150 - TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY was discountenanced by the officers in command. The next morning Governor Mason arrived and while addressing the troops, commending them for what they had done and exhorting them to greater deeds of valor, a messenger arrived with an official communication from President Jackson notifying him of his removal from the office of secretary and acting governor and the appointment of Charles Shaler in his place. This had a tendency to "flatten out" the invasion of Toledo and the next day the Michigan men returned to Detroit on the steamer "General Brady." Mr. Shaler declined the office and John S. Horner, of Virginia, was appointed. He immediately entered into a friendly correspondence with Governor Lucas, the effect of which was to allay excitement and restore amicable relations, leaving the settlement of the question with Congress at the approaching session. Prisoners held by the Michigan authorities were released and indictments were dropped against all except Two Stickney, whom Governor Lucas still refused to surrender upon requisition. Maj. Benjamin F. Stickney was afterward paid $300 damages by the state, besides costs and expenses incurred by him in connection with his arrests in May and July, 1835. END OF THE WAR Several more pages might be filled with details and incidents, ludicrous and otherwise, connected with the "Boundary War," but the writer has endeavored to give all the principal facts relating to the matter in this chapter. Congress met on December 7, 1835, and it was not many days thereafter until bills to adjust the northern boundary of ̊hit, were presented in both House and Senate. In the meantime Michigan had held a state convention, framed a constitution, elected state officers, and was knocking at the door of Congress for admission. On March 1, 1836, the judiciary committee of the Senate, through its chairman, John M. Clayton, of Delaware, made a report on the bill to settle the boundary line of Ohio. This report said : "We do not hesitate to say that, while Congress has not yet, in express terms, declared its satisfaction with the line now contended for by Ohio as her northern boundary, it has, in the most solemn manner, accepted her state constitution, recognized it, as made pursuant to a lawful authority to make it, conferred by an act which reserved the right to annex to Ohio, at any future period, a country embracing the whole territory in dispute and has by these means, assented to the terms of the proviso, which is one of the essential features of the constitution. We say essential, because everything regarding her boundaries touches her sovereignty—her very being—as an independent state. We hold that by the acceptance of this constitution, Congress undertook, that if the fact should be hereafter satisfactorily ascertained that the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan extends so far south, that a line drawn due east from it must intersect Lake Erie east of the Miami of the Lake (the Maumee), then, with the assent of Congress, the northern boundary should be the very boundary described in the bill before the committee, viz. : a direct line running from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan to the most northerly cape of the Miami Bay, etc Congress cannot, consistently with the original understanding of the compact between that state and this Government, and those obligations which, though not strictly legal, are of great equi- TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY - 151 table and moral force among nations, as well as individuals, withhold its assent to the line in this bill." The committee then refers to the old maps, in existence at the time the Ordinance of 1787 was passed, showing the south end of Lake Michigan so far north that a due east and west line would have struck the Detroit River some distance north of Lake Erie. Ten days after this report was made the bill fixing the northern boundary of Ohio according to the proviso in the state constitution passed the Senate by a vote of 37 to 3. On the 22nd of March Thomas H. Benton, one of the senators from Missouri, introduced a bill for the admission of Michigan, provided that state would accept the Harris line as the boundary between Ohio and Michigan, such acceptance to be expressed by a state convention. The Ohio delegation in Congress preferred the unequivocal declaration of the Clayton bill. There was considerable opposition to the adoption of the Harris line as the boundary. John Quincy Adams made an impassioned speech, in which he declared that in all his life he had never known "a controversy in which all the right was so clearly on one side and all the power so overwhelmingly on the other." Others equally advocated the cause of Michigan, but in the end the Clayton bill passed the House on June 15, 1835, without a division, thus fixing the Harris line as the boundary. Scribner's "History of Toledo" (p. 66), discussing the boundary question, says : "In the main, this action of Congress was more in the nature of a compromise than a clear-cut decision upon the merits of the controversy. Congress is not a court of equity and the members thereof are sometimes actuated by motives other than a desire to give force and effect to the letter and spirit of existing law. What a chancery tribunal would have done, had a proper issue been joined and brought before it for adjustment, is of course problematical ; but with the facts fully stated, and with the intent of the framers of the Ordinance of 1787 so apparent, it seems that exact justice would have placed the boundary line considerably farther north than it is. But following the strict letter of the Ordinance and the ensuing acts of Congress, a judge of the law would doubtless have named the Fulton line as the southern boundary of Michigan. "But those were days of compromises in American politics, as is evidenced by the act of Congress admitting Missouri, the tariff law of 1833, etc., and in the settlement of the question of this disputed boundary line, the handiwork of a skilled peacemaker is also apparent. Michigan had applied for admission to the sisterhood of states, and to secure such recognition could be easily induced to surrender her claims to a narrow strip of land, averaging less than eight miles wide. As additional salve for her wounded pride, however, she was given as a part of her domain the large peninsula between Lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior, now so well known for its rich deposits of copper and other minerals. If 'the jingle of the guinea helps the hurt that honor feels,' when speaking of men, the same is doubtless true of states, and Michigan was abundantly compensated in mineral wealth for whatever damage was done to her escutcheon." TOLEDO CELEBRATES On June 25, 1835, just ten days after the passage of the Clayton bill by Congress, which established the northern boundary on the Harris line and admitted Michigan into the Union, the event was celebrated in Toledo. An account of the affair in the "Blade" says : 152 - TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY "The day was ushered in at sunrise by the firing of cannon and ringing of bells. Appropriate banners waved from hotels and public buildings. At 8 P. M. the citizens (such as had a mind to the occasion), with many distinguished visitors, assembled at the Mansion House and marched to the schoolhouse in which the memorable court was held the year before, where a short address was delivered by Emery D. Potter, Esq., when the procession returned to the hotel for a dinner `prepared in Mr. Segur's best style,' " etc. After dinner was served a number of toasts were given, among them the following : "Toledo—The great outlet of the states of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois ; destined within a short period to be the great city of the West," A. J. Underhill, of New York. "The Buckeyes of Lucas County—Ready and willing to yield when wrong, but firm and united in repelling the encroachments of their Wolverine neighbors," J. R. Beardsley, of Oswego, New York. "The Orator of the Day—May he grow in usefulness with the growth of our thriving village," Roswell W. Cheney, of Toledo. To the last sentiment Mr. Potter responded briefly, closing