Fairfield County, Ohio - Chapter 17: Military History of the County, 1912

Chapter 17: Military History of the County

The County's Military^ Record - Revolutionary Soldiers Buried in Fairfield County - The County in the War of 1812-1^ - The Mexican War - Fairfield County in the Civil War - Lancaster, in' the War - Death of Maj. H. H. Giesy - The Grand Army of the Republic - Woman's Relief Corps - Sons of Veterans - The Spanish-American War - Muster Roll of Company F. 7th Regt., Inf., 0. N. G.

Ohio has never been found lacking in the military spirit whenever need arose to arm for defense against foreign or domestic foes, and in every war that has occurred since the beginning of its history Fairfield County has well sustained the reputation of the State.

During the Revolutionary period the county was a wilderness, having no settled government, and inhabited chiefly by Indians, white hunters and trappers, and a few adventurous settlers, who remained at the almost daily risk of their lives and who, having their own troubles, took no part collectively, and little or none individually, in the struggle between the colonies and the Mother Country. But the land grants to Revolutionary soldiers after the war, and still more, the settled government given to the Northwest Territory by the famous ordinance of 1787, set in motion a steady and increasing stream of emigration from the older states into Ohio. These new settlers began at once the civilizing of the territory, soon (in 1803) to become a state. They cleared the forests, tilled the soil and established homes and civilized communities.

Their sons, perhaps inheriting the military instinct of the fathers, and endowed with the patriotic spirit, when the second war with Great Britain began, were quick to arm and fight for country defense and in defense of the homes they had established.

James Holmes, drummer; Capts. Forrester Jackson; Cols. Hartley and Hubley; Pa., enlisted at Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Pa., pension allowed ; lived in Fairfield but were buried one half mile north of Luray, on Newark road.

Benjamin Cave, enlisted 1779; discharged June, 1781 ; Private, Capt. Charles Browning, Col. Barber, Va. ; Capt. Henry Fields, Col. Fowles ; pension allowed ; soldier was a minister of the gospel, 1832; may have died in Ross County.

Jacob Ream, enlisted from Lancaster County, Pa. ; Private, Capt. Gardner, Pa. ; Private, Capt. Smoler, Pa.; soon after served under Commissary Jno. Kiddary and was stationed at hospital at Reamstown, 1778; teamster in General Wayne's Brigade : pension allowed.

Michael Rice, Private; Capt. Jno. Syme's Company on Foot, loth Va. Regt. ; enlisted Dec. 27, 1776; transferred to Lieut. Nathan Lammie's Co. about Feb., 1778; to Lieut. Thos. Barbee's Co. in Aug., 1778, and to Lieut. Col. Samuel Hawe's Co. about Oct., 1778. His name last appears on a company

Joshua Burton, Private, Capts. Thos Price and Otho Williams, July 29, 1776, Capt, Philip Griffin, Lt. Col. Moses Rawlings; taken prisoner at Fort Washington and exchanged, then attached to nth Va. Regt.; later under Capt. Alex. Lawson Smith, Col. Smith, Md.; discharged July, 1779; enlisted again for one year, Capt. Boyd, Penn. ; wounded in leg at Brandywine; enlisted at Fredericktown, Md. ; pension allowed.

And Representative Citizens The Mexican War

Though Congress did not declare war against England till June, 1812, a company of infantry was mustered in Fairfield county in April of that year to operate on the northern border against the British. The company was recruited by Gen. George Sanderson. There were 42 in the company, who, tvith all the officers, were included in the surrender of General Hull at Detroit, August 16, 1812. Many of the soldiers disregarded their parole and re-enlisted. In April, 1813, Captain Sanderson recruited a second company, partly from Fairfield and partly from the Western Reserve - numbering 157 men. This company served till the close of the war and was honorably discharged. There was a third company enlisted at Lancaster, commanded by Jesse D. Courtright. There was also a rifle company organized in 1812, numbering 80 to 100, raised chiefly along Ewings Run. David Ewing was captain of this company.

