850 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY.

THE HOLLOW POPLAR TREE.

One of the curiosities as well as a giant of the forest was the old hollow poplar tree, which once stood at the mouth of the creek by that name. The creek was named after this tree, and had its rise in Ward Township. In early times this tree was known to all travelers between Marietta and Lancaster, and many of them found shelter from storms in its great hollow trunk, or, if belated,. found a safe retreat from the night air and rain. Four travelers once slept in its trunk one night, having been caught in a heavy storm, and preferred its hollow trunk and warm and comfortable quarters to traveling in a cold and heavy rain. This monarch of the forest was on the line of the Hocking Canal, and fell before the unrelenting ax in the year 1839.

OIL WELL.

There was quite an excitement in Logan in 1865, in the belief that oil, equal in quantity to some of the Pennsylvania oil territory, lay in and about the Hocking Valley. A Pennsylvanian believed that oil could be found for the boring, and was willing to test his faith by his works. A company was formed, and they sunk a well on the Bishop farm just south of Logan and the Hocking River. They struck oil at a depth of between .600 and 700 feet, but not of a sufficient quantity to pay, and they went down to the total depth of 967 feet, when further indications were fonnd that oil was there, but still in too small a quantity to pay, and the well was abandoned. The following year, 1866, another well was sunk about one-half mile up the river on Clear Fork, and this also produced some oil, but still in small quantity, and the search was abandoned. There is no doubt but there is a large quantity of oil in this section, but it is so far below the surface as to make it unprofitable. There is but one way to reach it and that is (the underground surface being as irregular as that above ground) by constant tests. There are " pockets" with millions of barrels of coal oil, but to strike one would be only by accident. There are valleys underneath Hocking County, and they are filled with oil, but how to find them is not known.

POSTAL ROUTES.

The first stage line organized which carried the mails was from Lancaster to Athens and Pomeroy, on the Ohio River, a distance of about seventy miles. This route was owned by D. Talmade Company, and was, when it first started, run tri-weekly. It was

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finally made a daily line, and was purchased by Dr. M. Z. Kreider. It had then run about two years. The latter managed the line until 1852, when it was purchased by Colonel F.F. Rempel, of Logan. He took the entire line from Lancaster to Pomeroy, and finally extended it to Columbus, the capital, running a line of stages daily each way. In 1856, business increasing, two daily stages were-put on the line between Logan and Lancaster, and with one daily to Columbus, and one to Pomeroy, the traveling public found no cause to complain, and the mails were promptly delivered. At this time and during the continuance of heavy travel Mr. Rempel had ninety-eight horses on his line, running sometimes three or four extras a day, and keeping ten to twelve drivers in constant employment. His lines all made prompt connection with McArthur, the first stage line opening to that place in July, 1850; also with Chillicothe and New Lexington.

NORMAL INSTITUTE.

The Normal School of Hocking County was first opened June 6,, 1868. The first meeting for organization had been held, and the meeting of the teachers at the above date was for the election of officers, and such other business as might be necessary to effect a. permanent arrangement. The meeting came to order, with J. M.. Murphy in the chair, and J. M. Floyd, Secretary. The election of permanent officers for the coming year resulted as follows: James. W. Murphy, President; W. H. Bell, First Vice-President; W. S. Dresbach, Second Vice-President; George Brehm, Third Vice-President; W. W. McCray, Treasurer; H. Bright, James W. Murphy, C. H. 'Pittner and W. W. McCray, Executive Committee. The name adopted was the Hocking County Teachers'. Association. The association adopted a constitution and by-laws. They have held meetings every year with lectures by eminent instructors. The annual session of 1882 was held at Logan, July 31, when the following officers were elected: President, S. Cotterman;. Vice-Presidents, W. J. Simms, W. E. Friesner and S. Lindsley; Secretary, J. P. H. Stedein; Executive Committee, W. W. McCray, W. P. Mathias and A. Brown. The lecturers present at this session were Prof. Williams, Prof. Manly and School Commissioner De Wolfe. Resolution: " That the Institute now in session instruct the ex-committee to make an effort to hold the next institute on the "Normal Plan," and to continue two or three weeks.

CHAPTER XXXI.

POLITICAL HISTORY.

GOVERNORS OF OHIO AND HOCKING COUNTY'S VOTE-COUNTY OFFICIALS- COMMISSIONERS-OTHER COUNTY OFFICERS-THE VOTE OF HOCKING COUNTY, 1818 TO 1882—POPULATION FROM 1820 TO 1880—SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT-SUB-DISTRICTS 1, 2 AND 3—JUDGES FROM 1818 TO 1883—COUNTIES COMPRISING THE DISTRICTS AND SUB-DIVISIONS-TEN JUDICIAL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE.

The political history of Hocking County is wonderful, even anomalous, from the fact that since its organization it has stood to its original faith, strongly and consistently Democratic. She has been rock-ribbed in her faith for over a half century, and she stands as a shining example in the cause of Democracy, in the political history of the State. Her record is so remarkable that it is more fully given for her friends in the faith to emulate, and that those who are opposed can see the record of a foe who ever fought the fight undismayed.

The first vote polled in Hocking County for Governor was in 1818. Governor E. A. Brown received 96 and James Dunlap 8S votes, the total vote in the county being 184.

In the year 1820 the candidates were Ethan Allen Brown, for re-election, and Jeremiah Morrow, Hocking going on the record with 37 votes for Brown and 137 for Morrow.. It is not now possible to ascertain with any degree of certainty to which of the political parties the above-named persons belonged. Brown was elected and rendered himself famous by taking an active and very efficient interest in the construction of the Ohio Canal.

In 1822 there were three candidates for the office of Governor, viz.: Jeremiah Morrow, for whom Hocking cast 45 votes, Allen Trimble, 7, and Wm. W. Irwin, who received 148. Morrow was elected. In 1824, the candidates were J. Morrow and A. Trimble, and the vote of Hocking County is reported 154 for Morrow and 144 for Trimble. Morrow was again elected.

In 1826 there were four candidates before the people, namely: Allen Trimble, John Bigger, Alexander Campbell and Benjamin

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Tappan. At this election Hocking cast 228 votes for Trimble, 1 for Bigger and 1 for Campbell, Tappan receiving none.

Previous to this time party lines do not appear to have been drawn in this county, and hence no mention is made of party until the contested campaign of 1828, known as the Jackson campaign. At this election Allen Trimble was brought forward for Governor by the Whigs, and John W. Campbell by the Democrats. In Hocking County, Trimble received 182 votes and Campbell 157, Trimble being elected.

