Crawford County, Ohio - Chapter 28: Military History of the County, 1912 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 28: Military History of the County

The Revolutionary War - Tivo Battlefields in Crawford County - Revolutionary Soldiers Who Lived in Crawford County - Ancestral Data - The War of 1812-1815 - The Mexican War - The Great Civil War; Historical Sketches of the Principal Regifuents Which Contained Crawford County Men - Decoration Day - Formation of G. A. R. Posts - Relief Corps - The Oldest Soldier - Crawford County Heroes - Southern Prisons - Tribute to Sergeant D. W. Young - The JJ^ar With Spain - Record of Company A, 8th Regiment, O. V. I.

Crawford county was not in exjstence until half a century after the Revolutionary War, but Col. Crawford's campaign of 1782, to put a stop to the attacks of the British and Indians on the American frontier, led to the only two battles of the Revolution that occurred in Ohio being fought on Crawford county soil, the one at Battle Island, northwest of Upper Sandusky on June 4, 1782, and the Battle of the Plains, half way between Bucyrus and Gallon two days later, on June 6; this latter battle-field being marked by a monument erected by the Pioneer Association of Crawford county.

Robert Carson, in Cranberry township. Among his descendants are Tarlton B. Carson, for many years postmaster at New Washington. Robert Carson is buried about three miles north of New Washington.

Christian Couts came to Liberty township in 1821 and is buried in the Crall graveyard, Liberty township. His son Henry came to the county with him, and when a young man moved to Bucyrus, where he resided up to the time of his death.

Adam Link came to Liberty township from Maryland. He died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Horatio Markley, on August 15, 1864, aged 103 years, and was buried in the Union graveyard northeast of Sulphur Springs. Another daughter was Mrs. George W Teel. At the time of his death he was one of half a dozen veterans of the Revolutionary War living at that time in Ohio.

David McKinley came to Chatfield township in 1835. He died in 1840 and was buried in the German Lutheran graveyard south of Chatfield. He was the great-grandfather of President McKinley. One grand-daughter, Martha, married Stephen Waller of Lykens township. Another grand-daughter, Hannah, married T. J. Tilford, and still another, Ellen, married James Winters, all these marriages being in Lykens township.

Thomas Beer was in the Revolutionary War. He was the great-grandfather of Judge Thomas Beer who came to Bucyrus in i860 and of Capt. William Nevins Beer, who came to Bucyrus in 1861.

John Coon was in the Revolutionary War, and also the War of 1812. His son, Adam, came to Crawford county about 1822, and died March 19, 1877. He had land in Texas township.

Leonard Crissinger was in the Revolutionary War and one of those who for a time went barefooted for lack of shoes. His grandson, John Crissinger came to Crawford county in 1832, settling in Whetstone township.

Jacob Ferree \\'as in the Revolutionary War. His great-grandson William Ferree came to Crawford county in 1873, residing in Gallon, and in 1881 removed to Bucyrus.

a comrade named Kuncle as British soldiers. They were in one engagement, after which both joined the Revolutionary cause, and fought with the patriots until the close of the war. John Hise married Eve Kuncle, and came to Jackson township in 1824; their son Wm. H. Hise being for many years justice of the peace in Liberty township.

Simon and John Hopple enlisted in the Revolutionary War at its commencement, but both were lost and no trace of them ever found. Their nephew, Reuben Hopple, came to Liberty township in 1856.

Samuel Kearsley was a captain in the Continental Army, and a favorite officer of Gen. Washington, the latter presenting him with the sword he wore at Braddock's defeat in 1755. His grandson, Edmund R. Kearsley came to Bucyrus in 1851.

Philip Keller and two of his brothers were in the Revolutionary War. Philip Keller, a grandson of the Revolutionary Philip, came to Sandusky township in 1856.

Livingston was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His grandson Rensselaer Livingston, came to Crestline in 1848, and in 1851 laid out the village of Livingston, afterward Crestline.

John Marshall and two brothers were in the Revolutionary War. James Marshall, a grandson of John, came to Bucyrus in 1826. John Marshall reached the rank of Colonel, and was presented with a sword by Gen. Washington.

Samuel McDonald was a soldier in the Revolution. James Cole was a Nova Scotian and entered the Revolutionary army, and for this was disinherited by his wealthy English relatives. He was with Washington at Valley Forge. Later he was wounded in battle, and confined in one of the prison ships in Boston Harbor until the close of the war. Reuben McDonald, a son of Samuel, married Matilda Cole, a daughter of James Cole. They came to Liberty township in 1832, and with them their son George, four years old. Another son, Hiram W. McDonald, was born in 1846. Both sons were later in business in Bucyrus.

Abraham Monnett was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His son Isaac came to Crawford county in 1825 ; his son Jeremiah came in 1835, both settling in Bucyrus township.

Henry Nail came to America in 1777 and entered the Revolutionary Army. In 1818 he came to Richland county, where he died and was buried at Mansfield. His son James Nail came to Jefferson township in 1821.

Capt. Patton was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and a brother-in-law of Major Andre. His grandson, Noble McKinstry, came to Whetstone township in 1820; another grandson, James McKinstry, came to this section in 1833, settling near Caledonia, and in 1863 moved to Bucyrus.

Christian Riblet entered the Continental Army at Philadelphia in 1779, at the age of 18. He died April 6, 1844, and was buried in the graveyard on the Gallon and Mansfield road, just east of the Crawford county line. His grandson, Daniel Riblet, came to Polk township in 185 1.

many during the Revolutionary War, as one of the hired soldiers to fight on the side of the British. His sympathies were with the Americans and he promptly deserted and joined the Revolutionists, fighting until the close of the war. His son, Benjamin Sharrock, came to Polk township in 1818.

Charles White enlisted in the Revolutionary War at the age of 18. His son Charles White, came to this section about 1820, settling later in Dallas township.

Ancestral Data

J. H. Williston, two terms state senator and for many years editor of the Forum, was a descendant of one of the Pilgrims who came over in the Mayflower.

John R. Clymer, who edited the Forum for many years was a descendant of the Clymers of Pennsylvania, George Clymer being one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Theodore Shotwell, who married a daughter of James McKinstry, was a descendant of Theodore Shotwell, who in 1665 with 65 others took the oath of allegiance to Charles II, at Elizabethtown, N. J., this was at the time when England secured New Jersey from the Dutch.

Giles Cory was executed at Salem for witchcraft, on Sept. I, 1692, aged 'j'j years. Several generations later his descendants, Aaron and Thomas Cory, came to Cranberry township.

John Hopley, who came to Bucyrus in 1856, was a descendant, seventh generation, of Samuel Pratt, an English Bishop, chaplain to Queen Anne in 1703, and buried in St. George's chapel, Windsor.

William Ward settled at Sudbury, Mass., in 1639, and held several offices in the early Colonial days. Among his descendants were Clark K. and C. D. Ward who came to Bucyrus in 1847.

When the second war with England broke out in 1812, Crawford county was a wilderness, and not even the cabin or shack of a white hunter existed within its borders; it was a hunting ground for the Indians. The eastern seven miles of the county, had been open for settlement for a few years, but no pioneer had as yet drifted so far to the westward, Richland county being the extreme edge of civilization. The western thirteen miles was only traversed by the roving bands of Indians. But it was during this war that Crawford county was crossed and recrossed by the militia on their way to and from the battle grounds along the Maumee. Many of the soldiers were impressed by the country, and when, two years after the war closed, the land was opened to settlement, it is not strange that some of these soldiers in seeking a new home, found it in the region which they had first traversed when bearing arms in defense of their country.

James Andrews was a member of the Pennsylvania militia. He came to Crawford county in 1832, settling in what is now Texas township. He died April 25, 1840, and was buried in the Andrews graveyard, Texas township.

James P. Beall was a member of the Pennsylvania militia; he came to Bucyrus township in 1854; died Feb. 24, 1869, and was buried in Oakwood cemetery.

Joseph Baker, Virginia militia, came to Auburn township in 1825 ; died in that township, and was buried about four miles east of New A\'ashington.

Elisha Castle, Maryland militia, came to Jefferson township in 1840; died at Leesville May 8, 1864, and is buried in the Leesville graveyard.

Samuel Carson, Virginia militia, came to this section in 1835, settling just across the line in Venice township, Seneca county, having land in both counties. He died in Seneca county.

John Caris came to Liberty township, date unknown, and died there Dec. 14, 1862, and was buried in the Union graveyard east of Sulphur Springs.

Joshua Chilcote. Xew York militia, came to Cranberry township in 1818; died in Auburn township July 3, 1837, and was buried in the Hanna graveyard near Tiro.

James Ferguson was in the War of 1812. He was expert in woodcraft and was frequently employed as the bearer of dispatches between the different commanders. After the war he settled in Sandusky township and in 1828 removed to Lykens township.

James Forrest was with Perry's fleet at the Battle of Lake Erie ; he came to Tod township in 1854, died at Oceola ]\Iay 10, 1880, and was buried in the Oceola graveyard.

William Green, New York militia, came to Auburn township in 1815 ; died April 21, 1862, on the farm on which he first settled, and was buried in the Hanna graveyard, near Tiro.

John Eaton was in the War of 1812; he came to Holmes township in 1830 and died there Aug. 23, 1850, and was buried in the Brokensword graveyard.

Henry Harriger, Pennsylvania militia, came to Whetstone township in 1823, where he died in 1878, and was buried in the Stewart graveyard two miles east of Bucyrus.

Seth Holmes, New York militia, was a teamster in the supply train which passed through Bucyrus in 1812; he came to Bucyrus with Samuel Norton in 1819; died in 1825, and was buried* in the Cary graveyard on the Tiffin road.

