Williams County, Ohio - Chapter 6: The County's War Record, 1905

DURING the interim between the organization of Williams county, in 1824, and the commencement of the war with Mexico, in 1846, the martial spirit of the people was kept in forced abeyance. This was due partially to the stern realities of a pioneer life, with which they had to contend, and partially to the lack of opportunity or occasion to show their war-like tendencies. A more or less nominal militia organization was effected and carried on in the county, but the annual musters were engaged in by the crowds who attended more because of the frolic and roystering than of any improvement in military discipline. Thus, a system that had been so popular and efficient during the old Indian wars on the frontier, had loosened its hold upon the public mind during a protracted period of profound peace. The cities and larger towns in the State were the only places where military drill was appreciated, and where strict discipline and military pride attained a proficiency nearly equal to that which prevailed in the regular army. In Williams county there were the usual musters, and several townships formed independent companies. Bryan had an artillery squad and secured from the State a brass field-piece. The agitation incident to the trouble with Mexico, however, took shape in the organization of a company which rendezvoused and was organized at Defiance, and to which some ten or twelve Williams county boys belonged. I11 May, 1846, President James K. Polk issued a call for troops, Ohio's quota being fixed at three regiments, and Governor Bartley found himself greatly embarrassed by a tender of the services of several times the number called for. But a recruiting station for the Fifteenth United States Infantry was opened at Defiance and volunteer enlistments were received, resulting in the organization of Company B, which was attached to said regiment and with it went to Mexico. The officers of Company B were Daniel Chase, captain ; a Mr. Goodloe, first lieutenant, and J. W. Wiley (who was at that time editing a paper at Bryan), second lieutenant. Aside from the latter there is no record of the names of the other Williams county ''boys" who marched away with the gallant Fifteenth, and there is only one Mexican war veteran now living in the county, Jacob C. Ryan of Bryan. Mr. Ryan was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in December, 1824. He went to Wooster, Ohio, in early manhood, and there enlisted in Company E, Third Ohio Infantry. With his regiment he entered Mexico, July 22, 1846, and served continuously until mustered out at New Orleans, June 20, 1847. At the battle of

Buena Vista he received three wounds, but fortunately neither of them were of such nature as to cripple him. Mr. Ryan came to Bryan in 1853 and has lived here since, following the carpenter trade until advancing years compelled him to desist.

The mutterings of internal strife, which had engaged the attention of statesmen for some years prior to i860, in that year began to take tangible shape, and the people came to realize that the settlement of the questions of State sovereignty and slavery extension could no longer be deferred by legislative compromises. The result of the presidential election portended the abolition of slavery in the territories and all new states to be admitted thereafter; but in exactly what manner the decision in regard to State sovereignty should be made was a subject not agreed upon, even by national leaders at the north, where the dominant party disclosed its strength. The incoming national administration, in 1861, faced an unprecedented crisis in American history and apparently was uncertain how to proceed in the midst of the alarming dilemma that confronted it. A number of the slaveholding states had passed ordinances of secession, thereby exercising a right that had been generally claimed and not seriously disputed since the adoption of the Constitution, and those who desired the maintenance of the Union were vainly searching for a solution of the difficult problem. Able and patriotic statesmen, regardless of party affiliation, were giving their time and talents to the perplexing question, hoping to discover a pathway that would lead to a satisfactory adjustment of all differences - when all plans were disarranged by the firing on Fort Sumter, and the administration was afforded a pretext, if not a justification, for waging a vigorous war of suppression. This overt act on the part of the South cleared the atmosphere for those who had advocated a policy of coercion, and to a large extent lessened the number of those who had talked of peaceable secession.

