254 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
CHAPTER X.
PERSONS AND INCIDENTS.
IT is deemed proper in this connection to give a few personal sketches of Union Soldiers, and incidents of the War of more or less prominent interest, the only regret being that lack of space forbids such extension of the chapter as would admit a much larger number of such.
JAMES BLAIR STEEDMAN was born in Chillisquaque Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, July 29, 1817, and died at Toledo, October 8, 1883. He was of Scotch parentage, his parents dying while he was yet a boy, leaving him the eldest of three children. At the age of 15 he became an apprentice in the office of the Lewisburg (Penn.) Democrat. Two years later he went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he worked at printing for a time, but soon joined General Sam. Houston's expedition for the independence of Texas. Returning to Pennsylvania, he was employed on the Public Works there. In 1838 he came to Northwestern Ohio, first stopping at Napoleon, where he soon became publisher of the Northwestern Democrat, and was married with Miss Miranda Stiles, then recently from New Jersey. Not long thereafter he was a contractor on the Wabash and Erie Canal. In 1847-8 he served two terms in the Ohio House of Representatives. In 1849, with a party from this State, he made the overland trip to California in search for gold, but returned the year following, and in 1852 was elected as member of the Board of Public Works, and in 1855 was reelected to that position, serving most of the time as President of the Board. In December, 1857, lie was chosen as Congressional Printer. lie was elected Major-General of the Fifth Division, Ohio Militia, in 1857, holding that office until the breaking out of the Rebellion. Between 1857 and 1861, he was for sometime the Editor of the Toledo Times, meantime being admitted to the Bar as an Attorney-at-Law. As a member of the Democratic National Convention, at Charleston, S. C., in 1860, he acted with the friends of Stephen A. Douglas, with whom he continued to co-operate, taking part in the independent nomination of that gentleman for President at a subsequent Convention, held at Baltimore. The same year he was the Democratic candidate for Congress in the Toledo District, running against James M. Ashley (Republican), who was elected. Upon the opening of War at Fort Sumter, General Steedman identified himself with the support of the Government, and co-operated in raising and organizing the Fourteenth Ohio Regiment, of which he was chosen Colonel. Only the briefest mention can here be made of his record in the Union Army. The Fourteenth Regiment at once took a leading place among the troops in West Virginia during its service of three months, of which mention is elsewhere made, as also of the same command re-enlisted and veteranized. Colonel Steedman remained with the Fourteenth Regiment until promoted and made Brigadier-General, July 16, 1862. He led his Brigade at Perryville, Kentucky, in the battle at that point, October 9, 1862, receiving special recognition from General Buell. At Stone River he took an active part, and in the Tullahoma campaign commanded a Division, where he was complimented by Gen. Thomas. In July, 1863, he was assigned to the command of the First Division of the Reserve Corps, under Major-General Gordon Granger, which moved to Chattanooga soon thereafter, where it was put in charge of Red House Bridge, whence, on the second day of the battle of Chickamauga (September 20th), under command of General Granger, the Division made its timely and successful march to the support of General Thomas. In that movement, so creditable to the sagacious judgment and prompt action of General Granger, General Steedman bore a conspicuous and effective part. Throughout the desperate contest in which his Division was engaged, his activity and courage contributed largely to the effectiveness of his command's heroic service, for which distinguished action, he was promoted to the
PERSONS AND INCIDENTS. - 255
rank of Major-General. He took a prominent part in the Atlanta campaign, and was assigned as commander of the District of Etowah, when General Sherman entered upon his " March to the Sea." At the battle of Nashville, General Steedman bore a prominent part. After the close of the war, he was assigned as Military Commander of the State of Georgia, and resigned July 19, 1866. Personal and military relations with President Johnson, arising largely in associations occurring in Kentucky and Tennessee during the War, placed General Steedman on specially favorable terms with the then existing Administration, and but for the inability of the President to vacate the office (then held by Edwin M. Stanton), General Steedman would probably have become Secretary of War. He was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for the New Orleans District, resigning the office in January, 1869. Returning to Toledo, he soon resumed his connection with the Press, acting as Editor of the Northern Ohio Democrat, which relation he held for most of the time until his