Coshocton County, Ohio - Chapter 38: War of the Bebellion - Continued, 1881

Chapter 38: War of the Bebellion - Continued

Eightieth Ohio - Time of Enlistment - Muster Eolls of Coshocton Companies - Paducah and Corinth - On to Vicks- « burgh - Eesignation of Captain Mathews - Battles of Jackson and Mission Eidge - Defense of Eesaca - Sherman's March to the Sea - Closing Scenes of the Eightieth's History.

HILE the slain of the Thirty-second and Twenty-fourth were being silently sent home from the battlefield; with the dead from the fever-stricken camps of the Fifty-first, at Wickliife; while these martyrs were being laid away in their graves by the loved ones who could not see them die; amidst the enactment of these scenes, that wrung from the agony of broken hearts a solemn dirge which told of the tortures of cruel war; brave hearts and patriotic hands were steadily filling the rosters of new companies for a regiment that was to be known as the Eightieth Ohio. Three companies in the Eightieth, namely, F, G, and H, were recruited solidly in Coshocton county, and a large portion of Company B also came from this county. These companies repaired to Camp Meigs, near Canal Dover. Muster roll of Company H :

The regiment left Camp Meigs on the 17th of February, 1862, and marched ten miles toUhrichsville, Ohio, at which point it left by rail for Columbus, where it made a brief halt at Camp Chase, during a heavy storm, from which considerable sickness resulted, thence via rail to Cincinnati, from which point the journey was continued by river to Cairo, Illinois. The regiment was divided into two boat loads, and that portion on board the transport Leonora, was delayed by the breaking of her shaft, and being compelled to float down to Aurora, Indiana, where it changed boats and caught up with the first section at Paducah, Kentucky. A stay of one week was made by the regiment at Fort Holt, on the opposite side of the river from Cairo, Illinois, and then returned to Paducah, Kentucky, at which point it arrived on the 8th of March, 1862. It was not till the regiment reached this point that it was armed, and then not until the 19th of April. The regiment also received its first pay at this point, on the 23d of April, 1862. During the interval of its arrival and its being armed, the regiment was engaged in the heaviest fatigue duty, consisting in the loading and unloading of steamboats, and daily drills in the tough Kentucky mpd. As a result, from heavy labor and exposure in this service, there was much sickness and the following deaths ; Geo. Traxler of Company G, aged twenty-five years ; R. Petty of Company I, aged twenty-four years ; Corporal Samuel Compton, Company F, aged twenty-five years,

On the of 24th April the regiment left Paducah and went to Hamburg, Tennessee. Here, three ' companies, C, E and I were detailed as a guard, to unload supplies at that point. These companies afterwards rejoined the regiment previous to its leaving Camp Clearcreek, in August.

They were under the command of Major Eiohard Lanning, of Coshocton. Here the regiment was assigned to General Pope's .command, and was consolidated into a brigade composed of the Eightieth Ohio, Tenth and Seventeenth Iowa and Fifty-sixth Illinois, under the command of Colonel Purzoell, and were accompanied by the Sixth Wisconsin Battery. The regiment was now upon the ground made historic by the bloody battle of Pittsburgh Landing. On the 28th of April the regiment, with the brigade, commenced a series of marches over muddy roads where, in many instances, it assisted to build heavy corduroy roads, after which the regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, Third Division, Seventeenth Corps, Army of the Tennessee. By the 8th of May the regiment had been in front of the enemy several days, and, on the 9th, was ordered to the support of a Missouri battery in front of Farmington, where it was, for the first time, under fire ; but from this time on, during the entire siege of Corinth, it was frequently under fire in skirmishes and reconnoissances. On the 12th of May another forward movement was made, cannonading was brisk, and a second halt was made in front of Farmington, Mississippi. May 17 orders were received to have two days' rations ready cooked, and to be prepared for a forward movement at any moment. Rifle pits were dug, fortifications were built, and occasional skirmishing indulged in until the 30th, when word came about 7 a. m. th6,t Corinth was evacuated. The Eightieth received orders, with other regiments, to pursue the retreating enemy, and, at 6 p. m., moved out on the Booneville road, and marched until 12 that night, when they stopped in one of the enemy's camps so recently deserted, where they found meat cut up and in pans to fry, and biscuit mixed and in the oven.

bed that night was called up, ordered two days' ' cooked rations, and marched at 6 o'clock in the morning, passing through the small town of Danville and Eienzi, Mississippi, and finding them almost depopulated. The advance frequently came up with the rear guard of the rebels, always giving them battle taking many thousand prisoners and many stand of arms. It got to Boonville on the 9th, remained until the 11th, then started back to Corinth arriving on the 12th and going into camp on Clear creek. June 22 the regiment made a forced march to Ripley, Mississippi, a distance of forty-six miles, during which it suffered intensely from dust and heat, and a number of , the men died from the effects of sunstroke. July 17 the regiment was paid off for the months of March, April, May and June. August 14 the regiment left its comfortable quarters on Clear creek and marched fifteen miles to near Jacinto, on one of the hottest days of the season, and camped; It was here that Second Lieutenant Jacob W. Doyle of company H died very suddenly. Lieutenant Doyle gave out on the road and was left at a house on the roadside and brought on after the regiment got to camp by a detail under Sergeant N. R. Tidball,. dying a half hour after reaching the camp. August 24, George Early, of company B, aged thirty years died in the brigade hospital; and on the 28th, Jeremiah Burress, of the same company, worn down by hardship and exposure, died very suddenly. The regiment remained in camp Sullivan near Jacinto, doing guard and picket duty, until the 8th of September. On September 19 the regiment marched twenty miles in the direction of luka, to meet and give battle to the rebel forces under General Sterling Price. For the last eight miles of the march the rebel outposts were being driven in continually.