But all were not of one mind. In Williams county, as elsewhere, there were those who denied the right and expendiency of the government's action ; but they were comparatively few in number, and owing to that fact were the subjects of bitter denunciation, epithets and contemptuous opprobrium. The stigma attached to their names existed in the minds of the thoughtless long after the close of hostilities, but it should not be deemed "treasonable" at this late day to calmly consider historical facts. The writer may be pardoned if, before entering upon the proud record of Williams county during those dark days - which will occupy the web and the woof of this chapter - he pauses sufficiently long to merely extenuate the action of those "copperheads," as they were derisively called. Criticism of national administrations and their various acts has always been indulged in, whether in - peace or war, and such conduct is not a Constitutional definition of treason. The accepted teachings of a lifetime can not be eradicated from the mind in a single day, unless such a change is wrought, as is sometimes done, by resolution of a national political convention. Nothing is so potent as the latter in forming public opinion, and there are recent examples to sustain the suggestion that the law 6f gravitation would be un- blushingly denied, if necessary, to prove the loyalty of some to a political party. But the sovereignty of the states had been an accepted doctrine from the time of the adoption of the constitution ; it was claimed by the New England states in 1814; it was recognized in 1820 by the Missouri Compromise, and again by the compromise of 1850; and when the Ship of State struck the quick-sands of sectionalism, in 1861, patriotic leaders of the North - even those who had bitterly opposed the institution of slavery - thought the time for dismemberment of the Union had arrived, and advised that the erring "sisters be allowed to depart in peace.,, Imbued so thoroughly with this doctrine - when President Lincoln issued his proclamation calling for troops and evinced a determination to force the seceding states back into the Union - it was but natural that some would oppose such action ; nor did such conduct on their part mark them as traitors or make them any less deserving of respect as citizens. But it is not the purpose of this apparent digression to recall unpleasant memories or argue questions long since settled - we desire merely to record pertinent historical facts. Before leaving the subject, however, and as proof of the accepted doctrine of state sovereignty, we will give the following extract from Henry Cabot Lodge's recent "Life of Webster." On page 177, concerning "Webster's Reply to Hayne," Senator Lodge says: "When the Constitution was adopted by the votes of States at Philadelphia and accepted by the votes of States in popular conventions, it is safe to say that there was not a man in the country, from Washington and Hamilton on the one side to George Clinton and George Mason on the other, who regarded the new system as anything but an experiment entered upon by the States, and from which each and every State had the right peaceably to withdraw, a right which was very likely to be exercised."

The news of the firing on Fort Sumter was followed in a few days bv the president's call for seventy-five thousand troops. By the 29th of. April, just seventeen days after the first shot was fired, the old Buckeye State offered seventy-one thousand soldiers, and eight days later increased her offering to eightv-one thousand. The first mass meeting in Bryan was held at the court house on the evening of April 16th. Speeches were made by A. M. Pratt, W. A. Smith, Joshua Dobbs, S. E. Blakeslee and others. But those were days of deeds and not of words. Isaac R. Sherwood was the first man to tender his services as a volunteer. Two days later, April 18th, the first company of one hundred and twelve men took the c°rs for Toledo. This company, although raised at Bryan, contained men from all portions of the county. B. H. Fisher was captain, Edwin J. Evans first lieutenant and E. M. Deuchar was second. E. D. Bradley, a veteran of the Mexican war, raised a company at Strvker, of which he was captain, Amos L. Bradlev, first lieutenant, and D. S. Tallerdav, second lieutenant. These two companies enlisted in the three months' service and both served in the Fourteenth regiment.

organizations from the county in the three months' service they were not the only troops, as some twenty or thirty boys residing in the northern part joined Michigan regiments, others went into Indiana, and still others sought military organizations south and east. Not less than sixty boys thus found means to serve their country outside the county limits. Counting these and the two companies in the Fourteenth, with the excess of men over one hundred which they had, it will be seen that nearly three hundred men from the county were in the three months' service. The professions, merchants, mechanics, farmer boys and laborers, all were imbued with the same spirit and promptly laid aside their several vocations and joined in the supreme effort to preserve the Union of States. Gentlemen of the cloth laid aside their shepherd's crooks and went to the front in various capacities. During the four years of bloody warfare Ohio met every call for troops in advance of the time limit, and Williams county was always among the first to respond with her quota.

While the "boys" were at the front the citizens at home were not idle, and the devoted mothers, wives, sisters and sweethearts, imbued with the same spirit which had taken their loved ones from them, assisted in organizing relief associations. On April 29th, the ladies of Bryan presented a beautiful banner to Captain Fisher's company, which was the first to depart from the county for the seat of war. There was much of this outward show of sympathy and interest during the first few months, but by the following year, after the disaster of the Peninsula campaign, matters settled down to a war basis and sentiment was banished in the interest of helpful needs. Public and private donations to the Federal cause were kept up until' the final capitulation at Appomattox.

