USA > Ohio > Henry County > History of Henry and Fulton counties, Ohio : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 8
USA > Ohio > Fulton County > History of Henry and Fulton counties, Ohio : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 8
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The System of Surveys .- The land surveys under the United States were uniform, and done under what was known as the "rectangular system." This
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HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.
system of surveys was reported from a committee of Congress, May 7, 1784. The committee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, chairman ; Messrs. Williamson, Howell, Gerry and Reas.
This ordinance required the lands to be divided into "hundreds" of ten geo- graphical miles, and those again to be subdivided into lots of one mile square each, to be numbered from one to one hundred, commencing in the north- western corner, and counting from west to east and from east to west continu- ously ; and also that the lands thus subdivided, should be first offered at public sale. This ordinance was considered, debated and amended ; and on the 3d of May, 1785, on motion of Mr. Grayson, of Virginia, seconded by Mr. Mon- roe, the size of the townships was reduced to six miles square. After further discussion the measure finally, May 20, 1785, passed.
The origin of this system is not known beyond the report of the committee. There had been land surveys in the different colonies for more than a hundred years; still the method for granting land for settlements in vogue in all the colonies, was in irregular tracts, except in the colony of Georgia, where, after 1733, eleven townships of twenty thousand square acres each were divided into lots of fifty acres each.
The act of cession of the State of Virginia of her western territory provided for the formation of States from the same, not less than one hundred, nor more than one hundred and fifty miles square.
This square form of States may have influenced Mr. Jefferson in favor of a square form of survey, and besides the even surface of the country was known, the lack of mountains and the prevalence of trees for marking it, also favoring a latitudinal and longitudinal system. Certain east and west lines run with the parallels of latitude, and the north and south townships with the meridians.
The system, as adopted, provided for sale in sections of six hundred and forty acres, one square mile. In 1820 a quarter section, or one hundred and sixty acres could be purchased. In 1832 sub-divisions were ordered by law into forty-acre tracts or quarter-quarter sections to settlers, and in 1846 to all purchasers. On May 18, 1796, the ordinance of May 20, 1785, was amended ; also on May 10, 1800, on the introduction of land offices and credit sales, and on February II, 1805, April 14, 1820, April 5, 1832, and May 30, 1862.
Since the adoption of the rectangular system of public surveys, May 20, 1785, twenty-four initial points, or the intersection of the principal bases with surveying meridians, have been brought into requisition to secure the certainty and brevity of description in the transfer of public lands to individuals. From the principal bases townships of six miles square are run out and established, with regular series of numbers counting north and south thereof, and from the surveying meridians a like series of ranges are numbered both east and west of the principal meridians.
The first principal meridian divides the States of Ohio and Indiana, having
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for its base the Ohio river, the meridian being coincident with 84ยบ 5 1' of longi- tude west from Greenwich. This meridian governs the surveys of public lands in the State of Ohio.
Execution of Surveys .- The principal meridian, base, standard, and guides having been first measured and marked, and the corner boundaries established thereon, the process of surveying and marking the exterior lines of townships, north and south of the base, and east and west of the meridian, within those standard lines, is commenced.
The public lands are first surveyed into rectangular tracts, according to the true meridian, noting the variation of the magnetic needle. These tracts are called townships, each six miles square, having reference to an established prin- cipal base line on a true parallel of latitude, and to longitude styled principal meridian. Any series of contiguous townships, north and south of each other, constitutes a range, the townships counting from the base, either north or south, and the ranges from the principal meridian, either east or west.
The first survey of Henry county lands was made in the year 1821, soon after the county was organized. In the work of making this survey the engi- neers, James Riley, P. F. Kellogg, Nathaniel Beastley, and James Heaton were engaged.
The township of Ridgeville was surveyed by James Riley, and was town- ship number six, north, range five, east.
Pleasant township was surveyed by P. F. Kellogg, and was numbered three, north, range six, east.
Flat Rock township, surveyed by P. F. Kellogg, and was number four, north, range six, east.
Napoleon township, surveyed by P. F. Kellogg, and being township num- ber five, north, range six, east.
Freedom township, surveyed by P. F. Kellogg, and being township num- ber six, north, range six, east.
