USA > Ohio > Knox County > History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present > Part 52
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 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191
April 1, 1862, General Buckingham was offered, and accepted, the position of brigadier general of volunteers, with special reference to the war depart- ment. His duties were of a very miscellaneous character. In July, 1862, when national affairs on the James river wore their gloomiest aspect, it was decided that strenuous efforts should be made to raise a large additional force. Experience had shown the necessity of a complete understanding between the war department and the State authori- ties; and to effect this the Secretary of State set out to visit several of the governors, to have inter- views with them on the subject. General Bucking- ham was directed to accompany him, with authority from the war department to remove, as far as possi- ble, any impediments which the State authorities might find in the way of recruiting. Together they conferred with the governors of Pennsylvania, New
282
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
York, and Massachusetts; and then General Buck- ingham proceeded alone to Cleveland, where he met the governors of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin ; and, without doubt, the arrangements, thus made facilitated the business of recruiting.
In October, 1862, General Buckingham was or- dered to repair to Columbus, Indianapolis, and Rock Island to select sites for the arsenals author- ized at the preceding session of Congress. He performed this duty by selecting those now occu- pied at Columbus and Indianapolis, and by recom- mending that Rock Island, already owned by the Government, be selected for the third. His report was adopted in every particular.
The first conscription was ordered in July, 1862, and General Buckingham was selected to organize and arrange the details, and to set the machinery in motion, While engaged in this duty his atten- tion was called to the enormous amount of desertion and straggling, and also to the necessity of some means by which the Government could reach and control the recruiting system at all points. To this end he suggested to the Secretary of War the pro- priety of appointing provost marshals; and subse- quently the provost marshal's bureau was establish- ed mainly upon General Buckingham's plan.
In February, 1863, Congress determined to pass a conscription law, and the Senate Military com- mittee requested General Buckingham to meet them, and make such suggestions as would assist them in drawing up a bill. After hearing his views, his experience both as a State officer and as having charge of the conscription during the previous sum- mer, making him quite familiar with the subject, the committee requested him to take the papers and memoranda to his office and draw up a bill to - be submitted to them. This he did; and the bill as it passed Congress varied but little from the one which he reported to the committee.
About this time General Buckingham's private affairs, which he had almost wholly neglected since the opening of the war, demanded his attention; and accordingly he tendered his resignation, and once more returned to civil life. His services through the war were not of the kind that figure largely in the public eye or in the newspapers of the day, but a large share of the credit which Ohio won for her promptitude in filling her quotas, and for
the admirable organization of her troops is due to General Buckingham; and his name will ever de- serve prominent mention in her list of those who served and honored their native State through the trials of the great Rebellion.
The following resolution, offered by W. R. Sapp at a convention for the nomination of civil officers, contains the gist of all resolutions offered in those days. It speaks volumes for the patriotism of the people :
Whereas-Experience has demonstrated that political parties have their legitimate exercise in the administration of established government; and
Whereas-When the existence of government is threatened by armed foes, the only real parties are the supporters of the government on the one hand and its enemies on the other; and
Whereas-The war now waging has been forced upon our country by rebels and traitors; and
Whereas-The time has now come when it is to be decided whether the union our fathers framed shall be perpetuated or destroyed; therefore
Resolved-That forgetting the obligations of party ties, and believing it unwise to make any party nominations, we hereby declare that we recognize as the only true political principle of the present time, the faithful enforcement of the laws, the union of States, the maintenance of the constitution, and the vigorous and continued prosecution of the war.
Other and similar resolutions were adopted and the convention nominated unconditional union men without regard to previous party affiliations.
Up to June, 1862, eight hundred and fifty-two men had volunteered from this county, and large amounts of money had been raised to pay bounties and fur- nish support for the families of soldiers. While the volunteers were fighting the enemy in front, the loyal people in the rear were not by any means idle. The following is copied from the books in the auditor's office, and shows how the sinews of war were obtained :
The following are the amounts raised in each township in the county to pay bounties to volunteers in 1862, which amounts were, by law of April 6, 1866, refunded by taxation:
Jackson.
$14,830
Union $15,610
Butler
10,610
Brown. 4,709
Harrison
16,100
Clay
18,760
Pleasant
7,905
College 10,348
Pike.
12,315
Berlin 15.670
Clinton.
