Washington County, Ohio - Chapter 27, 1902 (part 2 of 6)
From History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, published 1902. 15,868 words, reproduced complete and unedited. Source changes inside the text are labelled in place.
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15,868 wordsMachine-read from scans of History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, published 1902. Nothing has been corrected: fixing what looks like a misspelled name is how an invented one gets published. Source changes are marked where they occur.
October 4, 1862, a detachment under Major Laughlin having been sent out to the front they left the direct road to Bardstown, and proceeding via Fairfield, came into it again at Bardstown fair-grounds. After some skirmishing we gained the road. Company L was formed parallel to the road, close up to the fence, and was on the left line, disconnected. We had commenced letting down the fence to enable us to get on to the road, but a rush of cavalry from the direction of Louisville caused us to make other disposition of our time. We were between a brigade of Texan rangers and Bardstown, and they were charging down upon us in columns of platoons, evidently intent upon cuttinig through. We fired a few rounds at a right oblique, and the right having broken, we had to fall back. The Rebels were between us and our reserves. We must run the gauntlet or jump a rail fence and take a wide circuit around. Captain Pattin's bridle-reign caught on a gate-latch, and he barely escaped capture. Corporal Daniel \\'. Dye having dropped his carbine, dismounted_ and picked it up, and with the Rebels demanding his surrender, he put spurs to his horse and escaped. Jonathan H. Smith was mortally wounded after he had been compelled to surrender. Corporal Jacob Gano and privates Edward P. Bigelow, Calvin C. Broughton, Peter Cline, David M. Grimes, John Hoskinson and William Rice were captured and paroled. John Duden and \\'illiani Reese were captured and dismounted, but watching their opportunity, they escaped.
After another fruitless chase after Morgan, the company was for some time engaged in carrying dispatches from Gallatin to General Rosseau at Tyree Springs, Tennessee.
The regiment was about this time (November, 1862) brigaded with the Third Ohio Cavalry, and the Second and Fifth Kentucky Cavalery, under Colonel Zahm of the Third Ohio. The Fourth Ohio Cavalry was afterwards substituted for the Fifth Kentucky.
On December 30, 1862, Captain Pattin was ordered to take his platoon and with a section of artillery, to drive some Rebel troops out of Lavergne, Tennessee. Upon coming in sight of the town the artillery was brought into position, and a few shots were fired as "feelers." One of these passing through a house took ofif the arm of Mr. Tidd of Harmar, Ohio, who was employed by the government in putting up telegraph lines. The Rebels retreated. Pattin pursued and captured a number of mules. The Second platoon, under Lieut. Timothy L. Condit. accompanied the train, and both platoons met at Wilkes' crossroads, and went into camp there at 10 P. M.
Stone River
December 31st we were preparing to break camp, when, from the right over the fields, came excited soldiers with tales of disaster. General Willich's command had been surprised. and the plain was covered with his fleeing troops. The wounded, as they passed, inquired where they might find a hospital, and all seemed more or less panic-stricken. Hastily forming we proceeded to join the regiment, and hardly had we done so when the Rebels opened on us w!ith artillery, one of the first shots killing our major, David A. B. Moore. Acting under orders, we fell back to a new position. The enemy^ mistaking the movement for a retreat, set up. a cheer and charged. Upon our again facing them, however, they came to a sudden halt, and we engaged them with our carbines. Colonel Millikin was cool and brave. "Give it to them, boys,"' said he, "and if they get too close take your sabres to them." The disaster to General McCook's corps made it necessary for us to fall back again, that the line of battle might not be disconnected. We were closely followed by the Rebels, who used the artillery at every opportunity. We had no artillery, and in tliis the enemy had the advantage. As we were compelled to go through fences we lost our formation and became mi.xed up. This kept getting worse; we were like a drove, and still harder pressed, the foe riding down on us, and with their revolvers firing upon us they came. We were nearing the pike; our line of communication to the rear, and the sight of the long line of wagons must have given the Rebels encouragement. At this juncture Colonel Millikin ordered "Charge!" repeating the command. Seventy-five or a hundred men wheeled and dashed toward the enemy, but they took to flight. We pursued and had nearly overtaken them when a strong force was hurled against our right flank, and made retreat a necessity. Tlhis was a matter of. difticulty. and in trying to make it successful Colonel Millikin anil Lieut. Timothy L. Condit, our best of^cers, were killed ; Adjutant Scott was severely wounded. Sergeant George Warren and Bugler John Didty were taken prisoners, and James S. Parker was captured, disarmed and shot in twoi places. He managed to escape with his horse. The Rebels now had undisputed possession of the train. Our cavalry was scattered, discouraged and fleeing. It was late in the day ere we were again in order.. Captain Pattin brought up the first battalion and took command of the company. The Rebels were driven from the road by the Fourth regulars, and the fighting for the day. as far as we were concerned, was over. Our Colonel died nobly. His loss was deeply la-; mented, for his place could never be filled. The death of Lieutenant Condit was a grief to all the company. He had no enemies ; every one was his friend, and each felt an individual sorrow.
killed by a cannon ball. He belonged to the escort of Major General Thomas, and was on the field when killed. His comrades bear testimony to his excellent qualities as a soldier and his uniform courtesy and gentlemanly bearing.
We were not actively engaged today. The Rebels advanced but once, and being met with grape and canister from a masked battery, they precipitately retired.
January 2d. The company was in order of battle ail day. There was considerable skirmishing, but no general engagement by the Second brigade.
The next day it was discovered the Rebels had left IMurfreesborotigh, and pursuit was begun, Company L taking part, and on the 5th entered the town.
The company, soon after this battle, was assigned tO' duty carrying dispatches, until April 21, 1863, when the company was permanently detailed as escort of Gen. George H. Thomas .
During the operations against Tullahoma. Tennessee, we were engaged as orderlies and couriers, and in time of expected battle, as General Thomas' personal escort on the field. We were now at Winnefred's Ford, at Elk River, six miles north of Dercherd, Tennessee. Today General Thomas, accompanied by General Re}-nolds, went to General Rnsecrans" headquarters at Estell Springs. When returning, as he was crossing Elk River, his horse stumbled over a stone and he was thrown in the water. Corporal John W. Price had charge of the detail then with the general, and was close behind him. The current was very rapid, and the general was being carried down stream unable to reach the shore. Corporal Price, without a moment's hesitation, sprang from his horse into the water, and, being over six feet high, by a few rapid strokes, reached the general and caught hold of his coat tail. Setting himself against the current he tried to check their progress down the stream, but to no purpose ; at each surge the general went under. Finally they reached the shore, the general much exhausted.
Chickamauga
September 18, 1863. At dusk General Thomas received a dispatch from General Rosecrans, through the signal corps, which caused orders to be issued immediately for breaking camp. We marched to Crawfish Springs, where General Thomas stopped to have an interview with General Rosecrans. The company, at 10 o'clock P. M., built fires and unsaddled, but remained ready for marching at a few minutes' notice. Troops and trains are passing rapidly towards Chattanooga. The fences on each side of the road are on fire, and dififuse light and warmth.
September 19th, at 2 o'clock A. M., we left Crawfish Springs and proceeded toward Chattanooga. A short time after daylight the general took a detail from the company, and with his stafif took a road to the right, leaving the company to escort the headquarters train to Rossville. The road taken by General Thomas ran almost parallel to the line of battle which he proceeded to form as the troops came up. To' secure certain advantages an advance was orderd early in the day, and the Rebels were driven to the creek, but soon after they advanced and drove our men, capturing some artillery. There was evidently a slight panic, and the movement to the rear was being made in confusion and haste. Officers and men were mixed indiscriminately, and they rushed by the general, paying no heed to the injunction "look behind you." Had they done so, they would have stopped, for the Rebels had ceased to advance, and of those of our men who had remained to oppose them quite a good line was formed. The detail under Sergeant Daniel W. Dye made efforts tO' stop those who were fleeing, but it was some time ere thev could be convinced that they were out of danger. Fortunately this was confined to but one brigade, and in the remainder of the battle it proved faithful and courageous. x\nother detail joined the general iu the afternoon and performed whatever service was required. At night we stood around the held headquarters, ready at a call. The general sat on a log in the wood near a dim fire, dictating dispatches to his aid. At twelve o'clock he went to see General Rosecrans, a part of the company going as escort.
September 20th those of the company who were with the train yesterday came to the field and those who were relieved to get rations and forage. These returned again in the afternoon. When the center was forced to give way the escort was used to supply additional aids with orderlies, and a number of the company performed very satisfactorily the duties of staff officers. Capt. John D. Barker, when returning from a distant point, whither he had gone with a message, not knowing that the center was so far driven back, came unawares upon the Rebels, who fired upon him, shooting his horse through the neck. Taking a more roundabout course he came in the rear of the left and was again fired upon. At this same place Gen. Jomes A. Garfield, a few minutes later, had his horse shot from under him. Captain Barker reached the General and reported, and was sent with Captain Killogg, aid-de-camp, to conduct the loads of ammunition to General Reynolds. Here the services of the conlpany were required. The Rebels were in the rear of General Reynolds' position, and the ammunition was in some danger of being captured. A number of the company were deployed as skirmishers, and with raised pistols we advanced through a piece of woods on the left supposed to be occupied by the extreme right flank of the Rebel army. This was not the case, however, until half an hour later, when General Turchin, with the Thirtysixth and Ninety-second charged upon them and routed them completely. The ammunition was delivered to the proper officer and we returned to the general. During the afternoon a cloud of dust was seen to the rear at a distance, and as it came nearer troops were discovered. General Thomas had been watching them, and calling Corporal Franklin W. Prunty he instructed him to go and ascertain whether they were Rebel or Union troops, cautioning him to be sure to return with a correct report. Rapidly galloping toward the approaching column. Corporal Prunty discovered that they carried the flag of the Reserve Corps, and getting sufficiently near to remove all doubt of their being friends he turned back and reported the approach of General Steedman's division of the Reserve Corps. The general himself, a few minutes later, came up and was assigned to duty on the right of the line held by General Thomas. At sunset the divisions on the left began to retire, and the general, after seeing ever\'thing in order, started late in the evening for Rossville, where the troops were concentrating. We lay down around the fire and being warm and wearv fell asleep.
