Ashland City (part 13 of 57)

General Beall had many of the essential characteristics of a commander, and led his troops successfully through the wilderness in his campaign against both a savage and an invading foe, and defended himself against the jealous machinations of West Pointers.

General Beall had previously served in the army, having been an officer in General Harmar's campaign against the Indians in 1790. He was a congressman from Ohio in 1813-15 and died at Wooster February 20, 1843.

General Beall's campaign was made when Return Jonathan Meigs was governor of Ohio. And the story of Governor Meigs' life reads like a romance. In 1789, he was an attorney at law at Marietta and delivered a Fourth of July address, concluding with a poem - the first ever printed in Ohio:

In 1802, Meigs was chief justice of the supreme court of Ohio; in 1804 he was commander of the United States troops in the upper district of Louisiana; in 1805, one of the judges of the territory of Louisiana; in 1807 one of the judges of the territory of Michigan; in 1808 elected supreme judge for Ohio; in 1809 chosen United States senator from Ohio; in 1810 elected governor of Ohio and re-elected in 1812 ; in 1814 appointed postmaster general of the United States. He died at Marietta, March 29, 1825, aged sixty years..

In January, 1778, the American army floated kegs, filled with combustibles, down the river to destroy the British shipping at Philadelphia. This was a Yankee trick the British did not understand and supposed that each keg contained a "rebel" and when the kegs were discovered the British opened fire upon them and ' ' fought with valor and pride. ' '

"The soldier flew, the sailor, too, and spread the news that mischief was brewing, that the 'rebels' packed up like pickled herring were coming down to attack the town, and the most frantic scenes were enacted.

The Soldiers Of The War Of 1812

The followng list has been furnished of the soldiers of 1812 who located in Ashland at the close of that war. While the list is doubtless correct, it may not be complete. The list is given as follows :

The Underground Railroad

It was during the administration of Martin Van Buren that the doctrine of the abolition of slavery began to be propagated. At first there was a distinction in the anti-slavery forces between those who were opposed to the extension of slavery and those who were in favor of its abolition ; as revolutions seldom go backward, the abolition doctrine was the one that finally prevailed, but before its accomplishment, a fugitive slave law was enacted, which required people in the North as well as in the South to assist in returning runaway slaves to their masters. The law made it a penal offense to refuse to do so, which rendered the law so repugnant to the people of the North that they prided themselves more upon its breach than upon its observance.

Politics in those days was a matter of principle and of sentiment and the sentiment was an anti-slavery one. There is but little if any sentiment in the politics of today. Now it is a question of finance, of the tariff, with a picturesque tinge of imperialism.

Numerous incidents might be given of attempts to re-take fugitives, but in the majority of cases the pursuers were out-witted by the pursued and their abolition friends. The condition of affairs which then existed creating this "underground mode of travel/ ' as it was called, is known to the generation of today only as a matter of history.

One of the most noted stations on the "underground railroad" in its day was the home of John Finney, in Springfield township, Richland county, near the Stewart crossing on the trolley line, three miles west of Mansfield. ' ' Uncle ' ' John Finney was a man of strong convictions and as bitter as Gato was in ancient Utica, when he denounced the fugitive slave law under the operations of which, runaway slaves were returned to bondage. Finney did not want to simply drift with the tide - he was too strong willed for that - he wanted to take an active part in forming public opinion and in shaping public events.

During the many years that "Uncle" John Finney assisted fugitive slaves on their way to Canada and to freedom, several thousands were entertained at his home over night or for several days and were then taken by him to Savannah or Oberlin, from which points they were assisted on to freedom. At one time the late Benjamin Gass brought five colored men with five or six women and children to Mr. Finney's. The latter he secreted in the loft and the men he put in a granary at the barn. Their pursuers arrived the next morning and demanded a search of the premises, which was denied without' warrant. A detachment was sent to Mansfield for the necessary papers of search and seizure and the remainder of the party were invited into Finney's home, where "Uncle" John exerted his great fascinating manners to entertain them. Breakfast was announced and "Uncle" John, being a Presbyterian, and a U. P. at that, proceeded to have family worship. As a matter of courtesy his guests kneeled with him. The back of the chair at which Mr. Finney knelt was to the window looking toward the barn. A member of the family had given the negroes the tip to leave. "Uncle" John literally obeyed the command to "watch and pray." He prayed long and earnestly and watched anxiously and did not say "amen" until he saw the last fugitive leave the barn. He then requested his guests to join him in singing the 119th psalm, which was sung to slow music. Breakfast was then served and as much time as possible consumed in the different homely courses. After the close of the meal the party returned from Mansfield with the warrants, but it was discovered the fugitives had fled. As the house was not suspected, it was not searched, and the women and children in the garret were not molested.

An instance is given of Mr. Finney driving to Mansfield one winter morning with a sled load of ' ' wheat, ' ' but a sudden lurch of the sled in a gutter revealed the true nature of the load, which was a load of fugitive niggers instead of bags of wheat. The darkies were reloaded into the sled and taken on to Savannah, Ashland county, the next station on the underground road. And in writing of Savannah, I am reminded of a hoax that was played on Neverson Sherman, an alleged abolitionist of that place, in the year 1842. Mr. Sherman was the keeper of a hotel in that village, professed to be an ardent abolitionist and frequently expatiated upon the sad condition of the poor down-trodden slaves. But the people of Savannah, notwithstanding Mr. Sherman's professions of piety and his devotion to negro freedom and race equality, were led to doubt his sincerity, and a number of them concluded to put the matter to a test, which they did in the following manner : They circulated a story that several fugitive slaves had been seen lurking around in the community, and that handbills had been posted at Orange and other towns offering a reward of five hundred dollars for their apprehension. When this news reached Mr. Sherman he at once began to lay plans to capture the fugitives and obtain the reward. Fearing that abolitionists might prevent the capture of the fugitives, he raised a posse of men to assist in their capture. The members of the posse, or at least a number of them, knew of the hoax, but entered into the plan for fun. After standing guard all night in the vicinity of a house where it was thought the fugitives were concealed, in the morning word was passed around that they had escaped, and Sherman, thinking he knew the trail they had taken, started after them, it being said that he leaped off like an antelope, but not being acquainted with the route, he took across a piece of low, marshy ground, and in attempting to jump across a wide ditch, landed in mud and water up to his knees, but this did not deter him from the pursuit.

After "chasing" the fugitives all day the party returned to Mr. Sherman's hotel in the evening. Sherman was confident of finally making the capture, and in the ecstasy of the thought that he would eventually have the five hundred dollars reward, he treated the whole company, and the crowd accepted the invitation and soon the fora commenced upon the landlord's apple pie and brandy. While the refreshments were circulating among his guests, the elated host did not forget to partake of the viands himself. The firewater soon got possession of both stomach and brain, and his feelings soon rose accordingly. He frisked about like a dancing master, and insisted that the boys should eat and drink their fill, as it was not every day that a man made five hundred dollars.

Militia

Prior to the erection of Ashland, Richland county had two regiments of militia, one of which was a rifle regiment. They were organized in 1824. The rolls of the companies having been destroyed, only traditionary history of the same can be given. The organization of which the Richland county militia was a part, was known as the "First Regiment of the First Brigade, of the Eleventh Division of the Ohio Militia.' '

Field And Staff Commissioned Officers

During the existence of the first organization, many changes took place in the regimental and company officers. John Latta, Zachariah Newell, Christian Bush, Burr Kellogg, and Jacob Heckard acted part of the time as captains.

Reorganization

In 1834 the regiment was reorganized, but retained its original place in the Ohio militia. Colonel John Oldshue resigned, and was succeeded by Alexander Miller ; Major William Roller resigned, and was succeeded by Richard P. Fulkerson. The regimental officers then were :

Commissioned Officers

In a short time, Samuel W. Russell succeeded William Scott as Lieutenant Colonel; and Colonel Alexander Miller having resigned, Lieutenant Colonel Russell became Colonel, and John Madden Lieutenant Colonel.

In the meantime, Adjutant Ephraim R. Eckley resigned, and Paschel Whiting was appointed to fill the vacancy. When Captain Richard P. Fulkerson became major, William Sheets was elected to fill the vacancy. There were other changes not now remembered.

Colonels Oldshue and Russell, and Major Madden removed west. Colonel Alexander Miller died in 1860. Adjutants Kellogg and Whiting, Dr. Luther and Colonel Scott, and a majority of the captains, have responded to the last roll call, and gone to a grand encampment across the great river. Captain Alanson Walker served honorably in the war of 1861-5; and Major Richard P. Fulkerson accompanied the "Squirrel Hunters" to Cincinnati, during the apprehended invasion of General Kirby Smith, of Kentucky.

The regimental musters, for many years, took place on a small prairie below the village of Mifflin, on the banks of the Blackfork. This field gave ample room for maneuvering and regimental display. The privates were destitute of firearms on train day, and the performance was a mere pastime, and regarded as a dry affair. For many years the companies were conditionally kept in existence. The privates, under the law, could either train or work two days on the public highway. Many preferred to repair the roads and this sapped the vitality of the organization.

Train days, however, were not wholly destitute of excitement. Such assemblages gave an opportunity for the "roughs" to concentrate their forces to settle old griefs and grudges. In the earlier years of the militia system, there seems to have been a bitter feud between the pugilistic chiefs of the Clearfork and the Whetstone. The Clearcreek chiefs consisted of the Slaters and Brawdys and their backers, while those of the Whetstone were led by the Montgomerys Burgetts, Bradens and others! There were also many game men on the military quarters in Montgomery and Orange townships, known as members of the "sixteen nations, ' ' who were ready, on all occasions, to see a fight well regulated, and generally took a hand in such contests. When the great chiefs of the Whetstone and the Clearfork' met, their friends accompanied them. They were, generally, men of large size and famous for their muscle and courage.