Marion, surveyed by Nathaniel Beastley, and being township number three, north, range seven, east.
Monroe, surveyed by Nathaniel Beastley, township number four, north, range seven, east.
Harrison, surveyed by Nathaniel Beastley, township number five, north, range seven, east.
Liberty, surveyed by Nathaniel Beastley, township number six, north, range seven, east.
Bartlow, surveyed by James Heaton, township number three, north, range eight, east.
Richfield, surveyed by James Heaton, township number four, north, range eight, east.
Damascus, surveyed by James Heaton in 1821 ; re-surveyed by A. Rice in 1833 ; township number five, north, range eight, east.
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HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.
Washington, surveyed by James Heaton in 1821 ; re-surveyed by A. Rice in 1833 ; township number six, north, range eight, east.
The above designates the surveys of the several townships, and their loca- tion in the county. The county was composed of township number six, of range five, east; also townships three, four, five, and six, of ranges six, seven, and eight, east.
The reader must not be misled by the fact that the several townships being so surveyed at the time indicated above, are evidence that the special civil organization of them was made complete at that time. Such was not the case. The surveys were made then, it is true, and the territory embraced by each survey, substantially includes the townships as named and bounded, respec- tively. They were so surveyed in accordance with the system of surveys then adopted and hereinbefore fully set forth. The separation is made for the pur- pose of locating the survey in each case.
CHAPTER XII.
HENRY COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1861-65.
F "OR several years prior to this great event in our national history, Henry county had no military organization of any kind. To be sure, there had been, many years before this time, a militia company in the county, an organ- ization complete and well equipped for the time, but its deeds of valor were narrowed down to "general training " on muster day and the customary wrest- ling match, and eating of ginger-bread and doughnuts. But this old militia company had been broken up many years before that fateful day, early in April, 1861, when the words were written on our political horizon, "civil war," and the news spread instantly throughout the length and breadth of the land.
At this time Henry county had not to exceed ten thousand population, but nobly did she respond to the president's call for seventy-five thousand volun- teers to "put down the rebellion." In less than one week from that call, Com- pany F, of the Fourteenth Regiment, was recruited and ready for duty with over one hundred men, and in just ten days the regiment left Toledo for Camp Taylor, near Cleveland. From that time to the close of the war, in 1865, Henry county was never behind her quota. In addition to the several sepa- rate organizations that left the county for the service, there were many men that went to other counties to enlist, for which the county did not receive credit. It is, therefore, safe to assume that in the service, Henry county con- tributed more than one per cent. of her entire population. From the time of
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the fall of Fort Sumter, until the final surrender in 1865, there went from Henry county between eleven and twelve hundred volunteers.
Money was not lacking and contributions to the several relief funds were generous and prompt. Volunteers were ready, therefore but little money was needed to provide substitutes, and the volunteer had the fullest assurance that in his absence his family would be provided for.
During the war Henry county, through her soldiers, made an excellent record, a record that has borne favorable comparison with the best and richest counties of the State. But turn to that record and let the deeds of her soldiers prove the statement.
THIE FOURTEENTH REGIMENT-THREE MONTHS SERVICE.
The records of the services of men and regiments of the three months ser vice are decidedly incomplete. The Fourteenth was recruited very soon after President Lincoln's first call for troops, from the counties of Lucas, Fulton, Williams, Paulding, Wood and Henry. The latter contributed Company F to the formation of the regiment. The commission for the command of the com- pany was issued to Andrew Crawford, who was afterward killed by accident at Phillipi, West Virginia. John D. Belknap was elected first lieutenant, and he, too, was accidentally killed at Cheat Mountain. Samuel Pomeroy was commissioned second lieutenant and subsequently became a veteran captain.
The organization of the regiment was made complete at Toledo, during the latter part of April, 1861, by the election of field officers. They were as follows : colonel, James B. Steedman; lieutenant colonel, George P. Este ; major, Paul Edwards; surgeon, J. A. Coons ; assistant surgeon, W. C. Daniels.
