Clinton Township (part 18 of 18)

One Hundred And Eighteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry

This regiment, eight companies strong, was sent to Cincinnati in September, 1862, as that city was then threatened by Kirby Smith. The ninth company was here formed, and the regiment mustered into the service. Late in September it moved, under General A. J. Smith, toward Lexington, but at Cynthiana was detached to guard the railroad. Patrol and guard duty was performed, and rebel recruiting largely prevented. On Aug. 1, 1863, it went, by Lexington and Louisville, to Lebanon, Kentucky, and on the 20th set out on a march for East Tennessee. On November 10, Kingston was reached, and a few days later the rebels cut the communication between that point and Knoxville. Picket duty became arduous, to prevent a surprise from Wheeler's cavalry. The victories at Knoxville and Chattanooga relieved the Kingston garrison, and on December 9, the regiment reached Nashville, and from there went to Blain's Cross Roads, and finally to Mossy Creek, to support Elliott's cavalry. On the 29th, the rebel cavalry under Martin and Armstrong assaulted General Elliott, at Paultier's Creek, when lie fell back to Mossy Creek. As the cavalry approached, the regiment took position in the edge of a piece of woods, when the rebel force moved directly upon them. When the enemy approached within a hundred yards, the regiment opened a rapid fire, which was kept up about two hours, when it charged the rebels, and drove them over the crest of a hill. In this action the rebels lost about forty, killed and wounded. It was disposed with great skill, bv Lieut.-Colonel Young, and commanded by General Elliott. While in East Tennessee, the regiment suffered great privations, and subsisted about six iponths on half and quarter rations. They had neither sugar nor coffee for four months. Clothing was also short, but with all this the troops never murmured, but were even cheerful. The regiment was then kept changing about until the campaign of 1864. One march of one hundred miles, to Charleston, was made in five days. May 4, the regiment encamped on State line. Here all baggage was sent to the rear. On the 7th, the regiment moved upon Dalton, and again advanced upon Itesaca. On the afternoon of the 14th, it participated in a charge on the enemy's works, and lost one hundred and sixteen men, in less than ten minutes, out of three hundred actually engaged. On the 15th the engagement was renewed, but that night Johnston retired to Cassville, which in turn he abandoned, on approach of the national forces. After a few days' rest, the regiment went into the desperate battles of Dallas and Pumpkin-Vine Creek, and bore a gallant and honorable part. It was afterwards engaged at Kenesaw Mountain, at the Chattahoochie, at Utoy Creek, and in the final movements about Atlanta. In these operations, about seventy -five men were lost. During one hundred and twenty-one consecutive days, the regiment was within hearing of hostile firing every day except one. During sixty consecutive days it was under fire sixty different times, and during one week there was not a period of five minutes during which the whistling of a ball or the scream of a shell could not be heard. After the fall of Atlanta the regiment fell back to Decatur, where, after a short rest, it joined in the pursuit of Hood, as far as Gaylesville, Alabama. On the 23d of November it went to Johnsonville, Tennessee, and then to Columbia, to join the army confronting Hood, finally reaching Franklin on the 30th. The brigade was drawn up in single line, its right resting on the Williamsburg Pike, and its left at the Locust Grove, this regiment being second from the right. The enemy struck the line to the left of the regiment. The shoclt was terrific, but the line stood firm, and poured a terrific fire into the rebel column. The troops fought desperately, the men using bayonets, and the officers side-arms, over the very breastworks. By daylight the One Hundred and Eighteenth were across the river, and falling on Nashville, where it was again engaged. After the battle of Nashville, it participated in the pursuit of the rebels as far as Columbia, and then went to Clifton. From there it proceeded to North Carolina, and on Jan. 16, 1865, it embarked for Cincinnati per steamer J. D. Baldwin, and from Cincinnati proceeded by rail to Washington City, which was reached Jan. 27, 1865. On February 11, it embarked on a steamer at Alexandria, landed at Smithville, at the mouth of Cape Fear River, moved immediately on Fort Anderson, captured it, and the One Hundred and Eighteenth regiment was the first to plant its colors on the walls. On Februa^ 20, it engaged in a sharp action at Town Creek, in which three hundred horsemen and two pieces of artillery were captured, and then entered Wilmington on the 22d. On the 6th of March it moved to Kingston, then to Goldsboro', and joined Sherman's army on the 23d of March. It then camped at Mosely Hall until April 9, when it participated in the final operations against Johnston. It then camped near Raleigh until May 3, when it moved to Greensboro', and then to Salisbury, where it remained until June 24, when it was mustered out of the service. The regiment arrived at Cleveland, Ohio, June 2, was welcomed by Chief Justice Chase, participated in a 4th of July celebration, and was finally discharged on the 9th of July, 1865, having first gone into camp at Lima, Ohio, in August, 1862.