The year 1830 presented two candidates, Duncan McArthur, who received in Hocking County 102 votes, and Robert Lucas, Democrat, 290. In this campaign McArthur was designated as the National Republican candidate and was elected.

In 1832 the vote of Hocking County for Governor is not reported, but Andrew Jackson, Democrat, received 356 votes, and Henry Clay, Whig, 199. Robert Lucas, a Democrat, was elected Governor.

In 1834 there were but two candidates for Governor. Robert Lucas being nominated by the Democrats for re-election, received in Hocking County 341 votes, and James Findlay, the Whig candidate, 145, the Democratic candidate being again successful in the State.

The summer of 1836 brought with it the hottest Presidential campaign which the country had seen. General W. H. Harrison being the candidate of the Whig party, received in Hocking County 292, and Martin Van Buren, Democrat, 536, Joseph Vance, Whig, being elected Governor.

In the year 1838 the candidates for Governor were: Wilson Shanon, Democrat, and Joseph Vance, Whig. The former received in this county 784 votes, and the latter 288, the Whig candidate being elected.

In 1840 Thomas Corwin was the nominee of the Whigs, and Wilson Shanon of the Democrats, Hocking giving Shanon 883 votes and Corwin 612, Corwin being successful in the State.

Shanon was elected in 1842, receiving in Hocking 1,026 votes, and Thomas Corwin 455, the Abolitionist candidate, L. King, receiving none.

The year 1844 brought forward three candidates with the following result in Hocking County: Mordecai Bartley, Whig, 626; David Tod, Democrat, 1,181; L. King, Abolition, five, Bartley being successful.

854 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY.

There were also three candidates in 1846, David Tod being the Democratic candidate, Win. Bebb the Whig, and S. Lewis, Abolition. In Hocking County Tod received 1,130, Bebb 623, and Lewis 7 votes. In the State the Whig candidate was successful.

The campaign of 1848 was one of unusual warmth between the Whigs, led by Hon. Seabury Ford, and the Democrats under J. B. Weller. Hocking gave 1,228 Democratic and 707 Whig votes. Ford was elected, his majority in the State 311 in an aggregate vote of 297,943.

In 1850 Reuben Wood, Democrat, received in Hocking 936 votes, Win. Johnston , Whig, 612, and Edward Smith, Abolition, 14. Wood was elected.

The new Constitution went into effect in March, 1851, thus vacating the office of Governor. Reuben Wood was renominated and re-elected by the Democrats. His opposition was S. F. Vinton, Whig, and S. Lewis, Abolition. The vote of Hocking County stood: Wood, 1,209; Vinton, 621; Lewis, 10.

In 1853 the candidates were: Wm. Medill, Democrat, who received 1,326 votes in Hocking; N. Berrere, Whig, who had 493 votes, and S. Lewis, Abolition, who received 81. Medill was elected.

The Presidential canvass of 1852 and the elections of 1853-'4, had caused the total dissolution of the Whig party, and hence, in 1855, we find the forces arranged for battle under the following heads and names, Hocking voting for Win. Medal, Democrat, 1,114; for Allen Trimble, Know-Nothing, 85, and for S. P. Chase, Republican, 927. Chase was elected.

The following is Hocking's vote for Governor in 1857: S. P. Chase, Republican, 758; H. B. Payne, Democrat, 1,305, and P. Van Trump, Know-Nothing, 14. S. P. Chase was again elected.

In 1859 the candidates were: Wm. Dennison, Republican, and Rufus P. Ranney, Democrat. The vote of Hocking County was returned, 976 for Dennison and 1,397 for Ranney. The former was elected.

In 1861 the country was agitated over the civil war, and men voted without regard to party lines. David Tod, who had been a warm adherent of the Democratic party and President of the Baltimore convention that nominated Douglas for President in 1860, was nominated for Governor by the Republicans, and Hugh J. Jewett by the Democrats. Hocking's vote stood: For Tod, 1,205; for Jewett, 1,487. David Todd elected.

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In 1863 the candidates were John Brough, Republican, and C. L. Vallandigham, Democrat. The vote all over the State was the largest that had ever been polled. Hocking gave Vallandigharn 1,680 votes, and Brough 1,601, being 589 more votes than had ever before been polled in this county for Governor, and was 325 more than was polled at the succeeding Gubernatorial election in 1865. John Brough was elected.

The vote of Hocking County in 1865 stood: 1,265 for Jacob D. Cox, Republican, and 1,991 for George W. Morgan, Democrat. Cox was elected.

In 1867 the candidates for Governor were R. B. Hayes, Republican, and A. G. Thurman, Democrat. Hocking gave Hayes 1,179 and Thurman 2,129. Hayes was elected.

In 1869 the Democrats put forward George H. Pendleton against R. B. Hayes, the nominee for a second time of the Republican's. In Hocking Hayes received 1,186 votes to Pendleton's 1,873. Hayes was re-elected.

In 1871 another new party came into the field. The order of Good Templars, under the party name of Prohibitionists, put forward as their candidate for Governor, Gideon T. Stewart. The Republicans nominated Edward F. Noyes and the Democrats, General Geo. W. McCook. The election was a quiet one. Hocking gave Noyes 1,046 votes, McCook 1,715, and Stewart 40. Noyes received a majority in the State.

The year 1873 saw political opinion still more divided. In addition to the parties already out, the Republicans were divided into Republicans and Liberals, which put four candidates in the field. Hocking County's vote for the different candidates was as follows: E. F. Noyes, Republican, 867; for William Alien, Democrat, 1,565; for G. T. Stewart, Prohibitionist, 20; for Isaac Collins, Liberal, 25. Allen was elected.

In 1875 there were three candidates, viz.: William Allen, Democrat; R. B. Hayes, Republican, and J. O'Dell, Prohibitionist. The election in Hocking County gave Allen 2,082, Hayes 1,394 and O'Dell 1 vote. Hayes carried the State.

In 1877 the champions set forth by the two leading parties were William H. West, Republican, and Richard M. Bishop, Democrat. The returns from Hocking showed the total vote for West to be 1,165, and for Bishop, 1,876. The votes cast in the county for various other candidates numbered only 16. Bishop received the election in the State.

856 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY.

The next election of Governor, in 1879, brought two new men into the field, Charles Foster, Republican, and Thomas Ewing, Democrat. Hocking gave to Foster 1,667 votes, and to Ewing 2,371. Ninety-nine votes in the county were scattering. Foster was elected.

In 1881 the candidates were Charles Foster, Republican, for re-election, and John W. Bookwalter, Democrat. The vote in Hocking County stood: For Foster, 1,461, and for Bookwalter, 2,125. Two hundred and forty-five votes were cast for the other candidates. Foster was again elected.