The battle began about 4 p. m., and the Eightieth was marched into the action on doublequick; under a heavy fire, early in the engagement; took an active part therein, tind did not leave the field until ordered at 2 a. m., in pursuit of General Price. In this engagement Lieutenant-Colonel Bartleson had his horse killed under him, and was himself severely wounded in the thigh while gallantly leading the regiment. Adjutant Philpott was wounded in the arm, and also the following named parties from different com- panics were wounded : H. H. Whitcraft, J. F. Huddleson; Corporals Jesse Gtiumer, A. Hodge and N. E. Clendenning ; James Andrews, J. Delanomer, Simon Darst, Thomas Elder, R. G. Hill, Allen TalbottjT.Drummond (mortally), and Benjamin Viall.- The regiment lost forty-five killed and wounded.

The Eightieth was now ordered to Jacinto for the purpose of watching the movements of the rebels under General Price. It remained there until October 3, scouting and drilling, when it was ordered to Corinth, and again went into line of battle. The regiment maneuvered and skirmished all day, and toward evening made a dash on the rebel lines just across the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, capturing two lieutenants, one captain and fifty privates. During that night the regiment laid on its arms, and at daylight, October 4, was in line of battle, and on that memorable day the decisive battle of Corinth was fought, resulting in a glorious victory for the Federal arms. The following is the list of killed, wounded and missing in the Eightieth at this battle :

Lieutenant O. C. Powelson, of Company B, wounded in left side ; Private Abel Fuller, killed on the field, and Christ. Lerch, wounded in the head.

Company C - Lieutenant John J. Robinson, killed on the field while bravely leading his company on to retake a battery which we had lost ; Private John Wade, wounded in the foot; Joseph Stinchoomb, missing.

Company E - Private Isaac Cottrap, killed on the field ; private John Messer, shot through the lungs, died after six weeks of great suffering; Privates David Charnock, Adolphus Reynolds, Lewis Furbay and Reuben Tedrow, wounded.

Company I - Corporal Thomas H. Johnsonr killed on the field; Privates John M. Purney, Joseph B. Westfall and Reuben White, wounded ; privates Oliver Atherton, John Anderson, Enos Cahill and Lapold Goldsmith, missing.

Major Richard Lanning, who fell on this battle field, was one of Coshocton's most honored citizens. He was connected with one of the oldest families in the county, was a farmer in earlieryears, and was prosecuting attorney of the county when commissioned. He was about fifty years of age. After he was shot, while lying in the arms of a friend, he said : " I am willing to diefor my country, my wife and my children." His last words, uttered midst the din of battle, were "I am killed; give it to them." His body was sent home and now lies in Coshocton cemetery.

The total loss of the regiment in this [^ battlewas eighty oflficers and men killed and wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Bartleson, although still suffering severely from his wound, hearing of Major- Lanning's death, mounted his horse and commanded" the regiment through the remainder of the battle. The regiment joined in the pursuit of the rebels and made some very severe marcheS' in the direction of Holly Springs, and on returning went into ramp at Corinth; at which place,. October 30, 1862, Captain Morris, with about one hundred new recruits reached the regiment.

November 21, Lieutenant Colonel Bartleson,. suffering from his wound at luka, was sent to Columbus on Government orders. The regiment marched with Grant's army through Central Mississippi. On this march the Eightieth, in , company with General Sullivan's brigade, took part in a reconnoissance from Davis' Mills to Cold Water. General Sullivan in pressing for- ward on November 28, went into Holly Springs, Mississippi, surprised the rebels, and took a number of prisoners. Holly Springs was beyond the Doint to which General Sullivan was_ ordered, and he was immediately ordered back to Davis' Mills. In executing that order a forced march of twenty-two miles was made. For several miles on this march, the rebels in heavy force were in plain view, but for some cause they failed to attack.. Colonel Eckley, commanding the Second Brigade, was ordered on the 6th of December, with the Eightieth Ohio, Seventeenth Iowa, and Tenth Missouri, on a reconnoissance to the front. The rebels were in force on the. Tallahatchie ^ river, about four miles in advance. A brisk cannonading was kept up for some time, the rebels being driven back to their intrenchments. . The reconnoissance proved a success, the Union troops suffering no loss and capturing 500 rebel prisoners, and on6 rebel sutler's store ; the march was continued ' across the Tallahatchie in a snow storm, with almost impassable roads, and on the 6th and 7th of December, the brigade went into carnp at O-xford.

December 9, the regiment was reviewed by General Grant and staff; remained in this camp until the 12th, then marched back five miles. December 17, Lieutenant Wagstaff' brought twenty-two drafted men to the regiment. On the 18th, Lieutenants Powelson and Hay arrived with twelve recruits. Sunday, December 21, the regiment marched from Yockona creek back to Oxford, six miles ; at 9 p. m. were in line of battle, and laid on its arms during the night in expectation of an attack. On the 22d, moved to Abbeyville, across the Tallahatchie, fifteen miles. On the 23d, at 7 A. M., marched to Holly Springs, and bivouacked for the night; rations short on account of supphes having been captured by,the rebel General Van Dorn. On the 24th, marched to Lumpkin's Mills, pitched tents and remained over Christmas.

