WAR EXPERIENCES AT COLUMBUS - 175 arrangement became very satisfactory to the prisoners and was the means of my forming an acquaintance with many of them who were gentlemen of intelligence and high character at home, their only fault being a hatred of the Yankees and the National Union. Of the total amount of $14,584.47 deposited with me by them, I did not learn of the loss of a single dollar in transmission or otherwise. I was in frequent intercourse with them, and they admitted that they were better fed and cared for than in their own army. They were well fed and housed, and their sick were nursed and cared for the same as our own sick. Those who were destitute of sufficient clothing were furnished with it from donations or from government stores. We had three noted visitors at Camp Chase during the time the prisoners were under my care, viz : Andrew Johnson, afterwards President ; Parson Brownlow, afterwards United States Senator and Governor of Tennessee, and Mr. Maynard, Representative in Congress from the same State. I escorted each of these gentlemen to Camp Chase. Mr. Johnson addressed the soldiers at headquarters, a part of whom were a part of a Tennessee regiment held for parole. He was well received and frequently cheered during this remarks in favor of the Union. In the evening he spoke in the Hall of the House of Representatives to the members and a large number of citizens. I visited the prison hospital with him where he found a sick Tennessee soldier, who was not only sick in body but in mind. He told Mr. Johnson he had been induced to join the Confederate army under a misapprehension of the object of the. war and the character of the Northern people. He was at heart a Union man, as were many of 'the Tennessee prisoners. He begged Mr. Johnson to get him paroled and sent home. He was ready and willing to swear allegiance to the National Government and never take up arms against it if he could only get back to his family. He was desperately homesick and it was a pathetic scene between him and Mr. Johnson. Parson Brownlow's visit was quite an exciting one. There was a large number of Tennessee prisoners in the west prison but only a few were in the east one. His first visit was at the east prison. As the prisoners were called out to see and hear him while he stood on the balcony, I introduced him and a few of them cheered, but a number of Louisianians called "Louisiana Tigers" hissed and groaned, which so enraged the parson that he turned away and refused to speak. But at the west prison, where were many Tennesseeans, he met with a warm welcome. After addressing them for a short time from the balcony he went with me into the prison, where he met many of his old neighbors and friends who gathered around him and inquired after friends at home. Some of them had been printers and editors. He opened his purse and distributed all the money he had among them, so that he was compelled to borrow funds to pursue his journey. Mr. Maynard was rather a reticent man and did not deliver a speech, but he visited a number of prisoners whom he knew. Nothing seemed to enlist the sympathy and zeal of Governor Tod so much as the care of sick and wounded soldiers. On April 8 the news of the battle of Pittsburgh Landing called for the most prompt and energetic action by the State for the relief of the thousands who were wounded. As soon as the news of the bat- 176 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. tle reached Columbus the Governor ordered Surgeon-General Weber and myself to Cincinnati to charter steamboats, which we loaded with sanitary stores donated by the people and the Cincinnati branch of the Sanitary Commission. During the spring and summer nine steamboats were chartered and fitted out for this benevolent work. They were under charge of my assistant, Colonel Bliss, and of George B. Senter and others. Colonel Bliss made five trips between Cincinnati and the battlefields of the South. Doctor G. C. E. Weber, Surgeon-General of the State, was very active and efficient until his health broke down from overwork, and he was compelled to resign. Doctor S. M. Smith, of Columbus, who had been very energetic in aiding Doctor Weber, was made Surgeon-General and continued to look after the sick and wounded in a very efficient manner. He made several trips to the southern camps and hospitals, directing the supply and equipment of the steamboats for their errands of mercy. He was aided by about thirty voluntary nurses and physicians who gave their time and experience to the work free of charge. To mention the names of all who thus donated their services would be impossible. There was no lack of willing hands and warm hearts for the service. All the loyal people of the State were interested and ready to cooperate. Very efficient assistance was rendered hy the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati branches of the Sanitary Commission, hesides which the Ladies' Aid Societies all over the State contributed their time and labor. Among the articles donated and sent to the soldiers in camps and hospitals may he mentioned 5,706 blankets, quilts and coverlets ; 7,295 shirts, drawers and pairs of socks; 645 pillows, pillow-covers, sheets and towels ; besides numerous articles of clothing of every variety ; boxes and barrels of canned fruit ; jellies, wines, cordials, and thousands of bandages, lint and similar articles prepared by the hands of loving wives, sisters and sweethearts. In addition to these useful supplies, over $200 in money was sent to me to be used in the purchase of such articles as I might deem most needed. More than half of this money was given by the Warden (Nathaniel Merlon), guards and employes of the Penitentiary. Many of the donations contained letters and labels directing where and to whom they were to be sent. As far as practicable these requests and directions were carried out. Doctor J. M. Wheaton, at that time an assistant in my office, had charge of the receipt and distribution of the donations. Among many singular packages which came was a large sack of garden seeds sent by an old lady, with no special direction or consignment. The doctor suggested that this package be sent to the army of the Potomac, which was " all quiet " so much of the time as to become a byword. I made a number of visits with Governor Tod to the hospitals at Cincinnati and Camp Dennison and nearly every Sunday we visited Camp Chase. Too much credit and praise cannot be given to the Sanitary Commission, which was organized in May, 1861, and continued its good work until after the close of the war. Three important branches, including a very efficient one at Columbus, were organized in this State. The Commission realized and expended over a quarter of a million dollars. Another important aid to sick and wounded soldiers was inaugurated by Governor Tod, and carried on through my department, by the establishment of State WAR EXPERIENCES AT COLUMBUS - 177 agents whose duty it was to look after not only the sick and wounded but also the furloughed soldiers, many of whom had not seen a paymaster for months, and were entirely out of money. A call upon the railway companies of the State was made to allow sick or furloughed soldiers, or those returning to their regiments in the field, to travel at one and one half cents per mile on tickets furnished and signed by me. All the railways of the State agreed to the arrangement ; also the Pennsylvania, Northern Central, Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago, Ohio & Mississippi, Baltimore & Ohio and Illinois Central. The plan adopted was to print and sign books of tickets in my office, in blank, and distribute them to the different agents of the State to be furnished by them to the soldiers. If a soldier had no money he was furnished with tickets on credit and the amounts were deducted from his pay. The tickets taken by the railway companies were redeemed at my office on presentation. The state agents who held the tickets were charged with the duty of looking after the Ohio soldiers in their respective localities and districts and seeing that they were cared for in every way, and especially of aiding them, when necessary, in procuring their discharge and the pay due them from the Government. The arrangement involved a large amount of labor, but was productive of great good. The following persons were appointed agents for the State: James C. Wetmore, Washington City ; Weston Flint, St. Louis, Cairo, Mound City and Paducah ; F. W. Bingham, Memphis ; R. P. Baker, New York City ; Royal Taylor, Nashville ; Daniel R. Taylor, Louisville; A. B. Lyman, Cincinnati ; and James E. Lewis, Columbus. Mr. Lewis was an assistant in my office and had general charge of the agencies besides attending to his own duties. He was detailed to the work about the middle of July, 1862, and in ten months of service collected over $325,000 of back pay due to over 4,000 Ohio soldiers and paid the same over to them or their legal representatives. In the meantime he collected back over $8,000 for transportation furnished to soldiers on credit. Mr. Lewis's work was a fair sample of what the other agents did. They were required to make weekly reports to me which were filled with interesting accounts of their work. No doubt thousands of their lives were saved or prolonged by the efforts of these agents, and over a million of dollars collected for the soldiers or their representatives.. In addition to these agencies the Governor sent special agents to various points to inquire into the condition of the sick and wounded. Among such messengers was Reverend A. R. Howbert, who visited the hospitals along the Potomac, at Baltimore, Frederick City, Middletown, Boonesboro, Sharpsburg, Washington City and Alexandria. The report of Colonel George B. Senter, who visited Paducah, Kentucky, Mound City and Pittsburgh Landing in charge of the steamer Glendale and brought over three hundred sick and wounded soldiers to Cincinnati, can be seen in the Executive Document of 1862, where Mr. Howbert's report can also be found. Additional to the duty of caring for prisoners, volunteers, and sick, wounded and discharged soldiers was imposed upon me that of providing arms and equipments for the volunteers daily arriving at the different camps in Ohio. To promptly arm and equip the new regiments required the most energetic exertion. Prior to the President's call for 300,000 volunteers on July 2, 1862, Ohio had 12* 178 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. almost entirely ceased to purchase arms for