Licking County, Ohio - Chapter 40: History of the War Continued, 1881

Chapter 40: History of the War Continued

~COMPANY F, NINETY-FIFTH OHIO INFANTRY - COMPANIES D AND F, ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEENTH OHIO INFANTRY - CoMPANIES A, B, C, D, E AND F, ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIFTH OHIO NATIONAL GUARD - COMPANY D, First OHIO CAVALRY - CoMPANY A, TENTH OHIO CAVALRY - THE EIGHTEENTH UNITED STATES REGULARS - THE \«SOUTR -

N the month of August, 1862, company F was recruited, by Captain David Thomas, and assigned to the Ninety-fifth infantry. Ina short time the regiment received marching orders, and proceeded to Lexington, Kentucky. On its arrival at that place rumors of a rebel advance via Cumberland Gap caused the transfer of about ten thousand troops to Richmond, Kentucky.

On the twenty-ninth of August the brigade of General Manson, then five miles south of Richmond, had an encounter with Kirby Smith's advance. They remained all night on the field, confident of success; but it was not so decreed. Blind to danger and bold to rashness, our troops not only stood their ground, but advanced to meet 'certain defeat and almost certain death. The next morning the rebel army made an attack. After some skirmishing, our troops were driven headlong from their position. One hundred and twenty men of the Ninety-fifth, and a majority of the line officers, deeming themselves the only representativcs of the State on the field, stood their ground until completely surrounded, when they were compelled to surrender.

Captain David Thomas, of Newark. The loss of the other regiments engaged was about two hundred and fifty killed and eight hundred wounded. The regiment after being paroled was regularly exchanged in November, 1862, when it was re-organized and recruited to nearly its original strength. On the twenty-fifth of May, 1863, the regiment was ordered to Memphis, at which place a division

The Ninety-fifth aided in the capture of Jackson, Mississippi, and also in the operations around the Big Black river, where it captured a battery of four guns and sixty rebel gunners. After the fall of Jackson the Fifteenth corps, to which the Ninety-fifth was attached, marched with General Sherman to the relief of Chattanooga. During the winter the Ninety-fifth was assigned to the Sixteenth corps, with which it served until the end of the war.

Early in June, 1864, an expedition, composed of three brigades of infantry, a division of cavalry and a strong force of artillery, under the command of General Sturgis, undertook to strike the Mobile & Ohio road near Tupelo. Memories of the Richmond disaster yet lingered in the minds of the men, and it was with forebodings they pursued their march. They arrived at Guntown on the tenth of June, and at once engaged with the enemy, but were defeated. The regiment went into the fight with nineteen commissioned officers and three hundred muskes, and returned to Memphis with nine officers and about one hundred and fifty men, for the purpose of retrieving the former disaster. The rebels under D. N. Lee and Forrest, attacked them, but were defeated with heavy loss. Owing to a rumored movement of General Price, a division - in which the Ninety-fifth served - was placed under command of General Mower,

Little Rock it was found that Price had marched to Missouri. Mower pursued until Rosecrans turned back the head of the rebel column, and it finally disappeared in the wilds of Arkaisas. The regiment then procecded to Nashville, 'Pennessee, where the enemy was encountered, and skirmishing was engaged in for several days. The cloud that for two years rested on this regiment sailed away, and success was met with on every side. The regiment then joined General Canby's forces at New Orleans, where it arrived in March, 1865. Early in April the Ninety-fifth began a northward march. Qn the nineteenth of August, 1865, it was mustered out of the service.

The rolls disclosed the fact that of one thousand and eighty-five officers and men composing this regiment, five hundred and twenty eight were killed in battle, or died of wounds or disease in the service. Company F alone had lost thirty-four men on the field and in hospital.

Non-Commissioned Officers

in 1862: COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain David 'Thomas, July 18. First Lieutenant Morris Yeoman, July 19. ' Second Lieutenant Joseph J. A. Thrapp, August 18. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

Company D, ONE HunpRED AND THIRTEENTH Ou10 VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.- - - This company was recruited in August, 1862, by Captain Marvin M. Munson, of Granville.

