USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 25
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Numerous incidents might be given of attempts to re-take fugitives, but in the majority of cases the pursuers were out-witted by the pursued and their abolition friends. The condition of affairs which then existed creating this "underground mode of travel," as it was called, is known to the generation of today only as a matter of history.
Many instances have been given of the capture or attempt to capture fugi- tives, some with tragic, and others with ludicrous results.
One of the most noted stations on the "underground railroad" in its day was the home of John Finney, in Springfield township, Richland county, near the Stewart crossing on the trolley line, three miles west of Mansfield. "Uncle" John Finney was a man of strong convictions and as bitter as Cato was in ancient Utica, when he denounced the fugitive slave law under the operations of which, runaway slaves were returned to bondage. Finney did not want to simply drift with the tide-he was too strong willed for that-he wanted to take an active part in forming public opinion and in shaping public events.
During the many years that "Uncle" John Finney assisted fugitive slaves on their way to Canada and to freedom, several thousands were entertained at his home over night or for several days and were then taken by him to Savannah or Oberlin, from which points they were assisted on to freedom. At one time the late Benjamin Gass brought five colored men with five or six women and children to Mr. Finney's. The latter he secreted in the loft and the men he put in a granary at the barn. Their pursuers arrived the next morning and demanded a search of the premises, which was denied without warrant. A detachment was sent to Mansfield for the necessary papers of search and seizure and the remainder of the party were invited into Finney's home, where "Uncle" John exerted his great fascinating manners to entertain them. Breakfast
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was announced and "Uncle" John, being a Presbyterian, and a U. P. at that, proceeded to have family worship. As a matter of courtesy his guests kneeled with him. The back of the chair at which Mr. Finney knelt was to the window looking toward the barn. A member of the family had given the negroes the tip to leave. "Uncle" John literally obeyed the command to "watch and pray." He prayed long and earnestly and watched anxiously and did not say "amen" until he saw the last fugitive leave the barn. He then requested his guests to join him in singing the 119th psalm, which was sung to slow music. Breakfast was then served and as much time as possible consumed in the different homely courses. After the close of the meal the party returned from Mansfield with the warrants, but it was discovered the fugitives had fled. As the house was not suspected, it was not searched, and the women and children in the garret were not molested.
An instance is given of Mr. Finney driving to Mansfield one winter morning with a sled load of "wheat," but a sudden lurch of the sled in a gutter revealed the true nature of the load, which was a load of fugitive niggers instead of bags of wheat. The darkies were reloaded into the sled and taken on to Savannah, Ashland county, the next station on the underground road. And in writing of Savannah, I am reminded of a hoax that was played on Neverson Sherman, an alleged abolitionist of that place, in the year 1842. Mr. Sherman was the keeper of a hotel in that village, professed to be an ardent abolitionist and fre- quently expatiated upon the sad condition of the poor down-trodden slaves. But the people of Savannah, notwithstanding Mr. Sherman's professions of piety and his devotion to negro freedom and race equality, were led to doubt his sincerity, and a number of them concluded to put the matter to a test, which they did in the following manner : They circulated a story that several fugitive slaves had been seen lurking around in the community, and that handbills had been posted at Orange and other towns offering a reward of five hundred dollars for their apprehension. When this news reached Mr. Sherman he at once began to lay plans to capture the fugitives and obtain the reward. Fearing that abolitionists might prevent the capture of the fugitives, he raised a posse of men to assist in their capture. The members of the posse, or at least a number of them, knew of the hoax, but entered into the plan for fun. After standing guard all night in the vicinity of a house where it was thought the fugitives were concealed, in the morning word was passed around that they had escaped, and Sherman, thinking he knew the trail they had taken, started after them, it being said that he leaped off like an antelope, but not being acquainted with the route, he took across a piece of low, marshy ground, and in attempting to jump across a wide ditch, landed in mud and water up to his knees, but this did not deter him from the pursuit.
After "chasing" the fugitives all day the party returned to Mr. Sherman's hotel in the evening. Sherman was confident of finally making the capture, and in the ecstasy of the thought that he would eventually have the five hundred dollars reward, he treated the whole company, and the crowd accepted the invi- tation and soon the fora commenced upon the landlord's apple pie and brandy. While the refreshments were circulating among his guests, the elated host did not forget to partake of the viands himself. The firewater soon got possession of
ERCETED BY NA Ano Max JONAS TWEER TO THE NEMCHAY OF OUR DEAD SOLDIERS 1888
SOLDIERS' MONUMENT- ASHLAND OR
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both stomach and brain, and his feelings soon rose accordingly. He frisked about like a dancing master, and insisted that the boys should eat and drink their fill, as it was not every day that a man made five hundred dollars.
