Medina County, Ohio - Chapter 5 (2 of 2 so headed), 1881 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 5

WAR HISTORY - THE EARLY CONFLICTS - PART TAKEN IN THE MEXICAN WAR - OPENING SCENES OF THE REBELLION - SKETCHES OF THE DIFFERENT REGIMENTS - THE DRAFT the Colonial treasury was bankrupt, and the Government found itself unable to pay the soldiers who had fought so bravely in its defense. The currency with which the expenses of the war were paid was so depreciated in value as to be worthless, and the Government was forced to resort to other means to liquidate its just debts. Its broad domain of wild and unsettled country stretched away toward the setting sun, rich in boundless fertility and natural resources, and promised an unfailing source of revenue to the empty treasury. Western land warrants were issued to the soldiers, who were glad to receive them, and hundreds made immediate preparations to start for the West. Surveyors in the employ of the Government, were sent out to survey the wilderness on the border, and the land was thrown into market for settlers. Finally, large tracts of country, in what is now Ohio, yet known as "United States Military Land," or " Virginia Military Land," were set apart by the Government for the benefit of Revolutionary soldiers. The State of Connecticut became the owner of 3,800,000 acres in the northeastern part, and thither her citizens flocked by hundreds. But the bloody Indian wars on the border stemmed the tide of immigration for a time, and made the outlook gloomy for settlers who possessed no home, save the one they had purchased in the West. Medina County was a portion of the Western land owned by Connecticut. The most and all that can be said of the connection of Medina County with the Revolution is, that

Association

1812. When war was declared, there were then living in the county about ten families. Messengers arrived from the oldest settlements, apprising the pioneers of the war already begun, and warning them to flee to some neighboring fort for protection from impending danger. townships, Harrisville and Liverpool. The settlers in the latter, upon the receipt of the news of danger, hastily packed what articles could be conveniently carried, and hastened north to Columbia, where, for the protection of about twenty families, a strong block-house was built. A small company was organized under the orders of Captain Hoadley, and, while the fort was garrisoned with a detachment of these, the others were permitted to visit their homes to care for stock and other property. The rush to the fort occurred in August, 1812, and was caused by information that the British and their Indian allies were approaching the neighborhood, intending to massacre the inhabitants. A large party had been seen landing at Huron, which was supposed to be the forces of the enemy. It was soon afterward ascertained that the body of men was the prisoners that Gen. Hull had surrendered to the British at Detroit. It was thought best, however, to build the fort and garrison it, as has been stated. The settlers of Liverpool Township did not all return

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The settlers in Harrisville Township shared a similar experience. The few families repaired to Randolph, in obedience to the warning. Here they remained under the protection of organized militia, until the following October, when they returned to their farms in Harrisville Township. Immediately after the surrender of Detroit, Gen. Wadsworth called out the militia on the Reserve to be in readiness to resist the advances of the enemy in the vicinity of Cleveland ; and, in obedience to the call, the able-bodied men then in Harrisville Township promptly responded, and remained in the campaign about a month. After these events, no danger was apprehended, and the war, as far as Medina County was concerned, was at an end. Many of the settlers who afterward came into the county served in the war of 1812, and a few of these are yet living in the county at advanced ages, a record of the campaign in which they participated, appearing in the biographical department in connection with their family history.

After the war of 1812 and the Indian wars accompanying it, the people of Medina County were no more disturbed until the Mexican War. The circumstances which led to this struggle resulted from the admission of Texas into the American Union. The " Lone Star State" had been a province of Mexico, but had "seceded," and for years its citizens had been carrying on a kind of guerrilla warfare with the mother country with varying results. But, in 1836, a battle was fought at San Jacinto, at which Santa Anna, then Dictator of Mexico, was captured, and his entire army either killed or made prisoners. Santa Anna was held in strict confinement, and finally induced to sign a treaty acknowledging the independence of Texas. But, in violation of the treaty, the Republic of Mexico treated Texas and the Texans just as she had previously done. From this time forward, petitions were frequently presented to the United

Mexico endeavored to prevent the admission of Texas, by constantly declaring that her reception would be regarded as a sufficient cause for declaration of war, thinking, doubtless, that this would serve to intimidate the United States. In the Presidential campaign of 1844, the annexation of Texas was one of the leading issues before the people, and Mr. Polk, whose party favored the annexation, being elected, this was taken as an expression of the public mind. After this, Congress had no hesitancy in granting the petition of Texas, and, on the 1st of March, 1845, formally received her into the sisterhood of States. Mexico, at once, in her indignation broke off all diplomatic intercourse with the United States, recalled her Minister, and made immediate preparations for war. Congress passed an act authorizing the President to accept the services of 50,000 volunteers, and appropriating $10,000,000 for the prosecution of the war. The information that war had begun swept over the country like an epidemic, and from all parts of the Union volunteers by the thousands signified their readiness to enlist. The old State militia law was then in force, which required the enrollment of all able-bodied men between the ages of eighteen and fortyfive, for military duty. No county action in reference to the war is remembered to have transpiréd, though Medina was not wholly silent. Her citizens were the descendants of soldiers | who had fought with signal daring in the war of independence and in that of 1812, and the children had not forgotten the story of the bloody experience of their fathers in the hour of national peril.

During the month of June, 1846, in response to the call for troops, twenty-three men (and very likely several others), then residents of Medina County, volunteered in the three regiments assigned as the quota of Ohio under the first call. Cincinnati was the place of rendezvous, where the volunteers were to be exam- ined and mustered into the service of the Government. The quota assigned Ohio was filled in a few weeks, and there were found left over nearly men enough to constitute another regiment. These were furnished transportation home at the expense of the Government. The organization of the three regiments was effected without delay, and the officers elected were as follows: First Regiment - A. M. Mitchell, of Cincinnati, Colonel; John B. Weller, of Butler County, Lieutenant Colonel; T. L. Hamar, of Brown County, Major. Second Regiment - G. W. Morgan, of Knox County, Colonel ; William Irvin, of Fairfield, Lieutenant Colonel; William Hall, of Athens, Major. Third Regiment - S. R. Curtis, ot Wayne County, Colonel; G. W. McCook, of Jefferson, Lieutenant Colonel, and J. S. Love, of Morgan, Major. There not being a sufficient number of volunteers from the county to form a company, those enlisted were obliged to unite with volunteers in adjoining counties. Twenty-one men from Medina County went to Wooster, where a company of about ninety volunteers, including those from Medina, was ordered to assemble to complete its organization and elect its officers. This was done with the following result: Mr. Moore, Captain; Peter Burgett, First Lieutenant; James McMillan, Second Lieutenant; R. D. Emmerson, Third Lieutenant, none of the commissioned officers being from Medina County. There were ten companies in the Third Regiment, Company E being the one enlisted at Wooster, in which were the volunteers from Medina County. After much labor and search, the following partial list of the men from this county who served in the war with Mexico, has been obtained: Alexander Coretsca, Samuel Fritz, Uriah Fritz, Nathaniel Case, John Callihan, Charles Barrett, Elijah Beard, Amiah Chaffey (?), D. W. Rouse, C. B. Wood, Columbus Chapman, Terry Harris, Josiah Coy, W. S. Booth, Stephen M. Hyatt, Horace Potter, Luther (?) Adkins, Ebenezer Manning, Robert W.

Patterson and O. P. Barney. Sometime about the 1st of June, 1846, notice was given that a meeting would be held at a given date in the village of" Medina, for the purpose of receiving the nameg of those who desired to serve in the war with Mexico. The day and hour came; a band of martial music paraded the streets to assemble the citizens, and, in the park, speeches were made by one or more of the prominent citizens. Volunteers were called for, but, out of the throng there assembled, only two men signified their intention and readiness to march in battle array to the bright land of the Montezumas. 'These two were Alexander Coretsca, of Polish descent, and Nathaniel Case. The two were loudly cheered as they enrolled their names in their country's service. Some one said to Coretsca: " Yes, you'll die down there in that hot climate," to which the latter replied, "It will be as well to die down there as any place." After a few days several others added their names to the roll All the men mentioned above were in Company E, of the Third Regiment, except John Callihan, Ebenezer Manning and Stephen Hyatt, who were in the Second Regiment, and Horace Potter, who was in Company F, of the Third Regiment. The brave boys realized that it was no holiday undertaking to go in the hot months of the year from the comparatively cold climate of the Northern States to the altogether different and peculiar climate of Mexico. Looking back over the years, the stupendous magnitude of the last war overshadows the almost insurmountable difficulties which the volunteers in the Mexican campaign were compelled fo encounter. At this day, when a battle-scarred, grayhaired, Mexican war soldier attempts a description of the bloody and beautiful field of Buena Vista, or the wild storming of the City of Mexico and the memorable heights surrounding it, he is at once silenced by a remark something like this: ^Oh, that's nothing compared to Pittsburg Landing and Gettysburg and the

Wilderness." Mexican campaign, and the names of the heroes who faithfully served there are forgotten in the interest taken in the last great war. But the names of the brave men should and must be preserved, and in memory of those who fell with their faces to the foe, or under the stroke of the deadly Southern diseases, a gleaming shaft of monumental marble should be erected by a grateful people.