It would be impossible to trace the record of Williams county's valiant soldiers through the ranging fortunes of four years of bloody war; neither would space permit, should such be possible. Without disparagement to the heroic services of any, it shall be the purpose of this article to mention the organizations, which, as a whole, are more closely connected with Williams county than other military organizations. Reference is here made to the Fourteenth, Thirty-eighth, Sixtyeighth, One Hundredth, One Hundred and Eleventh, and One Hundred and Forty-second regiments of infantry, and the Third and Ninth regiments of cavalry. While other regiments may have achieved equal honors on the bloody fields, it is morally certain that none surpassed those mentioned in the performance of stern duty. The Fourteenth, in the three months' service, contained two Williams county companies and was organized at Toledo. In three days it was ready for the field, and in twelve days after the fall of Sumter it moved from Toledo to Camp Taylor. Cleveland, where it was drilled and the organization completed. On May 18th, 1861, it was transferred from the State to the general government. On the 22d, it received its arms at Columbus, then moved to Zanesville, Marietta, and Parkersburg, Va., at which latter place its first services were required in protecting bridges from the torch of the enemy. On the 29th, Clarksburg was reached, where trains were put to running for supplies. On June 2 the march from Webster to Phillipi (thirteen miles) was made on a dismal rainy night to surprise 2,000 Confederate cavalry, upon whom an artillery fire was poured at day break. The enemy was routed and scattered to the hills, leaving stores, arms and munitions behind them. The Fourteenth went into camp in the rear of the town of Phillipi, expeditions being sent out against the guerrilla bands which infested that region. It was engaged before the enemy at Phillipi, June 3, Laural Hill, July 8, and at Carrick's Ford, July 14, with a loss of eight brave men killed and many wounded. Of these, three were Williams county boys. Samuel Donaldson of Stryker was wounded at Laurel Hill on July 8; Frank Gero of Stryker was wounded on June 3 at Phillipi, and died on July 11 ; and Henry Reichelderfer of Bryan was killed July 13th at Carrick's Ford. The regiment remained in camp at Laurel Hill until July 22d, when, its term of service having expired, it was ordered home, arriving at Toledo July 25th, and on August 13, 1861, was mustered out of the United States' service.

The war had been in progress nearly six months and the "before breakfast job" of the three months men had been prolonged to nearly twice their term of service, and up to this date the Confederates had been successful on nearly every field. An enlistment for three years' service at this time meant more than a brief term of a few months. The first spontaneous outburst had been succeeded by a candid and thoughtful consideration of the momentous task, with the record of past events pointing to possible failure. This was the condition of affairs when the gallant Thirty-eighth was raised in response to the president's first call for three hundred thousand troops for a period of "three years or during the war." Capt. Edwin D. Bradley of Stryker, who commanded Company E, of the Fourteenth, accepted the colonelcy, and the second position went to Edward PI. Phelps. Recruiting stations were established in Williams and adjacent counties and the headquarters of the embryo regiment were located at Defiance. Company encampments were opened in other places. Enlistments moved along slowly, but by September 22d, the regimental organization was complete, and on October 5, 1861. it was mustered into the service of the United States at Nicholasville, Kv. The work of drilling and equipping the regiment had been well attended to and by the time it was ordered to the field the discipline, drill and apparent efficiency of the regiment were alike creditable to the officers and the men.

It might be said that Company E, of the Fourteenth regiment in the three months' service was the nucleus of this regiment, and, as before stated, its captain was chosen as the colonel of the new organization, but he resigned on account of ill-health on February 6, 1862. That the reader may have some idea of the casualties of the regiment, let it be said that sixty-four men were commissioned as field, staff, and line officers, while thirty-six is the complement for a regiment. Of these, a few resigned and some were promoted, but it is safe to assert that at least twenty officers were killed or disabled in the service. The regiment lost one hundred and twenty-seven men, killed in battle or died of wounds ; while the number who died from disease and accidents, or were incapacitated, either by wounds or ill-health, for further service, amounted to five hundred and thirty-one. The regiment when mustered in was fully a thousand strong, hence the casualties equalled at least sixty-five per cent of the number of men entering the service with the organization of the regiment.

The active service of the Thirty-eighth began in the army operating in Kentucky, under Gen. W. T. Sherman. It would be interesting to follow the regiment through its wonderfully active career of nearly four years at the front, but a brief resume of events must suffice. It participated in ten hard-fought battles, some of which were the most disastrous in the annals of the war. To reach these various scenes of carnage in several different states it traveled thousands of miles on weary marches, through rain and snow and mud, in intense heat or equally uncomfortable cold, wading streams, climbing and descending mountains, each soldier carrying, in full equipment, some sixty pounds of baggage. It is estimated that in ordinary warfare a soldier is under fire, in skirmishing and other desultory fighting, at least five times to each general engagement in which he participates ; hence a record of battles is no fair estimate as to a soldier's actual service.

