History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present, Part 62

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

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LEONARD STELZER, sergeant company G, Forty- fifth Ohio volunteer infantry; served three years. Newark, Ohio.

RICHARD CONLEY, private company E, Twelfth Ohio volunteer infantry; served two years. New- ark, Ohio.

JAMES B. HAYNES, private United States signal corps; served two years. Newark, Ohio.

M. W. COMSTOCK, sergeant company F, Ninety- fifth Ohio volunteer infantry. Enlisted July 6, 1862; discharged March 13, 1863. He was taken a prisoner of war at Richmond, Kentucky, August 31, 1862, and paroled soon after. Newark, Ohio.

DAVID R. JONES, musician company G, Seventy- sixth Ohio volunteer infantry. Enlisted in Octo- ber, 1861; discharged July 19, 1865. He took part in all the battles and skirmishes of the Sev- enty-sixth regiment from Fort Donelson to Ben- tonville. Newark, Ohio.

PHILIP CASSIDY, private company F, Third Pennsylvania cavalry. Enlisted in July, 1864; discharged near Richmond, Virginia, in 1865. He took part in nearly all the battles in front of Petersburgh, and was at Lee's surrender at Appo- matox. Newark, Ohio.

JOHN DAVID JONES, was a member of the Sec- cond Ohio heavy artillery. Post office address, Newark, Ohio.

HERMAN D. FRANCIS, artificer First veteran volunteer engineer corps, United States army served one year. Newark, Ohio.

MARION CHRISMAN, private company H, Seventy- sixth Ohio volunteer infantry. Enlisted February 7, 1862; discharged July 19, 1865. He partici- pated in all the battles his regiment was engaged in, from Fort Donelson to Bentonville, and was never absent excepting a short time in hospital at Beaufort, South Carolina. Newark, Ohio.

BRICE L. TAYLOR, company D, Seventy-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry. Served one year and seven months. Wilkin's Run, Ohio.

HENRY CROOKS, private company C, Fifty-first

Ohio volunteer infantry. Served four years and three months. Newark, Ohio.

JOSHUA W. PRESTON, corporal company I, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Ohio volunteer infan- try. Served nine months. Chatham, Ohio.

NIMROD A. GREEN, corporal company C, Ninth Iowa cavalry. Served four years. Newark, Ohio.

M. T. HENDERSON, private company H, Ninety- second Ohio volunteer infantry. Served three years. Newark, Ohio.

H. D. DUDLEY, sergeant, Henshaw's Illinois volunteers, served three years. Newark, Ohio.

NICHOLAS C. BROWN, private company B, One hundred and thirty-fifth Ohio national guard, served nine months. Union Station, Ohio.

FREDERICK KOEHLER, brevet lieutenant colonel and aide-de-camp United States army, served ten years in the regular service, and five years and eight months in the volunteer service. Newark, Ohio.

JOHN D. JOHNSON, first corporal, Battery H, First West Virginia volunteers ; served three years. Newark, Ohio.

A. T. MILLER, private company F, One hundred and thirty-fifth Ohio national guard; served eleven months. Newark, Ohio.

W. E. BOSTWICK, private company K, Seventy- eighth Ohio volunteer infantry ; served seven months. Newark, Ohio.

WILLIAM H. COFFMAN, private company G, Seventy-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry; served two years. Newark, Ohio.

WILLIAM GRASSER, private company H, Third Ohio volunteer infantry; served two years. New. ark, Ohio.

In the winter and spring of 1878, active prepara- tions were made for holding a general State re- union in Newark under the auspices of the soldiers society.

At a meeting held by the officers of the society, January 23d, the president, after consultation with the other officers, appointed the following general committees for the purpose of arranging for a general soldiers' re-union the coming summer. Upon motion, it was resolved that the Re-union be held at the "Old Fort," near Newark, on Mon- day, July 22d, the anniversary of the death of General McPherson :

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GENERAL COMMITTEE OF FIVE .- I. General Charles R. Woods, on general arrangements.

