USA > Ohio > History of the three months' and three years' service from April 16th, 1861, to June 22d, 1864, of the Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the war for the Union > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
Go 973. 74 0h3ke 1652495
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
JC
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00824 2510
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012
http://archive.org/details/historyofthreemo00kepl
HISTORY
OF THE
THREE MONTHS' AND THREE YEARS' SERVICE
FROM APRIL 16TH, 1861, TO JUNE 22D, 1864,
OF THE
FOURTH REGIMENT OHIO
VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
IN THE
WAR FOR THE UNION,
By WM. KEPLER, Ph.D., Private of Company C, Commander Berea Post, G. A. R., Act. Frest. Baldwin University, Secretary of N. O. Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
CLEVELAND, O .: LEADER PRINTING COMPANY, 146 SUPERIOR STREET. 1886.
1652495
DEDICATED TO THE
Comrades and loved ones of the "old Fourth Ohio," Whether still fighting life's battles or gathered on the Eternal Camping Grounds.
FOURTH O. V. I. ASSOCIATION.
CANTON, O., December 1, 1882.
Dear Sir:
At the last Re.union of the 4th O. V. I., a Committee was appointed to arrange for the preparation and publication of a History of the Regiment. By arrangement with the Committee, Professor WILLIAM KEPLER, of Baldwin University, Ohio, late of Company "C," Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, will write such a history. He has in his possession considerable material for the work, but desires the assistance of every member of the regiment who can in any way aid him. Will you send him copies of any official papers you may have, and write out and send him anything in the way of personal experience, or incidents of camp life, that you think will be of interest?
The History will, so far as possible, contain an account of the organi- zation of each company, with a complete roster of all officers and men; a detailed statement of the different campaigns, marches and battles; official reports of the Commanding Officers, showing the part taken by the regiment in the different battles and skirmishes, with lists of the killed, wounded, etc., and other information that will be invaluable to every member of the "Old Fourth."
All material should be sent direct to Professor William Kepler, Baldwin University, Berea, Ohio, and letters of inquiry may be addressed to A. M. Anderson, Delaware, Ohio, or to George F. Laird, the Secretary of the Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry Association, at Canton, Ohio.
JAMES H. GODMAN, GEORGE F. LAIRD, (K)
A. M. ANDERSON, (C) Committee.
The following were added:
I. UNDERWOOD, (A)
CHARLES COLLIER, (G)
PHILIP ROBERTSON, (B)
HI. WILSON, (H)
O. E. LEWIS, (I))
WILLIAM M. CAMP, (I)
C. W. MCCLURE, (E)
A. TILTON, (O) and
L. S. ENSIGN, (F) WILLIAM KEPLER, (C)
Chairman.
٠
COMRADES : After much hesitation and many misgivings, the request of the "4th O. V. I. Association " was complied with, additional material gathered, and most of the work written in short-hand by April Ist, 1883; corrected and re-written with Caligraph by August Ist, 1883; then came two years of patient waiting for comrades to send in promised incidents, etc., most of which is still promised. Knowing that many other regimental histories had not paid for their printing, a number of comrades at the Reunion in Kenton, August 6th, 1885, gave assurance for a sufficient sum to print and bind, yet by some misunderstanding the list did not reach the author for three months. We are indebted to Comrades Patterson, Ustick, Keiser, Krug, Collier, Lewis and McPherson for information ; to Lt. Jeffries in regard to Company E; to Lt. Anderson for in- valuable assistance and encouragement ; to Capt. Olmstead for figures in regard to Camp Pendleton ; to Adjutant Wallace for dates, details and Rosters ; to Capt. Laird for much information and assistance; to President Garrett and Genl. Pass. Agt. Lord of the Baltimore and Ohio for six electrotype plates, and passes to Baltimore and Harrisonburg; to B. F. Horner, Genl. Pass. Agt. Nickle Plate, for information and favors ; to Wm. Swinton, the " American Napier," for privilege of using his maps as pub- lished in his "Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac ;" to the publishers for their courteous treatment and excellent work.