Dfecembcr 26, at 8 A. m., the regiment was again on the march, but on account of heavy rains made but thirteen miles and were theia placed, under orders, in General Quinjay's division with the purpose of guarding a provision train to Memphis, Tennessee. December 27, made fifteen miles to Byhaha, and on the 29th marched into Memphis. On this march the rear of the train was fired into by guerillas, killing one mah and wounding two others. December 31, regiment marched fifteen miles out on the Memphis and Charleston road and halted at Germantown. January 1, 1863, marched tw'elve miles to CoUiersville. At this point Surgeon E. P. Buell, Adjutant James E. Philpot, Lieutenant Thomas Patton and Lieutenant Robert Hill were taken prisoners, while trying to procure .some forage for their horses and refreshments, but were eventually paroled and ' returned to the regiment, with the exception of Surgeon Buell, who declined to sign a parole, and was unconditionally released and resumed his duties as surgeon of the regiment.

On the 3d of January, 1863, the Eightieth went into camp at Forest Hill, eighteen miles out of Memphis, and remained, doing guard duty until February 8, 1863. January 16, it was again paid off to August. 31, 1862. January 18, Captain Mathews resigned his commission, on which the following resolutions ^ere adopted:

At a supper given by the officers in honor of Captain C. H. Mathews, late of this regiment, the following resolutions were adopted unanimously ;

1. BBsolved, That by the resignation of Captain C. H. Mathews, we regret having to part with a gentleman whose social powers, urbanity of manners, and gentlemanly deportment, have deservedly won for him the high esteem and lasting respect of every officer of this command.

2. Resolved, That in the resignation of Captain C. H. Mathews the regiment loses a faithful officer, and the country a brave and dauntless defender, as the bloody fields of luka and Corinth have well attested.

January 23, Private James E. Graham, who was promoted from the ranks, received his commission as second lieutenant. February 8, the regiment went into camp in the suburbs of Memphis, preparatory to a Vicksburg expedition. While at Memphis, Colonel Eckley, having been elected to Congress, resigned his commission, in March, 1863, and returned to Ohio.

4, where it disembarked ; but on the 7tb was ordered to proceed below Helena, Arkansas, where it was to await transportation to convey it to the Yazoo Pass, on which expedition it was ordered with Quinby's division. It arrived -opposite the Pass on the 9th, camping on a sand bar.

March 21, the regiment embarked for the Pass. By the 26th, it had Succeeded in making four miles, the currents being so .swift that they smashed the wheel-house and damaged things 'generally. Disembarkation occured on the 3d of April, the boats being divested of smoke-stacks, -guards and wheel-houses; return was ordered almost immediately, and the regiment got back into the Mississippi on the 10th of April, when three rousing cheers went up from all the boats, -and cannon were fired. Thus ended the Yazoo Pass expedition which, it is said, was one of the wildest the Eightieth participated in during its service.

April 16th, the regiment having returned to Helena, took boat, and disembarked at Milliken's Bend. Here it was paid for the months of November and December, 1862, January and February, 1863. April 20, it started for Carthage, Louisiana, where it was contemplated to cross the Mississippi with General Grant's forces, under -cover of the gunboats at Grand Gulf. Carthage was reached on the 26th, where the regiment was ordered down to Bruinsburgh, where it -crossed over into Mississippi on the first of May, 1868, The battle of Port Gibson was fought on that day, but the regiment did not get up in time to participate. It marched however, in line of battle, and skirmished with the enemy almost the whole way to Little Black river. May 12, the regiment participated in the battle of Kaymond, but did not lose any men.

May 14, Quinby's division, in which was the Ohio, took the advance in the battle of Jackson. About four miles from Jackson the enemy came out to meet the United States forces. While the troops were forming, a heavy shower rain came up, and the shells of the rebel cannon were flying thick and fast. The First Missouri battery returned the fire. The brigade -charged half a mile through an open field, and broke down a picket fence before it reached the -enemy. The line consisted of the Eightieth Ohio in the center,^ Tenth Missouri on the right, and the Seventeenth Iowa on the left; a portion of the Eleventh Ohio battery came into service immediately after the charge and poured a few shots into the retreating foe. Just after the charge was ended. General McPherson, in command of the Seventeenth Army Corps, rode up to the regiment and, raising his hat, exclaimed, " God Almighty bless the Eightieth Ohio." This has passed into history as one of the most gallant charges of the Union forces during the entire war. The brigade lost about one-third of its number killed and wounded; the loss of the Eightieth Ohio was ninety killed and wounded. The field officers in this battle were Colonel M. PI. Bartleson, with Lieutenant Colonel. William. Marshall and Major Pren Metham, both of Coshocton county. Among the wounded was Lieutenant Tidball, also of Coshocton, and John Mills, of Company H, was instantly killed. At Champion Hills, May 16, the Eightieth occupied the rear, as train guard, and did not actively participate in the battle. The next morning it was detailed as a guard to 1,500 rebel prisoners, and ordered to take them to Memphis.

This duty being performed it returned, and th^n marched to Vicksburg, where, for fortyseven days and nights, it was under the incessant fire of the enemy. It had the proud satisfaction ' of aiding in the memorable siege of Vicksburg, and on the 5th of July marched into the town and went into camp. After the evacuation of Vicksburg about two months, the regiment received orders to go to the reenforcement of General Steele, at Helena, Arkansas, who was moving on Little Rock. But before it reached General Steele, information was received of tlie repulse at Chickamauga, and it was immediately ordered to Memphis, there to join General Sher- ' man's forces in their march to Chattanooga, a distance of nearly four hundred miles.