Christian Hoover, Ohio militia, came to Dallas township in 1822; he died in that township Aug. II, 1849, and was buried in the White graveyard, Dallas township.

Seth Hawks, New York militia, came to Auburn township in 1819; he died there July 20, 1824, and was buried in the Hanna graveyard near Tiro.

Samuel Hanna, New York militia, came to Auburn township in 1819; he died there June 2, 1862, and was buried in the Hanna graveyard near Tiro.

Elijah Jump, New York Volunteer Infantry, came to Tod township in 1843 ! he died there Dec. 5, 1871, and was buried in the Benton graveyard.

James Alagee, Pennsylvania militia, came to Sandusky township in 1824; he died there April 14, 1850, and was buried in the Sandusky graveyard, centre of Sandusky township.

Benjamin Maskey, Pennsylvania militia, came to Crawford county, date unknown: died in Tod township, Jan. 21, 1867, and was buried at Oceola.

Moses Pugh, Virginia militia, came to Lykins township in 1838; died there Sept. 2j 1 848, and was . buried in the Andrews graveyard near Benton.

William Robinson, colonel in the Pennsyl- \ania militia, came to Jefferson township in 1830 ; died there Aug. 30, 1847, and was buried in the graveyard on the Tiffin road.

Henry C. Snyder, Maryland Regulars, came to Liberty township in 1844; died Sept. 24, 1870, and was buried in the Roop graveyard. Liberty township.

Zachariah Welsh, colonel in Ohio militia, came to Dallas township in 1822 ; died in Bucyrus township Aug. 16, 1843, and was buried in the White gra\'eyard, Dallas township.

Jacob Walcutt, Virginia militia, served in the War of 18 12, entered land in Texas township, soon after died and his widow and seven children settled on the land.

1846, and went as far as Cincinnati, but Ohio's quota was more than filled. Some, however, went to Mexico. The company was mustered out at Bucyrus on Oct. 26, 1846. The following was the roster of the company :

The next war in which the United States engaged was a far more serious and deadly struggle. It was one of State against State, brother against brother, the North against the South, a war from which the Nation as a whole has not yet fully recovered, though the sectional bitterness and animosity it engendered have now, happily, almost entirely passed away. The causes of the War of 1861-65 are so well known and understood by all that no more than a brief reference to them is necessary. It originated in the institution of slavery - an institution which in colonial times and in the early days of the Republic, was common to both northern and southern territory, but which had been gradually abandoned at the north, chiefly because it was no longer profitable. The South, depending upon unpaid negro labor for the cultivation of its cotton, sugar and other crops, naturally desired the retention of this institution, and its extension to the western and southwestern territories. It was chiefly around this question of extension that the struggle arose which for a time split the Nation in twain, and carried bereavement into thousands of homes on both sides of Mason and Dixon's line. The election of Abraham Lincoln, who had expressed himself strongly against the further extension of slavery, but who was no "abolitionist," in the sense in which the term was then used, decided the Southern States to sever those political bonds which had hitherto united them with the rest of the nation, and which, as expressed in the Federal constitution, they regarded as a contract assumed for mutual advantage, similar to a business partnership, to be cancelled by any state or aggregation of states, when they should find it to their advantage to do so. This States' Rights doctrine, was opposed to the ideas of a great majority of the northern people, who regarded the Constitution as an indissoluble contract, and when, therefore. South Carolina took the initiative by firing on Ft. Sumter all knew that the struggle was on; that the burning question which had agitated men's minds for more than a generation, and had found expression in the eloquent outbursts of the greatest American orators on either side - such men as Webster and Clay against Calhoun arid Benton, Sumner and Chase againSt Hayne and Stevens, could now be settled in only one way - by the sword. And by the sword it was settled, completely and finally. The Union was preserved, but only at the cost of precious blood and untold treasure.

After two years of war, the victories of Gettysburg and Vicksburg in 1863, marked the turning-point, and from that time the question was simply how long the South could hold out. This question was answered in April, 1865, at Appomattox, with the surrender of General Lee.

Men in the flower of youth, the strength of manhood or the ripeness of age, left family, home and friends in answer to their country's call, and many there were who never returned. Their bones rest beneath the sod at Fredericksburg and Antietam, at Gettysburg and Stone River, at Vicksburg and the Wilderness, or fill some unknown grave that marks the site of a deadly prison pen that was more fatal than the field of battle. Many a one who said goodbye to the departing soldier, with smiling eyes and sorrowing hearts - the mother or the father, the sister or the brother or she who "was a nearer one, still and a dearer one, yet than all other" - little dreamed that the parting was forever, and the bruised and bleeding heart could find its only consolation in treasuring up the hero-death their loved one died. War has its glories and its heroes, but who can fathom the cost? - that unceasing, never-ending sorrow that palsies the heart of the mother and the sister, the wife and the sweetheart ; and although time may soften and soothe, the grief is always there; there to ever remain until their mission on earth is ended, and they again meet their loved one in the world beyond.

No sooner had the news of Fort Sumter reached Bucyrus than the most intense excitement pervaded the entire community. Men, women and children, old and young, of all professions and calling were aroused. Never was there such an excitement in the village. Business was suspended almost entirely. Workmen left their shops unquestioned by their employers. Clerks quit their counters. Merchants, mechanics, professional men, everybody rushed to the streets while everybody from the country came in, all actuated by one spirit, the preservation of the Union. Reports from Gallon and Crestline showed the same enthusiastic loyalty had caused the suspension of practically all business in those places.

On April 17 a meeting was held at the Rowse Hall at which Jacob Scroggs presided, with Frank Patterson as secretary. Speeches were made by Jacob Scroggs, Judge J. S. Plants, C. W. Butterfield, J. R. Swigart and F. W. Butterfield and a committee on resolutions appointed consisting of John Hopley, F. W. Butterfield, William M. Scroggs, B. B. McDanald and Geo. Donnenworth, Jr. The resolutions were loyal to the core and closed with the ringing declaration in capital letters that "The Union Must and Shall Be Preserved," and all the resolutions as read were received with the most deafening cheers, especially the latter. At the conclusion of F. W. Butterfield's speech he called for volunteers and seventeen signed the muster roll. A committee consisting of F W. Butterfield, W. R. S. Clark, and Nicholas Buler was appointed to circulate the roll and obtain additional volunteers. Cheers were given to Senator Orr for his vote in the State Senate on the War Bill. The Star Spangled Banner was sung amid great excitement, and the meeting adjourned to meet on Friday, the 19th. The papers said "The patriotic sentiments of all the speakers was received with the most unbounded applause." This meeting was held on Wednesday evening. On Thursday evening the enlistments numbered 34 and on Friday 45, and on Saturday drilling commenced on the Public Square, Jacob P. Hysung being the drill master. Practically the entire town, crowded the square to watch the evolutions of the soldiers.

the company attended the Lutheran Church to listen to a sermon of Rev. J. Crouse. His text was, "And the children of Ephraim being armed and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle." - Psalm LXXVIII, 9.

Monday the excitement continued. The people from the country coming in and remaining all day. No work was done and 1 the only discussion on the street corners was the coming war. During the day one or two expressed doubts as to the right of the Government to coerce another state, but the indignation of the crowd was so universally manifested that any doubter found it safest to keep his opinion to himself.

On Monday evening the square was jammed by a crowd of excited and enthusiastic citizens who assembled to take a final leave of the volunteers, who had received orders to march the made by A.M. Jackson, Judge J. S. Plants, next morning. 'Enthusiastic speeches were Hon. L. W. Hall, J. R. Swigart, and Rev. J. Crouse and Rev. L. B. Gurley.

A special train was to take the company to Crestline the next morning at 5 o'clock, but early hours were nothing to the thoroughly aroused people Tuesday morning by 4 o'clock the town was awake and were out in force thronging to the square. The fire department was out in full uniform to escort the company to the station as F. W. Butterfield, A. W. Oilier, J. H. Simon, Thomas Lommison, John Kanzleiter and John McKillipp were members of the fire department, and they were presented with a series of resolutions commending their actions signed by B. F. Lauck, J. G. Stoll, Jr., J. G. Frayer and John G. Birk. At the station Jacob Scroggs made the farewell speech and the train arrived, and the first company from Crawford County left for the war, followed by the enthusiastic cheers of the entire town. The ladies had ordered a beautiful flag, but it failed to arrive in time and was forwarded to the Company at Cleveland later. The members of this company which later became Co. C in the Eighth Ohio, who left Bucyrus on Wednesday morning April 24th, ten days after the president's call for troops, were as follows -

At Gallon, the same enthusiastic feeling prevailed. A meeting was held and a company organized. And on Thursday, April 25th, the entire town assembled at the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati depot where enthusiastic speeches were made and the second company left the county for war, the "Gallon Guards," later Co. C of the 23rd Ohio. There were 84 men, many of them from the B. & I and C. C. & C. roads. They were officered by J. W. Skiles, who was a veteran of the Mexican war; J. R. McMillan was the first Lieutenant and C. P. Harding, second lieutenant.

At Crestline an enthusiastic meeting was held at Livingston Hall as early as April 19, with Robert Lee as president and William Reed as secretary. Patriotic speeches were made by Rev. J. P Loyd, Dr. Covert, Robert Lee, and Prof. A. Miller. Patriotic resolutions were passed, the committee being A. Patterson, Jacob Staley, J. P. Davis, David Ogden, D. S. Keplinger, M. A. Archer, J. S. Smith, S. R. C. Clark.

At Sulphur Springs, a company was organized with fifty volunteers to be held in readiness and they were drilled every week. Amos Keller was the captain, with J. H. Kemmis I st lieutenant, and J. N. Biddle, 2nd lieutenant. In Bucyrus, Aaron H. Keller, B. F. Lauck and John Jones organized a reserve company, to be in -readiness if their services were needed.

