USA > Ohio > Greene County > Greene County soldiers in the late war : being a history of the Seventy-fourth O.V.I., with sketches of the Twelfth, Ninety-Fourth, One Hundred and Tenth, Forty-Fourth, Tenth Ohio Battery, One Hundred and Fifty-Fourth, Fifty-Fourth, Seventeenth, Thirty-Fourth, One Hundred and Eighty-Fourth, together with a list of Greene County's soldiers > Part 9
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a notion to forage a little, but as General Buell had issued an order prohibiting foraging, we thought we would forage on our own hook. Accordingly we started and went a long way from camp, taking only our revolvers with us. Pretty soon we came across a nice lot of hogs, near the river. They were very wild, but we fired at one, slightly wounding it. It took to the water, and Irvine on one side and I on the other, began pelting it with rocks, etc., when it soon submitted to have its hide taken off. We saw at a distance some men, whom we supposed to be rebels, so we started back to camp on the double quick."
Mr. Lynch was detailed into the pioneer corps. He says : " At one time, when near Kenesaw Mountain, the rebels shelled us. My comrade and I laid a rail down on a rock to build a fire and get dinner, but as we stood on one side a cannon-ball struck the rail and knocked it into splinters. We then gathered up the pieces, made our coffee, and laughed at the Johnnies for making us fire-wood.
" In the same corps," says Mr. Lynch, "our squad cap- tured a negro man, to cook for them. He was dissatisfied, and wanted to leave. The boys wanted to have some fun, so they formed a ring around the darkey, and called to me to come and swear him in. I ordered him to take off his hat. He stood up like a man, and I swore him in as follows: 'You do positively swear in the presence of these Yankees, the searchers of all meat-houses, that you will faithfully perform your duty, as you shall answer to Abraham Lincoln?' He replied, 'Yes, sah.' He shortly after left in the night.
" As I was returning to my regiment - the Seventy-fourth," - Mr. Lynch says again, " I was placed on guard-duty, to guard a train loaded with ammunition, going to Chattanooga, from Stevenson, Alabama. Our force consisted of one hundred and fourteen men. Twelve hundred rebels attacked us at the foot of a mountain. Samuel Smith, of Company H, and I pledged
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ourselves to stand by each other, and take care of the other should either be wounded. We had a hard fight, and the enemy whipped us. They broke Smith's arm, but I stood by him, and we waded the river and made our escape. I took him back to the hospital at Stevenson, and there left him."
THE LUCKY REB.
While cut off from rations at Nashville, it was our rule to go out into the country to forage, and invariably we had with us the advance-guard, or cavalry. They generally got the best forage, and if any sport was on hand they fared the best. One day I borrowed the quartermaster's horse, and armed with a good carbine, concluded to accompany the cavalry squad, which numbered about twenty or thirty men. I fell in with a young man who belonged to the Second Kentucky Cavalry. We took our course down the river. About sixteen miles from the city we discovered a squad of rebs, and accordingly "went for them." "Kaintuck " and I singled out a reb mounted on a fine sorrel mare, and began a vigorous race, both of us firing, but to no effect. Finally, by taking short cuts, we came up to him, while nearing a brook. He suddenly dismounted and jumped into the water, and sat down, so that his head was above the water. As we rode up he begged us not to shoot, and we ordered him out. He came out and surrendered his horse and shot-gun, and said he had just enlisted in his company only the day before. "Kaintuck " remarked, "You are a darned sight luckier than I was-to enlist one day in the service and get out the next."
THE MAN WHOSE WIFE WOULD BE UNEASY.