Ebenezer Thompson ; died at Jeffersonville, Indiana, January 17, 1865. Mahlon Erwin, Corporal, August, 1862-June, 1865; died at home since discharge.

was recruited in the counties of Shelby, Miami, and Auglaize, by Capt. F. Schultz, and organized at Camp Dennison in Septemoer, 1861. It was mustered into the United States service by Captain P. II. Breslin, December 3, 1861. In January, 1862, in company with Battery F, it proceeded to Louisville, Ky., and reported to Major-General Buell, who was at that time organizing the Army of the Ohio. The battery was ordered to join the main army at Bowling Green. It moved with the army to Nashville, and was there attached to the Artillery Reserve, Colonel Barnett, commanding, with which it operated during the march to and the battle of Pittsburg Landing. It also took an active part in all the movements before Corinth, and after the evacuation of that place by the rebels, moved to Huntsville and Stevenson, Alabama. In August 1862, it returned to Nashville and remained there as part of its garrison during Buell's march to Louisville and through Kentucky, and until the ville it was recruited up to its maxiw" Mission ^ at ^ e of Cliic-kaand horses. It was shortly th e re at't* ****** and n , e ' While in Naslithe 25th of June, 1864, it joined « i°*' a Sain j e G u, I>pod with guns

1st Lieutenant, Constantine S C W' c,c P leral >er, 1861-November I 860 1st Lieutenant, Joseph Hein NjJL erer ' Se Ptember, 1861-Nov ISfiQ 62 '

Addenda Constitutional Convention

The first Constitutional Convention of the Ohio Territory convened at Chillieothe, November 1, 1802, under the provisions of an act entitled "An Act to enable the people of the eastern division of the territory northwest of the river Ohio to form a Constitution and State government and for other purposes." Nine counties were represented by thirty-four delegates. The officers were : Edward Tiffin, President ; Thomas Scott, Secretary; and Wm. McFarland, Assistant Secretary. The Convention adojurned December 29, 1802, and Ohio was admitted as a State February 19, 1803.

The second Constitutional Convention assembled at Columbus, May 6, 1850. The vote for president stood: Wm. Medid (Democrat), 60; Joseph Vance (Whig), 38 ; Reuben Hitchcock (Whig), 1 ; Peter Hitchcock (Whig), 1 ; and blank, 3. Wm. H. Gill was elected Secretary, W. S. V. Prentiss Assistant Secretary, and John W. Carlton, Sergeant-atarms. The Convention adjourned July 9, 1850, to reassemble at Cincinnati on the first Monday of December, and finally adjourned sine die , March 10, 1851. In this Convention, Shelby and Darke Counties were represented by Hugh Thompson.

The third Constitutional Convention met at Columbus, May 13, 1873, adjourned August 8, reconvened at Cincinnati, December 2, and adjourned sine die May 15, 1874. This Constitution was rejected by the people. In this Convention Shelby County was represented by Ednon Smith who died during the Convention deliberations, and was succeeded by Harvey Guthrie.