The election for Governor in 1883 was not held until after the publication of this work.

COUNTY OFFICIALS.

COMMISSIONERS.

The first County Commissioners were appointed by act of organization and took their office on the 25th day of April, 1818. There names were: Dutton Lane, David Johnston and Benj. F. Smith.

These held until January, 1819, or as the official year commenced June 1 it is probable they held to that date.

The Commissioners for 1819 were: Dutton Lane, one year; Jacob Straus, two years; John Ratcliff, three years; 1820, Benj. Webb, vice Lane; 1821, Peter Kuder, vice Straus; 1822, Wm. H. Davis, vice Webb; 1823, Jno. Ratcliff; 1824, Jno. A. Peters appointed, Davis resigned.

In October, 1824, there was an election of Commissioners apparently to take a new start. This made the board as follows: 1824, Jno. Ratcliff, one year; Jacob Straus, two years; Henry Hostetter, three years; 1825—'26—'27, Jno. Ratcliff, Henry Hostetter, Frederic Bitcher; 1828—'29, John Ratcliff, Henry Hostetter, Saml. Fetheroff ; 1830—'31, Henry Hostetter, Saml. Fetheroff, Peter Haynes; 1832, Peter Haynes, Conrad Brian, Saml. S. Bright; 1833, Peter Haynes, three years, Conrad Brian, two years, Peter Straus, one year; 1834—'35, Robert McBroom, vice Straus; 1836, Peter Haynes, Conrad Brian, Robt. McBroom; 1837, same, Peter Haynes, resigned, and Jos. A. Green, appointed; 1838, Jacob Bennett, Robt. McBroom, Madison Lemon; 1839, Robt. Maroon], Madison Lemon, K. H. Dunkle; 1843, Daniel D. Davis; 1844; R.

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Wright; 1845, Christian Eby, Jr.; 1846, Andrew Curry; 1847, Geo. Heft; 1848, Christian Eby, Jr.; 1849, Thos. Taylor; 1850, John Williams; 1851, C. Eby, Jr.; 1852, James McDowell; 1853, Jno. Williams; 1854, Jno. Crawford; 1855, J. C. McBroom; 1856, Jno. Williams; 1857, Frederick Shuck; 1858, Theodore Miller ; 1859, John Shaw; 1860, Win. Armstrong; 1861, Theodore Miller; 1862, Jno. Shaw; 1863, Win. Armstrong; 1864, John S. Martin; 1865, John Shaw; 1866, John Mason; 1867, John S. Martin ; 1868, E. Hamblin; 1869, J. S. Martin, John Mason, E. Hamblin; 1870, John Mason, John A. McClelland, John Williams; 1871, John Mason, J. 3A. McClelland, John Nutter; 1872, J. A. McClelland, John Nutter, J. C. McBroom; 1873-'77, John Nutter, J. C. McBroom, Joshua Chilcote; 1878, Joshua Chilcote, J. C. McBroom, Abel Carpenter; 1879, Rufus Karshuer; 1880, Abel Carpenter; 1881, Win. H. Woodruff; 1882, Rufus Karshner.

CLERKS.

1818-'21, Royal Converse; 1822, J. W. Coffinberry; 1823, R. Converse; 1824-'31, J. W. Coffinberry; 1832-'36, William -Wallace; 1837-'49, C. W. James; 1850, Homer Wright; 1851-'62, William H. Haines; 1863-'68, John M. Floyd; 1869-'70, John A. Shaw; 1871, John M. Floyd; 1872-'74, William H. Bell; 1875-'80, John Hansen; 1881-83, A. M. Courtney.

PROBATE JUDGES.

(Office established 1851.)

1851-1865, F. Case; 1865-'71, George W. Alfred; 1872-'78, William T. Acker; 1879-'80, A. Steinman; 1881-'82, William T. Acker; 1883, A. Steinman.

AUDITORS.

1820-'27, William Wallace; 1828-'34, Daniel Harsh; 1835-'37, Ellison Martin; 1838-'41, F. Case; 1842-'43; T. Jones; 1844-'53, Alex. White; 1854-'55, D. J. Cline; 1856-'59, A. White; 1860-'62, W. C. Rehren; 1863--'67, William Houston; 1868-'72, Joel B. Stiers; 1873-'76, J. M. Floyd; 1877-'83, W. N. England.

TREASURERS.

1820-'23, G. M. Peters; 1824-'25, John Brown; 1826-'27; Horatio Hatch; 1828, Benjamin F. Smith; 1829, A. G. Bright; 1830 -'33, Sumner L. Cushing; 1834-'39, Elijah James; 1840-'41, F.

858 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY.

Mollenhour; 1842-'45, A. W. Beery; 1846-'47, William Nelson; 1848-'53, John D. Loomis; 1854-'57, Joseph C. Toole; 1858-'59, A. J. Smith; 1860-'63, E. Hamblin; 18647'65, D. McCarthy; 1866 -'70, John A. Shaw; 1871-'74, Henry Hansel; 1875-'78, J. A. Shaw; 1879-'81, N. N. Hamblin; 1882-'83, Eli M. West.

RECORDERS.

1820-'24, J. W. Whipple; 1825-'34, William Wallace; 1835-'40, C. W. James; 1841-'43, A. White; 1844-'46, Benjamin Hersh; 1847, H. L. Wright; 1848, Joseph Magee; 1849-'54, J. R. Grogan; 1855-'57, Lewis Hutchins; 1858, J. W. Donavan; 1859-'61, J. M. Floyd; 1862-'67, Hiram Acker; 1868273, John E. Swart; 1874-'79, Benjamin White; 1880-'83, J. Weaver.

PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.

1818-'22, Thomas Ewing; 1823, Thomas Ervine; 1824, Thomas Ewing; 1825-'31, Henry Stanberry; 1832-'33, M. W. Medi11; 1834, Joseph Olds; 1835-'37, W. Medi11; 1838-'39, Lucius Case; 1840 -'41, E. C. Cusack; 1842-'43, Alex. Van Hamm; 1844-'45, F. Case; 1846-'51, Lemuel F. Drake; 1852-'53, Emanuel Giesy; 1854-'59, H. R. Saunders; 1860-'61, Silas H. Wright; 1862-'63, Isaac Stiers, Jr.; 1864-'65, F. Case; 1866-'69, C. E. Boerster; 1870

-'75, Homer L. Wright; 1876-'79, Alex. Wilson; 1880-'83, C. H. Buerhaus.

SHERIFFS.

