USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume I > Part 26
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the field. As the magnitude of the struggle developed, the people of Darke county became yet more resolute in their de- sire to assist in restoring the union of the States. Meetings continued to be held ; addresses full of fervid appeals were ut- tered, and a continuous stream of men gathered into camps, were organized and moved southward. The enlistments in the fall of 1861 were for three years. The Fortieth Regiment contained about two hundred men from Darke. In the Thir- ty-fourth was a company of eighty-four men who were sent with their regiment to Western Virginia. In the Forty- fourth, a company went out under Capt. J. M. Newkirk. On October 28, the ladies of Greenville met at the court house and organized as "The Ladies' Association of Greenville for the relief of the Darke County Volunteers." They appoint- ed as officers, President, Mrs. A. G. Putnam ; secretary, Mrs. J. N. Beedle, and treasurer. Mrs. J. L. Winner, and formed a committee to solicit donations of money and clothing. Public meetings continued to be held at various points; re- cruiting was stimulated, and on November 6. it was reported that the county had turned out 200 volunteers within twenty days. Letters came from men in the field descriptive of arms, tents, rations, incidents and marches. Novelty excited close observation, and there were reports of duties, health, and all too soon came back the news of death. Heavy tidings is always that of death, and a sad duty to the comrade to tell it to the one watching and waiting at home. This was often done with a tact, a kindness, a language that honored the soldier writer, and tended to assuage the grief of the recip- ient. Such was the letter penned by Thomas R. Smiley. of the Thirty-fourth, from Camp Red House, West Virginia, to Mrs. Swartz, telling of her son's death, by fever, and clos- .ing with these words: "Hoping and praying that God will sustain you in your grief, I most respectfully subscribe myself your friend in sorrow." No wonder the right triumphed, up- held by men of such Christian and manly principles.
"The families of soldiers began in midwinter to suffer, and the following extract from the letter of a wife to her hus- band, a volunteer from Darke county, will show a trial among others borne by the soldier in the sense of helplessness to aid his loved ones. It is commended to the perusal of any who think war a pastime. She wrote: "I have so far been able to support myself and our dear children, with the help that the relief committee gave me : but I am now unable to
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work, and the committee has ceased to relieve me. I am warned that I will have to leave the comfortable home which you left us in, and I will have to scatter the children. Where will I go and what will become of me? Don't leave without permission, as it would only be giving your life for mine. I will trust to God and live in hope, although things look very discouraging. Do the best you can, and send money as soon as possible." During the earlier part of the war, letters told of minor matters, but later accounts were brief and freighted heavily with tidings of battles, wounds and deaths.
"In July, 1862, the clouds of war hung heavy with disaster. East and West, terrible battles were fought, and the South- erners, with a desperate, honorable courage, forced their way into Maryland and Kentucky. New troops volunteered by thousands, and joined the veterans to roll back the tide of in- vasion. At the time, John L. Winner was Chairman of the Military Committee of Darke county, whose proportion of the call for 40,000 men from the State was 350 men for three years. The following shows by townships the number of electors, volunteers and those to raise :
Electors. Volunteers. To raise.
Greenville
925
175
10
German
265
27
27
Washington
255
38
13
Harrison
370
40
34
Butler
310
21
43
Neave
200
17
23
Richland
193
12
27
Wayne
325
65
Twin
350
32
38
Adams
320
37
27
Brown
215
27
16
Jackson
260
31
21
Monroe
175
24
11
York
120
9
15
Van Buren
200
32
8
Allen
95
10
9
Mississinewa
130
15
11
Franklin
170
29
5
Patterson
125
32
Wabash
110
12
10
Total
5,113
685
348
1
1
I
1
1
1 I
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
I
I
I
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DARKE COUNTY
This table, while creditable to all. is especially so to Wayne and Patterson. Mass meetings were called, volunteers urged to come forward, bounties were offered, and responding to call by Gov. Tod, the militia was ordered enrolled. Along in August, recruiting proceeded rapidly ; young and middle-aged flocked to the camps, and soon four companies (three of the 94th and one of the 110th) were off to the camp at Piqua. On September 3, 1862, eight townships had exceeded their quota. There were 4,903 men enrolled and 201 to be raised by draft. Successive calls found hearty responses. In May, 1864, three townships had filled their quotas, and the draft called for 185 men.
"The services of the military committee of Darke deserving of honorable record is hereby acknowledged by a list as it was at the close of 1863: Daniel R. Davis, Capt. Charles Cal- kins, Capt. B. B. Allen and W. M. Wilson, secretary.
