History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 75

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1302

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Merriman, first lieutenant and David Lewis, second lieutenant. Capt. Butterfield served faithfully until the expiration of the term of service of the regiment, after which he assisted in raising the 192d Infantry, for one year's service and was made its colonel. After af- fecting leave-takings, public services being held in the church, the company started for Camp Taylor, Cleveland, where, by April 29th, all the other companies had assembled. In May the regimental organization was completed at Camp Dennison and instruction in drill begun. It soon becoming apparent that the regiment could not be sent into the field as three months men, proposals were made to reenlist the men for three years. Nine companies-Company I alone excepted-responded favorably and in the latter part of June were mustered into the service for three years. In September Com- pany I, having re-considered its determination, decided to reenlist and joined the regiment at Grafton, Va., to which point the rest of the regiment had proceeded after leaving Camp Dennison on July 9th.

During their first few weeks of actual ser- vice the regiment was stationed at various places in the mountains and along the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Here they suffered severely from sickness, some thirty- four deaths resulting from typhoid fever, while at one time over three hundred were in the hospital. On the. 24th of September the regiment took part in an attack on Romney, and on Oct. 24th in a second attack on the same place, which the enemy finally evacuated. Next came a successful attack on Blue's Gap. The next fight was at Bloomey Gap, on Feb- ruary 14th, where Colonel Baldwin, with his staff 'and a part of his command, were cap- tured. In March the division to which the 8th belonged, was ordered to the Shenandoah Val- ley, and, under command of Gen. Shields, drove the enemy up the Valley, fighting bat- tles at Cedar Creek and Strasburg. In these movements the 8th was engaged in skirmish duty, which they accomplished so successfully as to gain a reputation for themselves, which they subsequently maintained throughout the rest of its term of service. On March 23d was fought the battle of Winchester, one of the most severe of the war. Colonel Kimball com- manded and here the enemy, under the able

and gallant Jackson were repulsed and driven from the field. In this battle the 8th main- tained its reputation both for skirmish duty and in the charge on the enemy's right flank. The losses of the companies engaged-C, D, E, and H-amounted to one-fourth of their entire number.

While following the rebels up the Valley, skirmishes took place at Woodstock, Mt. Jack- son, Edinburg and New Market. At the latter place Colonel Kimball received his commission as brigadier general taking command of the brigade to which the 8th belonged. On May 22d the regiment joined McDowell's Corps at Fredericksburg. General Banks having been driven out of the Valley by Jackson, the 8th was ordered back, and on the 30th reached and recaptured Front Royal. The distance of eighteen miles from Rectortown was covered in skirmish order, a number of prisoners be- ing captured, among whom was the famous rebel spy, Belle Boyd.

After marching from Front Royal up the south branch of the Shenandoah, the division was broken up and Kimball's and Terry's brigades ordered to the Peninsula. Some severe skirmishing occurred on the 3d and 4th of July at the Chickahominy swamps, where seven members of the 8th were badly wounded. At Harrison's Landing the regiment was united to the Second Corps, then commanded by Sumner, and, with Kimball's brigade be- longed to French's division. On the retreat from the Peninsula and until the army crossed the Chickahominy the 8th acted as rear guard. It then went by way of Yorktown and New- port News, to Alexandria, where it arrived on the 28th. The armies of Lee and Pope be- ing engaged in battle on the 30th, the corps was ordered to the front, and marched to Centerville, near the position of Pope's army, but took no part in the fight. On the march of the army to Chain Bridge, the 2d Corps was on the left flank, and for a short time was under fire at Germantown, north of Fairfax Court House. Crossing the Potomac, the army entered Maryland, and soon after was engaged in the battles of South Mountain and Antie- tam. The corps acted as a supporting line at South Mountain, and later crossed the moun- tain and skirmished with the enemy at Boons- boro and Reedyville. Near this place a fu-

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rious artillery duel took place on September 16th, during which W. W. Farmer, a color- sergeant of the 8th was killed. The next day occurred the battle of Antietam. Having crossed the river, the 2d Corps occupied the center of the line. Says Mr. Reid ("Ohio in the War"), "Hooker had been engaged on the right for several hours, when French's and Sedgwick's divisions advanced-Sedgwick on the right-and met the enemy in strong posi- tion on a ridge. In the advance Kimball's brigade formed the third line, Morris and Max Weber's preceding. They struck the Rebel line and were driven back; when Kimball advanced at a double quick, carrying the line handsomely, and holding it for four hours and until firing ceased in front. During this time Sedgwick was driven back on the right, which made it necessary for the 14th Indiana and 8th Ohio to charge front; which was done most gallantly, and saved the brigade from rout. General Sumner pronounced Kimball's the "Gibraltar Brigade."