death. In 1874, he was elected as a member of the State Constitutional Convention, vice M. R. Waite, then appointed Chief Justice of the United States ; was Senator from the Toledo District in 1877; was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1880 ; and a candidate for State Senator in 1881, though not then elected. His last public position was that of Chief of Toledo Police. He was prominently connected with the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was at one time the Commander for Ohio. Few citizens of the State have been more prominent in public life, than was General Steedman for the most of a period of 40 years. His military career constitutes the feature of his record which most strongly commands the consideration of his fellow-citizens. He possessed exceptional qualities as a leader in whatever he took part. He was three times married, and left a widow and children and grand-children. His funeral was attended by the most general demonstration known in Toledo on a like occasion, in which the Grand Army of the Republic and the City authorities bore conspicuous parts. The Woodlawn Cemetery Company having set apart grounds for that purpose, he was buried there. Mr. William J. Finlay, of Toledo, for many years an intimate friend of General Steedman, having proposed to erect a monument to the memory of the latter at St. Clair Place (junction of Summit and St. Clair Streets), the Toledo City Council set apart that ground for such purpose, and changed its name to Finlay Place. The monument proper is in four parts, as follows : 1. Base. 2. Die. 3. Shaft. 4. Statue. The base is of Vermont marble, 9 feet square and sets directly in the center of the terrace. The die, on its four sides bears these inscriptions: 1. Fronting Cherry Street" JAMES B. STEEDMAN, Major-General, U. S. V." 2. On Summit Street side, " Born, 1817-Died, 1883." 3. On St. Clair Street side, "Erected by W. J. Finlay." Near the top of the shaft, and between two mouldings, are these inscriptions : 1. Fronting Cherry Street, " Chickamauga." 2. Fronting Summit Street, " Carrick's Ford." 3. Fronting St. Clair Street, "Perryville." 4. In rear," Nashville." As indicated, the latter inscriptions refer to four battles during the War of the Rebellion, in which General Steedman took part. Surmounting this shaft, is a cap, on which stands the bronze statue. It is somewhat larger than life-size, and represents the General as just dismounted, with field-glass in hand. The total height of the monument is 26 feet. The pedestal was placed in August, 1886, and the statue in March, 1887 The triangle, both inside and outside the terrace, is covered with 6-inch sawed Berea flagging. Surrounding the triangle is an iron railing, formed by two bars supported by limestone posts. The public ceremonies of unveiling the monument took place May 26, 1887.
First Lieutenant Henry T. Bissell, Adjutant of One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Infantry, died in hospital at Louisville, Ky., Sept. 10, 1863, aged 28 years. He was the youngest son of Edward Bissell, Senior, of Toledo, and was a young man of much more than ordinary promise. He had read law in the office of M. R. & R. Waite, and been admitted to the Bar, when the Government called for troops for its defense. At the time of his death, he was serving on Gen. Judah's Staff. His disease was typhoid fever.
Lewis Cass Hunt, youngest son of Gen. J. E. Hunt, died in Toledo, April 30, 1868, aged 36. Born and reared in Maumee City, he came to Toledo with his father's family in 1853. In 1862 he entered the Union Army, as Captain in the Sixty-Seventh Ohio Infantry,
256 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, and brevetted as Brigadier General. He shared in the fatal and terrible assault on Fort Wagner, near Charleston, and in the operations on and near the James River, Virginia. His last signal service was leading the Sixty-Seventh in the assault on Fort Gregg, a short time before the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, at which his command was present.
Colonel Nahum W. Daniels died of yellow fever at New Orleans, October 1, 1867. After practicing law for some time at Toledo he went South in 1859, but returned during the first year of the War, and soon after entered the service of the Government, and raised the Second Louisiana (Colored) Regiment, which he commanded at Fort Hudson, in July, 1863, more than half of whom were then killed. After the War he was in the employ of the Government at Washington until he went to New Orleans in the Spring of 1867.
General Henry J. Hunt, of the United States Army, and one of the most able Artillery officers in the service during the Rebellion, was a son of Capt. S. W. Hunt, United States Army, who died at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, when the son was but a lad. The latter's uncle, the late General John E. Hunt, then residing at Maumee City, took him into his family, where the boy made his home until appointed to a Cadetship at West Point, where he was graduated with honor, and was with General Scott in the Mexican War. He died in 1886.
