History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 80

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

USA > Ohio > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 80

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The command of the National forces was now placed in the hands of General Phil Sher- idan, and a new era dawned upon the Shenan- doah Valley. In the fighting at Berryville the 123d lost 25 men killed and wounded. On the 19th of September, near Winchester, an- other battle was fought. In this affair the 123d was engaged on the right in Colonel Thoburn's Brigade, and formed part of the grand flanking column which changed the fortunes of the day. The regiment took part in the final charge and had the satisfaction of seeing the enemy in full retreat, ending in a perfect rout. The loss of the 123d in this bat- tle was five officers and about 50 men.

The enemy taking refuge behind strong works at Strasburg, General Crook, in whose command was the 123d, executed a secret movement on the left flank of the Confederate army, and reached the side of a hill imme- diately overlooking the Rebel position before lie was discovered. A sudden charge scat- tered the enemy like chaff. In this action the regiment lost six men.

The next day, September 23d, the National forces moved up the valley to Harrisonburg, the 123d being left behind at Fisher's Hill to bury the dead and collect the arms thrown down by the enemy; this done it joined the main army.

Some days later the National forces began a retrograde movement down the valley for the purpose of drawing the enemy after them, and finally took up a position at Cedar Creek, where they threw up fortifications. The en- emy followed and resumed their strong posi-

tion at Fisher's Hill, which they further strengthened. During this time the 123d, in repelling a reconnoisance made by the Rebels, lost their gallant brigade commander, Colonel Thoburn, of the 4th Virginia.

On the 19th of October, the enemy, under cover of a dense fog, crept up through a gap unfortunately left in the National line of pickets, and turned the left flank of the army, held by General Crook's Corps, pushing the army back five or six miles and capturing the works and all that were in them. In this rout the 6th Corps acted as a breakwater against the Rebels, holding them in check until the National lines were re-formed. While matters were at this pass, General Sheridan suddenly appeared, having made his famous ride from Winchester. He at once infused new life into the demoralized forces, and having made some slight changes in the order of battle, gave the word for a general advance. The enemy were swept from the field, losing all their own ar- tillery and that which they had captured in the morning. This victory was so thorough that thereafter there was no opposition to the National forces worth mentioning in the val- ley.

After going into camp for about ten days with the rest of the troops, the 123d was as- signed to guard the line of the Harper's Ferry & Winchester Railroad. A month later it was ordered to report to General Butler, com- manding on the north side of the James river, near Bermuda Hundred, and attached to the 24th Army Corps, General Ord commanding. The regiment lay in camp near Deep Bottom until March 25, 1865, when it moved to the Chickahominy to aid Sheridan across that river. On April 2d a charge was made on the Rebel works at Hatcher's Run, the works being carried. For three days and nights pre- viously the 123d had been on the skirmish line without relief, and during this time their losses were quite severe. The regiment cap- tured two battle flags and a number of prison- ers. During the pursuit of Lee's army toward Danville the 123d was included in a force sent out from Burke's Junction to burn High Bridge 15 miles in advance on the South Side Railroad. When about half a mile from the bridge they were taken in the rear by the cav- alry in advance of Lee's army and, after sev-

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eral hours' fight, the whole National force, in- cluding the 123d, was captured. General Reed, the commander of the expedition, was killed, the regiment was carried with the Confederate army to Appomattox Court House, where, on the surrender of Lee, the prisoners were released. The regiment was mustered out at Camp Chase, Ohio, on the 12th of June, 1865.

The 136th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized for the 100-days' service, with W. Smith Irwin, colonel; David A. Williams, lient .- colonel; A. W' Diller, major, and Wil- liam F. Brown, surgeon. Companies C and E were composed, in part, at least, of men from Crawford county. The regiment ar- rived at Camp Chase on May 12, 1864, and, having been mustered, uniformed and equipped, left the next day for Washington City. On May 20th the regiment was placed on garrison duty in Forts Ellsworth, Williams and North, a part of the defenses of Wash- ington, south of the Potomac, and was as- signed to the 3d Brigade, DeRussy's Division. It remained on garrison duty during the re- mainder of its term of service, which expired August 20th. It was mustered out August 30th, 1864, having lost, from disease, two officers and 23 men.

The 144th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Na- tional Guard .- The 19th Battalion, O. N. G., of Wyandotte county, and the 64th Battalion O. N. G., of Wood county, were consolidated at Camp Chase on the IIth of May, 1864, forming the 144th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. A number of Crawford county men were among its members.