During the entire engagement the officers and men of the cnmpan}- performed valuable services. Captain Barker was on the field all the time, and rendered efficient service as an aid-de-camp. Lieutenants Putnam and Reppert were alternately on the field, and in command of the train guard. There was no manifestation of cowardice on the part of any member of the company. Those who witnessed the coolness of Quartermaster Sergeant John Huff, when danger was most imminent, will not forget it, and the quiet, determined manner in which private Benjamin S. Turner performed his duties was admirable. He realized that there was danger, but never let it keep him from his post of duty. Others are deserving of as great praise as these, but all did not become equally prominent.
After the battle of Chickamauga, Company L was with General Thomas during all the movements and engagements from Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge to Atlanta. On November 19, 1863, the subject of re-enlisting as veterans came up and Corporal William H. Snodgrass re-enlisted at once, one of the first in the army to pledge his services to the country for another term of three years. Afterwards many others of the company took the same step. On December 5, 1863, Capt. J. D. Barker having been assigned to duty at headquarters of the Department of the Cumberland as acting assistant inspector general, Lieut. Henry C. Reppert assumed command, and retained that position to the end. receiving his commission as captain June 30. 1865.
On April 27, 1864, the company was joined by 35 recruits, and by May 4th they fctmd themselves well equipped, rested, healthy, and ready for the arduous campaign before them. Then began General Sherman's brilliant movements, flanking the enemy to the right and compelling him each time to abandon one stronghold after another until he finally drew up before Atlanta, and then by another flank movement compelling him to abandon that also. During all these movements and battles Gen. George H. Thomas was an important figure, as well as a powerful factor in every important move. Sherman, no doubt, owed much of his success on this memorable campaign to his able lieutenants, his corps commanders. General Thomas was himself constantly in the field and his body guard were constantly subjected to dangerous and fatiguing service.
On September 2nd. about two o'clock in the morning, heavy explosions were heard in the direction of Atlanta, and they broke camp early and moved towards the city and on the 8th moved up to Atlanta and went into camp, Hood and his army having retreated.
The company continued in service after the fall of Richmond and the final collapse of the Confederacy, scouring the country in the neighborhood of Nashville, Gallatin. Hartsville and Lebanon. Tennessee, looking after government property and protecting loval citizens until September 26. 1865, when the company was paid and mustered out at Nashville. Tlie company before disbanding did something that showed their high opinion and regard for
Gen. George H. Thomas, the "Pap" Thomas who was so brave, so able and so "popular with the boys." It was a tribute to his social and personal worth.
The company contributed $50 for the purchase of a full length colored photogrpah of Gen. George H. Thomas, which was taken in charge of by the comm'ittee to be placed in the hands of the military committee of Washington County, for exhibition in the soldiers' gallery in connection with the company. And so we part, some to take the evening train for liuiiiic. Others to remain to spend a few^ days in Nashville as citizens.
Of the 91 enlisted men in the company, there were 41 farmers, 28 carpenters, smiths,, machinists, moulders, masons, coopers, etc., 10 clerks and students, and 12 of various occupations. Six were commissioned, 30 discharged at expiration of term of service, 18 discharged for disability, one on writ of Iiabcas corpus. 2^ re-enlisted, one deserted, one missing in action, and eight dead.
P.Ecimental Officers
Colonel Israel Garrard, mustered September 18, 1862. refused promotion, mustered out with the regiment : Lieutenant Colonel George G. Miner, September iS, 1862. on detached dut>- Major William Reany, September 20, 1862. mustered out July 4. 1865; Major Augustus Norton. December 28, 1862, resigne^ January 30. 1P64; Major James Mclntyre. July i, 1863. resigned March 26. 1864: Maior Willinm T. Simpson, March 28. 1864, resigned August 26. 1864: Major John Leaper. Julv 13. 1864; Major Solomon L. Green October 12. 1864. mustered out with reg'ment : Surgeon Isaac Train. October 9. 1862. mustered out with regiment; Assistant Surgeon R. H. Tullis. November 6, 1862. died at Marietta. Georgia: Assistant Surgeon P. G. Barrett, June 0. 1863. honorablv d-schargcd October 2fi. 1864 : Assistant Surgeon John Kraps, January 4, 1865, mustered out with regiment.
Captain Arthur D. Eells. August 27, 1862, resigned June 28. 1863: Captain Theodore F. AIIph. April 2, 1864, mustered out July 4, 1865; Captain Andrew Hall, brevet maior, lieutenant colonel and coloTel United States Vohmteers. April 2. 1864. mu-tprpd out with regiment: First L'eutenant William L. Tripi. September 2. 1862. re---'gned December 25. 1863; First Lieutenant John J. Smith, .\pril 2, 1864. res'gied as second lieutenant October 30, 1863 ; First Lieutenant Andrew J. Hardy, May 25, 1S64, mustered out with regiment ; Second Lieutenant John J. Smith, September 2, 1862, promoted to first heutenant; Second Lieutenant Andrew J. Hard}', April ig, 1864, promoted to first lieutenant ; Second Lieutenant Samuel C. Tappan, March 16, 1865, mustered out with regiment as first sergeant.
Company H, named at the time "Xewton Guards," in honor of John Xewton, Esq., of the mihtary conuriittee of Washington County, was organized at Miarietta, Ohio, Sq^tember 8, 1862. It had been speedily enhsted by that popular officer. Captain Arthur D. Eells, who became the first captain of the company. On October 25, 1862, they were mustered in at Camp Marietta, and on the 29th were ordered to Ripley, Ohio, where they became company H, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, the famous "river regiment."" Over sixteen hundred men were offered for this regiment, so popular was this branch of the service at the time.
They left Ripley on January 2d and arrived at Lexington, Kentucky, January 8, 1863. On February 3d they were sent on a scouting expedition to Mount Vernon, Kentucky, and on March 21st were again on a scout, this time meeting the Rebel raider, Basil Duke, near Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, on the 22nd and driving him from the State.
With the other forces under General Gilmore they engaged in the pursuit of the Rebel General Pegram"s command, which had invaded Kentucky, and at Button's Hill, near Somerset, where the enemy made a stand in a strongly entrenched position, a sharp battle took place. "Companies G, I, K, L and M made a gallant sabre charge, which decided the day, and the enemy fled in the greatest confusion," leaving in the hands of the companies that charged up the hill 130 prisoners and 49 dead and wounded on the field. The Rebels, however, had sent some veteran cavalry around to the rear, and the Nationals had scarcely taken possession of the hill when from their rear was heard the Rebel yell, and two regiments of Rebels charged at full speed down the valley. They were met at once by a counter charge, led by Captain Saunders, of General Gilmore's stafif (afterward General Saunders, killed at Knoxville), who charged with companies E, F, and H of the river regiment, routed and scattered the Rebel charging columns, capturing from them nearly 200 prisoners and two battle-flags. Then followed a vigorous pursuit of the enemy for five miles or more up hill and down, through woods, shooting, shouting, taking prisoners, and strewing the woods with wounded, slain and all the debris of battle. At one place they came unexpectedly onto a company of women from Somerset, who had taken refuge in the woods: these began screaming and were expecting doubtless to be killed in a very short space of time, but the gallant troopers halted in their mad career and allowed the women to pass and then resumed the pursuit, which continued until darkness intervened.
The next work in hand was to drive Pegram beyond the Cumberland mountains, in May, 1863, which they did. Pegram, however refused to stay whipped, and information being received that he had collected a force near Monticello, the Seventh, with four other cavalry regiments, all under Col. A. V. Kautz, attacked the enemy June 9, 1863, and drove him from that place. On the return march the river regiment was in the rear of the column, with companies D and H throvn out as rear guard. Presently a huge cloud of du.st to the rear announced the approach of the enemy. The two companies nerved themselves to check the Rebel advance, and selected a position behind a stone wall. The enemy, coming up, received the well directed fire of the guard, which emptied several saddles ; but the Rebels, charging gallantly, drove the guard from its chosen nosition. Galloping along the road, closely pursued by the enemy, the guard loaded their carbines, wheeled into line, and delivered a fire which checked the Rebel advance for a moment. The rear guard was soon reinforced by the entire regiment, and afterw^ards by other regiments and a battery, when a close and desperate fight ensued, lasting till after dark, when both parties withdrew. This engagement was known as that of Rocky Gap. General Burnside complimented the
The regiment next engaged in cutting the Knoxville & Chattanooga Railroad, at Lenoir station, m'arching from there to a point so close to Knoxville that they threw a few shells into the town. Tliey then drew back and proceeded to Strawberry Plains, and burned a fine railroad bridge over the Holston, the depot, and large quantities of army supplies.
They next joined in the pursuit of the famous raider, John Morgan, who on July 3. 1863, had succeeded in crossing his command over tlie Cumberland, estimated at 3.500 men. On the loth. Morgan crossed the Ohio at Brandenburg, Kentucky, with Shackleford and his cavalry in hot pursuit, the route taken being through Southern Indiana eastward through Ohio, Morgan having the advantage of 24 hours' start, and all fresh horses on the line of march. Morgan, becoming anxious for the safety of his command, had resolved to make a desperate effort to cross the Ohio at Buffing-ton's Island. His pursuers, however. were too close upon him. At davlight on the morning of July 19th the advance guard of the pursuing column drove in the Rebel pickets, and the enemy was found in line of battle near Buffington's Island. The river regiment, being in the advance, was the first to attack, and being reinforced by other troops, a sharp engagement ensued, which resulted in the defeat of the enemy, \\ho fled from. the field in the greatest disorder, leaving their artillery and dead and wounded on the field. The pursuit continued until dark, up to which time 800 prisoners had been brought in, and the rest of the raiders scattered or ii'ding in the woods. After the pursuit ceased, a flag of -truce was sent to Colonel Garrard, of the Seventh, the bearer announcing that Colonels Basil Duke and Howard Smith, of Morgan's command, with staff officers, had been cut off and were anxious to surrender. Two officers were sent to receive the surrender, and upon arriving at the designated place, found that two colonels and several other officers, and
Tlie river regiment took part in the movement against Cumberland Gap, the gateway to East Tennessee, which stronghold was invested and on September 9, 1863, the garrison of 2,600 men, with 15 pieces of artillery, surrendered, and the Seventh was detailed to receive the surren^ler.
On August 3 1 st Company H was acting as advance guard of the force of the main column, they went into camp at a convenient place, and in the morning found they had gone into camp with a party of Rebels. The enemy, thinking there was a large force present "folded their tents and stole away" during the night, and stole some of the company's horses also. Camping with the enemy was an experiment they did not repeat.