1818-1819. Peter Haynes; 1820-'23, Joseph Westenhaver; 1824-'25; Daniel Harsh; 1826-'29, A. G. Bright; 1830-'33, D. C. Myers; 1834-'37, Eli Barker; 1838-'39, F. Mollenhour; 1840-'41, William Nelson; 1842, F. Mollenhour; 1843-'46, R. Hesten; 1847 -'48, M. Moore; 1849-'52, R. Hesten; 1853-'56, J. M. Floyd; 1857 -'58, Henry Barker; 1859-'62, W. M. Davey; 1863-66, W. T. Acker; 1867-'70, W. M. Davey; 1871-'74, Robert Curran; 1875-'77, A. Steinmar; 1878-'80, J. N. Acker; 1881-'83, T. F. McCarty.

SURVEYOR.

1875-1883, J. R. Davis.

CORONERS.

1878-'80, Daniel Heft; 1881-'82, Enoch Martin.

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*VOTE OF HOCKING FROM 1818 TO 1832.

Jackson, with 472, and Swan, with 759, should be added to the above footing of 1840. They were given to Vinton in 1850, and Ward and part of Perry given to Hocking.

COMMON PLEAS COURT.

Logan became a seat of justice immediately after the county's organization in 1818. The first court was held in a private house on Main street, as already mentioned. There were no lawyers or judges in Logan at that time, the legal business, what little there was, being left to attorneys who made a practice of traveling from one county seat to another to dispose of legal business. The presiding judge resided somewhere in his judicial district, which was composed of from three to six counties, and under the old constitution of Ohio, which remained in force up to 1852, three associate

860 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY.

judges were elected from the county to sit with the presiding judge at the trial of cases. At the first court held in Logan, William Wilson was Presiding Judge, and his associates were Benj. Beadle, Thomas Bullet and Abraham Bitcher. Thomas Ewing was Prosecuting; Royal Converse, Clerk; Daniel Harsh, Sheriff, and Joseph Westenhaver, Deputy-Sheriff. The following is a list of the Judges who have been on the bench at Logan:

1818-'19.—Presiding Judge, Wm. Wilson; Associate Judges, Benj. Beadle, Thomas Pullen, Abraham Bitcher.
1820.—Presiding Judge, John Thompson; Associate Judges, Benj. Beadle, Thos. Pullen, A. Bitcher.
1821-'23.—Presiding Judge, John Thompson ; Associate Judges, Benj. Beadle, Thos. Pullen, G. M. Peters.
1824.—Presiding Judge, Gustavus Swan; Associate Judges, G. M. Peters, Benj. Beadle, Joseph Whipple.
1825-'27.—Presiding Judge, G. Swan; Associate Judges, G. M.. Peters, Joseph Whipple, Jacob D. Lutz.
1828.—Presiding Jude, G. Swan ; Associate Judges, Jos. Whipple, Benj. Beadle, Thomas Pullen.
1829-'30. — Presiding Judge, Frederick Grimke; Associate-Judges, Jas. Whipple, Thomas Pullen, B. F. Smith.
1831-'34.—Presiding Judge, F. Grimke; Associate Judges, Jos. Whipple, Thos. Pullen, John Wright.
1835.—Presiding Judge, F. Grimke; Associate Judges, John Wright, Reuben Culver, David Johnson.
1836-'41.—Presiding Judge, John H. Keith; Associate Judges,- Jno. Wright, R. Culver, David Johnson.
1842-'43.—Presiding Judge, J. H. Keith; Associate Judges, Jno.. Wright, Eli Barker, James Spencer.
1844-'46.—Presiding Judge, J. H. Keith; Associate Judges, Eli Barker, James Spencer, David Johnson.
1847.—Presiding Judge, J. H. Keith; Associate Judges, James. Spencer, David Johnson, James Gibson.
1848-'49. —Presiding Judge, J. H. Keith; Associate Judge James Spencer, David Johnson, Reuben Culver.
1850.—Presiding Judge, Henry C. Whitman; Associate Judges R. Culver, Robert Wright, Lewis Hutchins.
1851.—Presiding Judge, H. C. Whitman; Associate Judges, R. Culver, R. Wright, David Dresbach.

The new Constitution came in force in the year 1852, and altered materially the judicial department of the State. Districts were-

HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 861

changed and sub-districts formed, and each sub-district was provided with a judge or judges; as the extent of its business or population required. The counties composing the Lower Hocking Valley were all placed in the Seventh Judicial District, but that district being divided into three sub-districts, the three counties embraced in this work were each in separate sub-districts. These sub-districts were composed of the following counties:

Sub-District No. 1.—Fairfield, Hocking and Perry counties.
Sub-District No. 2.—Vinton, Jackson, Pike, Scioto and Lawrence counties.
Sub-District No. 3.—Gallia, Athens, Meigs and Washington counties.

These twelve counties form the Seventh Judicial District of the State of Ohio, and the sub-districts represent the Common Pleas Districts or Courts.

SUB-DIVISION NO. 1.

1852 to 1861, Judge Henry C. Whitman; 1861 to 1867, Ph. Van 'Trump, Lancaster; 1866 to 1867, James R. Grogan, Logan; 1867 to 1881, Silas H. Wright, Lancaster; 1879 to 1884, John S. Friesner, Logan.

The New Constitution, so-called, but of date 1852, divided the State into nine judicial districts. This continued until 1879, when an additional district was added, without, however, changing the sub-divisions of the Seventh, which comprises the counties embraced in this work.

CHAPTER XXXII.

WAR HISTORY OF HOCKING COUNTY-THE GLORIOUS RECORD
OF THE GALLANT SONS OF HOCKING.

THEY WERE BORN SO-MICHIGAN AND OHIO BOUNDARY TROUBLES-MEXICAN WAR AND LITTLE HOCKING-WHAT OHIO DID--THE GALLANT SEVENTEENTH-A SERIES OF MARCHES-NEW ORGANIZATION-THE SLAIN-THE GLORIOUS THIRTY- FIRST-ORDERED TO TRAVEL--THE GALLANT DEAD-THE NOBLE FIFTY-EIGHTH- HOT WORK-ITS SAD LOSS-THE SIXTY-THIRD, SEVENTY-FIRM AND THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIRST-THE END.

The following full, impartial and succinct war history of Hocking County is from the pen of Captain William M. Bowen. It is a graphic recital of the patriotism, courage and endurance of Hocking's noble sons, a record that dates almost from her organization, and in every demand of the country for strong hearts and willing hands and deeds of noble daring the sons of Hocking were never found wanting. The record is a noble one.

THEY WERE BORN SO.