The Third Regiment, after having been mustered into the service of the Government at Cincinnati, remained there a short time, and, finally, in company with several other regiments, was ordered to New Orleans, arriving there some time in July, 1846. Two days later the Third Regiment took shipping for Brazos, Santiago Island, reaching that city after a stormy voyage of nine days on the Gulf. After two weeks of maneuver and drill, the regiment was ordered to Fort Brown to guard the American stores and property at that point. Five days later, the troops were moved across the Rio Grande River to Matamoras, where they remained until September, doing guard duty and enjoying a few slight skirmishes with Mexiean guerrillas. During one of the Mexican raids on the pickets of the American forces, O. P. Barney, who had enlisted at Medina (though not a resideut there), and who was doing guard duty on the outermost line of pickets, was surprised and lassoed by a number of the barbarousenemy. When found, his body was bruised and mangled in a frightful manner, and around his neck were the blue marks made by the cruel lasso. He had, undoubtedly, been dragged to death upon the hard ground. The troops had pleasant times while guarding the Government stores at Fort Brown and Matamoras. They mingled freely with the citizens while off duty, and often took the liberty to appropriate chickens, sweet potatoes, etc., without the owner's knowledge or consent. It is related by Alexander Coretsca, of Medina, the only ex-soldier of the Mexican war now known to be in Medina County, that two soldiers, on ore occasion, went to the city market, and seeing there a fine quarter of beef, raised it on their bayonets and conveyed it to camp, where it was concealed ; so that, when search was instituted a half-hour later, upon the complaint of the butcher, no beef was to be found. Such acts were unusual and forbidden. part of September, the volunteers were ordered to Monterey, and soon afterward received orders to march rapidly to the relief of the American troops at Meir, where a brisk skirmish was in progress, and the volunteers were receiving severe punishment. The, Third Regiment arrived in time to find that the enemy had been repulsed with severe loss, as the field was strewed with about two hundred dead, a portion of them, however, being Americans. Here the regiment remained until about the middle of February, 1847, when orders were received to march with all haste to the relief of Gen. Taylor, who, located in a favorable position in a narrow defile near Buena Vista, with 4,700 men, was anxiously awaiting an attack from 20,000 Mexicans under Gen. Santa Anna. The regiment reached the field ten days after the battle. After remaining at this point about a month, the Third Regiment was ordered back to the Rio Grande, and, finally, during the autumn of 1847, was shipped across the Gulf to New Orleans, where the volunteers drew their pay for eighteen months, at $7 per month, and were discharged from the service, having participated in no engagement during the campaign. Of the Medina County boys, Josiah Coy died of a fever at Camargo. Amiah Chaffey died near Natchez, Miss., of disease contracted while in the service, his death occurring a few days after his discharge. During the homeward journey, Terry (?) Harris was so unwell as to be unable to walk. He died about a week after reaching home. Soon after the return of the volunteers, Horace Potter moved eh VE 312 HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. West to Kansas, where he yet lives. C. B. | Mexican war was child's play. The causes Wood also went West. Columbus Chapman | which led to the last great rebellion - one of the was living at Seville a few years ago. D. W. | most sanguinary and stupendous wars ever

Rouse was at Harrisville some four years ago, but his present whereabouts are unknown. Elijah Beard moved West five years ago. What became of Charles Barrett is unknown. The Fritz brothers moved to the West about two Alexander Coretsca is yet living at Medina, and much of the information above narrated has been obtained from him, and from John A. Rettig. Stephen Hyatt was with Gen. Scott on that memorable

He returned to Ohio after the war, and finally died at Ashland. Robert W. Patterson was among the American troops at the siege of the ancient city of Pueblo, in October, 1847, where he received a severe, though not necessarily fatal, wound in the head. Ambitious to be with his regiment, he exposed himself too soon, and in November of the same year, died in Pueblo. His mother drew $80 of his back pay, and received the land warrant of 160 acres granted him by the Government.

of the war, where he married. Ten years later, he removed to Wisconsin, and afterward served in the last war. He was killed by an engine while crossing the railroad track near Janesville, Wis. Ebenezer Manning and several others had charge of one of the light pieces of artillery at the battle of Mier. His companions at the gun were in turn shot before his eyes, until he, alone, remained, and then, receiving no help, he- heroically loaded and fired the piece seven times himself With such heroism on the part of the Americans, it is needless to add that the enemy were repulsed, leaving their dead and wounded on the field. This ends the brief history of the part borne by Medina County in the Mexican war.

waged by.a brave and intelligent people - it'is not the object of this chapter to narrate. Many a gifted pen has spread them upon the national records, to be placed among the sad memorials in remembrance of the heroic efforts to rend the beloved Republic from the cruel and degrading grasp of slavery, and from the hateful attempts | to subvert the meaning of the Constitution. The wave of excitement and opposition that swept through the South when the news of the election of Mr. Lincoln to the Presidency flashed throughout the country, told in unmistakable language to the still hopeful North, that the red cloud of war was already casting its dark shadow over the peaceful domain of the American Union. Statesmen in the North viewed with reluctance or contempt the steady and extensive preparations for war in the South, and refused to believe its presence until the first blow fell like a thunderbolt upon Fort Sumter, and, at the same time, upon the faithful hearts of loyal people. Even then, the North believed, as was stated by one of its leaders, that the rebellion would be quelled in ninetydays. But, as time passed on, and the large bodies of troops failed to control or quell the aggressive and daring movements of the Confederate armies, and the sullen tide of steady reverses swept over almost every field of battle, the hope of the North for peace died out, the gloom of probable national disaster and disunion filled every heart, and for many desolate months the outlook was dark and forbidding. The impetus of the Confederate cause, gained by an earlier preparation for war, at length aroused every loyal thought to action, and the wave of defeat, striking against the iron defenses of the North, was finally swept back to the birthplace of secession.

Men forgot their daily employment, and gath- | ered in the neighboring villages in crowds, to | review the political situation and encourage | one another with hopeful words. Plows were | left in the half-finished furrow, and shops and | stores were closed. The prompt call of the President for volunteers, the day succeeding | the fall of Sumter, met the earnest will of Northern people, and in every State more than double the assigned quota of men, without regard to political views, immediately enlisted. Millions in money were tendered the Govern- | ment for the prosecution of war against the rebellion, and the most ardent encouragement | for upholding and enforcing the spirit of the Constitution prevailed throughout the North. Stirring appeals for loyalty and unity of action were made by orators to vast assemblages, wherein were seen the flushed faces of the brave men whose lives were freely given to their country, and whose sacred dust we now cover with flowers.

A mass-meeting was immediately called, to be held at Medina on Tuesday, the 23d of April, 1861, nine days after the fall of Sumter, for the purpose of securing volunteers for the service and learning the will of the people. Almost the entire county turned out - men, women and children - and great excitement and invincible determinations of loyalty prevailed. Bands of martial music paraded the streets for hours before the appointed time for speaking arrived, E. A. Warner was chosen President of the day, and immediately thereafter the following resolutions were offered by Hon. Herman Canfield.

WHEREAS, A portion of the States of this nation have, without just cause, renounced their allegiance to the Federal Government, and, by formal acts of traitorous Conventions, declared their secession from the Union, and have seized the forts, areenals, and other property of the United States within their State limits, and, emboldened by temporary success, are now marching upon the Federal capitol to subvert the Government, and attempt the subjugation of the loyal States, therefore be it

Resolved, That we will bury all party differences, and forget all party distinctions, untilour beloved country is rescued from its peril, and. the supremacy of the laws vindicated.

Resolved, That, by the help of God, we will transmit to our posterity the glorious Republie, the free Constitution, and the priceless liberties we inherited from a brave ancestry.

Resolved, That this Convention appeal to the Trustees of the several townships to procure the immediate organization and drill of military companies, and that this Convention appoint township committees of five, to co-operate with the trustees in said object.

Resolved, That the Committees so appointed, take prompt and efficient measures for the support of the families of volunteers who go out to their country's battles, and that we hereby pledge the utmost of our means for that purpose.

Each individual resolution was submitted separately to the assembled citizens, and adopted by a ringing and unanimous vote. Thrilling and eloquent speeches were made by Messrs. H. G. Blake, C. T. Prentiss, Myron C. Hills, W. W. Ross, J. B. Young, Washington Crane, Revs. Grosvenor and Davis, and several others. "Volunteers were called for, and about 200 men subscribed their names to the enlistment rolls. The volunteers were divided into two companies - A and B - and soon after the meeting, thev perfected their organization, and elected their officers. The following were the officers when the companies departed from Cleveland for thefield : Company A (afterward K) - Wilbur F. Pierce, Captain; H. F. Fritz, First Lieutenant ; Otis Shaw, Second Lieutenant. Company B (afterward H) - O. O. Kelsey, Captain; Philo W. Chase, First Lieutenant ; Charles A. Wright, of Lorain County, Second Lieutenant. On Friday, the 26th of April, 1861, Company A, having received orders from Adjt. Gen. Carrington to proceed to Camp Cleveland, and be mustered into the service. as part of the Eighth Regiment, then in process of formation, set forward in about thirty wagons, escorted by the members of Company B. As they were leaving town, a span of colts, attached to one of the wagons, ran away, throwing the men out, and injuring two of them so that they were compelled to remain behind, and join their comrades afterward at Cleveland. Upon the arrival of Company A, the Eighth Regiment was found so nearly organized that it alone of the Medina Companies could be accepted, much to the regret of the members of Company B. Company A was mustered into the service under a three months' enlistment as Company K, and,-while ercamped at Cleveland, the city newspapers spoke of its members as the most promising volunteersin the regiment. The boys could outrun, outjump and outwrestle any other company, and were praised for their cheerful obedience to military discipline, and for their fine appearance while on parade. To complete the regiment, it was found necessary to create another company (H) from two or more counties, and about fifty of the Medina boys belonging to Company B were accepted and mustered in.