infantry regiments, but still had a ,contract with Miles Greenwood & Co., of Cincinnati, and with Peter Hayden & Co., of Columbus, for cannon, artillery harness, gun carriages, etc. We were also manufacturing over 1,400,000 cartridges for artillery and small arms monthly. Over 16,700,000 were manufactured during the year 1862. It was difficult to procure arms for the infantry and cavalry regiments, and we were constantly importuning the Secretary of War and the Ordnance Department for these supplies. On July 25, 1862, I visited Washington by direction of the Governor, armed with a letter to Secretary Stanton, suggesting inquiries and consultations as to procuring arms and equipments for the Ohio soldiers; as to Ohio's quotas of the different calls fin. volunteers; as to filling the depleted regiments in the field ; as to the proposed draft and the mode of conducting it ; as to exchange of prisoners and the trial of those held for political reasons; and as to the compensation of voluntary surgeons who had rendered valuable service at the camps within the State. I spent nearly a week at Washington in these consultations. Secretary Stanton was particularly kind and courteous to me and gave prompt attention and response to all my inquiries. If he was the rough and abrupt man that he was accused of being I did not discover it during the days I spent with him. On the contrary I found him genial and warmhearted. He was greatly interested in Ohio soldiers and was a warm personal friend of Governor Tod. I shall never forget his reply to my urgent request for more and better arms for the Ohio soldiers. "General," he said, " if you will only be patient and give me time I will supply every Ohio soldier with the best arm that is made." General C. P. Buckingham, who had been our Adjutant-General, was then an assistant in Secretary Stanton's office and rendered me valuable assistance in my mission. The advance of Kirby Smith's Confederate army on Cincinnati early in September, 1862, caused great alarm and excitement. On the seventh the Governor wont to Cincinnati to confer with General Wallace and the city authorities, and to aid in quieting the alarm. From there he sent orders to troops at different camps in the Stat to hasten to Cincinnati. He telegraphed me for 5,000 stand of arms and equipme ts, with ammunition. They were sent by express that night. I was also called t Cincinnati by the Governor to render any assistance in my power in arming and equipping volunteers. I soon had a company in readiness, and in command of Major Guthrie, who led them across the river. In a few hours the Kentucky hills opposite Cincinnati were covered with " squirrel hunters " and other citizen soldiers. Defenses were erected, cannon planted, riflepits dug, and every one ready and waiting to give Smith's army a warm reception. But they did not come. The excitement and apprehension subsided as quickly as they had arisen. As a slight token of their service, in addition to their regular pay, the Governor, with the authority of the legislature, issued to each of the volunteer "squirrel hunters" a lithographed discharge, containing a good likeness of himself' and Major McDowell, and his autograph signature. . These discharges were highly prized by many, and some of them were framed and hung in the houses of their owners. Although this was a bloodless campaign, it had a salutary effect in WAR EXPERIENCES AT COLUMBUS - 179 encouraging enlistments for regiments which were becoming greatly reduced by their losses in the field. During August and September, 1862, alarms came from different points on the Ohio River. During the latter part of August eight companies of infantry were sent to Ironton and Gallipolis for the protection of those places. On September 7 came the report that 2,400 Confederates were opposite Gallipolis threatening an attack. On the ninth, by order of the Governor, I visited the region of the Big Sandy and Guyandotte to examine the situation and report. On the fourteenth Governor Pierrepont visited Columbus for consultation with Governor Tod in regard to West Virginia and expressed great anxiety for the loyal people of his State. On August 4 the draft had been ordered, but at the solicitation of the Governor it was postponed in Ohio until September 15, and again until October 1. Between August 1 and October 1, as well as through the preceding July, great efforts were made to obtain volunteers for three months, three years or during the war. The Government offered a bounty of $402 to veterans who had served nine months and been discharged, and $302 to raw recruits enlisting for three years or during the war. In many counties bounties were paid and large sums of money were contributed in cities and towns to be offered as bounties to any who would enlist in old or new regiments. In this way it was hoped to avoid any draft or to reduce it to the smallest possible number. On October 1 the Governor received authority from the War Department to raise three regiments of cavalry for three years or during the war. To many the cavalry was an attractive branch of the service, and the three regiments were soon nearly full. But still Ohio had not filled her quota of the President's call of July 2 for 300,000 volunteers, and the 300;000 more called for August 4, and the draft had to be made. It was very unpopular with many of the people and especially so with a large number who s' mpathized with the Confederates or those who claimed that the war was a failure and urged a compromise with the rebels. A large amount of machinery and detail was required to prepare for and execute the draft. Hon. Martin Welker was made Superintendent of the draft for the State and managed it wisely. It required a large number of officers and agents to prepare for and execute the draft in the several counties. It called into service the county military committees and auditors, and the township officers. A draft commissioner, surgeon and deputy provost-marshal were appointed for each county, and district provost-marshals were appointed by the Secretary of War. Henry C. Noble, of Columbus, was appointed for the third district, composed of Franklin and fourteen other adjoining counties. When the draft began, the enrollment for it in the State was 425,147; the actual number drafted was only 12,251. Seven camps of rendezvous established for the drafted men had to be prepared and equipped by my department, and both Colonel Bliss and myself visited the different camps. On October 3 the Governor issued an order designating who were exempt from draft and ordering that " members of religious denominations conscientiously opposed to military duty, who might be drafted," should be discharged upon the payment of $200, which sum was ordered 180 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. paid into my hands for safe keeping and disbursement uponthe order of the Governor. The number availing themselves of this order was 369, from whom I I received the sum of $73,400. The money received was disbursed by me upon orders from the Governor. It was mostly applied to payment of the expenses of the draft. The final settlement of this fund with the Governor was not made until January, 1865. The Governor wrote me from Youngstown that he was going to Washington to settle the " conscientious fund," and desired a statement, which I sent him with a draft on New York for the balance in my hands. I received from him the following characteristic letter : CLEVELAND January 9, 1865. My dear General : This is to acknowledge the receipt of your letter with draft of Bartlet & Smith on National Currency Bank, New Ywhat was4,187.53, being balance of what.vv-as known as the "conscientious fund," handed me yesterday. For your fidelity in connection with this account you may have my sincere thanks and are sure to receive the smiles of Heaven. Very truly yours, DAVID TOD, Late Governor of Ohio. During John Morgan's raid through Ohio 1. was stationed at Newark, by order of the Governor, and gave directions to the troops arriving there, sending a portion to Zanesville and Bellair, and some to Cadiz Junction and Steubenville to be on the lookout to intercept the raiders. Major Way, of the Ninth Michigan Cavalry, was ordered forward and intercepted Morgan at Salineville, in Columbiana County, between Steubenville and Wellsville, and at eight o'clock on the morning of July 26 made an attack upon Morgan and the remnant of his command, killing about thirty, wounding some fifty and taking all the others prisoners. The prisoners were ,brought to Columbus and lodged in the Ohio Penitentiary. I was at the depot with Governor Tod when they arrived by rail. We were introduced to Morgan and several of his officers. They were a jaded weary looking company. Morgan insisted that he had surrendered to a militia officer upon terms and was entitled to parole, but Major Way refused to recognize any surrender except to himself. Thus ended the Morgan raid, with the loss of a few valuable lives and a cost to the State of over a million dollars. I was appointed one of three commissioners to investigate the claims of ciraidns for losses and damages by the rpid. The sequel of Morgan's capture and imprisonment was his escape from the Penitentiary on the night of November 27, with six other fellow-prisoners. The escape was made by cutting through the stone floors of their cells to the air chamber below, then tunneling under the walls of the building into the yard and climbing the wall which surrounds the prison, as could easily be done at the large gate, and letting themselves down from the wall by means of a rope constructed of bed-ticking and towels braided in short pieces and tied together, making a rude but strong rope. Great mortification was felt by the prison and State authorities at Morgan's escape, and Governor Tod appointed his private secretary, B. F. Hoffman, and myself to investigate the matter. We examined, under oath, the War- WAR EXPERIENCES AT COLUMBUS - 181 den and several of the directors of the Penitentiary, also some of the guards. It was disclosed in the examination that some disagreement had arisen between the prison and military authorities as to the treatment of the prisoners; it being held that they were prisoners of war and not convicts, and were therefore entitled to more freedom and privileges. Hence the cells of the Morgan prisoners were not subject to rigid inspection like those of convicts, and an opportunity was afforded to the rebel prisoners to make their escape. No blame was attached to the Warden