Captain Laird's scrap-book up to battle of Fredericksburg, the author's diary-with pen and watch in hand-written on the spot, giving time, words, incidents, occurrences and loca- tions, together with memory's tablet, form the basis of the history; there is and has been no attempt to relate all, but to make an octavo of no more than three hundred pages, which accounts for the brief statements in regard to the spring campaign of 1864. Two trips were made to Washington to gain access to the regimental records, but neither times were the records seen because it was "against orders."
Mention of other commands is frequently made, yet they are necessarily kept in the background, because we are not writing their history. In order to be truthful many undesirable slang phrases have been recorded, and reflections preserved. An "honest effort has been made to reproduce the sayings and doings of the boys of the Fourth, and since so little was furnished the author by others, much is from necessity given from his stand . point. The obituary of Captain McMillen was furnished by Lt. Jeffries ; of Captain Wallace by Captain Laird; that of Surgeon Morrison was taken from the Delaware Gasette. The writer knew nothing of the life Dr. McAbee previous to enlistment until the time the items were printed. Most of the work has been carried forward midst many cares and responsibilities, and it is a matter of rejoicing that the last pages of our labor of love are now ready for comrades, whose memories, may they be ever cherished by a grateful country.
Yours, in Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty,
WM. KEPLER.
CLEVELAND, OHIO, April 12th, 1886.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
The Fourth Ohio-Where Raised-Age and Character of its Men, With the Questions They Had Settled and Determinations Made Before the " Overt Act" on Fort Sumpter-Intense In- dignation-Call for Troops by Lincoln-By Dennison-Enlist- ment-Organization of Companies- Election of Officers -- Drilling-Settlement of Business Affairs-Good-bye-Off for Columbus-First Arrest and First Forced March-Mode of Designation of Officers. 13-18 .
CHAPTER II.
The Fourth Organized for Three Months-Names of Field and Staff-Place and Organization of Companies-Off for Camp Dennison-Soaking Wet Before Midnight-Wading Mud and Putting up Board Tents at Early Morn. 18-25
CHAPTER III.
Mustered into United States Service for Three Months- Tents Finished-Drill -- Calls-Fooling With the Guard-Re- enlist for Three Years-Home on Furlough. 25-29
CHAPTER IV.
Off for Western Virginia-Grafton-Clarksburg-To Camp Elk Creek-To "Camp Starvation"-Rain-To Buckhannon -Fourth of July-Grand Review-Camp and Fun at Middle Fork Bridge-First Glimpse of Rebels-Reconnaisance-A Night's Terrible Experience in Rain and Darkness-Battle of Rich Mountain-To Beverly-Guard Several Hundred Rebels -Through Huttonville to Top of Cheat Mountain and Return.
29-35
CHAPTER V.
First Man Killed-McClellan Leaves Us-Whither the Fourth? To Laurel Hill-Phillipi-Webster-By Rail to Oak- land-In Thunderstorm-To New Creek-Scattered as Rail- road Guard-March to Fort Pendleton-Work on Fort -- "Johnnies Too Many for Us at Petersburg"-Being Rein- forced, Drive Them From the Town-Death of Colonel Andrews.
35-44
CHAPTER VI.
Rapid March to New Creek-The Next Day to Mechan. icsburg Gap-Skirmish-The Charge Into Romney-First "Romney Race"-List of Wounded-Confederate Lying and Boasting-Return to the Monotony of Fort Pendleton-Snow on Mountains. 44-49
CHAPTER VII.
Colonel Mason Assumes Command of the Regiment-Across the Country to New Creek-Toward Romney-In Sight of the Town -Shelling Cemetery Hill-The Charge Into Town - Rebels Stampede-Second Romney Race-Locate Camp at Western Entrance of Town-Foraging-Rout at Blue's Gap- "Stonewall" Jackson Proposes to "Scoop" Us-Hilarious Times of Company E at Fort Pendleton. 49-56
CHAPTER VIII.
Evacuate Romney-Joined by General Lander at Springfield -In Snow-Rains Abundant-From Dunning's to Mason's Artillery Brigade-Death of Lander-To Paw-Paw-To Back Creek-General Shields Commands Division-To Martinsburg and Winchester-In Line of Battle with General Banks- Scattered to Harper's Ferry, Winchester and Berryville as Pro- vost Guard-Fourth Ohio Times-Mason in Charge of Artillery at Battle of Winchester-With Advance to Cedar Creek, Edin- burg, Mt. Jackson, Rood's Hill and New Market. 56-65
CHAPTER IX.