2. Dr. W. B. Chambers, on finance.

3. Captain Jonathan Rees, on correspondence.

4. Lieutenant S. S. Wells, on banquet.

5. Lieutenant Colonel Charles H. Kibler, on reception.

The above to act as chairmen of sub-commit- tees:

I. The committee of arrangements will make general arrangements, attend to decorations, ar- range order of parade, and attend to such other appropriate duties as will further the success of the re-union.

2. The committee on' finance will solicit sub- scriptions of money, and pay the same over to the treasurer, for the purpose of defraying the neces- sary expenses of the re-union.

3. The committee on correspondence will send invitations, advertise the re-union, and keep records of the proceedings.

4. The banquet committee will solicit contribu- tions of eatables, and arrange the banquet.

5. The reception committee will receive, enter- tain and direct visitors, and provide places for them during their sojourn in the city.

The county committees (at least one in each township), will rally members and visitors to attend the re-union, and will attend to such other neces- sary work as will further the success of the re- union.

In addition to the foregoing committees, the chairmen of the township committees were author- ized to appoint a committee of ladies in their respective townships, to solicit cooked provisions, and to arrange and superintend a table set apart and marked for each township.

General Woods, chairman of the committee of general arrangements, published an address in the county papers, calling upon the people to contrib- ute from their abundance for the occasion, that all soldiers might be furnished a free dinner.

The secretary also prepared, and sent to the township committees, subscription books, for the purpose of collecting money for defraying the ex- penses of the re-union.

The officers of the society met with all the com- mittees and took part in the proceedings.

To the correspondence committee was assigned the first important duties to be performed; and the chairman, with the assistance of the secretary, opened up an extensive correspondence with the heads of the various military bodies throughout the State, with a view of securing the largest attendance and of drawing to the re-union features that would prove interesting and attractive. Gen- eral Charles R. Woods rendered valuable service to the committee in addressing letters to distin- guished military men, inviting them to be present. Very patriotic answers were received in reply from many.

This committee caused to be printed and mailed to over seven hundred soldiers a general printed invitation.

With this circular letter was also sent a map and description of the "old fort," the place chosen for holding the re-union.

Printed letters of invitation of like purport were sent to the commanders of all the Ohio national guard companies and batteries. Three thousand large posters, printed in colors, were prepared and one sent to each of the twenty-three hundred post offices throughout the State. Bundles of the same were also sent to the large towns and cities, to be posted in conspicuous places; and it can be said to the credit of the society that the programme promised was fully carried out.

The resident correspondents of the metropolitan and local press noticed the progress of the prepa- rations for the re-union with favorable comments, which added extensively to its advertisement. The letter received from General Grant, by the secretary, was given to the press and widely pub- lished throughout the Union. In fact, all was done by the correspondence committee to widely circulate the call for a State re-union and to im- press upon the minds of the veterans of Ohio the fact that they would be cordially welcomed and entertained.

The finance committee commenced its laborious duties early in June, and it was with the greatest difficulty that necessary funds could be raised con- sidering the stringency of the times, but when the people began to realize the magnitude of the undertaking and the promised beneficial results that would accrue, it can be said to their credit

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that they responded with that liberality that in- sured success.

The committee of general arrangements, headed by that admiral campaigner, General Charles R. Woods, owing to the undeveloped results of the work of the correspondence and finance commit- tees, did not begin the performance of its duties until within two weeks of the eventful day, but with skill and earnest application its work pro- gressed rapidly and ended successfully, as the sequel shows.

Fifteen hundred feet of tables were erected at the fort, whereon to spread the free dinner for the guests. A large stand for speakers was prepared, with seating capacity for over two hundred persons. The ground around the circular embankment was staked off and space allotted for two hundred and thirty-nine veteran organizations of Ohio infantry, cavalry and artillery regiments.

On each stake was attached a small American flag, and a register book wherein soldiers visiting the re-union could register their names, command and post office address.

The stakes were placed in regular order, com- mencing at the left hand of the great gateway of the fort, with the first infantry, and continued around the entire circle in order by numbers.

The committee of general arrangements super- intended the decorations of the fort and the city, which were on a very elaborate scale. It arranged the order of march and performed many other im- portant duties which added greatly to the success of the re-union.

