Adams County, Ohio - Chapter 17: Miutary History, 1900
From History of Adams County, Ohio, published 1900. 15,439 words, reproduced complete and unedited. Source changes inside the text are labelled in place.
The text
15,439 wordsMachine-read from scans of History of Adams County, Ohio, published 1900. Nothing has been corrected: fixing what looks like a misspelled name is how an invented one gets published. Source changes are marked where they occur.
It has been a very great labor to secure the information given below. In the state library is a list of the revolutionary soldiers of Adams County, on continental line, who drew pensions. We also obtained a list of those who served in the militia and drew pensions and the two lists are combined. The ages are either at the death of the soldier where his death is mentioned, or where it is not mentioned, the age is given as in the year 1835. The date following the age, where there is a date given, is the date the soldiers were placed on the pension roll. The following is the list:
Of this list Major Joseph Finley has a separate sketch herein. He and John Killin, another revolutionary soldier, are the only ones known to be buried in the old cemetery in West Union. The graves of both are marked. Most of the revolutionary soldiers in Adams County who obtained pensions, did so through Wesley Lee, who acted as pension agent in West Union from about 1823, so long as pensions were obtained.
Daniel Copple served as a private in the German battalion of the continental troops, revolutionary army. He was a member of Capt. Daniel Burchart's company, between October 4, 1776, and July, 1777. He was on the rolls of Capt. Peter Boyer's company, from August, 1777, to June, 1779. His name appears as Daniel Kettle on the rolls of Capt. Michael Boyer\s company, from November, 1779, to De- cember, 1780. He was enlisted for the war. This battalion was raised from the several colonies. There were four companies from Pennsylvania and four from Maryland. Daniel Copple, a former resident of Liberty Township, Adams County, Ohio, was his grandson atid Mrs. M. J. Earley, of Red Oak, Ohio, is his great-granddaughter. He is buried in the Dutch graveyard, in Liberty Township, together with his wife, and his grave is unmarked. He could speak only a few words of English and that with great difficulty.
Thomas Kincaid was a sergeant in Capt. William Henderson's company, colonel in Daniel Morgan's rifle regiment, in July, 1777, and till after November, 1777. He was bom December 13, 1755, near Richmond, ' Virginia, and died in Adams County, Ohio, July 3, 1819. His wife, Mary Patterson, was born in Virginia, September 20, 1757, and died in Adams County, March 10, 1824. Both are buried at Winchester.
Henry Aldred was born in Germany. He was one of the first settlers on Brush Creek. He died in 1835, and is buried in the McColm Cemetery on Brush Creek. He has descendants living in the county.
John Treber, father of Jacob Treber, who has a separate sketch here under the Treber familv, was a revolutionarv soldier. He located where William Treber now resides, in 1796, and there he died. He is buried in the family cemetery on the farm.
Benjamin Yates, a soldier of the revolutionary war, died in Manchester on January 30, 1849, *^"^ ^s buried in the old graveyard there. He is said to have been over one hundred and fourteen years old when he died. He came from Meadville, Pennsvlvania. He has no descendants living, nearer than great-grandchildren. He enlisted March, 1778, for one year as a private in Captain Pichett's company, from Maryland, colonel not stated. He re-enlisted May, 1781, in Captain Murdock's company; colonel not stated. He was wounded at the battle of Yorktown by a piece of shell. He resided in Frederick County, Maryland, when he enlisted. He applied for a pension May 10, 1834, at which time he was eighty-eight years of age. His claim was allowed. He died January 30, 1849, leaving a widow, Sarah Robinson, whom he married July 16, 1835. She obtained a pension as his widow.
Rev. Wm. Baldridge, pastor of the Cherry Fork U. P. Church, 1809 to 1830, was a revolutionary soldier. He has a separate sketch herein. He enlisted from North Carolina in the cavalrv and is said to have served seven years. None of his numerous and distinguished descendants could be interested in this w^ork and hence we are unable to give his official record. He and his first wife rest in unmarked graves in the Cherry Fork Cemetery and the location of their graves has been lost. He served longer than any of whom we have obtained a record.
Rev. William Williamson, who has a separate sketch herein, was a revolutionary soldier. Eight of his descendants are represented in this work and hence wx have a full account of him. He is buried at the Manchester Old Cemetery and his grave marked.
John Killin was bom, 1755 near Carlisle, Pa. He enlisted in February 1776 for fourteen months in Captain Robert Adams' company, Col. Irwin's regiment. In the fall of 1777, he enlisted for two months in Capt. James Powers' company, Col. Watt's regiment. In the spring of 1778 he served two months in Capt. Thomas Clark's company, Col. Watt's regiment . July, 1778, he enlisted for two months in Capt. Grimes' company, Col. Dunlap's regiment, and in the fall of 1778, he served two months in Capt. James Powers' company. Col. Dunlap's regiment. In the winter of 1778, 1779, he served two months in Captain Thomas Clark's company. Col. Watt's regiment. All these were Pennsylvania organizations. In all these services he was enrolled as a musician. He was in the battles of Three Rivers and Crooked Billett. He died September 10, 1844, aged eighty-seven years, and was buried in West Union cemetery. He was a pensioner.
His wife, Rachael Harper, to whom he was married November 19, I797» siltvived him and was pensioned. He owned a large tract of land east of West Union, and laid out Killenstown. William and George Killen were his sons and his daughter, Mary married William Caipenter.
Richard Woodworth was born in Ireland in 1758. He enlisted in 1775 and served during the entire war. He married in Adams County, in 1802, Sarah Ann Robinson. His children were : Laban, Mary, wife of J. N. Timnionds ; Wheeler ; Nellie, wife of William Gilges : William, James, Richard, Sarah, wife of Samuel Shaw; Rebecca, wife of John Sparks. He has a grandson, George Sparks, at Rome, two granddaughters at Little, Ky., Mrs. Harriet A. Little and Mrs. H. C. McCoy, and others in Kansas and Illinois. He died in 1841 or 1S42 and is buried on Blue Creek.
Peter Platter, the son of Joseph and Anna Barbara Platter, was born in the town of Saarbnick, duchy of Nassau, Germany, on the twenty-first of September, 1758. He was seven years old when his parents came to America and settled in Frederick County, Md. He was eighteen years of age when the struggle began between the colonies and the mother country. He enlisted as a soldier and served during the war of the revolution, participating in the battle of Brandywine and other engagements, and after seeing much service was honorably discharged at the conclusion of the war. At or near the close of the war his father, Joseph Platter, removed to Washington County, Pa. In the archives of Pennsylvania, second series. Vol. 14, page 768, is a record of Peter Platter, a private in Captain Robert Ramsey's company from Washington County, doing service on the frontiers from 1782 to 1785. In 1787, he was married to Sarah Crabs and in 1793, in company with Peter Wickerham, who had married his sister Mar>% he emigrated to Kentucky, and from there came to Adams County, Ohio, about the year 1800. He settled about a mile southwest of Locust Grove and lived there about ten years, removing in 181 1 to Twin
Township, Ross County, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died January 2, 1832, at the ripe age of seventy-three years, and his remains now rest in the city cemetery at Chillicothe, Ohio. He was a man of sterling integrity of character, and a devout Christian. He left behind him a memory highly cherished by his children and his children's children.
Jesse Edwards was born April 3, 1754, in the state of Maryland. When a boy he was bound out to a farmer by the name of Clulls, living in West Virginia. He enlisted as a soldier of the revolutionary war, May, 1776, for two months, as a private of Capt. William Mc- Calla's company ; colonel not stated. At the time of this enlistment he was from the state of Pennsylvania. He enlisted again from the state of Pennsylvania, July, 1776, for six months, as a private in Capt. Thomas Craigf's company. Col. Nathaniel Baxter. He enlisted a third time from the state of Virginia, July 17, 1781, for two months, as a private of Capt. Beaver's company; colonel not stated. He was engaged in the battles of Staten Island and Fort Washington, at which place he was made a prisoner. At the time of his first enlistment he was a resident of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and at the time of his last enlistment a resident of Loudon County, Va. He applied for a pension October 25, 1832, and at that time resided in Jefferson Township, Adams County, Ohio, being the age of seventy-six years. He obtained a land warrant and exchanged it for land near New York City, which he leased for ninety-nine years. After the Revolution he first came to Kentucky and married a widow by the name of Skilman. She was a slave holder and he and she separated and were divorced. He then came to Adams County and married a Miss Beatman. He settled on Scioto Brush Creek on the site of the village of Rarden in Adams County, but a re-survey of the county put the place in Scioto County. He reared a large family and his wife died in 1840 at Isma Freeman's near Otway. From that time until his death he made his home with John Edwards, a grandson. His death occurred the second day of November, 1856, at the great age of loi years, 7 months and 29 days. His descendants made an effort to recover his New York property, but failed on account of being unable to establish their identity.
John R. Mehaffey was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, Aug^ist 31, 1759. He removed to Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1774, and to Westmoreland County in 1776 and to Adams County, Ohio, in 1799. On July 3, 1778, he enlisted for four months as a private in Captain James Moore's company, Col. John Shields' regiment from the state of Pennsylvania. He enlisted again April i, 1779. for seven months as a ranger; captain and colonel not stated, but from the state of Pennsylvania. He enlisted again April i, 1780, for seven months from the state of Pennsylvania in a compan> captain not stated, under Major James Wilson, from Westmoreland County. He applied for pension October 5, 1832, then a resident of Adams County, at the age of seventy-three years.
John Baldwin was born in 17^6 in Frederick County. Maryland. He enlisted in the militia July, 1776, for four months, as a private in Captain Jacob Goode's company, Col. Griffin, from the state of Mary- land. He enlisted again September 2, 1777, for two months, as a private, in Captain W. Peppel's company, Col. Johnson, from Maryland. He was engaged in tfie battle of Germantown. He died October 4, 1848, in his ninety-second year and was buried in the Kirker Cemetery in Liberty Township.
John Stivers was the grandfather of A. J. Stivers, of Ripley, and great-grandfather of Frank Stivers, the banker, of Ripley, and also of Emmons B. Stivers, one of the editors of this work. He enlisted May, 1780, at the age of fifteen, for five months, as a private, in Captain Robert Daniel's company, Col. Spencer, from the state of Virginia. He enlisted again June, 1781, for three months, as a private, in Robert Harris's company. At the time of his enlistment he was a resident of Spottsylvania County, Virginia. He applied for pension October 25, 1832, and resided at that time in Sprigg Township, Adams County, Ohto. He died at the age of sixty-four years, and is buried at Decatur, Brown County, Ohio.