"On to Richmond " -- Join McDowell at Falmouth-Disobey Orders to Camp in Plowed Field-Return, Route-Step, Via Catlett's, Manassas and Thoroughfare-The Charge into Front Royal-Forward to Help Fremont bag. Jackson - To the Rescue at Port Republic-Our Rapid Retreat, Fearing Long- street Might bag Us-Surgeon McAbee Enters Enemy's Lines to Care for Wounded-By a " Happenstance" go to Bristol by Rail. 65-71
CHAPTER X.
By Rail to Alexandria-Steam Down the Chesapeake, Pass the Wrecks of Congress and Cumberland, up the James-Cover Retreat of Grand Army of the Potomac-First Severe Skirmish -Line Advanced-Second Skirmish-Reviews-Monotony- Intense Heat-Stagnant Water-Much Sickness.
71-75
CHAPTER XI.
Form Rear-guard of Army Down the Peninsula-Yorktown -Big Bethel-Newport News-On the Cahawba to Acquia Creek-On Long Island to Alexandria-Hurry to the Rescue of General Pope-Criticisms of Comrades -- Battle of Chantilly and Rainstorm-All-Night March of Three Miles-To Rock- ville-Relieved-Rendezvous at Fort Gaines. 75-80
CHAPTER XII.
Statements of Colonel Mason and Surgeon McAbee as to Cause of the Prostration of Nearly Seven-eighths of the Men in the Regiment-Rejoin Corps at Harper's Ferry-With Raid to Leesburg -- To Halltown-As Provost. 80-86
CHAPTER XIII.
With Army "On to Richmond"-Foraging-Puckering Per- simmons-In Line of Battle to Gregory's Gap-As Skirmishers into Snicker's Gap-Mason Returns-Grand Review-Snow- storm-McClellan Relieved by Burnside-Hard March-Many Overcome in the Pineries by Heat-In Camp Near Falmouth- The Long-roll Calls to Arms. 86-91
CHAPTER XIV.
Preparations for Winter Quarters-Forward Against Freder- icksburg-Over Pontoons to Rear of City-Send Out Skirm- ishers-Anticipate a Forlorn Hope-Advance as Skirmishers to the Slaughter-Establish Line in Front of Marye Heights -Witness Horrible Scenes-Relieved-Wounded Taken into the City-Bivouac at the River-Return to Old Camp-Partial List of Casualties. 91-102
CHAPTER XV.
Grand Review-Forward-A Flank Movement Under tor- rents-" Burnside Stuck in the Mud "-Mason Leaves Us- Causes of "French Furloughs"-"Fighting Joe Hooker" Re- lieves Burnside and Reorganizes the Army-Blue Trefoil Adopted-Furloughs and Leaves Granted-Camp Life, Sensa- tions and Amusements-Snider, Brooks, and Finally Carroll, in Command of Brigade, and Carpenter of Regiment-Grand Re- view by Lincoln. 102-108
CHAPTER XVI.
"On to Richmond" Via Chancellorsville-On Picket at United States Ford-Cross River-In Advance Over Con-
-
federate Works-Bivouac at Whitehouse-Forward to Support of Hancock's Division-Return to Bivouac-Assist in Bringing Order out of Chaos-Bloody Charge on Sunday Morning-On the Skirmish Line for Several Days-Bring Up the Rear-Return to Old Camp. 108-117
CHAPTER XVII.
Move into Camp in the Grove-Hancock in Command of the Corps-Prof. Lowe's Last Aeronautism-Leave Camp as Rear- Guard-With the Advance Over Bull Run Battle-field-The " Monkeying About " at Edward's Ferry-Northward Through Frederick City-Meade Relieves Hooker-Comrades' Deter- minations Against the Invader --- Hancock's Statement to Carroll in Regard to Our Position. 117-126
CHAPTER XVIII.
Forward to Cemetery Ridge-Companies Sent Forward on Picket-Relieved by G and 1, Which Are Made to Suffer Severe- ly-Go with 14th Indiana and 7th West Va. to Rescue of Howard -Capture Many and Repulse the Rest of Hoke's "Louisiana Tigers"-The Racket at Culp's Hill-The Terrible Onset of July 3d-Partial List of Killed and Wounded. 126-134
CHAPTER XIX.