The Thirty-eighth fought under Buell in Kentucky, under Rosecrans and Grant in Tennessee, on the Atlanta campaign under Sherman and thence on the memorable "March to the Sea." At the assault on Mission Ridge it was on the extreme left, and though the fire from the Confederate batteries was hot and terrific, it moved up, up to the very summit, losing seven men killed and forty-one wounded. It pursued the enemy to Ringgold, Ga., then returned to Chattanooga and there "veteranized," only one hundred and twelve of the entire regiment refusing to continue in the service after the expiration of the first term of enlistment. January 14, 1864, the Williams county contingent of the regiment reached Bryan on veteran furlough and a grand ovation was tendered it. A vast outpouring of citizens met the soldier boys at the station and escorted them to Garver's Hall, where tables had been set and a hearty welcome was accorded them in the way of a bountiful repast. But the veterans, after more than two years' absence, were anxious to meet loved ones around the home fireside, and dispersed to their several homes to enjoy a thirty days' respite in the quiet pursuits of civil life. At the expiration of the furlough the regiment reported at Ringgold, Ga., and there resumed the routine of camp life until the beginning of the thrilling events in the campaign of 1864. It participated in the battles, marches and skirmishes of the Atlanta campaign and was among the first to enter the beleaguered city. Continuing the triumphal march to the sea and up through the Carolinas, fighting its way as enemies confronted it, the grand review at Washington put a fitting finale to the record of the preceding years.

The Sixty-eighth regiment of infantry was composed in part of Williams county troops. Company K was gathered almost entirely from this county and Company G had a large number. This regiment was organized in the state at large, in October, November and December, 1861, to serve three years. In the latter part of January, 1862, it moved to Camp Chase, and in the middle of February to Fort Donelson, Tenn., where it was assigned to Gen. Charles F. Smith's division. It moved, about the middle of March, to Pittsburg Landing, and at the battle there guarded ordnance and supply trains. In the spring of 1863 it worked on various canals in Louisiana, and, on April 25, it began to march around Vicksburg and reached the Mississippi at Grand Gulf, May 1, 1863, by a forced march; it fought at Thompson's Hill and subsequently at Raymond, Jackson and Champion Hill, and was engaged throughout the siege of Vicksburg. On February 5, 1864, it fought at Clinton and Jackson, Miss. Just before this it "veteranized" and soon after returned home, where it was received with all the "pomp and circumstance of glorious war." On June 10th, the regiment joined Sherman's army at Acworth, Ga., and during the remainder of the Atlanta campaign the Sixty-eighth was almost constantly under fire, being on the advance sixty-five days. It fought at Kenesaw Mountain, Big Shanty, Nickajack Creek, Atlanta, July 226. and 28th, Jonesboro and Love joy Station. It then moved with Sherman to the sea, up through the Carolina campaign, then by the way of Washington to Louisville, Ky., whence it was ordered to Cleveland for payment and discharge - the latter taking place on July 18, 1865.

The One Hundredth regiment of Ohio volunteers had one company largely made up of Williams county boys. It was Company C and was commanded first by Henry Gilbert, captain ; George Rings, first lieutenant, and B. F. Ewers, second lieutenant. This regiment was organized at Camp Toledo, O., in July, August and September, 1862, to serve three years, and was mustered out of service, June 20, 1865, in accordance with orders from the war department. The regiment participated in the defense of Knoxville, and after active duty in East Tennessee, moved, in the spring of 1864, to Tunnell Hill, Ga., and joined General Sherman. It participated in the Atlanta campaign, fighting in almost every battle. On August 6, it assaulted the Confederate works at Utoy Creek, in front of Atlanta, suffering a loss of 103 men, killed and wounded, out of 300 engaged. The regiment joined in the pursuit of Hood, participated in the desperate battles of Franklin and Nashville, and finally moved to Wilmington, N. C., where it was actively engaged. It lost during its term of service, sixty-five men killed in action ; one hundred and forty-two wounded ; twentyseven died of wounds ; one hundred and eight died of disease ; three hundred and twenty-five were captured by the enemy, and eighty-five died in Confederate prisons.