his remarks with this statement : "From the time that I arrived here, six months ago, a: stranger, I have never had reason to regret the adoption of this place as my future home." The festivities were concluded by a grand display of "fire balls," i. e., balls of soft cotton wicking soaked in turpentine and then ignited. Many Indians were in town, most of them dressed in loose calico shirts, and were enjoying the pyrotechnic display as the "fire balls" were hurled into the air, when one of the balls struck an Indian and set fire to his shirt. This gave the ubiquitous small boy his opportunity. Balls were thrown among the Indians indiscriminately and they made haste to mount their ponies and get out of range. The bitterness between Ohio and Michigan, resulting from an error in geography, was soon forgotten and the citizens of the two commonwealths became united in a common interest. CHAPTER XI THE WAR WITH MEXICO EVENTS PRECEDING THE WAR-AMERICAN SETTLEMENTS IN TEXAS-FORMATION OF THE MEXICAN REPUBLIC-TEXAS REVOLTS AGAINST MILITARY DICTATORSHIP- ANNEXED TO THE UNITED STATES-WAR DECLARED BY CONGRESS- OHIO'S RESPONSE TO CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS-TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO-CAPT. DANIEL CHASE-ROLL OF HONOR. The greater part of the present State of Texas was originally included in the Province of Louisiana. When Spain ceded Florida to the United States in 1819, she received in return all that part of the Louisiana Purchase included within the limits of Texas, which then extended northward to the forty-second parallel of latitude. Prior to this time no attempt had been made to found settlements in Texas, the territory being left unpeopled to act as a barrier between the United States and the Spanish settlements in Mexico. After Mexico won her independence in 1821, the new government adopted the policy of developing the region so long neglected. To inaugurate this policy, Moses Austin, of Connecticut, was granted a large tract of land, on condition that he establish a colony of not less than three hundred American families thereon. He died soon afterward, but the land grant was confirmed to his son, Stephen Austin, who was given the privilege of increasing the number of families to five hundred. Under this arrangement, the nucleus of American settlement was planted in Texas during the next two years. On October 4, 1824, the people of Mexico adopted a constitution, under which the Mexican Republic was formed. It was composed of separate states, one of which included the territory now comprising the State of Texas and the Mexican State of Coahuila. This state adopted a constitution modeled after those of the states of the American Union. During the next ten years the number of American settlers greatly increased. In 1835 a military revolution broke out in the City of Mexico, which was powerful enough to subvert the constitution of the republic and those of the several states and establish Gen. Miguel Barragan as military dictator. Upon his order the Mexican Congress issued a decree converting the states into mere departments of a central government. Such a policy did not meet with the approval of the American settlers and the Austin colony soon became arrayed in opposition to the military dictator. Under the leadership of Gen. Samuel Houston, of Tennessee, these Americans instituted an armed revolt in 1835 and on March 2, 1836, they promulgated a declaration of independence, to the effect that "all political connection with Mexico is forever ended and the people of Texas do now constitute a free, sovereign and independent republic." General Santa Anna, who had succeeded Barragan as dictator, was then marching with an armed force against the Texas revolutionists and four days after the -153 - 154 -TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY adoption of the declaration of independence occurred the historic massacre of the Alamo. This dastardly deed was avenged on April 21, 1836, in the battle of San Jacinto, where the Mexicans were ingloriously defeated by the Texans under General Houston. Santa Anna was captured and the following month, while still a prisoner, he entered into a treaty recognizing the independence of the Texas republic, with the Rio Grande as the western boundary. The constitution of Texas was ratified by the people in September, 1836, and General Houston was elected president. ANNEXED TO THE UNITED STATES More than one hundred thousand emigrants from the United States had settled in Texas prior to the recognition of the republic by General Santa Anna. After the adoption of the constitution it was not long until President Houston and others opened negotiations for the annexation of the republic to the United States. They called attention to the fact that the United States had in the past made repeated offers to purchase the territory, but all such offers had been rejected by Mexico, and that now was an opportunity to acquire all the country down to the Rio Grande on easy terms. In the United States sentiment was divided. While many were in favor of annexation, others argued that to annex Texas was to invite a war with Mexico. The Democratic national convention of 1844 adopted a platform declaring in favor of annexation and nominated James K. Polk, an intimate friend of General Houston, as the party's candidate for President. The Whigs nominated Henry Clay as their candidate and declared themselves as "unalterably opposed to the annexation of Texas." Thus the issue was placed squarely before the people. Polk was elected and the people having expressed themselves in favor of annexation, Congress on March 1, 1845, passed the annexation bill, which was immediately signed by President Tyler, three days before Polk was inaugurated. The bill provided that certain conditions should be complied with by the Texans before it became effective. These conditions were accepted by an almost unanimous vote and the Texas Republic became a part of the United States. On December 29, 1845, Texas was admitted into the Union as a state. WAR DECLARED The annexation and admission of Texas were displeasing to the Mexican Government, which for ten years had entertained hopes of regaining possession of the territory. It soon became apparent that the Whig prophecy that to annex Texas was to invite a war with Mexico was likely to be fulfilled. Early in 1846 General Arista began the mobilizing of a large Mexican force directly south of the Rio Grande. At that time the military forces of the United States in the Southwest were commanded by Ben. Zachary Taylor, who was ordered to take possession of the country down to the Rio Grande and hold it against the Mexicans until the boundary question could be settled. With his "Army of Occupation" Taylor moved into Texas. After establishing a depot of supplies at Point Isabel. on the Gulf coast about thirty miles east of the TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY - 155 mouth of the Rio Grande, he moved over to that stream and built Fort Brown (now Brownsville) opposite the Mexican Town of Matamoras, where General Arista had his headquarters. Taylor's daring spurred the Mexican commander to action. He invaded Texas, but was defeated in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de le Palma. News of these engagements awakened the war spirit throughout the United States. With the exception of a few disappointed leaders, the Whigs forgot the old political differences of opinion regarding annexation and men of all parties offered their services to put a stop to Mexican aggression. On May 11, 1846, two days after the battle of Resaca de la Palma, Congress declared that "war already exists by act of the Mexican Government." The sum of $10,000,000 was placed at the disposal of the administration and the President was authorized to accept the services of 50,000 volunteers. President Polk approved the act on May 13, 1846, and called for eighty-seven and a half regiments—the half regiment to be furnished by the District of Columbia and the others to be made up of volunteers and militia in the several states. OHIO'S RESPONSE Of the troops called for by President Polk, ten regiments were to be assigned to the regular army. Ohio was not slow in furnishing her share of the volunteers. A