On the twenty-seventh of December, company D, together with the regiment, was ordered to Louisville. 'The order was unexpected, as the organization was incomplete; but in two hours after its reception the One Hundred and Thirteenth his commission, and the command of the boys of company D devolved upon other officers during their term of service. The same n.onth the regi- 'ment moved from Louisville to Mouldraugh's Hill, but returned again in a short time, and embarked 'for Nashville. The regiment then moved to Franklin, having been assigned to General C. C. "Gilbert's division, and took part in several expedittions against the enemy.

The command formed the right wing of the my of the Cumberland, and entered upon the ullahoma campaign, but was not in an engageent. It participated in the Chattanooga campaign as a part of the reserve corps.

The One Hundred and Thirteenth bore a disnguished part in the battle of Chickamauga, being brought into action on the second day, ata ost critical point and moment. 'The loss was aeavy in the regiment; being one hundred and -hirty-eight officers and men out of three hundred d eighty-two that went into action.

The Atlanta campaign opened May 7, 186. The One Hundred and Thirteenth took an activ part in ail the operations around Atlanta. and wa almost always under fire,

In the battle of Kenesaw, the regiment forme the first line of assault, and consequently los heavily. After the fall of Atlanta the regimen was sent to Chattanooga; from that place i marched southward, and joined Sherman in hi "march to the sea." With one exception, th march of the One Hundred and 'Thirteenth wa unbroken until it reached the defenses of Savan nah. After the evacuation of the city it campec on the Savannah river until a crossing was ef ected, when the One Hundred and Thirteentt found itself on South Carolina soil.

The regiment was severely engaged at Benton ville, fighting hand-to-hand. After the surrende1 of Johnson it moved zza Richmond, Virginia, tc Washington city, then proceeded to Louisville, Kentucky, where it was mustered out on the sixth of July, 1865. Twenty-five Licking county boys lost their lives while serving in this company.

Company I, ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEENTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. - Captain Levi T. Nichols, of Newark, and Lievtenant Nelson Durant, of Hartford, recruited this company for the One Hundred and Thirteenth regiment, all from Licking county, excepting about twenty men who were enlisted in Franklin, The career of this company is almost a repetition of that of company D in the same regiment. _Captain Nichols served until the close of the war.

Johnson, John H. Baird, John L. Francis and Lieutenant John C. Hancock, were recruited in Licking county for this regiment, to serve one hundred days, and on the eleventh of May, 1864, left for Cumberland, Maryland, with the regiment eight hundred and fifty strong. They were soon ordered to Martinsburgh, & the companies were stationed along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, with headquarters at Martinsburgh. On the morning of the third of July orders were received to abandon Martinsburgh, but the order failed to reach the companies at North Mountain; and after fighting five hours against three thousand rebels, with five pieces of artillery, they surrendered. 'The men were taken to Andersonville, and the officers to Macon - afterward to Columbia. Only about one half of those that were captured lived to return to their homes. Captain John L. Francis, of company F, died in prison at Columbia, South Carolina, December 4, 1864. The remainder of the regiment that escaped capture moved in the direction of Maryland Heights and encamped near that place until the sixth of July, when it moved to John Brown's school-house and was engaged in skirmishing, with a loss of five killed, ten wounded, and twentyseven missing. After this the regiment was engaged in guarding artillery on the heights, and remained on duty there until it was mustered out, which was on the first of September, 1864.

During its short but eventful term of service the mortality of this regiment exceeded, with one exception, that of any other band of men who went forth from Licking county. Eighty-eight men were lost on the field and in prison. Companies F and B alone lost seventy-two men, nearly all of whom were starved to death in the Andersonville prison pens. The survivors to-day are the sternest adherents to the cause for which their comrades died that can be found in our midst, and no political demagogy can swerve them from voting in the future as they shot in the past.

Of the field and staff officers in this regiment who went out from Licking county may be mentioned Andrew Legg, colonel; David Thomas, jr., major; David H. Gregory, assistant surgeon, and Charles T. Dickinson, adjutant.