Their services were needed, as the later calls demanded more and more men, and for four long years there was a constant drain on this county and the other counties in the State and Nation, for men to save the Union, and it is probable that in that four years of war at least 2,000 men were furnished from Crawford County. From the time the first company had left Bucyrus and gone into Virginia in July of 1861, there were probably but few battles or skirmishes in which one or more soldiers from Crawford County had no part, and as time passed and the seemingly neverending struggle went on, and the news came of the death of loved ones on the battle field, is it not to be wondered at that all the patriotism of a loyal people was needed to save the nation from disunion. On two occasions drafts were necessary to fill out the quota, drafts which called for 300 and 400 men from the little county of Crawford, who already had 1,000 men in the field, and yet when the draft arrived, most of the volunteers had been secured and in some townships the entire quota had been furnished. A brief history is given of the principal regiments in which Crawford County had entire or almost entire companies. Yet there were few regiments of the more than two hundred in the state but what had one or more men at some time from this county, and a history of Crawford County in the war is nothing more or less than a history of the war itself.

The Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry - The first company organized in Crawford county under the President's call for 75,000 men became a part of the 8th Ohio Infantry, and was known as Company C, which was. raised in and around Bucyrus. It was officered as follows: F. W. Butterfield, captain; E. W.

Merriman, first lieutenant and David Lewis, second lieutenant. Capt. Butterfield served faithfully until the expiration of the term of service of the regiment, after which he assisted m raising the I92d Infantry, for one year's service and was made its colonel. After affecting leave-takings, public services being held in the church, the company started for Camp Taylor, Cleveland, where, by April 29th, all the other companies had assembled. In May the regimental organization was completed at Camp Dennison and instruction in drill begun. It soon becoming apparent that the regiment could not be sent into the field as three months men, proposals were made to reenlist the men for three years. Nine companies - Company I alone excepted - responded favorably and in the latter part of June were mustered into the service for three years. In September Company I, having re-considered its determination, decided to reenlist and joined the regiment at Grafton, Va., to which point the rest of the regiment had proceeded after leaving Camp Dennison on July 9th.

During their first few weeks of actual service the regiment was stationed at various places in the mountains and along the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Here they suffered severelv from sickness, some thirtyfour deaths resulting from typhoid fever, while at one time over three hundred were in the hospital. On the, 24th of September the regiment took part in an attack on Romney, and on Oct. 24th in a second attack on the same place, which the enemy finally evacuated. Next came a successful attack on Blue's Gap. The next fight was at Bloomey Gap, on February 14th, where Colonel Baldwin, with his staff and a part of his command, were captured. In March the division to which the 8th belonged, was ordered to the Shenandoah Valley, and, under command of Gen. Shields, drove the enemy up the Valley, fighting battles at Cedar Creek and Strasburg. In these movements the 8th was engaged in skirmish duty, which they accomplished so successfully as to gain a reputation for themselves, which they subsequently maintained throughout the rest of its term of service. On March 23d was fought the battle of Winchester, one of the most severe of the war. Colonel Kimball commanded and here the enemy, under the able and gallant Jackson were repulsed and driven from the field. In this battle the 8th maintained its reputation both for skirmish duty and in the charge on the enemy's right flank. The losses of the companies engaged - C, D, E, and H - amounted to one- fourth of their entire number.

\\'hile following the rebels up the Valley, skirmishes took place at Woodstock, Mt. Jackson, Edinburg and New Market. At the latter place Colonel Kimball received his commission as brigadier general taking command of the brigade to which the 8th belonged. On May 22d the regiment joined McDowell's Corps at Fredericksburg. General Banks having been driven out of the Valley by Jackson, the 8th was ordered back, and on the 30th reached and recaptured Front Royal. The distance of eighteen miles from Rectortown was covered in skirmish order, a number of prisoners being captured, among whom was the famous rebel spy. Belle Boyd.

After marching from Front Royal up the south branch of the Shenandoah, the division was broken up and Kimball's and Terry's brigades ordered to the Peninsula. Some severe skirmishing occurred on the 3d and 4th of July at the Chickahominy swamps, where seven members of the 8th were badly wounded. At Harrison's Landing the regiment was united to the Second Corps, then commanded by Sumner, and, with Kimball's brigade belonged to French's division. On the retreat from the Peninsula and until the army crossed the Chickahominy the 8th acted as rear guard. It then went by way of Yorktown and Newport News, to Alexandria, where it arrived on the 28th. The armies of Lee and Pope being engaged in battle on the 30th, the corps was ordered to the front, and marched to Centerville, near the position of Pope's army, but took no part in the fight. On the march of the army to Chain Bridge, the 2d Corps was on the left flank, and for a short time was under fire at Germantown, north of Fairfax Court House. Crossing the Potomac, the army entered Maryland, and soon after was engaged in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. The corps acted as a supporting line at South Mountain, and later crossed the mountain and skirmished with the enemy at Boonsboro and Reedyville. Near this place ar fu- rious artillery duel took place on September i6th, during which \V. W. Farmer, a colorsergeant of the 8th was killed. The next day occurred the battle of Antietam. Having crossed the river, the 2d Corps occupied the center of the line. Says Mr. Reid ("Ohio in the War"), "Hooker had been engaged on the right for several hours, when French's and Sedgwick's divisions advanced - Sedgwick on the right - and met the enemy in strong position on a ridge. In the advance Kimball's brigade formed the third line, Morris and Max Weber's preceding. They struck the Rebel line and were driven back ; when Kimball advanced at a double quick, carrying the line handsomely, and holding it for four hours and until firing ceased in front. During this time Sedgwick was driven back on the right, which made it necessary for the 14th Indiana and 8th Ohio to charge front ; which was done most gallantly, and saved the brigade from rout. General Sumner pronounced Kimball's the "Gibraltar Brigade."

After some minor movements, consisting mainly of marching, with some skirmishing, the 8th found themselves in action in the terrible battle of Fredericksburg, December 13th, they forming the right wing of the forlorn hope. In the streets of the town the enemy's fire struck the head of the column, killing and wounding 28 ; but, with the other regiments a line was formed and the enemy's outposts driven to the foot of the hill on which were his main works. In this battle the regiment lost 37 in killed and wounded.

The army remained in camp until April 28, 1863, when it crossed the river and fought the battle of Chancellorsville, General Hooker commanding. Though almost constantly under fire for four days the regiment lost only two killed and eleven wounded. At this time and subsequently the brigade was under command of General Carroll.

The next active sendee of the 8th was at the battle of Gettysburg in which it took a conspicuous part. On July 2d it drove the Rebel sharpshooters from a knoll beyond the Emmetsburg road, and held the position until the close of the battle, a period of twenty-six hours. During this time it repulsed three several attacks by superior numbers, one being made by three regiments, which were gallantly repelled, broken, and nearly all, with three stands of colors captured. A change of front was then made and the regiment threw an effective fire into the flank of the large mass of troops marching upon General Hay's division. The 8th's losses in this battle were 102 killed and wounded. Some skirmishing followed with the retreating enemy, and then on the 15th of August the regiment was sent to New York city to help quell the draft riots then threatening the city.

This duty, which the men looked on almost as a pleasure jaunt, having been performed, they joined the army at Culpepper, and, after some manoeuvring, the battles of Auburn and Bristow were fought, October 14, the 8th having t\\o men wounded. In the battles of Robinson's Cross Roads, Locust Grove and Mine Run, on the 27th, 28th and 29th of November, the regiment mainly performed skirmish duty, losing several in killed and wounded. Several officers and men were woimded also in the battle of Morton's Ford, February 6, 1864.

The Wilderness campaign, under Grant, opened on the 3d of May. The 2d Corps, crossing the Rapidan at Germania Ford, marched quickly to Todd's Tavern, occupying the extreme left of the line. On the evening of the 5th, it moved to the support of the right, which was hotly engaged with the enemy. At the "Cross Roads" the 14th Indiana, 8th Ohio and 7th Virginia, under the command of Colonel Coons, of the 14th Indiana, retook a section of a battery, which had been lost by the 6th Corps. Heavy losses were sustained on the 6th during the fighting in the dense undergrowth. The 7th, 8th and 9th were spent in skirmishing, the enemy being closely followed to Spottsylvania Court House. In a charge on a Rebel work, on the loth, another severe loss was sustained and Sergeant Conlan, color bearer, was wounded. On the 12th, in Hancock's gallant charge on the enemy's right, the regiment again lost heavily. The losses in these several engagements were over 60 in killed and wounded.

The regiment maintained its reputation in the skirmishing w hich occurred from Spottsyl- \-ania to Petersburg, and in the battles of North Anna, Cold Harbor and in front of Petersburg. While in the trenches before Petersburg, on the 25th of June, its term of service expired and it was ordered to Ohio to be mustered out of service. It had then but 72 officers and men fit for duty. On the return home it received a cordial reception, reaching Cleveland July 3d, where it was cordially greeted by the mayor and military committee. It was formally mustered out July 13, 1864 by Capt. Douglass.

The 15th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was one of the first to respond to the President's call for 75,000 men for three months' service. Its organization was completed on May 4, 1861 at Camp Jackson, Columbus, Ohio, Company D of this regiment being composed in part of Crawford county men, mostly from the" northeastern part of the county. The 15th prepared for the field at Camp Goddard, near Zanesville, Ohio and then, about May 18, was ordered to West Virginia, where it was employed for some time in guard duty on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. It fought against the enemy at Philippi, June 13, and afterwards at Laurel Hill and Carrick's Ford. At the end of its term of enlistment it returned to Columbus, Ohio and was discharged about the 1st of August, having lost but two men - one killed and one who died of disease.