Company C of the One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry was largely, if not entirely, a Williams county company. Its captain was Albert A. Archer, while its first and second lieutenants were Patrick H. Dowling and Rufus Bates, respectively. The One Hundred and Eleventh regiment was organized at Camp Toledo, O., September 5 and 6. 1862, to serve three years, and was mustered out of service June 27, 1865, in accordance with orders from the war de- partment. It began its active military operations in Tennessee. After the various marches, expeditions, scouts and skirmishes, the regiment found itself, on November 14, 1863, confronted by Longstreet at Huff's Ferry. It charged with its brigade and was successful, forcing the Confederates back and losing but few men. At Loudon Creek the regiment skirmished briskly with the Sixth South Carolina and lost four killed and twelve wounded. In the engagement at Campbell's Station the regiment was for six hours exposed to the artillery fire of two- Confederate batteries, though the loss was only eight, owing to the percussion shell used, which fell mainly in the rear. At the siege of Knoxville it lost six men killed and wounded. It skirmished at Blair's Cross Roads and Dandridge, Tenn. It participated in the Atlanta campaign, fighting at Buzzard's Roost Gap, Dalton, Resaca, Kenesaw, Pine Mountain, Lost Mountain, Nickajack Creek, Chattahoochee River, Peachtree Creek, siege of Atlanta and the skirmishes at Utoy Creek and Lovejoy Station. It skirmished at Columbia, Tenn., and repulsed two charges of the enemy near Franklin. It fought desperately in the engagement that followed, losing in this "hottest battle of the war" twenty-two men killed on the field and forty wounded out of the one hundred and eighty men engaged. The regiment fought gallantly both days at Nashville, and in a charge on the second day captured three Confederate battle flags and a large number of prisoners, losing seven killed and fifteen wounded. Soon after this it participated in the Carolina campaign, which ended hostilities. The regiment numbered one thousand and fifty men when it entered the service and received eightyfive recruits. Two hundred and thirty-four were discharged for disability, disease and wounds; two hundred died of disease contracted in the service ; two hundred and fifty-two were killed in battle or died of wounds, and four hundred and one were mustered out.

The One Hundred and Forty-second regiment of Ohio volunteer infantry was organized at Camp Chase, O., May 13, 1864, to serve one hundred days. It was composed of the Twenty-second battalion, Ohio National Guard, from Knox county; Sixty-eighth battalion, Ohio National Guard, from Williams county; and a part of the Sixty-ninth battalion, Ohio National Guard, from Coshocton county. On May 14 the regiment left Columbus, O., for Martinsburg, W. Va., where it remained, drilling, until May 19, when it left for Washington City. From Washington it marched to Fort Lyon. The regiment remained at Fort Lyon until June 5th, when orders were received to report to General Albercombie, at White House Landing. The regiment took steamer at Alexandria, on June 7th, and arrived at White House on June 9th, but was immediately sent to guard a supply-train through the Wilderness to General Grant's front, near Cold Harbor. The regiment was then ordered to report at Bermuda Hundred, but, without being permitted to land, it was conveyed on transports to Point of Rocks. On August 19 the regiment received orders to repair to Washington City, and thence to Camp Chase, O., where it was mustered out, September 2, 1864, on expiration of term of service.

iams county's contingent, was organized from the State at large, at Monroeville, Huron county, O., from September 4, 1861, to December 11, 1861, to serve three years. On the expiration of their term of service, the original members (except veterans) were mustered out, and the organization composed of veterans and recruits was retained in service until August 4,, 1865, when it was mustered out in accordance with orders from the war department. Company H was commanded originally by Charles W. Skinner, with William Maxwell and Samuel J. Hansey as first and second lieutenants, respectively. The regiment's first initiation into actual warfare was during the siege of Corinth, Miss., beginning on April 30, 1862. After occupying various positions and participating in numerous foraging and other expeditions and several skirmishes, the first battalion of the Third had a sharp engagement with the enemy at Munsfordville, Ky., losing two killed and twelve wounded. In a severe attack on the enemy, near Bardstown, Ky., the .Third lost six men killed, twenty wounded and seventeen captured. After the battle of Stone River, in Tennessee, the regiment pursued the enemy, capturing one of his trains, and then encamped at Murfreesboro. The regiment fought at Middleton and McMinnville, losing many killed and wounded. It fought on the Shelbyville Pike, near Farmington, Tenn., losing in the latter engagement two killed and twenty-three captured. After "veteranizing" and being furloughed home, it took the field again in Tennessee, fought the Confederates at Decatur, Ala., at Moulton, Ala., and at Noonday Creek. A severe fight was had at Peachtree Creek, and in the return raids into Tennessee. It participated in the Kilpatrick and the Stoneman raids around Atlanta, skirmished at Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station in pursuit of Hood. It fought at Franklin, Tenn., losing heavily, after which it pursued Hood into Alabama, and then participated in the Wilson raid, fighting at Selma, Columbus and Macon, and participated in the chase of Jeff. Davis.