On September loth the Seventh Cavalry took part in the night fight at Carter's station, in upper East Tennessee, driving the enemy away. They then repaired to Bull's Gap, in Bey's Mountain. 40 miles east of Knoxville, and held that position until October loth, when, in the battle of Blue Springs, it took part in the final charge, near nightfall, routing the Rebels, who beat a hasty retreat.
On November 6th occurred the disastrous defeat at Rogersville. Tennessee, where the gallant Seventh, the Second Tennessee Mounted Infantrv', and Battery M, Second Illinois Light Artillery, in all about i.ooo con:lbatants, under conjmand of Colonel Garrard of the Seventh, made a desperate stand against greatly superior numbers, losing 112 men and some of its best officers. The orderly - Bugler Justus Schminke, a Company H man from Marietta, was shot at his post by the side of Colonel Garrard. The enemy were said to number 3,500 men.
From the 13th to the 17th of December, after the enemy retreated from Kno>:ville, the Seventh regiment was constantly fighting and skirmishing, subsisting during that time almose entirely on parched corn.
bels at New Market, and drove them out of that town. Christmas Day they crossed Bey's Mountain and joined battle with a largely superior force of the enemy, and, after hard fighting all day, being surrounded at two different times, they were compelled to cut their way out.
The 10 days following New Year's Day, 1864, were the most dreary days in the history of the regiment ; they and their comrades of the other regiments and army lay on the hills about Mossy Creek, half starved. A bushel of cornmeal was issued to a brigade of men for a day's rations. Horses died by the hundreds from starvation. It stormed fearfully, and the men were without shelter. There was but one blanket for every two men, and they were but scantily clothed for such severe weather.
On Januarv 27. 1864, the regiment joined the forces of General Sturgis and gave battle to Morgan's and Armstrong's divisions of Wheeler's cavalry, at Fair Garden. Tennessee, defeating them and drivin.j- them across the French Broad River.
On June 11, 1864, the Seventh, with the force under General Burbridge, began the pursuit of Morgan's force, which had invaded Kentucky, and at daylight of June 12th, at Cynthiana, Kentucky, attacked, driving the Rebels in confusion from the field. The left wing, led by Company H, and commanded by Colonel Garrard, charged the enemy's right, broke through and reached the rear of the Rebel line before it gave way on the center or left, captured the bridge over the Licking- River, on the Rebel line of retreat, taking position on the opposite bank, with the rallying cry of "Rogersville," killed, wounded and captured a large number of the same enemy who defeated them at Rogersville, Tennessee, November 6, 1863. Tlie regiment followed Morgan into the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, until forage and supplies failed, when they returned. They had marched 272 miles in six days and nights.
I by July 26th arrived at that fated city, participating in all the movements around Atlanta, scouting and doing picket dutv, until November 6th, when they were ordered to Nashville,
I ordered to join the National forces, then retreating in the direction of Nashville, and at Duck River the regiment was surrounded by the enemy, and were compelled to cut their way out. At the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, the Se\-enth held the left of the line. In December, 1864, the regiment was assigned to the First Brigade, Sixth Division, Cavalry Coi'ps, coirmianded by General Wilson.
On December 15th the regiment participated in the great battle of Nashville, and, charging by squadrons, drove the enemy in its front a mile and a half, and captured four pieces of artilleiw, with men and horses. On the second day of the battle the regiment was actively engaged ; and in the pursuit of Hood's army, on December 17th, marching by a detour to cut ofif the Rebel rear guard, they struck the Rebel center at Franklin, and, charging into the town, found it swarming with Rebels, who were fleeing and endeavoring to hide from their pursuers. The Rebel of^cers were unable to bring their men into line, and hundreds of them were taken prisoners, including 700 officers and men, 2.700 Rebel wounded, and a large number of National soldiers wounded in the hospital at Franklin.
On Christmas day, 1864, tlie regiment engaged the Rebel rear guard at Pulaski, drove them from that place in disorder, and captured three pieces of artillery, an ammunition train, etc. The pursuit ended on December 27th. when the rear guard of the defeated arm_\- of Hood crossed the Tennessee.
Tlie Seventh then went into winter quarters at Gravelly Sorings, Alabama, where they remained until March 22, 1865. At that date the cavalry corps commanded by General Wilson, started on the last great raid of the war. This force numbered about 18,000 men. the finest and best equipped body of cavalry of the war. They moved southward with irresistible n 'omentum, driving; the few scattered fragments of the Rebel armv like chaff before the wind. Tlie object of the expedition was to cut off commiunication between the Rebel armies o'f'the East and \\'est. Tlie line of march of the Seventh regiment lay through Jasper, Georgia. Plantersville. Alabama, where 300 prisoners were taken, Selma, Alabama, where a large number of prisoners were taken; at this ])lace, on April 3rd, the regiment had 3,000 Rebel prisoners in their possession. On April 12th they passed through Montgomery, the capital of Alabama; April 15th, through Tuskegee, Alabama. April i6th the regiment attacked Columbus, Georgia, at night, and captured the same, and on the i8th moved down the railroad toward the Andersonville prison pen ; and on the 20th, while skirmishing with the enemy, a Rebel ofificer appeared with a white flag, announcing the surrender of Lee at Appomatox, and end of the war. The pursuit was at once stopped, and the forces which a short time before had been engaged in deadly conflict joined hands and bivouacked on the same field.
The regiment went into camp at Macon, Georgia, on April 25th, and remained there until May 5th, when they were ordered to Atlanta, where they arrived May 9th.
On May 13th 18 men from Company H were detailed to guard Jefferson Davis, the President of the defunct Confederacy, who had been captured in woman's attire, endeavoring to effect his escape. He was taken to Augusta, Georgia.
The total number, including recruits, in the regiment during its service, was 1,400; when mustered out it numbered 840, showing a loss of 560 men by casualties of war.
Regimental Officers
Colonel William D. Hamilton, mustered December 2. 186.^, brevet brigadier general April 18. 1865 ; Lieutenant Colonel William D. Hamilton. October 30. 1863. promoted to colonel ; Lieutenant Colonel Thomas P. Cook, December 2, 1863. discharged September 9, 1864; Lieutenant Colonel William Stough, October i, 1864, mustered out with regiment; Major William D. Hamilton. December 6. 1862. promoted to lieutenant colonel; Major Thomas P. Cook. October 30, 1863, promoted to lieutenant colonel; Major William Sims, October 30,
1864. promoted to lieutenant colonel ; Major L. H. Bowlus, October i. 1864, mustered out with regiment; Major John W. Macumber, February 10, 1865. mustered out with regiment: Major James Irvine. May 31,
1865. mustered out with regiment; Major Joseph B. Daniels, February. 1864. mustered out with regiment; Surgeon C. M. Finch, October 5, 1863, mustered out with regiment; Assistant Surgeon William McMillen, March 26, 1863, mustered out with regiment ; Assistant Surgeon James C. Thorpe. October 5. 1863. discharged April 18, 1864; Assistant Surgeon Charles H. Pinney, April 22, 1864, mustered out with regiment : Chaplain Ezekiel S. Hoagland, January 18, 1863, resigned Augu;t 20, 1864.
Officers Of Company B.
1862, promoted to major; Captain Joseph B. Daniels, December 2, 1863, promoted to major; First Lieutenant Joseph B. Daniels, November 6. 1862. promoted to captain ; First Lieutenant Richard B. Mason. December 22,
1863. deceased June 25, 1864: First Lieutenant James Stonehawker, July 30. 1864, mustered out with regiment: First Lieutenant Allen J. Alexander, February 10. 1865, honorably discharged March 25, 1865; Second Lieutenant Richard B. Mason. February 2, 1863, promoted to first lieutenant; Second Lieutenant James Stonehawker, October 10, 1863, promoted to first lieutenant; Second Lieutenant Allen J. Alexander. December 22, 1863, promoted to first lieutenant : Second Lieutenant Edward Ashley, May 31, 1865, mustered out with regiment ; Second Lieutenant Bishop Martin, May 31, 1865. mustered out with regiment.
Company B was from Washington County. They were raised in the fall of 1862, under the authority of Governor Tod, to make three new regiments of cavalry, the Eighth, Ninth and Tenth. Captain William D. Hamilton, of the Thirtv-second Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, then stationed at Winchester, Virginia, had been sent to Ohio to recruit another company for that regiment. He had secured 50 men, when his regiment, with others, was captured by "Stonewall" Jackson, on the 15th of September, 1862. Governor Tod then ordered Captain Hamilton to proceed at once to organize a cavalry regiment, to be called the Ninth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.
The fifty recruits above referred to formed a nucleus for the new organization, which rendezvoused at Zanesville, and on December i, 1862, seven companies were ready for muster. Tliree companies, however, were transferred to the Tenth Cavalry, then organizing, at Cleveland, to complete that regiment. The four remaining companies were ordered to Camp Dennison. They were designated as the First Battalion of the Ninth Cavalry, were equipped and drilled until April 23, 1863. when they were ordered to Lexington, Kentucky. The battalion under command of Captain Hamilton, numbering 300 men, were soon actively engaged driving out raiders and marauders who were so frequently coming down from the Kentucky and Tennessee mountains into the Blue Grass region.
On June 15, 1863, they joined an expedition designed to penetrate into East Tennessee and find out the situation of th; loyal inhabitants of that region. Tlie whole force consisted of about 2,000 mounted men, of which 200 were from the battalion, including Company B. Crossing the Cumberland River on the night of June i6th, they were soon at Pine Mountain Gap, a Rebel stronghold. Here the garrison was surprised and captured without firing a shot, and they passed on to Big Creek Gap, the Ninth Cavalry Battalion in the advance. The Rebel force at this gap evacuated and fled.
Tlie objects of the raid were accomplished without further opposition, and they returned to London. Kentucky. The battalion on July 5th was ordered to mo-ve oiit after John Morgan ; but Morgan having passed the battalion wias ordered to watch and embarrass the progress of the Rebel general Scott, who was reported moving to support Morgan. The battalion joined a hastily gathered force at Camp Dick Robinson, and went in pursuit of Scott, who had passed with his conjrund to the right. They then had a running fight for 10 days; the battalion marching at the rate of 57 miles in 24 hours, the men living chiefly on blackberries gathered at the roadside wiiile the horses were resting.
On August 1st the battalion went from Stanford to Glasgow, Kentucky, and were there assigned to a cavalry brigade for General Burnside's advance, into East Tennessee. The capture of Knoxville was effected without much opposition, and Major Hamilton was appointed provost marshal of the city, and the First Battalion assigned to patrol and guard duty on the approaches of the city.