During the time the Seventy-fourth regiment was at Nash- ville, and when the Louisville & Nashville Railroad was cut, we
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not unfrequently were called out in line of battle to meet Mor- gan, or Forrest, or some other band of guerrillas. One evening while lying in line on College Hill, awaiting what we then- thought an attack, a man on a small white pony was seen outside the lines riding leisurely around, as though in search of some- thing. Colonel Moody sent out for him, and on being interro -. gated as to his business, he said he was looking for his hogs .. The colonel told him he must stay with us that night, at which he became very restive, and said he lived only a few miles. away, had a nice home, and his wife would be uneasy if he did: not return that night. The colonel said to him, "There are lots of fellows here who have nice homes, and the flowers bloom just. as fresh in their yard as in yours, and their wives will be uneasy, too, because they are not there ; so tie up and try soldiering one night. Here is a blanket to lie on." He refused to tie up, but sat down on the ground, holding his pony's bridle-rein in his. hand until morning. I don't think he moved from his first position during the night. In the morning the colonel told him. he could go home. I judge he had a poor opinion of soldier-life.
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THE SEVENTY. FOURTH.
CAMPAIGN SONG.
BY İRA S. OWENS, COMPANY C., SEVENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I.
TUNE-"HAPPY LAND OF CANAAN."
On the third day of May we started on our way, The boys then were not complainin'
That they then had to go to meet the rebel foe ; So we started for the happy land of Canaan.
CHORUS. Ho, boys, ho, we'll for the rebels go, And whip them, too, we are aimin'; And we'll never give them rest, But we'll drive them from their nest ; For we're bound for the happy land of Canaan.
At Buzzard's Roost they made a stand ; But the Yankees were on hand ;
And to whip the rebels they were aimin';
But we went around Snake Gap to catch them in a trap ; For we're bound for the happy land of Canaan.
Chorus-Ho, boys, ho, etc.
At Resaca we pressed so tight that we had another fight, For we were so fast on them gainin';
Till at last they left the place, then we had another race ; For we're bound for the happy land of Canaan.
Chorus-Ho, boys, ho, etc.
At Dallas they made a stop, to give us another pop - The rebels that still were remainin';
But the Yankees were so tough that the Johnnies got enough ; For we're bound for the happy land of Canaan.
Chorus-Ho, boys, ho, etc.
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The Yankees now in force, then took another course, Although it was muddy and a rainin';
But we didn't stop for rain, but went for them again ;
For we're bound for the happy land of Canaan.
Chorus-Ho, boys, ho, etc.
At Kenesaw we had to halt, but that was Johnny's fault ; For every nerve we were strainin';
But we'll whip the rebs so bad, 'twill make them very sad ;
For we're bound for the happy land of Canaan.
Chorus-Ho, boys, ho, etc.
The twenty-second day of June, late in the afternoon,
The rebels' shells were a rainin';
But they couldn't shell us out, and we gave them turn about ;
For we're bound for the happy land of Canaan.
Chorus-Ho, boys, ho, etc.
Then on the second of July the rebels had to fly, For Kenesaw mound we were gainin';
It was getting rather hot, so they had to leave the spot ; For we're bound for the happy land of Canaan.
Chorus-Ho, boys, ho, etc.
The next place of renown was Marietta town, In it were people yet remainin';
But Sherman traveled on, for the rebels they were gone ; For we're bound for the happy land of Canaan.
Chorus-Ho, boys, ho, etc.
At Chattahoochee's banks he thought to stop the Yanks - General Johnson, with his army, to sustain him,
For his works were very strong, but he couldn't hold them long ; For we're bound for the happy land of Canaan.
Chorus-Ho, boys, ho, etc.
THE SEVENTY-FOURTH. 121
And now we will determine, with our leader, General Sherman, And the balance of the army to sustain him,
To crush the rebel band, and to redeem the land ;
For we're bound for the happy land of Canaan.
Chorus-Ho, boys, ho, etc.
Now the rebels thought they would, by getting General Hood,
Whip the Yankees that were then on them gainin';
So they charged with might and main, but we drove them back again ; For we're bound for the happy land of Canaan.
Chorus-Ho, boys, ho, etc.
Now, to get the rebs to fight, we marched unto the right, And to draw the rebels out we were aimin';
But when Hood found out the trick, he left Atlanta quick, For we're bound for the happy land of Canaan.
Chorus-Ho, boys, ho, etc.
The railroad track we tore a dozen miles or more, To cut off the reb's supplies we were aimin' ;
For Sherman is the man to flank the rebel clan, For we're bound for the happy land of Canaan.
