USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County : together with historic notes on the Northwest, and the state of Ohio, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and all other authentic sources > Part 34
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The Seventy-Fourth was at this time detailed as train-guard, a post of danger, and responsibility, as the enemy were watching eag- erly for a chance to capture it. Aside from the constant skirmish- ing, toiling through swamps, destroying railroads, etc., nothing of special interest occured in passing through South Carolina. The North Carolina line was crossed, and the Fourteenth Corps pushed directly, and rapidly toward Fayetteville, which place it entered in advance of the army, on the 11th of March, driving the enemy under Hardee, over the Cape Fear River in confusion. At this point, for the first time since leaving the Savannah River, news from the out- side world was received, brought by two government transports laden with supplies. The rebel arsenals, and workshops at Fay- etteville were destroyed, and once more the northern forces turned their faces northward, again cut off from all communications. The rebel capital was rapidly approached, and opposition from the enemy grew stronger every day. Heavy skirmishing was encoun- tered at Averysboro, and at Bentonville, the last battle of the army was fought, March 2d, 1865.
In coming up to this point, the First Division of the Fourteenth Corps led the column. It kept well in advance, driving back a strong force of rebel cavalry, until confronted by the whole rebel army under Johnson, and within fifty yards of his intrenchments. A desperate fight ensued. The rebels came out of their works en
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masse, to attack the audacious little band, but the veterans of the "Red Acorn" were equal to the emergency. Although driven back by overwhelming numbers, they were able to hold the rebels in check until the main column came up, and formed its line, and then ad- vanced with it, driving the rebels back into their works. The rebel general, finding himself pressed on all sides, made a hasty retreat toward Raleigh, leaving his dead, and wounded in our hands. From this field of victory, the national army moved directly to Goldsboro, arriving at that place, on the 23d of March. Making a halt of ten days for clothing, rations, ammunition, etc., the regiment, and divis- ion again moved in pursuit of the enemy, who were then rapidly retreating. On the morning of the 13th of April, the First Division, Brigadier General C. C. Wolcott, being in the advance, took peace- ful possession of Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina. Before this time, the glorious news of Lee's surrender had been received, and now the rebel general, Jolisou, begged permission to surrender his army to Sherman.
The Twenty-Third Corps was left in North Carolina, and the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Twentieth corps were at once started toward home, via Richmond and Washington, by two routes. The Fifteenth and Seventeenth were to march to Richmond via Peters- burg; the Fourteenth and Twentieth on a route further to the west, via Oxford, Boydton, and Nottoway Court House. These two corps were to march on parallel roads. On the 30th of April the friendly race to Richmond began. The First Division, under Brigadier General C. C. Wolcott, was the victor, arriving on the bank of James River, at Manchester, opposite Richmond, on the morning of the 7th of May, having averaged thirty-two miles per day. The Seventy-Fourth was the third regiment to arrive on the bank of the river, where they stacked arms, with but one man absent from the ranks. Thus ended what, in the language of Major General Hitch- cock, "is the most wonderful march on record, and exhibits, in these veterans of many battles, unparalleled powers of endurance in marching."
On the arrival of all the troops, on the 11th day of May the march to Washington began. In passing through the rebel capital, the men of the Seventy-Fourth, who had been prisoners in Libby, Castle Thunder, and Belle Isle, pointed out to their comrades the places they occupied. Washington was reached on the 23d of May, 1865. This was the first time the Seventy-Fourth had been at Wash-
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ington as a regiment, and but few of its members had ever been there before. The soldiers were tired, and the three days before the review were spent in cleaning their guns and accoutrements, and in necessary rest.
Before 9 A. M. of the 24th of May, the regiment had marched five miles, and was in its place in the column for review. This was a proud day to the veterans of the Seventy-Fourth. They had seen the rebellion crushed; their record during the war was without a stain. They could look back at Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, South and North Carolina, with all their cities and towns, brought back into the Union by the prowess of themselves and their com- rades of the armies of the Cumberland and Tennessee.
A few days after the review, the soldiers of the Fourteenth Corps were formed in line to meet their old commander, Major General George H. Thomas, whose duty had called him on a visit to the capital. The men of this corps had learned, under his long and faithful leadership, to love and trust him. As the brave old veteran rode through their serried lines, he betrayed the emotion of a warm and tender heart, and received their heartiest cheers.