The Ninth Ohio volunteer cavalry was organized in 1863, to serve three years ; Companies A, B, C, and D, at Camp Zanesville, O., in January, and the other eight companies (of which H was from Williams county - William Stough, captain ; James P. Caldwell, first lieutenant, and John Frey, second lieutenant) at Camp Dennison, O., in September, October and December. It was mustered out July 20, 1865, at Lexington, N. C. The regiment Avas not completed and united in the field until the spring of 1864, when it saw plenty of service in Alabama. Seven hundred men of the Ninth, with other troops under Rousseau, were sent to destroy the Atlanta and West Point railroad. This was done amidst numerous skirmishes with the enemy, whereby the Ninth lost twenty-six men, mainly captured while foraging. After the fall of Atlanta the regiment, about seven hundred strong, marched to the sea with Sherman, fighting almost daily with the enemy and quite severely at Waynesboro. A brisk skirmish was had near Savannah, Ga., and at Aiken, S. C. So many of the horses failed on the march that a portion of the cavalry was organized into a "dismounted" command. On the night of March 9, 1865, General

Kilpatrick went into camp with the Third brigade and the dismounted men about three miles in advance of the remainder of his command. Early on the morning of the ioth, at Monroe's Cross Roads, N. C., a large force of Confederates dashed into camp, capturing the wagons, artillery and many of the officers and men. The excitement was intense, but the dismounted men rallied, opened a hot and destructive fire on the enemy, forcing them back and recapturing all the stores, during which twenty-five Federal and seventy-five Confederate soldiers were killed. The man who accomplished this splendid result, who turned defeat into victory and won a brigadier general's star, was none other than the late William Stough, of Bryan, who entered the service as captain of a Williams county company. The Ninth fought at Averysboro and Raleigh, and after doing some guard duty was mustered out.

The Confederacy was crushed, the South was over-powered and the citizen soldiery was no longer imbued with the military spirit. It was "Home, Sweet Home," in the minds of all. The History of Williams county soldiers is a record of heroism and endurance, of which every citizen should be proud. They supported the flag on scores of bloody battlefields, and there they fought and suffered. The roll of honor shows nearly a thousand killed and wounded in battle. The graves of the dead mark a victorious pathway through many states of the Union. In many a charge our soldiers performed feats unsurpassed in the annals of war. They were at the front in many battles ; and, although sometimes repulsed, they were never dishonored.

The field and staff officers of the various regiments, in which Williams county was represented, were subject to frequent change, there being resignations, discharges and deaths. A number of resignations were due to promotions to higher rank in the same or other organizations, and the places thus made vacant were filled by promotions. A number of line officers were chosen from among Williams county soldiers, and usually promotions were made from the companies wherein the vacancies occurred. Some of the Williams county officers are given more extended mention on other pages of this volume, but it will be eminently appropriate to mention a few of them here.

Col. Edwin D. Bradley, who entered the service as captain of a Williams county company with the three months' troops and was also the first colonel of the Thirty-eighth regiment, was a veteran of the war with Mexico. He was born August 28, 1804, at Litchfield, Conn., of English descent. After a preliminary education he read law for a couple of years, but on account of ill health was compelled to abandon his studies. In 1835 he came to Sandusky, O., where he engaged in agriculture until the Mexican war began, when he commenced recruiting a company for service. It became Company F, with Colonel Bradley as captain, and was assigned to the First Ohio volunteer infantry. He commanded this company until the regiment was mustered out of service, in June, 1847. On his return from Mexico he came to Williams county and engaged in mercantile business at Lockport, Evansport and Stryker, finally locating permanently at the latter place, where lie died a few years since. On the occurrence of the secession move- ment Colonel Bradley was among the first to respond, and after a short service as captain of Company E, in the Fourteenth regiment, he was commissioned as colonel and raised the Thirty-eighth, or "Williams county regiment." Advancing age and failing health compelled his resignation in February, 1862.

