History of Ashland County, Ohio, Part 27

Author: Baughman, A. J. (Abraham J.), 1838-1913. cn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1012

USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 27

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

COMPANY C.

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

Captain, John F. Mckinley; first lieutenant, Thomas Armstrong; second lieutenant, William Harvey.

Company C rendezvoused at Mansfield, and was mustered into the United States service on the 17th of October, 1862, for three years.

COMPANY F.

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

Captain, Henry Buck, resigned February 15, 1863; first lieutenant, Robert M. Zuver, resigned June 14, 1863; second lieutenant, John Sloan, promoted captain, February 20, 1863.

Company F was mustered into the United States service at Camp Mansfield, October 14, 1862, and on the 25th departed by rail for Covington, Kentucky, where it arrived on the 26th. The meanderings of the Twelfth will exhibit the history of its companies.

The One Hundred and Second regiment suffered severely in the Sultana disaster, losing eighty-one of its men.

On the 27th of April, 1865, just as the awful strife between the north and the south had come to a close, there occurred a most disastrous accident, a marine calamity, the like of which this world has never known.

It occurred in the shadow of another great calamity-the assassination of President Lincoln-and for this reason was in a certain measure overlooked by the people at large. This is the only reason that can be given for the fact that the loss of the steamer Sultana and the perishing of nearly two thousand Union soldiers has never been given a due place in the history of the nation.

It was a disaster of the most appalling nature. Twenty-three hundred men, twelve women, over two thousand of the former being paroled soldiers who had just been released from rebel prisons, half starved and ill, were asleep on the decks of the Sultana, a Mississippi steamer, all bound homeward, with dreams of getting back again beneath the stars and stripes, under which flag they had been serving their country, for three years in the rebellious south.

The over-laden Sultana with its precious burden of human freight, was slowly steaming up the broad Mississippi, when between the hours of two and three o'clock a. m., with a rain slowly falling and darkness everywhere, one of the boilers exploded. Imagine the scene, for it cannot be pictured, neither will pen ever be able to describe it in the awfulness of the horrors that attended the scene. Many were maimed, others were scalded to death. The whole steamer took fire and in the light there were pictured scenes that tongue can never tell.

Brave men, men who had faced rebel guns, men who had met the deadly fire of the enemy, were now helpless. They had to fight for their lives, but think

NORTH UNION STREET, LOUDONVILLE

CLOUDONVILLE

LOUDONVILLE DEPOT

217

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY

of the odds against them. The broad Mississippi had overflown its banks until it was nearly ten miles wide. Into this vast expanse of water leaped hundreds of men who were not killed nor pinioned down nor burnt to death. They were drowned in squads, sinking beneath others who had jumped on top of them. In one spot about three hundred were sunk to death by the huge iron-bound gang plank falling upon them.

Cries, prayers, pleadings and curses from frenzied men filled the air. Every board or piece of wood was fought for by the men crazed by excitement and anxious to sieze upon something to keep them from sinking into the cold, deep waters of the Mississippi. Hundreds floated down the broad river for miles, many of them giving up the struggle by the way. Others were picked up from floating planks or logs or bales of hay. When daylight dawned it witnessed strange sad scenes. Perched in the limbs of the trees in the water · were half naked, half frozen men, while floating or lodged here or there were found the bodies of others whose lives had gone out.

Brave and heroic rescuers worked faithfully gathering up the living and taking them to the Memphis hospital, where the good women of the Christian Mission cared for them. But in spite of all, many died from the exposure of that awful night.

A friend of the writer gives the following experience of that catastrophe. He is one of the survivors, and writes thus :

"The first I knew anything had occurred, I was on the stern of the boat, and was trying to get my breath and didn't know what had happened, but when I realized what had happened I came to and the boat was all afire, and then I didn't know what to do at that time. I started forward to see if I could find any more of the comrades. Going forward I met Lash Holton, and Lash was like I was, a little excited. I caught hold, went down, and Lash was injured in the face, and then he and I went together and started forward when we met Jacob Irons and Jacob Byerly and that left four of us together, and I suggested that we get the gang plank and push that off and all get on and stay together and help each other. That was agreeable to all, and we started forward for the front end of the boat to climb off, and when we got just above the wheel house the deck gave away and we all went down into the fire. The other three burned and I striking the stair steps pulled myself out. I was considerably burned, my face and hair, and then I concluded I didn't know what to do, but I finally found a deck bucket, I got water and poured that on myself. The reason I didn't go and jump over-board at that time, was because there were twenty or thirty in a bunch holding fast together going down.