The Second Battalion was organized November 6th, and the Third Battalion December 16, 1863, thus completinig the regiment. The two battalions were filled to their maximum, and together with 100 recruits for the old battalion, were rendezvoused- at Camp Dennison and furnished with horses, equipped with sabres and Smith carbines, and carefully drilled until February 6, 1864. when they were ordered by water to Nashville. Tennessee. Arriving! at Loinsville they were disembarked to follow some guerrillas, who> were reported to be making trouble in Kentucky. They marched through the country to Nashville without opposition. The regiment was then attached to the left wing of the Sixteenth Army Corps, and ordered to Athens, Alabama, for field duty along the Tennessee River.
Colonel Hamilton at this time went to Knoxville with orders from the First Battalion to join the regiment. The severe campaign through which the First Battalion had passed, ending at Knoxville. rendered an entire new equipment necessary. For this purpose they were ordered to Nashville, and after considerable delay waiting for horses, they were again ready for active service. Capt. Jospeh B. Daniels was now placed in command of the First Battalion and so remained until the end - toward the last beinsr in command of the entire regiment. The battaHon now moved to Pulaski, Tennessee, and occupied that place about six weeks, Captain Daniels being in command of the post. Several movements were undertaken against the Rebel cavalry under Wheeler and Forrest, for which the whole regiment combined, but were not permanently united until all of the battalions reached Athens, in April, 1864.
On the night of April 13, 1864, a company of the Ninth, which with others had been sent out to look for stock, was surrounded in a barn where they were sleeping. The attack was made by an Alabama regiment, and after a short struggle, two officers and 39 men were captured. The remaining three companies soon came to the rescue, but not in time to rescue their comrades.
The non-commissioned officers and men thus taken were sent to Andersonville prison. Eight months after, a report from Orderly Sergeant Kennedy showed that 25 of their number had died from brutal treatment.
The two officers taken were Capt. Joseph N. Hetzler and Lieut. Frank H. Knapp, who were sent to Qolumbia, South Carolina. Lieutenant Knapp, after two- efforts to escape, in which he was retaken by the aid of bloodhounds, finally succeeded in reaching Knoxville, Tennessee, after traveling three weeks, principally at night, securing food and assistance from the negroes. At one time he heard the hounds on his trail, and again would have been captured but for the generous assistance of a negro, who, after giving him something to eat, said : "Now, bress de Lord, massa Yank, you jist trust to me and we'll fool dem dogs. You trot along fust, den Fll comie ton, steppin' in your tracks. Go 'bout half a mile, den you come to some watah: you take right through dat, den Fll kep on t'other way. See Vlem doo-s is used to huntin" niggers, dev knows de smell, and likes to follow de black man's foot." "But." said the lieutenant, surprised at this sinsxilar ofifer, "the dogs ^^-ill catch voii and probably tear you to pieces." "Oh, massa," said he, "let dis nigger alone for dat, I'se fooled dem dogs afore for de Yanks, and, bress de Lord, Fll try it again. Now trot along, massa, for I hear dem dogs a comin.' " Shortly after crossing the pond the lieutenant heard the hounds howling in the direction taken by the negro, and he was no longer disturbed by them. He afterward joined the regiment at Savannah, Georgia, in January, 1865. Captain Hetzler remained a prisoner until near the close of the war, when he was exchanged.
Another battalion of the Ninth was sent out in the vicinity of Florence, to guard the river, thus, for a distance of fifty miles, the Tennessee was patroled by the two battalions of the regiment, having frequent skirmishes with the enemy.
On May 5, 1864, the regiment arrived at Decatur, Alabama, and on the 8th the place was attacked by the enemy. The Ninth moved out beyond the works a mile and a half, to develop the enemy's strength. The country was about equally divided between timber and level, open land. The Rebels formed on the open ground, and, as the Ninth swung around the timber, a battle ensued, in which the Rebels were driven back in confusion. The regiment lost one man killed and three severely wounded. From this time until June ist, cavalry skirmishes were of daily occurrence.
The Seventh Illinois Infantry having been driven from Florence to Pulaski, the Ninth went to reinforce that regiment. After driving the enemy beyond Florence, they returned to Decatur.
The Ninth was engaged on various expeditions in the region about Atlanta up to the fall of that city, immediately before the evacuation being attached to the cavalry division under Colonel Garrard, on the extreme right of General Sherman's army. The First Battalion was engaged in the battle of Jonesborough .
Four hundred men of the Ninth were now ordered to Nashville to procure horses. On the night of September 2, 1864, while the train containing the men was passing Big Shanty, Georgia, it was thrown from the track and six cars demolished. Tlie enemy, concealed beside the track, opened fire on the wreck ; the fire was returned, and the cowards fled. One man was killed and three wounded by the accident, and two killed and five wounded by the enemy's fire. Failing to procure horses at Nashville, the regiment proceeded to Louisville, and having received fresh horses returned to Nashville en route to the front.
This battalion arriving at Nashville found the Rebel general Wheeler within 12 miles of the city, and they were sent out with other forces to meet and drive him back. They encountered him at various places during the next 10 days until he was finally compelled to retire beyond the Tennessee. They soon received orders to report at once to Marietta, Georgia, to join the regiment which was to form a part of one of Sherman's new cavalry divisions in the "March to the Sea." The battalion found Marietta burned, and pressing on rapidly arrived at Atlanta November 17th, and found it evacuated, having marched 80 miles in 36 hours. TJiey proceeded on to McDowell, 17 miles southward, where they joined the balance of the regiment. They now numbered 700 effective men. From this time on they were busily engaged covering the march of the infantry, making false march; es to deceive the enemy, and fighting almost daily, until December 4th, at Waynesborough, when a general engagement occurred, in which the Ninth made the second charge that broke the Rebel lines.
Arriving at Savannah, they were sent on an expedition during the progress of the siege, to destroy railroad communication with the city. Capt. Joseph B. Daniels, with the First Battalion, was ordered to approach and Ijurn the bridge, and engaging the enemy with their Spencer carbines drove them to cover and burnt the bridge.
The army remained at Savannah after its evacuation until the latter part of January, 1865. at which time 150 men of the Ninth, that had been left with the army of General Thomas, and who participated in the battle of Franklin and Nashville, joined the regiment.
On the night of February 3, 1865, the cavalry division crossed the Savannah River at Sister's Ferry, 40 miles above the city, and entered upon the. march through" the Carolinas. On the 6th the Ninth, having the advance, engaged the- enemy at a swamp near Barnwell. The men were dismounted and wading the swamp under cover of the timber, drove the enemy from their position. As they progressed through the Carolinas, the forage and grain grew scarce and together with wearing service in the swamps, rendered a great many horses unfit for service, and as a consequence many of the cavalrymen were dismounted. These were organized into a "dismounted command." On the night of the 9th of Marcli General Kilpatrick went into camp with the Third Brigrade and the dismounted men, about three miles in advance of the remainder of his command. On the loth the Rebels under General Hampton dashed in upon the camp, and captured the wagons, artillery and many of the officers and men before they had time to dress themselves. The dismounted men, however, opened a close and heavy fire upon the Rebels, who were pillaging the camp. A sharp fight ensued, during which the artillerymen recovered their cannon, and opened on the enemy. The Second Brigade soon arrived, and the Rebels were forced to retire. The loss of the Nationals was 25, and the Rebels, 75 killed in this short but desperate contest.
In the battle of Averysborough, on ]\Iarch 15th, the Ninth supported the right flank of the Twentieth Corps, and was in the thickest of the contest, and at the battle of Bentonville, North Carolina. March i8th to 21st, the final contest of the grand army under General Shernmn. General Kilpatrick's entire command occupied the left flank. The enemy being defeated, they occupied Goldsborough, and remained there until April loth. They entered Raleigh after a slight skirmish April 14th. On the morning of the i8th, part of the Rebel army occupied the village of Chapel Hill. General Wheeler's Rebel cavalrv covered the approach to the tow^n. occupying a swamp through which the road passed. At daylight the regiment was ordered to effect a crossingif possible. Arriving at the swamp, the second battalion was ordered forward, dismounted, through the water. They advanced under cover of the cypress timber until the enemy came within range of their Spencer carbines. A spirited engagement ensued, in which the enemy were driven from their position, leaving a captain and stafif-officer of General Wheeler, and three men dead on the field.
Colonel William M. Bolles. mustered September l6. i?6i, resigned June 25. 1862: Colonel John C. Paxton. July 18. 1862. honorably discharged; Colonel William H.' Powell, May 18, 1863. promoted to brigadier general ; Lieutenant Colonel John C. Paxton. September 16, 1861, promoted to colonel: Lieutenant Colonel Rollin L. Curtis. August ig, 1862, resigned October 25, 1862: Lieutenant Colonel William H. Powell, December 5. 1862, promoted to colonel : Lieutenant Colonel David Done. May 18. 1863. resigned July_ 5, 1864; Lieutenant Colonel John J. Hoffman. July 14, 1864, mustered out : Lieutenant Colonel James Allen, November 26, 1864; Major Rollin L. Curtis, October 2, 1861, promoted to lieutenant colonel; Major John J. Hoffman. ' October 2. 1861. promoted to lieutenant colonel; Major Henrv Stembach, February 5. 1862. mustered out; Major William H. Powell, .\ugust 19, 1862, promoted to lieutenant colonel; Maior John McMahon, January 2, 1863; Major James Allen. April 29, 1864, promoted to lieutenant colonel ; Major Charles E. Hambleton, July 14, 1864. mustered out; Maior Edwin S. Morgan, November 26, 1864; Adjutant John P. Merrill. October 25, 1861. resigned June 5, 1862; Adjutant Elijah F. Gillon, Novemb^jr 5. ^862, resigned Septemljer 7, 1864; .\djutant Earl A. Cranston. November 12. i86t. resigned June 2. 1862; Adjutant George E. Downing. October 25, 1861, resign-^d May i. 1862; Quartermaster Sayres G. Payton. Occooer 2. 1861, ir.ustered out; Quartermaster' William Holden, October 23. 1861. resigned March 13, 1862 ; Commissriry George S. South, January 2. 1863. mustered out at expiration of term ; Surgeon Thomas S. Neal. October 25. 1861, resigned
February q, 1864; Surgeon Matthew McEwen. January 17, 1S63: Assistant Surgeon Lucien L. Comstock, November" 6, 1861. promoted to surgeon of Eighth West Virginia Infantry; Assistant Surgeon Ozias Nellis, March 6, 1863, mustered out at expiration of term ; Assistant Surgeon Edward L. Gillian, May 18, 1863; Chaplain Charles M. Bethauser, October 2, 1861, resigned October 12. 1S62.