William Pemberton was a private in Capt. Thomas Meriwether's company, ist Virginia State Regiment, commanded by Col. George Gibson. He enlisted for three years. His name is first on the roll September i, 1777. He served to October i, 1777, sixteen days, and last appears on the roll for March, 1778, wijthout remark, but it was known that he was in the siege of Yorktown. He was present at the surrender of CornwalHs at Yorktown. He is a great-grandfather of Ezekiel Arnold, of Locust Grove, and an ancestor of all the Pembertons of Franklin and Meigs townships.
Charles McManis was a private in Pennsylvania militia, company and regiment not designated. His name appears among the official pensioners of Pennsylvania, war of the revolution, Pennsylvania archives, third series, page 583. He was bom in 1754, and came from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1817. He died near Cherry Fork in 1840, in his eighty-sixth year. He entered the revolutionary army in 1776. After his location in Adams County, he was a farmer, and is buried in the Cherry Fork Cemetery. He is an ancestor of Ex-SheriflF Greenleaf N. McManis.
James Williams was bom on the twenty-second day of February, 1759, in Chester County, Pennsylvania. At the outbreak of the revolutionary war he resided in Washington County, Maryland. In the fall of 1777 he enlisted in Captain Jacob Louder's company of the state of Maryland, for a term of four months. The colonel of this regiment is not stated. In the year of 1778 he removed to Washington County, Pennsylvania, and in October, 1780, he enlisted as a private for two months in Captain Eleazer Williamson's company; Col. David Williamson, from Pennsylvania. He enlisted a third time May, 1781, for four months as a private in Captain Timothy Dbwning's company ; Col. William Crawford, state of Pennsylvania. He was with Crawford against the Indians on the Sandusky River. This is the same Col. Crawford who was burned by the Indians at the stake, June, 1782. He lived in Washington County, Pennsylvania, for three years, when he removed to Ohio County, West Virginia, and resided there until 1793, when he removed to Adams County, Ohio. He applied for pension on the twenty-fifth of October, 1832, and it was granted the following year. He first settled on Ohio Brush Creek, nearly opposite the residence of Mr. George Bayless. How long he lived here is not known, but he sold or traded the land for the farm on Scioto Brush Creek, where he lived until his death, in 1844. He is buried in the Copas Cemetery, near the hotel of Charles Copas. He has many descendants in the states of Ohio, Illinois, and Iowa. He is a great-grandfather of James G. Metz, present sheriff of Adams County.
William Cochran came to the colonies as a British soldier with his two brothers during the Revolutionary War. They deserted soon after they came over, and joined the Revolutionary army, but we have been unable to obtain the Revolutionary record of William Cochran. There is no doubt, however, but what he served in the Revolutionary War, but in what capacity we are unable to learn. The facts as to his service are known through his family.
Richard Grimes. The records show that one Richard Grimes served as a private in Captain Henr>' Darby's company of Colonel Hazlet's Delaware regiment, revolutionary war. He enlisted January 31, 1776, and he was discharged January 31, 1777. He was the uncle of the late Greer B. Grimes, of Monroe Township, Adams Countv, Ohio.
Benjamin Piatt was born in 1763 in Virginia. He came to Adams County in 1810, and bought land in Tiffin Township. He was a first lieutenant under General McCullough. He marrired Polly Waddle in Virginia, and was a pensioner. He died in 1851, at the age of ninetyeight, and is buried near West Union, probably in the Trotter Cemetery. No stone marks his grave. He has a son, Benjamin, who w^as living in 1898, near West Union. A daughter, Margaret Denning, lived near Stone Chapel in 1898. He had six children, three sons and three daughters. His son Jacob married Polly Trotter. His son John married Hester Black. Benjamin married Myra Bayless. Margaret married Newton Denning. Elizabeth married Lewis Trotter. Polly married John Black. '
Thomas Jack enlisted March i, 1776, for ten months and was sergeant in Captain William Butler's company of Colonel Arthur St. Clair's regiment from Pennsylvania. He enlisted again in January, 1777, for four months, and was sergeant in Captain Thomas Butler's company under Colonel Thomas Craig from Pennsylvania. He was engaged in the battles of Short Hills, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth, lie was born in 1749, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. After his colonel became a general, his regiment was commanded by Col. Joseph Wood. He served under Generals Henry Knox and Danid Morgjin. He was married to Jane Kincaid, June 7, 1787, and he died August 9, 183 1. He was a pensioner of the war of the revolution under the act of March 18, 18 18, and his widow also received a pension.
Charles Fields, a revolutionary soldier, was born in Ireland in 1739. ^^ served during the entire war. He married Grizzel Hemphill, and moved to Ohio in 1798, and was one of the first settlers on
Beasley's Fork. He never had any children. He died in 1822 at the age of eighty-three. He never applied for a pension, and could not have obtained it for reasons hereinafter shown. His wife died the day before he did., and both are buried on the Miller farm in Monroe Township.
James Miller was born in County Tyrone in Ireland, in 1740. He emigrated to this Country just before the revolutionary war, and served throughout the whole of it. He was six feet two inches tall, without shoes. He served in the artillery. He was never taken a prisoner or wounded. He never applied for a pension. Said he fought for liberty and obtained it, and that was all he wanted. He was married to Elizabeth Hemphill in New England. He located in Adams Coimty, in 1798. He had been a sailor, and knew the business of milling. He built the first mill in Monroe Township, and it is still standing. He twice walked to Philadelphia and back, and one trip brought two flower shrubs, which are growing and blooming yet. He had a large family of children, but only three reached maturity. His son William married Jane Morrison. His daughter Elizabeth married Christopher Oppy, and resided on Scioto Brush Creek. His daughter Hannah married William Stevenson, and lived on Beasley's Fork. Miller was a prosperous man. He was a Presbyterian, and walked five miles to church every Sunday. He died on Christmas day, 1830, at the age of ninety years. Here is his official record : Member of Captain Thomas Clark's artillery company, continental troop, commanded by Gen. Henry Knox and Col. Thomas Lamb. He enlisted as a private December 25, 1776, for three years, was a driver. May, 1777, and was Matross in June, 1777. The last record of him on the rolls is January 3, 1780. He is the great-grandfather of Miss Mary Stevenson, of Beasley's Fork, who has taken more interest in preserving the memory of the revolutionary soldiers who died in Adams County than any person in the county. He is also the great-grandfather of Prof. James A. Oppy, of Portsmouth, Ohio.
Charles Stevenson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on January i, I759» and came to the United States in 1761. He enlisted May i, 1776, for two months, as a private in Capt. Savages' company, in Col. Ross' regiment. He enlisted again July i, 1776, for six months, as a private in Capt. William McCaskey's company and in Col. William McCallister's regiment. He enlisted again July, 1778, fo two months, as a private in Capt. McMaster's company, regiment not stated. All these were Pennsylvania organizations. His residence was in York, Pennsylvania, at his enlistment. He was in the battle of Staten Island. He married Margaret Kain, September 24, 1791. He was captured at Fort Washington, November, 1776, and was a prisoner until November, 1777. The British gave him bread with lime in it to eat, and he picked out the lime and eat the bread. He spent the winter of 1777, after released from prison, at Valley Forge. While a prisoner, the British offered him money to renounce his allegiance and to enlist in their army. He scorned it. After the war he purchased 300 acres of land in Venango County, Pennsylvania, and resided there till 1818, when he came to Ohio. He was a weaver by trade, and followed it in
Pennsylvania. Margaret Kain went with some other girls to see him weave. He fell in love with her on first sight, and afterwards married her. He had four children, three sons and one daughter. His son William married Hannah Miller and lived on Beasley Fork. His daughter Elizabeth maried Charles Mashea and lived in West Union. His son George married Nancy Hemphill and removed to Illinois. His son Charles married Christina CoUings and lived on Beasley's Fork. Our subject was a devoted Presbyterian, and would walk five miles every Sunday to church. He died the thirteenth of April, 1841, and is buried in the Ralston graveyard. He is the great-grandfather of Miss Mary Stevenson, of Beasley Fork, of Adams County, who has furnished the editors of this work more information in regard to the revolutionary soldiers than any other person.
William Faulkner was born in Ireland. He was said to have been a captain. He was married, and lived at the mouth of Brush Creek. He was a Catholic, and is buried near his former residence.
William Floyd was born in Virginia in 1739- He was a recruit under General Daniel Morgan, and was said to be his illegitimate son. He was made a prisoner and confined in Quebec, but escaped. A hue and cry was raised after him, and he joined in the chase, and cried out "here he is." He made good his escape and followed the stars. He went around Lake Champlain on foot. He married Elizabeth Goodie. They had a daughter, who married a Taylor. Floyd located on Brush Creek. He died December 9, 1833, and is buried on P. Young^s farm near the Cedar College school house. A rail pen marks his grave.
Ephraim Cole, father of James M., Leonard, and Allaniah Cole, and grandfather of George D., Alfred E., and Allaniah B. Cole, all of whom have sketches herein, was bom in Maryland. He enlisted November 16, 1777, in Captain Jonathan Drown's company, Col. Wm. Lee's regiment of Maryland troops, for three years. During his service he undertook to act as a spy, and got inside the British lines. He accomplished his errand and was leaving, when he was arrested. He managed to create doubt in the minds of his captors as to his real character, and showed up his masonry. There being Free Masons among his captors, he was given the benefit of the doubt, and he was released and sent out of the lines. So we are spared a Capt. Nathan Hale*s story, which, but for his masonry, Ephriam Cole's would have been. He was buried in the Collings Cemetery, south of West Union.
James Collings was a private in Capt. John Lynch's company, sth Maryland regiment, commanded by Col. Wm. Richardson. He served from January 18, 1777, until August 16, 1780. He removed to Adams County in 1794, and is buried in the Collings Cemetery, east of West Union.
Nathaniel Foster was born February 7, 1760, in Morris County, New York. He removed to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in 1776, and thence to Hampshire County, Virginia, in 1780; thence to Bourbon County, Kentucky, in 1791, and to Adams County, Ohio, in 1798. He enlisted in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, in August, 1776, in Capt. Tom Broeck's company. In 1777 he enlisted in Capt. Bubonah's company. Col. Moore, from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. In April, 1781, he enlisted from Hampshire County, Virginia, and served six months
He applied for pension October 25, 1832, at the age of seventytwo years. He died in 1842, and is buried on the banks of Brush Creek, in the Foster graveyard. He was twice married. He had three sons and two daughters by his first wife - Samuel, Isaac, and Nathaniel, sons, and Mary and Anna, daughters. His daughter Mary married Samuel Lockhart, and Anna married David Young.
