Allen County, Ohio - Chapter 18: Military History of Allen Covnty, 1906

The Military Instinct - "Old Militia System " - Headquarters .at Allentown - Major General Blackburn and Brigadier General Armstrong - Division Martial Band - The Old Muster Days - Gallant Mart Armstrong - First Company of Volunteers^ from Lima - The Honor Roll - " Nichols' Guards " - Captain Lamisoh's Company - In Camp at Columbus - At Benton's Ferry , Virginia - The "Home Guards" - Lima a Military Station under Colonel Pillars - Adjutant General Meily - "Melancthon Light Guards" - "Lima City Guard" - Famous Company C - Spanish- American War - "Kirk Cadets" - Company F, of Spenccrville.

The military instinct is innate in man - so is the instinct of organization. Some one has said that many a boy is recalcitrant, and hostile to discipline under ordinary conditions and environments, but put a military cap on him, band him with associates and he will submit to the strictest rules and regulations not only with willingness but with pride. This accounts for our military institutions, also for the important place athletics holds in our schools and colleges.

The same instinct perhaps is the foundation for the fellow feeling which every old soldier has for every other old soldier. That other may be a stranger and may hail from some distant State, but the fact that he has "worn the blue" and has marched shoulder to shoulder under the old flag, gives passport to the heart

In 1792 under provision of the Constitution, Congress passed an act for the enrollment in the militia of all able-bodied white male citizens, between the ages of 18 and 45, except certain officers and other persons exempted. That law with some slight modifications (one of which is the striking out of the word "white") is the law of to-day.

The system usually referred to as the "Old Militia System" came into use at the beginning of the 19th century, and terminated at the outbreak of the Civil War. Under this system every citizen was enrolled and almost every county was the home of a regiment or a brigade. There were certain vague regulations requiring each member to appear at stated intervals for instruction in drill. The State furnished but few arms and most of -the men were equipped with cornstalk guns. Allentown was the headquarters of the Northwestern Ohio Division with Major General Blackburn commanding, and Brigadier General Armstrong commanding the Allen County Brigade. The musters were held at Lima, and they always fur- nished an occasion for gaudy attire, as well as for settling old scores. All quarrels and difficulties were laid over until muster day when, after performing their duty to the State for a few hours, the men took the matter of "settling up" in hand.

At Allentown, also, was located the division martial band, consisting of fifes and drums played by the Stuckey, Campbell and Westbay Tboys. That old Allentown tune ! It comes

It should be perpetuated in every household in German township, for it belongs there as distinctly as "Maryland, My Maryland" belongs to Maryland. It took to the war many a gallant boy, who never returned and there is much of pathos and sentiment in its memory.

On these muster days, General Blackburn, as handsome a soldier as ever mounted a charger, headed the procession and was followed by the band. The company was made up of the Knittles, Herrings, Coons, Ridenours, Sunderlands, Ehrmans, Sawmillers, Stemens and many others.

On account of his great weight, General Blackburn did not drill the State miliitia, and the work fell on Brig.-Gen. William Armstrong, who on these occasions, clad in his uniform and mounted on a large sorrel "Sheriff" t>y name, was at once the wonder and delight -of his children. At one time he led a scouting party through that part of town known as Grove. His appearance at the time of the late war is thus described by an eye-witness : - "General Armstrong appeared upon the scene about four o'clock P. M. His coming had about the same effect as Sheridan's was said to have had upon the troops near Winchester. He was panoplied in all the pomp and circumstance of glorious war; his chapeau was double the size of Nichols' or Lamison's; his feather was a combination of red and white, and was plucked from the largest of the ostrich tribe; bis belt was mounted with a flaming sash; his beautiful gold epaulettes were the size of small saddle-bags and his sword was made for carnage.'

Although well along in years, General Armstrong filled out a company for the Civil War and was greatly disappointed as well as hurt to find the quota filled and his company rejected. His son, known as the gallant Mart Armstrong was killed at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862, and was one of the first victims belonging to Lima. When General Armstrong went after his son's body, it would have required only the slightest encouragement to have had him remain and take his son's place.

When on April 12, 1861, the firing on Fort Sumter sounded the tocsin of war throughout the Union, it fully aroused the military spirit in our little city. On Sunday the 14th, President Lincoln issued his first call for troops. Charles N. Noyer, a printer, was the first in the field from Lima. He enlisted with the Springfield (Ohio) "Zouave Guards" and left for Columbus about the 16th of April.