How well Darke county stood at the close of the war may be learned from the following statistics: The quota of the county in December, 1864, was 455. Of these, 384 volun- teered, 24 were drafted, and 408 furnished. Over 1.500 vol- unteers were out from the county. It is a pleasing duty to briefly place upon the pages of home history a record of those regiments wherein Darke county men rendered service to their country. Brief though it be, it is a worthy meed of honor."
The demonstrations attending the departure and return of the troops during the war can scarcely be imagined by one who has never witnessed such a scene. On the day of departure the soldiers from various parts of the county would assemble in the public square around the old court house. Fathers, mothers, wives, sweethearts and large numbers of children accompanied them and bid them "good bye" with hugs, kisses, tears and "God bless you." When the time for departure arrived the companies fell in and marched south on Broadway to Third street and then east on the latter street one block to the station of the Dayton & Union rail- way, on the southwest corner of Third and Walnut streets, where they embarked for Columbus, or the place of encamp- ment.
The history of the various regiments which were com- posed partly of companies from Darke county would make intensely interesting reading. but. on account of the volume of such material and the limited space at the disposal of the
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writer the reader must be content with a brief sketch of each regiment.
Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Three companies of this regiment were recruited in Darke county, in response to the first call in April, 1861, to serve three months. Company C was first commanded by Capt. J. WV. Frizell, who was succeeded by R. A. Knox, with C. Cal- kins and Thos. McDowell as lieutenants. Company K was organized by M. Newkirk with H. C. Angel and Wesley Gor- such as lieutenants. They joined the regiment at Camp Jackson (now Goodale Park), Columbus, O. Co. I was or- ganized at Union City, Ohio, under Captain Jonathan Cranor. Before seeing service the regiment was re-organized on June 20th, mustered in for three years, and sent in July on a scout up the Kanawha during which the Colonel of the regi- ment was captured. Lieutenant-Colonel Frizell, of Greenville, then took charge of the regiment and soon set out for Charles- ton. On the advance they drove the enemy from their works at Tyler Mound, and with much difficulty pursued them to Gauley Bridge. They participated in two skirmishes, near New River in August, during which one man was killed and several wounded. Winter quarters were established at Point Pleasant early in December and here the troops remained until April 16, 1862, when an advance was made to Gauley Bridge. In August the Eleventh was moved to Parkers- burg, and took rail for Washington, D. C., going into camp near Alexandria. From this point they proceeded beyond Fairfax Station in an attempt to stay the Confederate ad- vance from Manassas, but were compelled to fall back within the defenses at Washington. In September the Eleventh advanced into Maryland, where they successfully engaged the enemy near Frederick City, Sharpsburg and Antietam Creek. On October 8, they began a rough march to Hagers- town, Md., from which point they were transported to Clarks- burg. Here they suffered from exposure in November on account of shortage in tents, blankets and clothing. Later they were sent to an outpost in the Kanawha valley where they erected good winter quarters and recovered strength for the coming campaign. Part of the regiment remained stationed at this post while another part guarded the Gauley fords. In January, 1863, the command under Gen. Cook was transferred to Nashville, Tenn., via the Ohio and Cumberland
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rivers. From this point they proceeded to Carthage, forti- fied their position, endeavored to counteract the advance of the Confederates in that region. On May 27, they marched to Murfreesboro, and were placed in the Third Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, under Gen. George H. Thomas. From this time the regiment bore an honorable part of the following engagements: Hoover's Gap, Tenn., June 25, 1863 ; Tullahoma, Tenn., July 1. 1863 : Chickamauga, Ga., Sept. 19-20, 1863; Lookout Mountain, Tenn .. Nov. 24, 1863: Mission Ridge, Tenn., Nov. 25, 1863; Ringgold, Ga., Nov. 27, 1863; Buzzard Roost, Ga., Feb. 25, 1864; Resaca, Ga., May 16, 1864. The original members of this regiment (except veterans) were mustered out in June, 1864, by reason of expiration of term of service. The veterans and recruits consolidated into a battalion and remained in service until June 11, 1865.
The Thirty-Fourth Regiment.