Sherman was informed of the hoax next day and concluded that he was not wanted in Savannah, and left the place.
MILITIA.
Prior to the erection of Ashland, Richland county had two regiments of militia, one of which was a rifle regiment. They were organized in 1824. The rolls of the companies having been destroyed, only traditionary history of the same can be given. The organization of which the Richland county militia was a part, was known as the "First Regiment of the First Brigade, of the Eleventh Division of the Ohio Militia."
The regimental officers were:
FIELD AND STAFF.
Colonel John Oldshue, Lieutenant Colonel William Scott, Major William Roller, Adjutant Sage Kellogg, Surgeon Joel Luther.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Burr Kellogg, Montgomery; Captain Absalom Newell, Montgomery ; Captain James Doty, Mifflin; Captain Hugh Burns, Milton; Captain John Woodburn, Milton; Captain Thomas Ford, Clearcreek; Captain John Mc Williams, Clearcreek; Captain Joseph Bishop, Orange; Captain William Patterson, Orange; Captain Joseph Strickland, Vermillion.
During the existence of the first organization, many changes took place in the regimental and company officers. John Latta, Zachariah Newell, Christian Bush, Burr Kellogg, and Jacob Heckard acted part of the time as captains.
REORGANIZATION.
In 1834 the regiment was reorganized, but retained its original place in the Ohio militia. Colonel John Oldshue resigned, and was succeeded by Alexander Miller ; Major William Roller resigned, and was succeeded by Richard P. Fulker- son. The regimental officers then were :
FIELD AND STAFF.
Colonel Alexander Miller, Lieutenant Colonel William Scott, Major Richard P. Fulkerson, Adjutant Ephraim R. Eckley, Surgeon Joel Luther.
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COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Richard P. Fulkerson, Montgomery; Captain Alanson Walker, Montgomery; Captain Zachariah Newell, Montgomery; Captain James Doty, Mifflin ; Captain John Woodburn, Milton; Captain Hugh Burns, Milton; Cap- tain Christian Bush, Orange; Captain Joseph Bishop, Orange; Captain Thomas Ford, Clearcreek ; Captain Joseph Strickland, Vermillion.
In a short time, Samuel W. Russell succeeded William Scott as Lieutenant Colonel; and Colonel Alexander Miller having resigned, Lieutenant Colonel Russell became Colonel, and John Madden Lieutenant Colonel.
In the meantime, Adjutant Ephraim R. Eckley resigned, and Paschel Whiting was appointed to fill the vacancy. When Captain Richard P. Fulker- son became major, William Sheets was elected to fill the vacancy. There were other changes not now remembered.
The regiment maintained its organization until about the year 1844, when the militia system of Ohio practically expired.
Colonels Oldshue and Russell, and Major Madden removed west. Colonel Alexander Miller died in 1860. Adjutants Kellogg and Whiting, Dr. Luther and Colonel Scott, and a majority of the captains, have responded to the last roll call, and gone to a grand encampment across the great river. Captain Alanson Walker served honorably in the war of 1861-5; and Major Richard P. Fulkerson accompanied the "Squirrel Hunters" to Cincinnati, during the ap- prehended invasion of General Kirby Smith, of Kentucky.
The regimental musters, for many years, took place on a small prairie below the village of Mifflin, on the banks of the Blackfork. This field gave ample room for maneuvering and regimental display. The privates were destitute of firearms on train day, and the performance was a mere pastime, and regarded as a dry affair. For many years the companies were conditionally kept in ex- istence. The privates, under the law, could either train or work two days on the public highway. Many preferred to repair the roads and this sapped the vitality of the organization.
Train days, however, were not wholly destitute of excitement. Such assemblages gave an opportunity for the "roughs" to concentrate their forces to settle old griefs and grudges. In the earlier years of the militia system, there seems to have been a bitter feud between the pugilistic chiefs of the Clearfork and the Whetstone. The Clearcreek chiefs consisted of the Slaters and Brawdys and their backers, while those of the Whetstone were led by the Montgomerys Burgetts, Bradens and others. There were also many game men on the military quarters in Montgomery and Orange townships, known as members of the "six- teen nations," who were ready, on all occasions, to see a fight well regulated, and generally took a hand in such contests. When the great chiefs of the Whetstone and the Clearfork' met, their friends accompanied them. They were, generally, men of large size and famous for their muscle and courage.