company was raised in Lucas County, but unfortunately for the historian the muster rolls have not been preserved. It was commanded by Capt. Daniel Chase, but was not called into service until the spring of 1847. On May 18, 1847, it left Toledo for Vera Cruz. The Toledo Guards, commanded by Capt. Austin Willey, escorted the company to the steamboat landing. Just before embarking, Judge Myron H. Tilden presented Captain Chase with a sword—the gift of the people of Toledo. Captain Chase accepted the sword with a few well chosen remarks, after which the company went on board the waiting steamboat and began their journey to the seat of war. After an uneventful voyage, the company reached Vera Cruz, where it was assigned to the Fifteenth United States Infantry as Company B. Almost immediately Gen. Winfield Scott began his advance on the City of Mexico, the Fifteenth participating in most of the engagements of the campaign. The regiment especially distinguished itself on the storming of Chapultepec, near the City of Mexico, which was quickly followed by the capitulation of the Mexican capital. TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO When James K. Polk was inaugurated on March 4, 1845, it was his ambition to acquire California, though the means by which his dream was to be realized were not clear in his mind. The territory might be acquired by conquest; it might be secured by filling it with emigrants from the United States, who would ultimately bring it into the Union as Texas had been annexed ; or it might be possible to win the good will of the inhabitants, many of whom were already chafing under Mexican rule. Early in 1846, nearly three months before the declaration of war, Lieut. John C. Fremont's expedition entered the Sacramento Valley and a fourth plan for the acquisition of the territory was introduced. Fremont established a sort of provisional government, known as the "Bear Flag Republic," under the control of 156 - TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY the American settlers in the valley. When war was declared in May, the Bear Flag was replaced by the Stars and Stripes without any objection on the part of the Mexican inhabitants. During the summer of 1846 Col. Stephen \V. Kearney led an expedition into the Southwest and captured the Town of Santa Fe. New Mexico was thus acquired without serious opposition. By the close of the year 1846, practically all the territory desired by the administration was held by the military forces of the United States, though Mexico still remained unconquered. In the spring of 1847, about the time the Lucas County company left for the front, President Polk sent Nicholas P. Trist, chief clerk in the department of state, to General Scott's headquarters for the purpose of entering into negotiations with the Mexican Government for the restoration of peace. Scott objected to any interference with his plans and it was not until after the fall of the City of Mexico that Trist was able to open negotiations. He had been instructed by the President to demand, among other things, the cession of California and New Mexico and the recognition of the Rio Grande as the international boundary. On February 2, 1848, Trist succeeded in concluding the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (a small place on the outskirts of the City of Mexico), which embodied these features. By this treaty Mexico ceded to the United States all her territory north of the Rio Grande, comprising the present states of Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah, the western part of Colorado and the southwest corner of Wyoming. For this great tract of country Mexico received the sum of $15,000,000 and the United States further agreed to assume the payment of claims held by the citizens of this country against the Mexican Government, provided the total of such claims did not exceed $3,250,000. CAPT. DANIEL CHASE Capt. Daniel Chase, who commanded the Lucas County company in the Mexican war, came to the Maumee Valley in 1834, being at that time about thirty-two years of age. He was a brother of Dr. James L. Chase, who came to Toledo about two years later. Daniel Chase was a land speculator, though of a better type than a majority of speculators. In November, 1835, he purchased part of the Indian reservation of the Chief Au-to-kee, of James W. Knaggs, and the same day he purchased Presque Isle. Altogether he owned some twelve thousand acres of land in the Maumee Valley, a considerable part of which is now within the city limits of Toledo. He was president of the Bank of Manhattan and in 1837 was one of the organizers of the East Manhattan Land Company. While leading his company at the storming of Chapultepec, he was wounded and received honorable mention in General Scott's report. At the close of the Mexican war, General Scott recommended him for colonel in the regular army and he was so commissioned. At the beginning of the Civil war in 1861, he was serving under General Twiggs, who joined the Southern Confederacy and the command was broken up by his treason. Colonel Chase started for Toledo and was at the battle of Wilson's Creek, Missouri, August 10, 1861, where Gen. Nathaniel Lyon was killed. Soon after reaching Toledo he was appointed major and served on the staff, of General McPherson. During the siege of Vicksburg he commanded a regiment TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY - 157 and was wounded in an assault upon the Confederate works. In 1865 he was placed upon the retired list, with the rank of colonel, being at that time sixty-four years of age. He died at Toledo on June 24, 1877. ROLL OF HONOR The Mexican Government was not altogether satisfied with the treaty made by its representatives with Mr. Trist. Attorney-General Clifford and Senator A. H. Sevier, of Arkansas, were appointed special commissioners by President Polk to secure its ratification. While these negotiations were pending, the United States troops remained in Mexico to preserve order and maintain the advantage already gained. The Fifteenth Infantry was on duty in some of the small towns near the City of Mexico, where the Mexican climate proved to be more deadly than Mexican bullets. From the correspondence and reports of Captain Chase, it is learned that the Lucas County company lost thirty-four men while in service. This roll of honor is as follows : Chester G. Andrews, killed in battle near the City of Mexico, August 20, 1847. Jonas G. Anglemyer, died of wounds received at the storming of Chapultepec. John Ball, died in hospital at New Orleans, Louisiana, August 20, 1847. Edward Bennett, died in hospital at Puebla. Solomon Blenbaugh, died in hospital at the City of Mexico, October 6, 1847. Charles Carroll, died in hospital at Puebla. Joseph F. Clark, wounded in battle near the City of Mexico, August 20, 1847, and died a few days later. Chauncey Crego, died in hospital at San Borgia, September 3, 1847. Joseph Cummings, died in hospital at Puebla. William Davis, died in hospital at Puebla. Samuel Garrison, died in hospital at Puebla. William Gee, died in hospital at Puebla. Robert Graves, killed in action at the City of Mexico, September 14, 1847. _______ Hann, died at hospital at Puebla. Joseph Hickory, died in hospital at Vera Cruz, June 22, 1847. George Holder, died in hospital at Puebla. George W. Hough, died in hospital at Perote, July 15, 1847. Isaac L. Huyck, died in hospital at Chapultepec, November 19, 1847. Samuel Jennings, died in field hospital near Jalapa, June 26, 1847. Robert Kinkley, died in hospital at Puebla. Thomas L. Kolloch, died in hospital at Chapultepec, December 15, 1847. Thomas Marks, died near Santa Fe, June 19, 1847. Jacob Reid, died in hospital at Perote, July, 1847. William Reigert, died in hospital at Puebla. David Robinson, died in hospital at Chapultepec, November 19, 1847. Noble Robinson, died in hospital at Perote, July 3, 1847. James W. Skoen, died in hospital in the City of Mexico, September 27, 1847. John Sleath, killed in action near the City of Mexico, August 20, 1847. 