His second wife's maiden name was Cleveland, a native of Connecticut. She first married Henry Smith, a revolutionary soldier; and after his death, Nathaniel Foster. Of this marriage there were four sons and one daughter. The sons were Nathan, Moses, Jedediah, and Asa. We have not obtained the daughter's name.
Henry Smith was born in Connecticut, in 1760. He died in Adams County in 1802. He was buried in a field near his home, and a stone marks his grave, placed there by his son Oliver. He came to the Northwest Territory in 1799, and bought 300 acres of land at the mouth o^ Beasley Fork. After his death his widow became the second wife of Nathaniel Foster above.
As to revolutionary pensions. The act of September 29, 1789, gave to the wounded and disabled soldiers the pensions granted by the several states, for a period of one year.
On July 16, 1790, congress provided that the pensions paid by thi states to wounded and disabled soldiers should be paid by the United States for one year.
The act of March 23, 1792, required the soldiers to go before a court and produce a certificate from an officer of the regiment or company in which he served, that he was disabled, or he had to produce two witmesses to that effect. Also he had to have the evidence of two freeholders of his vicinity as to his mode of life and employment and means of support for the twelve months preceding. The court was required to examine and report his disability to the secretary of war.
The act of February 28, 1793, required two surgeons to examine and report the disability. The judge of the court was required to make a recommendation in each case.
The act of March 3, 1803, gave pensions to officers, soldiers, and sailors disabled by wounds, and also who did not desert the service. The district judge took the evidence and forwarded it. The act was enlarged March 3, 1805. April 10, 1806, another act was passed for those wounded in the service. The procedure was the same as under the former acts, but expired in six years. The pension was $5.00- per month to a private and half pay to an officer.
The act of March 18, 1818, gave to every officer and soldier who served nine months or longer and who was in need of assistance from his county, $8.00 per month for a private dnd $20.00 for an officer for life- So many claims were made under this act that on May i, 1820, congress passed the Alarm Act (a standing disgrace to our country), by which each person receiving a pension under its provisions was required to go before a court and take an oath as to his estate and income, and that he had not given away his property to bring himself within the act of j8i8, and the pension was to be dropped, if this was not done.
After the pensioner forwarded his evidence, the secretary of war was required to revise the lists and drop all he did not deem indigent. This did not apply to any who had been wounded. Major Finley elected not to take the oath and was dropped, but was restored in 1828.
The act of June 7, 1832, granted pensions to all the officers and soldiers who had served for one or more terms, a period of two years, whether in the continental line or militia. In the list herein given all whose pension certificates were dated prior to June 7, 1832, were pensioned under the act of March 18, 1818, and those who were placed on the pension roll at a date subsequent to June 7, 1832, received pensions under the law of that date
The celebrations of Independence Day for the first twenty-five years after the revolutionary war were solemn and imposing affairs. At these the survivors of the revolutionary war were honored by important places in the parades, processions, and in the seats at the public dinners.
Whenever it was practicable, the soldiers of the revolution were buried with military honors conducted by the nearest militia organization. The last surviving revolutionary soldier of Adams County passed awav in 185 1. The last surviving in the whole country died in 1869.
The generations which knew them hardly appreciated their service. Now that the last of them has been dead for fifty years, and that we begin to understand the greatness of our country, we appreciate their services. It is to be hoped the people of Adams County will see that the grave of every one of them is properly marked, preserved, and honored, once a year, on Memorial Day, so long as our Republic shall continue.
This was Adams County's first offering in the civil war. The company was mustered into service June 13, 1861. The original officers were: Moses Patterson, captain; Armstead T. M. Cockerill, first lieutenant; Lafayette Foster, second lieutenant. Patterson died September 2, 1 861, and Cockerill succeeded him and became lieutenant colonel of the regiment. Isaac N. Dryden, killed at the battle of Chickamauga, was the third captain and George Collings was the fourth.
William H. Bailey. April 7, 1862, killed at Shiloh ; Isaac N. Dryclen, captain, was wounded September 20,1863, at the battle of Chickamauga, and died of the same some days later; John K. Edgington, died July 28, 1861, at Camp Chase, Ohio; Allen Gutridge, was killed September 19, i863,at Chickamauga ; Luther C. Hines, died May 2,1864, of a wound in the foot received at Lookout Mountain; William L. McConnell, January 16, 1862, of disease; Robert W. McClanaham, March 22, 1862, of disease ; James Ogle, killed at Chickamauga ; David S. Potter, sergeant, color bearer, while carrying the colors, was killed at Stone River. He is buried at West Union. James R. Puntenney, sergeant, was killed at Stone River; John W. Rivers, died August 4, 1863, of disease; Wm. H. Swanger, April 18, 1862, died of wounds received at Shiloh. interred in Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky; Henry M. Toll, was killed at Chickamauga, and buried at Chattanooga; Alexander Thompson, killed at Chickamauga; William S. Crawford, died December 29, 1864, of wounds received at the battle of Nashville ; buried at Nashville ; Robert C. Hayslip died September 29, 1865, of disease ; Sewell Pointer, died January 20, 1865, of wounds received at Nashville. Wesley Schultz, corporal, and Samuel W. Thomas, second lieutenant, were killed at the battle of Nashville. None of the Adams County men have records of wounds on the official roster. Those wounded all died of their wounds, or else no record was made.
Most of the members of Company D have gone to the other side. Daniel Emery is Hving in Colorado. Thomas E. DeBruin is the postmaster at Winchester. James Credit is living in Monroe Township. WilHam T. Hook is in Clinton County. John W. Lightbody is at Blue Creek, as is also George W. Lewis. William H. Holdemess is living at Vanceburg, Kentucky. No doubt others are living, but the editors of this work are not advised of their whereabouts. This company saw as hard service as any in the war. They were noble patriots, every one, and reflected great credit on the patriotism of the people of the county, whom they represented. William U. Holderness was first lieutenant at muster, and Samuel B. Charles was second lieutenant, and George Collings captain.
This company was raised in Adams County. It was mustered in the service August 2^, 1861, at Portsmouth, Ohio, to serve for three years. The original ofificers were : Ephriam J. Ellis, captain ; Edwin M. DeBruin, first lieutenant; Ellis A. Ramsey, second lieutenant. Captain Ellis was promoted to major, January 16, 1863, and DeBruin to captain at the same date. Ellis A. Ramsey was made first lieutenant January 16, 1863, and William Baldwin was made second lieutenant the same date. The regiment participated in the following battles:
The following were killed in battle or died in the service : Ephraim J. Ellis, killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863; Spencer H. Wilson, the first sergeant, son of the Hon. John T. Wilson, died March 4, 1862, at Louisville. Ky. ; Samuel Anderson, sergeant, died July 9, 1864, at Camp Dennison, Ohio; Corporal Samuel Pullin, died August 24, 1864, a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga. ; George A. Bryan, died a prisoner, April 20, 1864, at Danville, Va. ; Luther Bentley, died June 4, 1862, at Elizabethtown, Ky. ; Isaac Black, died December 26, 1861, a.t Louisville, Ky. ; Henry C. Bryan, was killed May 14, 1864, at Resaca, Ga. ; Ashbury Evans, was killed October 8, 1862, at Perry ville, Ky. ; Charles Fetters, December 31, 1862, at Stone River; Isaac Fretz, died of disease, June 5, 1865, at Long Island, N. Y. ; Daniel H. Grimes, died January 4, 1862, at home; Daniel Grimes, died August 9, 1864, of wounds received at Atlanta, Ga. ; Richard Hagerman, died January 23, 1865, and died in prison; Ransom Hodges, died Jime 23, 1862, at Huntsville, Ala.; Moses E. Hempleman, died February 19, 1863, at Murfreesboro, Tenn. ; Richard Hagerman, died January 23, 1865, in prison at Andersonville, Ga. ; Isaac N. McNown, died March 4, 1862, at Elizabethtown, Ky. ; Jacob W. E. McCormick, died May 4, 1864. at Andersonville, Ga. ; Manley Bennett, died April 3, 1865, qi wounc's received at the battle of Bentonville; Henry Pierce, died October 23. 1863, of wounds received in action at Chattanooga, Tenn. ; Joscp.*^. Parker, Jr., killed July 22, 1864, in battle at Atlanta, Ga. ; William H. Richards, died June 20, 1864, in prison; William F. Rankins, died November 8, 1862, at Huntsville, Ala.; Moses Starrett, died January 7. 1865, ^t Louisville, Ky. ; John Thompson, died April 17, 1864, on flag of truce boat at Fortress Monroe, Va. ; John M. Vanderman, killed December 31, 1862, at Stone River; Ezra Whitees, died December 10, 1863, at Chattanooga, Tenn., of wounds; William Walker, died January 8, 1862, at Louisville, Ky. ; Henry C. Walker, died April 16, 1862, at Huntsville, Ala. ; Aaron Whaley, died December 24, 1862, at New Albany, Ind.
Six of this company were captured at the battle of Chickamauga. Of those who were captured and who survived are : Daniel R. Shriver, first sergeant ;. William F. Grierson, sergeant ; William E. Howell. John B. Seeman was captured March 23, 1865, at Goldsboro, N. C. Gen. Joshua W. Sill, killed at Stone River, was the first colonel of this regiment, and Oscar F. Moore succeeded him.
F. B. Mussey was the original surgeon of the regiment. John Wills Kendrick, the original adjutant of the regiment, is the Bishop of Arizona of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Albert G. Byers was the original chaplain. Capt. Ellis A. Ramsey is living at Washington C. H., manager for southern Ohio of the Union Central Life Insurance Company.
