USA > Ohio > Scioto County > A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record > Part 31
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August 21, 1861, Captain W. W. Reilley of Company A, 30th O. V. I. was at home recruiting. At Camp Morrow were Captain Ellis' Company, of the 33rd from Adams County, Captain Lock's from Waverly, Captain William Denglar's from Chilicothe, and Captain McFadden's from Ironton.
September 18, 1861, Colonel Peter Kinney had begun to raise the 56th O. V. I. Captain Oliver Wood left with one hundred men for Missouri. Cap tain George Wilhelm was recruiting a Company for the 56th O. V. I. Captain Bayer came from Ross County with a Company for the 33rd O. V. I.
Theo. Treat had his right arm severed from his body while firing a salute at the time Captain Oliver Wood's Company was leaving. At this same date Lieutenant W. H. Raynor and J. R. Hurd escaped from Libby prison.
September 26, 1861, D, B, Lodwick was recruiting a Company for the 56th Regiment, O. V. I. Hamilton and Spalding were Lieutenants.
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THE CIVIL WAR.
Captain Oliver Wood was made Captain of Company B. 22nd O. V. I. John McColum, First Lieutenant, William H. Bradey, Second Lieutenant.
October 16, 1861, Charles A. Barton was elected First Lieutenant of Com- pany B, 22nd O. V. I. L. N. Robinson was raising an Artillery Company. This was afterwards Battery L, 1st Ohio Light Artillery.
October 14, 1861, the 33rd O. V. I. left Portsmouth on the two "Bostonas" amid the thunder of cannon. They were drawn up in rank on the river front and reached from Jefferson street to Market. Here they bade their friends good-bye.
The military committee of Scioto County was F. C. Searl, W. A. Hutchins, John P. Terry, A. W. Buskirk and M. B. Gilbert.
Captain Henry McDowell had a Portsmouth Company in Missouri. George Wilhelm, B. Lodwick, C. W. Veach, F. Renniger, Isaac Fullerton, William Wil- liams and L. V. Applegate were granted recruiting commissions.
November 6, 1861, L. D. Page of Company D, 56th O. V. I. killed David Lacey of Company C by shooting him with a pistol.
November 13, 1861, the corpse of Lieut. Col. Bailey was brought to Portsmouth. He was killed at Guyandotte. He was buried November 20, at Aberdeen. Ohio. Appler commanded Company I, 26th O. V. I .; this Company was raised in Scioto County.
January 22, 1862, Battery L, First Ohio Light Artillery, spent a half day at Portsmouth on their way up the river to Parkersburg.
January 25, 1862, Company L, First Ohio Light Artillery passed by Ports- mouth on the steamboat, "Jacob Strader," on their way to Romney, Va.
February 1, 1862, Company A, 39th O. V. I. sent home $2,847.50.
March 5, 1862, J. P. Bing was assistant Surgeon of the 53rd O. V. I. He entered the service as second assistant Surgeon October 3, 1861, and resigned August 31; 1862.
March 18, 1862, Captain Samuel Currie's Company, 33rd O. V. I., sent home $1,034. It was to be distributed by T. S. Currie. Captain Van B. Hibb's Com- pany sent home $2,185 to J. L. Hibbs. April 2, 1862, the 53rd sent home $4,167 and the 56th, $33,074. April 16, 1862, $1,400 was received from the 33rd O. V. I.
April 23, 1862. Captain Jacob Smith was brought home wounded and Lieutenant-Colonel Raynor was brought back home sick. At the same time, Captain L. N. Robinson, of Battery L was at home.
June 25th, 1862, Colonel O. F. Moore was at home on a visit and James Glidden of Battery L, was at home wounded.
June 28. 1862. Colonel O. F. Moore was at home and wanted to take back
recruits. Major Oliver Wood was also at home.
July 2, 1862, Colonel Peter Kinney was reported to have been taken a prisoner, but escaped.
July 3, 1862, $2,800 was received from the 33rd O. V. I. by Gen. Hibbs.
July 5, 1862, Company A, 39th O. V. I. sent home $1,000 Captain John A. Turley was recruiting under a new call for 300,000 more troops.
