History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881, Part 62

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 62

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

1862, at Zanesville; Company C, October 3; G, October 5; F, October 6; and Companies I and K, and the field and staff officers, October 8. On the 23d of October, the regiment left Camp Zanesville, with an aggregate of 927 men; em- barked at Zanesville, on the steamers Powell and Patton, descended the Muskingum, and en- camped at Parkersburg, Virginia. It moved by railroad to Clarksburg, and became a part of the second brigade of Milroy's division; the brigade being composed of the One Hundred and Tenth, One Hundred and Sixteenth, One Hundred and Twenty-second, and One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio regiments, Carlin's Vir- ginia battery, and one or two Virginia compa- nics of cavalry, and being commanded by Colonel Washburne, of the One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio. On the 15th of November, the regiment moved by railroad to New Creek, and on the 5th of December was temporarily assigned to the first brigade of Milroy's division, Brigadier- General Cluseret, commanding.

The brigade was ordered on an expedition up the valley of the South Branch of the Potomac, and, in a blinding snow storm, the regiment be- gan its first march. The column advanced by way of Petersburg, in Hardy county, and Ward- ensville, and struck the valley pike at Strasburg. The train accompanying the expedition was guarded by a detachment from the One Hun- dred and Twenty-second, and was attacked by Mc Neil's guerillas at Wardensville, but they were repulsed with some loss. The regiment was or- dered to Wardensville to keep open communica- tions, but lest it might be overpowered by the combined forces of Jones, Imboden and McNeil, it was ordered to Moorefield, and moved from there, with Milroy's command, toward Romney. McNeil attacked the train just north of the ford of the South Branch, and captured the teams and teamsters of eleven wagons and four men of Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-second, who were guarding that portion of the train. Passing through Romney, the regiment entered Winchester on the 1st of January, 1863, and, with the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio, constituted the garrison of the place.

On March 14, Milroy's division became the Sec- ond Division, Eighth Army Corps, and the four

Ohio regiments which had composed the second brigade of the old division, were organized into the first brigade of the new division, in connec- tion with Carlin's battery and some cavalry, un- dler the command of Brigadier General Elliott. The regiment was on scouts and expeditions, either as a whole or in detachments, to Newton, Front Royal, Summit Point, White Post, Cedar Creek, Millwood, and the Blue Ridge. During General Hooker's Chancellorsville campaign the One Hundred and Twenty-second, with other regiments, was sent up the Shenandoah valley to capture the town of Staunton. The expedition moved on the 4th of May, and advanced to New Market, when it was ordered back to Winchester by General Schenck.

On June 13, Companies A and F, of the One Hundred and Twenty-second, met the advance of J. E. B. Stewart's raid on the Strasburg road, and after a brisk skirmish retired to Winchester. The next day the entire regiment was engaged, and at night, it, with other troops, forced a way through the rebel lines and marched to Harper's Ferry. The regiment lost several of- ficers and men captured, some of whom were not exchanged until April, 1865.

The regiment spent one night on Bolivar Heights, and then crossed the Potomac and be- came a part of the garrison of Maryland Heights. Upon the evacuation of Maryland Heights, it ac- companied the heavy guns and public stores to Georgetown, District of Columbia; moved through Washington City, and thence by rail to Frede- rick, where it was assigned to the Second Brig- ade, Third Division, Third Army Corps. The brigade at once marched against Lee, crossed the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, passed Loudon Heights by the road around their northern base ; marched southward along the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge, passed through Manassas Gap, and on the afternoon of July 23, marched in line of battle, as Ewell fell back from Wapping Heights. The next day it returned, passing through the Gap and through Warrenton, en- camped about the 1st of August near the Rappa- hannock.

On account of the New York riots, the regi- ment was ordered to that city, and was distri- buted by detachments through the disturbed

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

quarters. In September it rejoined the brigade, in camp on the Rappahannock, and marched to Culpepper Court House. During the fight at Winchester, about 100 officers and men of the One Hundred and Twenty-second beeame sepa- rated from the regiment, and moved with the One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio to Cumberland, and thence to Bloody Run. " They were attached to the command of Major-General Couch, and following his movements through the Cumber- Iand valley, formed a part of the garrison at Mar- tinsburg. This detachment joined the regiment at Culpepper, in the latter part of September. The One Hundred and Twenty-second moved from Culpepper to Centerville in October, and held its election for Governor and State officers while in line of battle, on the afternoon that Warren so roughly handled A. P. Hill, at Bristow Station. Returning toward the Rappahannock, it crossed the river November 8, and took part in the skirmish at Brandy Station. On the 26th, the regiment was again on the march, crossed the Rapidan, and fought at Locust Grove. It re- turned to Brandy Station, December 3, occupied ground on the farm of J. Minor Botts, and con- structed winter-quarters. In March, 1864, the the third division of the Third Corps, became the third division of the Sixth Corps.