At the dismissal of the companies in the evening, the respective chiefs, fired by bad whiskey, and eager for the fray, assembled their hosts. In a few moments the champions opened the contest, when large numbers of sympathizers would be drawn into the struggle to see fair play. A hand to hand contest followed. Parties were knocked right and left, and the victims of the "manly art of self-defense ' ' were found in every quarter, with bruised faces, and gouged eyes and bitten fingers, stained with blood. It was no child's play. The heavy blows made fearful havoc. The war ended. The braves and their friends marched to a brook, washed their faces, and then proceeding to a neighboring stillhouse, drank friends and buried the hatchet. These sturdy warriors are all gone. Their places are now filled by men of peace. Reason, instead of blows, sways public gatherings, and intelligence, instead of brute force, rules along those beautiful streams.

About the year 1852 an effort was made to revive the militia organization of the county, and create a brigade. To this end Captain John S. Fulton and Colonel George W. Urie visited the officers of the old regiment', who voted for Captain Fulton as their choice for brigadier general. He was accordingly commissioned by the governor as brigadier general, and appointed his staff officers. The brigade officers were :

The Rifle Regiment

About the year 1826, a rifle regiment was formed within the territory now composing Ashland, Morrow and Richland counties. It was known as the First regiment, of the First brigade, of the Eleventh division of Ohio militia. The regimental and company officers were:

It will be seen that the regiment was composed of eight companies, which were elegantly uniformed and armed, and the glitter of their burnished rifles, and their gay dresses, made a fine display in the field. The regimental and company officers attracted much attention in consequence of their size and soldierlike bearing. The regimental officers were superbly mounted, and their regalia was quite expensive.

The first company was composed of volunteers from Clear Creek, Orange and Montgomery. The first captain was John Murray. He was succeeded by John Sprott, and he by George W. Urie. The company then disbanded, Captain Urie having been promoted to major. A new company was then formed. Jacob Oldshue was elected captain, and sometime afterward resigned. George McConnell succeeded him, and upon his resignation George Murray was elected captain, and remained in command until the regiment disbanded.

Upon the resignation of Colonel Samuel G. Wolf, Lieutenant Colonel John Murray became colonel, and upon the resignation of Colonel Murray in 1840, Major Urie was elected colonel of the regiment. Colonel Urie appointed John Sherman, now secretary of the treasury.

posed of boys from fifteen to eighteen years of age, of which the late Bolivar W. Kellogg was captain. The members of the company possessed all the enthusiasm of regular soldiers, were handsomely uniformed and made a fine display. It survived some three or four years.

About the same time a light infantry company was formed, and the late William Johnston, of Mansfield, was elected captain. This company survived until about 1846, when it was merged into a new organization, sometimes called the Ashland guards. Captain Scott, Richard Emerson, John S. Fulton and Anthony Jacobs successively became its captains. It expired in 1852.

Ashland county can point with pride to her Union troops in the war of the rebellion. She furnished her full quota and more, and the many deaths, the scars and missing limbs of a number of the survivors show that her sons did their full duty in fighting the battles of the Union.

During that war the state of Ohio furnished three hundred and ten thousand six hundred and fifty-four soldiers, who were enlisted in the various counties in proportion to the number of inhabitants thereof. Of the seventy-five thousand soldiers enlisted under the President's first call for troops, April 15, 1861, Ohio furnished twelve thousand, three hundred and fifty-seven. Of that number Ashland county furnished one company, which company became Company B, Sixteenth Ohio, the officers of which were :

The company rendezvoused at Camp Jackson, near the city of Columbus, Ohio, April 23, 1861, where it was enrolled to the 18th day of August, 1861. On the 3d day of May, 1861, Captain John S. Fulton was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and Thomas J. Kenny to be captain of Company B. On the 7th of May William B. McCarty was commissioned first lieutenant, Samuel L. Wilson, second lieutenant, William P. Wright, ensign.

The company became a part of Sixteenth Regiment, at Camp Jackson, Columbus, in May, 1861, under the command of Colonel James Irvine ; John S. Fulton, of Ashland, being lieutenant colonel by promotion. The regiment was immediately ordered to Bellaire, and thence to Grafton, West Virginia, where it met the Fourteenth, under Colonel James B. Steedman, and the Fifteenth, under Colonel Lorin Andrews, and a regiment of West Virginians under Colonel Kelley. The Confederate forces, on the approach of these regiments, retired from Grafton in the direction of Phillipi, and were pursued to that point, where a sharp skirmish ensued with Colonel Porterfield, who again retreated, and West Virginia was practically liberated. From Bellaire to Grafton the railroad track had been greatly damaged by the Southern forces, and the Ohio regiments immediately commenced repairs, and put the road in proper condition, placing guards to prevent further injury. To accomplish the task of restoring the road, the Sixteenth Ohio performed arduous duty. A short time after the affair at Philippi, General McClellan made a demonstration in the direction of Laurel

Hill, but, from delays, and want of concert in movement, nothing was accomplished beyond marches and countermarches. The Fourteenth regiment, under Colonel Steedman, was the first to cross at Parkersburg, and the Sixteenth, under Colonel Irvine, at Bellaire.

The Twenty-Third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry

The Twenty-third was commanded by Colonel E. P. Scammon. Under the call of July 22, 1861, for five hundred thousand men, Ohio furnished eighty-four thousand one hundred and sixteen men. These volunteers were divided among the various counties in the ratio of men. Ashland county raised two full companies, which were incorporated in the Twenty-third regiment. The roster shows the following officers, promotions and men :

Captain, Willard Slocum, resigned July 17, 1861 ; captain, James B. Drake, resigned September 24, 1862; captain, Henry G. Hood, mustered out; first lieutenant, Henry G. Hood, promoted captain; first lieutenant, C. E. Reichenbach, promoted captain ; first lieutenant, B. F. Cooper, mustered out; first lieutenant, George W. Stevens, promoted captain; first lieutenant, D. K. Smith, promoted captain ; first lieutenant, M. B. Deshong, promoted captain ; second lieutenant, Addison Snively, mustered out ; second lieutenant, George W. Stevens, promoted first lieutenant ; second lieutenant, D. K. Smith, promoted first lieutenant ; second lieutenant, B. F. Cooper, promoted first lieutenant; second lieutenant, W. A. Stoner, mustered out; second lieutenant, C. A. Towslee, mustered out; second lieutenant, M. B. Deshong, promoted first lieutenant; second lieutenant, L. R. Gray, killed at Winchester; second lieutenant, Henry M. Beer, mustered out; second lieutenant, James M. Craig, mustered out.

The company was organized in Ashland, by Captain Willard Slocum, and went to Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, June 7, 1861; and on the 11th, was mustered into service. July 25, it was ordered to West Virginia. It participated in nearly all the engagements against Generals Lee, Jackson and Floyd. In 1862, it was at the engagement at Jumping Branch. In May, it was at the battle of Pearisburg. It was next in Pope's campaign. In September, it helped expel the enemy from Frederick City, and participated in the great battles at South Mountain and Antietam. In October, it returned to the Kanawha valley, and aided in expelling the Confederate forces. In February, 1863, it was engaged in watching the approach of the noted Confederate raider, General John Morgan.

This company was organized by Captain James L. Drake and recruited in Hanover, Lake and Green townships, and was mustered in at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, June 12, 1861. The officers and privates were :

The Twenty-third was organized at Camp Chase, Ohio. Colonel William S. Rosecranz commanded. During the campaign in West Virginia he was promoted to the position of brigadier general, and Lieutenant Colonel Scammon promoted to the vacancy.

On the 25th of July, 1861, the regiment was ordered to Clarksburg, West Virginia. On the 27th of July, it was ordered to Weston. Here it performed arduous duty in fighting guerillas. The regiment next marched to Carnifax Ferry, where General Rosecranz found the Confederates under General Floyd.

The Forty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camp Chase in September, October and November, 1861, with James A. Garfield as Colonel. Ashland county furnished two full companies for this regiment.

Captain, Tully C. Bushnell; first lieutenant, J. D. Stubbs, promoted assistant quartermaster, November 13, 1862 ; first lieutenant, William N. Starr, promoted captain, October 22, 1862 ; second lieutenant, John R. Helman, promoted first lieutenant, June 11, 1862; James S. Bowlby, promoted second lieutenant, October 22, 1862, and resigned January 9, 1864.

Captain, Seth M. Barber, resigned June 11, 1862, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps; John R. Helman, transferred from Company C and promoted captain, June 3, 1864; first lieutenant, William S. Spencer, resigned June 5, 1862; first lieutenant, Peter Miller, transferred to Company H and promoted first lieutenant January 22, 1864; first lieutenant, Charles B. Howk, promoted November 26, 1862, resigned October 23, 1863; second lieutenant, Edwin C. Leach, resigned June 5, 1862 ; second lieutenant, John F. Robinson, assigned to Company H, later transferred and promoted major Third Infantry.

In an engagement near Memphis, Captain Seth M. Barber was wounded in the foot, which subsequently required amputation, and the occasion of his resignation and assignment to the Veteran Reserve Corps.

Peter B. Johnson, of Ashland, then over sixty years of age, was appointed train master of the Forty-second regiment by General Garfield. Mr. Johnson was over three years in the service and lived to be honorably discharged.