"When I went from there, I crawled up the steps and went up on top. I kept my deck bucket, and after I got up there the smoke stack had taken fire just as I got up. Then a sergeant of the First Ohio called for help, to help throw these men over who were caught under the stack. I assisted him. I threw over ten or twelve, but one survived; that was all, and one had both limbs broken and he got out, and then I went from there on the wheel house and remained there until it burned off, and I went with it and didn't succeed getting on the wheel house because there were so many around it. I struck out without anything.

218

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY

"Some distance from the boat about a quarter of a mile I came across a man with two shutters-he was dead, I procured the shutters from him. I finally got on them myself and swam to an island and remained there until nine o'clock next day, in the water, and was finally rescued by a boat in about thirty feet of water. I had floated and swam six miles."

From the poem depicting the Sultana disaster, the following is copied :

"Out on the river's rolling tide, Out from the steamer's burning side,

Out where the circle was growing wide Men battling with the waves; And drowning, they each other clasped,

And wreathing in death's closing grasp

They struggled bravely, but at last Sank to watery graves."

THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH REGIMENT.

At the organization of the One Hundred and Twentieth, Lieutenant Willard Slocum, of Ashland, acted as adjutant, and was promoted to major February 18, 1863, and lieutenant colonel September, 8, 1863, and brevetted after the close of the war. Captain John McKinley was promoted to major September 8, 1863, and transferred to the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, when he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and mustered out.

The One Hundred and Twentieth reported to General Wright at Cincinnati, on the 25th of October, 1862, for duty, and crossed to Covington, Kentucky. In November it was ordered to Memphis, Tennessee, where it entered the brigade of General George W. Morgan, and moved to the mouth of the Yazoo river, and thence to Johnson's landing to attack the fortifications defending Vicksburgh. The attack commenced on the 26th, the One Hundred and Twentieth partici- pating. It was actively engaged during the siege, and suffered severely in consequence of malaria and exposure. The regiment was ordered to Arkansas Post in January, 1863. When Fort Hindman had been surrounded, the One Hundred and Twentieth made a direct charge upon the works -- the enemy dis- played a white flag and surrendered-the One Hundred and Twentieth having the honor of first entering the fort, as Sergeant Robert Wallace scaled the parapet and planted the colors, for which he was promoted to first lieutenant. The regiment returned to Young's Point, where it suffered severely from malarious fever for nearly two months, more than half the privates being on the sick list. In consequence of delays several of the officers resigned. Early in the spring of 1863 the regiment was ordered to different points along the Mississippi, and finally to Fort Gibson, which was captured, the One Hundred and Twentieth losing one-eighth of its men in the battle. Jackson and Raymond were next captured, and the regiment remained at the latter place until May, 1863. The One Hundred and Twentieth returned to the rear of Vicksburgh and participated in the siege. In July it was ordered on another expedition to Jackson, and, during its investment, Colonel Spigel was severely wounded, and

219

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY

the regiment considerably cut up by the artillery of the enemy. It returned to the Black River bridge in July, and went into camp at Vicksburgh. In Septem- ber the regiment passed down the Mississippi and returned to Plaquemine, one hundred and ten miles above New Orleans, where it remained until March, 1864, when it joined the expedition under General N. P. Banks to invade Arkansas. At Red River Bend, near Snaggy Point, the "City Belle," on which the regiment was crossing the river, was suddenly attacked by about five thousand Con- federates concealed behind the levee, who poured a murderous fire in the boat. It was soon disabled by the artillery of the enemy and floated to the opposite

side of the river, where it displayed a white flag and surrendered. Colonel Spigel fell, and Captains Elias Fraunfelter, Rummel, and Miller, and two hundred privates fell into the hands of the Confederates, and were marched off to Camp Ford, near Tyler, Texas, where they remained in a miserable prison for about one year. Those who escaped formed a battallion of three companies under Lieutenant Colonel Slocum, and, after a march of twenty-three hours, arrived safely at Alexandria and joined the forces of General Banks. In May, General Banks began his retreat. The regiment returned to Morganza, Louisiana, and remained until September, and moved up White river to St. Charles, Arkansas,