On May 4, winter quarters were abandoned. The next day the brigade guarded the road lead- ing up the south bank of the Rapidan until noon, when it marched to the front, in the battle of the Wilderness. The regiment maintained itself well through the fight, losing on the first day over one hundred and twenty men. During the subse- quent movements to Spottsylvania, to Guinea Depot, to the North Anna, and across the Pa- munkey, the regiment performed its full share of picket and 'skirmish-duty, being under fire almost every day. Arriving at Tolopotomy Creck, May 30, it was placed on the skirmish- line, and on the 3Ist aided in capturing a rifle-pit from the enemy. The regiment moved to Coal Harbor, and was engaged in a general assault on the rebel works, taking and holding those in its front. On the 3d of June it again advanced, and occupied a new position. The regiment moved forward by regular approaches, being continu- ally under fire and sustaining considerable loss,

until June 12, when it marehed to Jones' Bridge, on the Chicahominy, and thence, via Charles City, C. H., to Wilcox Landing, on the James; ascended the river and reported to General But- ler, at Bermuda Hundred.

Here a detachment of eighty conscripts and substitutes joined the regiment, and, on the 10th, it erossed the Appomattox and marched to the lines in front of Petersburg. After a few days' rest it went into position on the extreme left, and, after heavy skirmishing on the 22d and 23d, obtained possession of the Weldon railroad, It was held until a portion of it was destroyed, when the rebels, having received re-enforcements, re- gained it. On the 20th the regiment marched to Ream's Station, fortified, destroyed a mile or two of railroad, and returned to Petersburg July 1. On the same day between fifty and sixty conseripts and substitutes joined the regiment, and, on the 6th, it moved, with the division, on steamers via Fortress Monroe and the Chesa- peake to Baltimore. The One Hundred and Twenty-second was divided, and, owing to an ac- cident, one half of it did not arrive in the Patapsco until July 9, when it, with the Sixth Maryland and Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania, started by rail for Frederick. On that day the other half of the regiment, with remainder of the division, fought the battle of Monoeacy Junction. The troops on the cars arrived in time to cover the retreat, and the third division marched to Elli- eott's Mills, and moved thenee by cars to Balti- more. The third division proceeded to Wash- ington, and from there through Tenallytown across the Potomac, below the mouth of Goose creek, and joined the corps near Leesburg.

The regiment followed Early through Sniek- er's Gap to near Berryville, and then returned to Tenallytown. It soon after advanced via Roek- ville and Monocacy Junetion to Harper's Ferry. On the 30th of July the army recrossed the Po- tomae, and concentrated near the junction, where the regiment enjoyed a few days' rest, for the first time since the opening of the campaign. On the 7th of August the army moved to Halltown, and on the 10th marched via Clifton, Berryville and Newton, to the front of Early's works at Fisher's Hill. After various marches and skirmishes, on the 19th of September Sheridan moved down to

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

the crossing of the Opequan, between Berryville and Winchester, drove in the rebel pickets, and by 10 o'clock A. M. the Sixth Corps was formed in order of battle, two and a half miles east of Winchester. In the battle which ensued the regi- ment bore an important part, and in entering the town it came upon the old camp ground which it occupied in 1863 under Milroy. Before daybreak the next day the troops were again on the march, and soon after midday came up with Early at Fisher's Hill. On the 22d five companies of the regiment, with other troops on the skirmish line, drove the rebel skirmishers into their main works, and occupied the hills close to Early's intrench- ments.

As soon as Crook was known to have gained the enemy's flank, the second brigade pushed over the breastworks, captured three guns, and assisted in driving the rebels from their position. The regiment pursued Early as far as Mount Craw- ford, and returning to Strasburg, rested a short time, and then moved via Front Royal toward Alexandria. When the head of the column was approaching the Shenandoah, opposite Ashley's Gap, it was overtaken by an order to return to Cedar creek, as Early was coming down again ; and on the 14th of October the Sixth Corps was in position along the hills bordering Cedar creek. On the 19th the regiment was actively engaged, and assisted in driving Early across Cedar creek.