158 - TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY Charles Smith, died in hospital at Puebla. Ephraim Smith, died in hospital at Puebla. Leander P. Stoddard, died in hospital at Puebla. Aaron Strevor, died in hospital at Puebla. Charles Tupel, died in hospital at Puebla. Calvin Waggins, died in hospital at Puebla. It is a matter of regret that more of the history of this company cannot be given. The Fifteenth Infantry was mustered out on August 21, 1848, when the survivors of the Lucas County organization returned home and were given a cordial reception. From the above list of casualties it is evident that the members of Company B did not shirk. their duty, and by their conduct reflected honor upon the county which sent them to the front. CHAPTER XII CIVIL WAR-1861-1865 CAUSES OF THE WAR-THE SLAVERY QUESTION-MISSOURI COMPROMISE- KANSAS-NEBRASKA BILL-SECESSION-STAR OF THE WEST INCIDENT-FALL OF FORT SUMTER-LINCOLN'S PROCLAMATION-HOW LUCAS COUNTY RESPONDED- FOURTEENTH OHIO INFANTRY-GEN. JAMES B. STEEDMAN-TWENTY-FIFTH INFANTRY-TWENTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY- THIRTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY-JOHN S. KOUNTZ - FORTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY-SIXTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY - EIGHTY- FOURTH INFANTRY - ONE HUNDREDTH INFANTRY - ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVENTH INFANTRY - GEN. ISAAC R. SHERWOOD - ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY-ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTIETH INFANTRY-ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SECOND INFANTRY-ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY- FOURTH INFANTRY-ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-NINTH INFANTRY-THIRD OHIO CAVALRY-BATTERY H, FIRST LIGHT ARTILLERY-TWENTY-FIRST INDEPENDENT BATTERY-THE WORK AT HOME. The causes of the war between the North and South—between the free and slave states—dates back to the colonial period. Negro slavery was introduced in what is now the United States in 1619, when a Dutch trader sold a few negroes to the planters of the Jamestown colony. The custom of owning negro servants, or slaves, gradually spread to the other colonies and almost from the very beginning of the American Republic the slavery question became a "bone of contention" in politics. The first clause of Section 9, Article I, of the Federal Constitution provides that "The migration or importation of such persons as any of the states now existing shall think proper to admit shall not be prohibited by Congress prior to the year 1808." The adoption of this clause was regarded as a victory for the slaveholding element, as under it Congress had no power to limit or interfere with the foreign slave trade until 1808. But in that year an act was passed prohibiting any further traffic in or importation of negro slaves. By 1819 seven of the original thirteen states had made provisions for the emancipation of the slaves within their borders, but in the other six the institution of slavery was retained. In the meantime Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama had been admitted into the Union with constitutions permitting slavery. On the other hand Vermont, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois had been admitted as free states, so that the country was evenly divided—eleven free and eleven slave states. Maine was admitted as a free state in 1820 and the advocates of slavery sought to have Missouri admitted as a slave state in order to maintain the equilibrium in the United States Senate. After a long and somewhat acrimonious debate, that state was admitted under the act known as the Missouri Compromise, which provided for the admission of Missouri without any restrictions as to slavery, but expressly stipulated that in all the remaining portion - 159 - 160 - TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY of the Louisiana Purchase north of the line of 36̊ 30' slavery should be forever prohibited. During the next twenty-five years the slavery question remained comparatively quiet, owing to the admission of free and slave states in equal number. Arkansas came into the Union as a slave state in 1836 and was balanced by the State of Michigan ; the slave state of Florida, which was admitted in 1845, was offset by the admission of Iowa as a free state in 1846. At the conclusion of the Mexican war in 1848, the United States came into possession of a large expanse of territory,' including the present states of Arizona and New Mexico ; nearly all of California, Nevada and Utah ; and portions of Colorado and Wyoming. To this vast region the advocates of slavery laid claim and again the question came before Congress. The opponents of slavery held that the Omnibus Bill of 1850, which provided for the admission of California and the organization of Utah Territory, was a violation of the provisions of the Missouri Compromise, because it sought to carry slavery north of the line of 36̊ 30'. Four years later the Kansas-Nebraska Bill was passed, adding fresh fuel to the already raging flames. Its passage was the principal cause that led to the organization of the Republican party, which opposed the extension of slavery to any new territory of the United States whatever. SECESSION In the political campaign of 1860 the issues were clearly defined and some of the slave states declared their intention to withdraw from the Union in the event of Abraham Lincoln's election to the Presidency. The people of the . North looked upon these declarations as so many idle threats, made merely for political effect. Through a division in the Democratic party, Mr. Lincoln was elected and on December 20, 1860, South Carolina carried her threat into effect, a state convention adopting an ordinance of secession, declaring that the state's connection with the Union was severed, and that all allegiance to the Government of the United States was at an end. Mississippi followed with a similar ordinance on January 9, 1861; Florida seceded on January 10th ; Alabama, January 11th ; Georgia, January 19th ; Louisiana, January 26th, and Texas, February 1st. Delegates from all these states except Texas met in convention in Montgomery, Alabama, February 4, 1861, and adopted a provisional constitution for a government to be called the "Confederate States of America." Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, was elected provisional President and Alexander H. Stevens, of Georgia, provisional Vice President. They were inaugurated on February 22, 1861, the anniversary of the birth of George Washington. Consequently, when Mr. Lincoln was inaugurated on March 4, 1861, he found seven states in open rebellion and with an organized government in opposition to his administration. Notwithstanding this condition of affairs, the President, his advisers and the people of the North generally, clung to the hope that a reconciliation could be affected and that the citizens of the seceded states could be induced to return to their allegiance. Vain hope ! STAR OF THE WEST INCIDENT Shortly after the secession of South Carolina the relations between the North and South became strained to the breaking point. Major Robert Anderson, then TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY - 161 in command of all the harbor defenses at Charleston, South Carolina, secretly removed his garrison and supplies from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, because the latter could be more effectively defended in case of an assault. The people of the South claimed that this action of Anderson was a direct violation of an agreement with President Buchanan. The bitter feeling was further intensified when it was discovered that Anderson, prior to his removal, had spiked all the guns in Fort Moultrie. The press of the North was practically unanimous in upholding Anderson's course and in demanding that supplies and reinforcements be sent to him, which would enable him to hold Fort Sumter against any assault likely to be made. At first President Buchanan, whose sympathies were with the South, paid no heed to these demands. But the persistent hammering of the Northern press finally resulted in the war department's ordering the steamer "Star of the West" to carry 250 men and a stock of ammunition, provisions, etc., to Major Anderson. It has been stated, on apparently good authority, that the secretary of war, at the time he issued the order for the conveyance of the supplies and reinforcements to Fort Sumter, also notified