Its organization being completed, the regi- ment was ordered to report to General Wal- lace at Baltimore. Upon its arrival there Companies G and K were detached for duty on the fortifications, the remainder of the reg- iment reporting to General Morris, at Fort McHenry, and from there Company E was ordered to Wilmington, Delaware; Company B to Camp Parole, near Annapolis, and Com- pany I to Fort Dix, at the Relay House. At the time of Early's attempt against Washing- ton, Companies B, G. and I were in the en- gagement at Monocacy Junction and suffered severely, losing in all about 50 men in killed, wounded and prisoners. On July 13th the

regiment was ordered to Washington and from there moved toward Winchester, Va. It was halted at Snicker's Gap, and after a day's delay was moved back toward Washington, but soon after set out again for the Shenan- doah Valley, moving via Harper's Ferry, un- der command of Major-General Wright. On August 13th a portion of the regiment, while guarding a train near Berryville, Va., was at- tacked by Moseby's command, with two pieces of artillery, but, after some slight confusion, the men rallied and drove off the enemy, sav- ing the train. In this action the detachment lost five killed, six wounded and 60 captured. The regiment was mustered out on the 3Ist of August, 1864, having lost about 125 men killed, wounded and captured. Most of those captured died from starvation in Southern prisons.

The 179th Regiment, O. V. I., contained some men from Crawford county, who were attached to Company B. The regiment was organized at Camp Chase, in September, 1864, and mustered in for one year September 27th. It was ordered to Nashville, where it was as- signed to guard and provost duty. Picket and guard duty was always irksome to the soldiers, who would have greatly preferred to be at the front or on the "firing line," in modern war parlance. But there had to be troops to per- form these routine duties, and the boys of the 176th and 179th, which had been brigaded to- gether, submitted as gracefully as possible. However 50 men were detailed from the 176th and 179th, after the battle of Nashville in De- cember, 1864, and assigned to the First U. S. Engineers, to assist the latter organization in building block-houses along the Nashville & Chattanooga and other Southern railroads used by the Federal forces in transporting troops and supplies. The 179th was in the re- serve at the time of the battle in Nashville, but not actively engaged. The regiment was mustered out at Nashville June 17th, and paid off and discharged at Columbus June 21, 1865.

The 186th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was one of the regiments raised under the last call of the President to serve for one year, and was composed of men gathered from all parts of the state, most of whom had already seen service. The last company was mustered in at Camp Chase, March 2, 1865. Company C

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of this regiment contained a number of men from Crawford county. The regiment was organized with Thomas F. Wildes, colonel; George Wilhelm, lieut .- colonel; W. L. Pat- terson, major; and W. H. Matchett, surgeon. On the 2d of March, without arms or sup- plies, the regiment started for Nashville, leav- ing there on the 8th for Murfreesboro. The latter part of this journey was made in in- tensely cold weather. The regiment went into camp at Cleveland, Tenn., where Colonel Wildes received a commission as brigadier- general by brevet for gallantry in the Shenan- doah Valley, while lieut .- colonel of the 116th Ohio. On May 2d the regiment moved to Dalton, where it remained a few days. Gen- eral Wildes had in the meanwhile been as- signed to the command of a brigade at Chat- tanooga, and at his request the 186th was transferred to his command. During its stay in Chattanooga the regiment, under the direc- tion of Lieut .- Colonel Wilhelm, became very proficient in drill. On the 20th of July the 186th was relieved from duty at Chattanooga and ordered to Nashville. This order re- turned General Wildes to the command of his regiment, as it did all other officers on de- tached duty. Orders were received Septem- ber 13th to prepare rolls for the muster-out of the regiment. It was paid off and disbanded at Columbus, Ohio, September 25, 1865. The regiment was never in an engagement, but would doubtless have performed every duty required of it had it been called into action.

