USA > Ohio > Butler County > A history and biographical cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio, with illustrations and sketches of its representative men and pioneers. Vol. 1 > Part 50
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"3. Resolred, 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 conventiou, 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. .
"4. Resolved, That it is the duty of all good citizeus, overlooking past differences of opinion, to contribute by
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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, whichi, if longer unresisted and unpunished, would inevi- tably end in breaking down all the barriers erected by . our fathers for the protection of life, liberty, and prop- . erty, and involve the country in universal anarchy and confusion.
"5. Resolved, That we urgently insist that the repre- sentative 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 anthority of the Constitu- tion, and to suppress and punish the present rebellion and treason in the Sonth, 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 govern- ment to transport its soldiers over its territory for any lawful purpose, and to any place in the Union; and we condemn and denounce the condnet 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, eleet 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 calenlated to ex- cite ill feeling or party prejudice.
" 10. Resolved, That Major Anderson, by his prudenec prior to the attack upon Fort Sumter, and for his gallant --
and heroic defense of that fort, is entitled to the thanks and admiration of the whole country."
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 chair- man 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, pre- sented . by C. F. Warren, were read and unanimously adopted as expressing the sentiments of the meeting:
"Whereas, A state of war exists and the destruction of our government is threatened by a band of armed traitors ; therefore, be it
"Resolved, That as loyal citizens we will use all the ineans in our power to sustain the government and the honor of that flag under which we have lived for eighty years in nnexampled 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 na- tion's pride and citizens' defense.
"Resolved, That we look npon 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 cur 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 de- mands of the country, after which Dr. Reed presented the following preamble and resolutions, which were nnan- imously 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 admin- istration to put down the same may have upon some of the remaining loyal States; and
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"Whereas, Threats have repeatedly been made that in the event of the border slave States seceding and join- ing 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; ยท 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 foreed 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 in preparing and being prepared to meet whatever emer- gency may be forced upon us."
Patriotie 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 com- pany K, First Ohio, and the regimental organization was made on the 18th of April. There were no arms, ammu- nition, 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 tlie three years' service.
Captain Rossman immediately organized the Hamilton Guards, and left for Columbus on the 21st. An im- mense congregation assembled at Beckett's Hall on Sun- day, the 20th, to hear a discourse by the Rev. 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 canse in which the loyal States were engaged as just and rightcons, 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 prose- rution 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 re- marks, followed by a brief address from Mr. MeMillan. 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 pre- sented the guards with an elegant silk flag, The cere- monies took place in the public square, and were opened by an impressive and earnest prayer by Rev. Mr. Low- rey, after which Miss Kate Campbell presented the flag with the following appropriate address:
"Hamilton Guards,-Your country demands your serv- ices, and you are promptly honoring her call. Traitors have made war upon our government and seek to over- throw our noble institutions secured to us by the wisdom, the toils, and the blood of our venerated forefathers. Your sisters ean not share your dangers in the neld, 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 thought- . ful of the punishment due to fratrieidal traitors. Take it, soldiers, and carry it on to victory. And may the God of battles watch over and protect you; and may lie preserve our country and our Constitution to be the pro- teetors of the oppressed of all lands' to generations yet unborn."
Captain Rossman received the flag on behalf of the . guards, and responded as follows:
"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 des- peradoes have insulted our flag and defied our govern- ment. Men have been found in this country base enough to strike the mother who reared and protected them. The wounded government demands reparation. In obe- dience to that eall 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 anfading 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 anght to maintain the honor of our government, what man in the Hamilton Guards but will, in that con-
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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 an- cient phoenix, will arise their names, and in letters of living light will they be enrolled on a page of an im- mortal history. We accept this flag, and we promise to bring it baek 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 hon- orable 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 eity can stimulate us to vindi- cate, all the courage of a righteous eause, and of truth and liberty can give us to proteet, all these shall, we trust, nerve every arm and heart in this company to vin- dicate the high confilenee reposed in them by the young ladies of Hamilton, in the compliment to their patriotisni and readiness to defend their country, signified in the presentation of this flag to the Hamilton Guards."
After Captain Rossman had concluded John W. Wil- son, one of the company, made an earnest and eloquent . appeal in behalf of the eause 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 pre- viously 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 vol- unteers was ready in Hamilton. The following were the officers: J. W. C. Smith, Captain; John Sutherland, Ist Lieutenant ; L. M. Loflar, 20 Lieutenant.