General Beauregard, in command of the Confederate forces at Charleston, of his action and about when the vessel might be expected. On January 9, 1861, while passing Morris Island, the "Star of the West" was fired on by a masked battery and forced to turn back. In the official records this affair is regarded as the beginning of the Civil war, though the popular awakening of the north did not come until some three months later. FALL OF FORT SUMTER Before President Lincoln's administration was a month old, General Beauregard made a demand upon Major Anderson for the evacuation of Fort Sumter. Anderson at first refused, but on April 11, 1861, seeing his supply of provisions running low, and having slight hopes of obtaining more, he advised Beauregard that he would vacate the fort on the 15th, "unless ordered to remain and the needed supplies. are received." This proposition was not satisfactory to the Confederate commander, who was unable to understand the purport of that clause, "unless ordered to remain," etc. Buchanan was no longer President and the secretary of war was not inclined to furnish information in advance of the department's movements. Beauregard feared that the new administration might find some way of sending reinforcements and supplies to Fort Sumter that might enable Anderson to hold on indefinitely. In that case Sumter would be a constant menace to one of the Southern strongholds. Besides, the secession leaders throughout the South were demanding aggressive action. After a conference with his officers, Beauregard decided upon an assault. A few minutes after three o'clock on the morning of April 12, 1861, he sent word to Major Anderson that fire would be opened upon the fort within an hour, unless a flag of truce was displayed as a signal of evacuation. No such flag was hoisted and at exactly 4 :30 A. M. Capt. George Janes fired the signal gun from Fort Johnson, the shell bursting almost directly over the fort. A few seconds later a solid shot from a battery on Cumming's Point went crashing against the walls of the fort. The war had begun. Anderson and his gallant little band promptly returned the fire and the bombard- 162 - TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY ments continued throughout the day. Late in the afternoon one of the casemates of the fort caught fire and the Confederates brought more artillery into action, hoping to force Anderson's surrender. That was on Friday. Anderson held out against the desperate odds until Sunday, the 14th, when he was permitted to evacuate the fort with all the honors of war, even to saluting his flag with fifty guns before hauling it down. When the telegraph flashed the news of Sumter's fall through the loyal states of the North, all hope of bringing about a peaceable adjustment of the differences between the sections was abandoned. Party lines were obliterated. Political controversies of the past were forgotten in the insult to the flag. There was but one sentiment—"The Union must and shall be preserved." On Monday, April 15, 1861, the day following Anderson's evacuation of the fort, President Lincoln issued the following: PROCLAMATION "Whereas, the laws of the United States have been for some time past and now are opposed and the execution thereof obstructed in the states of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by law : "Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, in virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution and the Laws, have thought fit to call forth and hereby do call forth the militia of the several states of the Union to the aggregate number of 75,000, in order to suppress said combinations and cause the laws to be fully executed. The details for this object will be immediately communicated to the state authorities through the War Department. "I appeal to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate and aid this effort to maintain ,the honor, the integrity and the existence of our National Union aid the perpetuity of popular government, and to redress wrongs already too long endured. "I deem it proper to say that the first service assigned to the forces hereby called forth will probably be to repossess the forts, places and property which have been seized from the Union ; and in every event the utmost care will be observed, consistently with the objects aforesaid, to avoid any devastation, any destruction of, or interference with property, or any disturbance of peaceful citizens in any part of the country. "And I hereby command the persons composing the combinations aforesaid to disperse and return peaceably to their respective abodes within twenty days from this date. "Deeming that the present condition of public affairs presents an extraordinary occasion, I do hereby, in virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution, convene both houses of Congress. Senators and Representatives are therefore summoned to assemble at their respective chambers at twelve o'clock, noon, on Thursday, the 4th day of July next, then and there to consider and determine such measures as, in their wisdom, the public safety and interest may demand. "In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY - 163 "Done at the City of Washington this 15th day of April, A. D., 1861, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-fifth. "ABRAHAM LINCOLN." HOW LUCAS COUNTY RESPONDED For weeks before the actual beginning of hostilities, many predicted that war was bound to come. Consequently, the assault upon Fort Sumter was not entirely unexpected. The "Toledo Blade" of Saturday, April 13, 1861, said editorially : "The blow is struck ! The time when the friends of Constitutional Government and Civil Liberty must take their position for or against the Government has arrived ! The enemies of the Union and of Freedom have at last reached the point where they feel warranted in opening hostilities upon the Government they are bound by every consideration of loyalty and patriotism to support. . . . All that forbearance and moderation on the part of the friends of order could do, has been done to avert this shocking calamity. The history of the world furnished no parallel to either the madness of the offenders or the forbearance of the Government. In any other country on the Globe it would have been impossible for deliberate, protracted and extended armament against the Government to be carried forward openly and undisguisedly for months, as was the case in this instance. "The practical question now for every citizen, is What is [my] duty? . . We make no partisan appeal. We speak not to Republicans or to Democrats—native or foreign born—but to American Citizens, of all classes and divisions. There can be but one answer from an American heart, and that will be a prompt and patriotic pledge of support to the measures which the Government, or the chosen representatives of the nation, shall devise for the vindication of its authority and the preservation of our liberties. The man who takes this position, will be of the party of patriots—no matter what his past designation or association. And he who refuses to do so, should be known as a tory and a traitor to his country and his duty. "In our own section we look for a unity of sentiment and action, which will nerve the hearts and sustain the hands of those in charge of the Government, and leave no doubt as to the position of Northwestern Ohio in this crisis. And here let us suggest that immediate steps be taken by our citizens, without distinction of party, to give expression to public sentiment on this great question." The suggestion of the "Blade" found a ready response in the minds of the people. On the 15th, the very day the President issued his proclamation calling for 75,000 men, but before that fact became known in Toledo, about two hundred of the leading citizens signed a call for a meeting to be held that evening at the Union Depot. Commenting editorially upon this call the "Blade" said : "The call in this paper for a public meeting at the Depot this evening, to one familiar with the names it bears, will testify to the universality of the Union feeling here. Men prominent in every walk of life, and more or less active in each of the political parties, have cheerfully and promptly pledged themselves to stand by the