Company K composed of eighty-four men was enlisted by Capt. Thos. R. Smiley from Darke county, and regularly mustered into service at Camp Dennison, Sept. 10, 1861, for a term of three years. The regiment was ordered into West- ern Virginia, and posted at Gauley Bridge. It was engaged in the following battles: Princeton, Fayetteville, Cotton Hill, Charlestown, Buffalo, Wytheville, Averill's Raid, Pan- ther Gap, Lexington and Beverly in West Virginia ; Manassas Gap, Cloyd's Mountain, Clove Mountain, Piedmont, Buchanan, Otter Creek, Lynchburg, Liberty. Salem, Snicker's Gap. Winchester, Kernstown, Summit Point. Halltown, Berry- ville, Martinsburg, Opequan. Fisher's Hill, Strasburg and Cedar Creek in Virginia and Monocacy Gap, Md.
The Fortieth Ohio Infantry.
This regiment was organized at Camp Chase in the fall of 1861 to serve three years. All of Companies E and G, the greater portion of Company I, and parts of F and K of this organization were recruited from Darke county. The fol- lowing men from this county served as officers in this regi- ment :
Jonathan Cranor, colonel ; resigned.
James B. Creviston, adjutant ; resigned.
Harrison E. McClure, adjutant ; mustered out.
William H. Matchett, assistant surgeon ; mustered out.
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DARKE COUNTY
John D. Gennett, captain of Company E; resigned.
Charles G. Matchett, captain of Company G; mustered out. Andrew R. Calderwood, Captain of Company I ; resigned.
Wm. C. Osgood, first lieutenant of Company E, promoted to captain ; resigned.
James Allen, promoted to captain from sergeant ; mustered out.
Clement Snodgrass, promoted to captain from sergeant ; killed at Peach Tree Creek, July 21, 1864.
Benjamin F. Snodgrass, promoted to first lieutenant from sergeant ; killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1864.
Cyrenius Van Mater, first lieutenant of Company G; killed at Chickamauga.
John T. Ward, second lieutenant of Company E; resigned.
William Bonner, second lieutenant of Company G; re- signed.
J. W. Smth, second lieutenant of Company I, promoted to first lieutenant, then to Captain; mustered out.
John P. Frederick, first lieutenant of Company F; re- signed.
John M. Wasson, promoted to second lieutenant ; mustered out.
David Krouse, second lieutenant of Company F, promoted to first lieutenant ; mustered out.
Isaac N. Edwards, sergeant, promoted to lieutenant ; mus- tered out.
James A Fisher, sergeant, promoted to lieutenant ; mustered out.
This regiment left Camp Chase for Kentucky December 17, 1861. During the war it bore an honorable part in the following conflicts: Middle Creek, Ky., Pound Gap, Ky., Franklin River, Tenn., Tullahoma Campaign, Tenn., Chick- amauga, Ga., Lookout Mountain, Tenn., Mission Ridge, Tenn., Ringgold. Ga., Resaca, Ga., Dallas, Ga., Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., Peach Tree Creek, Ga., siege of Atlanta, Ga., Jonesboro, Ga., Lovejoy Station, Ga., and Franklin, Tenn.
The Forty-Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Capt. John M. Newkirk who had organized Company K of the Eleventh Regiment for three months' service, as before noted, left that organization when it was reorganized and later became Captain of Company G of the Forty-Fourth Regi-
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ment, which was mustered into service at Camp Clark Springfield, Ohio, in October, 1861, to serve three years. It soon began service in West Virginia, where winter quarters were established. The principal engagements in which this regiment took part were Lewisburg, W. Va., May 23, 1862, and Dutton's Hill, Ky., March 30, 1863.
In January, 1864, its designation was changed to the Eighth Regiment Ohio Cavalry.
Eighth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.
As above mentioned, this organization was the successor of the 44th Regiment O. V. I., from which it was formed in January, 1864. This regiment was retained in service until July 30, 1865. During its short term of existence it took part in the following engagements: Covington, Otter Creek, Lynchburg, Liberty, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, North Shen- andoah and Cedar Creek, Virginia : Martinsburg and Beverly, WV. Va. It was mustered out at Clarksburg. W. Va.
Sixty-Ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Two companies of this regiment were recruited in Darke county, Company D under Capt. Eli Hickcox, and Company E under Capt. David Putnam. Jas. Devor and Jas. Wharry also served as Captain of Company D during the course of the war; Jas. Tip King and Wm. S. Mead as first lieutenants ; J. W. Shively and Wm. J. Faulknor as second lieutenants. Geo. W. Moore and Nelson T. Chenoweth served as Captains, John M. Boatman, Jacob J. Rarick and Jacob Leas as first lieutenants in Company E. Captain Hickcox was promoted to Major. L. E. Chenoweth was promoted from private in Company E to quartermaster sergeant. J. T. King to first lieu- tenant : A. N. Wilson from private to Hospital Steward. This regiment was organized in the state of Ohio at large, from October, 1861, to April, 1862, to serve three years. On the expiration of its term of service the original members (except veterans) were mustered out, and the organization composed of veterans and recruits, remained in the service until July 17, 1865.