After some minor movements, consisting mainly of marching, with some skirmishing, the 8th found themselves in action in the ter- rible battle of Fredericksburg, December 13th, they forming the right wing of the forlorn hope. In the streets of the town the enemy's fire struck the head of the column, killing and wounding 28; but, with the other regiments a line was formed and the enemy's outposts driven to the foot of the hill on which were his main works. In this battle the regiment lost 37 in killed and wounded.

The army remained in camp until April 28, 1863, when it crossed the river and fought the battle of Chancellorsville, General Hooker commanding. Though almost constantly un- der fire for four days the regiment lost only two killed and eleven wounded. At this time and subsequently the brigade was under com- mand of General Carroll.

The next active service of the 8th was at the battle of Gettysburg in which it took a con- spicuous part. On July 2d it drove the Rebel sharpshooters from a knoll beyond the Em- metsburg road, and held the position until the close of the battle, a period of twenty-six hours. During this time it repulsed three sev- eral attacks by superior numbers, one being made by three regiments, which were gal-

lantly repelled, broken, and nearly all, with three stands of colors captured. A change of front was then made and the regiment threw an effective fire into the flank of the large mass of troops marching upon General Hay's di- vision. The 8th's losses in this battle were 102 killed and wounded. Some skirmishing followed with the retreating enemy, and then on the 15th of August the regiment was sent to New York city to help quell the draft riots then threatening the city,

This duty, which the men looked on almost as a pleasure jaunt, having been performed, they joined the army at Culpepper, and, after some manoeuvring, the battles of Auburn and Bristow were fought, October 14, the 8th hav- ing two men wounded. In the battles of Rob- inson's Cross Roads, Locust Grove and Mine Run, on the 27th, 28th and 29th of November, the regiment mainly performed skirmish duty, losing several in killed and wounded. Several officers and men were wounded also in the battle of Morton's Ford, February 6, 1864.

The Wilderness campaign, under Grant, opened on the 3d of May. The 2d Corps, crossing the Rapidan at Germania Ford, marched quickly to Todd's Tavern, occupy- ing the extreme left of the line. On the even- ing of the 5th, it moved to the support of the right, which was hotly engaged with the enemy. At the "Cross Roads" the 14th In- diana, 8th Ohio and 7th Virginia, under the command of Colonel Coons, of the 14th In- diana, retook a section of a battery, which had been lost by the 6th Corps. Heavy losses were sustained on the 6th during the fighting in the dense undergrowth. The 7th, 8th and 9th were spent in skirmishing, the enemy being closely followed to Spottsylvania Court House. In a charge on a Rebel work, on the Ioth, another severe loss was sustained and Sergeant Conlan, color bearer, was wounded. On the 12th, in Hancock's gallant charge on the enemy's right, the regiment again lost heavily. The losses in these several engagements were over 60 in killed and wounded.

The regiment maintained its reputation in the skirmishing which occurred from Spottsyl- vania to Petersburg, and in the battles of North Anna, Cold Harbor and in front of Petersburg. While in the trenches before Petersburg, on the 25th of June, its term of

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service expired and it was ordered to Ohio to be mustered out of service. It had then but 72 officers and men fit for duty. On the re- turn home it received a cordial reception, reaching Cleveland July 3d, where it was cor- dially greeted by the mayor and military com- mittee. It was formally mustered out . July 13, 1864 by Capt. Douglass.

The 15th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was one of the first to respond to the President's call for 75,000 men for three months' service. Its organization was completed on May 4, 1861 at Camp Jackson, Columbus, Ohio, Company D of this regiment being composed in part of Crawford county men, mostly from the northeastern part of the county. The 15th prepared for the field at Camp Goddard, near Zanesville, Ohio and then, about May 18, was ordered to West Virginia, where it was em- ployed for some time in guard duty on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. It fought against the enemy at Philippi, June 13, and afterwards at Laurel Hill and Carrick's Ford. At the end of its term of enlistment it returned to Columbus, Ohio and was discharged about the Ist of August, having lost but two men- one killed and one who died of disease.