right. All semblance of partyism has disappeared and everybody is ready to express confidence in and sympathy with the Administration. Already do we hear of volunteers seeking opportunity for enlistment and, should a call be made, we doubt not large numbers could readily be obtained." Philharmonic Hall, on Summit Street, was engaged for "Patriotic Headquar- 164 - TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY ters" and the "Blade" of the 17th said : "Many of our citizens are awaiting instructions from General Carrington, adjutant-general of Ohio, as to the mode of raising troops. Persons requiring information may call on Gen. C. B. Phillips, Gen. J. B. Steedman or George P. Este. Men were already drilling at Philharmonic Hall, which had been converted into an armory. The first company of Lucas County volunteers was sworn in on April 17. Sheriff Henry D. Kingsbury, George P. Este, E. P. Bassett and John A. Chase were each raising a company and it was confidently stated that a regiment would be recruited in the military district within a week. On the 19th a committee, consisting of Robert H. Bell, Joel W. Kelsey and Augustus Thomas, announced that the citizens of Toledo had contributed sufficient funds to defray "the immediate necessary contingent expenses of the companies organizing in Toledo." On the 23d three companies were organized and on the 24th Col. James B. Steedman, commanding, issued his order for the "Northwestern Ohio Regiment" to proceed the next morning for rendezvous at Camp Taylor, Cleveland. Ten companies formed at 7 A. M. on Magnolia and Superior streets and matched to the Union Station, where they were to entrain for Cleveland. Of this occasion the "Blade" said : "Never has our city experienced such a day as the present. At early dawn the people from the country began to arrive in immense crowds, and the firing of cannon aroused our own citizens from their slumbers. By 9 o'clock there must have been ten thousand people on the streets. At the railroad depot the scene was truly grand. The crowd filled the entire space devoted to passenger trains ; but after energetic effort by the police, a passage was made and the troops, in sections, marched to the cars. The regiment numbered 1,058 men, all told, composed mainly of young men. At 8 A. M. religious services had been conducted on the parade ground by Rev. H. B. Walbridge, of Trinity Episcopal Church. Much disappointment was felt by the Waynesfield Guards, Lieut. R. B. Mitchell, commanding, that the offer of that company had not been accepted by the President." FOURTEENTH OHIO INFANTRY Upon arriving at Cleveland the regiment was designated as the "Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry," with the following field and staff officers : James B. Steedman, colonel ; George P. Este, lieutenant-colonel ; Paul Edwards, major; Edwin D. Bradley, adjutant ; Henry D. Kingsbury, quartermaster. Four companies in this regiment—A, B, I and K—were from Lucas County. The commissioned officers of these companies were as follows : Company A—S. Backus Moe, captain Wilbur F. Stopford, first lieutenant ; Frank N. Marion, ensign. Company B—Louis Von Blessingh, captain ; John A. Chase, first lieutenant ; William Schultz, second lieutenant. Company I—Caleb Dodd, captain ; Dennis C. Leban, first lieutenant ; James Marston, second lieutenant. Company K—George W. Kirk, captain ; John F. Wallace, first lieutenant ; Samuel Sherman, second lieutenant. On May 18, 1861, the regiment was mustered into the United States service for three months, to date from April 27th. Four days later it moved to Zanesville, where it was armed and equipped, and the next day was ordered to Marietta. On the 27th of May it crossed the Ohio River into Virginia, where its flag was first TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY - 165 unfurled in the enemy's country. For a time it was employed in guarding the bridges of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. It was engaged at Philippi, Laurel Hill and Carrick's Ford, assisting to win at the last named place a decisive victory. It remained in Western Virginia until July 22, 1861, when the term of service having expired, it was ordered home. It reached Toledo on the 25th and on August 13th was mustered out. The work o f reorganizing the regiment for the three years' service, under President Lincoln's call for 300,000 volunteers, was immediately commenced. Many of the men reenlisted and by September 5, 1861, the regiment was again ready for the field. It was mustered in for three years with the same regimental officers as in the three months' service. Companies A, B, C, a large part of E, F, H, and were raised in Lucas County. The commissioned officers of these companies at the time of muster in were : Company A—Henry D. Kingsbury, captain (promoted to major in July, 1862) ; Marshall Davis, first lieutenant ; William B. Pugh, second lieutenant. Company B—George W. Kirk, captain ; Edward S. Dodd, first lieutenant ; Joseph B. Newton, second lieutenant ; Company C—Jacob W. Brown, captain ; Ezra B. Kirk, first lieutenant ; John M. Hamilton, second lieutenant. Company E—John W. Wilson, captain (promoted to major in January, 1863) ; William B. Steedman, first lieutenant ; William T. Bennett, second lieutenant. Company F —John A. Chase, captain ; John I. Clark, first lieutenant ; Josiah Johnson, second lieutenant. Company H—Wilbur F. Stopford, captain ; Robert F. Just, first lieutenant ; George E. Murray, second lieutenant. Company I—John W. McCabe, captain ; Josiah Farmington, first lieutenant ; Alexander Walp, second lieutenant. On September 25, 1861, the regiment again left Toledo for the front. On October 2nd it reached Camp Dick Robinson, in Kentucky, where it remained until the morning of the 21st, when it was ordered to the relief of five companies of the Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, which were surrounded by the enemy on a knoll in a desolate region near Wild Cat. Two companies of the Fourteenth, under cover of a lively fire from Barnett's Ohio battery, crept through the thicket, carrying picks and shovels. In a little while the knoll was so intrenched that the enemy withdrew. leaving about thirty dead and wounded on the field. This was the regiment's first engagement as a three years' organization. At Mill Springs on January 20, 1862, it was the first to "go over the top" and led in the pursuit of the retreating enemy. It was next at Shiloh and the siege of Corinth in April ; then at Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge ; took part in the Atlanta campaign in 1864 ; marched with Sherman to the sea, and was with that, commander when Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's army surrendered to him at Durham Station, North Carolina in April, 1865. From there it went to Washington, D. C., where it participated in the grand review of the Union armies. On July 11th it was mustered out at Louisville and the Lucas County troops reached Toledo on the 21st. GEN. JAMES B. STEEDMAN Gen. James Blair Steedman was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, July 29, 1817, of Scotch parentage, the eldest in a family of three children. His parents died while he was still in his boyhood and at the age of fifteen he began learning the printer's trade in the office of the "Lewisburg Democrat." Two years later he went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he worked at the case for a short time, but 166 - TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY gave up the peaceful occupation of typesetting to join Gen. Samuel Houston's expedition to Texas. After the establishment of the Texas Republic he returned to Pennsylvania, where he was employed for a short time on public works. In 1838 he came to Ohio, locating at Napoleon, where he was engaged in publishing the "Northwestern Democrat." While at Napoleon he was united in marriage with Miss Miranda Stiles, a native of New Jersey. Soon after his marriage he became a contractor of the Wabash & Erie Canal. In 1847 he was elected to the lower house of the Ohio Legislature and served two terms. He then joined a company bound for the California gold fields and in 1849 crossed the plains. After about a year in California, he returned to Ohio. From 1852 to 1857 he was a member of