At the dismissal of the companies in the evening, the respective chiefs, fired by bad whiskey, and eager for the fray, assembled their hosts. In a few moments the champions opened the contest, when large numbers of sympathizers would be drawn into the struggle to see fair play. A hand to hand contest
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followed. Parties were knocked right and left, and the victims of the "manly art of self-defense" were found in every quarter, with bruised faces, and gouged eyes and bitten fingers, stained with blood. It was no child's play. The heavy blows made fearful havoc. The war ended. The braves and their friends marched to a brook, washed their faces, and then proceeding to a neighboring stillhouse, drank friends and buried the hatchet. These sturdy warriors are all gone. Their places are now filled by men of peace. Reason, instead of blows, sways public gatherings, and intelligence, instead of brute force, rules along those beautiful streams.
About the year 1852 an effort was made to revive the militia organization of the county, and create a brigade. To this end Captain John S. Fulton and Colonel George W. Urie visited the officers of the old regiment, who voted for Captain Fulton as their choice for brigadier general. He was accordingly commissioned by the governor as brigadier general, and appointed his staff officers. The brigade officers were :
Brigadier general, John S. Fulton, brigade inspector, George W. Urie, quartermaster, Jacob Crall.
The other members of the staff were from Huron county.
The attempt thereafter to revive the militia system was abandoned.
THE RIFLE REGIMENT.
About the year 1826, a rifle regiment was formed within the territory now composing Ashland, Morrow and Richland counties. It was known as the First regiment, of the First brigade, of the Eleventh division of Ohio militia. The regimental and company officers were :
Captain N. S. Henry, Lucas; Captain Robert W. Mitchell, Bloomfield; Captain John Baughman, Bellville.
It will be seen that the regiment was composed of eight companies, which were elegantly uniformed and armed, and the glitter of their burnished rifles, and their gay dresses, made a fine display in the field. The regimental and com- pany officers attracted much attention in consequence of their size and soldier- like bearing. The regimental officers were superbly mounted, and their regalia was quite expensive.
The first company was composed of volunteers from Clear Creek, Orange and Montgomery. The first captain was John Murray. He was succeeded by John Sprott, and he by George W. Urie. The company then disbanded, Cap- tain Urie having been promoted to major. A new company was then formed. Jacob Oldshue was elected captain, and sometime afterward resigned. George McConnell succeeded him, and upon his resignation George Murray was elected captain, and remained in command until the regiment disbanded.
Upon the resignation of Colonel Samuel G. Wolf, Lieutenant Colonel John Murray became colonel, and upon the resignation of Colonel Murray in 1840, Major Urie was elected colonel of the regiment. Colonel Urie appointed John Sherman, now secretary of the treasury.
About the year 1841 a company of lancers was formed in Ashland, com-
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posed of boys from fifteen to eighteen years of age, of which the late Bolivar W. Kellogg was captain. The members of the company possessed all the enthusiasm of regular soldiers, were handsomely uniformed and made a fine display. It survived some three or four years.
About the same time a light infantry company was formed, and the late William Johnston, of Mansfield, was elected captain. This company survived until about 1846, when it was merged into a new organization, sometimes called the Ashland guards. Captain Scott, Richard Emerson, John S. Fulton and Anthony Jacobs successively became its captains. It expired in 1852.
ASHLAND COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR.
Ashland county can point with pride to her Union troops in the war of the rebellion. She furnished her full quota and more, and the many deaths, the scars and missing limbs of a number of the survivors show that her sons did their full duty in fighting the battles of the Union.
During that war the state of Ohio furnished three hundred and ten thous- and six hundred and fifty-four soldiers, who were enlisted in the various counties in proportion to the number of inhabitants thereof. Of the seventy-five thous- and soldiers enlisted under the President's first call for troops, April 15, 1861, Ohio furnished twelve thousand, three hundred and fifty-seven. Of that number Ashland county furnished one company, which company became Company B, Sixteenth Ohio, the officers of which were:
Captain, John S. Fulton; first lieutenant, Thomas J. Kenny ; second lieuten- ant, William B. McCarty.