Sheridan's army went into cantonments south of Kernstown, November 10, and on the 3d of De- cember the Sixth Corps moved by cars to Wash- ington, and thence by boat to City Point. A few days later the One Hundred and Twenty-second was in the lines before Petersburg, holding the " curtain " between Forts Keen and Wadsworth, just west of the Weldon railroad.

In January, 1865, it moved with the corps to the left, when Grant extended his lines beyond Hatcher's Run, and was placed in position ncar Fort Fisher. On the 25th of March, with the brigade, it captured and held the rebel picket- trenches.

At four o'clock A. M., April 2, the Sixth Corps advanced against the enemy and drove them from their fortifications. Marching in pursuit, the corps struck Lee's flying army, with the One Hundred and Twenty-second on the skirmish line, and ! ber 31, 1863:

broke the rebel columns. It was present at Lec's surrender, and afterward marched to Danville, Virginia. It returned to Washington City in June, and was reviewed by the President and members of the Cabinet.

It was mustered out on the 26th of July, with an aggregate of 585 men, and was paid and dis- charged at Columbus on the 30th of July, 1865.

The following letters from different members of the One Hundred and Twenty-second, who- were enlisted in Coshocton county, give, besides personal reminiscences, more directly the part, taken in the various battles of the regiment by the Coshocton companies.

WHEELING, VA., June 19, 1863.

In regard to the Winchester battle, having. been for four months previous thereto detailed from my regiment as judge advocate of our gen- eral court martial in the Second Division of the Eighth Army Corps, I was ordered to report for- field duty on General Milroy's staff, in which position I acted during the engagement, on Saturday at 10 o'clock A. M. The One Hundred and Twenty-second was not'engaged outside the forts until Monday, and up to that time had lost but few men and had only twelve wounded; but on Monday its loss was heavy, as the regiment. was ordered to assault a rebel battery in the woods, having a severe fight and making a gal- lant charge. The sensation produced on one after being under fire for awhile is very different from what I expected. I felt, after the first hour or so, all right. Monday morning I was sent to some place on the field with an order, and get- ting cut off from the main body, had a hard ride to keep from going to Richmond. The force at- tacking us was Jackson's old corps, under Ewell, about 30,000 strong; our force was about 8,000 effective men. At 2 o'clock on Monday, we spiked all our guns, leaving wagons, baggage, etc. I lost everything I had except what I had on.

G. H. BARGER.

Captain Barger is still a resident of Coshocton county and a prominent member of the bar. At the time when the above letter was written Cap- tain Barger was First Lieutenant of Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio. IIe- was promated to the captaincy, and commis- sioned, March 26, 1864, and resigned from the- service October, 1864.

The following is from the Age, of date Deccm-

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

The One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio was near the front during the advance of the Army of the Potomac. Colonel Ball telegraphed from Brandy Station that all the officers were safe, but that the regiment had lost six killed and thirty-two wounded, of whom twenty-two are seriously hurt. The killed are: Edward Green, John Morling and William A. Phillips, of Con- pany C; Solomon Thompson, Company E; Wil- liam R. Tudor, Company I; John Hawkins, Company G.

And in the Age, of date January 23, 1864, the following from Captain B. F. Sells, of Company D:

CAMP NEAR BEALTON STATION, VIRGINIA, Dec. 25, 1863.

I have just received official information of the death of another member of my company. Private Robert Marshman died at Second Division Hospital, at Alexandria, December 21, from a gunshot wound received in the fight at Mine Run, the 27th day of November, 1863. Private Marshman was a prompt and efficient soldier, always ready and willing for duty-he had no superior and few equals. B. F. SELLS.

In the Age, of date June 18, 1864, these deaths are recorded :

THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND O. V. I .- This gallant regiment has suffered severely in the Virginia battles. From a long list of cas- ualties we copy the following of Coshocton con- panies :

Company D-Killed, Martin Vance. Wounded, John P. Cly, Joseph O'Donnel, James Cooper and Thomas Nelson.

Company G - Killed, Corporal E. Polan. Wounded, First Sergeant William Gorsline, Ser- geant C. C. Meyer, R. II. Axline, D. B. Myser, E. Riggler, William Ward, J. W. Rinehart, Lewis Smith, W. King, Es. Polen and H. Moore. We have noticed Captain Work's death in a previous issue.