7,605
Mt. Vernon City. 40,527
Milford
8,500
Liberty. 10,488
Middlebury
9,327
Hilliar
18,105
Jefferson
12,040
Howard
20, 160
Morgan.
14,388
Monroe
3,040
Morris.
9,910
Miller 22, 131
Wayne.
37,500
Knox county at large. 28, 170
The total amount raised during the war for bounties to vol-
283
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
unteers of 1862 was three hundred and sixty-eight thousand, seven hundred and forty-eight dollars.
The foregoing is as correct as can be made from the data in my possession.
ALEXANDER CASSIL, Auditor.
The great earnestness of the people of Knox county, under the call of the President in 1862, for three hundred thousand volunteers, is revealed in the following special appeal by the military com- mittee of the county. It also reveals the source of the Ninety-sixth regiment, Colonel J. W. Vance :
MILITARY COMMITTEE ROOM, KNOX COUNTY, July 30, 1862. 5
The military committee of Knox county take the liberty of again addressing themselves to their fellow-citizens of the county upon a subject imperatively demanding prompt and vigorous action at their hands.
We have therefore called attention to the fact, that under the recent call of the President for three hundred thousand addi- tional volunteers, the counties of Knox, Morrow, Marion, Del- aware, Union, and Logan had been formed into a regimental district, and were required by the governor of the State to raise a regiment of one thousand men.
These men have been apportioned to the several counties comprising the district in proportion to the population of each county. Under this apportionment Knox county is required to furnish two hundred and twenty men.
The regiment to be raised in this district is already organized, and its field officers appointed. Our county has been honored in the choice of the colonel; our esteemed fellow-citizen, Joseph W. Vance, esq., whose ability and untiring energy are well known to all, having been appointed to the position. This selection, we are sure, will give additional impetus to the re- cruiting service in our midst.
The call upon us for our quota of men must be nict. The Government, as it should be, is terribly in earnest in its efforts to quell the rebellion. It is determined to put forth its power and do the work thoroughly and at once. The number of men nec- essary to accomplish this purpose must be forthcoming at all hazards. The alternative therefore, is presented us of entering the service as volunteers, or of submitting to the draft.
In one or the other of these inodes two hundred and twenty men must be raised by Knox county within a short period of time.
Acting under orders from headquarters, our county auditor is even now engaged in enrolling the militia of the county: and we understand he is required to make his return by the cigli- teentn of August.
Will our people volunteer, or will they compel the public au- thorities to resort to the draft, in order to raise the number of men which, upon a fair and just apportionment, our county is required to furnish? Our sister counties are addressing them- selves earnestly to the work of filling the ranks with volunteers. What, in the future, shall be said of the action of Knox county, in this dark hour of our country's peril ?
'The man who is drafted, is entitled to no bounty; the Govern- ment reserves this testimonial of its good will to the gallant citizens who volunteer. Bis pay is less than that of the volun- teer. Hle cannot select the company or regiment in which he will serve, a privilege which every volunteer may excreise, and
in addition to this, he is regarded not as the patriotie citizen who has voluntarily stepped forward to fight the battles of his coun- try, but as one who serves her upon compulsion.
We sincerely trust and confidently hope that our county may be spared this disgrace. There are certainly two hundred and twenty loyal and gallant men yet left within her borders, who will see that her hitherto fair fame is preserved untarnished.
We now earnestly appeal to our fellow-citizens to assist us in putting into the field the number of volunteers required from our county. We are advised prceisely what that number is, and know exactly the work to be done. Let us all see that it is promptly done. We desire each man to feel that this appeal is made personally to him. The call upon us by 'the Government is of paramount importance; it should be our special business- no matter how urgent the demands of private interests may be -to see to it that prompt and faithful response is made to that call.
A fund is also being raised for the purpose of furnishing a bounty to volunteers, in addition to that paid by the Govern- ment. We expect to be able to raise within Knox county, at least ten thousand dollars for that purpose, which will enable us to pay an extra bounty of forty dollars to each recruit. Of this sum a large proportion-enough to insure twenty-five dollars to each man-has already been subscribed. Let every man who cannot go himself contribute liberally of his means to those who can.
Each volunteer, when his conpany is mustered into service, will receive from the Government one month's pay in advance (thirteen dollars); one fourth of his one hundred dollars bounty (twenty-five dollars), and an extra payment of two dollars, mak- ing in all forty dollars. In addition to this we expect to be able to pay him the further sum of forty dollars; thus his advance payment will be eighty dollars.
