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Gc 973.894 0h3c 1555908
M. L'
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GENEALOS.
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01083 6309
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012
http://archive.org/details/fourteenthohion00crea
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DIED IN SERVICE. "TO LIVE IN HEARTS WE LEAVE BEHIND IS NOT TO DIE."
PATRICK AHERN D.F.RANDOLPH
CE-LAWSON D.H.DODGE
J.H .COUTS
W.C.DUNLAP
S.L.HILL
M.M.MORGAN
L.H.MITCHELL CARL KREUZ
W.W.REED
J.W.WALKER
W.F.FERRIS.
F.L. PATTERSON
I.E.SIMMS
KUERT SPARKA
J.W.DENT
H.M.MORRISON A.L. VERTNER
W.C.WINTER
G.F.FERRIN J-L-SNYDER
W.P.MARKESON F.C.BRIGGS G.H.SHUSTER
BUCHER ING CO . coisa,
The Fourteenth Ohio
National Guard,- The Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
A COMPLETE RECORD OF THIS ORGANIZATION FROM ITS FOUNDATION TO THE PRESENT DAY.
BY Sergt. Maj. Chas. E. Creager.
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WITH FULL ACCOUNT OF STRIKE, RIOT, AND COMPLI- MENTARY DUTY, AND THE CAMPAIGN IN THE
Spanish-American War.
A COMPLETE ROSTER OF MEMBERS AT THE TIME OF MUSTER OUT OF THE UNITED STATES SERVICE.
INTRODUCTIONS BY
THE PRESIDENT OF THE U. S. AND THE GOVERNOR OF OHIO.
Gc 973.894 0h3c
PRESS OF THE LANDON PRINTING & PUBLISHING CO., COLUMBUS, OHIO. 1899.
ILLUSTRATIONS BY BUCHER ENGRAVING CO.
COPYRIGHT 1899
WALTER F. CLOWES.
1535908
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON.
It is a pleasure to make this acknowledgment of my appreciation of the serbices rendered by the Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in Porto Rico and elsewhere, during the recent war.
The officers and men of this regiment habe maintained the splendid reputation as set forth in the following record of the citizen-soldiery of Ohio. Very sincerely,
STATE OF OHIO, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR.
The record of the Fourteenth O. N. G .- Fourth O. V. I. is a most admirable one, and these organi- zations are happily deserving the perpetuation the fol- lowing pages have given. From the time of its or- ganization to the day of its departure for the front, the Fourteenth Infantry most loyally and ably sup- ported the State Executive, With their influence in peace or their valor when their active services were required. And again, when called into the service of the Na- tional Government, the organization proved itself a most trustworthy representative of the State.
My best wish for the regiment would be that its future may be as bright and honorable as its past.
Asa S. Bushwell
Governor of Ohio. 1
CONTENTS.
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CHAPTER I.
EARLY HISTORY.
Citizen Soldiery of Ohio-Ohio in War-Settlement at Mari- etta-Early Military Laws-Organization and Regula- tions-Reorganization of 1821-Military Convention- Camp at Columbus-Military in Ohio in the Fifties-The Civil War-Fear of Invasion-The Ohio National Guard-The O. N. G. in the Civil War-Quick Muster and Equipment-The Fourth O. V. I .- Ohio National Guard Disbanded - Reorganization of 1876 - Labor Troubles-Unsettled Condition of the Country.
CHAPTER II.
THE FOURTEENTH INFANTRY.
Formation of Regiments-Meeting at State House-Captain Ammel's Work-Companies Formed-Adjutant Groven- er's Order-The Regiment Organized-First Duty in Columbus-Chaplain Moore Elected-Trouble in Perry County-The Gatling Gun-Garfield Funeral at Cleve- land-Colonel Freeman Re-elected-A Busy Year-Jus- tice at Cincinnati-The Cincinnati Riots-Colonel Free- man's Report-Killed and Wounded.
CHAPTER III.
AN EPOCH OF EXCURSIONS.
