History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881, Part 59

Author: Hill, Norman Newell, jr., [from old catalog] comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A. A., & co., Newark, O., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Newark, Ohio, A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 854

USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881 > Part 59

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May 14, Quinby's division, in which was the Eightieth Ohio, took the advance in the battle of Jackson. About four miles from Jackson the enemy came out to meet the United States forces. While the troops were forming, a heavy shower of rain came up, and the shells of the rebel can- non were flying thick and fast. The First Mis- souri battery returned the tire. The brigade charged half a mile through an open field, and broke down a picket fence before it reached the enemy. The line consisted of the Eightieth .Ohio

in the center, Tenth Missouri on the right, and the Seventeenth. Iowa on the left; a portion of the Eleventh Ohio battery came into service im- mediately after the charge and poured a few shots into the retreating foe. Just after the charge was ended, General McPherson, in com- mand of the Seventeenth Army Corps, rode up to the regiment and, raising his hat. exclaimed, "God Almighty bless the Eightieth Ohio." This has passed into history as one of the most gallant charges of the Union forces during the entire war. The brigade lost about one-third of its number killed and wounded; the loss of the Eightieth Ohio was ninety killed and wounded. The field officers in this battle were Colonel M. HI. Bartleson, with Lieutenant Colonel William Marshall and Major Pren Metham, both of Co- shoeton county. Among the wounded was Lieu- tenant Tidball, also of Coshocton, and John Mills, of Company H, was instantly killed. At Champion Hills, May 16, the Eightieth occupied the rear, as train guard, and did not actively par- ticipate in the battle. The next morning it was detailed as a guard to 1,500 rebel prisoners, and ordered to take them to Memphis.

This duty being performed it returned, and then marched to Vicksburg, where, for forty- seven days and nights, it was under the incessant tire of the enemy. It had the proud satisfaction of aiding in the memorable siege of Vicksburg, and on the 5th of July marched into the town and went into camp. After the evacuation of Vicksburg about two months, the regiment ro- ceived orders to go to the reenforcement of Gen- cral Steele, at Helena. Arkansas, who was mov- ing on Little Rock. But before it reached Gen- eral Steele, information was received of the re- pulse at Chickamauga, and it was immediately or- dered to Memphis, there to join General Sher- man's forces in their march to Chattanooga, a dis- tance of nearly four hundred miles.

It reached the banks of the Tennessee river, opposite the mouth of Chickamauga creek, and the regiment, with other troops, crossed in pon- toon boats, soon after midnight, on the 22d of November. By daylight strong earthworks were thrown up to cover the men until the pontoon bridge was laid over the river.

On the evening of the 23d the regiment, with

F. C. HAY.

一

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

its division, marched out and took the east end of Mission Ridge. That night the regiment was on the skirmish line for some hours without re- lief. Next day, entering the battle, it was com- pelled to pass around a point of rocks covered by three rebel batteries, and was exposed to a most terrific artillery fire Singular to relate, says one account, not a man was hit. The Eightieth Ohio entered the fight just east of the tunnel, was hotly engaged until near nightfall, and lost several commissioned officers and nearly one hundred men. Chaplain G. W. Pepper says, in his history of Sherman's campaign : "When a number of other regiments had lost their colors, Sergeant Finley, of the Eightieth, with a manly courage, bore the regimental standard through the iron storm in triumph. For personal gallantry this young man was unanimously recommended for promotion."

In this battle, Captain John Kinney, a brave soldier, was shot through the heart and instantly killed. Lieutenant F. M. Ross was also instantly killed. Lieutenant George F. Robinson was wounded and captured. Private Kinney was also killed.

After the battle the regiment pursued the reb- els to Graysville, Georgia, and then returned to its old camp near Chattanooga. From thenee it went to Bridgeport, and while there was, with its division, permanently transferred from the Seven- teenth to the Fifteenth army corps, under com- mand of General John A. Logan.

January 6, 1864, found the regiment at Hunts- ville, Alabama. Shortly after this it re-enlisted for another term.