Charles Greenwood entered the service as captain of Company A, in the Thirty-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry. He was promoted to Major of the regiment on February 6. 1862, and to lieutenant colonel on November 25, 1863. He resigned his commission, August 12, 1864. Andrew Newman entered the service on September I, 1861, as first lieutenant of Company H, of the Thirty-eighth regiment. He was promoted to the captaincy on July 19, 1862, and to major on November 3, 1864. He was mustered out with the regiment July 12, 1865. Alphonso A. Evans enlisted as a private on Septemebr 3, 1861, in Company E, of the Thirty-eighth. He was promoted to quartermaster sergeant June 25, 1863; to second lieutenant of Company K June 27, 1864; to first lieutenant of Company E January 20, 1865; was appointed regimental quartermaster on February 3, 1865, and was mustered out with the regiment, July 12, 1865.

Rev. John Poucher was the chaplain of the Thirty-eighth regiment throughout its entire career. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, December 10, 1824. and came to America in the fall of 1854, passing the winter following in Shanesville, Tuscarawas county, O. In the spring of 1855 he engaged in milling in Bridgewater township, Williams county, and continued in that business during the greater part of his life, for years being one of the proprietors of the Unity Mills, at West Unity. He joined the Central Ohio conference of the Methodist- Episcopal church in 1857, and became widely known as a preacher of that faith. Upon the organization of the Thirty-eighth regiment he was elected by its members and commissioned by Governor Tod as chaplain of the same, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. While acting as post chaplain at Nashville, Tenn., he received a severe internal injury while assisting a wounded soldier to the cars, and suffered therefrom considerably ; but otherwise he escaped unscathed.

Lieutenant Joseph B. Coons, of the Thirty-eighth, enlisted as a private in Company C, on August 25, 1861. He was promoted to sergeant major on May 10, 1862, to second lieutenant March 16, 1863, and to first lieutenant of Company I April 13, 1864. Edward P. Mc- Cutchen entered the service as corporal of Company E of the Thirtyeighth, was appointed sergeant February 19, 1862; promoted to sergeant major February 25, 1864, and to first lieutenant of Company G on May 18, 1865. Albert W. Dolph was mustered in as a private in Company A of the Thirty-eighth ; was appointed first sergeant ; promoted to quartermaster sergeant, and afterwards to first lieutenant of Company D. Morton A. Amadon enlisted as a private in Comapny C, was promoted to commissary sergeant, and afterwards discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability. Alfred Plummer enlisted as a private in Company E, promoted to hospital steward, "veteranized" and was mustered out with the regiment. John A. Baird enlisted as a musician in Company H, was promoted to fife major, then to principal musician of the regiment and was mustered out September 13, 1864, on expiration of term of service.

A large majority of the soldiers which comprised the Sixty-eighth regiment were gathered from other counties, and consequently Williams was not extensively represented among the field and staff officers. There were three exceptions, however, Charles Bates serving as regimental quartermaster, Martin Perky as chaplain, and Jacob A. Dorshimer as commissary sergeant. Dr. Charles Bates was born in Morrow county, O., January 4, 1842, and came to Williams county with his parents in 1852. At the alarm of war he was studying medicine, but enlisted at the first call in Company B, First Michigan infantry, being soon afterward discharged on account of illness. In November, 1861, he again enlisted as a private in Company K, Sixty-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry, and on the organization of the regiment was appointed sergeant major, which position he held until his promotion to second lieutenant April 6, 1862. In May, 1863, he was promoted to first lieutenant, and in 1864 to captain, which commission he declined. After the war he practiced medicine at his home in Columbia, Northwest township, until his death, March 23, 1881.

The One Hundredth regiment had no field or stafif officers from Williams county, but the One Hundred and Eleventh had three - Lieutenant Colonel Isaac R. Sherwood, Sergeant Major George H. Curtis, and Commissary Sergeant James C. Thomas. Colonel Sherwood is given extended mention in the chapter devoted to "Official Honors." George H. Curtis entered the service as a private in Company H, August 20, 1862. He was transferred to Company C in December, 1863 ; promoted to sergeant major May 1, 1864, and was killed in the battle of Franklin. Tenn., on November 30, 1864. James C. Thomas was born in Florence township, Williams county, in 1843. He enlisted, August 14, 1862, as a private in Company C of the One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio volunteer infantry, and soon thereafter was appointed corporal. On June 13, 1863, he was promoted to commissary sergeant and was mustered out with the regiment, June 27, 1865. For several years past he has been connected with a book publishing establishment, with headquarters at Chicago.