SEVENTY-EIGIITH REGIMENT.

Quite a number of the citizens of Coshocton county enlisted in the Seventy-eighth Ohio, who were not credited to Coshocton. While not enumerating any, except such as have contrib- uted personal reminiscences, it would not be just to omit a consideration of the regimental history of the Seventy-eighth. It was raised under spe- cial authority from Governor Dennison, issued to M. D. Leggett, Esq., of Zanesville, Muskingum county, Ohio. M. D. Leggett, afterward appointed brigadier general, was well and favorably known in Coshocton county, and his popularity ac-|

counted for the enrollment of a large number of those citizens whose homes were in the adjacent townships of Coshocton county, making Zanes- ville as near a point of rendezvous as Coshocton,

The first man of the regiment was enlisted on the 30th day of October, 1861. The organization was completed on the 11th day of January, 1862, and the regiment left by ears for Cincinnati on the 11th day of February, where steamers were found,on which it embarked for Fort Donelson, on the Tennessee river. This point was reached on the 16th of February and the regiment went into position on the battle-field, but too late to take part in the action. Immediately after this battle the regiment saw its first field duty, that of taking care of the rebel prisoners and stores.

On the 1st of March the regiment marched across the country to Metal Landing on the Ten- nessee river, where it went into camp awaiting transportation. About the 10th of March it moved with the national forces to Crump's Land- ing, and thence to Adamsville, on the road to Purdy, to guard an exposed flank of the army at Pittsburgh Landing. Nothing of interest trans- pired here except a few slight skirmishes with the enemy.

Early on the morning of the 6th of April picket firing was heard by the troops stationed at Adamsville. The whole command was immedi- ately drawn up in line awaiting orders. Receiv- ing orders at twelve o'clock M., the Seventy- eighth, with its brigade, marched to the battle- field, a distance of fourteen miles, and reached Pittsburg Landing at eight o'clock in the evening, in company with General Lew Wallace's division. The fight being over for the day the regiment went into camp for the night on the extreme right of the national army. At daylight on the morning of the 7th the regiment went into bat- tle on the right and was under fire throughout the day, with, however, but slight loss, only one man was killed and nine wounded. Retaining its position on the right, the Seventy-eighth shared the movement on Corinth. In guarding the right flank of the army the regiment was frequently engaged in reconnoissances and skir- mishes with the enemy.

On the evacuation of Corinth, the regiment marched with Lew Wallace's Division to Bethel

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

where it was detached and sent with the Thir- tieth Illinois, under command of Colonel Leggett, to Jackson, Tennessee. The town was found in possession of a small rebel force, which was driven off, and the place occupied. At this place the regiment had the honor to raise a national flag on the pole where the first rebel flag was raised in Tennessee.

At Jackson, the Seventy-eighth was transferred from Lew Wallace's division to General Logan's division. From Jackson, the Seventy-eighth, with the Thirtieth Illinois, were again sent, un- der Colonel Leggett, to Grand Junction. It re- mained at this point one month, and then re- turned to Bolivar. While there the regiment made several important and arduous reconnois- sances, in which a number of skirmishes were had with the enemy. On the 30th of August, the Seventy-eighth and Twentieth Ohio, one company of the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, and a section of the Ninth Indiana Artillery, had a brisk engage- ment at Spring Creek, sixteen miles from Bolivar. While the engagement was in progress, four companies of the Second Illinois Cavalry, under Colonel Hogg, reported and took part in the fight. Colonel Hogg was killed. On the day be- fore the fight, a force of mounted infantry was improvised from the Seventy-eighth and Twen- tieth Ohio, by selecting three tried men from each company. This force under command of Lieutenants G. D. Munson, of the Seventy-cighth, and Ayers, of the Twentieth Ohio, was sent on a reconnaissance the night previous, and discovered the enemy in force. After capturing the rebel outposts it fell back to its main body. On the the next day this " mule cavalry " performed ex- cellent service, and to them was attributed largely the successful result of the fight. In this affair the loss of the regiment was slight.