the Board of Public Works, most of the time as president of the board. In December, 1857, he was elected Congressional printer and about the same time was commissioned major-general of the Fifth Division, Ohio militia, which position he held until the breaking out of the Civil war in 1861. Between the years 1857 and 1861 he was for some time editor of the "Toledo Times," and while occupying the editorial chair was admitted to the bar. In 1860 he was chosen as one of the Ohio delegates to the Democratic national convention at Charleston, South Carolina, where he did everything he could to secure the nomination of Stephen A. Douglas for the Presidency. The convention split on the subject of Southern Rights and General Steedman went with the northern wing of the party to Baltimore, where Mr. Douglas was nominated. The same year General Steed-man was nominated for Congress in the Toledo district, but was defeated by James M. Ashley, the Republican candidate. When the news came that Fort Sumter had been fired on, General Steedman was among the first to declare his loyalty to the administration of President Lincoln. He assisted in organizing the Fourteenth Infantry, of which he was made colonel, both during the three months' service and at the beginning of its three years' term. On July 16, 1862, he was promoted to brigadier-general. At the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, October 9, 1862, he maneuvered his brigade in such a manner as to win honorable mention in the report of General Buell. He was actively engaged at the battle of Stone's River late in December, 1862, and during the Tullahoma campaign early the next year was in command of a division. In July, 1863, he was assigned to the command of the First Division, Reserve Corps, which was commanded by Maj.-Gen. Gordon Granger. On September 20, 1863, the second day of the battle of Chickamauga, the Reserve Corps was stationed at McAfee's Church, north of the main battle field, to protect the Union left against a flank movement. About noon, while a change was being made in the positions of some of the Union divisions, a temporary break occurred in the line. This was promptly taken advantage of by General Longstreet, who forced his column through the break cutting off the divisions of Crittenden, McCook and Sheridan, part of the troops retreating to Chattanooga before they could be rallied. It has been told that about two o'clock, Generals Granger and Steedman were sitting on the top of a hay rick near McAfee's Church, having climbed up there in the hope that, with the aid of their glasses, they could see what was going on farther up the Chickamauga Creek. Noticing that there was a lull in the firing, Steedman suggested to Granger that they "march over there," pointing southward to where Gen. George H. Thomas was making his gallant stand against Bragg's entire army. TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY - 169 The Reserve Corps had no orders to enter the engagement, but after a little while General Granger gave the order to move over to the Rossville road and come up in Thomas' rear. Granger and Steedman were afterward criticized for acting without. orders, but there is no question that their timely arrival helped to save the day at Chickamauga, as General Thomas' men were almost entirely out of ammunition and had repulsed one charge with the bayonet alone. It was Uncle Jimmy Steedman's suggestion to go "over there" which played an important part in winning for General Thomas the sobriquet of "The Rock of Chickamauga." The result of this movement was that Steedman was promoted to major-general. General Steedman was with Sherman in the Atlanta campaign and when that officer began his famous "March to the Sea," was assigned to the command of the District of Etowah. A little later he joined General Thomas at Nashville. In the battle there on December 14, 1864, he was ordered by General Thomas to "make a feint" against the Confederate right to mask the main attack against the center. The "feint" was so vigorous that it amounted to an assault. The enemy's right was turned and in a short time Hood's army was in full retreat. After the war General Steedman was assigned to the post of military commander of Georgia, where he served until July 19, 1866. He was then internal revenue collector at New Orleans until January, 1869, when he returned to Toledo. He resumed this connection with the press, becoming editor of the "Northern Ohio Democrat," which relation he held for most of the time until his death on October 8, 1883. In 1874 he was elected a delegate to the state constitutional convention ; was state senator from the Toledo district in 1878 ; was a delegate to the Democratic national convention in 1880 ; was defeated for state senator in 1881, and his last public service was as chief of the Toledo police. He was prominent in Grand Army circles and was at one time commander of the Ohio Department. A little while after his death, William J. Finlay, for many years a personal friend of General Steedman, proposed to erect a monument to his memory at St. Clair Place—junction of Cherry and Summit streets. The city council set apart ground for the monument and changed the name of the site to Finlay Place. The base, nine feet square, is of Vermont marble. Resting on this base is a die, on the four sides of which are inscriptions giving the date of birth and death ; the words "Carrick's Ford," "Perryville," "Chickamauga" and "Nashville," f our battles in which he distinguished himself, and "Erected by W. J. Finlay." Above the die is a pedestal, surmounted by a bronze statue of General Steedman, a little larger than life size, standing with his field glass in his hand, as if to say "Always on the lookout for the enemy." The monument was unveiled on May 26, 1887. A few years ago it was removed to Riverside Park. TWENTY-FIFTH INFANTRY The next volunteer regiment in which Lucas County was represented was the Twenty-fifth Ohio Infantry. This regiment was made up of companies from different parts of the state, Company K being recruited in Lucas County. When it left Toledo on June 25, 1861, it was officered as follows: Jonathan Brown, captain ; Nathaniel Haughton, first lieutenant ; Harlan Millikan, second lieutenant. It was escorted to the railroad station by the Zouave Cadets and Fire Com- 170 - TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY pany No. 1, and joined the regiment at Camp Chase. On July 25, 1861, the regiment left for Virginia and its first service was along the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, guarding that line of communication against "bushwhackers." The regiment was engaged at Cheat Mountain, Greenbrier, Huntersville, Monterey, Cross Keys, Freeman's Ford, the second battle of Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Hagerstown, Fort Wagner and a number of minor skirmishes. On July 16, 1864, those who did not reenlist were mustered out, but the veterans received a thirty-day furlough. They arrived at Toledo on February 4, 1864, were met at the station by a large number of citizens and a band, and escorted to Cherry and Summit streets, where they were welcomed in an address by Morrison R. Waite. Of the ninety-seven men of Company K who left Toledo in 1861, only fourteen came back on furlough in February, 1864. It is said that when the roll was called of ter the battle of Gettysburg, only four men responded to their names. The veterans and recruits were mustered out on June 18, 1866. TWENTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY This regiment was composed of men from all parts of the state. No company was raised in Lucas County, but the county was represented by John W. Fuller, colonel of the regiment ; Rev. John Eaton, Jr., chaplain ; Theodore Sawyer and James H. Boggis, each of whom held the rank of first lieutenant. Chaplain Eaton had served as superintendent of the Toledo public schools before entering the ministry. Lieutenant Sawyer was killed at Dallas, Georgia, May 27, 1864, and Lieutenant Boggis was promoted to the captaincy of his company. Col. John W. Fuller was born in Cambridge, England, in July, 1827. When about six years of age he came to the United States with his parents, who settled in Utica, New York. There he attended school and afterward engaged in business as a merchant. In 1858 he came to Toledo, where he established a book store and also engaged in the publishing business in a limited way. When the war broke out in 1861, he promptly tendered his services and was for a time on the staff of Brig.