Scioto County, Ohio - Chapter 6: Military History, 1903 (part 3 of 3)

was born at Portsmouth, Ohio, February 9, 1841, and died at Camp Burnside, Kentucky, March 3, 1864. At the breaking out of the Rebellion, he was a student at Marietta College. He was under age, but felt that call of patriotism which stirred in the breasts of so many of our noble sons, to serve his country in her hour of need. Like a dutiful son, he telegraphed to his father, "The boys are going; may I go too.' The answer flashed back instantly, "Go, but don't get shot in the back." He volunteered in Company G, First O. V. Infantry, April 16, 1861. After serving till June '11, 1861, he was discharged to receive an appointment as Cadet in the Military Academy at West Point, and entered at once upon the duties that he might the better be fitted to serve his country.

After having been there nearly two years, he wrote to his father asking his consent to resign, and return to active service in the army. He was urged * to remain and graduate, but he still insisted on resigning.

In one of his letters to his father, he says: "Father, I wish you to give me your consent to resign, as I cannot study here while I know my country needs my services in the field, and I think it is my duty to go, as it is every other young man's. While I write, our very Capitol is being threatened by rebels, and I wish to be one who can say in after years with pride, 'I helped to defend it.' I must go."

He left West Point in June, 1863, and came home. There not being any new regiment forming in this state at the time, he enlisted in Co. I the First Ohio Volunteer Heavy Artillery, as a private October 20,, 1863. He was, on November 23, 1868, made Second J ientenant. The command was ordered in January, 1864, to move from Camp Nelson, Ky., to Camp Burnside, Ky., immediately. The commanding General S. S. Fry appointed him Acting Assistant Quartermaster, and placed him upon his staff. He drew his mules, some five hundred, part of which had been broken and the remainder young and unbroken. The drivers too were about as green as the mules. He loaded up and left the second day after receiving the order. The weather was cold and wet, but he put his command through much sooner than was expected, and was highly complimented by the General commanding. The supplies being very short, he was compelled to retyrn for more. He made three trips through the mud, rain and snow, on the last of which he was sick all the way with a very severe cold. 'Typhoid fever set in, and he breathed his last in a neat cedar cabin, built by the officers and the men expressly for him, on the banks of the Cumberland River, March 3, 1864. His last words were: 'Forward, March!" showing that he thought he was at the post of duty, and ready to go forward in the service of his country. He loved his country more than he loved his life. His remains were sent home and interred in the family lot in Portsmouth's Greenlawn. The regiment of which he had been a member passed resolutions highly honorable to him as a soldier and an officer. So did the officers of the Division with which he was connected. They say: "His efficiency and energy as an officer, his social and genial disposition, his*honorable deportment, integrity and patriotism, made him a much-loved favorite in this command. The patriotism which caused him to leave West Point before graduating, to enter the service of his country and die thus early in life, affords an example of disinterested patriotism worthy of emulation." This was signed by Brigadier-General §. 8. Fry. His classmates at West Point passed complimentary resolutions, They say that by his "gentlemanly bearing, and many social qualities, he had won the respect of all his companions;" and that "had he 'ived, he would have made one of the brightest ornaments of his profession." His classmate and roommate at West Point, in sending the resolutions of the class, and their determination to erect a monument to his memory, thus expresses himself: "I was his roommate and intimate friend for a year, and during the whole of that time, I always found him high toned, honorable, and generous to a fault. I could not have loved a brother better than I loved him." Much more might be quoted from resolutions and letters, testifying to his high and honorable character, his integrity and patriotism, and fidelity to duty. We will close this imperfect sketch by a brief quotation from a letter written by his bereaved father to his classmate at West Point, soon after his death. "Thus passed from earth, and I hope and trust to heaven, a true patriot, a true friend, and a beloved son, one that thought more of his country than he did of his own life.' was born near Waverly, Ohio, May 17, 1880. His father was William Barnes and his mother's maiden name was Nancy Ann Talbott. His father was an Adjutant in the war of 1812 and at the time of his death in 1846 was a Major- General of the Ohio Militia, appointed by the Legislature. His grand-father, John Barnes, was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and held a Lieutenant's commission in the 7th Virginia. The family lived on a farm one mile south of Waverly at the time of John R.'s birth, and till he was fourteen years of age, when his parents took up their residence in that village. As a boy, he worked on a farm, hunted or fished as boys of the time did. He had a common school education only. His parents were devout members of the Methodist Church and he was a member of the same, from boyhood. His mother died January 5, 1846, and his father the day following. John entered the store of his elder brother, William T. Barnes as a clerk. He became a partner in 1842 and remained in the business ten years when he sold out to his brother, William, and went to Chillicothe, where he clerked for William Carson for some six years,