and thence to Duvall's bluff. In November the One Hundred and Twentieth and One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio were consolidated, Lieutenant Colonel Kelley, of the One Hundred and Fourteenth, becoming colonel, and Major McKinley, of the One Hundred and Twentieth, lieutenant colonel of the new regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Slocum was honorably discharged, his position being rendered supernumerary by the consolidation of the regiments. This ended the career of the One Hundred and Twentieth regiment. It was organized in 1862 with nine hundred and forty-nine men, and, in 1864, received one hundred and fifty recruits, making ten hundred and ninety-nine men. At its discharge it contained only four hundred and forty men, showing a loss of six hundred and fifty-nine men during the service. The toil and suffering of this regiment were borne throughout with unshrinking fortitude. Like the Eighty- second, the One Hundred and Twentieth returned, scarred and worn veterans, to the firesides of their friends.

ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-SIXTH REGIMENT.

This regiment was organized at Camp Chase for one year, and was mustered into service March 25, 1865, Colonel R. P. Kennedy was in command. One of the companies contained thirty men from Ashland county. The company was Company A, and the following were the commissioned officers :

Captain, Warren H. Wasson; first lieutenant, P. M. Cowles; second lieu- tenant, James Campbell, promoted to first lieutenant.

The regiment was ordered to West Virginia, where it was attached to the Ohio brigade at Winchester. It was subsequently called to Baltimore, and assigned to duty in the fortifications around the city. It was mustered out September 25, 1865. The officers and men of the One Hundred and Ninety- sixth regiment were largely veterans, having served in other organizations in earlier enlistments.

220

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY

FIRST REGIMENT OHIO LIGHT ARTILLERY.

This regiment was composed of twelve batteries, and was mustered into service for three years, September 3, 1861. It was commanded by Colonel James Barnett. The command was organized and equipped at Camp Dennison and sent to the field. Battery D was raised principally in Ashland county, Its officers were :

Captain, Andrew Conkle; senior first lieutenant, Paul H. Rohrbocher, resigned January 1, 1862; junior first lieutenant, Lemuel P. Porter, promoted to first senior lieutenant, January 1, 1862; senior second lieutenant, William H. P'ease, promoted junior first lieutenant, January 1, 1862; junior second lieuten- ant, Henry C. L. Lloyd, promoted senior second lieutenant, January, 1862.

About one-half of the men in battery D were enlisted in Ashland county ; hence the whole roll has been copied that the strength of the battery may be exhibited. Corporal John B. Deshong was promoted to second lieutenant of battery D, and was transferred and promoted to first lieutenant in battery H; and Sergeant William Zimmerman was promoted to first lieutenant and trans- ferred to battery G, of colored troops. Sergeant Joseph B. Charles was pro- moted captain, and took command of battery H, colored troops.

Battery D left Camp Dennison in November, and reported to Brigadier General William Nelson, in Kentucky, and marched with his command up the Big Sandy to Piketon. It returned to Louisville, and thence to Mumfordsville. In February, 1862, the battery reported at Nashville and moved to Pittsburgh Landing, thence to Corinth, Mississippi, and to Athens, Alabama. In Septem- ber it returned to Mumfordsville, where it was captured by the Confederate. forces, paroled and sent to Camp Chase, and exchanged in January, 1863. The battery was reorganized at Columbus, Ohio, and joined the Third brigade at Lexington, Kentucky, in March. In June, 1863, it went on a raid to East Tennessee, under Colonel Saunders, and burned many bridges, a large amount of ordnance and commissary stores. In July it marched with General Burnside to Cumberland Gap, which was captured. In August and September the battery went on a raid into Kentucky and Tennessee, with Colonel Woolford's cavalry. It next marched to Knoxville and participated in the siege. The battery reenlisted and was sent on a thirty days' veteran furlough to Ohio. The ranks being recruited in January, 1864, it marched to Atlanta, Georgia, and joined the forces of General Sherman, and was in all the engagements of that campaign. It was also in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and went to Wilmington, North Carolina, and was finally mustered out at Cleveland, Ohio, July 15, 1865.

THE "SQUIRREL HUNTERS."