Trouble in Hocking County-Companies K and B on Duty- Camp at Detroit-The Field of Gettysburg-Colonel Freeman's Proposition-Corporal Grisso Killed-The Fourteenth at Philadelphia-Inconveniences Suffered by Ohio's Soldiers-Columbus Armory Burned-Hospital
CONTENTS.
Corps Organized-State Encampment at Columbus- Ohio's Centennial-The Fourteenth in New York-An- nual Encampments.
CHAPTER IV.
STRIKES AND RIOTS.
Resignation of Colonel Freeman-Election of Colonel Coit- General Sherman's Funeral at St. Louis-Duty at Chi- cago-Howe on 1894-The Wheeling Creek Campaign- Causes for the Strike-Troops Called Out-Services of the Fourteenth-The Result-Galvin's Army-Trouble at Washington C. H .- Colonel Charged With Murder- Annual Encampments.
CHAPTER V.
WAR WITH SPAIN.
Period of Peace-Condition of Army and Navy-American Peace Policy-Relations Between England and Spain- Cessions of land from Spain to United States-Cuban Insurrection-The "Ten Years' War"-Second Rebel- lion-Daily Press Reports-Cuban and Spanish Lead- ers-Weyler's "Reconcentrado" Plan-General Lee's Report-The De Lome Affair-Destruction of the Maine-The Country Aroused-Cry for War-Prepara- tions for War-President's Proclamation-Declaration of War-Dewey's Victory-Ohio's Volunteers-Militia Assembled-The Fourteenth at the Auditorium-Camp Bushnell.
CHAPTER VI.
THE FOURTEENTH-FOURTH.
The March to Camp Bushnell-Camp Life-Changes in Company Organization-Drills and Parades-Growth of the Camp-Change of Name-Signal Corps Dropped- The Regimental Band-Bad Weather-Rumors-Order to Leave-Parting Scenes-Camp Bushnell Left Be- hind-The March to the Depot-Scenes Along the March-At the Depot-Columbus Left Behind-Arrival at Chattanooga.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VII.
CAMP GEORGE H. THOMAS.
The Ride to Chickamauga Park-From Lytle to the Camp- Early Experiences-The Regiment Assigned-Hard Tack and Bacon-A Military Training School-Facts About Lytle-Regimental "Canteens"-Amusement- Facts About the Camp-Some of Its Advantages-Vis- itors from Home and from Abroad-Evening Parades- Cakes, Pies and Sweetmeats-Religious Services-Re- connoitering Expeditions-A Sham Battle-Setting up and Breaking Camps-Sink Details-Rumors and Or- ders-Good News at Last.
CHAPTER VIII.
TO NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA.
'The March to Rossville-To Chattanooga-Delays-The Trip Through Kentucky-Receptions Along the Line- Up the Alleghenies-Peep at Piedmont Valley-"On to Richmond"-At Newport News-A "Pup Tent" Camp- Reception-Dynamite Guns-Company F Becomes a Battery-Changes of Officers-Delays and More Ru- mors-Transport "St. Paul"-Transferring Baggage- Waiting Orders-Off to Sea.
CHAPTER IX.
OFF TO PORTO RICO.
Sail on Friday-The Trip Through the Harbor-The St. Paul-"Travel Rations"-"Prime Roast Beef"-Hard Tack and Coffee-Boston Baked Beans-Tomatoes-One Dollar Pies-Sea Sickness-Religious Services at Sea- Fine Weather Voyage-Warlike Preparations-At the Harbor of Ponce-Cruise to Arroyo-Kragg Jorgensen Rifles-End of the Voyage-The Landing.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER X.
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THE FOURTH UNDER FIRE.
Arroyo-The People and Climate-First Day in Camp- Native Cigarettes-A Practice March-Orders from General Haines-Fresh Beef Issue-Accident to Colonel Coit-Major Speaks Takes Advance-Military Terms Explained-A Frenchman's Information-A Funeral "Procession"-The House "To the left"-Sergeant Rad- cliffe's Ride-Under Fire-Spanish Bullets and Spanish Marksmanship-Effect of Spanish Fire-Effect of American Fire-Line of Battle Formed-Unjust Re- ports-Spaniards Retreat-Capture of Guayama-The Flag Raising-The Spaniards Rally-Dynamite Guns in Action-First Night in Guayama.
