reminiscences and addresses for the benefit of coming generations.

The Darke County Medical Society supplies a part of an interesting chapter. It could do more were it to have engrossed the story of labors performed. fatigue endured and unselfish efforts made to relieve suffering. Too often sacrifices were

coupled with slight prospect of remuneration, but to the honor of the profession be it said that humanitarian considerations have ever outweighed the thoughts of personal profit. Even in the fee bill of 1867, exceptions were made "in cases where charity may induce a departure therefrom." At a meeting held July 15, 1848, the physicians of Darke County assembled, called Dr. I. N. Gard to the Chair, and Dr. J. E. Matchett was chosen Secretary. It was made known that the organization of a County Medical Society was the object of the meeting and Drs. Otwell, Baskerville, Koogler, Stiles and Dorwin were appointed a committee to draft constitution and by-laws. Drs. Hostetter, Ayres, Harter, Larrimore and Matchett were chosen to draft and report a bill of prices ; and Drs. Gilpatrick, Potts, Howe and Evans a committee to report a code of laws and medical ethics. The constitution was adopted by articles seriatim., following which the constitutions and by-laws were agreed to by a unanimous vote. I. N. Gard was chosen President for the ensuing year ; R. Gilpatrick, Vice President ; A. Koogler, Recording Secretary ; 0. G. Potts, Corresponding Secretary, and Alfred Ayers, Treasurer. Drs. C. Otwell, J. M. Baskerville and R. Gilpatrick were chosen Censors. Other reports were referred back to their committees. They assembled next at Temperance Hall, Greenville, July 29, 1848. disposed of sundry matters and ordered 200 copies of the constitution printed. Twelve physicians were present. A regular meeting was held October 7, at which President Gard read his " inaugural address." Dr. Otwell read a dissertation on quackery, following which he offered the following : Resolved, That the members:of this Society discountenance the making and vending or recommending the use of any patent medicines for curing intermittent fevers." It was referred to a special committee.

Dissertations were read on April 9. 1849, by different members and placed on file. Dr. Harter was received as a member, and essayists appointed for the next session. Meetings were held at intervals and, finally, discontinued to be renewed May 16, 1855, when Dr. Gard, President, A. Ayres, Treasurer, W. H. Matchett, Secretary pro tem., and J. E. Matchett, E. Lynch, Hostetter, S. D. Hager and I. I. Larrimore were present. An election was held resulting in the choice of J. E. Matchett for President ; Hostetter. Vice President ; A. Ayres; Treasurer ; K Lynch, Recording Secretary. and I. N. Gard, Corresponding Secretary. Drs. Hager and Matchett were presented and recorded as members. Two months later, twelve members were present at a session, at which Dr. Jobes, Blunt, McCandless, Carey. Williamson and Lecklider were unanimously received into the society. A break occurring here extended to April 16, 1863. when the society convened at the office of Dr. J. E. Matchett for re-organization. Drs. John Ford, Francis Kuswick, S. K. Sour. J. P. Gordon and A. Koogler were received as members, and an election held with the result following : E. Otwell, President ; J. C. Williamson, Vice President ; E. Lynch, Secretary ; J. A. Jobes, Corresponding Secretary, and. A. Koogler, Treasurer. At the next meeting, held in Smith & Ullery's Hall, May 14. 1863, nineteen members were present. An address was read by the President, entitled Union. in its application to the Medical Profession," Drs. C. T. Evans, W. E. Hoover. James Ruby and H. W. Dorwin were received as members. Various meetings were held at which the experience of members was given, unusual cases noted, and, on July 7, 1864, Dr. Theo Luff was admitted a member. February, 9. 1865, J. E. Fackler and 0. E. Lucas became members, and Dr. Otwell resigned. From this period forward, the sessions were profitable to members, affording opportunity for comparing modes and illustrating cases. Meetings continued regularly until 1880. On May 20, 1869, E. Lynch, President, read an inaugural address. On October 6, an interesting meeting was held at which twenty-two members were present.

Personal of the Profession.—Among the early pioneers in the practice, were two men of culture and refinement—Drs. Briggs and Perrin. The former was a Vermonter ; came to Darke in 1S17 ; settled in Greenville, where, in 1847, he died. The latter practiced in Greenville, and the range of his professional calls extended

from the Whitewater to remote parts of the county. and even into Jay and Randolph, in Indiana. There were no county infirmaries. in many cases not even Township Trustees, to provide for the poor. and the Doctor had often a labor of love. Dr. Baskerville was an ornament to his profession. Among veterans. are Drs. Gard. Otwell, Lynch and the Drs. Matchett. From 1848 to 1869. fifty-four physicians were enrolled as members of the association. and seventeen of these tell before the enemy whose advance they might retard but not prevent.

The Darke County Bar Association was established in 1854. principally for the purpose of constructing and adopting a fee bill. Judge John Beers was President. The association did not continue long in existence. but the fee bill has been substantially adhered to up to this time. being recognized by the courts and the profession in the county. The spirit that led to the scale of prices was much to protect clients, as is proved by the unvaried scale of remuneration during the inflation of war times.

The Greenville Bar.—Greenville is the home of a number of good lawyers. men generally good in intention, pleadings and ability. To write the history of the bar would require a knowledge of the days of Judges Beers and Crane. William Crane, Luther Montfort, Dempsey and the like. but the brief sketches which follow will inform the reader who and what compose the bar of to-day.

In the spring of 1868. Charles Anderson. of Pennsylvania, came to Greenville. He had served during the war, taught school. read law. and being admitted to practice. demonstrated fine ability. promises well, and has one of the finest libraries in town.

William Allen was born in Butler County August 13. 1827. admitted 1849. and commenced practice in Greenville. He served two terms as Prosecutino' Attorney. and publiShed a newspaper : was a member of Thirty-sixth and Thirty- seventh Congresses. and was, by appointment. Judge of Common Pleas Court : declined a nomination fox Congress. from ill health, in 1878 ; eontrols a large practice, and is peer to any member of the bar. He is impressive in speech at the forum, and sociable at private life.

Matthew T. Allen. of Butler County, attended Otterbein University I began study of law in 1866, was admitted in 1869, and appointed Prosecuting Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Indiana. He removed to this city in 1872.

Theodore Beers was born in Darke County in 1826 : began practice at the age of twenty-six ; has of late years acted as Justice of the Peace. and is well read in law, valuable in council, and quite popular.

David Beers, also a native of the county. has practiced since 1843. At the age of sixty-three, he has the esteem of the entire bar, and is faithful to clients, litigating only from good cause shown.

Henry Calkins, now filling the office of Prosecuting Attorney for a second term, was born in Bradford County. Penn., in 1832 : was Captain of Company C. Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteers. He read law in Jersey County. Ill., in 1868 : came to Greenville in 1871.

Judge A. T. Bodle came to Darke in 1843, and for some years was a school teacher ; he was appointed Probate Judge, resumed practice of law on retiring from office, and is precise, scholarly, and a good reasoner.

M. C. Benham, of Warren County, was admitted February 1, 1876 ; his previous life having been in commercial pursuits, he -makes that branch a specialty.

L. E. Chenoweth, of Darke, served in the Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was admitted December, 1876.

J. E. Braden was born in June, 1852 : common education, attended law school at Cincinnati, and, having read law, was admitted in January, 1879.

Jacob Baker was born in 1840 : was student at Salem College, was admitted in January. 1864 ; was elected to the Legislature ; returning, he resumed. practice.

John C. Clark. Henry M. Cole, J. C. Elliott, Charles Frizzell, R. S. Frizzell, D. P. Irwin .and S. Judy are all of them lawyers who have practiced, or are in practice, the bar of this county.

Charles Calkins. native of Pennsylvania, where he was bc.rn February 1 I. 1827 ; was in the lumber trade nine years ; went to California in 1849. returned, read law, and is in practice.

John and Elijah Devor are natives of Greenville—sons of one of the original proprietors of the town. The former was admitted at Troy, in 1853 ; has served as Register in Bankruptcy, and is a man of means and enterprise. The latter has been practicing since 1871 ; has been City Solicitor : is Secretary of the Gas Company. and partner in practice with Judge Bodle.

Richard S. Dills is thirty-two years of age ; is a linguist, and has given much attention to scientific investigation ; began practice in Greenville in 1876. as partner of D. P. Cowman. deceased ; since officed with Hon. .J. Baker.

Barnabas Collins was born in Preble County May 26. 1836 ; his father. William Collins, was a lawyer and clergyman of good standing. His early life was an example of industry ; he was an indefatigable student. When fifteen years of age, Mr. Kirkham, author of a once well-known Grammar, visited Williamsport, selling his work, and, noticing Collins, sold him a book at half price. He continued as he had begun. and ultimately became one of the best-educated men of

his day ;. he was well informed in theology, as well as law, and was acquainted with other subjects outside of these professions. He settled in Randolph County, Ind., in 1831. when he married. About 1845. he located at Euphemia, Preble County. In the spring of 1849, he moved to Greenville, and while officiating in the pulpit. built up an extensive law practice. His death was September 5, 1855. Barnabas was the second son in a family of six children ; he passed his youth as practical printer ; supplemented a brief common-school education by a tutelage under Calvin Darker. a term at Delaware College. and an extended course in science and literature : was admitted in 1858. In the spring of 1862, He was nominated State Senator on the Union ticket, but entered the army as First Lieutenant in the Eighty-sixth Indiana : returned, settled in Greenville, and, later, moved to California.

A. R. Calderwood was born in Montgomery County September 4, 1818 ; he removed. with his parents to Darke in 1832 ; was carpenter, teacher, student at law, and admitted in 1851 ; elected Probate Judge in 1854 ; Captain of Company I. Fortieth Ohio Volunteers : a recruiting officer at home, and has been three times elected Mayor of Greenville, besides holding a number of local offices of trust.

L. B. Lott is about fifty years of age ; represented Darke County one term in the Legislature : finally engaged in farming. in which pursuit he continues.

J. T. Martz was born in Darke County September 14, 1833, and has an early experience of hard work. When a boy, he chopped and hauled cordwood to earn money to pay his school tuition. When of age, he had saved from his labor and lay teaching $250. He graduated in the scientific course, at Delaware, in 1856, and had $2.50 remaining. From this time till 1861 he taught school and read law, was admitted, had brief practice. when elected Superintendent of Union Schools. which position he filled till 1865, when he was appointed receiver of the Mackinaw Railroad. Was again chosen Superintendent of Public Schools in Greenville, in 1871, and continues to hold and to fill the position. In Mr. Martz are combined the essential elements of tact, ability, energy, honesty and true manhood. qualities certain to win their possessors success, whatever their vocation.

C. G. Matchett was born in Darke County May 6, 1832. He began the study of law in May, 1853, graduated in the class of 1855-66 at the Cincinnati Law College. from which he received the degree of LL. B. April 15, 1856, he was admitted to the bar and began practice a few months later. In 1860, his health failing, he sought by travel to find a more congenial location, but finding a warlike spirit prevailing in the South while there, returned home November 1, 1860, and devoted his time to military studies. He entered the service immediately after the firing on

Sumter, and remained till the close of the war. In 1865, he resumed practice in Greenville, and stands prominent in the profession.

J. T. Meeker was born in Darke in 1831 ; was a school teacher ; was admitted in 1873 ; was Probate Judge seven years. Retiring, he entered upon practice, and is connected with other interests.

E. W. Otwell was born in North Carolina in 1831 ; graduated at Delaware. Ohio ; read law, and was admitted in 1856. Entered upon profession of journalist in 1860, and continues in that work as proprietor of the Greenville Journal.

Temperance efforts were made by individuals at an early date, but it was not till 1837 or 1838 that our record shows anything like an organized or co-operative effort. About the time stated, Samuel Cole, Peter Kimber and Father. Murphy, all residents near Coleville, agreed that intemperance was a dangerous evil whereever prevalent, and set themselves not to supply intoxicating liquors thereafter in harvest, at raisings and other occasions. They experienced some trouble in Securing help, but held to their compact.

In 1842, the Washingtonians sprang up in Greenville and all the adjacent country. A temperance revival was effected at Fort Jefferson by Porter. a shoemaker by trade, and a hard drinker, from Cincinnati. After a prolonged debauch this man's life had been saved by Dr. Muzzey, who, finding him more than ordinarily intelligent and resolved on reform, encouraged him to enter the lecture field, and in a tour that embraced a. large part of the State. he came to Darke County. Prominent men, such as Dr. I. N. Gard. Gen. Hiram Bell, Judge Beers and K1x. Gilpatrick lent their co-operation. and the Washingtonians not only increased rapidly in numbers in Greenville, but organizations sprang up in every village in the county. The three last-named persons systematically canvassed the county, and held frequent discussions. Abstinence was a novel idea, and it met earnest opposition by some very good, well-meaning men. Judge Beers treated the subject ironically, and attracted large audiences. He argued that if no one became drunk, all would become respectable and there would he none to do menial service; that the doctors would soon starve, the lawyers would have to share the same fate, and the ministers would gather all the sinners into the fold and find their occupation gone.• Sometimes a drunken man was sent in to break up the meeting. The temperance men held on well, did much good. but gradually gave way to other organizations.

From 1855 to 1858 inclusive, the Sons of Temperance flourished. and the membership in Greenville was over two hundred. A decadence finally took place after the society had established a footing in every village and wrought marked and beneficial changes in public sentiment touching this great topic.

In January, 1868, under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of the State. Greenville Lodge, No. 524, I. O. G. T., was organized. Mr. Macomber, then Principal of the Greenville schools, was the first Worthy Chief Templar ; Mrs. D. R. Adams, W. V., and Dr. E. Lynd, W. C. The order has ceased to exist, and its records are inaccessible. The organization was effected over the store of George W. Moore, in his hall, on the corner of Third street and Broadway. After a few meetings, the order removed to the hall over what was then the store of Nathaniel Webb (now Mr. Leer's). Meetings were held at the residence of Mrs. Deborah Gerard, and finally in the present Masonic Hall. At the close of the first year, the order numbered sixty-five ; its maximum strength was 'reached in 1869-711. when there were nearly two hundred members. From this time, interest declined. The Young Templars were organized August 17,1870, under the title, Greenville Commandery, No. 3. They met in Hart's Hall. Among the leaders were Dr. Sharp, E. Matchett, Mrs. Keen and Mrs. D. Adams. There was at one time forty members. It had an existence of but two years.

The Women's Christian Temperance Union was formed at Greenville February 19, 1880, and numbers about forty members. The officers are Mrs. May FergusoL. President ; Mesdames Martin. Adams. Webb. Eastnian, Frances Clark, G ross,Vice

Presidents ; Mrs. Ella Matchett, Secretary, and Mrs. Bowman, Corresponding Secretary.

The Crusade began in Greenville in February, 1874. About seventy ladies met at a previously designated place to begin the work. Rain required the use of umbrellas, and the novel procession, as it moved along from one saloon to another, presented a somewhat grotesque appearance. But the work was resolutely continued until the July following. At one time, all saloons were closed and remained so until after spring elections.

The temperance movement again assumed new interest in 1877. Among early converts was George Calderwood, who has acquired reputation as an earnest worker in the cause. Many of the oldest professional and other citizens are either lifelong teetotallers or are from principle strictly abstinent. Temperance was the issue in the spring election of 1880. Papers were published, the Gazette and the American Prohibitionist, in the interest of the cause and candidates, with general success.

The Young Men's Christian Association of Greenville, auxiliary to the State Association, was organized February, 1878. The first meeting was held in Allen's Hall, corner of Broadway and Fourth street, the use of which has been ever since generously donated by William Allen its proprietor. The officers during the first year were : R .T. Johnson, President ; George A. Harter, Vice President ; J. Arnold, Secretary ; Albert Miller, Treasurer. Second year : George Harter, President ; A. N. Brewer. Vice President ; C. M. Ensmiger, Secretary ; the latter remained in office a brief time, resigned and Alpha Miller was chosen to fill the vacancy. The first year, thirteen meetings were held in the hall, twelve in the infirmary and eight in the band park ; total, thirty-three. Meetings have also been held in various schoolhouses and churches in various parts of the county.

