394 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

CHAPTER XIII

THE MEXICAN WAR - 1848 To 1861-THE WAR OF THE

MILITARY CIRCLES SINCE 1865.

A MAJORITY of the people of Ohio, regarding the probability of war with Mexico as the result of schemes of the pro-slavery party to add territory to the United States, which could afterward be formed into Slave States, were strongly opposed to the war. But in thorough loyalty to the Constitution. patriotic people of Ohio and all of the Northern States, promptly responded to the call of the National Government for troops to sustain the army on the Bio Grande, and for aggressive movements against Mexico.

The Hon. Mordecai Bartley was Governor of Ohio: Samuel R. Curtis was Adjutant General of the State : E. N.. Slocum. Quarter Master General.

The militia of this county, organized as the First Brigade, in command of Brig. Gen. Adam Spiece, were attached to the Tenth Division of Ohio Militia. Maj. Gen. Hiram Bell. of Greenville. commanding. When it became known that the President of the United States had made requisition upon the States for troops. and in response to a general demand from all parts of' the county, a meeting of the citizens of the county was called to be held in the City Hall at Dayton the evening of May 21, 1846. The hall was filled with militiamen of the different companies of the county and prominent citizens of the city and townships. Gen. Spiece was called to the chair. and Maj. Thomas B. Tilton. his Brigade Major, was made Secretary of the meeting. Gen. Spiece briefly stated the object of the meeting to be to give an expression of the sentiment of the county on the Mexican war question, and to adopt measures to encourage the enrollment of volunteers. Capt. Luther Giddings. of the Dayton Dragoons in response to a call of the meeting. made a patriotic appeal. Short. stirring speeches were. also delivered by Capt. M. B. Walker. of the Germantown Cavalry : by Maj. Tilton. Capt. Lewis Hormell, of the Dayton National Guards (German Company) ; Lieut. Atlas Stout, of the Dayton Gun Squad and Lieut. John Love, of the United States Army, and others.

May 20,. Gov. Bartley in compliance with a requisition, made by President James K. Polk. issued General Order No. 1. calling upon Division Generals to muster their commands at once, to ascertain how many men would enlist, as infantry or riflemen, for twelve months service, unless sooner discharged. The order reached Gen. Bell at Greenville. on the 23d. and he at once ordered the several Brigades of the Tenth Division to assemble as follows : First Brigade, at Dayton, May 26 ; Second Brigade, at Troy. May 27 : Third Brigade. at Sidney, May 28 ; Fourth Brigade; at Greenville, May 29. Upon receipt of this order, Gen. Spiece directed the First Brigade to assemble at Dayton. and at 11 o'clock the morning of the 26th, nine companies reported. The city was full of people. drawn together by the excitement of the war news and military display. Martial music, parades of delegations with banners, songs and cheering was the order of the day. The militia were marched to the lower part of the city, where the crowds assembled, and were addressed by Gen. Bell. The National Guard began recruiting at their armory on the north side of Second street. between Main and Jefferson the Flying Dragoons. at McCann's store, at the northeast corner of Third and Jefferson streets. but being notified that the Government would not accept cavalry, the next day they were organized as the " Dayton Riflemen," and

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.- 397

on that day, May 27, information was received from Columbus, that while the War Department would hold the militia of a number of States in reserve, three regiments of Ohio troops, 2,331 men were required for immediate service,

The people of the county united in the work of organizing the companies, and of providing for the soldiers and their families.

Thursday evening, May 28, a large meeting was held at the City Hall in Dayton ; Thomas Brown, Peter Odlin, William Eaker, T. J. S. Smith and Frederick Gebhart were appointed as a committee to raise funds, to defray the incidental expenses of the volunteers from this county, before being mustered into the United States service, An executive committee of twenty was appointed, to raise funds for the support of the families of volunteers during their absence ; the committee were: Alexander Swaynie, Robert W. Steele, H. G. Phillips, P. P. Lowe. Henry L. Brown and Samuel Marshall, of Dayton; Joseph Barnett, of Harrison Township; Jefferson Patterson, of Van Buren Township ; Henry S. Gunckel, of German Township ; Jonathan Harshman, of Mad River Township ; John Conley, of Miami Township ; John Burnett, of Jefferson Township ; John Sherer, of Randolph Township; James Patterson, of Madison Township , Henry Shidler, of Jackson Township ; William Baggott, of Butler Township; Amos Irwin, of Washington Township ; Moses Sherer, of Wayne Township ; Isaac Voorhees, of Clay Township: and Dr. Lindsley, of Perry Township. H. G. Phillips was elected Chairman of the committee ; Robert W. Steele, Secretary ; Henry L. Brown, Treasurer. The committee was appointed to assure the faithful performance of the public pledge of a generous people ; that the wives and children of soldiers were to be cared for, protected and cherished. Frequent meetings were held ; committees were appointed to arrange for the comfort and departure of the troops. The best citizens joined in pledges that the families of men who enlisted should be provided for during the war. and in case the soldier did not return the families would be cared for. In every case these pledges were sacredly kept. The ladies were not behind in their work. Every hand was busy, every heart responded in sympathy to the soldier, with a silent Christian pledge to do their whole duty by the wives and children of the volunteers.

A number of banks in different parts of the State tendered to the Governor all the money that he might need to provide for the emergency. The Governor designated Dayton as one of the points of rendezvous for volunteers. Gen. Spiece established headquarters at the corner of Third and Jefferson streets, and detailed Maj. Tilton as Mustering Officer in command of volunteers. Camp Washington was established in the Mill Creek Valley near Cincinnati as a rendezvous for the Ohio Volunteers, and Samuel R.. Curtis, Adjutant General of the State, was placed in command. June 3, the two companies enlisted in this county were ordered to Camp Washington. The next morning they were paraded in front of the National Hotel, when from the balcony, a beautiful flag was presented to the riflemen by the citizens. On one side of the flag the ladies had embroidered an eagle, with the motto " Our Country." on the reverse side, the State arms, with the name of the company, "The Dayton Riflemen." Lieut. Brecount was presented with a pair of revolvers and a bowie knife by some young gentlemen friends.

At sunset, the guards, with ninety-six men and the following officers: Captain, Lewis Hormell ; First Lieutenant, William Egry ; Second Lieutenant, Christ Knecht ; First Sergeant, William Spangler ; Second Sergeant, Peter Weist ; Third Sergeant, Adam Ziller: Fourth Sergeant, Frederick Ploch. The riflemen, with ninety-two men and the following officers : Captain. Luther Giddings ; First Lieutenant, D. Long; Second Lieutenant, D. Brecount ; First Sergeant, J. P. Spiece Second Sergeant, N. Allen ; Third Sergeant. G. Coon ; Fourth Sergeant, C. L. Helrigle ; Corporals, W. G. Davis, V. B. Howard, John Smith, James Craig ; were escorted to the public landing at the canal between Second and Third streets, by the dragoons, a company hastily organized, and using the arms and accouterments of the disbanded cavalry company, the artillery company and great crowds of

398 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

citizens, The roots of the houses, the bridges. the banks of the canal and streets were filled with people, all vying with each other in acts of kindness to the departing soldiers and their weeping families, The excitement was intense. The crowd were alternately crying and cheering. The dragoons fired a salute, The gun squad with the " Mad Anthony " (in the language of a local of the day), made the very earth tremble." The soldiers embarked on two canal boats and promptly started on their journey.

While the assembled crowd cheered and cheered again, the dragoons wheeled and trotted to the Main street canal bridge and fired a final salute to the departing soldiers,

They arrived at Camp Washington the night of June 5. and for several days complained because they had to steep on the ground and cook their own rations. The flag of the Dayton Rifles was taken for camp colors. The nest few weeks were bust times, drilling and preparing for the field. Companies were daily arriving from different parts of the State, and it was soon apparent that too many were being enlisted. Capts. Giddings and Hormell each had too many men, and to reduce the number the men were notified that any who so desired might leave the ranks and return home, Although it was not a popular thing to do, quite a number availed themselves of the privilege,

Immediately after the departure of the companies. the Dayton Light Infantry was recruited for service, and organized with A. L. Stout as Captain ; First Lieutenant. Daniel Tucker ; Second Lieutenant, J, D, M. Foreman ; Order1y Sergeant, M. Umbaugh : Second Sergeant, Owen Smith : Third Sergeant, Joshua Bowersock: Fourth Sergeant. William Anderson ; Corporals. Lewis Motter. Russel George, Boyer Decker and Andrew Curtner. June 9, the company started by boat for Camp Washington. Too many companies haying already reported, this company of Dayton Light Infantry, the Hocking County Riflemen, Preble County Riflemen. Xenia Riflemen, a company from Piqua. one from Cleveland, two from Columbus, and several from Cincinnati, were ordered home,

There were two Germans in the Dayton Light Infantry Company. and two Americans in the Dayton National Guard. And at Camp Washington, Capts Hormell and Stout made an even trade, two " Dutchmen"' for two Buckeyes." June 23, the three regiments were organized as follows

FIRST OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

Colonel, Alex M. Mitchell. of Cincinnati,

Lieutenant Colonel, John B, Weller, of Butler County

Major, Thomas L, Hamer, of Brown County,

Capt. R. A. Moore's Company, of Cincinnati.

Capt. Armstrong's Company, of Cincinnati.

Capt. Ramsay's Company. of Cincinnati.

Capt. L. Krichner's Company, of Cincinnati.

Capt. Lewis Hormell's Company, of Dayton,

Capt. L, Giddings' Company, of Dayton.

Capt. Weller's Company, of Butler County.

Capt. Hamilton's Company, of Portsmouth.

Capt. Johnson's Company, of Brown County,

Capt. Bradley's Company, of Lower Sandusky.

The two companies from this county were mustered in, each with seventy-seven men, the Rifles as Company B. and the Guards as Company C, but not as color company,.

SECOND OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

Colonel. George W, Morgan, of Knox County,

Lieutenant Colonel, William Irvin. of Fairfield County.

Major, William Wall, of Athens County.

HISTORY 0F MONTGOMERY COUNTY. - 399

Capt. Walcott's Company, of Columbus.

Capt. Lathams Company, of Columbus.

Capt. Morgan's Company, of Mount Vernon.

Capt. Stadden s Company, of Newark.

Capt. McLean"s Company. of Athens.

Capt. Worthington's Company of Logan.

Capt. Irvin's Company, of Lancaster.

Capt. Brunner's s Company, of Circleville.

Capt. Reynold's Company of Chillicothe.

Capt. Irick's Company, of Hillsboro.

THIRD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

Colonel. S. R. Curtis. of Wayne County.

Lieutenant Colonel G. W. McCook, of Jefferson County.

Major. J. S. Love. of Morgan County.

Capt. Allen's Company, of Massillon.

Capt. Moore's Company. of Wooster.

Capt. Woodruffs Company, of Norwalk.

Capt. McLaughlin's Company, of Mansfield.

Capt. Ford's Company. of Mansfield.

Capt. McCook s Company, of Steubenville.

Capt. Pattterson's Company. of St. Clairville.

Capt. Meredith s Company of Coshocton.

Capt. Nole's Company of Zanesville.

Capt. Chapman s Company, of Seneca County.

