USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, together with historic notes on the northwest and the state of Ohio > Part 34
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Mr. McBratney continued as sole editor and proprietor of the Torchlight until June 22, 1853, when W. E. Morris became associ- ated in the publication for a short time. In 1854 the infamous Nebraska bill threw the country into a state of intense excitement, which was the beginning of a new era in American politics, and which rapidly culminated in the formation of the Republican party, by the action of the Philadelphia convention, that assembled on the 15th of June, 1856, and put in nomination John C. Fremont for the presidency. The Torchlight, under the control of Mr. McBratney, took a leading part in the political agitation upon the slavery question, which gave birth to the Republican party, and soon became conspicuous throughout the state as an uncompromis- ing and able advocate of Republican principles.
Dr. HI. R. McClellan and W. B. Fairchild purchased, in January, 1857, the Torchlight of Mr. MeBratney, who retired from the po- sition he had so ably filled for a period of fourteen years. Mr. Fairchild's second advent to the editorship of the paper was marked by the same bold and unflinching opposition to the encroachments of the slave power that had characterized it before. Dr. McClellan continued a partner until June 10th, when Mr. Nichols purchased his interest, and again became one of the proprietors of the con- cern. The firm of Nichols & Fairchild continued until April 1, 1862, when W. T. Bascom, of Columbus, assumed editorial and proprietary control. In the issue of September 21, 1864, Mr. Bas- com's valedictory appears, followed by the salutatory of Perry
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NEWSPAPERS.
Hawes. Coates Kinney and J. M. Milburn succeeded Mr. Hawes December 6, 1865, who were in turn succeeded, January 1, 1869, by the Torchlight Company, of which Dr. R. S. Finley and C. W. Newton were the active members.
In 1870, Mr. J. D. Stine, for a number of years previous, editor of the Madison County Union, London, Ohio, purchased an interest in the paper, and for the next eight years it was conducted under the firm name of Stine & Marshall, the facilities of the office being greatly increased for business, while in every respect the paper was improved and the circulation largely increased. In 1878, Mr. Stine purchased the interest of Mr. Marshall, and in 1879 removed the office to the first floor of the Torchlight building, No. 12 West Main Street, establishing the Torchlight Company, with J. D. Stine editor and business manager of the paper, and John A. Beveridge local editor and manager of the job office, which ranks among the largest and most completely equipped of any outside the largest cities.
The Torchlight, as the unflinching and influential advocate of . sound Republican principles, stands the peer of any weekly news- paper in the state. A part of the political development of the county for the last half century, it will maintain its integrity as the "old reliable" chronicle of its history in the future.
THE XENIA WEEKLY SUNLIGHT.
Founded November 6, 1878, by Warren Anderson. January 1, 1880, O. W. Marshall purchased a one-half interest, the firm name being Anderson & Marshall. On May 18, 1880, J. M. Milburn became associated with the paper, Mr. Anderson retiring. The firm name is now Marshall & Milburn. It is a nine column folio, stal- wart Republican in politics, and was the organ of the party during the campaign of 1880, and its office the headquarters of the same.
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GREENE COUNTY IN THE REBELLION.
The seeds of that pernicious plant, Nullification-offspring of Satan and the Stygian hag-first saw the light of day in South Car- olina, in the year 1832. Nourished by the south, and watered by John C. Calhoun, it grew lustily until 1861, when it burst upon our nation in the phase of one of the most gigantic rebellions that ever tore through the entrails of any country, submerging us at once in a sea of war and tears. When the call for help came, it was nobly re- sponded to by the citizens of Greene County. The Seventy-Fourth was principally formed at Xenia, the Ninety-Fourth contained two companies, from this county, and the One Hundred and Tenth was formed from Greene, Miami, and Darke. We subjoin the follow- ing from "Ohio in the War."
SEVENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT O. V. I.