The reception committee, under the manage- ment of Colonel Kibler, performed valuable ser- vice in providing quarters for the military bodies and distinguished guests on that day. The most arduous duty performed by this committee was upon the morning of the twenty-second, in receiv- ing the various commands arriving upon the trains, which was rendered more laborious by the confu- sion necessarily caused in such a vast assemblage of people arriving mostly in an unorganized con- dition.

The banquet committee was relieved in a great measure in participating in the preparation of the dinner at the fort, by the untiring and zealous at- tention of the ladies. Too much cannot be said

in praise of the noble part taken by the ladies of Newark on this occasion, and it is to be regretted that many sacrificed the pleasures of the day in their unselfish devotion to the duties assigned to them.

The ladies of the various township committees deserve the thanks of the society for the elaborate and generous preparation they made at their rc- spective tables for the entertainment of the guests

The banquet committee, proper, composed of gentlemen, confined its labors in preparation of the banquet held in the evening at the Lansing house.

The lateness of the hour and the exhaustion of the people caused the attendance at the banquet to fall short of expectations, but the speeches of distinguished soldiers, in response to toasts on that occasion, were very fine and inspiring.

Several special committees were appointed, which deserve mention. A committee, consisting of Captains Rees and Lyon, was sent to Washing- ton to enlist the interest of the heads of the Gov- ernment in the re-union and to secure the attend- ance of the President and other distinguished soldiers and statesmen.

General J. Warren Keifer was invited by the committee to act as orator of the day, and it af- forded the society great pleasure when that gentle- man accepted, as his oration proved to be the most appropriate performance for the occasion that could possibly have been delivered. The oration was rich in statistical information and portrayed the deeds, the valor and the sacrifices of Ohio sol- diers in that war, with a vividness that will inspire the generations to come, as it did the veterans on that day who heard it from his lips.

Committees were also sent to Columbus to per- sonally invite the governor and State officials, and to secure the old battle flags for the occasion.

A committee was appointed to arrange with the lines of railways centering at Newark, to carry visi- tors to and from the re-union at special low rates of fare, and to furnish adequate transportation for the multitude. It is to be regretted that the rail- road officials did not fully realize the magnitude of the affair in time to provide cars for the comforta- ble transportation of the people, and many in re- mote parts of the State were deprived of the pleasure of particitating in the re-union.

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In connection with the work of the committees it may be stated that the secretary opened negotia- tions with the quartermaster general of Wisconsin to secure the attendance of "Old Abe," the cele- brated war eagle of Wisconsin, which succeeded in procuring the presence of that famous bird.

In order to secure the battle flags of the various veteran organizations expected to be represented at the re-union, it became necessary to have passed by the legislature then in session, an act authoriz- ing the adjutant general to loan the same for the occasion. The society was indebted to the Hon. James W. Owens for the passage of a resolution which secured the desired end.

As before stated, the transportation . arrange- ments of the railway lines were not adequate to carry the people desirous of attending the re-union, and in many parts of the State railroad corpora- tions connecting with lines reaching Newark, de- clined to grant special rates, under the misappre- hension that the number of people contemplating the journey would not justify a reduction of the fare. The sequel proved the lack of foresight in the management of the lines.

The Pan Handle route of the Pittsburgh, Cincin- aati & St. Louis railroad and the Ohio divisions of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, being the two lines passing directly through Newark, gave excursion rates, which attracted large crowds over their re- spective roads and added greatly to their source of revenue. The Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Colum- bus road, connecting with the Baltimore & Ohio at Mt. Vernon, and the Marietta & Cleveland road, connecting at Cambridge and Uhrichsville, made liberal transportation arrangements, which resulted in full trains over their lines.

Notwithstanding the inadequate provisions made by other roads in remote parts of the State, so great was the anxiety of soldiers to be present on so interesting an occasion, that they came from all parts in large numbers. The re-union was one of all organizations in Ohio, and the first general State re- union of the veterans since the war; hence it would have been proper for all roads within the borders of Ohio to have furnished such liberal facilities for attendance as the importance of the occasion de- manded.

The Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis railroad

brought in from the west one extra and one regu- lar train, and from the east two extra trains, con- sisting in all of fifty coaches, averaging seventy- five people to the coach, making a total of about thirty-five hundred people.

The Baltimore & Ohio railroad brought in from the east two trains of twenty-eight cars; from the west, one train of eleven cars; from the north, two trains of thirty-six cars; and from the south, two trains of thirty-two cars; making in all one hundred and six cars, carrying six thousand five hundred people.

This was on Monday morning, the day of the re-union. The Saturday and Sunday trains brought in about one thousand people, who came in advance, to secure hotel accommodations.

By far the greatest outpouring was from the county. The farms and villages were nearly de- populated. It was a gala day for "old Licking" and the people, for once, closed up their houses and came en masse. to Newark.

The inducement was sufficient to justify the in- habitants for one day to lay aside their usual avo- cations and make a holiday. It was the first time in the history of the county that the President of the United States was to be a guest of her citizens. And the interest was three-fold enhanced by the presence at the same time of the general of the army and the governor of Ohio. But we must not overlook the still greater interest, which was in the meeting of old comrades, many of whom had not crossed palms since the days of the war. From early dawn until mid-day all roads leading into the city were thronged with wagons and car- riages, not only bringing men, women and chil- dren, but laden with good things to satisfy the "inner man;" rations without stint for our soldier guests. The country people generally corralled their teams about the fair-grounds, as is their cus- tom during fair times, and it was not many hours after daylight that the many acres outside and around the embankment were literally packed with every description of vehicle.

To estimate the number of people in a promis- cuous gathering like this is a problem, the solution of which leads to a great diversity of opinion. The reporters of the press are as liable to err as any others who take a casual view of the question.

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By reference to the reports herein given, the repre- sentatives of the different papers widely differ in their estimates of the number of people present on that day, which is further proof of their incom- petency in the matter. It is only by documentary and other like evidence that a fair and reliable estimate can be arrived at. By careful observa- tion of the seven main roads leading into Newark, fifteen thousand came from the country; one thousand arrived by rail before Monday. The Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis railroad brought thirty-five hundred; the Baltimore & Ohio railroad brought sixty-five hundred, and at least five thou- sand citizens of the city participated, making a grand total of thirty-one thousand.

The following account of the re-union by the Cincinnati Gazette, which for fairness and accur- acy, seems to have merit over all others, is given in full, with the exception of the speeches:

Special dispatch to the Cincinnati Gazette.

NEWARK, OHIO, July 22, 1878.

"The gallant McPherson is remembered to-day." So runs a legend on a fine garrison flag that floats over the street on one of the principal squares of Newark. Remembered, indeed, to-day, is that beau ideal of the American officer, gallant, courteous, genial, commanding in appearance as he was, until even his black horse was an object of the affections of the thou- sands of soldiers. Remembered is he as the officer, who four- teen years ago to-day, when his Army of the Tennessee was receiving the fiery force of the whole body of the impetuous Hood's army, rode into a woods swarming with rebel troops, and, while pushing on to reach the position where he supposed his own troops were most hotly pressed, rode into the presence of a rebel line, and in a moment was shot down. His riderless horse escaped, and, though no friendly eye, except an orderly, saw General McPherson fall, the fact of his death was soon conveyed to General Sherman. Not, however, till the battle had been won by his troops was the fact of his death spoken, except in whispers. Probably no officer in the whole army had such a hold upon his soldiers as did McPherson, and his tragi- cal death makes the anniversary of that battle one of sad inte- rest to all who fought on the field where McPherson fell.

It was in consequence of this feeling that to-day was selected by the Soldiers' and Sailors' association of Licking county, of which General Charles R. Woods is a member, for a re-union of soldiers. General Woods was a member of the Army of the Tennessee, and at the battle of July 22nd was in the thickest of the fight, as he commanded the First division of the Fifteenth army corps. General Woods is now a retired army officer, living in quiet comfort in a beautiful home in the suburbs of Newark. He has seen much service, having been in the war from the time the Star in the West was fired upon until its close, and afterward held an important command in the South during the progress of reconstruction. Veteran as he is, there is a tender place in his heart for the memory of McPherson, and

it is mainly that which prompted the selection of this day for the annual re-union.

