Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 55

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W., comp
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1074

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"After corresponding with headquarters at Washington, the Rev. Mr. Mason, a field worker for the Florence Crittenden work was brought here and spent a month in the city speaking in the churches and soliciting sub- scriptions for the new enterprise. During his stay in the city a permanent organization was formed with the following persons as officers : Rev. C. H. Stocking. president : Rev. W. G. White, vice-president: Rev. D. T. Thomas, recording secretary : Mr. L. A. Thayer, treas- urer: Mrs. S. A. Hughes, corresponding sec- retary.

"After electing the governing bodies,

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which consist of a board of trustees and an advisory board, and the appointing of stand- ing committees, namely : a finance committee, an admission committee, house committee, and religious committee, a building committee was appointed and instructed to proceed at once to the securing of a home. After much hunting and examining, the Leet property, in Girard, Ohio, was purchased. Mrs. Jaynes, our present efficient matron, was called to take charge of the home in March, 1903, and with the exception of a few months, has con- tinued to fill this difficult position in a most proficient and satisfactory way from its incep- tion to the present time. But before we had occupied our Girard home six months it be- came evident that it was too far away and too small to serve the best purpose and meet the urgent and increasing need.

"After further investigation a residence of eleven rooms was purchased on Hine street. In less than a year after occupying this prop- erty we were for the second time face to face with the problem of securing still larger quar- ters. This time we were fortunate in securing our present large, commodious and delightful location, namely: the old Baldwin home on McGuffey street, which the national officers say is one of the very finest in the whole chain of Florence Crittenden Homes, one which Youngstown may well be proud of.

"During these four brief years services have been rendered by officers, committees,

donors and friends which deserve highest com- mendation, without which service, indeed, it might be said that the Florence Crittenden Home of Youngstown would have been im- possible. For instance, the great service ren- dered it in its beginning by the late Rev. W. G. White and the late Mrs. Ford, Rev. A. L. Frazier and Mr. L. A. Thayer. The splendid and untiring devotion of Mrs. Henry Heedy, who, as chairman of the finance committee during most of this time, has been instru- mental in raising more than three-fourths of the funds for the establishment and support of our home. And common courtesy demands that we speak of the invaluable services ren- dered the home by our staff of physicians, namely, Drs. J. J. Thomas (chief of staff), Jennie Turner, Merwin, Parish, Hawn and McCurdy."

The home was opened in the usual way by Mr. Crittenden's subscription of $1,000, and is supported almost entirely by charity. The late Mrs. Arabella Ford, who was untiring in her efforts to improve the financial condition of the institution, succeeded in soliciting about 100 yearly memberships which represented $12.50 each, and which for a time were ade- quate to meet the daily expenses. Nine thou- sand dollars were raised by soliciting and sell- ing the Hine street property, and monthly donations were obtained from a number of leading business men of the city.

CHAPTER XXVII

MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY

War of 1812-Mexican War-War of the Rebellion-Spanish-American War.

WAR OF 1812.

Ohio has never been found lacking in the military spirit whenever need arose to arm for defense against foreign or domestic foes. The War of 1812 awakened this latent military spirit to a high degree, and as early as Septem- ber, 1810, in anticipation of approaching hos- tilities, and still more, perhaps, in view of the fact that the Indians were already committing depredations on the border settlements there was preparation made for repelling the threat- ened attacks.

REGIMENTAL MUSTER.

There was in Youngstown a full turnout of every able-bodied man. Jared P. Kirtland, son of Turhand Kirtland, who was an eye wit- ness of this muster, was, as he says in a letter written from East Rockport, Ohio, August 29, 1874, "surprised to see an apparent wilderness furnish some six or seven hundred soldiers. The regiment formed with its right near Col- onel Rayen's residence, and marched to a vacant lot near Main street and the Mahoning river, near the mouth of Mill creek, and was there re- viewed. Simon Perkins was brigadier-gen- eral; John Stark Edwards, brigadier-major and inspector ; William Rayen, colonel : George Tod, adjutant ; and John Shannon and

McConnel, majors. No one at that time was disposed to evade his duties, and two years aft- erward, the efficiency and patriotism of that body of men were thoroughly and favorably tested." This force formed a part of the Fourth Division, organized under the militia laws passed at Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1803-4, and which included Trumbull, Columbiana and Jefferson counties. The county of Trumbull constituted one brigade. The Third Brigade, commanded by General Simon Perkins, em- braced the present counties of Mahoning, Ash- tabula, and Trumbull, and consisted of three regiments, commanded respectively by Lieu- tenant-Colonels William Rayen, J. S. Edwards and Richard Hayes. The title colonel was used in the militia only by courtesy, it having been abolished in imitation of its abolishment by the Continental establishment after the Revo- lutionary war.