Officers Of Company T.
Captain Arthur D. Eells, November 22. 1861. resigned 'May 6. 1862; Captain Oliver H. P. Scott, June 26, 1862. resigned December 2^. 1862 ; Captain George Millard, .'Kpril i, 1803. mustered out at expiration of term; Captain Henry F. 'Swentzel. Novenrber 26. 18(34, promoted from Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry to Company E. and from Company E to Company F ; Captain George W. Gilmore ; Captain Ed. A. Rosser, promoted from Company B; Captain E. S. Fisher; Captain Oliver C. Ong : First Lieutenant Oliver H. P. Scott. November 22. 1S61. promoted to captain; First Lieutenant William M. Fortescne, June 26, 1862, promoted to captain of Company I ; First Lieutenant George Mill.''-rd, November .s. 1S62. promoted to captain; First I.ie'.Uenant Lloyd B. Stephens, April i. 1862, resigned July 13, 1864; First Lieutenant Charles C Clise, November 26. 1864; Second Lieutenant William M. Forte'cue, November 22. 1861. promoted to first lieutenant ; Second Lieutenant George Millard, June 26, 1862. promoted to first lieutenant ; Second Lieutenant Lloyd B. Stephens. November 5, 1862. promoted to first lieutenant ; Second Lieutenant Oliver C. Ong, April I. 1863. mustered out; Second Lieutenant Elisha T. Fisher, November 26, 1864.
The Second Virginia Cavalry was recruited entirely from the border counties of Ohio. Commencing at Monroe all the counties were represented by one or more companies, ending with Lawrence County. Company F was the Washington County organization. Recruiting for it began in August, 1861, under the management of Capt. Arthur D. Eells, and by September the company was in camp at Parkersburg, West. Virginia, where the regiirent was m-ustered into service November 8th. Tlie fall and early winter of 1861 were spent in drill on foot and sword exercise at Parkersburg, West Mirginia. In January the regiment was moved to Guyandotte, West Virginia, where they received their horses and completed their drill tnounted. The first engagement of the regiment was with Gen. Humphrey Marshall January 6. 1862, on Point Creek, Kentucky. The Union forces were under command of General (afterward President) Garfield. Tlie first loss of Wash- ington County in battle in the war was Albert \V. Leonard, shot in the forehead while in a charge on Jennie's Creek, January 7, 1862. His body lies in Mound Cemetery at Marietta. On the 28th of April, Company F left Guyandotte with the half of the regiment under Col. William M. Bolles, and marched up the Big Kanawha and over the Sewell Mountains and joined the forces of Colonel Elliott of the Forty-seventh Ohio Infantry at Meadow Bluff. Y.iirginia. The summer of 1862 was spent in raiding and scouting the counties of Raleigh, Wyoming, Fayette. Greenbrier, Union and Nicholas. These trips brought on many skrimishes and some battles, that of Lewisburg, May 23rd, being quite severe. Company F was with Colonel Paxton, who left Camp Piatt Xovember 24, 1862, and surprised the Rebel general, Jenkins, at Sinking Creek, Virginia, capturing 117 prisoners, no horses, and 250 stand of arms. This was one of the most' severe marches made during the war, both as regards cold and hard riding. The troops were in the saddle for seventy consecutive hours, on the latter part of their trip; and on their arrival at Summerville, West Virginia, numbers had to be lifted out of their saddle, they were so badly frozen. The winter of 1862-63 was spent at Camp Piatt on the Big Kanawha. With the spring of 1863 scouting began early. July i8th the company was in the severe fight at Wytheville, where both colonels were lost. Colonel Toland, of the Thirtyfourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in command of the expedition, was shot dead, and Col. W. H. Powell, of the Second Virginia Cavalry. wounded so badly as to be left and taken prisoner. In this battle 125 prisoners were taken and 75 Rebels were killed; Union loss, 78 killed, wounded and missing, the houses in AX'ytheville having been used as places of concealment from which to pick ofif the Union soldiers, even the women of the town taking part in the fight. The town was totally destroyed.
The winter of 1863-64 was spent at Charleston, West Virginia, and it was at this place that the regiment was brought up to its high standard of drill. The regiment started March 16, 1864, on a scout through Hurricane Bridge, Guyandotte, Trout's Hill and Wayne Court House. The weather was very cold on this trip.
May 1st the regiment was attached to General Averill's division, and with him was in the raid to Wytheville on the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad. The route lay through Brownstown, Logan Court House, Wyoming, Tug Fork of Sandy and Jeffersonville. The Rebels were met at Cove Gap, a few miles this side of Wytheville, under Gen. John Morgan, and a very severe battle was fought. General Averill complimented the regiment in general orders, saying: "The general commanding desires to express his high appreciation of the steady and skillful evolutions of the Second Virginia Cavalry under Colonel Powell upon the field of battle. It was a dress parade that continued without disorder under a heavy fire for over four hours." Company F was with the regiment and participated in all of the engagements on the Hunter road to Lynchburg, . Virginia; was also with it in the Shenandoah Valley, being in the fight at Bunker Hill, . Stevenson's depot, Winchester, Newton, Kearnstown, Fisher Hill, Mount Jackson, Cross Keys, Port Republic, Brown's Gap, Luray, Harrisonville, Weirs Cave, Opequan, Martinsburg, Williamsport. Hagerstown, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania ; St. Thomas, Pennsylvania ; Moorfield. Virginia, and many other places. The winter of 1864-65 was spent in the Shenandoah Valley, but when in 1865 General Sheridan went up the valley to Waynesborough and on over to the White House, Virginia, Company F was along doing - fine service. This company held the key to the hill at Dinwiddle Court House. Virginia; was in the charge at Five Forks, Ford's Station, Deep Creek. Namozih Church, Jettersville, and in the first charge at Sailor's Creek ;- also in the desperate engagement at Appomattox Court House, and'on the morning of the-
9th of April took part in the final charge on the flank of Lee's army, which would have resulted in the surrender of General Lee to General Custer but for the arrival of General Grant on the ground. After the surrender, the company marched to Petersburg, where it remained with the regiment until the 23rd of April, when it moved to intercept Johnson's army in North Carolina, but was ordered back at Halifax Court House. From there the company marched to Richmond, Virginia, thence to Washington City. In the grand review, Company F led the cavalry column in review. On the 17th of June the regiment was ordered to Texas via Louisville, Kentucky, but was stopped at Wheeling and mustered out, June 20, 1865.
Colonel Timothy R. Stanley, mustered August 6, 1861. mustered out November 9. 1864: Colonel Charles H. Grosvenor. April 8. 1865. provost marshal; Lieutenant Colonel Josiah Givep August 17. 1861, appointed Colonel Seventy-fourth Regiment; Lieutenant Colonel Charles H. Grosvenor, March 16, 1863, promoted to colonel ; Lieutenant Colonel John M. Benedict, April 8, 1865, mustered out with regiment; Major Charles H. Grosvenor. July 30, 1861, promoted to lieutenant colonel; Major J. M. Welch, March 16, 1863. mustered out November 9, 1864; Major John M. Benedict, February I, 1865, promoted to lieutenant colonel; Major Robert B. Chappcll, .\pril 8, 1865, mustered out with regiment; Surgeon William P. Johnson. September 24, 1861, mustered out November 9. 1864 ; Surgeon Horace P. Kay, February 20, 1865, mustered out with regiment; Assistant Surgeon William W. Mills, September 24, 1861, resigned February 28, 1864; Assistant Surgeon Charles H. French, January i, 1863, mustered out November 9, 1864 ; Assistant Surgeon Arthur C. Newell, May 2, 1865, mustered out October 9, 1865 ; Assistant Surgeon S. A. Baxter, May 29, 1865, mustered out October 9, 1865: Chanlain John Dillnn. September 16, 1861. mustered out November 9, 1864.
Officers Of Company F.
This company was made up of men from Beverly and Newport, Washington County, and Windsor and Ringgold, Morgan County, and was organized early in September, 1861, at Camp Putnam, Marietta, Ohio. John J. Jumper was elected captain.
About the middle of the month. Company F joined the regiment at Camp Wood, Athens, Ohio, and the regimental organization was completed at Camp Dennison, November 4, i86i.
From Cainp Dennison the regiment went to Louisville, Kentucky, arriving November 7th and remaining there about a month, and marching from there to Bacon Creek, where they remained about two mortths and drilled. Arrived at Green River February 7, 1862, and on the next day started for Bowling Green, which place was occupied on the tenth. Remained there until the 23rd. After the fall of Fort Donelson, they proceeded to Nashville, Terinessee, a distance of 62 miles, in three days. At Nashville the regiment encamped until March i8th, suffering many privations and hardships, when they started for Huntsville, Alabama, arriving April nth. Thence they went to Tuscumbia, Alabama, thence to Athens, Alabama, and deployed along the railroad.
On May 3rd Company F and a detail from the Tliirty-third Ohio and Twenty-second Kentucky acted as guard to a train that was gathering up cotton that had been used in fortifying at places between Huntsville and Athens, returning to the station at night, where they remained until the 9th, when they moved' to Athens.
On the 2 1 St Company F, with four other companies, guarded a supply train to Huntsville, returning the next day, and remaining at Athens until the 30th, when they started for Fayetteville, arriving next day, and where they remained until June 23rd, when they marched to Huntsville. All these movements were made under the command of Gen. O. M. Mitchell, whoi had been sent southward by Gen. Don Carlos Buell, commanding the army of the Ohio, to annoy the enemy and keep him busy while other and more important movements were being consummated.
The regiment at this time was brigaded with the Nineteenth and Twenty-fourth Illinois and the Thirty-seventh Indiana, under the command of Colonel Turchin. At one place during these movements, Tuscumbia, Colonel Turchin, with but a small force, including the Eighteenth Regiment, held the town, which was surrounded by a greatly superior force of Rebels. In order to keep up the appearance of a large force, however, he had the names of officers from a dozen regiments entered upon the hotel register of the town, whose regiments were supposed to be in camp, but in reality he had not more than 600 men, all told. No citizens were allowed to leave the town. Soon General Buell ordered all the territory west of Decatur evacuated, and the regiment went to Athens, Alabama.