In the Mexican war, Fairfield county furnished as many soldiers in proportion to her population as any county in Ohio. There were two companies - one recruited in 1846, was commanded by Captain William Irvin, served one year and was honorably discharged.

The second company started out in May, 1847, sixty strong, and filled up at Cincinnati. They were commanded by W. F. Ferguson, did duty one year and were honorably discharged.

Fairfield county sent the first company of soldiers to the state capital under President Lincoln's first call for seventy-five thousand men just after the fall of Fort Sumter. The call was made April 15, 1861, and on Tuesday, April 16, Lancaster was in arms. The Lancaster Guards, an independent company organized in 1859, had J. A. Stafford for their captain. A large and enthusiastic citizens" meeting was held Tuesday evening, vol- unteers were enlisted until this company had swelled its numbers to over one hundred. Wednesday, April 17, at 4 P. M. they marched to the depot and went to Columbus via Zanesville. This company was the first to reach Columbus, but it was speedily followed by the Dayton Guards and others; The First Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized April i8th at Columbus with A. M. McCook as colonel, and that day with the Second Regiment was on the way to Washington. The Lancaster Guards composed Company A - a great distinction. The three months enlistment expired and, after the battle of Bull Run this company was discharged and returned home. J. A. Stafford was captain, Thomas M. Hunter, first lieutenant, and Ezra Ricketts, second lieutenant. Company A soon re-enlisted, and after three years' service was mustered out with only twenty-seven men, one fourth of its original number. This company participated in twenty-eight battles and skirmishes. Captain StafTord was promoted to major and mustered out with the company. Lieutenant Hooker became captain of Company A.

The Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry belonged more distinctively to Fairfield county and contained more of her men than any other in the field. After Company A of the "First" reached Columbus, on the 17th of April. Sergeants A. H. Giesy, Theodore Michels, Leo Noles, Abraham Ogden, J. W. Stinchcomb, were detailed to return to Lancaster and raise another company. By April 20th 185 men had been recruited, and two companies organized. The second call for troops found these two companies at the Lancaster fair grounds, christened Fort Anderson. Eight companies joined them. The two Fairfield companies were

They were mustered out August 15, reenlisted and half the companies belonged to Fairfield. Company A, Benj. A. Butterfield, captain ; Company B, James W. Stinchcomb, captain ; Company F, Ezra Ricketts, captain ; Company I, Abraham Ogden, captain ; Company K, Daniel M. Rea, captain.

The battle of Chickamauga was the severest in which the Seventeenth participated. There were over 200 killed and wounded ; among the dead was the gallant Captain Ricketts. At Mission Ridge, though this regiment was in the rear when the battle commenced it was at the front when the hill was gained - and here the brave Major Butterfield fell mortally wounded.

The Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This regiment though organized at Camp Chase is intimately connected with Lancaster. During winter of 1861-62 General Newton Schleich, maintained a recruiting of^ce at Lancaster. Several companies were recruited but transferred as fast as recruited. Company B was the only Fairfield county company, and it had Daniel J,. Schleich for captain, while Colonel Newton Schleich commanded the regiment. The Sixty-first was consolidated with the Eighty-second at Goldsboro; at its last roll call only fifty-five

The Fifty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry contained one company, I, enlisted in Fairfield county. Peter Bunn was the original captain, but soon resigned and Lieutenant Peter Hewiston was promoted to the vacancy, where he remained until mustered out in October, 1864. Henry S. Beck was made captain of this company on its re-enlistment.

When Hood attempted to cut ofif General Sherman's communications, the Forty-third assisted in the chase and on its return to Atlanta, joined in the "march to the sea." It participated in the grand review at Washington (as did also the Sixty-first), and was mustered out July 13, 1865.

The Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized October 16, 1861, and contained two companies, recruited in Fairfield county - C and F. Company C had John Wiseman for captain; Company F had Henry Giesy for captain. Captain Giesy was promoted to major and was killed at Dallas May 28, 1864. The Forty-sixth was in many sharp engagements, was complimented for gallantry at Bentonville. During all its engagements, it lost twenty men captured and had seven hundred and five killed, wounded and that died of disease. It was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, July 22, 1865.

The Fifty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry contained Company I, recruited in Pickaway and Fairfield counties by Captain Samuel M. Morrison ; William Roby and Stephen Defenbaugh were lieutenants. It was in many battles - the last service being at Vicksburg Jan. 14, 1865, after which it was mustered out at Columbus.

The Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry contained one full company - Company A - from Fairfield county. James C. Henley was authorized to recruit a company for the Eighty-eighth. He did this, but for some reason it was transferred to the Eighty-fifth becoming Company K.

In September, 1862 Captain Henley recruited another company near Royalton and Pleasantville. It was enlisted for three years, and though anxious to go to the field, the three years' service were spent in and about Columbus. It was mustered out July 3, 1865.

The Ninetieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry contained two companies from Fairfield. Of these, Company D was officered by Alva Perry, Captain John M. Sutphen, first lieutenant, and (ieorge W. Welsh, second lieutenant; Company I by Lewis R. Carpenter, captain, Augustus R. Keller, first lieutenant, and Samuel L. Weidner, second lieutenant. Captain Perry was promoted to major in April, 1863, and Lieutenant Sutphen succeeded him as captain of Company D and was mustered out with the regiment. Captain Carpenter resigned and Lieutenant Keller was promoted to captain. Lieutenant Weidner also attained this rank. This regiment, after many engagements, the last of which was Nashville, remained at Nashville until the surrender of the rebel troops and was then sent to Ohio and mustered out of service.

The One Hundred and Fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry had one company - Company K - recruited from Fairfield and Pickaway counties. George W. Hurst of Williamsport was its first captain and Isaac Butterfield and Joseph Bury, lieutenants. The captain resigned and both lieutenants became captains. This regiment was in eight hard fought battles and many skirmishes

The One Hundred and Twenty-sixth was organized at Camp Steubenville. Eight companies were ready for marching when three arrived from Fairfield and Perry counties. These three companies were consolidated into two, Company I being from Fairfield, Company K from Perry. Company I was recruited from Richland, Rush Creek, Walnut and Pleasant townships. Captain Henry C. Yontz of New Salem commanded. Jacob Lamb and Joseph C. Watson were lieutenants. The lieutenant colonel of this regiment - ^the brave Aaron W. Ebright of Fairfield county, was killed at Winchester, Virginia, September 19, 1864. This regiment did much active duty - was at Manasses Gap, Rapidan, Cold Harbor, Monacy and Winchester and lost heavily. It was mustered out near Washington, June 25, 1865.

The One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry was commanded by Colonel J. A. Stafford. It was recruited for one year's service in the fall of 1864. Company C was composed of Ross and Fairfield county men.

The captain was Charles Cavinor of Ross, the lieutenants H. P. McGren and J. A. Seins, of Fairfield. This company was mustered out June 29, 1865.

The First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry was organized at Columbus late in the summer of 1861. Company F was from Fairfield county, recruited by its Captain Valentine Cupp, who was afterwards promoted to major, and lieutenant colonel and fell at Chickamauga. Lafayette Pickering was promoted to the captaincy. After participating

The Eleventh Ohio Cavalry contained one company, C, largely from Fairfield county. This company was oflficered by Thomas L. Mackey, of Chillicothe, Captain John Van Pearce of Lancaster, first lieutenant, and Thomas P. Clark of Springfield, second lieutenant. Through the promotion of Mackey, Van Pearce became captain and John P. Ree\es of Lancaster, lieutenant.

