USA > Ohio > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns portraits of early settlers and prominent men, biographies, history of the Northwest Territory, history of Ohio, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc > Part 19
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For three-years troops were soon called out, and their Generals were to be appointed by the President. Gov. Dennison advised at once with the War Department at Washington, and McClellan received his appointment as Major General in the regular army.
Cincinnati and Louisville became alarmed lest Kentucky should espouse the Confederate cause, and those cities thus be left insecure against the inroads of a cruel foe. Four hundred and thirty-six miles of Ohio bordered Slave States. Kentucky and West Virginia were to be kept in check, but the Governor pro- claimed that not only should the border of Ohio be protected, but even beyond that would the State press the enemy. Marietta was garrisoned, and other river points rendered impregnable. On the 20th of May, 1861, official dispatches affirmed that troops were approaching Wheeling under the proclamation of Letcher. Their intention was to route the convention at Wheeling.
Military orders were instantly given. Col. Steedman and his troops crossed at Marietta and crushed the disturbance at Parkersburg-swept into the country along the railroad, built bridges, etc. Col. Irvine crossed at Wheeling and united with a regiment of loyal Virginians. At the juncture of the two tracks at Grafton, the columns met, but the rebels had retreated in mad haste. The loyal troops followed, and, at Philippi, fought the first little skirmish of the war. The great railway lines were secured, and the Wheeling convention protected, and West Virginia partially secured for the Union.
After preliminary arrangements, McClellan's forces moved in two columns upon the enemy at Laurel Hill. One remained in front, under Gen. Morris, while the other, under his own command, pushed around to Huttonsville, in their rear. Gen. Morris carried his orders through promptly, but Mcclellan was late. Rosecrans was left with Mcclellan's advance to fight the battle of Rich Mountain, unaided. Garnett being alarmed at the defeat of his outpost, retreated. McClellan was not in time to intercept him, but Morris continued
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the chase. Steedman overtook the rear-guard of Garnett's army at Carrick's Ford, where a sharp skirmish ensued, Garnett himself falling. The scattered portions of the rebel army escaped, and West Virginia was again free from armed rebels-and was the gift of Ohio through her State militia to the nation at the beginning of the war.
At this period, Gen. McClellan was called to Washington. Gen. Rose- crans succeeded him, and the three-years troops left in the field after the dis- banding of the three-months men, barely sufficed to hold the country. He telegraphed Gov. Dennison to supply him immediately with re-enforcements, the request being made on the 8th of August. Already had the Confederate lead- ers realized the loss they had sustained in Western Virginia, and had dispatched their most valued General, Robert E. Lee, to regain the territory. Rosecrans again wrote: "If you, Governor of Indiana and Governor of Michigan, will lend your efforts to get me quickly 50,000 men, in addition to my present force, I think a blow can be struck which will save fighting the rifled-cannon batteries at Manassas. Lee is certainly at Cheat Mountain. Send all troops you can to Grafton." Five days thereafter, all the available troops in the West were dispatched to Fremont, Mo., and the plans of Rosecrans were foiled.
Heavy re-enforcements had been sent to the column in Kanawha Valley under Gen. Cox. He became alarmed, and telegraphed to Gov. Dennison. Rosecrans again appealed to Gov. Dennison, that he might be aided in march- ing across the country against Floyd and Wise to Cox's relief, "I want to catch Floyd while Cox holds him in front."
The response was immediate and effective. He was enabled to employ twenty-three Ohio regiments in clearing his department from rebels, securing the country and guarding the exposed railroads. With this achievement, the direct relation of the State administrations with the conduct and methods of campaigns terminated. The General Government had settled down to a sys- tem. Ohio was busy organizing and equipping regiments, caring for the sick and wounded, and sustaining her home strength.
Gov. Dennison's staff officers were tendered better positions in the national service. Camps Dennison and Chase, one at Cincinnati and the other at Columbus, were controlled by the United States authorities. A laboratory was established at Columbus for the supply of ammunition. During the fall and early winter, the Ohio troops suffered in Western Virginia. The people of their native State responded with blankets, clothing and other supplies.