The Dark County Bible Society.—At a union meeting of the various churches, held in the M. E. Church. at Greenville, December 22, 1861, for the purpose of reviving this society, which was first organized in July, 1835, following the delivering of a sermon by Rev. W. Herr, General Agent of the American Bible Society, Judge Wilson was called to the chair and George H. Martz appointed Secretary, whereupon a constitution was adopted and officers chosen, viz.: W. Wilson, President ; John Wharry, Vice President ; G. H. Martz, Secretary ; H. C. Angel, Depositary ; Executive Committee—John H. Martin, Thomas Adams, T. H. McCune. J. A. Schmermand. J. N. Biddle, C. Kline and H. H. Rush. On January 7, 1S62. eight ladies were appointed to canvass the town for subscriptions. May 11, Rev. Herr preached an anniversary sermon. Contributions by the churches were $23.79 ; 1,920 families had been visited by the county agent, Rev. J. Scott ; 191 families had no Bible, 64 were partially supplied, and 297 children had no Testaments, and 64 meetings had been held. May 17, 1863, the Sabbath schools had contributed $55.22. The Bible Depository was then located at the depot of the Dayton & Union Railway. The progress of the society financially and in exteti, sion of interest was satisfactory, and thanks were tendered pastors, churches and Sabbath schools for aid given. The depository was placed at Adams & Snyder's store. On January 28, 1866, a jubilee meeting was held, addresses were made and collection taken. Rev. A. Miller was chosen to canvass the county in 1867, to organize township branch societies, but no work was done. Rev. S. B. Sheeks, in 1868, canvassed the county, visited 1,943 families, sold many Bibles and Testaments, appointed 8 township societies, 30 social agents. There were forty Protestant churches in the field, of which twenty-four were co-operative ; traveled 1,050 miles, held 9 Bible meetings and delivered 30 addresses. On August 8, 1870, there were $311.23 worth of books on hand. In July, 1871, $330.50. Rev. C. L. Carter was canvasser of Greenville and vicinity. June, 1873, there were 740 volumes on hand, 430 sold during the year and 83 donated. At the thirty-ninth anniversary, Rev. W. Herr read as follows : " Darke County Bible Society was recognized as an auxiliary of the American Bible Society, July, 1835, since which time it donated

the parent society $78.69 ; expended for books, $1,818.13, and circulated about 3,794 volumes. On December 22, 1875, Rev. Samuel Scott reported visits to 3,306 families ; traveled 1,529 miles in 76 days, in the work, and preached 52 sermons, besides other work, receiving from the society a hearty vote of thanks. On March 16, 1879, officers elected were William M. Matchett, President ; J. W. Ault. Vice President : E. A. Ullery, Depositary. and A. J. Arnold, Treasurer. The following. June; at a called meeting. the Depositary reported the books belonging to the society nearly all destroyed by fire, and such as were of value sufficient were sent to New York for re-binding. On motion, the Gettysburg Society was permitted to organize independently. Aside from the calamity of fire, the history of the society is a record of successful religious home missionary work.

There are members of the various benevolent societies in the county, some of which have local organizations. others none. There are forty-five members of the order of Knights Templar in Dgrke County, who belong to Coleman Commandery, No. 17, of Troy, and Reed Commandery, No. 6, of Dayton. Of these, twenty-seven reside in Greenville.

A lodge of the Improved Order of Red Men was organized in Octoher, 1870, under a dispensation of the Great Council of State of Ohio, and at one time there was a membership of over eighty. It flourished for a period, and finally the charter was surrendered in May, 1875.

The Patrons of Husbandry spread like a wave all over the country, and in Darke County the societies flourished for a time extensively, and there are still several 'Nell-sustained granges. The Greenville Grange was organized April. 1874 ; Arthur Beard, Master ; Everly Otwell, Secretary. Meetings were held in McConnell's Hall, on Broadway. Shortly afterward, a grange store was established on Broadway, but did not prove a success. In various localities, organizations are preserved and are successfully managed with manifest advantages to the members.

We close the chapter by brief allusion to an organization known as the Darke County Self-Protection Association," designed to secure the arrest, conviction and punishment of horse-thieves and other depredators. It was formed in March, 1845, with a score of members, which number was soon increased to forty. James Devor was the first President ; John Wharry, Secretary, and David Stamm. Treasurer. Over a quarter of a century elapsed when a like society was formed and held quarterly meetings. The first President under the late organization was Thomas Leeklider ; Arthur Baird, Secretary.

Telegrams from Charleston, S. C., read as follows : " April 13. The cannonading is going on fiercely from all points, from the vessels outside and all along the coast. It is reported that Fort Sumter is on fire. The batteries on Sullivan's Island, Cummings' Point and Steven's Battery, are pouring shot and shell into Sumter, and Maj. Anderson does not return the fire. Fort Sumter is still on fire." Then came another dispatch : "Fort Sumter has unconditionally surrendered. The people are wild with joy. Two thousand shots were fired altogether. Anderson and men were conveyed to Morris Island under guard." Finally, the people read : " Maj. Anderson with command will evacuate in the morning and embark on the war vessels now off the harbor."

WHEREAS, the laws of the United States have been and are now opposed in several of the States by combinations too powerful to be suppressed in the ordinary way, I, therefore, call forth the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of 75,000, to suppress said combinations and execute the laws. I appeal to all loyal citizens to facilitate and aid this effort to maintain the laws, the integrity of the National Union, and the perpetuity co. popular government, and redress wrongs that have long been endured. The first service assigned to the forces will be to repossess the forts, places and property that have been seized from the Union. The utmost care will be taken, consistent with the object, to avoid devastation and

destruction, or interference with property of peaceful citizens, in any part of the country, and I hereby command persons composing the aforesaid combinations to disperse within twenty days from date. I hereby convene both houses of Congress for the Forth of July next, to determine upon measures which the public safety and interest demand.

The response from Darke County was prompt, determined and practical. Union meetings were held at Greenville, Union, Hill Grove. Speeches, fervent and patriotic, were delivered. and within a few clays, three full companies of volunteers had been raised. On Wednesday afternoon of April 24, three companies had left the county—two from Greenville, led by Capts. Frizell and Newkirk, and one from Union, under Capt. Cranor, aggregating full three hundred men. These troops were mustered into the United States service as Companies C, I and K, of the Eleventh Ohio. and on April 29 went into Camp Dennison, where they rapidly- learned the discomforts and expedients of military life, shouting and cheering as they marked the arrival of fresh bodies of improvised troops. At home, the people manifested their zeal by generous contributions for the support of soldiers' families. One hundred and sixty citizens of Darke are named in the Greenville Journal of May S. for a sum subscribed to that end of $2,500. The mothers, daughters and V sisters sent to camp boxes of provisions ; the men freely contributed of their means to aid the loyal cause. Bull Run was fought, and soon three months had gone by and the volunteers returning to Greenville were discharged only to re-enter the service for a longer term. Two companies were soon ready for the field. As the magnitude of the struggle developed, the people of Darke County became yet more resolute in their desire to assist in restoring union of the States. Meetings continued to be held ; addresses full of fervid appeals were uttered, and a continuous stream of men gathered into camps, were organized and moved southward. The enlistments in the fall of 1861 were for three years. The Fortieth Regiment contained about two hundred men from Darke. In the Thirty- fourth was a company of eighty-four men who were sent with their regiment-to Western Virginia. In the Forty-fourth. a company went out under Capt. J. M. Newkirk. On October 28. the ladies of Greenville met at the court house and organized as " The Ladies' Association of Greenville for the relief of the Darke County Volunteers." They appointed as officers. President, Mrs. A. G. Putnam ; Secretary, Mrs. J. N. Beedle, and Treasurer, Mrs. J. L. Winner, and formed a committee to solicit donations of money and clothing. Public meetings continued to be held at various points ; recruiting was stimulated, and on November 6, it was reported that the county had turned out 200 volunteers within twenty days. Letters came from men in the field descriptive of arms, tents, rations. incidents and marches. Novelty excited close observation, and there were reports of duties, health, and all too soon came back the news of death. Heavy tidings is always that of death, and a sad duty to the comrade to tell it to the one watching and waiting at home. This was often done with a tact, a kindness. a language that honored the soldier writer, and tended to assuage the grief of the recipient. Such was the letter penned by Thomas R. Smiley, of the Thirty-fourth, from Camp Red House, West Virginia, to Mrs. Swartz, telling of her son's death, by fever, and closing with these words : "Hoping and praying that God will sustain you in your grief, I most respectfully subscribe myself your friend in sorrow." No wonder the right triumphed, upheld by men of such Christian and manly principles.

The families of soldiers began in midwinter to suffer. and the following extract from the letter of a wife to her husband, a volunteer from Darke County, will show a trial among others borne by the soldier in the sense of helplessness to aid his loved ones. It is commended to the perusal of any who think war a pastime. She wrote : " I have so far been able to support myself and our dear children, with the help that the relief committee gave me ; but I am now unable to work, and the committee has ceased to relieve me. I am warned that I will have to leave the comfortable home which you left us in, and I will have to scatter the children. Where will I go and what will become of me ? Don't leave

without permission,. as it would only he giving Your life for mine. I will trust in God and live in hope, although things look very discouraging. Do the best you can, and send some money as soon as possible. During the earlier part of the war, letters told of minor matters. but later accounts were brief and freighted heavily with tidings of battles, wounds and deaths.

In July, 1862, the clouds of war hung heavy with disaster. East and West. terrible battles were fought, and the Southerners, with a desperate, honorable courage, forced their way into Maryland and Kentucky. New troops volunteered by.thousands, and joined the veterans to roll back the tide of invasion. At this time, John L. Winner was Chairman of the Military Committee of Darke, whose proportion of the call for 40,000 men from the State was 350 men for three years. The following shows by townships the number of electors. volunteers and those to raise :

This table, while creditable to all, is especially so to Wayne and Patterson. Mass meetings were called, volunteers urged to come forward, bounties were offered, and, responding to call by Gov. Tod, the militia was ordered enrolled. Along in August, recruiting proceeded rapidly ; young and middle-aged flocked to the camps, and soon four companies were off to the camp at Piqua. On September 3, 1862, eight townships had exceeded their quota. There were 4.903 men enrolled, and 201 to, be raised by draft. Successive calls found hearty responses. In May, 1864, three townships had filled their quotas, and the draft called for 186 men.

The services of the military committee of Darke deserving of honorable record is hereby acknowledged by a list as it was at the close of 1S63 : Daniel R. Davis, Capt. Charles Calkins, Capt. B. B. Allen and W. M. Wilson, Secretary.

How well Darke County stood at the close of the war may be learned from the following statistics : The quota of the county in December. 1864, was 455. Of these, 384 volunteered, 24 were drafted, and 40S furnished. Over 1.500 volunteers were out from the county. It is a pleasing duty to briefly place upon the pages of home history a record of those regiments wherein Darke County men rendered service to their country. Brief though it be, it is a worthy weed of honor.

The Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camp Dennison in May, 1861, and mustered into the service for three months. The company from Darke was lettered C, and commanded by Capt. R. A. Knox, with C. Calkins and Thomas McDowell, Lieutenants. The regiment was ordered east. and camped in Virginia. It was re-organized June 20, and mustered in for three years. and sent, in July, on a scout up the Kanawha. The Colonel, incautiously exposing himself, was captured, and the command devolved upon Lieut. Col. Frizell. who. July 20, set out with the regiment ou a march to Charleston. Moving at midnight some miles, they halted for other troops, and during the ensuing day, came upon works of the enemy at Tyler Mound. The rebels fled at their approach, but a steamboat on the river, unable to get away, was fired into and blown up. The

night was passed in the works of the enemy, and the next day advance was resumed. Wise, on his retreat, had burned the floor of the suspension bridge over the river. and had tried, with partial success; to sever the cable. The bridge was at once repaired, to permit the passage of wagons, and pursuit was made to Gauley Bridge and there ceased. In August, the command was twice engaged near New River. In the first skirmish, several men were wounded, and in the second, one man was killed. Early in October, the regiment was encamped on one of the peaks of Sewell Mountain, from which commanding position they could look down upon the camps of the enemy, whose works were one and one-half miles distant, and see them at work or lounging about. It was claimed, at this time, that the Eleventh had done as good service as any other in Western Virginia. They had lain out in the weather sixteen nights, without blankets or shelter, and had not lain in camp four. weeks altogether during their stay in the State. October 20, the regiment was ordered to prepare to march at midnight. The vexations and tiresome delays so well understood by old soldiers were experienced, and as the necessity for celerity increased, so did the confusion, and by 7 A. M. they had proceeded but three and a half miles from camp, and were moving at a snail's pace, in the rear of an immense wagon train, drawn by poor, half-starved beasts. Gen. Rose- (Tans, in command, ordered Gen. Cox, in command of the division, to burn the baggage of the Eleventh, to lighten the wagons. The regiment desired to form the rear guard and save their baggage, but were refused, and a part of this hindrance was destroyed ; thereafter, a comparatively easy march succeeded. They went into winter quarters at Point Pleasant early in December, and nothing occurred to vary the routine of camp life until April 16, 1862, when an advance was made, via Winfield, to Gauley Bridge. Having proceeded with the division as far as Raleigh, in the campaign of the Kanawha, they were then detached and ordered on post duty—always irksome and subject of reproach. Retreating from Cotton Mountain along the road from Shady Springs to Pack's Ferry, on New River. Floyd thoroughly blockaded the route for sixteen miles. Companies G and K. of the Eleventh, were sent to remove obstructions and guard the road. While one part of the detail was busy with spade and ax, another stood to arms ; and so they labored for five days, when the road was clear to the ferry. They then demolished a barn near by, and from the timbers constructed two boats. There they joined, and so formed a ferry-boat 140 feet in length, whereby the wings of the Kanawha army were brought into communication. The regiment returned to Gauley Bridge late in July, when Company C was sent to Summerville, where it remained some time. About the middle of August, the Eleventh was moved to Parkersburg. and transported thence by rail to Washington, D. C., and camped near Alexandria. It was sent. August 27, to Manassas Junction, but, arriving at Fairfax Station, it was ascertained that the enemy were in force at Manassas, and troops posted there were retreating. The enemy, advancing upon the flank, were checked by the regiment, which forded Bull Run and formed line of battle near the railroad. Companies E and F were detailed to guard the ford and the railroad, while the rest of the Eleventh assisted in the futile effort to stay the rebel advance. Orders came at 3 P. M. to fall back to Fairfax, and the Eleventh performed their duty as rear guard and insured the safe retreat of the column. At the station the wounded were placed, while the command, about three thousand strong, formed in line outside. Late at night, orders came to fall in, and by noon the next day the column was safe within the defenses at Washington. The Kanawha division moved next day, and the Eleventh was posted within works on Munson's Hill.

September 6, the Eleventh moved toward Maryland, and by the 12th had encountered the rebel pickets near Frederick City. The enemy held the bridge over the Monocacy, and were strongly posted along its banks. The Union forces were formed in three columns. the central column being opposite the bridge and the Eleventh at its head. The advance began and the enemy were driven from

the bridge. Following a charge. the Union line becann disorfuniz.!d and the enemy rallying captured the section of a battery. Gen. Cox called upon Col Coleman to retake the guns. He led the Eleventh in a charte which not only recovered the artillery. but drove the enemy through the city in a complete rout. By evening of the next day. the Kanawha Division was posted near Middletown. and the Eleventh was near the bridge over Catoctin Creek. Early on the thllowiiu morning, the creek was crossed. and the division marched toward Turner's 1;rap. in South Mountain. They were now near the enemy. and turning to the left entered the old Sharpsburg road, and in a narrow ravine covered by threst trees and underwood, the Eleventh prepared for battle. As the order came to advance. the men moved Mong the skirts of a strip of woods and frustrated an. effort of the enemy to tank our lines. Sharpshooters kept up their deadly practice. but there was no recreancy. About mid-day there was one of those ominous lulls. which are forerunners of the crash of battle, and about 3 P. M.. amid hard tig:liting. the Union lines were seen advancing. The Eleventh advanced over an open field upon the enemy sheltered by a stone wall. Reaching the wall. the soldiers fought with clubbed aims and bayonets. in an almost hand-to-hand fight. The rebel' finally fell back toward Sharpsburg. and again. as morning came. the Union columns were in pursuit. The army now gathered for the struggle at Antietam. and the Kanawha Division. under Gen. Cook, was posted near the lower bridge over Antietam Creek. the Eleventh being in line upon a slope of ?rouna above the bridge. The battle of September 17 had raged furiously with varying fortune. until 10 A. M.. when an attempt was made to carry the hrhh,re. but so heavy a fire was encountered from the heights opposite that the column was driven back. Just at this moment came orders from the Commander-in-Chief to carry the bridge at all hazards." The Eleventh was placed at the head of the charging column, and began a steady. determined advance. Col. Coleman fell mortally wounded. There was momentary irresolution : then the inert closed up firmly. moved over the bridge, up the heights and dislodged the enemy. Col. Coleman was succeeded in command by P. P. Lane.