On the President's call for 300,000 men to serve for three years, the men of the 15th almost unanimously resolved to reenlist, and the regiment was accordingly reorganized at Camp Mordecai Bartley, near Mansfield, Ohio, and left for Camp Dennison on Sept. 26, 1861. Here they were armed and equipped for the field. Early in October they reached Lexington, Ky., and soon after, at Camp Nevin, near NoUin's Station, Ky., the regiment was assigned to the 6th Brigade (Gen. R. W. Johnston, commanding), 2d Division (Gen. A. McD. McCook, commanding), of the Army of the Ohio, then commanded by Gen. W. T. Sherman, and subsequently by Gen. Buell. After marches to Bacon Creek and Mumfordsville, on Dec. 14, the division was set in motion for Fort Donelson, but before arriving there news was received of the capture of the fort and the division was marched to Bowling Green. From the 2d to the i6th of March the command lay at Nashville, Tenn. ; then the march to Savannah began. The enemy was encountered at that place April 7th and in

The 2d Division subsequently formed part of the reserve in the march upon Corinth and in the latter part of May was engaged in skirmishing with the enemy, having been ordered to the front on the 27th. From the i8th of July until the 20th of August the 15th was engaged in building a fort and in camp duties at Battle Creek, Tenn. The regiment then accompanied Gen. McCook's command in a movement to head off Gen. Bragg, marching by way of Altemonte, Manchester and Murfreesboro to Nashville, which place was reached Sept. 8th. After a halt of a few days the march was resumed to Bowling Green and thence to Louisville, which was . reached ori the 25th. Thence the command moved to Shelbyville and Lawrenceburg, where a skirmish took place with the enemy. The main army was reached at Perryville and Bragg's army pursued as far as Crab Orchard. The command then returned to Nashville.

Here the army was reorganized and drilled and on the 26th of December advanced against the enemy at Murfreesboro. In the battle of Stone River the 15th lost 18 killed and 89 wounded. After the occupation of Murfreesboro by Rosecran's army the regiment was mainly occupied in drilling, foraging and other routine duties, until July 24th, when an advance was ordered on Tullahoma and Shelbyville. The enemy was dislodged from his position at Golner's and Liberty Gaps, the latter being carried by the 2d Division, the 15th taking a very prominent part throughout. In this engagement one officer and seven men were killed and 23 wounded.

The 2d Division remained at Tullahoma until the i6th of August, after which it was ordered to various points in Alabama and Georgia, crossing Lookout Mountain and camping near Alpine on Sept. loth. Two days later it recrossed the mountain to Winson's Valley and thence moved to a position in connection with the main army in Lookout Valley. On the 19th it marched 13 miles to the battlefield of Chickamauga, where it was engaged soon after its arrival, losing one officer and nine men killed, 69 wounded and 40 missing. Later it took part in the seige of

Chattanooga and on November 25th participated in the storming of Mission Ridge, capturing a number of prisoners and some artillery. On the 28th, the regiment then belonging to the 1st Brigade, 3d Division, 4th Army- Corps, marched to the relief of Knoxville, arriving Dec. 8th; on the 20th the command moved to Strawberry Plains.

On the 14th of January, 1864, most of the members having re-enlisted as veterans, the regiment started for Columbus, Ohio, arriving there with 350 veterans on Feb. loth. On the expiration of the furlough, March 14th the regiment, having been recruited to upward of 900 men, reassembled at Camp Chase, and were ordered to Nashville, and thence to Chattanooga, where they arrived April 5th. On the 8th while moving by rail to Cleveland, Tenn. some 20 of the men were more or less injured in a railway accident.

Moving to McDonald's Station on the 20th the regiment remained there until the opening of the spring campaign. The regiment then accompanied Sherman's army, skirmishing at Tunnel Hill, fighting at Resaca and Dallas, at which latter place the 1 5th suffered severely, having 19 men killed, three officers and 61 men wounded, and 19 men missing. The army then moved to the vicinity of Acworth and on the loth advanced toward Kenesaw Mountain. While skirmishing on the 14th of June one officer and one man were killed and five men wounded. On June i8th, the enemy having withdrawn, and accidentally left one of their outposts behind them, the outpost comprising two officers and 16 men, were discovered by Private Cupp, of Company H, who was reconnoitering with three or four privates under his command. The Rebels, when informed of their isolated position surrendered and were taken into camp as prisoners. A number of other prisoners were also captured in this vicinity. The regiment subsequently reached Atlanta with the army and later had a skirmish with the enemy at Lovejoy's Station. They left there Sept. 5th and took camp at Decatur, near Atlanta^

When Hood began his raid on our communications, the 15th marched to the relief of Resaca, and then to Columbia, where it had a slight skirmish. It did not participate in the battle of Franklin, but at Nashville captured a battery of four brass guns and some 30 prisoners. Later in the action at Franklin Pike it captured two commissioned officers and i(X) men. Its own loss in two days' fight was two officers and one man killed and two officers and 24 men wounded. After following the enemy to Lexington, Ala., the corps moved in the direction of Huntsville and went into camp at Bird Springs, where it remained until March 15th, when it was ordered to East Tennessee.

It^ subsequently moved to New Market, Tenn. and then to Greenville, to aid in preventing the escape of Lee and Johnston, being ordered back to Nashville, April 22d. Here it remained until June i6th at which time it was ordered to Texas, proceeding thence by way of New Orleans. It arrived at Indianola, Texas, July 9th, disembarked, and marched the same night to Green Lake, a distance of about 20 miles. Here it remained one month and then, on August loth began a march of 150 miles to San Antonio, reaching the Salada, a small stream near that place on the 21st. Owing to the extreme heat and the scarcity of water, this was one of the most severe marches the regiment ever endured. It remained on the Salada till October 20th and then ordered to do post duty in the city. On November 21st, it was mustered out and ordered to Columbus, Ohio for its final discharge. It was mustered out at Columbus on Dec. 27, 1865, having been in the service as an organization about four years and eight months.

The 23d Ohio Infantry, - Crawford county was represented in this regiment by Company C, which was raised in and around Gallon, the members being mostly railroad men. The commissioned officers of the company were: John W. Skiles, captain; J. R. McMullin, first lieutenant ; and T. P. Harding, second lieutenant. Captain Skiles was a veteran of the Mexican War and an efficient officer. He was wounded at Middletown, Md., which resulted in the loss of an arm at the elbow. On July 29, 1863 he was promoted to major of the 88th Ohio Infantry and served in that capacity until the close of the war. Lieutenant Mc- Mullin, who was originally captain of the old "Mansfield Artillery Company," was early promoted to captain of the 23d. So many of the leading officers of the 23d achieved distinction and were promoted to high rank that the regiment became known as the "regiment of brigadier generals." Among the most noted were W. S. Rosecrans, E. Parker Scammon and Rutherford B. Hayes, afterward president of the United States. Stanley Mathews, afterwards promoted to colonel of the 51st regiment, was also a gallant and efficient officer.

The 23d regiment was organized at Camp Chase, in June, 1861, under Col. William S. Rosecrans and was mustered into the United States' service for three years, on the iith of the same month. Before leaving for the field Col. Rosecrans received a commission as brigadier general in the United States' regular army, and Col. E. P. Scammon succeeded to the command of the regiment. On July 25th the regiment was ordered to Clarksburg, West Virginia, where it arrived on the 27th. The next day it was ordered to Weston, from which point it operated against the guerilla forces of the enemy, performing excessively hard duty among the rugged spurs of the Rich Mountain range. While in this region the regiment was divided, five companies, under command of Lieut. Col. Stanley Mathews operating as a movable force against the guerillas, and constituting the right wing; while the left wing remained at Weston, sending out occasional expeditions against the enemy. On Sept. ist the regiment re-united at Bulltown, and thence, as a part of General Rosecran's army, marched against the Rebels, who, under General Floyd, were strongly posted at Carnifex Ferry. On the loth some skirmishing occurred with the enemy, in which the 23d took an efficient part. In the night General Floyd retreated across the Gauley river, and in the pursuit a number of prisoners were captured, the enemy being followed to his entrenchment at the foot of Big Sewell Mountain. A few days later the regiment was ordered to Camp Ewing, where, the location proving unhealthy, it lost a number of men from disease.

The winter of 1861-62 was devoted to recruiting, drill and discipline. Companies F and G joined a detachment, under Major Comly, which, on Dec. 31, 1861, occupied Raleigh Court House without opposition. A quantity of arms and supplies, with- 27 prisoners were captured. Being reinforced by Companies A and B, Major Comly, on the loth of February, marched 28 miles through a snow storm at the mouth of Blue Stone river, driving a regiment of the enemy's infantry, and a small force of cavalry, with considerable loss, across the river. On April 17, 1862 orders were received to go into camp, and on the 22d the command moved toward Princeton, the 23d, under command of Lieut. Col. Hayes, being in the advance. On the approach of the Federal forces the enemy fired the town and fled.

On the 8th nine companies of the 23d, with three small companies of cavalry, were attacked by four regiments of Confederate Infantry, and six pieces of artillery, under command of General Heth. Though most of our cavalry disappeared after the first fire, the regiment made a determined stand, but was finally obliged to retire, which it did in good order, the enemy following to the narrows of New River. Meeting reinforcements, the command returned by way of Princeton to Flat Top Mountain, having endured great hardships, and losing tents and other equipage, which had to be destroyed.

On the 13th of July the regiment was ordered to Green Meadows, on New River, the next move being to Camp Piatt, on the Great Kanawha, where the regiment arrived on the i8th, having made the record march of 104 miles in a little more than three days. Here the 23d boarded transports for Parkersburg, going thence by rail to Washington City, where they arrived August 24th. Soon after they moved with McClellan's army toward Frederick City, driving the enemy before them and reaching Middletown on the 13th.