In Febraury, 1812, Congress passed an act increasing the United States army, and provid- ing for a regiment of volunteers from Ohio and Kentucky. These men were to be ob- tained from the different militia regiments, if possibly by voluntary enrollment. George Tod was subsequently appointed major of this regi- ment, which was listed as the Seventeenth United States. Samuel H. Wells, col- onel. Owing to a strong sentiment against the war on the part of the old-time Federalists

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recruiting went slowly until war was actually declared on June 12, 1812. General Perkins returned a list of commissioned and non-com- missioned officers and privates as the quota of the Third Brigade. The time before the actual opening of hostilities was spent in drilling, and all promised well until Hull's cowardly sur- render of Detroit on August 16th to an inferior force of British, Canadians and Indians un- der General Brock.

This disaster was of ominous import to the Reserve and in view of a probable invasion, General Wadsworth issued an order for the whole military force under his command to rendezvous at Cleveland. The citizens in every part of the Reserve had already rushed to arms. From the Cuyahoga came women and children in hurried flight to the interior, and wild rumors of approaching British and Indian forces spread excitement and alarm every- where and nerved to warlike resolution every man, young or old, capable of bearing arms. Old hunting rifles were cleaned, knives sharp- ened, and powder horns and bullet pouches filled with ammunition. So many responded to the call that General Wadsworth gave ord- ers for half of the volunteers to be sent home to act as a reserve in case of emergency. Gen- eral Perkins had been given command at the front. A block house known as Camp Avery had been erected at Huron near the present site of Milan and thither marched Colonel Richard Hayes with eight companies of Trum- bull and Ashtabula troops, while Colonel Rey- en's regiment from the south part of Trumbull county joined the front rank about September 15th. In the camp the troops suffered much from sickness, especially from malaria and bilious fever which greatly reduced their ranks.

The Indians committing some depredations. a volunteer party was organized under Captain Joshua A. Cotton to proceed against them. They met the enemy on the 29th of Septem- ber, and a spirited engagement took place in which six of the volunteers were killed and ten wounded.

The President on September 5th issued an order for a draft of 100,000 men for the regu-

lar service, the Fourth Ohio Division being re- quired to furnish three regiments. These were reported by General Wadsworth as ready for service by November 28, 1812. Early in De- cember, General Wadsworth, having per- formed patriotic and useful service in defend- ing the frontier, returned to his home in Canfield. He had performed this service with- out any assured financial support, contracting the necessary obligations on his own responsi- bility, and relying upon the honor of the gov- ernment for the settlement of all just claims, as he explains in the following letter to the, secretary of war :

CANFIELD, December 20, 1812.

SIR: Having on the 29th ult. completed the force ordered by you from my division by your letter of Sep- tember 5th. and placed them under the immediate com- mand of General Harrison, reporting to him the whole force, it seemed that my service was no longer necessary or required by government, and accordingly on the 30th I left the headquarters of the right wing of the North- western army at Huron and returned home.

Various causes combined, which were altogether beyond my control, have in some measure lengthened the time in completing the organization of the detach- ment. However, no time has been lost. The extensive new settlements have been saved from savage barbarity, and the detachment is equally ready to go forward with the main army. Doubtless you are sensible of the great disadvantages I have labored under to equip, support, and march into the field such a detachment of men with- out money. Although the credit of the United States may be good, there is a class of citizens that will not lend any assistance or support to the war. Of course it is more difficult to procure supplies for a military force, and in the present case has fallen heavy on the real friends of the government. You see I am placed in a critical situation. By my orders great expenditures have accrued. I am daily called on for payment and several suits have been actually commenced. Although I do not conceive myself personally holden, yet it will make extra expense and. Sir, I do conceive it necessary as well for the honor of the Government as the good of the creditors, that some effectual measures be immed- iately adopted to save expense. Would it not be advis- able to appoint some person within the limits of my division to audit and pay off those demands?

