History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 159

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728

USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 159
USA > Ohio > Belmont County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 159

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THROUGH SMITHFIELD.

The citizens having become alarmed at the sound of distant cannonading in the direction of Adena, had become exercised, and about forty ablebodied men were at once under arms and on the advance to meet and crush out the invaders, had any of them escaped the destructive power of Shackleford's cannon. In the hurry and confusion of the moment, it seems these men had forgot- ten to choose any officers or leaders to direct their movements and operations, though a Captain Collins, as he was called, made him- self conspicuous by his boasts of skill and bravery in war; but every man seemed intent on meeting and destroying the enemy in his own way and manner. They soon commenced the march toward Adena, some of them taking the road by way of York, while others took the Mount Pleasant road, as each one took a fancy. Morgan's men had come by way of the Mount Pleasant road, and the party that had taken that route, soon had an op- portunity to test their power with the enemy. The raiders in- stantly captured most of the Smithfield men, broke their guns against the trees and threw them aside, and placed the captives in front, putting the brave Captain Collins on a mule, and in this manner marched through the main street of Smithfield, compelling the captain and his fellow prisoners to proclaim to the people as they passed, "These are Hobson's men, give them plenty to cat, they need it, treat them well." In the excite- ment, with full faith in their brave captain's word, the citizens brought out the best they had to eat, and in fact, about all they had, and laid it before the hungry, half starved enemy, who had the bountiful repast which they so much needed. In the commo- tion and travel worn condition of Morgan's men, the people did not discover the mistake until too late to remedy it. Upon dis- covering the error, their expressions were for sometime decided- · ly more emphatic than religious. Except the foragers of the enemy, who scouted on either side of the road, to gather fresh

horses to supply the places of the exhausted ones, no very re- markable incident, occurred. The captured Smithfield soldiers gradually slipped away from their eaptors without pursuit, and Morgan passed on.

In the afternoon Hobson's men really did appear, tired and hungry. They found but little left to eat in Smithfield, but gathered what horses they could find that had been overloooked by Morgan and pressed on in the pursuit. But here Morgan felt

INCREASED DIFFICULTIES SURROUNDED HIM.

Having found Col. Peter's command covering the Warrenton fording-Col. Bemis' regiment at LaGrange, and Col. Gallaher's men at Mingo, with Col. Shackelford's dreaded cavalry in pur- suit, while the Steubenville militia, under Col. Collier, were hastening in the direction of Winterville, he was in considerable of a hot bed, and the question was no longer of fight but flight- and the raiders made a direct line for

NEW ALEXANDER.

Here they made a brief halt, visiting Mr. Graham's store, where they appropriated what tobacco and other small articles that eame within their reach. General Morgan being apprised of the fact, ordered his men to desist from further plunder and requested Mr Grabam to shut up his store, which he did without further loss. Crossing McIntyre creek, they destroyed the P., C. and St. L. R. R. bridges by fire, cut the telegraph wires, and then marched up Dry Fork by way of Mr. N. Porter's, where they made a short halt and subsequently walked off Mr. Porter as a prisoner-but he was released the following day. They took dinner at the houses of John Hannah or Hanna, and John Stone. At the former plaee General Morgan learning that Mrs. H. had fled from the house and taken refuge in a wheat field, requested her return, telling her that she should not be molested and that all he wanted was something to eat. Mrs. H. there- upon returned and showed Morgan's servant's where to find milk, butter, meat and other eatables, with which they pre- pared dinner for Morgan and his staff. The general being com- pletely worn out, lay down and took a short sleep while the meal was being prepared, and when summoned to partake of the repast, ate heartily. He then returned many thanks to Mrs. Hannah for kindnesses shown them, and offered to pay for what they had had. On their continued mareh the rear guard of Morgan's band was not slow to pick up every one suspected of going down to the river to convey information of their whereabouts, and among others, three Quakers were gathered into their throng, without regard to their solemn assurances " by good yea and nay," while a Mr. Joseph McClary passed through many bair-breadth escapes to evade their trammels. The latter was on horseback, carrying a rifle, when they called to him to halt. He, however, applied spurs to his animal, and to the whistling of Morgan's bullets, put in lively steps directed to the river; but only to meet another rebel band in his flight. Without waiting for a challenge, he tried to get out of range while speeding past them, but in the attempt their bullets fell thick and heavy around him, while one actually grazed his coat across the back, leaving several inches of its track, but he es- caped. They subsequently arrived nearly at

WINTERSVILLE.