Township military committees are being appointed in every township in the county, and will receive due notice of their ap- pointment.
Upon them we more particularly rely for aid in accomplishing the work before us. Work-systematie, energetie, persevering work-will alone accomplish the desired result."
SAMUEL ISRAEL, Chn. K. C. Mil. Com.
JOSEPH S. DAVIS, Secretary.
At the same time, July 28, 1862, a great war meeting was held in Mt. Vernon, at the court house at which patriotic speeches were made by Mr. De- lano and Colonel Joseph W. Vance. 'The greatest enthusiasm prevailed, and it became evident that old Knox would not be behind her sister counties in this great effort. At this meeting the following citizens contributed the sums opposite their names, to the war fund:
W. Dunbar .$ 25 00
H. B. Curtis. 500 00
C. Delano. 500 00
R. C. Hurd. 100 00
George B. Potwin.
200 00
W. M. Young.
100 00
J. C. Devin 100 00
George W. Morgan. 25 00
284
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
G. A. Jones 100 00
J. Sperry & Company. 200 00
J. Weaver. 100 00
Isaac Cassell. 25 00
E. P. Buckingham 50 00
L. Harper
30 00
E. S. S. Rouse. 30 00
I. Mattison
25 00
M. Leopold & Company.
John Denny.
10 00
H. W. Jennings
10 00
R. M. Roland.
10 00
Carlos W. Fisher. 10 00
P. McIntyre.
15 00
John Eichelberger.
10 00
Frank H. Hurd
25 00
G. H. Martin.
10 00
W. A. Bounds.
10 00
R. A. Kindrick.
20 00
John E. Evans. 15 00
Otho Martin. 10 00
William E. Doty.
5 00
Samuel Israel. 150 00
C. E. Marquand. 10 00
J. S. Shaw. 25 00
E. C. Camp. 10 00
Joseph Watson. 10 00
100 00
John McCormack
100 00
A. Wolf
100 00
A. Weaver. 100 00
More than three thousand dollars were subscribed on this occasion; committees were appointed and liberal subscriptions obtained all over the county. The two hundred and twenty volunteers required for the Ninety-sixth regiment were easily obtained, and no drafting became necessary to fill this quota. Not only this, but before these companies were fairly organized, the President called for three hun- dred thousand more men, and Knox county's quota was immediately doubled. Two more companies were required. These were raised within fifteen or twenty days and entered the One Hundred and Twenty-first regiment, under Captains Stephens and Yager.
Preparations for drafting were begun in August, 1862; the auditor was already busy enrolling all persons in the county liable for military duty, to be in readiness should it become necessary to fill up the army by conscription. Hon. William R. Sapp was appointed commissioner; D. C. Montgomery, provost marshal, and Dr. M. Thompson, examining surgeon. Happily the necessity for enforcing the draft was avoided at that time by liberal volunteer- ing, and indeed, comparatively few men were
drafted in this county during the war. A draft oc- ucrred in October, 1862, a large number of the men being assigned to the Sixty-fifth regiment. Whenever the quota of the county was ascertained under the repeated calls of the President for vol- unteers, the people went to work with a will to get the number of men required without resorting to the draft. Money was freely used and success generally attended their efforts.
The following advertisement appears in the Mt. Vernon papers of that date, and is interesting as showing what inducements were held out to volun- teers :
One hundred men wanted for the Third Ohio volunteer cav- alry. Four hundred and two dollars bounty paid to old recruits, and three hundred and two dollars to new recruits.
December 1, 1863. Recruiting Officer.
In the following year, 1864, the inducements were still greater, as the following extract shows:
Every able-bodied man who will come forward and volunteer for one year, and be credited to the First ward of Mt. Vernon, on or before the twenty-fifth of August, will receive five hundred dollars in cash for one year's service.
In 1862, the Knox county war fund, raised by voluntary contribution in the county, for the relief of soldiers' families reached the sum of eight thousand eight hundred and thirty-five dollars and thirty-nine cents. In 1863 the county commissioners set apart for the same purpose eleven thousand three hundred and thirty-nine dollars; and the same amount, for the same purpose in 1864. In 1865, the amount set apart for this purpose was twelve thousand one hundred dollars.