The company rendezvoused at Camp Jackson, near the city of Columbus, Ohio, April 23, 1861, where it was enrolled to the 18th day of August, 1861. On the 3d day of May, 1861, Captain John S. Fulton was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and Thomas J. Kenny to be captain of Company B. On the 7th of May William B. McCarty was commissioned first lieutenant, Samuel L. Wilson, second lieutenant, William P. Wright, ensign.
The company became a part of Sixteenth Regiment, at Camp Jackson, Columbus, in May, 1861, under the command of Colonel James Irvine; John S. Fulton, of Ashland, being lieutenant colonel by promotion. The regiment was immediately ordered to Bellaire, and thence to Grafton, West Virginia, where it met the Fourteenth, under Colonel James B. Steedman, and the Fifteenth, under Colonel Lorin Andrews, and a regiment of West Virginians under Colonel Kelley. The Confederate forces, on the approach of these regiments, retired from Grafton in the direction of Phillipi, and were pursued to that point, where a sharp skirmish ensued with Colonel Porterfield, who again retreated, and West Virginia was practically liberated. From Bellaire to Grafton the railroad track had been greatly damaged by the Southern forces, and the Ohio regiments immediately commenced repairs, and put the road in proper condition, placing guards to prevent further injury. To accomplish the task of restoring the road, the Sixteenth Ohio performed arduous duty. A short time after the affair at Philippi, General McClellan made a demonstration in the direction of Laurel
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
Hill, but, from delays, and want of concert in movement, nothing was accom- plished beyond marches and countermarches. The Fourteenth regiment, under Colonel Steedman, was the first to cross at Parkersburg, and the Sixteenth, under Colonel Irvine, at Bellaire.
The company was mustered out August 18, 1861. at Columbus, Ohio.
THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT, OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
The Twenty-third was commanded by Colonel E. P. Scammon. Under the call of July 22, 1861, for five hundred thousand men, Ohio furnished eighty-four thousand one hundred and sixteen men. These volunteers were divided among the various counties in the ratio of men. Ashland county raised two full com- panies, which were incorporated in the Twenty-third regiment. The roster shows the following officers, promotions and men :
COMPANY G-THREE YEARS' SERVICE.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain, Willard Slocum, resigned July 17, 1861; captain, James B. Drake, resigned September 24, 1862; captain, Henry G. Hood, mustered out; first lieu- tenant, Henry G. Hood, promoted captain; first lieutenant, C. E. Reichenbach, promoted captain ; first lieutenant, B. F. Cooper, mustered out; first lieutenant, George W. Stevens, promoted captain; first lieutenant, D. K. Smith, promoted captain ; first lieutenant, M. B. Deshong, promoted captain; second lieutenant, Addison Snively, mustered out; second lieutenant, George W. Stevens, promoted first lieutenant ; second lieutenant, D. K. Smith, promoted first lieutenant; second lieutenant, B. F. Cooper, promoted first lieutenant; second lieutenant, W. A. Stoner, mustered out; second lieutenant, C. A. Towslee, mustered out; second lieutenant, M. B. Deshong, promoted first lieutenant; second lieutenant, L. R. Gray, killed at Winchester; second lieutenant, Henry M. Beer, mustered out; second lieutenant, James M. Craig, mustered out.
The company was organized in Ashland, by Captain Willard Slocum, and went to Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, June 7, 1861; and on the 11th, was mustered into service. July 25, it was ordered to West Virginia. It partici- pated in nearly all the engagements against Generals Lee, Jackson and Floyd. In 1862, it was at the engagement at Jumping Branch. In May, it was at the battle of Pearisburg. It was next in Pope's campaign. In September, it helped expel the enemy from Frederick City, and participated in the great battles at South Mountain and Antietam. In October, it returned to the Kana- wha valley, and aided in expelling the Confederate forces. In February, 1863, it was engaged in watching the approach of the noted Confederate raider, General John Morgan.
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COMPANY H-THREE YEARS' SERVICE.
This company was organized by Captain James L. Drake and recruited in Hanover, Lake and Green townships, and was mustered in at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, June 12, 1861. The officers and privates were:
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain, James L. Drake; first lieutenant, John P. Cunningham; second lieutenant, DeHaven K. Smith.
The Twenty-third was organized at Camp Chase, Ohio. Colonel William S. Rosecranz commanded. During the campaign in West Virginia he was pro- moted to the position of brigadier general, and Lieutenant Colonel Scammon promoted to the vacancy.