CHAPTER XI.
THE ROAD TO CAYEY.
"Battle" of Guayama-Comments on the Capture-Effect of This Duty Upon the Regiment-General Haines and the Fourth Ohio-Restlessness in the City-Reconnoiter of the Road-Spanish Camp Located-Orders for Second Reconnoiter-A False Alarm-A Break for Guayama- Stories of Ambush-Their Effect-Excitement at Head- quarters-Regiment Made a Rescuing Party-American versus Spaniard-Dynamite Guns in Action-A Make- Shift Caisson-Barrio De Las Palmas-Other Expe- ditions.
CHAPTER XII.
ONE WEEK OF REST.
The Fourth Appreciated by People at Guayama-A General Cleaning Up-Beautiful Scenery-Early Impression of Porto Rico-Commissary Condition-Fresh Meat at the. Outposts-The Water Supply-Horses and Reinforce- ments Arrive-Hospital Established-Rumors Again- Preparations for Advance-Final Orders Issued-Death of Sam Hill.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIII.
BEGINNING OF THE END.
Imposing Scenes-Breakfast in the Rain-Expedition As- signed to Fourth Ohio-March Begun-Guide "Backs Out"-Plan of Operations-A Rocky Road-A Hot Day-Danger in Straggling-Lunch and a Short Rest- End of the March-Hostilities Suspended-Retraced Steps-Friday and the Thirteenth-Intense Suffering- Temporary Camp-Hospital Call-Permanent Camp.
CHAPTER XIV.
IN CAMP AT GUAYAMA.
Miserable Location-Causes of Dissatisfaction-Health of the Men-Desire to Return Home-Sickness-Condition at Hospital-Changes in Commanders-Market-Finan- cial Condition of Men-The Paymaster-Better Times- Visit of Mr. Klotts-Orders to Move-Brigade Dis- banded.
CHAPTER XV.
FROM GUAYAMA TO SAN JUAN.
Regiment Leaves Guayama Camp-"The Girl I Left Behind Me"-Marching Through Rain-Road to Cayey-A Terrible March-Arrived at Cayey-Further Detach- ments-Flag Raising-March to Caguas-Duty There- Flags Raised-March to Rio Piedros-Arrival at San Juan.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE HOSPITAL CORPS.
The Corps in the Fourteenth-Its Organization and Effi- ciency-Its Effect on Enlistment-Refused Admittance as a Body Into the U. S. Service-Members Enlist in Companies-Details at Camp Thomas-Reserve Ambu-
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CONTENTS.
lance Corps-Detachments From the Regiment-Orders for Porto Rico-Reunited on Massachusetts-Again Separated in Porto Rico-Sent to San Juan-Home With the Regiment-Stragglers Arrive.
CHAPTER XVII.
ARMY OF OCCUPATION.
What General Brooke Said of the Fourth Ohio-D Company to Humacao-A Forty Miles' March-M Company by Sea to Vieques-Duty at Fajardo-Trouble at Carolina- Beautiful Country at Aibonito-An Officer Assaulted at Cayey-B Company at Rio Piedras-Record of Events in the Companies Which Americanized the Eastern Third of Porto Rico.
CHAPTER XVIII.
HOME AGAIN.
Orders to Leave-Preparation-Arrival of Forty-seventh New York-U. S. S. S. Chester at Arroyo-At San Juan-Leaving the Island-Advantages and Disad- vantages of the Chester-The Homeward Voyage Death of Private Vertner-Arrival at New York- Jersey City-Received by the President-To Colum- bus - Reception - Furlough-Assembly-Accident at Auditorium-Muster Out-Concluding Remarks.
The Fourteenth O. N. G .- The Fourth O. V. I.
CHAPTER I.
EARLY HISTORY.
