Cuyahoga County, Ohio - Chapter 21: Forty-First Infantry, 1870

Chapter 21: Forty-First Infantry

Its Origin - The Cuyahoga Delegation - Service in Kentucky--Pittsburg Landing - An Accident - A Rebel Charge and Repulse - Through Middle Tennessee to Kentucky - Back in Tennessee - Stone River - Awaiting an Attack - 'tFire' - A Desperate Conflict - The Next Day - Through the River under Fire - Silencing a Battery - Battle of Chickamauga - The Opening Fire - Bayonet Charges - Changing Front - Desperate Fighting with Rifles - Surrounded and Driven Back - The Last Volley - Battle of Orchard Knob - A Splendid Dash - Mission Ridge - Mlles of Soldiers - Pushing up the Heights - A Squad captures a Battery - Seizing other Artillery - ''Old Pap Thomas "~The Loss of the Forty-first - Off to Knoxville - Large Re-enlistment - Furlough - Battle of Pickett's Mills - An Attack and a Defeat - Pine Top Mountain - Frequent Conflicts - After Hood - Battle of Franklin - Battle of Nashville - A Lively Charge - Capture of Four Guns - Service in Texas - Mustered out.

WHEN the battle of Bull Run disclosed the strength and vigor of the rebellion, several prominent citizens of Cleveland set about raising a new regiment, in addition to the already large number of men which Ohiohad placed in the field. It was named the Forty-first Ohio Infantry, and Captain William B. Hazen, of the Eighth United States Infantry, was appointed its colonel. 'There were, during the war, three hundred and ninety-six men from Cuyahoga county in its ranks. Every company contained some of that number. Companies E, F and D had respectively ninetythree, ninety, .and eighty-four members from this county, while the other companies were represented by various numbers. from thirty-four in K, down to eight in H.

The regiment was formed at Cleveland during the autumn of 1861. In November it moved to Camp Dennison, and thence, in the following month, to Camp Wickliffe, sixty miles from Louisville, Kentucky, where it remained through the winter. Here Colonel Hazen was placed in command of a brigade, consisting of the Forty-first Ohio, the Forty-sixth and Forty-seventh Indiana and the Sixth Kentucky. On the first of February, the brigade went down the Ohio and up the Cumberland to Nashville, and thence, on the 1%th of March, with the bands all playing ''St. Patrick's Day," it set out with Buell's army for Pittsburg Landing.

At six o'clock in the afternoon of the sixth of April, it reached a point on the Tennessee river, opposite the: landing, whence the thunder of battle rolled in terrific volume over the water and far away among the hills. Having been ferried over the stream in a little steamer, the brigade proceeded up the bank among a host of stragglers, so numerous that the men were obliged to make their way through them in single file, all apparently eager to excuse their own retreat by exaggerating the strength of the enemy.

"'You'll catch it on the hill," said one; '*I am the only man left of my company," declared another; "This little squad is all there are alive of our regiment," said two or three more with united voices. Amid these discouraging greetings the Forty-first pressed on, and at nine o'clock took up the position assigned it, where it lay all night in a driving rain. The next day the brigade was held in reserve until a late hour (our informant, Capt. MeMahan, thinks it was about two o'clock), when it was ordered into an advanced position, and directed to hold it. pt

The artillery was playing freely, and while the men were waiting, and as Colonel Hazen was sitting on his horse close beside them, a spent six-pound cannon ball rolled up one of the hind legs of the horse of the colonel's bugler, and went six feet in air over the head of the latter. The man of music naturally dodged very suddenly to avoid the returning projectile, and a shout of laughter went up from the men at the oddity of the whole proceeding.

Their merriment, however was soon stopped by the advance of the rebels, who came on at full speed, yelling, '' Bull Run!" "Bull Run!" The Unionists received them with a murderous volley, and General Nelson or Colonel Hazen ordered a charge. The men dashed forward through the open woodland, 'iring as they went, and soon gave the rebels a taste of Bull Run reversed. The brigade drove the rebels back beyond their fortifications and captured their guns. Being, however, then far beyond its support, it was in turn obliged to retire to its former line, where it re-formed and held the position.

It was during this retreat that Colonel Hazen was separated from the brigade, a fact which has been made an excuse for malicious attacks against him, resulting in the late court-martial of General Stanley, and in the pending civil action against him, brought by General Hazen. Captain McMahon, the officer before referred to, declares that Colonel (now General) Hazen accompanied his brigade in the charge with great gallantry, and the separation was so brief as to have escaped the notice of the men.

The fighting during the charge was of the most desperate kind, one hundred and forty-one out of four hundred. and fifty men in the regiment having been killed or wounded in half an hour, while three officers and three soldiers who successively carried the colors were disabled in the same time.

After taking part in the siege of Corinth, Hazen's brigade marched to central Tennessee, and thence proceeded under Buell, almost side by side with Bragg's rebel army, to Louisville. At Perryville it was not heavily engaged, but was in the advance in the pursuit of the enemy after that battle. At Pittman's Cross Roads General Hazen pushed forward the Forty-first through darkness blacker than Egypt until nine o'clock at night, driving the rebels from their supper, which was very speedily dispatched by the Unionists, as they had not eaten anything since early in the morning.

After driving the enemy as far as Wild Cat mountain, Crittenden's Corps, of which the Forty-tirst formed a part, returned to Nashyille. On the 29th of November Col. Hazen was appointed a brigadier general of volunteers, and Lt. Col. Wiley succeeded him in the coloneley. In December, 1863, Gen. Rosecrans, who had succeeded to the command of the army, prepared to advance against Brage, and on the 29th of that month the corps marched to within two miles of Murfreesboro. Some maneuvers took place on the 30th, and at one o'clock in the morning of the 31st the Forty-first Ohio was stationed in an open field a short distance from theenemy. Before daylight Gen. Rosecrans' order was read to them, declaring that the nation and the world had its eyes upon them, and adjuring them to use every effort-to win the day.