Colonel Collier, with the Steubenville militia, was now also hastening to the same point to intercept the rebel band, but was yet some miles distant, having detailed a scouting party of eighteen, under Captain F. Prentiss, to precede the main party. This little band was comprised of very young men, though the country around was alive with straggling inhabitants with shot guns, squirrel rifles and so on-hundreds being bent on bush- whacking-and among them were some capital shots, who made matters at times singularly lively and interesting. We cannot give the whole of the names of the company detailed under Captain Prentiss, but among them were :

Captain F. Prentiss. Robert Turner.

Henry Sharp. Henry Parks, (killed.) O. P. Dunbar. Nimrod Hutterly. - Moore. H. Dohrman. E. Myers. Frank Moore. Ross Stephens.

461

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

Col. Collier had them press ahead and reconnoiter. This they did, ere the main body of militia was within a couple of miles of Wintersville. The squad deployed four men, right and left, to scout, and immediately they came on Morgan's men they fired and retreated all haste to acquaint their comrades. Some fifty or sixty citizens, on horse back, also being in com- pany with them, now galloped back so furiously they almost rode down the little advance guard in their flight, yelling "there is five hundred of them coming." Captain Prentiss pulled out his revolver, and rushing to the rear of his little squad, said :

"the first man that attempts to run I'll shoot him down." He then took his position on the right front of his men and com- manded them to charge, which they did on the double. This little band coming within range of Morgan's men, just out of Wintersville, the latter opened fire upon them, when Captain Prentiss, seeing neither a chance for showing fight with such a handful, or yet accomplising a disciplined retreat, ordered the boys to scatter and do the best they could, a la bush whacking, until their regiment came up. And this the boys did to the truth, one of them, a youth fifteen or sixteen years of age, Hen- ry L. Parks, son of James Parks, and a nephew of Mr. James Gallagher, receiving a mortal wound, while a young lady named Lizzie Duvall, standing at the window of Mr. Maxwell's hotel, received a very severe shot, but recovered, and is still living in Steubenville. Morgan then passed through the corner of Island Creek township, and at the "Two Ridge" Presbyterian church, a portion of Col. Shackelford's men, the 9th Michigan Cavalry, under Major Way, overtook him, and another skirmish took place, in which one of Morgan's men was seriously wounded and left. One of the 9th Michigan was also wounded, and af- terwards died and was buried at the "Two Ridge" church. Mor- gan passed through Richmond about 5 o'clock July 25th pur- sued by Major Way's Cavalry- thence proceeded through East Springfield, when he again turned northward down Yellow Creek road to Nebo.

PASSING THROUGH EAST SPRINGFIED,

Jefferson county, a practical joker named J. K. Miller conceived the brilliant idea of passing himself off as a genuine rebel sym- pathizer and having a little fun at Morgan's expense. So he sought the acquaintance of the rebel chieftain and assuring him of his sympathy volunteered all kinds of imformation which he imagined might tend to mislead the doughty raider.

Morgan listened quietly and then inquired: Are you acquain- ted with this country ?" to which the loquacious John K. re- plied-"Yes Sir, I know every foot of it." "Then mount that horse, you are just the man I want," was the sentenious command. This was a turn of affairs not foreseen and very distasteful to the worthy sympathizer-as he he did not intend that his sym- pathy should mature into actual "aid and comfort"-but a glance at the stern face of the rebel chief convinced him that remon- strance would be useless, and excuses unavailing, so making a virtue of necessity he assumed as cheerful a demeanor as possi- ble, mounted the gothic steed in readiness and proceeded to to make himself generally useful as guide. Calling to his aid his native wit and drollery, he soon won the confidence of his new associates.

More intent on going than "the order of their going" some of the Johnnies trotted their horses across a bridge on Yellow Creek. Seing this Miller rode up, called upon them to halt and very gravely informed them that there was ten dollars fine for trot- ting across that bridge.

When Morgan's force was attacked beyond Monroeville Mr. M's gaiety gave place to solicitude for the safety of his person, and not wishing to obstruct the free exchange of leaden compli- ments between the combatants he moderately asked leave to retire, which was graciously granted, and Mr. Miller with a " masterly retrograde movement " fell back on East Springfield, fully satisfied with his experience in giving information to the enemy.