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Citizen Soldiery of Ohio-Ohio in War-Settlement at Mari- etta-Early Military Laws-Organization and Regula- tions-Reorganization of 1821-Military Convention- Camp at Columbus-Military in Ohio in the Fifties-The Civil War-Fear of Invasion-The Ohio National Guard-The O. N. G. in the Civil War-Quick Muster and Equipment-The Fourth O. V. I .- Ohio National Guard Disbanded - Reorganization of 1876 - Labor- Troubles-Unsettled Condition of the Country.
The military spirit of the citizens of the State of Ohio, the valor of the soldiery made up of the sons of the Buckeye state both at home and abroad, have excited favorable comment from those who have watched the achievements of Ohioans in every other state in the Union. From the fierce struggle for su- premacy with the Indians in the Ohio valley while the territory now occupied by the state was an unbroken wilderness, to the present time, the people on the right bank of the picturesque Ohio have been noted for their integrity as citizens and their bravery as soldiers.
When the colonial government in the early days. of our history needed assistance in the battles with the French and Indians, companies of hardy settlers-
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THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G.
shouldered their flint-locks, hastened to the scene of hostilities and upon them was always thrown the brunt of the battle. When the struggle for American in- dependence was begun, even though the safety of their own homes was in peril, the American forces were strengthened by the brave Ohio Valley volunteers. They were trained riflemen, invincible as the rocks over which rolled the mighty river which separated them from the east, and they were born soldiers. They were accustomed to all the hardships attending the life of a soldier, and ever ready to respond to a cause which needed their support; they have in every struggle in which the country has been involved, done their duty and done it well.
There has never been a war in the history of the nation wherein the Ohio valley did not furnish her full share of soldiers. On the great roll of honor of the nation, the names of Ohio's sons appear as the greatest leaders, the firmest supporters of the general government and the freest to make any sacrifice re- quired to hasten a desired end.
In the piping times of peace, her fertile valleys have yielded immense quantities of provisions for her own citizens as well as for those who were less fortu- nately situated, and by the good management and frugal habits of her citizens she has become one of the most prosperous states in the Union.
The first permanent white settlement made with- in the present limits of the state was made at Marietta in the year 1788, and in that year provisions were made by the territorial judges "for the best pro-
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THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G.
tection of the territory." All male citizens between the ages of sixteen and fifty were compelled to perform military duty. The first general assembly under the Constitution of Ohio did not meet until March 1, 1803, and in the following December the first state military law was passed. This law provided that all free white male citizens, with a few defined exceptions, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, and all emigrants within the age limit, and within twenty days after residence, were compelled to perform mili- tary duty.
Each enrolled militiaman was required to provide himself at his own expense with a good musket or fusee, a sufficient bayonet and belt, a knapsack and two spare flints, a pouch with a box therein to con- tain not less than twenty-four cartridges, "suited to the bore of his musket or fusee," or a good rifle with powder; each officer to be armed with a sword or hanger and spontoon.
The militia of the state was organized into di- visions, brigades, regiments, battalions and companies, with the following officers: To each division a major general, to each brigade a brigadier general, to each regiment a lieutenant colonel commandant, to each battalion a major, to each company a captain, a lieu- tenant, an ensign, four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer and one fifer.
Major generals were to be held accountable that companies beorganized prorata in the towns within the districts comprised in the brigade. All officers, ex- cept major generals, were elected. To each brigade
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was to be attached a company of artillery and a troop of horse, when, in the opinion of the brigadier general, the companies, or either of them, could be raised and equipped within his brigade.
The tactics adopted were "Baron Steuben's In- structions" and the Articles of War numbered 26.
These laws were changed very little until 1821, when the strength of Ohio's military power was 85,000. A reorganization was then effected, but the general plan remained unchanged. It was about this time that the military spirit of central Ohio began to assert itself and that section of the state has ever since led all the military movements of the day.