At this time '' Cowan's House," four hundred yards in front of them, was all on fire; and as the resonant voice of the adjutant repeated the order, while the distant flames threw occasional flickerings on the grim faces of the soldiers, they grasped their rifles with the stern look of men determined to win or die, and awaited the order to advance. At daylight it came, and, preceded by a strong skirmish line, the brigade moved rapidly forward, the Forty-first Ohio and

On reaching the line of the burning house heavy firing was heard at the front and rear, indicating that the enemy was outflanking them. Col. Wiley gave the command, ''Change half front to the rear on tenth company," and it was executed amid the fastdropping bullets as coolly asif on parade. The enemy advanced in twocolumns. His infantry was supported by artillery, but the latter was soon rendered useless by Cottrell's battery, which killed all the horses of the rebel battery and blew up the caissons. Gen. Hazen and Col. Wiley sat on their horses directly in rear of the colors of the Forty-first. As the enemy approached, Col. W. inquired:

"Attention, battalion! Ready! Aim! Fire!" The crash of four hundred rifles responded to the last word, when the whole rebel line fell to the ground 'as if they had been shot." The greater part of them, howeyer, soon sprang up and opened a rapid deadly fire. The Forty-first responded with equal zeal, and continued the conflict until they had fired away all of the eighty rounds of ammunition with which they were provided. Gen. Hazen then ordered the regiment to the rear to cool and clean the guns, bringing up the One Hundred and Tenth Illinois to take its place.

Searcely had the Forty-first been supplied with ammunition and got ready for action again, when it was announced that the rebels were driving everything on the right and the regiment was sent to stop them. Lying on the ground the men began firing at the enemy two hundred yards distant, when a line of Union artillery behind them began to fire over their heads at the same mark. Burning wads and grains of powder fell thick among them. This was too much of a good thing, and Col. Wiley prevailed on the artillery to cease firing until the Forty-first could be stationed in rear of the guns. This position was firmly held in spite of the most furious attacks by the Confederates. Later in the day the Fortyfirst was ordered to the left to guard a ford by Gen. Rosecrans in person, where it suffered severely from the rebel batteries.

The next day, New Year's, 1863, the Forty-first was held in reserve during the greater part of the day. A hundred pieces of artillery were massed by Gen. Rosecrans, and when the rebels came in front of the line they were mowed down by hundreds by blasts of grape, canister and shrapnel. Meanwhile, however, they were driving back Van Cleve's division on the left. Gen. Hazen came up to this regiment at a gallop a little after four o'clock and ordered the men to double quick after him. On reaching Stone river, they found the rest of the brigade, all trying to get across the stream first. The general formed his four regiments in line, pushed forward at

One battery kept up its fire, when Gen. Hazen advanced with the Forty-first alone to within three 'hundred yards, and delivered a well aimed volley. It was so destructive that the battery immediately retired from its position. Night soon after came on, and the next day Gen. Bragg and his army retired in hot haste from the scene of their defeat. During the battle the regiment had a hundred and twelve officers and men killed and wounded out of four hundred and twelve with which it went into the fight.

From the 10th of January to the 24th of June, 1863, the regiment was encamped most of the time at Readyville, twelve miles from Murfreesboro', though making occasional excursions against the enemy. At the last mentioned date it removed from Readyville, and on the 15th of August advanced with the army toward Chattanooga. After taking part in the laborious marches incident to the movement, the Fortyfirst found itself on the night of the 18th of September on the bank of Chickamauga creek, near Gordon's Mills.

Lt. McMahan was in command of the picket of the Forty-tirst, and late in the morning of the 19th he was ordered to form his picket as skirmishers and move forward. He did so and was followed by the regiment; the rest of the brigade being aligned on either side of the Forty-first. About 11 o'clock the skirmishers came out into anopen field, at the farther edge of which was a line of rebels who opened fire on them. The heutenant ordered his men to double quick across the field, but when about half way across heard the stentorian voice of Col. Wiley thunder "Halt!" Looking around he saw the regiment at the edge of the field with their rifles at an aim.

"Tie down!" shouted the lieutenant, and the men were glad enough to obey, when a volley of bullets swept over them into the ranks of the foe. The skirmishers were obliged to make their way back to the lines on their hands and knees. The regiment held this position until near four o'clock in the afternoon, firing all its ammunition. Twice the rebels charged it with the bayonet; both times the gallant Forty-first met them with a counter charge and both times the assailants broke and fled within thirty feet of the Union bayonets.

At the time last mentioned the regiment was relieved and marched to a piece of timber, where it was supplied with ammunition. The men were as hungry for it as so many wolves. They filled not only their cartridge boxes, but all their pockets and the waists of their blouses above the belts; every man providing himself with at least one hundred rounds, Scarcely had they done so when heavy firing was heard on the right, and the Forty-first was ordered thither on the double quick by General Hazen, to support General Van Cleve.

The moan were placed on the right of the second line and when the first gave way were vigorously assailed by a heavy force of the enemy. They delivered a rapid succession of well-aimed volleys, while General Hazen handled a battery in person, and thus their front was kept clear. Ere long, however, the rebels made their way around the unprotected right flank of the Forty-first, and soon the gallant regiment was almost surrounded by the foe. The bullets came on experience the men of the Forty-first ran at the top of their speed to escape from theenemy. They were not, however, entirely broken up; they loaded as they ran, and on reaching a convenient hill a stand was made, and by the help of artillery the rebel advance was checked.

The men worked hard a large part of the night, rolling up logs to form a barricade. At nine o'clock, the morning of the 20th, the rebels charged them, but their log defense was found impregnable, and the assailants were repulsed with great loss. Other attempts of the same kind were made during the day, but always with the same result, and late in the afternoon Hazen's brigade still held its position. But its ammunition was nearly all expended, its comrades of the. center and left had all been driven back, and it -was separated by an interval of a mile, swarming with rebel sharpshooters, from the right under General Thomas, which still held its ground. General Hazen led his brigade safely across the dangerous gap, and formed it on the left of Thomas' line. When the rebels made their last assault Hazen's regiments, one after the other, delivered their withering volleys, aiding in the complete repulse of the enemy, which enabled the veterans of Thomas to retire from the position they had so desperately defended. After dark the remnant of the army retreated a short distance, and the next night retired to Chattanooga. Of all who took part in this disastrous conflict, none did better and many did worse than Hazen's brigade and the Forty-first Ohio Infantry.

