USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, together with historic notes on the northwest and the state of Ohio > Part 35
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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 cighteen 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 arrived 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 Monacaey 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 Noven- 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 such 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. Ile 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.
The regiment was now twelve miles from any support, with a fresh and victorious enemy (more than ten times superior in num- bers) close to the rear; and to successfully conduct a retreat of raw troops under. such circumstances required the most thorough ability on the part of the commander, and the most undoubted confidence on the part of the men. The regiment toiled along the hot and dusty road, Colonel Frizell, Captain Drury, and other officers, fearlessly exposing themselves to prevent straggling, but their ut- most efforts could not prevent quite a number of their almost ex- hausted men from falling by the wayside, and becoming an easy prey to the closely pursuing enemy.
At 4 o'clock the regiment reached Lexington, to the great sur- prise of every person who knew they had been sent out on that expedition. The order sending it to the ford was a blunder, and probably the only thing that prevented its capture was the very boldness of the movements made. Our army that had retreated from Richmond, had already left Lexington, still in retreat, towards Louisville, and all stores that could not easily be transported had
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been destroyed. With the exception of coffee and crackers on Sunday morning, the men of the Ninety-Fourth had had but little to eat since Saturday morning, were tired and footsore, and in bad condition for further marching. In the absence of instructions to the contrary, it was Colonel Frizell's intention to remain in Lex- ington (unless driven out) until his men had procured the much- needed food and rest; but the order for continued retreat reached him and was obeyed. At daylight the retreating army reached Versailles, and a halt for breakfast was ordered, but just as the coffee began to boil another order to " fall in immediately " came from the officer in command.
The season was very dry, and but little water could be obtained. The suffering in consequence of this may be inferred from the fact that Ohio soldiers gave five dollars for a canteen full of muddy water, a dollar for a drink, and many drank from standing pools the water that the horses refused to touch! The roads were almost ankle deep with dust, and the sun shone fiery overhead. The day's march began at from 2 to 3 o'clock in the morning, and continued till late in the night. The only provisions issued (or to be obtained) were a few hard crackers each night, and what green corn yet remained in fields adjacent to the camping grounds. The troops were nearly all newly enlisted, and, being unused to such a life, it is not to be wondered at that they fell out of ranks by the hundred, and were easily captured by the force of rebels following.
Upon arriving at Louisville, the Ninety-Fourth went into camp, without tents, in the woods, but the men were so exhausted that their only want was to rest as best they could. Having been almost entirely deprived of sleep, water or food, for seven days, marching night and day, with feet and limbs swollen almost to bursting, and every sense dulled by suffering, many of the men were pitiable objects.
In a short time, however, all had regained comparative strength, health and cheerfulness, and were ready to go where duty called.
The first regular report that the adjutant could make after arriv- ing at Lonisville, showed a loss of two hundred and eighteen men! With the exception of two men killed at Yates' Ford, all eventu- ally rejoined the regiment, having been paroled by the rebels as soon as captured.
With the exception of some hard work in the trenches, and on fortifications, for the defense of Louisville, and a participation in
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two or three "grand reviews," the regiment had a very easy time until the 1st of October, when the movement began which resulted in the battle of Perryville, and the driving of Bragg's rebel army from Kentucky.
Previous to the battle of Perryville, the Ninety-Fourth had been assigned to Rousseau's division of MeCook's corps, and took a prominent part in this engagement, being highly complimented in general orders.
The regiment broke camp near Nashville on Christmas day, 1862, and was in advance of the army, marching on Murfreesboro, and during the battle of Stone River was engaged every day from Wednesday until Saturday.
The Ninety-Fourth was again in advance on Tullahoma, partici- pating in the fight at Hoover's Gap, in June, 1863, had a skirmish at Dug Gap, and were engaged in the hard-fought battle of Chicka- mauga. At Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge the regiment again took a prominent part, participating in the grand charge upon the ridge; was with Sherman, on the march to Atlanta, tak- ing part in the battles at Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Kingston, Pump- kin-vine Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie River, Peach- tree Creek, Atlanta, and Jonesboro.
After pursuing Hood, the Ninety-Fourth participated in Sher- man's grand march to the sea, arriving in Savannah before Christ- mas. On the 20th of January, 1865, it was again on the march through South and North Carolina, and after participating in the battle of Bentonville, North Carolina, arrived at Goldsboro on the 23d of March, 1865.
The Ninety-Fourth was the first regiment to enter Raleigh, North Carolina, and soon after the surrender of Johnston, marched to Washington, via Richmond and Alexandria, participated in the grand review before the president, General Grant, and others, and was mustered out of service at Washington, on the 6th of June, 1865, with an aggregate of three hundred and thirty-eight men- " all that were left of them-left of one thousand and ten!"
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SUMMARY.