Mrs. Jane M., wife of Jonathan Wood of Toledo, died at the residence of E. C. Clarke, Lexington, Ky., March 7, 1862, in the 62d year of her age. Deceased was a native of New Hampshire, and was married in 1827. She was the mother of five children-two sons and three daughters; and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Toledo. At the call of their country, her husband and both sons-Wm. H. and Alonzo H.-volunteered in the Fourteenth Ohio Regiment. They were in three important battles in Virginia. After great fatigue and exposure, the three were sent to hospital at Lexington, whence they were taken by Abram Van Meter to his residence. Mrs. Wood went immediately to the relief of the sufferers, and remained there until they had recovered. She was then persuaded to remain a few weeks with a friend, at whose house she was taken ill and died suddenly. She was fully resigned at the prospect of death, and spoke with her physician, Dr. L. Beecher Todd, of the goodness of God, to whose care she commended her husband and children. Mr. Wood returned to Toledo, where he died about 15 years after the death of his wife.
Capt. Fred. H. Brown, Company E, United States Infantry, was one of the Soldiers ambushed, overpowered and massacred by hostile Indians near Fort Phil. Kearney, December 22, 1866. He was the son of Matthew Brown, Esq., and came to Toledo at the age of 16, and entered a Commission House, where he remained for 12 years, and where he attained special eminence for ability and integrity. At the outbreak of the Rebellion, his sympathies were early enlisted in the War. He visited Columbus with the view of obtaining authority to raise a Company; but seeing the crowds there for a like purpose, he determined to enter the service as a Private, and at once volunteered in the Eighteenth Regular Infantry, being the fifth enlisted man. He was soon detailed as Quartermaster's Sergeant. Soon thereafter be was commissioned as 2d Lieutenant, and was employed for some time as Commissary and Quartermaster at Camp Thomas. In 1863, he joined his Regiment under Col. H. B. Carrington, at Chattanooga, and remained with it till the close of the War. In November, 1865, he was ordered West, and wintered at Fort Kearney, Nebraska. In June, 1866, the First Battalion of his Regiment was sent to garrison the new Post, Fort Phil. Kearney, Dakota. In 1866, he was promoted to the Captaincy. On the 21st December, 1866, a detachment of less than 100 men, of whom he was one, were attacked near the Fort by a band of about 3,000 Indians, and not one of the troops escaped. Only the bloody field and the mutilated bodies of the slain men remained to tell the tale of carriage. During the five and one-half years of service he never was off duty on furlough, his only visit home being made under orders. He was a young man of simple tastes, much refinement in feeling, sincere in his action and liberal toward the needy and all enterprises which met his approval.
In a letter dated June 29, 1862, Lieutenant O. M. Brown, Company C, Third Ohio Cavalry, stated an incident, as showing how dangerous it was for a people, by opposition, to
PERSONS AND INCIDENTS. - 257
make enemies of a portion of their fellows. He said:
Two Companies of our Regiment (ours included), were stationed 18 miles from any other Union force, and the leading Secesh in the neighborhood laid a scheme for making prisoners of us. One evening, while they were talking the plan over at a tea-table, the colored waiting-maid (in whom they put entire confidence), listened attentively to every word as she poured the tea ; and no sooner was the meal over, than she repaired to a cabin near by, and told the story to a colored friend, who, as soon as all was still, notwithstanding having done a full day's work, traveled six miles, informed us of the plot, and walked back in time for his next day's work. I have not a doubt that but for his timely service, we would have been captured.
In the same letter (written to his wife), Lieutenant Brown, in the freedom and sincerity of such communication, wrote of himself and the service he was rendering his country. As a fair expression of the sentiment which controlled and supported the great body of the Soldiers of the Union in that dread conflict, it is worthy a place here. He said
You write that you are at the table in our front room, and you seem to entertain the desire to have me at home to enjoy it with you. I hope, my dear wife, that you do not think me insensible to the charms of home. God forbid! On the contrary, when I think of the beautiful home, that, under God, we just had finished, but which I never enjoyed ; and, more than all, when I think of my own loved and loving wife and three little ones, whom I have left behind, there is a longing to return to that home that is almost impossible to overcome. Yet, my dear, you know that my motto has always been, " Duty before pleasure ; " and it was only at the stern demand of duty, that I forsook all the dear pleasures of home, for the trials and privations of camp life.