Just before marching away to the field, the volunteers were visited by their friends from home, who supplied them with money and all necessary clothing, blankets, ete. All being in readiness, the regiment, on the 2d of May, 1861, was ordered to Camp Dennison, where it arrived the following day during a heavy rain. Here, for the first time, the men were obliged to sleep in the open air with nothing but their blankets to protect them from the inclement weather. The field and staff officers were appointed as follows: Hermin G. Depuy, Colonel ; Freeman E. Franklin, Lieutenant Colonel; Henry F. Wilson, Major; Benjamin Tappin, Surgeon. The regiment while at Camp Dennison was subjected to frequent "drills," to fit it for its future hard service. While here, it became evident that, from the fact that the quota of Ohio was more than filled, the regiment would ndt be ordered into the service under the three months' enlistment, and measures were immediately taken to re-enlist the troops for three years, meeting a ready response in the affirmative from all except Company I. Thus the regiment with but nine companies was mustered in for the three years' service, on the 22d, 25th and 26th of June, 1861. Under the three years' enlistment, the following regimental officers were elected: Hermin.G. Depuy, Colonel; Charles A. Park, Lieutenant Colonel ; Franklin Sawyer, Major. On the 9th of July, 1861, the regiment received orders to proceed to Grafton, Virginia, and three days later reached West Union, Preston County, of that State. Here, for several weeks, the regiment was stationed along the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, on the Alleghany Mountains, whence the rebels, under Garnett, were being driven by McClellan's troops. While here the regiment suffered severely from typhoid fever, having contracted it, as the men believed, at a place which they will ever remember as " Maggoty Hollow." Three hundred were in the hospital at one time, and thirty-four died within a few weeks. In September the regiment was joined by Company I. On the 24th of September, the Eighth, in company with several others, was ordered to attack Romney, where, at a place called "Hanging Rock," under a heavy fire, several men were killed and a number wounded. On the 24th of October, the attack on Romney was renewed ; but the position was evacuated by the enemy, and occupied by the troops under Gen. Kelley until January 12, 1862. Soon afterward, the regiment participated in a successful attack on Blue's Gap. In the latter part of January,. 1862, Gen. Landers assumed command of the department, removing the troops successively to | Patterson's Creek, and in February to Pawpaw Tunnel The Eighth was engaged in a brisk fight at Bloomery Gap, and soon afterward Gen. Landers died, whereupon Gen. Shields took of Gen. Shields was engaged in sharp skirmishes at Cedar Creek and Strasburg, on the 18th and 19th of March. It was here that the Eighth established a reputation for skirmishing, that remained with it until thé end of the war. On the 23d of March,the bloody battle of Winchester was fought, and during the day and preceding evening the Eighth was deployed on the skirmish line. Toward evening on the 23d, the right wing of the regiment participated in the furious charge on the right flank of the enemy. The companies of the regiment engaged in the hottest of the fight were C, D. E and H, and the loss in killed and wounded amounted to the appalling number of over onefourth of those engaged, while the other companies lost but two killed and eight wounded. The battle was one of the most severe during the war, and when, toward evening, Col. Kimball ordered the charge upon the enemy's flank, the troops fought desperately, often hand-to-hand, and * Stonewall" Jackson's right wing was driven in confusion from the field. The victory was dearly bought. The enemy retreated up the valley, where brisk skirmishes occurred at Woodstock, Edinburg, Mount Jackson, and New Market, Col. Kimball at the latter place receiving his'commission as Brigadier General, and assuming command of the brigade, of which the Eighth was a part. On the 12th of May, the regiment was, ordered to Fredericksburg to join Gen. McDowell's corps, arriving on the 22d, and being reviewed by President Lincoln the following day. In the absence of the division to which the Eighth belonged, Jackson, on the 25th of May, succeeded in driving the Union troops, under Gen. Banks, from the Valley of the Shenandoah, whereupon the division was ordered back, and on the 30th reached and recaptured Front Royal, the Eighth skirmishing all the way from Rectortown, a distance of eighteen renowned Belle Boyd. Shield's division was pushed rapidly up the South Branch of the Shenandoah, while Fremont pursued Jackson up the other branch. From this point the brigade under Gen. Kimball, of which the Eighth formed a part, was detached from the remainder of Shield's division, and, in company with the brigade under Gen. Terry, was ordered to the Peninsula, on arriving at Harrison's Landing on the 1st of July. On the 3d and 4th of July, the Eighth was ordered out on the skirmish line toward the swamps of the Chickahominy, engaging each day in a brisk skirmish with rebels, and losing seven men severely wounded. While here, on the 16th of August, after engaging in a reconnaissance to | Malvern Hill, the army was united to the | Second Corps under the command of Gen. | Sumner. Here the Eighth remained durimg the remainder of the service, being a part of Kimball's brigade, in French's division.

When the army was ordered to retreat, the Second Corps served as rear guard until the | troops were across the Chickahominy, after | which the corps was ordered to Newport News, | whence it was conveyed by transports to | Alexandria, arriving on the 28th of August. | Two days later, the corps was ordered to the | assistance of Gen. Pope, who, in the vicinity of | Centerville, was engaged in a severe battle with | Gen. Lee; but the troops, though subjected to | a rapid march, failed. to arrive in time. On | the following day, the army began its march | toward Chain Bridge, the Second Corps being | on the left flank. At Germantown, this corps | was, for a short time, under fire, the Eighth | Regiment participating. After crossing the Potomac at Chain Bridge, the army began its | march through Maryland. The enemy was encountered at South Mountain, but the Second Corps was not actively engaged, being employed as a supporting column, and only skirmishing with the rebels at Boonsboro and Keedysville. Here.it was, that, on the morning of the 16th, after the army had been massed, a furious artillery duel commenced. One of the first shots of the enemy killed W. W. Farmer, a Color Sergeant of the Eighth, and the dreadful firing was continued all day. This cannonade was the commencement of the hard-fought battle of Antietam, which took place the next day. The morning came, and, after Gen. Hooker had been engaged several hours, French's division, of which the Eighth formed a part, and Sedgwick's division, were ordered to advance. The Second Corps was near the center of the line, Kimballs brigade being the third from the front. The troops swept forward, but the advance was driven back by the hot fire, and Kimball ordered a charge on the double-quick, carrying the rebel advance handsomely, and holding the position under a severe fire for four hours, and until firing ceased in front. Sedgwick was driven back on the right, rendering a change of front necessary for the Fourteenth Indiana and Eighth Ohio, the change being effected with great skil and gallantry. The rapid and effective movement of these two regiments, undoubtedly saved the entire brigade from rout. Gen. Sumner styled Kimball's command the " Gibraltar Brigade," doubtless meaning that it was the rock, against which the mad waves of the rebel army were dashed. Be it remembered that the two regiments mentioned above merit the greater part of the honor. After the battle the Second Corps was ordered to Bolivar Heights, and afterward with the army to Falmouth, where the Highth participated in the skirmishes at Halltown, Snicker's Gap, United States Ford, etc. On the 13th of December, the Eighth formed the right wing in the "forlorn hope" at the bloody battle of Fredericksburg, while the Fourth Ohio and First Delaware formed the left. The regiment swept up Hanover street oy the left flank to deploy and form in line with other regiments that advanced lower down; but, ere it had cleared the street, the head of the column was struck by a terrible fire, and twenty-eight men went down before the fearful blast. The other regiments lost as heavily, but the desired line was formed, and the enemy driven to the foot of the hill, on which were his main works. After this position was reached, the line was ordered to halt and seek cover until re-enforcements should arrive; but the fire from the hill was so fieree and hot that column after column was driven back, broken and confused. The brave troops that had passed through this awful fire were compelled to remain under cover at the foot of the hill until dark, when, the firing having ceased, they were withdrawn. During this battle, the loss to the Eighth was thirtyseven killed and wounded, the most of them being shot down while advancing to the foot of the hill. On the 28th of April, 1863, the army crossed the river and fought the battle of Chancellorsville, the brigade in which was the Eighth being under the command of Gen. Carroll.

almost constantly under fire, though its loss was but two killed and eleven wounded. No further active work was done until the Gettysburg campaign. On the 2d of July the regiment was ordered to charge on the doublequick, and take a knoll from which rebel sharpshooters were annoying the Federal lines. The position, a short distance beyond the Emmittsburg road, was taken and held twenty-six hours, or until -the close of the battle. Three times was the regiment assailed by superior numbers. At-one time three regiments swept upon it, but were repulsed with the loss of three stands of colors and a large number of prisoners. The loss to the regiment in this battle was 102, killed and wounded. In the pursuit of Lee, several skirmishes were engaged in, after which the Eighth marched with the army to the Rapidan. On the 15th of August, it was ordered to proceed by water to New York City to help quell the pending riots there; but, after several weeks, returned and joined the army at Culpepie mcm er, receiving orders to proceed to Robinson River, where the troops once more saw the enemy, after a brief respite from the anxieties of war. During the last days of November, the regiment, acting on the skirmish line, was engaged in the battles of Robinson's Cross Roads, Locust Grove and Mine Run, losing several men killed and wounded. On the 6th of February, 1864, it crossed the Rapidan, and fought the battle of Morton's Ford, where several officers and men were wounded. On the 3d of May, the entire army was ordered to advance, the Second Corps occupying the extreme left of the line, crossing the Rapidan at Germania Ford, and moving rapidly through the Wilderness to Todd's Tavern. The right was hotly engaged on the evening of the 5th, and the Second Corps swung round to its support. Here the Eighth Regiment, with several others, re-took a section of a battery which had been lost by the Sixth Corps. entire day of the 6th, and suffered a severe loss in the dense undergrowth. It was engaged in irregular, and sometimes severe, skirmishing, during the 7th, 8th and 9th. On the 10th, a stronghold of the rebels was charged, and another severe loss sustained, Sergeant Conlan, the regimental color-bearer, after carrying his banner through thirty engagements, being wounded. During the 12th, 13th and 14th, the gallant Eighth was almost constantly under fire, the loss in the several encounters being sixty in killed and wounded. The regiment partici pated in numerous skirmishes from Spottsylvania to Petersburg, in the bloody battles before Petersburg, and at North Anna and Cold Harbor. Its term of service expired on the 25th of June, 1864, while the regiment was in the trenches before Petersburg, with only seventy-two officers and men fit for duty. The regiment was relieved, and returned to Ohio to be mustered out of service. "This old regiment that had seen so much hard service, that had been shoteto pieces in many fierce battles, was greeted all along the journey homeward by crowds of grateful people. A feast was prepared at Zanesville, and at Cleveland the Mayor and military committee welcomed the remnant of the heroic old regiment home. It was mustered out July 13, 1864, by Capt. Douglas. The hundreds of brave boys left on the bloody battle-fields of the "Sunny South," in unknown graves, or in hospital cemeteries, speak in unmistakable language of the part borne by the noble Eighth Regiment in the war of the rebellion.