The organization in charge of the day's festivities is not a political one. It is composed of men who were in the Union army, and they are here, as elsewhere, not all of one mind in the matter of politics, although they are unanimous in rejoicing over the success of the cause that took them to the tented field. Among the active workers in charge of the arrangements are to be found Democrats and Republicans together, and among the contributors to the fund to pay expenses there has been no dis- crimination on account of political faith. This is a soldiers' re-union.

Perhaps the gladdest workers among the many who have len a hand in the preparations are the ladies of Newark, and of these none can be gladder than the wives, mothers, sisters and sweethearts of the men who, fourteen years ago to-day, were in that battle before Atlanta. To these this work is a thanks- offering for the preservation of those who came out of that danger alive, and an incense to the memory of the heroic dead. It would not be strange if tears have hallowed the decorations of to-day. The ladies have worked with a devotion equal to that which marked their patriotism during the war. The count- less little flags that seem to be flying through the air, but which are fastened to long cords that extend in all directions from the lofty dome of the finest court house in the State, all represent women's work. Each little flag has been stitched to its place by a woman's hand. And then the preparation of the soldier's dinner. What heart there has been in that ! "Poor fellow," they say, "he shall have such a dinner to-day as he did not get fourteen years ago." Or, if there is a headstone over his grave marked "killed July 22, 1864, before Atlanta," still the feeling is "we will set before his comrades something in remembrance of our poor boy." And so the feast has been prepared in thankful joy and in tender remembrance.

While almost everything has been done by private contribu- tion, the re-union has become so popular as to obtain assist- ance both from the county and the city. The commissioners donated fifty dollars and the council gave two hundred dollars. There is a story that only one member of the council opposed this appropriation, and he was so earnest in his convictions that he sought the aid of the law to prevent the payment of the money. But his fellow councilmen were alert, and when he came to the city clerk with an injunction, that officer had paid out the money. Then he enjoined the banker where be under- stood the two hundred dollars had been deposited, but when he found the cash was not there, and that it was going about from pocket to pocket in such a mysterious manner that "no fellow could find out" where to lay an injunction, he gave up the effort

The decorations are profuse and tasteful. A fine effect is produced by stretching from the high dome of the court house which stands in the middle of a large square, to housetops all around, cords upon which are fastened little flags about four feet apart. All the great flags that can be gathered are sus- pended over the streets. Evergreen wreathing appears on many houses. A triple arch spans the street leading west from the court house. This is adorned with evergreens and flags, and with a large sized portrait of the beloved McPherson, suspended under the central arch. "Welcome Comrades," is on the arch' while on the others are the names, McPherson, Custer, Mc- Cook, and I.ytle.

The celebration began with a Federal salute at sunrise. The artillery used was of a kind that woke the town as effectually

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as the long roll would have called up a regiment. Very soon after the streets began to assume a lively appearance. Long before six o'clock farmers' wagons were coming in filled with the men and women folks, and not always leaving out the children. Small boys took the liberty to fire off diminutive pistols on the public square, and now and then to give vent to their feelings through a fire-cracker or a torpedo. The weather fully re- deemed its promise of assistance, the morning breaking with a delicious coolness that made shawls and heavy coats desirable.

General Sherman spent the Sabbath at Lancaster, and this morning performed the neat manœuver of flanking a well in- tentioned cavalry escort that intended to do him the honor of meeting him a mile or two out of town. He drove over in a carriage, the distance being twenty-eight miles. He was ex- pected to arrive about eight o'clock, but he is an early riser, and a rapid mover, so he left Lancaster asleep and rattled over the country, arriving here more than an hour earlier than he was expected. The good intentions of the cavalry company, com- posed as it was of old cavalrymen who served under him, were entirely thwarted by this early movement, and they had their morning ride for nothing. However, no blame must attach to General Sherman for their disappointment, for he was not aware that any such honor was in store for him, and he would be the last man to wilfully thwart such kindly meant intention.

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History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present, Part 62

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