In addition to these contributions from the county funds, large private subscriptions were con- tinued. During the last years of the war large amounts were paid for substitutes; no limit being defined; those who were drafted hired other men to take their places at whatever price could be agreed upon. This finally grew into a great evil, and created a class known as "bounty jumpers," who made a business of enlisting, deserting, and re-enlisting at some other point for additional bounty.
In 1864, under the call of the Government for five hundred thousand men, Knox county's quota was five hundred and eighty-nine men, to be en- listed for one, two and three years. The Govern-
WALTER L. BURR,
N. N. Hill.
23 00
285
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
ment paid to one year troops, one hundred dollars, and an additional one hundred dollars for each year of service-three years men getting three hun- dred dollars. This was in addition to the large bounties paid by the county and by private indi- viduals.
In the fall of 1862, one hundred and thirty-nine men were to be drafted in this county, and the draft proceeded in all the townships except Berlin, Milford, Morgan, Morris and Union, which suc- ceeded in filling their quotas without draft.
Under the militia law of April 11, 1863, Knox county was divided into military districts, and all men liable to military duty enrolled, numbering three thousand three hundred and sixty-two. These were divided into regiments and companies, and early in July meetings were held and company offi- cers elected. Four regiments were formed and the election for field officers took place August 22, 1863, with the following result:
In the first district, composed of Hilliar, Milford, Liberty and Wayne, I. P. Larimore was chosen colonel, A. B. Ink lieutenant colonel, and D. A. Snider, major. In the second district, composed of Middlebury, Berlin, Morris and Clinton, William McGaughey was chosen colonel, Henry Markley lieutenant colonel, and John S. Parrott, major. In the third district, composed of Morgan, Pleas- ant, College, Monroe, Pike, Brown and Howard, W. O. B. Honey was chosen colonel, Charles A. Young lieutenant colonel, and J. P. Cunningham major. In the fourth district, composed of Harri- son, Clay, Jackson, Butler, Union and Jefferson, George Butler was chosen colonel, W. J. Withrow lieutenant colonel and S. C. Richard major.
Soon after the war broke out the need of sani- tary and hospital supplies began to be felt, and the requirements of this department rapidly increased. The women of the North saw where their services were most needed and could be most effectually utilized. "Ladies' Aid societies" immediately sprang up all over the land, and from small begin- nings this movement finally developed into the great Sanitary commission, whose immense opera- tions secured a world-wide reputation. Knox county was not behind in this most important factor in the military operations of the great Rebel- lion. Early in 1861 a Ladies' Aid society was
formed in Mount Vernon, with Mrs. J. E. Wood- bridge as president. This was quickly followed by other societies in the different townships, and be. fore the war ended probably every township in the county contained a Ladies' Aid society, thoroughly organized and doing efficient work. These organi- zations co-operated with each other, and the amount of work done and assistance rendered to soldiers both in the field and in the hospital, would seem almost incredible.
The following list will give an idea of the work of these societies. It comprises the articles forwarded by the Ladies' Aid society of Pleasant township from the date of its organization up to the date of this report-Christmas, 1863:
Shirts, 91; drawers, 65 pairs; pocket handker- chiefs, 138; pillow slips, 42 ; pillows, 10; sheets, 6; towels, 35; socks, 9 pairs; mittens, 2 pairs; com- presses, 32 rolls; bandages, 59 rolls; 5 bundles of papers and magazines, I pound of hops, 53 pads, 13 fans, 2 neckties, 3 boxes 2 rolls and I sack of lint, 32 pounds of crackers, 6 pounds of dry toast, Io dozen pickles, 4 quarts of vinegar, 18 jugs of canned fruit and pickles, 472 bushels of apples, 7 quarts of dried peaches, 23 quarts of elderberries, 14 quarts of dried cherries, 5 quarts of sweet corn, 3 quarts canned fruit, 13 bushels of potatoes, 2 1/2 bushels of onions, I bushel of beets, and one bushel of cabbage. Total estimated value, $225.31.
These societies were continually at work gather- ing and forwarding supplies, and never flagged in their efforts during the entire war. The good ac- complished is beyond computation.
The following is the report of Mrs. J. E. Wood- bridge, president of the Knox County Soldiers' Aid society, dated December 1, 1864:
In compliance with the request of the State authorities at Columbus, I herewith submit a report of the general operations of the Soldiers' Aid society of Mount Vernon, from its first organization up to the present time.