This company was organized in August, 1861. Rev. David C. Picnjamin, a Methodist minister on the West Union circuit, was the original captain, and Fletcher Hypes, another Methodist minister on the same circuit, was first lieutenant. Nathan R. Thompson, of Winchester, was the second lieutenant. Most of the company enlisted on the fourth day of July, 1861. This was the celebrated Groesbeck Regiment of Cincinnati. John Groesbeck was the original colonel. Edward F. Noyes, afterwards general, was the second colonel, and Henry T. McDowell, of Portsmouth, was the first lieutenant colonel. Benjamin W. Chidlaw was chaplain till April i, 1862. Company A of this regiment was from Portsmouth, Ohio. The following is the list of battles in which the regiment participated :
The following were the causalities : George W. Hetherington, died January 26, 1862, at Palmyra, Mo. ; David Irwin, died July 18, 1862, at Corinth, Miss.; Samuel A. Keliey, corporal, died August 18, 1864, at the battle of Atlanta, Ga. ; Benjamin F. Kilgore, died July 22, 1864, at the battle of Atlanta, Ga. ; John M. McNeil, private, died October 16, 1862; John Massie, private, died September 18, 1862, at Jackson, Tenn.; Joseph P. Nesbit was killed in action near Savannah, Ga., December 11, 1864; John H. Parks, private, died July 7, 1864, of wounds received at Nickajack, Ga.; James H. Stewart, private, died May 23, 1862, at his home in Manchester, Ohio ; William K. Walker, private, died March 16, 1863, of disease ; George Gerhorn, corporal, was wounded in service ; William E. McNeil, corporal, wounded July 4,
1861, in the battle of Atlanta; John B. Douglas, private, captured near Savannah ; Henry C. Foster, private, was wounded July 22, 1864, in the battle of Atlanta, Ga.
1862, and served one year. It was mustered out November 10, 1862, on order from the War Department. Company B was organized in the northern edge of Adams County and the southern part of Highland County, with some men from Brown. The original captain was Phillip Rothrock; William O. Donohoo, first lieutenant; A. S. Hetherington, second lieutenant. The regiment participated in the following battles :
The causalities of this company were as follows : Charles Havens, private, died June 5, 1862, in rebel prison ; H. B. Higgins, private, died June 30, 1862, of wounds received at Winchester, Va. ; George W. Nelson, private, died December 5, 1862, of disease; Joseph Nichols, private, died July 2, 1862, of disease ; George Reedy, private, died June I, 1862, at New Creek, Va., of disease; Thomas A. Thompson, private, died September, 1862, of wounds at Harper's Ferry, Va., in battle; William C. Waits, private, died July 8, 1862, of disease. Stephen D. Paris, private, was captured at Winchester, Va., also Roselle, captured at Winchester, Va. ; Peter E. Ridings, died June 2, 1862, at Petersburg, Va., while a prisoner of war ; Thomas A. Thompson, died of wounds received at the battle of Harper's Ferry, September 15, 1862.
This regiment was organized in 1861, at West Union, Ohio. It had its rendezvous at the old fair grounds, lying on the Maysville and Zanesville turnpike, named Camp Hamer, in honor of General Thomas L. Hamer, of Georgetown, Ohio, who was in the Mexican war. The regiment remained there during the months of October, November, and December, 1861, and moved to Ripley, Ohio, December 25, 1861. There it remained in camp until February 18, 1862. The regiment was formed of Adams County men, except one company from Brown County and two from Hamilton County.
The original field officers were : Joseph R. Cockerill, colonel ; Dewitt C. Loudon, lieutenant colonel; John W. McFerran, major; Henry L. Phillips, first lieutenant and adjutant ; Israel H. DeBruin, quartermaster; John M. Sullivan, chaplain; Charles H. Swain, surgeon ; Thomas J. Ferrell, assistant surgeon ; Robert H. Von Harlinger and Frederick Jaeger, assistant surgeons.
Col. Cockerill resigned April 13, 1864, and Lieutenant Colonel Dewitt C. Loudon was promoted to colonel. He resigned August 9, 1864. Major McFerran died October 3, 1862, at Fort Pickering, near Memphis, Tennessee. William B. Brown was the second major. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel April 26, 1864, and was killed August 3, 1864, i" battle near Atlantic. Thomas Brown was the third major, promoted from captain of Company H.
Surgeon Charles H. Swain resigned August 3, 1863, and Robert H. Von Harlinger was appointed in his place and served during the remaining serv^ice of the regiment. Frederick Jaeger was an assistant surgeon, appointed September 7, 1862, and resigned January 29, 1864. Andrew Urban was the second adjutant, and Linsdey L. Edgington the third adjutant. Rev. H. L DeBruin, quartermaster, resigned June 2, 1863, and John Heaton was appointed in his place, followed by Charles A. Grimes and Francis Rickards. Joseph Blackburn, captain of Company F, was the first chaplain. He resigned August 28, 1862, and was followed by John M. Sullivan, who resigned January 16, 1864.
The original officers of Company A were : W. B. Brown, captain ; Lewis Love, first lieutenant ; Brice Cooper, second lieutenant. This company was raised about Winchester, Fincastle, and North Liberty.
The original officers of Company B were : James F. Summers, captain; Samuel G. Richards, first lieutenant; William P. Spurgeon, second lieutenant. This company was raised about Locust Grove and in the northeastern part of the county.
The original officers of Company D were : Charles Johnson, captain; Samuel M. Woodruff, first liet^tenant; Joseph W. Denham, second lieutenant. This company was raised in Cincinnati, Hamilton County.
The original officers of Company E were: John T. Wilson, captarn; John Campbell, first lieutenant; Joseph Spurgeon, second lieutenant. This company was raised in the vicinity of Tranquility, Eckmansville, and North Liberty.
The original officers of Company F were : Joseph Blackburn, captain ; James Drennen, first lieutenant ; Isaac W. Adams, second lieutenant. This company was raised in the western part of Adams County and Brown County.
The original officers of Company G were: N. W. Foster, captain; John H. Truitt, first lieutenant; John Nelson, second lieutenant. This company was raised around Manchester, Stout's Run, and Gift Ridge.
Company H, Benjamin F. Wiles, captain; William H. Herbert, first lieutenant; John Taylor, second lieutenant. This company was raised in the western part of Adams County and the eastern part of Brown County.
Company I, Daniel B. Carter, captain; Joinville Reiff, first lieutenant : George A. Foster, second lieutenant. This company was raised in Hamilton County.
Company K, Felix Slone, captain ; William R. Harmon, first lieutenant; Amos F. Ellis, second lieutenant. This company was from Brown County.
Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7, 1862; Russell House, May 17, 1862; Battle of Resaca, May 7 to May, 1864; siege of Corinth opening April 29, and closing with the capture of Corinth, May 30, 1862; capture of Holly Springs, Miss., July i, 1862; captured cannon and ammunition at Fort Randolph, Miss., October i, 1862; siege of Vicksburg from June 20 to July 4, 1863; Jackson, Miss., July 9-16, 1863; Black River, Miss., July 5, 1863; Chattanooga, Tenn., November 23, 1863; Battle of Missionary Ridge, November 25, 1863 ; Knoxville Raid during the month of December. 1863, and driving Longstreet from Knoxville after the battle of Miss^ionary Ridge; Dallas, Ga., May 25, to June 4, 1864; Champion Hills, May 16, 1863; New Hope Church, Ga., June 2, 1864; Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June 30, 1864: Little Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June 20, 1864; Big Shanty, June 8, 1864; Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1864: Ezra Church, Ga., July 28. 1864: Jonesboro, Ga., July 28 to September 2, 1864; Lovejoy Station, Ga., September 2-6, 1864; Statesboro, Ga., December 4, 1864; Fort McAllister, Ga., December 13, 1864; Rome,
Two hundred and forty-four died of disease or were killed in battles. Of this number sixty-one were killed in battle or died of wounds. The following is a list of the members of the regiment, except from Companies D, I and K, who were killed in battle or died in the service. Robt. B. Baird, Company A, died April 6, '65. of wounds; George Baker, sergeant, May 21, '62; Charles S. Ball, killed in battle, April 7, '62; George W. Bartholonew, November 19, 1861 ; Corwin Bell, Jime 4, 1865; Wm. H. H. Black, November 25, 1864; James M. Brady, July II, 1864; Erwin A. Brattin, January 30, 1863; Jesse M. Breckenridge, May 17, 1862; Austin Brewer, March 25, 1864; John W. Burba, April
Of the officers and soldiers of this regiment, the following have sketches in this work : Gen. Joseph R. Cockerill, Major John \\'. Mc- Kerren, Lieutenant Colonel Henry L. Phillips, Captain L. L. Edgington, Hon. John T. Wilson, John Campbell, Hugh McSurely, Thomas W. Connelley and John K. Polland, deceased.
The Seventieth Ohio Infantry was organized by J. R. Cockerill, of West Union. This regiment was formed October i, 1861. Its place of rendezvous was situated on the old fair grounds at West Union, and was named in honor of Gen. Thomas L. Hamer. The camp guard lines followed the old fair ground fence and the tents stood about halfway between where the late residence of Jacob Woods stands and the entrance to the grounds on the east. The regiment drilled in the field to the south of the present site of Shuster Bros*. Mills. During dress parade, Col. Cockerill stood and gave command from a position about midway between two large locust trees that stand along the street or lane leading from near the present residence of Mrs. John Leonard to the old fair ground gate. While the regiment was located at West Union the patriotic citizens and relatives of the soldier boys visited them daily and brought the soldiers clothing, food and furniture and other camp comforts. The regiment did not have any gims until about its departure from Paducah for the battle field at Shiloh. It had done military duty of all kinds, except fighting, without arms. Each soldier had a stick on the end of which was fastened an old bayonet. On Christmas day, 1861, the regiment marched from Camp Hamer to Ripley, one division going via Bentonville and Aberdeen and thence by boat to Ripley; and the other division marching over the old state road, via Decatur. Companies D and I of Cincinnati joined the regiment at Ripley, where it remained until February 17, 1862, when it boarded the old steamer Magnolia for Cincinnati. From Cincinnati it was ordered to Paducah, ^yhere it went into camp, and remained until the movement was begun up the Tennessee toward Shiloh. The regiment as already stated participated in the battle of Shiloh and was complimented by Gen. Sherman for valiant service rendered on that bloody field. It is related that before the battle, the Confederates had planned an assault on the Federal forces to be made on Saturday. The regiment had taken position near the landing of Shiloh, had stacked arms and begun preparations for dinner. Major McFerren with seven men advanced, but he had not gone far, when suddenly came the challenge **Halt! who comes there?*' Quick as a flash, the doughty little major answered, "The advanced guard of the army of the United States.** **The hell you say." The Rebel picket discharged his musket aimlessly, and precipitately retreated toward the Confederate lines. This incident delayed the Confe<Ierate advancement until Sunday morning, and as seen in the light of history saved the Federal forces from certain defeat. From the advance sheets of *'A History of the Seventieth Regiment" by T. W. Connolly, we glean the following, deemed worthy of a place here:
"The first man of the regiment killed in battle was William J. Ellis of Company H, at Shiloh, Sunday morning, April 6, 1862. The second capture from the regiment was made near Shiloh on April 4, 1862, when Lieutenant W. H. Herbert, Co. H, Jesse McKinley, George Lowery, J. M. Sutton, Thomas Everton, Samuel Cox, William Mc. and Paul Gaddis were made prisoners on picket line. On May 9, 1862, between Shiloh and Corinth, the regiment received its first pay in silver and gold.
