History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 107

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490

USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 107

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Major Andrews immediately suggested that Colonel Clark himself should secure from the patriotie citizens of Marietta blankets and comforts to meet the needs of the regiment. This suffering was more particularly in those companies recruited at a distance, and whose friends could not easily reach them. It was fortunate for the regiment that Major Andrews was so situated that he could give his undivided thought and time to the care of the soldiers.

The following incident from the same communication, shows the self-sacrificing pa- triotic spirit of the subject of our sketch.

Information had reached Major Andrews that the regiment would soon be called into active service in West Virginia, by General Rosecrans, for the relief of the town of Spencer, which was in his rear, and for whose relief he had no troops at command. This stimulated Major Andrews to use extraordinary efforts to prepare the regiment as speedily as possible for service. It was determined by the friends of the regi- ment that, if possible, the services of a regular army officer should be secured to command this splendid body of volunteers. They seemed to be no one at that time that could accomplish this but Major Andrews. His extended reputation as a scientific man, and his acquaintance with the leading men of the State, gave him excellent allies in Washington. Although his

services were in great demand in the camp, yet it was decided that he should go to Washington. Availing himself of his personal acquaintance with Secretary Chase to reach President Lincoln, he succeeded in pre- senting himself, accompanied by Lincoln and Chase, be- fore Secretary Cameron, and, in face of the order ahtt had just been issued, that no more details should be made from the regular army to the volunteers, he sc- cured the assent of Cameron to the detailing of a West Point man to the command of the regiment. if a suita- ble one could be found. To this zealous work of Major Andrews, at Washington, may without doubt be attributed all the valuable results that followed the appointment of Colonel Crook to the command of the Thirty-sixth Regiment.

I am now convinced that this extraordinary effort on the part of Major Andrews was not absolutely es- sential, since Colonel Clarke had large experience as a teacher, had held official positions in civil life, and was a man of great courage, and of undoubted qualifications for the command of a regiment. The history of the regiment proves also that many of the subordinate officers were possessed of the same qualifications. It would be hard to find two men so unselfish and truly patriotie as Col nel Clarke and Major Andrews showed themselves to be. in thus giving up their own promo- tion, and in seeking so zealously to discover a man to hold the honorable position, that by right belonged to them.

The following extract is from a letter from Gen. J. D. Cox. who commanded the depart- ment of West Virginia during Col. Andrews' service in that State:

When Colonel Andrews jomed my command in 1861, as major of the Thirty-sixth Ohio, I at once saw that he was a cool. brave and conscientious officer, ar- rogating nothing to himself from his previous standing as an intellectual and scientific man, but determined to learn his new duties with thoroughness and with mod- osty. As one immediately charged with the enforce- ment of the ideas of discipline of Colonel Crook, the major's task at the beginning was a hard one. The regiment was, as all volunteer regiments necessarily are, slow in seeing the immense importance of ine dis- cipline and drill, which a commandant, taken from the regular army, knew to be the indispensable condition of success, and, in the end, of the well being of the regiment itself. Much of the ordinary unpopularity of the earlier tages of this instruction and discipline fell on Maior Andrews. He did not shrink from it or avoid it. He sought no shelter under apologies : chid not shoulder off the burden upon his superiors, but loy- ally obeyed the injunction, he received, as a faithful subordinate without complaint or criticism. He had faith that in the end. the honesty of his purpose. the usefulness of the di cipline, and the good will to the regiment, which d'etated it, would all be recognized.

At the close of his army life, in 1863. Pro- lessor Andrews resumed his position at Mar- ietta College. Ile had already become known

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as an eminent geologist, and especially as an authority in the geology of Eastern Ohio and West Virginia. In 1869 he resigned his chair in Marietta to accept the position of assistant geologist in the gelological survey of Ohio. To this work he gave several years of assiduous and successful labor, removing from Marietta to the more central position of Lan -. caster, Ohio. His work upon the coal fields of Southeastern Ohio was universally recog- nized as admirable and thorough, and it wide- ly extended his reputation as a geologist. Af- ter the close of the geological survey Professor Andrews continued his residence in Lancaster. giving his attention to the preparation of a text-book on geology, which has proved very acceptable. He also found large employment as a consulting geologist, whose opinions as to the nature and value of the mineral resources of southern Ohio and West Virginia were highly valued.