July 16, 1862, the 91st O. V. I. was being organized. W. A. Hutchins de- clined the position of Colonel. Mrs. Bailey, widow of Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey was allowed a pension of $30 per month by act of Congress.
July 18, 1862, there was a meeting of the Military Committee at Ports- mouth. Ohio, for the Second District. W. W. Johnson of Ironton, was Chair- man, D. Macklay of Jackson was Secretary. E. P. Evans represented Adams.
July 10, 1862, W. H. McCurdy was at home recruiting for the 39th O. V. I. Captain Newton Robinson was recruiting men for Battery L. The 91st Ohio Volunteer Infantry was being organized at this time. George O. Newman and J. C. Gilbert were appointed a Board of Military Affairs by the Council and Mil- itary Committee.
There was a great war meeting in Portsmouth, August 6, 1862. H. S. Bundy, Captain L. N. Robinson, J. M. G. Smith, W. A. Hutchins, E. Glover and Captain J. R. Hurd made speeches. Martin Crain was made Post Com- mander at Camp Portsmouth with the rank of Colonel. W. A. Hutchins and Thomas McCauslen were making speeches in Adams County. This same date drafting began.
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HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.
August 13, 1862, Battery L had a dinner at Henry Jeffords in Washing- ton Township. Henry Jeffords, Sergeant Jackson and J. M. G. Smith made speeches.
August 17, 1862, the 117th O. V. I. was being raised. William Coleman of Adams County was proposed for Chaplain.
August 20, 1862, the enrollment of Militia from Scioto County was 4,700 between the ages of eighteen and forty-five. There were 1,200 men at Camp Portsmouth commanded by Colonel Crain. On the enrollment of Millitia 1,342 were in the service and 3,457 liable to draft. Up to August 27, 1862, the total enlistments were 1,999. 414 enlisted from July 2 to August 23, 1862. Colonel Peter Kinney was home on a visit at this time, also Lieutenant Charles Robin- son.
September 3. 1862, 635 applications for exemption from military service were made. Camp Portsmouth was at Munn's Run. There were 1,000 men there.
September 6, 1862, six to seven hundred men of the 117th O. V. I. were at Camp Portsmouth. Five Companies of the 91st O. V. I. were ordered to Ironton. Forty recruits for the 81st O. V. I. came from Brush Creek Township. In Company H were four brothers named Riley and four named Thompson.
September 10, 1862, Dr. Mussey, Surgeon of the 33rd O. V. I. was home on a visit. At four P. M. every day, but Sunday, a gun was fired on the grade and all business closed and the militia then drilled until six P. M. There was a Company for each ward and two independent Companies.
September 13, 1862, an artillery Company was organized at Portsmouth. John J. McFarlin was Captain; Pat Pendergast, First Lieutenant and Dr. George Washington, Second Lieutenant. Captain John D. Kinney had fifty men for Bor- der Rangers. Bonds were required of persons leaving the state.
On September 14, 1862, Sunday, a rebel raid was reported in Vanceburg, Kentucky. General Hibbs had two Companies from Camp Portsmouth take possession of the Kentucky Hills. A gun and gun squad was placed at a point commanding the suspension bridge. Pickets were thrown out below town. At one o'clock Monday morning an alarm bell rang and every one turned out. It was reported there were 1,200 rebels three miles below the city and coming. Four Companies of Militia and one Company. Captain Churchhill's. from Camp Portsmouth, were sent to Vanceburg. Colonel Barton command- ed. At Buena Vista, one hundred and fifty more men under Captain Alexander Elliot got aboard. The boat dropped her curtains and steamed to Vanceburg where they took possession of the hills. The rebel raid was twenty cavalrymen who entered the village the evening before and had taken supper in the town. Seven prisoners were brought to Portsmouth. The same date the 117th O. V. I. was camped at Portsmouth. There was no draft in Scioto County at this time. Her quota was full. At this time the Militia of the County elected Charles .A. Barton, Colonel and W. W. Reilley, Lieutenant Colonel.
September 15, 1862, the 117th O. V. I. was mustered into the United States- service.
September 20, 1862. Captain John D. Kinney's Company of Cavalry reach- ed one hundred. They went to Camp Portsmouth.