This regiment was organized in camp at Xenia, Ohio, in October, 1861, to the extent of seven companies. On the 24th of February, 1862, it was ordered to Camp Chase, where three full companies were added, making the complement, and aggregating nine hundred and seventy-eight men.
The regiment was ordered to the field on the 20th of April, 1862, reported at Nashville, Tennessee, on the 24th of the same month, and went into camp near that city. While here, it was thoroughly drilled, and portions of it detailed for provost duty at Nashville. The first real service performed by the regiment, was on its march over the Cumberland Mountains with General Dumont, in June. Immediately thereafter, it was detailed as guard to the railroad be- tween Nashville and Columbia, and continued to perform that duty during the month of August. It returned to Nashville, September 3d, and remained there during the blockade of September, October, and November, 1862. During this period, the regiment was en- gaged in several skirmishes in the vicinity of the city.
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IN THE REBELLION.
In December, it was placed in the Seventh Brigade (Millers), Eighth Division (Negley's), formerly part of the center (Thomas's), Fourteenth Army Corps, department of the Cumberland.
When General Rosecrans made his movement on Bragg's army lying at Murfreesboro, the Seventy-Fourth marched with its divis- ion and corps. On the 29th of December, it went into the battle of Stone River, and remained in it until nightfall of January 3, 1863; was hotly engaged December 31st, and was one of the regiments selected to charge across Stone River, January 2d, against Breck- inridge's rebel corps. The Seventy-Fourth went into this battle with three hundred and eighty effective men, of whom it lost, in killed and wounded, one hundred and nine, and in prisoners, forty- six.
On the organization of the army at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in February, 1863, the Seventy-Fourth was assigned to the Third Bri- gade (Millers), Second Division (Negley's), Fourteenth Army Corps (Thomas's), and during the stay of the army at that place, assisted in guard duty on the fortifications. At this place several changes took place among the officers; Colonel Moody, Major Bell, and captains Owens, MeDowell, and Ballard resigned, which made necessary the following promotions: To colonel, Josiah Given, (late Lieutenant Colonel of the Eighteenth Ohio) ; to Captains, Mills, Armstrong, McGinnis, Tedford, and MeIllravy; to First Lieutenants, McMillen, Hunter, Hutchinson, Weaver, and Bricker; to Second Lieutenants, Adams, Scott, Drummond, and MeGreary.
On the movement toward Chattanooga, June 23, 1863, the Seventy-Fourth was in the column, and participated in the battles of Hoover's Gap, June 24th ; Dog Gap, Georgia, September 11th ; and Chickamauga, September 19th and 20th; arriving at Chatta- nooga, September 22, 1863. The regiment also participated in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, November 23, 24, and 25, 1863.
While at Chattanooga a majority of the men re-enlisted as vet- eran volunteers, from January 1, 1864. About the same time, Captain Fisher was promoted to major.
Entitled, as they were, to thirty days furlough at home, the regi- ment left Chattanooga on the 25th of January, 1864, and arrived at Xenia, Ohio, where it was received with the greatest honors, kindness, and hospitality in the power of the patriotic ladies of that beautiful city to bestow. On their way home, everywhere in
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Ohio, the members of the regiment were the recipients of the most marked kindness and consideration.
The regiment reassembled at Xenia, on the 17th of March, and before leaving for the field, passed resolutions returning their hearty thanks for the unbounded kindness with which they had been treated, and making the utterance of the word " Xenia " by visitors to their camp in the field, a talismanie password to their hearts and hospitality.
The regiment being reorganized, numbered, with the addition of one hundred recruits, six hundred and nineteen men.