He died at Lancaster, Ohio, August 14, 1880.

COL. JOHN C. PAXTON was born in Get- tysburg, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1824. At the aged of 10 years he began life for him- self, and from that day his generous hand lent assistance to his parents, and a more dutiful and loving son never lived than he. At an early age he came to Ohio and engaged in the mercantile business at Sharon, Noble County. until 1853. In 1845 he was united in mar- riage to Agnes Greenlee, who was to the end of her life a faithful partner and sympathetic wife.

He removed with his family to Marietta in 1853, and engaged in business pursuits. In 1854, while in the south, he had the misfor- tune to contract the smallpox. and returning home, the whole family were stricken with the disease which bereft the household of the cher- ished wife and mother. In 1857 he married, for his second wife, Sophia L. Reed, of Lan- caster, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Paxton's temperament made him rest- less and imperative. He traveled into every State and Territory, and he acquired a knowl- edge of the resources and society of the entire

country. Several years of his mature lite were spent in Salt Lake City, where an inti- mate acquaintance with the practices of Mor- monism taught him to hate, with all the bitter- ness of his intense nature, the execrable doc- trines of that peculiar people.

Writers of all periods have united in ex- tolling the valliant deeds of military heroes. The man who enlists his body and soul in the cause of his country is deserving of the high- est honor, no matter what his military rank may be. War has not inappropriately been likened to a drama, in which the officers play the leading roles, but the success of the whole depends upon the acting of each character. Another point of likeness is that each role re- quires its own peculiar actor. The bold and dashing colonel who carries assault to victory is no less deserving of honor than the general in command who has planned the preliminary movements.

It will be necessary to understand the char- acter of Colonel Paxton, and to know the field in which he was ordered to operate, before pro- ceeding to a consideration of his merits as a military man.

He was a man of strong talent, but nerv- ous, impulsive and often erratic. He had a pointed insight into affairs, and his opinions and resolutions, though quickly formed, were usually correct. His wit was pungent and keen; incisive sarcasm gave him a peculiar power in controversy. In the social circle he was at his best, vivacious and witty, and en- joying a story or a joke exceedingly. His friendship was devoted and true, his hatred intense. A large heart made him generous to a fault, and he was always ready to contribute to the necessities of the unfortunate.

During the crisis of Secession in 1860 he was in Louisiana, and was present at the con- vention when the State was voted out of the Union. He was present when the vote was carried to tear down the old flag then floating over the capitol. His loyal eyes saw the rais- ing of the first Rebel flag in Louisiana. When he had seen the banner which he always wor- shiped torn into shreds and trampled under foot in the streets of Louisiana, he could re-

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strain his impetuous spirit no longer. He has- tened north with the determination that noth- ing which he could do should be left undone in the great contest then at hand.

Colonel Paxton began his military career in the three months' service as quartermaster for the Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. At the expiration of his term of service he re- turned to Marietta, and in August, 1861, re- cruited a regiment of cavalry. The history of the movements and services in this regiment will be found at the proper place in this vol- ume. But it will be in place to notice the difficulties under which Colonel Paxton la- bored. With an ardent leader and ambitious followers, the Second Virginia Cavalry was stationed in the narrow valleys of West Vir- ginia to rout bushwackers and break up camps of the enemy. No section of the country with- in the whole range of the Rebellion imposes as great physical obstructions to military move- ments as West Virginia. Considering the conformation of the country, the condition of the roads, and the character of the service, Colonel Paxton is entitled to the highest praise for his persevering, brave and dashing leader- ship. "He was accused." says General Fear- ing. "of being rash, but such rashness in a cavalry officer is oftentimes a virtue. The same rashness evinced by an infantry officer would be unpardonable and lead to a court- martial. It was the custom during the early stages of the war for cavalry officers to pre- estimate results and magnify the strength of the enemy. Imagining insurmountable ob- stacles in the front often caused them to turn back from an assault or an expedition which might easily have been accomplished with small loss. This fact led General Hooker, as late as the battle of Chancellorsville, to make the assertion while enraged at an unsuccess- fui expedition of cavalry, that the man could not be found who had ever seen a dead caval- ryman."