After wintering in Huntsville the regiment started on the Ist of April to enjoy its veteran furlough of thirty days. And while it is thus en- gaged, it would be well to review briefly some of its official records and also some letters sent home at various times during the campaign.

Colonel Pren Metham went out in 1862 as eap- tain of Company F; was promoted to major Jan- mary 15, 1803, commission issued February 20, 1863; was promoted to the lieutenant-coloneley July 23, 1863, commissioned August 21, 1863, pro- moted to colonelcy January 4, 1864, and commis- sioned at the same time. Colonel Metham had command of the Eightieth from the siege of

Vicksburg and practically, on account of the wounded and weakened condition of Colonel M. II. Bartleson, during the siege. In the bloody fields of Mission Ridge, at Resaca, at Cox's Bridge and in all the marches and skirmishes, Colonel Metham displayed all the qualities of a courageous and able commander; Colonel Pren Metham still resides in Coshocton county, his sword turned to a plowshear, and pursues the peaceful avocation of a farmer.

Captain F. W. Collier entered the service as-a private, and, owing to his efficient services in securing the comfort of the recruits when at Camp Meigs, was, upon organization, appointed first sergeant; ranked as second lieutenant Octo- ber 4, 1862, commissioned December 31; ranked as first lieutenant July 12, 1863, commissioned August 21, promoted and commissioned captain October 12, 1864, at which point of his promotion Captain F. W. Collier was detached on special service at his own request. Captain Collier is still a citizen of Coshocton county, having held the responsible position of postmaster for twelve years, previous to which and during part of his term as postmaster he has owned and edited the Coshocton Age. As a sample of the official rela- tion of both Colonel Metham and Captain Col- lier, the following mess rules will testify, as pub- lished in the Coshocton Age of May 1, 1862 :

MESS No. 1, PREN METHAM'S COMPANY.

The boys of mess No. 1, Captain Metham's company, send a list of their mess officers, and their regulations, which are as follows: Captain, T. W. Collier; First Lieutenant, F. C. Wright; Second Lieutenant, T. Drummond ; Orderly Ser- geant, S. Arm; Second Sergeant, J. N. Hender- son; Third Sergeant, L. W. Cochran; Fourth Sergeant, J. Taylor; Fifth Sergeant, B. Noland; First Corporal, A. Frickey ; Second Corporal, J. Blair; Third Corporal, L. Clark; Secretary, J. Wilson ; First Cook, Pren Metham (Eng.)

Rule No. 1. Every member of this mess shall take his turn carrying water, subject to the order of the cook.

Rule No. 2. If any friend of a member of this mess visits us, he shall be treated with respect by the members of the mess.

Rule No. 3. Members of this mess shall not use any profane language in our tent.

Rule No. 4. Any member of this mess violat-

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

ing one or more of these rules is liable to be ex- pelled from the mess at any time.

T. W. COLLIER, Captain. JOHN WILSON, Secretary.

While the Eightieth lay at Vicksburg, the fol- lowing was published :

HEADQUARTERS OF THE EIGHTIETH OHIO, VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, August 20, 1863.

WHEREAS, Our Assistant Surgeon, Dr. G. Bam- beck, being compelled, by affairs of a domestic nature, to resign his position and return home, therefore,

Resolved, That, while with us in the field and camp, his noble conduct, untiring energy and impartial attention to his duties, has won for him the respect of every officer and the undying affection of every man in the regiment :

Resolved, That by his separation from us, we have each lost an individual friend, the afflicted a protector, the regiment a surgeon in whom it placed unbounded confidence and one of its most able and efficient officers.

JAMES E. GRAHAM, Chairman. H. W. KIRBY, Secretary.

From Chattanooga comes the following list of the wounded and killed, in addition to those already noted:

HEADQUARTERS OF THE EIGHTIETH OHIO,

NEAR CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, November 30, 1863.

EDITOR AGE: The casualties of the Eightieth among the Coshocton boys, at Chattanooga, are as follows :

Company F-Killed, Levi Dallier; wounded, Benjamin Viall; missing, Silas Yonker.