The first settlers of the county of Hocking were a fearless, hardy, honorable race of men. Coming from the East and South, the sons of Revolutionary sires and heroes of the War of 1812, they begat a generation brave and ever ready to respond to the call of their common country. Imbued with a patriotism that was even heroic, from the first day the county was organized as such the inhabitants thereof were regarded and proved themselves to be truly patriotic. The tocsin of war never sounded to call a liberty-loving people together but that the response from " Little Hocking " was loud, long and hearty.

MICHIGAN AND OHIO BOUNDARY WAR.

The county, organized as it was in the year 1818, formed from territory ceded by the counties of Ross, Fairfield and Athens, had by the census of 1820 a population of 2,130 souls; in 1830 the population by the Federal census had increased to 4,008, and in

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HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 863

1840 to 9,741. In the year 1832 the Hon. Robert Lucas was elected Governor of Ohio and re-elected in 1834. It was during the administration of Governor Lucas that a dispute between the State of Ohio and the Territorial Government of Michigan arose as regarded the southern boundary of the latter, the Territorial Government claiming a meridional that would run from five to eight miles south of Lake Erie, encroaching on lands of the Connecticut Company, a land grant from the General Government at Washington. Governor Lucas, in endeavoring to protect citizens of Ohio living north, of the disputed line, was defied and the citizens thereof declared outlaws by the Government of Michigan. The rulers of each sovereignty flew to arms, calling for volunteers to defend their respective rights and sustain the dignity of each as guaranteed them by the General Government.

At a general muster held in Logan in September, 1835, a call for volunteers was made for the above purpose, and a response came promptly by more than a score of the horny-handed yeomanry shouldering their trusty rifles and declaring their readiness to start instanter; but before hostilities actually commenced agents from the city of Washington arrived on the ground, the dispute was amicably settled and the collected troops sent home.

" LITTLE HOCKING " IN THE MEXICAN WAR.

Again in the year 1846 was the patriotism of the county, its common with our State and the Confederation, appealed to. Texas, the Lone Star State, had been annexed to the United States during the administration of President James K. Polk. The Republic of Mexico having never acknowledged the independence of Texas and still claiming it as her territory, advanced troops across the river Rio Grande, who were promptly met by the army of occupation under General Taylor, and the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma were fought before war was formally declared by the United States Government. Both the battles going against the Mexicans they were routed and driven back across the Rio Grande. March 11, 1846, war was declared and 50,000 volunteers, one year men, from the whole United States were called for. " Little Hocking." with a population of scarcely 10,080, sprang to the front with an organized company headed by the veritable General Tom Worthington, of recent war history fame, as Captain, Simeon Tucker, First Lieutenant, and Abram Seifert, Second Lieutenant, numbering in all, rank and file, eighty men, and being assigned to

864 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY.

the Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry commanded by Colonel Morgan (since General Morgan), headquarters at Camp Washington, Cincinnati, Ohio. They reported there for duty, taking the position in numbers as Company D. The organization of the regiment took Captain Worthington from the command of Company D and made him Adjutant of the regiment. The company re-organized by making Simeon Tucker, Captain; Abram Seifert, First Lieutenant; Woodward, Second Lieutenant, and Wilford Stiers, Orderly. The summer of 1816 the Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry with other troops landed at Brazos de Santiago, and immediately pushed forward up the Rio Grande River as far as Camargo and there went into camp.

From Camargo the regiment was ordered forward toward Monterey, a city in Mexico that had a short time previous fallen into the hands of the United States army by assault, and while on the march were completely surrounded by the Mexican army of lanceros under General Parades. The little army immediately formed in hollow square, still marching onward and fighting as they advanced. All day long the battle continued, Colonel Morgan having in the meantime dispatched a messenger forward for reinforcements. To ward evening cannonading was heard in the distance, approached nearer and nearer, yet whether friend or foe they knew not; the theory seemed to prevail that it was the enemy's battery. They came dashing down and unlimbered again not over 600 yards in front of this regiment of heroes, Company D. " Captain Seifert," shouted Colonel Morgan, "prepare your company to lead a charge and take that battery." Immediately the Hocking boys fixed bayonet and and formed for the assault, when an officer with field-glass in hand declared them to be United States and not Mexican artilleryists. Then a shout went up that made the welkin ring. Orderly Stiers assured us that although determined to do their duty and face the cannon's mouth, yet it was altogether exhilarating to find the supposed enemy our own men. Reinforcements having arrived the enemy retired and the little band pressed forward to their destination. The regiment remained in service during the year of enlistment, doing duty at Monterey, Saltillo and Buena Vista, and was mustered out at New Orleans the following year. What was left of Company D returned to their homes, but death from disease and the battle had made sad havoc in the, ranks, and but few of the hardy, robust sons of our pioneers hailed with delight once more the hills of Hocking. Of the

HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 865

original company but four are now living, to-wit: General Tom Worthington, Captain Wilford Stiers, Grafton Eckhart and Samuel Stivison.

WHAT OHIO DID.

During the war of the Rebellion the State of Ohio furnished 230 regiments of soldiers, besides twenty-six independent batteries of artillery, five or six independent companies of cavalry, several companies of sharp-shooters, a good portion of five regiments credited to Virginia, two credited to Kentucky, two transferred to the United States colored troops, innumerable squirrel-hunters and thousands of emergency men. Hocking County, as one of the smaller of the eighty-eight complete county organizations of this great State, responded to the respective calls of the General Government promptly, and during the continuance of this unpleasantness furnished the following companies, parts of companies and detachments. The second call of the President on Ohio for twenty-three regiments found two companies of volunteers in camp on the fair grounds near Lancaster, in the adjoining county of Fairfield; they at once formed the nucleus of the Seventeenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for the three months' service. In a very short time a company of ninety-one men, rank and file, under command of Captain Charles A. Barker, arrived from Hocking County, officered as follows: Captain, Charles A. Barker; First Lieutenant, Samuel H. Baker; Second Lieutenant, Charles H. Rippey; Orderly, Charles L. Jennings; Sergeants, Daniel Nunemaker, David Angle and Joseph Fox.

THE MARCHES OF THE GALLANT SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT.

The regiment being promptly filled an organization was effected by electing the following field officers: Colonel, John M. Connell; Lieutenant-Colonel, Francis B. Pond ; Major, Clement F. Steel; Surgeon, John G. S. Kile; Assistant Surgeon, T. G. Cleveland. In ranking, the company from Hocking was called Company D.