It is proper, in this connection, to state, that this extract was published at the time and is reproduced here, without the knowledge of its writer, or of that of Mrs. Brown ; and is given only as a sample of the many thousands of like letters remaining unpublished. Such help to elevate and ennoble the real character of the true Citizen-Soldier, by whom, under a preserving Providence, the life of the Nation was saved from treason's assaults.
Captain James Wilson McCabe, of Maumee City, had passed liability to military service by 15 years, when the Rebels fired on Fort Sumter, he then being 60 years of age; but that fact rather intensified than allayed his patriotic ardor. He joined his neighbors and went to the field as Captain of Company I, Fourteenth Ohio, serving for nearly a year in Kentucky and Tennessee. He was at Fort Donelson, in the fight with Zollicoffer (standing near General Zollicoffer when he fell), at Pittsburg Landing, and on to Corinth and Memphis. The trials of the march had been too much for his advanced years, and he was forced to resign. He brought with him a letter from the officers of the Regiment, expressing their high regard for his personal and soldierly qualities. March 24, 1875, Captain McCabe and wife kept their golden wedding at the residence of Helon C. Norton, a son-in-law, at Maumee. They were from Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Captain McCabe having represented that County in the Legislature in 18313-9, and been a member of the State Constitutional Convention of 1832. They came to Ohio in 1840, with teams, occupying four days in the passage through the Black Swamp (from Lower Sandusky to Perrysburg), and settling on Swan Creek, three miles South of the present Village of Monclova. Among the battles of his pioneer life, not least was that made in defense of his Temperance and Sabbath-keeping practices. He died some years since, bearing the sincere respect of a very large circle of acquaintances.
Captain Wilbur F. Arnold, Forty-First United States Infantry, died at Fort Ringgold, Texas, December 12, 1867, aged 25. He was the only son of Samuel G. Arnold, editor of the Toledo Blade from 1856 to 1858, who now resides at Washington, D. C. He was a member of the Toledo High School, where, as with his acquaintances generally, he held a high position and gave promise of rare usefulness. He entered the Army early in the War of the Rebellion, enlisting in the Eighteenth United States Infantry. He was promoted from the ranks; was twice brevetted for gallant and meritorious services, and on being made Captain, was transferred to the Forty-First Infantry.
Of Wilson C. Lathrop, Company B, Fourteenth Ohio, who, with many others, fell in the charge on the Rebel rifle pits near Atlanta, August 5, 1864, and died on the 7th, Colonel Este wrote as follows:
Never was there a more gallant Soldier, a purer or more high-minded young man. He was what I should term a " model Soldier " ever ready and willing to discharge his whole duty. He was the exception to many, never allowing himself to fall into those vices so prevalent in armies.
Deceased was a nephew and adopted son of Mr. Pliny Lathrop, of Richfield Township.
258 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
In May, 1865, Captain DeWitt C. Dewey, Sixty-Seventh Ohio, presented to the Chicago Sanitary Fair, a cane having very interesting associations. The wood was of Palmetto, taken from a log in Fort Moultrie, Charleston Harbor, in the days of the Revolution ; the top was of Cedar, from a bedstead of John C. Calhoun; the brass ferrule was part of the screw in the cap of a Rebel shell fired at the "Old Sixty-Seventh," while on Morris Island in front of Charleston ; and the tip of steel, part of a bolt fired from the celebrated Whitworth gun which the Union forces captured when they took possession of Morris Island. Thus had the body of the Cane passed through 85 years of history-from the struggle of the Colonies for freedom from foreign domination, through the various changes of the country, to and through the greater struggle for deliverance from the curse and stain of human Slavery.