At the storming of Fort McAllister on December 13, 1864, the 70th Ohio Regiment flag was the first placed on the fort and this was done seven minutes after commencing. As a recognition of bravery, this regiment had the honor of manning the fort for one month afterward.
On February 5, 1864, it was mustered out at Little Rock, Ark. On August 14, 1865, about three hundred were still left to march from Bufort to take part in the grand review at Washington at the close of the war. It took part in thirty-five battles and skirmishes. The regiment came to Camp Dennison after being mustered out and every man received his discharge and last pay.
After the regiment was mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas, while coming up on the Ohio River from Cairo, on the steamer Argosa, and eighty miles below Louisville, near Cave Rock, the mud drum of the boat burst while a severe storm was raging, at which time twentythree members of the regiment were scalded severely and nine were drowned in the river.
This regiment was organized from the state at large. Brevet Brigadier General Robert N. Adams, now living at Minneapolis, Minnesota, was second colonel of the regiment.
William Clay Henry, of Buena Vista, was also major of the regiment. Cornelius C. Platter, of Ross County, was adjutant and afterwards captain of Company D. Companies A, B, E, and G, were organized at Lima, Ohio. Companies C and I were organized at Greenfield, Ohio. Company D was organized at Upper Sandusky. Company F was organized at Cincinnati, but a number of the men were from Adams and Scioto counties. Company H was organized from Adams and Scioto counties. Company K was from Galion, Ohio.
The following members of the company were from Adams County : Albert B. Baird, first sergeant, resides in Cincinnati ; David W. Mc- Call, sergeant, died October 4, 1862, of wounds received in the battle of Corinth the same day ; Samuel Devoss, sergeant ; Joshau B. Truitt, died June 3, 1862, at Rome, Ohio; Abner McCall, corporal, killed October 3, 1862, at the battle of Corinth ; James Woodworth, corporal, wounded July 22, 1864, at Corinth; John Hayslip; George W. Easter, corporal, wounded October 3, 1862, at the battle of Corinth; Leonard Young, wounded July 22, 1864, at Atlanta, Ga. ; Price J. Jones, corporal, afterward first lieutenant Co. H ; Charles H. Baird ; William M. Buck ; William M. Furnier; James T. Pitts; John D. Truitt, died July 28, 1864, at Atlanta, Ga., of wounds received in the battle of Atlanta July 22, 1864; Joseph W. Britton, discharged July 16, 1862, for disability; Samuel M. Hayward ; W^illiam McCandless, wounded October 3, 1862, at the battle of Corinth ; Joseph W. Porter, wounded October 3, 1862, at the battle of Corinth.
Charles M. Hughes, captain; Robert E. Roney, first Heutenant; William Pittman, second lieutenant. W. Clay Henry was the second captain of the company and Cornelius C. Platter the second first lieutenant. Daniel Worley was first sergeant. Henry C. Doddridge was a sergeant. He afterwards became a first lieutenant. He was wounded and captured May i6, 1864. John R. Baird was a sergeant.
Captain David A. Murphy, who has a portrait and a sketch in this work, was a private in this company. He was a soldier with a record like that of Chevalier Bayard - '"without fear and without reproach." There were three brothers by the nanxe of Monk in this company and six private soldiers with the surname of Thompson.
Dr. Peter J. Kline, one of the most prominent physicians and surgeons in the state, residing at Portsmouth, Ohio, was a sergeant in Company I. Dr. Kline is well known to the people of Adams County, not only for his high professional standing, but also for his love for the exsoldiers of the civil war and his devotions to their interests. He is constantly in demand to speak at Soldiers' Reunions and on Memorial Days. His record as a sold'er was one of the best. He never failed in a single duty and was always at the front. No surviving soldier of the civil war stands higher in the public estimate than he.
George Adkins, died September 2, 1862 : Isaac P. Clark, died February 14, 1863, at Corinth, Miss. : Elisha Decker, died August 5, 1864, at Marietta, Ga. ; William H. Howard, corporal, died May 30, 1864, of wounds ; Thomas Hutchinson, died October 9, 1862, of disease ; John McGim, died April 4, 1863 ^^ disease ; James Maddox, killed July 22, 1864, near Atlanta, Ga. : John K. Manley, killed August 11, 1864, at Atlanta, Ga. ; Samuel Morrison, died July 3, 1863, at Corinth, Miss., of disease; John N. Murfin, died January 21, 1865, in hospital boat, of disease; Christopher Oppy, died September 14, 1864, at Rome, Ga. ; William T..Oppy, died August 6, 1863, in hospital; James Peyton, killed July 22, 17864, at the battle of Atlanta; John Smiley, died April 14, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn. ; Isaac O. Thompson, died August 31, 1863, of disease; Francis M. Tumbleson, di^d March 5, 1863 ; Samuel T. Watts, died May 25, 1864.
John B. Young, of Blue Creek, Adams County, was a member of Company H. He wrote many interesting letters to the county newspapers during his service. He has a separate sketch herein. Mr. Young was a model soldier, and has reason to be proud of the services he rendered his country.
The Eighty-first Ohio Regiment had its first experience on the firing line when it carried its colors into the smoke of battle at Pittsburg Landing on that memorable and bloody Sabbath morning, April 6, 1862. Amid the crash and din of this fight, it was given a position in the Army of Tennessee, remaining ever afterward in this gallant and historic army until the close of the war, three years later, when with thinned ranks and those colors so bright and new on that Sabbath morning, now tattered and battle-scarred, it stood at the battle of Bentonville, N. C, more than one thousand miles from the scene of its first action. By its gallantry in action and patient endurance on the march, it had added in no small degree to the brilHant history of Gen. Sherman's favorite army corps, led by his most beloved lieutenant-general James B. McPherson, who fell while gallantly leading his men on the twenty-second day of July,
1864, in front of Atlanta and only a short distance from the line of the Eighty-first Ohio. On the afternoon of the same day, together with the rest of the brigade to which it belonged, it took part in a charge on the left of the Fifteenth Army Corps, retaking the works out of which Morgan L. Smith's Division had been driven, and at the same time recapturing the famous De Grasses Battery of four twenty-pound Parrots which had fallen into the hands of the enemy. On this charge they were led by Dr. C. P. Dennis, of Portsmouth, Ohio, then a member of Gen. Morgan L. Smith's staff. Early in May, 1864. this regiment marched across the little wooden bridge which spans Cliickamauga Creek at Lee and Gordon's Mills, with nine hundred bright muskets in its ranks.
Three months later only three hundred guns were stacked by this command in the streets of Atlanta. This was the mute eloquence of the gallantry of this regiment from Resaca to the Gate City of the South. By a strange coincident, it furnished the first man killed in the army of Tennessee, Thomas D. Crossbv, at Resaca ; and also the last one killed in the campaign at Atlanta, John M. Cowman. After the capture of Atlanta, together with its brigade, it was transferred to the Fourth Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps; and became a part of General John M. Corse's command, of Altona fame. It participated in Sherman's March to the Sea; and was present at the capture of Savannah, Georgia, December 21, 1864.
Turning northward unflinchingly and uncomplainingly, it took up that terrible five hundred miles march ; through swamps, across rivers, and over all obstacles a determined and desperate enemy could place in its way. Together with the rest of Sherman's army, it joined in the Union cheer, carried the last earthworks, and for the last time met armed lesistence to the Union cause at Gouldsborough, N. C, March ?i, 1865. From here it marched three hundred and fifty miles, reaching Washing- Ion City ; and together with the rest of Sherman's army passed in review May 24, 1865, and then became citizen soldiers.
1865. John A. Turlcy, of Scioto County, was original colonel; Benjamin F. Coates, of Adams County, was the original lieutenant colonel. Company E, Captain Samuel E. Clark, and Company I, Captain Thomas C. Downey, were raised and organized in Adams County. The regiment participated in the following battles :
Capt. Samuel E. Clark, killed in the battle of Cloyd's Mountain, Va. ; William Cruit, died June i, 1864, in Rebel prison; James A. Cruit, died November 11, 1864, in Rebel prison; Thomas M. Douglas, died September 18, 1864, at Baltimore, Md., William L. Douglas, died June 28, 1864, at Leesburg, Va.; William Edward, died March 20, 1864; Ira W. Ellison, March 26, 1864, at Fayetteville, W. Ya. ; William P. Jones, died June 15. 1865, in Rebel prison; William A. Leatherwood, killed in the battle of Cloyd's Mountain, Ya. ; Samuel R. McColm died August 10, 1864, at Baltimore, Md. ; William Shreffler died August 19, 1862, at Point Pleasant, W. Ya. ; James J. Swanger, killed in battle of Lynchburg, Ya. ; John Ward, died September 10, 1864, Antietam, Md.
William Cruit, William P. Jones, Nathan A. Woodrow, James Barickman, James Wilson, John Y. Kincaid in the battle of Cloyd's Mountain, W. Ya : Thomas Thompson, Cow Pasture River, W. Va. ; Franklin D. Bayless, William T. Knox, John Hagerty and Edward B. Shultz in the battle of Stevenson's Depot ; Joseph N. Moore at Martinsburgh, Ya. ; James M. Bovles, George Foster, Joseph A. Stroman, Jacob Moore and John H. Prather in the battle of Opequan, Ya. ; John Flemming, Alien Flemming and James P. McOovney in battle of Fisher's Hill, Ya. ; Robert S. Moore, Lalathia Coryell and Sidney Stroman in battle of Lynchburg, Ya.
Jesse M. Bond, Thomas A. Clemmer, Joseph Y. Delaplane, Lucien J. Fenlon, R. St Clair Fulton, Joseph B. Gamel and Robert Kennedy, wounded in the battle of Opequan ; Aaron T. Shriver, Lynchburg ; George W. Armstrong, Evan M. Hughes, and Robert Palmer in the battle of Stevenson's Depot ; William L. Albert, at Halltown.