332 HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. 0 ee eee ; z 2 Lewis C. Marsh, May 2. ISTE LL OF COMPANY A, ONE HUNDRED , ) eee ake " William T. O'Bannon, May 2. William O'Bannon, May 2. The members of this company were all mustered James Pierce, May 2. Ilias Pleukharp, May 2. Jonathan Price, May 2. Andrew Patton, May 2.

And Thirty-Fifth Ohio National Guard Commissioned Officers

in in 1864. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS Captain William A. KcKee, May 2. First Lieutenant Hiram Bricker, May 2. Second Lieutenant Jesse Wilson, May 2.

Muster In Roll Of Company B, One Hundred

William H, Burnsides, May 2. AND THIRTY-FIFTH OHIO NATIONAL QUARDS. Smjth H. Bond, May 2. The members of this company were enrolled in Alonzo Coad, May 2. 1864. * Philip H. Conard, May 2. ! : 7

Commissioned Officers

The members of this company were all mustered in in 1864: COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain John L. Francis, May 2. First Lieutenant Edward John, May 2. Second Lieutenant George W. Patterson, May 2:

Company D, First OH10 VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. - Company D was recruited in the latter part of the summer of 1861 by Captain David A. B. M oore, and was mustered into the service on the fifth of October, 1861. It being the first organization of its class raised in the county, there was

About the first of December the regiment proceeded by rail and steamboat to Louisville, Kentucky, where it remained until the sixteenth of January, during which time the colonel - O. P. Orders were received to join General Thomas at Somerset.

After four days' marching the regiment reached Lebanon, Kentucky, where it went into camp. The victory of Mill Springs had been achieved a few days before. '

On the twelfth of February Lieutenant Colonel T. C. H. Smith also resigned his commission. His place was filled, however, by Colonel Minor Millikin, who commanded this famous cavalry regiment during most of its brilliant career.

The regiment arrived at Nashville, Tennessee, on the sixth of March, and there lay in camp until the fourteenth. It then marched through to the Tennessee river with General Thomas' division, and arrived at Pittsburgh Landing just after the battle of that name had ceased. It took part in the advance upon Corinth, having frequent skirmishes with the enemy, with, however, but slight loss.

On the twelfth of June, 1862, the First returned to Corinth, where it remained for about a week. On the seventeenth it moved eastward to guard the line of the Mobile & Charleston railroad. Companies L and M, under command of Captain Patten, were stationed at Bear creek, near Iuka. Companies B, D, G and H, under Colonel Millikin, were stationed at Tuscumbia, the headquarters of General Thomas. The remainder of the regiment, under Captain Eggleston, proceeded further east to Courtland. A detachment from 'Tuscumbia, under the command of Captain Emery, had a severe' engagement with the rebels about the first of July. On the twenty-fifth of July Courtland was attacked by a large force of rebel cavalry under General Anderson,

Two companies of the Tenth Kentucky infantry, and companies E and K of the First Ohio cavalry engaged in this battle, but were defeated. The remnants of detatchment reached Decatur on the twenty-sixth, from which place they marchthe

On the seventeenth of August, Colonel Millikin, | 'Tennessee. 'The First was stationed at the latter with six companies moved to McMinnville, while | place.

assigned to duty at General Crittenden's headquar- | through General Crook's lines. A severe engaveters. Colonel Millikin, with the First battalion, | ment followed, in which our forces were defeated, marched through to Louisville, and on the second day of October left that place and engaged in battle near Shepherdstown, capturing twenty-five prisoners.

' Major Laughlin's detatchment left Louisville on the second of October, and met the enemy nine miles from Bardstown, where a lively battle ensued, with a loss of twenty-five killed and wounded.

On the twenty-seventh of December the regiment had a skirmish at 'l'riune, and on the twentyninth encountered and defeated Wharton's brigade of rebel cavalry. In this battle of Stone River, Colonel Minor Millikin was killed. His death was keenly felt by all who knew him, and was mourned by his comrades as the brave mourn for the brave. Major David A. B. Moore, of Newark, was also killed in this battle, and old company D lost a beloved commander, and the country lost a patriotic defender.