Chorus-Ho, boys, ho, etc.
Atlanta now is ours, and by all the southern powers, With Jeff Davis and his minions to sustain him ;
.
.Our flag shall proudly wave o'er many a traitor's grave ; For we're bound for the happy land of Canaan.
Chorus-Ho, boys, ho, etc.
At last when we are through, and have whipped the rebel crew, Although it is very hard campaignin';
We will not regret the past, but all go home at last ; For we're bound for the happy land of Canaan.
Chorus-Ho, boys, ho, etc.
7
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GREENE COUNTY IN THE . WAR.
THE VOLUNTEERS.
BY IRA S. OWENS.
We left our homes and friends so dear, To fight for freedom's cause ; Yes, for our country's sake we're here, And to protect its laws.
The Union we will still preserve, Although we have to fight ; From duty we will never swerve, But stand up for the right.
In days of yore our fathers fought, And bled, and died, that we Might share the glories so dearly bought, And that we might be free.
Those patriot sires, that noble band, We'll not forget them, no ; They fought and saved our native land, And conquered many a foe.
Then by our country's flag we'll stand, The Union we will save ; O'er North and South, o'er all the land Our flag shall proudly wave.
Since we obeyed our country's call, And flew to its relief, It's caused the tears of friends to fall, And filled their hearts with grief.
God speed the time when war shall cease, When rebels shall succumb ;
When we shall once again have peace, And traitors hear their doom.
For then shall war be heard no more ; Then friends shall meet again ; And fighting then shall all be o'er, And peace triumphant reign.
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THE SEVENTY- FOURTH.
ON THE DEATH OF R. S. DILWORTH.
The soldier sleeps his last long sleep, His friends in anguish o'er him weep ; For his country's flag his life he gave, He is sleeping now in an honored grave.
No more at the bugle's call he'll come, Or march to the music of the drum ; His voice is hushed, his spirit fled, Ah ! yes, he's numbered with the dead.
Rest, soldier, rest ; thy warfare's o'er, No more you'll hear the cannon's roar ; No night alarms disturb your breast, Then sweetly slumber, sweetly rest.
Ah ! how sad the thought to those Fond friends at home; ah ! yes, who knows The depths of sorrow hearts must feel ; But God alone the wound can heal.
The noble hero patriot fell ; His work is done, he did it well ; His sword is sheathed ; let it remain, He ne'er shall take it up again.
Although we feel his loss is great, Heaven has thus decreed his fate ; His friends and comrades speak his fame, Forever honored be his name.
There is one fond heart now left to mourn, From whose embrace so lately torn, On whom will fall the hardest blow, Will be the deepest grief, we know.
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The loving wife so soon must part With the idol of her loving heart ; But trust in God, grace will be given, And meet your dearest one in heaven.
Friends will drop affection's tears, The lapse of months or lapse of years Shall not banish from the mind Thy many acts of love so kind.
When war is o'er and victory won, We'll think of thee, the absent one - In years to come when once again Sweet peace shall universal reign.
Lieutenant Dilworth's work is done, He rests in peace, his race is run ; Whilst many hearts with grief o'erflow, Naught can disturb his sweet repose.
Farewell, soldier, noble friend, And when this toilsome life shall end, When all earth's sorrows shall be past, We hope to meet in heaven at last.
THE FOUR DAYS' SCOUT.
I will now write a song, and I think I am right, About the trip that we took with Hambright ; Of the farms that we passed, and the nice little villas, The time we went hunting the rebel guerillas.
The time that we started was the month of October, The twenty-fourth day, we being all sober ; We traveled eight miles, and then we encamped, And for that day this was as far as we tramped.
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THE SEVENTY FOURTH.
We marched the next day as far as Dirt Town, Where, off in the woods, some saddles were found. Sometime in the day, when we came to a halt, We saw an old man who was loaded with salt.
He had five or six barrels in his wagon he had bought, All the way from Blue Mountain his salt he had brought ; He said that the rebels to Blue Mountain had gone, So onward we went and left him alone.