When the first two companies raised in the county were dispatched to the field, the rapid enlistment of volunteers continued. Two companies, B and E, for the Forty-second | Regiment, were raised almost entirely in the county. Besides these, there were some thirteen Medina men in Company I, of the Forty-second, enlisted by Porter H. Foskett, of Medina, who was afterward commissioned Captain. There was also a squad of twenty Medina men in Company G, and, when the officers for this company were elected, the men from this county were permitted to elect the First Lieutenant, and T. G. Loomis was the man chosen. All these men were enlisted for the Forty-second Regiment, in process of formation at Camp Chase, to be under the command of Col. J. A. Garfield. The officers of Company B were: William H. Williams, Captain ; Henry A. Howard, First Lieutenant; Joseph Lackey, Second Lieutenant. Those of Company E were: Charles H. Howe, Captain ; George F. Brady, First Lieutenant ; A. L. Bowman, Second Lieutenant. The members of Company B were noted for their hilarity and drollery, and even in battle, as the shot and shell were falling like hail around them, and loved comrades were dropping at every discharge of the enemy, the irrepressible waggery of some member would burst out, causing momentary laughter along theline. While in Columbus, a verdant volunteer was arrested, and brought before a mock court-martial for trial, for attempting to break guard. The trembling fellow was convicted, and sentenced to be shot at sunrise. About this time, the court was dissolved by Sergt. Beach, and the frightened convict released. Andrew Huntington devised and exhibited an elephant, formed by two men with an army blanket. Lyman Thomas became a talented serio-comic orator, and entertained the camp with frequent stump speeches on polities, love and war.

The Forty-second Regiment received orders, on the 14th of December, to proceed to Cincinnati; thence, by boat, to Catlettsburg, Ky., where it arrived December 17,1861. The regiment proceeded to Louisa, and thence to Green Creek, and, on the 31st of December, the whole command advanced, and, by the 7th of January, 1862, encamped within three miles of Paintville, and the following morning took possession of the village. The next evening, Col. Garfield, with the Forty-second and two companies of the Fourteenth Kentucky, marched against Humphrey Marshalls fortified position, near Paintville, but found the place evacuated. The command, after an all-night's march, reached camp shortly after daybreak. On the 9th, Col. Garfield, with about 1,200 men, of whom about 600 were cavalry, proceeded to attack Marshall, who, with 3,500 men, infantry and cavalry, and three pieces of artillery, was massed near Abbott's Hill. The advance line of skirmishers was fired upon by the enemy's pickets ; but Garfield took possession of the hill, bivouacking for the night, and continuing the pursuit the next morning. The enemy was overtaken at the forks of Middle Creek. Maj. Pardee was ordered to take 400 men, cross the creek, and attack the enemy's center. At the same time, a body of troops under Lieut. Col. Monroe, was directed to strike the right flank. The battle at once became hot, as the enemy numbered nearly four times the attacking force. The position was held until re-enforcements ar- (adi when the enemy fell back, and during the upon the field. Prestonburg, Ky., was occupied on the 11th, but on the 12th, the command was ordered to Paintville, where it remained until the Ist of February, when the troops were transported by boat to Pikeville. On the 14th of March, the enemy's stores and camp at Pound Gap were destroyed, and soon afterward the Forty-second was engaged in several skirmishes with guerrillas. While in this neighborhood, eighty-five members of the regiment died of disease. On the 18th, the regiment was ordered to Louisville, where it encamped on the 29th. With 314 men fit for duty, the Forty-second was attached to Gen. Morgan's command. It was ordered to Cumberland Ford, where it was brigaded with the Sixteenth Ohio, the Fourteenth and Twenty-second Kentucky, Col. J, F. De Courcey commanding. On the 5th of forward, and was unopposed until Rogers Gap was reached, when a series of skirmishes occurred between the Forty-second and the enemy. Morgan continued to advance, the objective point being the important position of Cumberland Gap, which was secured on the 18th, the Forty-second being the first to plant its flag on this stronghold. From this point the regiment engaged in skirmishes at Baptist's Gap, at Tazewell, and assisted in opposing the advance of Kirby Smith into Kentucky.' On the 6th of August, the brigade fell back slowly from Tazewell to Cumberland Gap before a heavy force of the enemy, and, at one time, Company E, of the Forty-second, while escorting a forage train, was nearly surrounded by the enemy, but by gallantry saved the train without loss of men. The Gap was evacuated, and the forcé slowly retreated, and finally crossed the Ohio River at Greenupsburg, the Forty-second acting as rearguard during the retreat. This retreat was a memorable one to the regiment. The food was scanty and in poor condition ; the men were ragged and filthy, many being witheut shoes,

It was the only regiment that brought through its knapsacks and blankets. It remained at Portland, Ohio, two weeks before clothing and camp equipage arrived. On the 21st of October, it proceeded to Charleston, Va., by way of Gallipolis. November 10, it proceeded down the Ohio, first to Cincinnati, thence to Memphis, where it arrived on the 28th. For several months prior to this date, the regiment had received over 200 recruits, and could turn out on parade nearly 900 men. The division to which it belonged, was re-organized and denominated the Ninth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps. The Forty-second, together with other troops under Gen. Sherman, sailed down the Mississippi, December 20, landing at Johnston's plantation, on the Yazoo. On the 27th, the regiment was ordered on the advance against the strong defenses of Vicksburg, and continued to skirmish with the enemy until dark. On the morrow, the attack was resumed, and finally Col. Pardee ordered a charge, which resulted in capturing a piece of woods, and pushing the enemy into their works. An assault was ordered the following morning, and the Forty-second was assigned a position on the extreme right of the column. The troops were met by a terrific storm of shot and shell, and were driven back, but maintained their organization. The position of the enemy could not be taken, and, after 2 hard fight, the army finally retired, and moved to Milliken's Bend. Early in January, 1863, the troops were ordered to Arkansas Post; whence they proceeded to invest Fort Hindman, De Courcey's brigade being held in reserve.

Union troops, and finally De Courcey's brigade was ordered to join Sheldon's brigade in the assault on the strong works of the fort, the Fortysecond leading the advance. The assault was hardly .begun, when the enemy surrendered. Seven thousand prisoners and large quantities of guns and stores were captured. The troops were conveyed by water to Young's Point, where they landed on the 24th of January, 1863. At this point, the regiment was detailed for work on the canal It was ordered to Milliken's Bend on the 10th of March, where, for four weeks, it was under training for the coming campaign. The Forty-second was among the advance troops in the movement toward the rear of Vicksburg. It was ordered to Richmond, La., and, having reached the river some thirty miles below Vicksburg, was embarked on the transports which had passed the batteries at the latter city, and conveyed to Grand Gulf. From this point it was ordered to Port Gibson, and in the middle of the night had a slight engagement with the enemy. The Thirteenth Corps bivouacked for the night near Magnolia Church, and, at daybreak, was ordered to advance. The Ninth Division, on the left flank, engaged the enemy until 4 o'clock, P. M., the Forty-second Regiment, in the meantime, being under a heavy artillery fire, from 7 A. M. until 9 A. M., when it was ordered to charge, but, meeting with unexpected obstacles, the division commander ordered it to retire. At 12 o'clock. M., in company with two other regiments, it was ordered to assault a strong position held by the rebels, but, after a gallant effort failed, and was ordered back. A third charge was ordered at 3 o'clock, P. M., one of the three assaulting regiments being the Forty-second. The coveted position was carried with great spirit, and, during the entire engagement, the regiment sustained a heavier loss than any other in the entire corps. On the 2d of May, the regiment was ordered with other troops to the rear of Vicksburg, and, while on the way, engaged the rebels at Champion Hill and Big Black, with slight loss. It participated in the fierce charges on the strong earth and stone works about Vicksburg, on the 19th and 22d of May, the regiment being well on the advance, and losing heavily, especially on the 22d. From the 10th until the 27th of June, it remained near this place, supporting a number of batteries; but at the latter date it was moved to Big Black Bridge. Immediately after the capitulation of Vicksburg, the regiment was ordered forward to assist in the reduction of Jackson, but afterward returned to the former place, where it remained until ordered to the Department of the Gulf. It reached Carrolltown, near New Orleans, on the 15th of August, and, on the 6th of September, was ordered out on the Western Louisiana Campaign. Soon afterward, the Ninth and Twelfth Divisions were consolidated, and the brigade thus created was assigned to the command of Brig. Gen. Lawler. The brigade moved to Vermillion Bayou, thence to Opelousas, and a few days later to Berwick Bay. On the 18th of November, it moved to Brashear City, intending to go to Texas ; but the following night was ordered to Thibodeaux, and then, by way of Donaldsonville, reached Plaquemine November 21. Here the winter was passed by the Forty-second, and, on the 24th of March, 1864, it was ordered to Baton Rouge, and was detailed to guard the city. On the 1st of May, in an expedition toward Clinton, La., an equal force of the enemy was engaged by the Forty-second and other troops for seven hours, and finally driven five miles through canebrakes and across the Comite River. Fifty-four miles were marched in eighteen hours by the infantry. The regiment was transported by boats to the mouth of Red River, and then up to Simmsport, where, from five regiments, including the Forty-second, a provisional brigade was formed and assigned to the command of Col. Sheldon. Soon afterward, the regiment was marched to Morganza, La., with Gen. Banks, and from this point several expeditions and skirmishes were engaged in. Here the Forty-second was attached to the First Brigade, Third Division, Nineteenth Corps. When, in September, 1864, the best companies of the Thirteenth and Nineteenth Army Corps held a competitive drill at the last-mentioned place, Company E, of the Forty-second, brought conspicuous honor upon Ohio and the regiment to | which it belonged by winning the first prize. The victory was all the more surprising, as the competitors were largely from the well-drilled Army of the Potomac. On the 15th of July, the brigade was ordered up the river, and, having landed at the mouth of White River, sent a small detachment into Mississippi, which marched fifteen miles in ten hours, and captured two small parties of rebels. The brigade passed up White River to St. Charles, where it worked ten days on the fortifications, and then made an expedition sixty miles into the interior of the country. It returned to Morganza on the 6th of August, and one month later moved again to the mouth of White River. Companies A, B, C and D were ordered to Camp Chase, Ohio, on the 15th of September, and on the 30th were mustered out of service. The period of enlistment of theremaining companies not having expired, they were ordered to Duvall's Bluff, Ark. No further service of note was seen, and, on the 25th of November, Companies E and F were mustered out, as were also the remaining four, December 2, 1864. One hundred and one men, recruits of the regiment, whose term had not expired, were organized into a company, and assigned to the Ninetysixth Ohio. Thus was the military career of the Forty-second terminated. Its battle-flag hangs, with the other tattered banners which Ohio cherishes so proudly, in the Capitol at Columbus. It was borne through eleven battles and many more skirmishes, but was never in the hands of an enemy. The killed and wounded number in all one officer and twenty men killed, and eighteen officers and three hundred and twenty-five men wounded.