Private Charles Euranius, Sixty-Seventh Ohio Infantry, on the night of November 2, 1863, on a reconnaissance to Fort Sumter, then in Rebel hands, secured a brick from that structure, which he took away, being the first memento of that notable spot recovered by loyal hands. It was sent to Governor Tod, who made appropriate acknowledgment thereof and placed it among the relies and archives at the Ohio Capitol. Private Euranius's name was at once placed on the list for promotion. He enlisted in the Sixty-Seventh at Toledo, where he had a family, and was regarded with respect as a citizen.
The first artificial limb provided for a Lucas County Soldier was believed to have been a leg, in 1862, for Wm. G. Pierce, of the Fourteenth Regiment, now (1887) Chief Distributing Clerk in the Toledo Post Office.
In November, 1863, Lieutenant Orange H. Howland, Company E, Third Ohio Cavalry, sent home a fine silk Rebel flag which he captured near Cleveland, Tennessee. It had belonged to the "Warren Guards" (State not given), and bore the legend, "Victory or Death."
Among the curious incidents of the battlefield, is the case of Levine Merrill and Martin Glenon, of Company A, Fourteenth O. V. I. While in action at Resaca, Georgia, May, 1864, a ball from the enemy struck Merrill, killing him, and passed on, lodging in Glenon's shoulder, where it yet remains.
YOUNG HEROES.
In no way was the real spirit of loyalty and patriotism more clearly manifested during the War for the Union, than by the large number of youth, who, often with great difficulty, and against their immature years and evident want of due physical qualifications, pressed their way into the ranks of the Union Army. It has been deemed due to such young heroes, that recognition be here made of a few representatives of this class. For if honors be given those who direct perilous deeds to be done, certainly those who do such deeds should not pass without, at the least, equal honors.
Probably the most conspicuous of this class of heroes, is John S. Kountz, of Toledo. He was born in Lucas County, Ohio, March 25, 1846, and in his 15th year enlisted as a Drummer boy in the Thirty-Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served with his Regiment in all its marches and campaigns until the fall of 1863. At the memorable battle of Mission Ridge, November 25, 1863, when the Drum Corps was ordered to the rear, preparatory to the charge, the little Drummer boy threw away his drum and falling in with his Company was wounded in the first assault, being shot in the left leg, under the enemy's guns, and was left on the field until rescued by a comrade of Company G, to which he specially belonged. The amputation of his left leg followed. Upon his return home, Comrade Kountz attended School for a year and then accepted a position in the County Treasurer's office. When but 25 years of age he was elected to the responsible position of Treasurer of Lucas County, and at the expiration of his term was chosen County Recorder. He is now engaged in the Fire Insurance business, having one of the leading agencies in Toledo.
Commander Kountz has been an active worker in the G. A. R. since the organization in 1866, and was the first Adjutant of Forsyth Post, serving three terms ; afterwards Vice-Commander, then Quartermaster General of the Department. Was three times unanimously elected Post Commander. In 1881 Comrade Kountz was chosen Department Commander of Ohio, and during his term he established over 160 Posts and increased the membership from 1,950 to over 8,000. In 1885 be was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was suc-
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ceeded in 1886, by General Fairchild of Minnesota.
Among the first at Toledo to enlist for the suppression of the Rebellion in April, 1861, was Joseph E. Wernert, then 19 years old. His three months' service in the Fourteenth Ohio expiring, he re-enlisted for three years, and continued to the close of the War. His record throughout was one of loyalty and courage. At the battle of Chickamauga these qualities were specially shown. The Regiment was very much exposed to the enemy's fire, which seemed to be particularly directed at the colors, six or seven of its bearers having been shot down. It was regarded as almost certain death for any one to elevate the standard, and the bravest heart shrank from such an ordeal. At such critical moment, young Wernert stepped forward, seized the colors, and once more, amid the cheers of the command, the tattered flag went forward. Wernert was then made Regimental Color-Bearer, and was presented with a gold medal with this inscription : "Presented to Joseph E. Wernert, by Capt. J. J. Clark, for his bravery in rescuing the flag of the 14th Regiment O. V. I., at the battle of Chickamauga." Honorably discharged when heroic service was no longer needed by his country, this hero of Chickamauga returned to Toledo and engaged in business, where he died March 15, 1869, aged 27 years, leaving a wife. He was a son of Ignatius Wernert, an old and prominent German citizen.