In 1858, he went to Portsmouth and became a clerk for William Widen. Here he formed many fast friendships among the men of his own age. In Portsmouth, he had connected with the Presbyterian church and lived up to his profession. When the war broke out, he was fired with the war fever and on April 16, 1861, enlisted in Company G First Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three months. He wanted some of his young friends to go with him and went to Waverly and secured as volunteers with him Abisha Downing who afterwards become Major in the 73rd Ohio Voluntesr Infantry; Asa F. Couch who afterwards became a, Captain in the 78rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Gordon F, Lauman, severely wounded at Vienna, Virginia. With these young men he followed the Company to Cincinnati where he and they joined it. They were sent to Alexandria, Va., and by oversight, or a blunder, of the commanding officers, a train was sent forward on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad instead of having the country scoured by scouts to develop the enemy. Near Vienna, the train of flat cars loaded with soldiers, moving in advance of skirmishers, in rownding a curve, was shot into by a rebel battery, in ambush..

in Company G alone, six were killed besides those killed from other companies. Barnes was mortally wounded. Wis left elbow was shot away and he received internal injuries. He was sent back on a flat car and died in one half hour after reaching camp. His life was needlessly sacrificed, as were those of the others killed in the same encounter. He and his companions who lost their lives at the same time, were first buried in a fleld by the roadside between Washington and Alexandria, near a little bay just where the Orange and Alexandria Railroad bears away from the Potomac, toward Orange C. H. The official record says he was interred at Camp Lincoln, on the Loudon and Hamp- shire Railroad. He was buried in a coffin, the only one which could be obtained in Alexandria. The others were buried in their blankets His brother, James Q. Barnes, after the death of his brother, went on and joined Company G and served with it, until it was mustered out, in place of his brother, without being enlisted, or mustered, and without pay. He was in the Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. This same brother became First Lieutenant of Company D, 73rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was made Captain of Company I same regiment, September 25, 1862.. he was wounded October 29, 1868, in the battle of Lookout Valley and was mustered out December 31, 1864.

Thus perished in his youth, one of the most noble hearted of the young men of our country. He was of honorable ancestry, of pure morals, and led a correct, upright life. He was a model among young men.. The figure of the soldier on the top of, the Soldiers' Monument in Tracy Square, Portsmouth, Ohio, was intended to represent him. His life was lost by the want of military knowledge, on the part of his commander, like thousands of others in the same war, and in other wars, but it cannot be said to have been wasted, because his noble example and those of his companions who met a like fate will be remembered while the Republic lasts.