In January, 1862, David A. Tod entered upon the duties of Governor. The first feature of his administration was to care for the wounded at home, sent from Pittsburg Landing. A regular system was inaugurated to supply stores and clothing to the suffering at home and in the field. Agencies were established, and the great and good work was found to be most efficacious in alleviating the wretchedness consequent upon fearful battles. A. B. Lyman
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had charge of affairs in Cincinnati, and Royal Taylor held the same position in Louisville. J. C. Wetmore was stationed at Washington, F. W. Bingham at Memphis, Weston Flint at Cairo and St. Louis. Thus the care which Ohio extended over her troops at home and in the battle-field, furnished a practical example to other States, and was the foundation of that commendable system all over the Union. Stonewall Jackson's sudden advent in the valley created the greatest consternation lest the safety of the capital be jeopardized, and the War Department called for more troops. Gov. Tod immediately issued a proclamation, and the people, never shrinking, responded heartily. At Cleve- land a large meeting was held, and 250 men enlisted, including 27 out of 32 students attending the law school. Fire bells rang out the alarm at Zanesville, a meeting was convened at 10 in the morning, and by 3 in the afternoon, 300 men had enlisted. Court was adjourned sine die, and the Judge announced that he and the lawyers were about to enter into military ranks. Only three unmarried men between the ages of eighteen and twenty-three were left in the town of Putnam. Five thousand volunteers reported at Camp Chase within two days after the proclamation.
Again in June, the President called for troops, followed by yet another call. Under these calls, Ohio was to raise 74,000 men. The draft system was advised to hasten and facilitate filling regiments. It has always been a repul- sive measure. To save sections from this proceeding, enormous sums were offered to induce men to volunteer, and thus fill the quota.
Counties, townships, towns and individuals, all made bids and urged the rapid enlistment of troops. The result was, that the regiments were filled rap- idly, but not in sufficient numbers to prevent the draft. Twenty thousand four hundred and twenty-seven men were yet lacking, and the draft was ordered, September 15. At the close of the year, Ohio was ahead of her calls. Late in the fall, the prospect was disheartening. The peninsula campaign had failed. The Army of Northern Virginia had been hurled back nearly to Washington. The rebels had invaded Maryland ; Cincinnati and Louisville were threatened, and the President had declared his intention to abolish slavery, as a war meas- ure. During the first part of 1862, artillery, stores and supplies were carried away mysteriously, from the Ohio border ; then little squads ventured over the river to plunder more openly, or to burn a bridge or two. The rebel bands came swooping down upon isolated supply trains, sending insolent roundabout messages regarding their next day's intentions. Then came invasions of our lines near Nashville, capture of squads of guards within sight of camp, the seizure of Gallatin. After Mitchell had entered Northern Alabama, all manner of depre- dations were committed before his very eyes. These were attributed to John Morgan's Kentucky cavalry. He and his men, by the middle of 1862, were as active and dangerous as Lee or Beauregard and their troops. Morgan was a native of Alabama, but had lived in Kentucky since boyhood. His father was large slave-owner, who lived in the center of the "Blue Grass Country." His
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life had been one of wild dissipation, adventure and recklessness, although in his own family he had the name of being most considerate. The men who fol- lowed him were accustomed to a dare-devil life. They formed and independent band, and dashed madly into the conflict, wherever and whenever inclination prompted. Ohio had just raised troops to send East, to assist in the overthrow of Stonewell Jackson. She had overcome her discouragements over failures, for the prospects were brightening. Beauregard had evacuated Corinth ; Mem- phis had fallen ; Buell was moving toward Chattanooga ; Mitchell's troops held Northern Tennessee and Northern Alabama ; Kentucky was virtually in the keeping of the home guards and State military board. And now, here. was Morgan, creating confusion in Kentucky by his furious raids ! On the 11th of July, the little post of Tompkinsville fell. He issued a call for the Kentuckians to rise in a body. He marched toward Lexington, and the southern border of Ohio was again in danger. Cincinnati was greatly excited. Aid was sent to Lexington and home guards were ready for duty. Morgan was not prominent for a day or so, but he was not idle. By the 9th of July, he held possession of Tompkinsville and Glasgow; by the 11th, of Lebanon. On the 13th, he entered Harraldsburg; Monday morning he was within fifteen miles of Frank- fort. He had marched nearly 400 miles in eight days. Going on, toward Lexington, he captured the telegraph operator at Midway, and his messages also ! He was now aware of the plans of the Union armies at Lexington, Louisville, Cincinnati and Frankfort. In the name of the operator, he sent word that Morgan was driving in the pickets at Frankfort! Now. that he had thrown his foes off guard, he rested his men a couple of days. He decided to let Lexington alone, and swept down on Cynthiana, routing a few hundred loyal Kentucky cavalrymen, capturing the gun and 420 prisoners, and nearly 300 horses. Then he was off to Paris; he marched through Winchester, Richmond, Crab Orchard and Somerset, and again crossed the Cumberland River. He started with 900 men and returned with 1,200, having captured and paroled nearly as many, besides destroying all the Government arms and stores in seven- teen towns. The excitement continued in Cincinnati. Two regiments were hastily formed, for emergencies, known as Cincinnati Reserves. Morgan's raid did not reach the city, but it demonstrated to the rebel forces what might be accomplished in the " Blue Grass " region. July and August were passed in gloom. Bragg and Buell were both watchful, and Chattanooga had not been taken. Lexington was again menaced, a battle fought, and was finally deserted because it could not be held.