With nearly one thousand men in linc, the Fourteenth left Toledo and went to Cleveland, arriving there on the 25th of April. Ilere they went into camp for drill and instruction in the duties of active field service. On the 22d of May the regiment left Camp Taylor and proceeded to Columbus, where they were fully equipped, and thence went forward to service in Virginia. On the 27th the regiment reached Parkersburg, Va., and for the first time unfurled and floated its flag on rebel soil. The enemy retreated at once from the place and commenced burning the bridges on the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. A company was immediately double-quicked along the line of the road and the fires were extinguished, and several of the rebels were captured in the act of firing the bridges and some other property. For several days the regiment was engaged in repairing the bridges and preventing further destruction. On the 2d of June, a dark and dismal night, the command marched to Phillipi, and on the morning of the 3d drove out the rebel cavalry stationed there, tak- ing a few prisoners and capturing the stores with five wagon loads of arms and ammunition.
In this little affair the Fourteenth had four men wounded. On the 7th of
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HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.
June the rebels appeared in force on Laurel Hill; several cavalry charges were made by the enemy, and repulsed by the Union troops. On the 12th General Garnett began his retreat ; the Union forces, with the Fourteenth in the lead, pressed on after the retreating forces; the rebel columns were so closely pressed that the road was littered with with trunks, boxes, tents, stalled bag- gage-wagons and tired out Confederates. At Carrick's Ford, the rebels made a stand in order to save their trains, and taking a strong position awaited the approach of the Union force. The advanced guard of the Fourteenth were soon under fire from the rebel guns, and they were greeted with a shower of rebel bullets. The Fourteenth immediately closed on its advance, and an- swered the rebels' first volley before they fired the second. In twenty minutes, and just as the main column came up, the enemy gave way, leaving everything behind, and " ran for dear life." The fruits of this victory were two hundred and fifty prisoners, three stand of colors, one battery, and thirty well laden baggage-wagons. The next morning the regiment returned to Phillipi with the prisoners and captured trains, but owing to the heavy rains, the rivers and creeks were swollen, and there being no bridges, they did not reach Phillipi until the 15th of July. On the 22d the Fourteenth started on its homeward trip, and arrived at Toledo, on the 25th of July, where after a few days it was mustered out and paid off.
Whitelaw Reid, in his "Ohio in the War," says: " After partaking of a sumptuous feast, prepared by the citizens at the Oliver House, the regiment dispersed, and after a few days' rest at home, the men re-assembled, and again volunteered in a body, for three years, or during the war." In this statement, the worthy compiler is most certainly in error. But few, comparatively, of the men from this county re-entered the Fourteenth, for the three years service, although nearly all did re-enlist, but in different regiments then forming.
Of the contingent from Henry county, some re-enlisted in the three years service in the Fourteenth (the regiment still retaining that number in the line), but a fair proportion of those who made up Company D, were recruits gath- ered and enlisted by Samuel Pomeroy and William H. Brownell. But this company more properly forms the subject of a separate sketch and follows this.
THE FOURTEENTH REGIMENT-THREE YEARS SERVICE.
Toward the original strength of this regiment, the county of Henry contrib- uted one company, which in the completion of regimental organization was given the name of "D." This company as well as the regiment, was com- posed, in part, of men who had but recently returned from the three months service, but it is questionable whether or not a majority of the regiment were formerly of the Fourteenth, in the short term. However this may be, this reg- iment held the same number in the line of Ohio soldiery as when first organ- ized.
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The roster of Ohio soldiers, now being published by authority of the State Legislature, says : "This regiment was organized at Toledo, from August 14, to September 5, 1861, to serve three years. On the expiration of its term of service, the original members (except veterans) were mustered out, and the organization, composed of veterans and recruits, retained in service until July II, 1865, when it was mustered out in accordance with orders from the War Department."
Company D was raised by Samuel Pomeroy and William H. Brownell, both of whom were veterans of the three months service. The former was com- missioned captain, and the latter first lieutenant, upon the complete organiza- tion of the company. On the 23d day of August, 1861, the regiment left Toledo, and proceeded to Cincinnati, and after receiving its arms and equip- ments on the 25th, crossed the Ohio River to Covington, Ky., and took cars for Lexington and Frankfort. On this trip the train was assaulted by some of the Kentucky chivalry, with a volley of stones and other missiles, by which the windows of the officers' car were broken, and some slight injuries inflicted. The train was stopped and two of the assaulting party captured and taken to Frankfort. While marching up Main street, a citizen rushed through the ranks and drew a butcher's knife across the throat of one of the prisoners, severely wounding him.