September 24, 1862, J. L. Hibbs was Brigadier General, Second Brigade, Seventh Division, Ohio Militia.
September 27, 1862, Camp Portsmouth contained the 117th O. V. I. Kinney's Cavalry and the 27th O. V. I. There was dress parade every Monday, Wednes- day and Saturday evenings
October 1, 1862, the daily drill was discontinued and it was made weekly at three P. M. on Saturdays. At this time Lieutenant J. F. Morton was at home on a visit. He was transferred to the naval service.
October 3, 1862, General George W. Morgan's army was at Greenupsburg. On Saturday and Sunday visitors from Portsmouth went to Greenupsburg. The army was sent to Gallipolis.
On October 22, 1862, there were fourteen sick soldiers in the hospital at Portsmouth. At this time Captain L. N. Robinson was at home.
October 29, 1862, D. N. Murray brought his son Joseph home. He had been wounded at Perryville. On the smae date the 117th Regiment departed for East-
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THE CIVIL WAR.
ern Kentucky. They marched to Franklin Furnace on Saturday and camped there. On Sunday they marched to Greenup.
November 1, 1862, Captain Barton's Company of fifty men were in camp at Portsmouth. This was the only Company of sharpshooters in the camp.
November 5, 1862, Company A, 33rd O. V. I. sent home $915. At this time Major Varner of the 56th was at home.
November 15, 1862, Oliver Wood was made Colonel of the 22nd O. V. I.
November 22, 1862, Captain D. B. Lodwick was in town, also Sergeant Hen- ry McIntyre of the 30th O. V. I.
January 24, 1863, Major John Hurd was in town.
February 11, 1863, Colonel Peter Kinney resigned, also Major Varner. The same date a flag was made to be presented to the 33rd O. V. I. It cost $65.00. Colonel Moore, who was at home, was to take it to the regiment. At this time Company D, 117th O. V. I. sent $2,758.35 home.
March 14, 1863, Captain F. C. Gibbs was at home, also Colonel Oliver Wood of the 22nd O. V. I.
April 1, 1863, Captain J. W. Davis' Company, the 53rd O. V. I., sent home $1,359.00.
May 7, 1863, Captain Thomas Hayes was killed near Vicksburg. At this time John L. Ward and Daniel McIntyre went to the 56th O. V. I.
May 16, 1863, the 11th O. V. I. was transferred to Heavy Artillery. W. C. Appler was recruiting for it.
May 29, 1863, Company G, of the 53rd Regiment sent $3.267 to J. H. Johnson and the 27th sent $4,230. At this time Charles Soule and Joseph E. Riggs were raising a Company of six months' men. A squad was sent to Camp Dennison. June 13, 1863, Captain George Wilhelm came home wounded.
June 21, 1863, the 56th O. V. I. sent a vote of thanks for supplies sent them by John L. Ward and Daniel McIntyre. They sent the city the flag of the 23rd Alabama, captured at Port Gibson, May 1, 1863. The resolutions were signed by J. Herbert Evans, Lieutenant M. Rife and Lieutenant J. C. Stimmel.
September 13, 1863, C. M. Finch was elected Colonel, Vinton Price, Lieu- tenant-Colonel, and Radford Hudson, Major of the First Regiment, and W. A. Frizzel, Colonel, A. J. Snyder, Lieutenant-Colonel and Michael Freeman, Major of the Second Regiment.
October 24, 1863, Company D of the 91st O. V. I., gave thirty-six votes for Brough and nineteen for Vallandigham. The 81st gave Vallandigham one hundred and five. Company K gave Vallandigham a majority of four votes. Battery L gave Brough sixty votes and Vallandigham ten. November 7, 1863, in the 56th O. V. I. Brough had one hundred and sixty-five and Vallandigham fifty-one. Glover, Republican, for Representative, fifty nine and Varner, his op- ponent, fifty-seven. Company B gave Brough four votes and Vallandigham thirteen. Company D gave Brough five votes and Vallandigham eight.