It reached the banks of the Tennessee river, opposite the mouth of Chickamauga creek, and the regiment, with, other troops, crossed in pontoon boats, soon after midnight, on the 22d of November. By daylight strong earthworks were thrown up to cover the men until the pontoon bridge was laid over the river.

its division, marched out and took the east end of Mission Ridge. That night the regiment was on the skirmish line for some hours witliout relief. Next day, entering the battle, it was compelled to pass around a point of rocks covered by three rebel batteries, and was exposed to a most terrific artillery fire. Singular to relate, says one account, not a man was hit. The Eightieth Ohio entered the fight just east of the tunnel, was hotly engaged until near nightfall, and lost several commissioned officers and nearly one hundred men. Chaplain G. W. Pepper says, in his history of Sherman's campaign : " When a number of other regiments had lost their colors. Sergeant Finley, of the Eightieth, with a manly courage, bore the regimental standard through the iron storm in triumph. For personal gallantry this young man was unanimously recommended for promotion."

In this battle, Captain John Kinney, a brave soldier, was shot through the heart and instantly killed. Lieutenant F. M. Ross was also instantly killed. Lieutenant George F. Robinson was wounded and captured. Private Kinney was also killed.

After the battle the regiment pursued the rebels to Graysville, Georgia, and then returned to its old camp near Chattanooga. From thence it went to Bridgeport, and while there was, with its division, permanently transferred from the Seventeenth to the Fifteenth army cot'ps, under command of General John A. Logan.

After wintering in Huntsville the regiment started on the 1st of April to enjoy its veteran furlough of thirty days. And while it is thus engaged, it would be well to review briefly some of its official records and also some letters sent home at various times during the campaign.

Colonel Pren Metham went out in 1862 as captain of Company F ; was promoted to major January 15, 1863, commission issued February 20, 1863; was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy July 23, 1863, commissioned August 21, 1863, promoted to colonelcy January 4, 1864, and commissioned at the same time. Colonel Metham had command of the Eightieth from the siege of

Vicksburg and practically, on account of the wounded and weakened condition of Colonel M-. H. Bartleson, during the siege. In the bloody fields of Mission Ridge, at Resaca, at Cox's Bridge and in all the marches and skirmishes. Colonel Metham displayed all the qualities of a courageous and able commander ; Colonel Pren Metham still resides in Coshocton county, his sword turned to a plowshear, and pursues the peaceful avocation of a farmer. ^

Captain F. W. Collier entered the service as a private, and, owing to his efficient services in securing the comfort of the recruits when at Camp Meigs, was, upon organization, appointed first sergeant; ranked as second lieutenant October 4, 1862, commissioned December 31; ranked as first lieutenant July 12, 1863, commissioned August 21, promoted and commissioned captain October 12, 1864, at which point of his promotion Captain F. W. Collier was- detached on special service at his own request. Captain Collier is still a citizen of Coshocton county, having held the responsible position of postmaster for twelve years, previou's to which and during part of his term as postmaster he has owned and edited the Coshocton Age. As a sample of the official relation of both Colonel Metham and Captain Collier, the following, mess rules will testify, as published in the Coshocton Age of May 1, 1862 :

The boys of mess No. 1, Captain Metham's company, send a list of their mess officers, and their regulations, which are as follows : Captain, T. W. Colher; First Lieutenant, F. C.Wright; Second Lieutenant, T. Drummond ; Orderly Sergeant, S. Arm ; Second Sergeant, J. N. Henderson; Third Sergeant, L. W. Cochran; Fourth Sergeant, J. Taylor; Fifth Sergeant, B. Noland; First Corporal, A. Frickey; Second Corporal, J. Blair; Third Corporal, L. Claj-k; Secretary, J. Wilson; First Cook, Pren Metham (Eng.)

Whereas, Our Assistant Surgeon, Dr. G. Bambeck, being compelled, by affairs of a domestic nature, to resign his position and return home, therefore,

Besolved, That, while with us in the field and camp, his noble conduct, untiring energy and impartial attention to his duties, has won for him the respect of every officer and the undying affection of every man in the regiment:

Resolved, That by his sepq.ration from us, we have each lost an individual friend, the afflicted a protector, the regiment a surgeon in whom it placed unbounded confidence and one of its rnost able and efficient officers.

Company H - Killed, Captain John Kinney and Private Leander Kinney; wounded,' Sergeant P. H. Moore, Isaac Ross, William Madden ; missing, A. Steele.

The Age, of March 19, 1864, publishes a series of resolutions adopted by the Eightieth Ohio, upon the death of Captain John Kinney, of which the following is a portion :

And, Whereas, We desire to express our profound regret at the loss of so tried'a comrade, and to extend that expression of our feelings to hia bereaved family; therefore, we, his late comrades, the officers of the Eightieth O. V. I, have unanimously

At the same time, by the saipe committee, were passed similar resolutions and published in the same issue of The Age, on the death of Lieutenant Marion Ross, who also fell in the battle of Mission Ridge.

The thirty-days' furlough of the Eightieth having expired, they have again departed for the front. On the Wednesday evening before their departure they were treated to a splendid supper prepared for them in Harbaugh's Hall, by the ladies of Coshocton and Roscoe. The Eightieth has received many new recruits during its visit; on its departure it had over nine hundred in its ranks, and when it returned as veteran it had but three hundred ; and under the lead of their present commander. Colonel Pren Metham, the boys will, as in times past, be found where the fight is the fiercest.