On the arrival of General Grant the army was reorganized, and the Forty-first became part of a brigade, still commanded by General Hazen, consisting besides itself of the First and Ninety-third Ohio, the Fifth Kentucky and the Sixth Indiana, being assigned toe the Fourth Corps, under General Granger. When Grant was ready to begin operations, the delicate and hazardous task of leading the advance was assigned to Hazen's brigade. Long before light on the morning of the 27th of October, the brigade embarked on pontoons at Chattanooga, and glided silently down the river. Unseen and unheard the men passed beneath the enemy's pickets stationed far above them on the river bluffs, and, though discovered at the moment of landing, succeeded in gaining a foothold on the shore, and establishing themselves on hights from which they could not be driven.

They remained in this vicinity nearly a month, while the final preparations were made for a grand advance. On the 23d of November the brigade moved-forward on a reconnoisance. Onasmall ridge known as Orchard Knob, between Chattanooga and Mission Ridge it was received with a heavy fire, and perceived a line of intrenchments on the top of the hill. The Forty-first dashed forward in the advance, and gained the top of the hill. About fifty paces in front of the enemy's works, the fight was fierce beyond description. More than half the men were killed and wounded. The horses of Colonel Wiley and Lieut. Col.. Kimberly were killed under them, but those gallant officers dashed forward on foot, and the little battalion charged into the rebel works, and took them at the point of the bayonet, capturing the colors of the Twenty-eighth Alabama. Infantry and more men than the Forty-first had at the end of the conflict.

Cwing to the small number engaged this battle makes little show in history, yet it is remembered by the survivors of the Forty-first as the hardest fight in which they were engaged throughout their long and arduous service. Soon after it was over, General Thomas, passing that way and viewing the ground, expressed his thanks to the regiment through Colonel Wiley, in the warmest manner. ''It was a gallant thing, Colonel, a very gallant thing," said the veteran, known to be as chary of his praise as any chieftan that ever bore command.

On the 24th of November the Forty-first, from its hardly-earned position watched the ''Battle above the Clouds," on Lookout Mountain. On the 25th came the great, battle of Mission Ridge, probably, considering the strength of the enemy's position, the numbers engaged and the completeness of the Union victory, the most remarkable ever fought in America, and one of the most remarkable to be found in the annals of war, in either ancient or modern times.

At four o'clock the expectant army heard the concerted signal, six shots fired in rapid succession from a battery of twelve-pound Parrots guns. '' Forward!" shouted Hazen; *'forward!" repeated the field and line officers; and forward went the men, few in numbers, but stronger in warlike enthusiasm with each succeeding battle. As they reached the farther crest of Orchard Knob they saw the valley between that and Mission Ridge, from a half to three-quarters of a mile wide-spread out before them, while beyond frowned the Gibraltar-like hights they were ordered to capture. Extending for miles on either side were to be seen the lines of blue-coated soldiers, all pressing forward in the same direction.

Descending into the valley they came under the rebel artillery fire, many of the men falling at every step, but still the line swept forward, urged on by the officers, and at the foot of the ridge they captured the first line of the enemy's works with scarcely an effort. They could not remain there long, however, under the murderous fire to which they were subjected. Here Col. Wiley received a wound which resulted in the loss of his leg, and Lt. Col. Kimberly took command of the regiment. Then came the tug of war.

The Forty-first, as ever, was well to the front in this herculean task. Col. Kimberly gallantly led on his men. Lts. James McMahan and George C. Dodge, Jr., both of Cleveland, were together as the regiment started up the hill. On went the broken but invincible line up the rocky steep, through an awful storm of grape, canister and musketry the men climbing and shooting as best they could. In twenty minutes they gained the top of the ridge, when their fire was principally directed against the batteries of the enemy, which were soon compelled to retire before the deadly fire of the northern riflemen. Lt. McMahan came out nearly in front of a rebel battery, which was pouring death into the ranks of the Unionists. The men were of course much broken by the rugged steeps over which they had passed. Seeing a long log, however, lying near the stump from which it had been cut, and which he thought might serve as a rallying point, he gathered the men as fast as they came up, and mace them lie down behind the log until he had twelve or fifteen, packed as close as they could lie conveniently, while he himself took post behind the stump. Then he ordered them to load and fire as fast as possible at the artillerists of the battery before mentioned. In a short time nearly all of them were killed or wounded. Then the heutenant rushed out with his squad captured the battery and turned its fire on the enemy. Other batteries were seized at various points along the line and used in the same manner. Mr, Pratt, now of the Eighteenth ward of Cleveland, was one of those engaged in this novel logging-bee, and corroborates the statement above made. It was this ora very similar exploit which was thus described in Reid's History of ''Ohio in the War:"

**A squad of the Forty-first seized a battery, almost before the rebels were away from it, turned it to the right and discharged it directly along the summit of the ridge, where the enemy in front of Newton's division still stubbornly held out; and, as the shells went skimming along in front of and among them, the rebels turned and fled."

Yet not without many a desperate effort to recover the ground. About a hundred of them suddenly came charging upon the right of the Forty-first. The men were much scattered, but Major Williston

The soldiers, having now got complete possession of the rebe! works, began shooting the artillery teams as the unlucky Confederates endeavored to remove their cannon to the rear. The horses dropped rapidly and the artillerists took to their heels, leaving the guns as a prize to the victors. The men of Hazen's brigade captured no less than twenty-seven guns and dragged them to the general's headquarters, though that officer good-naturedly allowed nine of them to be claimed and taken away by other commands.

Gen. Wood, the division commander, was highly elated, and came riding among the men, saying: ** Boys, you shall have an extra cracker ap:ece for this;" an extra cracker, in those days of short rations, being no unworthy emblem of gratitude. Then came Thomas, ''Old Pap Thomas," as the men affection- ately called him, and they gathered in delighted crowds to cheer their favorite commander. The victory was won at a loss to the Forty-first of a hundred and fifteen men killed and wounded. This was a very heavy loss in the already depleted condition of the regiment, and there were but few of the men who remained entirely unhurt after the two battles of the 23d and 2dth of November, 1863.

Scarcely was the great victory of Mission Ridge gained than the Forty-first, with the rest of the Fourth corps, was ordered to Knoxville. Communications had been much interrupted, and the command suffered especially for lack of shoes. Long before reaching Knoxville half of the men of the Fortyfirst would have been barefooted, had it not been for the improvised coverings of cowskin and sheepskin in which they wrapped their feet, and in which they strove bravely on over the frozen ground to Clinch mountain, twenty miles northeast of Knoxville, which they reached in the latter part of December.