In December 1861, the Forty-second was ordered to Kentucky. In January 1862, it arrived near Paintville, and on the 8th marched under Lieutenant Colonel Sheldon to the fortified position of General Humphrey Marshall, and found the works evacuated and provisions carried away or destroyed. Colonel Garfield followed Marshall, and on the 9th the battle of Middle Creek took place, and Marshall again retreated and burned his stores. The Forty-second returned and passed up the Big Sandy and took possession of Pound Gap. The campaign was disastrous to the volunteers of the Forty-second, eighty-five of whom died through exposure and disease. In March the Forty-second was ordered to Louisville, where it was attached to the brigade of General George W. Morgan, and moved by rail to Lexington, and from thence marched to Cumberland Ford, with only three hundred and fourteen men fit for duty. In June it marched to the rear of Cumberland Gap, amid continued skirmishing. On the 5th of August, the Forty-second engaged and held back the advance of General Kirby Smith. General Morgan, after consultation, finally evacuated the Gap and fell back to, and crossed, the Ohio river at Greensburgh. The retreat was very rapid, and the men suffered severely for the want of clothing, proper food and rest. In the month of November, Morgan's brigade passed down to Memphis, Tennessee.

In December the Forty-second was ordered to the Yazoo, and led the advance against Vicksburgh. For three days the regiment held its position in line, when the army was compelled to retire. In January, 1863, the forces proceeded to White River, and thence to Arkansas Post, and captured Fort Hindman with seven thousand prisoners, all the guns, small arms and stores. The Forty-second then returned to the rear of Vicksburgh. In the engagements which followed, the regiment sustained heavy loss. After the surrender of Vicksburgh the Forty-second marched to Jackson, and participated in its capture, and then entered the department of the Gulf. It remained at Thebodeaux during the winter of 1864 and in the spring went on an expedition to Clinton, Louisiana, where it participated in a severe engagement. It was also in several other small expeditions, and returned to Camp Chase where it was mustered out September 30, 1864. The Forty-second was engaged in eleven battles, in which it lost one officer and twenty men killed, and eighteen officers and three hundred and twenty-five men wounded. Its tattered banners show hard service.

The rebels opened fire on Fort Sumter at an early hour on Friday morning, April 12, 1861, and continued the bombardment for thirty-four hours. It was an unequal contest - seven thousand rebels against seventy Union soldiers within the beleagured fort. There could be but one result, and on Saturday afternoon Major Anderson yielded to the inevitable and surrendered, stipulating however, that he should salute and retain Sumter's flag.

On Sunday, April 14, Major Anderson and his men were conveyed from the fort to the Baltic, a vessel lying outside the bar. They were taken on board and the vessel proceeded to New York, where the old flag that had but a few days

The fall of Fort Sumter aroused the North. * 4 Sumter has fallen, ' ' was the tocsin of war. President Lincoln, with that prompitude for which he was noted, seized the tide of patriotism at the flow and issued his call for seventy-five thousand troops, to "aid in suppressing the rebellion against the laws of the United States, and to maintain the honor, the integrity and the existence of our National Republic, and to redress wrongs already long enough endured. ' '

The call was promptly answered and amid flying flags, waving handkerchiefs and beating drums, the whole North seemed to be marching to war. Men left their homes with tears and prayers to fight for their country and its flag.

Ashland county furnished a company for this first-call service, which became Company B, of the Sixteenth Ohio Infantry. John S. Fulton was captain of the company. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and was succeeded as captain by Thomas J. Kenney, then a young and promising lawyer of Ashland.

The first troops to arrive at Washington were four companies of ununiformed and unarmed Pennsylvanians, who expected to find uniforms, arms and equipments at the capitol. Stones were thrown at them as they passed through Baltimore. Upon their arrival at Washington they were given quarters in the hall of the house of representatives. With one of the companies was a colored attendant, called Nick Biddle, named, perchance, for the once-famous financier - Nicholas Biddle. This colored attendant had been struck on the head at Baltimore; had tied a handkerchief over the wound, and then drew his cap down tightly over that. At Washington he removed cap and bandage and the blood ran down from the wound and dripped upon the marble floor of the rotunda of the capitol. The first blood of the civil war.

On Saturday morning, May 25, they left Columbus for Bellaire where they arrived in the evening. On Sunday an incident occurred worthy of note. Dan Rice's show boat came along the river with band playing and some of the boys thought the boat was the advance of the rebel.

Early on Monday morning, May 27, the Sixteenth crossed the Ohio river on the Brown Dick, and has the distinction of being the first regiment that crossed the river into Dixie.

The Sixteenth advanced along the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to the Burnt Bridges, near Mannington, where the first halt was made. The next advance was to Grafton, then to Phillipi, where it participated in the first battle of the war.

The batallion of the Sixteenth of which Captain Kenney's company was a part, returned to Grafton, then advanced to Rowlesburg, to Cheat Mountain, to the Red House, and to Oakland. At the expiration of their term of service the boys returned home after having participated in all the stirring service and hard marches of that West Virginia campaign and were mustered out of service August 18.

Picture the event of the "boys" leaving Bellville for the war. Roll back the forty-one years which have intervened between then and now and look at the scene as though it was present before you today. Main street is lined on either side with people, tearful and silent. Men, women and children have come out to see their sons and brothers leave. The hurrahs are hushed. The martial music and the tramp of the marching troops smite the silence with strokes of pain. The company boards the cars, the bell rings, the steam shrieks and the train moves on. The "boys" have gone to war.

Three months and more go by and the scene changes. People are again on the street, but now it is to welcome the 4 ' boys ' ' home. But it is difficult to write of soldiers returning to their homes. The pen, rarely failing when it depicts sorrow, often falters at the threshold of joy. Sorrow is so real, there is relief in its cry. But joy is so subtle and spiritual, its finest essence is but seldom imprisoned in words.

The war continues and another scene is witnessed at Bellville. A squad of soldiers is seen marching with reversed arms. There is a hearse with nodding plumes and there is a coffin wrapped in the American flag. There are carriages filled with sorrowing friends. And there are many citizens in line following the mortal remains of an old friend to the cemetery.

There have been thousands of similar scenes for Ohio alone had eleven thousand two hundred and twenty-seven soldiers killed in battle during the Civil war. The bodies of many were brought home for burial, while six thousand five hundred and sixty-three were left dead on the field of battle.

There were also thirteen thousand three hundred and fifty-four Ohio soldiers who died of disease and wounds during their service, making the list of Ohio's dead, twenty-four thousand eight hundred and one. This does not include any who died after having been discharged from the service.

Ohio's quota under President Lincoln's call for seventy-five thousand men was ten thousand one hundred and fifty-three, and within the week over thirty regiments were offered - six companies of which were from Richland county. The number of men accepted by the state under that call was twelve thousand three hundred and fifty-seven.

The Sixteenth was the first regiment that crossed the Ohio river and entered the so-called Southern Confederacy. The Sixteenth did guard duty along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad for two hundred miles, repaired and rebuilt the bridges wrecked and burned by the rebels; it did a great deal of hard marching, and was in the fight at Phillipi - the first battle of the war. It was in that trying march from Thornton to Phillipi, through the terrible storm, the night before the battle. General Lew Wallace, then colonel of an Indiana regiment, who has since attained world-wide fame as the author of "Ben Hur" was with us on that memorable march, when the lightning flashed along and athwart the mountain tops and the thunder roared through the valleys and reverberated among the hills, and the rain poured in incessant torrents upon the boys in blue as we marched along unknown roads to - we knew not what.

After that the Sixteenth was encamped at Rowlesburg, one of the most romantic places along the picturesque Baltimore and Ohio. Later the regiment under General Hill marched to the summit of Cheat Mountain to intercept Garnett's retreating forces from Laurel Hill. At Carriek's Ford the rebel general, Garnett, was killed while endeavoring to rally his men.

The Sixteenth pursued the retreating rebel army to the Red House and beyond; they later went into camp at Oakland, Maryland, from which place they

Limit will not permit of details, or even of naming other companies organized later and for longer terms of service, except to state that Richland county throughout the above conflict did her duty nobly and that many of her sons won distinction in the field, as others had, and have since, on the forum and in legislative halls.

It would be an honor to write the name of each private soldier, for their deeds are recorded in the blood of battle and are emblazoned in glory. But -they need no encomium, for their patriotism will be remembered and cherished after official titles are forgotten.

Many Richland county boys who then went forth to war never returned. Some were killed on southern battlefields and were buried where they fell ; some died in hospitals, others in rebel prisons. The bodies of a few were brought home and interred in our local cemeteries and their graves are annually decorated in the May time.

The Duke of Wellington said : ' 4 Take my word for it, if you had seen but one day of war, you would pray that you might never see another." Those who have seen the carnage of war on the battlefield, will concur in that saying.

What events have transpired, what characters have passed off the stage of action since the war ! The majority of our Ashland county boys who so patriotically went forth in defense of liberty and union - one and inseparable - have since answered the final roll call,

President Lincoln was barely permitted to see the end of the struggle. General Grant, who was wont to move upon the enemy's works immediately, with intent to fight it out on that line if it took all summer, now sleeps at Riverside. Sheridan, who made that wonderful ride to victory, has since taken another ride on a pale horse through the valley of shadows. Sherman, who marched his vali&nt army from Atlanta to the sea, has gone up the hills of immortality. But none of these could have achieved such greatness and fame but for the valor and heroism of the private soldiers.

General George B. McClellan, on May 14, was commissioned major general of volunteers, and assigned to the command of the department of Ohio, comprising Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and West Virginia. His first move was against Colonel Potterfield, who, with a force of confederates, was stationed at Grafton, West Virginia, under orders from General Lee to muster volunteers at that place.

On May 27, Union troops, led by the Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, crossed the Ohio river at Bellaire, and proceeded along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and upon their advance, the rebel force abandoned Grafton and retreated to Phillipi, the county seat of Barbour county, twenty-two miles south of Grafton.

On June 2, General Morris and Colonel Kelley held a conference at Grafton and arranged for a movement on Phillipi. The plan was for simultaneous movement of two columns by different routes, one from Grafton, via Thornton, under Colonel Kelley; the other from Webster, under Colonel Dumont.