The Eightieth Ohio Veteran Volunteers, Colonel Pren Metham, commanding, arrived in the city yesterday, fresh from furlough and home, en route to the front. We took occasion to compliment the Eightieth when it passed through the city over a month ago, homeward bound. Whether in the camp, on the weary march, or gallantly charging amid the thundering echoes of the battle field, we feel confident that the veteran Eightieth will exhibit discipline, and prove its effectiveness as an organization.

ireturned to Larkinsville, Alabama, where it performed guard duty on the line of the Meinphis and Charleston railroad. In June, 1864, the regiment went from Huntsville to Charleston, Georgia, a long and tedious march. From there it 'went to Kingston. Then it went to Altoona, .and remained two weeks, and was then ordered to Eesaca, to relieve the Tenth Missouri. While :at Eesaca, the rebel general, Hood, made his dash the rear of Sherman's army. October 12, 1864, :28,000 rebels appeared before Eesaca, invested the and demanded its surrender, in the following terms :

I demand the immediate and unconditional :surrender of the post and garrison under your command. If these terms are acceded to, all white officers and soldiers will be paroled in a few days. If the place is carried by assault, no will be taken.

I ha^vS the honor to acknowledge the receipt 'Of your communication of to-day, and must say I was somewhat surprised at the concluding paragraph, to the effect thalt if the place is carried by assault no, prisoners will be taken. In my opinion, I am able to hold this post. If you want it, and take it.

They immediately opened on the garrison with artillery and musketry from the entire line. The national force barely numbered 613 officers and men; but by a ruse in displaying numerous flags, and placing the entire force on the picket Jine, the rebels were made to believe it consisted at least 10,000 men, and that it would cost too much loss of life to risk an assault. From Eesaca, the Eightieth marched back to Atlanta, and joined in General Sherman's memorable " March to the Sea." It went through to Savannah without meeting or performing anything of special interest. After the capture of Savannah, the regiment was quartered near the city

It was then, with its division, ordered to Pocotaligo, and from that point made its way through toGoldsboro', participating on the way in a brisk skirmish with the enemy at Salkahatchie river. In this fight, it is said " the Eightieth dashed like a storm from the clouds upon Wheeler's cavalry, chasing and dispersing them.'' March 19, at Cox's Bridge, over the Neuse river, the regiment performed an important flank movement under Colonel Pren Metham, for the purpose of preventing the rebels from burning the bridge. The movement was successful, the rebels being compelled to withdraw and leave the way open to Goldsboro'. For distinguished gallantry at Cox's Bridge the regiment was complimented by General Logan.

The Eightieth then marched to Bentonville, and reached that place in time to participate in the closing scenes of that battle, which was the last of the war. It then marched to Goldsboro', where, after being refitted, it went to Ealeigh, Nopth Carolina. On this march the Eightieth held the advance of the whole army the day it crossed the Neuse river. It was ordered to make "a forced march to an important bridge over that river, and, if possible, prevent the rebels from destroying it. As it came in sight of the bridge several rebel wagons were in the act of crossing it, the Eightieth having made seventeen miles in four hours' time and accomplished its order to the letter.

The Eightieth reached Ealeigh, North Carolina, on the day it was first occupied by Fedei-al troops. After the surrender of Johnson's army to General Sherman, the Eightieth marchedwith the. national forces through Eichmond to Washington City, and there participated' in the grand review. A few days thereafter it was taken by rail and river to Louisville, Kentucky, and from thence to Little Eock, Arkansas, where for some months it performed guard and garrison duty. This closed its military career. It was mustered out of the .service at Little Eock, 15th of August, 1865, arrived at Columbus, Ohio, a few days thereafter and was finally discharged, August 25, 1865, with as much honor as any regiment from the State of Ohio.

LARGE numbers of men enlisted in the various counties immediately adjoining Coshocton, who, though residents of Coshocton county, were credited to regiments whose names have gone down in history as having been recruited exclusively in those counties. Fortunately,' in the case of the Sixty-ninth and Seventy-sixth regiments, this difficulty has been partly remedied by virtue of such facts as are furnished by the following items from the Age setting forth the times and manner of recruiting these regiments in the counties to which they are credited. The Age of January 12, 1862, publishes the following : Camp Sherman, Newark, Ohio, January 12, 1862.

The company to which the men I recruited in Coshocton county were united, is the seventh company now organized, and is known as Company G. The three other companies in Whose recruits you are interested, are not yet full. * R. W. Bdet, Second Lieutenant.

Captain John V. Heslip has succeded in recruiting a very fine company, and is justly entitled to its command. His company has been assigned to the Sixty-ninth, and is. now at Camp Chase.

The Coshocton boys of the Seventy-sixth are getting along very comfortaby here; we have Sibley tents with stoves in them^ About sixteen or seventeen men lodge in each tent, lying with their feet towards the stove. Rations first-class.

still a resident of the county, in the hamlet o£ Plainfield, commonly called Jacobsport. Besides, this company, there was quite a number of individual members of other companies in the reginient, hailing from Coshoctop.

Sixty-Ninth Regiment

Oji April 19, 1862, the Sixty-ninth received orders to report for duty at Nashville, Tennessee, at which place it arived on the 22d. Went into on Major Lewis' grounds, near the city, and was reviewed by Andrew Johnson, then Military Governor of Tennessee. Remaining here until the 1st of May, it then went west to Franklin, Tennessee, and was therfe detailed to guard forty miles of the Tennessee and Alabama railroad. Aside from frequent alarms, nothing of moment occurred while the regiment was performing this duty. The rebel women of Franklin were especially bitter, and on one occasion evinced their venom against the national dead buried in the cemetery, by dancing on their graves. Colonel Campbell, of the Sixty-ninth, issued an order commenting in severe terms on this indignity, and warning the people of Franklin against a repetition of such dastardly insults.

On June 8, the regiment left Franklin and returned to Nashville. From thence it went by rail to Murfreesboro, where it joined an expedition under General Dumont, of Indiana, to McMinnville, and thence marched across the Cumberland Mountains to Pikeville. Its object having been eflfected the expedition returned to Murfreesboro. This march and counter-march was very severe, and the suffering was much aggravated by the fact that the rations were almost corhpletely exhausted.