A severe march was endured by the division in a march begun on the morning of Oct. 8, to Hagerstown. Md. They reached the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and were transported to Clarksburg, and as the November storms came on. the Eleventh, without tents, blankets or adequate clothing. suffered from exposure. but in the distribution of the troops they were sent to Summerville. an outpost of the troops in the Kanawha Valley, and there. erecting good winter quarters. soon surrounded themselves with the protection needed to recover health and spirits. While a part of the regiment held the post. another part was mounted and guarded the Gauley fords. A foray was made into the county during the winter. and the men suffered materially from the severity of the weather.

In January, 1863. the command under Gen. Cook was embarked at Gallipolis. and proceeded via Ohio and Cumberland to Nashville. Tenn.. whence they moved to Carthage on the Tenneske, and fortified their position. March 24. the Eleventh went on a scout to Rome and captured a captain. a number of soldiers. a wagon train and a number of teams belonging to the command of Gen. Forrest.

April 13, the Eleventh took part in a reconnaissance toward McMinnville. and found the enemy with artillery and cavalry prepared to dispute advance. Col. Lane, in command, sent for cannon and his troops repelled attacks made upon them. The command was ordered to return to Carthage. Another march was made ten days later with no results. and May 27, the Eleventh marched to Murfreesboro, and was placed in Third Division, Fourteenth Army Corps. under Gen. George H. Thomas. June 24, the division under Gen. Reynolds. moving along the Manchester pike, engaged the enemy at Hoover's Gap. The Eleventh stood to rms during the night, and, following up the repulse of the enemy. led the advance into Manchester, and captured a number of rebels. The Eleventh in advance of the brigade moved, on the 29th, upon the Tullahoma road. The enemy was encountered

at noon and driven. On July 1. Cooks brigade entered Tullahoma. The Eleventh followed the enemy to the immediate vicinity of Decherd Station, on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. and August 2. moved to University. Jasper. and. September 1. crossed the Tennessee at Shell Mound : moved to Trenton. thence through Cooper's Gap. and on the 17th repulsed a rebel attack at Catlett's Gap. The Eleventh chan!ed position during the next day several times. marched by night, and by daylight of the 19th. was in line of battle near Gordon's Mill, on a wooded rise of ground east of the Rowville road. At this l oint. Chaplain Lyle rode to the center of the line and, briefly exhorting the men, asked them to join him in prayer. At once, every hat was removed, the colors were dropped, and amid the crashes of musketry the voice of the minister was heard. Gen. Reynolds passing, halted, and as the- prayer ceased, expressed satisfaction at being present, as lie shook the chaplain's hand.

Following this impressive ceremony. the Eleventh was at once marched to the support of other regiments, holding their ground under a deadly fire, and within a short time was advanced to the front line. The balls from sharpshooters were annoying the men to such a degree that an advance was ordered and the enemy dislodged. During the afternoon, the fights continued and finally a charge cleared the division front. Next day, the regiment erected a low breastwork of logs and stones upon a rise of ground, and encountered a fire so severe that in thirty minutes Company D had lost half its men, killed or wounded. Twice the breastwork took fire the third time it became necessary to extinguish the flames, and this was done by volunteers from Company B. As the afternoon wore away, the enemy, pouring through a gap in the lines, opened a telling cross-fire upon the Eleventh. Turchin's brigade. charging, drove them, breaking their ranks, and capturing men and guns. With night came retreat, via Rowville to Chattanooga. Several days later, a force was sent out, and in this the Eleventh engaged in a sharp skirmish with the rebels, and was then marched to occupy the line of pits to the left of Fort Negley. Later, the Eleventh moved down to Brown's Ferry, to arrest a movement to gain a position on Lookout Mountain.

November 23. the Eleventh advanced in the line on Mission Ridge, charging, it captured a battle-flag and cannon. Sergt. Bell, color-bearer, was repeatedly struck. and. finally, unable to rise, resigned the colors to Lieut. Peck, who had but planted them on the rebel works, when he fell, mortally wounded. The regiment. was severely engaged at Ringgold Gap, whence it marched back to Chattanooga. On February 17. 186-1, Chaplain Lyle presented the Eleventh with a stand of colors —the gift of the ladies of Troy, Ohio. The regiment took part in a reconnaissance toward Rocky Face Ridge and found the enemy in a strong position at Buzzard's Roost. Here a most unfortunate mistake involved the regiment in a heavy loss. It was ordered to charge up a hill strongly defended by infantry and artillery ; as a result. the regiment was finally compelled to retire with a loss of one-sixth of its force. The command returned to Ringgold, and March 26, the veterans, 200 strong, returned home- to recruit. They were assigned garrison duty till June 10, when they set out for home and were mustered out on the 20th at Camp Dennison, two companies having longer to serve ; and the veterans were designated as the Eleventh Ohio Detachment, and placed in Baird's division, of the Fourteenth Army Corps, with which they accompanied Sherman upon his marches.

The Thirty-Fourth Regiment.—A fine company of eighty-four men was enlisted by Capt. Thomas R. Smiley, from Darke County, adid regularly mustered into service at Camp Dennison, September 10. 1861, as Company K of the Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was ordered into Western Virginia, and posted at Gauley Bridge. It took part in the battle of Princeton, May 17 and 18, losing several men. Again, on September 10, while it and the Thirty-seventh were holding the outpost at Fayetteville, they were attacked by Gen. Loring, with a force of 10.000 men. Behind works, and aided by a battery, they held their ground till night, when they retreated. At times the Thirty-fourth fought uncovered,

and, of six companies engaged, one-third of the men were killed or wounded, and one-half the officers. In May, 1863, the regiment was supplied with horses and became known as " Mounted Rifles." On July 13, 1860, the Rifles, with nine companies of cavalry, moved upon the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad, and encountered the enemy on the 18th, at Wytheville. The enemy were well posted under cover of houses and on high ground, and the fighting was desperate. About sundown, the rebels were routed and their guns captured. The Colonel was shot from his horse, and Lieut. Col. Franklin ordered a retreat. The roads were blockaded, and they returned with difficulty. In January, 1864, a majority of the men veteranized. The regiment was divided in April—the mounted men being under Averill, the others, in Crook's division. Following active service, and engagements more or less important, we find the regiment, on June S. at Staunton, ready to take part in Hunter's raid to Lynchburg. Shots were exchanged with rebels who had been driven from Lexington. at Buckhannon, on the James., The Blue Ridge was crossed and a skirmish took place at Liberty. A partially successful attack was made on the afternoon of June 1S, upon Lynchburg, but the place was not occupied, and during the night heavy re-enforcements came up from Richmond, and the national forces were put upon their defense. The enemy crowded closely upon the retiring column, and a skirmish took place at Liberty. At Salem, on the 21st inst.. the rebels struck Hunter's artillery in a pass, and were rapidly destroying the •ok• sons and rendering the guns useless. when the " Rifles " came up, and after a shall: fight. regained the guns. The discomfited army reached Charleston, July I. Niue days later, the regiment once more united as infantry, embarked on transports for Parktrsburg ; moved thence to Martinsburg:, in the Shenandoah Valley. and on July 20, formed part of a force that attacked Early near Winchester. routed him took his guns and inflicted a severe blow. On the 24th. the battle of Winrlicste; was fought, where, later, Sheridan restored the day. Devol's brigade, in which which was the Thirty-fourth, brought up the rear. The regiment lost Lieut. Col Shaw and many men. Next day, a stand was made at Martinsburg, and from field the Thirty-fourth was the last to retire, under a heavy ire. Various marche occupied the regiment with occasional heavy skirmishing, unttl early in September. when the non-veterans set out for home. Notwithstanding the loss occasioned by the discharge of the men, the regiment, augmented by recruits, numbered over four hundred men. They were engaged, September 3, at Berryville, and at Winchester on September 19, then, again, at Fisher's Hill, on the 22d. The loss to the Thirty- fourth in the last two actions was sixty-one killed. On the evening of October 18, the regiment was on picket, and Early's men surprised them, capturing the Colonel and eighteen men, killing two and wounding twelve. January 11. 1865, 300 men of the Thirty-fourth. with a part of the Eighth Ohio Cavalry (dismounted), were surprised at Beverly, and only through the excitement and darkness were many enabled to escape. February 22. 1865, the remnant of the Thirty-fourth was consolidated with the Thirty-sixth,as the Thirty-sixth Veteran Volunteer Infantry.

The Fortieth Regiment Ohio Infantry.—This regiment was organized at Camp Chase, Ohio, in September, October and November, 1861. All of Companies E and G, the greater portion of Company I, and parts of F and K of said regiment were recruited from Darke County.

The following is a complete roster of the officers who served in said regiment from this county during its term of service :

William C. Osgood, First Lieutenant of Company E, promoted to Captain; resigned.

Clement Snodgrass, promoted to Captain from Sergeant; killed at Peach Tree Creek July/ 21, 1864.

Benjamin F. Snodgrass, promoted to First Lieutenant from Sergeant ; killed at Chicksmauga September 20, 1864.

J. W. Smith, Second Lieutenant of Company I, promoted to First Lieutenant, then to Captain ; mustered out.

David Krouse, Second Lieutenant of Company F, promoted to First Lieutenant ; mustered

On the 17th day of December, 1861, the regiment left Camp Chase for Kentucky. spending Christmas on the farm of Brutus Clay, five miles east of Paris, Ky. On the next day, December 26,.the regiment started for the Sandy Valley, via Mount Sterling and McCormick's Gap, and arrived at Paintsville, Ky., January 8, 1862. On the 9th, 300 picked men (thirty from each company), a Colonel, two Captains, two First and two Second Lieutenants were detailed as the regiment's proportion of the 1,000 picked men from the brigade with which Col. J. A. Garfield compelled the rebel force under Gen. Humphrey Marshall, amounting to over four thousand men, to evacuate Eastern Kentucky. The battle of Middle Creek, Kentucky, occurred between these forces on the 10th day of January, 1862. In that battle. the 300 men of the Fortieth Ohio were divided into two companies of 150 men each. One company, under the immediate command of Col. Cranor, attacked the enemy on the right, while the other company, under Capt. Matchett, were placed on our extreme left, with instructions to protect our left. Col. Garfield, in his report of the battle, shows that the field was hotly contested, and that the heaviest fighting was on the left. Capt. Matchett states, however, that although the enemy sought to displace him from his position, yet his advantages over them were such that he was in no actual danger, having the advantage both in position and arms. The enemy, being principally armed with squirrel rifles and shot-guns, could not hope to be effective except on close range, while the Prussian rifles with which his men were armed, were effective from 1,500 yards down to the point of the bayonet. The rebels advanced upon his position two or three times, but were each time repulsed before they had come within 200 yards of it, and although the firing was quite heavy on our left, and some dead rebels were found in front of the left next morning, yet he had none killed ndr wounded on the left."

Capt. Matchett further states that the " severest fighting was on the right where Col. Cranor was, but that the whole fight did not amount to a respectable skirmish, as we afterward learned on the Atlanta campaign."

On the 16th of March, the regiment participated in another skirmish at Pound Gap and drove the rebels from that stronghold, and thereby relieved Eastern Kentucky of the presence of an armed rebel force.

Soon after that, Garfield left Eastern Kentucky, and the command of the brigade devolved on Col. Cranor, who continued in command until February, 1863, when he resigned. On the 21st of February, 1863, the regiment left Eastern Kentucky, and joined the Army of the Cumberland at Nashville, Tenn., on the 28th of the same month.

On March 5, the regiment joined the Army of Kentucky, under Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, at Franklin, Tenn. From that time, they remained with that army—afterward known as the Reserve Army Corps—until after the battle of Chickamauga.

On the 10th of April, 1863, the regiment was placed on picket duty in front of the town, with Capt. Matchett in command. At that time, the rebel forces, under

Gen. Van Dorn, were stationed at Spring Hill. Tenn., nine miles south of Franklin. Soon after 12 o'clock M.. the rebels commenced an attack on seven co-panies of the Fortieth. which had been stationed on and between the Columbia Pike and the Big Harpeth River (a distance of about five hundred yards). but were handsomely repulsed. The attack was renewed with re-enforcements. and again repulsed. By this time. the enemy were preparing; to charge in force. and the situation of the Fortieth was precarious. Behind them. for the distance of more than half a mile, lay an open field without an obstacle or a shelter on it : but, momentarily expecting re-enforcements. they held their ground. and repulsed charge after charge, for two hours.

Van Dorn then formed his entire force for a charge. and the Fortieth fell back in good order to the town, where, taking advantage of hedges. fences. houses. etc.. they repulsed the enemy and drove them out of town. and, at 4 o'clock P. M.. resumed their former position on picket duty.

The Fortieth's loss was three killed, four wounded and ten missing. who were taken prisoners, and all afterward were exchanged and rejoined the command. The enemy's entire loss is not known. Two Captains and fifteen men killed, one Major and twelve men wounded. and thirteen prisoners fell into the hands of the Fortieth. The enemy's entire force was cavalry and two batteries of artillery. Over one hundred horses, equipped. escaped within the Union lines and were captured by other commands. The prisoners. when exchanged reported Van Dorns entire loss in killed and wounded to be one hundred and fifty men and one hundred and twenty horses.

An incident connected with this fight is worth relating. Among the prisoners captured from the Fortieth that day was Jesse N. Orin, Sergeant of Company B, afterward a distinguished representative for many years in the Ohio Legislature from Clinton County. The prisoners were taken before Van Dorn, and questioned by him. Sergt. Orin answered in behalf of the captives.

" What officer was that in the command of the forces you had in to-day's fight ? "

" Brigades ? There was no other regiment fought against you to-day but the Fortieth, and only seven companies of that, for one company was in the town as provost guard, and two companies were on the west of town, and neither of them were engaged."

" Then why in the name of fnunder did not your Captain quietly surrender when my brigade of cavalry attacked them ? "

" I presume, sir, the Captain's orders were to defend the picket line, as long as he could, and not to surrender."

" I do not know, sir ; just before we began to fall back, the Captain rode along our lines and told each company that it was evident that we were not to be re-enforced, and we could not successfully retreat over that cotton field, unless each company implicitly obeyed his commands. We all understood this ; and he concentrated and. retired us in the manner you saw.-

" When our regiment had retreated about half the distance between the picket-line and the town, a column of your cavalry threatened to pass by out left, and get between us and the town. and gobble us all up,' and Capt. Matchett ordered me and another Sergeant, with about twenty men. to a position about three hundred yards to the left and rear of our regiment, in order to oppose that threatened

movement. with orders to hold that position at all hazards, until the regiment had retired beyond the cotton-gin. and then make our way back to town as best we could. We stayed there as ordered. but when your forces in front of the regiment were repulsed. they swept around to our position. on their retreat, and took us all in. except a few who started to run the gantlet back to town."

At this. a fine-looking officer. who was present. broke out in a loud laugh, and said : " Gen. Van Dorn, the joke is on you ; you promised to show us how neatly you could take in the Yankees at Franklin. and it sums that you have been very cleverly repulsed by seven companies of infantry, commanded by a captain, with his left protected by a sergeants squad."

At this Sergeant Orin said : " General, I would like to be permitted to say one word in your defense : that is—there is not a private in the Fortieth Ohio who would not make a good colonel. and not a non-commissioned officer who would not make a good brigadier, and as to the Captain who commanded us to-day, he could handle au army equal to Bonaparte."

“Thank you," said Van Dorn, and then, turning to the officer referred to above, he said : " How could you expect me, with my division of cavalry, to overcome a Bonaparte, his field-marshals, his sixty generals and 500 colonels ? "

“General. possibly you had better obtain that information by another reconnaissance."

"Well, Sergeant," said the General, "you'll do. When you rejoin the regiment, give my compliments to your brave comrades and the Captain, and say to him that I hope he may never be promoted."

"'Captain." said he, addressing an aid, "see that these men are treated with that courtesy and respect due to brave men."

The men were then taken back and remained as prisoners only about three weeks, when they were exchanged. Their prison life was made far more agreeable to them than they expected.

In 1878, a Major of the Confederate army stopped for a few days at Greenville, Ohio, and called on Capt. Matchett, and said that he had belonged to the staff of Gen. , Inspector General of the Confederate army ; that they had come west to look after Bragg's army, and went to Spring Hill Run about the 8th of April, 1863, and found Gen. Van Dorn a very genial and social fellow, who induced the Inspector General to go with him that day (April 10) and see how nicely he would take in the Yankees at Franklin.