On the President's call for 300,000 men to serve for three years, the men of the 15th almost unanimously resolved to reenlist, and the regiment was accordingly reorganized at Camp Mordecai Bartley, near Mansfield, Ohio, and left for Camp Dennison on Sept. 26, 1861. Here they were armed and equipped for the field. Early in October they reached Lexing- ton, Ky., and soon after, at Camp Nevin, near Nollin's Station, Ky., the regiment was as- signed to the 6th Brigade (Gen. R. W. John- ston, commanding), 2d Division (Gen. A. McD. McCook, commanding), of the Army of the Ohio, then commanded by Gen. W. T. Sherman, and subsequently by Gen. Buell. After marches to Bacon Creek and Mumfords- ville, on Dec. 14, the division was set in mo- tion for Fort Donelson, but before arriving there news was received of the capture of the fort and the division was marched to Bowling Green. From the 2d to the 16th of March the command lay at Nashville, Tenn .; then the march to Savannah began. The enemy was encountered at that place April 7th and in

the engagement the regiment lost six men killed and 62 wounded.

The 2d Division subsequently formed part of the reserve in the march upon Corinth and in the latter part of May was engaged in skirmishing with the enemy, having been or- dered to the front on the 27th. From the 18th of July until the 20th of August the 15th was engaged in building a fort and in camp duties at Battle Creek, Tenn. The regiment then accompanied Gen. McCook's command in a movement to head off Gen. Bragg, marching by way of Altemonte, Manchester and Mur- freesboro to Nashville, which place was reached Sept. 8th. After a halt of a few days the march was resumed to Bowling Green and thence to Louisville, which was . reached on the 25th. Thence the command moved to Shelbyville and Lawrenceburg, where a skirmish took place with the enemy. The main army was reached at Perryville and Bragg's army pursued as far as Crab Orchard. The command then returned to Nashville.

Here the army was reorganized and drilled and on the 26th of December advanced against the enemy at Murfreesboro. In the battle of Stone River the 15th lost 18 killed and 89 wounded. After the occupation of Mur- freesboro by Rosecran's army the regiment was mainly occupied in drilling, foraging and other routine duties, until July 24th, when an advance was ordered on Tullahoma and Shelbyville. The enemy was dislodged from his position at Golner's and Liberty Gaps, the latter being carried by the 2d Division, the 15th taking a very prominent part throughout. In this engagement one officer and seven men were killed and 23 wounded.

The 2d Division remained at Tullahoma until the 16th of August, after which it was ordered to various points in Alabama and Georgia, crossing Lookout Mountain and camping near Alpine on Sept. Ioth. Two days later it recrossed the mountain to Winson's Valley and thence moved to a position in connection with the main army in Lookout Valley. On the 19th it marched 13 miles to the battlefield of Chickamauga, where it was engaged soon after its arrival, losing one of- ficer and nine men killed, 69 wounded and 40 missing. Later it took part in the seige of

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Chattanooga and on November 25th particip- ated in the storming of Mission Ridge, cap- turing a number of prisoners and some artil- lery. On the 28th, the regiment then belong- ing to the Ist Brigade, 3d Division, 4th Army Corps, marched to the relief of Knoxville, arriving Dec. 8th; on the 20th the command moved to Strawberry Plains.

On the 14th of January, 1864, most of the members having re-enlisted as veterans, the regiment started for Columbus, Ohio, arriving there with 350 veterans on Feb. roth. On the expiration of the furlough, March 14th the regiment, having been recruited to upward of 900 men, reassembled at Camp Chase, and were ordered to Nashville, and thence to Chat- tanooga, where they arrived April 5th. On the 8th while moving by rail to Cleveland, Tenn. some 20 of the men were more or less injured in a railway accident.

Moving to McDonald's Station on the 20th the regiment remained there until the opening of the spring campaign. The regiment then accompanied Sherman's army, skirmishing at Tunnel Hill, fighting at Resaca and Dallas, at which latter place the 15th suffered severely, having 19 men killed, three officers and 61 men wounded, and 19 men missing. The army then moved to the vicinity of Acworth and on the roth advanced toward Kenesaw Mountain. While skirmishing on the 14th of June one officer and one man were killed and five men wounded. On June 18th, the enemy having withdrawn, and accidentally left one of their outposts behind them, the outpost com- prising two officers and 16 men, were discov- ered by Private Cupp, of Company H, who was reconnoitering with three or four privates under his command. The Rebels, when in- formed of their isolated position surrendered and were taken into camp as prisoners. A number of other prisoners were also captured in this vicinity. The regiment subsequently reached Atlanta with the army and later had a skirmish with the enemy at Lovejoy's Sta- tion. They left there Sept. 5th and took camp at Decatur, near Atlanta,

When Hood began his raid on our com- munications, the 15th marched to the relief of Resaca, and then to Columbia, where it had a slight skirmish. It did not participate in the battle of Franklin, but at Nashville

captured a battery of four brass guns and some 30 prisoners. Later in the action at Franklin Pike it captured two commissioned officers and 100 men. Its own loss in two days' fight was two officers and one man killed and two officers and 24 men wounded. After follow- ing the enemy to Lexington, Ala., the corps moved in the direction of Huntsville and went into camp at Bird Springs, where it remained until March 15th, when it was ordered to East Tennessee.