Qenekal Assemblies

Representative, John McCorki' Holding, Shelby, Lo<oui and r 28th Assembly. Senator w 1 Shelby and Miami ° ' d Madison. o L ' IU_ T.-,:., "

Under the Constitution of 1802, the General Assembly members were elected for one year and the two Houses met in December. Under the Constitution of 1851, the members are elected for two years, and the General Assembly convenes on the first Monday in January.

Conclusion

After an earnest endeavor to unfold the history of the county from the date of its settlement to the present year, we find it necessary to say to the reader "Farewell! a word which hath been and must be."

The process of evolution has been exhibited not so much by minutiae as by association and growth. We have looked at the wilderness, and seen it transformed into fields gilded by ripening grain, and gardens jewelled by delicate flowering gems. We contemplated the frontier home -

From this we have witnessed the change which brought the frame, the brick, and finally the stone-front house - dwellings fit for the abode of the gods. Instead of a hand-mill grinding a peck of corn per day, the steam grist-mill, endless in powen and unlimited in capacity, is in reach of every home. The plow of wooden mold-board has given place to the sulky-plow of steel turning twenty-four inches of sod, unbroken except by tiie limits of the field. The single-shovel corn-plow and following boy with hoe in hand, has given place to the sulky-cultivator, which' enables a single man to cultivate a fifty-acre field. There was the old sickle, useless yesterday, succeeded by the cradle, likewise inadequate to-day, and so giving way to the " harvester," a machine which, almost equal to human effort guided by intelligence, sweeps over a prairie of standing grain and leaves nothing undone, except the shocking of the sheaves. See the establishments of industry, whose wills of iron and nerves of steel batter and roll and cut and bend until the old blacksmith repair shop is lost to sight as completely as it is lost to usefulness. The spinning-wheels and looms of the mothers are silenced, for shuttles are now propelled by steam until the fleece of wool which enters the mill is next seen in the form of a blanket of whiteness or a web of fineness and beauty. Even the wash-tub is superseded by machinery, and the tiresome process of wringing obviated by the roller-wringers. The fields indicate a transformation, and that transformation enters the homes - the very lives of the people. The square piano takes the place of an open cupboard, and Turkish carpet hides where once the shining floor was seen. Paper, gorgeous in brilliancy, and kalsomining, delicate to tenderness, leave no place for whitewashed walls and ceiling. The fanner anil his wife drive to town in fancy carriage instead of walking with burdens upon their arms. The sons ride at work, for all machinery looks to this convenience.