October 26, 1863, the votes of the Ohio regiments stood as follows: 70th O. V. I., Brough, three hundred, Vallandigham twenty-five; 81st O. V. I., Brough, four hundred thirty-five, Vallandigham, one hundred five; 27th O. V. I., Brough, four hundred sixty-three, Vallandigham, twenty-eight; 39th O. V. I., Brough, five hundred thirty-nine, Vallandigham, nine; 53rd O. V. I., Brough, one hundred ninety-one Vallandigham, three; Battery L, Brough sixty, Val- landigham, ten; 56th O. V. I., Brough, one hundred sixty-five, Vallandigham, fifty-one.
The total army vote in Scioto Counay was, Brough, seven hundred twenty- four, Vallandigham, sixty-seven. Wilson, six hundred twenty-two and Dugan. seventy-three. Glover, six hundred forty-three and Varner, thirty-seven.
December 12, 1863, there was a war meeting at the Court House, addressed by Colonel O. F. Moore, who was raising recruits. $100 local bounty was offered and $300 government, of which $175 was paid in advance on enlistment.
December 19, 1863, Colonel O. F. Moore had a long advertisement in the Times asking for Volunteers.
January 9, 1864, re-enlisted veterans were returning home on veteran's fur- lough.
February 3, 1864, Captain C. W. Greene and Lieutenant I. N. Gilruth were recruiting for the 28th O. V. I. At the same time Captain J. W. Davis and Lieu-
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HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.
tenant I. N. Long of the 53rd O. V I. opened a recruiting office in Johnson's hat store.
February 13, 1864, F. C. Searl ardvertised as recruiting agent for Scioto County. February 17, 1864, Captain Adair of the 26th O. V. I. was recruiting for that regiment.
February 27, 1864, Samuel C. Glover, who had gone out in the 39th O V., was recruiting for a new regiment.
Company E, 140th, O. V. I., Captain Charles Soule, Jr., Company F, 140th O. V. I., Captain Lewis Sontag, Company I, 140th O. V. I., Captain, Charles Blain, and Company G, 141st O. V. I., Captain W. W. Reilley, went to Gallipolis in one hundred days service.
April 19, 1864, Colonel Oliver Wood was presented with a gold watch. Lieutenant Henry A. Wolf, 3rd Virginia Cavalry, died February 20, 1864. While on duty he was shot by a party of "bush whackers." His body was brought to Portsmouth and he was buried from the Swan Hotel. A sword, sword belt, sash, and revolver was presented to Lieutenant W. H. Williams at Connolley's Hall. At this time Captain Jerry Hall of the 30th O. V. I., was at home. May 21, 1864, the list of men drafted in Scioto County was published. At this time Lieutenant F. C. Searl was home for two weeks
June 8, 1864, the veterans of the 56th O. V. I. were at home on furlough. June 15, 1864, one hundred and sixty colored recruits came down from Greenup County, Kentucky. J. C. Malone, George Helfenstein and Charles Slavens were recruiting for the 173rd O. V I.
August 30, 1864, Lieutenant W. H. Williams of the 39th O. V. I. came home from the war.
September 20, 1864, the 183rd O. V. I. passed down from Gallipolis on three steamers. Captain John R. Hurd had been nominated Sheriff but having gone into the service, Van B. Hibbs was placed on the ticket by the committee.
October 5, 1864, J. W. Tracy had his horse shot from under him while en- rolling for the draft in Brush Creek Township. It was supposed parties by the name of RaIstin did it. On Monday, October 3rd, a squad (twenty-five) of the 192nd Pennsylvania went out to Brush Creek Township to enforce the draft. They came from Ironton.
October 8, 1864, James W. Tracy, draft commissioner, had his horse shot in Brush Creek Township, came to town and soldiers were sent out.
October 22, 1864 Christopher Oppy of the 81st O. V. I. died in the hospital at Atlanta.
November 20, 1864, the Military Commissioners of Scioto County were F. C. Searl, J. P. Terry, A. W. Buskirk, M. B. Gilbert and R. S. Maklem.
November 30, 1864, Colonel S. E. Varner was at home. His term of ser- vice had expired.
December 7, 1864, Captain William B. Williams and George Wilhelm of the 56th and Lieutenant Jacob Mathias of the 26th O. V. I. came home, their terms of service having expired.