The Major said that all the officers agreed that they had never seen "such a fighting regiment" as the Fortieth was ; and that he was free to say, that he never met with such coolness and determined bravery since. He detailed the conversation between Gen. Van Dorn and the captured Sergeant, substantially as given above, which, in the mind of the writer, confirmed the statements made by Sergeant Orin and his captured comrades, on their return from captivity.

About the 1st of May, 1863, the regiment exchanged their Prussian rifles for Springfield and Enfield rifles, which they carried until the war closed.

During the summer of 1863, the regiment were at Triune, Shelbyville, War- trace and Tullahoma, Tenn., and participated in many skirmishes before the enemy were persuaded to give up Tullahoma and return beyond the mountains to Georgia.

On September 19, 1863, the reserve army corps of Gen. Gordon Granger (of which the Fortieth constituted a part), was stationed on the Ringgold road, to the left of the army of the Cumberland. They were attacked by a large force about the middle of the day. The Fortieth with some other regiments had been thrown forward to support the picket line. They held their position until the other regiments had retired on the main force, when they also fell back. The fight then

kept up until night. In the morning there was no enemy immediately in front of the reserve corps, and they were on the look-out with nothing to do, until the afternoon about 3 o'clock. Meantime, Gen, Granger and many of his leading officers had been drinking "commissary" to the success of all the officers and divisions of the Army of the Cumberland generally, and to the success of Gen. Gordon Granger particularly. What the result of all this might have been may be better imagined than written, had it not been for Capt. William C. Russel, Assistant Adjutant General on Gen. Granger's staff, and the hero of Chickamauga. This gallant officer, from the clouds of dust and the noise of battle from the field of ('hickamauga, became satisfied that the enemy were gaining advantage over Rosecrans' forces, and that the presence of the reserve corps was required on that field. He urged his chief to give the order at once to move the corps to the field of battle, but his "chief" was as hilarious and jovial as Belshazzar was at the feast of Babylon, just before the invisible iiandweithig flashed upon the walls of the banquet hall, and proposed only to obey orders, defend his front and— enjoy himself.

From 12 o'clock, Capt. Russel had been noticed, on that memorable day. in a state of silent excitement, listening and looking at the signs from the battle-field. Sometimes on horseback, sometimes on foot. one minute on an elevation or in the top of a tree, anxiously looking with his glass in the direction of the battle. and the next minute in the valley, with his face to the ground, trying to detect with the sense of hearing the progress of the conflict. He was confirmed in the belief that our troops were being beaten. His chief, always egotistical, never success- ful', was now useless. At 2:30 o'clock. Capt. Russel went hurriedly into the presence of his chief to again urge him to order the corps removed to the assistance of the Army of the Cumberland, but the military knowledge of the man, whatever it may have been, had given place to the joys produced by the " commissary " of the department. Capt. Russel. on leaving the presence of his chief, was heard to say : Well. I'll do it any how ; I will take the responsibility. even though they cashier me for it." In a moment. two orders were written. signed. By- order of Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, W. C. Russel, Acting Adjutant General." one of which was delivered to Gen. :Steadman and the other to Gen. Brannan. respectively commanding divisions in the reserve corps.

These divisions were immediately put in motion, with Steadman in the lead, on “double-quick," for the battle-field, a distance of four miles.

They passed immediately in front of the position occupied by rebel Gen. Forrest with his cavalry, then by the right wing of rebel Gen. Longstreet's force : then left and center of Gen. Thomas' command, and halted and fought on the extreme right of Gen. Thomas as they found it at 4 o'clock P. M.. of that day.

For a clear understanding of that field at that time, lay a horseshoe in front of you, with the heels of the shoe next to you, and add one-fifth of the length of the shoe in projection of the right heel. The horseshoe, thus extended, is a semicircular ridge, and on the apex the last battle-line of Chickamauga ; inside the horseshoe, Gen. Thomas, his four divisions in line of battle along the inside slope of the ridge. On the outside of the horseshoe thus made is the rebel army, Longstreet extending from center to our left, and Bishop Gen. Polk from center to our right. Rossville is seven miles to the rear of Gen.. Thomas. The position of the Fortieth in the morning was four miles to the left of the left heel of the horseshoe ; now it is on the extreme right heel•of the horseshoe. Two and three miles in front of our (the Fortieth's) present position are Gordons Mills and Crawfish Springs.

There was the position of McCook and Crittenden's Corps this morning ; now they are beaten and scattered from the field, and the rebel regiments, flushed with an easy victory over them, are now charging and recharging our right to ov' turn the last obstacle—the " Rock of Chickamauga,"

Here Thomas and every man under him distinguished themselves. Here Capt. Russel, the hero of Chickamauga. died in a noble discharge of his duty, and,

though his name and exploits of that day are unmentioned in history, yet they live bright in the memory of his surviving comrades. Here Lieuts. Van Mater, of Company G, and B. F. Snodgrass, of Company A, both Darke County boys, were killed and left on the field–Of battle. Here Lieuts. Allen Smith and Topping were wounded. also Darke County boys ; and here were left two officers and twenty-nine men, killed. The regiment also suffered the loss of five officers and one hundred and ten men wounded, and two officers and forty-three men captured.

Our captured men were taken at near Rossville on the following Tuesday morning (Chickamauga was fought Saturday and Sunday). Company H had been placed on picket-line, and were not ordered to withdraw, through some neglect at brigade headquarters, and, early on Tuesday morning, the enemy surrounded them and took them prisoners. Among those prisoners was Second Lieut. John M. Wasson, promoted from Company G. This officer did good service at Chickamauga. He was kept in prison and at Andersonville, and suffered all the horrors of prison-life until the close of the year 1864, when he was exchanged. He twice escaped from prison, but both times was recaptured—once by the blood-hounds, and another time by a wild tribe of Indians in the western part of North Carolina, about two days' march from Knoxville, Tenn.

On the night of the 20th, our army fell back behind Missionary Ridge, at near Rossville, and on the night of the 21st, they fell hack to Chattanooga, the objective point of the campaign, and the " Iron Brigade." as it was afterward known, was for a few week stationed at Mockeson Point. In at few weeks thereafter, they were sent to Shell Mound, Tenn., the Fortieth being stationed at Nickajack Cave, Ga., about two miles south of Shell Mound.

On the 23d day of November, 1863, at break of day, the regiment (except a small detail to guard the quarters and property of the regiment at Nickojack). started with the brigade for Chattanooga, for the purpose of rejoining the division. They traveled until 9 o'clock P. M. of that day, and were then four miles from the division. The brigade received orders to report to Maj. Gen. Geary, whose division as camped near where the Fortieth were at that time. They accordingly turned aside and encamped within the lines of Gen. Geary's Division. The next morning the whole command of Geary was put in " battle array," and through the mist and fog of a damp morning, was hurled against the rugged sides and rocky heights of Lookout Mountain.

In attacking Lookout Mountain, Gen. Geary was directed to silently pass up Lookout Creek for a distance of four miles above the point opposite Chattanooga, thence to cross the creek, and push the head of the column up the side of the mountain until it halted against the perpendicular rock that caps the summit of the mountain. and then move in line of battle by the left flank, along the side of the mountain toward Chattanooga. Two and sometimes three regiments were all that could stand in line of battle between the summit of the mountain and Lookout Creek. As fast as the line of battle was formed it would be thrown forward toward the enemy.

The Fortieth Ohio and Ninety-sixth Illinois constituted the third line of battle at the commencement of this fight, and continued so until about three- fourths of the side of the mountain had been captured. Gen. Geary's whole division (except Whittaker's brigade) belonged to Hooker's army, and had never before met the enemy in battle in the West. Whittaker's brigade were all Western men, and had learned battle at Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Perryville, Stone River and Chickamauga.

The two lines of battle in front of the Fortieth Ohio and Ninety-sixth Illinois had faltered, and were pressing the enemy rather carefully.

The " Iron Brigade " of Whittaker demanded its officers to lead them to the enemy. This demand became so urgent that the officers, regimental and line, were compelled to place themselves in front of their companies to keep the Fortieth and Ninety-sixth from running over Geary's men in front of them. The men

became more and more frantic when Capt. Matchett, in front of the left of the Fortieth, spoke to Col. Taylor in a loud voice, " Colonel ! the Fortieth is spoiling for a fight ; can't you let them have it ?" Col. Taylor spoke to Col. Champion, of the Ninety-sixth Illinois, and said, " Colonel, I can't keep my regiment back any longer ; will the Ninety-sixth go with us ?" The men of the Ninety-sixth made answer, "Go in, Graio well he with you." Then the Eastern troops were taken by surprise. The battle yell of the old " Iron Brigade " drowned the rattle of musketry in front, and reverberated in echo over Lookout Valley.

The Fortieth and Ninety-sixth, followed by the other regiments of the brigade, dashed madly past the two lines of battle and skirmish line in front of them, and charged desperately upon the foe. That charge was irresistible. The bright new flag of the Fortieth, which had been sent them by the ladies of the Episcopal Church of Greenville, Ohio, but a few days before, was seen and cheered by thousands of soldiers of the Army of the Cumberland;who lay in the valley below, as it advanced on and on, for its baptism of blood, on the rugged sides of Lookout Mountain. Gen. Grant had anxiously watched the progress of the charge through his field-glass, from Chattanooga, and was heard to say, Magnificent ;•r How that flag presses on ;" " Will it never stop ?" “That flags.is invincible.” But soon a cloud passed over the General and the valley ; its ragged edges dragging along the sides of the mouniain, and that bright flag and its gallant defenders were " above the clouds," sorely pressing the enemy and driving them from rock to rifle pit, from rifle-pit to breastwork, and from breastworks back to our rear, as prisoners of war. After the face of Lookout Mountain fronting Chattanooga had been gained, Gen. Whittaker and his staff with difficulty halted the brigade, and what had been gained was held, although the enemy, by successive charges of a fresh division, vainly strove to regain their lost stronghold.

All that evening and night, a heavy firing was kept up. by strong skirmish lines of either army. Meanwhile, Gen. Grant sent a division from the Fourteenth Corps, and the other two brigades from the reserve corps, to the position occupied by Gen. Geary, on the face of Lookout Mountain, for the purpose of making a final assault upon the enemy the next morning ; but at 4 o'clock on the morning of the 25th, the enemy ceased firing, and our skirmish lines advanced without opposition. Bragg had evacuated Lookout Mountain, and the bright flag of the Fortieth was taken to its summit. " Jocund day stood tiptoe on the misty mountain top." Ere the shades of night were dispelled from the valley of the beautiful Tennessee, and as the first rays of that morning's sun fell aslant the summit of old Lookout, they were reflected back by the bright folds of the regimental flag of the Fortieth Ohio, and that grand sight on that morning was the roll-call of Grant's whole army. Though not heard by any, and only seen by soldiers then upon the sides and top of the mountain, yet their cheers and shouts of victory, as their eyes beheld that grand sight were taken up and repeated by every division of that grand army.

While the cloud of fog was dense upon the valley, the division from the Fourteenth Army Corps was withdrawn. from Lookout Mountain, and secreted with the other divisions of that corps, in the trenches at the foot of Orchard Knob, where we will leave them for the present.

Among the Fortieth's loss on Lookout- Mountain was the brave Maj. Acton. On the morning of the 24th of November, Bragg's army extended from Lookout Mountain, where his extreme left rested across the valley of Chattanooga to Rossville—a town without houses in the gap at Missionary Ridge—thence, on Missionary Ridge, for a distance of about six miles, where his right rested. After his defeat at Lookout Mountain, he withdrew his line from that point to Rossville, and strengthened his line on Missionary Ridge.

The Army of the Tennessee. under Gen. W. T. Sherman, had been pressing the enemy's right for two days. On the 25th. Sherman attacked with increased

*Nearly every wither in the brigade called Col. Taylor, of the Fortieth Ohio, granny.

severity, and threatened a general engagement. In the afternoon, when the day was bright and clear, the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps, and the Reserve Corps, under Gen. Hooker, marched in solid divisions across Lookout Valley to Roseville. During this movement, Bragg withdrew a large force from his center to re-enforce his right and left. Just before Hooker arrived at Rossville, the cannons boomed the signal, which was the order to the Fourteenth Army Corps to charge the enemy's center. This grand army corps exceeded even its orders ; the enemy's center was broken, and the battle of Missionary Ridge was gained. The enemy were followed, on the 26th and 27th, to Ringgold, Ga., where the campaign for 1863 ended and the army returned to winter quarters, the Fortieth returning to Nickajack Cave. Ga., where they remained until February, and where, in December and January, 135 of the Darke County boys re-enlisted as veterans, as shown by the reports in the Adjutant General's office of Ohio. as follows : Company E, 32 ; Company F. 27 ; Company G, 45 ; Company K, 31—Company G being the first company in the brigade to re-enlist.

Some time in the winter of 1864, the Army of the Cumberland was re-organized, and was composed of the Fourth, Fourteenth and Twentieth Army Corps, the Fortieth being a part of the Second Brigade, of the First Division of the Fourth Corps.

In February, 1864, the brigade went to Cleveland, Tenn., and encamped near Blue Springs. They were engaged in that reconnaissance in force against Dalton by Gen. Palmer. about the •22d of February, and sustained a loss of a few men wounded. On their return to Blue Springs, Companies E and G started home on veteran furlough. They returned to the command at Blue Springs April 10, 1864. Companies F and K did not leave on veteran furlough until the latter part of March. They returned to the regiment May 16, after the battle at Resaca, Ga.

The wonderful campaign against Atlanta was begun May 6 and ended September 5, 1864. During all this time, there was not a day passed that the Fortieth Regiment did not hear the whizzing of rebel bullets. In the early part of that campaign, while the regiment was commanded by Col. Taylor, Company G did distinguished service on the skirmish-line. The official report of Col. Taylor, containing the-military action of the regiment from the beginning of that campaign up to July 1, 1864, is before the writer, and he is now surprised to learn of the distinguished services performed by this company, as appears from that report. The following are quotations :

* * * On the 11th (May), three companies on the left, B, G and E, were sent, under command of Capt. Matchett, to Mill Creek Gap (along the railroad), with orders to build breastworks along the crest of the hill, and hold the place at every hazard. * * * In the action on the 15th, the regiment lay with the brigade, only Company G, Capt. Matchett, being deployed as skirmishers. * * On the evening of the 17th, the regiment were ordered into position at Adairville. Companies B and G were deployed as skirmishers. They readily cleared the hill in front of them of all rebel incumbrances, and we quietly bivouacked there for the night." In addition to this, the report shows that, a large portion of the time, the entire regiment was engaged as skirmishers.

Col. Taylor describes the Fortieth's operations at Resaca in the following words :

On the 14th, I was ordered forward, being on the right of the brigade, my right conforming to the movements of Col. Gross' brigade (Third). Skirmishers were deployed, and the line moved to the crest of the hill, in front of the enemy's works. At 3 o'clock P. M., the enemy made an attack on Gen. Craft's brigade (on left of Second Brigade), and, after considerable fighting, succeeded in flanking that brigade, and even turning the left of the Second Brigade. The enemy rapidly followed up his advantages, and, with hideous yells, pursued our routed force, even to the right and rear of our brigade, to the distance of ualf a mile. The enemy's front lines of battle were rapidly followed up by his formidable

reserve of three lines. At this critical time. the Fortieth was ordered to the rescue. I quickly changed front to the rear and right in front.' and ordered the charge. We passed the left and rear of the enemy's front line of battle, confronting and charging the three lines of reserves that were following up. Though his numbers must have been at least four times that of ours. yet he disorderly broke back to his intrenchments, leaving his front line to take care of itself. which line was entertained in a very chivalrous manner by the Fourth Indiana Battery and a brigade from Hooker's (Twentieth) corps. Gen. Craft here directed me to form on the main Resaca road—both for the purpose of holding the road and capturing as many of the enemy as possible. Soon after. however. I was ordered to the hill. where our brigade was collecting. I respectfully ask that the importance of the above charge be not lightly passed over, as it undoubtedly saved the entire division."