An enthusiastic Union meeting was held at Collins- ville 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.
David W. McClung, who is now surveyor of the port in Cincinnati, was appointed quartermaster at Camp Dennison.
The following companies were speedily accepted from Butler County:
Hamilton .- Jackson Guards, Captain Bruck; Hamil- ton Guards, Captain Rossman; Butler Pioneers, Captain Smith; Infantry Company, Captain Humbach; Hamilton Rifles, Captain Miller.
Outside of Hamilton .-- University Rifles, Oxford, Cap- tain Dodds; Infantry Company, Middletown, Captain Hilt; Infantry Company, Middletown, Captain McClel- land.
In addition to these, forty Germans of Hamilton at- taehed 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 in- stance Captain Dodds's, one hundred and fifty-two meu, and Captain Rossman's, one hundred and eleven men.
Two other companies were forming in the city, a car- alry company by Minor Millikin, and an infantry com- pany by Jolm 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 com- pany 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 cit- izens of Hamilton and the surrounding country. The store house was directly opposite the court house, 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 Cap- tain Hunbaeh.
Port Union sent up a liberal supply of good things to the relief committee for the benefit of the families of' volunteers.
The Butler Pioneers, after spending a week in the hotels of Hamilton, and being drilled iu the streets, re- moved 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 fag, accompanied with an eloquent and patriotic speech from Mrs. Ryan. Captain J. W. C. Smith made an ap- propriate response.
On arrival at camp they found the change any thing but pleasant. The first two or three nights were very
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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 unfor- tunate 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 eold. 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 snitably 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 com- plement had been' filled it did not go out to the war. Many of the men afterwards served in the three-year regiments.
Colonel W. H. Miller, commandant at Camp Hamil- ton, issued the following orders on May 9th :
"Sentinels will pass out no soldier withont a written pass from the commandant, and such pass will not be given except npon 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 per- mitted to pass without the orders of some commissioned offieer in the camp.
" Before 12 M. citizens will not be permitted to pass into the camp without a written pass from the command- ant, but may be admitted during the afternoon npon the order of any commissioned offieer in the eamp.
"Persons connected with the subsistence department are exempted from this order, and will be passed in and out withont delay."
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'Homme- dieu, Hamilton Rifles, Adjutant; N. T. Peatman, Butler Pioneers, Sergeant; Major John Sutherland, Butler Pio -. neers, Quartermaster; J. W. Sater, Eaton National Guards, Assistant Quartermaster ; James McClelland, Middletown Veterans, Surgeon; W. Palmer Duun, Uni- versity Rifles, Secretary of Commandant.
In an order of Colonel H. B. Carrington, Adjutant- general 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 Mon- day, the 20th 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.
At half-past one, says one of the volunteers from the -
Third Regiment, the train stopped in the midst of a level traet, 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 eorner. Re- luctantly leaving the ears, they formed and marehed 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 inore modest were dis- posed 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, riee, 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 en- joyed themselves. They laughed and cracked jokes, and met the situation with good humor. Their friends at Hamilton did not negleet them, and sent forward bounti- ful supplies of provision and clothing.
Monroe was not behind the other towns in its patri- otic acts. It sent a large number of young men in the Middletown company-nineteen on the first eall-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.
CITY COUNCIL.
The following important resolutions were passed Mon- day evening, November 17th :
A LOAN OF MONEY TO THE COUNTY FOR RELIEF OF FAMILIES OF VOLUNTEERS.
"Whereas, The attention of this couneil 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 appre- hended from the rigors of the approaching Winter; and
"Whereas, We are further advised that the county commissioners assert that they have no means at their
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command from which to grant the necessary aid that should be immediately rendered to such families; therefore, "Resolved, That we hereby tender to said county com- missioners, 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 commis- sioners 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 manu- factory for fire purposes."
The young men of Hamilton aud 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 for- merly captain of the Butler Guards.
Wm. H. H. Russell and others formed a military 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 out- side of the regular regiments.
At Camp Hamilton the Pioneers had some amusc. ment in hanging Jeff. Davis iu 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 Frank- lin 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 pro- ceeded to put the sentence of the court in cxecution. An Adams officiated as hangmau. The drop soou fell, and Jeff. was suspended between heaven and earth, dy- ing without a struggle. Shouts went up from the multi- tude, groans were given for -all traitors, and cheers for the Union.
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