June 20 found the Sixty-ninth at Nashville again, where it remained performing provost and guard duty, until the last of July. Its Colonel, Hon. Lewis D. Campbell (since Minister to Mexico), was appointed Provost Marshal of Nashville, which position he held until his resignation, in the following August. During the stay of the regiment here, the rebel. General Morgan, made a raid on the town of Gallatin. The Sixtyninth Ohio and Eleventh Michigan, were ordered there, and drove the enemy from the place, the Sixty-ninth losing one man killed, Isaac Repp, of Dayton. This was the,first loss of the regiment dn battle.

When Bragg's army attempted a flank movement toward Louisville, the Sixty-ninth and other regiments were left at Nashville as garrison for the city. From the scarcity of troops, this duty was rendered quite severe. Hardly a. day passed without some or skirmish with the enemy, who were continually making demonstrations on the Nashville and other turnpikes. This duty was performed until the 20th of December, when the regiment went into camp about five miles from the city.

On December 26, 1862, the Sixty-ninth moved, with the army under General Rosecrans, toward Murfreesboro. It was brigaded in the Fourteenth Corps, which marched on the Franklin turnpike. On the 31st, the first day of the battle of Stone River, the regiment, with its brigade, was engaged with the enemy, taking position in the advance line of General George H. Thomas' Fourteenth Corps. It became involved in the disaster on the right, and was compelled to fight its way back to the Nashville turnpike. On this day the regiment suffered severely both in killed and wounded. It was not engaged in the movements on the 1st of January, 1863.

On Friday, January 2, the Sixty-ninth took part in the brilliant and desperate charge across Stone River against Breckinridge's rebel corps, in which the rebels were driven back with heavy loss. In this charge it captured a section of the famous Washington Battery, from New Orleans. Sergeant Frederick Wilson, of Company E, captured the flag of the battery. This fight lasted until after dark, and proved the termination of the battle, as on the next day the rebel army was not to be seen. Captain L. C. Consellor, of Company H; Sergeant McGillam, pf Company B; Corporal D. P. Albright and Private Stopher, of Company E, were killed in the charge. Manyothers were wounded.

On June 24, 1868, the Tullahoma campaign was commenced. The regiment rnoved with the Fourteenth Corps, under General George H. Thomas, on the Manchester r09.d. No opposition was met with until in the passage through Hoover's Gap, the enemy's rear-guard was engaged in a brisk fight. At Elk river, also, the enemy made a stand, but was quickly driven. Reaching Cowan's Station, on the Nashville and Chattanooga railroad, the army went into camp, it being im-

When the army moved again, the Sixty-ninth was left at Cowan's Station, as guard to the genoral hospital, and it reihained at that point until the 8th of September. It was then detailed as guard to an ammunition train of 450 wagons, going to Bridgeport, on the Tennessee river. It then marched to Chattanooga.

Preparatory to the battle of Chickamauga, the Sixty-ninth Ohio, with the reserve Corps, under General Gorden Granger, marched from Rossville to Chickamauga creek. At this point, in obedience to an order from Colonel Dan McCook, commanding the brigade,, the regiment advanced, under Colonel Brigham, and burned Read's Bridge, thus preventing the enemy from coming in on the rear of the national army. The regiment then fell back to Rossville, and immediately thereafter took charge of the division trains. For this reason it did not participate in the battle of Chickamauga. On September 20, in the afternoon, the Sixty-ninth was ordered to report at the front, near Rossville, where it performed picket duty and aided in covering the retreat of the Fourteenth Corps toward Chattanooga.

The regirrient participated in the battle of Mission Ridge, and was among the first to reach the top of the mountain. In this charge it was commanded by Major J. J. Hanna, who was highly complimeat^d for his bravery and efficiency. In ascending the Ridge, Lieutenant J. S. Scott, Color Sergeant Jacob Wetzell, Color Corporals D. W. Leach and John Meredith, Corporal E. J. Mauche, Privates Kluger, Elsom, Sewers and Hefling were killed, and a large number wounded, many of whom subsequently died.

On March 16, 1864, the regiment, after having reenlisted as veterans, started for Ohio, on a furlough of thirty days. At the end of their furlough the men reported promptly at Camp Dennison, and on the 22d of April again started for the field. Arriving at Nashville the regiment was compelled) for lack of transportation, to march to Cowan's Station. It joined Sherman's forces at Buzzard's Roost on the 11th of May.

At Pumpkin- Vine Creek, and at Dallas, -the enemy was again engaged. In these af&irs ,the ' regiment lost five killed and nineteen wounded.. Kenesaw Mountain was reached in the eveningof June 14. During this siege two men werekilled. At Marietta, July 4, another engagementwas had with the enemy, in which the regiment lost one man killed and seven wounded. The next stand -was at* the crossing of the Chattahoochie river. In this affair the regiment escaped without loss. On the 21st the regiment lost one man killed and ten wounded. July 22 brought. the regiment and the army before Atlanta. During the siege nine men were wounded, two of whom subsequently died.

On September 1 the Sixty-ninth took 'part in the fight at Jonesboro, and lost Lieutenant Jacob S. Pierson, Martin V. Baily,' Color Sergeant Allen L. Jobes, of Company D, and five men killed and thirty-six wounded, some of whom died in a few hours after the fight. This battle caused the evacuation of Atlanta, and the national forces occupied that city.