The 197th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was the last regiment which Ohio sent to the field and also the last complete organization which the state raised for service during the Civil War. Most of its officers had seen service in other commands and nearly one-half of the men were experienced soldiers. Some Craw- ford county men were members of Company C. The first company was mustered in at Camp Chase on the 28th of March, 1865, the regimental organization being completed on the 12th of April. Benton Halstead was col- onel; G. M. Barber, lieut .- colonel; Robert Hill, major, and W. G. Bryant, surgeon. This reg- iment never saw active service in the field, as on its arrival in Washington in the latter part of April, news was received of the surrender of General Johnston's army. The 197th was

temporarily assigned to the 9th Corps and was camped for some time near Alexandria. On May 9th it was incorporated in the Provi- sional Brigade, Ninth Army Corps. Subse- quently it was sent to Dover, Delaware and encamped at Camp Harrington, where it spent four weeks. Ordered to Havre de Grace May 3Ist, it performed guard duty along the rail- road southward to Baltimore, being broken into detachments for that purpose. At that time it became part of the 3d "Separate Bri- gade," 8th Army Corps. The regimental headquarters were removed to Fort Worth- ington, near Baltimore, on the 3d of July, where the different companies were engaged in guard duty. The regiment reassembled at Camp Bradford, near Baltimore, and on the 3Ist of July was mustered out of the service. It was disbanded August 6, 1865.

The 3d and Ioth cavalry regiments also contained some men from Crawford county. Capt. E. R. Brink, of the 3d, was from this county. He entered the organization as first lieutenant, was promoted to captain, and re- signed May 9, 1865.

The 3d Ohio Volunteer Cavalry was or- ganized at Monroeville, Ohio, in September, 1861. Lewis Zahm was its first colonel, with D. A. Murray, lieutenant colonel; John H. Foster, major, and M. C. Cuykendall, surgeon. During the first year of its service it was at- tached to Gen. T. J. Wood's Division, during the most of the time being under his immedi- ate command. It saw active service in many battles and to give a detailed account of its operations would fill a small volume. It took part in some brisk fighting at Corinth, in May, 1862; at Munfordsville, in September, where it drove a Rebel force three times its own number; also at Bardstown, in October, where it lost six men killed, 20 wounded and 17 cap- tured; fought Kirby Smith's cavalry at Shel- byville, Ky., and was engaged with the enemy at the battle of Perryville. In the latter part of October, a detachment of the 3d Cavalry, with a portion of the 4th, numbering 250 men, were surprised at Ashland, Ky., by Morgan's forces, and forced to surrender. Subsequent- ly the 2d brigade of cavalry, under Colonel Lewis Zahm, to which the 2d and 3d battal- ions were attached, attacked Morgan near Gallatin, capturing his camp equipage and a

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large number of prisoners. Soon after they struck another blow at Morgan, attacking an escort from his forces, killing three and cap- turing 17 prisoners and 146 mules. In De- cember they took valiant part in the opera- tions around Franklin and Nashville, Tenn., killing a number of the enemy and taking many prisoners. In January, 1863, they re- pulsed an attack on a supply train at Stewart's Creek, by Wheeler's Rebel Cavalry, and later in the same day, with the 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry, repulsed a second attack, the train being safely escorted to Nashville. They took part in the pursuit of the enemy after the bat- tle of Stone River, and near Middleton, Tenn., captured one of his trains. Later, in a skir- mish with Morgan's guerillas, near Wood- bury, they suffered a severe loss in killed, wounded and prisoners. Their subsequent actions in the vicinity of Murfreesboro are too numerous to mention. At the battle of Chickamauga they fought on the extreme left of the National lines, and subsequently pur- sued Wheeler's cavalry through Tennessee, winning a decisive victory at Farmington.

In January, 1864, at Pulaski, Tenn., the 3d Cavalry re-enlisted, there being at this date only 400 effective men left out of the original 1,300. During the usual furlough they met with a hearty greeting from the citizens of their native state. At this time, through the efforts of Major C. W. Skinner and Capt. E. M. Clover, nearly 1,000 recruits were enlisted, and on its return to the front at Nashville the regiment numbered over 1,500 strong. They subsequently marched with Sherman through Georgia, participating in the engagements at Etowah, Kenesaw Mountain, Noonday Creek and at the Chattahoochie River, Peach Tree Creek and Decatur and in the raids to Coving- ton and Stone Mountain ; also in the Stoneman raid under General Garrard, and in the Kil- patrick raid. In each of these raids the regi- ment suffered severely. It subsequently fought at Lovejoy's station, took part in the pursuit of Hood, and occupied a position on the left of General Thomas's forces in the first battle of Franklin. It was also engaged in the bat- tle before Nashville. After Hood's defeat, it followed his army into Alabama, and was then engaged in the Wilson raid through Ala- bama. and Georgia, losing heavily in killed

and wounded at Selma. Subsequently, as a part of Wilson's command it engaged in the chase after Jefferson Davis. The regiment finished its long career of arduous and brave service at Macon, Georgia, and was mustered out at Camp Chase, Ohio, August 14, 1865, having served four years, lacking 20 days.