On the 19th of April the first company of volunteers was organized, and left for Columbus April 22, 1861. The following is a list of the officers and members of the company : Captain, Mathias H. Nichols; 1st lieutenant, Charles M. Hughes; 2nd lieutenant, T. J. Hustler; sergeants - J. A. Anderson, J. N. Cunniqgham, William Bradley and W. H. Ward; corporals - C. C. Oldfield, Milton Titus, J. B. Davison and Samuel Mc- Clure; privates - Joseph Shot well, Jesse Tarman, J. E. Tracy, William Gaunt, H. A. Hubbard, D. F. Cahill, Jacob Gensell, D. D. Gilbert, S. Ward, Jerome Straley, J. H. Linton, A. H. Chapin, S. W. Hull, T. S. Lisle, W. B. Sheadan, N. G. Franklin, J. A. Adgate, A. Huffman, Madison Alexander, J. M. Breese, G. A. Taylor, G. E. Poag, Aaron Buck, James A. Boyd, C. R. Tagan, J. N. Hover, S. R. Gilbert, E. Bates, C. Chaney, S. Henderson, G. W. Standiford, S H. Saxton, G. Tunget, P. Roush, J. Roush, E. W. Crumley. James Mc- Clure, H. L. Stattman, N. Gunkle. A. Coon, J. B. Wilson, J. W. Rydman, Daniel Sowers, D. H. Brice. C. D. Anderson, D. Carlisle, W. V. Beatty, D. Brandt, Martin H. Ingledness, Charles Brenman, W. H. Junkin, Moses P.

Hawk, . Stephen C. Kent, Silas W. Faulkner, John YV. Barton, Thomas P. Conner, R. B. Underwood, S. H. Underwood, F. D. Hipkins, Henry Gafney, D. A. Elder, Samuel Loomis, James Langan, David M. Bailey, Thomas H. Hullinger, Silas Reed, Joseph Mc- Coy, David Sowers, Percival Tracy, John Hughes, All B. Crall, Thomas P. Johns, James A. Sutton, Abraham Fleming, Jacob Shambarger, Josiah Snyder, James W. Bailey, William Hardesty, D. D. Imler, Peter Tracy and James R. Cunningham. "Nichols' Guards," as the above company was called, went to Columbus on the 22nd of April.

The following is an extract from a letter written by a Lima boy while in camp at Columbus. It gives a vivid picture of those turbulent times : "Columbus presents a wonderful scene to one who has been accustomed to peace, and the calm of the rural home. Hurried preparations for the war are seen on every side. The beat of the drum, the march of the military companies, the constant huzzas for the Union, the singing of the 'Star Spangled Banner' and the curses upon traitors - all present a novel condition of things.

"In Camp Jackson you will now see Prof. Lorin Andrews, Judge John A. Corwin, members of Congress, members of the Legislature, lawyers and ministers of the Gospel, all in the field, drilling companies and being drilled, preparing to meet in battle the Southern traitors. Hence the present manifestation is not the wild rushing together of madmen, but the calm determination of men of the highest intelligence, having the highest end in view that could animate a nation.

"Nothing is more interesting than a visit to the camp-ground. Those of the companies who are not on drill you will see lounging around under the shade of trees, reading the latest news, writing letters with nothing but a board held on the knee for a table, or reading with calm thought their testaments! I do not believe there is a soldier yet arrived in camp unprovided with a Testament! Surely this is a Christian warfare. The Word of the Lord is our shield."

The following is another extract written from Benton's Ferry, Virginia, June 18, 1861. - "On Saturday, the 15th, we crossed the 'Rubicon' and landed on the Virginia shore. Getting aboard the cars we started, as did Abraham, not knowing whither we went. After a pleasant trip along the Ohio, we halted at a small town, Moundville, deriving its name from the ancient mounds around it. In an excavation of one a skeleton was found seven feet in height, which proves that there were giants in those days. PIcre we took quarters

"Monday we again boarded the cars bidding adieu to the Ohio River and the 'Buckeye' shore. We proceeded onward toward Grafton, passing through valleys and villages, towns and tunnels. After a distance of 80 miles we find our destination to be Benton's Ferry, 17 miles this side of Grafton. Here we received our uniforms, which consist of pants of gray satinette, with a black stripe, and waist coat or jacket of the same material. Our quarters are freight cars left for that purpose. We have been treated kindly by the citizens of Virginia all along our route. We were greeted with loud huzzas, waving hats and handkerchiefs. We have secessionists here, though we know not how many. We are in good health and good spirits.

"Captain Nichols' company is stationed at Littleton, guarding the road. There are companies now at all important points on the railroad from Bellaire to Grafton, guarding bridges and stations.