Here the proposition reached them from Washington to re-enlist as veterans, and never was the extraordinary heroism, fortitude and patriotism of the American volunteer more proudly shown than on this occasion. Out of more than a thousand gallant men who had gone forth from pleasant homes to battle for their county, disease and the bullet had spared but a hundred and eighty-eight, and even of these probably a majority had been wounded one or more times. Theirsufferings on the march to Clinch mountain have just been mentioned, yet when, amid the cold and rain and sleet of a Tennessee winter, they were asked to re-enlist, a hundred and eighty out of ahundred and eighty-eight bound themselves to three years more of service - and such service - in their country's cause.

The regiment reaehed Cleveland on veteran furlongh on the 2d of February, 1864, obtained about a hundred recruits, and in the latter part of March returned to East Tennessee. The two hundred and eighty men of which the regiment was composed were now united with the few remaining men of the First Ohio, and consolidated into a battalion, commanded by Lieut. Col. Kimberly.

On the 27th of May the battalion was hotly engaged in the conflict called variously the battle of Pickett's Mill, the battle of Pumpkin Vine Creek, and the battle near Dallas. At 9 a.m., the command was halted, and three companies, commanded respectively by Lieutenants Dodge, McMahan and Cobb, moved forward as skirmishers under charge of Major Williston. They had gone scarcely a hundred yards into the woods when one of the men was killed. As Lieut. McMahan, standing on a small limb, was feeling his pulse to see if he was really dead, a bullet broke the limb between the officer's feet. Immediately afterwards the skirmishers were ordered to move by the right flank at a double quick, but after a brief excursion in the vicinity of the rebel works, they were ordered back to the brigade.

About four o'clock p.m., the Forty-first, the Ninety-third and the One Hundred and Twentyfourth Ohio moved forward to attack the enemy's right; the Forty-first in the center. After receiving 2 murderous volley from the intrenched foe, they charged through a ravine, and endeavored to capture the works on the opposite side. They were only able to get within about twenty yards of the foe, where they halted, obtained such cover as they could and kept up a hot fire on the enemy. Six or eight lines came to their relief, but only two got as far forward as the men of the Forty-first, and none could go any farther. Lieut. McMahan with two companies, Lieut. Dodge with one company, and Capt. Hazard with two companies, remained there until half past eight when the battalion was withdrawu. In this affair the Forty-first had a hundred and eight men killed and wounded out of two hundred and sixty.

At Pine Top mountain, near Kenesaw, the battalion was ordered to dislodge a detachment of the enemy, strongly fortified in a log farm-house and outbuildings. With that vim which no losses could ever subdue, the Forty-first went forward on the doublequick and drove out the rebels at the point of the bayonet.

About this time the Forty-first ceased to be what it had so long been, a part of '' Hazen's brigade;" that general being made the commander of a division. The new brigade commander was Colonel O. H. Payne, of Cleveland, colonel of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio Infantry.

It would be impracticable to relate all the conflicts in which the battalhon was engaged in this remarkahle campaign, for the ground was contested inch by inch, and the whole route from Chattanooga to Atlanta was scarcely less than one long battle-field.

On the 28th of July the battalion, being deployed as skirmishers in front of the rebel lines at Atlanta, and seeing what they thought a good chance, made a dash through a ravine, across an open field and into the rebel breastworks, where they captured a number of prisoners and drove out the rest in a perfect rout.

A day or two later the brigade was sent around to the east of Atlanta at night. The next morning it tore up some ten miles of the Montgomery railroad, and then proceeded to the southern road, about fifteen or twenty miles from Atlanta. At midnight a tremendous noise was heard, and the whole command sprang to arms, thinking that General Hood or an earthquake was uponthem. After waiting a considerable time and finding that nothing farther happened, the men at length somewhat doubtingly returned to their beds, or rather to their blankets, for these were generally the soldier's only couch. It was soon learned that the sound came from the explosion of some eighty car loads of ammunition, blown up by

As Hood moved north, a heavy force, of which the Fourth corps formed a part, followed fast in his rear. Far across an intervening valley the men watched the desperate fight of Corse at Allatoona, when with his little force he obeyed the signai '* Hold the fort," and repulsed the legions of Hood. Then they proceeded to Gualesville, whence a portion of the pursuing force returned to take part in the '' March to the Sea," while the Fourth corps continued its northward course. It proceeded by way of Chattanooga to Athens, Alabama, where a hundred and sixty-four

Near here Hood's army approached so near that the Fourth and Twenty-third corps were obliged to go into line of battle. They went on at night to Spring Hill; the Forty-first marching past a long line of camp fires, a few hundred yards distant, which were supposed to belong to the Unionists but which in reality were those of a rebel corps. Some of the men, approaching these fires too closely, were captured by the Confederates bivouacked around them. From Spring Hill to Franklin the Forty-first was the trainguard of the army. It skirmished with the enemy nearly all the way, and being very much exhausted was not required to take part in the battle of Franklin.

Then they went to Nashville, and after two weeks spent in building fortifications and making preparations, Gen. Thomas took the offensive against Hood. At daylight on the 15th of December, 1864, the Forty-first was deployed as a double line of skirmishers and placed behind a stone wall in front of the enemy's rifle pits, on the 'Granny White" turnpike. Skirmish firing was kept up till about eight o'clock, when the fiery valor of the Forty-first could no longer be restrained. The men jumped over the wall, dashed across an open field three hundred yards wide under a heavy fire of musketry, captured the rifle pits of the enemy, pushed on over a knoll and drove the rebels from their breastworks at the point of the bayonet, capturing two pieces of artillery. The battalion fortified its position and remained until four o'clock in the afternoon, when it was relieved; the main line moving forward and the rebels retreating.

The next day the Forty-first was again sent forward as skirmishers, to cover the advance of the right of the troops. Coming to a large rebel fortification, covered in front by an abatis, they endeavored as ous fire from a large rebel force. Some of the skirmishers penetrated the abatis, and Private Kleinhaus leaped alone into the rebel breastworks. The information we have received from Captain McMahan ceases at this point, for, while he was endeavoring to lead forward a detachment of colored troops whom he found without a commander, the good fortune which had attended him through a score of battles deserted him, and he was twice severely wounded.

