Hanover Township (part 24 of 29)

"When the enemy retreated, the troops returned for Monterey, Company I forming the advance guard, being fortunate enough to have this post of honor during the expedition, They arrived safe in Monterey before sundown. On the way back, Major Giddings, with five companies of the First Regiment, was met, coming to assist their detachment; but they were too late, and were not needed. Captain Van Derveer's company had marched eighty miles, and fought the enemy on two meals and four or five hours of sleep. When they arrived at Monterey they found that all the troops had left town and gone into the citadel. The company's tents were lost, and not wishing the men to lie in the open air after so many hardships, leave was obtained, after much solicitation, to go into town. A large and commodious house was selected, which was called the '' Butler Barracks." It was on the Grand Plaza. The inhabitants, almost to a man, had left the city, and all the other troops were in the citadel, a mile off, so that it might be said that the '' Butler boys" were the only inhabitants of Monterey.

Here the regiment remained during the battle of Buena Vista. The regiment was ordered to that battlefield in anticipation of being needed, but was sent back at once. At the end of the year for which they had enlisted the regiment was ordered to New Orleans and mustered out, Company I reaching Hamilton about the 20th of June, when a reception and banquet was prepared for them in the court-house yard, which drew an immense concourse of people, proud to honor their soldiers, fresh from the field of battle.

Two weeks after, a great Fourth of July celebration was held at Middletown, attended by a large number of the citizens of Middletown and vicinity. A procession was formed at ten o'clock, A. M., under the direction of the marshal, in the following order: Band of music; the Middletown Guards ; the soldiers of the late and present war; chaplain; the reader of the Declaration and orator; the ladies, and a large number of citizens from town and country. The procession marched to a beautiful grove on the farm of Mr. Shobal Vail, adjoining town. After prayer, by the Rev. Dr. Lawder, the Declaration of Independence was read by Dr. G. E. Wam- by the Rev. Samuel Adams, of Sharon, Hamilton County. After the address, the presentation of a beautiful sword, from the citizens of Middletown, to Captain F. Van Derveer, of the '' Butler Boys," was made, as a slight tribute of respect to the worth of this meritorious and gallant young officer. David Heaton, Esq., on behalf of his fellow-citizens, presented the sword in a neat and appropriate address, which did honor to his '' head and heart." The reply of Captain Van Derveer was in a happy and appropriate strain. To add still farther to the pleasures of the day was the presentation of a beautiful rifle to each Messrs. Francis Collins and Oscar Loring, two of the ''boys," who served with honor to themselves and credit to their State; in the war with Mexico. The task of presentation was again imposed upon Mr.

After the above ceremonies were over, the company repaired to a sumptuous repast prepared by Messrs. Young & Marlett, of the Union House, to which they did ample justice. The cloth having been removed, reg- ular and volunteer toasts were drunk, amid the hearty cheers of the company and the roar of the artillery. Among these were: ''The immortal memory of Lafayette ;" ''Generals Scott and Taylor - The glorious victories which they have achieved place their names high on the list of military heroes;" '' The Army and Navy - Recent events have demonstrated that they are the two strong arms of our national defense ;" '' Patrick Henry - The orator of the Revolution ;" '' The surviving soldiers of the Revolution - In more sacred reverence should they be held as their numbers diminish." Volunteer toasts were offered by V. D. Enyart, Captain Van Derveer, Miss Sarah Drake, and others.

John F. Holloway, a young man about the age of twenty-three, died suddenly of fever at the residence of his brother-in-law, Mr. Samuel Raybury, in July, 1847. He had just returned from the hardships of a campaign in Mexico, where he was a member of Captain Van Derveers company. He had undergone the dangers and fatigue incident to a soldier's life, and came home to give his friends a hearty welcome. A large and respectable procession, together with a military escort of the '' Butler Blues," who performed their part well, considering the inclemency of the weather, accompanied the corpse to the grave.

After the return of the regiment, one of the men, named Leigh, was buried near Miltonville, the funeral being attended by an immense number of people.

In the First Regiment there were many gallant young men, ambitious to distinguish themselves and attain promotion by deeds of chivalry and daring. Among others were Captain Carr B. White and Lieutenant James to mortal combat. The invitation was promptly accepted; but, on account of the well-known prejudices against dueling of General Taylor, it was determined to await the mustering out of the regiment, which was to take place the following June. The original challenge has been lost ; but Lieutenant James F. Harrison, adjutant of the regiment, bore the cartel, and delivered it to Captain Ferdinand Van Derveer, of the ' Butler Boys,' who acted as second to White. The terms were fully agreed upon at once, every effort. to make friends of the parties proving unavailing. The following is a copy of the correspondence :

"DeEAR Sir, - In accordance with your request, I hereby give you, in writing, a statement of the preliminary arrangements entered into between you and myself concerning an affair wherein Lieutenant Fyffe and Captain White are the principals. Time, Ist of June; eight oclock in the morning. Place, battle-ground below New Orleans. Weapons, pistols. Distance, fifteen paces. '* Respectfully, your obedient servant, ""F, Van DERVEER. " LirurenAnt F. J. HARRISON. ;

At the expiration of the term of service of the regiment it was ordered to New Orleans, to be mustered out. It was found inconvenient by the parties to go to the old battle-ground, so that it was determined to watch for an opportunity to wipe out old scores on the way North. In the mean time Lieutenant Harrison was compelled, on account of illness, to decline acting in the matter, and Lieutenant James Moore, of the 'Butler Boys," a brother of Colonel Thomas Moore, of Hamilton, was selected by Lieutenant Fyffe to be his second in the affair of honor.

While the regiment was lying at New Orleans Captain White had purchased a pair of long dueling pistols, carrying a very heavy ball. Lieutenant Fyffe had no pistols; so the parties mutually agreed to use White's. | Neither of the principals had had any. experience in practicing with these weapons, and thus went to the field, in that respect, equally unprepared. The whole regiment left New Orleans for home about the 10th of June, 1847. One morning, as they were coming up the river, it was ascertained from the captain of the steamer that the boat would lie to for wooding on the Arkansas shore, for probably two hours. It was at once agreed upon that this would be the proper place to settle all difficulties between the belligerents. It was just after daybreak, and very few of the passengers were up as the party quietly went ashore and rendezyoused in an old cotton-field a few hundred yards from the river. There were present, besides the principals and their seconds, only Colonel John B. Weller and surgeon Chamberlain, known in the newspapers of the time as ''Old Medicine."

The pistols were duly loaded in the presence of all parties, and cuts drawn as to the choice of positions, and who should give the word. Lieutenant Fyffe was placed with his back to the river, giving White the advantage of the eastern light. Captain Van Derveer won the giving of the word. The parties stood at twelve instead of fifteen paces, as at first agreed upon, each with his right side toward his adversary, and the pistol arm hanging by his side. The arrangements having been completed, Captain Van Derveer gave the command: 'Are you ready? One, two, three - fire!" At the word "fire," both parties instantaneously leveled, and discharged their weapons, and both missed.- Colonel Weller and Dr. Chamberlain then proposed to the principals to settle their difficulty without another exchange of shots. This good advice finally prevailed; explanations were made, mutual concessions followed, and, after shaking hands, all parties returned to the boat. It was a matter of great satisfaction to their friends that their duel was a bloodless one. White was afterward colonel of the Twelfth Ohio in the late war, Fyffe colonel of the Fifty-ninth Ohio, and Harrison colonel of the Eleventh Ohio. Lieutenant James Moore died a few years after his return from Mexico. -Dr. Chamberlain died about the same time. Colonel Weller died in New Orleans in 1878. Colonel Van Derveer is the only one of the dueling party now alive. .

But four members of the company are now living. Their names are James B. Millikin, General Ferd. Van Derveer, James Lanahan, and Cicero Birch.

Lieutenant Richmond, one of the '"Butler Boys," was colonel of an Illinois regiment in the late war; George Webster was colonel of the Ninety-eighth Ohio, and was killed at Perryville; Alfred A. Phillips, who was a corporal in this company, was a major in the Ninety-third Ohio. :

The company whose exploits have been mentioned was known as the '' Butler Boys No. 1," and another company was afterwards organized here called the '' Butler Boys No. 2." The first call was made by William P. Young, who afterwards became major of the Fourth Regiment, of which the new troops formed a part. His invitation for recruits was as follows:

Volunteers Wanted

The President of the United States has made a requisition on the governor of this State for eleven companies - ten of infantry and one of cavalry. An effort is being made to raise one company from this county. Those wishing to volunteer now have an opportunity, and are requested to report themselves immediately to Wjlliam P. Young, in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio, and as soon as a sufficient number are enrolled for a company an order will be issued to meet at Hamilton for the purpose of organizing and electing officers.

They do not appear to have been on the road before July. They went down the river to New Orleans, and thence to Matamoras. After a pleasant passage, they arrived there on the 18th of July. They were informed by Colonel Davenport, who was in command at that post, that they were to relieve the Tenth Infantry, which they were willing to do, on condition that they should be relieved in turn by the next troops that ascended the Rio Grande. This, he said, was contrary to his orders. Colonel Brough protested strenuously against such a course of procedure, on the ground that it was not founded in justice. Colonel Brough immediately called a meeting of the officers of the regiment, at which a protest, or rather @ request, was drawn up, and signed by the officers, that they should be relieved in turn, which was immediately dispatched to head-quarters. They had preceded the Indiana regiment in crossing the gulf, and were pushing for- ward to get as near head-quarters as possible, when they were stopped there, the Indiana regiment passing up the river. Colonel Brough soon received an answer to the dispatch from General Taylor, stating that the Fourth should be relieved by the next troops on their way up the river. They were then daily expecting the New Jersey battalion, on the arrival of which the regiment would take up its line of march for the upper Rio Grande, and perhaps for General Taylor's head-quarters. That old hero said, in his answer to Colonel Brough, that it was his intention to have some of the troops from each State under his command with him in case of an advance on San Luis Potosi, which, when he wrote, it was expected would be in the forepart of September.