December 10, 1864, Colonel Oliver Wood was appointed Deputy Provost Marshal for Scioto County.
December 28, 1864, the 173 O. V. I. was presented a flag by the ladies of Gallipolis. They sent the flag to the regiment at Nashville, Tenn., and there- upon the regiment passed suitable resolutions which were signed Jeremiah Da- vidson, Chairman, N. W. Evans, Secretary.
The soldiers vote in Scioto County for 1864 was: William H. Smith, Secretary of State, Republican, 479; W. W. Armstrong, Democrat, 125. Congress- man, H. S. Bundy, Republican. 468: W. A. Hutchins. Democrat. 111. Sheriff, Van B. Hibbs, Republican, 299; L. S. Brown, Democrat, 106. Auditor, P. H. Noel, Republican, 437, A. J. Enslow, Democrat, 113. Commissioner, Thomas Burt. Re- Republican, 465; A J. Enslow, Democrat, 113. Infirmary Director, S. W. Cole. Republican, 461; Henry Burton, Democrat, 104. Coroner, L. C. Barker, Republi- can, 466; and T. S. Currie, Democrat, 108.
The total vote in Ohio was Republican. 32,887; Democrat, 4,366.
January 4, 1865, Colonel Oliver Wood was made a Colonel in the Han- cock corps. January 25, 1865, David Murphy of the 81st O. V. I. was at home.
February 8, 1865, Lieutenant T. D. Davis was recruiting a Company for the 186th O. V. I. Thomas F. Wildes was Colonel, and George Wilhelm was
1
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THE CIVIL WAR.
Lieutenant-Colonel. Captain Charles Blain was recruiting for this regiment. February 26, 1865, the Provost Marshal's office was moved to Portsmouth. March 8, 1865, Lieutenant George W. Helfenstein was at home on sick furlough. There was a great rejoicing in Portsmouth April 8, 1865 over the surrender of Lee. April 26, 1865, the remains of Benjamin Fryer were brought from the South for interment. He died in Knoxville.
June 21, 1865, for two weeks troops had been passing down the river to Louisville, Kentucky. Fifteen to twenty boats passed down every day loaded with soldiers. Each boat which landed was boarded by members of the Aid Society and supplies tendered. The same date Lieutenant-Colonel George Wil- helm was at Chattanooga
June 26, 1865, the 91st O. V. I. were en route home, passing Portsmouth, to Camp Dennison.
THE MORGAN RAID.
July 13, 1863, a dispatch was received by Colonel Kinney that Morgan was ten miles back of Cincinnati and coming east. Tuesday's 'dispatches an- nounced that he had crossed the Little Miami below Lebanon with 4,000 men. Tuesday evening a public meeting was held to prepare for defenses. Scouts were sent out and Militia Companies were stationed near the city. On Wed- nesday Morgan was reported to be near Georgetown, Ohio. It was reported that he was pursued by 8,000 cavalry. Thursday evening five gunboats arrived at Portsmouth. A force of twenty-four transports, with three regiments of caval- ry went out Thursday evening on the Gallipolis road. The Infantry reamined at Portsmouth. Wednesday noon Morgan was at Georgetown and that night camp- ed near Jacktown. Thursday his force moved to Jasper and thence to Jackson.
The militia was under Captain Varner. Three Companies, Captain Hope's, Reilley's nd Terry's moved out on the Galena road Thursday noon and were stationed at night above the Buck Horn tannery. This force returned at nine a. m. Friday. Thursday morning Colonel Kinney declared martial law. All busi- ness was suspended and those not bearing arms were ordered to work on the entrenchments near the city. A large number of Militia Companies came Wed- nesday and Thursday and were in Camp Portsmouth, many of them were arm- ed and equipped. A party came down from Gallipolis on "Victor Number Three" and scuttled all river craft.
Governor Todd appointed Colonel Peter Kinney commandant at Ports- mouth. The Rifle Company met at the Court Street Engine House. E. W. Hope was Captain, William Kinney was First Lieutenant and John Faun, Sec- ond Lieutenant.