Here began the battle of South Mountain, culminating, Sept. 17th, in that of Antietam, in both of which the 23d participated, being under command of Lieut. Col. Hayes (Gen. J. D. Cox commanding the division).

Being in the advance of the column, it took an unfrequented path up the mountain, and being met by a heavy fire of musketry, grape and cannister from the enemy, who were posted behind stone walls, it sustained severe losses, Lieut. Col. Hayes, Captain Skiles and Lieutenants Hood, Ritter and Smith being badly wounded, and over lOO dead and wounded lay on the field out of the 350 that went into action. Major Comly succeeded to the command, which he henceforth retained. Soon after, the remainder of the brigade coming up, a charge was made up the hill and enemy driven into the woods beyond, losing many men killed with the bayonet. During the remainder of the day the regiment fought with its division. During the da,y the 23d lost nearly 200. Only seven were unaccounted for at roll-call after the action.

At Antietam the regiment fought with the Kanawha division, occupying the right of the first brigade. Near the close of the day a charge was made by the division by which the left was exposed to a large force of the enemy, who suddenly emerged from a corn field in the rear of the left. The colors of the regiment were instantly shot down.. At the same time a feint was made in front. A Fereral battery in the rear opened a fire on the advancing Confederates, by which, however, our forces suffered more than the enemy. Major Comly now planted the colors on a new line, at right angles with the former front and the regiment promptly formed on the new line and opened fire on the enemy, who retired, having done little damage, except to make a few captures. A little later the regiment was ordered to the rear. During thenight the regiment supported a battery of General Sturgis's division and was not relieved until the following afternoon.

Ordered back, Oct. 8th, to West Virginia, with the Kanawha division, the regiment reached Hagerstown on the loth, whence they made a quick dash into Pennsylvania to intercept Stuart's cavalry, who were reported to be operating in that direction ; but no enemy was discovered. The regiment then returned to Virginia, arriving at Clarksburg October 15th. Here Colonel Scammon was appointed brigadier general and Lieut. Col. Hayes appointed colonel; Major Comly was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and Capt. Mcllrath to major. On November loth the 23d reached the Kanawha Valley and on the i8th went into winter quarters at the Falls of the Great Kanawha.

camp during March, April, May, June and part of July, performing only light duties, except an advance to Raleigh, Va. and participation in the movement against Morgan's raid.

Returning to Charleston, they lay in camp during the remainder of the year and up to April 29, 1864, when a movement was made to a point near Brownstown, on the Kanawha, preparatory to joining General Crook's forces in a raid on the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad. . In this expedition they performed hard duty, but had little fighting until the battle of Cloyd's Mountain on May 9, 1864. Here the 23d was on the right of the First brigade. A gallant charge was made up the mountain under a heavy fire, and the enemy driven from the first ridge, two pieces of artillery being captured and brought off the field by Lieut. Austin. The enemy then attempted to form a line of the second ridge or crest, but after a short struggle, was driven back in full retreat. Receiving reinforcements, he made another attempt to stand but was unsuccessful. The fighting here was desperate. Captain Hunter, Company K, and Lieut. Seaman, Company D, were both killed. Captain Rice, Company A, was wounded, but rejoined his company before the action was over. Lieut. Abbott, Company I, was severely wounded and left in hospital at Dublin Depot.

On May loth there was more fighting at New River Bridge, artillery being mostly used. The enemy were driven and the bridge destroyed. At Pepper's Ferry a slow and tedious crossing was made with one small ferry boat, the rain pouring down all night and thoroughly drenching the men. Skirmishing occurred on the way to Blacksburg, the regiment having two men wounded and losing four by capture. Salt Pond Mountain was crossed on the 1 2th, the 23d acting as train guard. Owing to heavy rains the roads were in wretched condition and the command was hampered by large numbers of "contrabands," who with their women and children, were accompanying it in all sorts of conveyances, which, becoming stuck in the mud, tended further to impede the operations of the force. Camp was reached on the 13th, with all the men greatly exhausted and in a state of semi-starvation.

Hunter's command. The first term of service expiring on the nth, those not re-enlisting as veterans were sent home. The depot, railroad, and other public works likely to be useful to the enemy were destroyed. On the loth a march of 23 miles was made to Browns- .town and the enemy driven. Lexington was reached on the nth, where some artillery fighting took place. The Confederates burning the bridge. White's brigade effected a crossing about two miles above the town, when the enemy retired. General Hunter's column came up just as the town was captured, and by his orders the Military Academy, Washington College and Governor Letcher's residence were burned, an order the execution of which was distasteful to nearly every officer and man of the command, and was protested against by Generals Crook and Averill.

Starting on the 14th the 23d marched by way of Buckhannon to within two miles of Lynchburg, driving the enemy along the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad and capturing four pieces of artillery. While encamped close to the enemy a slight skirmish took place with Gordon's brigade, but was stopped by the forces mutually withdrawing a little farther from each other.

Early on the i8th A. M. Crook's command was ordered on a flanking expedition to the right, but, owing to news that the enemy had received heavy reinfocements and was preparing to attack the center of our lines, it marched rapidly back to the exposed point, where the attack was repulsed with trifling loss. After dark a retreat was commenced toward Liberty, the men marching two days and nights without sleep and with scarcely anything to eat. On reaching Liberty shortly after dark on the 19th some fighting occurred, and at ten A. M. of the 20th Buford's Gap was reached. A night march was then made to overtake the command in advance, Salem being reached at 9 A. M. While passing through this town Hunter had been attacked by the enemy's cavalry and a large part of his artillery captured. At the same time Crook was attacked in front and rear, but pushed through without loss. At ten P. M. North Mountain was reached, where the command halted and the men were given a few hours' sleep. The

"At four A. M. next morning (22d) left in the advance, the first time since the retreat commenced. By a mistake a march of eight miles was made for nothing. Thus we toiled on, suffering intensely with exhaustion, want of food, clothing, etc. On the 27th a supply train was met on Big Sewell Mountain. Men all crazy. Stopped and ate ; marched and ate ; camped about dark, and ate all night. Marched 180 miles in the last nine days, fighting nearly all the time, and with very little to eat."

The column reached Charleston July ist and remained there refitting until the loth, when Gen. Crook's command having been ordered east to meet Early, who had invaded Pennsylvania and Maryland, the 23d set out for Martinsburg, which was reached on the 14th. On the 1 8th they marched to Cablestown, ten miles beyond Harper's Ferry, driving in the enemy's pickets. Still under the immediate command of Gen. Hunter, Gen. Crook being at Snicker's Gap, Hayes's brigade (including the 23d) was sent, without cavalry and with scarcely any artillery, to attack Early's army of 20,000 or more in flank, and with no other force on this side of the Shenandoah and no possibility of communicating. The enemy, who lay on the opposite side of the river at Snicker's Ferry, had already beaten the First Division, with the whole Sixth Corps to back them. After some heavy skirmishing, the 23d, with the 36th Ohio, were surrounded by two divisions of the enemy's cavalry, but cut their way out and on the 22d of July joined General Crook at Winchester. In the battle of Winchester, which occurred on the 24th, and in which the National forces were defeated, the 23d Ohio lost 153 men, ten of whom were commissioned officers. At Martinsburg next day. General Crook repelled a charge of the enemy's cavalry, capturing a number of prisoners. He then took position near the ford at Williamsburg, on the south bank of the Potomac.

From the 26th of July to the 14th of August the time was spent in marches and countermarches, on the latter date Duvall's brigade having an encounter with a Rebel force and finally capturing some prisoners and cattle. Afterwards came movements up and down the Valley advancing and retreating, with plenty of fighting. At Front Royal Sheridan's cavalry captured 260 of the enemy.

An attack was made by the enemy at Halltown, August 23d. In the evening Hayes's Brigade, the 23d and 36th Ohio, with part of the 5th West Virginia, sallied out and drove in the enemy's skirmish line, capturing a lot of prisoners from Kershaw's Division, the brilliancy of the charge causing much astonishment among the Rebels, who inquired "Who the hell are 'uns?" In another sortie on the 23d six officers and 100 prisoners were taken.

The next engagement took place at Berryville, Sept. 3d, the 23d being sent out on picket. Here there was desperate fighting, the most of it after dark. At ten o'clock both parties retired. In this affair the regiment lost two good officers in Captains Austin and Gillis.

The battle of Opequan was fought on the 19th. General Crook's command was in reserve but was soon called upon to make a flank attack on the right. Hayes's Brigade had the extreme left of the infantry. After crossing some difficult ground the division was halted and formed, with Hayes's Brigade in front and the 2d (Johnson's) in the rear. The brigade advanced rapidly, driving the enemy's cavalry. The Union cavalry at the same time advanced out of the woods on the right. On reaching a slight elevation the enemy's infantry line came into view, off diagonally to the left front and he opened a brisk artillery fire. After passing through some thick underbrush a deep slough was reached, 40 or 50 yards wide and waist deep, with soft mud at the bottom, the surface being covered with a thick bed of moss. This obstacle seemed impassible but Colonel Hayes, after a moment's pause, jumped in with his horse and struggled through, the first man over; the men of the 23d plunged in after him, and crossed under a heavy fire, some of them being drowned or suffocated in the slime. Pausing only long enough on the other side to reform the line, the regiment dashed on driving the enemy, Sheridan's cavalry, having passed around the slough, kept up on the right, capturing a large number of prisoners. Colonel Duvall, the division commander, being wounded, Colonel

No reinforcements appearing and the enemy's fire becoming every moment more murderous. Lieutenant McBride of the 23d was ordered forward with a small party to kill the enemy's artillery horses. Some Saxony rifles of long range and 71-caliber, are taken and several horses drop. A panic seizes the artillery and they commence limbering up. The infantry also takes the alarm and begin leaving the trenches, soon the whole line rises and run for the breastworks in confusion, our cavalry pursuing and taking prisoners by regiments. Eight battle flags are captured, the Rebel artillery stops firing and falls back and the battle is at an end. About the same time the 6th Corps emerged from the woods in the rear. The result was a complete and decisive victory. The regiment captured about 200 men, the artillery being captured by the combined force.