In July and September, 1862, during the apprehended siege of the city of Cincinnati by John Morgan, the noted Confederate raider, an appeal was made to the farmers and laboring men within the proper distance of the city to aid in its defense. A large number of men from the rural districts hastened to the rescue. On the 2d of September Governor Todd issued a proclamation authoriz-

221

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY

ing General Lew Wallace to complete the organization, and stating that none but armed men would be received, and also providing for their transportation by rail at the expense of the state. The Queen City was speedily put in a position of defense by General Wallace. General Morgan failed to commence the seige, and the "Squirrel Hunters" were dismissed. Ashland county sent one hundred and four men. By a resolution of the legislature, in the winter of 1863, discharges, in due form, were furnished the "Squirrel Hunters" of 1862.

THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

This regiment was mustered into the United States service at Camp Chase, Ohio, May 12, 1864, under Colonel Hiram Miller, and on the 13th proceeded to Washington city, D. C., under orders from General Heintzelman, commanding the department of the Ohio. The regiment remained at Fort Reno, when it was ordered to the front, and proceeded on transports to White House, Virginia, and thence to Bermuda Hundred. It then reported to General Butler at Point of Rocks, and on the 12th and 14th of June was in reconnoissance of the Petersburgh & Richmond railroad. On the 15th two hundred and fifty men were engaged in a heavy skirmish. On the 16th the regiment proceeded to Wilson's Landing. It assisted in building Fort Pocahontas. On the 29th the regiment was relieved from further duty and returned to Columbus, Ohio, and was mustered out September 10, 1864. Company I was from Ashland county.

COMPANY I.

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

Captain, Joseph R. Remley ; first lieutenant, Corpus C. Funk; second lieu- tenant, Isaiah Mowry.

The company was mustered into the one hundred days' service, but served a few days over time. Samuel Friedline was transferred. George B. Eagle died at Wilson's Wharf, Virginia, June 8, 1864. Nicholas G. Glenn died in hospital at Fortress Monroe, Virginia.

COLONEL LORIN ANDREWS.

Ashland has the high distinction of having given the first citizen of Ohio to volunteer as a soldier for the Union army. This was Lorin Andrews, who was born here in a log cabin, April 1, 1819, being the fourth child born in Ashland. His father, Alanson Andrews, later opened a farm southwest of the village. At the age of seventeen he delivered with great credit a Fourth of July oration at Carter's Grove just east of the town. From 1840 to 1843 he was a student at Gambier, but from want of pecuniary means was obliged to leave, and then took charge of the Ashland Academy. He pursued his studies without a teacher, and with signal success. He lectured before institutes throughout the state, and had scarcely an equal in influence as an educator. So greatly was he valued for power of intellect and general capacity, that, in 1854, he was chosen to the presidency of Gambier, and he brought up the institution from an attend- ance of thirty to over two hundred pupils. Princeton conferred upon him the

222

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY

degree of LL. D. He had peculiarly winning qualities that made him a born leader. It was in February, 1861, that, believing war inevitable, he offered his services to Governor Dennison. In April he raised a company in Knox county for the Fourth regiment, and was elected colonel. It was ordered to West Virginia, where, owing to exposure, he was taken sick of typhoid fever, and died September 18, 1861, and was buried at Gambier in a spot of his own selection. He was but forty-two years of age-in his prime-and of great moral influence. He was about five feet eight inches in height, and weighed about one hundred and thirty pounds ; hair sandy, and inclined to curl. His eye was a clear gray, his face manly, full of benevolence, his carriage erect, with a sprightly gait.

IX. EDUCATION IN ASHLAND COUNTY.

BY PROFESSOR J. C. SAMPLE.

The history of education in Ohio is a story of exceeding interest. It reaches back into the eighteenth century, finding its origin in the great ordinance of 1787, than which, no single act of any national organization has been more prolific of great and far reaching result. It is impossible to even trace the story in an article limited as is this, but some notion of educational advance is necessary, before either state or county academic history can be understood. Ohio's endowment by right of grant in this ordinance, was approximately twelve hundred square miles of her territory, consecrated to educational uses alone. The gift to the people, was to all, and for all time. Its intention was to make intelligence the common characteristic of her people. The conservation of this princely gift and its proper adaptation to the purpose intended was a new feature in government.