Confederate Retreat-The Pursuit-To Frederick City Past Dangling Spy-Bivouac at Crampton's Gap-To Keedysville- In Line of Battle at Jones' Cross Roads; Reconnaisance Toward Hagerstown and Skirmish at Funkstown-Lee's Escape-To Harper's Ferry-Down Pleasant Valley -To Upperville, Through Manassas Gap-Meade and the Forager-The Attack of Black Ants-To Kelley's Ford and Elk Run. 134-140
CHAPTER XX.
To Alexandria-On Board Steamer Atlantic to New York City- To Jamaica Plains-Grand Times in New York and Brooklyn- Return by Boat to Alexandria-Rapid March to Rejoin Corps in Command of General Warren-Foraging and Squirrel Hunting of the Boys Provokes Gibbon's Ire-Vote for Governor-Battle of Auburn-Of Bristoe-To Centerville-Return to Greenwich.
140-147
CHAPTER XXI.
Getting Ready for Winter Quarters-To Kelley's Ford- Through Wilderness-Battles of Robertson's Tavern, and Mine Run-March to the Left-Skirmishing-Serious Preparation for a Forlorn Hope-Warren's Sensible Decision to Sacrifice His Commission Rather Than His Men-Return to Camp and Winter Quarters. 147-152
.
CHAPTER XXII.
Camp Located at Cole's Hill-Log Huts - Lively Times-7th West Va. Re-enlists-Diversion in Favor of a Movement on the Peninsula-Wading Morton's Ford-Battle; Carroll on His Own Account Charges the Enemy-Captain Stroub's Account, and Resume of Good Work-List of Casualties. 152-159
CHAPTER XXIII.
Marsonian Literary Society Organized-Marsonian Literary Cas- ket Printed-Brigade Chapel Built-Lectures, Schools, Debates- Decided Improvement in Morals-Gathering of the Elite at Corps Headquarters February 22-Music ad Nauseam-Hancock and Grant With Us-Grand Reviews-Reorganization and Consolida- tion-Eight Regiments in the Brigade-Preparations for Our Last Campaign-The Black and Crimson Sand-storm. 159-163.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Leave Our Last Camp and Winter Quarters-Cross Rapidan at Ely's Ford-Wagon-guard to Chancellorsville- On the Double- quick to Join in the Grand Charge at Wilderness-Enemy is Driven -We Are Nearly Captured-Fall Back-Rally-Join to Repel and Make Successful Counter-charge in the Evening-Move Toward the Right-List of Casualties-Beyond Todd's Tavern-Vigorous Skirmishing-Artillery and Musketry-We are on Reserve-Across the Po River-The Volley Into Our Bivouac at Night-Vigorous Artillery and Musketry in the Morning-Toward the Left and Join in Charge at Laurel Hill-Sad Havoc Made in Our Ranks in Five Minutes-Join in Grand and Successful Charge of Spottsylvania -Reconnaisance-Carroll Wounded. 163-175
CHAPTER XXV.
Battle of the Ny-Grand Early Morning Charge and Repulse -To Massaponax Church-Guinea Station-Bowling Green- Cross Mattapony -Skirmish -Join Reconnaisance - Reach North Anna-Artillery Duel-Skirmish-Volunteer Inspectors of Bridge Wounded-Cross River-Severe Skirmishing-Toward Left Flank -- Cross Pamunky-In Line of Battle on Huntley's Farm-Severe Skirmishing Daily and Advance in Force Beyond the Totopotomoy-Forward at Night Toward Left-Grand Charge at Cold Harbor-Repel Charge-Serious Work-Narrow Escapes -Smythe's Farewell Order-Good-by to Comrades-Homeward -Discharged at Columbus, O., June 22d, 1864. 175-186 Place and Date of Skirmishes and Battles in which part or all of the Fourth was Engaged. 186-187
CHAPTER XXVI.