On September 24, 1864, occurred the battle of North Mountain, which was more in the nature of a brilliant charge than a battle. On Crook's command gaining their rear the enemy fled in utter rout abandoning many guns. The regiment lost only two men. Nothing more of importance occurred until the battle of Cedar Creek.

In this battle the 19th and 6th Corps occupied positions nearly parallel with the enemy's front. General Crook's First Division (Thoburn's) occupied works about a mile further to the front and on the left of the main line, the works from their right flank rearward being guarded only by the 9th Virginia regiment, from the Second Division. Crook's Second Division (Duvall's, commanded by Hayes), or a portion of it, occupied a camp about a mile and a quarter in rear of the First Division and in rear of the Manchester Pike. An independent brigade (Kitching's ) occupied a camp to the left and rear of that. The enemy's attacking column crossed the North Fork of the Shenandoah from the left of Fisher's Hill, passed down near the base of the Massanutten Mountain, beyond the picket line, and recrossed the river at Buxton's Ford, well to the rear of Crcjok's command. From there they passed again to the front, just outside the National lines, through the darkness and fog, forming a line of battle extending from Thoburn's right to a point about opposite Middletown, beyond the extreme left. The nearest force of National cavalry on the left was at Front Royal, eight miles distant.

Owing to General Sheridan's absence in Washington, the command devolved upon Major-general Wright, commanding the 6th Corps. Discovering a weak point on the left, a ford across the North Fork of the Shenandoah, accessible from the Massanutten Mountain, General Crook applied for a division of cavalry to cover this ford and picket the front of the mountain. His request was granted, but for some reason the cavalry had not yet been placed there on the nights of the i8th and 19th, though a report was made that it was there. Taking advantage of this oversight on the part of the Federals, nearly the whole flanking force of the enemy crossed at this ford, under cover of the darkness and fog, their line, when the attack opened, extending from the front of Crook's First Division all the way around to a point about opposite Middletown. Here they waited for the signal, which was to be a feint on the right of the line. To meet this attack General Crook had about 4,000 men. When the attack came, at 4:30 a. m., the enemy had it all their own way. Crook's command, overpowered, were driven from their advanced position and formed on the left of the 19th Corps, the left also being hotly engaged. The right of the line was not engaged for some time after. A desperate and successful stand was made by the shattered lines of Crook's command to save the headquarters train of the army, in which many brave men lost their lives, among them Colonel Thoburn, Captain Bier and Lieut. Colonel Hall, of the 13th Virginia. Colonel Hayes had his horse shot under him, but escaped with his life. The line then slowly fell back, the enemy seeming content with shelling us.

While things were at this pass, suddenly a great shout went up as General Sheridan, riding a magnificent black horse, dashed up at full speed and, dismounting, engaged in a short but rapid conversation with General Crook. In a moment the members of the staff are flying off in different directions. After awhile Col. Forsyth comes down in front and shouts to the General : "The 19th Corps is closed up, sir." General Sheridan jumps on his horse and calling out, "We're going to have a good time on' them now, boys," rides up the line. The men took their posts, the line moved forward, and ere long, as all the world knows, the enemy was fleeing in utter rout and confusion.

On Oct. 7th the regiment was detailed as rear guard to Martinsburg, marching by way of Winchester, where- some of the enemy's cavalry were said to be. On this march the men voted for the Presidential election, but seven anti-war votes being cast, principally among the teamsters. November 13th it returned to Winchester, guarding a supply train of 700 wagons. It was engaged in drill and camp routine duties until the middle of December, when it was transferred from the extreme left to the extreme right of the line. About December 20th Hayes's Brigade was ordered to Stephen's Depot, remaining there until the 29th when it went into camp at Martinsburg. On January i, 1865, it embarked for Cumberland. Colonel Hayes was promoted to a brigadier generalship and Lieut-Colonel Comly to Colonel. The regiment reached Grafton January r2th, where it lay till the i8th, without tents and insufificient bedding, the weather being very cold. From the 19th to March ist it lay at Cumberland engaged in drill and camp routine. Soon the news arrived of the collapse of the Southern Confederacy and the boys anticipated an early return home. It was not, however, until the latter part of July that the wished-for order came, and on the 26th they were mustered out -at Cumberland, and took cars for Camp Taylor, where the men were paid and discharged.

The 34th Infantry, O. V. I, contained one company - Company E - which was from Crawford county. This company was organized with the following officers: J. W. Shaw, captain ; F. B. Helwig, first lieutenant, and W. H. Carpenter, second lieutenant. Captain Shaw was promoted to major, Oct. 10, 1862; to lieutenant colonel, July 18, 1863, and was killed July 24, 1864 at the battle of Winchester. First Lieutenant Helwig was promoted to captain, July 17, 1862 and mustered out with the regiment. Second Lieutenant Carpenter was discharged, Aug. i, 1863. Isaac P. Grover was promoted to second lieutenant.

Dec. 3, 1862 ; to first lieutenant, March 2, 1864, and to captain, Sept. 30, 1864. Isaiah C. Lindsey was promoted to second lieutenant March 16, 1864 ^nd mustered out as such. N. P. Marvell was promoted to second lieutenant Sept. 30, 1864, to first lieutenant Nov. 26, 1864 and mustered out April 4, 1865.

The 34th was organized at Camp Lucas, Clermont county, Ohio in July and August, 1 86 1 and on Sept. ist moved to Camp Dennison. As at that early period of the war much license prevailed with respect to uniforms, it adopted a light blue Zouave dress, and in compliment to their colonel, Abraham S. Piatt, the name of "Piatt Zouaves" was adopted. In September the regiment started for Camp Enyart, on the Kanawha river, W. Va., where it arrived on the 20th. On the 25th it fought ,its first battle near Chapmanville, whipping a Virginia regiment and badly wounding its colonel. Its own loss was one killed and eight wounded. During the remaining of the autumn and winter the regiment was engaged chiefly in guarding the rear of General Rosecran's army and in scouting expeditions after the enemy's guerillas. In March, 1862 it joined General Cox's forces at Gauley Bridge and on the 17th and i8th of May, participated in the battle of Princeton, losing several men.

General Cox being ordered to join General McClellan, in August, 1862, six regiments were left to guard the Kanawha Valley. The 34th and 37th held the outpost at Fayetteville, where they were attacked, Sept. loth, by General Loring, with 10,000 men. By the aid of breastworks, the position was held till midnight, when the place was evacuated. During the attack the 34th repeatedly charged on the enemy. The losses of the six companies engaged (the others being on scouting duty) amounted to 130 men. One-half of the officers were either killed or wounded. Falling back under a heavy fire, the National forces made a stand at Cotton Mountain the next day, and at Charleston on the 12th, where a severe engagement took place. From this point a further retrograde movement was -made to Mt. Pleasant. In October, on the return of General Cox, with his command, another advance was made and the valley regained. During Mav the regiment was furnished with horses and transferred into "Mounted Rifles."

In July, 1863 the 34th participated in a demonstration against Wytheville, on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, under command of Colonel Toland. A desperate fight ensued, but about dark the National forces succeeded in capturing the enemy's artillery, when they fled in all directions, 'i he 34th lost four killed, including Colonel Toland, 13 wounded and 33 missing. The brigade left Camp Piatt with nearly 1000 men, marched 652 miles in eleven days, through a very mountainous country, and captured over 250 horses, 360 prisoners, two pieces of artillery and a large amount of stores ; destroyed between 3000 and 5000 stand of arms, an important bridge, and partially burned one of the wealthiest cities in Virginia.

The command devolving on Lieut. Colonel Franklin, he commenced a retrograde movement, which was effected with difficulty, the roads being blockaded by a Confederate force under General McCausland. The year's campaign was completed by several expeditions to Lewisburg and vicinity. General Duffie, of the Kanawha Cavalry, commanding.

In January, 1864 about two-thirds of the regiment re-enlisted as veterans, and in the latter part of April the regiment was divided into two detachments. The mounted portion was to operate with the cavalry, under General Averhill ; the dismounted, with the 36th O. V. I., in General Crook's division of infantry. On the ist of May, 1864 a second expedition left Charleston for the destruction of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. On the 9th the cavalry were repulsed at Wjrtheville by General Morgan and fell back with considerable loss. The infantry under Crook, however, defeated the enemy the same day at Cloyd Mountain, capturing Dublin Depot in the evening. Another victory was gained the next day and the railroad bridge over New River destroyed. From this point the command returned to Meadow Bluffs, whence they started to join General Hunter at Staunton, in the Shenandoah Valley, having a skirmish at Panther Gap Mountain. Reaching Goshen, on the Central Virginia Railroad on June 5th, another skirmish took place with some of the enemy's cavalry at Cow Pasture River. The day after the Rebels were driven out of Buffalo Gap by General Hayes's Brigade.