Colonel Kimberly, who commanded the battalion, finding that the line of battle could not be advanced, ordered his skirmishers to withdraw. Several of them, however, being inside of the abatis, covered themselves as well as they could and waited till the enemy was broken on the right, when he withdrew from the works in front. They then sprang forward, capturing a few prisoners, two battle-flags, and no less than four pieces of artillery. The captured cannon were marked with the name of the Forty-first Ohio by order of the chief of artillery, and the men who took the flags, Sergeant Garnett, of Company G, and Private Holcomb, of Company A, were sent with them to Washington by General Thomas.

After the victory of Nashville the battalion participated in the pursuit of Hood, but was not called on to do any more hard fighting. In June, 1865, it started from Nashville for Texas by steamer. Near Cairo the vessel was accidentally sunk by a gunboat, with nearly all the personal property of officers and men, but without loss of life. After a few months service near San Antonio, the battalion returned to Columbus, Ohio, where it was discharged on the 26th of November, 1865, after a service of over four years, unsurpassed in hardships, in dangers and in triumphs by that of any other organization in the United States army.

Company

Harvey E. Proctor, enr. as 1st Lieut. Sept. 27, 1861. Promoted to Capt. Sept. 9, 1862. Made Chaplain March 1, 1862. Became Major ina Colored Reg.

Jason Lockwood, enl. Sept. 27, 1861. Promoted to Corp. March 24, 1864, and to Sergt. April 1, 1865. Wounded at Chattahochie River July 5, 1864. Mustered vut with the Reg.

Forty-Second, Forty-Third And Fiftysecond Infantry

Company G, Forty-second Infantry - The First Colonel - Whipping Humphrey Marshall - Driven from Cumberland Gap - Storming Chickasaw Bluffs - Defeated - Capture of Arkansas Post - Battle of Port Gibson - Champion Hills and Big Black - Assaults on Vicksburg - Siege and Capture - In Louisiana - Mustered out - Its Losses - Its Members from Cuyahoga County - Forty-third Infantry - In the ' Ohio Brigade" - Its Subsequent Services - Its Members from This County - One Member of the Forty-fifth Infantry - Fiity-second Infantry - Its Gallantry at Perryville - Saving the Ammunition at Stone River - The Battle of Chickamauga - Severe Duty before Lookout - Mission Ridge - Relief of Knoxville - Resaca and Kenesaw - Subsequent Services - Mustered out - Members from this County.

Forty-Second Infantry

Company G of this regiment was principally from Cuyahoga county; the records showing sixty-four men from that county on its rolls, and seven more on those of Companies H and K. The various companies were mustered at Camp Chase during the autumn of 1861; the regiment being completed by the muster of Companies G, H, I and K, on the 26th of November. The first colonel was the now celebrated statesman, James A. Garfield.

The Forty-second moved to Kentucky in December, and on the 10th of January, 1862, with other troops, was engaged in a sharp fight with several thousand rebels under General Humphrey Marshall. During the following night Marshall burned his baggage and fled, leaving his dead on the ground. After considerable other duty against guerrillas, the Forty-second was made a part of General G. W. Morgan's command, with which it marched to Cumberland Gap, taking possession of that renowned stronghold on the 18th of June. On the 6th of July the brigade to which it belonged was attacked by a heavy body of Confederates a short distance south of the Gap, and forced back to that point. General Morgan finally withdrew his whole command through Kentucky; the Forty-second acting as rear-guard in a very exhaustive march.

_ After a short excursion into Western Virginia. the regiment went downto Memphis, in November, 1862. In December it proceeded to the vicinity of Vicksburg, and on the 29th of that month was one of the regiments which stormed the rebel intrenchments at Chickasaw Bluffs. It rushed forward in the face of a terrific fire with the utmost gallantry, but the storm of shot and shell and musketry was so murderous that it was obliged to retire, as was the rest of the assailing force.

Early in January, 1863, the troops before Vicksburg went up the Arkansas river and attacked Arkansas Post. After four hours' cannonading and several unsuccessful charges, another charge was made in which the Forty-second led the advance, but soon

Returning to the vicinity of Vicksburg the regiment, in the latter part of April, took a prominent part in the movement against the rear of that city. In the battle of Port Gibson it twice charged the intrench- with heavy loss, but its courage was still unbroken and, being moved to another position, it again made a charge and carried the rebel works. The enemy then abandoned the field. This regiment lost more heavily than any other in the corps.

The Forty-second was slightly engaged at Champion Hills and Big Black river, and suffered severely in the unsuccessful attacks on Vicksburg on the 19th and 22d of May. It participated in the hardships and glories of the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and soon afterward was ordered to the department of the Gulf. During the winter of 1863-4, it was stationed at Plaquemine, Louisiana. It was engaged through the spring and summer of 1864 in arduous service, (though without much fighting), in Louisiana and Arkansas, und was mustered out in the fall, as the terms of the various companies expired.

During its three years' service the Forty-second had one Officer and twenty men killed, and eighteen officers and three hundred and twenty-five men wounded,

Forty-Third Infantry

This regiment had but twelve men from Cuyahoga county. It was assigned to the celebrated 'Ohio Brigade," the services of which are outlined in the sketch of the Twenty-seventh Infantry. After the discontinuance of that brigade, in the spring of 1864, the regiment was actively and gallantly engaged throughout the Atlanta campaign; taking a prominent part in the conflicts at Resaca, Oostenaula, Kenesaw, Decatur, etc. It participated in the "March to the Sea," and the campaign through the Carolinas, and was mustered out in July, 1865.

Fifty-Second Infantry

Twenty-three men of Company I comprised the representation of Cuyahoga county in the Fifty-third Ohio Infantry. The regiment was raised by Colonel Dan. McCook in the summer of 186?. Its first battle was that of Perryville, where the raw soldiers stood to their work like veterans, capturing Peter's Hill after a sharp conflict, and repelling with heavy loss, the rebel force sent to retake it. It was not in the battle of Stone River, but its left wing, while escorting an ammunition train to the scene of conflict, was attacked by a large force of rebel cavalry, which was completely defeated.

After serving in middle Tennessee through the spring and summer of 1863, the Fifty-second advanced with Rosecrans, and on the 19th, 20th and 21st of September took part in the disastrous battle of Chickamauga. Most of the time it was held in reserve, and consequently it did not suffer a very serious loss. Soon afterwards it was on very severe duty for a week, without relief, in the worst of weather, holding a position under the constant fire of the rebels on Lookout mountain. The Fifty-second supported the storming columns at Mission Ridge, and was active in the pursuit of the defeated enemy. It soon after marched to the relief of Knoxville, suffering severely from the inclemency of the weather and the scantiness of supplies.