This Aid society was organized October 16, 1861, for hospital purposes, and is composed of ladies of Mount Vernon and vicinity, who constitute its working members.
The working members habitually meet one or more days in each week (as the urgency of the case requires) at their rooms, and devote the time to work in various ways.
Besides these stated meetings most of the members take materials to their homes and have it worked up, and manufac- tured into articles of comfort and utility for hospital purposes. During the first months of its organization and before the pre- sent State Sanitary commission was duly organized, the society
286
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
forwarded its supplies direct to different regiments and com- panies in the field at various points as their needs required.
They shipped large amounts to Western Virginia during the severe mountain service in the winter of 1861. After the State Sanitary commission began operations, our society generally co- operated with them and forwarded supplies to the Sanitary com- mission at Cincinnati, or their agents and State agents at vari- ous points.
Our society has been sustained very liberally by patriotic and devoted citizens from all parts of Knox county, especially dur- ing the first fifteen months which enabled us to ship during that time, large contributions of blankets, flannels, woollen socks, muslins, dry goods, and supplies of various kinds. Shipments often amounted to three thousand dollars at one time.
As the war wore on, and urgent calls were made from the army for sanitary supplies, the officers had to draw on their in- genuity to raise funds with which to purchase dry goods and material for manufacture. Public lectures, old folks' concerts, festivals, private canvassing and other modes of raising money have been in turn called into requisition to replenish our treas- ury and keep the society at work. The community responded liberally, and our aims and efforts have been well sustained.
We cannot in this report give items and details for want of space; but from our books and records the society can now re- port an aggregate amount of about sixty thousand dollars' worth of property and supplies at fair valuations, which it has collected and forwarded to the army. The present valuation of said property would swell the amount to seventy-five thousand dollars.
The collection, handling, manufacturing, boxing, and ship- ping this amount and variety of property, although arduous and incessant, has been cheerfully performed by the members of the society, aided by a few noble-minded gentlemen.
The society has received generous contribution from all parts of the county, and especially from the noble men and women of Butler township, and from the branch societies of Morris and Berlin townships. To these, and to the numerous clubs and individual contributors, who have stood by us and lent us their aid and influence, our society owes its thanks.
The noble band of ladies who composes the working mem- bership of this society, are no less worthy, though they do not claim, the compliments of the community.
They have faithfully performed arduous labors, but with will- ing hands. They also, like most of our gallant soldiers, en- listed for "three years, or during the war," and as their three years of faithful service has but lately expired, they will not be mustered out, but have re-enlisted without draft, substitute, or bounty. They have become "veterans" in the good cause, and ask no further bounty than an approving conscience, and the continued aid and generosity of the community in furnishing funds and material to the society, that it may be enabled to do good in a good cause. MRS. J. E. WOODBRIDGE,
President Knox County Soldiers' Aid Society.
The officers of the above society, besides Mrs. Woodbridge, were Mrs. N. N. Hill, vice-president; Mrs. Matilda Mills, treasurer; Mrs. T. E. Monroe, secretary; Miss Mary Woodbridge, corresponding secretary, and Mrs. Singer, Mrs. Hildreth, Mrs. Linsted, and Mrs. Tunison, directors.
In 1863, a society was formed by the young ladies of Mount Vernon, known as the "Young Ladies' Union League," the object of which was to secure funds for the erection of a monument to the momory of the soldiers and sailors of Knox county who gave their lives to the cause of the Union. This was the beginning of the operations which finally culminated in the erection of the present beautiful monument that graces the public square of Mt. Vernon.
Much energy was shown in the beginning of this enterprise, and a comparatively large sum of money collected from different parts of the county. Mil- ford township contributed very liberally through the labors and influence of Mr. Platt Beardsley and Captain Nathan Bostwick. About fifteen thousand dollars were wanted, but before the amount was subscribed the war ended, and with it much of the enthusiasm of the society; and the enterprise was, for some years, neglected. Upon the approach of the Centennial year the project was again revived and pushed to final success; the corner-stone of the monument being laid, with appropriate cere- monies, July 4, 1876. It is of Vermont granite, solid, beautiful, and an honor to the city and county. Rev. Dr. Muenscher's name is inseper- ably connected with the erection of this monu- ment. It was through his personal influence and exertions, mainly, that it was finally completed. It cost about five thousand dollars.
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.