or other officers of the prison for the escape, as they really had very little jurisdiction over them except to feed and shelter them. We found that immediately after his escape Morgan boarded a Little Miami Railway train for Cincinnati, and just before reaching that city had left the train and crossed the river into Kentucky, where he was aided by his friends in reaching the Confederate lines. His subsequent career and death while fleeing through a kitchen garden during a morning skirmish in an obscure village of East Tennessee are well known matters of history. The year 1863 was a no less stirring one than the two preceding. The care of sick, wounded, furloughed and discharged soldiers, was kept up ; steamboats were chartered and sent to southern hospitals and those able to be moved were brought to more comfortable quarters in the North. The State agents were all continued in active service and relieved thousands of cases. Our efforts were continued in procuring arms and equipments for new recruits. On June 15 came the call of the President for 100,000 more volunteers, and in October another call for 500,000. Ohio's quota of these two calls was nearly 60,000. Vallandigham had been arrested, tried and convicted in May, and sent across the Confederate lines. The draft riots in New York, the great battle of Gettysburg on July 1, 2 and 3, resulting in the defeat of the Confederate army, and the surrender of Vicksburg on July 4, gave new zeal and activity to enlistments. The loyal people of Ohio took new hope and courage and seemed more determined than ever that the rebellion should. be put down. Work in my department was daily increasing in the manufacture and shipment of ammunition, in procuring and shipping arms and equipments, and in the transportation of troops. The Eleventh and Twelfth Army Corps were transported through the State in about one week. In this work our felloweitizens, D. S. Gray, H. J. Jewett and D. W. Caldwell, who were then in charge of the railway between Cincinnati, Columbus and Bellair, did admirable service. At its session of 1862-3 the General Assembly passed an act making the Quartermaster-General also Commissary-General and one of the Commissioners of Claims. This devolved upon my department the duty of contracting for and providing rations for the troops at all the camps in the State and settlement for the same. The claims commissionership required examination and judgment upon all claims growing out of the Morgan raid. Over 60,000 claims were presented and either paid or rejected. As though I had not yet enough to do, the Governor, without previous notice to me, appointed me Colonel of the One Hundred Sixth Ohio Infantry, and had me detailed for duty at Columbus in charge of the United States Arsenal, which I began to build. In all these duties I was greatly helped by my assistants, Colonels Stoughton Bliss, and A. D. Bullock, Lieutenant-Colonel 182 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. T. W. Talmadge, Major E. Penrose Jones, Thomas B. Powers, S. W. Coope, Doctor John M. Wheaton, James E. Lewis, Solon H. Wilsop, H, S. Babbitt, Charles W. Parker, James Van Buren, Richard H. Lyman and many others whose names I do not now remember. Many of them have gone from the earth, and all should be remembered and recognized as good soldiers, although not exposed to the perils of battle and siege. We were all agents of the National Government, though acting under orders and commissions from the Governor of the State. The citizens of Columbus and Franklin County took no small part in the War for the Union. They furnished at least one full regiment of soldiers, besides hundreds of citizens who did guard duty at Camp Chase or joined the minutemen or "Squirrel Hunters " during the alarms and threats along the southern border. Among the scores of gallant men who went to the field from Franklin County was General Charles C. Walcutt, of the Fortysixth Ohio Infantry, who raised six companies for his regiment and was twice wounded in battle. An interesting incident ilk his service I deem proper to insert here. It would have been lost sight of but for a letter which I received from him since the war, in which he says: When stationed at La Grange, Tennessee, in the winter of 1862-3, I received an order to mount my regiment on any animals I could get hold of, which were the mules in the wagon trains, and 1 he appearance of my regiment after being mounted was the most comical sight I ever saw. Indeed, it was three or four days before I could look at my regiment without being convulsed with laughter. General William Sooy Smith called them "the Mamelukes." Much was depending on me then, too, as I was to make an extensive raid over Northern Mississippi to capture horses to assist in remounting Grierson's cavalry, before making his famous raid through that State. We were successful in our raiding, and, becoming somewhat fascinated with a mounted command, I sought to have it permanently mounted, which I succeeded in doing for a short time. Among the regiments of cavalry stationed near us was the Second Iowa, commanded by Colonel Edward Hatch, an excellent officer, whose command was one of the finest I ever saw. This regiment was armed with the Colt revolving rifle, a magnificent, effective and handsome weapon. As my regiment was to be mounted and I to seek glory with it, I naturally fell in love with these rifles. How to get them was the next question, and I thought of my good friend, General George B. Wright, then Quartermaster-General of Ohio . .. in my old home at Columbus. I immediately wrote him a letter. . . . A quick answer came to me from General Wright, which said he was unable to get the Colt revolving rifle, but suggested that he could get me a new gun called the Spencer repeating rifle musket, which he thought a better gun than the Colt, and would get them for me if I would send him a requisition. General William Sooy Smith and General McPherson joined me in the requisition. General Sherman signed it, but under protest, saying some fool contractor was trying to take advantage of the Government. But the guns were shipped although by this time we were dismounted. . . . We were constantly on the move; the guns followed us but did not reach us until we arrived at Chattanooga on our return from Knoxville, where we had gone to the relief of General Burnside. You may be assured I was very happy and proud. They were beautiful guns, simple in construction, and, as subsequent events showed, and as General Wright said, far superior, and in every way better than the Colt revolving rifle. The enemy soon learned what the Fortysixth Ohio was and heartily feared their destructive qualities. The first battle in which the regiment used the guns was that at Dallas, Georgia, on May 27 and 28, 1864. We were on the extreme right and I am free to say that the right was kept from being turned by the Spencer rifles. This was known by everyone in the vicinity WAR EXPERIENCES AT COLUMBUS - 183 where we were. It was known by General Sherman, and caused his opinion to change very materially, as he had his headquarters guard immediately armed with these guns. The gun did most effective service in more than twenty battles on the Atlanta campaign. The music of these guns became very panic striking to the enemy. . . . At the battle of Griswoldville, Georgia, November 23, 1864, when on the forward march to the sea, the only battle fought on that march, when my brigade was sent to present an infantry front towards Macon, and when three miles away from our army we met the enemy who had come out from Macon on that morning, 10,000 strong, with a battery of eight guns. I had only 1,300 muskets and two pieces of artillery. We fought them for nearly half a day, though General Woods, who commanded our division, advised me to retreat. We whipped them most terribly, killing over 000, wounding and capturing more than a thousand. It was a most remark- able fight and too much credit cannot be given to the Spencer rifles, handled as they were by the brave and gallant Fortysixth Ohio, for the great success of the day, for without them the battle could not have been won. . . . With the Spencer rifles the men knew they always had seven loads, and when the gun was discharged it cleaned itself ; never could get hot, for when the cartridge was removed and discharged it cleaned out the barrel of the gun clear and cool. It is difficult to give the history of the guns you so kindly sent us or the great and important service which they rendered in all the battles in which they took part. . . . The Fortysixth Ohio will always remember you with the profoundest regard and I can only remember you with grateful affection for your thoughtfulness and goodness in sending me the Spencers, as they, together with my brave men, helped me to the stars that decorate my shoulders. I think no apology need be made for giving so much of this letter, as it contains a great deal of war history nowhere else found. I have omitted a great deal of flattering comment upon myself, but enough is given to show that the General appreciated my services far above their merits. Besides the patriotism of the soldiers who went to the field from Columbus, we can never fully understand or appreciate the faith, courage and good work of its women, who, by their gifts, and in aid societies, supported and encouraged our soldiers at the front. The roll of Ohio soldiers in the war numbered 310,654. Of these 11,237 were killed in battle ; 6,567 were left dead on the field, and 13,354 are known to have died of diseases contracted in the service. My service as Quartermaster-General of Ohio closed with Governor Tod's term on January 1, 18,64. No account of my experience during the war would be complete without giving some of my recollections of him. I recall many striking instances of his sympathy and generosity during his twoyears term in office. I went with him to Cincinnati after the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, and visited the hospitals there where hundreds of sick and wounded soldiers were being treated. His words of cheer and encouragement to nurses and patients were a tonic to all who saw and heard him. Ho used to send for me to come to his office frequently, and ask for transportation for some poor wife or mother who wished to visit and nurse a wounded husband or son in some southern or eastern hospital. To the transportation ticket he would often add from his own pocket sufficient money for their own expenses if they were not already abundantly supplied, and