History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present, Part 59

Author: N. N. Hill, Jr.
Publication date: 1881
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 826

USA > Ohio > Licking County > History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present > Part 59

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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

John H. Voers, November 13, '62. William Vance, October 20, '62. John Williams, October 30, '62. G. B. Wilkinson, October 21, '62. Jonah White, October 9, '62. John Ward, October 9, '62. William Wilcox, October 9, 62. Frederick Willard, October 6, 62. Isaac Williams, October 7, '62. David Ward, November 22, '62. Louis Wagner, November 27, '62. Charles Willson, October 20, '62. George Willson, October 22, '62. Levi Zimmerman, February 20, '63. Nathan B. Giles,, February 14, '63. Philip Hoffman, February 9, '63. Frederick Hotzler, February 16, '63. Jacob Kamerer, February 23, '63. William Coan, February 23, '63.

EIGHTEENTH UNITED STATES INFANTRY .- First Lieutenant W. W. Stevenson, of the regu- lar army, opened a recruiting office in Newark in the summer of 1861, to procure enlistments for the Eighteenth United States regulars-a new regi- ment then organizing under Colonel Carrington. Lieutenant Stevenson was assisted by Wilbur F. Arnold and James D. Wallace, two prominent young men of Newark who had patriotically enlist- ed in the Regular service.

About eighty men were recruited from Licking county and forwarded, in detachments, to the gen- eral rendezvous of the regiment at Columbus. The company entered the field the following fall, and did active and efficient service during the war It was engaged in the battles at and near Lebanon, Mill Spring, Somerset, and Louisville, Kentucky. Also at Fort Donelson, Nashville, Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Perryville, Stone River, and Mission Ridge. It fought all through the Atlanta campaign, and was with Thomas' army at Franklin, Columbia, and Nashville.

Lieutenant Stevenson became quarter master of the regiment, and died in Kentucky during the winter of 1861-62.

Lieutenant Wilbur F. Arnold was first quarter- master sergeant and subsequently promoted to sec- ond and first lieutenant. He served gallantly all through the war, and at its close was assigned to duty at Harrisburgh, Pennsylvania, as disbursing officer. He afterwards was ordered on duty in Texas, where he died of disease. Lieutenant Amold was a young man of high scholarly attain-

ments, and although physically disabled, his pat- riotism led him to persevere in being accepted into the regular army. The country thus gained the services of a competent and gallant officer. His death, in the morning of a promising manhood, was deeply deplored by his army associates as well as by a host of warm friends at home.

Sergeant James D. Wallace recruited most of the men for this company, and being a good drill officer he brought the recruits to a high state of discipline and efficiency before they entered the field. He was soon promoted to sergeant major of the Second battalion, in consideration of his efficiency as a drill sergeant.

Seventeen Licking county men died while serv- ing in this company, and many were wounded during the active and dangerous service which fell to the lot of the Eighteenth regulars.

As stated in a preceding chapter, many Lick- ing county men, not included in the lists herein given, enlisted in companies and regiments in other counties and States. Quite a large detachment of colored men enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Ohio infantry, afterwards known as the Fifth Colored United States infantry. These men saw very severe service under General Butler, near Petersburgh, Virginia, and a number of Newark boys were killed and wounded. De- tachments and enlistments from Licking county not heretofore mentioned, entered the following organizations: Seventeenth Ohio volunteer in- fantry, One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio national guards, Forty-fifth Ohio volunteer in- fantry, Sixth United States cavalry, First Nebraska infantry. Thirtieth Ohio volunteer infantry, Eleventh Ohio volunteer infantry, Twenty-fourth Iowa infantry, Second Ohio heavy artillery, Fourth Ohio cavalry, Eighty-seventh Ohio volunteer in- fantry, One Hundred and Ninety-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, Fifteenth Ohio volunteer in- fantry, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, Twenty-first Ohio volunteer in- fantry, Twenty-eighth Iowa infantry, Thirty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, Sixth Ohio volunteer in- fantry, Ninth Ohio volunteer cavalry, First Iowa cavalry, Seventy-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry, Sixty-First New York infantry, Eleventh Pennsyl- vania cavalry, Fourth Iowa infantry, Fourth Ohio

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volunteer infantry, Sixth Ohio volunteer cavalry, One Hundred and Eighty-ninth Ohio volunteer in- fantry, Forty-fifth Illinois infantry, Twenty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, Thirteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, First United States engi- neers, Ninety-third Illinois infantry, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, First United States cavalry, Seventeenth Illinois in- fantry, and Eleventh Ohio volunteer cavalry.

