USA > Ohio > Union County > Jerome > History of Jerome Township, Union County, Ohio > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17
"Some of your boys, my fellow citizens, fought on almost every great battlefield of the war. They were at Gettysburg, where 41,000 boys of the North and South fell in two days ; they were at Chickamauga, where 35,000 boys fell in two days ; they were at Shiloh, Stone River, Cheat Mountain, Port Republic, Antietam, Vicksburg, and many of the battlefields of Virginia ; they were in the 'One Hundred Days under fire from Chattanooga to Atlanta'; some of them marched with Sherman to the sea, and others were at Appomattox at the surrender of Lee's army. This is the true story of the serv- ices of the soldiers of this township to whom you pay tribute today by this ceremony of dedicating this monument and the strewing of flowers.
"Three score and ten died for you and me that we might live and enjoy the many blessings of a free and united nation.
"Upward of 2,600,000 soldiers served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Of that number Ohio furnished 313,180, and the losses, killed and those who died of wounds, were 35,415. Union County sent to the battlefield 3,000 soldiers, one-tenth of whom enlisted in this township. Upward of 500 who enlisted from the county were killed or died of wounds and disease in the service, and the total casualties were 1,035.
69
History of Jerome Township
About one-eighth of that number were from Jerome Town- ship.
"We had no officers of high rank in the Civil War. One reached the rank of Colonel, one Major, five of Captain, but the rank and file who carried the musket, the carbine and knap- sack did the fighting and won the battles that saved the nation.
"The erection of monuments and memorials to commemo- rate the sacrifices, sufferings and deeds of the fallen heroes of all our wars is very commendable. How appropriate the in- scription on your monument, which reads as follows :
"'In honor of the men who served in the Army of the Union. Those who fought and lived and those who fought and died. May this shaft ever call to memory the story of the glory of the men who wore the blue.'
"This inscription should be memorized by every pupil in your schools, for the erection of memorials arouses the patri- otic enthusiasm of the youth of our land and instills in their minds loyalty to our flag and all that it implies.
"The public school is the nursery of patriotism. Its best fruits are true Americans and the making of loyal and intelli- gent citizens. Then how appropriate it is that they should take part in these patriotic ceremonies. It will be an ominous day in the history of any family when it no longer remembers with gratitude the worthy deeds of its ancestors, and there is no cause, except religion, holier than the service to country or state.
"First comes the cross, then the flag, for Christianity and patriotism go hand in hand.
"One word more, my old neighbors and friends: always keep in mind and teach your children that this is the most sacred and pathetic of all American holidays ; let it not become a day of noise and a gala day. Remember the religious senti- ment of honoring the dead and perpetuating their deeds of valor in the beautiful ceremonies which make the day more sacred and nobler than any other holiday.
"In the 'brave days of old' each year on the anniversary
70
History of Jerome Township
of the battle of Marathon, the Greek sires would take their boys to the battlefield of Marathon, show them the monument erected to the heroes who there fell in defense of their land, and exalt the example of those who sacrificed life and limb for their country.
"So should we, the friends and descendants of these brave men and heroes of all our wars, from Lexington in the War of the Revolution to Appomattox, kindle the fires of patriot- ism in our boys by holding up to them the imperishable deeds of our soldiers on all of our battlefields.
"My fellow citizens, when the last survivor who enlisted here has answered his last roll call on earth, we can see with prophetic eye the descendants of these heroes gathered about this monument, reciting to their children and children's chil- dren the heroic deeds of their ancestors on the battlefield.
"The victories were not all won by the soldiers at the front, for there was a loyal battle line in our homes in the North. There were heroes and heroines in the old homesteads who were not permitted to go to the front during the dark days of the war. Some citizens with families, others physically disabled, but all through those long and weary years their patriotism never faltered and they were ever ready to open their purses for payment of bounties and to care for families of the soldiers on the battle lines.
"Then there were the mothers, the wives, the sisters, and the sweethearts-it has been truly said that there was one line that was never broken during the war; that was the line of the loyal women. Some of them are here today who cheered father, brother or sweetheart as he marched away to the music of the war-drums in 1861-1865. You waited anx- iously for many of them who did not return.