That night we encamped right close to a mill, (If the mill isn't gone I guess it's there still ); The way that we went, and the road that we took, We followed our leader, whose name was Cap. Crook.
Of potatoes and molasses we had plenty to eat, Besides, we had pork, the best of fresh meat ; So we had plenty of forage, of the very best kind, Though sometimes the brigade would leave us behind.
Now Crook, as a leader, we very well knew Was gallant and brave, and so was he true ; And should we have chanced to have heard a big noise, Captain Crook is the man who would have staid with his boys.
In battle the captain has often been tried, No one his courage has ever denied ; And if you should happen on the captain to call, You will find he is kind and courteous to all.
Since the captain is going to leave his command, And return once again to his own native land, To lay down his sword, and cease fighting his foes, May joy go with him wherever he goes.
The next day we marched, and at night there was rain, And the next day we marched to our division again ; Four days and three nights we were out on the scout, And I guess no one knew what we were about.
Twelfth Regiment, O. V. I.
Under the call for seventy-five thousand three months' troops, the Twelfth Ohio Infantry was organized at Camp Jack - son, Ohio, May 3, 1861. It moved to Camp Dennison May 6th, there re-enlisted, and was re organized and mustered into . the service for three years on the 28th of June, 1861. The Twelfth left Camp Dennison for the Kanawha Valley, July 6th, arrived at Point Pleasant on the 9th, and on the 14th reached Pocotaligo River.
On the 17th of July the regiment fought the battle of Scary Creek, the enemy being strongly fortified beyond a ravine. The regiment fought three hours, and after exhausting its ammuni- tion, fell back in good order to its camp at the mouth of the Pocataligo, with a loss of five killed, thirty wounded, and four missing. The regiment entered Charleston, West Virginia, on the 25th, and reached Gauley Bridge on the 29th, where it cap- tured a large quantity of arms and ammunition. Eight compa- nies marched down the Kanawha to Camp Piatt, August 13th, and from there moved to Clarksburg, West Virginia, and were there assigned to General Benham's brigade.
Marching south through Weston, Sutton, and Summerfield, they arrived at Carnifex Ferry, September 10th, and engaged in the battle of that place, losing two killed and ten wounded. It was here that the brave Colonel John W. Lowe fell. Two days after this they were engaged in a slight skirmish on the Gauley with guerillas, then marched to Camp Lookout, and from there, on October 10th, moved to Hawk's Nest, on New River.
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THE TWELFTH.
In the meantime the two companies left at Gauley Bridge surprised and routed two hundred rebel cavalry under Jenkins, on the 25th of August. They were engaged in several skir- mishes and reconnoissances, and finally joined the other eight companies at Hawk's Nest, on the 16th of October.
On the 1st of November the Twelfth marched to the mouth of Loop Creek, and attempted to flank Floyd, who was threaten- ing Gauley. It soon after engaged in the pursuit of Floyd's forces, and having followed him until near Raleigh C. H., gave up the chase and returned to Loop Creek. The regiment was transferred to General Cox's brigade, December 10th, and moved to Charleston, and went into winter quarters.
On the 3d of May, 1862, the regiment left Charleston and joined Scammon's brigade at the mouth of East River. It skir- mished at the narrows of New River, fell back to Princeton, then to Blue Stone River, then to the Summit of Flat Top Mountain, and fortified. From the 20th of May until the 14th of August, the regiment scouted the country in every direction, made some heavy marches in the mountains, and captured many bushwhackers. It was ordered to the Army of the Potomac August 15th, and arrived at Alexandria on the 24th.