An unfortunate affair on June 20. at Kenesaw, is described by Col. Taylor in his report, as follows:

"Late in the evening of the 20th. while the men were at supper (it being after dark), I received an order to re-enforce the Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. With the left wing of the regiment (the right wing. at the time. being in the works to the rear), I moved forward for that purpose, passing by the flank to the rear of the position occupied by the Thirty-fifth Indiana. I was surprised, here. to find my regiment exposed to a severe fire from both front and rear. I. ordered the men to open fire to the front, but many of them executed this order under protest. saying..that the Thirty-fifth Indiana was in front of them. These men. haying been detailed on the skirmish-line a few minutes before, and afterward ordered back to the regiment, had just left the Thirty-fifth in possession of the works. I ordered the regiment forward to the works, and was surprised to find them in the possession of the enemy. Their presence could not be detected until we got close to them. They then opened upon us with such warmth that the men fell back. and, momentarily, scattered. Though they fell hack, many of them kept up a severe fire on the enemy, while others rejoined the remainder of the reaiment in the works. I then brought up the right wing, but this time with a perfect understanding of the works before me, and, re-enforced as we were by nearly all of the left wing, we charged the works. A hand-to-hand conflict ensued for a few minutes. but we took the works and held them. Next morning, the green earth in front of us was gray with the enemy's dead. We took one officer and twenty men prisoners. My loss, however, was severe—nine killed and thirty-one wounded. and we lost in prisoners Lieut. Col. Watson and twenty men.

The Fortieth Ohio was attached to the left of Harker's brigade in that disastrous assault upon Kenesaw, June 29, 1864, in which Cols. Harker and McCook. each leading brigades, were killed. Col. Taylor, in his report, describes the action of the Fortieth on that occasion in the following words :

"On the 29th, when, in the general assault on Kenesaw, the Fortieth Regiment was ordered to the left of Harker's brigade, with directions to conform my movements to the movements of that brigade. We moved forward, exposed to the galling fire of the enemy, but moved with accuracy and precision. Harker's brigade having come to a halt, my line extended its right, adjoining Harker. and my left resting on the little brook, or Run Hollow. Within half an hour. I was ordered to the front line of works: The Fortieth Ohio was the only regiment of this brigade that covered the front line of works. My loss was ten men wounded. one mortally."

" In the sanguinary struggles and hardships endured by our army in Georgia up to this date in the campaign, I am proud to know that the Fortieth Ohio ifa'n- try has fully sustained her part ; ever willing, she has done all she was ordered to do, without hesitation or grumbling. She has not been without the sound of hostile guns since we first met the enemy on Tunnel Hill, and, with the exception of

four days during that time, we have been under fire. We have been in the trenches on the front lines more than thirty days and nights. We have built on the front line thirteen lines of breastworks, and we have lost, in all, one officer (Capt. Converse) and eleven men killed ; one officer and sixty men wounded, and Lieut. Col. James Watson and twenty-one men captured."

On the 1st of July, Col. Taylor was ordered to the command of the brigade, and Capt. Matchett to the command of the regiment. These officers continued in their commands respectively, until after the fall of Atlanta.

The Fortieth at Peach Tree Creek.— The 18th and 19th days of July had been severe on the Fortieth. They had been constantly in front of the brigade as skirmishers. The rebels were slowly falling back from Kenesaw, and the Fortieth had been contending on our advance with their rear guard, from every hill and stream. On the morning of the 20th, the Fortieth were permitted to march in the rear of the brigade and expected to have an easy time, but how often are we doomed to disappointment. That was a day of the hardest fighting the Fortieth ever experienced.

On the morning of the 20th, Gen. Stanley ordered Gen. Craft, commanding the First Brigade, to press forward to find the enemy. At Peach Tree Creek, he found a skirmish line of the enemy who disputed his crossing. The bridge in the road crossing the creek had been fired by the enemy, and Craft's brigade had been held at bay by the enemy for some time. Gen. Stanley rode up to the front and told Craft he ought to effect a crossing without delay, that the enemy were not strong on the opposite side. Craft replied, that he was not sure of the enemy's strength, but that they were advantageously posted, and he could not cross without severe loss. Stanley then in his peculiar way of using the English language when excited, said that he had one regiment in the Second Brigade, commanded by a Captain, who could effect a crossing and he should order that regiment up, unless Craft moved forward promptly. Craft told him to bring on his regiment and try it. Stanley turned to Col. Taylor, who was standing by, and said : " Go send me Capt. Matchett and the Fortieth.

Col. Taylor came back and related to Capt. Matchett and some of the men what had taken place, and delivered Stanley's order. Capt. Matchett, with the Fortieth, immediately reported to Gen. Stanley, who was sitting on his horse at the head of the halted column, speaking in loud and unfavorable terms, and with many emphatic adjectives, about the First Brigade. Capt. Matchett said : " General, I am ordered to report to you with the Fortieth." " Yes, sir," said the General ; " I want you to cross that stream and move those d—d rebels." "Have you any directions. General, as to how I shall go about that ?" said the Captain. " No, sir ; use your own judgment, but don't fail doing it." "Then I'll first reconnoiter," said the Captain, and immediately started and did so.

Peach Tree Creek, or that branch of it in front of the Fourth Army Corps, was a deep, still, sluggish stream, about fifteen feet wide. The First Brigade had made several unsuccessful attempts to cross the bridge, and were deployed to the left of the bridge for some distance, but had no forces on the Tight. In front of the First Brigade to the enemy the ground lay in its natural state and unfenced, and mostly covered with grass, alder brush and weeds. To the right of the bridge, the ground was fenced, and marshy to some extent, and covered with tall prairie grass ; and, a short distance from the right of the bridge, the creek had been ditched by a deep ditch about twelve feet wide. On the bank of this ditch was a fence, and the fence now grown up thickly with bushes. Across that ditch for a distance of eighty yards was a meadow stubble freshly mown ; across the meadow a corn-field in tassel, extending up to the top of the ridge and to a thick woods.

Capt. Matchett decided to make the attempt in that direction, that is, by the right of the bridge and via the cornfield. On returning from his reconnaissance, he said to Gen. Stanley, " All right, General, I will do my best." But will you

succeed ? said the General. sharply. " We will satisfy you, General," replied the Captain. He then moved the regiment to the rear far enough to place a hill on the right of the road between him and the enemy in front of the First Brigade in order to hide his movements from enemy. At the foot of that hill he found the bed of the old stream, dry. and with gravel bottom, leading to the ditch before spoken of, with grass along its banks high enough to conceal the movement from the enemy. The Fortieth moved in this channel until they reached the ditch bank, and then filed off in line of battle behind the bushes growing on the ditch bank. On the right of each company, a passage-way was hastily cut through the " fence-row bushes," and these cut hushes cast into the bottom of the ditch, and on their top sufficient rails were thrown in to enable the men to cross. Each company was enabled to cross the ditch at the same time by " right flank file left." This brought them to the meadow stubble each company in column, and the whole regiment in line of battle by "comiway ihto line." The regiment charged up through the corn-field up the side of the ridge until they gained the wood. Then the left of the regiment was wheeled to the left, the right acting as Hankers, and in this manner they charged on the flank of the enemy who had resisted the First Brigade, and killed, captured and routed them, taking them completely by surprise. The number of prisoners captured by this movement must have nearly equaled the number of men in the Fortieth. Gen. Stanley asked Gen. Craft if he thought his brigade was strong enough to guard the prisoners that the Fortieth Regiment had captured. Stanley's division then crossed the stream, and the Fortieth was again thrown forward. and, in a short time, found the enemy in force before them. The whole Fourth Corps was then placed in line of battle on the left of the Fortieth, for the final charge.

The enemy had been found to be in force opposite the left of the Fourth Corps. and Gen. Howard, who was in command of the Fourth Corps. directed that the advance of the corps should be in the nature of a left wheel, and thinking that no serious obstacle would be found in front of the right, that part of the command was directed to advance in heavy skirmish line.

Immediately in front of the Fortieth was a low swale, 200 yards in width and one-half a mile long, and covered with a growth of low alder bushes. To the right of this was a ridge of cleared land, extending along the side of this swale, and encircling the upper end of it, in the shape of an inverted letter f. Two hundred yards in front of this ridge, and corresponding to its shape, was another ridge, fortified by the enemy and hidden from view by a pine thicket. On the ridge, at the upper end of the swale, the enemy also had a line of breastworks, hidden from view.

Capt. Matchett, who had examined the ground, informed Gen. Stanley as to the true state of the enemy, but Stanley thought Matchett was mistaken. They, however, made a personal reconnaissance together, but nothing whatever could be seen to indicate the presence of an enemy, as indicated by Capt. Matchett. Gen. Stanley ordered Capt. Matchett to deploy his regiment in a heavy skirmish line, and await the signal for advancing. The Captain asked permission to throw the four companies on the right in column, to act as flankers, from the fact that every man who crossed the ridge would be sacrificed. Stanley said : " You have your orders, and you had better obey them ; extend your right, and with your left conform to the movements of the right of the Twenty-first Kentucky. Stanley then rode away, and soon the signal for advancing was given, and the movement commenced. Gen. Howard, who was near the right, seeing that the line of the Fortieth, though irregular, was as heavy as a line of battle, and protected by a column of flankers, directed Gen. Stanley's attention to it, and ordered it to be immediately corrected, without halting the advance. When an aid delivered this . :der order to Capt. Matchett, he returned for answer : " Give my compliments to the General, and say that I am acting on the evidences of my own senses, and that I assume all responsibility. If I don't develop the presence of the enemy before I

reach the woods. I will then deploy the regiment, but to do so now would be to wipe it out of existence...

The Twenty-first Kentucky had gained the outskirts of a deep wood, and the Fortieth. in conforming its movements to the Twenty-first Kentucky, had passed up the swale, and within 200 yards of the upper end, when that familiar rebel yell greeted their ears, and a line of battle arose from the bed of the little stream at the edge of the woods and commenced firing. This line of battle extended in front of the whole corps. The Twenty-first Kentucky, and. in fact, the whole brigade, halted. The Fortieth could not halt Oh the level ground without being destroyed, nor retreat without subjecting themselves to a murderous fire from the enemy. Capt. Matchett, believing their only hope was in charging the enemy's first line of breastworks, gave that command, and the Fortieth executed fit, though at a greater loss in killed than the regiment suffered in the two days' fight at Chickamauga. The enemy charged and re-charged, in front and left flank, but the order was, "Boys, we must hold this position or die right here." In this engagement, Capt. C. F. Snodgrass and Capt. J. W. Smith, both Darke County boys, distinguished themselves. The enemy, in charging down upon our left flank, were enfilading four companies on the left and gaining an advantage over them, when Capt. Smith was ordered to charge the enemy in his front, and, if possible, to close in with them ; if not, to drive them back to their works. At the same time, Capt. Snodgrass was directed to face his four companies of Hankers to the' left. and enfilade the rebel line in front of the Twenty-first Kentucky. Capt. Smith drove the enemy back to their next line of breastworks, and Capt. Snod-, grass, by his enfilading fire, cleared the line in front of the Twenty-first Kentucky. The commanding officer of the Twenty-first Kentucky, at the request of, and by the assistance of. Capt. 1\latchett. then advanced the right of his regiment to the left of the Fortieth Ohio. The regiment was then ordered to keep up an incessant firing.

At 5 o'clock, the regiment was relieved. with permission to bury their dead— twenty-nine killed ; none captured and none wounded. On their way back to the spot where the charge began. they met Gen. Stanley and staff, and Capt. Matchett, pointing to the alders on the swale, which were completely mown down by the enemy's fire, said : - General, is not that a beautiful stubble-field ?" The General, after viewing the field with wonder, said : " The Fortieth has distinguished itself to-day. No men could have done better, and I very much doubt whether any other regiment could have done so well. I wonder that so many of you are left alive. Capt. Matchett, Gen. Howard directs me to say to you that he is pleased with your action and judgment, and he is now satisfied that, had you not taken the responsibility and acted as you did, his best regiment would have been destroyed. The General witnessed your charge with interest, and applauded your success. For my part, I am proud of you and the Fortieth."

The regiment then buried their dead—their noble dead ; comrades who had stood with us on many a hard-contested field, and here nobly fell, fighting in response to the command, " Men, we must hold this position or die right here." When we have said of our comrades, " They died whilst charging with their regiment," we cannot add to their praise ; and the writer has not language to describe the sorrow we all felt in parting with these brave men. Thank God, their death was not in vain.

The next morning at 5 o'clock, the regiment was again ordered to relieve the regiment that had relieved us the evening before, and we were instructed to keep up a constant firing and a sharp lookout for the enemy. That morning, Capt..C. F. Snodgrass was mortally wounded while observing the movements of the enemy. His last words were, The rebels are preparing to charge ; don't carry me back, boys, until you have repulsed them.- Capt. Snodgrass was shot in the thigki, the ball severing the right femoral artery ; he died within five minutes after he was struck. He enlisted in 1861. as private. On the organization of the

regiment. he was appointed Sergeant of Company I. and from that position was promoted to Lieutenant and then to Captain. after which he was assigned to Company A.

When the charge of the enemy was repulsed. he was carried back and buried with military honors, on the same mound where his comrades were buried who had fallen in battle the day before.

That day, after 10 o'clock, A. M., the Fortieth Regiment fired 28,000 rounds of cartridge at the enemy ; the fire was kept up constantly in order to prevent the enemy if possible, from charging. Every tree for sixty yards in front of the Fortieth was cut down by bullets. At night the position was so exposed that they could not be relieved, and they continued to defend their-position during the night, keeping up a constant fire. At 2 o'clock the next morning. Capt. Matchett directed Company E to cease firing. and, with two volunteers, passed out in front of that company to within thizty step:, of the enemy's line of works and overheard the enemy say that they were falling back. At 4 o'clock A. M., the firing having gradually ceased, the Fortieth advanced without serious opposition to the enemy's works and found them vacated.

That day, in order that the Fortieth might have a day of rest, it was placed on the extreme left of the Army of the Cumberland. and we advanced to the outer works which the rebels had built around Atlanta. Our position being on an elevation, with a low prairie of half a mile wide between us and the right of the Army of the Tennessee, from which position. with comparative safety, we anxiously looked' down on the fight between Gens. Hood and McPherson. which resulted in the defeat of the former and the death of the latter.

The Fortieth lay at Atlanta durino- the siege, doing duty as any other regi- ment ; swung around with Sherman, and fought at Jonesboro and Lovejoy, suffering a loss of three killed, seven wounded and two captured at the two places. Among the wounded was Capt. Matchett. at Levejoy. He did not leave the regiment, however, although being unable to walk for several days thereafter.

On the evening of the 5th of September, 1864, the army was ordered back to Atlanta, the objective point of the campaign being won. For a few weeks they enjoyed quiet and comfort.

When October came with her balmy days, the rebel General. Hood. tried the experiment of his wonderful flank movement toward the North, and Sherman followed as fax as Gaylesville. Ala., when he determined on his " march to the sea.- leaving Gen. Thomas with the Fourth Corps and the Army of Ohio to look after Hood. Considerable maneuvering was had and much marching done, when the Fourth Corps, about the 1st of November, halted at Pulaski. Tenn.

In the mean time, Lieut. Col. Watson had returned from captivity, and Maj. J. L. Reeves had gained strength sufficient to leave the field hospital. where he had tarried since June 22, and rejoined the regiment.

The three years for which the regiment was enlisted having expired, all the companieS which had not re-enlisted as veterans, were mustered out, except such recruits as had from time to time been added to them. Col. Taylor, Surgeon J. N. Beech and Assistant Surgeon W. H. Matchett were mustered out about the 20th of October, and the Lieutenant Colonel and Major both declared their intention of being mustered out as soon as an opportunity could be afforded them to make up their final reports and returns as such officers.

The term of Capt. Matchett expired October 7, 1864, but the Fortieth being favorite regiment with Gen. Stanley, he requested that officer to remain with'it. and take command, promising to use his intluente to have it filled by recruits and officered by its experienced men, or consolidated into a battalion of four companies.

While at Pulaski, thinking the regiment had gone into winter quarters. Maj. Reeves signified his determination to remain with the regiment. if Capt. Matchett did, or to be mustered out if Capt. Matchett was. This course would not only have

prevented the promotion of Capt. Matchett, but also that of several other worthy officers and men ; and therefore Capt. Matchett, on his own demand, was mustered out on the 24th of November, 1864—after having served three years one month and seventeen days with the rank of Captain.