On the 25th of July, 1861, the regiment was ordered to Clarksburg, West Virginia. On the 27th of July, it was ordered to Weston. Here it performed arduous duty in fighting guerillas. The regiment next marched to Carnifax Ferry, where General Rosecranz found the Confederates under General Floyd.
The Forty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camp Chase in September, October and November, 1861, with James A. Garfield as colonel. Ashland county furnished two full companies for this regiment.
COMPANY C-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain, Tully C. Bushnell ; first lieutenant, J. D. Stubbs, promoted assist- ant quartermaster, November 13, 1862; first lieutenant, William N. Starr, pro- moted captain, October 22, 1862; second lieutenant, John R. Helman, promoted first lieutenant, June 11, 1862; James S. Bowlby, promoted second lieutenant, October 22, 1862, and resigned January 9, 1864.
COMPANY H-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain, Seth M. Barber, resigned June 11, 1862, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps; John R. Helman, transferred from Company C and promoted captain, June 3, 1864; first lieutenant, William S. Spencer, resigned June 5, 1862; first lieutenant, Peter Miller, transferred to Company H and promoted first lieutenant January 22, 1864; first lieutenant, Charles B. Howk, promoted November 26, 1862, resigned October 23, 1863; second lieutenant, Edwin C. Leach, resigned June 5, 1862; second lieutenant, John F. Robinson, assigned to Company H, later transferred and promoted major Third Infantry.
In an engagement near Memphis, Captain Seth M. Barber was wounded in the foot, which subsequently required amputation, and the occasion of his resignation and assignment to the Veteran Reserve Corps.
Peter B. Johnson, of Ashland, then over sixty years of age, was appointed train master of the Forty-second regiment by General Garfield. Mr. Johnson was over three years in the service and lived to be honorably discharged.
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In December 1861, the Forty-second was ordered to Kentucky. In January 1862, it arrived near Paintville, and on the 8th marched under Lieutenant Colonel Sheldon to the fortified position of General Humphrey Marshall, and found the works evacuated and provisions carried away or destroyed. Colonel Garfield followed Marshall, and on the 9th the battle of Middle Creek took place, and Marshall again retreated and burned his stores. The Forty-second re- turned and passed up the Big Sandy and took possession of Pound Gap. The campaign was disastrous to the volunteers of the Forty-second, eighty-five of whom died through exposure and disease. In March the Forty-second was ordered to Louisville, where it was attached to the brigade of General George W. Morgan, and moved by rail to Lexington, and from thence marched to Cumber- land Ford, with only three hundred and fourteen men fit for duty. In June it marched to the rear of Cumberland Gap, amid continued skirmishing. On the 5th of August, the Forty-second engaged and held back the advance of General Kirby Smith. General Morgan, after consultation, finally evacuated the Gap and fell back to, and crossed, the Ohio river at Greensburgh. The retreat was very rapid, and the men suffered severely for the want of clothing, proper food and rest. In the month of November, Morgan's brigade passed down to Memphis, Tennessee.
In December the Forty-second was ordered to the Yazoo, and led the advance against Vicksburgh. For three days the regiment held its position in line, when the army was compelled to retire. In January, 1863, the forces proceeded to White River, and thence to Arkansas Post, and captured Fort Hindman with seven thousand prisoners, all the guns, small arms and stores. The Forty-second then returned to the rear of Vicksburgh. In the engagements which followed, the regiment sustained heavy loss. After the surrender of Vicksburgh the Forty-second marched to Jackson, and participated in its capture, and then entered the department of the Gulf. It remained at Thebodeaux during the winter of 1864 and in the spring went on an expedition to Clinton, Louisiana, where it participated in a severe engagement. It was also in several other small expeditions, and returned to Camp Chase where it was mustered out September 30, 1864. The Forty-second was engaged in eleven battles, in which it lost one officer and twenty men killed, and eighteen officers and three hundred and twenty-five men wounded. Its tattered banners show hard service.
THE "FIRST CALL" TROOPS.
The rebels opened fire on Fort Sumter at an early hour on Friday morning, April 12, 1861, and continued the bombardment for thirty-four hours. It was an unequal contest-seven thousand rebels against seventy Union soldiers within the beleagured fort. There could be but one result, and on Saturday afternoon Major Anderson yielded to the inevitable and surrendered, stipulating however, that he should salute and retain Sumter's flag.
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