Experiences in Rebel Prisons 188-189
Memoirs : Colonels Andrews and Cantwell-Surgeons Mc- Abee and Morrison-Chaplain Warner-Captains Wallace and McMillen. 189-199
Chronological Record Giving Daily Doings, Incidents, Times and Distances Marched, Etc. 199-217
Correspondence Regarding Failure to Recognize Our Work at Gettysburg-Howard Criticised by A. A. A. Genl. Reid, of Carroll's Staff, now of Chicago-Gibbon's Letter to Carroll- Captain Huntington's Tribute to Carroll and His Men- Howard's Communication to the Editor of the Chronicle and Letter of Thanks to Carroll.
217-22I
Muster-Roll of Three Months' Men and Rosters of Three Years' Service. 221-287
-: 0:
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Frontispiece-Old Flag and Standard -
I
Cranberry Grade-Going Eastward 30
National Bridge-Near Cumberland - 37
Colonel Lorin Andrews - 42
Along the Potomac-Near Sir John's Run 58
Harper's Ferry, Looking East
62
Surgeon H. M. McAbee
69
Map of the Peninsula
72
Map of Pope's Campaign -
78
Jefferson's Rock 84
Colonel James H. Godman
95
Map of Fredericksburg - 98
Map of Chancellorsville - 109
Map of Gettysburg-First and Third Day-
125
Map of Gettysburg-Second Day 130
Harper's Ferry, Looking West 136
Surgeon Morrison - 146
Map of the Wilderness 164
Map of Spottsylvania - 170
Map of North Anna 176
Map of Cold Harbor - 179
Map of Country Around Richmond
182
Captain James Wallace
- 196
1
-
CHAPTER I.
THE GREAT UPRISING IN THE NORTHERN STATES- ENLISTMENTS FOR THREE MONTHS-EXPERIENCES AT CAMP JACKSON, COLUMBUS.
The Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the War for the Union, made up of companies raised in the Northern Central part of the State of Ohio, in the counties of Wayne, Stark, Knox, Delaware, Marion and Hardin, and mostly from the cities of Wooster, Canton, Mount Vernon, Delaware, Marion and Kenton, within one week after President Lincoln had issued his Proclamation calling for seventy-five thousand men to serve for three months, was composed principally of young men from prominent families and comfortable homes of farmers, merchants, mechanics, and the various professions, and who had also had more than ordinary facilities for education and improvement.
These young men had also been brought up in the very midst of the heated discussions of the day concerning slavery, the "Missouri Compromise," the "Dred Scott Decision," and the "Struggles of Bleeding Kansas;" had questioned the wisdom and object of "John Brown's Raid" on Harper's Ferry; had just passed through the most exciting Presidential campaign known in the annals of the Nation; had criticised the course of the out-going as well as observed the men and purposes of the in-coming administration ; had witnessed the secession from the Union of one Southern State after another; hoping, too, that these States, seeing their error, would yet retrace their steps, but fearing also that they might commit some overt act which would plunge the Nation into a civil war that might cause it to be counted among the things of the past.
In the home, in the social circle, in workshops and in college halls, they had debated and settled for themselves some of the gravest questions of their times; settled that no State had a
14
FOURTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
right to secede, and that the General Government could, ought · and must coerce any and every State that seceded, and that the Union must and shall be preserved.
1
It was because of such conclusions and determinations, and not on account of the excitement of the hour, that this thousand, with other thousands of America's youth, without asking a word about the pay or bounty, sprang to arms when the first gun that fired upon Fort Sumter sounded the reveille that reverberated from every hilltop throughout the land which our forefathers had wrenched from the tyrant's grasp.
On Sunday, April 14, 1861, there flashed over the telegraph wires the news, "Fort Sumter is taken!" The terrible suspense of the three past months was now broken; there was unparalleled excitement; the usual quiet of a Sabbath gone; unnoticed were the peals of the evening bells that called together the worshipers. The leader of the services was constrained to earnestly pray, "O God, save my country!" but how could he preach when the church was empty and the streets thronged? Yet the preacher began his sermon, forgot the text, to speak burning words for his country to a constantly increasing audience that was seeking wisdom, guidance and comfort in the Holy Place, where God had promised to hear and answer.
Let us not forget that the scene in one city found its counter- part in every other.