It subsequently moved to New Market, Tenn. and then to Greenville, to aid in prevent- ing the escape of Lee and Johnston, being ordered back to Nashville, April 22d. Here it remained until June 16th at which time it was ordered to Texas, proceeding thence by way of New Orleans. It arrived at Indianola, Texas, July 9th, disembarked, and marched the same night to Green Lake, a distance of about 20 miles. Here it remained one month . and then, on August 10th began a march of 150 miles to San Antonio, reaching the Salada, a small stream near that place on the 21st. Owing to the extreme heat and the scarcity of water, this was one of the most severe marches the regiment ever endured. It re- mained on the Salada till October 20th and then ordered to do post duty in the city. On November 21st, it was mustered out and or- dered to Columbus, Ohio for its final dis- charge. It was mustered out at Columbus on Dec. 27, 1865, having been in the service as an organization about four years and eight months.

The 23d Ohio Infantry,-Crawford county was represented in this regiment by Company C, which was raised in and around Galion, the members being mostly railroad men. The commissioned officers of the company were: John W. Skiles, captain; J. R. McMullin, first lieutenant; and T. P. Harding, second lieuten- ant. Captain Skiles was a veteran of the Mexican War and an efficient officer. He was wounded at Middletown, Md., which resulted in the loss of an arm at the elbow. On July 29, 1863 he was promoted to major of the 88th Ohio Infantry and served in that capacity until the close of the war. Lieutenant Mc- Mullin, who was originally captain of the old "Mansfield Artillery Company," was early promoted to captain of the 23d. So many of

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the leading officers of the 23d achieved dis- tinction and were promoted to high rank that the regiment became known as the "regiment of brigadier generals." Among the most noted were W. S. Rosecrans, E. Parker Scam- mon and Rutherford B. Hayes, afterward president of the United States. Stanley Ma- thews, afterwards promoted to colonel of the 5Ist regiment, was also a gallant and efficient officer.

The 23d regiment was organized at Camp Chase, in June, 1861, under Col. William S. Rosecrans and was mustered into the United States' service for three years, on the 11th of the same month. Before leaving for the field Col. Rosecrans received a commission as briga- dier general in the United States' regular army, and Col. E. P. Scammon succeeded to the command of the regiment. On July 25th the regiment was ordered to Clarksburg, West Virginia, where it arrived on the 27th. The next day it was ordered to Weston, from which point it operated against the guerilla forces of the enemy, performing excessively hard duty among the rugged spurs of the Rich Mountain range. While in this region the regiment was divided, five companies, un- der command of Lieut. Col. Stanley Mathews operating as a movable force against the guerillas, and constituting the right wing; while the left wing remained at Weston, send- ing out occasional expeditions against the enemy. On Sept. Ist the regiment re-united at Bulltown, and thence, as a part of General Rosecran's army, marched against the Rebels, who, under General Floyd, were strongly posted at Carnifex Ferry. On the roth some skirmishing occurred with the enemy, in which the 23d took an efficient part. In the night General Floyd retreated across the Gauley river, and in the pursuit a number of prison- ers were captured, the enemy being followed to his entrenchment at the foot of Big Sewell Mountain. A few days later the regiment was ordered to Camp Ewing, where, the location proving unhealthy, it lost a number of men from disease.

The winter of 1861-62 was devoted to re- cruiting, drill and discipline. Companies F and G joined a detachment, under Major Com- ly, which, on Dec. 31, 1861, occupied Raleigh Court House without opposition. A quantity

of arms and supplies, with 27 prisoners were captured. Being reinforced by Companies A and B, Major Comly, on the Ioth of Feb- ruary, marched 28 miles through a snow storm at the mouth of Blue Stone river, driv- ing a regiment of the enemy's infantry, and a small force of cavalry, with considerable loss, across the river. On April 17, 1862 orders were received to go into camp, and on the 22d the command moved toward Princeton, the 23d, under command of Lieut. Col. Hayes, being in the advance. On the approach of the Federal forces the enemy fired the town and fled.