"We are ready to fight and should we not return to the State of our birth we will feel that our lives were a just and worthy sacrifice upon our country's hallowed altar."

The "Home Guards" were organized under the reserve militia law, April 23, 1861, with A. N. Smith, captain; W. A. Hover, 1st lieutenant, and George Wilson, 2nd lieutenant.

In April the following practicing physii cians in Allen County agreed to furnish medical attendance, free of charge, to the families of the volunteers during their absence in the service : D. B. Stickney, of Acadia ; and W. McHenry, E. Ashton, F. S. Kendall, R. Kincaid, C. I. Neff and D. H. Anderson, of Lima.

On the 22nd of April, Thomas K. Jacobs introduced in the House a bill authorizing county commissioners to levy a tax of half a mill for the support of the families of volunteers during service. On April 23rd, Representative Baldwin introduced a bill embracing

"In August, 1861, Lima was selected as a military station with Colonel Pillars, commandant. The camp was opened August 1 1 , 1862, by the 99th Ohio Infantry, and before the close of the month about 1,600 men were camped there.

"Up to September 25, 1861, Allen County turned out between 900 and 1,000 troops, comprised in the following named companies : Capt. Norman Tucker's Company I, 27th Ohio Infantry ; Capt. George A. Taylor's company in Morton's Rifle Regiment; Capt. Hiram Stott's company, of Ohio Cavalry; Capt. George M. Baxter's Company I, 32nd Ohio Infantry; Capt. Martin Armstrong's company in Morton's Rifle Regiment ; Capt. Israel T. Moore's company in the 54th Ohio Infantry; and Capt. Charles M. Hughes' company in Morton's Rifle Regiment. Together with the men represented in the above-named companies, there were 25 men in the 14th Ohio Infantry, 25 men in the Fourth Ohio Infantry, 50 men in the 12th Ohio Infantry, about 25 in the United States Army, and others in various commands. Before the close of the year, between 1,100 and 1,200 volunteers were mustered into service.

"In July, 1862, the Eighth Military District was organized with rendezvous at Camp Lima. The 99th Ohio Infantry was ordered to be mustered in here. The regiment was full on August nth, about the time a second order was issued to form the 118th Ohio Infantry; up to September 1, 1862, out of an enrollment of 3,792, there were 1,411 men enlisted. There were 163 Allen County men in the 'Squirrel Hunters,' who, in 1862, defended Cincinnati, and to whom the Legislature decreed that honorable discharge be given in 1863.

"The Ohio regiments, in which any considerable number of Allen County men served, are the 27th Ohio Infantry, Morton's Rifle Regiment, 32nd Ohio Infantry, 54th Ohio Infantry, 8 1 st Ohio Infantry, 99th Ohio Infantry, 1 1 8th Ohio Infantry, 151st Ohio Na- tional Guard, and McLaughlin's Squad. Almost every Ohio command contained representatives of Allen County. In the United States Army and Navy many served of whom there is no record. The total number of troops whose names are on record is 1,920." Of these, few are left and each year the number of those who knew the Civil War with its memorable times steadily lessens. The story is one which speaks of duty nobly done, of self-sacrifice which has only found its justification and reward in our "Union strong and great."

After the close of the war, the General Assembly repealed the National Guard law and military spirit for a time as manifested in militia companies was at a low ebb. The people were weary of war and waste and were anxious to resume the pursuits of peace and progress. A few military companies came into existence under provisions of the act of 1866, by which the services of a few of the National Guard organizations whose terms of enlistment had not expired were retained in the volunteer militia. These, however, were conducted principally upon a social basis, being composed of veteran volunteers who did not wish to forget the memorable times through which they had recently passed. About the year 1870, however, the dormant military spirit had begun to revive and numerous companies of infantry and batteries of artillery were organized. The military enthusiasm took possession of leading citizens in many cities and hamlets, which gradually accomplish the passage of military laws making better provisions for the soldiers. To the energetic policy of Adjutant General Meily was due the purchase, in 1879, of 1,300 wall tents and flies with poles and pins complete. He made the bold stroke of purchasing them and the State was compelled to pay the bill. Prior to this date the several organizations had been compelled to furnish their own tentage and company outfits for their annual tours of duty in the field. With the above acquisition the soldiers were in better condition to do their work and many of the companies and batteries attained an unusual degree of proficiency. In all calls to duty they acquitted themselves hon- orably and well, and at no time has the Ohio National Guard proven unequal to any emergency in which their services were required. Notable instances are the Cincinnati riot in 1884 and the Wheeling Creek coal riot in 1894, the latter familiarly called the "Wheeling Creek Campaign," in which 3,371 officers and men were called into service.