Although Colonel Paxton may not have been a cool. calculating director of movements, he was never found wanting when an oppor- tunity was presented for a bold charge. And when a court or commission was appointed to 42

examine into the qualifications of officers then serving in the valley, Colonel Paxton was the first man ordered before the committee of which Colonel Hayes ( later President Haye-) was chairman. Colonel Hayes put the ques- tion: "Colonel, suppose you were marching along a flat top mountain with a train, how would you dispose of your troops to protect it?" "Well," answered Colonel Paxton, "I would throw out a squad of men on each side to protect the train in case of an attack." "Well, colonel," said Colonel Hayes, "suppose an attack were made on you when in that posi- tion, what command would you give?" Col- onel Paxton scratched his head a moment, then said, "I don't know, colonel, what command you would give, but I would say. 'Go for them, boys, and give them h-1.'" That ended the examination.

Colonel Paxton's bravery or patriotism was never questioned.

Gen. J. D. Cox, whose good opinion it is a distinguished honor to have, pays this tribute. to him as a man and soldier :

When I think of him he always appears as I knew him in the prime of his early manhood in West Vir- ginia, handsome, dashing, fearless, a bold rider and a daring scout. His patriotic determination to see service in the war for, the Union made him enter a West Vir- ginia regiment when Ohio's quota was full. and he gave his whole heart to his work. He was disposed to be impatient of restraint, but for a commander whom he trusted and respected he was ready at any moment to imperil his life. His impetuousity sometimes led him into collision with others, especially if he doubted their earnestness or their enterprise. These were, however, the faults of an excess zeal, and will appear merits when contrasted with their opposites. He had most of the qualities of a first class cavalry officer, and was never happier than when detailed for some dangerous adventure requiring both intelligence and daring.

Colonel Paxton in going into the war had followed the impulse of his convictions, and as long as he remained in the servce was not only the brave soldier who fought for glory but also the devoted patriot who had a heart in the canse. In a letter written to his family, dated "Camp Piatt. Virgina, February 22, 1863." shows his feeling in regard to the war. This was at a time when the army in the field had reason to be discouraged by the

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

indifference of some of their constituency at home. We quote one paragraph of the let- ter :

My position is one of great care and responsi- bility, and I can honestly say I wish it was done. I have seen enough of war in the last 20 months to sat- isfy both my curiosity and my ambition, but I have not seen enough of this war until I see it closed in favor of our glorious flag and the Union; and I know I but reflect the sentiments of my regiment when I say so. We are all tired and wish to be at home with our families, but not until all is quiet at the front. Then, if traitors ( Tories is a better word ) at home wish our services you may rest assured they shall have the bene- fit of them.

Colonel Paxton left the service in 1863. When the war had closed he was as heartily in favor of "burying the past" as in 1860 he had been impatient to crush out the Rebellion. He believed that the sooner the North and the South could unite in a fraternal Fourth of July shout of patriotism the better it would be for the whole country. He says in a pub- lished letter in 1874:

1 never was in sympathy with the organization, the Grand Army of the Republic as organized at the close of the war. nor of its child, "Decoration Day." I believe, from the history of such affairs in other countries, that the sooner the marks of our Civil War are obliterated, the better it would be for what we fought for. "one whole country." Soldiers' reunions there is no ohjection to, but my understanding as to the object of Decoration Day was to afford an oppor- tunity for civilians, women and children, aided by the clergy and politicians, to pay a formal respect to dead soldiers ; living soldiers could stand and look on and feel proud of the respect paid to their dead comrades. It was an innocent proceeding, well adapted for the per- sons it was intended for, but never was in my opinion that would create or fire a patriotic people or fighting soldiery. Let the past be gone. I believe the boys in their "little beds" are quite as well off as their living comrades. They are free of the tax. in pains and aches. their comrades in their rear are paying, every step they take. to the present "slow music of the Union."

Colonel Paxton possessed a sound judg- ment, a strong mind, and remarkable versatil- ity of talent. Had he enjoyed the advantages in early life and a judicious metnal training he would undoubtedly have achieved distinction as a writer. He was not a politician in the common acceptation of the term. But he was a man of public spirit favoring every kind of public improvement intended for the develop-

ment of the country. From what has been written some idea may be formed of the prin- ciples and character of our subject. He was one of those peculiar men whom it is impos- sible to accurately portray with pen. He died at his residence in Marietta, February 28, 1881, of paralysis, after two years of intense suffering.