9th, General Hunter, now reinforced by Generals Crook, Averill and Duffie, left this point going by way of Brownsville to Lexington, which was reached on the nth. Some shots were exchanged with the enemy at Buckhannon on the 14th, and then the force crossed the Blue Ridge, the town of Liberty being reached on the 1 6th, where another skirmish occurred. From this point General Crook's command, with which the . dismounted members of the 34th were serving, was sent on a flanking expedition across the James river, for the purpose of attacking Lynchburg. The attack was made on the i8th and was partially successful, but the enemy being re-inforced that night by 20,000 men under Early, further operations against that city were impossible. The next morning the opposing armies engaged in a fierce cannonade, and in the afternoon an engagement took place in which the 34th suffered severely. At dark on the 19th the National forces began a retreat, being closely pursued by the enemy, another skirmish occurring at Liberty. At Salem, on the 21st, Hunter's artillery was attacked in a narrow defile by a large force of the enemy, who made a sudden descent from the hills, and the guns were captured. The mounted portion of the 34th, being a few miles in the rear, dashed up to the rescue, dismounted, and, under command of Lieut. Colonel Shaw, after a sharp fight, drove off the enemy and recaptured the guns. After enduring great hardships on the retreat, the command reached Charleston on July ist, where the men were enabled to obtain a much needed rest. About this time the 34th was dismounted, the horses being turned over to the cavalry. On the loth of July the 34th embarked on transports for Parkersburg, thence moving by rail to Martinsburg, in the Shenandoah Valley, where they arrived on the 14th. On July 20, while General Crook, with his main force and the 6th and 19th Corps, was pressing Early back on Winchester, General Duvall's Brigade (including the 34th) attempted to occupy the place in advance of the Confederates. Only 1200 strong, they met the enemy two miles from Winchester and completely routed them, capturing their artillery and killing and wounding all their brigade commanders. The 34th lost 10 killed and 20 wounded. Four days later the fourth battle of Winchester took place, in which General Crook, being weakened by the absence of the 6th and 19th Corps, was obliged to retreat, losing only a few wagons. The losses of the 34th in this battle were severe and included Lieut. Colonel Shaw. Capt. G. W. McKay also received a mortal wound. The command then devolved on Captain S. R. S. West, a brave and gallant officer. On the 25th another stand was made at Martinsburg, the 34th being the last regiment to leave the field. From the 25th of July to the i ith of August the regiment was occupied chiefly in marching and countermarching, there being heavy skirmishing on the nth with Early, who was falling back on Fisher's Hill. Between the 12th and 17th more skirmishing occurred at Cedar Creek. The regiment then fell back through Winchester to Berry ville, and on the 20th of August was at Charleston, with the enemy close in its rear. Expecting an attack, breastworks were thrown up, but none occurring, another retrograde movement took place to Halltown. Some skirmishing occurred up to the 27th when the enemy withdrew to the upper Potomac. On the next day the regiment again occupied Charleston. Here the non-veterans were discharged and on Sept. 3d proceeded to Columbus, Ohio, in charge of Captain West. During the few months previous to this the 34th had been largely strengthened by new recruits, and now numbered between 400 and 500 men, present and absent.

On the evening of the day on which the non- veterans left the regiment participated in the battle of Berryville. The enemy fell back to Winchester and Bunker Hill. The 34th marched to Summit Point, where they lay encamped until Sheridan's victorious battle of Winchester. On that day it lost no less than six color bearers in quick succession. The flag was finally brought through safe by George Rynals, of Company A. At Fisher's Hill, on the 22d, the enemy were successfully flanked, and fled, losing his artillery. In the last two engagements the 34th lost 61 killed.

The demoralized enemy was followed to Harrisburg, where the National forces lay until the 6th of October. In the meanwhile the cavalry was desolating the Valley, in accordance with General Sheridan's order. The work of devastation being now completed, the Na- tional army fell back to Cedar Creek, while the enemy resumed his old position at Fisher's Hill. On the 19th General Early made his desperate attempt to regain his lost laurels, and had almost succeeded, when the opportune arrival of General Sheridan, so celebrated in song and story, turned the tables, and ended in the utter rout of the Confederates. The brunt of the morning's surprise and attack fell on the left flank, composed of General Crook's Corps, which, with the 19th Corps occupying the center of the line, was badly shattered. The 6th Corps on the right had time to fall back in good order. The troops were rallied near Middletown, from whence the final and successful advance was made.

On the evening before the battle, the regiment was on picket duty, under command of Lieut. Colonel Furney. Before dawn the next morning, when the surprise occurred, the Colonel and 18 of his men, were taken prisoners. He, however, escaped at Mt. Jackson and rejoined his command a few days later. The loss of the 34th in this affair was two killed, 12 wounded and 18 prisoners. From this time until the latter part of December, 1864 the regiment lay near Kernstown, when it marched to Opequan Crossing, and thence to Martinsburg. On the evening of December 22d, while enroute by rail to Webster, a collision occurred, whereby two men of the regiment were killed and fourteen wounded.

On January 11, 1865, while the 34th were in garrison at Beverly, with the dismounted portion of the 8th Ohio Cavalry - being at this time reduced to 300 men present for duty - a sudden and unexpected attack was made on the post by the enemy under General Rosser, and almost the entire regiment captured, though many, favored by the darkness and excitement, subsequently escaped. Colonel Youart, of the 8th, commanding the post, and Colonel Furney, were both captured but afterward escaped. The survivors of this unfortunate affair fell back to Phillipi, and thence were ordered to Cumberland, Md., where on Feb. 22d, they were consolidated with the 36th Ohio CGeneral Crook's old regiment), commanded l)y Colonel H. F Duval. Thus the old 34th lost its identity, the coalition being known as the 36th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry.

The 45th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camp Chase in August, 1862, being mustered in on the 19th of that month. It was immediately ordered to Cynthiana, Ky., where it remained until the advance of Greneral Kirby Smith compelled it, with the 99th Ohio, to fall back to Cbvington. After aiding in the defense of Cincinnati, it took post at Lexington, and was engaged for some time in building bridges on the Kentucky Central Railroad. While at Lexington it was brigaded with the i8th and 22d Michigan regiments and 112th Illinois, under the command of General G. C. Smith.

While at Danville, about the middle of February, the regiment was mounted and brigaded with the 7th Ohio and loth Kentucky regiments of cavalry, all under command of Colonel Benj. P. Runkle, of the 45th. Soon after it took- part in the pursuit of a body of the enemy's cavalry under command of Colonel Cluke, and on the 30th of March was engaged for the first time, at Dutton's Hill, near Somerset, with the enemy's forces under Generals Gillmore and Pegram. In this affair the regiment lost one man, mortally wounded.

From this time and until the early part of July the 45th was stationed in the neighborhood of Somerset, picketing the line of the Cumberland river and occasionally reconnoitring beyond. During the performance of this duty the regiment lost two killed and several wounded, two of the latter mortally. In the pursuit after Morgan in July, 1863, it had one man killed and several wounded. Subsequently returning to Kentucky, it took part in the pursuit of Colonel Scott's force, which had advanced as far as Winchester, that state. Upon the reorganization of Burnside's army in August, 1863, the 45th was included in Byrd's Brigade of General Carter's Division with the 1st Tennessee and the 112th Illinois Mounted Infantry and the 8th Michigan Cavalrv.

Early in September it was detached and sent to Loudon, and, after crossing the Tennessee River before all the rest of the army, was soon after transferred to the cavalry brigade of Colonel Wolford, which, with that of Colonel Byrd, constituted the extreme right of Burnside's army. While stationed at Philadelphia, Oct. 20th, Wolford's Brigade was surprised and routed losing all its trains, a battery of

On the 15th of the following month, as the mounted division of General Saunders, to which the 45th belonged, was falling back before the enemy's cavalry, the regiment was dismounted, and left without any immediate support. While in this position, with its horses in the rear, it was thrown into confusion by a very sudden and spirited attack and lost five killed, several wounded, and about 100 men and officers taken prisoners.

On the 1 8th of November, during Longstreet's advance on Knoxville, Saunders' Division was hotly engaged. Brigadier General Saunders and Adjutant Fearns, of the 45th being mortally wounded. The regiment lost five men killed and six mortally wounded, including the Adjutant. The regiment was next engaged in action at Bean's Station, Dec. 14th, but without loss.

After Longstreet retired toward. Virginia, the 45th, with the nth and 27th Kentucky Mounted Infantry, were sent to Cumberland Gap and remained in that neighborhood until the 8th of February, 1864, when the brigade was marched to Mt. Sterling, Ky., to be remounted. This design, however, was never carried out, and the regiment ever after served as infantry proper.

Leaving Mt. Sterling April 6th, and Camp Nelson on the 19th, the 45th, with several other regiments, marched across the mountains to East Tennessee, reaching Knoxville May 3d. A few days later it went by rail to Cleveland, Tenn., and thence to Tunnel Hill, Ga., where it was attached to the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 23d Army Corps, on the nth. Three days later it had two men killed and three mortally wounded at the battle of Resaca, and afterward participated in many of the actions during the Atlanta campaign. Toward the end of June the regiment was transferred to the 2d Brigade of the 1st Division, 4th Corps. With the 4th Corps the regiment afterward participated in the battle of Franklin and in the fighting before Nashville, when Hood's army was totally routed and dispersed. In the spring of 1865 the 45th accompanied the 4th Corps to East Tennessee, returned with it to Nashville toward the end of April, and was mustered out

The 49th Regiment, O. V. I., contained a company of Crawford county men, namely. Company B. Its commissioned officers at its organization were as follows : Amos Keller, captain; A. H. Keller, first lieutenant; and J. N. Biddle, second lieutenant. Captain and Lieutenant Keller were killed at the battle of Stone River, and their funeral which subsequently took place at Bucyrus, was one of the largest ever held in the town.

The 49th Ohio regiment was organized at Tiffin, Seneca county, under special authority of the Secretary of War. On the 19th of September, 1 861, it started from Camp Noble, near Tiffin, to Camp Dennison and, receiving its equipment on the 21st, moved for Louisville, Ky., where it reported next day to Brig. General Robert Anderson. It was the first organized regiment to enter Kentucky, and was given a very cordial reception,, receiving an address of welcome from General Anderson, to which its colonel, William H. Gibson, responded. After further ceremonies and a ' magnificent banquet, in the evening the regiment took cars for Lebanon Junction, with orders to report to General W. T. Sherman, who commanded troops at that point. " The next morning it departed for Elizabethtown and went ihtoi camp at Muldraugh's Hill. From this place on the loth of October, it moved to Nolin Creek and went into Camp Nevin.