From that time on the military laws of the state were changed to meet the exigencies of circumstances as they arose, it was supposed, but to the present idea, the changes were oftentimes decidedly for the worse. On February 2, 1854, there was a great military con- vention in Columbus, assembled for the purpose of arranging from the entanglement of laws which the early legislatures had managed to impose, a military code which could be at least understood by the com- manding officers and to place the military of the state on a firmer footing.
This convention was held in Neil's New Hall, afterwards the famous Neil House, of Columbus, for many years the political Mecca of the state. One of the leading figures in that convention was Captain Stedman, afterwards colonel of the Fourteenth regi- ment in the Civil war and who since became "General" Stedman. It seems that this convention was by no
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THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G.
means barren of results, for, a year later, there began a revival of the military spirit of the state, and or- ganizations of a military nature sprang up in all of the leading counties. On July 4, 1855, a few months more than a year after the great military convention, the State Fencibles, which afterwards became one of the best known military bodies of the state, was or- ganized, and in 1857 the Columbus Vedettes was crganized.
The spirit seems to have taken firm root, for in the year 1858, at a camp near Columbus, where the Hawk hospital now stands, the following organiza- tions turned out for muster: State Fencibles, Co- lumbus Vedettes, Steuben Guards, Montgomery Guards and Captain Ijam's Battery of Artillery.
Miltary companies continued to organize, and then came that period in the history of the country known as the Civil war. The two sections of the na- tion were marshalled against each other and every resource of either division was tried to its utmost in the struggle for the preservation of the Union on the one side and for its destruction on the other. It was here that the value of the training which the various military companies had been able to impart, began to show. Volunteers flocked to the recruiting sta- tions in response to the call by the president, and thousands of Ohio boys put on the blue and went to the defense of the starry banner, led to victory by officers who had learned something of the art of war in the organizations which the scoffer had before pro- nounced fit for ornament and parade rather than for usefulness.
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THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G.
The Ohio National Guard, as such, was never heard of until in 1863, the legislature of that winter, in its effort to assist the national government in the mighty struggle then waging, having passed a law repealing the unintelligent mass of rules and regula- tions governing the state military and establishing an entirely new insitution. The idea, then a new one, was favorably received all over the state, and as the fear that the state would be invaded by Southern raiders became more general, the National Guard was soon recruited to a strength which could have de- fended the state against a larger army than it was possible for Confederate leaders at that time to command.
Still the true worth of the organization was not known until the following year, 1864, when on April 25 governor Brough, without the ceremony of calling for volunteers, offering bounties or leaves of absence from the National Guard service, or providing for any other delav. ordered the entire National Guard of Ohio to assemble at their respective armories for the purpose of being mustered into the volunteer ser- vice of the United States. There was no choice left to the officers or members, so the order was promptly obeyed, and on Monday, May 2, the entire military strength of the state was assembled, ready for muster. On the following Thursday, eleven days after the first order had been promulgated, Captain Innis was on his way to Virginia with a large body of troops from Ohio, mustered and fully equipped for immediate service.
Central Ohio had already sent out the gallant Fourth Ohio, but seven days after the original call
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THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G.
from Governor Brough, Franklin county alone had contributed the 133rd Regiment of Volunteer In- fantry, and a better regiment never did service.
The state troops were all ordered to Columbus in very disagreeable weather and all the work of ex- amination and muster had to be performed under the most trying circumstances, but in just sixteen days Governor Brough telegraphed the adjutant general of the army that he had in the field at Baltimore, Cumberland, Washington, Parkersburg, Harper's Ferry and other places, forty full regiments and one battalion of seven companies of infantry. This was a mighty army in itself, and it had been formed ex- clusively from the Ohio National Guard.
Valuable as had been the National Guard dur- ing the war, the close of that struggle brought with it the close of the existence of the O. N. G. The legislature in 1865, anticipating a permanent cessa- tion of hostilities of all kinds, had ordered the militia disbanded, and as the people themselves had had enough of war and of matters pertaining to the mili- tary in general, the action of the legislature was gen- erally approved.