We have now endeavored to unfold the history of this county, from its earliest settlement to the present. While it has been im- possible to note each fact specifically, in the process of its evolu- tion, or enter into the details of each step in its development, yet we have taken it in its infancy, and during its initial, tottering steps, we have guided it with care, and as the framework of its organism grew into shape, and its proper functions gave it strength and di- rection, so have we, in proportion, withdrawn the minutiæe of our description, until now she stands before us in perfection, the ex- ponent of her own beauty and power, from which she can look back to her feeble genesis and exclaim, Ultima thule! Look in the past, and see the four posts supporting poles, covered with brush, leaves, and earth, that protected the first mill, in its transition to the round log, the hewed log, the frame, and finally the brick and steam. From the huge boulder, rudely fashioned into a millstone, with a boy to turn the bolting apparatus, to the present grand flour- ing establishments of endless capacity; from the little copper still, to the immense manufactories of rot-gut and tangle-foot; from the old-fashioned flax-break to swingling and fulling, the spinning- wheel and tow to the carding mill and spinning-jenny, with its thousand spools. The former process is so peculiar, that we de- scribe it in this connection. In fulling the home-made clothing in this county, the neighboring men gathered at the house of one of their number-say six or eight. Taking seats on the old-fashioned split-bottom chairs, in a cirele, with a rope around the backs to keep them in place, and with the web of cloth in the center, and with pants rolled up, they placed their feet so as to press in con- centric opposition to each other, and a good woman, with gourd in hand to dampen the web with hot soap suds, they worked, kicking and pushing against the cloth, till a late hour at night, when the woman of the house, with yard-stick, measured the shrinkage, and finding it complete, pronounces it "thick enough," and the process
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is finished. From "hog and hominy," venison, potatoes, corn bread, sassafras or spicewood tea, to pies, pastries, and preserves, baking-powder, biscuit, etc .; from rosy cheeks, round waists, and sound lungs, to arsenic hue, sunken chests, attenuated coupling; from the sugar-trough, to the rosewood, automatic crib; from the old wooden mold-board, with attachments, and held together by hickory withes, collar of leather, stuffed with husks, to which a hemp rope was tied, and with a boy on the horse-it is said that this unique machine among the beech roots, would kick a man down, kiek him over the fence, and kick at him after he was over -from this grotesque apparatus we pass to the glittering steel mold-board, gliding smoothly between two wheels, surmounted by a whistling boy, while the furrow is turned unbroken from end to end; from the shovel-plow, the bare-footed boy, and the hoe, we pass to the modern planter, which furrows out, drops, and covers the corn ; from the sickle we go to the self-binder; from the flail, and the hoof of the horse, and winnowing-sheet, to the steam sep- arator; from the blazed path, meandering through the woods, to the countless turnpikes; from the lumbering ox team, to the light- ning speed of the railway ; the corduroy bridge in the shady swamp is succeeded by the magnificent iron structures that now span our streams; from the circle around the fire, shelling the corn by hand, to the steam-power capacity of a thousand bushels a day; from the hickory-bark bureau and clothes-press, to the inlaid productions of the cabinet-maker; from the three-legged stool, that only would stand on the pioneer floor, in its transitions to that acme of seden- tary bliss, the reclining, rep-covered mahogany chair; from the homespun linsey-woolsey, to the flounced silk and satin polonaise and real point lace; from the plain sunbonnet, to the coronal flower garden ; from the rude log cabin, stick chimney, capacious fire- place, greased-paper window, to the brown stone front, polished base burner, French plate, and silver call; from the old dandy wagon, to the elliptie-spring phaeton. Such were the times then ; such are the times, customs, and people of to-day ; and we may conclude, in the words of Cicero, O tempora, O mores! The old fireside home-
"Where, piled with care, the nightly stack Of wood against the chimney back ; The oaken log, green, huge, and thick, And on its top the stout back stick ;
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The knotty fore stick laid apart, And filled between with curious art; The ragged brush; then hovering near, We watched the first red blaze appear, Heard the sharp crackle, caught the gleam, On whitewashed wall and sagging beam, Until the old, rude-furnished room Burst, flower-like, into rosy bloom,"-
Where nuts were cracked, and turnips scraped, and the good old dog and cat lay snoozing by the fire, have all given place to the fashioned blazonry of modern art, style, and stiff formality.
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GEOLOGY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Greene County is bounded on the north by Clarke, on the east by Madison and Fayette, on the south by Clinton and Warren, and on the west by Montgomery County.
I. TOPOGRAPHY.
The principal features in its topography, are the valleys of the Little Miami River, and of Beaver Creek. Cæsar's Creek also forms a considerable depression in the southeastern townships of the county. To these three valleys, all of the drainage of the county is directed, with the exception of a single township in the north- western corner, which lies within the valley of Mad River.
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