he always inquired as to their means. His office was daily thronged with visitors and he had a happy faculty for promptly responding to the wants of everyone, not always yielding to their requests, but frankly giving his reasons for not doing so 184 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. when he refused. Few ever left his office without being happier than when they entered it. Among his callers one day when I was in his office was a Methodist minister whom he did not at first recognize, but as soon as he did he welcomed him warmly and said : " I have not seen you since you preached the funeral sermon of my good mother. She is in Heaven now, and I expect to be with her again." After a few moments conversation with the reverend gentleman, and learning that he was, like most ministers of the Gospel, poor in this world's goods, he ordered his Secretary to fill a bank check for one hundred dollars, which he signed and handed to him, bidding him " goodbye and God speed." Another instance of his liberality occurred on the evening of the day when he had been Governor just six months. We were on our way home together as was our usual custom, and on reaching the rotunda of the Statehouse we heard a band playing in front and went out to see what was going on.. Quite a crowd was gathered and Hon. Samuel Galloway was addressing them and calling for subscriptions to the bounty fund which the citizens were raising to induce enlistments in regiments in the field. We listened for a few minutes while several sub: scriptions were handed up ; among the number was one by Doctor Goodale of one thousand dollars and another by Mr. Deshler of the same amount, I think. Whenever a subscription was announced the crowd would cheer and the band would play for a few minutes; then Mr. Galloway would have a few more witty words and call for another subscription. As soon as a lull occurred the Governor requested me to announce his subscription of nine hundred dollars. As soon as I had done so the crowd cheered and the band struck up " Hail to the Chief," and we left. On our way home I asked the Governor why he made a subscription of nine hundred dollars. "That," said he, "is just my salary as Governor up to this day." The salary of the Governor at that time was $1,800 a year. It is now $8,000. He was always in a pleasant humor and fond of a joke or story. I visited Washington with him in 1862, just before Mr. Lincoln's nomination for the second term. As we entered Mr. Lincoln's private room we found Mr. Seward alone with him. After introductions and salutations the Governor said : "Mr. Lincoln, how many candidates are there in your cabinet for nomination for President?" Mr. Chase, then Secretary of the Treasury, was an announced candidate for the nomination, and. Mr. Seward was warmly urged by his friends as the proper man to succeed Mr. Lincoln, who replied with a smile : "Tod, that reminds me of an incident which occurred when I was practicing law in Illinois. A rather greenlooking man came into my office one day with a bundle under his arm and asked to see me privately. I took him into my back room and he told me he had invented an augur to bore with a crank, and he wanted me to apply for a patent ; I asked to see his machine. After promise of profound secrecy he opened his bundle and disclosed the machine. I procured a plank and requested him to bore ; he set the machine and began to turn the crank, but he found he had set the screw the wrong way, and instead of boring itself in it bored itself out." We WAR EXPERIENCES AT COLUMBUS - 185 saw the point and made our own application with a hearty laugh all around. A story from Secretary Seward and one from Governor Tod ended the interview. A more serious and important interview between the President and the Gov. ernor occurred the next day, when the affairs of the nation, the conduct. of the war and the policy of the administration were fully discussed. They were warmly attached to one another and the President never had a more ardent friend than Governor Tod. When many of his old Democratic friends were speaking disparagingly of Mr. Lincoln and criticising his administration, 1 never heard the Governor indulge in a word of criticisim or faultfinding. He would always say : "Lincoln is all right, and if we sustain him he will put down the rebellion and establish the Union on a firmer basis than ever." The President's confidence in Governor Tod was evidenced by his tender to him of the headship of the treasury on the withdrawal of Secretary Chase, which he declined on account of his health. The Governor never for a moment seemed to doubt the ultimate result of the war. He often said to me: " What a glorious country and government we will have when this war is over and the Union reestablished." Throughout his term . of office he was vigilant and active in sustaining the National Government and looking after the interests of Ohio soldiers, whether in the field or in the hospital. Few, if any, men in the state had dearer views, or more practical business judgment than he had. He was impulsive and confident in his opinions and judgment, and his patriotism was of the highest order. The greatest injustice was done him when the Republican party failed to renominate him for a second term ; but his coil-duct at the nomination of his successor, John Brough, and his address at the con vention and promise to do all in his power for the success of the ticket was characteristic of his noble nature and brought tearsto the eyes of many of his friends, as well as not a few regrets to those who had failed to vote for his renomination. The foregoing sketch is in no sense intended as a history of Ohio in the War, but is simply a part of my own personal experience and observation during the period referred to. CHAPTER XV. OLD GUARD AND NEW. The interest in military organization and association has been more active since the war than it ever was during any previous time of peace. This has been due, in part, to the improvements which have been made in the militia laws and the encouragement given by the State. It has also been due to the military spirit which the war diffused among the people and the military experience and training which so many thousands of citizens derived from it. Resulting from that experience a great many societies have been organized, foremost among which, in numbers and chronological precedence, is the Grand Army of the Republic. Of the Ohio Department of this order, General B. F. Potts then Provisional Commander, a convention was held at the hall of the Vedettes in Columbus on January 30, 1867. The resolutions adopted on that occasion disclaimed any political or partisan purpose, favored the Schenck bill for the equalization of bounties, publication of the record of 01 io soldiers in the Civil War and the location of a National Soldiers' Home in Ohio, and declared that the office of pension agent should not be made a mere football for politicians. Thomas L. Young was elected Department Commander. Another convention of the Ohio Department was held at the Vedettes' Hall on Town Street, June 20, 1867, Commander T. L. Young presiding. On January 19, 1870, the Ohio Department, Commander J. W. Keifer presiding, held its Annual Encampment at Naughton Hall. Officers were elected and delegates were appointed to represent the Department at the National Encampment to be held at Washington City the ensuing May. The Fifteenth Annual Encampment of the Department was held at the Fourteenth Regiment Armory on Town Street January 25, 1881. John S. Kountz, of Toledo, was chosen Commander. Post Number One, now known as the J. C. McCoy Post, in Columbus, was organized January 7, 1881. It takes its name from Captain J. C. McCoy, of the Fiftyfourth Ohio Infantry, who served with distinction as an aid to General Sherman at the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, during which lie was severely wounded. Joshua M. Wells Post, Number 451, of the Department of Ohio, was organized June 19, 1884, and named in memory of Captain Joshua M. Wells, of the One Hundred Thirteenth Ohio Infantry, who was mortally wounded July 20, 1863, in the battle of Chickamauga. Elias J. Beers Post, Number 575, takes its name from a gallant soldier of the One Hundred Thirteenth Ohio Infantry. It was organized July 5, 1889. A [186] OLD GUARD AND NEW - 187 branch of the Woman's Relief Corps adjunct.to the Wells Post, was organized in ,January, 1885. The Womans' Soldiers' Aid Society, organized in 1881, cooperates with the McCoy Post. In the summer of 1882, Dennison Camp of Sons of Veterans was incorporated by E. II. Gilkey, L. M. Boda, G. M. Grant, A. Z. Boda, W. C. Wikoff and William Neil. In 1878, the Ex-Soldiers' and Sailors' Association of Franklin County had about two hundred members. On December 2 of that year it elected the following officers : President, W. Neil Dennison ; Vice President, S. W. Gale ; Secretary, Luke Clark ; Treasurer, Andrew Schwartz ; Secretary, C. M. Morris. During the winter of 1879 its regular meetings were held monthly, and were usually the occasion for some appropriate military exercise. On July 3 of that year it erected a flagstaff on the soldiers' lot in Greenlawn Cemetery. A national reunion of soldiers which was held in Columbus in 1883, and of which more will be said in another place, had its origin with this association. In 1881 it purchased with its own funds some attractively situated lots for the interment of soldiers in the Greenlawn Cemetery, and in October, 1883, it inaugurated a movement looking to the erection of a suitable monument on these lots. By the efforts of the association in pursuance of this project a special act of the General Assembly was passed. February 28, 1886, by which the sum of ten thousand dollars was raised by taxation in Franklin County for the erection of this monument. The work was dedicated in 1891. The association has held numerous anniversaries and reunions of an interesting nature Soon after the war closed a revival of the various military companies which preceded it took place and several new ones were organized. Meetings of the Hayden Guards are mentioned in 1865, and of the Meade Rifles and Coldstream Zouaves in 1866. In 1867 the military companies of the city, five in number, were the Sherman Guards (German), Captain Henry Heinmiller ; the Emmett Guards (Hibernian), Captain E. T. De Lany ; Capital City Guards (boys from fourteen to seventeen years of age), Captain Wesley Stephens ; Coldstream Zouaves, Captain Jacob Albright, and the National