"You loved them better than life, but you could only hope and pray. Your hearts were on the battle line at the front for your dear one was there and you would have scorned him had he failed in his duty to home and country. Your love and prayers followed him on the march and in the carnage of bat- tle, and he could not have been otherwise than brave.
71
History of Jerome Township
"Through all the long and weary years of the war you did not lose faith ; you wrote messages of cheer, suffered for every shot that pierced a loved one, and those who were spared re- turned victorious to receive your blessing. Of the many bright and happy girls who with their willing hands made and presented the silk flag to your boys within a stone's throw of this spot, July 4th, 1861, not more than half a dozen reside in this community today.
"The fathers and mothers of that day have all passed away and the boys and girls of 1861 are now of the older generation. There are some sad hearts here today-widows of soldier hus- bands who have passed to the other shore, there awaiting the happy reunion, perhaps but a few years hence.
"But to you, with all its sadness, you rejoice that your loved ones-husband or father-fought the good fight and is so highly honored today by this patriotic service and memorial.
"And where are the boys who drilled and marched over the meadows and along the streets of this village fifty-two years ago? Were the First Sergeants of the forty-two organi- zations in which these boys served here today and would give the command, 'Attention to roll call!' they would not all an- swer 'Here.' But on parade he could report to the Adjutant : 'Sir, all present or accounted for.' Three score and ten died with honor on the field, two hundred sleep in the cemeteries of the North, only a remnant of the old guard survives, but 'all present or accounted for' would be the answer.
"One parting word, comrades of the Great March. You are not only veterans in service, but veterans in age now. Your heads are graying, your steps are halting, but you are young in heart-steadily marching behind the great recruiting officer, Death. The ranks are thinning-one hundred going down each day. We will not all meet on this historic ground again, but there are some here today who may live to see the Memorial Day when there will not be a veteran of the great war on earth.
"There will be eloquent words spoken ; there will be patri- otic songs by the children ; there will be strewing of the sweet-
72
History of Jerome Township
est flowers of springtime over the graves of your departed heroes, but not one will answer 'here' when the roll is called. My comrades, when we have all been mustered out by the Great Commander, when we have heard the bugle sounding reveille, for the last time calling us to duty, when 'taps' and 'lights out' have been sounded for the last time, let us be ready to join our comrades on the other shore. It will be 'good night' here and 'good morning' over there. Salute the flag! Break ranks! Farewell !"
WAR HISTORY OF JEROME TOWNSHIP.
At the first election held in Jerome Township, May 10th, 1821, the total number of votes cast was fifteen. In the year 1861, at the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, the population of the township was 1398, and the total number of voters was 216, the number of voters having increased 201 in forty years.
The number of soldiers enlisting from the township during the war was 151 in excess of the number of voters in the township, or more than one-fourth of the total popula- tion of men, women and children. This is a most remarkable record of enlistment and challenges comparison with any township of like population in the State.
It is shown by the official records that the average age of the soldiers who fought the battles of the Rebellion was less than 20 years. A number of Jerome Township boys were under 16 years of age at enlistment and at least one was but 14.
The following table, compiled from official records, will be of interest to all students of war history :
Total enlistments in the Union Army-
At the age of 10 and under. 25
At the age of 12 and under.
225
At the age of 14 and under.
1,523
At the age of 16 and under 844,891
At the age of 18 and under. 1,151,438
At the age of 21 and under 2,159,798
22 years of age and over. 618,511
JAMES C. CONE 121s( O. V. I.
DANIEL R. CONE I. S. Navy.
CORPORAL STEPHENSON H. CONE 12ist o. V. 1.
OTWAY B. CONE 121st O. V. 1.
WILLIAM MOCAMPBELL Stich O. V. I.
JASPER CONVERSE 1.5th .. .. ..
ADDISON T. MeCAMPBELL 157th 0. 1. 1.
SERGEANT AMMON P. CONVERSE 46th 0. V. I.
73
History of Jerome Township
Adding the number under 21 and over 22-that is, 2,159,- 798 and 618,511-the total enrollment was 2,778,309. Never before was a nation saved by youths in their teens.
LOSSES.
One hundred and ten thousand were killed in battle or died of wounds. Two hundred and forty-nine thousand, four hun- dred and fifty-eight died of disease and other causes, and two hundred and eighty thousand were wounded.