A Colonels pay was $75 a month : Lieutenant Colonels, $60 ; Major's $50 ; Adjutant's and Quartermasters. each, $10 additional to First Lieutenant's pay Captain's s. $40 ; First Lieutenants. $30 : Second Lieutenants $25; two principal Musicians in each regiment. $17 each Sergeant Major's and Quartermaster Sergeant's each. $17 : First Sergeant's $16 ; Duty Sergeants. $13 ; Corporals. $9; Musicians and privates, $8.

July 2, the regiments marched from Camp Washington into Cincinnati. and at the foot of Broadway embarked on the steamers New World and forth Carolina. They were a tine body of men. and marched like veterans. with their knapsacks. canteens and accouterments, with their guns at shoulder. and with good field music. They were greeted by crowds along the line of march with cheer upon cheer. Just after noon. as the boats started. they were given a salute by a three-gun battery m the wharf.

In August, the First Regiment was at Camp Belknap, on the Texas side of the Rio Grande. Capt. Giddings, of Company B. was promoted to Major, Lieut. DeCamp Brecount was elected Captain, Sergeant J. Y. Spiece. Second Lieutenant. and Nathan Allen Orderly" Sergeant.

At Camargo, Capt. Brecount resigned. and Lieut. Spiece died. Lieut. David Long was promoted to Captain, and Sergeant Nathan Allen was made Second Lieutenant. Lieut. Egry. of the Guards, resigned. Lieut. Knecht was promoted to the vacancy and John P. Kline was elected Second Lieutenant. Augustus Rex. at that time Orderly Sergeant of the Guards, died August 26.

At Monterey, Col. Mitchell and Lieut. L. Motter were wounded, and Corp. William G. Davis was killed.

During the winter of 1846-47, E. A. King was appointed Captain in the regular army, and Thomas B. Tilton was appointed Lieutenant. They recruited a company. Twenty-two of the men were from this county and thirty-eight from Logan County.

Saturday, April 24. 1847, the company left for Cincinnati. They were escorted to the canal by the citizens. Mayor McKinney made them a farewell speech and Capt. King replied. pledging that his company-the " Dayton Reg-

400 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

ulars" - never would, by their action in the field, tarnish the fair name of the Dayton volunteers. won by gallantry at Seralvo and Monterey. This company was assigned to the Fifteenth United States Infantry. In the regiment were five Ohio companies, three from Michigan and two from Wisconsin. Col. George W. Morgan, Lieut. Col. John Howard. of Michigan, Maj. Samuel Wood.

May 12, in four canal boats, the Michigan and Wisconsin companies passed through Dayton.

News was received the same day that Companies B and C, of the First Ohio. were on their way home from war. A meeting of citizens was called; and a committee appointed to arrange reception ceremonies.

Saturday afternoon, June 26, the Dayton Rifles (Company B). with but forty men. reached Dayton, in command of Capt. D. Long. Crowds of citizens from town and country with militia, music and the gun squad, assembled at the canal, foot of Main street. and, as the boat swung around the bend at Phillip's Hill, a salute of twenty-nine guns was fired. The soldiers were escorted up lain street to Third, then to the National House, where Mayor McKinney welcomed them home. In reply, Maj. Giddings, with much feeling. referred to their departure and to this, their return. with but forty- men. Twenty-one of their comrades were, buried in Mexico but they had brought back the flag untarnished that had been presented to them by the Dayton ladies. Cheer upon cheer was given to the soldiers. and crowds of friends escorted each man to his home.

Tuesday- morning. June 29, the German company, C, of the First Regiment. arrived home with forty-six men, Capt. Hormell commanding.

In the rain and mud they were escorted by the citizens to the National (louse and were welcomed in a brief speech by J. W. McCorkle. The crowd cheered, the band played, and all rejoiced in shaking hands with this fine body of men. The next evening the town was illuminated in honor of the return of the two companies. They had fireworks at the court house, the hand was out. life and drum stirred up the town. and the night was given up to bonfires, cannon and cheering.

Of these two companies. the following are the only members known to be now living

Dayton Rifles, Company B--Maj. Luther Giddings. Capt. David Long. Capt. Decamp Brecount and Lieut. Nathan Allen, Sergt. G. Coon. Privates David Taylor, William Howell and Edward Cummins (colored).

Dayton National Guard, Company C - Capt. L. Hormell. Lieuts. William Egry. Christ Knecht, Sr.. and Ernst Kohlresor, Privates George Egerly, Charles Nickel, William Spangler, Jacob Jacobs - - - - Poock.

All of the volunteers under the first call having served their term and been discharged, the War Department called upon Ohio for another regiment. Under this call a. company was raised in Dayton and named the "Dayton German Grenadiers," and organized as follows

Captain, John Werner ; First Lieutenant, John Fries: Second Lieutenant Henry Toepfer, and one hundred enlisted men-thirty-five melt from this county. twenty-five from Columbus, and the rest were enlisted in the vicinity of Bremen. Ohio. They were ordered to report at Camp Washington, and on May 31 were escorted by the militia and citizens to the public landing, where, after several speeches in German and English and a salute from the artillery, they boarded the packet for Cincinnati, where they were assigned to the Fourth Ohio Regiment. and Capt. Werner was made Lieutenant Colonel ; Lieut. Fries was promoted to the Captaincy, Henry Toepfer received the First Lieutenant's commission and William Graebe was elected Second Lieutenant. The regiment was organized with C. H. Brough as Colonel. John Werner. Lieutenant Colonel, and Young, of Butler County, Major. They were with Gen. Scott at Contreras, Churubusco and Chapultepec. and with him marched in triumph into the City of Mexico.

At the storming of the works before the City of Mexico. the Company suffered severely. Lieut. Toepfer was killed and a number of his men. Capt. John Fries

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. - 401

was wounded. In February, 1848, the regiment was doing garrison duty at Puebla. In July, 1843. the company returned to Dayton with but thirty-six men, and were given a reception and dinner by their friends. Upon their arrival, they were escorted by the " National Guard" and artillery to the common just east of Bainbridge street, near Third. The tables were set on the ground now occupied by Stoddard's Agricultural Works. Philip Wegeman is the only member of this company now living.

The Fifth Ohio Regiment was organized in September, 1847. Colonel, William Irvin, Lancaster : Lieutenant Colonel. William H. Latham, of Columbus ; Major, -- Link, of Circleville.

1848 TO 1861.*

After the close of the Mexican war, the organization of the " Junior Artillerists" was continued. The members were uniformed and armed with flint-lock horse-pistols-truly formidable ! That portion of the German Company of " National Guards" which remained at home, kept up its organization, and after the war consolidated with the company that returned. The gun squad, having been also continued, re-organized about 1852, and received an additional gun, making its armament a battery of two 12-pound brass pieces. A large cavalry company was raised about the same time under the militia law, and a second was organized, composed of young men, but neither company existed over a year.

"From about 1856 until 1861, were Dayton's grandest militia days. The Brigadier General with his brilliant Staff, their clanking swords, large plumes and big brass spurs and gay steeds, as they pranced at the head of a column, was a display of splendor that drew the populace in admiring crowds. Every button shone as if of gold ; every horse and every officer stood firm and stern at his post, neither looking to the right nor to the left, but steady to the front."

The Dayton militia then consisted of five companies of infantry and a 2 gun battery, composed of grown persons-business men and mechanics. The term of enlistment was five years. Each company selected its own uniform ; the arms were furnished by the State ; the uniforms were handsome, and the organizations were very creditable. On parade days people came from near and far to witness the evolutions and feast their gaze on the glittering uniforms.

The largest military demonstration ever held in Dayton was on Saturday, the 3d of July, 1858, when the troops were reviewed by the Governor, Salmon P. Chase. For weeks in advance, the town was occupied with the arrangements ; flaming post ers were sent out for this State military celebration," under the "direction of the First Regiment of Ohio Volunteers," announcing that " several Revolutionary heroes would be present ; " that .. there would be prize drills " for " silver medals," etc., etc.

Excursions were to come on the five railroads. All possible arrangements were made to provide for the strangers that were expected. Citizens were urged to and did decorate houses and streets. On the 2d, the Governor and his Staff arrived and were quartered at the Phillips House. " They were furnished with elegant horse equipments, manufactured for the occasion.' On the same day, the following companies arrived and were assigned as follows: The " Rover Guard," from Cincinnati, with " Mentor's splendid band," were the guests of the Dayton Light Guard. The "Warren Guard," from Lebanon, were received by the " Montgomery Guard." The "Sandusky Artillery" were the guests of the "Steuben Artillery." The " Sandusky Yagers" were entertained by the "Lafayette Yagers." There was a succession of heavy showers all Friday afternoon, thus effectually watering the streets for the morrow, and the money that had been raised to pay for street sprinkling was appropriated by the committee for more powder. The military display was described as a magnificent affair. The town was crowded with people. At 10 o'clock, the column was formed on Main street, with twenty-two

* Prepared principally from a "Military History of Dayton," written by Ashley Brown, and published in the Dayton Democrat in 1878.

402 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

companies of artillery. cavalry and infantry; six brass hands, and a number of bands of field music. Right resting at Third, line displaying southwardly, they marched north to the head of Main street. counter-marched. and then south to the ;` grove " (now used as the Southern Ohio Fair Grounds). The ceremony at, the grove was short.

Music ; prayer by Chap. D. Winters ; music; ; Declaration of Independence read by Maj. D. A. Haynes ; music : oration by Gen. H. B. Carrington ; music benediction. After which the column was reformed and marched back to the city and reviewed oil Main street by the Governor as Commander-in-chief.

The following is a list of the Generals and their staff' officers who were present : Salmon P. Chase. Governor and Commander-in-chief; Inspector Gen. H. B. Carrington. Quartermaster Gen. A. E. Glenn. Commissary Gen. L. Buttles, Chief of Engineers D. L. Wood, Surgeon Gen. W. McMillen. Maj. Gen. Adam Spiece. Lieut. Col. D. G. Finch. Lieut. Col. G. W. Houk, Lieut. Col. F. Loury, Lieut. Col. D. E. Mead, Lieut. Col. H. G. Carey. Maj. William Lamme, Maj. William Pease. Maj. Gen. J. A. Jones, Assist.. Adjt. Gen. J. H. Goodman. Assistant Judge Advocate Gen. J. J. Finch, Assistant Quartermaster Gen. J. A. Fosmer. Aide-de-camp J. M. Webster Brig. Gen. C. L. Vallindigham, Maj. D. A. Haynes, Maj. Samuel Craighead, Maj. James McDaniel, Maj. C. McDermont, Brig. Gen.F. N. Bills, Maj. Van Housen, Capt. W. D.Colt. Capt. H. J. Donahue, Capt. O.. Davgenteh, Brig. Gen. Garrison. Maj. W. Young,. Brig. Gen. J. F. Whiteman. Maj. Mason, Maj. Shellabarger, Maj. Snyder, Col. E. A. King, First Regiment Ohio Militia, Lieut. Thomas B. Tilton, Adjt. E. A. Parrott, Paymaster B. F. Eaker, Quartermaster George Naucrth. There were in line twenty-two companies of artillery, cavalry and infantry as follows : Springfield Artillery, Dayton Light Artillery, Steudben Light Artillery. of Dayton, Sandusky Light Artillery, Lafayette Blues, gun squad. of Troy. Montgomery Cavalry. of Dayton. Infantry companies from Cincinnati. four. Infantry companies from Hamilton, two. Infantry company from Springfield. one. Infantry company from Fremont. one. Infantry company from Arlington. Clay Township. one. infantry company from Sandusky, one. Infantry company from Troy. one. Infantry company from Lebanon, one. Our Dayton companies were the Montgomery Guard (Irish). Dayton Light Guard (American). National Guard (German). Lafayette Yagers (German). After dinner was held the drill for the prizes, which were awarded as follow. The artillery medal went to the Sandusky Light Artillery. The infantry medal to the Rover Guards, of Cincinnati. The light infantry medal was won by the Dayton Light Guard.