The day before, the entire regiment was in the highest spirits, expecting daily to strike their tents, and take up the line of march for the head-quarters of the old hero, and to accompany him to death or victory; but the next day both men and officers were somewhat chapfallen. Their curses were not loud, but deep. It was said by many who had viewed the regiment, that it was the best one that had passed up the river. There was considerable sickness in the companies; but it was principally owing to the change in water and climate. There had been but three deaths in the regiment since it left Camp Ohio.

The '' Butler Boys No. 2" were considered one of the best companies in the regiment. Lieutenant Pfeifer had tendered his resignation, and would return home shortly. It was also said that Lieutenant-colonel Werner was going to resign. He fell from his horse shortly after their arrival, while on battalion drill, from which he had not entirely recovered. He thought he would not be able to stand the campaign.

''In two or three days the Fourth Regiment of Ohio volunteers will be en route for Jalapa. Three thousand men go from General Taylor to join General Scott, and on this line there will be no forward movement. It is supposed that General Taylor will resign and go home this fall, as he will be left only with a garrisoning force on this line. ;

'""We have no news from General Scott; but yesterday the Mexicans had a report that he had been compelled to fall back to Puebla, and were offering to bet on it two to one. It is not believed. We have had no mail for twenty-one days."

The health of the regiment had been very good, and only eight men had died since they entered the service. Daniel Snyder, private, of the 'Butler Boys No. 2," died on the 20th of August, at Matamoras. The company were in good health generally, and had suffered very little from the climate.

He wrote again from the camp near Vera Cruz, September 19, 1847, that in three-quarters of an hour they would be on their march to the city of Mexico, and would, perhaps, have to fight their way from Jalapa to that city. 'The last news here, last evening, was that General Scott was in a small plaza in that city; that Mr. Trist's propositions had all been rejected, and nothing to do now but to fight it out. The fighting has been seated so long that we expect to be up before the city is taken. General Scott has met with great loss. From report, the First Infantry has been cut nearly to pieces. I have been searching for the grave of Lieutenant Daniel McCleary, but have been unable to find it or hear much about such affairs. During the Summer seven hundred soldiers have died in Vera Cruz with yellow fever and vomito. The 'Butler Boys No. 2' are in better health now than since they left home. I have one of the finest horses in Mexico, and will bring him home with me if he lives till the close of the war. We have every thing that is good in this city, from oysters to sherry-cobblers, There is some difference between this line and the Rio Grande. It is two hundred and eighty miles to the city, and in fourteen days I expect to be near the Halls."

The brigade, under the command of General Lane, arrived at National Bridge on September 25d, and remained for a day. The march was very slow, and when they would arrive at the city was not certain. General Scott was in the city, but nothing else was positively known. On the 22d one of the train was shot by a party of guerrillas just as the rear guard were leaving the encampment. <A battalion of the Fourth Ohio, with 'Colonel Brough and Major Young, had not yet marched, but were formed and on the road. They fired a round into the bushes; but the Mexicans had departed. The day before they had a chase through the chaparral after a party of lancers, but were left far in the rear. On the 22d, after going into camp,a body of five hundred lancers were seen about two miles to the right, and the cavalry, and a battalion from the Fourth Ohio under Major Young's command, and a battalion from the Indianians with Colonel Gorman, and General Lane in command of the whole force, were sent out. The troops marched about two miles toward Cerro Gordo to head them off, but without success, and returned to camp without fighting. They had had several such fights. The march was very hard on many of the men. Sergeant Fenter managed to keep up, with hard work. Four of the ' Butler Boys" were left at Point Isabel, and one at Vera Cruz. good.

On Muster-roll for Jwly. - Henry Marshall, private, Company A, died June 29; Horace Train, Company EK, July 15; John J. Clark, private, Company ©, died July 6.

Company A, died August 1; John Croseman, private, Company ©, died August 24; Engelbert Grab, private, Company A, died August 28; Fisher L. Hart, captain, - Company ©, died August 31.

On Muster-roll for September. - E. H. Newton, private, Company C, died September 3; Henry Steinnet, private, Company B, died September 16; George Cullman, first lieutenant, Company B, died September 17; W. Jacobs, corporal, Company K, died September 20.

During the later months of the season no intelligence was received from them. <A letter from Vera Cruz, dated' February 1, 1848, was received, in which it was said that the troops had arrived there on the 27th, with the train from the city of Mexico, under the command of Major Caldwell. Captain J. A. Smith left Puebla on the 18th. Before he left all was bustle and excitement, information having been received that they were to be relieved by the Fourth Tennessee Regiment. He received an order from Colonel Brough, ordering him to Vera Cruz on regimental business. When he left Puebla the Fourth Ohio was enjoying reasonable health, though there was some sickness, and occasionally a death. The company had lost five men by death on this line - Jacob Fenter, Amos Smith, Samuel P. Davis, John Campbell, and Thomas Moats; and Casper Sacks was missing after an expedition to Tlascala, and was supposed to have been taken prisoner. Fenter died at Vera Cruz on the 10th of January, of the yellow fever. Davis and Campbell were discharged, and died on their way to Vera Cruz. Smith and Moats died at Puebla.

Tt was thought that there would be no general movement of the army for some time. Captain Smith was told that peace was much talked of at the head-quarters of the army, and it was said that Generals Scott, Butler, Patterson, Lane, ete., had all expressed the opinion that peace would be had within three months; but upon what they predicated their opinions was not known.

There were a number of officers of the army there going home, some having resigned, and others having been on the recruiting service, though they would probably not sail for several days, as there was a strong northerner blowing at that time.

Captain Smith left Vera Cruz on the 8th of February, and arrived at Puebla on the 21st, traveling the greater part of the way with one other American and some Mexicans, though they all arrived safe and without interrup- tion. Tlie train with which he started from Vera Cruz arrived on the 24th. It left for the City of Mexico on the 26th. Lieutenant-colonel Moore, Captain Kessler, Lieutenant Ressler, and three privates obtained leave to go up to the city with the train, but did not start until the following day, calculating to overtake it the same evening. When they were at about four miles beyond St. Martine, and about twenty-eight from Puebla, they discovered a party of Mexicans in the road before them. Not seeing any arms about them, they did not apprehend much danger, although they had not gone far until they discovered that the whole party of Mexicans were well armed. At this moment one of the party cast his eyes to the rear, and discovered that there was another party advancing upon them. At this critical moment Colonel Moore ordered his party to face to the rear, knowing that the only possible chance of escape was to cut their way back to St. Martine. "At this time the Mexicans fired upon them, Captain Kessler receiving a severe 'wound in the left shoulder, which disabled him very much from managing his horse. Colonel Moore ordered a charge. When they arrived within a few paces of the Mexicans, they saluted the latter with a volley from their pistols, and dashed on. Colonel Moore, Lieutenant Ressler, and one other made their way through, but soon discovered that Captain Kessler and the other two were surrounded. The colonel ordered a halt, for the purpose of going to the rescue of the unfortunate party, 'though it was soon discovered that the whole party would be murdered if they were overtaken; so they went on in full speed to the village, being followed to the very outskirts of the town by the Mexicans. They immediately went to the alcalde, and put themselves under his protection, and as soon as possible dispatched a messenger to Puebla to inform the American troops of their situation, who arrived there about ten o'clock at night. As soon as possible, Colonel Brough and Colonel Gorman, with several officers and men from both regiments, and a few dragoons, were on their way to the rescue. They reached St. Martine about five in the morning, and were informed that Captain Kessler and two others of the party were missing, and supposed to be killed. They immediately left for the scene of action, but did not succeed in finding the enemy as expected.

Previous to their arrival at St. Martine, a party of Mexicans had been sent out to see if they could discover the fate of the missing; and, to the mortification of every American and to the disgrace of every Mexican, they were found dead, their persons stripped entirely naked, and so horribly mutilated that it was hard to recognize them. Their bodies were brought back. Captain Kessler had a golden medal with him, which the Fourth Ohio and Fourth Indiana Regiments had made for the purpose of presenting to Brigadier-general Lane as a token of the high respect which they entertained for him. was taken by the Mexicans.

his party had killed or wounded two or three of the Mexicans. The detachment which went to the rescue succeeded in finding a few Mexicans, and capturing two of them.

The '' Butler Boys No. 2" were generally well, with the exception that the mumps had been in the camp, which caused a number of the boys to complain for a few days. [wo of the company were discharged, and would return to Vera Cruz with the next train.

They returned home in July, 1848, and were enthusiastically received in Cincinnati and this place. A supper was given to the '' Butler Boys No. 2" on the last Saturday in July, to the entire satisfaction of the very large number present. The supper itself' was prepared by Messrs. Cory & Millikin, of the Butler House, and was in the best possible taste. After the cloth was removed, there was a loud and enthusiastic call for Major Young, who responded in a neat and appropriate speech. Captain Richmond afterwards briefly but handsomely thanked the audience for the honor done him and the boys of his company.