Louisville was now in danger. The banks sent their specie away. Railroad companies added new guards.
September 1, Gen. Kirby Smith entered Lexington, and dispatched Heath with about six thousand men against Cincinnati and Covington. John Morgan joined him. The rebels rushed upon the borders of Ohio. The failure at Rich- mond only added deeper apprehension. Soon Kirby Smith and his regiments
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occupied a position where only a few unmanned siege guns and the Ohio prevented his entrance through Covington into the Queen City. The city was fully armed, and Lew. Wallace's arrival to take command inspired all with fresh courage. And before the people were hardly aware that danger was so near, the city was proclaimed under strict martial law. "Citizens for labor, soldiers for battle."
There was no panic, because the leaders were confident. Back of Newport and Covington breastworks, riflepits and redoubts had been hastily thrown up, and pickets were thrown out. From Cincinnati to Covington extended a pon- ton bridge. Volunteers marched into the city and those already in service were sent to the rescue. Strict military law was now modified, and the city being secured, some inconsiderate ones expressed themselves as being outraged with "much ado about nothing." But Gen. Wallace did not cease his vigilance. And Smith's force began to move up. One or two skirmishes ensued. The city was again excited. September 11 was one of intense suspense. But Smith did not attack in force. He was ordered to join Bragg. On the Mon- day following, the citizens of Cincinnati returned to their avocations. In the spring of 1863, the State was a trifle discouraged. Her burdens had been heavy, and she was weary. Vicksburg was yet in the hands of the enemy. Rosecrans had not moved since his victory at Stone River. There had been fearful slaughter about Fredericksburg.
But during July, 1863, Ohio was aroused again by Bragg's command to Morgan, to raid Kentucky and capture Louisville. On the 3d of July, he was in a position to invade Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. He continued his depre- dations, bewildering the militia with his movements. His avowed intention was to burn Indianapolis and "take Cincinnati alive." Morgan's purposes were never clear. It was his audacious and sudden dashes, here and there, which gave him success. Before Cincinnati was aware, he was at Harrison- 13th of July. He expected to meet the forces of Burnside and Judah, and to cut his way through. His plans here, as everywhere, were indefinable, and he succeeded in deceiving everybody. While printers in Cincinnati were setting up " reports " as to his whereabouts, he was actually marching through the sub- urbs, near troops enough to devour them, and yet not encountered by a single picket ! They fed their horses within sight of Camp Dennison. At 4 o'clock that day, they were within twenty-eight miles of Cincinnati-having marched more than ninety miles in thirty-five hours.
The greatest chagrin was expressed, that Morgan had so easily eluded the great military forces. A sudden dash was made to follow him. There was a universal bolting of doors, burying of valuables, hiding of horses, etc., all along the route of the mad cavalryman and his 2,000 mounted men. They plundered beyond all comparison. They made a principle of it. On the 14th of July, he was feeding his horses near Dennison ; he reached the ford at Buffington Island on the evening of the 18th : he had encountered several little skirmishes,
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but he had marched through at his own will, mostly; all the troops of Kentucky had been outwitted. The Indiana forces had been laughed to scorn. The 50,000 Ohio militia had been as straws in his way. The intrepid band would soon be upon friendly soil, leaving a blackened trail behind. But Judah was up and marching after him, Hobson followed and Col. Runkle was north of him. The local militia in his advance began to impede the way. Near Pome- roy, a stand was made. Morgan found militia posted everywhere, but he suc- ceeded in running the gantlet, so far as to reach Chester. He should have hastened to cross the ford. Fortunately, he paused to breathe his horses and secure a guide. The hour and a half thus lost was the first mistake Morgan is known to have made in his military career. They reached Portland, and only a little earthwork, guarded by about 300 men, stood between him and safety. His men were exhausted, and he feared to lead them to a night attack upon a position not understood perfectly ; he would not abandon his wagon train, nor his wounded ; he would save or lose all. As Morgan was preparing next morning, having found the earthworks deserted through the night, Judah came up. He repulsed the attack at first, capturing Judah's Adjutant General, and ordering him to hold the force on his front in check. He was not able to join his own company, until it was in full retreat. Here Lieut. O'Neil, of the Fifth Indiana, made an impulsive charge, the lines were reformed, and up the Chester road were Hobson's gallant cavalrymen, who had been galloping over three States to capture this very Morgan ! And now the tin-clad gunboats steamed up and opened fire. The route was complete, but Morgan escaped with 1,200 men! Seven hundred men were taken prisoners, among them Morgan's brother, Cols. Ward, Duke and Huffman. The prisoners were brought to Cincinnati, while the troops went after the fugitive. He was surrounded by dangers ; his men were exhausted, hunted down ; skirmishes and thrilling escapes marked a series of methods to escape-his wonderful sagacity absolutely brilliant to the very last-which was his capture, on the 26th, with 346 prisoners and 400 horses and arms. It may be added, that after several months of con- finement, Morgan and six prisoners escaped, on the 27th of November. Again was he free to raid in the " Blue Grass " country ..