In September, of this year, another German infantry company. called the Washington Guard, was formed. September 22 the Dayton companies had a sham light. The Mexican side consisted of the National Guard. Washington Guard. Steuben Battery. On the American side were the Light Guard, Montgomery Guard, Dayton Light Artillery. After about an hour's hard lighting. the Mexicans were driven off, " loss oil our side trifling." For the next two years, the ranks of the militia companies were kept filled trifling." the maximum. They had parades. drills, excursions, camps, target practice. entertainments,. etc. The Dayton Zouaves were organized. Their quaint uniform, proficiency in drill and strict discipline attracted the attention of the community. Their first appearance on the streets was witnessed by thousands. In the fall, two companies of cadets were formed from the larger boys of the district schools. They were fully armed and equipped, wearing a grey uniform. They became very proficient in drill, and well disciplined.

THE WAR OF' THE REBELLION.

During the winter of 1860-61, it became apparent to the people of Dayton as well as to all in the North, that civil war was inevitable, and the progress of events was watched with feverish anxiety by both citizens and militia. The e evacuation of Fort Moultrie. by Maj. Anderson. called intense excitement, and

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. - 403

when at last Fort Sumter fell, and the people of the North knew that the bail was opened, they sprang quickly into line at the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 men; and the offer of 40,000 from Ohio by Gov. Dennison, the recruiting which was begun by all of the Dayton companies, and the promptness with which the young men responded to the call, gave evidence of the desire which the patriotic children of The nation possessed to advance and overthrow her enemies. The recruiting office of the Montgomery Guard was at the armory, southeast corner First and St. Clair streets ; that of the Dayton Light Guard at its armory, on the north side of Third street, midway between Jefferson and Main, and that of the Lafayette Guard at its armory, at The southwest corner of Jefferson and Market streets.

Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock, April 17, 1861, the Dayton Light Guard and the Montgomery Guard marched to the depot on Sixth street and took The train for Columbus. Immense crowds lined the streets and filled the depot. When the company flags were unfurled, cheer upon cheer rent the air. Men of all parties joined The escort, and without division assisted in the "enthusiastic God-speed " to the departing volunteers. thus rendering the occasion one of extraordinary interest. At 12 o'clock the same night, the Lafayette Guard departed. The same crowd, that had not left the streets, escorted them with cheers and good wishes to the depot. If there ever was a time when the hearts of the people beat in unison and were filled with the same patriotic spirit, it was then. when the large assemblage gave expression to sentiments of approval and good wishes to the volunteers.

The same night the Dayton Light Artillery concluded to muster into the service as as riflemen. They offered their services and were immediately accepted by the Governor, and on Saturday, April 20, they took their departure for Columbus. Their uniform was red shirts and dark pants and cap. They made a very hand some appearance as they marched from their armory. The affection shown by their familes, and the great crowd that accompanied them to the depot, exhibited the sympathy shown by all. As the train moved out, showers of blessings and good wishes accompanied them from the deeply moved crowd. On the 19th, recruiting lists of the " Anderson Guard " were opened at their armory in Brown's Hall, on the south side of Third street. half way between Main and Jefferson streets. On the night of the 20th, sixty-four men had enrolled and the company organized. The next day was Sunday. The armory was one continuous scene of excitement. The day was given up to providing for the volunteers. Lady friends were busy making flannnel shirts, havelocks and needle cases. Caps, shoes and blankets were provided by a committee of citizens.

The doctors of the town offered their services free to families of the volunteers ; druggists agreed to fill all prescriptions without charge ; $5,000 was raised at a meeting of citizens to supply the immediate wants of families who might need it; donations of all kinds were sent in ; young and old, men, women and children, alike did all in their power to aid in sending off the troops. A young boy desired to and did enlist ; the father hearing of it, went to the recruiting office and erased his name ; the excited boy asked his father what he meant; the reply was, " I want you to stay at home and help me work," to which the boy answered, "I'll just tell you what it is. I'll be d -d if I'll work for you or anybody else till this war is over."

Sunday night the "Anderson Guard " were quartered in Beckel Hall, waiting orders from Columbus. Monday morning the excitement increased as the hour drew near for the departure of the company ; the streets were filled with people, the hall was crowded, the soldiers and citizens joined in singing the "Star Spangled Banner," and amid cheers, waving of handkerchiefs and flags, the company filed into the street; every foot of room was occupied on the streets and sidewalks;; weeping friends were bidding good-bye to their husbands, fathers and brothers children were crying; the crowds were shouting farewell to the gallant, true hearted volunteers.

404 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Scenes at the depot cannot be described in a short space. When the train moved off, the cheering was renewed, and another hundred men had gone, making a total of 465 men sent from Dayton in response to the first call for three months' enlistments. Upon the arrival at Columbus, the first three Dayton companies were assigned to the First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as follows : Lafayette Guards as Company B (German), Dayton Light Guards as Company C (color company), Montgomery Guards as Company D (Irish).

This regiment and the Second Ohio were ordered and started, by railroad to Washington on Friday, April 19. They had the usual experience of raw troops, whose first duty always seems to be grumbling at the imaginary poor grub and hard beds. They were detained at Harrisburg for a few days, where the time was occupied in drilling and writing letters home. They then moved to Lancaster to be armed and equipped, thence to Washington and their first fight at Vienna. At the battle of Bull Run they covered themselves with glory, and in the retreat of the army the regiment was in the brigade under Gen. R. C. Schenck. Their term of enlistment having expired. they were discharged, and reached Dayton Friday evening, August 3. They were received at the depot by the militia companies, fire department and a vast concourse of citizens, with shouts of welcome, patriotic speeches and salutes by the artillery, escorted to the court house and dismissed. each mail to narrate again and again to his friends his three months experience in Uncle Sam's army. The great demonstration was enthusiastic in the extreme a just tribute to their gallantry. They were the heroes of the hour and their homes the center of attraction, and the petted soldiers felt their importance. A good store was told on one of them. living in a prominent corner house up town. He asked his mother and insisted that his bed should be placed in the yard under the trees, as he had been so used to sleeping out doors that he could not rest in the house. He soon got over that after his comrades heard of it.

The "Dayton Riflemen" and the "Anderson Guard" were ordered to Camp Jackson, within the limits of the city of Columbus, and on the formation of the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry were assigned to that regiment. the riflemen as Company , and the Guards as Company G. and commenced drill, and complain of the terrible grub-no soft bread, no butter; it was awful. Then they expected to be in battle within a day or two after leaving home. and were disappointed. Washington was safe and the first danger had passed. The Government determined to hold these troops in Ohio as a reserve, and for more perfect organization the regiment. with others, was ordered to a point oil Little Miami River. distant fifteen miles from Cincinnati, where they assisted in the arranging and construction of' Camp Dennison. All of the thirteen Ohio regiments (except the First and Second) that were organized under the President's first call for troops were stationed here, and were kept constantly drilling for the next six or seven weeks, when they were reorganized for the three years' service. June 20, the Eleventh Regiment was re-organized, Company A re-enlisting for the three years' service. A portion of Company G returned to Dayton, the rest enlisting in other companies and regiments.

With the necessity for soldiers came the need of furnishing them with various articles of clothing, and the little conveniences which fair and wilting hands knew so well how to bring into existence from the storehouses devoted to the cause. Meetings were held at all available places ; churches and ladies' societies took the work in hand, and the manufacture of shirts, socks, clothing, blankets, etc., was entered into with spirit. The departing soldiers were well supplied. and especial care was taken also to look after the needs of their families. Large sums of money were raised by private subscription ; the City Council and the Board of County Commissioners appropriated $10,000 each, for the relief of soldiers' families ; societies and incorporated companies of all kinds, also the fire department. contributed liberally from their resources, and certainly neither the volunteers nor their families had cause to complain that they were not comfortably provided for. Not only was this the case in the beginning. but throughout the entire term of strife. Day-

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ton and the noble county around her, won the lasting gratitude of the soldier boys and their families, and there is to-day a feeling of pride at the recollection of duties performed when the war-cloud hung darkly over the land.

On the evening of Tuesday, April 16, 1861, the "Zouave Rangers," a thoroughly armed and equipped organization, passed a resolution as follows Resolved, That the Zouave Rangers of Dayton tender their services to the Governor of Ohio, as a home-guard, to do services within the limits of the State only." The company was accepted by the Governor, and departed for Columbus on the evening of the 22d of April. Remaining at that point for some time, doing garrison duty, they were stationed as a guard at the east end of the Marietta Railroad, and after three months of service, returned to Dayton on the 25th of July. The Buckeye Guard " opened its armory and recruiting lists at Brown's Hall, on Third street, April 24, in view of being ready as soon as another company should be accepted. Having become fully organized, they tendered their services on the 29^th, and were at once accepted. They left for Hamilton, eighty-seven strong, on the 2d of May, and going into camp at that city, remained until the 20th of the same month, when they returned to Dayton to recruit for the three years' service.

Numerous companies and regiments from other points in Ohio, and from different States, passed through Dayton during the first three months of the war, over the railways, and the Committees, who made it their duty to look after those mat ters, gathered provisions as speedily as possible, and taking them to the depot, furnished the men with good lunches. These Committees were composed principality, of landies, who were very active on such occasions, looking after the comfort of the strangers on their way to the front, or to points of rendezvous, with great care. Many pleasant acquaintances were thus formed, which were continued by correspondence during the war. On the 21st of May, the First Ohio Regimental Band left Dayton to join the regiment at Philadelphia. A purse of $100 in gold was presented to it by friends as the cars were on the point of starting.

There were but few enlistments in the navy from this locality. The recruiting for three years' service began in May, 1861. Several distinguished officers were from Dayton. At the outbreak of the rebellion, R. C. Schenck tendered his services to the President. and was at once appointed Brigadier General and rendered distinguished services, for which be was promoted to the rank of Major General. In December, 1863, he resigned to take his seat in Congress.

George Crook, who was born near Dayton, graduated at West Point in 1852, served in the Western army until the war broke out; in August, 1861, was appointed Colonel of the Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and in the spring of 1862 was placed in command of a brigade in the Army of West Virginia. In July of the same year, his brigade, as a part of the celebrated Kanawha Division, was transferred d to the Army of the Potomac. For distnguished services, he was commissioned Brigadier General of Volunteers. July 20, 1864, he was brevetted Major General " for gallantry and efficient services,' and about January, 1865, was promoted to full Major General of Volunteers, in which capacity he served through the war and was mustered out on the 15th clay of January, 1866, and ordered to his regiment in the regular army as Lieutenant Colonel, and has since been promoted to full Brigadier General in the United States Army.