The next spring, 1864, the regiment went into the Atlanta campaign. At Resaca it made a charge and defeated the enemy, but with heavy loss to itself. At Kenesaw mountain the brigade to which it belonged attacked the rebel intrenchments with the most desperate gallantry, but was defeated with very heavy loss; the gallant Colonel McCook being mortally wounded. The regiment continued in active service until the capture of Atlanta; marched with Sherman to the sea and through the Carolinas, and was mustered out in June, 1865.

Fifty-Fourth, Fifty-Eighth And Sixtieth

Company H of the Fifty-fourth - The Regiment at Pittsburgh Landing - Chickasaw Bluffs - Arkansas Post - Operations around Vicksburg - Mission Ridge - Relief of Knoxville Resaca, Kenesaw and Atl nta - Down to the Sea - Through the Carolinas - In Arkansas - Mustered Out--Men from this County - A Man in the Fifty-fifth - The Germans of the Fifty-eighth - Shaking off the Snow to attack Fort Donelson - Pittsburg Landing - Chickasaw Bluffs - On the Iron-clads - Running the Gauntlet - Other Services - Mustered Out - Cuyahoga Members - The Sixtieth Infantry - An Incomplete Regiment - In the Wilderness - Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor - Petersburg, Etc. - Losses - List of Cuyahoga County Men.

Fifty-Fourth Infantry

A MAJORITY of Company H (fifty-four men) was the contribution of Cuyahoga county to the Fiftysourth Infantry. The regiment was raised during the autumn of 1861 and the following winter. It went to Kentucky in February, 1862, and the following month ascended the Tennessee to Pittsburg Landing, and, being in Gereral Sherman's division,

After taking part in the capture of Corinth, and after numerous marches in southwestern Tennessee and northern Mississippi, the Fifty-fourth went down the Mississippi river in December, 1862, and _participated in the assault on Chickasaw Bluffs; being repulsed with a loss of twenty men killed and wounded. It was also a part of the command which captured Arkansas Post.

The Fifty-fourth was active in all the arduous marches and hard fighting which resulted in the capture of Vicksburg; having forty-seven killed and wounded in the assaults made on the rebel works on the 19th and 22d of June. It remained mostly at Vicksburg until October, 1863, when it moved to

Chattanooga. It helped to achieve the great victory of Mission Ridge, and was a part of the devoted band which, with half rations of food and less than half supplied with clothing, by means of forced marches in inclement weather succeeded in raising the siege of Knoxville.

After re-enlisting as a veteran regiment and taking the usual furlough, the Fifty-fourth engaged in the Atlanta campaign. It was in the conflicts at Resaca and Dallas, and lost twenty-eight killed and wounded in the assault on Kenesaw Mountain. In the battle before Atlanta, on the 2ist and 22d of July, 1864, the regiment lost ninety-four, killed, wounded and missing.

After the fall of Atlanta the Fifty-fourth marched down to the sea, and took part in the capture of Fort McAllister, near Savannah. It marched through the Carolinas with Sherman, fighting whenever necessary. In June, 1865, the regiment was sent to Arkansas, but in August was mustered out, brought home to Ohio and disbanded.

Fifty-Eighth Infantry

This was a German regiment, raised in the autumn of 1861 and the following winter, and containing eighty-three men from Cuyahoga county, scattered through six companies, from E, with twenty-five men, down to F, with five. It was sent to the front early in February, 1862, and had the distinction of being the only regiment with a Cuyahoga representation which took part in the capture of Fort Donelson, Arriving at the scene of conflict on the 13th of February, after a fatiguing march, the soldiers bivouacked in sight of the fort, slept soundly, and the next morning found themselves covered with three inches of snow.

Shaking off the snow, the men moved forward. The enemy came out of his works and attacked them, but was driven back into his intrenchments with heavy loss. The Fifty-eighth then held its position till night. On the 16th the fort surrendered.

Proceeding up the Tennessee, the regiment went into the battle of Pittsburg Landing on the 7th of April, and was warmly engaged until the enemy retreated; its loss being nine killed and forty-three wounded.

After serving principally on the Mississippi during the summer and autumn of 1862, the Fifty-eighth went with Sherman's army to Chickasaw Bluffs, where it charged the rebel works most gallantly; being the first to reach the line of rifle pits. Like the rest of the command, it was driven back, however; having nearly half its number killed and wounded. This defeat was partially compensated by the capture of Arkansas Post, in which the Fifty-eighth took part.

feat of running past the blazing batteries of Vicksburg on the occasion of Grant's movement to the rear of that stronghold. The regiment landed at Grand Gulf, and lost heavily in the battle which was fought there; afterwards taking part in the various expeditions in Louisiana. From September, 1863, till December, 1864, it was on provost duty at Vicksburg, and was then sent home and mustered out.

Henry Stockinger, enl. Oct. 21, 1861. Promoted to Corp. Jan. 8, 1862. Killed in action on board gunboat near Liverpool, Miss., May 23, 1863.

Sixtieth Infantry

There was a one-year regiment bearing this number, raised in 1861, but no part of it was from Cuyahoga county. In the spring of 1864 a new regiment of three-year men was raised to which the vacant number was assigned. When six companies were full they were sent to the front under a lieutenant-colonel. Two independent companies of sharpshooters were assigned to it for duty, and two more companies of infantry joined it during the summer, but it was never full. One of the sharpshooter companies was raised principally in Berea and vicinity, under Captain W. L. Stearns. It finally beeame Company G of the Sixtieth. In all there were one hundred and eightysix men in the regiment from Cuyahoga county; sixty-seven in Company H, fifty-six in Company G, and forty-nine in Company E; besides a few each in A, D and I.

joined the army of the Potomac with him, and on the 5th of May first came under fire in the terrible battle of the Wilderness. The new soldiers bore themselves with distinguished courage in this awful ordeal, and were especially complimented for their gallantry in leading the advance at Mary's Bridge on the 9th of May; crossing the Ny river under a severe fire and driving the enemy from his position. The Sixtieth was also hotly engaged at Spottsylvania and North Anna, and when the deadly assault was made on the fortifications of Cold Harber, the young regiment was there to take part. It did faithful service in the

Salem Mills and on the Weldon. Railroad. During its year of service, eleven of the men from Cuyahoga county were killed in action; indicating that about seventy of those from that county were killed or wounded. A considerable number were also taken prisoners, of whom a large proportion died in the rebel prison at Salisbury. The Sixtieth was close up to the rebel works at Petersburg, and was the second regiment to enter that city on its evacuation by the rebels. It was mustered out in July, 1865.