John Brough succeeded Gov. Tod January 11, 1864. His first prominent work was with the Sanitary Commission. In February, of the same year, the President called for more troops. The quota of Ohio was 51,465 men. The call of March added 20,995. And in July was a third demand for 50,792. In December, the State was ordered to raise 26,027. The critical period of the war was evidently approaching. Gov. Brough instituted a reformation in the " promotion system " of the Ohio troops. He was, in many cases, severe in his measures. He ignored " local great men " and refused distinction as a bribe. The consequence was that he had many friends and some enemies. The acute- ness of his policy was so strong, and his policy so just, that, after all his severe administration, he was second to no statesman in the nation during the struggle.
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Ohio during the war was most active in her relief and aid societies. The most noted and extensive organization was the Cincinnati Branch of the United States Sanitary Commission. The most efficient organization was the Soldiers' Aid Society of Northern Ohio.
When the happy tidings swept over the land that peace was proclaimed, an echo of thanksgiving followed the proclamation. The brave sons of Ohio returned to their own soil-those who escaped the carnage. But 'mid the rejoicing there was deepest sadness, for a fragment only remained of that brave army which had set out sturdily inspired with patriotism.
A BRIEF MENTION OF PROMINENT OHIO GENERALS.
George Briton McClellan, the first General appointed in Ohio, was born December 3, 1826, in Philadelphia. His father was a physician of high stand- ing and Scottish descent. Young George was in school in Philadelphia, and entered West Point at the age of sixteen. At the age of twenty, he was a bre- vet Second Lieutenant, tracing lines of investment before Vera Cruz, under the supervision of Capt. R. E. Lee, First Lieut. P. G. T. Beauregard, Second Lieut. G. W. Smith. At the close of the Mexican war, old Col. Totten reported in favor of them all to Winfield Scott. He had charge of an exploring expedition to the mountains of Oregon and Washington, beginning with the Cascade Range. This was one of a series of Pacific Railway explorations. Returning to Wash- ington, he was detailed to visit the West Indies and secretly select a coaling sta- tion for the United States Navy. He was dispatched by Jefferson Davis, Secretary of War, to Europe, with instructions to take full reports of the organ- ization of military forces connected with the Crimean war. This work elicited entire satisfaction. He returned in January, 1857, resigned as regular army officer, and was soon installed as engineer of Illinois Central Railroad. In 1860, he was President of the Ohio & Mississippi. He removed to Cincinnati, where he was at the opening of the war.
William Starke Rosecrans was born September 6, 1819, in Delaware County, Ohio. His people were from Amsterdam. He was educated at West Point. When the war opened, he espoused the cause of the Union with enthusiastic zeal, and was appointed by McClellan on his staff as Engineer. June 9, he was Chief Engineer of the State under special law. Soon thereafter, he was Colonel of the Twenty-third Ohio, and assigned to the command of Camp Chase, Columbus. On May 16, his commission was out as Brigadier General in the United States Army. This reached him and he was speedily sum- moned to active service, under Gen. McClellan. After the battle of Rich Moun- tain, he was promoted to the head of the department.
In April, 1862, he was succeeded by Fremont, and ordered to Wash- ington to engage in immediate service for the Secretary of War. About the 15th of May, he was ordered to Gen. Halleck, before Corinth. He was relieved from his command December 9, 1864.