The 10th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry .- Craw- ford county was represented in this regiment by a number of men in Company L. The reg- iment was organized at Camp Taylor in Octo- ber, 1862, by Charles C. Smith, under a com- mission from Governor Tod, and in the spring of 1863 it left for Nashville, Tenn. Its first services in the field were in the neighborhood of Murfreesboro, and during the subsequent campaign against Bragg it performed a vast amount of marching, with no little fighting, being usually successful in its bouts with the enemy. At Chickamauga the main portion of the regiment was used to guard communica- tions in the rear. After that battle it did duty in the Sequatchie Valley against the Rebel guerrillas. During this time a portion of the regiment, with the 15th Pennsylvania Cav- alry, was sent on a scouting expedition into East Tennessee, and was absent from the regiment about three months, having almost daily fights with the enemy belonging to Long- street's command. While on this raid they met and defeated a force of 300 Indians and 200 white soldiers led by Governor Vance, of North Carolina, who was captured. On its return the detachment found its regiment sta- tion at Bridgeport, Ala., and dismounted, the horses having starved to death from scarcity of forage. In the spring of 1864, while at Lavergne, Tenn., the command was again equipped for the field.

At Ringgold, Ga., the regiment was at- tached to the 2d Brigade, 3d Division, Cav- alry Corps, Colonel Chas. C. Smith, of the Ioth, being assigned as brigade commander, and acting as such until the army arrived be- fore Marietta. In this march the command was repeatedly engaged with the enemy, and in the battle of Resaca the Ioth under Col. Smith, led the charge which opened the bat- tle.

The Ioth took part in Kilpatrick's move- ments during Sherman's Atlanta campaign and subsequently accompanied the army on

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the "March to the Sea." During the greater part of this march the regiment had almost daily encounters with the foe, in particular with Wheeler's cavalry, being usually success- ful. In the campaign through the Carolinas also the Ioth was actively engaged, meeting the enemy frequently and almost invariably repulsing their attacks. General Kilpatrick more than once expressed the opinion that the Ioth Ohio Cavalry was the best charging reg- iment he had in his command. Colonel Smith, the commander of the 10th, during the majority of the time the regiment was in service, was on duty as brigade commander, and although enfeebled by ill health, re- mained with his command until it reached Cartersville, Ga., when he was obliged to leave for home, and subsequently, by the advice of his medical attendant, resigned his commis- sion. He was honorably discharged January 13, 1865. His second in command, Col. Thomas W. Sanderson, was mustered out with the regiment.

The 12th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cav- alry .- This organization contained quite a number of Crawford county men, most of whom belonged to Company A. Capt. E. C. Moderwell and Lieut. D. A. Newell, of this company, were from this county. Capt. Mo- derwell was promoted to major and was mus- tered out as such with the regiment. Lieut. Newell was promoted from second to first lieutenant, November 24, 1863 and was hon- orably discharged May 20, 1865.

This regiment was recruited during the months of August, September and October, 1863, in accordance with an order from the War Department to Governor Tod. Lieut .- Col. Robert W. Hatliff, of the 2d Ohio Vol- unteer Cavalry, was commissioned colonel, and the first company reported at Camp Tay- lor, October 2, 1863. Most of the officers of the regiment were trained soldiers and the reg- iment in consequence was soon prepared for the field.

On November 29th the regiment moved from Camp Dennison to Mount Sterling, Kentucky. The regiment was a portion of General Burbridge's command in the first Saltville raid. Arrived in the vicinity of Pound Gap, after eight days' forced march, the command started in pursuit of John Mor-