I can assure you, Sir, that many of the creditors are much embarrassed for want of their just dues.

Yours very respectfully, ELIJAH WADSWORTH.

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Owing to the destruction both of the na- tional and state records, those at Washington having been destroyed in the burning of the capitol by the British in 1814, it is not known what companies continued in the army after February, 1813, the date of the expiration of the original enlistments. "It is known, how- ever, that many soldiers from Trumbull county participated in the campaign of 1813, which terminated in Harrison's brilliant victory of the Thames in the fall of that year. That vic- tory left the Northwest secure, the Indians hav- ing been brought to peace, and the British arms driven from Upper Canada."

MEXICAN WAR.

After peace with Great Britain had been declared there was no further call for military service from the inhabitants of the Reserve un- til the breaking out of the Mexican war in 1846, when enlistment offices were opened in the principal cities and towns throughout the country. But three men, so far as we have been able to learn, enlisted from Youngstown, or any part of this county, to serve in that war, which was considered by the opponents of the Jackson administration as being an unneces- sary and needlessly provoked war.

These three men were William Crum. Henry Crum, and Edward Morley, none of whom are now living. Two Mexican War veterans, however, are now residents of Youngstown-Charles G. Viall and Captain Samuel C. Rook. The latter, who at the age of eighty years, is still hale and hearty, and actively engaged in business, is also, a veteran of the Civil War. In Mexico he served in Gen- eral Heintzelman's command, and well remem- bers hearing General Winfield Scott make a stirring speech to the soldiers just before the army entered the city of Mexico. Both he and Mr. Viall enlisted for that war from other states, Captain Rook, then a young men, go- ing out in a spirit of adventure from Penn- sylvania.

CIVIL WAR.

The growth of the slave power which, as some think, was no inconsiderable factor in bringing on the war with Mexico, continued

uninterruptedly until the overweening ar- rogance and ambition of its leaders brought about its final extinction in the bloody conflict of 1861-65. When, soon after the firing of the first gun upon Fort Sumter, April 12, 1861, President Lincoln issued his call for seventy-five thousand troops, his appeal was nowhere answered with more patriotic enthusi- asm than in Ohio. Camps were established in various parts of the state, to which the newly enlisted soldiers were sent for organization and drill. Of the four thousand men who had been thus recruited by the end of the month, one company was from Mahoning county, one from Trumbull, and a detachment of light ar- tillery from both counties. They rendezvoused at Camp Taylor, where they were joined by other companies, and the

Seventh Ohio Regiment of Volunteer In- fantry was formed. Full of patriotic ardor, all were anxious to go to the front. Early in May they left Camp Taylor and marched into Cleveland, whence, more than a thousand strong, they took the cars for Camp Dennison, Cincinnati. Here the regiment was organized by the election of E. B. Tyler, of Ravenna, Ohio, as colonel; William R. Creighton, lieu- tenant-colonel; and John S. Casement. major ; the men received their uniforms and being put under strict discipline, entered upon actual work of soldiers. Soon after, the President is- suing a call for three years' troops, the Sev- enth responded almost to a man, and after a six days' furlough, were mustered into the three years' service. They began regular duty in Western Virginia, and soon after were ord- ered to join General Cox, whose division was then moving up the Kanawha Valley. It be- ing ascertained that four thousand Confeder- ates under General Floyd were preparing to cross the Gauley at Cross Lanes, the spot re- cently vacated by the Seventh, a countermarch was ordered and the enemy was encountered at dawn on the following day in large force. A skirmish ensued and the Seventh after mak- ing a brave stand, was driven back by superior numbers, losing 120 men in killed, wounded and prisoners.

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HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

In October, under Colonel Dyer, who had assumed command, the Seventh participated in the pursuit of Floyd through West Virginia. It was then transferred to Central Virginia and, as a part of General Lander's command retreated before General Jackson to Hampshire Heights, where ten days were spent, it being mid-winter, in boisterous weather with snow ten inches deep, the troops having scarcely any protection from the cold, and being at the same time short of rations. The rest of the time until spring was spent in camp at Pawpaw Sta- tion, where General Landers died and was suc- ceeded by General Shields.