There were many other regiments that contained Fairfield county men yet few, if any, besides those mentioned that contained a whole company. In all, the county had in serxice more than three thousand soldiers. They were nearly all volunteers - only one or two drafts were made and they were small. In the Sixty-second, Clement F. Steele of Lancaster was commissioned major at its organization, but rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Henry B. Hunter of Lancaster was lieutenant colonel of the One Hundred and Twenty-third regiment.

A. A. Graham says : "Fairfield county may well pride herself on the number and ability of the commanders she furnished for the war. Besides the regiment and company officers whose record for brave and gallant service is not surpassed by any other county. She can claim a lieutenant general, two major-generals and several brigadiergenerals." [For list of officers see "Lancaster in the War."]

"William T. Sherman for many years general of the United States Army, was born at Lancaster February 8, 1820. His father, an eminent lawyer, died when William T. was nine years old and he was adopted into the family of Hon. Thomas Ewing. He entered

West Point in 1836 and graduated four years later. Remainng in the regular service thirteen years, he resigned his commission to engage in banking business at San Francisco. In 1857 he turned his attention to law and practiced for a year or two in Kansas. He conducted the Louisiana Military Academy for a year or more but resigned on the lirst intimations of tlie approaching war. When called to his country's service he was president of the St. Louis Street Railroad Company. His brilliant career throughout the four years' struggle has immortalized his name and made it a familiar household word of devoted patriotism.

Thomas Jl. Ewing, a son of Hon. Thomas Ewing, was born at Lancaster August 11, 1829. He received a liberal education and began practice at the bar. In 1856 he removed to Leavenworth, Kansas, and soon rose to the rank of a leading lawyer. He recruited .the Eleventh Kansas Infantry, of which he was appointed colonel. For gallant services at Prairie Grove he was promoted to brigadier-general in March, 1863, and soon after assigned to the command of the District of the Border, afterwards to the St. Louis District. At Pilot Knob, September 27, 1864, he commenced one of the most stubborn and sanguinary conflicts of the war with an enem}' vastly exceeding him in the number of men. His withdrawal from the place and the retirement of his forces to RoUa was masterful and won for him the rank of brevet major-general. He resigned his command March 12, 1865.

Hugh Ewing, the brother of Thomas Ewing, was engaged in the practice of law at the breaking out of the war. He was appointed brigade inspector of the Third Brigade Ohio Militia in May, 1861 ; he participated in the battle of Rich Mountain, and in August, 1861, was appointed colonel of the Fortieth. He rose to the command of a brigade and served efficiently throughout the war. For meritorious services he was brevetted major-general March 13, 1865."

The connection of Jacob A. Stafford with the First Ohio, and as a colonel of the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth has already been mentioned. March 13, 1865, he was brevetted brigadier-general.

Newton Schleich was appointed one of the three brigadier-generals to command Ohio troops during the three months' service. At the expiration of that time he recruited and commanded the Sixty-first Ohio.

Lancaster In The War

Lancaster furnished a large number of soldiers for the Union Army from 1861 to 1865. Of the number enlisted, sixty-three were, at the start or before the close of the war, commissioned officers. The following are their names. Men of both political parties are in this list, and they were brave and true.

Maj. H. H. Giesy and Capt. Ezra Ricketts were killed in battle, Capt. Ricketts at Chickamauga and Major Giesy before Atlanta. Lieutenant-Colonel Ebright was killed in battle near Winchester, Virginia, and his body, as was that of Major Giesy, was brought back to Lancaster for burial. The Southland holds "the dreamless dust" of Capt. Ezra Ricketts.

Capt. John Sears, of Lancaster, and Capt. John Busby, of Royalton, Fairfield county, were present in Ford's theater, Washington city, the night Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. They assisted in carrying the wounded president to the room where he died. Captain Sears preserves the coat, stained with blood of the martyred president.