Many entered the United States navy, the gun- boat service, and the United States signal corps.

The list would not be complete of those who responded to their country's call without making special mention of the band of men who hastily threw aside pressing business engagements at home and entered upon a short term of service when the tide of battle rolled up close to their Ohio fire- sides. These men were styled "Squirrel Hunters," they provided themselves with rifles and regular hunting accoutrements, marching forth without uniform or tactics.

When Cincinnati was threatened in September, 1862, by the rebel General Kirby Smith, Governor

Tod called upon the State to furnish instantly, for a short term of service, all companies or squads of men and individuals who would volunteer for the defence of the State. "Throughout the interior church and fire bells rang, mounted men galloped through neighborhoods to spread the alarm; there was a hasty cleaning of rifles and moulding of bullets, and filling of powder horns, and mustering at the villages; and every city bound train ran burdened with the gathering host."

Licking county furnished four hundred and four men for this service, embracing those from all the different walks of life; merchants, clerks, lawyers, and farmers who were tied to such occupations as to prevent them from entering into a longer service.

They went to Cincinnati and crossed over into Kentucky, performing garrison duty in the long line of works which had been thrown up for the pro- tection of Cincinnati. After the threatened danger had passed they returned to their homes; and their services were recognized by the whole people of Ohio, and by the Governor who caused to be issued lithograhpic discharges, signed, sealed and deliver- ed to the "Squirrel Hunters."

CHAPTER XLI. · HISTORY OF THE WAR CONTINUED.

ORGANIZATION OF THE SOCIETY OF THE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS OF LICKING COUNTY-A LIST OF ITS MEMBERS WITH THEIR ARMY RECORDS-THE GREAT STATE RE-UNION IN 1878-THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE GENERAL OF THE ARMIES VISIT NEWARK-THE VETERAN HOSTS OF OHIO RENEW THEIR PLIGHTED FIDELITY TU THE UNION.

TN 1877 the soldiers of Licking county-surviv- , ors of the late war-organized a military society and inaugurated the grand movement of soldiers' re-unions, which was so successfully conducted in the years following throughout the State and in other parts of the country. There seemed to be a prevailing relaxation of interest in the cause which led these men to war seventeen years before. In fact the political aspect of the country warranted the belief that the grand principles so nobly sus-

tained in battle were in danger of being ignored or forgotten through partisan prejudice.

The soldier was fearful, too, lest the dearly bought laurels he had won would be lost sight of in the busy scenes of varied peaceful avocations which had since led the country to such prosperity.

He became anxious that his sons should enjoy the same blessings after the actors in that epoch had passed away.

To secure these blessings to posterity, and to

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form a more perfect fellowship among comrades then living, a series of re-unions were inaugurated and societies were organized to carry these plans into execution.

Another object in view was the revival of the custom of paying respect to the memory of the dead by annual tributes of flowers. This custom had not been observed in Newark since the war, and it became painful to the old soldier in witness- ing the continued indifference of citizens to the performance of that duty. With what success the soldiers' society attained these ends can be drawn from a perusal of the reports given of the grand re-union and the observance of Decoration day in the years following its organization.

In November, 1877, the society of the soldiers and sailors of Licking county was organized by the election of the following officers: Lieutenant Colonel Joseph C. Wehrle, president ; Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Nichols, vice-president; Major Charles D. Miller, secretary; Major David Thomas, treasurer. '

The following is the constitution adopted by the society :

I. This organization shall be known as "The Society of the Soldiers and Sailors of Licking county, Ohio."

2. All officers, soldiers and sailors in the United States ser- vice during any part of the war of the Rebellion, who were honorably discharged, or who are now in the service, may be- come members by signing these articles.

3. The officers of the society shall be a president, vice-presi- dent, secretary and treasurer, to be elected by ballot, annually, and to serve until their successors are elected.

4. The duties of these officers shall be such as usually per- tain to such offices. The treasurer shall annually report upon the condition of the finances.

5. The main objects of this organization shall be to perpetu- ate the memories of the service and cherish its friendships, by annual meetings or celebrations, under the charge of the officers of the society, and such assistants as may be appointed for the purpose. These celebrations may, upon a vote of the society, be extended to embrace the officers, soldiers and sailors in a district of counties outside of and including the county of Lick- ing. The objects of the organization may be furthered in any other appropriate manner the society may adopt.

6. The society shall meet annually, at such time as may be agreed upon by resolution, for the election of officers and such other appropriate business as may be presented, and the hearing of reports. Special meetings may be called by the sec- retary, upon the order of the president. At such special meet- ings ten or more shall make a quorum.