It must not be understood that the four or more companies already mentioned contained the only troops furnished by Medina County, prior to the time when the Seventy-second took the field. Boys from the county had enlisted in companies raised in neighboring counties, in distant counties in the State, or in adjoining

States. A few of the companies belonging to regiments raised in other counties contained as high as twenty volunteers from Medina County. One of these was the Twenty-ninth. In some regiments, more than one company contained Medina County boys. One of these was the Nineteenth, another the Twenty-ninth, and yet another the Sixty-fourth. The following regiments also contained men from this county : Twenty-third, Thirty-seventh, Twenty-second, Fifty-fifth, Sixty-fifth, Highteenth, Sixty-seventh, Sixtieth, Forty-first, Sixth Battery, First Artillery, Third Michigan Infantry, and others.*

The next regiment, in order, after the Fortysecond, that contained as much as a company of Medina County boys, was the Seventy-second. No one company was wholly from Medina, but, when the regiment was first organized, during the last three months of 1861, Company K, and portions of other companies of the Seventy-second, were recruited mostly in this county. Afterward, when the regiment, after being ordered to Camp Chase, did not contain the maximum number of men, Company K was broken up and distributed among the other companies, and a new company, originally intended for the Fifty-second, was assigned to the Seventy-second, and designated Company K. Thus, the Medina boys, instead of being together, were scattered among several companies. In February, 1862, the regiment was ordered to report to Gen. W. T. Sherman, at Paducah, and while here was brigaded with the Forty-eighth and Seventieth, and assigned to the command of Col Buckland. Early in Mareh the army was concentrated at Fort Henry. Separating from the main army, which proceeded to Savannah, Sherman's division was ordered to Eastport, Miss., to cut the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, and thus prevent the rebel Gen. Johnston from re-enforcing Beauregard. . The plan was foiled by heavy rains and high waters, and, after remaining on board the boats sixteen days, Buckland's brigade disembarked at Pittsburg Landing, and encamped near Shiloh Church. While at the Landing, on the boats, the troops suffered severely from sickness, and were greatly reduced in numbers. On the 3d of April, in a reconnaissance, the Seventy-second exchanged shots with rebel pickets, and on the following day | Companies B and H were advanced to. recon- | noiter the lines of theenemy. An engagement with rebel cavalry occurred, and Maj. Crockett and two or three men of Company H were captured, and several wounded. Company B was | surrounded by a heavy force of the enemy, and, after fighting desperately for about an hour, was saved by the timely arrival of Companies | A, D and F, having lost four men wounded. On the morning of the 6th, Buckland's brigade withstood three successive attacks of great fury from heavy masses of rebel infantry, and, after holding its position for two hours, was ordered to retire, maintaining its organization in the meantime, while many other portions of the army were broken and confused. It took its position on the right of the new line formed, and held a prominent portion of the line in the next day's battle. The Forty-second lost two officers killed, three wounded and one missing ; and thirteen men killed, seventy wounded and forty-five missing. Among the killed on the 6th, was Lieut. Col. Herman Canfield, of Medina County, a talented man and a brave and capable officer. Prior to his departure for the field, he had taken an active and prominent part. | to secure the enlistment of men, and was iden-- tified with every important movement in the county to encourage a feeling of determined resistance to the rebellion. His death was a serious loss to the county. The Seventy-second was present at the siege of Corinth, during which time Col. Buckland was returned to the * regiment, and Gen. J. W. Denver assigned to | the command of the brigade. Ragged and | dirty, the regiment, on the 21st of July, entered Memphis, and soon afterward was posted at Fort Pickering, where the brigade was broken up and re-organized from different regiments, and assigned to the command of Col. Buckland, and the division to Gen. Lanman.

After a varied experience, once with Richardson's guerrillas at the bridge over Wolf River, near Moscow, on the 9th of January. 1863, the regiment was ordered to Corinth, Soon afterward, Buckland's brigade was assigned to the Sixteenth Army Corps, and immediately thereafter the Seventy-second was ordered to White Station to do picket duty, and work on the fortifications, arriving on thd 31st of January. On the 14th of March, it proceeded down the Mississippi River, and on the 2d of April encamped four miles above Young's Point. Here it began work on the canal, and on the 2d of May commenced its march for the rear of Vicksburg, reaching the river, opposite Grand Gulf. It crossed the river on the 7th, and the next day moved to Jackson, where it participated in the battle of the 14th, and on the 18th reached the Federal lines before Vicksburg. It engaged in the assault on the rebel works on the 19th and 22d of May, and during the succeeding siege was posted about half a mile up the river above Vicksburg. It participated in preventing Gen. Joe Johnston from re-enforcing Pemberton, and, after the surrender of Vicksburg, engaged the enemy at Jackson, pursuing the rebels to Brandon, where it had a skirmish, destroyed a portion of railroad, and then moved back to Big Black to rest and refit.

From this time until the 2d of January, 1864, the regiment engaged in various movements and skirmishes, once a four days' scout to Mechanicsville. At the above date, the regiment re-enlisted. On the 23d of February, it received its veteran furlough and moved north to Fremont, Ohio, receiving there a cordial welcome from the citizens. On the 5th of April it moved to Cleveland. From this point, on the 8th of April,it proceeded by rail to Cairo, arriving on the 10th, and was ordered to advance to Paducah, Ky., which place was threatened by an attack from Forrest. A slight skirmish occurred on the 14th, and on the 22d. the troops were ordered to Memphis. From this point, until May 9, the regiment participated in an expedition against Forrest, but found no enemy in force to oppose it. On the 1st of June, the Seventy-second was one of twelve regiments in another expedition against Forrest. On the 10th, the enemy was encountered, and the cavalry commenced a lively skirmish at Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi. The infantry was ordered forward on the double-quick, and, without any attempt to form in battle array, was hurled against the enemy, one regiment at a time, and badly cut up. To add to the general confusion, an attempt was made to move the wagon-train across Tishomingo Creek, but failed, when a retreat was ordered, which ended in a panic. No attempt was made to cover the rear to secure an orderly retreat, but the troops stampeded like frightened cattle, and fell back twenty-three miles to Ripley, leaving a portion of their wagon-train which fell into the hands of the enemy. The remainder of the train had been destroyed, and thus the troops were left without rations and ammunition. At Ripley, an attempt was made to re-organize, but failed, and the officer in command, surrounding himself with cavalry, started for Memphis, leaving the infantry, as he expressively remarked, "to go the devil." The only thing now for the infantry to do to avoid falling into the enemy's hands, was to outmarch the rebel cavalry, which, flushed with success, was rapidly moving upon them. -Nine officers and one hundred and forty men of the Seventy-second reached Germantown on the morning of the 12th, having marched the remarkable distance of one hundred miles in forty-one hours, without a morsel of food.