Union Guards, Captain A. T. Zeigler. Mention of a company of colored men calling itself the Columbus Guards is made in 1866. Additional companies composed of men of African descent have appeared as follows: The Columbus Grays, organized in March, 1867; the Poe Light Guards, Captain Edward Brown, 1878; the Palmer Guards, Captain Brown, 1879; the Foster Guards, organized in September of that year, and the Columbus Light Guard, organized May 26, 1882. A German company, Captain Emil Selbach, was organized in 1874. The Thurman Light Guards, Captain A. B. Coit (Company B, Fourteenth Ohio National Guard) dates its organized existence from the summer of 1878. On April 17, 1884, Hon. Allen G. Thurman, in whose honor this company was named, conveyed to it as a gift, by deed, a valuable Jot in Deshler & Thurman's Addition in the southern part of the city. The Walcutt Battery, Captain E. G. Donaldson, was organized September 14, 1882. On July 23, 1866, the Columbus Vedettes were reorganized with about forty active members; Captain, G. M. Bascom; First Lieutenant, A. S. McDonald ; 188 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. Second Lieutenant, T. R. Thrall ; Third Lieutenant, T. C. Donaldson. Their armory was in the Carpenter Building, on Town Street. At the reorganization meeting G. M. Bascom was chairman, and George D. Freeman Secretary. The Pugh Vedettes, so named in honor of Hon. John M. Pugh, gave their first annual ball at the City Hall February 22, 1878. The Columbus Cadets, consisting of boys under twenty years of age, was organized January 25, 1874, under the supervision of General C. C. Walcutt. In December, 1875, this movement resulted in the formation of a battalion of two companies of Cadets — A and B — under Major Wade Converse. The officers of Company A were : Captain, William Waggoner; First Lieutenant, Newton Anderson ; Second Lieutenant, George Hardy ; Company B: Captain, Martin Gemunder ; First Lieutenant, M.. Armstrong; Second Lieutenant, Charles Comstock. On January 28, 1881, the Cadets, after some rumors of dissolution, reached the point of giving their seventh annual ball. The Ex-Prisoners of War Association was organized December 28, 1882, with the following officers: President, J. T. Harris; Vice President, Robert Dent; Secretaries, David Bragg and S. W. Gale; Treasurer, D. S. Wilder; Chaplain, E. C. Beach. The State Association of the prisoners met at the Neil House March 17, 1866, and elected: President, A. W. McCormick ; Vice President, J. T. Harris; Treasurer, E. C. Beach; Secretary, W. H. Rosevelt. A company of veterans of the Civil War was organized in August, 1880, with sixtyfive members enrolled. Its purpose was " mutual benefit and support;" officers: Captain, E. A. Selbach ; First Lieutenant, A. F. Donnell ; Second Lieutenant, John B. Miller. The Governor's Guard was reorganized August 8, 1877, with the following officers: Captain, Frederick Phisterer; First Lieutenant, L. R. Doty ; Second Lieutenant, Henry Comstock ; Treasurer, Harry- Turney. On November 15, 1877, the Guard, with other companies, was reviewed by Governor Young and gave an evening reception at the City Hall. Various social entertainments under the auspices of the company were subsequently given ; among these, on February 3, 1879, a farewell banquet to Captain Phisterer, at the American House. In July, 1879, the Guard held its annual encampment at Green Springs, Ohio ; in July, 1882, at Deer Park, Maryland. In January, 1884, the Adjutant-General was requested to disband the company, which had by that time practically ceased to exist, and took steps to close up its business. The following contemporary comment on this result was doubtless equally appropriate to all organizations of this kind : The gradual decline of the Governor's Guard is owing to a number of circumstances the most prominent being probably the later admission of younger members who were not susceptible of the discipline or inclined to those rigid business qualities which characterized the company in its earlier days, and when the membership was composed almost exclusively of men. The late tendency of officers to resign and the inability to find others competent to fill their places had a demoralizing influence until the active [members] had been reduced to twentyeight, five below the minimum allowed by law. While quite a large number had more recently applied for and received discharges, there are a number who would gladly have disconnected themselves. but could not do so with heavy dues hanging OLD GUARD AND NEW - 189 over them and cannot be honorably discharged until these matters are properly arranged. This will probably put an end to the business of unattached companies in the Capital City, as the history of the Cadets and Guard have clearly shown that discipline and business management lose their force outside the Ohio National Guard. 1 On November 12, 1888, preliminary steps to organize the Governor's Guard Veteran Association were taken, and on February 27, 1889, the first aunual banquet of that association was held. On July 3, 1878, a well-attended meeting was held to organize a Veteran Soldiers' and Sailors' Club of Central Ohio. No permanent result came of this effort. On August 2, 1866, a meeting to organize an associatiou of surviving members of the State Fencibles, 'Company B, was held at Ambos Hall, H. Z. Mills, chairman, and John G, Thompson, secretary. In October, 1867, a constitution of the State Fencibles Association of Columbus was adopted and in pursuance of it the following officers were elected President, Theodore Jones ; Vice Presidents, H. Z. Mills, John Geary and Samuel Thompson ; Secretary, T. J. Janney ; Treasurer, James M. Howle; Trustees, R. P. L. Baber, S. Loving and John Miller. On November 21, 1878, the Association was .reorganized and these officers were chosen : President, Theodore Jones; Vice Presideut, James H. Neil ; Secretary, A. O. Mitchell ; Treasurer, J. K. Jones. On January 13, 1879, the first annual reunion banquet of the Association was held. These reunions have since taken place regularly, once a year. The Association has also annually paid a touching tribute of remembrancb and respect to its deceased members by decorating their graves with flowers. In this ceremony, which comprises religious exercises and an address, the Fencibles have been fraternally joined by the Vedettes, Governor's Guard, Meade Rifles and other associate or contemporary organizations. Under the auspices of the Grand Army of the Republic, Memorial Day, in honor of the dead of the National armies of the Civil War, has been regularly observed in Columbus, with more or less ceremony, since 1869. On May 22, 1885, a certificate of incorporation of the Columbus Memoral Association was filed with the Secretary of State. Its charter members were It M. Neil, Edwin C. Beach, C. C. White, George M. Smith, N. B. Abbott, John G. Mitchell, Charles T. Clarke, C. N. Bancroft, George Cunningham, James De Wolfe, John H. Grove, John Beatty, George D. Freeman, W. M. Armstrong, Alonzo B. Coit and George K. Nash. Ou January 18, 1886, a board of twelve directors was chosen. The purpose of this movement was to commemorate the services of Franklin County soldiers in the suppression of the rebellion by the erection of a building which would serve as a depository for war records and relics, provide an armory for the Columbus Battalion of the National Guard and contain a hall suitable for the meetings and reunions of local military societies. At the April election in 1887 a vote was taken on the proposition to levy a tax to provide a fund of $100,000 for the erection of such a building and resulted in its approval by 1,440 yeas to 796 nays. The sum thus authorized being deemed insufficient, the joint committee having charge of the matter decided, December 21, 1887, to 190 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. ask for a new law providing for $75,000 additional. Much controversy ensued as to the location of the building and in consequence of this, and of legal informalities in the vote taken; the enterprise failed. In March, 1886, the Princess Rink, on West Spring Street, was leased and arranged as an armory for the military companies of the city. In May, 1869, the bodies of deceased Union soldiers, fortynine in number, then lying in various places of interment about the city, were collected and reinterred on the grounds consecrated to the soldier dead in Greenlawn Cemetery.' The Confederate dead, including ninetythree bodies lying in the graveyard southeast of the city, and those at Camp Dennisou, were also collected and buried in the Confederate Cemetery at Camp Chase. On May 4, 1885, the General Assembly passed an act appropriating five thousand dollars to erect a memorial to the Ohio soldiers who died upon the battlefield of Gettysburg. For consultation as to the best means of accomplishing the purposes of this act a meeting of Ohio soldiers who took part in the battle was held at Columbus July 4, 1885, and the conclusion was then reached that the act as it stood was practically worthless. Further legislation was therefore asked for, and on April 21, 1886, a law was passed making an additional appropriation of $35,000, and creating a commission consisting of the Adjutant-General, Secretary of State and Auditor of State, whose duty it should be to obtain sites and erect on the battlefield suitable memorials to all the Ohio organizations there engaged. On September 7, 1886, this Commission publicly invited designs and bids for these memorials, and on October 14, same year, the designs were presented by bidders and selected by the Commission in consultation with committees representing the different organizations interested. On December 9, Alfred E. Lee, of the Eighty-second Ohio Veteran Infantry, was appointed Secretary of that Commission. During the next ensuing months coutracts for twenty memorials were negotiated by the Secretary and closed, on forms prepared by him, with the approval of the Commission. So rapidly did the work progress that within less than a year from the time the first proposals were received the memorials were completed aud dedicated. The ceremonies of dedication took place on the battlefield at Gettysburg September 14, 1887, and were participated in by lion. J. B. Foraker, Governor of Ohio. Hon. James A. Beaver, Governor of Pennsylvania, the Ohio Memorial Commission, and a large number of visiting Ohio soldiers and citizens. The principal visiting organization was the Fourteenth Regiment of the Ohio National Guard, Colonel