At Battle Creek they found the enemy in force across the stream, and shelled them, but received no response. July ist, Company F, with C and B, was on detached duty, but soon rejoined the regiment. July 13th the regiment started for Tullahoma, and camped at the foot of the mountain near that place, in the evening. On the 14th theypassed up and over the mountain. Just at sunset they reached the summit, and began the descent by a very difficult route, reaching the valley about 8 P. M., without serious accident.
July 15th they marched from Decherd for Caledonia, where the regiment remained until July 24th, when they started for Tullahoma, arriving there the day following, when Company F "was thrown out as a picket guard around the town. August 8th they left Tullahoma for Duck River, and from there went to Manchester. September 3rd the regiment arrived at Murfreesborough, and September 8th arrived at Nashville, and remained there until December loth, when the regiment went down the Franklin pike about four miles, and encamped until the 26th, when a general advance was ordered, which was continued until December 30th, when they went into the great battle of Stone River which continued for three days with terrible carnage, in which the gallant Eighteenth did noble service.
In June, 1863. the regiment was with the force that crossed Lookout Mountain into Mc- Lamore Cove, and confronted Bragg at Dug Gap, September nth, and the Eighteenth, with the balance of the brigade, held the enemy in check.
At Chickamauga the regiment did not participate in the first day's battle, but on Sunday, September 20th, was in the thickest of the engagement, making several brilliant charges.
From this time until the expiration of their term of service the regiment was on engineering duty, and on October 20, 1864, was ordered to Camp Chase, to be mustered out. and on November 9th it was mustered out. Nearly 100 men re-enlisted as veterans, and with those whose time had not expired numbered 225 men.
Ui>on re-enlisting, the First. Second. Eighteenth, Twaity-fourth and Thirty-fifth Ohio regiments were consolidated under the name of the Eighteenth Ohio, commanded by Lieut. Col. C. H. Grosvenor. The regiment took part in the battle of Nashville, December 6, 1864, losing four officers out of seven, and 75 men in killed and wounded, out of less than 200.
The regiment was engaged from this time to the end of the war in garrison duty. In July, 1865, the regiment was stationed at Augusta, Georgia, and Colonel (now general) Grosvenor was assigned to duty as provost marshal general of the department, where they remained until October 9th, when they were ordered to Columbus, Ohio, to be mustered out. and were there honorably discharged October 22, 1865.
Colnnel George Crook, mustered September 12, i86t, appointed brigadier general September 7, 1862; Colonel Melvin Clarke, September 7. 1862. killed at Antietani September 17, 1862: Colonel Ebeneyer B. Andrews. September 17. 1862. resigned April 9, 1863; Colonel William G. Jones, April 13. 1863, killed September \g. i.«63. at Chickamauga : Colonel Hiram F. Devol, September 19. 1863. appointed brevet brigadier general July 20, 1865 ; Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Clarke, July 30, 1861, promoted to colonel September 16. 1862; Lieutenant Colonel E. B. Andrews, September 7, 1862, promoted to colonel September 17, 1862; Lieutenant Colonel Hiram F. Devol, September 17, 1862, promoted to colonel : Lieutenant Colonel William H. G. .Adney, May 9, 1864, mustered out ; Lieutenant Colonel William S. Wilson, March 8, 1865, mustered out with regiment; Maior E. B. Andrews. July 28, 1861, promoted to lieutenant colonel September 16, 1862: Major Hiram F, Devol September 7, 1862, promoted to lieutenant colonel; Major William H. G. Adney, September 17, 1862, promoted to lieutenant colonel; Major Jewett Palmer, Jr., May q, 1864, resigned November 29, 1864; Major William S. Wilson. December 30, 1864, mustered out; Major Benjamin J, Ricker, Jr., February 3. 1865, transferred from Thirty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry; Surgeon Robert N. Barr, August 22, 1861, resigned February 26. 1862; Surgeon J. H. Whitford, March 8. 1862, mustered out with regiment; Assistant Surgeon J. H. Whitford, August 2^, ii86i, promoted to surgeon; Assistan*^ Surgeon Colin Mackenzie, March 8, 1862, resigned May 10, 1863; .Assistant Surgeon John Dickerson. July 4. 1862, promoted to surgeon of new regiment; Assistant Surgeon James P. Welch, July 24, 11862, re- - signed September 18, 1864; Assistant Surgeon B. F. Holcomb, .March 14, 1865, mustered out with regiment ; Assistant Surgeon A. M. Beers. June 26, 1865, did not accept; Chaplain George V. Fry. .August, 1861, resigne.l January 31, 1862; Chaplain J. G. Blair, July 25, 1864, mustered out ; Chaplain G. W. Collier, August 30, 1861, mustered out : Chaplain William S. Taylor, February I 1862. 'esigned April 30. 1862 ; Quartermaster First Lieutenant Levi Barber, .August 31, i86i, resigned November 29, 1862 ; Quartermaster Captain Thomas M. Turner. December 30, 1864, declined promotion, promoted to captain December i, 1862, from first lieutenant mustered out with regiment as regimental quartermaster; Quartermaster First Lieutenant John ^L Woodbridge, July 31, 1861, resigned : Chief Musician Ebenezer Cory, August, 1861. mustered out at expiration of three years: Chief Musician John T'.nney, September, 1864, mustered out with regiment.
Comt.Vny Officers
Captain H. F. Devol, mustered August i, 1861, promoted to major September 7. 1862; Captain Thomas W, Moore. August 24. 1861. resigned March 5. 1862; Captain Jewett Palmer, Jr., August 24, 1861, promoted to major: Captain Reuben L. Nye. March 3, 1862. mustered out with regiment: Captain Joseph Kelly, March 5, 1862, mustered out with regiment; Captain James Stanley, June 6, 1S62, honorably discharged November 25, 1864 ; iCaptain Augustus T. Ward, December 30, 1S64, mustered out with regiment; Captain James Gage Barker. September 7, 1862, mustered out November 4. 1864 ; Captain James C. Selby. October 3, 1862, died of wounds September 14, 1864; Captain Wallace S. Stanley. December 30. 1864, mustered out with regiment; Captain lames Haddow, December 30, 1864, mustered out with re8:iment; Captain Miles A. Stacy, December 30. 1864. resigned as first lieutenant December i. 1864; Captain Jesse Morrow. December 30, 1864, mustered out with regiment ; First Lieutenant James Gage Barker, .August 13, 1861, promoted to captain; First Lieutenant Joseph Kelly, August 24, 1861, promoted to captain ; First Lieutenant James Stanley, August 24, 1861, promoted to captain; First Lieutenant Jaines C. Selby, March 5, 1862, promoted to captain ; First Lieutenant A. F. Tiffany, September 17, 1862, resigned November 18, 1863; First Lieutenant O. J. Wood, November 20, 1862, resigned August 27, 1863 ; First Lieutenant Jesse Morrow, February 22, 1863, promoted to captain; First Lieutenant Miles A. Stacy. January 17, 1863. promoted to captain ; First Lieutenant Augustus T. Ward, -April 21, 1864, promoted to captain; First Lieutenant James Haddow, May 9, 1864, promoted to captain ; First Lieutenant Samuel S. Grosvenor, December 30, 1864, honorably discharged as second lieutenant ; First Lieutenant George W. Putnam. December 30. 1864, honorably discharged as second lieutenant ; First Lieutenant S. W. Harvey, December 30. 1864, mustered out with regiment; First Lieutenant John .A. Palmer, September I, 1S62. resigned June 18. 1863: Second Lieutenant James C. Selby. August 13. 1861. promoted to first lieutenant ; Second Lieutenant A. F. Tiffany. August 24,
1861. promoted to first lieutenant: Second Lieutenant Ernst Lindner. August 24, 1861. resigned June 28. 1862; Second Lieutenant Reuben L. Nye, July 30, 1861, promoted to captain March 3. 1862: Second Lieutenant John A. Palmer, March s, 1862, promoted to first lieutenant; Second Lieutenant O. J. Wood. February 5, ant; Second Lieutenant Wallace S. Stanley, June 28, 1862, promoted to first lieutenant ; Second Lieutenant Augustus T. Ward, September 17, 1862, promoted to first lieutenant; Second Lieutenant Jesse Morrow, July 28, 1S62. promoted to first lieutenant ; Second Lieutenant James Haddow, September 17, 1862, promoted to first lieutenant ; Second Lieutenant Samuel L. Grosvenor, October 24, 1863, promoted to first lieutenant ; Second Lieutenant George W. Putnam. October 24, 1862. promoted to first lieutenant ; Second Lieutenant Ransom C. Wyatt, March 8, 1865, mustered out at expiration of service; Second Lieutenant Benjamin Bragg, March 8, 1865; mustered out with regiment; Second Lieutenant Samuel W. Harvey, April 21, 1864, promoted to first lieutenant.
Under the call of President Lincoln, July 22, 1861, for 500,000 men. Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Clarke was authorized to organize a regiment at Camp Putnam, ^Marietta, Ohio. He at once set about it, and hearing that a company was being formed at Lowell for the Thirtyninth Ohio - Colonel Groesbeck - he met that company on its organization, August ist, and made known his purpose, asking that the company report at Camp Putnam to form a nucleus for his regiment. He solicited the forming of companies in this and other counties, and the following reported and were mustered in : August 13th, Company A; August 14th, Company B; August 14th, Company C; August 22nd, Company D ; August 22nd, Company E ; August 24th, Company F; August 24th. Company G ; August 24th, Company H ; August 24th, Company 1; August 31st, Company K.
Nearly the maximum number being mustered in, the regiment was armed with the old United States muskets, and uniformed. Not having a colonel, the line officers had a wellgrounded notion that o\\\\ a regular army ofequal to the ainbition of its members. This wish being favorably regarded by the field officers and the gO'vernor, efforts were made to secure one through the Secretary of War.
In this condition the regiment was ordered, August 30, 1861, to the field, taking transports at Marietta for Parkersburg. Six companies, A, B, F, G, H and L under command of Maj. E. B. Andrews, were there met by Maj. A. J- Slemmer - at that time nf (k-neral Rosecrans' staff - under the charge (if Alajor Slemmer were transported by cars to ^^'alker station - a few miles out. From that point marched over the mountains. Company A had one man killed that day by the accidental discharge of a musket - Private Steward, from Pinchville.