In the subsequent organization of the 2d Division of the Army of Ohio, the 49th was assigned to the 6th Brigade, General R. W. Johnson commanding. December loth, the division moved to Munfordsville, on Green River and, driving the Rebels to the opposite side of the river, established Camp Wood. On the 17th the National Pickets, from the 32d Indiana Infantry, on the south side of Green River, were attacked by the enemy, and the 49th Ohio and 39th Indiana were sent to their relief, the enemy being repulsed, and Colonel Terry, one of their commanders, being killed. From December 17th to February 14th the regiment lay in camp, being occupied in drill and discipline.

after crossing the river marched on Nashville, where, on March 3d it established Camp Andrew Jackson. On March i6th it moved with Buell's army to join Grant's forces at Pittsburgh Landing, arriving there on the 6th. Here, at eleven o'clock it went into battle on the left of its brigade, the latter being commanded by Colonel Gibson, who left his regiment in charge of Lieut. Colonel A. M. Blackman. It maintained its position under a hot fire until four o'clock in the afternoon, and twice performed the hazardous movement of changing front under fire. The 49th, after some fighting at Bridge's Creek and other points, entered Corinth with the army on May 30th, 1862. It then joined in pursuit of the enemy, proceeding as far as Tuscumbia and Florence, Alabama, and thence marching to Battle Creek, Tenn. From here it took part in the movement after Bragg's army, which was entering Kentucky, threatening Louisville and Cincinnati. The troops suffered severely on this march from intense heat, want of water and short rations. At Louisville, which point they reached on the 29th of September, the troops rested for a few days, and then resumed their march in pursuit of the enemy, whom they drove before them through Shelbyville, and reaching Frankfort, where they dispersed the Rebel troops gathered to guard the inaugeration of Capt. Dick Hawes 'as Confederate governor of Kentucky. The march was resumed on the 7th and a junction made with the main army on the day following the battle of Perryville. During all this time there was daily skirmishing. At Lawrenceburg and Dog Walk sharp engagements took place, in which the 49th took a conspicuous part under command of Lieut. Colonel Levi Drake. With the enemy retreating before them the 49th, with its brigade and division, marched to Crab Orchard, and thence through Bowling Green to Nashville, being with the advance that raised the siege of that city on October 5th. It subsequently remained in camp at Millcreek until the 26th of December.

On that date the Army of the Cumberland, under command of General Rosecrans, began its movement on Murfreesboro. The 49th, forming a part of the right wing, under Major General McCook, after considerable skirmishing, became engaged in battle, on the extreme right of the National army, before Murfreesboro, on the evening of the 30th. At six o'clock next morning. Kirk's Brigade, being furiously assailed by the enemy, was thrown back on the 49th, which also became engaged, and was borne back by overwhelming numbers a mile and a half to the Nashville Turnpike, which it reached after an incessant conflict of nine hours. The next morning it was sent to reconnoitre on the right and rear of main army, and operated on the extreme right in connection with Stanley's cavalry. On January 2d it occupied a position in reserve, to the center, and late in the afternoon, upon the repulse of Van Cleeves Division, to the left, it joined with its brigade in a magnificent bayonet charge, retreiving the fortunes of the day in that part of the field and inflicting a severe defeat on the enemy By the capture of General Willich, Colonel Gibson, of the 49th succeeded to the command of the brigade. Lieut. Colonel Drake was killed during the battle. Major Porter wounded, and all the senior captains present either killed or wounded, the command of the regiment at the close of the day devolving on the junior Captain, S. F. Gray.

After losing some men in various foraging expeditions, the regiment moved with the army on the 24th of June, from Murfreesboro, and, finding the enemy strongly posted at Liberty Gap, an encounter took place, the 49th assaulting the enemy's right, which was posted on a hill. It drove him from the heights and compelled him to fall back to another strong position about a mile in his rear.

On the next day the advance was resumed and in the middle of the afternoon the 40th was brought into action of the enemy's center, which covered the valley, his flanks resting on the hills. Advancing briskly in four ranks, according to a newly introduced drill, the regiment opened fire and soon broke the enemy's center, the position being maintained by the co-operation of other troops. Tullahoma was reached July ist, without further engagement, and the regiment went into camp.

In the movement of the National army on Chattanooga in August, the 49th crossed the Tennessee river on the 31st near Belief onte. In the battle of Chicamauga the regiment, under command of Major S. F. Gray, held a position on the morning of the first day, on the extreme right of the National forces, forming a part of General R. W. Johnson's Division. Before being engaged the brigade and division were shifted to the extreme left of the army and united with Thomas's Corps. Between three and four o'clock P. M. the regiment made a charge against the enemy's right, which was posted in dense woods and drove them back, capturing two guns. Three guns were captured in all by the brigade. At dusk the enemy made a sudden and furious charge with the bayonet, which after some ground had been lost, was repelled and the Confederates driven back.

On the second day of the battle the 49th Ohio performed gallant and important service on various parts of the field, and took part in an exploit which, it is claimed, saved Thomas's Corps from being swept from the field. Having broken through the National left, the enemy were charging fiercely on the center, when the 49th faced to the rear and poured a destructive fire into them, which being backed by Goodspeed's Battery, and a hot fire from the 15th Ohio, checked the Rebels and drove them back on their main body. At evening, the 49th, with its brigade, was the last to retire from the field. At Rossville some temporary fieldworks were thrown up, in expectation of an attack, and on the following night the brigade reached Chattanooga.

On November 24th the 49th, with its brigade, joined in the movement against Mission Ridge, under Grant, where, with conspicuous gallantry it was one of the first regiments to plant its colors on the summit. Soon after this it moved with Granger's Corps to the relief of Burnside at Knoxville. This was one of the severest marches made during the war. The weather was intensely cold and the ground covered with snow, while the men were almost naked, without shoes and the rations exhausted. Hearing at Strawberry Plains that Burnside had repulsed Longstreet, the National forces returned to Chattanooga. While engaged in this severe campaign the men were called upon to re-enlist for the war, to which call a hearty response was given. The regiment now returned to Ohio to enjoy its veteran furlough of 30 days and was warmly greeted at Ttffin, the place of its organization.

On the expiration of its furlough it reported at the headquarters of the Fourth Corps at Cleveland, Tennessee, where the National forces were preparing for the campaign against Atlanta. In this campaign its history fornied a part of that of the Fourth Army Corps. It participated in the engagements at Dalton, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie River and Atlanta, exhibiting its usual gallantry and discipline and sustaining severe losses. In the movement that forced the enemy from Atlanta, it participated in the battle at Jonesboro and Love joy Station, and after abandoning pursuit of the enemy, went into camp at Atlanta.

On the division of the grand army, when Sherman commenced his march to the sea, the army of the Cumberland, under General Thomas, was left to attend to General Hood, who was rashly moving on Nashville. In the movements of Thomas's forces and in the subsequent battles of Franklin and Nashville, the 49th Ohio, under command of Lieut. Colonel Strong, fully sustained its reputation in gallantry and efficiency. In the battle before Nashville, December 15-16, 1864, the regiment participated in the brilliant charges made by the 4th Army Corps, suffering severely in killed and wounded. After the battle it took part in the pursuit after the flying enemy, subsequently going into camp at Huntsville, Alabama, where it remained until about the middle of March, 1865. It then formed part of an expedition to East Tennessee, going into camp at Greenville. On its return to Nashville, it was embarked on transports, June 15th, and taken to Texas, by way of New Orleans. It reached Victoria, Texas in July, and advanced into the interior as far as San Antonio. After four months service in this field it returned to Victoria, where it was mustered out of service on the 30th of November, 1865.

The number of names upon the rolls of this regiment was 1,552, nineteen of the men were born in Europe, and 760 in Ohio, 440 being from Seneca county. Eight officers were killed in battle, and 20 wounded, six of these mortally. Of the privates 127 were killed in battle, 71 were mortally wounded, 165 died from hardships or disease, and seven perished in Southern prisons. During two-thirds of his service Colonel Gibson commanded a brigade by virtue of his rank.

The 55th Ohio Volunteer Infantry went into camp at Norwalk, Ohio, on the 17th of October, 1 86 1. Maj. John C. Lee was made colonel Nov. 25th, receiving his commission on January 20, 1862. The lieut. -colonel was George- H. Safford; Major Lee, on being promoted to colonel, was succeeded by Daniel F. DeWolf ; Jay Kling was surgeon. During the three years' service of the regiment various changes took place in officers, caused by death, resignation or promotion. A number of the men in Company H were from Crawford county.

On January 25th, 1862 the regiment left for Grafton, Western Virginia, where it was stationed until the latter part of March. While here it suffered greatly from measles and other diseases, having at one time as many as 400 men on the sick list, 20 of whom died. When ready for service again it joined General Schenck's Brigade at Romney, subsequently going into camp near Moorefield on the Potomac. In the latter part of April seven companies moved with the brigade to Petersburg and on through Franklin to McDowell, leaving companies D, E and G at Moorefield. After taking part in the action at McDowell, the troops fell back to Franklin, during this march and later suffering severely from the scarcity of rations. In the later part of May a movement was made toward Strasburg, threatening the communications of "Stonewall" Jackson, who was moving for the B. & O. Railroad. Jackson now began a retreat and the National troops followed in pursuit, there being frequent skirmishing between the National advance and the Confederate rear. Jackson having destroyed the bridge across the Shenandoah at Fort Republic, further pursuit was found impracticable.