Agreeable to previous arrangements, made by a committee consisting of B. Debolt, S. Vannatta, D. C. Crows, J. W. Crows, and H. C. Hunt, the citizens of Madison and the adjoining townships met at Miltonville on Saturday, the 9th of September, 1848, to give a public reception to the returned soldiers of that place, who had been sustaining our flag and our national honor against the hostile arms of Mexico.

A procession was formed by Marshals T. G. Berry and S. Carle, which was headed by the officers of the day, assisted by Rev. Dr. J. Antrim as chaplain, and Isaac Robertson as orator, followed by the Middletown Guards, commanded by J. M. Hitt, and the Wayne Guards, commanded by J. Snyder. Then came the eight soldiers, followed by a choir of twelve young ladies, who were most appropriately dressed in white, garlanded with blue trimming and cedar branches. Other ladies and gentlemen also joined the procession, and marched with them to a grove on the premises of David Paulin, where suitable preparations had been made for the services of the day.

The officers of the day and the chaplain and orator were seated on a high stand. In the rear of the aisle were the eight soldiers - John Vannatta, Davis W. Ball, William Dine, Stephen Shroyer, Jabez Antrim, W. Wikle, James Davidson, and C. Harris - and back of them were the twelve young ladies, forming an arch, partly surrounding the volunteers. The services then commenced with a warm and fervent prayer from the Rey. Dr. J. Antrim, and, at the request of the marshal, the choir sang some verses, composed by Dr. Eckert, in such a manner that tears were seen to flow from many eyes. An address was then made by Mr. Isaac Robertson, of Middletown, concluded by some remarks to the young soldiers who were the guests of the day, which were responded to by William Dine, one of the soldiers. The services then concluded with a song by the choir, to the tune of '' Hail, Columbia." -

The procession then marched to Vanscoyk's Hotel, where a splendid repast was prepared, and, after a luxuriant feast, thirteen regular toasts were drunk, amid deafening cheers and musketry.

Among those who lost their lives in Mexico was a gallant young volunteer from Rossville, Daniel McCleary, of a well-known family. The news of this young officer's death produced a deep and painful sensation among his friends in Butler and Montgomery counties. Lieutenant McCleary was the eldest son of Andrew McCleary, of Rossville. He had won the esteem and friendship of a large circle with whom he had become acquainted. Highminded, honorable, gentlemanly, and intelligent, he was qualified to adorn the sphere of society in which he moved. But, on the breaking out of the war with Mexico, he closed his business connections in Dayton, where he then was, and, responding to the first call of his country for volunteers, repaired to the Rio Grande. He arrived at the seat of war in time to take part in the storming of Monterey; and bore himself with distinguished gallantry throughout that memorable battle. He had no regular connection with our military forces at that time, but fought as an independent volunteer. Shortly after this he returned to Dayton; but the stirring scenes of a soldier's life had thrown a spell around his gallant spirit, which was not to be broken. Obtaining a lieutenant's commission from the authorities at Washington, he was soon at Vera Cruz. But an insidious and fatal foe was in waiting for him there.

On the 18th of June he was attacked by the vomito, and on the 23d he yielded up his young life to the deadly malady. His career was a short one; he was scarcely twenty-four years of age. r

At a meeting of the officers of the Fifteenth Infantry, United States Army, held, on the sixth day of August, at the head-quarters of the regiment in Puebla, Mexico, on motion of Colonel Morgan, Lieutenant-colonel Howard was called to the chair, Captain King appointed vice-president, and Lieutenant Goodman secretary.

On motion of First Lieutenant Brodhead, adjutant of the regiment, a committee of three were appointed to draft resolutions expressive of their sympathy with the friends of the late Daniel McCleary, and the chairman appointed Adjutant J. I. Brodhead, Captain D. Chase, and Lieutenant Thomas B. Tilton as the committee.

career, and before the opportunity of achieving that success of which his courageous and manly character gave - such sure indication, the service has lost a gallant and chivalrous officer, and we a brother and a friend. ; '* Resolved, That our intercourse with our deceased brother and associate was such as to leave upon our - minds no other feelings than those of profound sorrow ~ and regret at his early death. He was, to all who knew

'« Resolved, That we extend to the family and friends of our deceased brother our earnest and sincere sympathy - a sympathy springing from hearts that knew and appreciated his worth, and even now wrung with his untimely fate. |

The meeting then adjourned. The proceedings were signed by Lieutenant-colonel J. M. Howard, chairman; Captain E. A. King, vice-president; and Lieutenant J. B. Goodman, secretary.

These resolutions were transmitted to the family, together with a long letter of condolence. The body was exhumed, and was brought here at the end of January. The ceremonies on the occasion of the burial, on the 5th of February, 1848, were appropriate, and conducted in a becoming manner. He was buried with military honors. Several military companies were present, besides a large number of citizens from different parts of the county. An appropriate sermon was preached at the residence of his father by the Rey. David MacDill. Afterwards a procession was formed, which marched to the graveyard, where his body was deposited in its last resting-place. It was a solemn scene. The marshal was General William J. Elliott, and the assistant marshals Major J. M. Millikin, Captain N. Reeder, and Wilkeson Beatty. The secretary of the committee that took charge of the funeral was James George.

Daniel McCleary, I 1st, died of yellow fever in Mexico, June 23, 1847, aged 24 years, 6 months, and 7 days; also Lieutenant of the 15th Regiment.

The Rebellion

Tue Mexican War ended, as we have seen, with complete victory by the United States, and we now had no enemy nor any foreign controversy. War seemed far distant. Our boundary troubles, which for several years had seemed likely to result in bloodshed, had been amicably closed two years before the beginning of the contest with Mexico, and the small portion which remained unadjusted, respecting the channel between Vancouver's Island and Oregon, was, by the wisdom and patience of General Scott, quietly composed. Our differences with Spain respecting Cuba had passed by, and nothing remained for us to do except to sit under our own vine and fig tree and watch the development of the country. Yet the seed of discord was there, and war was soon to break out among us on an unexampled scale. The remote cause was negro slavery; the immediate cause was State rights, so called, pushed to an unnatural and dangerous extent - a length never dreamed of by those who were most strenuous in opposing the adoption of the Federal Constitution, and certainly not by those who favored it.

The baneful effects of slavery were seen everywhere in the South. The fields of Kentucky, even at this day, do not compare with those of Ohio. Liberty of speech was inhibited, strangers from other States were forbidden to sojourn in Southern towns in cases where it was suspected their views of the peculiar institution differed from those of their neighbors, the press was muzzled, the pulpit not allowed to speak on one of the most flagrant violations of morality ever committed, and all these ultra views were sustained by a phalanx of Congressmen who could be depended upon in any emergency: No such unanimity existed among the representatives from the free States, and it was impossible to conceive of their being so completely of one mind as those who dwelt South of Mason and Dixon's line, for differences of opinion always spring up in a free government. What mild dissent might have been allowed at the beginning of the century, when Jefferson uttered his philosophic doubts, and Madison and other Virginia statesmen hoped that emancipation might come some day, had entirely disappeared. The recruits never disclosed any individual ideas. The two strong men of the South who entertained latest a difference of opinion, Henry Clay and' Thomas H. Benton, disappeared from the scene before the final struggle. After them came Davis, Yancey, Slidell, Wigfall, and others, who breathed forth the real views of the people of the South. Slavery had been used to aggravate their people at every election until they had resolved to embrace civil war rather than endure the slightest interference in the Territories, the District of Columbia, or in regard to the return of fugitives.

Nor in this respect was the North unblamable. Demagogues among us steadily fanned the feelings of enmity of the Southern people to those who only wished to do justice to a poor, ignorant, and weak class of the American people. In some of the States free colored men were not permitted to sojourn; in others it was a State's-prison offense for the two races to marry, never reflecting that nature itself would prevent them, and here in Butler County the bitterest prejudices prevailed. Any man of color who attempted to settle in Rossville was speedily driven out by a mob. Should any one of that race go South he was liable to be taken up and sold, as being presumptively a runaway, and the most distinguished colored citizen of the county at present, a man always free, and whose abilities and acquirements are at least equal to those of any other man in Butler, was forced to pretend, in order to prevent being enslaved in New Orleans and other places where he traveled in his youth, that he was an Indian.

It is difficult to speak coolly of the years before the Rebellion - more difficult than to do so of the great struggle itself, The last was the effort of a people to free itself from what it regarded as oppression, but the true stain on the character of the people of the South is the long course of injuries practiced upon a defenseless people, and the crime against free speech and liberty thereby engendered. With the toil of a dozen of these wretches, who slept in dirty cabins, ate the rudest food, and wore the coarsest clothes, the master dressed in broadcloth and fine linen; with a dozen more his wife maintained her state; and with the spoil of a hundred the family visited Saratoga or the White Sulphur Springs, the sons were sent to college and the daughter to boarding-schools, the parents enjoyed the luxuries of life, and the children were brought up to follow in their footsteps. Yet the same man would not have accepted a gift of five dollars from another white man, and would have resisted with his life any attempt to wrest from him a penny of his property. His moral sense, by a long course of tampering, was degraded. Walpole saw nothing wrong in giving a bribe to members of Parliament, nor did they in receiving it, and the nobility in France resisted the payment of all taxes and sustained the privileges of their order until they fell under the ruins of the monarchy. Daylight came to the Southern masses only at the close of the war.