Sixteenth Ohio, under Colonel Irvine, and the Ninth Indiana under Colonel Milroy. Colonel Kelley's column went by rail to Thornton, then marched south twenty-two miles to Phillipi. The latter part of the march was made in the night, through a furious storm and drenching rain.

Colonel Dumont's column left the railroad at Webster, and had twelve miles to march to Phillipi. This division consisted of the eight companies of the Seventh Indiana, four companies of the Sixth Indiana under Colonel Crittenden, four companies of the Fourteenth Ohio under Colonel Steedman, and a battery of Barnett's artillery, under command of Lieutenant Colonel S. B. Sturges. Colonel F. W. Lander, of General McClellan's staff, was with Colonel Dumont's division.

At early dawn on the morning of June 3, the artillery fired on the town. The first two rounds were of canister. The third was a six pound solid shot, and was aimed at a stable in the cavalry camp. In the stable, Mr. Hanger and a number of other confederate cavalrymen were sleeping, and on coming out at the alarm, Mr. Hanger was struck by this ball, nearly tearing off his left leg below the knee. The ball had struck the ground, ricocheted, and then hit the side of the door, and then struck Mr. Hanger, as stated above. The ball is now in his possession.

After being wounded, Mr. Hanger managed to climb the ladder and take refuge in the hay loft, where he was found after the fight was over by H. A. Thomas, then a member of Company B, Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, now a resident of Mansfield. Mr. Thomas saw a trail of blood, and following it up the ladder, found Mr. Hanger lying in the mow, seemingly nearly dead from the loss of blood.

The late Dr. J. D. Robison, of Wooster, the surgeon of the Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, was called, who, upon examination, found it necessary to amputate the limb above the knee. Dr. Robison was assisted in performing the operation by Dr. Thorborne, and the amputation was so well done that Mr. Hanger - then only eighteen years old - was able to get around on crutches in about a month. In August he was sent to Columbus as a prisoner of war; was afterwards exchanged and returned to his home in Virginia. He soon tired of using crutches and made for himself an artificial limb - the first wooden leg worn by a confederate soldier. He soon had similar work to do for others, and at the close of the war, he got an order from the state of Virginia to make artificial limbs for all her maimed soldiers. In time he removed his plant from Richmond to Washington, where he now resides.

The battle of Phillipi resulted in the rout of Colonel Potterfield and his men, who retreated towards Beverly. They were pursued for some distance, and in a running fight, several were killed and wounded.

While leading his men, Colonel Kelley was shot in the breast, producing an almost fatal wound. He was shot by Assistant Quartermaster Limms, of Potterfield 's staff. Among the prisoners taken was Colonel W. J. Willey, upon

Indiana, and in its stead was flung to the breeze the flag presented by the ladies of Aurora, Indiana, to that regiment upon its departure to the front.

Sixty-Fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry

The Sixty-fifth was a part of the brigade raised at Mansfield by Hon. John Sherman, and organized at Camp Buckingham, and mustered into service -December 1, 1861. Its term of service was three years. The regiment was commanded by Colonel Charles G. Harker. Part of a company from Ashland county entered the Sixty-fifth under the following officers:

Company G was mustered into the United States service at Camp Buckingham, Mansfield, Ohio, November 25, 1865, and discharged at Victoria, Texas, November 30, 1865.

The mortality list was not included in the roll, and, hence, cannot appear here. It is certain, however, that the company performed arduous duty in the far South, and was considerably diminished by disease and death before its discharge.

The Sixty-fifth was employed some months, in 1862, in Kentucky, repairing and guarding roads, then marched into Tennessee to Columbia, and thence to Savannah, Georgia, and from thence to Pittsburg Landing, and participated in that battle. It next moved to Corinth, and was at the seige, and returned to Louisville, Kentucky. It was ordered to march toward Stone River, and was in the battle of December 29, 1862. In June, 1863, it was ordered to Chattanooga, and participated in that battle. The Sixty-fifth passed on to Mission Ridge, and took part in that engagement. Then came the Atlanta campaign - the affair at Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Dallas, Marietta, Kenesaw, Peachtree Creek, and Jonesborough, in which the Sixty-fifth took a part. On the 29th of November, it was in the battle of Springfield; on the 30th, in the battle of Franklin, and afterwards, in the battle of Nashville. In June, 1865, the regiment was ordered to Texas, and remained at San Antonio until December, and was ordered to Camp Chase, Ohio, where it was mpstered out January 2, 1866. The Sixty-fifth came out of service scarred veterans.

The Eighty-Second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry

The Eighty-second was recruited in Ashland, Logan, Marion, Union and Richland counties, for three years. It was commanded by Colonel James Cant- well, who was killed in the second battle of Manassas. The regiment was mustered into service December 31, 1861, and contained nine hundred and sixtyeight men. Ashland county had one company, K. Its officers were :

Captain, David S. Sampsell, resigned July 30, 1862; captain, Francis S. Jacobs, resigned; first lieutenant, John S. Fulton, died April 30, 1862; first lieutenant, Francis S. Jacobs, promoted to captain; first lieutenant, John A. McClusky, resigned; first lieutenant, James J. Beer, killed May 3, 1863; first lieutenant, Warren Wasson, resigned; first lieutenant, George W. Youngblood, mustered out; second lieutenant, Francis S. Jacobs, promoted first lieutenant; second lieutenant, James J. Beer, promoted first lieutenant; second lieutenant, Warren Wasson, promoted first lieutenant; second lieutenant, George W. Youngblod, promoted first lieutenant.

Company K. was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, July 24, 1865. We are unable to make out the mortality list from the roll ; but by reference to the regimental service, which follows, it will be seen that company K performed arduous duty, and that its ranks were greatly thinned by disease and the casualties of war.

The Eighty-Second Regiment

In January, 1862, the Eighty-second was ordered from Kenton, Ohio, its place of rendezvous, to West Virginia, and went into camp near the village of Fetterman, for instruction and drill. In the spring the regiment, in the brigade of General Robert Schenck, was sent to various points in pursuit of guerillas, after which it was ordered to go to the aid of General Milroy, near McDowell. The Confederate forces were attacked by Generals Schenck and Milroy near Bull Pasture mountain, and compelled them to retreat. The Eighty-second then joined General John C. Fremont, and passed by rapid marches through Petersburg, when the battle of Strasburgh occurred, and the enemy again retreated under Stonewall Jackson. The column passed on to Cross Keys, where a running fight ensued, Jackson crossed the Shenandoah, destroying the bridge and marched leisurely away, having scattered the forces of General Shields. The tardiness of Fremont in the pursuit of Jackson, practically ended his military career. Severe campaigning followed. The troops returned to Middletown, and General Siegel took command of the division. The Eightysecond was transferred to an independent brigade, commanded by General Milroy. On the 7th of August Siegel's corps moved to Culpeper; and on the 9th toward Cedar Mountain, where a battle was going on. Milroy moved to the front to relieve exhausted troops; and on the night of the 10th, the enemy retreated. The Eighty-second destroyed Waterloo bridge, and skirmished continually for ten days. The second battle of Manassas took place, and Colonel Cantwell, in leading a charge, was killed. The Eighty-second was much exposed and suffered severely in the battle. The National forces were finally compelled to withdraw to Centerville. In September the Eighty-second moved to Fort de Kalb, Siegel's headquarters. On the 25th it advanced to Fairfax Court House and the campaign closed with the attempt to capture the heights of Fredericksburgh. The Eighty-second was transported to the division of General Schurz, and by him designated as a batallion of sharpshooters. In April, 1863, the Eleventh corps moved on the Chancellorsville campaign, crossing the Rappahannock, at Kelley's Ford, and the Rapidan, at Ely's Mills; and on the 30th arrived within three miles of the battle ground. The battle opened May 2, and the Eighty-second and others deployed with fixed bayonets, and fell back to the rifle-pits. The Eighty-second held its position; but regiment after regiment was pressed back under the terrible charge of the forces of Stonewall Jackson, and it finally fell back. It took a new position, having but one hundred and thirty-four men with the colors. Here Captain James J. Beer, a gallant young officer from Ashland county, fell. After the battle, the remaining members of the Eighty-second returned to its old camp near Stafford. In June, the Gettysburgh campaign commenced. The Eighty-second participated in that arduous campaign. It was ordered to move over the plain to assail, with its brigade, the Confederate works. In the attempt it lost twenty of its remaining men. The gaps were promptly filled, and the Eighty-second advanced within seventy-five yards of the Confederate lines. It went into the battle with twentytwo commissioned officers, and two hundred and thirty-six privates, and of these, nineteen officers and one hundred and forty-seven men were killed, wounded or captured. The balance of the regiment brought the colors, tattered and torn by shot and shell, safely from the field. The ranks of the Eighty-second were so thinned by disease and battle that when General Sherman reached Goldsboro it was consolidated with the Sixty-first Ohio.

Eighty-Seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry

The Eighty-seventh rendezvoused at Camp Chase in June, 1862, and was a .three months organization. It was commanded by Colonel Henry B. Banning. A short time after its organization, it was ordered to Baltimore and placed under the command of Major General Wool, commander of the post. Upon the arrival of the regiment in Baltimore it was assigned to a camp north of the city.

The One Hundred And Second Regiment

The One Hundred and Second enlisted under the call of July 1, 1862, for three hundred thousand men. It was recruited from Ashland, Holmes, Richland and Wayne counties, and was commanded by Colonel William Given. It was organized at Camp Mansfield, on the 18th of August, 1862. Ashland county furnished two full companies. The officers were:

Company

Captain, John McNaull, resigned December 20, 1862; first lieutenant, Joseph R. Folwell, promoted captain December 20, 1862, and discharged; first lieutenant, William A. Beer, of Company K, promoted captain in 1864; second lieutenant, Holiday Ames, promoted first lieutenant December 20, 1862 ; second lieutenant, John T. Robert, promoted second lieutenant December 20, 1862.