Company G-Killed, Corporals Jonathan Long- shore and Henry Ross; wounded, G. Messerly, Robert Lemon, Nelson Roney; missing, Corporal J. N. Wood, Privates R. S. McCormick and Henry Sampsel.

Company H-Killed, Captain John Kinney and Private Leander Kinney; wounded, Sergeant P. H. Moore, Isaac Ross, William Madden; missing, A. Steele.

(Signed,) E. D. SWAN, First Sergeant Company H, Eightieth Ohio.

The Age, of March 19, 1864, publishes a series of resolutions adopted by the Eightieth Ohio, upon the death of Captain John Kinney, of which the following is a portion :

HEADQUARTERS OF THE EIGHTIETH O. V. I.,

BRIDGEPORT, ALABAMA, December 20, 1864.

WHEREAS, We are called upon to mourn with deep sorrow, the death of our late comrade in

arms, Captain John Kinney, who fell on Mission Ridge, near Chattanooga, while gallantly charg- ing at the head of his company.

AND, WHEREAS, We desire to express our pro- found regret at the loss of so tried a comrade, and to extend that expression of our feelings to his bereaved family ; therefore, we, his late comrades, the officers of the Eightieth O. V. I., have unani- mousły

Resolved, That in the death of Captain John Kinney, we have been deprived of a valued friend, and the country of chivalrous officer.

Resolved, That as a soldier he was the bravest of the brave, always baring his breast to the brunt of battle.

Resolved, That we tender our sympathies to his bereaved wife and family in their affliction.

JAMES CARNES, Captain.

WILLIAM WAGSTAFF, Captain. ROBERT HILL, First Lieut.

At the same time, by the same committee, were passed similar resolutions and published in the same issue of The Age, on the death of Lieuten- ant Marion Ross, who also fell in the battle of Mission Ridge.

In the issue of The Age, May 4, is the following notice :

The thirty-days' furlough of the Eightieth hav- ing expired, they have again departed for the front. On the Wednesday evening before their departure they were treated to a splendid supper prepared for them in Harbaugh's Hall, by the ladies of Coshocton and Roscoe. The Eightieth has received many new recruits during its visit ; on its departure it had over nine hundred in its ranks, and when it returned as veteran it had but three hundred; and under the lead of their present commander, Colonel Pren Metham, the boys will, as in times past, be found where the fight is the fiercest.

The Louisville, Kentucky, Journal, of date May 27, 1864, says :

The Eightieth Ohio Veteran Volunteers, Col- onel Pren Metham, commanding, arrived in the city yesterday, fresh from furlough and home, en route to the front. We took occasion to com- pliment the Eightieth when it passed through the city over a month ago, homeward bound. Whether in the camp, on the weary march, or gallantly charging amid the thundering echoes of the battle field, we feel confident that the veteran Eightieth will exhibit discipline, and prove its effectiveness as an organization.

At the expiration of its furlough, the Eightieth

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

returned to Larkinsville, Alabama, where it per- formed guard duty on the line of the Memphis and Charleston railroad. In June, 1864, the regi- ment went from Huntsville to Charleston, Geor- gia, a long and tedious march. From there it went to Kingston. Then it went to Altoona, and remained two weeks, and was then ordered to Resaca, to relieve the Tenth Missouri. While at Resaca, the rebel general, Hood, made his dash to the rear of Sherman's army. October 12, 1864, 28,000 rebels appeared before Resaca, invested the place, and demanded its surrender, in the fol- lowing terms :

Commanding Officer United States Forces at Resaca, Georgia :

I demand the immediate and unconditional surrender of the post and garrison under your command. If these terms are acceded to, all white officers and soldiers will be paroled in a few days. If the place is carried by assault, no prisoners will be taken.

Most respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. HOOD, General.

Colonel Weaver, of the Seventeenth Iowa, in ·command of Resaca, replied :

General J. B. Hood :

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of to-day, and must say I was somewhat surprised at the coneluding par- agraph, to the effect that if the place is carried by assault no prisoners will be taken. In my opin- ion, I am able to hold this post. If you want it, · come and take it.