Ohio furnished 313,180 soldiers and the losses in killed, died of wounds and disease were 35,124. Of this number 3,000 enlisted from Union County, 533 were killed or died of wounds or disease, 360 were wounded, 143 were prisoners of war, and the total casualties were 1,035. The contribution of Jerome Township to this great army was 367, and 75 were killed or died in the service.
WAR OF THE REBELLION - 1861-1865.
There was no more patriotic community in Union County than Jerome Township, and every call for troops from April 15th, 1861, to the close of the war, the quota was filled by volunteers and there was no draft made in the township.
During the war, with scarcely an exception every boy who attended the Select School at New California enlisted in the army.
They were intelligent farmer boys, lithe of limb and with strong healthy bodies. Accustomed to hard work on the farm, and handling wild and vicious horses, they were ideal cavalrymen.
They were also trained marksmen with the rifle and were used to the chase in hunting wild turkeys and all kinds of small game. This was the class of boys who enlisted in that community to fight for the preservation of the Union.
The ancestors of many of these boys had fought for liberty during the War of the Revolution and had left their descend- ants a noble heritage in which they took an honest pride.
It has been turly said that "It is the mass of character that
6
74
History of Jerome Township
determines human conditions and decides national destiny ; whoever leads a good life, sets a good example, establishes a well-conducted family, worthily rears children, honestly pur- sues a respectable calling, who is frugal and industrious, makes the most precious contribution to his kind."
Thus had lived these hardy pioneers who came with the Bible, the ax and the rifle, praying, working and watching. Though far removed in kinship, blood will tell for successive generations when opportunity comes, and that they sway and guide us after death of the ancester is an accepted truth of history.
The warm blood of patriotism and heroism which flowed in the veins of the men of '76 does not become cold by the lapse of years in the veins of their descendants.
The spirit which led them to battle for liberty inspired their descendants to fight the battles of all our wars, in which they have taken so prominent a part, in the War of 1812, war with Mexico, the War of the Rebellion, and the Spanish-American War.
Therefore, at the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion these boys, inspired by the deeds of their forefathers, of which they had heard through their parents from early childhood, were ready to respond to the call to arms before the smoke had cleared from the battered walls of Fort Sumter.
On the evening of the 24th of April, 1861, in response to the call for the first 75,000 volunteers, a war meeting was held in the old Seceder Church at New California. Patriotic speeches were made by many of the old citizens, and among others the Rev. B. D. Evans and Llewellyn Curry. Volun- teers were called for, and the first young man to enroll his name and offer his services was David O. Taylor, who soon after joined the Thirteenth Ohio Regiment, and after serving his country for three years with honor, was killed on the bat- tlefield of Dallas, Georgia, on the 27th day of May, 1864. About forty of the young men of the neighborhood volun- teered that evening.
Dr. James Cutler was a young practitioner, residing in the
75
History of Jerome Township
village, and as he had served two years in the Regular Army during the Mexican War, all eyes were turned toward him as a leader. He was an intelligent and progressive young man with a good practice and in whom the fathers and mothers had great faith.
They were, therefore, extremely anxious that he should enter the service and command the company in which their boys enlisted. But he did not need any prompting, as he was enthusiastic and was among the first to sign the enlistment roll. He was elected Captain and gave the company their first drill in the old Scott tactics.
W. L. Curry was elected First Lieutenant and D. R. Cone Second Lieutenant.
Among the first to volunteer was Walter Gowans, a patri- otic Scotchman upward of 60 years of age, and in honor to him the company was named the "Gowans Guards." The company began drilling immediately at New California. The busy hands of mothers and sisters in a few days furnished uniforms, consisting of red jackets and black caps. The young ladies of the neighborhood made a large silk flag, which was presented to the company.
The company soon numbered sixty volunteers, but before it was recruited to the required number to enter the service the call was made for three years' troops, and many of the boys becoming impatient to be off for the seat of war, began to enlist in companies that were being recruited more rapidly in the larger towns. The organization never entered the serv- ice, as their ranks were rapidly decimated by these enlistments in other organizations. All but two or three of this company soon enlisted and seventeen of them died in the service.
The following list of names composes about a complete roster of the company which has been submitted to other mem- bers of the company for verification and correction : James Cutler, Captain ; W. L. Curry, First Lieutenant ; D. R. Cone, Second Lieutenant ; J. D. Bain, David Bain, William Beaver, W. J. Conklin, Otway Curry, W. W. Curry, David Curry, James A. Curry, James Curry, J. C. Cone, S. B. Cone, O. B.