The next morning the advance was fired on by a squad of these fellows from a hill fronting the turn of the road. One of the men was wounded in the shoulder. A company was thrown forward as skirmishers and soon dislodged them. Camped at Reedy that night. The next day marched for Spencer, the county seat of Roane County. The place was surrounded hy guerrillas and three of its. loyal citizens had been killed by them. On the approach of the regiment they fled. Thepeople were found in a truly pitiable condition - nothing but cornmeal to subsist on. Rations having given out the men were in muchthe same plight for two days. Scouts brought in a little beef, but salt there was none. This kind of diet was new, and on the whole it seemed as if the regiment was being roughly initiated. The supply train that three days, later followed was surrounded at Reedy. A. night march of two companies relieved and brought it forward. Guerrillas seemed to beupon all the hills and frequently their signals could be heard. Like the foxes, they knew the woods and were never seen at their houses during the day. so it seemed impossible to catch them. This was a new kind of warfare for the regular major, and when the regiment moved away - being relieved by another command - he ordered flanking parties as skirmishers in advance of the column.
The day before leaving Spencer it was thought best to unload the muskets. A target at fifty yards was placed and the men inturn tried their skill. The small men at every discharge would be either upset or faced about. The recoil of those old muskets with their heavy charge of powder, ball and three buckshot was about as fatal at the rear as in front. The target was not hit. Loud was the cursing of the men. They saw their guns were useless, which accounted for their never bringing clown a single bushwhacker, despite their many chances. The march lay through Arnoldsburg. BuUtown, Sutton to Summerville. Nicholas County. Lieutenant-Colonel Clarke, with the other four companies, C, D, E and K, soon joined the regiment, and in a few days Col. George Crook, who had been appointed to command it, arrived to the great joy of the men.
At this period was laid the solid foundation which gave to the regiment confidence in the future, and secured for it a place second to none in the service. Colonel Crook instituted a perfect system of drill and a school in which officers were drilled, and recitations regularly held ; and the officers drilled the men. A large drill house was erected that all could use at the same time. Leather stocks - called by the men "dog collars" - were worn under the chin to set the mai up. The old muskets were exchanged for new Enfield rifles. The entire regiment was quartered in the houses of people who left at the approach of the Union Army. This crowding in houses, change of diet - this seasoning process - caused sickness, typhoid fever, pneumonia and measles. This was a sad era. Fifty deaths was the fearful record. Expeditions were frequently sent out to hunt guerrillas and to forage mainly for cattle - all quite successful. There was some lively skirmishing with the bushwhackers ; but two men were seriously wounded. Early in the winter one company ( A ) was sent to Cross Lanes, eight miles distant, to hold that post and guard a ford over the Gauley River.
There was but little intercourse with the people; only a few were loyal to the flag; but we respected both person and property where they showed no open acts of disloyalty. Thus the winter passed. Our numbers were kept full by recruits. May 12. 1862, the regiment - 1. 000 strong - w'ith cheerful hearts, took up its line of march in the direction of real business. Company B alone remained in charge of the train to come by another route. Forded Gauley River and marched much of the way by bridle paths. The march was a forced one, and the first two days were intensely hot, so that many gave out. The way led via Cold Knob and Frankfort, the object being to get in the rear of a Confederate force under General Heath, at Lewisburg. At the same time a force under Colonel Gilbert approached from Gauley Bridge. General Heath was too wary and eluded the trap. The Union forces united at Lewisburg, and consisted of the Thirtysixth and Forty-fourth regiments and a battalion of the Second Virginia Cavaln,-', all under command of Colonel Crook - about 1,200 strong. From Lewisburg, Colonel Crook, with this small force, marched through the mountains to White Sulphur Springs and Covington, to Jackson River depot, and destroyed the bridge at that point. The movement was so bold and rapid, and the enemy so surprised, they dare not leave their moimtain fastnesser to essay an attack.
A few days after the return of the expedition to Lewisburg, May 23rd, early in the morning. General Heath, with from 2,500 to 3,000 men, drove in the pickets and took a strong position on a hill on the opposite side of the town from where the Union forces were encamped, and commenced shelling the camp. The Thirty-sixth, under Colonel Clarke, and the Forty-fourth, under Colonel Gilbert, were ordered to charge the enemy in their position. Disappearing for a few moments in the streets of the town, the National forces suddenly emerged upon the rising ground in front of the Rebels - the Thirty-sixth on the left and the Forty-fourth on the right of the line of battle. The Rebel infantry was posted behind a rail fence, and between the lines was an open, clear field. Over this ground the Thirty-sixth charged with a yell, receiving a volley from the enemy.
Reserving fire until at close range, and giving the Rebels scarcely time to reload, the men were upon them, and they broke in complete rout. They escaped down the mountain, and firing the bridge over the Greenbrier River rendered further pursuit impossible. Lt this the maiden battle of the Thirtv-sixth Regiment, it was pitted against the Twenty- second Virginia, which was recruited in the rich country of Greenbrier County and the Kanawha Valley, and was armed with JNIississippi riiles. The result of this victory was a loss to the Thirty-sixth of seven killed, 44 wounded, and five captured on picket. The Forty-fourth lost much less. Rebel loss, 60 killed and left on the field, 175 prisoners, four pieces of artillery and 300 stand of small arms. Tliey carried off many of their slightly wounded.
This being a fair stand-up fight, on ground of the Rebels' own choosing, the plan of attack also their own, it increased the men's confidence in the future. It being a Rebel town, the wounded who were straggling back were ill-treated; one -was shot dead by a citizen. TIhe Union dead were buried in a beautiful grove, and their graves surrounded by a picket fence by their comrades.
This battle occurring near the homes of many of the Cpnfederate soldiers, their friends came in to care for both dead and wounded. The scenes there witnessed were very affecting. Mothers with their dead or wounded sons, sisters with their brothers, wives with husbands. It was truly a sad picture of the realities of war. Added to this was the mortification of defeat in their own country. The Union wounded were sent to Charleston in ambulances. Some were met there by relatives and taken h(ime. Dyar B. ]\[cClure. of Warren, A\'ashington County, badly wounded, died soon after reaching home.
After clearing up the wreck of battle and paroling the Rebel Avounded, ]\Iay -^gth, the regiment took up the line of march to Meadow Bluffs to be more accessible to supplies. They were joined here by the Forty-seventh Ohio, and on June 22d the entire force, under command of Colonel Crook, started to return General Heath's early call on them at Lewisburg, by a visit to his camps at Union, Monroe County. Marched via Salt Sulphur Springs. forded the Greenbrier River the second day. and reached Union in the afternoon. The general, not caring for further acquaintance, had left for the mountains. Tlie command then leisurely retraced its steps, and as it was a very fine country foraged its way back by another route. At Meadow Bluffs, drilling occupied most of the time until August 14th, when the regiment started for Camp Piatt, on the Kanawha River. Here, with most of the force under General Cox, they embarked on transports for Parkersburg, en route to Washington and the army of the Potomac.
At Parkersburg recruits were added to the regiment, increasing its numbers to 1.020. A happy day was spent here, the regiment mingling with their friends, who came to meet them, and to many it was the last meeting on earth. Left Parkersburg on stock and freight cars, and went through without change. Through Washington, over the long bridge, through Alexandria, arriving at Warrenton junction August 25th, in advance of the rest of the Kanawha division, and were assigned by General Pope to duty at his headcjuarters. General "Stonewall" Jackson having broken in upon General Pope's rear prevented any more of the division coming forward.
August 27th. in charge of headquarters, train fell back with the rest of the army, and encamped that night near the battle ground of Bristow Station. Marched through ]\Ianassas to Centreville, overlooking the second Bull Run battle. Company F was sent back to Bristow on special duty, joining the regiment next day.
In the succeeding battle of Bull Run, the Thirty-sixth was held in reserve by General Pope, and on the evening of that defeat, performed signal service in arresting stragglers and fugitives from the battle, thus pre\enting thousands from hurrying back to Washington and creating a panic of dismay similar to that after the first battle of Bull Run.
September 2nd the regiment fell back to Arlington heights, remaining there a few days. September 7th, marched through Washington ; were reviewed by Secretary Chase and others from the balcony of the treasury department. The men were proud of their re.giment. as compared with any they had seen in the Eastern Armv. not merely because of their num- bers (for they were often hailed with "What brigade is that?" J but in their marching and drill they knew they were second to none. Colonel Strother, better known as "Porte Crayon," said of the regiment, after witness-' ing one of its dress parades, that it executed the most perfect manual of arms he had ever seen in his army experience.
September 7th, after being joined by the rest of the Kanawha division, left Washington, the object being to repel Lee's invasion of Maryland. Tlie Kanawha di\'ision had the advance of the entire Federal force, now commanded again by General AlcClellan : met the advance of Lee's army ( General Stewart's cavalry) on the 2nd, at Frederick, Maryland. They occupied the town. The Thirty-sixth marched to the attack in line of battle on the left of the pike, the Twenty-eighth Ohio on the right. CMlonel Aloore, of the Twentyeighth, commanding brigade, kept the pike leading directly into the town with a section of artillery. The moment he reached the town a rush by the enemy's cavalry captured the brave colonel and a few others : then fell back without fighting. The Command of the brigade devolved on Colonel Crook, and that of the regiment on Lieutenant-Colonel Clarke. The regiment never afterward had its old colonel as its commander. Reached Middletown the 13th; here opened the battle of South Mountain.
Early on the morning of the 14th, Gen. J. D. Co.x, commanding the division, was ordere i to storm the mountain. The Thiitv-sixih had position in the center antl its march lav through the only open ground, without co\'er of any kind. The enemy, first with shell, and, as the line advanced, with canister and grape, poured into them a destructive fire. The nmsketry followed. The line never wavered, although subjected to an enfilading fire from artillery, and musketry in front, posted behind a stone wall on the crest of the mountain. The regiment held its fire, the Rebels cursing and yelling "You can't come over here." With loaded guns and fixed bayonets they reached the wall, then over it rattled the brave lads with a veil.
Then followed a hand-to-hand fight with those^ who would not surrender or run away. Among the former was a Confederate surgeon, who kept firing with his revolver until pierced with a bayonet. The regiment pursued the enemy into the woods beyond, killing and capturing a number, until ordered back in line with the right of our forces, who had not been quite so fortunate. The rest of the day was spent in repelling the efforts of the enemy to retake that line.