A. G. Quintrell, enr. as 2nd Lieut. March 9, 1864. Promoted to Capt. April 18, 1864. Missing since action of June 17, 1864, and thought to have been killed.

Company 4H

Elmer J. Bennett, en]. March 17, 1864. Promoted to Sergt. Mustered out with the Co. Orrin Jewell, enr. as Corp. Feb. 29, 1864. Promoted to Sergt. Mustered

Henry W. Hardy. enr. as Sergt. Feb. 28, 1864. Died at Fredericksburg, Va.. May 12, 1864, from wounds rec'd at battle of the Wilderness, May 6.

Cuyahoga in the Sixty-first - Its First Fight - Second Bull Run - Protecting Washington - Chancellorsville - Gettysburg - To the Army of the Cumberland - Fight in Wauhatchie Valley, Ete. - Resaca - Hard Battle at Peachtree Creek - Guarding Bridges - Down to the Sea - Through the Carolinas - Consolidated - Mustered Out - Members from Cuyahoga - The Sixty-fifth and its Cuyahoga Men - In Kentucky, Mississippi, Etc. - After Bragg - Wading Stone River - An Bight Hours Battle - Chickamauga - The Atlanta Campaign - Mention of the Battles - Large Percentage of Losses - In Texas - Mustered Out - List of Cuyahoga County Men - Forty-fifth and Sixty-seventh Consolidated - Cuyahoga iu the Sixty-seventh - In Virginia - Gallant Conduct at Winchester - Numerous Skirmishes - Port Royal and Port Republic - A Gale at Sea - A Fourth of July Battle - In South Carolina - A Seven Months Siege - Forty Days under Fire - Storming Wagner - Desperate Courage--Capture of Wagner - Veteran Furlough - Battle of Chester Station - Ware Bottom Church - Under Fire for Months - Storming the Works at Signal Hill - Other Fights - Reviewed by President Lincoln - Storming Fort Gregg - Appomattox - Summer Duty - Out in December - List of Cuyahoga's Representatives.

Sixty-First Infantry

THIs regiment, which contained members from almost every county in the State, had thirty-nine from Cuyahoga county in Company D, and three in Com- pany G. It joined Fremont's army in June, 1862; soon afterwards passing under the command of Pope, and having its first fight at Freeman's Ford, on the Rappahannock in July, 1862. It also had a sharp conflict at Sulphur Springs on the 23d and 24th of August, and another on the 25th at Waterloo Bridge. At the second Bull Run battle it was warmly engaged for a short time; having twenty-five killed and wounded. It was not broken up, like so many regiments, in that battle, and aided in covering the retreat of Pope's demoralized army. During the subsequent operations of that year the regiment was part of the reserve held for the protection of Wash - ington.

After lying in winter quarters for several months, the Sixty-first moved south with Hooker and was actively engaged in the disastrous battle of Chancellorsville, where it had four officers wounded. and five men killed and about thirty wounded. Its next battle was Gettysburg, where it was sent forward on the skirmish line and was driven back with heavy loss. It then took a position ou Cemetery Hill, which it held till the victory was won.

In September, 1863, the Sixty-first went with the Twelfth Corps to the Army of the Cumberland. On the night of the 28th of October it was engaged in a brisk fight in the Wauhatchie valley, driving the rebels across Lookout creek. On the 23d and 25th of November, it was engaged in the battles of JLookout Mountain and Mission Ridge.

After remaining at Bridgeport through the winter and enjoying a veteran furlough in March, 1864, the Sixty-first set out early in May on the Atlanta campaign. It was twice sharply engaged near Resaca, and again at Dallas on the 25th of May, when twentythree of the men were killed and wounded. After numerous skirmishes, and a sharp fight near Kenesaw Mountain, it crossed Peachtree creek with Hooker's corps on the 20th of July, and engaged the enemy. The latter made a furious effort to drive it back across the creek, but was repulsed with heavy loss. Ninetyfive officers und men of the Sixty-first were killed and wounded. After this, the regiment was on duty in the rear, guarding bridges, ctc., until after the capture of Atlanta.

The regiment then marched with Sherman to the sea and through the Carolinas. At Goldsboro, North Carolina, it was consolidated with the Highty-second Infantry; the name of the latter being retained by the combined force. The Highty-second was mustered out about the lst of September, 1865.

Sixty-Fifth Infantry

This regiment, which was mustered into service on 'the 1st day of December, 1861, contained sixty-nine Cuyahoga men in Company E, twenty-nine in Company I and three in Company C. It served in Kentucky through the winter, and in April, 1862, was present at the battle of Pittsburg Landing but was not actively engaged. The regiment was on service in northern Mississippi and Alabama and southern Tennesse until August, when it marched to Kentucky in pursuit of Bragg.

At the battle of Stone River, the Sixty-fifth crossed the river with its brigade on the night of the 29th of December, the men often in the water to the armpits, while the enemy was plying them with a heavy fire in front. They formed line on the farther bank, but as the supports did not come up the brigade was ordered to retire. The brigade was not actively engaged the next day, but on the morning of the 31st it was ordered to support McCook's corps, which was being driven back. It was hotly engaged for eight hours, and its efforts were at last efowned with victory. It had three officers and thirty-eight men killed, and seven officers and a hundred and six men wounded.

Remaining in the vicinity till June, 1863, the regiment advanced with Rosecrans and in September fought at Chickamauga. It was in reserve nearly all the first day, but on the second fought long and with varying success; sharing at length, however, in the defeat of the whole army. It had three officers and thirteen men killed, and five officers and sixty men wounded. At Mission Ridge the Sixty-fifth had fifteen men killed and wounded.

The Atlanta campaign was hardly less than a long battle, and the Sixty-fifth was as continuously engaged as any regiment whose records we have observed. At Resaca it had twenty-eight killed and wounded; at Dallas, six; at Marietta, twelve; at Kenesaw twelve; at Peachtree creek, four.