Why, then, in this review should we waste a tear upon the past, sometimes bitter and ever rude? Improvement, comfort, and culture are the outgrowth, and these demand no weeping sorrow on our part. Let us not bemoan a decline of hospitality; it has not declined. Each person deserving friendship enjoy's more friendship to-day than was possible in the past. Oh, "everybody was a neighbor!" Well, "everybody" then, perhaps, equalled about as many individuals as are now found within a country radius of a mile, or a town district of a half block, and surely you are not so undeserving as to be unknown in your own land section or town ! Worth is recognized by the head of to-day, and the heart will cherish and revere what the head discovers to be worthy' of admiration. Fogyism is doomed, it is waning; life is short, and it were well to get in harmony with the progressive spirit of the limes, with all its regard for beauty, culture, poetry, grace, and form. If we are in error let the schools and the homes of the day declare. Look at the schools, with greater facilities and greater results wrought in a day, than was formerly' wrought in a year! Is all this brain culture to go for naught? It is destined to produce golden grain, " sixty," even " a hundredfold." Look at the home life with its charms and attractions, softening and developing the character of every child of to-day. Will this culture prove unavailing and unpotential ? Only to the cynic, for to all others it gives promise of blooming in beauty, a garden of brilliancy and fragrance, a poem of grandeur and sweetness, a song of sympathy and love. The schoolhouses of to-day are temples when compared with those of the past; the homes are palaces, adorned with the richness of pagan temples, presided over by the genii of joy. The people are moving forward and enjoy more happiness in a day than formerly in a year. The county has risen in wealth and rank until the citizens may contemplate with pride the growth and development of the past sixtj'-two years. The land is under cultivation, and yields to none for richness; roads traverse the county in all directions, and the principal ones are gravelled. Schools present themselves on every hand ; churches point their spires and towers to the sky from every locality ; the court-house, jail, and infirmary are models of elegance and utility ; towns dot the county surface at convenient distances; industries and enterprises find here a cherishing home ; while the toil and effort of heart and brain and hand guarantee the security of prosperity and wealth. The people are industrious and energetic, while education and refinement are year by' year lending greater assistance to industry and energy. Two railroads cross the county, the one from north to south, the other from east to west; the canal too crosses north and south, while the "feeder" traces via Sidney from Port Jefferson to Lockington : the water power of the county knows no limit, and transportation facilities are a feature in completeness. The county seat is a splendid little city - a city of schools, industries, manufactories, societies, and churches of the highest type. Above all, the homes are abodes of comfort, often of ease, sometimes of opulence, and, let us hope, of confidence and love. Better food is eaten, better clothes worn, and more knowledge diffused with each passing year. The tiller of the soil and the mechanic in the shop are reading more, thinking more, and enjoying more as the days become a part of the past. Carriages, pianos, sewingmachines, broadcloth, silks, and laces are no longer too sacred for the touch of the body of the people ; they are not enjoyed by the divine right of any class resembling an aristocracy. The citizens are kings and queens all - kings and queens of happy homes where princes and princesses are reared. The spirit which has pervaded the community will guarantee its futurity. The dawn is auspicious, and the people of Shelby County have no occasion to look upon a declining sun. The future may bring clouds, but -

Again, farewell ! a word so full of sadness that it finds companionship with tears. We have moved in your presence during several months, although you did not all recognize our presence. It was proper that it be so, for we had observations to make without being observed. We were to be impartial, unprejudiced, and disinterested. As a consequence we did not seek extended personal acquaintanceship, and yet we formed many friendships, and were the recipient of so many courtesies, that we look back upon our experience in Sidney with gratification and delight. Our task is finishing with the midnight stroke - fit hour for the completion of a book. To-morrow will call us to other scenes and other labors; so again we say', Farewell !

Errata

I On page 139, eleventh line from top, first column, 1752 should read 1748. Fort Pickawillany was established bv the English in 1748, and ' destroyed by the French in 1752. It is, therefore, the site of the first attempted settlement by the English within the present limits of Ohio.

Source changes here: from History of Shelby County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, by Hitchcock, Almon Baldwin Carrington, published 1913; 1,015 words in this source stream.

Clinton Township

Begins at the northwest corner of Perry township, on line between sections 29 and 30, town. 2, range 5; thence with the line between said sections south, and continued on to the Miami river; thence down the river to where the line between sections 15 and 18, town. 7, range 6, intersects the same river; thence north between said sections 15 and 16, and continued on to the county line; thence east with said line to the beginning.

Begins at the Miami river, between sections 15 and 16, town. 7. range 6; thence north with the west line of Clinton township to the county line ; thence west to the line between sections 35 and 36, town. 11, range 5; thence south between sections 34 and 35 to the south line of the county, between sections 26 and 25, town. 9, range 5 ; thence east to the river, and thence up the river to the place of beginning.

This township, which lies southeast of the geographical center of Shelby county, was at first organized as a part of Miami county, in which, as elsewhere stated, the whole of Shelby county was formerly included. It still hoWever retains its original name. It is bounded north by Franklin, east by Salem, Perry and Orange, south by Orange and Washington and west by Washington and Turtle Creek townships. The territory embraces portions of town 8, range 6; town i, range 7; town 1, range 13, and town 7, range 6. This comprises sections and fractional sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 19, 22. 23, _'4, 25, 26, 27, 30. 34, 35, 36, and 3 and 10 repeated being of different towns or ranges. Since its organization the township has undergone numerous territorial adjustments and readjustments, account of which may be found in the report of the county commissioners' proceedings.