The cloud of Civil war was followed by a dozen years of peace and quiet, undisturbed until the year 1876, when the nation was in the midst of the cele- bration of her one hundredth birthday anniversary at Philadelphia. Serious trouble had arisen with the Indians in the West and the attention of almost the entire regular army was attracted for a time to the Indian reservations. Following the Centennial cele-
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THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G.
bration, the country passed through one of the most serious labor disturbances of its history. Of these troubles Dr. John Clarke Ridpath, the historian, has the following to say :
"In the summer of 1877 occurred the great labor disturbance known as the 'Railroad Strike.' For several years the mining districts of the country had been vexed with disputes and outbreaks, having their origin in the question of wages. The manufacturing towns and cities had witnessed similar troubles and the great corporations having control of the lines of travel and commerce were frequently brought to a standstill by the determined opposition of their employes. The workingmen and the capitalists of the country had for some time maintained towards each other a kind of armed neutrality, alike hurtful to the interests of both. In the spring of this year the managers of the great railways leading from the seaboard to the West, de- clared a reduction of ten per cent. in the wages of their workmen. This measure, which was to take effect at the middle of July, was violently resisted by the em- ployes of the companies and the most active steps taken to prevent its success. The workmen of the various roads entered into combinations and the officers stood firm. On the 16th of July the employes of the Balti- more and Ohio railroad left their posts and gathered such strength in Baltimore and at Martinsburg, W. Va., as to prevent the running of trains and set the authorities at defiance. * *
"In less than a week the trains had been stopped on all the important roads between the Hudson and
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THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G.
the Mississippi. Except in the cotton-growing states the insurrection was universal. Travel ceased, freights perished enroute, business was paralyzed. In Pittsburg the strikers, rioters and dangerous classes, gathering in a mob to the number of twenty thousand, obtained complete control of the city and for two days held a reign of terror unparalelled in the history of the country. The lawless violence and madness of the scene recalled the firey days of the French Revolu- tion. * * * *
"The insurrection was finally suppressed by the regular troops and the militia of Pennsylvania, but not. until nearly a hundred lives had been lost and prop- erty destroyed to the value of more than three million dollars."
Similar, but perhaps less terrible riots occurred about the same time in Chicago, St. Louis and San Francisco, and for a time all the great cities of the country were in immient danger. Cincinnati, Co- lumbus and Cleveland did not entirely escape, but the loss to either life or property was slight as compared to that at Pittsburg. The labor troubles subsided within a month, but at the close of that difficulty the Indians again became troublesome and the attention of the military was again attracted to the West.
The young men of Ohio fully appreciated the seriousness of the general situation, and the question began to be asked, "What if Ohio were confronted with such problems of her own?" The necessity of a reorganization of the National Guard was at once apparent to that class of young men which would
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THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G.
naturally become the rank and file of the organization, and to the legislature. The result was that the gen- eral assembly of the state authorized the re-establish- ment of the state militia, and they also provided for the organization into regiments. The work was soon placed in the hands of competent officers and soon after the passage of the law the Ohio National Guard was again standing on a firm footing.
It was the possibility of a something not expected yet a something feared, however, that gave to the people of Columbus and surrounding towns a feeling of unrest. Labor agitators were at work all over the country doing their best to renew the troubles of '76 and '77, and as the manufacturing interests and other enterprises calling for the employment of many men were rapidly growing, it was thought the wiser plan to provide for a possible emergency.
There were companies of infantry thoroughly organized and well drilled, and one by one these com- panies were united into regiments, and with little trouble the military strength of the state was again available for duty.
OHO
GEORGE D. FREEMAN.
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THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G.
CHAPTER II.
THE FOURTEENTH INFANTRY.
Formation of Regiments-Meeting at State House-Captain Ammel's Work-Companies Formed-Adjutant Groven- er's Order-The Regiment Organized-First Duty in Columbus-Chaplain Moore Elected-Trouble in Perry County-The Gatling Gun-Garfield Funeral at Cleve- land-Colonel Freeman Re-elected-A Busy Year-Jus- tice at Cincinnati-The Cincinnati Riots-Colonel Free- man's Report-Killed and Wounded.
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