-Gen. Charles W. Hill. When the Twenty-seventh Infantry was organized he was commissioned colonel by Governor Tod. The regiment was brigaded with the Thirty-ninth, Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio regiments and served in Missouri, Mississippi and Tennessee. In the fall of 1862 Colonel Fuller was promoted to brigadier-general. In the Atlanta campaign of 1864 his command took an active part in the leading engagements. Early in July, 1864, he was assigned to the command of the First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, which opened the battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864. For his gallantry in that action he was made brevet major-general. He was with General Sherman on the march to the sea and the campaign through the Carolinas. At the close of the war he returned to Toledo and became a member of the wholesale shoe house of Fuller, Childs & Company. In 1874 he was appointed collector of customs for the Toledo district by President Grant and reappointed by President Hayes in 1878. In 1888 he retired from active business and passed the remainder of his life in the quiet enjoyment of his home and the association of his many friends. TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY - 173 THIRTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY Under the call of President Lincoln in August, 1861, for 300,000 men, the Thirty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized. It was composed principally of Germans from Cleveland, Chillicothe and Toledo and was mustered in with Edward Siber as colonel. Lucas County furnished Companies B, G and K. When mustered in these companies were officered as follows : Company BLouis Von Blessingh, captain (promoted to lieutenant-colonel) ; Henry Goeker, first lieutenant ; Frederick Ingold, second lieutenant. Company G.—Frederick Schoening, captain ; William Schultz, first lieutenant ; John Hamm, second lieutenant. Company K.—Frederick M. Stumpf, captain ; Andrew Huber, first lieutenant ; George W. Temme, second lieutenant. Colonel Siber had served in the German army before coming to America and in a short time his regiment had the reputation of being one of the best drilled in the Union army. The first service of the regiment was in West Virginia. In March, 1862, it was attached to the Third Provisional Brigade, Kanawha Division, which was sent on a raid into the southern part of West Virginia to destroy the Virginia & East Tennessee Railroad. On this raid the regiment lost 14 killed, 48 wounded and 14 reported missing. Late in the year 1862, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Blessingh, the Thirty-seventh embarked on steamboats at Cincinnati and dropped down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Napoleon, Arkansas, where it was attached to the Third Brigade, Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps. Under Colonel Siber, the regiment took part in the military operations against Vicksburg. After the surrender of that city the regiment formed part of the expedition against Jackson, Mississippi. It was then engaged in Alabama and Tennessee and formed part of Burnside's expedition to drive Longstreet out of East Tennessee in the fall of 1863. Early in March, 1864, about three-fourths of the men reenlisted and the veteran Thirty-seventh took part in the Atlanta campaign of 1864. It was then with General Sherman in the march to the sea and the campaign through the Carolinas, which resulted in the surrender of General Johnston's army. On July 4, 1864, it arrived at Little Rock, Arkansas, where it remained on duty until August 12th, when it was mustered out and the men returned to Ohio. On the muster roll of Company G appears the name of John S. Kountz as one of the musicians. He was born in Lucas County on March 25, 1846, and when only about a month over fifteen years of age enlisted as a drummer boy in the Thirty-seventh Infantry. With a man's courage and fortitude, he served with his regiment in all its marches and campaigns until the fall of 1863. On November 25, 1863, when the Union forces were preparing for the charge upon the enemy's position at Missionary Ridge, the drum corps was ordered to the rear. Young Kountz did not relish the idea of being left out of the game. Casting aside his drum, he fell in with his company and marched against the enemy's works. In the first assault he was wounded in the left leg and left on the field, under the fire of the Confederate guns, until rescued by a member of his company. His wound proved to be so serious that amputation was necessary. As soon as he recovered sufficiently from the operation, he was discharged from the service and returned to his home in Toledo. Af ter a year in school he took a position in 174 - TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY the county treasurer's office ; was elected county treasurer when only twenty-five years old ; was elected county recorder at the close of his term as treasurer, and later engaged in the insurance business. He was the first adjutant of Forsyth Post, Grand Army of the Republic ; served three terms as post commander ; was elected commander of the Ohio Department in 1881, and in 1885 was elected commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. Thus the "Drummer Boy of Missionary Ridge" became a national character. Mr. Kountz died at Toledo on June 14, 1909. FORTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY Lucas County was represented in this regiment by Company I, which was organized at Toledo in June, 1861, and was mustered in with Hananiah D. Pugh, captain ; Horace A. Egbert, first lieutenant ; Hubert Steyer, second lieutenant. Lieutenant Egbert was drowned at Carnif ex Ferry, Virginia, October 9, 1861, and Alonzo Kingsbury was made first lieutenant. A few days later he was appointed regimental quartermaster and William C. Wright became' first lieutenant. Frederick Poeschner, Jr., was commissioned colonel. He had served in the Prussian army and had taken part in the Hungarian revolution of 1848, after which he came to the United States. The regiment's first rendezvous was at Camp Clay, Cincinnati, but removed to Camp Dennison, where it was mustered in on August 27, 1861, for three years. The next day it left for Clarksburg, West Virginia, under orders to report to General Rosecrans. Early in the spring of 1863 it was ordered to join General Grant's army, then beginning the operations against Vicksburg, and arrived at Walnut Hills, Mississippi. The next day it was engaged in the assault on the Confederate lines, and also in the assault of the 22nd. It then participated in the siege, which resulted in the surrender of the city on July 3, 1863. After the fall of Vicksburg, the Forty-seventh was in the expedition against Jackson. On September 27, 1863, it was ordered to Memphis ; was then engaged in Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi until late in October, when it was ordered to Chattanooga. Here most of the men reenlisted and received their veteran furlough. Upon rejoining the regiment in April, 1864, they were ordered to join General Sherman for the campaign against Atlanta. The regiment followed Sherman to the sea and through the Carolina campaign, then moved to Washington and took part in the grand review. It was then ordered to Little Rock, Arkansas, where it was mustered out on August 11, 1865. SIXTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY The Sixty-seventh Infantry was organized from the state at large and was composed largely of the fractional regiments—the Forty-fifth and Sixty-seventh. The organization was commenced in October, 1861, and on January 18, 1862, it was mustered in at Camp Chase, Columbus, for a term of three years. Companies A and F, and a large part of Companies B, D and E, came from Lucas County. Company A was officered by Theodore J. Curtis, captain ; George Q. Tappan, first lieutenant ; George W. Baker, second lieutenant. In Company B Erastus A. Morton, Levi Liniger and John Dahn, Lucas County men, were