A company was organized in Lima by Luther Melancthon Meily and enrolled on January 4, 1875, under the local designation of the "Melancthon Light Guards." Mr. Meily had, when only 18 years of age, helped to organize the 27th Ohio Infantry at Lima in the summer of 1861 and served three years as captain of Company I in that regiment. He went to Sedalia, Mississippi, and then to Pittsburg Landing and after the battle of Atlanta, three months after the expiration of his time, he returned home. He was appointed Adjutant General of the Ohio troops in 1878. Later he went to Colorado and New Mexico, in both of which States he built a railroad. He died in Lima in 1894. Mr. Meily was a faithful soldier and a man of great executive ability.

The "Melancthon Light Guards" were assigned to the nth Regiment Infantry, O. N. G., as Company C of that regiment, on July 6, 1876. In 1883 the nth Regiment was reorganized as the Second Regiment and | the Lima company remained with it, retaining its designation as Company C. The local name was changed about 1889 to "Lima City Guard," a name which it still retains. The company participated in the Cincinnati riot in 1884, the "Wheeling Creek Campaign," and in the Springfield riot in 1904.

After participating in the Spanish-American War, the company was mustered out of the State service April 14, 1899; was afterwards reorganized as Company C, unattached infantry, and assigned to the newly reorganized Second Regiment Infantry. O. N. G., November 1 3, 1899.

When war with Spain was declared, the Second Regiment Infantry, O. N. G., was composed of 1 1 companies, of which Company C was one. In response to the first call for volunteers, these 1 1 companies were ordered

April 25, 1898, to the regimental rendezvous at Kenton, Ohio, and enrolled for the volunteer service. Four days later they were ordered to the general rendezvous for the Ohio troops at Columbus, Ohio. The regiment went into camp at this place April 29th and was mustered into the volunteer service of the United States as the Second Regiment, Ohio Infantry, U. S. Volunteers, May 10, 1898. On May 18,

1898, the regiment was ordered to Camp George H. Thomas, at Chickamauga Park, Georgia, where it was brigaded with the First Pennsylvania and the 14th Minnesota regiments as the Third Brigade, Second Division, First Army Corps. Orders were received on August 28th to move to Knoxville, Tennessee. The regiment marched to Rossville, a distance of eight miles, there boarding the trains for their new destination. The new camp was a short distance from Knoxville and was called "Camp Poland." With the -exception of Company C, the regiment, on November 15, 1898, moved to Camp Fornance near Macon, Georgia, arriving there November 1 6, 1898. Company C remained at Knoxville as guard for the division headquarters and acted in that capacity until the removal of those headquarters, accompanying the same to Macon early in December.

The Second Regiment was unfortunate in not being favored with active service in foreign lands, but performed faithfully the various routine duties of camp life, until they were mustered out at Macon, Georgia, February 10,

It is interesting to note the transition of the recruit from the raw material to the disciplined and efficient soldier, thus becoming one of the essential parts of a great army. At first there is the enthusiasm kindling the patriotic fire, dampened later by the unaccustomed fatigue, broken rest, the tedious and monotonous routine of camp duties; healthy appetites changed to loathing by the coarse and poorly cooked food ; unwise choice of camps bringing into rampant life that dread enemy of the soldier in the field - typhoid. This tedious, fearful life, from the point of view of the boy soldier, is most disappointing as compared with the original hope of meeting the enemy in actual strife. As soldiers for centuries past have passed through these trials to spirit and body, so did our laddies pass through them, gaining wisdom, adaptability and self-reliance until our Company C was one of the best companies of a regiment described by General McCook (one of the "fighting McCooks"), who inspected it in October, 1898, at Knoxville, as one of the finest and most efficient infantry regiments in the service.

The principal duties of the Second Regiment in this war were guard duty, fatigue duty, target practice, skirmish, company, squad, battalion and regimental drill, and guard mount and dress parade in the ceremonies. So much cleaning up of camp was performed by this regiment that they jokingly called themselves the "Georgia Land Improving Company." Then there were the long marches to participate in the interminable reviews. The grand review at Chickamauga Park shortly before the transfer of the troops to other points was a memorable sight, reminding one of the description of the reviews of Bonaparte. Over 60,000 troops participated in this review.