The One Hundred and Second was ordered to Kentucky, and mustered into service at Covington, September 6, 1862. It was ordered to Louisville, and went into the trenches to defend that city. In October, it marched &> Shelbyville, Franklin, and Perryville, and thence to Crab Orchard; thence to Bowling Green. From thence it was ordered to Clarksville, Tennessee, for drill and camp duty. In September, 1863, it returned to Shelbyville, to aid in repelling the invasion of General Wheeler, of the Confederate army. It returned to Nashville, and went into winter quarters. In April, 1864, the One Hundred and Second marched to Tullahoma, and thence to Bellefonte, Alabama. Here it was ordered to patrol the Tennessee river, from Stevenson to Seven Mile island, a distance of fifty miles. On this line it erected twelve blockhouses and one fort. The regiment was frequently assailed by guerillas, and suffered considerably from exposure and sickness. Shortly after the completion of its fort and other works, General Forrest, of the Confederate army, made a dash upon the One Hundred and Second with his cavalry, and captured a portion of its men under Colonel Elliott, near Athens, after a severe fight. Six months afterward the prisoners were paroled and placed on board the ill-fated Sultana, at Vicksburgh, and eighty-one men of the One Hundred and Second were lost. On the twenty-fourth of October, General Hood, of the Confederate forces, attacked the garrison at Decatur, Alabama, in which the remaining companies of the One Hundred and Second were on duty, and were conspicuous in the fight. After the evacuation of Decatur, the One Hundred and Second continued in active duty in Tennessee until June 30, 1865, when it was mustered out at Nashville; returned to Camp Chase, Ohio, and was paid and discharged July 8, 1865. The regiment was noted for its prompt obedience of orders, and gallantry in the face of the enemy.

This regiment was organized at Camp Mansfield, under the call for three hundred thousand men, in August, 1862. The regiment was recruited from

Ashland, Holmes, Richland, and Wayne counties, and contained nine hundred and forty-nine men. It was commanded by Colonel Daniel French. Ashland county furnished two full companies.

Captain, Henry Buck, resigned February 15, 1863; first lieutenant, Robert M. Zuver, resigned June 14, 1863; second lieutenant, John Sloan, promoted captain, February 20, 1863.

Company F was mustered into the United States service at Camp Mansfield, October 14, 1862, and on the 25th departed by rail for Covington, Kentucky, where it arrived on the 26th. The meanderings of the Twelfth will exhibit the history of its companies.

On the 27th of April, 1865, just as the awful strife between the north and the south had come to a close, there occurred a most disastrous accident, a marine calamity, the like of which this world has never known.

It occurred in the shadow of another great calamity - the assassination of President Lincoln - and for this reason was in a certain measure overlooked by the people at large. This is the only reason that can be given for the fact that the loss of the steamer Sultana and the perishing of nearly two thousand Union soldiers has never been given a due place in the history of the nation.

It was a disaster of the most appalling nature. Twenty-three hundred men, twelve women, over two thousand of the former being paroled soldiers who had just been released from rebel prisons, half starved and ill, were asleep on the decks of the Sultana, a Mississippi steamer, all bound homeward, with dreams of getting back again beneath the stars and stripes, under which flag they had been serving their country, for three years in the rebellious south.

The over-laden Sultana with its precious burden of human freight, was slowly steaming up the broad Mississippi, when between the hours of two and three o'clock a. m., with a rain slowly falling and darkness everywhere, one of the boilers exploded. Imagine the scene, for -it cannot be pictured, neither will pen ever be able to describe it in the awfulness of the horrors that attended the scene. Many were maimed, others were scalded to death. The whole steamer took fire and in the light there were pictured scenes that tongue can never tell.

Brave men, men who had faced rebel guns, men who had met the deadly fire of the enemy, were now helpless. They had to fight for their lives, but think of the odds against them. The broad Mississippi had overflown its banks until it was nearly ten miles wide. Into this vast expanse of water leaped hundreds of men who were not killed nor pinioned down nor burnt to death. They were drowned in squads, sinking beneath others who had jumped on top of them. In one spot about three hundred were sunk to death by the huge iron-bound gang plank falling upon them.

Cries, prayers, pleadings and curses from frenzied men filled the air. Every board or piece of wood was fought for by the men crazed by excitement and anxious to sieze upon something to keep them from sinking into the cold, deep waters of the Mississippi. Hundreds floated down the broad river for miles, many of them giving up the struggle by the way. Others were picked up from floating planks or logs or bales of hay. When daylight dawned it witnessed strange sad scenes. Perched in the limbs of the trees in the water were half naked, half frozen men, while floating or lodged here or ; there were found the bodies of others whose lives had gone out.

Brave and heroic rescuers worked faithfully gathering up the living and taking them to the Memphis hospital, where the good women of the Christian Mission cared for them. But in spite of all, many died from the exposure of that awful night.

"The first I knew anything had occurred, I was on the stern of the boat, and was trying to get my breath and didn't know what had happened, but when I realized what had happened I came to and the boat was all afire, and then I didn't know what to do at that time. I started forward to see if I could find any more of the comrades. Going forward I met Lash Holton, and Lash was like I was, a little excited. I caught hold, went down, and Lash was injured in the face, and then he and I went together and started forward when we met Jacob Irons and Jacob Byerly and that left four of us together, and I suggested that we get the gang plank and push that off and all get on and stay together and help each other. That was agreeable to all, and we started forward for the front end of the boat to climb off, and when we got just above the wheel house the deck gave away and we all went down into the fire. The other three burned and I striking the stair steps pulled myself out. I was considerably burned, my face and hair, and then I concluded I didn't know what to do, but I finally found a deck bucket, I got water and poured that on myself. The reason I didn't go and jump over-board at that time, was because there were twenty or thirty in a bunch holding fast together going down.

"When I went from there, I crawled up the steps and went up on top. I kept my deck bucket, and after I got up there the smoke stack had taken fire just as I got up. Then a sergeant of the First Ohio called for help, to help throw these men over who were caught under the stack. I assisted him. I threw over ten or twelve, but one survived; that was all, and one had both limbs broken and he got out, and then I went from there on the wheel house and remained there until it burned off, and I went with it and didn't succeed getting on the wheel house because there were so many around it. I struck out without anything.

4 'Some distance from the boat about a quarter of a mile I came across a man with two shutters - he was dead, I procured the shutters from him. I finally got on them myself and swam to an island and remained there until nine o'clock next day, in the water, and was finally rescued by a boat in about thirty feet of water. I had floated and swam six miles. ' '

The One Hundred And Twentieth Regiment

At the organization of the One Hundred and Twentieth, Lieutenant Willard Slocum, of Ashland, acted as adjutant, and was promoted to major February 18, 1863, and lieutenant colonel September, 8, 1863, and brevetted after the close of the war. Captain John McKinley was promoted to major September 8, 1863, and transferred to the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, when he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and mustered out.

The One Hundred and Twentieth reported to General Wright at Cincinnati, on the 25th of October, 1862, for duty, and crossed to Covington, Kentucky. In November it was ordered to Memphis, Tennessee, where it entered the brigade of General George W. Morgan, and moved to the mouth of the Yazoo river, and thence to Johnson's landing to attack the fortifications defending Vicksburgh. The attack commenced on the 26th, the One Hundred and Twentieth participating. It was actively engaged during the siege, and suffered severely in consequence of malaria and exposure. The regiment was ordered to Arkansas Post in January, 1863. When Fort Hindman had been surrounded, the One Hundred and Twentieth made a direct charge upon the works - the enemy displayed a white flag and surrendered - the One Hundred and Twentieth having the honor of first entering the fort, as Sergeant Robert Wallace scaled the parapet and planted the colors, for which he was promoted to first lieutenant. The regiment returned to Young's Point, where it suffered severely from malarious fever for nearly two months, more than half the privates being on the sick list. In consequence of delays several of the officers resigned. Early in the spring of 1863 the regiment was ordered to different points along the Mississippi, and finally to Fort Gibson, which was captured, the One Hundred and Twentieth losing one-eighth of its men in the battle. J ackson and Raymond were next captured, and the regiment remained at the latter place until May, 1863. The One Hundred and Twentieth returned to the rear of Vicksburgh and participated in the siege. In July it was ordered on another expedition to Jackson, and, during its investment, Colonel Spigel was severely wounded, and the regiment considerably cut up by the artillery of the enemy. It returned to the Black River bridge in July, and went into camp at Vicksburgh. In September the regiment passed down the Mississippi and returned to Plaquemine, one hundred and ten miles above New Orleans, where it remained until March, 1864, when it joined the expedition under General N. P. Banks to invade Arkansas. At Red River Bend, near Snaggy Point, the ' ' City Belle, ' ' on which the regiment was crossing the river, was suddenly attacked by about five thousand Confederates concealed behind the levee, who poured a murderous fire in the boat. It was soon disabled by the artillery of the enemy and floated to the opposite side of the river, where it displayed a white flag and surrendered. Colonel Spigel fell, and Captains Elias Fraunfelter, Rummel, and Miller, and two hundred privates fell into the hands of the Confederates, and were marched off to Camp Ford, near Tyler, Texas, where they remained in a miserable prison for about one year. Those who escaped formed a battallion of three companies under Lieutenant Colonel Slocum, and, after a march of twenty-three hours, arrived safely at Alexandria and joined the forces of General Banks. In May, General Banks began his retreat. The regiment returned to Morganza, Louisiana, and remained until September, and moved up White river to St. Charles, Arkansas, and thence to Duvall's bluff. In November the One Hundred and Twentieth and One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio were consolidated, Lieutenant Colonel Kelley, of the One Hundred and Fourteenth, becoming colonel, and Major McKinley, of the One Hundred and Twentieth, lieutenant colonel of the new regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Slocum was honorably discharged, his position being rendered supernumerary by the consolidation of the regiments. This ended the career of the One Hundred and Twentieth regiment. It was organized in 1862 with nine hundred and forty-nine men, and, in 1864, received one hundred and fifty recruits, making ten hundred and ninety-nine men. At its discharge it contained only four hundred and forty men, showing a loss of six hundred and fifty-nine men during the service. The toil and suffering of this regiment were borne throughout with unshrinking fortitude. Like the Eightysecond, the One Hundred and Twentieth returned, scarred and worn veterans, to the firesides of their friends.