W'illiam Dickey and Samuel L. MeKee were killed in the battle of Lynchburg, Ya. ; Silas Duncan died April 30, 1863, at Fayette Court House, W. Va. : Ira T. Hays, James B. Johnson, James H. McCoy, James F. Stcen, William Taylor and Garland Pulliam were all killed in the battle of Opequan; John A. McNeil, died February 11, 1863, and Samuel M. McNeil, died November 23, 1862, at Gauley Bridge; Samuel Pursell died August 11, 1864, at Antietam, IMd. ; Algen Scott died July 13, 1863, at Winchester.
James Crawford succeeded Sanuiel E. Clark as captain of Company E and he was discharged the eleventh of October, 1864, and succeeded by William D. Burbage, of Washington, D. C. Samuel P. Baldridge, deceased, was lieutenant of Company E, as was also Milton Brown. The second lieutenants were: James C. Freeman, John H. Moore and Eugene B. Williard, of Hanging Rock, Ohio. Henry B. Woodrow, sergeant of Company E, was made second lieutenant of Company H, December 2, 1864.
Of the officers of Company I, Capt. Thomas C. Downey resigned November 29, 1862, and was succeeded by Allen T. WickoflF. Samuel T. Baldridge was the original second lieutenant of this Company I.
Of the regiment during the entire ser^'ice 296 were killed and wounded ; in the battle of Opequan, but 312 of the regiment were engaged and 117 were killed or wounded. At Cloyd's Mountain, Capt. Samuel E. Clark was .killed as he was standing firing at the enemy with a revolver. William Leatherwood was here shot through the heart right under the colors.
The sketches of the several members of the 91st O. V. I. in this book will give more details of the history of the regiment. They are: Gen. B. F. Coates, Gen. A. T. Wikoff, Hon. Luden J. Fenton. Hon. William D. Burbage, Hon. Franklin D. Bayless, John W. Kincaid and Charles N. Hall.
This was a six months regiment. Adams County was not represented in the field or staff, but all of Company G was from Adams County, except the second lieutenant and twenty-two men from Union County. David Urie was captain; Nelson W. Evans, first lieutenant; William H. Robinson, second lieutenant. The company was mustered in August 10, 1863, and mustered out March 8, 1864. On August 10, 1863, it was sent to Camp Nelson, Ky. On August 20, 1863, it started on the march to Cumberland Gap, where it arrived September 8, 1863. On the ninth of September, 1863, Gen. Frazier surrendered the Gap with 2400 prisoners and the 129th was relegated to garrison duty there with scouting. December 2, 1863, it was sent to Black Fox Ford on the Clinch River, where it had a skirmish with Long^treet's forces. It remained on the flank of Longstreet's army, with occasional skirmishes until he returned to Virginia. The regiment then returned to Cumberland Gap, whence it was sent home at the expiration of its service. The following died in the service: Alexander Davidson, October 28, 1863, at Cumberland Gap ; John H. Johnson, corporal, February 19, 1864, ^it Marysville, Ohio: Henry D. Kirkpatrick, November 29, 1863, at Cumberland Gap ; William S. McCreight, February 25, 1864, at Camp Nelson, Ky., Corporal Waite, October 28, 1863, at Cumberland Gap, Tenn.
This company did some hard marchinj^, much starving, and was un^er fire several times, but fortunately no one out of the company was wounded or killed, though the rebels lost sixty-five killed or wounded in making the charge at Black Fox Ford. Martin V. B. Kennedy, first sergeant, resides at Zanesville ; James P. Wasson is deceased ; James W. Baldridge resides at Cherry Fork ; James T. Gaston and Sanford A. Mc- Cullough at Tranquility; Martin F. Crissman at Manchester; James A. Young at Seaman, and Napolean B. West, at Portsmouth, Ohio, and all have sketches herein.
Xational guards were from Adams County. The commissioned officers of Company K were : George Kirker, captain ; John N. Morris, first lieutenant ;T^llis Washburn, second lieutenant.
This was the highest numbered regiment of the hundred days troops. It was organized at GalHpolis, Ohio, May 14, 1864. It had soldiers in it from Guernsey, Brown, Adams and Jackson counties. It performed guard duty at GalHpolis, Ohio, during its whole term of service. It was mustered out September 3, 1864. Company G was from Adams County. Samuel Laird, captain ; Robert P. McClure, first lieutenant ; William A. Blair, second lieutenant. William P. Breckenridge was a sergeant in this company. There were two members of this company died in service, James H. Elliott, died July 12, 1864. at GalHpolis, Ohio; William Smith died August 25, 1864, at GalHpoHs, Ohio.
This was one of the year regiments, organized in the summer of 1864, at GalHpolis. Adams County was represented in the field and staff by Nelson W. Evans, adjutant, and Stephen J. Lawell, sergeant major. Company H had as captain, David Urie; first lieutenant, William Mc- Intire, and second lieutenant, George G. Menley. Sanford A. McCullough was a sergeant and Marion F. Crissman a corporal. James A. Young, of Seaman, and N. B. West, of Portsmouth, were privates in this company.
The regiment was mustered in at GalHpolis in September, 1864. It was sent direct to Nashville, where it remained until after the battle as a part of the garrison. It was placed in position during the battle in the second Hne and was in plain sight of the fight in front of Fort Negley, but was not called into action. After the battle it was sent to Columbia, Tenn., and after two weeks was recalled and sent to JohnsonviHe, Tenn., where it remained until the war closed. It was mustered out June 26, 1865.
Bogue, Dixon and Sellman are buried in the National Cemetery, seven miles north of Nashville. Mr. McLean died at home, and the bodies of the others were brought home.
The three above named companies of this regiment were from Adams County. The regiment was organized from August 4, to October 27, 1864, to serve one year. William W. West, of Adams County, was major of the regiment. He entered the service October 24, 1864, and resigned Januan- 24, 1865. Elijah D. Leedom was adjutant, mustered out with the regiment July 7, 1865. William H. Cooler*, of Company G, was sergeant major and James W. Bunn was hospital steward.
Company G was mainly from the vicinity of Manchester. Alexander M. Land, captain ; Thomas Mitchell, first lieutenant : Levi L. Conner, second lieutenant. The regiment was sent to Xashville on the first of November, 1864. It took part in the battle of Nashville and remained performing guard and provost duty until July 7, 1865, when it was mustered out.
James W. Bunn who has a separate sketch herein ^-as a private in tins company. There were only two persons out of the company died. They were: James C. Warren, died February 19, 1865, at NashWlle, Tenn. ; Nathan Holt, died Februar}' 12. 1865. at Nashville. Tenn.
Company H was also from the vicinity of Manchester. John Shelton, captain , Henry Pence, first lieutenant : George W. Brittingham, second lieutenant. Dr. Robt. W. Pnrdy was a private soldier of this company. Of Company H, Nelson Beam died June 21, 1865 : Silas Cadwallader died October 20, 1864, at Nashville, Tenn. : Robert S. Little, died April 14, 1865, ^^ Nashville, Tenn. : Jeremiah Tomlin died November 9, 1864, at his home in Adams County.
D. Leedom, first lieutenant |Tohn K. Pollard, second lieutenant, who has a separate sketch herein. There were no deaths in Company I during the service.
This company was organized in February, 1865, to serve one year. The regiment left Columbus. Ohio on the day of its organization, under orders to proceed to Winchester, Va., and report to Major-General Hancock. The regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, Second L)i\nsion. Army of the Shenandoah. Its only duty was garrison duty in the \ alley, marching as far south as Winchester, where it remained until August 2'j. T865, when it was mustered out in accordance with orders fn»m the War Department The following are the casualities: George
E. Anderson, died March 13, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio; Francis Higgins, died April 4, 1865. at Cumberland. Md. ; William L. Higgins. died March 22. 1865. at Harper's Ferry, W. Va. : Jesse W. Monroe, died February 18, 1863. at Camp Chase, Ohio; Marion M. Patton, died April 3, 1865, at Harper's Ferry, W. Va. ; William Thoroman, died April 6, 1865, at Harper's Ferry, W. Va.
was recruited from the counties in the southwestern part of the state and was known as the "River Regiment." It was mustered into service from September 12. 1862, to November 8, 1862, at Columbus, Camp Ripley, Athens. Pomeroy and Gallipolis, Ohio, to serve three years. At the time of its organization it numbered 1,204 "^^^^ ^^^ ^t the time of muster out 840 men. It was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., July 4, 1865, and was paid and discharged at Camp Dennison. C»l.io.
The regimental field officers were: Israel Garrard, colonel; George G. Minor, lieutenant colonel; James Mclntire, major; Isaac Train, surgeon, and ThecKlore F. Allen, adjutant.
Adams County contributed Company F to this regiment. This company was recruited at Bentonville, Ohio by Allen G. Brownfield, who was made captain of the company. Joseph R. Copeland and Oliver H. Eylar were first and second lieutenants respectively. The non-commissioned officers were : Wm. E. Jennings, orderly ; Samuel Dryden, quartermasters sergeant; Samuel B. Truitt, commissary sergeant, Thomas J. Robbins, James Froman, Jenkins Davis, Robert McNeil and Argus McCall, sergeants.
The corporals were: Reuben O. Cropper, Henry Stableton, John H. Starrett. John A. McCall, Andrew J. Phillips, James L. Park, Geo. D. Cox and Wm. D. Rees.
The survivors of the 7th O. V". I., residing in Adams County, are all members of Company F. They are : Wm. H. Vane, first sergeant and promoted to second lieutenant, assigned to Company E ; James Froman, Samuel B. Truitt, promoted to Reg. Com. Sergeant; Robert C. McNeil, Enoch McCall, Reuben O. Cropper, Benj. K. Swearingen, Charles Bowman, Wm. Hooper, Stephen R. Bradford, John C. Wright, Moses Brittin^ham, John dinger, Wm. H. Rhinehart, Thomas Swearingen, Peter F. Darnell, Richard M. J. Doggett, Charles Edgington, Albert Urton, Alexander Fleming, Samuel Grimes, Wilson M. Grooms, Elijah Hill, John F. Howell, John P. Levi, John A. Mc- Call, Sylvester Moore, Wm. H. Park, John J. Kirts, John W. Hughes.
Those of Company F, who lost their lives in service are : James M. Campbell, James Palmer, Argus McCall. John B. Smith, Ferdinand Redinger, John A. Ross, Samuel Searsc, Thomas Jackson, Albert Jarvis, Edward Cuimingham. John H. Starrett and Wm. R. Duzan, the two latter losing their lives on the ill fated "Sultana."