There were no field and staff officers from Williams county in the One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio infantry, but in the Third Ohio cavalry there were several. Charles W. Skinner entered the service on August 20, 1861 ; was appointed first lieutenant of Company H, September 14, captain October 10, and major of the regiment on February 14, 1863. He held the latter position until September 8, 1864, when he resigned. Francis P. Gates also held a major's commission in this regiment. He entered the service as second lieutenant of Company E, and was promoted to first lieutenant on June 20, 1862. On March 5, 1863, he was promoted to captain of Company H, and on November 30 was promoted to major. He was mustered out with his regiment on August 4, 1865. Joseph Berry was appointed sergeant of Company H; promoted to sergeant major of the regiment; to second lieutenant of Company D and to first lieutenant of the same, but was not mustered. He "veteranized" and was mustered out with Company D on August 4, 1865. Edward A. Haines entered the service as sergeant of Company D; was promoted to battalion sergeant major; to second lieutenant of Company H ; to first lieutenant of Company I, and was mustered out November 25, 1864, at Louisville, Ky., on expiration of term of service. Jesse N. Squires entered the service as sergeant of Company B ; was promoted to battalion commissary sergeant; to regimental commissary sergeant; to first lieutenant of Company H, and to captain of the same. From April 3, 1865, until mustered out, he was on detached duty as acting inspector general at Second Division cavalry headquarters. William O. Johnston entered the service as a private in Company H, and was promoted to regimental commissary sergeant. He was a prisoner of war for a long time, and was mustered out, April 7, 1865, at Columbus, O., on expiration of term of service. He afterwards practiced law in Williams county, was prosecuting attorney, mayor of Bryan, and moved to Tennessee several years ago. William H. Gardner entered the service as a private in Company H ; was promoted to regimental saddler sergeant, and was mustered out June 15, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn., by order of War Department. William Hinman enlisted in the Third Ohio cavalry, Company H, August 20, 1861 ; took part in the battle of Shiloh, the pursuit and capture of John Morgan, the battle of Mission Ridge, and was discharged in August, 1862. He re-enlisted in the same company and regiment in 1864, and served till the close of the war, being in the party that pursued and captured Jefferson Davis. He was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., June 17, 1865.

In the Ninth Ohio cavalry Williams county was represented by Company H, and three of its members - William Stough, John Frey and Thomas D. Stevenson - achieved the distinction of being field and staff officers. William Stough was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1821, and grew to manhood in Richland county, O., where his parents moved when he was about twelve years old. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and in .1842 moved to the village of Pulaski (then called Lafayette) in Williams county, where he engaged in that occupation. In 1852 he began merchandising and three years later moved his establishment to Bryan. At the time of the fall of Fort Sumter he was engaged in lumbering and farming, but he immediately turned his attention to military affairs and soon had a company of one hundrd and twenty men, which became Company H, Thirty-eighth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry. General Stough served as captain of this company, leading it in all engagements until the fall of 1862 when, owing to ill health, he was compelled to resign and come home. Beginning in July, 1863, he enlisted a company of cavalry, which became a part of the Ninth Ohio cavalry, and as captain he engaged with it in active service in Kentucky and Tennessee. He was appointed major of the regiment, and, on October 1, 1864, was commissioned lieutenant colonel. The record of his regi- ment in the Carolina campaign is given elsewhere in this chapter, as is also General Stough's gallant service, for which he was brevetted colonel and brigadier general. He was mustered out with his regiment and returned to Williams county, where he resided until his death.

John Frey entered the service as second lieutenant of Campany H, Ninth Ohio Cavalry; was promoted to first lieutenant and regimental quartermaster., and mustered out with the regiment, July 20, 1865. Thomas D. Stevenson entered the service September 15, 1863. He was appointed saddler of Campany H ; promoted to regimental saddler sergeant, and was mustered out with his regiment July 20, 1865.

Did space permit it would be a pleasure to include the names and service of the ''men who bore the guns," many of whom performed feats of daring and services of incalculable value to the cause, wholly prompted by the innate desire for national preservation, and without the hope of official reward. Some even declined promotion on the conscientious ground that they would then be serving for the emoluments and honors of office, while the charge would be groundless if the salary remained at thirteen dollars a month ! Such conduct as this, it seems, should be a sufficient refutation of the latter-day doctrine that greed is the only incentive to human exertion. There were representatives of Williams county in nearly every regiment organized in Northwestern Ohio, Southern Michigan and Northeastern Indiana, either by original enlistment, transfer or promotion ; and wherever they were, and by whatever organization they were known, the famous Buckeyes always performed their duty, and reflected honor upon themselves and credit upon the noble State which they represented.