7. The treasurer shall pay out the moneys of the society, up- on the written order of the president and secretary.

8. That the personal recollections of the officers, soldiers

and sailors of this society may be communicated and further perpetuated, banquets may be appointed by a vote of the soci- ety, on which occasions the president and secretary may appoint different members to prepare and read manuscript accounts of their experiences during the war, or verbally, by speeches, to recount incidents and anecdotes of the service, „personally known to them.

Colonel Kibler, chairman of the committee on organization, offered the following amendatory resolutions, which were adopted :

Resolved, That the treasurer collect of the members of this society an annual fee of one dollar, to repay the expenses; but the payment of such fee shall not constitute a condition prece- dent to membership.

Resolved, That the annual meetings of this society for the years succeding 1877, be held at ten o'clock, A. M., on Thanks- giving day.

The following is a list of the names of the members of the society, their rank, command, time of service, post office address and military record : The records follow in the order of names as subscribed to the constitution of the society. Brevity in some does not indicate less service rendered than in others. Some relate little inci- dents connected with their army life; others give merely a brief statistical record. The records of a few officers are taken from the State roster; the others are given as furnished, in the following order:

JOSEPH C. WEHRLE, brevet lieutenant colonel United States volunteers, company E, seventy-sixth Ohio infantry, enlisted October 17, 1861, and dis- charged October 28, 1864. He took part in every engagement that the seventy-sixth regiment was in, from Fort Donelson to the expiration of his term of service. He was wounded January 11, 1863, at Arkansas Post.

At the close of the war Captain Wehrle received a commission from the President of the United States, as brevet lieutenant colonel, "for gallant and meritorious services during the war." Newark, Ohio.

EDWIN NICHOLS, lieutenant colonel Twenty- seventh regiment, Ohio veteran volunteer infantry, enlisted August 18, 1861, and discharged in Sep- tember, 1864. He took part in the following named battles: New Madrid, Island No. 10, Fort Pillow, siege of Corinth, battle of Corinth, battle of Iuka, Parker's Cross Roads, capture of Decatur, Alabama and the battles of the Atlanta campaign. He originally took a company from Newark, Ohio,

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and was assigned to company C, Twenty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, at Camp Chase, Ohio. He resigned after the fall of Atlanta, on account of bad health. Newark, Ohio.

CHARLES D. MILLER, brevet major, United States volunteers, company C, Seventy-sixth regi- ment, Ohio infantry. Enlisted October 18, 1861; discharged November 18, 1864. He took part in the following named battles: Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Jackson, Mississippi, siege of Vicksburgh, siege of Jackson, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, At- lanta, Ezra Chapel, Jonesborough, Lovejoy Station and Ship's Gap. He was slightly wounded in June, 1863, at Vicksburgh, in the foot with grape shot, and May 15, 1864, at Resaca, in the hip with a musket ball. He enlisted as a private October 18, 1861; was appointed first sergeant December 9, 1861, sergeant major May 24, 1862, first lieuten- ant and adjutant June 24, 1862 (to rank from May 30, 1862), and captain March 10, 1864. He served with company C from October 18, 1861, to May 24, 1862; as adjutant from May 30, 1862, to March 10, 1864; and as captain commanding company C from March 10, 1864, to August 16, 1864. He was appointed assistant adjutant inspec- tor general First brigade, First division, Fifteenth army corps, .August 16, 1864, and served on the staff of Colonel Milo Smith until the expiration of his term of service. He was commissioned by the President of the United States, March 12, 1867, as brevet major United States volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1865, "for gallant and meri- torious services during the war." Newark, Ohio.

DAVID THOMAS, JR., major One Hundred and Thirty-fifth regiment Ohio national guards. En- listed originally in Ninety-fifth Ohio volunteer in- fantry, August 16, 1862, as captain; discharged in March, 1865. He took part in the following named battles: Richmond, Kentucky, and North Moun- tain, Virginia. He was wounded August 31, 1862, at Richmond, Kentucky; was taken a prisoner of war at North Mountain, Virginia, July 3, 1864, and confined in rebel prisons until March, 1865. New- ark, Ohio.

JOSEPH M. SCOTT, captain company B, Seventy- sixth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry. Commis- sioned February 6, 1862, to rank from November

12, 1861. Resigned September 30, 1862. He took part in the following battles: Fort Donelson. Shiloh and the siege of Corinth. Alexandria, Ohiu.