At the holiday season the companies vied with each other in decorating their quarters, blending the patriotic with the Christmas spirit. From the greens and varied verdure of that Southern clime were made wreaths, arches, monuments and Christmas bells. Outlines of the faces of famous sons of Ohio as also a map of Ohio were shown in the sands bordering on Company C's street. The soldier looks back on all that time with mingled feelings. There come memories of that dread time when the hospital tents were full of fever-stricken patients, when the muffled drum would attract one's fearful gaze to the corporal's guard following the army wagon, mule drawn, containing some one's loved one. Then there are the brighter memories, the Christmas dinner, the pretty girls, the pay days with the long wait before and the short pay after. Who would forget the beckoning finger of Sergeant Gale, the "goo-goo" that Mahan cooked, the prayerful relapses of Private Ralston, the scriptural

But they went to fight and to do their duty and- so the service of the Second Ohio passed into history and in time none but pleasant memories will remain.

Transferred : Private Nicholas J. Remackel to Hospital Corps; Private Corwin H. Post to Hospital Corps; Private Elmer W. Baumgartner to Signal Corps.

The old Company C prior to the Spanish- American War was a famous company for its drills and correct drilling according to regulations. In 1892 they won the second prize at Omaha in national competition, Captain Bell, also winning a $200 sword as being the most efficient company commander.

In its early days the armory was in the assembly room of the Court House. About 1891 it moved to the Cincinnati Block and shortly after to the Donze Block, whence it was moved about 1896 to the present armory on South Main street. There were famous trips and camps in those days, to Cleveland, Philadelphia, Findlay, Columbus (when all the State troops were gathered together in 1888), New York City in 1889, Presque Isle in 1890 and 1892, Bowling Green in 1891, World's Fair, Chicago, in 1893, Tiffin, Cleveland,. Johnson's Island and Chickamauga, the beginning of a new era.

In the "old guard" of the '8o's were the Dugrays, Richmonds, Boone, Moyer, Jones, Hiner, Crum and others with "Flaxy" Cunningham as mascot and they made service in the old company one to remember. Jokes, pranks, dances, singing, zouave squads and good drilling, made for snap and vigor.

As the years go swiftly by changes come and now the National Guard is becoming more and more on a par with the regular army, a consummation which the States are working hard to accomplish.

In 1879 Capt. J. B. Kirk, who had himself been a soldier in the Civil War for over four years, organized the "Kirk Cadets.'' Before the close of the year the roster contained 40 names. Will Mowen was made captain and Stuart Pillars, 1st lieutenant. Some time afterwards Mr. Kirk was elected captain and Mowen and Pillars, lieutenants.

After drilling and disciplining for some time, the company was equipped with guns and uniforms, the latter being white duck pants and jackets with caps of the same material, adorned with U. S. staff buttons. Their wooden guns were stained black and, to make them still more formidable and warlike, guards of tin and hammers made of shoe buttoners were affixed. About this time they received and accepted an invitation to attend the camp of the 1 ith Regiment, O. N. G., at Wapakoneta, as guests of Company G.

As their ages increased their love for their Quaker guns diminished and in 1881 they purchased 23 breech-loading rifles at a cost of $172.50. With increase of age also came increase of size and the boyish suits were cast aside for 27 new suits of cadet gray, trimmed in black, which were procured at a cost of $361.70. These suits were paid for through the liberality - of citizens and the receipts of a play.

In the fall of 1883 they visited the encampment of the Second Regiment, O. N. G., at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, as the guests of Company C of Lima, into which company they finally merged.

The headquarters of the Second Regiment were at Lima after its reorganization in 1899, Col. James I. Ream was elected to the command of the regiment, which office he held until June 12, 1903. Col. E. S. Bryant was then elected and is the present incumbent. A very efficient staff has been chosen and the work of reorganization has progressed steadily so that the regiment may be regarded as a united, compact and efficient body of citizen soldiery. It comprises at present Companies A, of Findlay ; B, of Carey ; C, of Lima ; D, of Van Wert ; E, of Hicksville ; F, of Spencerville ; G, of Ada ; H, of Bowling Green; I, of Kenton; L, of Sycamore ; and M, of Ottawa.

Company F, of Spencerville, was organized in April, 1900, by Capt. Jacob R. Welch; mustered into the National Guard May 25, 1900, as Company F and assigned to the First Battalion, Second Infantry. This is the first company ever organized in Spencerville, although that city furnished 75 men to the volunteer and regular service during the Spanish-American War; some participated in the capture of Santiago, but the majority were enrolled in various companies of the Second Ohio. The officers elected at the time of organization were : Captain, Jacob R. Welch; 1st lieutenant, Corwin H. Post; 2nd lieutenant, Vernon B. Post. Later Corwin H. Post was made captain and on March 8, 1905, F. E. Arnold was elected to that office, which commission he at present holds.