George D. Freeman, which proceeded directly to Gettysburg from its annual encampment at Lancaster, Ohio, and from Gettysburg after the ceremonies there, proceeded to PhiIadelphia, where it took part, September 15-17, in celebrating the centennial anniversary of the adoption of the National Constitution. On August 22, 1887, a Cyclorama of the Battle of Gettysburg was opened to the public on East Long Street. It was contained in a large octagonal building erected for that purpose by a company of capitalists and since replaced by a family apartment building known as La Normandie. OLD GUARD AND NEW - 191 The Cincinnati Light Guards halted at Columbus June 6; 1876, on their way to the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, and were escorted through the city by the Capital City Guards. The Chickasaw Guards, of Memphis, Tennessee, Captain. S. T. Carnes, visited Columbus October 25, 1878, and were escorted by the Governor's Guards, the Poe Guards and the Columbus Cadets. On April 4, 1877, a convention of officers of the Ohio National Guard was held at the City Hall. About one hundred delegates were present. Another convention of this kind was held at the same place March 12, 1878. At a similar meeting held in Columbus May 4, 1883, the National Guard Association was organized with the following officers : President, Adjutant-General S. B. Smith ; Vice Presidents, George D. Freemau and E. J. Pocock ; Secretary, H. A. Axline ; Treasurer, John C. Entrekin. On March 6 and 7, 1884, a State Convention of National Guard officers was held at the Fourteenth Regiment Armory, aud the following officers chosen : President, Adjutant-General E. B Finley ; Vice Presidents, George B. Freeman and C. B. Hunt; Secretaries, O. J. Hopkins and J. C. Pugh ; Treasurer, J. C. Entrekin. During the week beginning August 12, 1884, the Second brigade 0. N. G., Colonel George D. Freeman commanding, held a successful encampment at the County Fair Grounds. Additional state conventions of National Guard officers were held at Columbus on January 15, 1885, and February 15, 1887. In August, 1888, a State Encampment of the National Guard was held on the Fuller and Cook farms, comprising about three hundred acres, on the Worthington Road north of the city. The encampment, under the direct command of Adjutant General H. A. Axline, was named Camp Phil. Sheridan. About six thousand of the militia were brought together on this occasion, which was further memorable for the conspicuous and creditable part taken by the whole body in the parade incidental to the opening of the Ohio Centennial Exposition September 4. An encampment of the colored National Guard was held at the County Fairgrounds August 14, 15 and 16, 1882. The Palmer Guards took an active part in entertaining the guests. A parade of the visiting and local companies attending the encampment took place August 15. Among the companies in attendance were the McClellan Guards, the Bluff City Rifles and the Memphis Zouaves, of Memphis, Tennessee ; the Attucks and Sumner Guards, of St. Louis; and the Georgia Cadets, of Atlanta, Georgia. On March 29, 1884, the Governor's Guard, Duffy Guards (colored), and Fourteenth Regiment, O. N. G., Colonel George D. Freeman commanding, were ordered to Cincinnati by Governor badly to assist in quelling a formidable and destructive riot. Incensed by the acquittal of notorious murderers, and particularly of one Berner, public opinion iu Cincinnati passed the line of forbearance and manifested its resentment in paroxysms of uncontrollable popular rage. This highly excited state of feeling was not long in developing a furious mob, which practically took possession of the city, defied its authorities, set on fire and destroyed the Hamilton County Courthouse, and undertook to demolish the county jail. 192 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. The Fourteenth was one of the first of the summoned regiments to respond to the Governor's call. One of the accounts of the service it performed says: The Fourteenth Ohio National Guard arrived upon the ground at twelve o'clock, and deploying on Main Street fired westward on Court The first volley killed five people and wounded many more, as could be distinctly seen by a Commercial Gazette reporter. Just the result of the succeeding volleys, fired at longer and longer range as the mob fell back and scattered, could not be determined, but as the fire was delivered with precision there must have been many more casualties. The net result was that at one o'clock the military and police were in at least temporary possession of the battlefield and the firemen were permitted to go to work unmolested on what was left of the burning courthouse. There were several militiamen hurt, but none killed outright in this battle. 3 During the fighting with the rioters, Leo Voglegesang, of the Fourteenth, was killed.. After the battle was over, Israel S. Getz, of the same regiment, was mortally wounded by the accidental discharge of a musket. The remains of these young men were brought back to Columbus, their place of residence, and buried with military honors. The Fourteenth Regiment remained on duty, skirmishing with the rioters and guarding property until the trouble had subsided. It then returned to Columbus, where the reports of its gallant behavior had awakened much enthusiasm, and insured for it a very cordial reception. All the military organizations of the city took part in this reception, which was made further notable by the profuse decoration of buildings and the assembly of great crowds of people on the streets and at the railway station to welcome the returning soldiers. In the station building, while a heavy rain was pouring without, some welcoming remarks were made by Rev. A. G. Byers and were responded to by Colonel Freeman. The regiment was then escorted to its armory, in the Osborn building, where a more formal reception took place, and welcoming addresses were delivered by Rev. W. E. Moore and General C. C. Walcutt. Of the military reunions which have taken place in Columbus since the war, mention may be made of those of the Ninetyfifth Ohio Infantry, December 16, 1867 (when a permanent association was organized), and December 16, 1886 ; of the One Hundred Thirteenth, August 23, -1877, August 30, 1878, August 11, 1881 and September 21, 1886 ; of the Ninth Ohio Cavalry, December 16, 1869 ; of General Fuller's Ohio Brigade, October 3, 1878; of the Third Ohio Infantry, October 10, 1878 ; of the One Hundred Thirtythird, August 16, 1872 and August 20, 1873 ; of the Fortysixth, July 28, 1881 ; of the Sixth Ohio Cavalry, July 3, 1885 ; of the Thirtysecond Ohio Infantry, September 2, 1885 and August 31, 1887 ; of the Regular Brigade, Fourteenth Corps, September 2, 1885 and August 31, 1887; and of the First and Fourth Ohio Cavalry, August 17, 1887. Meetings of the Mexican War veterans took place February 22 and August 20, 1879, and February 28 and September 12, 1888. A meeting of surviving soldiers of the War of. Independence and the War of 1812 was held at Judge Taylor's office August 15, 1883. The attendance was small. The Army of the Cumberland held a reunion at Columbus September 16 and 17, 1874, and again in 1891. Meetings of the Society of the Army of West Virginia took place during the National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic at Columbus in 1888, and again in 1889. OLD GUARD AND NEW - 193 A company called the Union Light Guard, comprising one man from each county in Ohio, was organized by Governor Tod just before the close of his administration, and was tendered as an escort to President Lincoln, which service it performed until the close of the war. This company held a reunion at Columbus August 27, 1879. Beginning August 10, 1880, a reunion of soldiers of the Civil War from Ohio and adjoining States was held under the auspices of the Franklin County Ex-Soldiers' and Sailors' Association at the County Fairgrounds, which, for the occasion, took the name of Camp Columbus. This was the first great meeting of the volunteers held in Ohio after the war closed. The attendance, variously estimated, seems to have reached twenty or twentyfive thousand. Fifteen thousand are said to have marched in the parade. Among the distinguished visitors present were President Hayes and Generals W. T. Sherman, W. B. Hazen, Upton, Carroll and Devens. The Presidential party arrived August 11, and was formally escorted from the station by the Columbus Cadets, the Governor's Guard, the Palmer Guards, the Fourteenth 0. N. G. and a squad of regulars. On August 12 a great reuniou meeting at which Governor Dennison presided was held at the Fairgrounds. It was addressed by President Hayes, Governor Foster and Generals W. T. Sherman, W. B. Hazen, John Beatty, W. T. Wilson and W. H. Gibson. Reunions of a large number Of the Ohio organizations of the war took place. The parade, organized and led by General C. C. Walcutt, was the largest and finest which up to that time had ever taken place in the city. Its movement was from Broad and Third streets south on High to the residence of W. B. Hayden, and then by countermarch back to and eastward on Town Street. The spectacle was witnessed by tens of thousands of people crowding the streets and buildings. After the parade was dismissed the enthusiastic veterans were addressed at the managing committee's headquarters on State Street by President Hayes and General W. T. Sherman. The Executive Committee which organized and managed this reunion was appointed by the Ex-Soldiers' and Sailors' Association September 14, 1889 Its members were: W. G. Deshler, John Beatty, H. T. Chittenden, R. Burr, Theodore Butler, F. C. Sessions, Henry Lindenberg, L. D. Myers, Joseph Gundesheimer, P. Egan, M. Halm, W. N. Dennison and Theodore Jones. The next great reuuion in Ohio took place in Columbus beginning July 24, 1883, and was also held under the auspices of the .Ex-Soldiers' and Sailors' Association of Franklin County. As a preliminary step the Association, on March 2, 1882, appointed a committee to raise, by pledge of citizens, a guaranty fund of $5,000. The members of this committee were : W. B. Hayden, H. T. Chittenden, F. C. Sessions, A. D. Rodgers, C. Huston, J. A. Gundesheimer, J. Kershaw, C. P. L. Butler, M. Halm, C. D. Firestone, F. Jaeger, 0. G. Peters, George D. Freeman, S. S. Rickly, J. C. Briggs, L. D. Myers, George H. Tyler, A. B. Cohen, F. C. Hensel and Conrad Born. On September 22 this committee reported subscriptions to the amount of $3,800, and, in conjunction with the