The " Buckeye Guard" opened recruiting lists for three years' service, unless sooner discharged, on the morning of the 20th of May, and ten days later moved by rail to Camp Jackson. Fifty Dayton men were in this company, which was afterward transferred to Camp Chase, four miles east of Columbus, and assigned to the Twenty--ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Twenty-five men who had enlisted to serve three years in Company A, Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, left to join that company at Camp Dennison May 29. The company was re-organized for the three years service on the 15th of June, retaining its position in the regiment. It contained seventy Dayton men. On the latter date the " Union Guard " established an armory in the hall at the southwest corner of Market and Jefferson

410 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

streets. and on the 26th began recruiting for the three years service. It was fully organized, and mustered into service at Camp Dennison, as Company I, Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, June 29 ; the company contained twenty-five Dayton men, the rest were from the townships of Montgomery County. and some from the counties of Preble, Greene and Darke.

Twenty men for the First Ohio Battery were recruited at Dayton July 6, 1861, and were soon taken to Camp Dennison. where the battery was organized. Frorn, its peculiar service and equipment during its first year's service, it was always known as the " Jackass Battery." A recruiting office for United States regular army was opened at Dayton. July 25, 1861. and continued through the war. About one hundred men were enlisted therein, being assigned principally to the Fifteenth, Eighteenth and Nineteenth United States Infantry. The term of service had been reduced by Congress from five to three years.

August 5, recruiting for the First Ohio Infantry for the three years' service began. On the 19th the site for a military camp was selected two and one-half miles east of Dayton. on the hill. just south of where the Cleveland, Columbus. Cincinnati & Indianapolis and Dayton & Southeastern Railroads now cross the Springfield Pike. The camp was given the name of " Camp Corwin." August 20, a company, of sixty-five men marched in from the northern part of the county and camped it the fair grounds. In the town. all was military excitement. There were twelve recruiting offices. four raising companies for the First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, two for the regular army, one for cavalry. one for the Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer infantry, a company of sharpshooters for the Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, an independent company, one company for the Forty-fourth Ohio Infantry and one for the Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. August 23, the first three companies. numbering in the aggregate 200 men, marched to Camp Corwin. August 26. General Order No. 7 was issued, and military duty began. September 3. the Dayton Cavalry Company was ordered to Camp Corwin. The next, two months were devoted to drilling and organization. Saturday. October 12, notice was received that the Government could not supply the regiment with blankets. meeting was called at once, and on Monday 1,000 blankets. besides shirts. socks, etc., were distributed to the men. Thus nobly did the patriotic people respond to the call for aid. October 31, at 8:30 A. M.. the regiment marched in from Camp Corwin and boarded the train at the Union depot. They were a fine body of men; four companies were from Dayton Company B, 100 Dayton men : Company C 80 Dayton men Company E. 60 Dayton men; Company F. 100 Dayton men.

The streets were crowded with people. who marched to the depot with the men. where wives. sisters, children and friends bade them a tearful farewell. Camp Corwin was discontinued. August 7. recruiting commenced fur a company for the Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. As soon as a squad was accepted, it was forwarded to the regimental camp at Hamilton. and assigned as Company H. In the company there were forty-five Dayton men. August 20. an office was opened at the northeast corner of Ludlow and Third streets to recruit a company for the Fourth Regiment Ohio Cavalry. September 20, the company went to Camp Gurley. where they were mounted. equipped and drilled November 23 the regiment moved to Camp Dennison. and to the front on December 6. The company contained about fifty Dayton men. August 20, an office was opened to recruit a company of sharpshooters that were afterward assigned to the Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. There was great delay in the organization. October 10, the company left, forty of the men being from Dayton. They went to Camp Hamilton, thence to Missouri. August 22, recruiting was began for a company for the Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. About thirty Dayton men were received, who were forwarded to the regimental headquarters at Camp Dennison from whence the regiment, as soon as organized was moved to Kentucky.

September 12. the Citizens Relief Committee. that had been in active service since the commencement of the war. held its final meeting, when the business was

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. - 411

turned over to the County Commissioners. September 19, an officers' tent was pitched on the court house lot as a recruiting office for a company to join the Thirty-fifth Indiana Regiment. Twenty recruits were secured the first day, and in the latter part of November the company was moved to the headquarters of the regiment in Indiana. There were about forty Dayton men. September 19, a recruiting office was opened for the purpose of organizing a company for the Forty-fourth Ohio Infantry. The regimental headquarters were at Springfield. As fast as recruits were received, they were forwarded to thatpoint. Within thirty clays the company was filled. there being about twenty-five men from Dayton. Immediately after the departure of the three months' troops in April, 1861. militia companies were formed. Each ward had its own company of " Home Guard." Then a company called the State Guard was formed by sixty of our most prominent gentlemen over forty-five years of age. The remaining members of each of the three companies, that were assigned to the First Regiment, organized what they called Company B of each of their companies. Members of the Society of Turners formed themselves into the Dayton " Yagers." There were two cavalry companies and one of artillery. The Ohio Guard, Oregon Home Guard, the Dayton Grays were again revived. The Franklin Invincibles, a company of " minute men, the Dayton Forcibles, National Guard, the Union Reserve Guard, Harrison Rangers, Slemmer Guard, McClellan Guard. and Franklin Zouaves. The parades, drills. festivals and picnics of these companies kept the people busy sightseeing as a relief from the more exciting news from the army.

A military committee for Montgomery County was appointed by the Governor, October 15, 1861, and to it was given charge of recruiting and organization, and all other military matters, and control of affairs generally, so far as the interests of the State and Government were concerned. The names of the gentlemen who served on this committee are as follows : E. S. Young, Daniel A. Haynes, James Turner, T. A. Phillips, Henry Fowler, Robert W. Steele, Thomas J. S. Smith, J. Grove Stutsman, Thomas B. Tilton. The Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry had a recruiting office at Froslin flail, while that of a company of sharpshooters was at Walden's Hall, on East Fifth street. A squad of twenty-seven Dayton men left October 17, for Benton Barracks, Missouri, where they were assigned to the regiment of western sharpshooters. Twenty-three more men from Dayton joined them in October and November. while the county at large and the counties adjoining furnished men for the same company. December 13, at the regimental organization, they were assigned as Company G ; they were armed with American target rifles without bayonets, and equipped with bear-skin pouch. powder horn, squirrel tail cap, blue coat and blue pants. After a time spent in skirmishing in Missouri, the regiment was sent up the Cumberland River, thence to Pittsburg Landing. By order of the Secretary of War, the name of the regiment was changed. April 1, 1862, to the Fourteenth Missouri, and after the close of the movement around Corinth, Miss., in the fall of 1862, the Secretary of War issued an order changing its name to the Sixty-sixth Illinois, which was retained throughout the war. The command saw aetive service, participating in the campaigns from Tuscumbia Bridge, February 3, 1863, to Whiteside's Farm, September 9, 1863. In January, 1864, 471) of the men re-enlisted, going home for a thirty days veteran furlough on the 28th of that month. March 3, 1864, they re-organized at Joliet, Ill., and sere sent forward to the army in time to participate in the great Atlanta campaign, having been assigned to the Second Division of the Sixteenth Corps, and afterward to the Fifteenth Corps. The regiment lost 225 men in killed. wounded and missing in 120 days ; subsequently went with Sherman on his march to the sea, and was with Hazen at the storming of Fort McAllister, near Savannah, when a line of supplies from the boats was opened up and the way of the victori ous Union army was not longer disputed in that direction. The time of several members of Company G expired December 18. 1864, and they returned to Dayton from before Savannah. January 7, 1865. Those remaining were reviewed with

412 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

their command by Gen. Sherman and others. Starting oil the homeward march from Raleigh. N. C., April 29. 1865, they arrived at Washington on the 24th of May, and at that cite' participated in the grand review of Sherman's army. June 3, they started for Louisville, Ky.. where they arrived on the 7th, were mustered out, deposited the regimental colors at Springfield. Ill.. were paid. and returned to their homes with all the honors of war upon them.

During October, November and December, 1861, the military committee collected by contribution from the citizens of Dayton and the country a large number of blankets. shirts, socks. and other clothing to be sent to the soldiers in the field. The Soldiers' Aid Society at Dayton did their share of this good work. and continued their efforts through the winter. regularly sending supplies to the Dayton boys in the field. Fairs and festivals were held and every means taken to assure the comfort of the volunteers and their families. About December 1, 1861. the cornpany raised for the Seventy-Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry was sent to Camp John McLean, near Cincinnati: it contained twenty-five Dayton men. The regiment was organized December 18. 1861. and sent to West Virginia.

The Adjutant, General of Ohio urged the " instant earnest and combined efforts of officers. committees. and patriotic citizens in recruiting, thus to enable Ohio to send 35,000 more men to the array that was to operate against Nashville and New Orleans." Within the month, of November and December, 1861, and during the year 1863. many recruiting offices were opened in Dayton. end as fast as companies were organized they were I'orwarded to the following, regiments in order given. The Fifty-eighth. Sixty-ninth and Seveinty-first Ohio Infantry. The Eighth Ohio Battery, Sixty-first. Fifty-second, Eighty-fourth Eighty-sixth, Ninty-third, Fiftieth. One Hundred and Sixth. One Hundred and Eighth, One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Infantry. Second Ohio Cavalry. Sixty-third Ohio Infantry, and the Seventeenth Ohio Battery. The company for the Fifty-eighth was recruited as a German company. In it were ninety-fire Dayton men. They were sent to Camp Chase as fast as enlisted. where the regiment was organized and drilled, and on February 11 sent to the field. Recruiting began November 2, 1861, for the Sixty-ninth Ohio. There seven Dayton men enlisted for Company G., and sent to Camp Hamilton. where the, regiment organized and was sent to the field on the 19th of April. In November there were enlisted twelve men in Dayton for the Seventh-first, then being organized nt a camp near Troy where they remained until ordered. February 10. to Paducah.

November 1. recruiting began fur the Eighth Ohio Battery. By January 1, thirty Dayton men had enlisted and been taken to camp at Troy. where they re mained until in February, when they were moved to Camp Dennison. The battery organized and received auras and complete equipment. March 33. they were moved to Benton Barracks. Mo., thence to Pittsburg Landing, During the winter the Sixty-first was organized at Camp Chase. There were twenty Dayton ton men enlisted in the regiment. The rendezvous for the Fifty-second Ohio was at Camp Dennison. Recruiting was slow from May 10 to August 15, the date of the organization of the regiment. August 25, at sunrise; they left for Kentucky. In passing through Cincinnati, they were presented with beautiful regimental colors by the citizens. There were twelve Davton men in the regiment. Four Dayton boys at Oxford College enlisted in the Eighty-sixth Ohio. a three: months' regiment organized by Gov. Tod as part of a re-enforcement to be sent to Gen. Banks in the Shenandoah Valley. They were organized_ at Camp Chase, and sent to Clarksburg, W. Va., on the 6th of June, 1862. Twenty-six men were enlisted in one of the tents on the court house lot for three months' service in the Eighty-fourth Ohio Infantry.