I am very respectfully, CLARK R. WEAVER, Commanding Officer.

They immediately opened on the garrison with artillery and musketry from the entire line. The national force barely numbered 613 officers and men ; but by a ruse in displaying numerous fags, and placing the entire force on the pieket line, the rebels were made to believe it consisted of at least 10,000 men, and that it would cost too much loss of life to risk an assault. From Resaca, the Eightieth marched back to Atlanta, and joined in General Sherman's memorable ." March to the Sea." It went through to Savan- nah without meeting or performing anything of special interest. After the capture of Savan- nah, the regiment was quartered near the city

and remained in eamp until the 19th of January, 1865.

It was then, with its division, ordered to Poco- taligo, and from that point made its way through to Goldsboro', participating on the way in a brisk skirmish with the enemy at Salkahatchie river. In this fight, it is said "the Eightieth dashed like a storm from the clouds upon Wheeler's cavalry, chasing and dispersing them." March 19, at Cox's Bridge, over the Neuse river, the regiment performed an important flank movement under Colonel Pren Metham, for the purpose of pre- venting the rebels from burning the bridge. The movement was successful, the rebels being eom- pelled to withdraw and leave the way open to Goldsboro'. For distinguished gallantry at Cox's Bridge the regiment was complimented by Gen- eral Logan.

The Eightieth then marched to Bentonville, and reached that place in time to participate in the closing seenes of that battle, which was the last of the war. It then marehed to Goldsboro', where, after being refitted, it went to Raleigh, North Carolina. On this march the Eightieth held the advance of the whole army the day it crossed the Neuse river. It was ordered to make a forced march to an important bridge over that river, and, if possible, prevent the rebels from de- stroying it. As it came in sight of the bridge several rebel wagons were in the aet of crossing it, the Eightieth having made seventeen miles in four hours' time and accomplished its order to the letter.

The Eightieth reached Raleigh, North Caroli- na, on the day it was first occupied by Federal troops. After the surrender of Johnson's army to General Sherman, the Eightieth marched with the national forees through Richmond to Wash- ington City, and there participated in the grand review. A few days thereafter it was taken by rail and river to Louisville, Kentucky, and from thence to Little Rock, Arkansas, where for some months it performed guard and garrison duty. This closed its military carcer. It was mustered out of the service at Little Rock, 15th of August, 1865, arrived at Columbus, Ohio, a few days there- after and was finally discharged, August 25. 1865, with as much honor as any regiment from the State of Ohio.

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

WAR OF THE REBELLION-CONTINUED.

Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry-Muster Roll-Services in the Field-Seventy-sixth Ohio-Muster Roll and Record. .

L ARGE numbers of men enlisted in the vari- ous counties immediately adjoining Coshoc- ton, who, though residents of Coshocton county, were credited to regiments whose names have gone down in history as having been recruited exclusively in those counties. Fortunately, in the case of the Sixty-ninth and Seventy-sixth reg- iments, this difficulty has been partly remedied by virtue of such facts as are furnished by the following items from the Age setting forth the times and manner of recruiting these regiments in the counties to which they are credited. The Age of January 12, 1862, publishes the following :

CAMP SHERMAN, NEWARK, OHIO, January 12, 1862.

The company to which the men I recruited in Coshocton county were united, is the seventhi company now organized, and is known as Com- pany G. The three other companies in whose recruits you are interested, are not yet full.

R. W. BURT, Second Lieutenant.

As to the company assigned to the Sixty-ninth Ohio, the Age has the following item, under date of February 27 :

J. V. Heslip, of Linton township, is recruiting another company.

And, in an issue of later date, the following:

Captain John V. Heslip has succeded in re- cruiting a very fine company, and is justly en- titled to its command. His company has been assigned to the Sixty-ninth, and is now at Camp Chase.