The engagements that the Seventh Regiment took active part in were: Dutton Hill. Ky., March 30, 1863; Cumberland Gap, Tenn., September 9. 1863; Blue Springs, Tenn., October 10, 1863: Franklin, Tenn., November 30, 1864; Nashville, Tenn., December 15-16, 1864; Plantersville, Ala.. April i, 1865; Selma, Ala., April 2, 1865: Cynthiana, Ky., June 11, 1864: Buffington's Island, Ohio. July 19. 1863.
The hardest fought battle ever participated in was Franklin. Tenn. At Rogersville, Tenn.. the regiment met its most serious losses by rapture. The captured men suffered greatly in Libby and Andersonviile prisons. One of the most deplorable events which occurred during the service of this regiment was the explosion of the steamer ^'Sultana." April 27, 1865, ^" the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tenn. Several members of this regiment had been paroled at Vicksburg and were o'l their way liome when the explosion occurred in the night and several hundred men lost their lives.
Major General Upton in General Order, No. 21, issued at Edgefield, Tenn., in 1863, highly compliments this regiment for its bravery and eminent service, rendered in the last campaign of the war, reciting the conduct of the division of which the seventh was a part, he says: "In thirty days you have traveled 600 miles, crossing six rivers, met and defeated the enemy at Montevalle, Ala., capturing 100 pris- oners; routed Forrest, Buford and Rhoddy in their chosen position at Ebenezer, capturing two g^ns and 300 prisoners ; carried the works in your front at Selma, capturing thirteen guns and 1,100 prisoners, five battle flags, and finally crowned your success by a night assault on the enemy's entrenchments at Columbus, Ga., where you captured 1500 prisoners, twenty-four guns, eight battle flags with vast ammunitions of war; April 21, you arrived at Macon, Ga., having captured on your march 300 prisoners, thirty-nine pieces of artillery and thirteen battle flags. Whether mounted with the saber or dismounted with carbines the brave men of the Third, Fourth, and Ffth Iowa; First and Seventh Ohio and Tenth Missouri triumphed in every conflict."
The original officers were : Daniel T. Cockerill, captain, who was promoted to major. July 24, 1864. Samuel M. Espey, first lieutenant, resigned June 15, 1862. Giles J. Cockerill, first lieutenant, promoted to captain of Company D, March 16, 1834. George W. Blair, second Heutenant, resigned January 15, 1862. John Lynch, second Heutenant.
This battery participated in the following battles: Corinth, Miss., advanced on April 18 to May 30, 1862; Stone River, Tenn., December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863; Chickamauga. Tenn., September 19 to 20, 1863.
Leonard E. Barber died May 9, 1862, ten miles from the Tennessee River; William Barney died July 15, 1863, Louisville, Ky. : Banford Bell died March 31, 1862, at Columbia. Tenn.; Elias Briddle died August 3. 1864, at Decatur, Ala.; Samuel Billingsley died May 27, 1864; Joseph E. Bratton died January 22, 1862, at Camp Chase, Ohio; Lewis A. Brown died September 7, 1864, at Decatur, Ala. ; Orticle Bnmdege died March 26, 1864; William T. Carter died June 16, 1862; George W\ Davidson died April 5, 1862; Josiah J. Downing died February 13, 1863, at vStone River; Hugh Frazier died August i, 1862, at Manchester, Tenn. ; Harrison Frazier died February 13, 1863, near Readyville, Tenn., of wounds; John A. Harsha died March 11, 1864; Lafayette Joiner died June 30, 1864; Edwin M. Kinney died July 21, 1864, at Wooster, Ohio; Alexander Lorenzo died May 29, 1865, at Huntsville, Ala. ; John Lynch, second lieutenant, killed September 19. 1863, at the battle of Chickamauga, Ga. ; Matthew McClollum died May 15, 1862; William McDonald died January 10, 1864, at Nashville, Tenn.; James S. McKnitt died February 17, 1864, in Adams County. Ohio; Thomas A. Nicholas, killed December 31, 1862, at the battle of Stone River; Maxwell D. Parr died August 1, 1864, at Decatur, Ala.: William T. Savage died October 16^, 1864, at Nashville, Tenn.; Lorin A. Steele died April 16 1862, at Nashville. Tenn.; John Stevens died March 14. 1863, at Murfreesboro, Tenn.; William O. Suters died January 5, 1865. at Decatur; Ala.; Robert Vance died February 25, 1862, at Paducah, Ky. ; David M. Waggoner died February 18, 1864, at Nashville, Tenn.
This regiment was mustered into the service as the One Hundred and Seventeenth Regiment, O. V. I., .in September, 1862, at Camp Portsmouth, Ohio, its eight companies aggregating 796 men. In October, 1862, the regiment was ordered to Kentucky, where for the succeeding seven months it was engaged in guard duty and expeditions against guerrillas. In May, 1863, orders were issued by the War Department changing the organization into the First Regiment Heavy Artillery, Ohio Volunteers, and on August 2, 1863, it was so reorganized, with twelve full companies, aggregating 1,839 officers and men. During reorganization it was stationed about Covington and Newport, Ky. During the fall and winter of 1863-64 the regiment, in battalion detachments, was engaged in g^iard duty at various points in Kentucky. On Februay 19, 1864, it started through severe weather over the mountains to Knoxville, Tenn., arriving there March 9. Until September the regiment was engaged in guarding the railroads through Tennessee, and subsequently participated in Burbridge and Stoneman's raids against Saltville. During the winter of 1864 and 1865 it was engaged in fighting guerrillas in East Tennessee and North Carolina. It formed a part of the First Brigade, Fourth Division, in guarding captured points and guarding mountain passes. After the surender of Lee and Johnson the regiment saw service in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. On July 25, 1865, it was mustered out of the service, at Knoxville, Tennessee. James A. Murphy was captain at the organization and has a separate sketch in this work; Jacob M. Tener, first lieutenant, resigned December 14, 1863; James R. Oldson, first lieutenant; James W. Potts, second lieutenant; Samuel R. Russell, second Heutnant.
The causalities were as follows : Andrew J. Beavers died February 13, 1864, at Cincinnati, Ohio; Jacob Bobb died July 23, 1864, at Knoxville, Tenn. ; Noah Countryman died May 9, 1865, at Knoxville, Tenn.; Frank Elliott died February 6, 1864, at Covington, Ky. ; Samuel Hayslip died September 16, 1863, at Covington, Ky. ; James M. Hunter died July 14, 1864, at Knoxville, Tenn.; Richard Mullis, March 21, 1864, at Cincinnati, Ohio; John W. Newland died March 10, 1864, at Knoxville, Tenn.; William Rude died December 9, 1863, at Covington, Ky. ; Wesley Zile died July 19, 1863, at Covington, Ky.
This regiment was organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, from June to September, 1863, to serve three years. It was mustered out of the service August 23, 1865. Company B of this regiment was mustered in August 5, 1863, at Camp Dennison and sent to Covington Barracks, Ky. ; thence on the fifth of September to Bowling Green, Ky. It lay here until May 26, 1864, when it moved to Charleston, Tenn. On the third of August the company was at Cleveland, Tenn., and took part in an engagement at that place on the 17th. On the nineteenth the company moved to Fort Saunders and Knoxville, and on the eighteenth of November, 1864, moved to open communications with the Union forces at Strawberry Plains. On the 20th of November 1844 it returned to Knoxville, and on the seventh of December marched to Bean's Station,
Tenn. On the 29th of December, 1864, it ag^in returned to Knoxville, moving immediately thereafter to Camp Rothrock and Fort Bpngton. It was mustered out August 23, 1865, ^^ Nashville, Tenn.
The original officers were Phillip Rothrock, captain, died October 12, 1864, of wounds received August 17, 1864, in the battle of Cleveland, Tenn. He has a separate sketch herean. Isaac J. Vance was first lieutenant; Emory Golden, first lieutenant; Convin Wick, second lieutenant ; Francis Reichman, second lieutenant.
The following were the casualities in the company: Lewis Bunn died October 3, 1863. at Bowling Green, Ky. ; Barnabas M. Coleman died January 7, 1865. at Knoxville, Tenn.; John \V. Corwin died December 7. 1864, ^t Knoxville, Tenn.: Daniel Emrie died September 5. 1864, at Charleston, Tenn.: John Evans died July 27. 1864. at Charleston, Tenn.: Xathan Fassett died December 15, i8(5s, at his home in Ohio; John M. Hart died April 16, 1865. at Knoxville, Tenn.: David R. Hoffman died September 2, 1864, at Cleveland, Tenn.; John Meister died September 7, 1864. at Cleveland Tenn.; Robert A. Xaylor died June 25, 1864. accidentally drowned at Charleston, Tenn. ; Samuel C. Orr died March 8, 1864, at Bowling Green, Ky. : Charles D. Perrine died July 25, 1864, at Charleston, Tenn. ; Phillip Rothrock, captain, died October 18, 1864, at Cleveland. Tenn.: David Ruble died September 23, 1863, at Bowling Green, Ky. : James F. Snook died July II, 1865, at Knoxville, Ky. : Silas M. Thomas died August 13. 1864. at Cleveland, Tenn.; Charles Wood died January 14, 1864, at Bowling Green, Kv., of accidental wounds.
The roster of the organization will be found on page 659 of Vol. 10, of the roster of the Ohio soldiers, published under the authority of the state. This battery was organized for the shortest term of service of any military organization which ever went out of Adams County, and it has been said that the rebellion could not have been put down had not it been for the assistance of this battery in the service. It was made up largely of citizens past military age and some who had seen soldiers' life before. The company was mustered into service on the seventeenth day of October, 1864, for a period of sixty days and they were mustered out on the nineteenth day of December, 1864, having serv^ed sixty-three days.
The original commissioned officers of the company were : Samuel AI. Espy, captain, of Ripley, Ohio: James Tripp, first lieutenant, of Jackson, Ohio; James H. Bradford, first lieutenant, of West Union. Ohio: George H. Darling, second lieutenant, from West Union. Ohio; William S. Beasley, second lieutenant, of Ripley, Ohio.