After the death of Colonel Millikin the command of the regiment devolved upon Major Laughlin. On the first of July, 1863, the regiment entered Tullahoma, and after heavy skirmishing commenced its march over the Cumberland mountains, encamping the following month near Stevenson, Alabama. The regiment was at this time under

On the nineteenth of September it arrived on the Chickamauga battle-field. After a very severe contest, the battle ended, but not without the loss of its brave commander, Lieutenant Colonel Cupp, who was universally beloved.

- On the twenty-sixth of September, General Crook's division, of which the First cavalry formed a part, was dispatched to guard the Tennessee river from Chattanooga to Washington, in east

General Crook hastily gathered up his scattered command and at once set out ia pursuit of the rebels, who were advancing rapidly over the mountains towards McMinnville, and so vigorous was the chase that the rebels dared not stay in one place long enough to effect any damage.

'The regiment proceeded to march toward Chattanooga, arnving there on the twenty-second of November. On the evening of the same day, General Sherman having already moved his forces across the river above the town, the First Ohio, and five other cavalry regiments under, Colonel Long, crossed over and made a raid in rear of Bragg's position, which, for its brilliant success, is unsurpassed in the annals of the cavalry.

About this time Colonel B. B. Eggleston returned from recruiting service in Ohio, and assumed command of the regiment. January 1, 1864, Colonel Eggleston moved the regiment to Pulaski, Tennessee, and from that place they proceeded to Ohio to spend the thirty days furlough, to which all veterans were entitled.

On the twenty-second of May, together with the Third and Fourth Ohio cavalry, under their old commander Colonel Long, it started to join the advancing column of Sherman, then near Rome, Georgia.

On the twenty-nineth the regiment participated in a severe engagement at Moulton, resulting in the complete defeat of General Roddy, who had attacked J.ong's brigade. 'The regiment joined the main army near Allatoona, on the sixth of June, and remained with it until after the fall of Atlanta. In front of Kenesaw the First cavalry had frequent and severe skirmishing, in which it lost about thirty men. The regiment accompanied General Kilpatrick in his raid around Atlanta. by the enemy the First particularly distinguished itself by holding in check for some time a force from Cleburne's rebel infantry division, with a loss of fifty men. Among the killed was Captain Will iam H. Scott, of company D. Scott was another of Newark's sons. He entered the service as a private soldier, but rapidly advanced through the ranks of second and first lieutenant to a captaincy on account of his skill and daring as a soldier. At Lovejoy station he and five others charged a tebel battery - Scott with a hatchet, no other implement being at hand. They took the battery, but were completely surrounded by the rebels, and were obliged to cut their way out with their sabres. Scoit was fatally wounded by a shell exploding and killing his horse. A comrade took him from the field when he died. Colonel Eli Long was severely wounded in this battle. The regiment then went into camp near Atlanta.

suit. On the seventeenth of November the regiment arrived at Louisville, and on the twentyeighth of December left that place to join the cavalry corps on the Tennessee.

James W. Kirkendall, of this county, was about this time, January 6, 1865, promoted to a captaincy and commanded the company until the final mus- 'ter out.

During the month of February, 1865, the First 'Ohio was transferred from the Second brigade, Second division, and brigaded with the Seventh Ohio and Fifth Iowa, forming the Second brigade, Fourth division, which was placed under the command of, Brevet Brigadier General A. J. Alexander,

On the twenty-second of April Macon was entered, where the force heard of the surrender of Lee. The regiment then gui! oned Georgia and South Carolina, until the thirteenth of September, when it was mustered out, paid off, and discharged at Columbus, Ohio, on the twenty-eighth of September, 1865. 'The company had lost seventeen men in battle and hospital during its term of service.

Muster In Roll Of Company D, First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry

Company A, TENTH OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. - This company was recruited in October, 1862, by Captain William Thayer. The first move was toward Nashville, Tennessee, thence to Murfreesborough, at which place and vicinity it remained until the army of the Cumberland opened the campaign against General Bragg at Tullahoma.