The regiment participated in the subsequent chase after Hood, through the upper part of Georgia and into Alabama. It then returned to Atlanta and joined Sherman's march to the sea. On that march it lost one man by disease and four captured. Arriving in front of Savannah, it took position in the front line. In the campaign through the Carolinas, the regiment 'w&s engaged with the enemy near Goldsboro', North Carolina, March 19, 1865, and lost two killed and eight wounded. This was the last afTair in which it participated. -

Then came the march through Richmond, the review at Washington, the transfer to Louisville, and lastly the final muster out of the service, on the 17th of July, 1865.

Seventy-Sixth Eegiment

Captain Charles R. Woods, of the Ninth United States Infantry, having been authorized to raise a regiment for the three years' service, recruited and organized the Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at Newark, Ohio, on the 9th of February, 1862. The regiment left Newark, and, proceeding via Paducah, Kentucky, to Fort

Donelson, took an active part in the engagement at that place. On the 6th of March it moved to the Tennessee river, and then up the river to Crump's Landing, where it remained until the 31st, when it marched to Adamsville, and took position in General Lew Wallace's division, in the right wing of General Grant's army. The division made a forced march to Pittsburgh Landing on the 6th of April, and was in line of battle by dark, and during the entire engagement was constantly exposed to the enemy's fire. In the latter part of April the regiment formed a part of a reconnoitering party toward Corinth, charging the rebels, driving them from their position and destroying their camp equipage. It formed a part of the grand reserve during the advance on Corinth, and, after the evacuation, moved to Memphis, arriving on the 11th of June, having marched 130 miles with wagon supplies. The Seventy-sixth moved down the river on the 24th of July, and encamped near Helena, Arkansas.

In the reorganization of the Army of the Southwest the Seventy-sixth was placed in the second brigade, commanded by General P. J. Osterhaus. On the 16th of August the regiment, forming a part of an expedition of observation, moved down the Mississippi, landed at Milhken's Bend on the 18th, surprised the Thirty-first Louisiana Regiment, and captured all its camp and garrison equipage. The enemy was followed nine njiles, and forty prisoners were captured. The fleet moved down to the mouth of the Yazoo, and a detachment, comprising a portion of the Seventysixth, proceeded up the Yazoo, surprised Haines' Bluff, and captured four siege guns, two field pieces and a large quantity of fixed ammunition. The expedition returned to Helena on the 27th. The regiment embarked for St. Genevieve, Missouri, early in October, and, remaining a week, moved with the division to Pilot Knob, where it encamped for rest and reorganization. It became very healthy and efficient during its stay here, and on the 12th of November returned to St. Genevieve and embarked for Camp Steele, Mississippi.

On the 31st of December it formed a part of General Sherman's expedition for Vicksburgh. The fleet arrived at Johnson's Landing, on the Yazoo, on the 26th, and the division, then com- manded by General Steele, disembarked; and Hovey's brigade, of which the Seventy-sixth was a part, made a feint on Haines' Bluff, and then took position on the extreme left of the army. On the 29th the division moved to the main army at Chickasaw Bayou ; and, during the battle, the regiment was held in reserve.

General Sherman having abandoned the assault on Vicksburg, the troops re-embarked and proceeded up the Mississippi, landing at Arkansas Post on the evening of the 10th of January, 1803. That night the regiment marched six miles through mud and water, and by two next morning the troops occupied the cantonments of the enemy. Shortly after daylight they moved upon tlie enemy's works, and about one o'clock the Seventy-sixth charged within 100 yards of the rifle pits, halted, opened fire, and held the position for three hours, when the enemy surrendered. On the 14th, after burning the cantonments of the enemy, it returned to the river, and, embarking on the 23d, the troops landed at Young's Point, Louisiana. On the night of the 14th of February, two non-commissioned officers of Company B were killed and four disabled by lightning. During the entire month heavy details were made from the regiment to work upon the canal then in progress across the neck of land opposite Vicksburg. On the 2d of April, the regiment, with Steele's division, proceeded on transports up the river, to Greenville, Mississippi. The command marched down Deer creek after the rebel force under Colonel Ferguson, and on the 7th made an attack and routed them.' The command returned to Greenville, after destroying $1,000,000 worth of cotton and corn, and bringing off a large number of cattle, horses and mules. About 300 negroes followed the troops, and were enlisted in colored regiments.

On the 24th the Seventy-sixth returned to Young's Point, and on the 26th moved to Milliken's Bend, and prepared to march with the grand army southward. On the 2d of May the Fifteenth Corps started for Hard Times Landing, where it arrived on the 6th and crossed to the Grand Gulf. The Seventy-sixth moved eastward, and, at Fourteen Mile creek, the division was attacked by a mounted force of the enemy. Colonel Wood's brigade pushed across the creek in the face of a sharp fire, and drove the enemy back. At Jackson the regiment charged the works on the enemj'-'s left. The works were evacuated, and the city surrendered. On the 16th the corps marched for Vicksburg, and on the 18th took position in the line of investment. The next day the regiment pushed along the foot of the blu£F near the river, and established itself in position six hundred yards from the main lines of the enemy. The batteries of the enemy in front of the Seventy-sixth were silenced, and none of his guns could be manned except those of the water batteries. Heavy details were constantly made for strengthening the works. In the course of several nights eight guns were taken off the sunken gunboat Cincinnati and placed in position, with telling effect. After the surrender of Vicksburg the regiment marched in pursuit of Johnston, and arrived at Jackson on the 10th of July. While here it was chiefly employed in foraging and making reconnoissances. On the 23d the regiment marched for Big Black Bridge, where the corps went into camp for rest and reorganization.