JONATHAN REES, captain company F, Twenty- seventh regiment Ohio volunteer infantry. Enii- ed originally as private; commissioned second lieutenant April 10, 1862; first lieutenant July 21, 1862, and captain September 26, 1864. He re- signed September 30, 1864. Newark, Ohio.

FREDERICK H. WILSON, brevet lieutenant co- onel United States volunteers. Commissione. second lieutenant Seventy-sixth regiment Ohio vol unteer infantry August 14, 1862; first lieutenant March 10, 1864; captain April 13, 1864, and ma- jor United States volunteers in adjutant genera.'s department in July, 1865. Mustered out in Apal 1866. He took part in the following named bat- tles: Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, sieges of Jackson and Vicksburgh, Lookout Mountain, Mis sion Ridge, Ringgold, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Ezra Chapel, Jonesboroust. Lovejoy Station, Griswoldville, Savannah, Columbia and Bentonville. Newark, Ohio.

NATHAN BOSTWICK, brevet lieutenant colonel Twentieth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry. Com- missioned second lieutenant December 16, 1861, first lieutenant May 9, 1862, captain January 30. 1864, and major January 11, 1865. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864. and afterwards escaped and returned to the Union lines. Newark, Ohio.

ALLEN W. BALL, captain One Hundred and Ninety-first regiment Ohio volunteer infantry. En- listed as private in company H, Third Ohio volun- teer infantry in April, 1861. Commissioned first lieutenant in One Hundred and Ninety-first Ohio volunteer infantry March 8, 1865. Mustered out with the regiment as adjutant in September, 1865- Newark, Ohio.

GEORGE W. CHASE, first lieutenant and quarter- master. Enlisted in company H, First Ohio volunteer infantry, April 19, 1861, as a private, and afterwards in the Eighty-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry. Discharged in November, 1863. He took part in the following named battles: Fairfax Court House, Bull Run, Culpepper Court House, Orange Court House, Frankfort, Nashville, Knoxville, and numerous small engagements, not

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called battles. He was wounded August 11, 1861 -not seriously-and was taken a prisoner of war at first Bull Run, and by Morgan at Cynthiana, Kentucky, but escaped before going to Libby or Andersonville.

He enlisted in the First Ohio volunteer infantry, as private, was brevetted second lieutenant after the Vienna affair, in August, 1861; was on recruiting service for the First, Second, Nineteenth, Sixty- third, Seventy-eighth, and Eighty-fifth Ohio volun- teer infantry regiments; acted as adjutant in organizing new regiments and afterwards served as regimental quartermaster. Newark, Ohio.

JOHN H. MCCUNE, captain company H, Thirty- first regiment Ohio volunteer infantry. Enlisted September 8, 1861; discharged in 1864. He took part in the following named battles: Mill Springs, Perryville, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge.

He was aid-de-camp to General Schoeff; also to General S. S. Fry and General James B. Steed- man, and afterwards was ordnance officer on Gen- eral Baird's staff. Newark, Ohio.

SYLVESTER S. WELLS. first lieutenant and adju- tant Seventy-sixth regiment Ohio volunteer in- fantry. Appointed sergeant major, in December, 1861, commissioned first lieutenant March 24, 1862, to rank from January 22, 1862. Resigned May 3, 1862. He took part in the following named battles: Fort Donelson, Shiloh and siege of Corinth. Newark, Ohio.

FRANK J. BRACKETT, captain company B, Seven- y-sixth regiment Ohio infantry. Enlisted Septem- Der 30, 1861 ; discharged July 20, 1865. He took part in the following named battles: Fort Donel- ion, Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Jackson, siege of Vicksburgh, Ringgold, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Ezra Chapel, Jonesborough, Lovejoy Station, Sav- innah, Columbia, Bentonville, and Raleigh.

He enlisted as a private September 30, 1861; promoted to sergeant, first sergeant, second lieu- enant, first lieutenant, and captain. He was truck by lightning at Youngs Point, in the spring of 1863, and rendered unfit for duty for two nonths. Fredonia, Ohio.

J. C. CAMPBELL, colonel Seventy-sixth regiment Pennsylvania infantry. Enlisted August 6, 1861; ischarged January 23, 1865. He took part in the

following named battles: Port Royal, Edisto Island, Pocotaligo, Fort Pulaski, Broad River, James Is- land, Fort Wagner, second attack on Fort Wagner, City Point, Bermuda Hundred, Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, Carter's Farm, Dutch Gap, White House, and Gaines' Mills. He was wounded November 17, 1864, at Chester Station.