During this campaign, the Tenth cavalry was engaged wherever duty called, performing a vast amount of marching and fighting, and vanquishing such rebel cavalry as it met.

At the battie of Chickamauga, the main portion of the regiment was engaged in guarding communications inthe rear. After the battle the Tenth was ordered up the Sequatchie valley, and while at this place a portion of the regiment was detailed to accompany a detachment of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania cavalry on a scout into east Tennessee. This detachment was absent from the regiment about three months, and during that time was almost daily engaged with the enemy. At one time the detachment defeated a force of five hundred rebels. The regiment then marched to Ringgold, Georgia, and was at once attached to the Second brigade, Third division cavalry corps. At the hattle of Resaca the Tenth, under Colonel Smith, fought valiantly, but with considerable loss. The movements during Sherman's Atlanta campaign. The great "march to the sea" was inaugurated. This promised serious work for the cavalry. The enemy was first encountered at Jonesville, Georgia, and from that place to Savannah scarcely a day passed without encounters with the rebels. The victory which battle the Tenth was successful. According to instructions from General Sherman, the regiment moved on to Macon, and at that place engaged in battle. | General Kilpatrick fought his command to within a mile of the city, and under the fire of thirteen pieces of artillery, the Tenth Ohio, led by Captain Hofford, charged the work with drawn sabres, and never halted until the fort was entered and two pieces of artillery were captured, but not without heavy loss. Captain J. Hofford was taken prisoner. The enemy was also encountered at Griswoldsville, Gordon and Milledgeville.

When the capital of the State fell into the hands of the national army, Kilpatrick was ordered to move his command and assist in rescuing our prisoners, then in stockades between Millen and Augusta. Kilpatrick proceeded to cross the Oconee river, and move on the Augusta road, by way of the Ogechee shoals. Arriving at the shoals, Captain Estes, with a detachment of the Tenth, left the command and marched rapidly in the direction of Waynesborough, but reaching that place too late to rescue our prisoners, as they had been removed to some point south. The command then withdrew in the direction of Louisville, Georgia, closely followed by Wheeler, with whom several conflicts occurred, our troops always repulsing their-attacks. After a few days' rest at Louisville, orders were received from General Sherman to move toward Augusta.

A short distance from Louisville the regiment encountered the rebel cavalry; attacked and drove it in the direction of Waynesborough. The next siege occurred on the first of December, 1864. The national force numbered but five thousand six ' hundred, while the rebel cavalry numbered from ten to twelve thousand. The Second division moved out in advance. The men of the Ninetysecond Illinois, on foot, with their Spencer sevenshooters, made directly for the barricades, while the Tenth, with drawn sabres, charged on the flanks.

The advance squadron of the Tenth was led by Captain Samuel Norton, of company D, who was killed at the head of his column while encouraging his men to deeds of daring.

eight miles. The loss on both sides was severe. After this engagement the cavalry followed the army on its march to the coast. On reaching the Gulf railroad, Kilpatrick was ordered to cross the Ogechee river and try to communicate with our fleet from Kilkenny bluff. 'Uhis was accomplished by Captain Estes and Captain Day of the Tenth Ohio cavalry. Colonel Smith, the commander of the 'Tenth, during the greater part of the time the regiment was in service, was on duty as brigade commander, and although greatly enfeebled by ill health, remained his command. until it

'The regiment participated in the last campaign of the war through the Carolmas, frequently routing the enemy and invariably repulsing his attacks.

It was finally mustered out at Lexington, North Carolina, on the twenty-fourth of July, 1865, and the men returned to Camp Cleveland for final discharge and payment. Captain Thayer, who recruited the first company and was consequently senior captain, was soon promoted to major.

Commissioned Offrcers

_ EIGHTEENTH UNITED States INFANTRY. - First Lieutenant W. W. Stevenson, of the regufar army, opened a recruiting office in Newark in the summer of 1861, to procure enlistments for tthe Eighteenth United States regulars - a new regiment then organizing under Colonel Carrington. Mieutenant Stevenson was assisted by Wilbur F. Arnold and James D. Wallace, two prominent woung men of Newark who had patriotically enlist- =d in the Regular service.