Spanish War, 1898

was one of the young men of Portsmouth, Ohio, whose life was sacrificed for his country. He was the son of William Stewart and Jeannette Bryden, his wife, born in 1845, near Raven Rock in Washington Township. He spent his whole life in the vicinity of Portsmouth. He enlisted in Battery L. First Ohio Light Artillery, August 21, 1868, at the age of eighteen. He was in all the battles in which that battery participated until October 8, 1864, when he was captured near Harrisonburg, Virginia, and taken to Libby Prison. He was exchanged April 11, 1865, but his confinement in prison ruined his health, and his father procured his discharge June 26, 1865, at New Creek, West Virginia. and took him home, but only to die there. The whole battery was discharged and mustered out July 4, 1865. He died July 9, 1865, only five days after the battery was mustered out. He was, at enlistment, a handsome youth, fair, florid and pleasant to look upon, and his life and character were as attractive as his personal appearance. The grief of his aged father at his untimely death, when all were rejoicing on the return of the soldiers, was pathetic. He visited his grave daily and kept it in order as long as he lived. The memory of this handsome and brave young soldier is precious to all who remember him, and to the coming generation who will read this work. The writer, who was a soldier of the civil war, himself, commends the example of this noble youth who gave his life, a sacrifice to his country. John R. T. Barnes was the first man to die in the service of his country from Scioto County June 17, 1801 and Walter P. Stewart was the last. The memory of his life will be cherished while the Republic endures, SPANISH WAR, 1898.

of Ohio, April 25, 1898. Marched to Camp Bushnell. Columbus, Ohio, April 28, 1898. Mustered in U. S. service, May 9, 1898. Left Camp Bushnell. May 14, 1898, via Big Four R. R. en route for Camp Geo. H. Thomas, Chickamauga Park, Ga. Arrived at Camp Geo. H. Thomas, May 17, 1898. Left Camp Geo. H. Thomas, Ga., for Newport News, Va.. July 21, 1898 via C. & O. Railroad. Arrived at Newport News, Va.. July 25, 1898. HEmbarked from dock at Newport Nows, Va., on lighter, July 28, 1898 for U. S. Transport St. Paul. . Boarded U. S. Transport St. Paul at 5 p. m., July 28, 1898. Left harbor at Ft. Monroe, Va., July 29, 1898, at 6 a. m., en route for Island of Puerto Rico. Arrived off coast at Arroyo Augee 2, 1898, at 4 p. m. Embarked on lighter for shore August 4, 1898, at 6 p. landing at Arroyo. Ocenpied Guayama from August 5, 1898. to October 5, 1898; Caguas, October 7, 1898 to October 27, 1898. HEmbarked for U. 8. from San Juan, October 29, 1898 on U. S. Transport Chester. Arrived at New York, N. Y., November 4, 1898. Left New York same date, via B. & O. R. R., for Washington, D. C. Arrived at Washington, D. C., November 5, 1898, 10 a. m. Received by President McKinley 1 p.m. Left Washington, D. C., 4 p. m. of same date via

B. & O. R. R., for Columbus, Ohio. Arrived at Columbus..Ohio, November 5, 1898, at 11 a. m. Oral furlough granted from November 6, 1898 to January 4. 1899, was Telegraphic instructions A. G. O. by Melvin W. Rowell, 1st Lieut. 5th U. S. Cavalry, Chief Mustering Office, Columbus, Ohio.

The following were the promotions during the service of the Company: James W. Smith, Captain; Kinney P. Funk, First Lieutenant; Russell C. Newman, First Sergeant; Samuel A. Williams, Sergeant; George G. Oldfield, Sergeant; Denver Crull, Corporal: George A. Batterson. Corporal; Asberry W. Davidson, Corporal; John L. McMonagle, Corporal; Byron D. Schriver, Corporal; William P. Reed, Corporal; Charles S. Noel, Corporal; Floyd E. Thurman, Corporal; Roy N. Matthews. Artificer; Fred M. Armstrong, Musician: William D. McMonagle, Wagoner. Those who died in the service were: Daniel H. Dodge, Elbert L. Patterson, Henry M. Morrison, Kurt Sparks and Forrest Briggs.

the son of George Lyons Dodge and Sarah Louise (Tibbs) Dodge, was born December 24, 1875. on the Dodge homestead farm in Madison Township, Scioto County, Ohio. He grew up in the County and attended the common schools. He entered the employ of Peter Brushart as Assistant Manager of his company store in Pike County, Kentucky and remained there until the fall of 1897, when he came to Portsmouth and entered a local business college and left his studies there to respond to his country's call.