He engaged also in the trenches in front of Petersburgh, at the mine explosion in front of Petersburgh, at Chester Station, Fort Sedgwick and many skirmishes of less note; also in the hard fight taking the island on which Fort Wagner was located. Newark, Ohio.

WILLIAM C. LYON, captain company C, Twenty- third regiment Ohio volunteers. Enlisted April 15th and mustered in May 20, 1861; discharged twenty-second day of April, 1865. He took part in the following named battles: Carnifex Ferry, Cotton Mountain, Hawk's Nest, Fayette C. H., Raleigh C. H., Clark's Hollow, Princeton, Giles C. H., East River, Frederick . City, South Moun- tain, Antietam, Hancock, and Wytheville. He engaged in the capture of the main force of John Morgan's command in Ohio. He was a prisoner of war at Libby, Macon, Charleston, and Colum- bia, South Carolina, from February 13, 1864, to March 4, 1865.

He was taken prisoner in company with Briga- dier General E. Parker Scammon and his entire staff. He escaped several times but was retaken and returned each time to the same prison, from which he finally escaped. His regiment was com- manded by Lieutenant Colonel R. B. Hayes, now President of the United States, who fell badly wounded early in the engagement at South Moun- tain. Captain John W. Skyles and Lieutenant Martin Ritter, of the same company, were both wounded-the former losing an arm and the latter a leg. Newark, Ohio.

JOHN HISER, captain company E, Seventy-sixth regiment Ohio veteran volunteer infantry. En- listed October 21, 1861 ; discharged July 17, 1865. He took part in all the battles from Fort Donelson to Bentonville, North Carolina, inclusive, except Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge and Ringgold. He enlisted as a private, served as a corporal, duty sergeant, first sergeant, second lieuten- ant, first lieutenant and captain, and was with the

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regiment from its organization until mustered out of service, except when on detached duty. New- ark, Ohio.

ELLIOTT W. CROSSE, ensign, South Atlantic blockading squadron, United States navy. En- listed March 4, 1862; discharged October 16, 1865. He served on the war vessels Potomska, Catskill and Massachusetts, and engaged in the bombardments of Charleston, Pocataligo Bridge and Fort Fisher. He was wounded at Pocataligo Bridge in November, 1864. Newark, Ohio.

CARY A. WILSON .- He was a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio national guards, and was a prisoner of war for a long time. Newark, Ohio.

WILLIAM A. BELL, captain company E, Sixty-fifth Ohio veteran volunteer infantry. Enlisted October 7, 1861; discharged December 3, 1865. He took part in the following named battles: Shiloh, Cor- inth, Perryville, Kentucky, Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Buzzards' Roost, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Decatur, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesborough, Love- joy, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville. He was out three months in the Fourth regiment Ohio vol- unteer infantry at the first three months' call. Newark, Ohio.

CHARLES H. KIBLER, brevet lieutenant colonel United States volunteers. Commissioned captain company D, Seventy-sixth regiment Ohio volun- teer infantry, February 6, 1862, (to rank from De- cember 16, 1861.) Resigned May 23, 1863, on account of ill health. Re-instated by order of the Secretary of War and served on the staff of Gen- eral Woods until August, 1864. Brevetted lieu- tenant colonel by the President for gallant and meritorious services during the war. Newark, Ohio.

CHARLES R. WOODS .- The military history of Charles R. Woods, of the United States army, as shown by the files of this office:

ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, January 2, 1875.

REGULAR ARMY RECORD .- Graduated at the United States military academy, and appointed brevet second lieutenant First infantry, the first of July, 1852; second lieutenant First infantry, July 31, '52; second lieutenant Ninth infantry, March 3, '55; first lieutenant Ninth infantry, October 16, '55; captain Ninth infantry, April 1, '61; major Eighteenth infantry, April 20, '64; transferred to Twenty-seventh infantry, September 21, '66;

lieutenant colonel Thirty-third infantry, July 28, '66; unassigned March 15, '69; assigned to Fifth infantry, March 24. . colonel Second infantry, February 18, '74. (Brevetted lieuter ..: colonel July 4, '63, for gallant and meritorious services at the capture of Vicksburgh, Mississippi; colonel November 24 % for gallant and meritorious services at the battle of Chattanour. Tennessee; brigadier general March 13, '65, for gallant and meritorious services in battles before Atlanta, Georgia, ar! major general March 13, '65, for gallant and meritorious services at the battle of Bentonville, North Carolina.)

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History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present, Part 59

Author: N. N. Hill, Jr. Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Number of Pages: 826

Author: N. N. Hill, Jr.
Publication date: 1881
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 826