LIEUT .- COL. ALEXANDER L'. HASKINS .- The subject of this sketch was born in Shus- han, Washington County, New York, March 18, 1822. He received a common school edu- cation and was engaged in St. Louis, Missouri, several years before going to Marietta, as teacher, and adopted the profession of civil engineer. He was married on October 6, 1853, to Addie G. Gerken, of aMIrietta.

When the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad was being constructed, Colonel Haskins was employed as assistant engineer in locating the line, and as engineer in charge of various parts of the work, especially that part laid out be- tween Marietta and Bellaire.

At the beginning of the war he was civil engineer of the city of Marietta, and when the Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry was raised, he was commissioned major of that regiment. When the regiment went to the field the attainments of Colonel Haskins as an engineer were called into requisition, and he was constantly employed in locating military works, roads, etc.

On July 17, 1862, he was promoted to lieu- tenant-colonel of his regiment. The arduous duties of the camp and field proved more than his health would stand, and he was honorably discharged March 20, 1863, on account of im- paired healthı.

Colonel Haskins followed his profession of civil engineer up to the fall of 1865, when he was elected to the 57th General Assembly as Representative from Washington County.

Colonel Haskins was civil engineer of the city of Marietta during the years 1855, 1858. 1859, 1860, and 1861. In January, 1866, while at Logansport, Indiana, on some busi- ness connected with a railroad on which he had been engaged as engineer, he was taken

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suddenly ill and died, January 13, 1866. His widow still resides in Marietta. One son and one daughter are living.

MAJ. GEORGE T. RICE was born Decem- ber 16, 1823, in Macedon, Wayne County, New York, son of Nathan and Dorcas Rice. He married Minerva Jane Ripley, daughter of John and Betsey Ripley, of the same place, and in 1852 removed to Marietta, Ohio.

He enlisted as a private in Company B. Thirty-ninth Regiment, July 22, 1861, was appointed second sergeant and served as such until July 11, 1862, when he was commis- sioned second lieutenant; he served as such until May 9, 1864, when he was commissioned as first lieutenant Company E, January II, 1865; was commissioned as captain and trans- ferred to command of Company C, June 6, 1865; was commissioned as major of the regi- ment and served as such until the regiment was discharged, July 9, 1865.

Major Rice at the close of the war re- moved from Marietta, to Macedon, New York, and afterward located permanently at Rollin, Michigan, where he engaged in the mercan- tile business.

CAPT. JACOB KOENIG was born in 1816. in the town of Desloch, dukedom of Hessia, Germany. When he reached the age of 21 he joined the army, and was a faithful soldier for six years in Company 1, infantry, of the dukedom of Hessia, re- ceiving an honorable discharge April 1, 1842. After being discharged he remained at home about two weeks, when he sailed for the Unit- ed States, landing in New York city in May, 1842. He was married in New York on May 7. 1843, to Julia A. Maas, born in Mannheim, Bavaria, who had landed in New York about two weeks before.

While residing in New York City he served in the New York State militia for 14 years, the first seven as a private, and the last as lieu- tenant. He came to Marietta in July, 1856. In July, 1861, he organized Company F. Thir- ty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was elected captain of the same.

The newspapers of 1861 published in Mar- ietta speak of Captain Koenig's company as the "German Rifles," The company was a militia company for a short time prior to en- listment for three years, and after the first vote to go into the service, it was recruited up to the maximum, 100 men, and left for Camp Colerain, near Cincinnati, all inside of a week. Captain Koenig was a brave soklier, and ex- ceedingly kind to the men in his command. During his term of service he also served as assistant inspector general of the Fifth divi- sion, Sixteenth Army Corps. He died at Memphis, Tennessee, on the 21st day of Au- gust, 1863, leaving a wife and five children, viz. : Jacob, Julia, Caroline, Philip and Will- iam.

CAPT. JAMES C. SELBY was born in Wash- ington County, Ohio, on the 3d day of Deceni- ber. 1838. His father was Jeremiah J. Selby, a native of New York. The maiden name of his mother was Rosana D. Stone, At the age of four years he lost his father. His mother was his only guardian till after he was 14 years of age. Having received a good common school education, he followed the occupation of farm- ing, and also that of carpenter.