One Hundred And Ninety-Sixth Regiment

This regiment was organized at Camp Chase for one year, and was mustered into service March 25, 1865, Colonel R. P. Kennedy was in command. One of the companies contained thirty men from Ashland county. The company was Company A, and the following were the commissioned officers :

The regiment was ordered to West Virginia, where it was attached to the Ohio brigade at Winchester. It was subsequently called to Baltimore, and assigned to duty in the fortifications around the city. It was mustered out September 25, 1865. The officers and men of the One Hundred and Ninetysixth regiment were largely veterans, having served in other organizations in earlier enlistments.

First Regiment Ohio Light Artillery

This regiment was composed of twelve batteries, and was mustered into service for three years, September 3, 1861. It was commanded by Colonel James Barnett. The command was organized and equipped at Camp Dennison and sent to the field. Battery D was raised principally in Ashland county, Its officers were :

Captain, Andrew Conkle ; senior first lieutenant, Paul H. Rohrbocher, resigned January 1, 1862; junior first lieutenant, Lemuel P. Porter, promoted to first senior lieutenant, January 1, 1862; senior second lieutenant, William H. Pease, promoted junior first lieutenant, January 1, 1862; junior second lieutenant, Henry C. L. Lloyd, promoted senior second lieutenant, January, 1862.

About one-half of the men in battery D were enlisted in Ashland county; hence the whole roll has been copied that the strength of the battery may be exhibited. Corporal John B. Deshong was promoted to second lieutenant of battery D, and was transferred and promoted to first lieutenant in battery H ; and Sergeant William Zimmerman was promoted to first lieutenant and transferred to battery G, of colored troops. Sergeant Joseph B. Charles was promoted captain, and took command of battery H, colored troops.

Battery D left Camp Dennison in November, and reported to Brigadier General William Nelson, in Kentucky, and marched with his command up the Big Sandy to Piketon. It returned to Louisville, and thence to Mumfordsville. In February, 1862, the battery reported at Nashville and moved to Pittsburgh Landing, thence to Corinth, Mississippi, and to Athens, Alabama. In September it returned to Mumfordsville, where it was captured by the Confederateforces, paroled and sent to Camp Chase, and exchanged in January, 1863. The battery was reorganized at Columbus, Ohio, and joined the Third brigade at Lexington, Kentucky, in March. In June, 1863, it went on a raid to East Tennessee, under Colonel Saunders, and burned many bridges, a large amount of ordnance and commissary stores. In July it marched with General Burnside to Cumberland Gap, which was captured. In August and September the battery went on a raid into Kentucky and Tennessee, with Colonel Woolford's cavalry. It next marched to Knoxville and participated in the siege. The battery reenlisted and was sent on a thirty days' veteran furlough to Ohio. The ranks being recruited in January, 1864, it marched to Atlanta, Georgia, and joined the forces of General Sherman, and was in all the engagements of that campaign. It was also in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and went to Wilmington, North Carolina, and was finally mustered out at Cleveland, Ohio, July 15, 1865.

In July and September, 1862, during the apprehended siege of the city of Cincinnati by John Morgan, the noted Confederate raider, an appeal was made to the farmers and laboring men within the proper distance of the city to aid in its defense. A large number of men from the rural districts hastened to the rescue. On the 2d of September Governor Todd issued a proclamation authoriz- ing General Lew Wallace to complete the organization, and stating that none but armed men would be received, and also providing for their transportation by rail at the expense of the state. The Queen City was speedily put in a position of defense by General Wallace. General Morgan failed to commence the seige, and the 4 'Squirrel Hunters" were dismissed. Ashland county sent one hundred and four men. By a resolution of the legislature, in the winter of 1863, discharges, in due form, were furnished the "Squirrel Hunters" of 1862.

This regiment was mustered into the United States service at Camp Chase, Ohio, May 12, 1864, under Colonel Hiram Miller, and on the 13th proceeded to Washington city, D. C., under orders from General Heintzelman, commanding the department of the Ohio. The regiment remained at Fort Reno, when it was ordered to the front, and proceeded on transports to White House, Virginia, and thence to Bermuda Hundred. It then reported to General Butler at Point of Rocks, and on the 12th and 14th of June was in reconnoissance of the Petersburgh & Richmond railroad. On the 15th two hundred and fifty men were engaged in a heavy skirmish. On the 16th the regiment proceeded to Wilson's Landing. It assisted in building Fort Pocahontas. On the 29th the regiment was relieved from further duty and returned to Columbus, Ohio, and was mustered out September 10, 1864. Company I was from Ashland county.

The company was mustered into the one hundred days' service, but served a few days over time. Samuel Friedline was transferred. George B. Eagle died at Wilson's Wharf, Virginia, June 8, 1864. Nicholas G. Glenn died in hospital at Fortress Monroe, Virginia.

Colonel Lorin Andrews

Ashland has the high distinction of having given the first citizen of Ohio to volunteer as a soldier for the Union army. This was Lorin Andrews, who was born here in a log cabin, April 1, 1819, being the fourth child born in Ashland. His father, Alanson Andrews, later opened a farm southwest of the village. At the age of seventeen he delivered with great credit a Fourth of July oration at Carter's Grove just east of the town. From 1840 to 1843 he was a student at Gambier, but from want of pecuniary means was obliged to leave, and then took charge of the Ashland Academy. He pursued his studies without a teacher, and with signal success. He lectured before institutes throughout the state, and had scarcely an equal in influence as an educator. So greatly was he valued for power of intellect and general capacity, that, in 1854, he was chosen to the presidency of Gambier, and he brought up the institution from an attendance of thirty to over two hundred pupils. Princeton conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. He had peculiarly winning qualities that made him a born leader. It was in February, 1861, that, believing war inevitable, he offered his services to Governor Dennison. In April he raised a company in Knox county for the Fourth regiment, and was elected colonel. It was ordered to West Virginia, where, owing to exposure, he was taken sick of typhoid fever, and died September 18, 1861, and was buried at Gambier in a spot of his own selection. He was but forty-two years of age - in his prime - and of great moral influence. He was about five feet eight inches in height, and weighed about one hundred and thirty pounds ; hair sandy, and inclined to curl. His eye was a clear gray, his face manly, full of benevolence, his carriage erect, with a sprightly gait.

By Professor J. C. Sample

The history of education in Ohio is a story of exceeding interest. It reaches back into the eighteenth century, finding its origin in the great ordinance of 1787, than which, no single act of any national organization has been more prolific of great and far reaching result. It is impossible to even trace the story in an article limited as is this, but some notion of educational advance is necessary, before either state or county academic history can be understood. Ohio's endowment by right of grant in this ordinance, was approximately twelve hundred square miles of her territory, consecrated to educational uses alone. The gift to the people, was to all, and for all time. Its intention was to make intelligence the common characteristic of her people. The conservation of this princely gift and its proper adaptation to the purpose intended was a new feature in government.

The problem proposed for solution was : How far instruction, furnished at public expense should or could, in justice to all, be imparted to the individual. There were then, as today, two leading opinions. The first clearly asserts: "The maxim of state right to impart instruction is the minimum of individual need." This view of state rights gave birth to the famous three R's, Readin, Ritin and Rithmetic theory as the limit of public right. All else must be attained by individual effort. It also obtained for almost or altogether fifty years, and more nearly than is now at all supposed, wrecked the cause of public or general education.

It was the hearty belief of such men as the Logans, Kentons, Poes, etc., who, pushing on in the front of the great wave of immigration that entered Ohio at the beginning of the ninetenth century, moulded and largely controlled the public sentiment about them. They were men who cared little for the conveniences of society, greatly less for its luxuries a,nd refinements, even despised them. They were the pickets of the outposts of civilization. Many of them did not know how to read - did not even care to learn, but they were "men of good common sense;" honest; resolute; fearless; sterling frontier qualities. They settled the western and southwestern border of the state, but their influence was felt everywhere.

log schoolhouse to immortality - an institution which, if you study it closely the country over, rises in most questionable guise, but over which has been expended so much very twardy and very cheap sentiment and eloquence. The schoolhouse itself; its furniture; apparatus and library there were, absolutely, none; the "Master" himself; stern; bettle browed; his mental, moral, physical qualities, especially the physical; the bare, mud walls; the rickety backless benches; the old Cobb and Webster's spellers; the English reader; Columbian Orator; the Bible; even the old almanac; Pike's arithmetic, and Western calculator; the master's chair, behind which, on pins set into the walls by augers, lay the grewsome collection of gads, one of which was always worn to a frazzle; the huge open fireplace ; the long, almost lightless windows, all this forms a picture

The picture is utterly defective however, to realize it, you must have seen it in action. The writer has felt of it, has seen girls of sixteen and seventeen years old whipped - because "they needed it." Yet this system, with its sad defects and indescribable narrowness, was resolutely upheld as the best by these honest, but stern and severe men. There is one palliation for all this, which in justice to these men, we should not forget. The people Avere poor ; often without the most pressing demands of human existence - shelter, food and raiment. Money could not be obtained from the grant ; the people practically had none.