After the capture of Atlanta the Sixty-fifth moved north in pursuit of Hood, and on the 29th of November took part in the battle of Springfield, Tennessec; having twenty-seven officers and men killed and wounded. The next day, in the battle of Franklin, it had twenty-three killed and wounded.

These numbers do not look large, but. really represented a large percentage of the regiment; for, after the discharge of the non-veterans on the 3rd of October, it contained only a hundred and thirty men. This squad of war-worn soldiers remained at Nashyille until June, 1865, when it went to Texas. It served there until December, and was mustered out at Columbus on the 2d of January, 1866.

Sixty-First And. Sixty-Fifth Infantry, Etc

SIXTY-FIRST AND. SIXTY-FIFTH INFANTRY, ETC. 123 Daniel H. Perry, enl. March 25, 1864. Promoted to Corp. Oct. 1, 1865. Melville C. Porter. (See Non-commissioned Staff.) Mustered out with the Co. Nov. 30, 1865. Daniel Wolfe, enl. Oct. 23, 1861. Wilbur F. Hinman. (See Field and Staff.) Ansel Atherton, enl. October 18, 1862. Promoted to Corp. Nov. 1, 1864, COMPANY F. ead. to Sergt. March 1, 1865. Mustered out at end of term Oct. 13, | Rdward G. Powell, enr. as Corp. Co. E. Oct. 9,1861. Promoted to Sergt,

Sixty-Seventh Infantry

Two partially formed regiments, the Forty-fifth and Sixty-seventh, were consolidated in December, 1861, under the latter name. Company G@ was entirely composed of Cuyahoga county men, numbering a hundred and seven-during the war. Besides this, Company C had sixteen from that county, and Company D twenty-four; while there were a few each in Companies B, E, H, I and K - a hundred and sixty-five in all. From a manuscript history of Company C, furnished by Captain George L. Childs, of Cleveland, and from other sources, we have compiled the following sketch of the regiment :

The Sixty-seventh went to northern Virginia in January, 1862; serving under Generals Lander and Shields at Paw-Paw Tunnel, and near Romney ard Winchester, until spring. On the 22d and 23d of March it took part in the battle of Winchester; Colonel Kimberly being the immediate commander, though General Shields, who was wounded, was some distance away. On the second day the regiment moved three-fourths of a mile; on' the double quick, across an open field, under a heavy fire, going into action in this, its first serious battle, with the coolness of a veteran command, and aiding materially to win the victory. Its loss was fifteen killed and thirty-two wounded. It was subsequently in numerous skirmishes at Strasburg, Woodstock, Edinburg, Mt. Jackson, etc.

After many long marches in northern Virginia, taking part in a sharp fight at Front Royal, and coyering the retreat of the Union army from Port Republic, the Sixty-seventh went down the Chesapeake in the latter part of June to help McClellan. On this trip it went through dangers as great as those of any battle field. The barge on which a part of the regiment was broke loose in a gale from the steamer which towed it, and tossed for an hour at the mercy of the waves; horses, arms, equipage, and eve: some men being washed overboard and lost.

The command then made its way to Harrison's Landing, and on the 4th of July the Sixty-seventh was attacked just before daylight by a force of the enemy but soon repulsed it. After the army of the Potomac went north, this regiment remained at Suffolk until January, 1863, when it was sent to Hilton Head, South Carolina. In May it proceeded to Cobb's Island, near Charleston, and for seven months was engaged in the seige of that place. For forty consecutive days the regiment was under heavy fire. It led in the assault on Fort Wagner on the 18th of July; the Sixty-seventh and Sixty-second Ohio forcing their way into the fort in the face of a murderous fire, planting their colors on the parapet, and holding possession of a portion of the fortress for near ten hours. But all of the three brigade commanders present were killed or wounded, the position was-commanded by the enemy on the other side of the fort, fifteen hundred of the assailants were disabled, it was found impossible to advance farther, and at length all were compelled to retreat. The regiment had about a hundred and seventy men killed and wounded.

After six weeks more of siege, two-thirds of the time under fire, another assault was ordered on the 7th of September, but when the column advanced the enemy was found to have fled. The regiment was soon ordered to Hilton Head, remaining there until February, 1864, when it went home on veteran furlough. ;

On the 27th of April, 1864, the veterans of the Sixty-seventh appeared at Gloucester Point, Virginia. On the 4th of May they, with thousands of their comrades, on a fleet of transports, were threatening Richmond from the York river; but in twenty-four hours, by means of a long journey, they appeared on the south and seized on one of the strongest. positions near Richmond, On the 10th of May, at the battle of Chester Station, the Sixty-seventh was on the turnpike from Richmond to Petersburg. The rebels made a general attack. 'The regiment held its position from first to last, despite of four desperate charges; having seventy-six officers and men killed and wounded.

At Ware Bottom Church, on the 20th of May, the Sixty-seventh captured by a charge a position which had been seized by the enemy; taking prisoner the rebel general, W. H. S. Walker, and a number of his men. The regiment had sixty-nine officers and men killed and wounded.

August, four companies charged the rebel rifle pits, lost over a third of their men at the first volley, but captured the line. On the 28th of September the regiment with the Tenth army corps aided in carrying by assault the enemy's strong works, with double lines of abutis, at Signal Hill. It was also in severe fights on the 7th, 13th, 27th and 28th of October, with a loss of over a hundred men.

In the spring of 1865 the Sixty-seventh, though depleted in numbers, was in high spirits and in good "trim;" The division to which it belonged (the First of the Twenty-fourth army corps) was reviewed by General Grant, Seeretary Stanton, and finally by President Lincoln himself, and drew forth warm encomiums from all those distinguished gentlemen. These praises were equally well deserved in the field. On the 2d of April the Sixty-seventh, with the rest of the Twenty-fourth army corps, assailed the enemy's works, capturing one after another, and at noon carried Fort Gregg by storm, after a furious hand to hand combat, in which the regiment had over a hundred men killed and wounded in half an hour. Fort Gregg was the key of Petersburg and Richmond, which fell immediately afterward. The regiment was also actively engaged in the operations near Appomattox Court House, which resulted in the surrender of Lee and the collapse of the rebellion. It was on garrison duty in Virginia during the succeeding summer and autumn, and was mustered out in December, 1865.