At the outbreak of the Rebellion, he en- listed in the Union Army on July 29, 1861, at Lowell, Washington County, Ohio. On Au- gust 24, 1861 (at Marietta, Ohio), he was mustered in as second lieutenant of Company A, Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. . 1 few days after he left with his company and regiment for the field. He was promoted to first lieutenant and assigned to Company F. Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, March 5. 1862.

.At the battle of Antietam, Maryland, while making a charge, a piece of shell went through his haversack, tearing it to pieces and scattering his hardtack over the ground.

Ile was promoted to captain and assigned to Company K. Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, October 30, 1863. (Commissioned October 13, 1863.)

.At the battle of Missionary Ridge, Ten- nessee. November 25, 1863, he lost his right

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY.

arm and was sent to the hospital, where he remained till January, when he went home. In about six weeks he joined his regiment again, and took command of his company even before he was able for duty. He had his sword changed to carry on his right side, and learned to write with his left hand in a few days.

At the battle of Berryville, Virginia, Sep- tember 3, 1864, he received a gun-shot in his right thigh, severing the vein and shattering the bone. He remained in the field hospital at Berryville two or three days, and was then removed to the general hospital at Annapolis, Maryland, where he died in 10 days after he was wounded. When informed that he must die, he received it with perfect calmness, sent for the chaplain and made the necessary dis- position of his property, and asked his nurse to write his lieutenant to make out his monthly returns for him.

In the regiment he was respected as a sol- dier and gentleman-brave to desperation, generous to a fault, possessed of an iron will, a good moral character, and a kind heart. He was loved and desired to be loved by all his comrades.

CAPT. WILLIAM BEALE WHITTLESEY, SON of Hon. William A. and Jane H. Whittle- sey, of Marietta, Ohio, was born at Marietta, October 2, 1841. Even in boyhood he showed a taste and ambition for military life, and when a young man under age he was made an aide de camp of General Hildebrand in the State militia.

In September, 1857, at the age of 17, he entered the freshman class and was graduated in the summer of 1861.

In the fall of 1862 he aided in raising a company, and was commissioned second lieu- tenant of Company F, Ninety-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The regiment remained in the Kanawha Valley until the spring of 1863. when it was ordered to Nashville, and attached to the Army of the Cumberland. It after- ward joined the Fourteenth Army Corps, under that noblest of noble generals, George H. Thomas, and formed one of the many regi-

ments which met Bragg at Chickamauga, Sep- tember 17 and 18, 1863. As it became evi- dent that a battle was imminent, Whittlesey talked freely of it-wondering how he would stand fire-how he would act, and asked the writer if he fell doing his duty to so state it to his father. He went into that battle and, in his earnestness, unnecessarily exposed himself -taking position in front of his company and directing their fire. He escaped without in- jury-was commended in the official report of the battle, and afterward, a vacancy occurring, was made captain.

The regiment remained in Chattanooga during that fall, and formed part of the forlorn hope under command of Gen. Baldy Smith, by which communication was opened with Gen- eral Hooker, coming to our relief from Bridge- port. A part went by small flatboats in the night. passed the enemy's pickets at Lookout Mountain, while the commander marched across the neck and joined them at Brown's Ferry, where a crossing was made, the boats being used to form a pontoon bridge. The army provisioned and reinforced, preparations soon began for the assault of General Bragg, securely posted on Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain. From the summit of the latter shells were frequently thrown into our camp from a battery stationed there. It was not many days before the ominous order was issued to prepare three days' cooked rations, and 100 rounds of ammunition. All soldiers knew its meaning, and were also well aware that no boy's play was before them. Whittle- sey made the requisite preparations and then awaited the command to move-making first his will, in which he remembered the Psi Gam- ma society, of which he was an enthusiastic member when at college. He expressed a wish that if struck by a ball, it might be through the heart. He led his company up that hill-so steep that it was no easy task to climb it when no enemy was on the top: and when near the top, a minie ball went crashing through his heart. Telling his men to go on, that he was killed, he breathed his last amid the smoke and. carnage of that long to be remembered evening.

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 107

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1490

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490