The rebel General, Hood, having discovered that he could do nothing to prevent Sherman's march to the sea, concluded to strike our Government a counterhit by marching his army to the lakes. The Fourth Corps was marched rapidly forward and gave him battle at Franklin, Tenn. November 30, inflicting terri- ble punishment upon him. Here the rebel Tenn., Pat Cleberne, was killed while charging our lines. The writer has reason to believe that Clebern's division fought the First Division of the Fourth Corps every day during the Atlanta campaign.

The Fortieth was not severely engaged in this battle, and suffered no loss. Gen. Stanley was severely wounded in the neck in this engagement, but did not quit the field until the enemy fell back.

That night the Fourth Corps fell back to Nashville. Here the Lieutenant Colonel and Major were mustered out, and Gen. Stanley being absent on account of wounds received at Franklin, the Fortieth was consolidated with the Fifty-first Ohio Infantry, against the protest of every officer and man in the regiment. Capt. Allen, and Lieuts. Fisher and Toner were placed under arrest by the Colonel of the Fifty-first for the manner in which they had objected to the consolidation. The Colonel of the Fifty-first ordered the regimental flag of the Fortieth to be thrown away or sent back to Ohio, but the veterans of the Fortieth signified their determination to die by that flag if necessary, but to never part with it while they remained in the service. The Colonel of the. Fifty-first wisely took this hint, and after threatening and swearing much, he, like all other " men of words," did nothing. A former sutler of the Fortieth, who was then a citizen of Nashville, told the Colonel of the Fifty-first that he did not believe a single i eimental officer would survive the fight unless the officers of the Fortieth were released from arrest. They were accordingly released.

On the morning of the 15th of December, 1864, Col. Wood of the Fifty-first told the veterans of the Fortieth that he should hold them accountable for their action during the coming fight ; that he had borne with their insults and insubordination as long as he intended to, and that he hoped he would have no more trouble with them. Lieut. William Potter. who had been promoted to First Lieutenant from Orderly Sergeant of Company G, Fortieth Regiment, replied in these words : Colonel, the only trouble you will have with us in this fight is to keep your old regimental flag and flax pullers* up even with us." Then turning to the veterans of the Fortieth, he said : Boys, Col. Taylor is not here, and neither is Capt. Matchett with you to lead you in this fight, but let us preserve the reputation of the old Fortieth, by showing these flax pullers how to go in a fight."

In the consolidation of the two regiments, the veterans of the Fortieth were made Companies E, K and H of the Fifty-first, and some recruits of the Fortieth and Fifty-first were consolidated in Company G, of the Fifty-first. This placed the Fortieth all in the left wing of the Fifty-first. The two days' fighting at Nashville demonstrated the truthfulness of Lieut. Potter's suggestion to Col. Wood, that the flax pullers would have trouble to go as far in the fight as the Fortieth. At one time, Col. Wood led the regiment in a charge on a rebel battery in such a way as to bring the left of his regiment squarely in front of the cannon's mouth, but without a moment's hesitation they charged and took it ; meanwhile the right of the regiment had become stuck because of the warm reception they received from the rebel support to that battery. In the Fortieth there were several veterans who had been drilled in a battery, while on detached duty in that service, in 1862, and they seized upon the rebel guns and in a moment were enfilading the rebel lines right and left, and calling out to Col. Wood to bring up his " d—d flax.

pullers " in a line with them, and saying, " see where the flag of the Fortieth waves."

When Gen. Stanley returned to the Fourth Corps, he asked Col. Wood how he liked the veterans of the Fortieth. Col. Wood replied : Oh, well, I never saw such devils to fight, but they are saucy and insubordinate." They were never insubordinate while the regiment existed as the Fortieth.

After the battle at Nashville. the Fifty-first pursued after the enemy, as far as Huntsville, Ala., thence to East Tennessee, and from there returned to Nashville, where they remained until the close of the war. In June, 1865. the regiment was ordered to Texas, the Fifty-first going as far as Victoria, and being stationed, for several weeks, at Indianola.

In October, 1865, they were mustered out and returned home. the veterans of the Fortieth bringing the flag with them, and on the 17th of November. 1865. pursuant to pre vious notice, they returned the flag to the ladies of Greenville. Not as they had received it, bright and beautiful to the eye. but battle-worn. bullet- riddled, the spear broken, the shaft shattered, and with many bullet rents through its colors. The orator of the day. Dr. W. C. Otwell. the Regimental Steward of the Fortieth, closed his presentation address in the following language :

" To you then, ladies, we return these colors, riddled with bullets and stained with patriots' blood, who died that we might live to enjoy the rich boon of freedom, purchased with the price of rivers of gore. With this banner, we also return the thanks of its noble defenders to those patriotic women from whose hands it came to the Fortieth."

There were many noble deeds and acts of bravery done by other companies in this glorious regiment, from other counties outside of Darke County, well worthy a place in history, and which are not within the purview and scope of this work, and are, therefore, necessarily omitted, and in fact, everything here found has been too briefly stated : but we bear witness to what we have written and had it placed here ; in order that the present and future generations may know that although Darke County furnished no distinguished Generals in the war to command armies, yet the deeds of valor, the acts of personal bravery of her soldiers, and the honor. ability and integrity with which they discharged their duties in many a hard fought battle, are unsurpassed by any and second to none.

The Forty fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized and mustered into United States service at Camp Clark, Springfield. Ohio. in October, 1851. On the 14th, it moved via Cincinnati to West Virginia, and Company G, Capt. John M. Newkirk, were soon in active service on picket and pn detail. After several expeditions, the regiment built winter quarters, provided comfortable shelter, drilled daily, and so passed five months. On May, 1, 1862, the command moved up to Gauley Bridge, and was brigaded with the Thirty-sixth and Forty-seventh, under Col. Crook. The brigade moved to Lewisburg, and from there the Forty-fourth and another regiment advanced to Dublin Station, on the railroad. destroying part of the track. Returning to Lewisburg, the brigade was attacked May 23, and turning upon the enemy routed them, captured three guns, many prisoners, and had the rebel dead to bury, their wounded to care for. They fell back to Meadow Bluff, and threw up works, and, August 15, set off toward the Kanawha. It was learned that a heavy body of the enemy was moving against the brigade, which had two regiments on each bank of the river. On September 9, the Forty-fourth and its associate regiment, being assailed, fell back on Gauley, and having made a stand to secure safety of the train, began their retreat. The Forty-fourth marched in the rear a day and the greater part of the night, and covered the retreat to Charleston, where the persistent foe again attacked on the 13th. The Union soldiers, greatly outnumbered, disputed the ground firmly, and finally crossing an affluent of the Kanawha, cut down the suspension bridge and cut off the pursuit. The regiment was now sent to Kentucky, and encamped for some time at Covington.

Moving to Lexington. it was placed in the Second Brigade, Second Division, of the Army of Kentucky. under Gen. Granger. and took part in various scouts anti marches until December 20. when. moving to Frankfort, it was there mounted and thence saw constant duty. advancing, retreating and skirmishing, and almost living in the saddle. The regiment dismounted. accompanied Burnside on his advance into Tennessee, and shared in the rigors of the campaign ; working in fortifications at Knoxville, and occupying the wet ditches day and night. The enemy were pursued eastward. and returning. the men went into camp at Strawberry Plains. January 1, it was proposed that the command re-enlist, under promise that the men would be armed and mounted as cavalry. Within four days, 550 of 600 men had accepted the proposal. Their arrival at home was an occasion of enthusiastic and joyous meeting. On March 28. 1864, the veterans with numerous recruits were organized at Camp Dennison. as the

Eighth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.—Delayed in the receipt of arms and accouterments, six companies, not mounted, were ordered to West Virginia on April 26, and on May 8 the rest of the regiment was ordered to Cincinnati, to be transported to Charleston. Early on the 10th, without saddles or bridles, the men, each leading two or three horses, set out for the city, which was reached in a heavy rain, but by dark they had embarked and were on their way. At Charleston, they were supplied with carbines and saddles, and, the last of May, sent to Lewisburg over a familiar road. They were assigned to Gen. Duffle's brigade, and started with Averill on the raid to Lynchburg. On the night of the third day, camp was made in Warm Springs Valley. At Staunton, a junction was made with Hunter's command. A futile attempt was made to surprise the rebels at guckhannon, where the Eighth remained till the 15th, when it crossed the ridge toward Lynchburg. Two companies skirmished with the enemy near Otter Creek Bridge, and, at noon next day. the enemy was met in force. The ground was disputed with uncertain result, and the rebels were forming for a charge. when infantry came up and secured the position. The night brought aid to the enemy, and by dark next day the Union army was retreating rapidly, followed closely by the rebels. At Liberty, the Eighth was ordered to re-enforce the rear guard, and, in an action with a far superior force, lost seventy-one in killed, wounded and prisoners. Subsequently, the enemy having attacked and partially despoiled the train of artillery, the Eighth dismounted and recovered the guns. They retired to White Sulphur Springs, where the regiment was divided—the Colonel proceeding with the footmen to Charleston, while the mounted men. under the Lieutenant Colonel, went to Beverly. A march of 600 miles. occupying thirty-three days, brought the mounted men temporary rest. Twice ordered to the Shenandoah, they each time returned, under counter orders, to Beverly. Four companies—A, C, H and K—were captured in August. On the morning of October 29, a body of rebels rode into camp. just as the men were falling in for roll-call. As the shots were heard at the picket line, the men formed, carbine in hand, behind the horse racks, and held the enemy temporarily in check. A hand-to-hand fight occurred, the men battling singly and in groups, and, in some cases, without weapons. Finally the rebels were routed, with a loss of seventeen killed, twenty-seven wounded and ninety-two prisoners, while the Eighth lost eight killed, twenty-five wounded and thirteen prisoners.

Scouting and skirmishing kept the men busily employed till December 1, when Col. Moore rejoined the regiment with his force. They had been in the cavalry charge at Winchester, had fought at Fisher's Hill, barely escaped capture at Cedar Creek. and followed Early on his retreat. Things put on a new aspect at this time. Five companies were well mounted, and four of these were ordered to Philippi, and 300 men of the Thirty-fourth came to replace them. On January 11. 1865, about 3 A. M., the camp was surprised ; a few escaped, twenty-five were killed and wounded, most were captured. In seven days, they were hurried 163 miles, wading through streams, traveling through snow, and half starved. At

Staunton, seventy men were placed in each of a train of stock cars and conveyed to Richmond. They suffered much in Libby and Pemberton till paroled, February 15. Some returned to Clarksburg, and some were mustered out as prisoners of war in June, and in August the regiment was mustered out at Clarksburg, Va., and was paid off and discharged at Camp Dennison, Ohio.

History of the Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.—This regiment contained two companies of men from Darke County, under Capts. Eli Hickox and David Putnam. It was about the close of April, 1862, when the organization reported for duty at Nashville, Tenn.; was reviewed by Andrew Johnson, then Military Governor of the State, and, April 29, detailed to guard forty-two miles of the Nashville & Columbia Railroad. The companies were stationed at bridges within that distance. June 6, the regiment was ordered to report at Franklin, then to Nashville, and was then transported to Murfreesboro, where it joined three other regiments, two batteries and a body of cavalry, all under Gen. Dumont, in an expedition to McMinnville. The head of the column entered that town in twenty-eight hours after leaving Murfreesboro, and in twenty hours accomplished the feat of traveling fifty-two miles., They marched across the Cumberland Mountains to Pikeville. The ascent of the mountains is very steep, and the distance to the top shelf is three miles. The artillery doubled teams, as did the baggage trains. The road is covered with sharp stones, lying loose ; at the top of the road, it is covered with fine sand to the depth of four inches. Water was scarce ; trains were far to the rear ; haversacks were empty, and everybody was hungry. There was a small farm where the troops camped, and among the stock was a flock of fifty sheep, which fell victims to their necessities. There was no salt, and the mutton was roasted on sticks for supper and breakfast. On Sunday morning, the column had advanced but two miles, when scouts reported the rebels at Pikeville, and nothing to eat ; thereupon the column about-faced and set out on their return. Returning to Nashville, the Sixty-ninth was assigned to provost and guard duty until the close of July. Col. L. D. Campbell was appointed Provost Marshal of Nashville, and held the position till his resignation, in August. Morgan made a raid on Gallatin, and the Sixty-ninth Ohio and Eleventh Michigan, marching thither, drove out the enemy. While Bragg was engaged in his movement on Louisville, the Sixty-ninth, with other regiments, garrisoned Nashville. Duty was severe, and skirmishes were frequent. The army gathering at Nashville, the regiment moved out into camp, about five miles from the city. It was placed in Negley's division of the Fourteenth Army Corps, and advanced with the army, on December 26, upon the Franklin Pike. The vicinity of the enemy was reached on the evening of the 29th, and skirmishing was constant. On the next day, Negley marched to the right center,•and, while a part of the Sixty-ninth lay in the cedars, the others were upon the skirmish line. On the 31st, it went to the front early in the morning. Companies A and D were sent out to skirmish with the rebel pickets, while the others lay upon the ground to avoid the exploding shells, and reserving4their fire for infantry. About 10 A. M., the crisis approached, and the Sixty-ninth fell back some thirty rods to an open field, and fell into line with the division. The rebel lines advanced, well supported, and maintaining a heavy, deadly fire. Col. Cassily was dismounted, and Maj. Hickox took command. The men were confused, and, being exposed to the leaden sleet without returning the fire, showed unmistakable symptoms of disorganization. The Major partially restored confidence, and the line was rapidly recovering, when a shot, striking his horse, threw him heavily ; and now the men stood without command, under a murderous rain of balls. They were becoming demoralized, when Col. Stanley, discovering their trouble, placed himself at their front, and, advancing them to support the other regiments, was called elsewhere. The men went in and placed themselves among the soldiers of other regiments, without regard to order. In a few minutes, Capt. Putnam began to re-form Company E, and the movement was immediately imitated by other companies. They fell back a short distance,

halted. chose Putnam to command, and then, when nearly cut off, made their way out, with little time to spare. and the division marched to the rear of the left center.

The men felt chagrin at the part taken by them. They had been under fire for hours and hardly a man had fired a half-dozen rounds. January 1, the division was held in reserve. About 3 P. M., Friday, the enemy made a desperate attack upon the Union left wing. Negley's division was then lying behind a hill, hidden from their view. The foe came on in dense lines, driving before them a part of Crittenden's corps, and had almost reached the river when the Eighth Division was ordered forward in a counter charge. The line arose, delivered their fire and began their advance. As regiment upon regiment came in sight, the enemy, astonished, halted, wavered and then began to fall back. The Sixty-ninth, now well led, pushed forward and captured a section of the celebrated New Orleans Washington Battery ; Sergt. Wilson, of Company E, captured the flag. The fight ended some time after night set in, and the next day the regiment, with the division, entered Murfreesboro. Albright and Stopher, of Company E, were killed in this charge, and there were many wounded.

After the battle of Stone River, the Army of the Cumberland lay some time in camp, collecting new strength, accumulating supplies and re-organizing regiments preparatory to another advance. Re-enforcements had nearly doubled the strength of the army. Three corps were formed—the Twentieth under McCook, the Fourteenth, Thomas, and the Twenty-first, Crittenden. Negley's division was increased by the addition'of a brigade of six East Tennessee regiments, and the Sixty-ninth Ohio now belonged to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps. The Tullahoma campaign began on June 24, and the Sixty-ninth advanced southward along the Manchester pike, and, having finally reached Cowan's Station, was detached as guard to the general hospital and halted at this place until September 28, when it was sent as guard to an ammunition train of 450 wagons, en route to Bridgeport, on the Tennessee, whence it marched to Chattanooga. In the various movements of the troops, the Sixty-ninth Ohio, with the reserve corps of Gen. Granger, moved from Rossville to Chickamauga Creek, whence. under orders of Col. D. McCook, brigade commander, it marched to Reed's Bridge, which it burned, thereby securing the rear of the army from attack. After this service, the regiment marched to Rossville and was placed in charge of the division trains, thus denied a part in the battle of Chickamauga. In the afternoon of the 20th, the command was sent to the front, near Rossville, and assisted to cover the retreat of the Fourteenth Army Corps to Chattanooga. When Mission Ridge was fought, the regiment was among the first to scale the mountain, under the efficient leadership of Maj. J.sJ. Hanna. In this action, Lieut. J. S. Scott, Color Sergt. Jacob Wetzell, Color Corps. D. W. Leach and John Meredith, Corp. E. J. Manche, and Privates Kluger, Elsom, Sewers, Yankirk and Hefting were killed, and many wounded, a number mortally. Next morning, the command moved down to the Ringgold road and advanced along it until night ; were delayed at the Little Chickamauga and another stream, awaiting the building of bridges. A number of rebel camp-fires were seen on a ridge ahead, whereupon the troops moved cautiously, and, about 8 P. M., made an attack, in which Ferguson's Battery was captured complete, without the loss of a man, and, on the 29th of December, returned to Chattanooga. The regiment veteranized March 16, 1864, and set out for Ohio on a furlough of thirty days. Most of the two Darke County companies re-entered the service, and came home looking well and hearty. Their short furlough ended, the men promptly reported at Camp Dennison, and, April 22, again started for the field, marching, for want of transportation, from Nashville to Cowan's Station, and joined the army before Buzzard's Roost on May 11. Three days later, it marched with the army through Snake Creek Gap and bivouacked for the night. The regiment marched about 3 A. M., and soon arrived in sight of the enemy's position on a range of hills, half a

mile distant. Looking across the valley, the rebels were seen busily working on their lines. Near nightfall, there was heavy skirmishing for some time.