"To have been to the wars is a life-long honor, increasing with the weight of years." The Civil war is an event of the past ; peace has spread her wings over our broad extended country, and we are a united, prosperous, and happy people.

Death Of Major H. H. Giesy

"Again the sad note of grief mingles with the jubilant refrain of triumph, for the bulletin of death has come, and groups of sorrow are constituted in our midst. A dispatch received from Gen. Sherman says that, in an engagement of Gen. McPherson's Corps with the enemy near Dallas, Georgia, on last Saturday, Major H. H. Giesy was mortally wounded, and died last Sunday. Major Giesy was too well and favorably known here to require more than a brief notice. A young man of excellent habits and disposition ; he had been liberally educated and had been admitted to the bar when the call came to arm against the rebellion. He was a person of more than ordinary military spirit and from the organization of Captain Cloud's company in this city, some two years before the war, he had been one of its most active members. We may here observe that nearly all the members of that company have been made commissioned ofificers. Major Giesy was the Orderly of that company when it was ordered to report for the three months' service, under the call of the President. At Columbus he was detailed to raise another company in this count)', which he did in a few days. He was elected Captain of the company by the unanimous vote of its members. He was with the 17th Regiment tluring its three months' organization, sharing its fatiguing marches in West Virginia. Returning from that campaign, he immediately commenced to raise a company for the three years' service, which when done, he was assigned to the 46th Ohio. If we say Major Giesy was constantly on duty with his regiment, and as brave and faithful as any, we need say nothing more, for the hard fighting and steady endurance of the 46th Regiment tell a story to which nothing can be added. He was promoted to Major of the regiment in the summer of 1863. The 46th became a vetern regiment last winter, and the Major was last at home when he enjoyed the thirty days' furlough in common with his men. We understand that his remains are expected today. We are glad to know his body has been saved for honored burial among his friends.

"Come then pure hands and bear the head That sleeps, or wears the mask of sleep. And come whoever loves to weep, and Hear the ritual of the dead."

The Grand Army Of The Republic

On July 29, 1882, in pursuance to a call a score or more of ex-soldiers met in the mayor's ofifice in the city of Lancaster to consider the organization of a post of the G. A. R. On motion, Capt. Geo. W. De Grummond was elected chairman and Capt. J. L. Young, secretary. After some discussion the following petition was adopted: to aid in the accomplishment of the objects of the Grand Army of the Repubhc, viz : to preserve and strengthen those kind and fraternal feelings which bind together the soldiers, sailors and marines, who united to suppress the rebellion, and perpetuate the memory and history of the dead ; to assist such former comrades in amis as need help and extend aid to the widows and orphans of the fallen, hereby make application for a charter for a post of the Grand Army of the Republic to be located in the city of Lancaster, Ohio, and we hereby solemnly pledge ourselves to be governed by and to strictly observe the rules and regulations of the Grand Army of the Republic. July 31, 1882.

Department Commander C. T. Clark and Chief Mustering Officer W. J. Elliott came to Lancaster and mustered Ben Butterfield Post, No. yy and installed the officers.

The following were elected officers : J. M. Sutphen, post commander; James Strode, senior vice commander; John A. Sears, junior vice commander ; George A. Harman, surgeon ;

The commander appointed S. W. Rainey, G. L. Sites and H. W. Carpenter a committee to secure hall; and J. G. Reeves, J. L. Young and G. A. Harman committee on rules and regulations. There being no further business the commander declared the post closed.

The post has had written in its membership many of rank from second lieutenant to Maj. Gen. Hugh Ewing. Its oldest member, John Horseman, aged ninety-seven, was buried a few years ago. Lamson Linn, now eighty-five years, is the last surviving Mexican war veteran in the county and is a faithful member.