The last patriot had not yet lain down to rest when the first blush of early dawn came and found families bestirring them- selves, and anxious ones hurrying down street to learn the latest news. Men sat down to the prepared meal, but could not eat ; went to their shops, but could not work; entered their offices, but could do no business. In offices, in shops, in hotels and on the streets there gathered groups, hearing and discussing the news, expressing opinions, commenting upon the situation, and, for the first time in their lives, applied to their countrymen with whom they had sympathized, worked and voted, the odious · terms of "traitors," "rebels," "secessionists," "nigger-drivers" and "fire-eaters."
Before noon hundreds had left the early plow and their country hornes, hastened to the city, where all business was now forgot- ten, and joined the gathered throng that worried through the
1
15
ENLISTMENT FOR THREE MONTHS.
streets. The press was issuing "extras" each recurring hour. In the wildest excitement the day passed, and another night and another morning came with renewed excitement, flying reports. canards, misgivings and queries. What is to be done? what will be done? has the Ship of State been wrecked upon the secession-rock? were questions, asked and that morning for- ever answered, when, in the early papers, the tens and hundreds of thousands of patriots read the call of Abraham Lincoln for seventy-five thousand volunteers to serve for three months. The call met a quick and hearty response, and stamped joy and confidence upon countenances that thus far had worn expressions of the deepest anxiety. There was no longer any question in regard to the attitude of the President, which now gave the fullest assurance to the most fearful that he was the man for the occasion. No one dared to express sympathy for the secession cause, for already there had been reported the fact that, for so doing, one man had been hung and another shot down in his tracks, and that even in Delaware a preacher came near serving a like fate.
This day came Governor Dennison's call for thirteen thousand volunteers. Before ten hours had passed great crowds gathered in the most spacious halls of the cities, and most of the com- panies of the Fourth Ohio began enlisting, while stirring speeches were made by prominent men, some of whom either headed the list or added their own name to the rapidly lengthening roll of volunteers.
Officers were nominated and elected by those who had enlisted, and the authorities of the State apprised of the action. In most of the above-named cities and counties a second company was organized before or as soon as the first company had its full quota of one hundred enlisted men. Evening after evening the people were called together by fife and drum to help fill the quota of companies already organized, and listen to the flow of eloquence of some who had already enlisted, as well as of others who were very willing that their neighbors should enlist, and, indeed, that their neighbors' sons should at once go forth to do and dare in so just a cause, and "return, very probably, in a few weeks or months at least, all covered with glory, for it is only a breakfast job."
16
FOURTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
The mighty tide of loyalty and patriotism swept each speaker beyond all political affiliations and party lines; some even were torn from the moorings of a lifelong faith. One such especially comes to mind, who, gyrating about the platform and with arms sawing the air, proclaimed with mighty voice that he "had never believed there was a hell; but, if there is none, there ought to be one for the traitors, who, because they can no longer rule, are determined to destroy the grandest government upon the face of the earth."
There came several rainy days. Rain or shine, each com- pany met in its own hall, where the men were assigned their places, in front or rear rank, according to looks and size, begin- ning with the tallest man as No. I. They marched and counter- marched, each doing his utmost to perform the difficult task of "keeping step" to the tap of the drum, or the command "right" -"left." The "Phunney Phellows," and there were not a few of them, soon travestied the commands into "hay-foot"-"straw_ foot," and for a brief time afforded considerable merriment.
After having mastered the "keeping step," and each man knew without doubt his number and place in the ranks, the company was marched through the streets, where the dextrous maneuverings excited the admiration of friends, and the mighty strides of the short legged fellow that brought up the rear gave occasion for roars of laughter. There was but little drilling, since many were men of affairs, which they must settle as rapidly as possible in order to be ready to go to the front without a moment's delay.
There was not much time to make calls upon friends and visit relatives, and those we vowed and pledged should become rela- tives when we, as "bold soldier boys, returned home from the wars," for by the beginning of another week an order came from Columbus to report there for duty.
The hour for leaving had been set-an hour that tried men's souls-when fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers and lovers bade "Good-bye" to loved ones, then instantly obeyed the command "Fall in; forward, march!" moved through the main street. following the beautiful flag presented by wives and sweethearts, marched to the tap of the drum, and greeted on all sides by waving kerchiefs and flags, the ready hat high in air, and words
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.