The problem proposed for solution was: How far instruction, furnished at public expense should or could, in justice to all, be imparted to the individual. There were then, as today, two leading opinions. The first clearly asserts : "The maxim of state right to impart instruction is the minimum of individual need." This view of state rights gave birth to the famous three R's, Readin, Ritin and Rithmetic theory as the limit of public right. All else must be at- tained by individual effort. It also obtained for almost or altogether fifty years, and more nearly than is now at all supposed, wrecked the cause of public or general education.

It was the hearty belief of such men as the Logans, Kentons, Poes, etc., who, pushing on in the front of the great wave of immigration that entered Ohio at the beginning of the ninetenth century, moulded and largely controlled the public sentiment about them. They were men who cared little for the con- veniences of society, greatly less for its luxuries and refinements, even despised them. They were the pickets of the outposts of civilization. Many of them did not know how to read-did not even care to learn, but they were "men of good common sense;" honest; resolute; fearless; sterling frontier qualities. They settled the western and southwestern border of the state, but their influ- ence was felt everywhere.

We owe to them the peculiar characteristics that have consecrated the old

223

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY

log schoolhouse to immortality-an institution which, if you study it closely the country over, rises in most questionable guise, but over which has been expended so much very twardy and very cheap sentiment and eloquence. The schoolhouse itself; its furniture; apparatus and library there were, absolutely, none; the "Master" himself; stern; bettle browed; his mental, moral, physical qualities, especially the physical; the bare, mud walls; the rickety backless benches; the old Cobb and Webster's spellers; the English reader; Columbian Orator; the Bible; even the old almanac; Pike's arithmetic, and Western calculator; the master's chair, behind which, on pins set into the walls by augers, lay the grew- some collection of gads, one of which was always worn to a frazzle; the huge open fireplace; the long, almost lightless windows, all this forms a picture

"Hung up on memories' wall"

"Cujus magana pars fuimus."

but which we would not forget if we could.

The picture is utterly defective however, to realize it, you must have seen it in action. The writer has felt of it, has seen girls of sixteen and seventeen years old whipped-because "they needed it." Yet this system, with its sad defects and indescribable narrowness, was resolutely upheld as the best by these honest, but stern and severe men. There is one palliation for all this, which in justice to these men, we should not forget. The people were poor ; often without the most pressing demands of human existence-shelter, food and raiment. Money could not be obtained from the grant; the people practically had none.

Men who held the second opinion, and from whom the educational reform, we are now enjoying, came, just as positively declared, "The minimum of state duty is the maximum of individual demand." It is only on a basis of assured wealth that the superstructure of an efficient and successful educational system can be built. To a fair degree this class possessed that wealth. Emigrant colonies, coming from the older northeastern states, bringing with them money sufficient to satisfy passing demands, settled along the eastern and northeastern border of the state. These . colonies, as Anglo-Saxon emigrants always do, brought with them their wives, their children, their religion, their Bible. They first built their cabins and churches; then they built their schoolhouses. We owe to these men the settlement along the Maumee, the Muskingum and the Kokossing-the colleges, the academies they set up there; at Marietta, at Columbus, Granville, Gambier, etc.

There were established the first efficient schools, and these schools were moulded upon the colleges of the sections from whence they came. Their preachers became also their children's teachers-men trained and equipped in the best schools on the continent. History teaches us that all social reformation that shall effect society throughout, must begin with men who are found at the foundation.

Christ's disciples were publicans and fishermen. He, Himself, was the reputed son of a carpenter. Paul was a tent maker. Peter, the hermit, was a French Gascon peasant. Martin Luther was a German miner's son. Ulrich Zwingle was the child of Swiss shepherds. Knox and John Calvin were also peasants. Yet these men, peasants all, led victoriously in the greatest radical reforms known in history. Our present educational system has violated this

224

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY

general law. We began to lay the foundation of our educational pyramid at the apex. The school system of today is an outgrowth of the past, moulded upon the academies and colleges founded by the Puritan emigrants just from the sacred shades of Yale and Harvard.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Ashland County, Ohio, Part 27

Author: Baughman, A. J. (Abraham J.), 1838-1913. cn Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1012

Author: Baughman, A. J. (Abraham J.), 1838-1913. cn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1012