The western troops were sent to Louisville, Kentucky, under com- mand of Major General John A. Logan, for muster out. The Seventy-Fourth traveled by railroad to Parkersburg, and from thence by boat, down the Ohio River, to Louisville, where it arrived on the 20th day of June.
On the 4th day of July, the troops were formed by brigade for the last time, to meet and receive the final farewell of their trusted and honored chief, Major General William T. Sherman, whose for- tunes they had followed to the very end with firm and unshaken confidence.
The muster-out rolls of the Seventy-Fourth were made out, bear- ing date July 10, 1865, and signed by the mustering-out officer of the First Division, and on the 11th of July the regiment received the farewell addresses and thanks of their corps, division, and brig- ade commanders, and the warm and affectionate good-bys of the members of the regiments with which they had served so long, and started for Camp Dennison, Ohio, on the same day.
The friends of the regiment, at home, wished to give it a recep- tion before the men were disbanded, and permission was granted them to go to Xenia, on the 16th day of July, for that purpose. An immense crowd was gathered in the little city. Congratulatory
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addresses were delivered, and tables loaded with all the choicest delicacies, were spread by the fair daughters of Xenia. Bouquets and wreaths of flowers were profusely showered through the ranks. Everything was done that could in any way express the unbounded joy and gratitude of fathers, mothers, wives, sisters, and friends.
On the 17th of July the regiment returned to Camp Dennison, and on the 18th received their pay and final discharge papers. That evening the veteran Seventy-Fourth Ohio Regiment was no more.
The parting of these veterans was a sad one. Nearly four years' service had made them as brothers, and as they turned toward their homes, it was no slight sorrow that was mingled with their joy. At the closing scene, the thoughts of many naturally revert- ed to those comrades who did not return-whose bones were left to bleach in the far-off battle field of the South. The remains of some have since been carefully gathered up and deposited in the different national cemeteries, while others have been brought by loving hands, and buried with their people at home.
At the outset the Seventy-Fourth was noted for being commanded by a well-known Methodist preacher and popular orator. Between him and the lieutenant-colonel a coolness sprang up, which prom- ised to lead to injurious results. So handsome, however, was Col- onel Moody's conduct at Stone River, that on the field the lieuten- ant-colonel dashed up to him, and held out his hand, saying he could not remain at variance with so gallant an officer.
ONE HUNDRED AND TENTH REGIMENT, O. V. I.
Though this regiment was not organized in this county, it con- sisted in part of Greene County men; hence its history is of local interest. The following sketch is obtained from "Ohio in the War:"
The regiment was organized at Camp Piqua, Ohio, on the 3d of October, 1862. On the 19th of October the regiment moved, by railroad, to Zanesville; thence, by steamer, to Marietta; and from there, by railroad, to Parkersburg, Virginia. On the 3d of Novem- ber, it moved to Clarksburg, where it remained until the 25th, and then took the cars for New Creek, where it arrived the next day. Here it remained in camp, fortifying, drilling, and performing guard and picket duty, until December 13th, when it marched, via Burlington and Petersburg, to Moorfield, Virginia.
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Three hundred men from the One Hundred and Tenth, joined an expedition to move in the direction of Winchester, Virginia, while the remainder of the regiment moved with another expedi- tion in the direction of Romney. The main portion of the regi- ment arrived at Winchester, without serious interruption, on the 1st of January, 1863, and joined the detachment which had arrived a week previous. While at Winchester, the regiment was assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division, Eighth Army Corps, and Companies A and D were detailed as provost guard. The regiment was employed in guard and picket duty, in drilling, fortifying, and in making raids and reconnoisances. At one time, a detachment went to Front Royal, and captured a large amount of stores; at another time a detachment proceeded to Summit Point, and other places, dispersing bands of rebels and destroying stores; and in the early part of May, the regiment marched to New Market and re- turned.