It would be unprofitable to relate the chain of events that preceded the beginning of the American conflict. In general terms the war may be traced to the compromise measures of 1850, and to the passage of the Kansas and Nebraska act. Fighting began in Kansas in 1850. A little later John Brown made his attack upon Harper's Ferry, and failed. Sumner had been beaten over the head by a bludgeon, his assailant reaping a great increase of popularity. The fugitive slave law was occasionally and spasmodically enforced through the North, each recovery making an anti-slavery majority in the neighborhood. Finally, as the result of the election of Abraham Lincoln, South Carolina seceded, and was followed by other States. Major Anderson maintained his position in Charleston Harbor with difficulty, and at last, after removal from one of the islands to another, was attacked by the Secessionist forces under General Beauregard. The Intelligencer of this city, in its next issue after the fall of Sumter, says: .

«The news of the fall of Sumter, and the call of the President for 75,000 volunteers to defend the country against the organized forces of traitors and rebels, has fired the Northern heart to a pitch of indignant enthusiasm never before equaled since the days of the Revo lution. From every city, town, village, and hamlet comes up the enthusiastic response to the call of the government for aid to sustain the integrity of the Union, and uphold its Constitution and laws. The public sentiment of the North is assuming a unanimity of tone and temper that will strike terror to the hearts of the traitors of the Southern Confederacy and their misguided dupes. It is wonderful what a revolution a few days have wrought in public opinion in the free States of the republic. The partisan has emerged in the patriot, and now Democrat and Republican alike feel and proclaim that the honor of the stars and stripes must be preserved at all hazards; that the very existence of the government is involved in enforcing obedience to its legally constituted authorities, and in holding possession of its public property. Judging from all we see and hear at home and abroad such now seems to be the almost universal sentiment. The daily papers are literally filled with telegraphic dispatches from every quarter, giving brief notices of the proceedings of public meetings of the people, which show that the North is waking up to a sense of the awful peril in which our institutions are involved by the great rebellion, and that it is rushing with one accord to the rescue."

Josiah Scott as president, Israel Williams as vice-president, and E. A. Dalton as secretary. It was largely attended by persons of every shade of sentiment, Democratic and Republican. ; j

John W. Wilson, A. F. Hume, Minor Millikin, N. ©. McFarland, Thomas Millikin, John H. Falconer, Israel Williams, John S. Wiles, and Ransford Smith addressed the meeting, urging it to sustain the Union and maintain the dignity of the United States flag. By all the speakers party was forgotten, and only the country remembered. Judge Scott in alluding to the very natural repugnance which all feel against going to war with their countrymen, said substantially, ''Why is it worse to war against a domestic than against a foreign foe? Foreign nationsmay have no cause for gratitude toward us, but these rebel States, who owe all their prosperity and greatness to the fostering hand of the general government - like the viper warmed into vitality in the bosom of its benefactor - have turned their deadly fangs upon their own country with the wicked design of destroying it. What punishment can be too severe for such ingratitude and outrage ?"

The following resolution was introduced by John W. Wilson, and was passed unanimously - the meeting numbering two thousand five hundred persons:

'* Whereas, War has been commenced against the government of the United States, and the honor of our national flag tarnished by being lowered to traitors,

On motion of E. G. Dyer, a committee of three from each ward of the city, for the purpose of organizing military companies and procuring arms, was appointed. The names of the committee were as follows:

'« Resolved, That it is expedient for the present Legislature to appropriate one million dollars for furnishing and equipping the military of this State, and our senator - from this district and our representative from this county be requested to give their aid and support to the passage of the same."

The next week a more formal meeting was held. Owing to the short notice which was given for the previous one many of our citizens were unable to attend, and scarcely any from the country. The following call was issued :

Men Of Butler

At a mass-meeting of the citizens of Hamilton, the undersigned were appointed a committee to invite every man in Butler County to meet in Hamilton, on Wednesday, April 24, 1861, to take counsel together, and adopt such measures as may be deemed advisable in this alarming crisis of our country. Armed rebels have stolen the property of the general government, have attacked and battered down one of its strong forts, and taken a gallant garrison prisoners, have trampled and trailed our glorious flag in the dust, and now, in the pride of 'their success and madness of their treason, are making preparations to capture and destroy the Capital, at Washington, and to utterly overthrow and subvert our government.

We, therefore, invite every man in Butler County, without distinction of age, sect, religion, or party, to meet in Hamilton on the day above named, and take such measures as may be thought advisable to aid our government to suppress and punish treason, to protect our Capital, to wipe out the insult offered to our glorious flag, and to sustain and defend our blessed and beloved Constitution. Distinguished speakers will be present and address the meeting. Come one, come all!

It was duly held, and was large and enthusiastic. A national salute was fired in the morning and again at noon, and the stars and stripes were gayly floating from hundreds of houses all over the city. At one o'clock the meeting was organized by appointing as president, Judge Fergus Anderson; vice-presidents, Robert Gibson, Fairfield; John K. Wilson, St. Clair; Robert Beckett, Hanover; James 8S. Chambers, Milford; William H. Roberts, Oxford; Colonel William Stevens, Reily; Absalom McKain, Morgan; Samuel Dick, Ross; John Cox, Union; Peter Murphy, Liberty; Colonel Hendrickson, Lemon; Jacob Banker, Madison; John S. Witherow, Wayne; James Rossman, First Ward, Hamilton; Thos. Connaughton, Second Ward; Christopher Morganthaler, Third Ward; secretaries, Israel Williams, Fred. Landis.

The following committee on resolutions was then appointed: Thomas Millikin, N. C. McFarland, Alex. F. Hume, Ferdinand Van Derveer, W. H. Miller, Milton Cooper, Wm. H. Smith, George Jacoby, Abraham P. Cox, and John S. Earheart.

While the committee were preparing resolutions the meeting was addressed by Messrs. Gaylord, Christy, Gilmore, L. D. Campbell, and others, during which the committee on resolutions returned with the following preamble and resolutions, through their chairman, Thos. Millikin, who remarked in presenting them that. they were principally copied from the resolutions adopted at the great Union meeting held in New York City a few days before.

'* Whereas, The Constitution, framed by our Revolutionary fathers, contains within itself all needful provisions for the exigencies of the government, and in the progress of events, for such amendments as are necessary to meet new emergencies ; and

'' Whereas, An armed combination has been formed to break up the Union by throwing off the obligations of the Constitution, and has, in several of the States, carried on its criminal purpose, and finally, by assaulting Fort Sumter, a fortress of the United States, occupied by a slender but heroic garrison, and capturing it by an overwhelming force, after a gallant defense, -thus setting the authority of the government at defiance and insulting the national flag; and

''Whereas, The government of the United States, with an earnest desire to avert the evils of civil war, has silently submitted to these aggressions and insults with a patient forbearance unparalleled in the annals of history, but has at last deemed it due to the public honor and safety to appeal to the people of the Union for the means of maintaining its authority, of enforcing the execution of the laws, and of saving our country from dismemberment, and our political institutions from destruction; therefore,

"1. Resolved, That we are sacredly bound by every sentiment of honor, of affection, of duty, and interest to maintain and preserve our national government, the most equal and beneficent hitherto known among men, unbroken and unsullied for our generation, and to transmit it to our posterity; and that to the maintenance of this sacred trust, and in support of that government, we devote all that we possess, and are prepared to shed our blood and lay down our lives.

'2. Resolved, That the Constitution of the United States, the basis and the safeguard of the Federal Union, having been framed and ratified by the original States, and accepted by those which subsequently became parties to it, is binding upon all; and that any resumption by any one of them of the rights delegated to-the federal government, without first seeking a release. from its obligations through the concurrence of common. sovereignty, is unauthorized, unjust to all the others, and destructive of all social and political order. ,

'3. SLesolved, That when the authority of the federal government shall have been re-established, and peaceful obedience to the Constitution and laws prevails, we shall be ready to confer and co-operate with all loyal. citizens thoughout the Union, in Congress, or in convention, for the consideration of all supposed grievances, the redress of all wrongs, and the protection of every right, yielding ourselves, and expecting all others to yield to the will of the people, as constitutionally and lawfully expressed.

all means in their power to maintain the Union of States, defend the Constitution, to preserve the national flag from insult, and uphold the authority of the general government against all acts of rebellion everywhere, which, if longer unresisted and unpunished, would inevitably end in breaking down all the barriers erected by our fathers for the protection of life, liberty, and property, and involve the country in universal anarchy and confusion.

'<5. Resolved, That we urgently insist that the representative in Congress from this district shall, at the session thereof to meet on the 4th of July next, cordially and promptly support and vote for all proper measures, and all necessary appropriations of money and supplies of men to enable the general government to execute its laws and maintain the rightful authority of the Constitution, and to suppress and punish the present rebellion and treason in the South, and to punish treason in every State and Territory in the whole Union.

**6, Resolved, That we deny the right of any State to assume the position of armed neutrality as between the federal government and any State or States in rebellion against its authority ; and to refuse to furnish its proper quota of men to aid the federal government to enforce its laws and maintain the authority of the Constitution everywhere in the Union, when properly and legally called upon by the President so to do; and we deny the right of any State to refuse to allow the federal government to transport its soldiers over its territory for any lawful purpose, and to any place in the Union; and we condemn 'and denounce the conduct of all such States as have refused to respond to the call of President Lincoln for volunteers to suppress the rebellion in the South, and to allow the volunteers of other States to pass over their territory, as recreant to their duty, and as affording aid and comfort to rebellion and treason.