Under General Shields the regiment played a conspicuous part at the battle of Winchester, March 23, 1862, losing fourteen killed and fif- ty-one wounded, besides several prisoners. Colonel Tyler was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, being succeeded in the colo- nelcy of the regiment by Lieutenant-Colonel Creighton.

An order having been issued by the war department for General Shields' division to join General McDowell at Fredericksburg, the troops, after a nine days' march reached their destination May Ist, and on the following day were reviewed by President Lincoln and other officials. The Seventh was soon again actively engaged in repelling General Jackson's march toward Washington. With the Fifth Ohio it was in the center of the fight, and for five hours, under cover of a field of wheat, three thousand muskets were successful in repelling fourteen thousand of the best troops in the Confederate service. A retreat being ordered, the Seventh was made the rear guard, which onerous post they filled-the regiment being hard pressed by the Rebels-without once breaking line.

On August 9, 1862, as a part of General Bank's corps, which was then attached to the Army of Virginia under Pope, the Seventh participated in the bloody battle of Cedar Mountain, two hundred out of the three hun- dred men engaged being killed or wounded. Pursued by General Lee, the army retreated towards Washington, and a month of fighting and laborious marching followed. At Antie-

tam, September 7th, the Seventh was present only as a reserve force. About this time the regiment which had been depleted by disease, battle, and other causes from one thousand to less than three hundred men, received an addi- tion of two hundred recruits. The winter saw no active service save a slight skirmish with Stuart's cavalry.

On May 7th, after a ten days' march, the Seventh was thrown into the hottest of the fight at Chancellorsville, where in the two days' battle it occupied some of the most ex- posed positions and gained great credit for its gallant conduct. With two other regiments it covered the retreat of the Federal army. Its loss was fourteen killed and seventy wounded.

At Gettysburg, reached June 1, 1863, after a laborious march, the Seventh acted as a re- serve force, and having the protection of breastworks during greater part of the battle, sustained a loss of but one man killed and seventeen wounded. It was next called upon to assist in quelling the New York draft riots. Afterwards returning to the Rapidan, it be- came a part of the Twentieth Army Corps un- der Hooker and was ordered to the Western department, which had just been placed under the command of General Grant. It assisted in driving Bragg from Lookout Mountain and pursued the enemy up the sides of Mission Ridge. At Thompson's Gap, on November 27th, while preparing as a part of Geary's brig- ade, to storm Taylor's Ridge, where the Reb- els had made a stand, the Seventh had the mis- fortune to lose its gallant commander, Colonel Creighton. The regiment advanced under a heavy fire which became so fierce that the colonel, finding it impossible to advance turned his men into a ravine. As the line approached a fence a rifle ball pierced his body and he expired instantly, his only words being, "My dear wife." Lieutenant-Colonel Crane had also fallen and the regiment was compelled to retreat, with a loss of nineteen killed and six- ty-one wounded, only one commissioned of- ficer escaping unhurt. The winter was spent at Bridgeport, Alabama, and the regiment en- gaged in no more fighting until May 3rd, when with but slight loss they drove the enemy

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from Rocky Face Ridge. The veterans' term of service having now expired, the late re- cruits were consolidated with the Fifth, and ac- companied Sherman on his march through Georgia. The regiment was then ordered North and on July 8th was mustered out of the service at Cleveland.

More than one thousand eight hundred men had served with the Seventh during its three years and more of service. It had par- ticipated in more than a score of battles, some of them the hottest of the war, and with the exception of about sixty new recruits, "only two hundred and forty men remained to bring home the colors riddled with shot and shell."

The Nineteenth Regiment of Ohio Volun- teer Infantry was formed soon after the Sev- enth and mustered into the three months' serv- ice. Three of the companies-B, C, and G- were mainly from Trumbull and Mahoning counties. At Camp Jackson, near Columbus, to which they were transferred May 27, 1861, under the old militia rules, Samuel Beatty was chosen colonel, Elliott W. Hollingsworth, lieutenant-colonel, and Lewis P. Buckley, major. After the organization and drill had been perfected, it was united with the Eighth and Tenth to form a brigade, and first saw active service under General Rosecrans at Rich Mountain, West Virginia, on July 7th, receiv- ing the commendations of the commander "for the cool and handsome manner in which it held its position against a flank attack, and for the manner in which it came into line and de- livered its fire near the close of the action." Nine companies of the regiment re-enlisted for the three years' service, and November 16th it was ordered to Fort Jenkins, near Louis- ville. The winter was spent in camp at Colum- bia, the regiment forming a part of the brigade under command of General Boyle. Here the men suffered greatly from an epidemic of ty- phoid fever. Early in March the Nineteenth set out for Nashville, and marched the long distance with shoes in such condition that the men were almost barefoot. From Nashville they took steamer for Savannah and there. within hearing of the guns of Shiloh they were