Many of these men were utterly broken down, and could scarcely stand or walk. They were conveyed by rail to Memphis. Of the Seventysecond, eleven officers and two hundred and thirty-seven men were killed, wounded or'captured, and but few of the latter ever rejoined the regiment. Soon after this disastrous event, the regiment was assigned to the First Brigade, Mower's Division, Sixteenth Corps, Gen. McMillan commanding the brigade, and, on the 22d of June, was ordered on an expedition in the direction of Tupelo, Miss. The enemy was encountered on the 11th of July, and, in the battle which followed, the Seventy-second was hotly engaged, but, with the help of the remainder of the brigade, drove the enemy from the field in a rout. In another attack from the enemy near Tishomingo Creek, the Seventysecond was engaged, and its commanding officer, Maj. E. A. Ranson, fell, mortally wounded. A precipitous charge drove the enemy from the field. The loss to the Seventy-second in this expedition, was two officers and nineteen men wounded. After this and until the 16th of November, the division under Mower made several efforts to reach Price, who was marching north, but, after long marches, attended with great suffering and privation, for hundreds of miles through rivers and swamps, in weather varying from warm to intensely cold, it was found impossible to catch Price, and the infantry turned back, and reached St. Louis at the last-mentioned date. After a brief rest, the division, then under Gen. J. A. McArthur, was ordered to join Gen. Thomas at Nashville, and soon afterward the Seventy-second engaged the enemy and lost eleven men killed and wounded. At Nashville, the regiment participated in a charge, and three hundred and fifty of the enemy were captured, together with six pieces of artillery. It took part in the fight of the 16th of December, and participated in the chargé on Walnut Hill. In this engage- but twelve hundred men, captured two thousand prisoners and thirteen pieces of artillery, losing, in the meantime, one hundred and sixty men. At Eastport.the troops subsisted several days on parched corn. Early in 1865, the division passed down the river to the Gulf, and invested Spanish Fort, which was evacu- | ated on the 8th of April. The regiment also partieipated in the capture of Fort Blakely. After occupying several positions and doing garrison duty in Alabama and Mississippi, the regiment finally reached Meridian, Miss. In June, forty-one men were discharged. The remainder were mustered out at Vicksburg, September 11, 1865, and immediately embarked for Camp Chase, Ohio, where they were paid and discharged.

The One Hundred and Third Ohio Infantry was the next regiment that contained as much or more than a company of Medina County boys. Two companies, one commanded by Lyman B. Wilcox, and the other by William H. Garrett, were recruited mostly in this county. The regiment was ordered into Kentucky to check the advance of the rebels under Kirby Smith. But the enemy retreated, and, after following him three days without success, the troops were ordered back to Snow's Pond, where sickness soon prostrated half the regiment. The brigade commander was Q. A. Gilmore. After repressing outrages committed by rebel cavalry, the troops proceeded to Lexington, and, on the 29th of October, to Frankfort. Here the regiment remained until April 5, 1863, when it marched to Stanford and Camp Dick Robinson. Here an effort was made to punish daring and marauding bands of guerrillas, that for several months had kept the country in a fever of alarm. The troops advanced to Somerset and Mill Springs, the enemy falling back before the advancing lines. The rebels continued to retreat without concentrating, though in considerable force. The Cumberland River was crossed with difficulty, and, on the 30th, the enemy was encountered, when a brisk skirmish ensued, and the rebels retreated, and, after passing through Monticello, halted; but the Federal cavalry drove them from the position with considerable loss, and continued the pursuit. On the 5th of May the Union forces were ordered back to the Cumberland, with the river as a line of defense. The regiment was fired upon, while here, by a "handful" of rebels, and returned the fire with but little result on either side. A report that the enemy was passing to their rear, caused the troops to fall back to Hickman ; but, the *scare" ending, they proceeded to Danville, and became a part of the Twenty-third Army Corps, commanded by Gen. Hartsuff. On the 18th of August, the entire army under Gen, Burnside moved forward. The troops suffered incredible hardships on their march through Stanford, Crab Orchard, the Cumberland, at Burnside's Point, Chitwood, Montgomery, Emerys Iron Works, and Lenoir, to Concord, Tenn. Knoxville, at that time occupied by the enemy, was evacuated, and immediately entered by the national advance. After maneuvering for about a month in the neighborhood of Knoxville and Greenville, the regiment joined in the general advance which drove the rebels into Jonesboro. The regiment joined in the advance of October 5, near Blue Springs, and, with companies C and D detailed as skirmishers, was ordered to the front. The two companies were forced back, when four advanced only to find that the enemy had retired. In this engagement, the regiment lost three men "killed, four wounded and six taken prisoners. On the 11th, a severe contest was had with the rebels at Blue Spriugs, and the latter were forced to retire.

On the 4th of November, the regiment, with other troops, was ordered back to Knoxville, and immediately thereafter, the city was invested by the rebel force under Gen. Longstreet. Great privations from lack of food and

' panies of the regiment were ordered out to relieve a company on picket duty, and, while thus engaged, were charged upon by a large force of rebels. A fearful fire was poured into the advancing enemy, but they continued to advance with yells of the most horrid description, and, rushing upon the Union pickets, struggled desperately to capture the whole party. But a headlong bayonet-charge broke their lines, when they fled precipitously, leaving their dead and wounded on the field. Thirty-five men in killed and wounded were lost to the regiment by this engagement. Theenemy,hearing of Sherman's regiment, after reaching Bear Station, was ordered back to Strawberry Plains. It wasordered to advance on the 12th of March, 1864; but at Morristown, after suffering repeated attacks where it remained until April 1. After advancing to Ball's Gap, the regiment proceeded to Loudon, thence to Charleston, and at the latter place found the other two regiments of its brigade. On the 13th of May, it arrived as part of Sherman's grand army before Resaca and the following day participated in the fearful charge on the enemy's lines, losing over one-third of its effective force. The enemy retreated and was pursued by the whole army. All the way on the march to Atlanta, the regiment was on the advance, participating in frequent charges and skirmishes, and losing several men in killed and wounded. At Atlanta, while Gen. Sherman was meditating the best course to pursue, the regiment was engaged in several "demonstrations," and lost a number of men. On the 28th of August, it started south with the army ; but, after destroying the railroad near Rough and Ready, was ordered back to Jonesboro, arriving too late to participate in the battle fought by Gen. Howard. The Twenty-third Corps arrived at Decatur on the 8th of September. When the Atlanta campaign commenced, the One Hundred and Third had 450 able men; but at its close the regiment could muster only 195.

On the 20th of October, the regiment moved up to Chattanooga, and, on the 19th of November, to Pulaski. A division at Spring Hill was drawn up to protect the trains from an impending attack of the rebels, and to the regiment was assigned the duty of supporting a battery that could sweep the fields in front of the National troops. Large forces of the enemy moved out of the woods, and made preparations to dash upon the Union lines, at which' the aforesaid division, possibly foreseeing disastrous results, fled back, leaving the One Hundred and Third, and the battery, to withstand the charge. The men fixed bayonets, and bravely waited until the enemy came within range, when a well-directed fire, seconded by the battery, caused them to waver, and, finally, retire into the woods as the re-organized division advanced. On the last day of November, the regiment in charge of rebel prisoners started for Nashville, remaining there until the 15th of December, when it assisted in pursuing the enemy routed by Gen. Thomas. Early in 1865, it joined Sherman's army, and with it "marched down to the sea," and thence to Raleigh, arriving on the 13th of April. On the 10th of June it started for Cleveland to be mustered out, and, while crossing the Alleghany Mountains, an accident threw three of the cars down an embankment, causing the death of three men and the maiming of many others. A car load of wounded men rent the air with their cries of agony. On the 22d of June the regiment was mustered out of service.

The One Hundred and Twenty-fourth contained something more than a company of Medina boys. Company B was almost wholly from this county, and was officered as follows :

George W. Lewis, Captain ; John Raidaie, First Lieutenant ; Charles M. Stedman, Second Lieutenant. The regiment was organized at Camp Taylor, and on the lst of January, 1863, reached Cleveland. It was ordered to Kentucky, and, after remaining at Elizabethtown until March, it was ordered back to Louisville, and finally to Nashville, Tenn., where it arrived February 10. Soon afterward the regiment was sent to Franklin, where it remained until the 2d of June, preparing for the field, and participating in frequent skirmishes with the rebels, who were in force close at hand. Gen. Colburn with four regiments of infantry, one of them being the One Hundred and Twentyfourth, one battery, and a small force of cavalry, moved forward down the Columbia Pike on a reconnaissance, meeting the enemy about four miles from Franklin, and forcing them back. Flushed with success, the national troops pushed forward, and, at Thompson's Station, eight miles from Franklin, encountered a much larger force of the enemy, strongly posted behind stone walls. One of the most hotly contested battles of the war ensued, and for two hours every inch of ground was stubbornly contested. The commanding officer, with the majority of his command, was captured, and a great many were killed or wounded. Only eleven members of one regiment reached camp. The One Hundred and Twenty-fourth was not actively engaged, having been detailed to guard the ammunition train. It succeeded in saving the train and artillery. After suffering terribly from fever, measles, diarrhoea and other camp diseases, the regiment, on the 2d of June, proceeded to Triune, Tenn., and a few days later to Readyville, and soon afterward to Manchester. While here the regiment, was assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Division, of the Twenty-first Army Corps. Abundant, wholesome food and clean, comfortable clothing at Manchester soon almost wholly abolished | well drilled, and ready for the field. On the 16th of August the march over the Cumberland Mountains began, and the troops eneamped until the 9th of September in the Sequatchie Valley, having an abundance of excellent provisions. At the latter date, the Tennessee River was forded, and the troops advanced and camped near the Chickamauga battle-ground. On the 19th of September, the enemy being in fore in front, the troops, early in the morning, prepared for battle. The One Hundred and Twenty-fourth moved forward to the State road, where it stood ready for the fray, until 11 o'elock. The regiment threw out Company B as flankers, and moved in the direction of the left, where heavy firing was heard. The line of the left was reached, and the bugle sounded the advance. Under a severe fire, the regiment deployed, and returned the shots of the enemy until the ammunition was exhausted, when it fell back to replenish. It again moved to the front, delivering a rapid and destructive fire, and forcing the enemy back a short distance. Ordered to the right, it took a position at the left of the brigade, and, as the front line of the Federal troops gave way, the full force of the terrible fire from the rebel lines struck this and other regiments. The regiment, being unsupported, fell back, but stubbornly resisted the advance of the exultant enemy. During the night, it lay encamped on the left, in front of the rebel Joe Johnston's, division. The battle had been fought all day, without food and water, and, as darkness fell, the tired men *had sunk on the ground overpowered, the weary to sleep, and the wounded to die^ One hundred men of the regiment were killed. wounded or captured.