In July; the State had been divided into eleven military districts. Montgomery County was included in the Fourth District. One of the regiments to be raised was the Ninety-third. to rendezvous at Camp Dayton (afterward located at the fair grounds at the lower end of Main street). Meetings were held in all of

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. - 413

the townships and in Dayton during July and August, to assist in filling up the regiment. There were four Dayton companies-A, I, G and K. 300 of the men were from Dayton. The aid societies again brought their efforts into requisition for the benefit of the volunteers and their families; recruiting offices were opened in tents on the court house lot and in buildings in all parts of the city. The military spirit of the people was again aroused in response to the call for troops. Citizens' committees were appointed in all the wards, and nightly meetings were held to aid the officers in filling the ranks. The streets were used for Company and squad drill. Monday morning. August 11, the companies began to assemble. and during the week nine companies were in camp and regular military duty began. Citizens from all over the district visited the camp, carrying supplies of all kinds to the soldiers. The young ladies of Dayton presented the regiment with a handsome. stand of colors. The organization left by. rail for Lexington, Ky., on the afternoon of Saturday. August 33.

The Fiftieth Ohio contained twenty Dayton men, and was recruited between November. 1861. and August, 1862. It was at first intended to make it an Irish regiment. but the idea was finally abandoned. and the rnuster-in occurred at Camp Dennison on the 27th of August, 1862. Fifteen Dayton men enlisted in the Seventeenth Ohio Battery, which commenced recruiting in the city in August, 1862, in one of the nine tents on the court louse lot, and on Sunday. August 24, were ordered to Camp Dayton. A few days afterward, they were sent to Cincinnati and equipped. and on the 3d of September were forwarded to the field. In July and August, the portion of a German company was recruited in Dayton for the One Hundred and Sixth Ohio Infantry. In it there were fifteen Dayton men. The regiment was organized at Camp Dennison and sent to the field September 4. The One Hundred and Eighth Ohio was also a German regiment. The recruiting office here was one of the tents on the court house lot. where forty-three men were enlisted for Company E. It was intended to organize the regiment at Camp Dennison. but the Kirby Smith raid hurried them to Kentucky.

In August, one of the tents at the court house was used to recruit a company for the Second Ohio Cavalry. A battalion was organized at Camp Dennison, and October 14 they were sent to Kentucky. serving in that State until the latter part of March. 1863, when the four companies joined the other eight companies of the regiment near Lexington. There were thirty-seven Dayton men in the regiment. In August, 1862, the military committee authorized the organization of a company that was afterward assigned to the Sixty-third Ohio, first they went to Camp Dayton. then back of Covington, Ky., is the defense of Cincinnati against Kirby Smith. and on the 5th of November joined the regiment near Grand Junction, Miss. There were twenty-five Dayton men in the company. Ten rnen were recruited on the court house lot for the Eighty-fourth Ohio. but afterward, in December, 1862, were assigned to the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, then at Camp Taylor, near Cleveland. January 1, 1863, the regiment was ordered to the front. In August, 186'2. a new company was needed for the old Eleventh Ohio Infantry. In one of the tents at the court house recruiting lists were opened, and a number of men enlisted for that splendid regiment. Dayton furnished twenty of the new men, and they were assigned as Company 1. Thus ended recruiting for the year 1862.

Through the tall, several companies from this and other counties were at Camp Dayton. An effort was made to organize the One Hundred and Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but failed. City and county bonds were issued in large amounts to raise money for soldiers anti their families. Soldiers passing to the front, or the wounded coming from the field. were met at the depot by our ladies with provisions and delicacies for their comfort and relief. Additional "Soldiers' Aid Societies" had been organized throughout the city, and in fact for the last six months scarcely anything was done but to assist in organizing and supplying the soldiers and their families. The citizens' committee had raised $20,077.75 by

414 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

subscription within two weeks' time. August 19, the military committee began arranging for the first draft. On the 22d. formal notice was given that it would occur on Wednesday, September 3. Then began the fun ; men of all parties, creeds and conditions began maneuvering for exemption. By their own accounts, our people of all ages were sadly afflicted, and getting, no Better fast. The boys in the field were laughing at their brothers. fathers and sons at home, wishing that they would he drafted. Each ward in the city had funds in the hands of a committee with which to get substitutes and volunteers credited to their respective; wards, and thus free them from the dreadful draft. September 3. The time was extended to the kith. then again to October 1, at which time it took place for all townships that had not furnished their full share of volunteers. The city, I believe, was clear.

Kirby Smith's advance upon Cincinnati thoroughly aroused the citizens of Ohio to the dangers of and destruction by an invading enemy. The militia and citizens generally turned out in great numbers. and marched overland on foot. horseback or in conveyances. and by railroad, to the defense of oar border, and especially Cincinnati.

In the early fall of 1862, the people of Ohio were subjected to a bad scare. The national arms had been defeated at Richmond, Ky., and there was conclusive evidence that the rebels intended pushing northward a. far as the Ohio River. and would probably invade Ohio and Indiana. It was a time for action, and men of nerve were not found wanting. On the 2d of September, Gov. Tod called upon the citizens of Ohio to arm and organize themselves and pro ceed by rail to Cincinnati for the defense of the State. The alarm was sounded far and near: bells were rung, guns fired, and mounted men galloped swiftly over the country to arouse those beyond the immediate spread of the news. Old guns were cleaned up, ammunition was purchased, neighborhoods every where rallied at given points at cross-roads. in schoolhouses. churches, blacksmith shops, or where it happened-and teus of thousands of men, known a. "the squirrel-hunters," armed with rifle, powder-horn and bullet-pouch, wearing homespun garments and having blankets slung across their shoulders, re sponded to the call and proceeded as rapidly as possible to Cincinnati, while many anxious hearts at. home beat with fear of what the futuro might develop, yet with pride at the patriotism of their loved defenders. The men, on their arrival at Cincinnati. were marched through the city and across the river on a ponton bridge. finally halting :n the fortifications in the rear of Coyington, Ky.

The citizens of Dayton responded with great alacrity to the. Governor's call. and on the morning after it was received (September 3), sent three companies of 100 men each to Cincinnati. Companies were formed in each of the wards. The Germans met in Beckel Hall. and Irishmen were called together at Hibernia Hall. At each place. a battalion was organized, making in all thirteen companies of infantry and one company of cavalry. All citizens were requested to bring to headquarters rifles and shot-guns for the use of the companies. Armories and halls were open in the afternoon and at night for drill. The streets were used by companies and squads. Factories and stores closed at 4 P. M., so that all could drill. The three companies that were sent to Cincinnati, after several days' duty in the city, were assigned to the First Regiment Ohio Militia, and ordered to North Bend to guard twenty miles of river front. They established " Camp Harrison '' above the mouth of the Big Miami. Being unused to camp life and Government rations. and having no cooks, they did not at first enjoy the service. A company styled the "Body Guard," formed by thirty Dayton gentlemen, who, had arined themselves with fine army rifles. reported at Camp Harrison, where then remained during the ''siege." On the 17th day of September, after two weeks' service, all returned to Dayton.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. - 415

A good story is told on a member of one of the companies, who was putting on the airs of a veteran. His wife and children had prepared a good dinner, it being the first meal after the father had returned. They sat down to chicken, potatoes, etc., etc. He got up from the table, turned up his nose, walked to the grocery, bought some beans and side meat, took them home and said to his wife. " Nett, there is the kind of dinner a soldier wants."

The principal aid societies were the Soldiers' Aid Societies Nos. 1 and 2, and the Soldiers' Aid Society of Oregon, and two aid societies whose members were little girls. The churches all had auxiliary societies. All were busy day and night providing for our own men and the many companies passing through. Sometimes there would be trains carrying 1,200 or 1,500 men. The ladies were always ready to serve coffee and a good lunch at the depot, receiving the thanks of the soldiers and "God bless the Dayton people." September 15, .some excitement was occasioned by the report that there was a party of rebel spies in town that day. A squad of ten mounted men was started in pursuit, going north on the Covington pike. thence west to Euphemia, near which place the spies were captured and taken to Richmond, Ind., and turned over to the Provost, Marshal.

Four companies of infantry were then at Camp Dayton which had been recruited for the, One Hundred and Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and on the 12th of September. three of these companies were ordered to Camp Shaler, four miles south of Covington. Ky.. where they remained until the 2d of October. On the latter date. they returned to Camp Dayton, and were afterward assigned to the Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On the 1st of September 1862, a draft was ordered to fill the quotas of the respective counties, but it was postponed to the With. The number required from each township and ward was sent to the Draft Commissioners by the Governor on the 12th of September the list being as follows: Madison Township, 62; Jefferson, 64; Jackson, 79: Perry. 66: Clay, 54; Randolph, 63; Wayne, 23; Butler. 44; Washington. 39: German, 69; Miami, 94; Harrison, 21: Mad River, 22; Van Buren 38: First Ward. Dayton. none: Second Ward, none; Third Ward, 12; Fourth Ward, 5: Fifth and Sixth Wards, none. Substitutes and exemptions were almost frantically sought after. The townships were left to take care of themselves while the city endeavored to free the two wards. Large sums were paid to those who enlisted as substitutes. In the city, 226 persons claimed exemption. and of that number, 178 were allowed. Everybody was excited; agents were at work with pockets full of money, and on the day of the draft (October 1) it was found that Dayton and the township of Mad River were free. The other townships recruited but little, and nearly the full numbers shown above were drafted in them. The men were assembled at Camp Dayton. and taken from there to Camp Dennison, where they were organized into companies and regiments.

In December, 1862, twenty-two men were recruited here for the One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, then organizing at Camp Dennison. December 27. they were ordered to Louisville, Ky., where they remained on duty for a month. then were moved out thirty miles on the Nashville Railroad, and, after three weeks. returned to Louisville and took boats for Nashville, and were assigned to Gilbert's division. The regiment received a bloody baptism at Chickamauga. losing 138 officers and men. January, 1863, an offiepr of the Tenth Tennessee Infantry came to Dayton to organize a brass band for the regiment, then stationed at Nashville and known as Gov. Andrew Johnson's "body guard." Seven men were recruited for the band in Dayton and ten from Germantown. They were stationed at Nashville until April, 1865, then sent to Greenville; were mustered out at Knoxville June 20, 1865, paid off at Nashville and came home.

416 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

An enthusiastic demonstration occurred in Dayton on Saturday, April 6, 1863, when 142 loads of wood for soldiers' families were brought into the city by the farmers from all sections of the county. Large quantities of provisions were also donated, both by the farmers and by citizens of Dayton. May 6. 1863, martial law was proclaimed in Montgomery County, and a company of the One Hundred and Seventeenth Ohio Infantry was stationed at Dayton. May 27, a tent was pitched on the court house lot, and recruiting began for Company li, First Regiment Ohio Heavy Artillery. The company, when organized, consisted of 152 men. Fifty Dayton men enlisted. In August, the company joined the regiment at Coyington, Ky., and assisted in the construction of the extensive earthworks in a circle of eight miles around Covington and Newport, thus making Cincinnati one of the strongest fortified cities in the land. The regiment was armed and drilled as infantry, and served as such the greater part of the time. Company K was assigned to provost duty in Covington; afterward, was stationed at Camp Nelson, with Companies H, L and M. Ten recruits were scant from Dayton. In March, 1864, the regiment marched over the mountains through the heavy snow to Knoxville, and from that time until July 14, 1865, the date of their discharge. they were in active field service.