And in the same issue is the following from the Seventy-sixth :

The Coshocton boys of the Seventy-sixth are getting along very comfortaby here; we have Sibley tents with stoves in them. About sixteen or seventeen men lodge in each tent, lying with their feet towards the stove. Rations first-class. R. W. BURT,

Company G, Seventy-sixth Ohio.

The Sixty-ninth was raised from various coun- ties, among which was Coshocton, from which eame the company of Jolin V. Heslip, who is

still a resident of the county, in the hamlet of Plainfield, commonly called Jacobsport. Besides this company, there was quite a number of indi- vidual members of other companies in the regi- ment, hailing from Coshocton.

SIXTY-NINTH REGIMENT.

Muster roll of Company G, Sixty-ninth Ohio, mustered into service March 21, 1862:

OFFICERS.

John V. Heslip, Captain.

James G. Elrick, First Lieutenant.

Thomas B. Hoffman, Second Lieutenant.

John H Johnson, First Sergeant.

Francis A. Stone. Second Sergeant. James A. Clark, Third Sergeant. Adam Sturts, Fourth Sergeant. George F. McClary, Fifth Sergeant.

John M. Williams, First Corporal.

Rufus R. Wells, Second Corporal.

John McAllister, Third Corporal.

Thomas B. Hill, Fourth Corporal. Thomas Platt, Fifth Corporal.

John R. Neal, Sixth Corporal. Thomas F. Hall, Seventh Corporal.

Thomas J. McCartny, Eighth Corporal.

Privates .- William Armstrong, John W. Brooks, Samuel C. Blackford, George G. Braxton, Robert Bromfield, John Buch, Thomas C. Brumell, Thomas F. Beckett, James B. Cane, James Dean, James W. Dean, Joseph Daty, George B. Dickey, Barney Donely, Freeman Dulin, John K. Eddy, Tunis Elson, William M. Elson, John Fultry, Richard F. Fisher, James F. Fisher, Aaron Far- man, Joshua M. Gardner, Lebanon Ganner, Wil- liam George, Thomas H. Haney, Mathew Henry, William A. Hill, Samuel Holmes, John. J. John- son, James D. Johnson, Henry C. Johnson, James Johnson, Thomas M. Kildon, John B. Kildon, James Marshall, David Maple, John Maple, John Monson, Alexander Mattem, Robert Mckelvey, Henry F. MeKendree, Jacob B. Miller, Daniel Martin, Lonous McKeever, Joseph Penn, Robert Platt, John Robbins, John N. Smith, James F. Stone, David A. Sayre, Henry Stribbling, William Sayre, Calvin Sturty, James R. Stone, Daniel H. Spear, George Stidd, Jacob Stortry, John W.

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

Thompson, Henderson Vance, Thomas Vance, Henry Vensel, Stephen Wisenburger, Oliver Wilkinson, Daniel Williams, Riley Wiggins, John D. Elson, Anderson Maple.

On April 19, 1862, the Sixty-ninth received or- ders to report for duty at Nashville, Tennessee, at which place it arived on the 22d. Went into camp on Major Lewis' grounds, near the city, and was reviewed by Andrew Johnson, then Mili- tary Governor of Tennessee. Remaining here until the 1st of May, it then went west to Frank- lin, Tennessee, and was there detailed to guard forty miles of the Tennessee and Alabama rail- road. Aside from frequent alarms, nothing of moment occurred while the regiment was per- forming this duty. The rebel women of Frank- Iin were especially bitter, and on one occasion evinced their venom against the national dead buried in the cemetery, by dancing on their graves. Colonel Campbell, of the Sixty-ninth, issued an order commenting in severe terms on this indignity, and warning the people of Frank- lin against a repetition of such dastardly insults.

On June 8, the regiment left Franklin and re- turned to Nashville. From thence it went by rail to Murfreesboro, where it joined an expe- dition under General Dumont, of Indiana; to McMinnville, and thence marched across the Cumberland Mountains to Pikeville. Its object having been effected the expedition returned to Murfreesboro. This march and counter-march was very severe, and the suffering was much ag- gravated by the fact that the rations were almost completely exhausted.