Those of the company from West Union or from Adams County, are as follows : Joseph Hayslip, James Moore, Jacob M. Wells. William Allen, John Naylor, John A. Cockerill, Casper Disser, Robert Baldridge, Samuel Bealey, Handy C. Burbage, Samuel Burwell, Gabriel Crawford, Edward P. Evans, Wilson Ilayslip, John Holmes, John A. Hood, Joshua B. Hook, George X. Hagenback, Joseph LafTerty, Robert Leach, Arthur L. TJoyd, Jesse A. Osborne, Addison Postle-
The battery left West Union and went to Cincinnati and from there to Sandusky and from Sandusky it went to Johnson's Island and guarded the Rebel prisoners, officers of the Confederate army, placed on the Island, until about December i, when it went to Cleveland and was there about twenty-five days. At Johnson's Island it relieved the Eighth Independent Battery. There were no casualties in the service, but the weather was very severe while they were stationed at Johnson's Island, and being from southern Ohio and unaccustomed to the climate near the lake, some of them came near freezing to death.
Of the many stirring scenes and thrilling accidents occasioned by the Civil War, none so aroused the patriotic spirit of our people, or produced so much excitement and spread such consternation in their homes as did the raid of Morgan's Confederate Cavalry through this county in July, 1863. This dashing cavalryman had crossed the Ohio at Brandenburg, Kentucky, on the eighth, with a force of about 2500 all told, and entered upon "his most famous raid," through southern Indiana and Ohio, which awakened the people of those regions to the alarums, if not the horrors of war. This daring raid was undertaken chiefly for the purpose of relieving General Bragg, then near Tullahoma, Tennessee, from a threatened concentration of the forces of Burnside, Judah, and Rosecrans, against Him, and which would have overpowered and destroyed his army as then situated. "General Morgan urged, that the scare and the clamor in the states he proposed to invade, would be so great, that the Administration would be compelled to furnish the troops that would be called for," and, as these would of necessity be supplied from Judah's or Burnside's forces, the needed relief of Bragg's army would be immediately obtained. General Bragg dissented, and ordered Morgan to make the raid through Kentucky, granting permission to go "anywhere north of the Tennessee ;" but as Indiana and Ohio are north of that river, Morgan began perfecting plans to put in execution his long cherished desire to invade the North. His plans, briefly, were to make a feint against Louisville, then cross the Ohio, threaten Indianapolis, then Cincinnati, swing his forces round that city, and then raid the southern counties of Ohio to Buffington Island, then recross the Ohio and join Lee's forces then threatening Pennsylvania. And, astounding as these plans were, they would have been successfully executed but for an hour's delay in reaching the ford on the upper Ohio, notwithstanding an unprecedented rise in the Ohio, at that season of the year, which enabled the transports to land troops at that point to contest the crossing. A portion of his command did make the crossing, and escape through the country to the Confederate lines. Morgan's command consisting of the first and second brigades of cavalry, with a few pieces of light artillery, was but a little more than a "mounted guard" in militar>' terms, yet to our raw militia it was a great army, and drew after him from first to last some 50,000 pursuers.
To preparer the more timid of oar people for a thorcm^ frigixt, it had been nimored for a year or more that General John H. Morgan's cavalry in overwhelming' force was preparing to hrvade Ohio. The "home guards" had, time and again, been called out to defend die town:^ along the Ohio River against contemplated assaults from Morgan's forces. The little "tin-clad" gunboats kept constant patrol along rmr river front, and frequent false alarms were socmded "just to steady the nerves" of the expectant citizens. The bloody encounter of a detachment of Morgan's cavalry, under the fiery Colonei Duke, widi a h>*'>dy of militia at .\ugusta, Kentucky. lent color to the rumor of \f<>rgan*s contemplated invasi^/n, and kept our people on the dpttDe of expectancy for months before his actual coming. So when the invading frjTces did cross the Ohio, and successfully pass Cincinnati where was concentrated a large force under Bum^de. and the head of the marauding column pointed eastward up the river our people began to realize s^>mething rA the blight cast by an in^-ading army, and to feel their utter helplessness as to means to thwart the invaders in their cotirse. Again rumor with her many tongues and countless eyes, heraldevj in advance of the invaders, such awful scenes of fire, murder, and raf>inc, as rumor only ever beholds.
Ixx>king back now over the line of travel of the invaders, and noting in the light of history- the depredations really committed, it is astonishing how insignificant was the injury done. There was one dwelling, a few railroad bridges, and a park of government wagons btirnerl ; and, one non-combatant killed, in the 300 miles raiding from Corydon, Indiana, to Pikcton, Ohio.
It is true that many village stores were pillaged, seemingly for divcrsif>n, certainly not, in most instances, for gain. "Calico was the staple article of appropriation," says Duke, "each man who could get otif. tied a bolt of it to his saddle, only to throw it away, and get a fresh one at the first opportunity. They did not pillage with any sort of nieth^Kl or reason ; it seemed to be a mania, senseless and purposeless. r)ne man carried a bird cage with three canaries in it for two days. Another rode with a chafing-dish, which looked like a small metallic coffin, on the pommel of his saddle, until an officer made him throw it away. Although the weather was intensely warm, another, still, slung seven pairs of skates around his neck, and chuckled over his acquisition. I saw very few articles of real value taken. They pillaged like hoys robbing an orchard. I would not have believed that such a passi* mi could have been developed, so ludicrously among civilized men. At riki'toti. ( )hio, one man broke through the guard posted at a store, rushed in trembling with excitement and avarice, and filled his pockets with horn buttons! They would, with few exceptions, throw- away tlieir phnider. after awhile, like children tired of their toys."
The most serious inconvenience occasioned our people by this rail! was tlie loss of their best horses. The raiders were hard pressed bv (uneral IJohson with three thousand cavalrv, and in order to outdistance their pursuers, picked up for the purpose, the best horses along the route. .\nd to add to this loss, the good horses that had been secret e<l from the raiders, were seized the next day when brought in from their hiding places, by Hobson's soldiers. In almost every in-
Stance where a horse was taken by either Morgan's or Hobson's men, one was left in its stead, sore-footed and worn down, but otherwise generally a good horse. And the people would not have been greatly dissatisfied with these exchanges, had they been permitted to retain the horses left with them. But no sooner were the sore and tired-out animals recruited by those in whose care they had been left, than the ever officious, and too often unscrupulous, provost marshal came and claimed all such horses as the property of the government, and took them away. This act of injustice, for but few of these horses were branded and really belonged to the government, left many a man in the midst of harvest and with crops to cultivate, without a team or the means of procuring one. In some few instances when the persons stood for their rights against the cupidity of the provost marshal, they were permitted to retain as their own the horses left with them. And, some there were, who believing that the "greatest thief gets the most booty," picked up the better horses abandoned by the armies, and made off with them to distant localities beyond reach of the provost marshal, and there disposed of them.
In his "History of Morgan's Cavalry," General Duke graphically describes the panic the approach of the invaders produced in the communities through which they passed. He says: "A great fear had fallen upon the inhabitants. They had left their houses with doors wide open and unlocked larders, and had fled to the thickets and caves of the hills. At the house at which I stopped, everything was just in the condition the fugitive owners had left it a few hours before. A bright fire was blazing upon the kitchen hearth, bread half made up was in the tray, and many indications convinced us we had interrupted preparations for a meal. The chickens were strolling before the door with a confidence that was touching but misplaced."
From Williamsburg in Clermont County, Colonel Dick Morgan with about 500 men made a movement towards Ripley in Brown County where the "home guards" were assembled from all the surrounding country to repel the attack of Morgan and prevent his escape across the river at that point. This was only a feint on the part of the raiders, and served their purpose admirably, they meeting with no opposition through Brown and Adams counties. Colonel Morgan passed by the way of Georgetown, Russellville, and Decatur, entering Adams County at *Eckmansville. Here a sad occurrence took place. A foolish, hot-headed resident of Eckmansville, Dr. Van Meter, fired at a squad of the raiders and then hid himself from sight. An old man named William Johnson w^s near the point from which the shot had been fired, with an ax on his shoulder, which glistening in the sun was mistaken by the raiders for a gtm, and supposing him to be the assailant, they fired upon him and instantly killed him. When the raiders learned their mistake, they made dire threats against the little village and its inhabitants, declaring they would bum every house in It, unless their assailant was pointed out to them. Rev. David McDill, oTlie author was informed by a Mr. Patton, a former resident of Eckmansville, that a lone cayalryman rode into the village on the Russellville road, and discovering Dr. Van Meter with a musket in his hands, ordered him to surrender, which Van Meter refused to do. Both fired at the same momeat and William Johnson, being within the range of their shots, was struck by a ball and killed. It is doubtful which killed him.
now of Xcnia, was accused of knowing the oflfender and his hiding place, and was threatened with death if he did not divulge his whereabouts. But he steadfastly refused, was made prisoner, put astride a "lonesome mule" and taken as far as Locust Grove, when the next morning he was released and permitted to return to his home. Dr. Van Meter escaped summary punishment through the Scotch stubbornness of his friend Rev. McDill.
From Eckmansville, the raiders passed to Cherry Fork, Youngsville, Harshaville, Dunkinsville and Dunbarton, where they encamped on the night of the 15th, and joined the main body under General Morgan and Basil Duke, second in command, who had taken their forces from Williamsburg through Mt. Grab, Sardinia, Winchester, Harshaville, Unity, Dunbarton and Locust Grove. At Winchester, General Morgan and his staff dined and spent some time resting in the town. (See history of Winchester Township in this volume. Also, "Treason Trial in Ohio" this volume.)
Our people were wrought up to a high pitch of excitement, and many ridiculous things were done. At West Union a tree was felled across the road at the foot of the hill below "Rock Spring," to pre\'ent the raiders from entering the town, although their nearest approach to the town was at Unity.
One excitable matron tied up some bed clothes in a feather bed and deposited the bundle behind the gooseberry bushes in the garden. Another fled to a near-by corn field with a Seth Thomas brass clock, and hid it in a small ravine.
An over-anxious w^atcher of some horses hid in a thicket, thinking he could get a better view of the surrounding country by climbing to the top of a large growth sapling near by. who, observing some horsemen at a distance, became panicky upon reflection that he might be mistaken for a sharpshooter, let go his hold, and tumbled to the ground, some thirty feet, nearly breaking his neck in the fall.
liistorv records the fact that a terrified matron in a town forty miles from the rebel route, in her husband's absence, resolved to protect the family carriage horse at all hazards, and knowing no safe place, led him into the house and stabled him in the parlor, locking and bolting doors and windows, whence the noise of his dismal tramping on the resoimding f^oor sounded through the livelong night like distant peals of artillery, and kept half the citizens awake and watching for Morgan's entrance.
Provenance
Text from History of Adams County, Ohio, published 1900, in the public domain in the United States and digitised by the Internet Archive.