Men who held the second opinion, and from whom the educational reform, we are now enjoying, came, just as positively declared, "The minimum of state duty is the maximum of individual demand. " It is only on a basis of assured wealth that the superstructure of an efficient and successful educational system can be built. To a fair degree this class possessed that wealth. Emigrant colonies, coming from the older northeastern states, bringing with them money sufficient to satisfy passing demands, settled along the eastern and northeastern border of the state. These colonies, as Anglo-Saxon emigrants always do, brought with them their wives, their children, their religion, their Bible. They first built their cabins and churches ; then they built their schoolhouses. We owe to these men the settlement along the Maumee, the Muskingum and the Kokossing - the colleges, the academies they set up there; at Marietta, at Cokqjibus, Granville, Gambier, etc.

There were established the first efficient schools, and these schools were moulded upon the colleges of the sections from whence they came. Their preachers became also their children's teachers - men trained and equipped in the best schools on the continent. History teaches us that all social reformation that shall effect society throughout, must begin with men who are found at the foundation.

Christ's disciples were publicans and fishermen. He, Himself, was the reputed son of a carpenter. Paul was a tent maker. Peter, the hermit, was a French Gascon peasant. Martin Luther was a German miner's son. Ulrich Zwingle was the child of Swiss shepherds. Knox and John Calvin were also peasants. Yet these men, peasants all, led victoriously in the greatest radical reforms known in history. Our present educational system has violated this general law. We began to lay the foundation of our educational pyramid at the apex. The school system of today is an outgrowth of the past, moulded upon the academies and colleges founded by the Puritan emigrants just from the sacred shades of Yale and Harvard.

The difficulties that today so persistently face our city superintendents may, perhaps, find solution in the careful study of the educational difficulties and differences of that older day. With this very interesting and important problem we have, here, nothing to do. Before the state was admitted into the Union, schools were opened at Athens, perhaps the first in Ohio, based upon the charter issued by the territorial government between 1790 and 1800. When, in 1802, state government came into existence, this charter was repealed, and a charter issued by the new government, in 1804, fixing a state university at Athens. From this institution, the first college degree of A. B., granted in the northwest, was issued in 1815, to John Hunter and Thomas Ewing. Burton Academy at Burton in Cuyahoga county, so near as the writer can ascertain, was the first of, since then, nearly or altogether three hundred academies and seminaries that have flourished in our state and passed away. Of all these there are not likely more than eight or ten in healthy condition today. We do not wish to more than note the fact of their existence ; their history would fill volumes ; but we do wish to emphasize the influence which these educational institutions of the second class exerted, through all classes of society, and over all social and civil interests.

Unlike the colleges, academic influence is chiefly local, reaching every class of society within the range of its patronage. With the colleges, they were, for more than fifty years, the only hope of anything worthy the name of intellectual culture. In many places in the state, from 1830 to 1840, graded schools were started. There was one high school opened in 1840, but until 1850, except in Cincinnati, graded schools, such as are now found in every village, were unknown. The graded course had no prominence until in the '60s. This very imperfect sketch of Ohio's school condition at the beginning of, and up to the middle of the nineteenth century, shows the influence the academy exerted of state educational interest; further, that without the academy, Ohio's educational status could not be at all what it is today. The story of these academies told, as it should be. would be one of the most interesting and instructive chapters in our history. The character and personnel of the men engaged in the work; their equipment for that work; their environment; the influence they exerted upon it; the results attained through the rude and meager resources at their command - all this would form one of the most pleasing and attractive views in our fast fading but picturesque past. Said one of the old leading southern Presbyterian divines to the writer a couple of years ago: "Had it not been for the small country academy of the south, the Confederacy could not have withstood the north a single year. They, really, furnished the army with such leaders as the Jacksons and the Johnstons. Hood. Bragg, etc. They officered the line and field. They supplied the people with their doctors, attorneys, their teachers, often their preachers, and were always a power for good. The character of the old south was framed and built in her old academies. How was it in this regard with you northern people?" To answer the Doctor's query look back for a moment over the history of our glorious Buckeye state - its school and civil history. Dr. Waldon says "The character of the old south was framed and built in our old academies. They furnished our field and line. ' '

Ohio has supplied, within fifty years, six presidents to the United States. It is the highest, the most powerful, the most honorable position in the world. Of these at least three OAve the "framing and building" of their character directly to the academies of Ohio - all were cast in their mould. The greatest military leader of modem times ; more than the peer of Gustavus Adolphus ; Turrene; Marlborough, Blutcher; Wellington; Von Moltke - Grant stands out upon the page of history, and will so stand for all time, a veritable thunderbolt of war ; his two great lieutenants, Sherman and Sheridan, on the ' ' red blast of battle's lightning whirlwind," riding out to immortality - Ohio's academy boys. These three men in turn have won the highest military title known under our government. Their professional training was obtained in the military academy at West Point- - their preparatory training in the eastern schools of Ohio. Of the nineteen major generals of the army of Ohio, thirteen were born and brought up under the same influences. Of the fifty-three brigadiers she supplied, fortyfive were born and brought up under Ohio influence. Read over their names; Grant; Sherman, the Ney; Sheridan, the Murat of American story; Custer; Garfield; Buell; Hayes; Harrison; Stanley; the McCooks; Wetzel; the poet soldier, Wallace; the Ewing brothers; what words shall we find strong enough with which to wreathe the name of Lincoln's leonine war secretary, Edwin M. Stanton ; to crown the head of his great treasure-finder, Jay Cook? We need not continue this Roll Call of Glory; to us they are household words, familiar and almost as dear as the sacred terms "father" and "mother." It is a Roll great enough and grand enough to grace the "throne-room" of the proudest emperor. A roll of Glory for an Empire. Ohio wraps these names as a laurel chaplet immortal, round her queenly brows - her academy boys of sixty years ago. Her roll of statesmen; John Sherman; William Dennison; William Allen; William McKinley; John Brough; David Todd; Benjamin Wade; Joshua R. Biddings; Thurman; Woods; Mathews; Taft. Who at the Bar or in the Forum has ever surpassed the incomparable Thomas Ewing? When shall we hear again, equalled, the brilliant wit and entrancing eloquence of the immortal Thomas Corwin, a greater than whom, as wit or orator, the continent has not produced ? Who in absorbing intensity, on the stump, on the platform, or in the pulpit, the glorious preacher soldier W. H. Gibson? Who shall more eloquently trace the course of the starry galaxy than our professor General, 0. M. Mitchell? Who better translate the hieroglyphics traced by the finger of God in the shifting sands, or the mysterious history carved in the bosom of the rocks than our own Norton and NeAvberry. It is a son of Ohio who has harnessed the lightning. In Divinity; in sculpture; in painting; in literature, who are they to whom the children of Ohio, during all the first half of the nineteenth century, are not peer ? Yet these results incalculable in their force and sweep, are chiefly the fruits of a system that apparently has almost passed away - the academy and college of the past.

share. Within her limits she has liberally supported six of these institutions and during the greater part of their existence usually three were successfully supported at the same time. " Ashland Academy," founded in 1836, under the control of the late Lorin Andrews, gained a fame wide as it was deserved. When he resigned to assume the presidency of Kenyon College at Gambier, Ohio, the Academy was changed into the " Ashland High School" and until the present has been so maintained. The next academy established was the Savannah Academy, at Savannah, in a village in the northern part of the county. It was founded in 1858. After varying fortunes in the spring of 1865, Captain Elias Frauenfelter just returned from the army, was elected professor of mathematics and at once assumed his duties there. Under the influence of his inspiring enthusiasm the school almost immediately assumed a commanding and important character. In 1875, he resigned to take the chair of mathematics in Buchtel College, Akron, Ohio. This place, in a few years, he resigned to become superintendent of the Akron City schools, which place he filled with marked ability until his decease.

''Vermillion Institute" located at Havesville, was first organized as a Baptist institution, but not proving satisfactory, it passed into the control of Wooster Presbytery. Dr. Diefendorf, then pastor of a church at Nashville, Ohio, was elected president of the school, and it soon became not only one of the most flourishing and successful denominational private schools in Ohio, but one of the largest and best Presbvterial schools in the country. Its term attendance sometimes reaching beyond six hundred students.. Dr. Diefendorf resigned in a few years, but the school not succeeding, he was reelected. He again resigned in 1868 to assume the presidency of Otto University at Nebraska City, Nebraska, and Professor John A. Simpson was by the Presbytery appointed his successor, but the institute not proving satisfactory under his care, he resigned at the close of his second or third year, and his successors failing, in 1873, Dr. Diefendorf was recalled, but died before he succeeded in restoring it to its former reputation. Dr. Diefendorf may doubtless be regarded as one of the greatest educational forces of his day throughout this part of the state, though his rivals were such superb institutions as Oberlin, Kenyon and Dennison. His pupils were not limited to Ohio alone.

The old catalogue of "Vermillion" will show a strong clientage drawn from twelve or fifteen different states. Its influence is still widely felt, though thirty years have passed away since death called the Doctor from his work. It is likely there is not a county in Ohio, in which his ' ' Boys ' ' will not be found leading in their professions ; this influence reaches throughout the United States and extends into foreign lands. It would indeed be a pleasant task to record names of such men as Sheldon J ackson, the great modern apostle of the Indian ; Hon. J. K. Cowan, late president of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad; Rev. D. K. Nesbit, D. D., late pastor of the First Congregational church, Peoria, Illinois ; Rev. M. N. Cornelius, D. D., late of the old South Presbyterian church, Washington, D. C. ; Rev. John H. Hartman, D. D., late pastor of Euclid Avenue Baptist church, Cleveland, Ohio. ; Judge Thomas Beer of Bucyrus, Ohio - all men of much more that state wide reputation, and all of whom owe their uplift, their victorious enthusiasm, to his wise, sympathetic, inspiring care. Men, such as these, may be numbered by the score, running into the hundreds, who look back to the old Hayesville Academy - to Dr. Saunders Diefendorf, with inexpressible gratitude.