He enlisted in the 4th O. V. I. Spanish War and died in Guyama, Porto Rico, August 10, 1898. His remains were brought home and interred in Greenlawn October 31, 1898. \ was born near McConnelsville, Morgan County, Ohio, January 15, 1881. His father was James L. Patterson, at one time "Editor of the Times" at' Portsmouth, Ohio. His mother died when he was three years old. He came _ to Portsmouth in 1898, when his father took charge of the "Portsmouth Times." He graduated from the Portsmouth High School at the age of 16, and for one year was an efficient reporter on his father's paper, "The Daily Times." Elbert Patterson was a member of Co. H 14th Regiment "Ohio National Guard" and when the Company was called into the Spanish War, he left Portsmouth with it April 26, 1898 He went with the regiment to Camp Chickamaugua, and afterward embarked with it from Newport News for Porto Rico, where his regi- ment arrived August 1, 1898. He was taken sick and it was apparent that he would not live to return home. His father was notified, left at once for Puerto Rico, and reached Ponce, the morning of his death, just 40 miles from Guyama where he was lying. His father did not arrive until after his death, but brought his body home. Elbert Patterson was a young man of excellent morals and beloved and respected by all who knew him. He died October 16, 1898, at Guyama, Puerto Rico.

was born January 19, 1879, on the Morrison farm in Nile Township. He was the eldest child of James Hiner Morrison and Ara McCall, his wife. He obtained his education at the Elm Tree school. His parents moved to Portsmouth in March, 1895. He worked awhile in one of the shoe factories and then sold merchandise for a Cincinnati house. He enlisted in Company H, 14th O. N. G., in February, 1896. When the Spanish-American War broke out, he with his Company enlisted in Company H, 4th O. V. I. for two years. He left Portsmouth, April 26, 1898. The regiment went first to Chickamauga and then to Puerto Rico. He was in excellent health until September 17, when he was taken with typhoid fever and went to the hospital. He left Puerto Rico October 21, 1898, on the hospital ship, Missouri, and died at two o'clock p. m. on the 26th of October, 1898, and was buried at sea, at 8 p. m. His physician informed him he would die.. He took the announcement most calmly and heroically and gave the physician the address of his parents and friends and passed away. He was a youth of great promise, admired and loved by all who knew him.

the son of Joseph and Ermina (Thurman) Briggs, was born in Clay Township, Scioto County, Ohio, July 21, 1872. He was the eldest child, and had two sisters, Cora and Aletha. He was reared on the Briggs home farm, attended school in the country until he was eleven years of age and worked with his father on the farm during vacation. He then attended the Portsmouth schools for five years. He did not complete the High School course, but entered the River City Business College in 1885, and completed a course in bookkeeping and stenography, after which he was employed in the Norfolk and Western Railway Office. He became a member of Company 'H'', 14th Ohio National Guards July 2 and served five years. He was with the Regiment as First Sergeant during the Logan County Riots. At the breaking out of the Spanish-American War he was mustered in the United States service with his Company as First Sergeant. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant August 2, 1898, on merits. His Company was transferred at once to Chickamauga, where his health began failing. It was soon ordered to Puerto Rico where the service and climate bore heavily upon his weak constitution. He was taken sick October 27, with typhoid fever, and was transferred to Fort Hamilton, New York, where he died November 10, 1898. His father reached him three days before his death, and in his delirium he was performing his duties as an officer. His commission as Second Lieutenant was sent him on the 2nd of August, but was never presented to him. His body was brought to Portsmouth, and he was buried with military honors on Sunday afternoon November 13, 1898, in Greenlawn Cemetery. He seemed to have an inborn taste for a soldier's life, for when a boy he took great interest in the Portsmouth High School Cadets. He had been a member of the Sixth Street Methodist Church since the age of fourteen, and attended the Sabbath School of that Church regularly.

He was a young man with a most kindly and generous disposition, always seeking to do something for others. He was a model youth in every respect, and died a Christian soldier. He had the affection and respect of all of his comrades. His funeral was one of the largest ever held in Scioto County.