On the 23d of September the division (General Osterhaus in command) embarked at Vicksburg for Memphis, and on the 30th moved from the latter place, by railroad, to Corinth. During the months of October and November the regitaent marched and skirmished in Northern Alabama and Tennessee, arriving at Chattanooga in time to join General Hooker in the assault on Lookout Mountain; was engaged at Mission Kidge, and on the 27th of November charged up Taylor's Ridge under a heavy fire, suffering a fearful loss. In one company of twenty men eight were killed^ and eight wounded, and seven men were shot down while carrying the regimental colore.

After marching and bivouacking in various places, on the 1st of January, 1864, the regiment went into camp for the winter at Paint Kock, Alabama.

On the 4th of January, 1864, about two-thirds of the regiment re-enlisted as veterans, and leave was granted to proceed to Ohio. On the 30th it moved via Nashville, Louisville and Cincinnati to Columbus, Ohio, and on the 8th of February took the train for Newark. The regiment disembarked one mile from the city and moved into town in a column by company. It was enthusiastically welcomed by a large concourse of citizens; speeches were made, and a sumptuous repast was partaken of at City Hall. The members were furloughed to their homes. The Seventy-sixth went away 962 strong, and returned in two years with less than 300. It returned to Cincinnati on the 15th of March, and proceeded Louisville, Nashville and Huntsville to the old camp at Paint Rock. On the 1st of May it broke camp and moved with the division fpr Chattanooga. At Bridgeport it was presente4 with a new stand of colors, from the citizens of Newark. The troops arrived at Chattanooga on the 6th, and pushed forward twelve miles. On' the 9th the regiment moved through Snake Creek Gap, and continued moving forward, skirmishing and fortifying, until the 14th at 6 /o'clock in the evening, when the regiment, with the brigade, charged across the fields under a hot fire, and gained a footing on the first line of hills west of Resaca. On the 16th, the enemy having evacuated, the Seventy-sixth moved through Resaca and Adairsville to Dallas. Hardie's corpS' assaulted. the lines of the Fifteenth Corps on the 28th, and was repulsed, leaving many dead on tbe field, some of them within 50 yards of the works in front of the Seventy-sixth Ohio.

On the 1st of June the corps moved to the left, near New Hope church, then to Acworth, then south, and so on, each day advancing and fortifying, until, on the 22d, it occupied a position near the railroad at the foot of Kenesaw Mountain. The Seventy-sixth remained in the rifle-pits until after the rebels evacuated it, then moved to Rossville; thence across the Chattahootchie, through Decatur, to within four miles of Atlanta, on the 20th of July. On the 22d, the rebels captured four twenty-pound Parrott guns, and the Set en-' ty-sixth Ohio and the Thirtieth Iowa, of the first brigade, were the first to drive the enemy from the works and to recapture the guns. About noon oh the 28th, the enemy attacked the whole line of the Fifteenth Corps, and three successive charges were made, each one proving unavailing. 1,000 of the rebel dead were found in front of the Fifteenth Corps. On the 30th of August, the skirmish line in front of the division was advanced and the Seventy-sixth captured fifty prisoners.

On the 26th, the regiment moved out of the works, with the division, to the West Point and Montgomery railroad, which they destroyed, marched southward toward Jonesboro, and on the night of the 30th formed in line across Flint river. Tlie next day the rebels charged the line and were repulsed, the Seventy-sixth taking an active share in the engagement, without the protection of rifle-pits.

On the 8th of September, the division moved to East Point and encamped for rest and reorganization. On the 4th of October, the regiment crossed the Chattahoochie, marched through Marietta, north of Kenesaw Mountain, near Adairsville, through Resaca, through Snake Creek Gap, and on the 16th skirmished with the enemy at Ship's Gap. On the next day the regiment marched through Lafayette, and on the 18th moved south through Sjmmerville and bivouacked. Here the non- veterans were mustered out. The regiment moved with the army to Little River, Cave Springs, near to Atlanta. On the 15th of November, the Fifteenth Corps cut loose from Atlanta and moved southward with the right wing of the army, averaging fifteen miles per day and foraging off the country.

The route of the Fifteenth Corps was via Mc- Donough, Indian Springs, Clinton and Irwintown, crossing the Macon and Augusta railroad twenty miles east of Macon; thence eastward across the Oconee river to Ogeechee, and down the west bank of that stream to the mouth of the Cannonchee; .thence across the Ogeechee eastward to Savannah, where it arrived on the 18th of December, being twenty-six days out from Atlanta.

After the evacuation, the regiment performed provost guard duty in the eity until the 9th of January, 1865, when it embarked on the gunboat Winona for Beaufort, South Carolina. From Beaufort it marched to Gardner's Corners, where preparations were made for the march northward, and on the 31st the command broke camp on the " Campaign of the Carolinas."

On the 16th of February the troops formed on the outskirts of Columbia, and the Seventy-sixth was engaged in skirmishing until the evacuation of the city, when it again performed provost guard duty for four days. The troops arrived at

Fayette ville on the 12th of March; crossed Cape Fear and Black rivers; moved to Bentonville, where they engaged the enemy, and thence via Goldsboro' to Ealeigh, where the Seventy-sixth remained until Johnston's surrender.

On the 30th of April the army broke camp and marched via Richmond and Hanover C. H., to Washington, reaching the Capitol on the 23d of May, 1865. The Seventy-sixth shared in the grand review, and shortly after moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where it was mustered out. It then proceeded to Columbus, Ohio, where, on the 24th of July, 1865, it was discharged. This regiment participated in fifty-four battles; moved 9,625 miles on foot, by rail and by water; passed through the rebellious States of Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Two hundred and fortyone men were wounded in battle; 351 died on the field or in hospitals; 222 carry scars as evidence of their struggle with the enemy, and 282 contracted the seeds of disease.