'«7, Resolved, That as soon as it is authorized by law, we request that our county commissioners shall levy a tax of sufficient amount upon all the property in the county to furnish all needful support to the families of volunteers during their absence in the service of their country.

"© 8. Resolved, That we recommend that all able-bodied men in the county shall immediately form themselves into military companies, procure arms, elect officers, and thoroughly drill themselves, and stand ready to obey any call of their country that may be made upon them for their services.

'9. Resolved, That we disapprove of all attempts to control by violence the honest expression of opinion by any of our citizens upon the exciting subjects of the day, but we recommend that in the present excited state of our country all abstain from discussions calculated to excite ill feeling or party prejudice.

A large and enthusiastic meeting of the citizens in ~ the neighborhood of Jones's Station was held on Monday evening, April 22d. Milton Cooper was chosen chairman and J. C. Long, secretary. A call for funds for the purchase of a flag, etc., was promptly responded to, after which the following preamble and resolutions, presented by C. F. Warren, were read and unanimously adopted as expressing the sentiments of the meeting:

'' Resolved, That as loyal citizens we will use all the means in our power to sustain the government and the honor of that flag under which we have lived for eighty years in unexampled prosperity. That banner, which like one of old proclaimed wherever it was seen a great cause before it, and a powerful nation behind it, must be sustained, and no less honored and respected - the nation's pride and citizens' defense.

'* Resolved, That we look upon the reasons of the rebels as only pretexts for usurping the government, maturing a ° treason of thirty years' standing, which was nipped in the bud in 1832, and must be again met in 1861, and taught to know that the patriots of this country will never yield the birthrights handed down to them by their fathers either to foreign or domestic foes.

'' Resolved, That while we hail the people of all nations seeking home on our soil as brothers, so long as they assist in defending our flag, we are no less ready to take up arms against traitors whenever or from whatever section they may appear."

After the adoption of the resolutions Mr. G. W. Jones being called for, replied in a few remarks, in which he expressed his regret at the unhappy condition of our country, and his determination to defend it at any cost. The meeting concluded with three hearty cheers for the Constitution, the Union, and the enforcement of the laws.

The citizens of Port Union and surrounding country met at the hall, on Saturday evening, April 20, 1861, and organized by calling Philip Nash to the chair, and appointing A. J. Foster, secretary.

The objects of the meeting were made known by E. Bone in a. brief address, stating the condition and demands of the country, after which Dr. Reed presented the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:

'' Whereas, Wicked and designing persons have sought and obtained control of the government of some of the States of this Union, which States are now in rebellion against the general government; and - 'Whereas, It is uncertain what effect the prompt and energetic measures now being inaugurated by the administration to put down the same may have upon some of the remaining loyal States; and

'* Whereas, Threats have repeatedly been made that in. the event of the border slave States seceding and joining their fortunes with those who are trampling our country's flag in the dust, that the cities, towns, and country along the Southern boundary of our State will be overrun and made the special objects of their hatred; therefore, be it

"Resolved, That we have heard of such threats with profound regret, and while we deprecate war, with its terrors and devastating consequences, we will not shrink from its rugged issues when forced upon us.

"Resolved, That we pledge our fortunes, our honor, and our sacred lives to defend the stars and stripes, and protect our country from all lawless raids, come from whatever source they may. And be it further

'Resolved, That to more fully carry out the foregoing resolutions, we will form ourselves into a home protecting company, and that we appeal to the patriotism of our fellow-citizens, and cordially invite them to join with us

Patriotic remarks were made by D. Stiles, J. M. Thompson, Dr. Reed, and others, taking strong grounds in favor of protecting the whole country, and sustaining the government against all enemies at home and abroad.

Thirty names responded to the call for members to the company, after which the meeting ordered a copy of the minutes to be furnished the Hamilton papers, with a request that they be published, and adjourned to meet the next Monday evening for organization of a military company.

In the mean time the volunteers had not been slow in coming forward. Companies sprang into existence all over the State. The first from this county that reached Columbus in time to go into the first regiments was the Jackson 'Guards, Captain J. P. Bruck. This was company K, First Ohio, and the regimental organization was made on the 18th of April. There were no arms, ammunition, or clothing, but it was determined to hurry the men on to Washington, where they could be provided for. Its earliest action was at Vienna, and it covered the retreat at Bull Run, afterwards being reorganized for the three years' service.

Captain Rossman immediately organized the Hamilton Guards, and left for Columbus on the 21st. An immense congregation assembled at Beckett's Hall on Sunday, the 20th, to hear a discourse by the Rey. William Davidson. The sermon was able, patriotic, and eloquent, and was listened to with earnest attention, and often with deep emotion. He spoke of the cause in which the loyal States were engaged as just' and righteous, and said that if the war of the Revolution was holy, this was thrice holy, if that was sanctified this was thrice sanctified. History left no record of any war where the people were called upon more imperatively to take part in its proseeution than this people in defense of their government against the traitors who were then in array against it. If they were not subdued our government was a nullity, and anarchy would reign supreme. At the conclusion of the sermon Mr. Richardson made a few pertinent remarks, followed by a brief address from Mr. McMillan. Miss Kate Emmons presented one of the volunteers with a Bible and a revolver, and Mr. Ezra Potter, on behalf of the citizens of Hamilton, presented Captain Rossman one hundred dollars to be expended at his discretion for the benefit of his company.

The previous day the young ladies of this city presented the. guards with an elegant silk flag. The ceremonies took place in the public square, and were opened by an impressive and earnest prayer by Rey. Mr. Lowrey, after which Miss Kate Campbell presented the flag with the following appropriate address:

"' Hamilton Guards, - Y our country demands your services, and you are promptly honoring her call. Traitors have made war upon our government and seek to overthrow our noble institutions secured to us by the wisdom, the toils, and the blood of our venerated forefathers. Your sisters can not share your dangers in the field, but their hearts will go with you. They present this banner as a token of their earnest sympathies with you, and with the sacred cause of freedom and justice in which you go to fight. It is the same emblem of constitutional liberty under which Washington and all our national heroes fought and conquered. Stand by it with your lives, if necessary. Let no rebel hands bring reproach upon its honored folds; let its stars ever remind you of your duty to the Union, and its stripes keep you thoughtful of the punishment due to fratricidal traitors. Take it, soldiers, and carry it on to victory. And may the God of battles watch over and protect you; and may he preserve our country and our Constitution to be the protectors of the oppressed of all lands to generations yet unborn."

"Young Ladies of Hamilton, - Our country, which for so long a time has been the home of peace and liberty, is now rocking in the storm of civil war. Armed desperadoes have insulted our flag and defied our government. Men have been found in this country base enough to strike the mother who reared and protected them. The wounded government demands reparation. In obedience to that call we shall soon march to the scene of war. Going out from you, we desire to take with us this work of love and patriotism at your hands, and if the ardor of the company can be augmented I can only wish that their patriotism may be as bright as the stars, and their loyalty as unfading as the colors of the flag which has been so handsomely presented. We accept this flag, and in the coming contest, if one little band can do aught to maintain the honor of our government, what man in the Hamilton Guards but will, in that con- test, strike with renewed ardor by the remembrance of this day's honor? We shall plant it on the outer wall, and its post shall be to us the post of honor.

""Some, perchance, in this company, in defense of that flag, may fall. Some of us, whose hearts beat high with proud hopes, and who are emulated to do deeds of glory, will return no more. But if a sacrifice from the guards is demanded to procure constitutional liberty and our Union, that sacrifice shall be cheerfully given. Yet they will not die; but from their ashes, as from the ancient phoenix, will arise their names, and in letters of living light will they be enrolled on a page of an immortal history. We accept this flag, and we promise to bring it back with no lost laurels, no tarnished fame. Its symmetry may be destroyed by the elements and by the strife, but these, in your estimation, will be but honorable scars. .

'"'In conclusion, ladies, all that strong arms and stout hearts can do to maintain it, all that your patriotism can infuse into our hearts to defend it, all that the high hopes and good wishes of this city can stimulate us to vindicate, all the courage of a righteous cause, and of truth and liberty can give us to protect, all these shall, we trust, nerve every arm and heart in this company to vindicate the high confidence reposed in them by the young ladies of Hamilton, in the compliment to their patriotism and readiness to defend their country, signified in the presentation of this flag to the Hamilton Guards."

After Captain Rossman had concluded John W. Wilson, one of the company, made an earnest and eloquent appeal in behalf of the cause in which they were engaged. His remarks were full of the true Revolutionary fire, and were loudly cheered by the multitude on the ground. When he sat down a company of amateur musicians, under the lead of Mr. Boynton, sang the Star-spangled Banner, after which ex-Mayor Smith called for three cheers for the flag, three for the volunteers, and three for the young ladies, which were all given with a will, and the assemblage adjourned. The soldiers left home on Monday, a large crowd being at the depot to see them off.

A company of volunteers from Oxford passed through Hamilton on Monday, the 22d. <A large number of the students volunteered, and the school was almost broken up. A list of those who served in the war, who had previously been in that college, may be found under the head of Miami University.

Two military companies were ready to march from Middletown that week, and another full company of volunteers was ready in Hamilton. The following were the officers: J. W. C. Smith, Captain; John Sutherland, 1st Lieutenant; L. M. Leflar, 2d Lieutenant.

An enthusiastic Union meeting was held at Collinsville on the 25th of April, which was addressed by Isaac Robertson, C. K. Smith, and Rev. Mr. Davis. Another meeting was held in Okeana, on the 4th of May, 1861, which was addressed by Isaac Robertson.