On the 13th of June, the regiment was moved out of Kerustown, and engaged Lee's advance. This was the first time the regiment was under fire, but it fought bravely, disputing every foot of ground against a greatly superior force. On the morning of the 14th, the One Hundred and Tenth occupied a slight earthwork, about three- quarters of a mile from the main fort. In the afternoon the enemy opened on it with twenty-six pieces of artillery, and advanced in strong columns to the assault. The regiment held the works until it was driven out at the point of the bayonet by an overwhelming force. It attempted to retire in the night, but was met by the enemy, and a two hours' engagement ensued, in which the regi- ment succeeded in cutting its way through, and marched to Har- per's Ferry.
On the 16th of June the One Hundred and Tenth crossed the river, and encamped on Maryland Heights. On the 1st of July went, by canal, to Georgetown, District of Columbia ; then to Ten- allytown, then to Washington, and, by railroad, from there to Fred- erick City, Maryland. At this place the regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, Third Division, Third Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. It marched in pursuit of Lee through Williamsport, Loudon, and Upperville, to Manassas Gap, where it skirmished with the enemy, and finally reached Fox's Ford, on the Rappahan- nock, on the 1st of August. On the morning of the 15th, the regi- ment left the ford, took the cars at Rearton Station for Alexandria,
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and there embarked on the steamship Mississippi for New York.
The regiment camped for awhile on Governor's Island, and then moved to Carroll Park, South Brooklyn. Here the regiment was treated with much kindness, and received many favors from the citizens of Brooklyn.
On the 6th of September the regiment returned, via Alexandria, to Fox's Ford, and marched from there to Culpepper, Virginia, in charge of an ammunition train. On the 10th of October it moved out to meet an attack, and remained under arms all night, and the next day marched across the Hazel and Rappahannock rivers, through Centerville, Bristow, Catlett's Station, and at last reached and occupied the first line near the Rappahannock.
On the 7th of November the regiment crossed the river, skirmish- ing with the enemy, and the next morning made a reconnoissance, and captured between thirty and forty prisoners. In the afternoon, the One Hundred and Tenth, in the advance of Brandy Station, was severely shelled by the artillery, and was the first to occupy the enemy's position. Upon breaking camp at Brandy Station, four companies of the regiment were detached as train guard, and the others took a prominent part in the battle of Locust Grove, losing five killed and twenty wounded. The regiment returned to Brandy Station December 3d, and occupied winter quarters.
During the month of March, 1864, the One Hundred and Tenth became a part of the Second Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Army Corps. On the 4th of May the regiment crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford, and the next day took a position on the extreme right of the national line at the wilderness. After brisk skirmish- ing it advanced to charge, and drove the enemy to their works. The regiment held its position till after dark, and only fell back when its ammunition was exhausted. The loss sustained was one officer killed and six wounded, and eighteen men killed, eighty-two wounded, and eleven missing. The next day the One Hundred and Tenth occupied the second line, but was much exposed to an artil- lery fire. In the evening, the brigade on the right being routed, the regiment fell back about a mile, and held the new position all day on the 7th, and in the evening fell back, through Chancellors- ville, to the vicinity of Spottsylvania Court House. Here the regi- ment was engaged.in fortifying and skirmishing until the 14th, when it marched toward Spottsylvania, waded the Nye River after dark, and occupied the enemy's works, from which they had been driven.
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The One Hundred and Tenth was in several reconnoissances, almost constantly engaging the enemy, marching via Guinia Sta- tion, and Chesterfield Station, crossing the Pamunky and throwing up fortifications on Dr. Palmer's farm. On the 1st of June, the regiment was engaged at Cold Harbor. In the assault on the rebel works on the 3d, the regiment was in the front line, and was or- dered to continue the advance after the line halted, which it did, and held an exposed position for two hours, when it was withdrawn. During the entire day, the regiment was exposed to a heavy fire, losing one commissioned officer, and four men killed, and thirty- four men wounded. On the 14th, the regiment left the works, crossed the Chickahominy, passed Charles City Court House, and at Winona Landing, embarked on the transport Star, landed at Point of Rocks, and marched to Bermuda Hundred.
In the evening of the 19th, it crossed the Appomattox, and ar- rived near Petersburg. After resting a day, it marched to the Nor- folk and Petersburg Railroad, and charged the enemy's line, driving it in ; and a few days later, moved to the Petersburg and Welden Railroad. On the 30th of June, the regiment commenced its return, and on the 2d of July, occupied its former position near Petersburg. It embarked on the transport City of Albany for Baltimore, where it arrived on the 8th, and took cars for Monocacy Junction.