AT NEBO,

General Morgan encamped for the night, at Herdman Taylor's, and the next morning destroyed the bridge across Yellow creek, taking the Monroeville road in his continued flight. About a mile or a mile and a half from Salineville, however, he was overtaken by the advance guard of the 9th Michigan cavalry, near Mr. Burson's, and in this skirmish one Union officer was wounded. The rebels then finding that they could not pass through Salineville, as Gen. J. M. Shackelford with part of his force occupied that place and the road in front, broke through a cornfield on their left, took through the woods below Monroe-

ville, and came out on the Mechanicstown road, a short distance above Monroeville. Here they encountered the main body of the 9th Michigan, and another fight ensued, in which one rebel was killed and a few wounded, while about two hundred and forty were taken prisoners, Morgan and the rest of his band escaping. But they were subsequently all captured the same day about two o'clock, near

SCROGG'S MEETING HOUSE,

In Columbiana county, as briefly contained in the following dis- patch forwarded by Major Rue to Governor Tod: "I captured John Morgan to-day at 2 P. M., the 26th, taking three hundred and thirty-six prisoners, four hundred horses and arms."

HOW HE SURRENDERED BY STRATAGEM, BUT FOUND HIMSELF UNCONDI- TIONALLY CAPTURED.

Probably the fairest and most reliable account of Morgan's capture, as given by an eye witness, appeared in the Cincinnati Commercial of the 27th or 28th, and reads as follows :

"Some twenty men who first reached the coveted point with Major Rue, formed across the road, the others coming speedily up. . The rebels saw they were caught and checked up. Major Rue fully expected a fight. But a white flag came forward, and with it a demand from Morgan to surrender. Morgan thought he was dealing with the militia. Major Rue replied that he couldn't see it, and that if Morgan did not surrender immediately and unconditionally, he would open fire upon him.

"A second flag of truce, covering Major Steele, again came forward, and Major Rue was requested not to open fire, as Mor- gan had surrendered. The Major supposed the surrender was made to him, and was not a little surprised to learn subsequent- ly that Morgan had actually surrendered to a militia captain, Burbridge, who was a prisoner, or apparently so, without arms or command, and with the rank and file of Morgan's own com- mand, Of course the terms of the surrender-the officers to be paroled, and field and line officers to retain their side arms- were not worth a fig. When Major Rue advanced, he was met by Morgan, who quietly said, "You have beat me this time," rode with him through the rebel lines, the men forming on each side of the road. Morgan expressed gratification that he had been taken by a Kentuckian. Major Rue declined to decide what was to be done with the prisoners, till General Sbackel- ford came up, to whom he had dispatched couriers. In about three-quarters of an hour General Shackelford arrived and took charge of the prisoners. The surrender took place about two o'clock on Sunday afternoon. General Morgan presented his fine horse to Major Rue. He had no sword, and was permitted temporarily to retain his pistols."

The Ohio Statesman remarked that the militia captain's name was James Burbick, and was Morgan's guide. The arrange- ment between Morgan and Burbick, by which Morgan surren- dered on pretty much his own terms, was a nice little arrange- ment for Morgan-but General Shackelford didn't "see it," and took possession of Morgan on his own terms,

HOW THE CREDIT FOR THE CAPTURE WENT.

Of course the breaking up of Morgan's band was a glorious achievement, and merited special commendation. The Cincin- nati papers, of course, gave all the credit to General Shackel- ford. The Pittsburgh papers were extravagant in their praise of Colonel Gallagher. Governor Todd was the recipient of high praise on every hand, while others were enthusiastic in their praise of Col. James R. Porter, of Pennsylvania. Nor should the services of the Steubenville militia, under Col. Collier-sup- ported by Captain Prentiss, Captain Walden and Captain Bur- gess-be under estimated for the parts they played, respective- ly ; for on the principal that a successful retreat is equal to a victory-equally commendable is the bravery of a regiment that scares away an invading foe, with that of the command that coerces an adversary to yield to submission. All merited a pro- portion of the honor, as cach performed all that was imposed upon him, and stood ready and prepared to execute whatever duty had fallen to his lot.

STATISTICS OF MORGAN'S RAID THROUGH JEFFERSON COUNTY.