This organization took creditable part in the following en- gagements: Gallatin, Stone River, Chickamauga and Mis- sion Ridge, Tenn .; Resaca, Dallas, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Chattahoochie River, Peaclı
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Tree Creek, Atlanta and at Jonesboro and Savannah, Ga., on Sherman's march to the sea. Their last engagement was at Bentonville, N. C.
The Ninety-Fourth Ohio Volunteers.
This regiment was organized at Camp Piqua, some three miles above Piqua, Ohio, on the farm originally owned by Col. John Johnson, to serve three years with Col. Joseph W. Frizell, of Greenville, as commander. Three companies were enrolled from Darke county as follows: Company F, with Thos. H. Workman as captain, W. H. Snyder, first lieutenant and H. A. Tomilson, second lieutenant ; Company I, with Wesley Gorsuch as captain, G. D. Farrar, first lieutenant, Chas. R. Moss, second lieutenant ; Company K, with Chaun- cy Riffle as captain, Samuel T. Armold, first lieutenant, M. G. Maddox, second lieutenant. Before being equipped they were hurried to Lexington, Ky., late in August, 1862, and on Au- gust 31, became engaged at Tate's Ferry. During the course of the war they engaged creditably in the following battles : Perryville, Ky .; Stone River, Tenn .; Tullahoma Campaign, Tenn. : Dug Gap, Chickamauga, Ga .; Lookout Mountain, Mis- sion Ridge, Tenn .; Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna Camp Ground. Chattahoochie River, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Jones- boro, Ga .: Bentonville, N. C .; and Johnson's Surrender.
One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Was organized at Camp Piqua. in August. 1862, and con- tained two companies from Darke county. Joseph C. Snod- grass being captain of one. Col. J. W. Keifer was in com- mand. This regiment was ordered to Parkersburg. Va., Oc- tober 19th. It served honorably in the following battles: Union Mills, Winchester Heights, Stevenson's Depot, Wap- ping Heights, Brandy Station, Orange Grove, Wilderness, Spottsylvania C. H., New River, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Ream's Station, Snicker's Gap, Charleston, Halltown, Smith- field, Opequan, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Cedar Springs, Petersburg. Jetlersville, Sailor's Creek and Appomattox in Virginia and Monocacy, Md.
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DARKE COUNTY
One Hundred and Fifty-Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
This regiment was recruited largely in Darke county, eight companies being comprised of local men. Col. David Put- nam, who had formerly served as Captain in the 69th Regi- ment, was the commanding officer, and John Beers was Ser- geant-Major. This regiment left Greenville May 2, 1864, and was discharged Sept. 1, 1864, having been employed on the skirmish line in Virginia, to guard wagon trains and relieve the veteran soldiers, who were needed at the front. They were not in any important engagement. In Hunter's raid down the Shenandoah valley this regiment had charge of a provision train of 214 wagons, and marched from Martins- burg to Lynchburg, on the old Cumberland pike. It then marched over the Blue Ridge mountains to White Sulphur Springs, where it had its main engagement. From this point it marched to Webster, Va., a total distance of about 535 miles entirely on foot. After this the regiment went to Cum- berland, Md., where it remained until the return to Camp Dennison and discharge.
CHAPTER XIII.
SOME NOTABLE EVENTS.
There are a few outstanding events in Darke county his- tory which should be known and cherished by every patriotic citizen and kept on record for the instruction and inspiration of coming generations. Prominent mention has been made of Wayne's treaty and its significance as a national affair.
Harrison's Treaty.
The next event of vital importance was the treaty held by Gen. Wm. H. Harrison and Gen. Lewis Cass, on July 22, 1814. The defeat of the British and Indians and the death of Te- cumseh at the battle of the Thames in the fall of 1813 damp- ened the ardor of the hostile tribes, and made them desirous of peace with the Americans. At their solicitation arrange- ments were made for a conference and council at Greenville, early in the spring of 1814. Some difficulty was experienced in getting the tribes together as in the former extended treaty negotiations of Wayne in 1795. The British still held out strong inducements which it was hard for the wavering savages to resist. However, it is said, that by the latter part of June, 1814, some three or four thousand Indians were encamped around Greenville and its vicinity awaiting the final assembling of the council.