Four companies of Ohio State militia ,were organized in Dayton in May and June, 1.863. On the 21st of the latter month, the county was relieved from martial law, and a military post was e established in the city: and oil the 26th, recruiting began for a cavalry company for six months' service. Headquarters were in a tent at the court house. In another of these tents a recruiting office was opened, July 2. for Company C. Second Regiment Ohio Heavy Artillery. Eleven Dayton men enlisted, proceeded to Camp Dennison, thence to Coyington, where the company was mustered in on the 26th of August. The battery was ordered to Fort Smith at Bowling Green. Ky.. where it was on duty until May ti, 1864, when it moved to Charleston, Tenn. August 18, Wheeler's rebel cavalry attacked the post and were repulsed. The battery. with Gen. Steedman's column. pursued. October 9, the batter battery moved to port Saunders and Knoxville: November 18. moved with the forces under Gen. Tillson to open communication with the troops. then in a critical situation at Strawberry Plains. In two days, it returned to Knoxville : December marched under Gen. Ammen to Bean's Station. Tenn., and returned to Knoxville on the 20th, thence to London, Tenn.. which place it secured January 11, 1865, where it remained until August 23, when it was taken to Nashville and mustered out. August 29 the men arrived at Camp Chase, where they were paid and discharged.

The 4th of July, 1863, was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Dayton and excitement ran high over the good news that the Union arms had been successful at Gettysburg. On the following day came the news of the fall of Vicksburg, and a large meeting for rejoicing was held at the court house.

Under the militia law, each ward in the city was, on the 9th of July, divided into three "military districts," and each district was required to organize a company of militia, and July 15, each company elected its officers. These organizations were dubbed "Flat Foots." Early in July, the famous Morgan raid began. On the 8th, the rebel cavalry crossed the Ohio River and were advancing through Indiana. Their movements were rapid. All kinds of reports were in circulation, and telegraphed all over the country; every town in Southern Ohio expected to be laid in ashes. The militia were hastily gathered. July 12, Gov. Tod ordered out the militia, and the companies from this county were ordered to Camp Dennison. July 13, the Mayor of Dayton issued a proclamation requesting the suspension of all business, and that the citizens

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would assemble at the engine houses to organize companies to be sent to Hamilton. l ton.

The Military Committee appealed to the people to arm themselves for defense. Silverware and valuables were buried or sent North, horses were also run North for security. The two infantry companies that were stationed here one of them mounted were sent to Hamilton. Those. of our citizens who had horses and could get guns were organized into a company of scouts and sent to the front to patrol the country roads. They reached Middletown at night, and scoured the territory as far west as Winchester. At one place they were taken for Morgan raiders. They returned to Dayton on the evening of the 14th. The recruits for the six-months cavalry company organized and started in the pursuit and captured fifteen of the rebels, turned them over to Gen. Burnside and returned to Dayton on the 15^th. On the 17th, the militia companies returned from Hamilton, and the big scare was over. White the militia were gone, all remaining able bodied men were organized into companies and squads for defense. Pickets were thrown out on all the roads. The town was thoroughly patrolled. The butchers coming to market were terribly frightened at the challenge, " Who goes there? " The "outpost " down the river road was re-enforced and held in line of battle behind the fence till daylight, only to find that its cause of alarm was three cows feeding along the road. The companies that were sent to Hamilton were poorly armed and had no ammunition. The horses for an artillery company were being taken overland from Findlav to Cincinnati. and halted near the suburbs of Dayton. One of the men. strolling through the town, was picked up as a rebel spy. but was soon released.

The six-months cavalry company was recruited in August and September, 1863, and assigned to the Fourth Ohio Independent Battalion. In this company were ninety Dayton men. They were mustered into service at Cincinnati. and left Covington September 16 for the interior of Kentucky. For the next eight months, they were kept continually scouting. After their time had for two months expired, they were returned to Cincinnati and mustered out of the service. In September, five men were recruited in Dayton for the Twelfth Ohio Cavalrv. which regiment was organized at Camp Taylor. near Cleveland. On the l 10th of September. 1863, the " Flat Foots " went into camp at Camp Miami. near Piqua, where the' remained two days, and had as much experience, to let them tell it, as the veterans of three years. On the 7th of November following. another large wood procession was formed in Dayton by the farmers, 350 loads of wood and provisions being; in line. The boys of the city afterward organized themselves into clubs, bearing such euphonious titles as " Miami City Club," " Oregon Bucks," " West-Enders," "Central Club," "California Tigers," "Oregon Champions," "Frenchtown Rangers." Independent Rangers," " Water Street Backs," " Bucklot Rangers," "Buckeye Rangers," etc., for the purpose of sawing on the wood brought in for soldiers' families. The clubs were formed into a regiment. and they marched by companies through the streets, bearing their saws, bucks and axes, and whenever a pile of wood was found at a soldier's door it was speedily worked up ready for the stove. A grand "bazar" was opened in the Beckel House on the evening of December 23, 1863, and continued until the night of January 4, 1864. It was arranged by committees from the numerous Soldiers' Aid Societies of the city, and donations came from all directions. It was a complete success, the not proceeds amounting to about $20,000.

During the first four months of 1864, most of the regiments in which Dayton men had enlisted were re-enlisted as veterans for three years longer, and were returned to their homes on a thirty-days' furlough. Heartily were they

422 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

welcomed by friends and family; the people all treated them with the respect they deserved, and the boys greatly enjoyed the rest and relief from camp duty. The members of the different companies took advantage of the efforts of the citizens to enlist. men enough to free the city from the draft, and tried to secure the recruits for their own regiments. In this way there were about eighty Dayton men enlisted for old regiments and taken to the front. As the spring opened, it became apparent to all that the crisis of the war was approaching. The great number of men in the field, and the President's call for more, was a serious matter by reason of the great financial strain as well as taking an additional number of men from every community. In Dayton. the fear of the draft and a desire to aid the Government caused the renewal of the efforts of the previous year to recruit men for the army. Large bounties were offered. Wards and townships placed their money in the hands of brokers, to be used anywhere to secure men to be credited to them. Many who were not liable to military duty by reason of old age or other physical disability, had men enlisted to represent them in the war. May 11, the draft occurred. The whole county was clear except the First Ward and Mad River Township. In the former there were. twenty-four drafted, and in the latter twenty-one. Before the men were ordered to report. the ward had secured men enough to free it self, and Dayton had once more sent her quota to the front. The recruiting agents were generally located at or near the "Ohio Block." on Third street, just west of the canal, where the Provost Marshal had his office, and where the terrible draft machine was kept.

Men from Dayton, by the 1st of May, 1864, were with Grant before Richmond, Sherman in Georgia. Crook in the mountains of West Virginia, Hunter in the Shenandoah Valley, Banks in the Red River region at Knoxville, Charleston Harbor and in Florida. Great anxiety was manifested by all at home. for from the front came news of serious casualties almost everv day, and the battle-scarred remains of gallant soldiers were often sent home for burial. The papers were eagerly scanned for news. With fear and trembling, the details of every battle were sought for. The true history of the woe in the land can never be told. The grief of a family but added to the anxiety of the neighbors.

The call for the 100-days men was a genuine sensation. Our merchants, manufacturers. lawyers, doctors, preachers. bankers and farmers had organized Companies of "Home Guards," that were assigned to State regiments of militia. April 25, these companies and regiment were ordered out by Gov. Brough for 100 days' service in the Union army. This call caused many hardships and much suffering. but the prompt response of the men showed that they had learned the most valuable lesson to the soldier--obedience to orders. May 2, the Dayton companies, with the other companies from the townships composing the Second Regiment, and several companies of the Twelfth Regiment Ohio Militia, assembled at " Camp Lowe." at the lower end of Main street. May 4, they were furloughed until the 10th, when they again assembled. and were regularly mustered into the United States service. When the companies from the townships came through the city on their way to camp, they were accompanied by their wives and families, sweethearts and friends, in carriages, wagons, horseback and on foot. They, with our townspeople, formed a large escort for the boys from the camp through the town and back to the depot. The companies were taken by rail to Camp Chase, where the two battalions were consolidated, forming the One Hundred and Thirty-first Regiment Ohio National Guard. The four Dayton companies were assigned as A, B, C and D, amounting in the aggregate to 365 Dayton men. May 15, the regiment was ordered to Baltimore for garrison duty in the United States forts near the city,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. - 423

where they remained until August 19, when they returned to Camp Chase and were mustered out August 25.

About twenty of the colored citizens of Dayton enlisted, but were scattered in the regiments of other States. They served principally in Charleston Harbor and before Petersburg and Richmond, and on their record as soldiers there is no stain. The First Regiment of United States Veteran Volunteer Engineers was organized early in September, 1864, from the pioneer brigade, the term of the latter having expired. This regiment consisted of three battalions whose post was at the front, where they were engaged as pioneers and pontoniers, building fortifications, bridges. etc. Eighteen Dayton men enlisted in September, 1861, at the " Ohio Block" for a term of one year. They were taken to Camp Chase and assigned to Company K, One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Their regiment reached Nashville on the 8th of October, and was assigned to the Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Twentieth Army Corps, participating in the battle at Nashville December 15 and 16, and remaining on duty at that point until discharged, June 18, 1865.

Means for escaping a draft were devised after the President's call for 500,000 men in Julv, 1864, but, after strenuous efforts, four of the wards of Dayton and four of the townships failed to fill, and the following draft was made double the number required, but so ordered that a sufficient number of men for the front should be insured: First Ward, Dayton, 48 men; Fourth Ward, 64: Fifth Ward. 86: Sixth Ward. 76; Miami Township, 94; German Township, 50: Mad River Township, 52: Harrison Township, 54

Some of the most prominent men of the town were in the list. However, money enough was raised after the draft to send agents to the large cities, where enough substitutes were enlisted to clear the county. From the time the call was issued until the day of the draft, it is estimated that about ninety Dayton men were enlisted and sent to the field.

In October. $300 had been raised to buy a small cannon, with which to assist in the celebration of Union victories. A committee purchased the little steel gun now in use, paying for it 5160, It was first used in fining a salute on the levee, Monday evening. September 14, 1864, by the veterans of the First Ohio (Jackass) Battery. At that time, the gun was called "Uncle Joe." The different aid societies were constantly busy preparing and forwarding supplies to the army and to the Sanitary Commission. In November, a special call was made upon Dayton for lint, and bandages. A meeting was called for Friday evening, November 18. Soliciting committees were appointed, that were active through the whole winter in soliciting such supplies. Immense quantities were sent to the designated places, not only by the regular societies, but by individuals and clubs of young people. The Governor, by proclamation, set apart Saturday, November 26. as a day for contributions to the fund for the relief of soldiers' families. Dayton responded with a subscription of $10,000, and quantities of provisions and other supplies. The townships each raised money, fuel and produce as their share toward the comfort of our soldiers' families. Thus again did our people nobly fulfill their pledges.