It was placed in position on the south side of the Monocacy, and ordered to advance, which it did against a destructive fire of artillery and musketry, the former coming obliquely from front and rear, and directly from the right. The regiment only fell back when it was pressed by overwhelming numbers, and when in imminent dan- ger of annihilation. It retired to Ellicott's Mills, where it arrrived about noon, on the 10th of July. In this engagement, the regiment lost one officer killed, four wounded, and two captured; three men killed, seventy wounded, and fifty missing. On the 11th, the regi- ment went to Baltimore, and camped at Druid Hill Park until the 14th, when it took the cars for Washington, and the day after marched through Tenallytown, waded the Potomac near Edward's Ferry, passed through Snicker's Gap to the Shenandoah, and skir- mished with the enemy. On the 20th, the regiment crossed the Shenandoah, rested awhile, re-crossed the river, marched all night, and arrived at Washington again on the 23d. . Three days later it broke camp, and marched through Hyatts' Town, Monocacy June- tion, Frederick City, Maryland, and Harper's Ferry to Healltown,
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arriving on the 20th, and on the 30th fell back through Harper's Ferry to Frederick City, Maryland. On the 3d of August, the One Hundred and Tenth resumed the march through Buckeyston, across the Monocacy at Monocacy Mills, and then moved by cars from Monacacy Junction to Bolivar, and marched from there to Heall- town. On the morning of the 10th, it marched through Charles- town, Newton and Middletown, arriving at Cedar Creek on the 12th. Here it was engaged in several skirmishes, and on the 16th marched as train-guard to Charlestown.
It fell back to Bolivar Heights, closely pursued by the enemy, but again advanced to Charlestown, and on the 29th, in an engage- ment completely routed the rebels. On the 3d of September, the regiment marched to Clifton Farm and fortified. On the 19th, it crossed the Opequan, and engaged in the battle of Winchester. The regiment joined the pursuit of the rebels, engaging them at Fisher's Hill, capturing four pieces of artillery, and one hundred prisoners. It again pursued as far as Mount Crawford, and return- ed to Harper's Ferry. On the 6th of October, it moved to Stras- burg, and from there to the vicinity of Front Royal. On the 13th, it marched to Ashby's Gap, and the next day returned and encamp- ed at Cedar Creek. On the morning of the 19th, when the Eighth and Nineteenth Corps were driven back, the Sixth Corps, with the One Hundred and Tenth in the front line, was formed to arrest the advancing rebels. Frequent stands were made, and in the final ef- fort which resulted in the rebel rout, no regiment took a more active part than the One Hundred and Tenth. It lost two officers, wounded, one of whom died in a few days after, five men killed, and twenty-seven wounded, and one officer, and one man missing. In the evening, the regiment occupied the camp from which it had been driven in the morning, and continued to occupy it till Novem- ber 9th, when it encamped one mile from Kerustown and built winter quarters.
On the 3d of December, it marched to Stebbins' Station, took cars for Washington, proceeded thence to City Point by steamer, took cars near midnight on the 6th, and arrived at the front at day- light. It occupied the line east of the Weldon Railroad, and pro- ceeded to build winter quarters. On the 9th of February, 1865, it took position between forts Fisher and Welsh, and again erected winter quarters.
On the 25th of March, the entire brigade assaulted the strongly
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intrenched picket line, and after a second charge, under a severe fire, carried it ; capturing a large number of prisoners and small arms. An assault was made on the enemy's works before Peters- burg, on the 2d of April, just before day break, and before it was fairly light, the Sixth Corps was in possession of the fortifications, and many prisoners, and guns. The regiment pursued the enemy, routing him at Saylor's Creek, and continuing the pursuit until the surrender of Lee. The regiment marched to Burksville Junction, and on the 17th at the presentation of captured flags to Major Gen- eral Meade, the One Hundred and Tenth having captured more flags than any regiment in the corps, was selected as a guard of honor, to escort them to General Meade's headquarters. The regi- ment proceeded to Richmond, Virginia, and while passing through the city was reviewed by General Halleck, and from there it march- ed to Washington City, where it was reviewed by the President and Cabinet, at the Executive Mansion.