The Thirty-sixth lost a number in killed and wounded. Corporal Courtland Shepherd,, from Washington County, one of the colored guard, was killed. That night the regiment bivouacked among the Rebel dead on their chosen ground. A detail rudely buried the Union dead at the rear near where they fell. In this, the second battle of the regiment, not a man was known to have failed in his duty. That night the enemy left the mountain, falling back and across Antietam Creek. Early in the morning the L'nion Army was in pursuit. That day (the 15th) and the i6th little else was done, but as the army came on to take up position, drix'ing in the Rebel skirmishers, the Rebels from the heights a])out Sharp-liurgcommenced throwing with their cannon ]iieces of iron rails and sledge hammers as far as our line. General Burnside, the corps commander, gave his command to understand that it was to have an easy victory, as the enemy was out of ammunition. Alas, how fatal the delusion F About 10 A. yi. on the 17th the Kanawha division was ordered to assault the stone bridge and carry it at all hazard. It could not be done till Colonel Crook by a skillful manoeuvre with a battery cleared the heights of the enemy.at the opposite end. When a crossing was effected the di\ision was rapidly deployed in line of battle and a charge at once ordered. The ground being clear, excepting fences, and the regiment about the center of the line, it drew a terrible fire from the enemy's artillery. In this charge Colonel Clarke fell, shot thniugh the body by a large shell. The regiment drove the Rebel infantry from their first line and was then halted.. This part of the field being vital to the enemy they massed a heavy force on the left of the Union line and doubled it back. Colonel Crook drew his brigade with the rest of the division a short distance back under cover of rolling ground. In this movement the regiment did not forget !ts beloved commander, Colonel Clarke, but carried his remains with them in a blanket. It is but just to say here that Colonel Clarke, by unexampled bearing, even temper and gentlemanly deportment, had steadily won for himself the confidence and a warm place in the hearts of the entire regiment. His remains were forwarded to his home at Marietta, where they now. rest in the beautiful cemetery, and his _grave is marked by a monument erected by his fellow officers.
The command of the regiment now devolved upon Major Andrews. That night the groans and cries of the helpless wounded of both armies between the two lines could be heard, but no' help could safely reach them. The 1 8th passed with an occasional shot, but a vigilant watch was kept over the enemy. The following night Lee with his entire army escaped, fording the Potomac. After the battle the regiment was moved down near the mouth of Antietam Creek, where it remained until October 6th, when the Kanawha division was ordered back to West Virginia. The march lay via Hagerstown to Hancock, then over the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad to Clarksburg. The regiment and brigade left this town the last of October for Charleston. The march lay through Summerville, the old familiar quarters of the regiment. Reached Charleston about the middle of November. After the active work of the summer and fall it was supposed that here on the lower bank of the Elk River the regiment would winter. Accordingly all actively set about making out of such material as was at hand. Some were completed and all nearly so when, January 25th, transports came up the Kanawha River to convey General Crook with his command to the Army of the Cumberland at Nashville, Tennessee. The men regretted to leave their newlv constructed quarters, but such are the uncertainties of army life. Crowded on steamers the trip was exceedingly uncomfortable. Remained near Nashville till February 22nd; when the Thirty-sixth, Eleventh, Eighty-ninth and Ninety-second Ohio, and Eighteenth Kentucky regiments, and Twenty-first Indiana Battery, under command of General Crook, re-embarked for Carthage, Tennessee. At this place a good deal of important scouting occupied the time till early in June, when General Crook with his command marched to Murfreesborough. In the meantime Colonel Andrews resigned and William G. Jones was commissioned colonel of the regiment. General Crook's brigade was assigned to Major-General Reynolds's division, Fourteenth Army Corps, commanded by Maj. Gen. George H. Tliomas. June 24th, General Crook with his (Third) brigatle, in advance of the corps, took up the line of march on the Manchester pike southward. Late in the day the Thirty-si.xth had- a few men wounded at Hoover's Gap. Next day moved to the left, to flank the enemy's position at Tullahoma. Found him eone in the direction of Bridgeport, the railroad crossing over the Tennessee River.
The pursuit was necessarily and aggravatingly slow, owing to the wretched condition of the roads, it having rained mcessantly since the command left Murfreesborough. At Big Springs, a day's march further on. General Crook was relieved of the command of the brigade and given a division of cavalry. Gen. J. B. Turchin taking his place.
In July moved up to Lhiixersity Place, a beautiful place on a mountain, remained there some two weeks, with little else to do but fight jiggers (a little insect thick on the bushes) and look out for rattlesnakes. In August moved down the southeastern slope into Sweeden's Cove : stopped a few days at Blue Springs, on Battle Creek: marched on through the Sequatchie Valley to Jasper, Tennessee. This land abounded in very delicious peaches, of which many a heaping hatful was appropriated by the soldiers. September 2nd, crossed the river at Shell ^Mound in Flats. From this point the march lay over Sand iMountain into i^ockout Valley ; moved on in the direction of Trenton, Georgia. Further up the regiment and command performed the task of pulling both artillery and baggage train to the top of Lookout 2viountain, crossing immediately down the other side into Mci^emore's Cove. Here, on the i/th, the enemy made some demonstrations from Catlett's Gap. Some mancEuvring was done to mystify the enemy, and on the night of the i8th, after issuing a few rations, the entire command moved.
General Crittenden was being pressed in the direction of Rossville, northeast. This compelled a wearisome all-night march. At daylight, on the 19th, the regiment was at Crawtish Springs, and a little further on went into its place in line of battle. Soon the work pf death commenced - the terrific battle of Chickamauga. Fierce cannonading for miles up and down the valley - a short lull - then the murderous work of the infantry began. The battlefield being largely in the woods seemed to impart a sentiment of awe to the work that was going on. The Thirty-sixth in position seemed a little to the left center. Suddenly on the right the firing grew nearer and nearer. Many wounded were passing to the rear, the front holding its ground. General Reynolds, division commander, ordered the brigade to change front to the right. Barely was this mancEu\-re accomplished when through the ranks rushed some National troops closely pursued by the enemy. The solid front presented checked them, and their broken masses took cover behind trees and logs, giving them great advantage. Not a man of the regiment was known to have turned back unless wounded. Tbe slaughter was fearful, especially on the right of the regiment. The brave Capt. James Stanley's men, Company D. were falling right and' left. Something must be done. General Turchin was not there. Colonel Jones was mortally wounded; Major Adney was wounded. At this critical moment Lieutenant-Colonel Devol ordered a charge. With an inspiring yell the men rushed forward and droye the enemy ])ack and beyond their artillery. They had driven them several hundred yards when an aide was dispatched ordering the brigade back. Had the enemy closed that gap in the rear, the subsequent history of the Thirty-sixth and Eleventh Ohio and Eighteenth Kentucky Regiments would have had a different reading. There was but little fighting on that part of the line the rest of the day. Exhausted, the regiment lay on its arms, keeping a skirmish line in front. Early the next morning, the 20th, General Rosecrans caused word to- be passed along the line that as it was the Sabbath fighting should not be provoked.
General Bragg, being reinforced by Longstreet's corps, was confident, and early opened the battle. The regiment was moved to the left and front. The enemy made repeated charges and as often were repulsed. Major General Thomas, in his ofificial report of these charges, says: "The enemy attacked Johnson, Palmer, and Reynolds with fierceness which was continued at least two hours, making assault after assault with fresh troops, which was met by our troops with a most determined coolness and deliberation. Having exhausted his utmost energies to dislodge us, he apparently fell back entirely from our front, and we were not disturbed again till towards night." About four o'clock the enemy made a desperate effort and succeeded in forcing the lines back on the right and left of Reynolds" division, where, from the front and both flanks,, the enemy poured their missiles of death. General Reynolds and other officers thought the entire division would have to surrender, and as evidence of their fears took ofif their shoulderstraps to conceal their rank. At this moment General Thomas, the "Rock of Chickamauga," ran the gauntlet and ordered a "change of front to the left of the enemy's flank, and get out, if possible.'' Like a statue he coolly sat on his horse, witnessed the execution of his order and then galloped back. The charge was a success. Many prisoners and a battery of artillery were captured. The latter could not be brought off.
men of the Thirty-sixth Regiment lying in those woods. The night was spent in withdrawing tO' Rossville, next day (21st) held the gap through the ridge covering Chattanooga. The 22nd of September fell back into Chattanooga, and with the rest of the army vigorously set about fortifying. From this time to the first of November the army was in a state of siege on half rations. Early during the siege lost a dozen men on a reconnoisance. October 26tli, Tturchin's and Hayen's brigades were elected to take Brown's Ferry below Lookout Mountain and thus co-operate with General Hooker in relieving the laeleaguered army. This was successfully accomplished by selecting experienced boatmen from the Thirtysixth and Ninety-second Regiments. Quietly in the darkness of night they floated down in pontoons past the Rebel pickets, landing and storming tlie heights at the ferry. Hooker's arrival brought the first sound crackers and meat the regiment had had for a month. Parched corn had been the only good diet that could be had. The regiment returned to Chattanooga in a few days. Hooker holding the ferry and starting from it on his famous charge up Lookout Mountain.
November 25th, on the extreme left of the Fourteenth Corps and army, the Thirty-sixth and Ninety-second, side by side, with the battle cry of "Chickamauga," charged Missionary Ridge. The miles in length of the charging line of the blue, dotted here and there with the soldier's pride - his country's flag - was an inspiring sight, thougli the belching line of cannon and musketry from the enemy on the crest told fearfully on that column. The crest was reached, the breastworks taken - in many instances by a hand-to-hand fight. The regiment captured two pieces of artillery and many prisoners. Generals Grant and Thomas having followed closely, were cheered by the men as they passed by. The regiment lost in this charge 83 of its brave members. The following day pursued the enemy to Ringgold, Georgia, after which it returned to its tents in Chattanooga. Thus ended what commenced
As soon as possible the regiment made cofifins and went out to Chickamauga (eight miles) to bring in its dead; only TiJ could be recognized, however - they having been covered with a shovelful of earth where they fell. The rest had been gathered promiscuously with others and buried in rows, with only earth enough to partially cover them ; near the widow Glen's house were long rows of the dead of both armies.
How the nation's destroyers gloated over their temporary success at Chickamauga, while like vultures they looked down from Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain, on its defenders ! The men of the Thirty-sixth killed in these battles now rest in a lot selected by their comrades in the beautiful National Cemetery at Chattanooga.
In February, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted, and March loth started for home on veteran furlough. At Cincinnati they separated for 30 days. At the expiration of that time were ordered to General Crook at Charleston, West Virginia. - he having been sent there to take command of the Third Division, department of West Virginia. On reaching Charleston the regiment was assigned to the First brigade, commanded by Col. R. B. Hayes.
Provenance
Text from History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, published 1902, in the public domain in the United States and digitised by the Internet Archive.