In May, 1891, the comrades and citizens of Lancaster chartered a train and went to the state encampment at Bellefontaine to secure the encampment for Lancaster and were successful. The thirty-sixth department encampment of the Grand Army held in Lancaster the following May. 1892, was an e\'ent in the history of the city. The interest and enthusiasm of the people was great. Large gates were erected across the south end of Broad street, which stood ajar as a welcome to the incoming comrades of the state. A large arch spanned the crossing of Main and Columbus streets and in the crossing of High and Broad streets in the public square was erected a derrick fifty feet high, on the top of which stood a soldier on guard, and this was lighted by hundreds of electric bulbs. In the years since comrades throughout the state refer with pleasure to the grand reception and entertainment given them at Lancaster. As a courtesy to the city the department elected Comrade James M. Roberts senior vice commander.

ment at San Francisco in 1903, George A. Harman was elected surgeon general in honor to his post and city as well as himself. In 1906 the department of encampment at Dayton, Ohio, elected Comrade George A. Harman commander of the department of Ohio G. A. R., and he appointed Comrade H. I. Blaire acting adjutant general and Comrade James M. Roberts, acting quartermaster general. Fairiield county did a noble part in the war for the preservation of the Union and her comrades have kept alive memory of the momentous events in that greatest crisis in the history of our nation. Dr. G. A. H.\rmon.

Junior Vice Commander, H. H. Wallters; Adjutant, C. H. Heed; Quartermaster, Thomas E. Erick; Surgeon, George A. Harman; Chaplain, J. W. Ricketts; Officer of the Day, Solomon Kneisley ; Officer of the Guard, John Fagley; Sergeant-Major, John T. Scott; Quartermaster Sergeant, H. I. Blaire; and Patriot Instructor, J. M. Roberts.

Ben Butterfield Relief Corps, No. 200, Department of Ohio, W. R. C, Auxiliary to Ben Butterfield Post, No. Department of Ohio, G. A. R., was instituted on Thursday, November 24, - Thanksgiving day - 1887, by Mary R. Greiner and Rachel A. Law, of Tom Talbot, W. R. C, No. 95, of Somerset, Ohio, with nineteen charter members as follows : Carrie Miesse, Mary L. Ogden, Clara C. Getz, Elizabeth Bauman, Antonia Butterfield, Annie Sears, Olive Longnecker, Isabella Graves, T^Iary H. Hause, Louisa Hamlnirger, Catharine Slough, Catharine Flood, Brunella Walters, Laura Harman, Laura Thomas, Mary Hamburger, Luella Pursell, Abbie Trout, Clara Ranch.

Since that date - November 24, 1887, - about one hundred and fifty-nine names have been added to the roll of member.ship, but owing to the fact that numbers have withdrawn from the order, others have removed from Lancaster, transferring their membership in many instances to other corps, and still others ha\e ceased to labor and have passed beyond the bounds of time and space, we have only seventy members in good standing. The following members have served as corps presidents: Carrie Miesse, 1888-89; Mary L. Ogden, 1890; Louisa Walters, 1891-92; Caroline :\[. Rolierts, 1893-94-98-99; Clara C. Getz. 1895-96; Amanda G. Miller. 1897; Samantha Galigher, 1900-1901 ; Alice Bell, 1902-1903;

The amount of relief disbursed by tlie corps since its organization has amounted to $10,- 000, the average amount expended each year being $400. Eligible children have been placed in the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home at Xenia and ha\e received fine mental and moral training, which has fitted them for useful citizenship. Hundreds of visits have cheered the old soldier and his dependent ones, while work along patriotic lines has not been neglected.

Sons Of Veterans

Maj. William McKinley Camp No. 21, Sons of Veterans, was mustered in Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio, in October, 1901, under the administration of Division Commander Col. H. V. Speelman.

The first officers of the Camp were : Commander, W. T. Shrieve; secretary, C. W. Henderly; treasurer, M. A. Hunter; council, H. R. Roley, B. L. Cave and L. G. Silbaugh.

The present officers are : Commander, J. L. Reilley; secretary, Jonas Shrieve; treasurer, M. A. Hunter; council, H. R. Roley, W. T. Shrieve and W. C. Stewart.