gan, who with his force had just entered Ken- tucky. The command, after severe marching, reached Mount Sterling June 9, 1863, there engaging the Rebel raiders. The 12th again overtook Morgan at Cynthiana, scattering his forces, and continuing the pursuit for three days. The regiment had hard fighting at Saltville, September 20th. The 12th with its brigade charged up a hill occupied by the enemy from his works. The regiment did good service under Stoneman at Bristol, Abingdon and Marion, and as a support to General Gillman in pursuit of Vaughn. Un- der Stoneman, Breckenridge was engaged and defeated after 40 hours of fighting. In this engagement all the members of the 12th bear- ing sabers participated in a grand charge, driving back the enemy's cavalry. After the capture of Saltville on December 21st, they returned to Richmond, Kentucky. As a re- sult of this raid four boats were captured, 150 miles of railroad, 13 trains and locomo- tives, lead mines, iron foundries and im- mense quantities of stores of all kinds were destroyed. The regiment moved to Nash- ville March 6th, and thence to Knoxville. From this point, under Stoneman, the regi- ment penetrated North Carolina, attacked the Lynchburg & East Tennessee Railroad at Christianburg, Virginia, which was destroyed for 30 miles. They also cut the Danville & Charlotte Railroad at Greensboro, North Car- olina, which drew the garrison to Salisbury; and cutting the railroad between them and Salisbury, that place, with stores and many federal prisoners, fell into the hands of the Union forces April 12th. The command as- sisted in the capture of Jefferson Davis; then moving through South Carolina and Alaba- ma, they captured Generals Bragg and Wheel- er and their escorts and finally reached Bridgeport, Alabama, having been in saddle 67 days. The 12th finally rendezvoused at Nashville, and was mustered out November 14, 1865.

During the wår Crawford county was twice drafted. The first draft took place the last of September, 1862, and was for the follow- ing numbers of men, by townships: Auburn, 22; Bucyrus, 22; Chatfield, 59; Cranberry, 42; Dallas, o; Holmes, 55; Jackson, 102; Liberty, 56; Lykens, 40; Polk, 69; Sandusky,

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33; Texas, 2; Vernon, 30; Whetstone, 45. Dallas. it will be seen had filled its quota and was not drafted. Some of the drafted men resisted and being supported by a numerous party in the county that was opposed to the war, it looked for a time as though the resist- ance might develop into a riot, but this con- tingency was avoided, although several ex- citing scenes occurred.

The second draft was on the 16th of April, 1864, and was for a smaller number of men. By townships it was as follows: Auburn, 9; Bucyrus, 16; Chatfield, 2; Cranberry, I; Holmes, II; Jackson, 5; Liberty, 8; Polk, 24: Texas, 2. The quota of most of the townships was filled, however, by voluntary enlistment before the day set for the drafted men to report at headquarters.

While the men of the county, state and na- tion were in the field, fighting their country's battles, the women at home were not idle. Though not exposed to danger or hardships in the field, they suffered not less acutely in saying farewell-in many cases forever-to those who were near and dear to them, and many a tender heart was wrung as they fear- fully read the news columns and war bulle- tins after a battle, dreading to see the name for which they sought in the lists of killed, wounded or missing. Many of these women, anxious to minister to the suffering soldiers, leit their comfortable homes to serve as nurses in the military hospitals, performing their hard duty bravely and patiently amid scenes of blood and suffering, enough to chill the stoutest hearts.

And those who remained at home per- formed a useful and noble service, through the numerous Ladies' Aid Societies. sending to the soldiers both in the field and in the hospitals all sorts of useful and necessary articles of clothing, provisions and other things that were heartily appreciated by the boys at the front. and greatly helped to al- leviate their hardships.

The Soldiers' Ladies Aid Society was or- ganized in Bucyrus. Oct. 14, 1861, Mrs. Dr. Merriman being elected president, Mrs. Wil- liam Rowse. secretary, and Mrs. Howbert, treasurer. A membership fee of ten cents was charged and meetings were held for some time in the Quincy Block. After awhile the

enthusiasm waned to some extent, but in the fall of 1862 the society was reorganized, with Mrs. J. Scroggs as president and Mrs. How- bert, secretary. A third reorganization oc- curred in June, 1863, when Mrs. I. C. Kings- ley became president; Mrs. R. T. Johnston, vice president, Mrs. J. G. Robinson, secretary, and Mrs. H. M. Rowse, treasurer. With these officers in charge it continued in opera- tion until the close of the war. Many boxes of clothing, provisions for the sick, and other useful supplies, were forwarded to the front by the society, and were doubtless appreciated by the soldiers into whose hands-or stom- achs-they fell.

At one time during the progress of the war, a movement was set on foot to erect a monument to the soldiers of Crawford county who had fallen or might fall in battle. In January, 1863 the Oakwood Cemetery As- sociation offered to donate a lot, valued at $125, provided the citizens of the county would subscribe enough to erect a suitable monument. An organization, known as the "Crawford County, Ohio, Monumental Asso- ciation," was accordingly formed, but before a sufficient amount was subscribed the en- thusiasm of most of those concerned died out and the soldiers' only monument lies in the record of their own heroic deeds and in the hearts of those to whom they were dear.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 80

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