In addition to these, forty Germans of Hamilton attached themselves to a Cincinnati Company, and were at Camp Harrison. These went out on the 18th of April. They were known as Company B, 9th Ohio.

Some of these companies were very large, as for instance Captain Dodds's, one hundred and fifty-two men, and Captain Rossman's, one hundred and eleven men.

Two-other companies were forming in the city, a cayalry company by Minor Millikin, and an infantry com-. pany by John S. Earhart, the latter to be composed. of men of five feet seven inches and upwards in height, together with an infantry company at. Princeton, and an artillery company at Middletown. Add to these a company of home guards for each of the three wards of the city.

Henry C. Campbell, George Camp, James Willis, James Whittaker, Albert Whittaker, and H. H. Adams, were honorably discharged on the 27th of April, by order of Captain W. C. Rossman.

Twenty-five families of those who had volunteered for the country's defense were being supported by the citizens of Hamilton and the surrounding country. The store house was directly opposite the court heuse, and contributions were received by D. D. Conover, chairman.

There were then in the camp three companies from Hamilton, one from Middletown, and two companies from Eaton. Captain Hilt's company from Middletown had left. While there a presentation of a flag was made to the Butler Pioneers, and also to the company of Captain Humbach.

The Butler Pioneers, after spending a week in the hotels of Hamilton, and being drilled in the streets, removed to Camp Hamilton, or the Fair Grounds, on the 23d of April. They were the first troops there. The ladies of Hamilton had presented them with a splendid flag, accompanied with an eloquent and patriotic speech from Mrs. Ryan. Captain J. W. C. Smith made an appropriate response.

cold for that season of the year. They had but little straw for bedding, and but few of the soldiers were so fortunate as to have blankets of their own. The unfortunate shared with the fortunate, and it was laughable to see a half dozen trying to sleep under one blanket. The consequence was a great deal of shivering, only a little sleep, and a great deal of catching cold. They were not forgotten by the ladies of Hamilton, lending blankets and supplying a shirt to each, and the farmers brought in immense quantities of straw. The halls and cattle stalls of the Fair Grounds were suitably fitted up for sleeping apartments, and after this the volunteers rested well. The eating department was conducted by Straub, Reutti & Co., for thirty-five cents per day, and tables were put up so that four hundred could eat at a time.

This was a three-months' company, and as the complement had been filled it did not go out to the war. Many of the men afterwards served in the three-year regiments.

'' Sentinels will pass out no soldier without a written pass from the commandant, and such pass will not be given except upon the statement of the captain that the absence is necessary.

''Citizens will be permitted to pass out at any time by sentinels, if known to be such; otherwise not permitted to pass without the orders of some commissioned officer in the camp.

'Before 12 M. citizens will not be permitted to pass into the camp without a written pass from the commandant, but may be admitted during the afternoon upon the order of any commissioned officer in the camp.

The following officers were detailed for duty: Captain Thomas Morton, of the Eaton National Guards, to act in the absence of the commandant; Samuel L'Hommedieu, Hamilton Rifles, Adjutant; N. T. Peatman, Butler Pioneers, Sergeant; Major John Sutherland, Butler Pioneers, Quartermaster; J. W. Sater, Eaton National Guards, Assistant Quartermaster; James McClelland, Middletown Veterans, Surgeon; W. Palmer Dunn, University Rifles, Secretary of Commandant.

In an order of Colonel H. B. Carrington, Adjutantgeneral of the State, organizing the militia, he assigns fifteen companies as the necessary quota from Butler.

The Eleventh Regiment and the right wing of the Third Regiment were ordered to Camp Dennison on Monday, the 29th of April. The train had thirty-three cars, and was cheered in every village or hamlet it passed through. Flags and handkerchiefs were waved from every farm-house along the road, showing the sentiment of the people.

Third Regiment, the train stopped in the midst of a level tract, surrounded by high hills. This they were told was Camp Dennison. There was no tent or hut, and not even a board of which to make a shelter - nothing but corn fields and wheat fields. There were no shade trees, not as much as a hickory sprout in a fence corner. Reluctantly leaving the cars, they formed and marched through the plowed field. Soon after a lumber train arrived, and the soldiers were told to take off their coats and carry boards across a twenty-acre field, there to build their quarters. The crowd reached the cars, and there was a struggle for a place. The more modest were disposed to hold back, until they thought of the night soon to come. One young theological student, who understood human nature, mounted the cars, took plank after plank, erying the name of his company at the top of his voice. Numbers of them were soon by his side, and before long all were sufficiently provided. The men were tired and hungry; they had had nothing to eat since morning, and the commissariat broke down, as it always does in new organizations.

It began raining before sleep reached them, but the next day all was fair. On Friday it rained all day long. Over four hundred buildings were put up in all - seven to one of the companies from Butler County. The fare was not exactly the kind to please epicures. Bread, rice, beans, salt pork, and coffee constituted the table. As one grim humorist remarked, three-fourths of the pork was pure fat, the remainder all fat. Still the soldiers enjoyed themselves. They laughed and cracked jokes, and met the situation with good humor. Their friends at Hamilton did not neglect them, and sent forward bountiful supplies of provision and clothing.

Monroe was not behind the other towns in its patriotic acts. It sent a large number of young men in the Middletown company - nineteen on the first call - and supplied them with blankets, shirts, pocket money, and so on. They requested the commissioners to levy a tax for the aid of the families of volunteers, and raised by subscription over a thousand dollars to meet pressing necessities. The home guard there numbered over one hundred men, who drilled from four to six nights per week.

''Whereas, The attention of this council has been called to the fact that considerable suffering now exists among the families of our soldiers in the service of their country from this city, and still more suffering is apprehended from the rigors of the approaching Winter; and

'' Resolved, That we hereby tender to said county commissioners, to meet the want above indicated, a loan of the sum of two thousand dollars, from the funds now in the city treasury, for such time as may be required, not to exceed fourteen months, and upon payment of six per cent interest for the use of the same.

'Resolved, That the city clerk furnish to said commissioners a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolutions at his earliest convenience. Also, a resolution granting to Messrs. Long, Black & Allstatter the pump of the old fire-engine Water Witch, to be fixed up at their manufactory for fire purposes."

The young men of Hamilton and vicinity, between the ages of fifteen and nineteen years, formed a company to be known as the Young Guard, and were drilled by Lewis D. Campbell, ex-member of Congress, and formerly captain of the Butler Guards.

Wm. H. H. Russell and others formed a raitteiee company, drilling at Jacob's Hall. Gov. Dennison had, on or before the 20th of May, accepted Captain J. W. C. Smith's Pioneers as one of thirty-three companies outside of the regular regiments.

At Camp Hamilton the Pioneers had some amuse. ment in hanging Jeff. Davis in effigy. The ceremonies were imposing. Jeff. was appropriately represented as a negro, and was upborne by four men at the head of a squad of about fifty, ably commanded by Benjamin Franklin Stevens, as captain, and Thomas Benton Hart, as lieutenant. The procession moved from camp at 2 P. M. for Hamilton, marching through the principal streets. It halted at Squire Wiles's, who pronounced the sentence of the law upon Jeff. He was not worthy of a soldier's death by being shot, but must be hung by the neck until dead. The procession then returned to camp and _proceeded to put the sentence of the court in execution. An Adams officiated as hangman. The drop soon fell, and Jeff. was suspended between heaven and earth, dying without a struggle. Shouts went up from the multitude, groans were given for all traitors, and cheers for the Union.

A large portion of the early drilling of recruits was done here by Captain John McCleary, son of Andrew McCleary, of West Hamilton. He had been admitted into the regular army, and was at home on a leave of absence when the civil war broke out. He was a graduate of the United States Military Academy, at West Point, in the class of 1854, and was appointed a second lieutenant in 1855. He was promoted to first lieutenant in 1860, and captain on the 17th of May, 1861. He was breveted as major for gallant and meritorious services at the battle of Gettysburg, and afterwards was creditably employed as an officer in command of a post in South Carolina during the reconstruction period. He was a participant in the battles of Antietam, September 16 and

August 18, 1862; Skinner's, at or near Leetown, Virginia, Bodin ber 20, 1862; Snicker's Gap, Novela 3, 1862; Fredericksburg, 13th and 14th of December; Chancellorsville, May 1, 1863; Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.

Major McCleary died on the 25th of February, 1868. He had been complaining a little for a day or two, and kept in his room. On the morning of his death, he wrote an order which he gave to his servant for his breakfast, but when the boy returned with it he found McCleary insensible and bathed in blood. The doctor reached him immediately, and tried to rally him, but it was of no avail, and he went off unconscious and without pain. The cause of his death was the bursting of an aneurism of the aorta, opening into the cesophagus. His remains were carefully embalmed and sent home, under the charge of an officer. The ladies of the army decorated the coffin most beautifully with flowers. Major James P. Roy, commanding the military post of Charleston, South Carolina, issued a general order announcing Major McCleary's death. The deceased had, he said, been continuously in the service of his country for fourteen years. 'In the performance of his duty during this period, a large share of which has been checkered by events memorable in history, he has borne his part with a fidelity only equaled by. that modesty of deportment which distinguished his personal character. On the frontier, in warfare with the savages, in marches across the continent, in the arduous and hard fought campaigns of the army of the Potomac in the late stupendous war, no superior has found him deficient in courage and capacity, and no comrade has known him but to respect him. His record has been uniformly that of a duty officer, a conscientious soldier. Of irreproachable morals and unsullied honor, his private character has been that of a retiring and estimable gentleman. In him the army loses a valuable officer and his associates a trustworthy friend."