The Seventy-Fourth, once more ready for the field, started for " the front " on the 23d of March, 1864, and on the 12th of April rejoined its brigade at Graysville, Georgia. Remaining in this camp until the 7th of May, it started with the army on the Atlanta campaign-that long and arduous march, so famous.in the history of the rebellion. One day's history of this campaign was that of the next. For over one hundred days the regiment was under an almost continuous fire of rebel musketry and artillery. At Buz- zard's Roost it was specially engaged, and in an attempt to storm . that stronghold, on the 9th of May, lost sixteen men killed and wounded ; and at Resacca, May 15th, nine men killed and wound- ed. In the engagement of the 27th of May, the conduct of the Seventy-Fourth, and other regiments of the Third Brigade, elicited from the division commander the following commendatory notice :
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS. NEAR DALLAS, GA., May 28, 1864.
, COLONEL: General Johnson desires to express to you his high appreciation of the gallantry exhibited by the noble troops of your brigade in the night engagement of the 27th instant. The admir- able spirit displayed by them on that occasion is, above all things, desirable and commendable. Soldiers animated by such courage and fortitude are capable of the very highest achievements. * (Signed) E. F. WELLS. A. A. G.
At Kenesaw Mountain, the regiment had a most arduous and perilous duty to perform. For two weeks it was under a constant fire of musketry and shells. It was also engaged at the Chatta- hoochie River, Peachtree Creek, and in front of Atlanta. At the battle of Jonesboro, it made three distinct charges on the afternoon
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of September 1st, and lost two lieutenants and twelve non-commis- sioned officers and privates, killed, and twenty-five privates wound- ed. For this gallant achievement, the regiment was included in the following complimentary notice :
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS. JONESBORO, September 2, 1864.
CIRCULAR.
The general commanding the division congratulates the officers and men of the Second and Third Brigades on the success of their splendid assault on the enemy, September 1, 1864. They charged a strongly intrenched double line, passing over swamps and through thickets under a murderous fire of musketry; dragged the enemy out of his works at some points, and drove him from them at others. The troops opposed to them were the most celebrated for obstinate fighting of any division of the rebel army. * * The conduct of all was gratifying to our commanding general, and the day should be remembered and celebrated by every soldier engaged in the battle.
By order of Brigadier General W. P. Carlin.
(Signed) G. W. SMITH, A. A. G.
The aggregate loss of the Seventy-Fourth in this campaign was eighteen killed and eighty-eight wounded. The battle of Jones- boro ended the Atlanta campaign. The rebel general Hood's un- expected dash for the rear of General Sherman's army, for the purpose of cutting his communications, rendered it necessary for a movement of the national army to counteract it, and the Seventy- Fourth, with its brigade and division, counter-marched to Kings- ton, Georgia.
By this time several of the officers resigned and were mustered out, namely: Colonel Given, captains McMillan, Armstrong, and Baldwin, and lieutenants Adams and Baldwin.
The Seventy-Fourth was the last regiment to leave Kingston on the new campaign through Georgia. Thus it severed the link that connected it with the north on the 12th of November, and moved with Sherman through Georgia, arriving at Savannah without cas- ualties December 21, 1864. It left Savannah with the army, on the 20th of January, 1865, on what was called the South Carolina campaign.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
The spirits of the men of the Seventy-Fourth were buoyant ; they were about to realize a long cherished desire to bear in triumph, the "Old Flag" over the sacred soil of South Carolina, the hot bed, and originator of all the bloody scenes through which they had passed in the preceeding four years of the war. It struck its tents in the camp near Savannah, loaded the one wagon allotted to each regiment, and moved on with its corps toward Sister's Ferry. Recent heavy rains had flooded the swamps through which the road lay, making it almost impassible, and rendering it necessary to cor- duroy the greater part -of it. The labor of so doing was so great, that the corps did not reach their destination until the last day of the month. The point reached was about forty-five miles above Savannah, where the river was much swollen, and nearly three miles wide. Laying pontoons, and corduroying Black Swamp on the Carolina shore, occupied to the 5th of February, on which day the Fourteenth Corps was over the river, and across the first great swamp of South Carolina.
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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IN THE REBELLION.
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, Johnson, 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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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
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 II. 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 Ist 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.
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