Captain W. W. Reilley's Company met at the Third Ward Engine House. Benjamin L. Fryer was First Lieutenant and William Wilson, Second Lieuten- ant.
Wednesday at six p. m. Captain Hope's Company was sent to the West Side and divided. Part went on the Union mill road and part to Turkey Creek. Captin Reilley's Company was sent out on the Chillicothe turnpike and Gilbert's Battery was sent to the bridge. Another Company was organized under Cap- tain Carson and went Thursday night to Pond Creek. About one a. m. the Fed- eral Cavalry from the gunboats and transports went up the road past Buckhorn tannery. All roads to the city were blockaded by parties sent out for that pur- pose At three p. m. the gunboats and transports arrived. The cavalry land- ed and started in pursuit of Morgan. The Infantry under General Mason re- mained waiting orders. The force was about 12,000. For three days and nights the women of Portsmouth fed the soldiers. All kinds of rumors were abroad and the Provost guard patrolled everywhere. Morgan had 5,000 men and five pieces of artillery. At Dunkinsville they robbed Thompson and Collier's store of $1,500 and Phillips store at Dunbarton of the same amount. At Jas- per they burned the bridge over the Canal, several houses, a saw mill, and rifled two stores. The loss was estimated at $20,000. A Lieutenant and Pri- vate were captured and brought to Portsmouth on the canal packet. The bridge over the Scioto at Piketon was burned, loss $15,000. At Jackson the railroad track was torn up for three miles and seven railroad bridges were burned be- tween Berlin and Jackson. They robbed the stores and put ribbons on their horses' manes and tails. On Monday martial law was declared off. Colonel Sontag with five hundred militia surrendered to Morgan at Ewington, Gallia
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HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.
County, Ohio. This was unnecessary. If they had stood firm they could have captured their captors. Fifty-four of Morgan's men surrendered to John T. Miller and were brought to Portsmouth.
Ladies' Aid Society.
The Ladies Aid Society was formed in 1862. The officers were: Mrs. Amanda Pursell, President; Mrs. Capt. John N. Lodwick, Vice President; Mrs. L. N. Robinson, Secretary, followed by Mrs. E. B. Greene and Mrs. Laura Wat- kins and Mrs. B. B. Gaylord, Treasurer.
It received and distributed about $20,000 during the war, and at its close, had on hand $2,000, which they disbursed to the soldiers' families.
April 2, 1862, there was a lecture at Massie Hall by M. J. Beacher.
June 24, 1863, there was a lecture by Rev. P. P. Ingalls. Money sub- scribed at lecture, $574.55, subscribed since $268.80, total, $843.35. There were about thirty regular attending members. Laura E. Watkins, Secretary.
February 3, 1864, the proceeds of the "Sanitary Fair" were $3,226.36. It lasted a whole week.
Nov. 2, 1864, whole amount received since organization.$ 5,156 69
Expenses
4,425 94
Balance in Treasury 730 75
Money received April 1 to October 7, 1864. 1,516 16
July 19, report for nine months ending July 6, 1865, Whole amount received
7,552 69
Whole amount expended 5,119 36
Balance in treasury 2,433 33
Laura E. Watkins, Secretary. Margaret J. Gaylord, Treasurer.
Report March 20, 1867. Total membership 45, regular attendance 25.
Total value of goods shipped 7,958 15
Total value of donation 2,039 59
Total value for sick soldiers 700 00
Support of soldiers' families, total 13,447 74
Whole amount received and disbursed during the war .. 7,632 79
June 5, 1869, the society met to disband, and then it was decided to erect the monument They took subscriptions, but on May 10, 1870, had tableau en - tertainments.
May 19, 1876, the Ladies Relief Association asked the Council to take part in the Memorial Day services on May 30th. The invitation was accepted. The Times of May 3, 1890, gives an account of the Twenty-third Anniversary of the Soldiers' Relief Circle.