Leroy E. Clark was born November 6,1846. He enlisted May 27, 1862, when 15 years, six months and 21 days old, in Company K, Eighty-Fourth Ohio Infantry, and, with gun and knapsack, marched with that command into the country of the Rebellion, doing the full duty of a man. September 20,1862, he was discharged. On the 6th February, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, Fourteenth Ohio Regiment, being then 17 years and three months old. Again, as a man, he marched to the "front with Sherman," doing the full duty of a Soldier of the Union, until shot down in the fierce battle of Jonesboro, September 1, 1864. His left arm was amputated at the shoulder, and he was confined in hospital until discharged, March 22, 1865. Since that time, and until recently, his residence has been at Maumee City (South Toledo), and now is in Toledo. In 1873, he was appointed Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue for the Tenth District, Ohio, which position he yet holds.
The Toledo Blade, of September 24,1864, contained the following letter from Wm. H. Coalwell, Company A, Fourteenth Regiment, to his mother, at Genoa, Ottawa County. The writer was then but 19 years old, and, as stated by him, was severely wounded in the terrible charge on the enemy's works at Jonesboro. It is a model in all respects- cheerful, uncomplaining, patriotic and noble in tone and spirit:
ATLANTA, GA., September 7, 1864.
MY DEAR MOTHER-I take the present opportunity of answering your letter, which I received while on the great and grand raid around Atlanta to the Macon Railroad. I suppose you would like to know how I am and what I am doing. You have heard ere this of the battle of the 1st, which was one of the most desperately fought battles of the War. The old Fourteenth Corps went in on her nerve" in one of the. most awful charges ever made. Our Brigade charged the Rebels in their works, on the Macon Railroad, 18 miles South of Atlanta. We formed in, an open field, fixed bayonets and went for the Rebs, who could see us from behind their works, which were formed about 30 yards in the woods, with their line of rifle-pits at the edge of the field. Well, we went for them on double-quick. Our orders were given not to fire till we got to the woods, and we did not. We drove them from two lines of works and their line of rifle-pits.
I suppose you would like to know how the Genoa boys came out, for the old Fourteenth was in the front line. Our Company lost 17, killed and wounded. The loss of our Regiment was 98. Our Major (John W. Wilson), who commands the Regiment, had his right leg shot off, and my Lieutenant had his right leg amputated, also. Then next in turn came your Boy. It appears that the Rebels thought that I was an officer, for I was the only " high private " who lost a leg. My leg was amputated below the knee. It was my right one, too. Well, the devils thought that was not enough ; so they put a ball through the calf of my left leg. I can say one thing for myself- I was not very far in the rear when I was wounded, for I fell within 20 feet of the enemy's works, and thanks to God, that I was not shot all to pieces while lying there, for the bullets flew so thick that I could lie and see them meet in the air. I lay there till the hottest was over, when I halloed to a young man to come and carry me off. He came, and, as it happened, he was a very strong man, and I got tip and got upon his back. He carried me to the rear and laid me down. I was brought to this place in an ammunition wagon, drawn by six mules, a distance of 1S miles, in one day. Don't you think, if 1 could stand that, I can stand anything? You must not feel alarmed about my getting along all right, for the Doctors say if any of them get along, I will be one of them. They say I take it, with such as I got, the easiest they ever saw.
It is reported that our Corps is to be stationed at Atlanta, and are expected in every day. I will be glad whew they come. Samuel Wood was wounded. His was a flesh wound. Thos. Scott was slightly scratched on his back, but he did not leave his Company. The rest of the Genoa Boys are well, and I feel first rate, also. It is most excellent weather for the wounded. We have good care taken of us.
Now, my dear parents, I do not want you to fret about me, for I suffer very little, and get first rate
260 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
care taken of me, and as soon as our wounds get a little better, we will be sent North to Nashville, and the better we get the farther they send us toward our homes. We have been moved round from place to place, to get us the most comfortable places they could. We are now in large hospital tents, with a bunk for each man, and on each bunk is a tick filled with straw or cotton. These ticks were furnished by the kind and patriotic Women of the North, and many a poor Soldier's life have they saved by this means, too.