From Frankfort the regiment moved to Nicholsville, and from there about the Ist of October to Camp Dick Robinson. About this time news was re- ceived that a small garrison situate on Wild Cat Mountain, about sixty miles from Camp Dick Robinson, was being surrounded by the rebels. The Fourteenth, with the Thirty-eighth Ohio and Barnett's Battery, immediately marched to their relief, and on the morning of the 21st of October, after a double-quick of three miles through mud and slush up the Wild Cat Hills, they found five companies of the Thirty-third Indiana Regiment nearly sur- rounded by rebel troops under General Zollicoffer. Barnett's Battery was im- mediately placed in position and commenced shelling the enemy, while two companies of the Fourteenth crawled through the brush, and with shovels and picks soon fortified the knob on the crest of the hill. The other troops now coming up, and the enemy meeting with so warm a reception, after twice charging the little fortified position abandoned the attack and retreated towards Loudon, leaving about thirty killed and wounded on the field. The Four- teenth and Thirth-eighth pursued the fleeing enemy as far as Loudon. Zol- licoffer having already retreated from that place, the Union forces went into camp and threw up fortifications a short distance north of the town. The reg- iment remained here about two weeks, when they were ordered to march back towards Lancaster by the way of Crab Orchard and Mount Vernon. The march was made in the night, in a terrible storm of rain. Rock Castle River had to be forded, and the mud and slush being deep, on arriving at Crab
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HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.
Orchard next morning the men were completely exhausted, and unable to march.
After resting one day, the regiment marched to Lebanon and went into winter quarters. It remained at Lebanon until the latter part of December, when it was ordered to join its brigade at Somerset, where it arrived January I, 1862. It remained in camp at Somerset until the 19th of January, when the brigade to which the Fourteenth belonged was ordered out and marched rapidly towards Mill Springs, where Zollicoffer had been strongly intrenched during the winter. General Crittenden having recently assumed command of the rebel forces at that place, on that morning marched out of his fortifi- cations to give battle before General Thomas could concentrate the Union forces, hoping to whip them in detail. The rebels met the Union forces at Logan's Cross-roads, about six miles north of Mill Springs, and a lively little battle took place. The Fourteenth and Thirty-eighth Ohio coming up, the rebels gave way, and in confusion retreated to their fortifications at Mill Springs, closely pursued by the Union forces. Owing to the delay in fording Fishing Creek, the water being up to the arm-pits, and the current swift, a cable was stretched across the stream for the men to hold on while crossing. But one company of the Fourteenth-Company C-reached the field in time to take part in the action. On the arrival of the Union forces at the enemy's fortifications, the batteries commenced shelling the works, and the Fourteenth lay on their arms all night in a driving rain, ready for the assault which was ordered for early dawn. The Fourteenth in advance carried the works, and found that the enemy had crossed the river during the night, except one regi- ment which was captured with twenty pieces of artillery, all their camp and garrison equipage, together with a large number of horses, mules, wagons, and other property.
The Fourteenth did not arrive at Pittsburgh Landing in time to take part in the battle, but took part in the slow siege on Corinth. After the siege the regiment marched to Iuka, Miss .; thence to Tuscumbia, Ala., and from there to Nashville, Tenn., where it arrived on the 7th day of September, 1862 ; thence to Bowling Green, Ky., in pursuit of Bragg's army ; then moving on toward Louisville, which last named place was reached September 22. This was a severe march on the men, the weather being intensely hot, roads dusty, and water scarce, and of poor quality. From Louisville the regiment marched to Perryville, but being detailed as guard to the ammunition train, did not take part in the battle. After the pursuit of Bragg was abandoned, the regiment marched to Gallatin, and on the 15th of November went into winter quarters, and during the winter was almost daily skirmishing with John Morgan's guer- rillas, and, at the Robling Fork, giving Morgan's entire command a severe drubbing. The regiment left Gallatin June 13, 1863, and reached Nashville on the 15th ; from there to Laverque, and thence to Triune, Tenn., and was placed in the advance of Rosecrans's army on Tullahoma and Chattanooga.