Amountallowed for damages by rebels, $13,571. Amount for damages by Union forces under United States officers, $7,050. Allowed for damages by forces not under United States officers, $22. Total amount allowed $20,643. Property taken by rebels and traced into the possession of the United States force, $20.90.

462

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON ,COUNTIES.

STATISTICS OF SAID RAID IN BELMONT COUNTY.

Amount allowed for damages by rebels. $419 00 Amount allowed for damages by U. S. forces under U. S.

officers

826 00

Amount allowed for damages by forces not under 490 00

U. S. officers

Total amount allowed .$1,735 00

GENERAL STATISTICS.

According to the adjutant general's report, the total number of Ohio militia called ont was 587 companies, numbering 49,357 men; the amount paid them being $212,318 97. In which state- ment appears-Jefferson county, five companies, 511 men ; amount paid, $939 10. Belmont, six companies, 378 men; amount paid, $816 86. But a foot note to the general tabular statement says: "Many companies that responded promptly and per- formed efficient service for from one to five days, have returned muster rolls and declined payment for the services rendered in defense of their homes ; still, others have never made out rolls for pay, generously donating their services to the state. The entire force of Harrison county, through Mr. Shotwell, secre- tary of the military committee, unanimously declined payment for the very important service they rendered. There are, how- ever, rolls outstanding that have been returned on account of some defects. I have information of about seventy additional companies that ; have reported for pay, most of which will be ultimately paid; they will increase the number paid to upwards of fifty-five thousand men, and add $20,000 to the sum total. The Governor's stated sum of the expenses of the raid is as fol- lows:

Pay proper of militia. $250,000

Damage by the enemy 485,000

Damage by our own troops 152,000

Total amount. $897,000 This was exclusive of the heavy expense of subsisting and transporting.

CHAPTER XXIII. STEUBENVILLE.

HISTORICAL SKETCHES FROM ITS INCEPTION TO THE PRESENT-HOW THE BEATEN TRACKS OF THE RED MAN METAMORPHOSED INTO MAIN ARTE- RIES FOR THE CIRCULATION AND CONDUCT OF TRADE AND COMMERCE- INTERESTING REFERENCES TO THE OUTGROWTH OF NEARLY ONE HUN- . DRED YEARS, AS PRESENTED AT THE SEAT OF JUSTICE FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY.

The revolution wrought in everything within the scope of human conception-as demonstrated by the results of the past century-presents few instances more interesting and worthy of record than the development of America's greatness. Hence, as the aggregate result bears upon the face of it the imprint of noble carned success, we may be credited with pardonable pride when we seek to expatiate on those lesser achievements that have contributed their quota to the establishment of so gratify- ing a general result. Prominent among the arenas that loomed up in by-gone years-wherein the worthy cause of civ- ilization waged war against ignorance, indolence, superstition and savagery-may be included the present site of the city of Steubenville, the location of which was then ascertained only from its latitude and longitnde, or the much less intelligible designation that it lay between certain creeks, and was bounded by instinctively surveyed trails. The earliest accounts of pale faces gazing upon the site in question, is found in the report of D'Celeron's expedition under Louis XIV, 1749 *- the expedition of George Crogan, an Indian officer under the British, in 17651 -Washington's trip, in company with Crawford, in 1770} -- followed by numerous expeditions on the part of soldiers dur- ing Dunmore's campaign and the Revolutionary war. At that time, hereabouts, nature in all her romantic and virgin beauty

-reigned supreme. Alternate waving woodlands and rocky shores, in silence, fantastically mirrored themselves in the rip- pling stream of the ruthless Ohio. Wild ravines, choked with briers and paw-paw bushes intersected plateaus of verdant pas- ture, as yet strange to an implement of husbandry, while the waving forests on towering hills stood, as it were, in bold defi- ance to the all-powerful sway of civilization. Human habita- tions were confined to the miserable Indian wigwams, and the woods yet resounded with the roar of bears, the howl of wolves, or tremulous bleat of the more timid deer. Game was abund- ant-particularly wild fowls-and the sole monarch of the rich "preserve was the wily "red skin," whose most coveted prize was, nevertheless, the scalp of some venturesome explorer, should he happen to eross his path. But as the representative races of civilization bore down upon the scene, their superior intelligence and indomitable enterprise soon bade defiance to the savage, and promptly opened up a short cut to every achievement they will- ed. By 1786, the fates would seem to have ordained the inau- guration of a vastly revolutionized state of affairs. That year the government selected the present site of Steubenville as the most desirable for a military defense. Accordingly Captain Hamtramck, of the United States army, was instructed.to erect a block house, or place of refuge, to protect the government sur- veyors already at work in the vicinity procuring official data. In February of 1787, a fortification was completed, and named after a well known official Prussian Baron *.