December 21. another call was issued for 300,000 troops, of which Ohio was to furnish ten regiments. The quota of Montgomery County was 598; of Dayton, 200. Recruiting at once began in earnest. People of all classes were interested, from patriotic motives, as it was well understood that the rebellion was on its last legs. Sherman's march to the sea, Thomas at Nashville, Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, Grant at Richmond and Foster in South Carolina, had demonstrated that the end was near. Men were recruited in Dayton for five of the new one year regiments; the One Hundred and Eighty-fourth, 6 men; the One Hundred and Eighty-sixth, 5 men; the One Hundred and

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Eighty-seventh, 10 men; One Hundred and Eighty-eighth, 5 men; Company K, One Hundred and Eighty-ninth, 25 men. These regiments were all organized at Camp Chase. within the first five days of March. 1865. and were sent immediately to Nashville. Recruiting was continued in Dayton. Large bounties were offered. Men were allowed to choose their regiments, and enlist for either one, two or three years. With these inducements, many of the returned soldiers re-enlisted. and it is estimated that about one hundred were recruited hi this way and sent to the different Ohio regiments in the field. Thursday. March 30, the draft came off in the wards and townships that had not filled their quotas, as follows: First Ward. 29; Fifth Ward, 33; Sixth Ward, 28; Madison Township, 1: Miami Township, 2, Harrison Township, 1.

The Fourth Ward was six short. and Mad River Township ten short, but no draft occurred until April 11 for those two districts, as they had promised to fill their quotas; but on that day, the wheel was turned for the number stated above. The war was so near at an end that all the conscripts were good natured about it, and stood out in the rain before the Provost Marshal's office while the wheel was being turned. and joked each than as his name was called On Sunday, February 5, a train of sixteen empty cars. with 130 citizens who had volunteered, went to Brookville to load and bring in 100 cords of wood that had been bought by the Relief Committee for soldiers' families. A like trip was made in March.

The news of the occupation of Charleston by the Union forces arrived appropriately, on the 22d of February. 1865 and on the 3d of April, the watchman, waiting with bated breath. caught the murmur from afar that Richmond had fallen, and rang the glad tidings forth upon the air, even as the bellman of 1776 announced, through the brazen tunes of his bell, that this was declared a land of liberty. People rushed through the streets like mad. shaking hands, shouting, singing, and throwing up their hats: flags were hung-out. cannons roared and the bells were ringing: a procession was formed, and. with a band at the head, marched through the streets rejoicing. April 9, the glorious news of the surrender of Lee and the collapse of the Confederacy spread through the city like wildfire. Citizens dressed hastily and marched the streets all night, singing patriotic songs and congratulating every body. Private houses were thrown open, impromptu serenades were gotten up, the air was full of shouts of rejoicing, mid above all was heard the ringing of bells and firing of cannons. A jubilee was arranged for Friday, . April 14. All business was suspended. The town was given up to rejoicing, and in the evening, after the national salute by the artillery, there were fireworks and speeches at the court house. The city was gayly illuminated, and the demonstration did not subside till after midnight.

The morning of the 15th, all was changed to mourning. Like a thunder bolt came the news of the assassination of President Lincoln. All was given up to grief over the national calamity; business was entirely suspended; the streets were filled with anxious groups. who slowly gathered at the court house as if for strength to bear the blow; private houses and public buildings were clothed with emblems of mourning, and flags were hung at half mast. April 19. religious services were held in all of the churches, and business was entirely suspended throughout the city from 10 A. M. to 2 P. M. All the church and fire bells were tolled at mid-day, A committee of 100 citizens was appointed to meet the remains of the President at Columbus and as representatives of Dayton, participate in the obsequies.

The following is a summary, by companies and regiments, of the men enlisted at Dayton in the United States service from 1861 to 1865:

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THREE MONTHS' ENLISTMENTS.

First Ohio Infantry-La Fayette Guard............................. 85

First Ohio Infantry-Dayton Light Guard..........................70

First Ohio Infantry-Montgomery Guard...........................85

Eleventh Ohio Infantry-Dayton Riflemen....... ............. 100

Eleventh Ohio Infantry-Anderson Guard..................... ....55

Twenty-fourth Ohio Infantry-Buckeye Guard....................87

Eighty-fourth Ohio Infantry, summer of 1862.................. 26

Eighty-sixth Ohio Infantry, summer of 1862........................4

Total three month:' inen................................................. 512

SIX MONTHS ENLISTMENTS.

Fourth Ohio Independent Cavalry Battalion....................... 90

ONE YEAR ENLISTMENTS.

One Hundred and Seventy-Ninth Ohio Infantry, Company K........ 18

One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Ohio Infantry............................... 6

One Hundred and Eighty-sixth Ohio Infantry............ ......................5

One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Ohio Infantry.................. ......... 10

One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Ohio Infantry................................ 5

One Hundred and Eighty-ninth Ohio Infantry, Company K.......... 25

Enlisted during excitement prior to draft of March 30, 1865......... 100

Drafted March 30, 1835. and entered service......................... 40

'Total one year men.............................................. ....................... 309

THREE YEARS' ENLISTMENTS.

Twenty-fourth Ohio Infantry.......................................... ............... 50

Eleventh Ohio Infantry. Company A............................. ................. 70

Eleventh Ohio Infantry, Company I.............................................. 20

Twelfth Ohio Infantry, Company I...... ......................................... 25

Enlisted by United States recruiting officers for infantry service, reg-

ular army ..................................................................................... 80

First Ohio Infantry. Company B.................................................... 100

First Ohio Infantry. Company C...................................................... 80

First Ohio Infantry. Company E....................... .............................. 60

First Ohio Infantry , Company F..................................................... 100

Thirty-fifth Ohio Infantry Company H.. . . ...................................... 45

Twenty-second Ohio Infantry........... .. . . .. .................................... 40

Second Ohio Infantr................ ......................................................... 30

Thirty-fifth Indiana Infantry........................... . ...... . ....................... 40

Forty-fourth Ohio Infantry................................................................. 25

Sixty-sixth Illinois Infantry............................................................... 50

Seventy-fifth Ohio Infantry................... ............................................ 25

Fifty-eighth Ohio Infantry, Company A............................................. 95

Sixty-ninth Ohio Infantry, Company G............................................... 7

Seventy-first Ohio Infantry................................................................ 12

Sixty-first Ohio Infantry.................................................................... 20

Fifty-second Ohio Infantr...................................... .. ........................ 12

Ninety-third Ohio Infantry, Companies A, I, G, K................... ....... 200

Fiftieth Ohio Infantry........................................................................ 20

One Hundred and Sixth Ohio Infantry................................................ 15

One Hundred and Eighth Ohio Infantry, Company E............................ 43

Sixty-third Ohio Infantry......................................................................25

One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio Infantry.................................... 10

Recruited for various regiments, including substitutes, during excite-

ment of the draft that occurred October 1, 1862............................... 25

One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Infantry......................................... 22

Tenth Tennessee Infantry............... .. .. .. .... . . .. ..... ... . .................... 7

First Regiment Ohio Heavy Artillery. Company K (served as infantry) 60

Second Ohio Heavy Artillery- Company C (served as infantry)........ 11

Recruited from various regiments during excitement prior to draft of

May 11, 1864............. ....................................................................... 80

One Hundred and Twent-fifth Regiment Ohio Infantry.......................... 10

After the draft to clear First Ward............................................................. 5

Colored enlistments at various times....................................................... 20

First United States Veteran Volunteer Engineer Corps............................ 20

Recruited for various regiments during excitement prior to draft of

May 11, 1864 ................................................................................... 90

426 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Enlisted in other Ohio regiments of infantry.. ....................................... 45

Enlisted in the United States Navy........................................................ 15

First Ohio Independent Battery............................................................. 20

Eighth Ohio Independent Batter........................... . .............................. 30

Seventeenth Ohio Independent Battery................................................... 15

Enlisted in other Ohio batteries................... .......................................... 10

Fourth Regiment Ohio Cavalry............ ............. . .................................. 50

Second Regiment Ohio Cavalry............. . ...... ........................................ 37

Twelfth Regiment Ohio Cavalry............................... . . ........................... 5

Enlisted in other Ohio cavalry regiments .. .. . . . ................................... 12

Total three years troops .. .. . . .. . . .. ... . . ........ . ......... . .................. 1888

SPECIAL CALLS IN EMERGENCIES

Zouave Rangers, State Guard-1861............. ........... . ........................... 50

Squirrel Hunters (Kirby Smith raid)-1862. . . .. . ................. . ................ 330

Morgan raid--1863........ ............... ........................ .. ........................... 240

Ohio National Guard (100-days' men)-1864. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. 365

Total militia service ............................................................................. 985

RECAPITULATION.

Three months' enlistments......................................................................512

Six months' enlistments ..... . ..................... . ........ . . . ....................... 90

One year enlistment......... ..................................... .............................. 209

Three years' troops............................................... ............................. 1888

Total number of Dayton men enlisted hi the United States service

during the war of the rebellion................ . . . ................................. 2699

Under special calls of the State.............. ................. ..... ........................ 98

EVENTS IN MILITARY CIRCLES SINCE 1865.

Within a year after the close of the war. nearly all the Dayton soldier.; had been discharged, returned to their homes. and had taken up again the peaceful avocations which they had relinquished at the call to arms. In the month of August, 1878. it was estimated that about one thousand honorably discharged Union soldiers were residing in the city of Dayton. not to mention those whose homes were in various localities throughout the county.

In October, 1866, King Encampment. Post No. 20. Grand Army of the Republic, was organized in Dayton. The post had 308 members. All were eligible who had served in the Union army or navy during the rebellion, and who had an honorable discharge therefrom. In February. 1867, Allen Encampment, Post No. 152, was organized, and shortly afterward the German Post, No. 61, Dister Encampment, was organized. In 1868. there were 1,000 members of the Grand Army of the Republic living in Dayton. Active, and with the best interest of the soldiers at heart, great, good was accomplished for the order and for the widows and orphans of deceased soldiers. Conspicuous among the good works was the influence exerted toward the establishment of the Ohio Soldiers' and Soldiers' Orphans' Home at Xenia. In February, 1868, a week's entertainment was provided. under the auspices of the Grand Army of the Republic, at Music Hall, consisting of military tableaus and the "Drummer Boy" allegory. The whole people were at once interested; crowds, attended nightly. Scenes at the music stores. where tickets were on sale, were without a parallel. People crowded in masses to get tickets; the rush was se great as to overturn counters and break show-cases. Hundreds were turned away from the exhibitions for the want of even standing room. So great was the jam that it became necessary to dismiss the audience with military precision to avoid crushing people to death. The piece was presented with excellent effect by 200 of our veterans, who had been in real conflict. The audience was fascinated with the thrilling scenes from the battlefield. and moved to tears of

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. - 427

sympathy. The committee arranged for a sham battle upon the streets for the last day of the exhibition. Saturday, April 30. The forces were divided as follows: The Union army being represented by three companies of infantry a battery and small escort of cavalry, the commanding General, with a brilliant staff, all being in regular United States uniform. The rebel side consisted of two companies of infantry, two twelve-pounders, a squad of cavalry, the General and his staff, all wearing the Confederate gray. The general plan of the battle was that the rebels should be driven in general retreat through the city, but the boisterous sympathy of the crowd for the Union side so excited the combatants that it was difficult to control them sufficiently to follow the, plan as agreed upon. For instance. when they reached the point where the battery was to be captured, the " robs " fought desperately and refused to obey their officers by giving up the guns.