Clinton township is drained by the Great Miami river, which enters at the northeast corner and flows south by west, and then, running southwest, becomes for a distance of about two miles the boundary line between Clinton and Orange township. Side by side with the river flows the Miami feeder with its water supply, which it carries to the canal at Lockington. Tawawa creek enters the Miami opposite Sidney, coming from the east, while another small tributary, flowing in the same direction, joins the large stream about a mile south of the mouth of the Tawawa. Three small streams enter the Miami from the west within the bounds of the township.

The township is crossed north and south by the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, and east and west by the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, which two roads cross at Sidney, the county seat, the town lying on the west side of the Miami. The canal leaves the river for a certain distance in order to pass through the central portion of the town. The chief importance of Clinton lies in its possession of the county seat, which attracts population, though throughout the township farming is carried on extensively and the inhabitants in general are prosperous.

The lands bordering on the Miami river are in particular noted for their fertility. The surface is broken, rolling away westward, and while not jagged or precipitous, is still broken and even hilly along the river. The Infirmary farm comprises the extreme southwest quarter of land in this township, being the southwest quarter ( 160 acres) of section 10, range 6, town. 7.

Matters Of Rf.Cord

At an election held in the township of Clinton by order of James Wells, Esq., auditor of Shelby county, on the 25th day of October, 1821, agreeably to notice given, the following township officers were elected:

Trustees, Philip Coleman, Robert McClure, and Rufus Carey. Clerk, Harvey B. Foote. Overseers of the poor, John Tilbury and James Forsythe. Fence viewers, William Drake and Benjamin Mapes. Treasurer, George Poole.

Thomas Lambert appeared and gave bond, with William Drake and Thomas W. Ruckman, conditioned as the law directs, and was duly qualified to perform the duties of constable for Clinton township according to law, November 3, 1821.

Monday, March 4, 1822. The trustees met according to law, and agreeably to order of court of the 4th of February they proceeded to select W. Cecil, Jacob Sclosser, Wm. Johnston, Philip Coleman, Rufus Carey, Nathan Coleman, and Elias Carey as grand jurors (7), and also John Tilbury, Archibald Defrees, Robert Blakeley, John Whitmire, and John Johnston as petit jurors (5), to serve the ensuing year, the list thereof returned to the clerk's office the same day.

John Lenox, supervisor for district No. 6, Turtle Creek township, as appointed by the trustees before the township was divided, made his return, and charges nothing for his services. Return filed.

Ordered, that it (the township) be divided into three districts (road); Sidney, No. 1 ; Plum Creek, No. 2 ; and Mile Creek, No. 3. No. 1 to work the road from the ford below Ruckman's mill to the public square in Sidney, the road leading to Hardin, and the one from Dingmansburg to Sidney. No. 2 to work the road from the public spuare on the road that leads up the river past Wm. Johnston's and Talbert's to the township line, and the Plum Creek road to the township line. No. 3 to work the road that leads from Sidney past Rufus Carey's to the township line, and the road from where it intersects the aforesaid road leading past Mr. Levalley's as far as the township line. John Blake supervisor district No. 1, N. Coleman of district No. 2, and a supervisor to be elected in No. 3.

Ordered that the clerk advertise according to law for an election to be held on the first Monday next to elect one clerk, three trustees, two overseers of the poor, two fence viewers, two appraisers, one of whom shall be lister as well as appraiser, one treasurer, two constables, and three supervisors, to serve the ensuing year (1822) for the township of Clinton. A true record. Attest. Harvey B. Foote, Twp. Clerk.