I will bring this to a close, for the Surgeon is coming around dressing our wounds, and it will be my turn pretty soon.
From your affectionate Son,
WILLIAM H. COALWELL.
Among the true heroes without the commissions requisite to command special mention in official reports, was " Little Johnny Mitch," of Toledo. Before the war he had gained distinction there as a waif, and for years divided the attentions of Sunday School Teachers and the Police. While not really vicious, he was yet unable to withstand the evil influences incident to his unguided life. A correspondent, writing of the battle of Chickamauga, in Sept., 1863, made this record of the Toledo waif:
But yesterday I met a little hero of Chickamauga, whose name, like the many thousands of others that deserve a Nation's reverence, has not been mentioned in any reports. Two years ago, when only 15, he tried to enlist at his home, in Toledo, but was refused, on account of his extreme youth. Intent on getting into the Army, he then applied to the officers of the Third Ohio Cavalry, as a stable boy. But when the Company arrived at Louisville he made another effort to enlist, and finally succeeded in getting into the Fourth Kentucky Cavalry, with which he went into active service. Noted for his promptness at any duty, however hard-never asking to be excused from any undertaking, however desperate-he soon became the favorite of his Company. He passed through three hard-fought battles, without the slightest injury, though always in the thickest of the fray. But at bloody Chickamauga he was left on the field. Many eyes were moist that evening when it was found that the saddle of " Little Johnny Mitch" was empty. He was shot three times in that fight. First, a piece of shell took off a thumb and forefinger; then a musket-ball grazed his head, laying the skin open just above the right eye, which staggered him, but still he stuck to his horse and went for the Rebs till one of their bullets entered his mouth and lodged in the bark part of his neck. This brought him senseless to the ground, where he was left for dead, and he lay on that bloody battlefield 10 days, when he was taken into a Rebel hospital where he could receive food and medical attention. His career was not to end here, however, for a few days since lie was paroled and sent under flag of truce into our lines, and is now recovering so rapidly, that, to use his own words, he "will soon be ready for them again."
It is much regretted that the subsequent history of "Johnny Mitch "-made so interesting by what is known of him-cannot here be written.
The Toledo Blade, of November 24, 1862, had this item
In recently looking over a file of letters written by a Soldier boy in an Ohio Regiment, we were forcibly struck by the character and uniformity of his closing paragraph, which invariably was in these words: " Mother, pray for me." One of his letters gave a very intelligent account of the battle of Winchester, in which he took an active part. After discussing the terrific conflict which took place in front of the celebrated Stone Wall [which gave to " Stonewall " Jackson his war title], where the whistling bullet was heard in all directions, and his comrades fell on every hand, he said : " I was not in the least afraid, for I felt that you were praying for my safety. Mother, always pray for me, that I may always feel so." Since then he has been in other battles, the last being the fearful one at Antietam, where he received a sight wound. He there felt the same reliance on a kind Providence, and in his letter makes appropriate acknowledgment for his preservation amid the terrible slaughter of his companions.
Among those who constituted Company I, Fourteenth Ohio Regiment, for the three months' service, was Langdon P. Smith, of Waterville. He was then just 17 years of age. Serving out his enlistment, he remained home for a time, but ere long re-enlisted for three years in the Sixty-Seventh Regiment. At the first battle of Winchester, lie was shot, the bullet entering the side of his neck, passing through and coming out in the opposite shoulder. No proper treatment being possible for him at the front, he was brought home to Toledo, in care of two comrades. It was with great difficulty that he could breathe, as the ball had so injured his wind-pipe, that it was fast closing up. At the suggestion of his brother, Captain John W. Smith, One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment, a council of Surgeons was held, which decided, as the last resort, to make an incision in the throat below the wound and insert a silver tube into the wind-pipe. This was done by Drs. W. W. Jones and J. B. Trembley. The operation was successful, and the invalid wore the tube for 14 months, though a sufferer until the wound healed. He is now in good health, breathing wholly through the aperture in his throat. When examined for final discharge from the Army, Dr. Weber, Surgeon-General of Ohio, told him he knew of no such case on record, and regarded the operation and the fact of his living as simply marvelous.