transferred to the boat which conveyed them to Pittsburgh Landing, which they reached at the end of the first days' fighting. They found the Union troops driven almost to the river, the banks of which were lined with thousands of stragglers who were in a state of panic. A dreary wet night was spent on the battle- field, and the battle being renewed early the next morning the Nineteenth was ordered into action and fought with courage and coolness contributing their full share to the final victory. The regiment lost Major Edwards, besides a number of privates killed and wounded.

During the gradual approach to Corinth under General Halleck, who had practically displaced Grant, the regiment lost Captain F. E. Stowe, of Company G, by disease. Not long after, at Battle Creek, Alabama, to which place the regiment had marched under the com- mand of General Buell, Lieutenant D. W. Hil- debrank also died of disease. At Crab Orchard the Nineteenth captured a rebel gun. At Mur- freesboro, January 2nd, the regiment saw fierce fighting and did gallant service but at a heavy cost. Out of 449 men who entered the battle 213 were lost in killed, wounded or miss- ing, five commissioned officers being among the killed. While in camp near Murfreesboro after the battle Lieutenant-Colonel Hollings- worth resigned, his place being filled by Major Manderson, and Captain H. G. Stratton be- ing made major. The time from the occupa- tion of Murfreesboro January 4th to June 28th was spent in camp.

In August the Nineteenth crossed the Cum- berland mountains, and in September lost two men in a skirmish with the enemy at Craw- fish Springs. On the 18th of the same month the regiment captured several prisoners and a battery. The battle of Chickamauga was par- ticipated in on the 20th, after which the regi- ment retreated with the army to Chattanooga. November 23 twenty men were lost at Orchard Knob, and two days later the Nineteenth took part in the unordered and spontaneous but suc- cessful storming of Mission Ridge. Then fol- lowed the tedious march to Knoxville, the men being poorly supplied with clothes and hut half shod. On learning that Longstreet had

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raised the siege of Knoxville, the army moved to Flat Creek, where over four hundred mem- bers of the Nineteenth re-enlisted in the vet- eran service. After returning to Chattanooga the regiment left for Ohio reaching Cleveland by the 16th of February.

The veterans, who reassembled in camp at Cleveland March 17, reached Knoxville on the 24th, and subsequently participated in the Atlanta campaign. The Nineteenth took part in the battle of Nashville under Thomas, in which Hood's army was completely routed, and was afterwards ordered to Huntsville and Chattanooga, and in July, 1865, to Texas. Mustered out at San Antonia, October 31st, after nearly five years service, the regiment started home, and was finally discharged at Camp Chase, Columbus, on November 22nd.

Twentieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer In- fantry .- The Twentieth Regiment of Volun- teer Infantry was organized in response to the first call for three months' troops in May, 1861. Charles Whittlesey, a graduate of West Point, was colonel, and Manning F. Force lieutenant-colonel. Colonel Whittlesey re- signing in April, 1862, Lieutenant-Colonel Force was promoted to colonel and later to brigadier-general. Harrison Wilson was the third colonel of the regiment. First Lieuten- ant John C. Fry was promoted to cap- tain, and in January, 1864, became colonel of the regiment. The Twentieth conducted itself creditably in its first action at Fort Donelson and was afterwards sent north in charge of prisoners, in which service it became scattered. By the middle of March seven companies were collected on the Tennessee river. It partici- pated in the battle of Shiloh with honor and considerable loss, and during the advance on Corinth remained on duty at Pittsburg Land- ing, suffering considerably from sickness. It was thence transferred to Bolivar. In August, 1862, with two other regiments, it repulsed the rebel general, Armstrong, with thirteen regiments, several of the officers being pro- moted for gallantry. Joining General Lo- gan's division of the Seventeenth army corps in the fall of 1862, it reached Memphis in the

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 55

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W., comp Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1074

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W., comp
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1074