Association, decided that the reunion should be national in its character. Camp Governor Dennison was laid out at the Fairgrounds under command of General John G. Mitchell, who was assisted by a numerous staff. The officers of the Association at this time 13* 194 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. were as follows : President, Henry M. Neil ; Vice President, S. S. Peters ; Secretaries, J. W. Myers and D. M. Brelsford; Treasurer, Andrew Schwarz ; Chaplain, W. E. Moore. The Commander-in-Chief of the reunion was Henry M. Neil ; Chief of Staff; J. W. Myers ; Chief of Staff to Commander of Camp, Moses H. Neil. The following committees of the reunion were appointed : Executive : S. S. Peters, chairman ; D. M. Brelsford, secretary ; A. T. Wikoff, F. C. Hensel, Raymond Burr, C. N. Bancroft, G. W. Snyder. Grand Army of the Republic : C. T. Clark, David Lanning, Joseph Amos, J. C. Donaldson, Moses H. Neil. Sailors and Gunboat : Symmes E. Brown, John Hein miller, Christian Heyde. Finance : W. B. Hayden, James Kershaw, M. Halm, Joseph Gundesheimer, Conrad Born, C. D. Firestone, H. T. Chittenden, W. H. Slade, S. S. Rickly, E. C. Hensel, A. D. Rodgers, Theodore F. Butler. Decoration: James Kershaw, W. R. Kiunear, John W. Lilley, J. H. Brelsford, C. Jensen, G. W. Snyder, J. L. Stelzig, V. E. Hanna, J. T. Harris, Homer Henderson. Invitations : S. S. Peters; A. T. Wikoff, H. M. Neil, C. T. Clark. Entertainment of Invited Guests : George W. Sinks, George K. Nash, J. M. Westwater, W. Y. Miles, Alfred Kelley, H. C. Taylor, W. L. Scott, T. C. Mendenhall, E. L. Hinman, John Joyce. Press : B. R. Cowen, E. G. Orebaugh, George Tyler, E. 0. Randall, Jacob Reinhard, ---- Goldstein, Samuel Shaeffer, J. F. Clegg, H. L. Conan], F. W. Snell, Claude Meeker, George W. Meeker, Will C. Turner, W. F. Felch, S. S. Peters, S. B. Porter, W. S. Furay, W. J. Elliott, W. A. Taylor, L. Hirsch, A. H. Isler, W. P. Brown, S. J. Flickinger, G. F. Ketchum, M. J. Haley, E. K. Rife, J. H. Bowman, J. B. K. Connelly, S. C. Chorlton, L. C. Collins, J. H. Putnam. National Guard : George D. Freeman, J. C. L. Pugh, Andrew Schwarz, A. B. Coit, B. F. Payne. Entertainments and Fireworks : S. W. Gale, J. W. Chapin, J. K. Jones. Railway Transportation : J. N. Champion, J. J. Archer, B. Monnett, E. T. Affleck, F. M. Caldwell, James De Wolf, S. B. Porter, W. H. Harrison, W. E. Reppert, W. Camnitz. Hotels and Intelligence: C. M. Morris, Romeo Gregg, H. T. Judd, S. N. Field. Stands and Privileges: W. J. Camnitz, Robert Dent, A. R. Killer, George Donaldson. Police : Samuel Thompson, D. W. Brooks, B. McCabe. Halls and Assignments : W. R. Kinnear, J. N. Champion, R. H. Rownd, W. J. Camnitz. Printing : L. D. Myers, J. C. Briggs, George T. Spahr. Badges : C. H. Lindenberg, J. W. Myers, J. F. Earhart. Music : S. B. Porter, R. E. De Butts, H. A. Axline. Speakers : George K. Nash, J. F. Oglevee, A. T. Wikoff, C. C. Walcutt. The first day — Tuesday, July 24 — was devoted to the reception of arriving comrades, registration and preliminary organization. On the second day—Wednes- OLD GUARD AND NEW - 195 day, 25— regimental reunions took place and a formal welcome of the visiting comrades was given. A grand display of fireworks took place on the Capitol Square in the evening. Thursday was set apart as the Grand Army of the Republic Day, its principal event being a parade of the Grand Army organizations at two o'clock P. M. A " campfire " was held at the Fair Grounds in the evening. On Friday, twentyseventh, a grand general parade was held, beginning at ten A. M. On each day a morning, midday and evening artillery salute was fired. The arrivals on Wednesday were continuous, throughout the day, and the city, gaily decorated, resounded wth martial music as thousands after thousands marched to their places of rendezvous. At ten A. M. welcoming addresses were delivered at the Capitol by Major H. M. Neil, Mayor C. C. Walcutt and Governor Charles Foster. In the afternoon a large meeting at the Fair Grounds was addressed by Ex-President R. B. Hayes, Governor Charles Foster, Ex-Governor E. F. Noyes, General W. H. Gibson, General M. D. Leggett, Hou. George Hoadly and Hon. J. B. Foraker. In the evening the streets w ere gorged with people, particularly in the neighborhood of the Capitol Square, where the display of pyrotechnics took place. Over the western entrance to the Capitol the word Greeting was emblazoned in huge letters. The newspapers of the twentyseventh expressed the belief that the city had never before contained so many people at one time. The Grand Army parade of Thursday took place in four divisions led by H. A. Axline, J. B. Allen, J. H. Grove and 0. G-. Daniels. General S. H. Hurst was the Chief Marshal. Countermarching on High Street, at Livingston Avenue the procession returned northward and passed the reviewing stand which had been erected at the western entrance to the Capitol Square, and on which General Hayes, Governor Foster and many other prominent persons had taken their positions. The general parade of Friday under Major H. M. Neil, was still larger and more interesting. Much to their delight the veterans were permitted to carry the flags which their regiments had borne during the war and had deposited in the custody of the State. An imitation ship of war under Symmes E. Brown was drawn in the column by a traction engine, and was mounted with a mortar, from which, at intervals bombs containing various curious figures and emblems were discharged into the air. The divisions were led by George D. Freeman, S. S. Peters, Andrew Schwarz and John G. Mitchell. Starting from Broad Street the column took its line of march south on High Street to Town, east on Town to Fourth, south on Fourth to Friend, west to Third, south to Frankfort, west to High, north on High to Naghten, and then by countermarch back to Broad. The streets and buildings on this route were crowded with people, who fully shared, with the men in line, the enthusiasm of the occasion. When the procession had passed the reviewing stand Ex-President Hayes offered to the crowd the following resolution, which was adopted with loud and unanimous acclaim : The ex-Union soldiers and sailors of Ohio, assembled at their fourth annual reunion, wish to express their grateful appreciation of the magnificent reception and generous hospitality which have been extended to them by their comrades and the whole people of the patriotic City of Columbus. 196 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. NOTES. 1. Ohio State Journal, January 16, 1884. 2. Prior to this collection the distribution of the bodies was as follows : Thirtyfour at the Clinton Chapel Graveyard, four miles north of the city ; three in the Union Clinton Graveyard, five miles northwest of the city ; six in the City Graveyard, southeast of the city ; and six in the Old Graveyard near the Union Station. 3. The following extract from the official report made to Governor Hoadly by Colonel George D. Freeman, Fourteenth Ohio National Guard, explains in detail the operations of the troops under his command : " On arriving at Cincinnati depot, we were met by General Ryan, of your stall, also by a deputy Sheriff with written orders from Colonel Hawkins, Sheriff of Hamilton county, to report at once with my command at the county jail. The command was'immediately formed, and before leaving the depot, after loading, twenty rounds of cartridges having been issued to each man while in transit, special orders were given to each Company to be cool and especially careful not to fire unless absolutely necessary, and then only on command. Under escort of the Deputy Sheriff and General Ryan, we marched to the jail in the following order and without music : Two companies platoon front, half distance, two companies column of four, covering the right flank of the second company, two companies column of four, covering the left flank of the second company, the remaining companies in column of platoons, half distance. The battery gun, with the drummers, were ordered to place in the center rear of the second company. We were not molested en route, while on the march, further than by the throwing of stones and firing of revolvers in the vicinity of the rear guard, with plenty of swearing and abuse from bystanders. On reporting to Sheriff Hawkins at the jail, he directed me to place the battery gun, with a support at the barricade, on Court Street in front of the jail, then held by the Second Battery of Artillery, acting as infantry ; and to clear Main Street of the mob. To support the battery gun I detailed Companies H and K ; I then directed Colonel Liggett to take Companies A, F, D and C, climb the north barricade, and march by the way of North Court to Main and drive the mob from that part of Main Street between North Court Street and the canal bridge, and hold the position. Also directed Major Schwarz, with Companies B, Fourteenth Regiment, B and F, Thirteenth Regiment, B, Ninth Battalion, and the Governor's Guard, to march by the way of Ninth Street and-clear Main Street from that point to Court Street, and hold the position, and that I would join him at South Court and Main. " On reaching Main Street, Colonel Liggett ordered Company A to form Company front, and supported by Co. D, to move forward by column right, and press the mob north over the canal bridge ; this was done at the point of the bayonet, after hard and patient work. Also directing Companies F and C to face south and hold the mob in front of the Court House in check. As soon as Companies A and D had completed the task assigned them, they, with a detail from Company C, utilized a lot of salt in barrels and built a barricade across Main Street at the bridge. While this work was being done by Colonel Liggett's wing, Major Schwarz marched by the way of Ninth Street to Main, where .he ordered Company B, Fourteenth Regiment, to form company front and to move north on Main to South Court to clear the street and hold their position ; at the same time ordering Companies B and F, Thirteenth Regiment, and Company B, Ninth Battalion, to form across Main Street and hold the crowd Front getting in the rear of his other detachment. Company B, Fourteenth Regiment pushed forward, driving the crowd before them at the point of the bayonet. When nearing South Court the first manifestations of the mob were made to resist further progress of the soldiers. The Governor's Guard were immediately ordered to the support of Company B. The mob in Court Street in front of the Courthouse, pressed forward, throwing stones and using fire- OLD