On the 8th nine companies of the 23d, with three small companies of cavalry, were at- tacked by four regiments of Confederate In- fantry, and six pieces of artillery, under com- mand of General Heth. Though most of our cavalry disappeared after the first fire, the regiment made a determined stand, but was finally obliged to retire, which it did in good order, the enemy following to the narrows of New River. Meeting reinforcements, the command returned by way of Princeton to Flat Top Mountain, having endured great hardships, and losing tents and other equipage, which had to be destroyed.

On the 13th of July the regiment was or- dered to Green Meadows, on New River, the next move being to Camp Piatt, on the Great Kanawha, where the regiment arrived on the 18th, having made the record march of 104 miles in a little more than three days. Here the 23d boarded transports for Parkersburg, going thence by rail to Washington City, where they arrived August 24th. Soon after they moved with Mcclellan's army toward Frederick City, driving the enemy before them and reaching Middletown on the 13th.

Here began the battle of South Mountain, culminating, Sept. 17th, in that of Antietam, in both of which the 23d participated, being under command of Lieut. Col. Hayes (Gen. J. D. Cox commanding the division).

Being in the advance of the column, it took an unfrequented path up the mountain, and being met by a heavy fire of musketry, grape and cannister from the enemy, who were posted behind stone walls, it sustained severe losses, Lieut. Col. Hayes, Captain Skiles and Lieutenants Hood, Ritter and Smith being

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badly wounded, and over 100 dead and wounded lay on the field out of the 350 that went into action. Major Comly succeeded to the command, which he henceforth retained. Soon after, the remainder of the brigade com- ing up, a charge was made up the hill and enemy driven into the woods beyond, losing many men killed with the bayonet. During the remainder of the day the regiment fought with its division. During the day the 23d lost nearly 200. Only seven were unaccounted for at roll-call after the action.

At Antietam the regiment fought with the Kanawha division, occupying the right of the first brigade. Near the close of the day a charge was made by the division by which the left was exposed to a large force of the enemy, who suddenly emerged from a corn field in the rear of the left. The colors of the regiment were instantly shot down. At the same time a feint was made in front. A Fereral battery in the rear opened a fire on the advancing Confederates, by which, how- ever, our forces suffered more than the enemy. Major Comly now planted the colors on a new line, at right angles with the former front and the regiment promptly formed on the new line and opened fire on the enemy, who re- tired, having done little damage, except to make a few captures. A little later the regi- ment was ordered to the rear. During the. night the regiment supported a battery of Gen- eral Sturgis's division and was not relieved until the following afternoon.

Ordered back, Oct. 8th, to West Virginia, with the Kanawha division, the regiment reached Hagerstown on the 10th, whence they made a quick dash into Pennsylvania to in- tercept Stuart's cavalry, who were reported to be operating in that direction ; but no enemy was discovered. The regiment then returned to Virginia, arriving at Clarksburg October 15th. Here Colonel Scammon was appointed brigadier general and Lieut. Col. Hayes ap- pointed colonel; Major Comly was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and Capt. McIlrath to major. On November 10th the 23d reached the Kanawha Valley and on the 18th went into winter quarters at the Falls of the Great Kanawha.

On March 15, 1863 the regiment was or- dered to Charleston, W. Va., where it lay in

camp during March, April, May, June and part of July, performing only light duties, except an advance to Raleigh, Va. and par- ticipation in the movement against Morgan's raid.

Returning to Charleston, they lay in camp during the remainder of the year and up to April 29, 1864, when a movement was made to a point near Brownstown, on the Kanawha, preparatory to joining General Crook's forces in a raid on the Virginia & Tennessee Rail- road. In this expedition they performed hard duty, but had little fighting until the battle of Cloyd's Mountain on May 9, 1864. Here the 23d was on the right of the First brigade. A gallant charge was made up the mountain under a heavy fire, and the enemy driven from the first ridge, two pieces of artillery being captured and brought off the field by Lieut. Austin. The enemy then attempted to form a line of the second ridge or crest, but after a short struggle, was driven back in full re- treat. Receiving reinforcements, he made another attempt to stand but was unsuccessful. The fighting here was desperate. Captain Hunter, Company K, and Lieut. Seaman, Company D, were both killed. Captain Rice, Company A, was wounded, but rejoined his company before the action was over. Lieut. Abbott, Company I, was severely wounded and left in hospital at Dublin Depot.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 75

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850- Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1302

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1302