The 20th of September dawned bright and beautiful. The battle was renewed with great fury, and the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth, behind a breastwork of logs and rails, poured position and capture the battery. At 3 o'clock P. M., the regiment was ordered to the support of the right, as the enemy on the left had retired. Several men were lost in this movement, and, after the position had been gained and the enemy driven back, the regiment was again moved to the support of the right. Here, again, the rebels fell back before the murderous fire, and the troops, forming a hollow square, remained thus until dark, when a retreat was ordered. The regiment bivouacked for the night in line of battle near Rossville, and the next morning took a front position on Mission Ridge, remaining there all day under the fire of arebel battery. The retreat was continued the next night, and on the 22d. the regiment encamped near Chattanooga. The regiment lost during the battle in killed, wounded and missing, one hundred and forty men, Col. Payne being among the wounded. At Chattanooga, forts and breastworks were built, and the men and animals put on half-rations. The regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, Third Division of the Fourth Army Corps. About 9 o'clock on the evening of October 26, 1863, the regiment, with a carefully selected detachment of about 1,700 men, equipped with 100 rounds of cartridges per man, embarked on boats and floated cautiously down the Tennessee, past Lookout Mountain, passing the enemy's pickets without discovery. A short distance below the mountain, the boats pulled ashore, the troops landed, and rushed up the bank, and, though met by a heavy fire, drove the rebels back, and captured Raccoon Ridge. Company I, under Lieut. Galbraith, was deployed as skirmishers, and the remainder of the regiment began hastily throwing up breastworks. At daylight, the enemy made several desperate attempts to retake the position ; but were severely repulsed, and, finally, driven from that portion of the valley. A pontonbridge was thrown across the river, enabling Gen. Hooker's army to cross, and virtually raise the siege of Chattanooga. The regiment remained on Raccoon Ridge several days, subsisting on parched corn and boiled wheat, and then returned to its old camp in the suburbs of Chattanooga.

November 23, in the struggle for the occupation of Mission Ridge, the regiment was assigned a position on the left. It advanced and carried the enemy's rifle-pits on a range of hills between Fort Wood and Mission Ridge, and, moving on, took the rebel works on the summit. Here, exposed to a heavy artillery fire, the men threw up rude breastworks. The next day was passed at work and on picket duty. On the afternoon of the 25th, it was advanced on the skirmish lines with orders to charge at the signal of six guns, and take the enemy's works at the foot of Mission Ridge. Six hundred yards of open ground lay before the regiment, and, as the chosen signal reverberated along the hills, the troops advanced with steady fire, and, as the rebels began to retreat, they swept forward with cheers, carried the works, and turned the guns upon the retreating foe. Orders to advance had not been received, and the men, exposed to a murderous artillery fire, were wavering, when a tremendous shout swept along the lines, and the whole advance began sealing the mountain. A fearful fire of grape and canister poured down upon them ; but the brave men dashed on and on, reached the summit, carried the works, planted the stars and stripes on the highest point, and sent showers of deadly missiles after the routed enemy. The One Hundred and Twenty-fourth captured seven pieces of artillery, two caissons, eighty stand of arms, and a wagon-load of ammunition.

On the 26th, the regiment was ordered to the relief of Knoxville, arriving opposite the city on the 10th of December. The besieging rebels, anticipating that re-enforcements would be sent to the distressed city, made a last and furious assault on the works, but were repulsed, when they fell back and withdrew. After a few days the regiment went into camp at Clinch Mountain. The weather became very cold, and the men, poorly clad, with but few tents, kept busy cutting wood and lighting huge fires. In January, the regiment began erecting rude log houses at Dandridge, but was driven away by a superior force of the enemy.

The regiment was kept constantly on the march in Kast Tennessee for the next two months, thus preventing the men from drawing their clothing. As a consequence, they. became ragged, dirty and unseemly in appearance. One of the officers went to work and manufactured a limited quantity of soap, and the clean faces and persons of his portion of the regiment, excited surprise, envy, and, at the same time, no little pleasantry. It was waggishly remarked that these men were clearly entitled to the right of elective franchise, but that considerable doubt existed regarding the remainder. The only hope for them was to begin an exploration with pick and shovel. The men, generally, were without shoes, stockings, and a few were in their drawers, and all were ashamed of being seen. About this time, they received a limited quantity of necessary clothing from the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society, of Green Springs, Ohio, and about the middle of April, 1864, they were thoroughly clothed and equipped by the Government. Soon after this, the regiment started on the Atlanta campaign, engaging the enemy at Rocky Face Ridge, where it suffered severely, and again at New Hope Church, where, in a charge, it lost many brave men and officers. It participated in the flanking movement at Jonesboro, and the consequent evacuation of Atlanta. The regiment turned back in pursuit of Hood, passing through Gaylesville, Athens, Pulaski, Columbia, Franklin; and, reaching Nashville in advance of the main forces, it participated in the battle of Nashville, and, at its close, joined in pursuing the demoralized rebel army, but, at Huntsville,

Ala., gave up the chase, and went into camp. | It was at the battle of Nashville that Capt. George W. Lewis, of Medina, then acting Major, lost his arm. Nothing further of importance transpired, and the regiment was mustered out of service at Nashville on the 9th of July, 1865. The troops were paid at Camp Taylor, and sent home - all that remained of them. The Second Ohio Cavalry rendezvoused at

Camp Wade, and contained a little more than a company from Medina County. The regiment was raised during the summer and early autumn of 1861, and was mustered into the service on the 10th of October, 1861. Com-

Allen P. Steele, Captain; David E. Welch, First Lieutenant; William B. Shattuc, Second Lieutenant. The men from Medina, who went out in the Second Cavalry, were mostly recruited by Hon. H. G. Blake, a prominent citizen of Medina. Quartermaster J. J. Elwell, on the 12th 'of September, 1861, bought fifty horses at Medina for this regiment, paying an average price of $80 each. This was the first cavalry regiment raised in the northern part of the State, and the men composing it represented almost every trade and profession. It was ordered to Camp Dennison in the latter part of November, 1861, where it received sabers, and continued drilling during the month of December. On the 20th of December, a detachment of twenty men under Lieut. Nettleton, was ordered into Kentucky on scouting-duty, where it remained until the regiment received marching orders. Early in January, 1862, the regiment was ordered to Platte City, Mo., where it reported for duty to Gen. Hunter, and, for the next three weeks, was engaged in scouting on the Missouri border. On the 18th of February, 1862, Doubleday's brigade, of which the Second was a part, was ordered to Fort Scott, Kan.; and, during the march, on the 22d, as a detachment of 120 men of the Second was passing through Independ- ence, Mo., it was attacked by an equal force under the subsequently infamous Quantrell, but, after fifteen minutes of severe fighting, the enemy were routed, losing five killed, four wounded,and five captured, including an officer. The Second lost one killed and three wounded. Fort Scott was reached on the 1st of March. The Second, at this time, was armed with sabers, navy pistols and Austrian carbines. The most of the regiment remained in this portion of the State, at Carthage, Mo., at Sola, Kan., breaking up guerrilla bands until June, when it moved into the Indian Territory by different roads, concentrating at Spring River. A detachment of cavalry and artillery drove the Indian rebel Standwaitie from his camp on Cowskin Prairie. The command moved to Baxter Springs. Kan. where it was joined by three regiments of mounted loyal Indians, armed with squirrel-rifles. Later in June, the column moved southward, the animals living on grass, and the members of the Second seeing nothing but wild country, burning prairie, and the powwows of their red-skinned companions.