The commandant of the other detachment of his regiment, then stationed at Fort Gibson, in the Cherokee nation, Brevet-major M. Bryant, also issued a feeling order in respect to the decease of Major McCleary. He said :

'*Major McCleary entered the service in 1854, having graduated that year from the United States Military Academy. He served several years on the western frontier and in California, where he performed arduous and gallant services in campaigns against hostile Indians, and in the late war, participating in every battle in which his regiment was engaged, from Yorktown to Gettysburg, receiving the brevet of major for gallant and meritorious services in the latter battle.

'' A high-toned and estimable gentleman, a gallant and true-hearted soldier, has gone to his rest, leaving behind him a bright example of soldierly bearing, and of a conscientious and upright performance of duty, worthy the emulation of the comrades who now mourn his loss. Asa token of respect for the memory of the deceased, the officers of the regiment will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days."

The Butler Grays, organized at Princeton, under command of Captain Murphy, was one of the best in the county. A splendid flag was presented to it by the ladies of Princeton and vicinity, through Miss Mollie Urmston.

The Reeder Cadets, who were young fellows from the ages of fifteen to seventeen, organized under the supervision of Captain N. Reeder. Their officers were Charles Potter, Captain; Thomas Shafer, First Lieutenant; F. A. Lighter, Second Lieutenant; and Joseph Wyman, Orderly Sergeant. They received many gifts from the citizens of Hamilton.

The Butler Pioneers suffered much from shortness of tobacco. As their money had given out they could get no more. But the establishment of a sutler afterwards enabled them to get as much as they wanted, and have the value deducted from their monthly pay.

B. F. Miller and F. W. Keil began recruiting for a new company, and a roll was also left at Heppards's store, in Collinsville, and with W. S. Lewis, New London.

The University Rifles returned from their campaign in Western Virginia on the 8th of August. They were welcomed home by the military companies of the city and a large crowd of citizens, who greeted them with a salute of artillery and musketry, and the cheers of assembled thousands.

A fine company, under the style of Union Rifles, composed mainly of citizens of Union Township, left Oxford, on the 8th of August, for Camp Dennison.

Captain Stone's company of three years volunteers, the Anderson Grays, went into camp at the Hamilton Fair Grounds on the 10th of August. Captain Thoms, of Seven-Mile, had a company partly ready.

On the 15th of August, 1861, there were at Camp Hamilton three companies, the Anderson Grays, the Butler Blues, and Captain Reeder's. The last two were not full, but were being rapidly filled up.

Captain Stone's and Captain J. S. Earhart's companies were sworn into the service of the United States on Tuesday, the 20th of August. Captain Fred. Heser left Hamilton for Camp Dennison on the 22d, with seyenty or eighty good fighting men, to join the Porschner regiment, which was to join Fremont's column immediately.

By an arrangement of the commissioners the families of such volunteers from Butler County as had been sworn into the public service could obtain relief by application, as follows: Those living in the townships of | Morgan, Reily, Oxford, Milford, Hanover, and Ross apply to J. J. Owens; in Wayne, Madison, Lemon, Lib-

The location of Camp Hamilton was changed in August from the Fair Ground to the common at the head of Third Street, on the old cricket ground. This was done principally to secure a good parade ground, where there would be no obstruction to drill.

Charles Murray was also getting up a company of cavalry. The company, when completed, would be commanded by Captain White, a graduate of West Point, and for twelve years a captain in the regular army. The company was to be attached to Colonel Taylor's regiment, which was to be ordered to St. Louis.

W. H. Wade was engaged in recruiting for a cavalry company. It was nearly full, and only a few men more were wanted. It was to be under the command of Captain Hunt, late of Burdsall's dragoons, well known for their effective service in Western Virginia.

One of the earliest companies raised was by William Clement Rossman. It was attached to the Third Ohio Infantry, its colonel being Isaac Marrow, of Columbus; its lieutenant-colonel, John Beatty, of Morrow County; and its major, J. Warren Keifer, of Clarke County. The regiment was at first at Camp Jackson, but afterwards at Camp Dennison. The three months' service had expired before they were called upon to take the field, and a great portion of the regiment re-enlisted. On the 20th of January they were supplied with arms and ammunition, an1 ordered to Grafton, Virginia, being the first three years' regiment to leave the State. At Rich Mountain, although present, the regiment was not engaged, as the fighting was in the rear of the fortifications. It joined in the pursuit of the enemy, and afterwards assisted in fortifying the passes of the Alleghenies.

The rebels, under General Robert E. Lee, attacked their position at Elkwater Junction, on the 11th of September, driving in the pickets as they advanced. Colonel John A. Washington, of Mount Vernon, Virginia, was killed in this contest. It returned to Cincinnati on the 28th of November, re-embarked for Louisville, and thence marched to Camp Jenkins, four miles distant, where the army of the Ohio was organized. It was placed in the Third Division, General Ormsby M. Mitchel commanding. It went into Winter-quarters at Bacon Creek. Colonel Marrow here resigned, and promotions followed throughout the entire regiment.

From this camp, which it left on the 22d of February, 1862, it went to Bowling Green, entering that place just as the rebels left it, and then going to Nashville. It took an active part in all the events of that stirring and brilliant campaign, including the capture of Murfreesboro, and the occupation of Shelbyville and Fayetteville. In the battle of Bridgeport the Third acted its part. In the latter part of August General Bragg, with the rebel army, made a bold push towards Louisville, Kentucky, and Buell concentrated his forces in that direction. The march northward was extremely fatiguing. The roads were very dry, and there was scarcely any water, but they reached Louisville on the 25th of September.

Shortly after, in marching out, it was a part of the forces that engaged with the rebels at Perryville. It fought bravely and valiantly, nearly one-third of its number being brought to the ground. Color-sergeant William V. McCoubrie was shot down while carrying the flag a little in advance of the guard, and five others subsequently shared the same fate. The last hero who held the standard aloft was a beardless boy of seventeen, David C. Walker, who successfully carried it through the action, and was made color-sergeant on the field by Colonel Beatty. General Rousseau, after the close of the action, rode up to the regiment and thanked it for its gallant conduct. Its loss in the action was two hundred and fifteen killed and wounded.

In the battle of Stone River it took a noble part, being commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Lawson. It engaged very early, maintaining its line until, upon the edge of a cotton field, the whole tide of battle seemed to roll down from the right and launch itself upon the center, where the Third was. It then began to give ground, stubbornly, delivering its fire steadily and effectively, though receiving two volumes for one. It was long exposed toa galling fire, and lost heavily. The second day it was occupied in guarding a ford, but on the last day it was again under fire. This was the end of the battle, and the rebels then retreated to Shelbyville.

In April, 1863, the Third was detached from the army proper, and in company with the Fifty-first and Seventythird Indiana, Eightieth Illinois, and two companies of the First Alabama cavalry, was dispatched to destroy the Rome Iron Works, and the foundries and arsenals also situated there. On the 30th of April the command was attacked by General Roddy, with a large cavalry force. After a fierce contest the enemy were soon routed, but General Forrest was near by, and soon after made a fresh attack. After a severe engagement he was compelled to retreat.

Shortly after, the rebels again engaged, the Union troops losing a large number of men. The horses and men were both worn out, and it was determined to send forward two hundred and fifty of the best mounted men to destroy the iron works and Rome. Ferry-boats could not be found at the Catoosa River, the troops going up the road four miles to a ford, which wet their ammunition. Forrest came up again, and demanded their surrender, which they were compelled to yield.

They were immediately sent to Belle Isle, and from there to Libby Prison, the officers being retained there until a late period in the war. The men were paroled, and afterwards exchanged. They were stationed at vari-

Henry Smith, of Captain Rossman's company, Third Ohio Volunteers, died at Annapolis, Maryland, February 21, 1863, from wounds received at the battle of Stone River. He was wounded and taken prisoner at Murfreesboro, and removed from there to Richmond, Virginia, where he was exchanged. His remains were brought to this city. : .

Alexander Schmidtman entered into the service of his country as a soldier soon after the breaking out of the Rebellion, and was a faithful member of Company F, Sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteers, until the failure of his health. He took part in several of the severest battles fought during the war, among which was that at Pittsburg Landing. He was then taken sick, patiently suffering during his protracted illness. He died September 7, 1863, in the thirty-ninth year of his age.

The First Cavalry was organized in the Summer of 1861. A large number of men desired to join this regiment, and the officers were consequently enabled to use discrimination in the selection of recruits. It was mustered into the service on the 5th of October, at Camp Chase, and three of the companies were soon after assigned on detached service in West Virginia. Several lost their lives, and among them was Seeley Mensch. He was an earnest worker in the organization of the company, riding regularly to drill from Seven-Mile after his day's work, and shrinking from no labor or trouble in getting in men and horses. He left for his father's home in Michigan, where he intended to leave his infant child, on the express condition that he should be telegraphed if any thing oecurred, and on being notified that they were about to depart he immediately joined them in camp. During the short time spent in Carthage in the laborious drilling incident to the preparing of men and horses for immediate service, Mensch was most efficient and industrious, responding with ready acquiescence to the entirely unexpected order to leave for Virginia.