The Twelfth regiment met the enemy at . Bull Run bridge, August 26th, was severely engaged for six hours against a greatly superior force, and was compelled to fall back to Fairfax Station, with a loss of nine killed, sixty-eight wounded - six mortally - and twelve missing. The regiment returned to Alexandria, rejoined Cox's brigade, and marched to Upton Hill. On the 7th of September it advanced into Maryland, and after a sharp skir- mish at Monocacy Bridge, on the 12th, entered Frederick City. On the 14th of September it engaged in the battle of South Mountain, participating in three bayonet charges and capturing three battle-flags, a large number of small arms, and over two hundred prisoners, and sustaining a loss of sixteen killed, ninety-
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one wounded, and eight missing. On the 17th the regiment was engaged at Antietam, and lost six killed and twenty-nine wounded. After the battle it marched for West Virginia via Hagerstown and Hancock, Maryland ; but on arriving at Han- cock it moved into Pennsylvania to operate against Stewart's cavalry. Stewart having retreated, the Twelfth returned to Hancock, and arrived at Clarksburg, West Virginia, October 16th. The regiment marched from Clarksburg October 25th, in Crook's division, through Weston, Sutton, and Summerville, endeavoring to gain the rear of the rebel forces in the Kanawha Valley, and arrived at Gauley Bridge November 14th, the rebels having retreated before the division arrived.
On the 4th of December the regiment marched to Fayette C. H., West Virginia, and went into winter quarters. Here it was assigned to the second brigade, third division, and eighth army corps. The brigade, under Colonel White, repulsed the enemy's attack on Fayette C. H., May 9th, 1863, the regiment losing two killed, nine wounded, and eight missing. It pursued the retreating rebels to Raleigh C. H., and then returned to Fayette. C. H. On July 13th the Twelfth marched against the enemy at Piney Creek, but the rebels retreated, and the regi- ment returned to. Fayette C. H.
The brigade was ordered to Ohio July 17th, to assist in capturing John Morgan, and after proceeding up the Ohio River as far as Blennerhassett's Island, and guarding fords for several days, it returned to Fayette C. H. During the months of August and September the regiment was employed in construct- ing fortifications. On the 4th of November it marched against Lewisburg, but the enemy fled, and the regiment again returned to Fayette C. H. On the 9th of December it made another move on Lewisburg, as a diversion for General Averill. Bush- whackers were very troublesome on this march, and the regiment lost two killed, two slightly, and two mortally wounded, and two
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THE TWELFTH.
missing. The Twelfth went into quarters at Fayette C. H., and was engaged in holding outposts and in watching the enemy.
On the 3d of May, 1864, the regiment left Fayette C H., marched to Cloyd's Mountain, and there engaged the enemy on the 9th. The fight lasted over an hour, and the regiment lost eleven killed and sixty-eight wounded. In addition to these Surgeon Graham and nineteen men, left on the field in charge of the wounded, fell into the enemy's hands. The regiment pursued the fleeing rebels to New River Bridge, where a heavy artillery fight ensued, in which the enemy was driven back. The regiment crossed New River at Pepper's Ferry, and de- stroyed a number of bridges and a large amount of property belonging to the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad.
The Twelfth Regiment marched northward, and on the 19th reached Blue Sulphur Springs, where it remained until the 31st, when it moved on Staunton. Arriving at Staunton June 8th, it joined the forces under Hunter, marched southward, flanked Lexington, and on the 12th assisted in destroying large quanti- ties of ammunition, and in burning the Virginia Military Insti- tute. On the 16th it destroyed the railroad between Liberty and Lynchburg, and burned several large bridges. The next day it marched on Lynchburg, and met the enemy at Quaker Church, three miles from the city. The Twelfth and Ninety-first Ohio regiments charged the enemy in fine style, and drove them back in disorder. The Twelfth captured a number of prisoners, and lost eight killed, and eleven wounded. The next day the regi- ment was engaged before the enemy's works, but withdrew after dark, and on the 19th marched to Liberty. It moved along the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad to Salem, and from there pro- ceeded northward, via Catawba Valley, New Castle, Sweet Springs, White Sulphur, Lewisburg, and Gauley, to Camp Piatt, on the Kanawha, where it arrived June 29th. On this march both men and horses suffered considerably from hunger and thirst.
9
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GREENE COUNTY IN THE WAR.
The Twelfth regiment was finally ordered to Columbus, Ohio, July 2d, and mustered out of the service at that city on the 11th of July, 1864. During its term of service the regiment moved, on foot, by rail and water, a distance of four thousand and forty-nine miles, and sustained a loss in killed, and wounded, and missing, of four hundred and fifty-five men.