The government was represented by Gen. Wm. H. Harrison and Gen. Lewis Cass, then governor of Michigan territory, together with Little Turtle, Capt. Pipe, Tarhe, Black Hoof and other chiefs acting on behalf of the friendly Delawares, Wyandots, Shawnees and Senecas. After much diplomacy all differences were reconciled and on July 22, 1814, the gov- ernment agents named above gave peace to the Miamis, Weas, and Eel River Indians and to certain of the Kickapoos, Ottawas and Pottawatomies. All agreed to espouse the cause of the Americans in case of a continuance of the war then in progress. The scene of the principal negotiations was a little grove on the northeast corner of Main and Eim
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streets. A large number of people were present for this early date and the occasion was enlivened by the picturesque costumes and decorations of the Indians, who donned their head dresses and painted their bodies according to the tradi- tions of their respective tribes.
Departure of the Tribes.
The removal of the Indian tribes from northwestern Ohio in 1832 was an event of stirring interest and pathos. To the Redmen the final leaving of old haunts and the hunting grounds of their ancestors is a sad and pathetic affair. Ac- cordingly, when the government decided that the welfare of the tribal remnants of Ohio as well as that of the pioneers would be best conserved by removing the former to a new and more congenial home beyond the Mississippi the Indians expressed a desire to take a last and longing look at their old stamping ground. As this spot was near the shortest route this request was granted and in 1832 the Miamis and Potta- watomies living on the reserves about Sandusky, started on their long journey to Indian Territory. Several of these peo- ple had lived at Tecumseh's Point and desired to see the place again. They arrived here on a fine afternoon in May on horseback under the leadership of a government agent, togged out in their picturesque native garb, the bucks in their feathers and their gaudy attire, and the squaws with their papooses tied on their backs. Their arrival was the signal for great excitement, especially among the children, who had never seen it on this fashion. There were five or six hun- dred in this motley and grotesque band, who camped on the point, remaining three or four days. For the most part they were orderly and well behaved, and furnished much entertain- ment for the curious populace. It was especially amusing to observe the culinary operations of the squaws and one of the white boys, who was doubtless present when some of their meals were prepared, has left the following interesting de- scription of the proceedings: "The squaw would go to a ham of beef, laying on the ground in the back end of the tent, chase off the dogs that were gnawing at it. cut off a slice from the same place, take it to the fire and place it in a skillet, return for another, again chase off the dogs, and so on till her pot was full.
"When the meal was cooked, or partially so, they would
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begin to eat, but without table or dishes, or even any other ceremony than that of helping themselves. They seemed to be merry, pleasant and jolly, and respectful to visitors, but no white folks were seen eating with them.
"During their stay the old folks spent their time in look- ing about the country, here and there recognizing a familiar object, drawing a sigh as of regret and moving away to some- thing else. Some of them went to visit the grave of Blue Jacket and another chief, at the council house about three miles southwest of this point, but were disappointed in find- ing them, as a party, said to be from New York, many years before had robbed the grave of the old chief, and the plow- share had passed many times over that of Blue Jacket. No trace of the council house, which was thirty or forty feet wide and seventy-five feet long, now remained. But the flash of a retentive memory stirred the countenances of these old men as the stirring events of their youthful days, one by one, arose and passed before their recollection. The young Indians amused themselves by sauntering around town, jumping and running foot races with the whites. These were sports they were accustomed to and at which they were hard to beat."
The Wayne Treaty Centennial 1895.
As the centennial year of Wayne's treaty approached pub- lic minded citizens began to advocate the proper celebration of this notable event. The daily and weekly press responded to the growing public sentiment and urged that fitting cere- monies mark the passing of the centenary of the peace of Mad Anthony. Meetings were held and an executive com- mittee was appointed consisting of J. T. Martz, Daniel Hun- ter and A. C. Robeson, all patriotic, capable and public spir- ited citizens, who represented three pioneer families, and had been identified with the history of Darke county for many years. Extensive preparations were made and when the glad- sonie day arrived, Saturday, August 3, 1895, the streets, stores and public buildings appeared arrayed in lavish and gorgeous decorations. The booming of cannon and the ringing of bells heralded the dawning day. People began to arrive from the surrounding towns and country at an early hour and all the morning trains were crowded with curious and patriotic visitors. The crowd that assembled was estimated at about thirty thousand people. The feature of the morning was an (20)
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