On the 8th of July, the column went into camp at Flat Rock Creek, Indian Territory, and later in the month Fort Gibson was captured and a small detachment of rebels driven across the Arkansas River. The troops moved to Fort Scott on the 15th, having at that time less than two hundred and fifty serviceable horses in the Second. Many of the men were sick, and many had died from the effects of a peculiar and distressing brain fever, evidently caused by the excessive heat. In August, the regiment shared in a forced march for ten days and nights against a raiding party of rebels, skirmishing continually but without loss. During the next three or four months, the Second participated in the campaign of Prairie Grove, Ark. and fought at Carthage, Newtonia, Cow Hill, Wolf Creek, White River and Prairie Grove. Charles Doubleday had been Colonel of the Second, but, in September, 1862, August V. Kautz took his place. In November, the Second was ordered to Camp Chase, Ohio, to remount and refit for the Eastern army. In February, 1863, the original twelve companies were consolidated into eight, and a battalion of four companies raised for the Eighth Cavalry, was added. Early in April, the regiment was ordered to Somerset, Ky., where it remained until the 27th of June, fighting in the meantime at Steubenville, Monticello and Columbia. In the early part of June, four companies of the Second formed a part of a raiding force against Knoxville, where a large amount of supplies and several railroad bridges were destroyed. The Second, with its brigade, joined in the pursuit of John Morgan, and followed him twelve hundred miles, through three States, marching twenty hours out of the twentyfour, and living upon the gifts of the people. It finally shared in the capture of the raiders at Buffington Island, after which it was ordered to Cincinnati, where nearly the whole regiment was furloughed by Gen. Burnside. It re-assembled at Stanford, Ky., and in August moved with the Union troops into East Tennessee. | There it was brigaded with three other regiments | of cavalry, all under the command of Col. Car- | After a variety of movements and some | ter. skirmishing, the regiment 'reached Henderson Station on the 25th of September, 1863; but received immediate orders to join Gen. Rosecrans. While on the way, it was ordered back to the front, and participated in che engagement in progress there. The next morning, the Second assisted in pursuing the enemy, and one battalion engaged in a subsequent skirmish. The brigade, after being re-enforced, advanced and fought the battle of Blue Springs, the Second participating. The Second shared in the engagement at Blountsville, Bristol, and with Wheeler's cavalry, near Cumberland Gap, During the siege of Knoxville, it annoyed the enemy's flank, and, after the siege was raised, joined in the pursuit. It fought the rebels at Morristown on the 2d of December, and two days later assisted in the bloody two-hours' fight at Russellville, losing forty men killed and wounded. On the 6th, at Bean Station, it was at the front five hours, and for the five succeeding days was almost constantly under fire. Most of the time, then, until January 1, 1864, was spent in maneuvering and fighting near Mossy Creek; but at this date four hundred and twenty men out of four hundred and seventy, re-enlisted, and were furloughed Febrnary 16, for thirty days.

On the 20th of March, the Second re-assembled at Cleveland. It was first ordered to Kentucky, but, upon reaching Mount Sterling, was instructed to proceed to Annapolis, Md., where it arrived on the 29th of March. On the 13th of April, while at its camp on an arm of the Chesapeake, it was reviewed by Gens. Grant, Burnside, Washburne and Meigs. On the 22d, the regiment moved from Camp Stoneman to Warrenton Junction, reporting to Gen. Burnside May 3. It crossed the Rapidan, and went into line on the extreme right, engaging with Rosser's cavalry on the 7th, with slight loss. It was constantly employed during the Wilderness campaign to cover the right flank of the infantry. Soon afterward, it was assigned to the First Brigade, under the command of Col. J. B. McIntosh, and thus became attached to Sheridan's Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac. The Third Cavalry Division, of which the Second was a part, crossed the Pamunky on the 31st, and the First Brigade advanced on Hanover Court House. The brigade dismounted, the Second occupying the center, and in the fierce charge which followed the enemy was driven back, and the crest and court house were captured. "The next day the Second and other troops were surrounded at Ashland, by the enemy under Fitzhugh Lee, and after fighting until night, succeeded in withdrawing and regaining the main army. The regiment par- ticipated in skirmishes and battles, from Hanover Court House to Cold Harbor, fought at Nottaway Court House, Stormy Creek and Ream's Station, losing one hundred men and five officers killed, wounded and missing. On the 13th of Angust it moved to Winchester, arriving on the 17th. Gen. Early made an attack, and at sundown the regiment and its division fell back, while the second battalion and two companies of the third battalion of the Second Cavalry acted as rear-guard for the whole command, fighting an hour in the dark in the streets of Winchester, then joining the main column, which retreated toSummit Point. The Second was engaged on the 19th and 22d, and soon afterward crossed the Potomac at Shepherdstown. On the 30th of August the regiment assisted in driving the enemy from Berryville, Va., and, on the 13th of September, it.and its brigade advanced on Early, at Winchester, to ascertain his strength. The Second Ohio and the Third New Jersey captured an entire regiment of rebel infantry, and took it to Berryville, and for this gallant exploit received special mention from the Secretary of War. It was present at the battle of Opequon, and soon afterward assisted in driving Wickham's cavalry through Front Royal, marching and skirmishing in Luray Valley, until the 25th of September. It assisted in resisting the attack of Fitzhugh Lee on the 29th, dismounting for that purpose, and remaining on the field until all the other troops were withdrawn, when it prepared to retire as rear-guard, but found that its retreat was cut off by a line of rebel infantry. In columns of fours the regiment charged through, and continued as rear-guard until the command reached Bridgewater. When Rosser was defeated by Gen. Torbort, the Second fought from 8 o'clock A. M. until 11, and pursued until 3 P. M., when it went into position on the right of Sheridan's line. In the battle of Cedar Creek, from daybreak until 9 o'clock at night, the regiment was in the saddle. It

The regiment joined in the charges that decided the victory, and at night encamped without supper, on the field. In the fight of the 12th of November, between Custer and Rosser, the Second, engaged in picket duty on the front, was driven in; but, after a hard day's fight, the enemy was driven from the field. Onthe 20th, the Second was hotly engaged with Early's cavalry, at New Market, and, on the 10th of Decem-

Rosser at Moorefield. The Second repulsed the enemy that advanced against the First Brigade when Rosser attacked the camp on the 20th, at Lacey's Springs. In the capture of Early's army, the Second took a prominent part. It captured five pieces of artillery with caissons, thirteen ambulances and wagons, seventy horses and mules, thirty sets harness, six hundred and fifty prisoners of war, and three hundred and fifty stand of smallarms. Inthe last campaign against Lee, the Second captured eighteen pieees of artillery, one hundred and eighty horses, seventy army wagons, nine hundred prisoners, and unknown quantities of small arms. After this campaign, the regiment was ordered to North Carolina ; but, after the news of Johnston's surrender, it was directed to report to Gen. Pope, at St. Louis, arriving on the 7th of June, 1865 ; but a month later proceeded to Springfield, Mo., to relieve State troops. About the 1st of September, the order to muster out was received. The regiment was paid at Camp Chase, Ohio, September 11, and immediately discharged. During the war, it fought under twenty-three Generals; its horses drank from twenty-five rivers ; it campaigned through thirteen States and a Territory ; it marched an aggregate of twenty-seven thousand miles; participated in ninety-seven battles and engagements , served in five different armies ; " and its dead, sleeping where they fell, form a vidette-line half across the continent, a chain of prostrate sentinels two thousand miles long. Even in their graves, may not these patriotic dead still guard the glory and the integrity of the Republic for which they fell?" *

Four companies, enlisted in Medina County in the spring of 1864, were formed into the Seventy-ninth Battalion, Ohio National Guard. At the period of formation, the battalion was officered as follows: Harrison G. Blake, Lieutenant Colonel ; William Shakspeare, Adjutant ; C. B. Chamberlin, Quartermaster; and the Captains were: H. Frizzell, William Bigham, O. P. Phillips and John Wolcott. This battalion left Medina for Camp Cleveland on the 4th of May, 1864. Here the four companies were re-organized into three, and the battalion thus formed was consolidated with three other battalions, one of which was from each of the counties Wayne, Holmes and Huron. The One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Regiment Ohio National Guard, thus created, was officered as follows: H. G. Blake, Colonel; Randolph Eastman, Lieutenant Colonel; Robert W. Liggett, Major. The regiment, after being mustered in, was ordered to Virginia on the 15th of May, 1864, and its duty while in the service consisted almost wholly in guarding forts, cities, and property belonging to the Government. It was placed on duty at Forts Richardson, Barnard, Reynolds, Ward and Worth, with headquarters at Fort Richardson. No active service was done; but, when Washington was threatened by an attack from Early, the regiment stood at its guns day and night for about a week, expecting an attack at any hour. An alarming extent of sickness prevailed in the regiment Soon after the raid, in spite of every effort made to avoid it. The regiment was mustered out of service on the 9th of September, 1864. The enlistment of that portion of the men who went from Medina County in this regiment, was largely through the efforts of Hon. H. G. Blake, one of the most capable and respected citizens ever a resident of the county. He was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, and was authorized to open an enlistment office. Great enthusiasm was manifested in the early stages of the war. On one occasion, a stalwart German went to Mr. Blake's office and enlisted. Mr. Blake told him that the Government would pay him $7 per month for his services, but the loyal fellow quickly replied : "I no want de money, Mishter Plake, I vite mit mine gountry."

At length it was found necessary, as in all parts of the country, to resort to the draft in order to fill the quota of men required from the county. Every effort was made in each township to avoid it, the citizens subscribing liberally to à common fund, to be paid volunteers at the rate of from $200 to $400 each. Hon. M. C. Hills was appointed Draft Commissioner for the county, and the first draft occurred October 5, 1862. Some 380 men were drafted, but quite a number furnished substitutes, and several were pronounced exempt for various reasons, so that only 351 were dispatched to the field. Other drafts in the county raised the total number of drafted men to 500 or more. In addition to individual and local efforts for raising bounty, the County Commissioners offered $50 for each volunteer; but, as near as can be ascertained, this course was pursued only for a comparatively brief period. The Commissioners were furnished with an indemnifying bond by the citizens, by means of which the former expected to be assured against loss for using the county funds as bounty. A special enactment of the Legislature soon authorized the assessment and collection of a tax to be used for bounty and other similar purposes ; and this was made to take the place, in the county treasury, of the funds that had been used by the Commissioners. The tender of bounty began with the One Hundred and Third Regiment. It has been estimated that about 1,500 men went from the county to the field. It is impossible to ascertain the exact number. It is stated by as distinguished a writer as Whitelaw Reid, that the reason why the State was obliged to resort to the draft so early in the war was because of the evil tendencies of the volunteering system adopted. Add to this the fact that the Ohio Militia, who assisted in driving the rebels from West Virginia, though promised pay by the Government, received none when they returned, and, scattering thus throughout the State with stories of the neglect, created widespread discontent, and incited a determination over the State not to volunteer.