TWELFTH O. V. I. REUNION.
From Xenia Torchlight, October 10, 1883.
The members of the Twelfth O. V. I., from Cedarville, were escorted from the depot early this morning to the. St. George Hotel. The early music aroused the citizens from their short naps after the election returns, and everybody imagined the successful candidate had been announced, but a moment's thought rectified the mistake, for this is the day of the Twelfth O. V. I. reunion.
At about ten o'clock the band went to the depot to meet a delegation which, in company with all the members of the regi- ment, was escorted to the Opera House. The stage to day is very elaborately and tastefully decorated by our city florist - Lambert. In the decorations the battle flags of the regiment hold conspicuous places.
ADDRESS OF WELCOME, BY THOMAS E. SCROGGY, ESQ.
I have been introduced as Comrade Scroggy. It was not my privilege to have been a member of your regiment, excepting a short time in the beginning of the war, when I served as a member of Company B, on the bloody field of Camp Jackson,
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THE TWELFTH.
although I contributed liberally of my relatives - a brother and brother-in-law, who were members of Company D, and whom many of you remember.
Soldiers of the Twelfth Ohio Regiment : - On behalf of the resident members of your regiment, and the citizens of Xenia, I have the honor and pleasure of extending to you, each and all, a most cordial welcome. Next to my own -the Thirty-ninth Ohio - there was no regiment to which I have been more warmly attached than to the Twelfth; and I can assure you that the people of Xenia cherish with fond remembrance your mag- nificent achievements. Of the two hundred regiments which Ohio sent to the field, none performed their duty better, nor are entitled to greater renown, than yours. During those years of war, when Ohio proved her loyalty to the Union and to her soldiers in the field ; when her loyal people were giving us aid, comfort, and consolation; when her sons on other theaters of the war were performing their part in the awful tragedy, the soldiers of the Twelfth Ohio were following that battle-torn old banner wherever it was waving, in triumph, or were sleeping their last sleep on the fields which their valor has contributed to win. The battle-fields of Scarrey Creek, Carnifax Ferry, Gauley, Bull Run Bridge, South Mountain - and who of you will ever forget that terrible conflict, when you made three charges - the Twelfth Ohio charging the Twelfth North Carolina - when you captured three battle flags and two hundred prisoners, the battle-field of Antietam, Fayette Court House, Cloyd Mountain, New River Bridge, Quaker Church, Lynchburg, and others which I do not recall, over which your flag has floated in triumph, are enough to render your name and fame of this grand old Twelfth im- mortal.
Well then might Ohio be proud of the record you were making for her. On whatever battle-field you stood, a new luster was added to her name; and as one of her sons, my heart
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used to swell with joy and pride, as time after time tidings came from your far-distant camp-fires in Virginia, that the brave old Twelfth, whose ranks had been torn by shot and thinned by shell, still stood at her post of duty. Nobly did you fulfill your arduous trust during those stirring years of war. Soldiers of the Twelfth Ohio, let come what may, the record you have made is beyond reproach. So long as patriotism, constancy, and valor are esteemed, so long will your immortal deeds be cherished and revered by brave men and noble women, The historian will look in vain to find a grander example of true patriotism than yours. Many of your bravest, truest, and best boys who went out with you did not return. You left them on the fields of battle, and on the mountains, and by the streams of Virginia, where no voice of mother, wife or sister, will ever wake them ; where no kind hand will ever strew flowers upon their graves. They died for liberty - they died for us, and by us they shall never be forgotten They will live in the affections of their countrymen and their country's history. It is eminently proper that you who survive them have these annual reunions, where you can mingle your joys and your sorrows, and where, in your imaginations, you can live over again your happiest days of the war. The people of Xenia, therefore, greet you with that genial, overflowing welcome, which is due to friends and brothers, to patriots and benefactors. We greet you as champions of the eternal principle, that all men are created equal, and that every man beneath our flag has a perfect right to the enjoyment of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Welcome, grand old patriots ! Welcome to the hearts and hospitalities of the people of Xenia.
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