June 20 found the Sixty-ninth at Nashville again, where it remained performing provost and guard duty, until the last of July. Its Colonel, Hon. Lewis D. Campbell (since Minister to Mexico), was appointed Provost Marshal of Nash- ville, which position he held until his resigna- tion, in the following August. During the stay of the regiment here, the rebel, General Morgan, made a raid on the town of Gallatin. The Sixty- ninth Ohio and Eleventh Michigan, were ordered there, and drove the enemy from the place, the Sixty-ninth losing one man killed, Isaac Repp, of Dayton. This was the first loss of the regiment in battle.

When Bragg's army attempted a flank move-

ment toward Louisville, the Sixty-ninth and other regiments were left at Nashville as garri- son for the city. From the scarcity of troops, this duty was rendered quite severe. Hardly a day passed without some fight or skirmish with the enemy, who were continually making demon- strations on the Nashville and other turnpikes. This duty was performed until the 20th of De- cember, when the regiment went into camp about five miles from the city.

On December 26, 1862, the Sixty-ninth moved, with the army under General Rosecrans, toward Murfreesboro. It was brigaded in the Four- teenth Corps, which marched on the Franklin turnpike. On the 31st, the first day of the battle of Stone. River, the regiment, with its brigade, was engaged with the enemy, taking position in the advance line of General George H. Thomas' Fourteenth Corps. It became involved in the disaster on the right, and was compelled to fight its way back to the Nashville turnpike. On this day the regiment suffered severely both in killed and wounded. It was not engaged in the move- ments on the 1st of January, 1863.

On Friday, January 2, the Sixty-ninth took part in the brilliant and desperate charge across Stone River against Breckinridge's rebel corps, in which the rebels were driven back with heavy loss. In this charge it captured a section of the famous Washington Battery, from New Orleans. Sergeant Frederick Wilson, of Company E, cap- tured the flag of the battery. This fight lasted until after dark, and proved the termination of the battle, as on the next day the rebel army was not to be seen. Captain L. C. Consellor, of Com- pany H; Sergeant MeGillam, of Company B; Corporal D. P. Albright and Private Stopher, of Company E, were killed in the charge. Many others were wounded.

On June 24, 1863, the Tullahoma campaign was commenced. The regiment moved with the Fourteenth Corps, under General George H. Thomas, on the Manchester road. No opposition was met with until in the passage through Hoo- ver's Gap, the enemy's rear-guard was engaged in a brisk fight. At Elk river, also, the enemy made a stand, but was quickly driven. Reaching Cow- an's Station, on the Nashville and Chattanooga railroad, the army went into camp, it being im-

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possible to make further progress through the deep mud and terrible roads of that region.

When the army moved again, the Sixty-ninth was left at Cowan's Station, as guard to the gen- oral hospital, and it remained at that point until the 8th of September. It was then detailed as guard to an ammunition train of 450 wagons, going to Bridgeport, on the Tennessee river. It then marched to Chattanooga.

Preparatory to the battle of Chickamauga, the Sixty-ninth Ohio, with the reserve corps, under General Gorden Granger, marched from Ross- ville to Chickamauga creek. At this point, in obe- dience to an order from Colonel Dan MeCook, commanding the brigade, the regiment ad- vanced, under Colonel Brigham, and. burned Reed's Bridge, thus preventing the enemy from coming in on the rear of the national army. The regiment then fell back to Rossville, and im- mediately thereafter took charge of the division trains. For this reason it did not participate in the battle of Chickamauga. On September 20, in the afternoon, the Sixty-ninth was ordered to re- port at the front, near Rossville, where it per- formed picket duty and aided in covering the re- treat of the Fourteenth Corps toward Chatta- nooga.

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History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881, Part 59

Author: Hill, Norman Newell, jr., [from old catalog] comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A. A., & co., Newark, O., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Newark, Ohio, A. A. Graham & co. Number of Pages: 854

Author: Hill, Norman Newell, jr., [from old catalog] comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A. A., & co., Newark, O., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Newark, Ohio, A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 854