GUARD AND NEW - 197 arms, and after repeated warnings by myself and other officers to them to fall back and not advance, as they would do so at the peril of their lives, they repeated their demonstrations and started to press down on the soldiers. When, seeing there was no other alternative, the command was given to the first platoon to fire. This checked them, and they fell back into Court Street. One person, the leader of the party, was killed, and several wounded. I immediately hastened to Colonel Liggett's command, and caused Company F to be detailed to move forward and assist in clearing Court Street ; they advanced at once, in column of fours, until Court Street was reached, when they formed on right into line. To extend the line the fileelosers were ordered to the left flank. I then ordered Company B, Fourteenth Regiment, and the Governor's Guard, to their support, which they executed on double time. The column moved west on Court Street to the first alley, and halted, the crowd falling back in front of them. After seeing that all the positions were being held, and leaving Colonel Liggett in command, I hastened to the jail to notify Sheriff Hawkins that the square was cleared, and that he could order the fire department to resume theirlabors ; and to telephone Colonel Church, at the Miami depot, that he might advise you by telegraph of the situation. While at the telephone, an orderly arrived to advise me that the mob had advanced to the point where Court Street widens, and under cover of the buildings had pelted the soldiers with stones and fired on them, wounding Colonel Liggett, Captain Slack, and eight others, and that then the command was given to the first platoon of Company F to fire, but with what results to the mob he could not say. He also asked if material could be had to build a barricade I immediately detailed Company H, and with a detachment of police, gathered such material as was at hand, and carried it to Court Street and built a barricade. " The mob had retreated to the markethouse and contented themselves with firing revolvers and muskets from that point. I have reasons to believe that a portion of the rioters left at this time to engage in mischief elsewhere, in their efforts to secure arms and ammunition. About 2 A. M. word came that the mob had got into Music Hall, and had captured three brass cannon belonging to the Second Battery. Soon after, a telephone message was received from Colonel Church, saying that a mob of about 200 had three brass cannon at the corner of Fourth and Vine streets. I ordered Companies H and K, with the battery gun, to accompany Sheriff Hawkins and myself in their pursuit. Chief Reilly, of the police, detailed one company of his command to lead the advance. The police, being able to move muck faster than the soldiers, who had the guns to shove over the cobblestone pavement, were enabled to get there first, and had the honor of capturing the guns. which they pulled by hand to the jail. Farther than to take a detachment to go to the rescue of a member of Company D, who had accompanied a captain of the Veteran Guards to their armory on Walnut Street, to secure overcoats for the soldiers, and an occasional shot exchanged between the rioters and the Guard, nothing of importance occurred during the remainder of the night. Surgeons Guerin and Gunsaulus secured Burdsal's drug store, 409 Main Street, as a temporary hospital, where they attended the wounded soldiers and did good service. "Sunday morning we were reinforced by Colonel Picard, of the Thirteenth Regiment. with Company A of his command, bringing with him from the Miami depot 10,000 rounds of ball cartridges. During the forenoon, a barricade was built at the corner of Main and Ninth streets. Nothing of importance occurred to note. The crowds continued to increase at Ninth and Main, Ninth and Sycamore, at the Canal on Main Street, and especially on Court Street. During the afternoon, threats were made and many became unruly, and numerous arrests were made by the police, under cover of the soldiers and the barricades. The roughs in front of the Court Street barricade succeeded in covering themselves by pushing forward all the women and children to the front, but fortunately for all, they contented themselves with venting their wrath in swearing vengeance when night should come, and occasionally hurling a stone and firing a revolver. At Main Street and the canal, under cover of the bridge, stones were continually thrown at the soldiers, and many were hit, and it was with the greatest effort that the mob were restrained from advancing on the bridge and firing at the guards. 198 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. At last, one fellow advanced, brandishing his revolver and defying the guard, hurled a stone, and hit the lieutenant in command. He was fired upon by the guard, and fell. His friends carried him away. The shot had the desired effect, stopping all further disturbance at this point. Between 2 and 3 P. M. the Fifth Battery, Captain Sintz commanding, arrived and were assigned position ; also 115 officers and men of the Fourth Regiment. " In consultation with Sheriff Hawkins and Colonel Hunt, it was deemed advisable to move forward, and strengthen the barricade on Sycamore and Ninth streets ; also the one on Court Street, facing the canal. As night approached, the crowds diminished, and those drawn by curiosity left the ground. At dusk the positions of the companies were changed from what they were the night previous. All was comparatively quiet, until between ten and eleven o'clock, when the mob, which had gathered at the markethouse on Court and Walnut, commenced firing from this point, protecting themselves by the stands at the markethouse, and by buildings on the corners. No response was made by the soldiers at the barricade for some time. When the aim of the mob became too accurate for endurance, it being evident by the balls striking the barricade and Courthouse beyond, that larger weapons than revolvers were being used, it was thought best, at last, to give the mob the benefit of one case of cartridges from the battery gun, by firing it into the markethouse ;. but before doing so, due warning was given by the officers that it would be done; if the firing did not cease. Oaths and volley from the mob was the response ; then the twenty shots were fired from the gun. A number of casualties was •the result. This caused the mob to scatter for the time and with the exception of random shots from them, there was comparative quiet until about midnight. Orders were received from General Finley and the Mayor, ordering a detachment to be sent to Walnut Hills, to guard the powder magazines at that point. Colonel Picard, of the Thirteenth Regiment, with three companies of his regiment, was detailed for that purpose, and remained there until about five o'clock A. M. After the firing of the battery gun at eleven o'clock, positive orders were issued against the firing of any single shots by the soldiers, and that no firing should be done, unless some soldier was shot, or the mob endeavored to charge the works. Near one o'clock it became evident that another attack would be made. The soldiers were directed to keep down and quiet. I took my station at the corner of Court and Main, in company with Sheriff Hawkins, Colonel Hunt, Major Schwarz, Captain Sintz, and other officers, and in speaking distance of the officers in charge of the barricade. A fusillade was opened by the mob, from their old position, at the corner of Walnut and Court. No response was made by the soldiers, and after perhaps fifteen minutes, and over fifty shots had been counted striking the Courthouse, others having hit the barricade, the mob became bold and decided to charge, and, as they expressed it with oaths, "clean out those blue coats." The soldiers, obeying orders, remained quiet, and not until the mob came forward, firing and yelling, was the order given to fire, when two volleys, by company, in quick succession, were fired. Five persons were known to have been wounded. This was the last firing done, and gradually all became quiet." CHAPTER XV I. THE GREAT ENCAMPMENT. On April 25, 1887, a proposition to invite the Grand Army of the Republic to hold its Twenty-second National Encampment at Columbus was broached in the Board of Trade. Several speeches favoring it were made, and a committee of citizens and Grand Army men was appointed to solicit an endorsement of the scheme by the State Encampment to be held on April 27, at Springfield. This committee was entirely successful in its efforts, and a delegation fully committed to Columbus as the place for holding the National Encampment of 1888, was appointed to represent the Ohio Department at the National Encampment of 1887, to be held the ensuing September at St. Louis. To make sure of proper consideration of the claims of Columbus at St. Louis, several prominent citizeus visited that city at the time of the encampment and labored assiduously to secure its next sitting at the capital of Ohio. Their efforts were crowned with success ; Columbus was chosen, among several formidable competitors, as the place for holding the Twenty-second National Encampment. By this result a prodigious task and commensurate responsibility were imposed. The decision in favor of holding the encampmeut at Columbus had been made, in part, because of its central position both geographically and with respect to the location of the great mass of the Union volunteers. Another and very influential consideration was the fact that all the Western States had been extensively peopled from Ohio, particularly Ohio soldiers, and that tens of thousands of these who had not revisited their Ohio friends since the war desired the opportunity to do so which the location of the encampment at Columbus would afford them. It was therefore evident from the beginning that the attendance at the encampment, both Grand Army and miscellaneous, would be immense, and would lay an unprecedented claim upon the resources and hospitalities of the city. Should this claim be fully and satisfactorily met, the good name of Columbus would not only be enhanced but disseminated' far and wide ; whereas, should failure or even misadventure ensue in fulfilling the extraordinary demands of the occasion the result would be disastrous both to the reputation and the welfare of the city. These facts were fully realized, and preparations for the creditable fulfillment of the obligations they imposed began at once. As the Board of Trade had taken [199]