"FORT STEUBEN."

It stood on the second river bank, now known as High street, the south line of the fort running to the present north line of the Hon. J. H. Miller's property at the corner of High and Adam streets, and continuing out to the front bench. The struc- ture was in the form of a square, with block houses twenty-eight It feet square set diagonally at the corner, The angles of the block houses were connected with lines of pickets one hundred and fifty feet in length, forming the sides of the fort. Each bloek house consisted of two rooms sufficient for fourteen men. also contained a commissary store, barracks, quartermaster's store, magazine, artificer's shop, guard house, built on two piers with a piazza looking inward, and a sally post between the piers. From a flag pole floated the national standard in the good old cause of "freedom, good and right," as it offered protee- tion and hospitality to those engaged in a just cause ; yet a black hole or place of confinement was duly provided for the reception of the obstreperous. The main gate faced the river, and the width of the block houses diagonally was a little over thirty-nine feet-the distance between the points being one hun - dred and fifty feet. It was considered exceptionally substantial in those days, and constructed with a considerable amount of skill. In further testimony, as to the completeness of this fort, we extract the following entry from the diary of Major Er- kuries Beatty, paymaster in the western army, between May 15, 1786 and June 5, 1787. He says :- February 6, 1787, we set off in a contractor's boat, in company with Captain Heart; was obliged to remain one day at Fort McIntosh on account of high wind ahead, but arrived at Fort Steuben in one day. This is a fort built since I was on the river, by Captain Hamtramck, above Mingo bottom on the Indian shore, about forty-seven miles below McIntosh and twenty-three above Wheeling. It is about 120 yards from the river, on a very excellent high bank of commanding ground. A square with a large block house on each corner, and pickets between each block house form the fort. The big gate, fronting the main on the west and the sally port the river, with the guard house over the latter. The block house serves for all the men and the officer's houses are on each side of the big gate -- the back part of them serving as a row of pickets. It is garrisoned by Captains Hamtramck and Mercer's companies, the former commanding. Stayed here one night, and arrived at Fort Harmar, mouth of the Muskingum." The major subsequently refers to making two other visits to Fort Steuben-February 26th and March 25th, of the same year-but furnishes no additional comment of local interest. During May

*Baron Frederic William Augustus Steuben, an offcer of the American revolution, was born in Maydeburg, Prussia, November 15, 1730, aud died near Utica, N. Y., November 28 1794. When only fourteen years of age, he volunteered iu military life under his father who was an officer uuder Frederic the Great, and was at the, seige of Prague. He evi- deneed exceeding valor and gained rapid promotion. He arrived at Portsmouth, N. H., December 1, 1777, and tendered his services, as a volunteer, to General Washington, ex- pressing his sympathies with the colonies. On May 5, 1778, he was appointed inspector gen- eral, with the rank of major general, and greatly improved the coudition of the Continen- tal troops. In 1779, he prepared a manual of discipline for the army. In 1780, he was placed in command of the troops in Virginia. The next summer he was attached to General La- fayette's division, and took an important part in the seige of Yorktown. He was distin- guished for his generosity and kindness of heart. In 1790, Congress voted him a life annui- ty of $500. Several states passed resolutions acknowledging his eminent services, and voted him tracts of land. His life has been written by Francis Bowen in "Spark's Ameri- can Biography" and by Frederick Kapp, (New York, 1860.)

"See D'Celeron's Expedition.

+See extracts from Geo. Crogan's Journal.

¿See Washington's Tour to the Ohio.

463

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES

of the same year, Majors Hamtramek and Mills,* who were commanding two companies there received orders to remove their troops to Fort Harmar, hence Fort Steuben became eom- paratively deserted, and we can learn little or nothing more of it until about the year 1790, when it took fire, by some means, and was reduced to ashes. Its name, however, was too good to be lost sight of, or allowed to fall into disnse, and upon our pres- ent town being laid out, it succeeded to the title of Steuben, rendered more adaptable by the addition of "ville"-hence we arrive at

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History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 159

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 728

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728