In 1905 and 1906 the headquarters of the Ohio Division were located in Lancaster, and W. T. Shrieve was the commander, H. R. Roley, secretary, and M. A. Hunter, treasurer of the division. Ever since the camp has been mustered in it has been one of the active patriotic fraternities of the city and county. The following members served as commander of the Camp in the order named : W. T. Shrieve, H. R. Roley, Otto H. Minick, Wm. Fishbaugh, Van M. Denton, M. A. Hunter. J. H. Reeves and Chas. Fishbaugh. Several members of the Camp have served on the staff of the commander in chief, and there has never been a year since the Camp's muster that one or more of its members has not served on the staff of the division commander.

Founded upon a trust in Almighty God, with a realization that under His beneficent guidance the free institutions of our land, consecrated by the services and blood of our fathers, have been preser\-ed. and upon a true allegiance to the government of the United States of America, pledging fidelity to law and order, this society declares its objects to be :

Second. - To inculcate patriotism, to teach truthful history, and to spread and sustain the doctrine of equal rights, universal liberty and justice to all.

Third. - To help the members of the Grand Army of the Republic and all honorably discharged Union soldiers, sailors and marines, to extend aid and protection to their widows and orphans, and to honor the memories of their heroic dead through historical exercises and the proper observance of Memorial Day and Union Defenders' Day.

I-Airfiei.D County In The Spanish War

Company I of the Fourth Ohio Infantry was mobilized at Columbus, Ohio, where it was mustered in. Left Columbus, Ohio, by rail May 15, 1898, for Chickaniauga Park, Georgia, arriving in camp May 17, 1898, and remained until July 22, 1898, when the company left by rail for Newport News, Virginia, arriving at tlie latter place July 25, 1898: embarked on board tlie steamer St. Paul, at Newport News, Virginia, July 28, 1898, for Porto Rico; arrived at Arroyo, August 4, 1898; in skirmish at Guayama, August 5, 1898, antl at Rio de las Palmas August 8, 1898; in camj) outside Guayama until September 27, 1898, when the company marched to Arroyo and embarked on the tug "Gypsum King," September 28; arrived off Fajardo Beach, and raised the United States flag over the /Alcalde's office, then went into garrison and remainetl there until October 27th, in the meantime raising the United States flag over the town of Cuba, October 2, and Loquillo, October loth. On October 27th the company marched to Fajardo Beach where it loaded on the transport "Chester," and arrived off San Juan, October 27th, remaining there until October 29th. The company arrived off New York, November 2d ; left New York by rail, November 3, 1898: arrived at Washington, D. C, November 4tli, and was re\iewed by the President ; left Washington by rail, November 4th ; and arrived at Columbus, November 6th ; and was granted a verbal furlough November 6, 1898, to January 4, 1899.

The company reported at Columbus, January 5, 1899, and was mustered out of the United States service, January 20, 1899. The officers are as follows: Lewis H. Palmer, captain ; Fred S. Whiley, first lieutenant : William H. Hause, second lieutenant ; William S. Kindler, first sergeant; Thomas W. Nickum, quartermaster sergeant ; Roy T. McNaughten, sergeant; Frank M. Murphy, sergeant; Gaylord C. Peters, sergeant; John E. Thomas, sergeant ; Ernest I. Curtiss, corporal ; John W. Littrell, corporal ; Charles Fishbaugh. corporal ; Arthur J. Phillips, corporal ; Henry C. Clark, corporal. There were one hundred and seven commissioned officers and privates.

The muster roll of Company F, Seventh Regiment Infantry, O. N. G., showing wholestrength March 4, 1912, contains the following names of officers and men:

The company is thirty-three years old and is now attached to the Seventh Ohio Infantry, with headquarters at Marietta, Ohio, Col. H. D. Knox, commanding.