About 5 P. M., a battery opened briskly ; there were heard occasional volleys of musketry, and as night came the Sixty-ninth Ohio moved half a mile to the left and bivouacked. Skirmishing began at daylight. and shortly before 9 A. M. the command moved forward to the left oblique to the rear of a skirmish line. and at the corner of a field formed in front of this line and close upon the enemy. Two companies were deployed in advance, and shortly became actively engaged. The regiment then advanced and succeeded in driving the enemy within their works across the valley. On being relieved at 2 P. M.. the men fell back into the second line. At this place, Color Sergt. John A. Compton. of K. and four others - were killed, and twenty-one wounded. The enemy evacuating during the night. the regiment entered Resacca at 2 P. M.. observing many rebel dead lying where they had fallen. Soon a bridge was thrown over the Oostanoula, and the troops rapidly crossing pushed on in hot pursuit through Calhoun. Adairsville, Kingston. and halted by the railroad a few days. On the morning of the 23d. the advance was renewed, and the troops halted at the banks of the Etowah, here three hundred yards wide and three feet deep. Next day, this stream was forded and the march continued till the 25th, when a spur of Altona Mountains was reached. and here the regiment remained all day. helping trains up the ascent. A march of twelve miles on the 26th brought us to the scene of Hooker's action of the previous day. The wounded lay in a house used as a hospital. and surgeons were busy amputating limbs on a table near by. Farther on. skirmishing showed the enemy near, as the men bivouacked in a wheat field where grass grew rank and luxuriant and the wheat was sparse and straggling. Moved next morning a half- mile to the left, and at noon advanced nearly a mile upon an open field and halted. About 5 P. M., two brigades directly in front engaged, and from then on till dark the firing was steady and heavy. Stragglers came back in squads, and there were indications of a repulse, while the force suffered severely. This action was denominated New Hope Church. The regiment moved up and threw up breastworks about one hundred and fifty yards in rear of the front line. which kept up a constant fire. During the night. the regiment occupied the front line. and made the works stronger while exchanging shots at 300 yards with the enemy. The enemy was engaged at Pumpkinvine Creek and Dallas, losing five killed and nineteen wounded. Night and day the contest continued, one day in the front line, another in the second ; marching forward as the rebels gave ground, and moving right or left as the swaying lines were influenced by obstacles. Awakened at dark hour of night by the crackle of the musketry and called to the lines, peering into the obscurity, awaiting a probable attack, working for hours building huge earthworks with head log and cover, the one to protect from balls, the other from the hot sun. Accustomed to the roar of artillery. the hum of balls ; indifferent to the death or wound of a comrade ; cooking where bullets struck in the fire, and holding their lives in their hands, such was the experience of the Sixty-ninth for a hundred days of skirmish, fortification. march and battle. Kenesaw Mountain was reached in the evening of June 14. an elevation unknown before; but soon familiar to all the country. A glass showed men and horses, guns and tents upon the mountain four miles distant. The journal of a member of the regiment furnishes the following at this point :

" Late in the evening, we advanced half a mile and found ourselves near Big Shanty, on the railroad. The Fourteenth advanced one mile ; lay two nights here ; labored much of the last night throwing up breastworks. which we occupied next day. Our side opened with cannon, but received no reply. Part of the regiment was on the skirmish line and one man was killed. Moved back to second line at 2 P. M. A fight of two hours' duration occurred. A part of our line charged and drove the enemy from their rifle pits. A battle began on the 18th, and lasted till 9 P. M., though rainy. Advanced the line a half-mile, swinging right around

and bringing us in line north and south. The rebels contested the ground fiercely, but were forced back, and next morning found they had fallen back to another position. In the evening. a locomotive ran down to the skirmish line, and drew several shots from cannon on the mountain. At 3:20 A. M. next day, we moved out to support the front line, which advanced upon the rebels, who obstinately held their own. Next day, firing was heavy till dark, and this continued until the 27th, when unsuccessful attacks were made with heavy loss. On July 3, the enemy retired and the regiment followed to the Chattahoochee. The next stand was made at the river, 'where no loss was sustained. On July 21, in the skirmishing near Atlanta. one man was killed and ten wounded, and next day the men began works for the siege of the Gate City. On the last days of summer, the regiment moved away to the right, and on the 1st of September was heavily-- engaged at Jonesboro, losing Lieuts. Jacob S. Pierson and Martin V. Bailey, Color Sergt. Allen L. Jobes, of D, and five men killed and thirty-six wounded, a number of them mortally, who died shortly after the fight.

The Sixty-ninth joined in the pursuit of Hood to the north, and returning to Atlanta. accompanied the corps in its march to Savannah, losing four taken prisoners and one by disease. On the lines near the city, the regiment was at the front. In the Carolina campaign the regiment was in action near Goldsboro, on March 19, 1865, in which, its last battle, the Sixty-ninth lost two killed-and eight wounded. It moved to Raleigh, thence to and through Richmond, took part in the grand review at Washington, were conveyed to Louisville, Ky., and finally came the muster-out, and the final discharge at Camp Dennison of 536 men, veterans in truth. with long service upon the march, with the rifle and with the spade and soldier's awl.

Eighty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry.—The former of these two organizations was recruited for three months, from various parts of the State, and Darke County supplied one company under Capt. Charles Calkins. It was mustered in at Camp. Chase, and reported ready for duty early in June, 1862. Orders came on the 12th, to report at Baltimore to Maj. Gen. Wool, commanding post. Three days later, the men reached that city, and the regiment, 1,024 strong, was sent into camp near by, and drill and discipline occupied their time for some weeks. Late in July, it was ordered to report at Harper's Ferry to Col. Miles, and on arrival, was stationed on Bolivar Heights, and placed under severe drill. Its time had expired. when the enemy under Jackson compelled a surrender of Harper's Ferry, and the Eighty-Seventh was included in the forces captured. When the fact became known, the men were released from parole, and were transported home from Annapolis. Md.. and September 20, 1862, mustered out of service.

The Ninety-fourth Ohio Volunteers was organized at Camp Piqua, Miami County, under the following staff and line officers : Colonel, Joseph W. Frizell, of Greenville ; Lieutenant Colonel, Stephen A. Bassford, Xenia ; Major, David King, Springfield ; Quartermaster. Joshua C. Horton, Piqua ; B. F. Cooledge, Troy. The officers were appointed July 22, 1862, and in one month, 1,010 men had enlisted and were mustered into service. Their camp was at Upper Piqua on the farm of the late Col. John Johnson, an historic spot. Three companies from Darke County were enrolled in this regiment, of which we give the following roster :

Company

County

Captain

First Lieutenant

Second Lieutenant

Clarke.

Miami.

Greene.

Darke.

Clarke.

Greene.

Darke.

Perry Stewart.

John C. Drury. Frank W. Walton. R. P. Hutchins. David Steele.

Thos. H.Workman. Chas. C. Gibson. James Kyle. Wesley Gorsuch. Chauncey Riffle.

Hezekiah Kelshner.

D. J. McLaughlin.

James A. Petticrews.

John W. Ford.

John A. Beale.

W. H. Snyder.

N. G. McConkey.

A, L. Trader.

G. D. Farrar.

Samuel T. Arnold.

A. Winger.

F. B. McNeal.

Frank A. Hardy.

Andrew Wiggins. Samuel Walton.

H. A. Tomlinson.

George W. Wilson.

D. P. Davidson.

Charles R. Moss,

M. G. Maddox

On the 28th of August, before being uniformed or supplied with camp equipage, and before a single regimental drill, the regiment was hurried to Covington, Ky., and, on their arrival immediately dispatched to Lexington. They had been armed with Enfield rifles of improved pattern, and the Colonel, by energy, had succeeded in obtaining sufficient ammunition to supply each man with three rounds, when the command took the cars for Lexington, where it arrived at 9 P. M. Saturday night, and heard of the disaster of Richmond and the peril of the hour. Col. Frizell sought for the officer to whom he was to report, and found him incompetent, from drunkenness, to give instructions. Aided by citizens, quarters were found for the men, who bivouacked for the first time. Sunday morning found the town swarming with stragglers from the Richmond rout, each relating to whoever would hearken wild stories of death and defeat. These tales, the gloomy uncertainty, the lack of discipline in the town, all conspired to chill the ardor of the new troops and call out their fortitude. The regiment was ordered to march to Yates' Ford, on the Kentucky, fifteen miles east, on the Richmond pike, and at once began then: first march over a dusty road, under a hot sun, with a limited supply along the way of water. Their destination was reached at dark, and while the Colonel was endeavoring to find a good position for defense, the men, being greatly wearied, lay down in and by the road to rest. A sudden volley fired by a rebel scouting party from the thicket skirting the road struck momentary consternation into the command, thus terribly awakening from deep slumber in the darkness ; but the men were soon in line, and withdrawn to a more secure and advantageous position, having by this attack lost two men killed and six wounded. Col. Frizzell remained with his vidette near the regiment. to which he had communication by Maj. King, Capt. Drury and the Adjutant posted at intermediate distances. Aware that an enemy was near, it was little surmised that the entire army of Kirby Smith was encamped but two miles north of the ford, with the intention of crossing in the morning. Night went slowly by. and at daylight the hungry men surrounded some wagons which had arrived from Lexington. in hopes of rations which had been promised. The wagons were found loaded with ammunition, 125 rounds to a man, and three sacks of green coffee. While the coffee was being issued, parched, and breakfast was being prepared from this scanty source, the vidette reported the advance of the enemy in sight, and presently a shell plunged into the earth near by ; a brief interval and then came another, and soon they fell more frequently as the battery over the stream in the woods found the position of the regiment. Col. Frizzell, from observation of the rebel movements. saw an intention to cut off his retreat, and gave orders to his Adjutant for the men to fall in and march back past a road by which they might be intercepted. The command was promptly executed, and as the rear cleared the road the enemy came trooping from it upon the pike, and opened fire upon the Miami company, under Capt. Drury, which had been detailed as rear-guard. The fire was returned and the rebels held in check, while the regiment, moving to a designated point. formed line of battle. The orders had been to " contest every foot of ground back to Lexington:. and this was just what the Colonel intended to do, when orders. dated the previous evening, were brought from Gen. G. C. Smith, for the regiment to fall back to Lexington as rapidly as possible.

Their situation was critical, being twelve miles from possible support. new to the service, and an army close upon them ; yet the Colonel was not wanting in energy, nor his men in confidence and courage. As the regiment moved. one after another exhausted men fell by the way and were captured by the enemy. In this way, despite the efforts of the officers, quite a number of men were taken. The regiment reached Lexington at 4 P. M., and found that the troops. beaten at Richmond, had passed through the place, on their way toward Louisville, and t' .t all stores left behind had been destroyed. The Ninety-fourth were hungry. tired and foot-sore, in poor condition for another more trying march. It was said that the line officers deemed it best to surrender, but Col. Frizzell declared in opposition,

and obeyed the orders to continue the retreat. At daylight, a halt was made. at Versailles. for breakfast, but the men had hardly got their coffee to boil when " fall in " was passed to the commanders of companies, and the disheartening journey was resumed. There was a prevailing drouth. and water, of poor quality even, was scarce. The urgency of thirst may be gathered from the fact that the soldiers paid $5 for a canteen full of muddy water, $1 for a drink, and many drank from the slimy pools where horses would not. The sun shone hot from a cloudless sky, and the hard pike was deep with a dust which enveloped the person and entered the nostrils. aggravating thirst, while the blistered feet at each step seemed as if pressed upon a sheet of needles, so painful was the pressure. The march lasted from 3 A. M. till late at night. For food, the men gathered green corn from the fields near the bivouac, and partook of a few crackers issued. These discouragements caused many to straggle, and these were picked up by the pursuing enemy. Upon arriving at Louisville, they went into camp without tents, in the woods, having lost on the march 317 men, and so worn were the men that the greatest want was the opportunity to rest. The men presented a pitiable appearance, as well they might, after seven days of an initiation into military life which fell to few organizations. The command soon recovered health and spirits, the paroled men came back. and they were again ready for service. As Buell was driven in, the regiment was set to work building breastworks, and when Bragg began to fall back. it followed after as a part of Russeau's division of McCook's corps. It took a conspicuous part in the battle of Perryville, where Col. Frizzell was wounded, and the command devolved upon Lieut. Col. Bassford. In general orders, the Ninety-fourth received honorable mention, and took their accredited position as a regiment to be relied upon.

The movement upon Murfreesboro began December 26, 1862, at which date the Ninety-fourth was in the advance from Nashville, and in the battle of the 30th and 31st acted as a partial reserve. The regiment was again in the advance on Tullahoma, and was in action at Hoover's Gap ; skirmished at Dug Gap, and engaged the enemy on September 19 and 20, losing two killed, twenty-two wounded, and a like number missing. At Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, the regiment again took a notable part, and was one of the many that made the historic charge upon the ridge. In the spring of 1864, the regiment was sent on a scout toward Dalton, to ascertain the situation of the enemy. They met and drove him through Tunnel Hill, both sides freely using artillery. An advance was desired and the infantry stopped for nothing, but pushed forward into the rebel works, where they found shelter for the night. Next day, K was deployed on the skirmish line and advance continued. Here were seen the waste of war—fields fenceless. women wailing. mills gutted and ruin everywhere. The object of the reconnaissance being gained, the force retired, and the Ninety-fourth, as rear guard, reached Ringgold about midnight. The regiment went into camp nine miles from Chattanooga. on the railroad toward Knoxville, while a part of the regiment veteranized, were furloughed and returned home. The time soon went by, bringing back the veterans. accompanied by many recruits and imparting a buoyant and cheerful feeling to all.

It set out with Sherman on the Atlanta campaign. and was engaged at Rocky Face, Resaca and Kingston, resting at Carrville, May 22, at which date the casualties were thirteen killed and fifty wounded. They were familiar with the din of battle, and at Pumpkin-vine Creek, Kenesaw Mountain and the Chattahoochee River. took their share of the work and fighting. In action, July 10, twelve men were killed and forty-five wounded. Again, at Peach Tree Creek, the siege of Atlanta and the hard battle of Jonesboro. the Ninety-fourth was called upon and did its duty well. It followed Hood in his mad rush northward ; marched from Atlanta to Savannah. and January 20, 1865, set out on its long, wearisome journey through the Carolinas. It was engaged at Bentonville, N. C., and encamped at Goldsboro, on the 23d of March. Again the column moved, heavily re-enforced, to sweep

upward upon Lee. overwhelming Johnson on the way, but tidings of decisive battles came to us, and the joyous, exultant troops swept rapidly toward Raleigh. The Ninety- fourth was the first infantry regiment to enter the city. and soon after set out for Washington, via Richmond and Alexandria. It passed in review before the President and the thousands of spectators that thronged the capital, and was mustered out of the service June 6, 1865. with an aggregate of 338 men. out of an enrollment of 1,010, and was paid off and discharged at Camp Chase, whence they returned to home, friends and families, and speedily became merged in the population.

The One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Vannteer Infantry.—The One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camp Piqua, Ohio, in August, 1862, and contained two companies from Darke County. The regiment was officered by Col. Keifer. Lieut. Col. Foster :..nd Maj. Binkley, all moral men, and the line officers were men of firmness and sobriety. Marching orders were received October 19, for Parkersburg, Va. On the evening of the same day, the regiment arrived by rail at Zanesville. Here it was embarked upon steamboats and conveyed down the Muskingum to Marietta. where it arrived on the evening of the 20th. passed the night on board, and next morning, the men caught their first glance of Dixie Land beyond the Ohio. The command disembarked, entered trains and were soon taken to Parkersburg.