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HENRY COUNTY.
On the 26th of June the Fourteenth with its brigade, had a sharp engage- ment with the enemy, and lost thirty men in killed and wounded. On June 28 Tullahoma was reached, and the Fourteenth drove in the enemy's pickets, and got near enough the town to see the enemy was evacuating the place. An advance was ordered early next morning, and on crossing Elk Run several men were drowned. On the last day of August, 1863, the National forces crossed the Tennessee river on rafts, the pontoons not having arrived, and on the 19th of September encountered the enemy at Chickamauga Creek. The Fourteenth, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Kingsbury, being in the advance, was deployed in line of battle. The regiment having been on the march for the previous twenty-four hours, were much fatigued ; but it became immediately hotly engaged with the enemy, and from nine o'clock in the morn- ing until four o'clock P. M., was continually under fire, after which it was re- lieved for a short time to replenish its cartridge boxes, when it was again engaged and so remained until sundown. The next morning it had a desper- ate encounter with a part of Longstreet's Division, after which the Union forces fell back to Rossville. In these several encounters the regiment lost two hundred and thirty-three men in killed, wounded and missing, out of a total of four hundred and forty-nine. Among the wounded were eight line officers. On the 21st of September the regiment was in line of battle all day, but was compelled to fall back into hastily constructed entrenchments near Chattanooga, closely pursued by the enemy.
About the middle of November in the brilliant assault on Mission Ridge, the Fourteenth charged and took a battery of three guns, loosing in this en- counter sixteen killed, ninety-one wounded and three missing.
On the 17th of December, 1864, all but thirty men of the Fourteenth re- enlisted for another three years, and on Christmas day and night they were re-mustered into the United States service. They were then sent home on veteran furlough and arrived in Toledo on the 6th of January, 1864. On the 6th of February it again left Toledo for the front, and arrived at Chattanooga on the 29th, it having, in the mean time, while on veteran furlough, recruited its decimated ranks to a full regiment, many of whom came from Fulton and Henry counties During the months of March and April, 1864, the Four- teenth was engaged doing picket duty and building corduroy roads between Chattanooga and Ringgold. On the 9th of May it moved with its brigade on Dalton, driving in the enemy's videttes near Tunnell Hill, at which place com- menced that long and terrible campaign for the possession of Atlanta, in which in all the marches, incessant skirmishing and fighting, the Fourteenth bore an honorable part and lost heavily in officers and men; and while lying in front of Atlanta the regiment lost twenty men in killed and wounded.
On the 26th of August, in a flanking movement towards Jonesboro, the Fourteenth and other regiments of its brigade captured two hundred prisoners. 11
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HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.
On the Ist of September the division of the Fourteenth army corps, with which the Fourteenth was brigaded, marched towards Jonesboro, destroying the railroad as it marched, and at 4 o'clock that P. M., confronted the enemy's works surrounding that place. The third brigade, to which the Fourteenth belonged, commanded by Colonel Este, of Baird's Division, Fourteenth Corps, was in line of battle directly in the rear of General Carlin's Division, which had just made an unsuccessful charge on the rebel works, when Colonel Este, with the Fourteenth and Thirty-eighth Ohio, Tenth Kentucky and Seventy-fourth Indiana, being all ready for the fight, Colonel Este gave the command : Bat- talions, forward ! guide center ! His lines moved steadily forward amid a shower of balls. A battery was also opened with grape and canister, but the brigade moved steadily on; the edge of the abattis was gained, and with a yell and a charge the rebel works were gained and a hand to hand fight ensued. The rebels fought with desperation and not until many of them were killed did the remainder surrender, and were marched as prisoners to the rear. The Four- teenth took about three hundred prisoners and several stand of colors, but the cost was frightful, as fully one-third of the Fourteenth were killed or wounded. This was the last severe fight for the regiment, although it marched from At- lanta, with Sherman, to the sea and through the Carolinas to Goldsboro and Raleigh, thence to Washington, where it was reviewed by the president and his cabinet, and on the 13th of July, 1865, was mustered out of service and re- turned home, having spent four years in active military duty in the field.
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