During its term of service, the regiment was in twenty-one en- gagements, and sustained a loss in killed, wounded, and missing of seven hundred and ninety-five men. It was mustered out at Wash- ington City, on the 25th of June, 1865, and was discharged at Tod Barracks, Columbus, Ohio.
NINETY-FOURTH O. V. I.
This regiment was organized at Camp Piqua, Miami County, Ohio, under the immediate supervision of Colonel J. W. Frizell. The officers were appointed on the 22d of July, 1862, and so vigor- ously was the recruiting prosecuted that in just one month one thousand and ten men were mustered into the service of the United States.
On the 28th of August, without uniforms or camp equipage, and never having been drilled as a regiment, the Ninety-Fourth was ordered to Kentucky, that state being then invaded by the rebel forces under Kirby Smith. It proceeded via Cincinnati, and upon arriving in that city was immediately ordered to Lexington, Ken- tucky. By great persevervance the colonel succeeded in obtaining three rounds of cartridges to the man; and, being supplied with this very limited amount of ammunition, and sufficient clothing to satisfy immediate wants, the regiment took the cars for Lexington, and arrived at 9 p. M. on Saturday night, and heard for the first
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time an authentic account of the battle of Richmond. After con- siderable search, the colonel succeeded in finding the officer to whom he was to report, but in sueli a beastly state of intoxication as to be unable to rise from his bed, and perfectly incompetent to give intelligent instructions. With the assistance of some citizens, passable quarters were obtained for the men; and hungry, tired, and anxious for the morning, the regiment tried bivouacking for the first time.
Sunday morning dawned, bright and beautiful, disclosing the town full of stragglers from the Richmond battle-field, relating . wild stories of defeat and disaster; and though but little confidence was placed in their reports, still this, together with the general gloom always attending such state of affairs as then existed, caused the order for the regiment to proceed to Yates' Ford, on the Ken- tucky River, fifteen miles east of Lexington, on the Richmond road, to be received with fearful forebodings. However, the order was obeyed without a murmur; and after a hard day's march under a scorching sun, over a dry and dusty road, with water very scarce, the regiment arrived near the ford just at dark. This being the first march they had made, the men were much exhausted, and dropped to the ground as soon as the order to halt was given.
While the colonel was endeavoring, as best he could in the dark- ness, to select a position which could be easily defended, a fire was opened upon the regiment by a rebel scouting party, concealed in the thickets skirting the road. It was afterwards ascertained that the whole of Kirby Smith's army was encamped but a couple of miles north of the ford. A veteran regiment could not have be- haved better than did the Ninety-Fourth on this occasion. The night was very dark, the men were lying down, and many had already fallen asleep ; but, after the confusion incident to their rude awaking, very little trouble was experienced in getting the regi- ment properly formed. The rebel fire lasted but a moment, yet two men were killed and six wounded. After posting his men to the best advantage, Colonel Frizell remained with the advance picket-post (which, from the nature of the country, was but a short distance from the regiment) during the night; Major King, Cap- tain Drury, and the adjutant, occupying intermediate positions be- tween the colonel and the regiment.
The night passed slowly and without further alarm, and as soon as daylight appeared the hungry men began looking for some wagons
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that had arrived during the night, which the officer in command at Lexington said he would send. The search revealed one hundred and twenty-five rounds of ammunition to each man, and three sacks of green coffee! While endeavoring to make a breakfast from these " supplies," the rebel army was reported advancing, and soon began shelling the regiment from a battery they had placed in position in the woods just across the river. Colonel Frizell watched the rebel maneuvers for a few moments, and then ordered his adjutant to form the regiment and march back until past the road, where it was supposed the rebels would attempt to form, and attempt a retreat. The movement was effected in good order, but none too soon, as the rear-guard had just past the road when the rebels came trooping from it into the pike, and began firing upon Captain Drury's company, which had been selected as rear-guard. Colonel Frizell remained in the rear until the advan- cing rebels were checked, when he directed his regiment to a cer- tain point and there to prepare for action. He knew that his force was greatly outnumbered, but his orders were to " contest every foot of ground back to Lexington." Just as the movement was begun a messenger arrived with an order from General G. C. Smith, dated the night before, for the Ninety-Fourth to return to Lexing- ton with all possible dispatch.
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