When the rebel army, under Price and Van Dorn, moved on Iuka, the Seventy-eighth marched, with Logan's division, to that point, but did not participate in the battle. Returning to Bolivar it joined Grant's forces in the move- ment toward Grenada, Mississippi, and was near Grenada in advance of the whole army, when, in consequence of the destruction by the enemy of Holly Springs, it fell back with the national army on that place. Immediately thereafter it accom-

panicd Grant's forces to Memphis, Tennessee, and thence by steamer to Lake Providence, where it was employed in cutting the bank of the Mississippi, and opening Bayon Jackson for the purpose of overflowing the country below. While lying at this point the regiment, with its brigade, went to Eagle Point and up Mud Bayou to aid in saving some gunboats surrounded by the enemy. Milliken's Bend was the next point to which the Seventy-eighth was sent, where it joined the national army, under General Grant, then concentrating for the march on Vicksburg. On the occasion of running the blockade of Vicksburg with transports, twelve members of the Seventy-eighth Ohio were selected as part of the crew of one of the boats of this detail. Ser- geant James MeLaughlin and private Huffman occupied themselves during the trip in playing cards by the light of the enemies guns. Cross- ing the Mississippi river at Bruinsburg, the regi- ment marched with the army to the rear of Vicksburg. On this march it participated in the battle of Raymond, on the 12th of May, 1863, and lost in killed and wounded about eighty men

On the 16th of May it was engaged in the battle of Champion Hills, where it lost 116 men killed and wounded. During these battles Gen- cral Leggett was commanding the brigade having received his commission as Brigadier General on the 29th of November, 1862. On the 17th, 18th, and 19th of May, the investment of Vicksburg was completed. On the 22d of May, the Seventy-eighth participated in the general charge of that day on the enemy's works, with slight loss. About the 25th of May the regiment was joined to a force sent up the Yazoo river, under General Frank P. Blair, to look after a rebel force reported' to be moving to the relief of Vicksburg, under General Joseph E. Johnston. Johnston having changed his line of march to a point further south-toward Jackson-the com- mand returned to Vicksburg, and the Seventy- eighth Ohio resumed its position before the city. At this point General Leggett was transferred to the command of the first brigade of General Logan's division. On the 22d of June the Sev- enty-eighth, was again sent with a force to pre- vent the rebels under Johnston from crossing the Black river at Bovina. The regiment remained

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

at Bovina until after the surrender of Vicksburg. On the 4th of July the Seventy-eighth joined Sherman in his march on Jackson, Mississippi. It was left at Clinton, where, on the 7th of July, it was attacked by rebel cavalry, which attack it handsomely repulsed. On the return of the na- tional forces to Vicksburg, the regiment accom- panied them and remained there until the latter part of August. It then marched with McPher- son's expedition, to destroy the rebel mills, near Canton. Coming back to Vicksburg, it went with General Logan's division to Monroeville, Louisiana, on the Washita river, to look after a force of rebels reported to be in that vicinity.

On the 5th of January, 1864, the Seventy-eighth re-enlisted for the war. Immediately thereafter the regiment marched with General Sherman on the Meridian expedition, and on its return was sent home on veteran furlough. The regiment returned on the 1st of May, and rendezvoused at Cairo, Illionis. The division was re-organized at this point, and moved by steamers up the Ten- nessee river to Clifton From Clifton it marched over the Blue Mountain Ridge and joined Gen- eral Sherman's army at Acworth, Georgia. It was immediately placed in position on the left, and commenced its part of the campaign at At- lanta.

On the 17th of June, the regiment took part in the attack on and capture of Bushy Mountain. About the time the order was given to move on the mountain a heavy rain storm commenced. General M. D. Leggett, commanding the third division of Logan's corps, dashed up the slope and captured the rebel works, turning its guns on the rebels as they fled. By reason of the driv- ing rain, the other divisions that were to co-oper- ate in the affair, did not perceive General Leg- gett's movement, and supposed the rebels still held the mountain and were firing on the na- tional cavalry, directed their batteries on Leggett's division, and shelled the mountain until a staff officer was sent to undeceive then.

the rebel forces and causing them to evacuate the mountain. From the 5th to the 6th of July the regiment was engaged in an almost continuous skirmishing and artillery duel. During this time, at intervals, it was almost impossible to prevent the privates of the two armies from affiliating. On one occasion a large boat was procured and placed in the middle of the Chattahoochie river, in each end of which a hostage was seated, and a squad of either party placed on the banks to shoot the hostage if treachery was practiced. Brisk trade and card playing then commenced and continued until discovered and stopped by some of the officers.

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History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881, Part 62

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