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Ulysses S. Grant, whose history we cannot attempt to give in these pages, was born on the banks of the Ohio, at Point Pleasant, Clermont Co., Ohio, April 27, 1822. He entered West Point in 1839.
" That the son of a tanner, poor and unpretending, without influential friends until his performance had won them, ill-used to the world and its ways, should rise-not suddenly, in the first blind worship of helpless ignorance which made any one who understood regimental tactics illustrious in advance for what he was going to do, not at all for what he had done-but slowly, grade by grade, through all the vicissitudes of constant service and mingled blunders and suc- cess, till, at the end of four years' war he stood at the head of our armies, crowned by popular acclaim our greatest soldier, is a satisfactory answer to criticism and a sufficient vindication of greatness. Success succeeds."
"We may reason on the man's career ; we may prove that at few stages has he shown personal evidence of marked ability; we may demonstrate his mis- takes; we may swell the praises of his subordinates. But after all, the career stands wonderful, unique, worthy of study so long as the nation honors her benefactors, or the State cherishes the good fame of the sons who contributed. most to her honor."
Lieut. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman was another Ohio contribution to the great Union war. He was born at Lancaster February 8, 1820. He entered West Point in June, 1836. His "march to the sea " has fully brought out the details of his life, since they were rendered interesting to all, and we. refrain from repeating the well-known story.
Philip H. Sheridan was born on the 6th of March, 1831, in Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio. He entered West Point in 1848. During the war, his career was brilliant. His presence meant victory. Troops fighting under his command were inspired. Gen. Rosecrans said of him, "He fights, he fights." A staff officer once said, "He is an emphatic human syllable."
Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson was born in Sandusky County, town of " Clyde, November 14, 1828.
Maj. Gen. Q. A. Gillmore was born February 28, 1825, at Black River, Lorain Co., Ohio.
Maj. Gen. Irvin McDowell was born at Franklinton, Ohio, October 15, 1818.
Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell was born near Marietta on the 23d of March, 1818. His grandfather on the maternal side was one of the first settlers of Cincinnati.
Maj. Gen. O. M. Mitchell was a native of Kentucky, but a resident of Ohio from the age of four years.
Maj. Gen. Robert C. Schenck was born October 4, 1809, in Franklin, Warren Co., Ohio.
Maj. Gen. James A. Garfield, was born in Orange, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, November 19, 1831.
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Maj. Gen. Jacob D. Cox was born in Canada in 1828, and removed to Ohio in 1846.
Maj. Gen. James B. Steedman was born in Pennsylvania July 30, 1818, and removed to Toledo in 1861.
Maj. Gen. David S. Stanley was born in Wayne County, Ohio, June 1, 1828.
Maj. Gen. George Crook was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, Septem- ber 8, 1828.
Maj. Gen. Mortimer D. Leggett was born in New York April 19, 1831, and emigrated to Ohio, in 1847.
Brevet Maj. Gen. John C. Tidball was born in Virginia, but removed while a mere lad to Ohio with his parents.
Brevet Maj. Gen. John W. Fuller was born in England in 1827. He removed to Toledo in 1858.
Brevet Maj. Gen. Manning F. Force was born in Washington, D. C., on the 17th of December, 1824. He became a citizen of Cincinnati.
Brevet Maj. Gen. Henry B. Banning was born in Knox County, Ohio, November 10, 1834.
We add the names of Brevet Maj. Gens. Erastus B. Tyler, Thomas H. Ewing, Charles R. Woods, August V. Kautz, Rutherford B. Hayes, Charles C. Walcutt, Kenner Garrard, Hugh Ewing, Samuel Beatty, James S. Robinson, Joseph W. Keifer, Eli Long, William B. Woods, John W. Sprague, Benjamin P. Runkle, August Willich, Charles Griffin, Henry J. Hunt, B. W. Brice.
Brig. Gens. Robert L. McCook, William H. Lytle, William Leroy Smith, C. P. Buckingham, Ferdinand Van Derveer, George P. Este, Joel A. Dewey, Benjamin F. Potts, Jacob Ammen, Daniel McCook, J. W. Forsyth, Ralph P. Buckland, William H. Powell, John G. Mitchell, Eliakim P. Scam- mon, Charles G Harker, J. W. Reilly, Joshua W. Sill, N. C. McLean, Will- iam T. H. Brooks, George W. Morgan, John Beatty, William W. Burns, John S. Mason, S. S. Carroll, Henry B. Carrington, M. S. Wade, John P. Slough, T. K. Smith.
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