On the 20th of April, 1861, the regiment took the cars at Zanesville for Bellaire, and arriving, found at Benwood, on the Ohio opposite Bellaire, a large fleet of boats waiting to receive troops. On the twenty-third, all the troops and baggage being aboard, the fleet steamed down the river to Marietta, stopped over Sunday and on Monday started for Parkersburg, and in a few hours were on Virginia soil. The Seventeenth was brigaded with the Ninth

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866 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY.

and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, General W. S. Rosecrans commanding the brigade. Its first was to guard trains to Clarksburg, Va., and return. Companies A and B were detailed as guard to General McClellan. It soon becoming evident that the hills of Jackson County, Va., were full of guerrillas, carrying on their nefarious warfare, Company D, Captain Barker, and Company F, Captain Stinchecomb, proceeded down to Ripley Landing, and across the country to Ripley, the county seat of Jackson County, with orders to operate against the aforesaid guerrillas wherever found in that locality. The two Wises, father and son, were then commanding Confederate troops in that section of the State, and had given out how they would " annihilate the Yankees on sight," but, signally failing in their precarious undertaking, retired from that vicinity. A part of the Seventeenth Regiment remained at Ravens. wood and did garrison duty until the 10th of July, when they were ordered to join their regiment at Buckhannon, Upshur Co., Va. On the 14th of July five companies, under command of Colonel Connell, marched from Petroleum, via Glenwood, at which place they were, on the 4th day of July, surrounded by about 1,500 rebels, but beat them back until reinforcements arrived under command of the late General Lytle. The regiment, after consolidating at Buckhannon, partook, with other troops, in occupying and fortifying Sutton. On the 3d of August, the regiment, having then overserved their time, started home, arriving on the 13th day of August in Zanesville, 0., and were mustered out on the 15^th.

NEW ORGANIZATION.

The officers of the regiment immediately set to work to reorganize the Seventeenth for the three years' service, and in September, 1861, we find the regiment as reorganized, in Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, 0., still with one company (Company D), from Hocking County, under the following organization: Captain, Charles H. Rippey; First Lieutenant, Gilrath M. Webb; Second Lieutenant. Henry C. Dewar; Orderly, Joseph W. Fox; Sergeants, Wm. H. Baker, Isaac Coakley, Francis A. Sanderson, Jonathan Sterling; eight corporals and eighty-seven privates. The regimental organization was: Colonel, John M. Connell; Lieutenant-Colonel, Marshall F. Moore; Major, Durbin Ward; Surgeon, Washington L. Schenck; Assistant Surgeon, E. Sinnett.

HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 861

A SERIES OF MARCHES.

In October, 1861, the regiment under orders reported at Camp Dick Robinson, Garrard County, Ky., for duty. From there it moved to Wild Cat, where, with Colonel Garrard of the First Kentucky, they whipped the rebels after a severe fight, the Seventeenth having seven men wounded. The regiment was then brigaded with the Thirty-first and Thirty-eighth Ohio, General Albin Schoepf commanding. The regiment participated in the battle of Mill Springs on the 19th of January, 1862, where. the rebel General Zollicoffer was killed, and the rebel army put to rout; was one of the first regiments ,to enter the enemy's fortifications next day, the enemy badly demoralized having evacuated the works during the night, leaving twelve cannons and caissons, with horses harnessed and hitched up, 1,500 horses corraled along the bank of the Cumberland River, a number of large siege guns, thousands of shot-guns, bowie knives, military stores, Quartermaster's stores, etc., etc., behind. From here the regiment marched to Louisville, Ky., and took boat for Nashville, Tenn., arriving there on the 3d day of March, 1862; thence across the country to Shiloh with the grand army, commanded by General Buell, but did not arrive in time to participate In the " Pittsburg Landing" fight, but took a hand in the siege of Corinth; marched to Boonville, Miss.; to Tuseumbia, Ala. ; from this place marched with General Buell's army back to Louisville, Ky., and was at the battle of Perryville. From Danville and Lebanon the army commenced its backward march, and the Seventeenth participated in the battle of Stone River. On the night of the 29th of December, their brigade marched from Nolinsville to the Murfreesboro Pike, had a skirmish with Wheeler's Cavalry at LaVergne, recaptured all the mules Wheeler had taken from our train, and saved some 200 wagons from being burned. The regiment with its brigade went into battle line on the Stone River field at one o'clock, Dec. 31, charged the rebel General Hanson's brigade, drove them in confusion, killing their General, and some 150, rank and file; the loss of the Seventeenth Regiment was twenty wounded. In July, 1863, at Hoover's Gap, the Seventeenth, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Durbins Ward, in connection with the Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, charged the Seventeenth Tennessee rebel regiment, and a rebel brigade, strongly posted in a belt of woods, although the Seventeenth being exposed in making a charge to a flanking fire from

868 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY.

a rebel brigade and battery, yet the troops pushed steadily on, drove the Seventeenth Tennessee and occupied their position. The charge was executed with such coolness as to draw the particular attention of General Thomas. At the battle of Chickamauga the regiment was on the extreme right of the center, attached to the corps commanded by General Thomas. When General Wood's division was withdrawn from the line, the Seventeenth was exposed to a galling fire from front and right flank, causing it to lose heavily and fall back; some 300 yards from where they had been driven they halted, gave three .cheers, sounded the rally for the Seventeenth Ohio, gathered some 200 men together, and charged back on the enemy, but to little purpose, as the rebels outnumbered them ten to one. Falling back again, now numbering but about 100 strong to a given point, they there remained and fought through that memorable day. The loss of the Seventeenth in this battle, killed, wounded and missing, was over 200. This was the severest engagement the regiment ever participated in. Lieutenant-Colonel Ward, commanding, fell about the middle of the forenoon badly wounded.

During the siege of Chattanooga, the Seventeenth engaged in several severe skirmishes, and at Brown's Ferry was, along with its brigade, honorably mentioned. At Mission Ridge it charged, captured a rebel battery, and turned the guns on the retreating enemy. On the 22d of January, 1864, having veteranized, the regiment started home on thirty days' furlough. On the 7th of March it returned to the field, bringing with them some 400 recruits, the regiment then soon started on the Atlanta campaign. They took part in heavy skirmishing at Rocky Face Ridge, and bore its full share of the battle of Resaca, its losses being quite heavy. Skirmishing partaking of the nature of battles continued almost daily. At New Hope, Pumpkin Vine Creek and various other places, the Seventeenth was actively engaged. At Kennesaw Mountain the regiment suffered greatly from heat, many men being carried off the field from sun-stroke. They were engaged at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, July 20, 1864, moving with General Jeff C. Davis's corps to the rear of Atlanta; the Seventeenth was among the claimants as having first struck the railroad, and on the next day was in at the assault on Jonesboro. The Seventeenth followed Sherman " down to the sea" through the Carolinas; took part in the battle of Bentonville, passed in review before the Presi. dent at Washington, and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., in

HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 869

July, 1865. The Seventeeth was in service almost from the beginning of the war, and Company D from :the Hocking Hills kept recruited up, and followed the fortunes of war under its gallant commanders.