ยท
$6
History of Jerome Township
Cone, William Channell, W. H. H. Fleck, T. S. Fleck, Walter Gowans. Sr., Andrew Gowans, Alexander Gowans, William Gowans, James Gowans, S. W. Gowans. Lewis Hoffner, James Hill, L. J. Ketch, Lewis Ketch, John Liggett, R. A. Liggett, B. F. Lucas, William B. Laughead, John Morford, James R. Mitchell, George Mitchell, David McIntire, J. L. McCampbell, Jeff Mahaffey, Jacob Nonnemaker, D. G. Robinson, Delmore Robinson, C. L. Robinson, J. B. Robinson, George Ruehlen, David Shinneman, James Smith, George Stokes, Atlas Perkins, David O. Taylor, Daniel Taylor, David Wise, William Wise and Samuel Wise.
In this company were twenty-seven who had been students at the Select School. Seventeen of the original members were killed or died of wounds or disease, and of those who lost their lives in the service nine were students in the Select School.
A company was organized at Plain City, Ohio, for the first three months' service, in which twenty-nine Jerome Township soldiers served. The company was assigned as Company G. 17th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. At the expiration of their term of service, every one of them re-enlisted in other regi- ments, as did those who served in the 13th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, first three months' service. The first and only full company recruited in the township was organized at the village of Jerome, under the first call for three years' service, and went into camp in August, 1861. The company was assigned as Company E, 30th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Other detachments enlisting in the first call for three years' service were assigned in the First Ohio Cavalry, the 13th, 32nd. 40th, 46th, 54th, and 66th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. During the years 1862, 1863, 1864, and until the close of the war, every quota assigned to the township was filled, and they served in the following designated organizations :
Cavalry Regiments.
1st Ohio Volunteer Cavalry -2 12th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.
77
History of Jerome Township
Infantry Regiments.
13th, 17th, 30th, 32nd, 34th, 40th, 46th, 54th, 58th, 63rd, 66th, 82nd, 85th, 86th, 88th, 94th, 95th, 96th, 110th, 113th, 121st, 128th, 129th, 133rd, 136th, 145th, 174th, 186th, 187th, 181st, 197th, 27th U. S. C. T., 18th U. S. I.
47th U. S. C. T.
7th Ohio Independent Sharpshooters 1
10th Ohio Battery, Light Artillery 1
U. S. Signal Corps. 1
9th Minnesota Infantry.
1
Indiana Infantry 1
United States Navy 1
Squirrel Hunters
1- -
7 -
A total of 42
In the year 1864 an organization was formed of prominent citizens who were not eligible, by reason of age or disability, for military service, to pay bounties to the boys who were willing to enter the service. A large amount of money was contributed voluntarily for that purpose, and in some instances several hundred dollars were paid to each volunteer. Samuel B. Woodburn was treasurer of the association, and among other prominent members were A. H. McCampbell, John Mc- Campbell, John K. Dodge, Thomas Jones, James Roney, Wm. Thompson, Joseph Cole, John Curry, Albert Chapman, James Mitchell, and many others. There was scarcely a family in the township that did not have someone in the Army of the Union, and there was continuous recruiting. The people thought, talked, and read of but little else than the means of prosecut- ing the war to a successful end.
To write the history of the services of the soldiers of Jerome Township who served in forty-two regiments and other organizations, would be to write the history of every great campaign along the battle lines from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River, for some of them participated in almost every great battle of the war. As an evidence of that
33
1
78
History of Jerome Township
fact the reader has only to peruse the brief history of each organization in this volume. They fought at Gettysburg, and Chickamauga, the two greatest battles of the war. Some of them were at Aantietam, Vicksburg, Shiloh, the Wilderness, Stone River, Port Republic, Seven Pines, Lookout Moun- tain. One hundred days under fire, from Chattanooga to At- lanta. They marched with General Sherman's Army to the Sea. They were in the greatest cavalry expedition of the war, under General James H. Wilson, through Alabama and Geor- gia. Were in the saddle when the war closed.
Those in the navy were at Fort Henry and Fort Donald- son. Some of them participated in the great review at Wash- ington.