They drew tents the same evening, put them up and named their camp. in honor of their commander, Camp Keifer. November 3. the regiment moved to Clarksburg ; remained there three weeks and then took the cars for New Creek, where it arrived about 3 A. M.. next day, and for over two weeks was occupied in drill, picket and other duty. The men felt great repugnance to camp guard. and this hated duty soon " played out," and the men went where they chose. A favorite resort was Queen's View, a rocky eminence, some three hundred feet above the surroundings. The men amused themselves, tumbling rocks into the river below. to the great discomfiture of those coming for water. Mulligan's Irishmen. espying men on the rock, would cry out : " Hello, phwat regiment are yez ?" ' If the reply was. " One Hundred and Tenth Ohio," they beat a hasty retreat. The rock-tumbling continued until an order was read on parade to arrest the first man seen on the rock. December 13, the regiment marched by way of Burlington and Petersburg to Moorfield. " At the close of the first day, the boys, being desirous of writing and desks being scarce, went to a neighboring farmhouse and returned with a box which was found to be filled with honey. It was dark, and they did not want to carry it back, so some of the men had honey and hard tack the rest of the march." Part of the regiment was sent toward Winchester, and the remainder with other forces toward Romney. The detachment was hurried through, and indignantly characterized the journey as " an infernal forced march." The main body reached Winchester a week later, where the regiment was placed in the First Brigade, Second Division, Eighth Army Corps, while A and D were detailed as provost guards. A round of scout, raid, drill and other duty occupied the time during the winter. A party sent to Front Royal captured supplies ; another engaged in like work dispersed a party of rebels at Summit Point, and in May the regiment moved to New Market and back on a species of marching drill. On the 13th of June, the regiment was moved out to Kernstown, and engaged Lee's advance. This was the first time the regiment was under fire, but it fought bravely, disputing every foot of ground against far superior numbers. On the morning of the 14th, the command was posted in a light breastwork, about three- fourths of a mile in front of the main defenses. The day wore away, and in the afternoon a crash of artillery and a rain of projectiles announced the rebel onset. Twenty-six cannon were directed upon this thin line for a brief period, an then came the serried ranks of infantry moving in fine array upon the outworks. The regiment held its ground till the enemy were near, and then fell back. At night it attempted to retreat farther, and. meeting the enemy, a running fight of two hours

ensued, during which it cut its way through and moved to Harper's Ferry. It encamped on Maryland Heights a short time, and then made its way to Frederick City, Md., where it was assigned to the Second Brigade, Third Division, Third Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. It took part in the pursuit of Lee through Williamsport, London and Upperville to Manassas Gap, there skirmished, and, finally, August 1, reached the Rappahannock, at Fox's Ford. Two weeks elapsed, when orders came to proceed to New York, and the cars were taken for Alexandria and thence by water on the steamship Mississippi to their destination. The camp was located for a time on Governor's Island, whence they moved to South Brooklyn and encamped in Carroll Park, where much kindness and many favors were received from the citizens. Early in September, the regiment was ordered back to the Ford, and marched in charge of an ammunition train from there to Culpepper, Va., where it remained quietly till October 10, when it was ordered under arms in anticipation of an attack, and stood to arms through the night ; and next dlay, crossing the Hazel and the Rappahannock. moved into the front line near the latter- named stream. A month went by, and November 7, the One Hundred and Tenth crossed the river, exchanged shots with the enemy, and, the day following, made a scout in the morning and took some forty prisoners.

Moving during the dlay somewhat to the front of Brandy Station, the regiment was made the target for the rebel artillery, but advancing, was one of the first to enter the position from which the rebels were driven. Subsequently four companies were detailed as guards to trains, and the others, being engaged at Locust Grove, lost five killed and twenty wounded. The united regiment, returning to the station December 1, went into winter quarters. In March, 1864, the One Hundred and Tenth became part of the Second Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Artillery Corps, and May 4 crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford, and on the clay following occupied a position on the extreme National right at the Wilderness. Preceded by a lively skirmish, the regiment, charging, drove the enemy within their works, held the ground till after dark, and fell back by reason of deficiency of ammunition. Maj. William S. McElwaine was killed and six officers were wounded ; eighteen men were killed, eighty-two wounded and eleven were missing. May 6, the regiment held the second line under fire of artillery, and at dark the defeat of troops on the right compelled a retrograde movement for about a mile, when a halt was made for a day, and at night the retreat was continued through Chancellorsville to the vicinity of Spottsylvania Court House, where works were thrown up and skirmishing done until May 14, when it marched toward Spottsylvania, forded Nye River after dark, and took possession of works from which the enemy had been driven.

Several reconnaissances were made, the enemy was frequently encountered, and the regiment, moving via Guinea and Chesterfield Stations, crossed the Pamunky and threw up breastworks. The One Hundred and Tenth was engaged June 1 at Cold Harbor, and on the 3d advanced in the front line upon the massive rebel works, and when the line halted was ordered to push forward, and for two long hours held an exposed position, when ordered to retire. On this day, the last to so many in the assault, the regiment lost five killed and thirty-four wounded. Under orders the regiment left the works, crossed the Chickahominy, passed to Winona Landing, was transported to Point of Rocks and marched to Bermuda Hundred. On the evening of June 19, the Appomattox was crossed, and the vicinity of Petersburg was reached. Preceded by a day's rest, the regiment marched to the Norfolk & Petersburg Railroad, advanced upon the enemy drove in the skirmish line, and, some days later, marched to the Petersburg & Weldon Railroad. On July 2, it returned to its post near Petersburg, then embarked at City Point for Baltimore, where it arrived on the 8th, and was taken on the cars to Monocacy Junction. It took post on the south side of the river, and advanced in the face of a heavy fire of cannon and rifles from all directions. Numbers threatened destruction. and the line fell back to Ellicott's Mills at noon

of July 10. In this battle four were killed. seventy-four were wounded. and fifty-two were missing. The regiment proceeded next day to Baltimore, thence. on the 14th, by rail to Washington ; on the 15th, marched again, forded the Potomac near Edwards' Ferry. and, passing Snicker's Gap to the Shenandoah. :skirmished with the enemy. Soon after, the regiment returned to Washington. A few days later, march was resumed. and after moving from point to point they are seen on the morning of August 10 passing through Charleston, Newton. Middletown, and two days later arrived at Cedar Creek. Several skirmishes followed, and, August 16, they were placed in charge of a train proceeding to Charlestown. The regiment was driven to Bolivar Heights, returned to Charlestown, and on the 29th in turn attacked and drove the enemy. It marched, September 3, to Clifton Farm, and threw up works. Two weeks later, it crossed the Opequan, bore prominent, honorable part in the battle of Winchester, where it thrice charged, and was one of the first to reach the heights. It joined in the pursuit of the enemy, overtook and engaged them at Fisher's Hill. and there captured four guns and a hundred prisoners. Continuing the pursuit to Mount Crawford it then wheeled about and marched back to Harper's Ferry. October 6, it moved to Strasburg, and thence to the neighborhood of Front Royal, from which place it moved to Ashby's Gap, and almost immediately returning went into camp. on Cedar Creek. When the Eighth and Nineteenth Corps were surprised by Early on the morning of the 19th of October, the One Hundred and Tenth was posted in the front line of the Sixth Corps. formed to check disaster and hold the enemy at bay. .Continually flanked, stand after stand was made, until a fresh formation being made, a daring, desperate charge retrieved the day, and drove the rebels in headlong rout. No regiment on that eventful day took more active part than did the One Hundred and Tenth. Two officers were wounded, one mortally ; five men were killed, twenty-seven were wounded, and an officer and one private were missing. At night the men occupied the camp whence the storm of battle had driven them, vainly resisting, in the morning, and here they remained until November 9, when they went into winter quarters near Kenstown.

They broke camp December 3, marched to Stebbins' Station, where cars were taken for Washington, whence by steamer, they were transported to City Point : thence by rail at midnight of the 6th, and they were at the old front once more. They were located near the Weldon Railroad, and with prospects of a permanent stay, proceeded to erect substantial winter quarters. They moved February 9. 1865, to a position on the line between Forts Welch and Fisher, and again put up winter quarters, and rested about six weeks.. On March 25, the brigade was called early to arms, and, line being formed, an advance was made upon the entrenched picket line, which proved too strong, and a check was experienced ; again the men advance with a desperate bravery that would not be denied, and despite the deadly fire met the works were carried, and a large number of prisoners were taken. A week passed away ; upon the National side in great preparations, while the rebels with few but devoted men stood defiantly behind works themselves almost impassable. On the morning of April 2, the lines were again formed for assault, and just before daybreak the Sixth Corps marched out and swept upon the entrenched lines in their front, carrying all before them and capturing many prisoners and guns.

The regiment joined in the subsequent pursuit, aiding to rout the enemy at Saylor's Creek, and following on until the final surrender at Appomattox. The command then marched to Burksville Junction, and, at a presentation of captured colors made to Gen. Meade on the 17th, the One Hundreth and Tenth was found to have taken more than any other regiment in the corps, and in consequence was selected as guard of honor to convey them to the General's headquarters. The regiment marched to Richmond, was reviewed by Halleck, marched to Washington and reviewed by the President at the White House. It was finally mustered out at the National Capital, June 25, 1865, and was discharged at Tod Barracks,

Columbus. having seen an arduous soldierly service in march and battlefield. It was in twenty-one engagements. and sustained a loss in killed, wounded and missing, of 795 men. It entered the service with but 797 men, received 625 recruits, and at the final muster-out 627 were discharged. These figures show the . character of the men for bravery, and how dearly they bought their enviable reputation on a score of fields. It seemed the fortune of some organizations to be called upon in the most perilous times and thrown forward as a forlorn hope ; it was honorable though deadly, and inscribed a record of which the living may well be proud.

The Eighth Ohio Independent Battery was recruited in the counties of Darke, Miami and Montgomery, and organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, March 10, 1862. It was soon ordered to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Mo., and on its arrival reported. to Gen. Halleck, Commandant. The battery did not go into quarters, but was at once sent on board of transports and taken down the river, under orders to report to Gen. Grant at Savannah, on the Tennessee. It reached its destination March 28, and. without disembarking, moved up the river to Pittsburg Landing, where it reported to Gen. Sherman and went into camp near the landing, where it remained until the beginning of the battle of Shiloh, on the 6th of April. The battery, during the two-days fight, was in Sherman's division, and several times came into close quarters with the enemy, on Sunday morning especially, the rebels charging in mass down their skirmish line within a Tew paces of the guns. The battery lost in killed Sergt. Leonard Ullery, of Greenville, and three men wounded

The battery moved with the brigade of Gen. Lew Wallace, of the Second Division. in the advance upon Corinth, and was posted upon the extreme right of the division. On the march by day and busily erecting works by night, it had advanced to within two miles of Corinth when the evacuation was made known, when it accompanied the brigade into the town.

It rested but three hours when ordered to proceed with the column of Gen. Grant to Memphis, Tenn., where it reported June 17, and remained six months, being occasionally called upon to accompany expeditions and scouts about the country. On December 20, it set out with the command of Gen. Sherman for Vicksburg, Miss., and, a week later, took part in the sanguinary engagement at Chickasaw Bayou. It was critically situated for several days, during which it was exposed to the guns of the enemy, but, January 1, 1863, it retreated with the army to the transports, which made their way to the Mississippi. On January 6, the battery formed part of the force sent against Arkansas Post, and contributed prominently to that brilliant success of the National arms. On the morning of January 26, 1863, a section of the Eighth, under command of Lieut. James F. Putnam. was embarked on one of the boats constituting the fleet forming an expedition up the Yazoo. After proceeding up the stream from the Mississippi about fifteen miles. the boat stopped, and about 3 P. M., Lieut. Putnam received orders from Gen. M. L. Smith to bring all ashore, which was promptly done. Two days' rations were taken, and at 9 A. M. next morning the section was in motion. The route lay directly across the plantation of Sidney Johnston, whose fine mansion was reduced to ashes. A low, barren tract of land was entered upon ; roads were almost impassable. A general halt was made about noon, and the enemy were found to be disputing progress. After an interval of about two hours, Gen. Smith sent back for the guns to shell the position of the hostile forces. Command was given and the artillery was rapidly advanced about two miles, when the rebels were found well posted upon a range of high hills covered with a dense growth of trees and underbrush, at the bottom of which ran a deep bayou.

The section advanced about two hundred yards in an open field, planted the guns about a mile from the enemy and opened with shell, and the first fire caused them to move farther up the hill. The guns then advanced about three hundred yards farther and again opened fire. A little after dark, the section was relieved by a Wisconsin battery. At daylight Sunday morning, Putnam was ordered to

advance his pieces to the front of the center division, where the firing was deafening. and there to silence a battery playing heavily on our infantry. This was soon (lone, but the section continued to work the guns all day, under fire, until dark, when, having fired three hundred rounds, the ammunition gave out and a gun was ordered to be fired every fifteen minutes during the night. The men were now tired, hungry and without cartridges, and were relieved by the First Illinois Battery and secured needed rest. Next day, the chests were filled, the men fed, and the section advanced briskly to the front, but firing was light. About 3 P. M., the guns were ordered to the left to cover an attempt by infantry to ford the bayou and storm the position. The Sixth Missouri crossed under a deadly fire and pressed forward till checked by the rebel works, too high to scale, and soon retired in good order. The enemy was now receiving re-enforcement, and the command was ordered to the transports.

In the campaign against Vicksburg. the Eighth assisted in the battles of Grand Gulf, Black River Bridge, Raymond, Champion Hill and in the rear of Vicksburg. For service rendered, it received the special thanks of Gens. Grant and Sherman. It operated on the extreme right of the Union position in Steele's division, Fifteenth Army Corps, and used thirty-two-pound Parrott guns. the heaviest pieces on the line.

Vicksburg having surrendered, the Eighth was sent to Jackson to help in the movement against Johnson ; it then returned to the former city, went into barracks mid remained till December, 1863. It went with Gen. Sherman on the expedition to Meridian, and, on its return, was placed on duty in the city, where it remained until the spring of 1864, when the command veteranized and visited their homes. They set out on their return on April 4, having recruited 118 men for the battery. Occasional expeditions occupied the Eighth until December 22, 1864, when it moved with an expedition to the central part of the State to destroy the Central Mississippi Railroad, and thereby hinder the re-enforcement of Gen. Hood, who was then in full retreat from his ill-advised march on Nashville. Forty miles of track, three locomotives and forty cars, loaded with rebel cotton and corn. were destroyed. The enemy were found in force at the Black River Bridge, and, being assailed, were driven from strong stockades and the bridge burned. The battery made its way back to Yazoo City and Vicksburg. At Yazoo City, the enemy had closed in and nearly surrounded it when the river was crossed and it moved down the opposite bank, being followed and under fire four miles. The Eighth Battery remained at Vicksburg until May 20, 1865, at which time it was ordered to Natchez, where it performed garrison duty until the last of June. Again it was sent to Vicksburg and employed on provost duty up to the last of July, when it was ordered to Camp Dennison, Ohio, and, at that camp, mustered out of service August 9, 1865.

Thus briefly have we outlined the movements, and placed on record the heroic actions, of organizations which, from the larger number of Darke County soldiers enrolled in them, presented the strongest claims to detailed notice.

It will be seen that the county had representatives in all branches of the service and upon every notable battlefield of the war. Their record is stainless, and in many adverse situations they bore themselves with honor. It is easy to eulogize, but it is seldom that it has worthier theme.

Fifteen years have elapsed since the men came home bronzed and bearded ; many of them in middle age constitute the best citizens of the county, and many are enfeebled by the exertions made in their early manhood, but few are the recipients of a nation's bounty.

How many have fallen in battle, in hospital, by ball and disease, and how many have been " mustered out " since by death.

	Electors	Volunteers	To Raise	Electors	Elect-ors	Volunt-eers	To Raise
Greenville	925	175	10	Jackson	260	31	21
German	265	27	27	Monroe	175	24	11
Washington	255	38	13	York	120	9	15
Harrison	370	40	34	Van Buren	200	32	8
Butler	310	21	43	Allen	95	10	9
Heave	200	17	23	Mississinewa	130	15	11
Richland	393	12	27	Franklin	170	29	5
Wayne	325	65	00	Patterson	125	32	0
Twin	350	32	38	Wabash	110	12	30
Adams	320	37	27
Brown	215	27	16	Total	5105	685	348