About eighty men were recruited from Licking county and forwarded, in detachments, to the genferal rendezvous of the regiment at Columbus. 'The company entered the field the following fall, -and did active and efficient service during the war 'It was engaged in the battles at and near Lebanon, 'Mill Spring, Somerset, and Louisville, Kentucky. Also at Fort Donelson, Nashville, Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Perryville, Stone River, and Mission Ridge. It fought all through the Atlanta campaign, and 'was with Thomas' army at Franklin, .Columbia, -and Nashville.

Lieutenant Wilbur F. Arnold was first quartermaster sergeant and subsequently promoted to second and first lieutenant. He served gallantly all through the war, and at its close was assigned to duty at Harrisburgh, Pennsylvania, as disbursing officer. He afterwards was ordered on duty in Texas, where he died of disease. Arnold was a young man of high scholarly attain- ments, and although physically disabled, his patriotism led him to persevere in being accepted into the regular army. 'The country thus gained the services of a competent and gallant officer. His death, in the morning of a promising manhood, was deeply deplored by his army associates as well as by a host of warm friends at home.

Sergeant James D. Wallace recruited most of the men for this company, and being a good drill officer he brought the recruits to a high state of discipline and efficiency before they entered the field. -He was soon promoted to sergeant major of the Second battalion, in consideration of his efficiency as a drill sergeant.

Seventeen Licking county men died while serying in this company, and many were wounded during the active and dangerous service which fell to the lot of the Eighteenth regulars.

As stated in a preceding chapter, many Licking county men, not included in the lists herein given, enlisted in companies and regiments in other counties and States. Quite a large detachment of colored men enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Ohio infantry, afterwards known as the Fifth Colored United States infantry. These men saw very severe service under General Butler, near Petersburgh, Virginia, and a number of Newark boys were killed and wounded. Detachments and enlistments from Licking county not heretofore mentioned, entered the following organizations: Ohio volunteer infantry, One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio national guards, Forty-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, Sixth United States cavalry, First Nebraska Thirtieth Ohio infantry, Eleventh Ohio volunteer infantry, Twenty-fourth Iowa infantry, Second Ohio heavy artillery, Fourth Ohio cavalry, Eighty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, One Hundred and Ninety-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, Fifteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, One Hundred and 'Twenty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, Twenty-first Ohio volunteer 1nfantry, Twenty-eighth Iowa infantry, Thirty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, Sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, Ninth Ohio volunteer cavalry, First lowa cavalry, Seventy-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry, Sixty-First New York infantry, Eleventh Pennsylyania cavalry, Fourth Iowa infantry, Fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, Sixth Ohio volunteer cavalry, One Hundred and Eighty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, Forty-fifth Illinois infantry, Twenty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, Thirteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, First United States engineers, Ninety-third Illinois infantry, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, First 'United States cavalry, Seventeenth Illinois infantry, and Eleventh Ohio volunteer cavalry.

The list would not be complete of those who responded to their country's call without making special mention of the band of men who hastily threw aside pressing business engagements at home and entered upon a short term of service when the tide of battle rolled up close to their Ohio firesides. These men were styled "Squirrel Hunters," they provided themselves with rifles and regular hunting accoutrements, marching forth without uniform er tactics.

Tod called upon the State to furnish 'instantly, for a short term of service, all companies or squads of men and individuals who would volunteer for the defence of the State. "Throughout the interior church and fire bells rang, mounted men galloped through neighborhoods to spread the alarm; there was a hasty cleaning of rifles and moulding of bullets, and filling of powder horns, and mustering at the villages; and every city bound train ran burdened with the gathering host."

Licking county furnished four hundred and four men for this service, embracing those from all the different walks of life; merchants, clerks, lawyers, and farmers who were tied to such occupations as to prevent them from entering into a longer service.

They went to Cincinnati and crossed over into Kentucky, performing garrison duty in the long line of works which had been thrown up for the protection of Cincinnati. After the threatened danger had passed they returned to their homes; and their services were recognized by the whole people of