But a brief history can be given in the limited space in this little volume of each organization, and much time has been devoted to securing the data for enlistment, discharge or death of each soldier. Only the time and place of muster-in of each of the different organizations, with a short history of their campaigns, battles, losses and date of muster-out, is given. Great pains have been taken to get correct dates and statistics as to the true history of the service of each organization. The regiments of long service and hard campaigns made more his- tory and are entitled to more extended notice, but the mem- bers of all organizations are entitled to full credit, for they all did their duty in whatever capacity they served. The ma- jority of them were boys and usually enlisted at the first opportunity, not knowing where or what the service of the organization to which they were assigned would be. It was only "their's to obey."
THE BOYS OF '61.
BY W. L. CURRY.
At the call of their country our boys of Jerome Marched away to the sound of the bugle and drum ; In the flush of their youth went the manly and brave, To stand by the banner our forefathers gave ; How many? Three hundred-our heroes in blue,
79
History of Jerome Township
They showed to the world how their hearts could be true. Did they all come back from the dark' battle lines ? Nay-four score are sleeping 'neath the shade of the pines.
Go look for their deeds on the 'scutcheon of fame; Go read in the sunlight each glorious name; Old Round Top is crowned with their glory today, And Shiloh's invested with splendor for aye; Where bravely they struggled and died for the free, Chickamauga flows on with a song to the sea ; And other proud fields have extended a crown To the boys of Jerome-our sons of renown.
They came from the battle all shattered and torn, Not as they went forth in the flush of the morn ; Their standards were riddled with shot and with shell, But their war-drums had sounded rebellion's death-knell. Their ranks were depleted, their comrades afar Slept peacefully under the Southern star ; But proudly erect marched the immortal few- Our heroes, each man in his garments of blue.
Who hailed them? A nation they'd saved by their might, And planted fore'er on the ramparts of Right. The welcome was great that came after the strife -- The kiss of the mother, the sweetheart, the wife; The drum became silent, the bugle was still, They echoed no more on the red battle hill ; And the Angel of Peace, with her pinions outspread, Looked down on the living and wept for the dead.
The land that we love honors still every son Who rushed to its aid at the flash of the gun ; On many a field seeks the column the sky, Enriched with a record that never can die ; So long as our banner invincible waves, Memorials will rise to the worth of our braves ; And ever the country to which we are true Will laurel the brow of our soldiers in blue.
80
History of Jerome Township
FIRST OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY - THREE YEARS' SERVICE.
A company of the First Ohio Cavalry was recruited at Plain City, Ohio, under the first call for three years' troops, and was assigned as Company K of that regiment, organized at Camp Chase, Ohio, in the summer of 1861. Twelve Jerome Township soldiers served in this company, three of whom died in the service - James S. Ewing, Presley E. Goff, and Benja- min F. Lucas ; and five - James Cutler, W. L. Curry, San- ford P. Clark, Presley E. Goff, and Alanson Sessler - were prisoners of war.
As the writer served in this regiment and has personal knowledge of the campaigns and battles in which they par- ticipated, it is hoped that the reader may have charity and overlook any seeming overestimated distinguished services of the regiment. It is a hard task to condense in a page or two the record of the services of a regiment which served four years and participated in many decisive battles.
The company left Plain City September 8th, 1861, going across the country in carriages and wagons, to Camp Chase. A few days later the election for commissioned officers was held and Dr. T. W. Forshee of Madison County was elected Captain ; Dr. James Cutler of Jerome Township, First Lieu- tenant; A. H. McCurdy of Morrow County, Second Lieuten- ant; and W. L. Curry was appointed Orderly Sergeant.
The regiment was fully equipped and mustered into the U. S. service October 5th, 1861, with twelve companies, under Colonel Orin P. Ransom, an officer of the Regular Army ; Lieutenant Colonel T. C. H. Smith, and Major Minor Millikin.
The regiments that were so fortunate as to get a Regular officer for a Colonel were usually well organized, and that was the case in the First Ohio. We had a great contempt for our Colonel in the beginning, as he was a regular martinet, but when we got into the field we had a very high regard for him, as he at once inaugurated strict military discipline, and, as the boys said, "brought the officers to time." organized an officers' school, and looked after the smallest details of clothing, ra-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.