The Times of May 26, 1898, says of the Society, twelve are living, Mrs. J. L. Watkins, Mrs. Charles S. Smith, Mrs. B. B. Gaylord, Mrs. Albert McFar- land, Mrs. Henry A. Towne, Mrs. John M. Merrill, Mrs. J. K. Lodwick, Mrs. T. J. Graham, Mrs. Samuel Reed, Miss Emma Bell and Mrs. Dan McFarland, still living in this city. On May 25, 1898, there was a meeting at the home of Mrs. Merrill. She will celebrate her 91st birthday in June, and she has never missed participating in Memorial Day. At this meeting it was resolved to elect the oldest daughter or sister of original members, deceased, to carry on the work. The list elected was, Mrs. Oscar Rupel for Mrs. Amanda Pursell, Mrs. J. B. Nichols, Mrs. Geo. O. Newman for Mrs. O. F. Moore, Miss Jennie Fawn, Mrs. Levi D. York, Mrs. Emma J. Jennings, Miss Sarah Firmstone, Mrs. F. B. M. Corson, Miss Mary K. Reed.
The deceased members buried in Greenlawn are, Mrs. Amanda Pursell. Mrs. E. P. Pratt, Mrs. James Martin, Mrs. O. F. Moore, Mrs. Robert Lewis, Mrs. John Elden, Mrs. Eli Glover, Miss Lizzie Glover, Miss Marion Firmstone, Mrs. Erastus Burr, Mrs. L. N. Robinson, Mrs. Robert Bell, Mrs. George Johnson and Mrs. James Stephenson.
BIOGRAPHIES OF OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE.
General Joshua W. Sill
was born at Chillicothe, Ohio, December 6, 1831. His father, Joseph Sill, a law- yer of distinction, was an early settler of that place, and died there some years after the war. His mother died while he was very young, and he was
GEN. JOSHUA W. SILL.
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THE CIVIL WAR.
reared and educated at home under the eye of his father. He had a taste for literature and science, which was fostered and developed. In 1850, he was ap- pointed a cadet at West Point, graduating third in his class, in 1853, and being at once appointed second lieutenant of ordnance of Watervliet arsenal. Or- dered back to the academy as instructor, he remained there until the next year, when he was sent to Oregon to superintend the construction of magazines and fortifications. During the Indian war in Oregon, he was chief of ordnance to General Harney, and performed his duties with energy and efficiency. Obtain- ing an exchange, in the fall of 1859, he was again at Watervliet. Ordered from there to Fort Leavenworth, he remained at that point until the spring of 1860, when he resigned his commission to accept the professorship of mathematics and engineering in the Polytechnic College, at Brooklyn, New York .. At the open- ing of the war he was offered the colonelcy of several New York regiments, but chose to return to his native state, where he entered the adjutant general's of- fice, and assisted in organizing and equipping Ohio regiments until the summer of 1861, when he took command of the Thirty-third Infantry, and accompanied Mcclellan to the Kanawha Valley, in West Virginia. From this time until his death in the field, he was constantly in active service; under Nelson and Thom- as, in eastern Kentucky; Mitchell in Alabama; and Buel and Rosecrans in Ten- nessee and Kentucky. In every sphere of military duty he proved himself a skillful soldier and an honorable gentleman. Although but a Colonel in rank, at the outset he commanded a brigade, and he was made a Brigadier-general in the winter of 1861. This promotion was for "gallant and meritorious conduct in the field." On the organization of Buell's army at Bardstown, he was placed in command of a division in McCook's corps, which he held until death relieved him. He fell at the battle of Stone River, December 31, 1862, while leading a brilliant charge upon the enemy, under an order from General Sheridan In appearance, General Sill was of light build, with a mild and pleasing address. He was a man of scholarship and refinement, and of great simplicity and kind- ness of manner. Such was the charm and magnetism of his pure and spotless life, that he was loved by all who knew him, and especially was he idolized by his soldiers. The State of Ohio has been honored by men more known to fame, but she never sent forth a braver man to battle for his country. But his mem- ory and his fame rest not alone in the hearts of those whose privilege it was to know and to love him, nor with the great state, to whose galaxy of heroes his name has added a new luster; but, in a peculiar sense, does all that is pure and lofty in the character of those she delights to call her sons, belong to the city of their birth. Chillicothe claims as a sacred heritage the name and fame of Joshua W. Sill; cut off, as he was, in his early manhood, that he might with the greater power teach the lesson which the young men of our times need so much to learn.
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