Early in the morning of the day announced for the fight to come off, the streets began to fill up with our own people and strangers from the surrounding country and towns. The streets and sidewalks were quickly filled; awnings and sign-posts were covered with men and boys; every available window and door was occupied, and the roofs of the houses covered with people. It was the most captivating entertainment ever provided for the public. Main street was a grand sight, as the mass of people crowded to see the rebel force as they marched from the river bridge to the tune of "Dixie" down to attack the Union forces in camp at the canal bridge. Skirmishers were thrown out. pickets driven in, re-enforcement arrived, the sharp roll of musketry and roar of the artillery was evidence that the battle was on. They fought with varying success up Main to Third street, where, after a hot little brush, the "Johnnies" captured the Union colors. Could the people stand that? Not much. The women screamed and rushed with the men to aid in the recapture; and it was with difficulty that they were convinced that it was a part of the play, and would be retaken at the canal bridge, and they followed, determined that it should be done. The Union boys were cheered to the echo. The crowd would rejoice and shout with them at every advantage gained, and regret every reverse. In fact, they followed the rear guard, ready to aid at the front if the enemy pressed the soldiers too hard. The rebels continued the retreat out Third to Wayne, then to Fifth, then to Main, halting near the court house, where a truce was declared, and coffee and " grub " served to both sides, and the street show ended. Then came the great rush of men, women and children to the hall, where the matinee was to be held. Every seat was filled, and all standing room occupied. The doors were closed, and as many were sent away as the number that gained admittance. It was a day long to be remembered. May 30 was designated by the Grand Commander of the National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic to be celebrated each year by the decoration and strewing of flowers on the graves of deceased Union soldiers. Soldiers and citizens all over the land promptly responded to the sentiment. and, by common consent and practice, it is to all intent a national holiday. Here in Dayton, each year, all join in the patriotic duty of doing honor to the noble dead; flowers are gathered by all classes; friends and relatives of the dead soldiers unite in the beautiful ceremony. Surviving comrades guard with zealous care the record of service of the fallen messmate, and answer the appeal of the widow and orphan.

Of the organizations in which were representatives from the county of Montgomery, two in particular had large numbers, and these were the First and the Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The number in each will be seen by reference to the preceding table. The experience of these two regiments while in the field was similar in many respects, and the ground over

428 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

which they traveled and fought was nearly the same. except that the First served its first term of enlistment--three months--with the Eastern army. A brief synopsis of the movements of the two commands during their three-years' service is here given, from Reid's " Ohio in the War."

The First Regiment was organized for the three-years' service between August and October, 1861, at Camp Corwin, near Dayton. On the 31st of the latter month it departed for Cincinnati, where, on the 4th of November, it received its arms. Proceeding to Louisville on the 5th, it moved from there on the 8th to West Point at the mouth of Salt River. and was soon after brigaded with the First Kentucky, Sixth Indiana, First Battalion Fifteenth United States Infantrv. and battalions of the Sixteenth and Nineteenth Infantry; forming the Fourth Brigade, Second Division. At Munfordsville, Ky., the regiment looked for the first time on the serious side of war, although not engaged. Several wounded men from another regiment which had been in the fight were brought in, and the men realized to what scenes they must become inured before their term of service was over. Not long after April 7, 1862- they met the foe in deadly earnest at Shiloh. the regiment being then commanded by Col. B. I`. Smith, of the regular army. Later, it was under Gen. A. M. McCook; with Buell in the hot race to reach Louisville ahead of Bragg in September, 1862; in the battle of Perryville, October 11, 1862; and, late in the year, was assigned to the Second Division, Fourteenth, Corps. Army of the Cumberland, with Gen. J. W. Sill commanding the division. The regiment saw hot service at the memorable battle of Stone River, beginning December 31, 1862, and on the re-organization of the army, in January. 1863. was placed in the Second Division of the Twentieth Army Corps. It participated in numerous engagements, great and small in Tennessee. Georgia and Alabama, including that at Chattanooga in the fall of 1868. About the 20th of October, when the Fourth Corps was consolidated with the Twentieth, the regiment was brigaded, with others, under Gen. Hazen. in the Third Division of the consolidated corps. It was engaged at Orchard Knob, Mission Ridge (where it lost five color-bearers), in the East Tennessee and Atlanta campaigns. and, soon after the Kenesaw Mountain fight in 1861, began to be. mustered out by companies, the last one being mustered out October 14, 1864. The regiment had been in twenty-four battles and skirmishes, and had 527 officers and men killed and wounded. Its first fight and its last were severe ones Pittsburg Landing and Atlanta and it saw little but hard service during its entire term of enlistment. It marched about 2,500 miles. and was transported by rail and steamer 950 miles, making the total distance traversed during the three years 3,450 miles.

The Ninety-third Regiment, when it left Dayton, had a numerical strength of 39 officers and 929 men. It proceeded to Lexin,ton, Ky., thence to Louisville, at which latter place it was assigned to the Fifth Brigade, McCook's division, and, on arriving at Frankfort to the Third Brigade, Second Division, of McCook's command. Moving with the army to Nashville. Tenn., it was, in December, 1862, while on duty guarding a forage train. attacked by rebels, and in this, its first engagement, lost one man killed and three wounded. The regiment suffered severely at Stone River, and afterward (September, 1863) at Chickamauga. where it performed gallant service. In October, 1863, the regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade (Hazen's), Third Division (Wood's), Fourth Army Corps. It participated in the Orchard Knob fight November 23, 1863, having six men shot down while carrying the regimental colors, among them Maj. William Birch, who was commanding the regiment. Its losses were heavy also in the following battle of Mission Ridge, which engagement was pictured for the world in the masterly language of Benjamin F. Taylor, than

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whom none but Victor Hugo ever wrote of such scenes more true to life, if even that be possible. At one time during the winter of 1863-64, the regiment had become so greatly reduced that it could only muster four officers and ninety men for duty. It bore a part in the East Tennessee campaign with Burnside, suffering considerably; in the Atlanta campaign, during which it met with heavy losses at Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, etc., losing in the latter fight forty-eight killed and wounded. July 4, 1864. it was on the extreme left of Sherman's army, connected on the flank with the cavalry. In October, 1864, it moved back to Tennessee, and was held in reserve through the fight at Franklin, on the 110th of November. December 16, in one of the engagements with the rebel Gen. Hood, near Nashville. the regiment went in with ninety men, and lost four killed and twenty-one wounded. In the spring of 1865, it went again into least Tennessee, thence over the mountains near to Ashville, N. C., and returned to Nashville about the 1st of May. The regiment was mustered out of the service at Camp Harker. near Nashville, June 8, 1865, and proceeded to Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, where the men were paid and discharged on the loth oŁ the same month. Before its muster-out, 8 officers and 241 men had been discharged for disability; 4 officers and 204 men were accounted for as "died of disease, wounds and killed in action; " 252 men were wounded once. 30 twice, and 8 three times. Upon the record of this regiment are tales of noble exertions at Stone River, Chickamauga. Brown's Ferry, Orchard Knob. Mission Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw, Atlanta. Jonesboro. Lovejoy's Station. Franklin and Nashville. Soon after the close of the war, the survivors of the regiment organized a reunion association, which has been continued to the present time.

After the close of the war. the large militia force of Ohio was discontinued. The Dayton companies were disbanded with the, rest. There were no new ones formed until the organization of the Dayton Zouaves, in 1869. The name of the company was afterward changed to the "Harries Guard." In 1875, the Dayton Light Guard and the Emmet Guard were organized. The three companies were sworn into the State service, and were assigned as Companies A. B and C of the Fourth Regiment Ohio Militia, with the regimental headquarters at Dayton. During the great railroad strike in the summer of 1877, the three companies were ordered to Columbus and Newark, Ohio, where they were on guard for several weeks. acquitting themselves with credit. They are armed by the State with the finest breech-loading rifles, and their uniforms are handsome as well as serviceable, consisting of a dress suit, fatigue suit and white pants. Captains of companies, in ordering out their commands, usually de: ignate the clothes to be worn, and it does not sound altogether military to see published at the end of an order, ' ` white pants." On one occasion, when it was desired that the three companies should turn out, it was gravely announced that one of them could not do so, as they had not yet received their pompons from New York. At another time, an order that had been issued for "w white pants" was suddenly countermanded when it looked like rain.

In 1877, the Fifth Ohio (four-gun) Battery was organized in Dayton, under the militia law, and re-organized in August, 1878. The guns are Napoleon three six and one twelve pounder.

The law requires that the militia shall go into camp at least four days each year. Camp King was established August 21, in a beautiful grove about one mile from Carrollton Station, on the west side of the river, and about two miles from Miamisburg. The parade and drill ground was a clover-field ad joining the woods on the north side. There were 100 wall tents pitched, in accordance with army regulations. and at the Colonel's tent was the flag-staff, with a garrison flag flying.

434 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

The troops were the Fifth Ohio Battery, three officers and forty-four men. and eight companies of the Fourth Regiment Militia:

Company A, Harries Guard, Dayton, three officers and thirty men.

Company E. Fay Guard, Xenia, two officers and twenty-six men.

Company G. Hamilton Light Infantry, Hamilton. two officers and thirty men.

Color Company C, Emmet Guard, Dayton, three officers and thirty men.

Company D, Tytus Guard. Middletown, two officers and thirty men.

Company H. Light Guard. Germantown. three officers and thirty-three men.

Company F, Warren Guard. Lebanon. three officers and twenty-six men.

Company B, Light Guard, Dayton, three officers and twenty-six men

The field and staff, and a fine drum corps.

For rations. they had soft bread, hard-tack, beef, pork, beans, tomatoes. coffee, sugar, milk and butter. The following was the order of routine duty:

5:30 A. M.-Reveille.

6:00 A. M. -Breakfast.

7:00 A. M. - Sick call.

7:30 A. M. - Squad drill.

9.00 A. M -Guard mounting.

11:00 A. M.-Company drill.

12:00. M. -Dinner.

2:00 P. M.-Officers' school of instruction.

3:00 P. M.-Battalion drill.

5:00 P. M--Supper.

6:30 P. M.--Dress parade.

9:30 P. M--Tattoo.

10:00 P. M.-Taps.

Company C (.Irish) marched from Davton to camp a; escort for the battery. After six days of drill, tents were struck and the soldiers returned home. greatly benefited by field maneuvers, drill and camp life.

Of the above companies, C, D and F are not now (May, 1882) a part of the regiment. the companies composing it being A. B. E, G, H. I (located at Miamisburg) and the battery.Company A has about forty men; tho others keep up to an average strength of about sixty. The batter's, which has been reduced to two guns, has two officers and thirty-eight men. The present regimental officers are as follows: Colonel. F. B. Mott. of Dayton: Lieutenant Colonel, George H Phillips. of Hamilton; Major, M. S. Holden. of Dayton: Adjutant, W. B. Auderson, of Davton; Surgeon, J. R. Weaver, of Dayton: Assistant Surgeon, - Lyons, of Miamisburg; Chaplain. J. 'I'. Webster, of Dayton; Quartermaster. H. W. Parrott, of Dayton,

Annual encampments are held at such places as may be ordered. That for 1882 will occur June 30, at Piqua. Each regiment in the State holds its own separate encampmnnt, as they are not brigaded. Col. Mott took command of the Fourth Regiment in February. 1882. since which time it has been almost entirely re-organized. Changes are being made almost constantly in the ranks. yet recruits are always plenty to take the places of the men who may be dis charged. The regiment is a credit to itself, its officers and the State.