The records of wounded that convalesced not being on file in the archives of the State, we can give but those that were killed, and died during the war.

THE RECORD OF THE SLAIN.

The following are the killed add those that died from wounds and disease of Company D, the Hocking County company of the Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as recorded:

Samuel R. Tilton, Corporal, killed, Chickamauga; Amos Richards, private, killed, Chickamauga; John Red, private, killed, Mission Ridge; Elias V. Ramey, private, killed July 9, 1861, near Chattanooga; Francis W. Sanderson, Sergeant, killed July 9, 1864, near Chattanooga.

DIED.

Jacob George, February, 1862, disease; Washington Lehman, May 4,1862, disease; Marvel Mills, Feb. 24, 1862, disease; Peter Frick, Oct. 19, 1863, wounds; Littlejohn Westlake, July 4, 1864, disease, Chattanooga; Levi Burgoon, April 10, 1864, disease, Ringgold, Ga.; John Call, June 1, 1864, wounds, Big Shanty; Peter Kepler, March 18, 1864, disease, Chattanooga; Elisha E. Standiford, Aug. 9, 1864, wounds.

THE GLORIOUS RECORD OF THE THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

July 21, 1861, the Union and rebel forces met on the battlefield for the first time and communities north of Mason and Dixson's line were startled next day to hear clicking over the wires the account of a disastrous defeat, assuming the proportions of a shameful rout of the Union forces. Thor followed, July 22, 1861 the President's call for 500,030 three-years' volunteers, and in two weeks' time Hocking County responded to the call; 113 men marched into Camp Came the first week in August from this county under command of Captain W. M. Bowen, and on the 9th day of August, 1861, a maximum company, 103 men rank and file, were mustered in the United State; service for three years and assigned] as Company B to the Thirty-first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, the company organization being:

870 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY.

Captain, Wm. M. Bowen; First Lieutenant, John L. Williams; Second Lieutenant, James K. Rochester; Orderly, Albert M. Aplin ; Sergeants, Jonathan A. Gibbons, Samuel Feighley, Wesley S. Tucker, John J. Martin, eight corporals and eighty-seven privates.

REGIMENTAL ORGANIZATION.

Colonel, Moses B. Walker; Lieutenant-Colonel, Cyrus Grant; Major, Samuel L. Leffingwell; Surgeon, John R. Arter; Assistant-Surgeon, J. L. Mount; Chaplain, L. F. Drake.

ORDERED TO TRAVEL.

The Thirty-first Regiment received marching orders Sept. 27, 1861, and reported to Brigadier-General O. M. Mitchell, at Cincinnati, Ohio, Companies A and B having been detached some time previous for extra duty at Gallipolis and up the Kanawha Valley; joined the regiment at Cincinnati. Leaving Cincinnati the regiment crossed over the Ohio River into Kentucky, passing through Kenton, Pendleton, Harrison, Bourbon, Fayette and Jessamine counties, arriving at Camp Dick Robinson, Garrard County, Oct. 2, 1861. Here a regular course of company and regimental drill began, which rendered the regiment so efficient in after service. Dec. 12, 1861, the regiment moved to Somerset, Ky., partook in several reconnaissances, and on the 19th day of January, 1862, it marched to the assistance of General Thomas at the battle of Mill Springs. After the battle the regiment was assigned to the First Brigade, First Division, Army of the Ohio. The regiment, with Hewitt's Kentucky Battery, was ordered to pursue the retreating rebels. They crossed the Cumberland River on flat boats at Waitsboro, Pulaski Co., Ky., passed up the Cumberland River Hills, a day's march, and were then ordered back, the campaign plans having been changed. They then took up their line of march through Kentucky by way of Danville and Lebanon to Louisville; there they embarked on the steamer Magnolia for Nashville, Tenn. The regiment with Buell's army, marched across Tennessee for Pittsburg Landing, but did not arrive in time to participate in the battle of Shiloh. From thence it advanced with the army toward Corinth, and during the march engaged in frequently skirmishing with the rebels, and in the siege was engaged at times quite warmly. On June 22, 1862, the troops marched toward Iuka, had quite an engagement, took pos-

HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 871

session of the town, and on the 26th marched for Tuscumbia; arrived there the 28th; there the regiment engaged in expeditions against rebel troops that were being organized in that vicinity. From Tuscumbia the regiment marched to Huntsville, Ala., by way of Decatur, crossing the river on a small ferry boat, constructed, manned and run by the men of Company K. The Thirty-first Regiment was noted for the number of mechanics of every calling in their ranks, at all times being able to perform any kind of duty that might devolve upon them. A detachment of twenty-eight men having been left at Trinity on guard duty, information was received here that they had been attacked by a rebel force of two or three hundred rebels. The rebels were repulsed, but one half of the detachment were killed or wounded.

The regiment moved with the army to Dechard, Tenn., thence with Buell's army in the campaign against Bragg in Kentucky, marching through Murfreesboro and Nashville to Louisville. The regiment was actively engaged at the battle of Perryville, and after the fight moved with the army south again to Tennessee. Word coming that the rebels were pillaging the train at LaVergne, the Thirty-first, with two other regiments, marched rapidly back, engaged the enemy and drove them off, killing, wounding and capturing quite a number of them. At the battle of Stone River the regiment was actively engaged and acquitted itself nobly. In the Hoover's Gap fight, in connection with the Seventeenth Ohio, they carried a position defended by two rebel brigades; again at the battle of Chickamauga the noble old Thirty-first was in both days, suffered severely, and covered itself with additional glory. Its next engagement was Brown's Ferry, then Mission Ridge, where the Thirty-first was among the foremost regiments to plant the flag of victory over the enemy's works, and where the gallant Lieutenant James K. Rochester fell. About this time the regiment veteranized, receiving a furlough for thirty days. When they returned to the field they took with them 374 new recruits, increasing the regiment's effective strength to over 800 men. The army then marched on the Atlanta campaign. On the 14th day of May, 1864, the regiment engaged in an assault on the enemy's lines in front of Resaca, and suffered terribly; it was in all the engagements of the campaign except the battle of Jonesboro.

The Thirty-first moved with Sherman's army " down to the sea," leaving Atlanta, Nov. 16; it passed through Decatur and Monticello to Milledgeville, Ga., where they destroyed an arsenal with

872 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY.

a considerable amount of arms and ammunition ; pushing on they reached Savannah on the 12th day of December, 1564. On the 20th day of February, 1565, with the army, the Thirty-first moved on the campaign of the Carolinas, thence on to Washington City, participating in the grand review. The regiment was then transferred to Lonisville, Ky., and mustered out July 20, 1565.