During the four weeks' campaign, immediately following the departure from Clarksburg, in which, it is safe to say, no dragoons ever saw harder or more exacting service, Mensch was always the ready, cheerful, and brave soldier. In the midst of perplexing irregularities of the company in the arrangement of messes, the distribution of the equipments, and the incidental dissatisfaction and chafing of the men against each other, while learning camp duty and camp life, he did much by his conciliation and kindness to settle all into regularity and content. When by the severe picket and guard duty to which the company was exposed, as the only cavalry in the brigade, the men were so worn out as to be really unfit for further service, Mensch was always willing and ready to volunteer in the place of some weaker, though not so severely tasked comrade. If there was any scout- ing promising danger, or any midnight expedition looking towards a skirmish, Mensch asked to go. He was one of their best couriers, riding fearlessly, but with discretion. He was present in the arduous march around the flank of the enemy entrenched at Rich Mountain, and was in the fight afterwards. He was under the fire of the enemy for nearly an hour without flinching, although not. permitted to fight, only regretting that the logs, rocks, and trees prevented his being at the cannon's mouth. He was in that section of his company that rode next morning first of all the army into the camp of the rebels. He was patient in difficulty, cheerful under hardship, fearless in assault, cool in danger, forbearing with his comrades, respectful and obedient to officers, and perfectly brave. His was an intelligent and active bravery too. He understood perfectly well what he joined the army for - what he wanted to accomplish, and why he wanted it. He fought on principle, recognizing the magnitude of the issues at stake and the duty which presented itself to him as a citizen and a man. There were no hostile soldiers near the camp, and no dangers anticipated. .He was fired upon by murderous citizens skulking in the bushes.

On the 9th of December the regiment went to Louisville, where it arrived on the 11th, being the first regiment of cavalry to enter that department. It remained in Louisville and Lebanon until the 28th of February, when it moved to Nashville. In the meantime Colonel O. P. Ransom and Lieutenant-colonel T. C. H. Smith had resigned, and the command devolved upon a new colonel, Minor Millikin, a native of Butler County. On the 14th of March, the First Cavalry took the advance of the column moving towards Columbia, encountering and putting to flight the rear guard of the enemy. The regiment marched through Tennessee with General Thomas's division, arriving at Pittsburg Landing just after the battle of that name had been fought. It participated in the advance upon Corinth, having frequent skirmishes with the enemy, and afterwards joined in the pursuit of Beauregard's army. During this pursuit it had four sharp engagements with the enemy, with, however, but little loss. During June the regiment was constantly employed in scouting and reconnoitering, and a detachment from Tuscumbia, under command of Colonel Emery, had a severe engagement about the Ist of July with Roddy's rebel command. Although successful, the detachment suffered severely, losing among others Captain Emery, mortally wounded.

On the 15th of July Captain Writer, with a squad, was attacked by a superior force of rebel cavalry under General Anderson. Two of the men were captured and four injured, and the captain was severely wounded. On the 25th of July companies E and K, commanded by Captain Eggleston, with two companies of the Tenth Kentucky Infantry, were attacked by a large body of rebel cavalry under General Anderson. They held out for a considerable time, but were finally compelled to retire, the enemy having captured the infantry, Captain Eggleston, and twenty-one of the cavalry. On the -1st of August the regiment moved for Decherd, Tennessee, arriving there on the 5th. Colonel Millikin, with six companies, moved to McMinnville soon after, while four companies, under Captain Patten, went on a scout to Fayetteville, where on the 19th Lieutenant Rhea, of Company I, and six men were captured. Considerable portions of it, participated in an engagement near Shepherdstown, and in the advance on Perryville. On the day after the last battle the regiment was reunited, and remained so until its final discharge, a period of three years.

General Morgan and his band of guerrillas becoming troublesome, the First Ohio and the First Kentucky cavalry were sent in pursuit of him, following him many miles through the center of the State. With other troops with whom they were brigaded they met Morgan's command of twenty-five hundred men at Gallatin, routing it, and capturing twenty-five prisoners. In the advance on Murfreesboro it moved out on the Franklin Pike, reaching that town in the afternoon, and routing the rebel force stationed there. On the 29th it encountered and defeated Wharton's brigade of rebel cavalry. On the evening of the same day the brigade and regiment took position upon the extreme right of the army, and held it throughout the struggle. On the 31st the brigade covered the retreat of our infantry, falling back slowly. Colonel Millikin had received no orders from his brigade commander applicable to such a case, and took the responsibility of sending orderlies to the various regimental commanders of the brigade, requesting them to support him in a saber charge upon the advancing foe. The occasion was pressing, and Colonel Millikin, without waiting for a response, wheeled his men into line, and threw it upon the enemy, driving them a quarter of a mile. The rebels gathered and closed in on his rear, making his situation one of extreme difficulty. Perceiving his danger, he turned his men about, and they fought their way through, but among those who lay dead on the field was the gallant young commander, Minor Millikin. Besides him, Major D. A. B. Moore and Lieutenant Condit were killed, and Adjutant Scott and Lieutenant Fordyce wounded, together with many non-commissioned officers and privates. The command of the regiment devolved upon Major Laughlin, under whom it continued to fight until the battle of Stone, River was complete.

In June it did much skirmishing and reconnoitering, and captured large quantities of rebel stores. This it continued in July, and in August several hundred horses and mules were captured. On the 2d of September it went in the direction of Rome, Georgia, meeting the enemy, and driving them from their position after a contest of an hour. The loss was ten killed and wounded.

On the 19th the First arrived on the Chickamauga battle-field, and after being engaged the whole morning, were ordered, under Lieutenant-colonel Cupp, to charge the enemy's line. The mistake of issuing such an order was quickly perceived, and was immediately countermanded, but not before the two hundred and fifty men had started under a deadly fire. One moment more and scarcely one could have been saved. Lieutenant-colonel Cupp was killed, and one-fifth of the rank and file were among the killed and wounded. He was universally beloved, and was brave to a fault. The command now devolved upon Major T. J. Patten, under whom the regiment fell back to Chattanooga.

On the 26th of September General Crook's division, of which the First Cavalry was a part, was dispatched to guard a line on the Tennessee River of fifty miles in length. On the 1st the rebel General Wheeler, with eight thousand cavalry, broke through this weak defense. His advance was met by a battalion of the First, under Major James Scott, and a severe engagement followed, in which Captain Conn, of Company B, was wounded and twenty-five men of the battalion were wounded and captured. The rebels compelled them to retire, but General Crooks soon took up the pursuit and drove them for a long distance. On the 10th the rebels succeeded, with a remnant of the overwhelming force that had crossed the Tennessee in triumph eight days before, in recrossing that stream. They were weakened, demoralized, and disheartened; they had lost their artillery and more than a thousand prisoners, and had been five times routed by a force of less than half their numbers.

On the 18th of November, with five hundred men in its ranks, the First Cavalry moved towards Chattanooga, arriving there on the morning of the 22d of November. On the evening of the same day General Sherman, having already moved his forces across the river above the town, the First Ohio and five other cavalry regiments, under Colonel Long, crossed over under cover of the infantry, and made a raid in the rear of Bragg's position, which for its brilliant success and happy termination is unsurpassed in the annals of the cavalry. The results were the destruction of twenty miles of railroad and the largest percussion cap and torpedo manufactory in the Confederacy ; two hundred wagons burned, six hundred horses and mules, and five hundred prisoners captured. Only twenty men were lost. On this raid the First had a severe engagement with the enemy at Cleveland, losing fifteen men, but inflicting on the enemy a loss of at least fifty.

On the 27th of October Colonel Long's division marched towards Knoxville, having several severe skirmishes by the way, and capturing many prisoners. Then it went on a raid into North Carolina, bringing back only one hundred and twenty effective men, instead of the five hundred it had had a month before.

hundred men, attacked a wagon train lying upon the opposite side of the Tennessee River, guarded by infantry alone. Perceiving their danger, Colonel Long, with sixty-five men of the First Cavalry, immediately crossed over, and charging the enemy, in connection with the infantry, completely routed the rebels. Leaving the in-. fantry, the little band of cavalry pushed forward four - miles, scattering the rebels, and inflicting upon them a loss of twenty-five killed and eighty wounded, and cap- - turing one hundred and thirty-one prisoners. This bril- - liant affair cost the cavalry but one man killed and three wounded. 'Taking into account the disparity of numbers, P it is almost impossible to find a parallel in the history of modern warfare.

About this time Colonel B. B. Eggleston returned from recruiting service in Ohio, and assumed command - of the regiment. In January and February the' men - nearly all re-enlisted, and came up North on a month's furlough. Those who did not re-enlist continued with Long's brigade the whole Winter.

On the Ist of April, 1864, the First was again reunited at Nashville, Tennessee, recruited to full ranks. On the 22d of May-it joined Sherman on his celebrated march. It was in a severe engagement at Moulton, resultiag in the complete defeat of General Roddy, who, - with a force of six regiments and a battery of artillery, - had attacked Long's brigade. The First lost in this about twenty killed and wounded. In front of Kenesaw - the regiment had frequent and severe skirmishing, in - which it lost about thirty men. The regiment accompanied General Kilpatrick in his raid around Atlanta. When surrounded by the enemy at Lovejoy's Station the First Cavalry particularly distinguished itself by holding in check for some time a force from Cleburne's rebel in- - fantry division, with a loss of fifty men. Among the killed was Captain W. H. Scott. The brigade com- - mander, Colonel Eli Long, was severely wounded in this - affair, which devolved the command of the brigade upon

Colonel B. B. Eggleston, and the regiment upon Lieutenant-colonel Thomas J. Patten, its old and tried chief. When General Hood attempted to cut Sherman's communications the First Cavalry followed in pursuit.