Before it be too late, another, more capable, than he who pens these defective broken lines, should record the honorable story of his great work.

Each of these three academy principals won more than state fame, by their ability, their attainments and their devotion to their high calling. Two of them, Professors Andrews and Frauenfelter, won positions somewhat commensurate with their worth. Dr. Diefendorf died at his post.

Haskell Academy located at Loudonville, was built and generously devoted to the cause of education by the late N. Haskell, esquire, a public spirited banker of that enterprising little city. It had a very successful career while under the care of the late Dr. A. J. Scott, M. D., but after he resigned to follow in his chosen profession, the academy was closed,

We omit from this outline of Ashland county schools, special reference to the German Baptist College, located at Ashland. It is a most important member of this local group of institutions, showing healthy and vigorous growth, and giving flattering promise of future and continued usefulness. Its origin; the course it has pursued within church lines; its educational influence has imparted to it a character of more than local or state interest. Within its own church organization, the college is, we believe, esteemed one of the chief educational forces at its command, and therefore passes the limit of our article. To its very able representative on the Advisory Board of this work, the Rev. A. L. Garber, we cheerfully and confidentially commend the full report of its history.

Green Town Academy, located at Perrysville, was one of the last of these school enterprises in Ashland county. We offer here the merest outlines of its history. Indeed to write the history of each one of the hundreds of Ohio academies is simply impossible. Their real history lies buried in the dust of quiet village graveyards - hidden away in hearts long since at rest. Parental love for "Little Jim, who was never contented except with his books." "Molly," "Bill," "Jenny" - gray haired grandsires and grandmothers now - the ceaseless longing, tugging at parental heart strings for broader and more generous opportunity for these than their present narrow limits and more narrow surroundings could possibly afford - these were the resistlessly eloquent orators that officiated when the corner stones of these old academy buildings were laid.

We think it was this holy consecration of love that lifted these schools, so cramped and limited in means to such beneficient and far reaching influence, and to which the history of our great state, and of our incomparably broader national history, bears testimony. For several years before the enterprise in Perrysville was undertaken the need of a school of high character, which, at the same time should impart to the social life of the village healthful intellectual and moral impulse, was seriously felt. In September of 1865 a public meeting was called by T. W. Coulter, Esquire. By a previous careful canvass of the community, he had interested such sufficient number of citizens in the movement, as to warrant the opening of a select school for the coming winter; but before the appointed meeting Mr. Coulter died. He had, however, so aroused public spirit to the importance of the subject, that, at the meeting it was resolved to carry on the enterprise, and Miss Rosella Rice, Drs. J. W. Griffith and J. F. Johnston were appointed a committee to employ a teacher and secure a speaker to address a meeting set for the following October. Eugene Pardee of Wooster was present and addressed the October meeting. Mr. James F. McCreedy of Hayesville, visiting with his sister, Mrs. J. F. Johnston, recommended J. C. Sample, at that time a student of Hayesville, for teacher. The opening of the school was set for the 14th of November, to be continued for a term of four months, and Mr. Sample was employed. The school opened at the appointed time with eleven students in attendance, but, during the term, forty-five names were enrolled. School was continued during the spring term. At a meeting of the citizens, shortly after the close of the spring term, a board of directors, constituted of Messrs. J. F. Johnston, J. W. Griffith, Judge John Taylor, A. N. Quick and S. B. Coulter, were elected and instructed to continue the school. The board organized by appointing Judge Taylor president and S. B. Coulter secretary and treasurer and Mr. Sample was employed for a period of two years at a salary of one thousand dollars per year. Through the two following years, 1867-68, the school grew rapidly in importance, enrolling at their close between seventy and eighty students per term.

At the close of the two years Mr. Sample resigned and G. W. Mays A. B., of Mahoning town, Pennsylvania, was chosen to succeed him. At the close of the year, Mr. Mays resigned, and Professor Sample wTas recalled to the principalship, and remained in charge until 1893, when he resigned in favor of Rev. E. Schultz of Hagerstown, Maryland. Rev. Schultz took charge, but at the end of the year he abandoned the school, and it was finally closed. The life of the school, thus passes over a period of thirty years. The greater portion of this time the yearly enrollment was from one hundred and fifty to two hundred students, assuring a term attendance of from twenty to thirty for the winter term and often from seventy to one hundred for spring and fall. The school opened November 14, 1865, in the old Presbyterian church building, a house erected in 1836, but abandoned by the church to the school, in the spring of 1866. When Professor Sample resumed control in the fall of 1869, plans were prepared by the board looking to the erection of a building commensurate with the aims and character of the school. Elias Groff and A. N. Quick, the committee appointed to select a site, chose a block of five lots on the western limit of the village. Professor Sample purchased this location, and on it was erected the building at an approximate cost of four thousand dollars. When Professor Sample resigned, the building was occupied by the Lutheran congregation of the village as their place of worship. After a service held in it on a November Sabbath in 1895 the building took fire and was totally consumed. The academy had completed its work.

During its existence between eight and nine hundred young men and women had come under its influence. The purpose of Professor Sample had been to establish and conduct a first class school of the second rank. He succeeded. Students from Perrysville Academy entered a number of the strongest colleges of Ohio in the advanced years and maintained their places with honor.

They also entered such eastern institutions as Lafayette at Easton, Pennsylvania, Harvard in Connecticut, Cornell in New York, with students from the best academies of the east, such as Philips Exeter Academy and Port Edwards, and fairly divided the honors with their classmates. The college catalogue of Lafayette directly states : ' ' Greentown Academy, located at Perrysville, Ashland county, Ohio, does work equal to the very best academies in the country." From among its own students were chosen the assistant teachers, "foreigners" being but twice employed.

W. H. Pritchard was teacher and assistant principal for years ; C. C. Wolf and his brother N. M. Wolf were teachers in mathematics; A. A. Douglass, R. B. Rice, S. P. Baughman, S. P. Griffith, Miss Jennie E. Ayres, were valuable and efficient assistants along with others whose names we do not recall, all of whom in business or in the professions on which they entered have made honorable mark. Of its assistant teachers, one died a full college professor. Two were academy principals; two have since served, each eight years as judges of court. One, after graduating at Harvard, died while serving his second term as county superintendent of schools for Brown county, Kansas. One, a graduate in the school of mining and engineering, Lafayette, Pennsylvania, has been for many years employed on government surveys in the west. Its students are honored members of all the professions. Among them, it numbers one college president; two foreign missionaries; seven ministers of the Gospel; from twenty-five to thirty attorneys; at least as many physicans; fourteen village and school principals ; six judges of court ; between four and five hundred of its young men and women have been or are school teachers, and how many have passed through college we cannot tell. Young men, from its class rooms, have, in this and neighboring counties, filled all the county offices from coroner and school examiner to the state legislature.

This purports to be a mere outline of the organization, the progress, the results of a single academy. At least eight thousand young men and women have come under the moulding influence of these five Ashland county institutions. Who shall measure this greater force. What an army must have passed out into society during the seventy-five years of the healthy existence of the three hundred Ohio academies to influence with their youthful enthusiasm and ambition the advancing tide of civilization ! Again, who shall measure the effect.

Ashland county has from the first participated in the benefits arising from the liberal grants of land made for purposes of education within the limits of Ohio, and from the many acts passed by the general assembly to facilitate and direct the development of a uniform system of schools throughout the state. A more exhaustive history of these matters than is given in the preceding pages would not be profitable to the general reader; yet, as the foundation of all education in the state, no history of the schools of Ashland county should wholly overlook them.

in the absence of authority to tax, schools were supported by the voluntary contributions of the people. Rude schoolhouses followed the erection of dwellings quite as rude, and no visions of the grander structures of the coming days wrought in the pupils' mind discontent with the mud-chinked cabin and its rough slab bench,- - that glorious seat of learning !

Often the schoolhouse was delayed by the pressing needs of those who had yet to clear the way for Ohio's advancing civilization. The boy and his sire wrought side by side until a clearing was made, when the light of the schoolmaster's face shone into it with a clear yet fitful ray, not quite so brilliant as those of the sun.

The teachers of Ashland county probably occupied a medial position, as to worth and intellect, between the Yankee teachers of the Western Reserve and those of southwestern Ohio. While the former were often men of culture, it is said of the latter that they "were selected more on account of their unfitness to perform manual labor than by reason of their intellectual worth," and were often "cripples, wornout old men, and women physically unable or constitutionally too lazy to scotch hemp or spin flax. ' ' It was a common custom throughout the state to employ male teachers for a winter term and females for a summer term.

It was not to be expected that moral suasion would be a dominant instrumentality in securing discipline in the earlier times, when the near forests supplied sprouts which seemed divinely appointed to meet the ends sought in any well-ordered school. "Hickory oil was known to be a good lubricator for the mental friction of a schoolboy, and its use in liberal quantities by the master or mistress was rarely the subject of complaint or criticism on the part of parents. ' '

The teacher, as in other parts of the country, sometimes "boarded round," an ingenious way of converting tuition into sustenance without the intervention of any other circulatory medium than the schoolmaster himself, or schoolmistress, as the case might be.

To the average schoolmaster of this portion of Ohio, in the days when cultivated intellects were as rare as cultivated fields, no words apply more fittingly, perhaps, than those of Goldsmith :