THE GALLANT DEAD.

The Thirty-first Ohio held an honorable position from its first start in the noted corps, General Thomas's Fourteenth, and was never driven from the field, only retired when ordered and then fighting if necessary. The following is a list of the killed in battle and those dying during the war of Company B:

Captain James A. Cahill (third Captain). June 23, 1564, at Kennesaw Mountain; First Lieutenant James K. Rochester, Nov. 25, 1863, at Mission Ridge; Sergeant Daniel H. Woodard, Private Wm. H. Smock, Private John L. Snider, Sept. 21, 1863, at Chickamauga; Private Gotleib F. Dishley, Nov. 24, 1864, at Milledgeville, Ga.; Private John F. Knapp, Sept. 21, 1863, at Chickamauga.

DIED.

Thomas Barnes, Andersonville Prison ; Lorenzo D. Skiver, October, Chickamauga, wounds; Jacob Cookley, Oct. 12, 1862, Nashville, Tenn. ; George W. Davis, Jan. 3, 1862, Henry S. Hutchins, Feb. 11. 1862, Somerset, Ky.; James Hammon, Oct. 5, 1562. Nashville, Tenn.; Stephen A. Kennard, unknown ; William Legget, unknown, Mississippi; Samuel D. Mills, March 14, 1562, Lebanon, Ky.; George Martindale, Lebanon, Ky. : Hickman Nutter, Lebanon. Ky.; James Root, Logan, 0. ; P. Ebert Saunderson, Dec. 15, 1561, Camp Dick Robinson; Nicholas Sharshall. date unknown; Win. H. McBroom, Au,. S, 1564, wounds; George Call, July 30, 1564, Kingston, Ga.; Henry J. Hedrick, April 6, 1864, Nashville. Tenn.; Robert Oldfield, April 6. 1564, Tullahoma ; Nathan S. Payne, Aug. 19, 1864, Lookout Mountain, wounds; Wm. B. Ruse. July 17, 1564, Nashville, Tenn., wounds; Andrew J. Shell. Sept. 4, 1564, Nashville, Tenn.; Jonathan Smith, July 4, 1565, Division Hospital; Jams T. Nelson, July 12, 1565, Nashville, Tenn.

HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 873

THE GRAND OLD FIFTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

As the struggle between the Union forces and rebels continued there were camps of instruction established, recruiting headquarters everywhere, the sound of bugle and tap of drum were to be heard at all hours. More troops still wanted, was the cry, and once more Hocking County responded by sending Companies F, H and K to the front in the Fifty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry organization, January, 1862.

Company F.—Captain; John Bunz; First Lieutenant, Wilford Stiers; Second Lieutenant, Frederick Tensher; Orderlyamuel Kepler; Sergeants, Thomas Taylor, Peter Leonard, Henry Harmony, Jacob Wooly; eight Corporals and seventy-three privates, in all eighty-nine men, rank and file.

Company H—Captain, Ezra P. Jackson ; First Lieutenant, Christopher Kinser ; Second Lieutenant, William H. Hills; Orderly. Thaddeus H. Ream; Sergeants, Elias L. Doddson, John Hanson, Oliver Coonrod, George Barclay; eight Corporals and seventy -five privates, in all ninety one men, rank and file.

Company K.—Captain, Charles A. Barker; First Lieutenant, Wm. S. Friesner; Second Lieutenant, Leander E. Hodge; Orderly, Daniel Nunemaker ; Sergeants, Emile E. Parrish, Benoni B. Sloper, David Hamilton, William Nail ; eight Corporals and seventy privates, in all eighty-six men, rank and file.

The regimental organiz tion was as follows:

Colonel, Val. Bausenwein; Lieutenant–Colonel, Ferdinand F. Rempel ; Major, Peter Dister; Surgeon, Rainer Shallern; Assistant Surgeon, Eugene Ringler.

ITS BAPTISM OF FIRE.

Who has not heard of the gallant Fifty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry that received its baptism of lire on the hotly contested field in front of Fort Donelson, Tenn.?

The Fifty-eighth was placed under orders and reported for duty at Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. 11, 1862, and embarking on the steamers Tigress and Dictator the regiment left the same day for Fort Donelson, arriving there on the morning of the 13th of February, 1862. Disembarking and taking a hasty meal the regiment was formed and pushed forward, impelled by the sounds of the conflict reverberating through the woods. Taking a circuitous route, in order to get in proper position, the regiment traveled twelve miles

874 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY.

over rough hills and unmade roads, and went in camp late in the evening in sight of the fort. The regiment was here assigned to Thayer's brigade, of General Lew Wallace's division. The next morning the men were awakened from their slumbers to find everything covered with snow, yet nothing deterred them ; immediately after partaking of a hasty breakfast they formed in line of battle ready for the fray. We can do no better right here than to give " Reid's" description, as is found in his history of " Ohio in the War," of their advance movement:

" The Colonel (V. Bausenwein) being ill, the second officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Ferd. Rempel took command. This officer led the regiment at once toward the enemy. After moving a short distance a furious attack was made by the enemy, but the shock was met with coolness, and ended in the rebels being hurled back into their intrenchments. This ended the active work of the day, although the regiment remained in line of battle until late in the evening, when it returned to camp. Early in the morning of the 16th the regiment was marched to the center of the line where it remained until the announcement of the surrender of the fort. The Fifty-eighth was immediately marched into the fort, and Lieutenant-Colonel Rempel, with his own hands, hauled down the first rebel flag the members of the regiment had ever gazed upon."

SOME MORE HOT WORK.

The regiment left Fort Donelson March 7, and went into camp at Crump's Landing, on the Tennessee River. The regiment participated in the fight at Pittsburg Landing, and was under fire until four o'clock, P. M., April 7, 1862. its losses in this battle were nine killed and forty-three wounded. From here the regiment with the army moved on toward Corinth, took part in the siege; from here they were ordered to Memphis, Tenn., thence to Helena, Ark. During the stay of the regiment at this point it engaged in general reconnaissances down the Mississippi on transports, in one of these capturing a rebel steamer, 5,000 stand of arms and two pieces of artillery; also met and defeated the Thirty-first Louisiana Regiment, capturing forty of their number and all their camp equipage. From Helena they went up the Yazoo on steamers, acting as sharp-shooters. At Haines's Bluff, Aug. 20, they captured three heavy siege guns, two brass field pieces, one thirty-pound Parrott gun, and a large amount of ord-