History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 108

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 108

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).

The cord that bound son to father seemed

719

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

to possess the qualities of the electric shock ; the shock that took the life of the son signaled the father, a thousand miles away. On the next Thanksgiving Day, 1863, taking his usual morning walk, Mr. Whittlesey said to a friend : "I feel that there has been a great battle, and Beale is killed." He was advised to dismiss it as a fond father's fancy, and went home. Soon after, seeing another friend coming to- wards his house, he said: "There comes Mr. P. to tell me of Beale's death"-which was too true-the telegram from Dr. Cotton, the regimental surgeon, sent that morning from Chattanooga, conveyed the sad news-news that made that Thanksgiving Day one memora- ble in more than one family, and among the friends and acquaintances of Whittlesey and Turner. The funerals of both were held the sace day some weeks afterwards. The bodies lay in state in the Psi Gamma hall for a season. Mr. Whittlesey never seemed to recover from the shock of Beale's death, and soon followed him.

CAPT. MADISON HOON, Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was reared on a farm in Waterford township; volunteered with J. W. Fouts and was mustered into service at the organization of the company at Camp Put- nam, in Marietta, Ohio, October 9, 1861, and was appointed corporal ; was promoted to ser- geant of his company, then to sergeant major of the regiment, then to first lieutenant, and

lastly to captain. Captain Hoon served through the war; was mustered out with the regiment at Louisville, Kentucky. July 8, 1865; went to his home, and died of disease the same fall. Captain Hoon gained his pro- motions by true merit, both in business and as a commander. Sagacious in battle, con- siderate in camp, he won the confidence of his men and the respect of all who knew him.

CAPT. AUGUSTUS T. WARD was born Oc- tober 11, 1840, in Fearing township, Wash- ington County, Ohio. He was the second son and fourth child of Robert and Lucy M. Ward; the former an English emigrant, the latter a native of the township.

He was brought up on the farm, attend- ing the district school in summer terms until the age of nine, and winter schools until he was 16, after which he taught common schools during the winter until 1861.

When the Rebellion broke out in 1861, he was filled with indignation at the insults the flag received from the traitors of the south, but did not enter the army on the first call of Pres- ident Lincoln, because of his parents' strong de- sire that he should remain at home. After the expiration of the term of the three months troops, and when the second call was made for 300,000 men, he felt that his country needed his services, and that he owed her his first duty. Capt. Jewett Palmer, Jr. (afterward major ) was at that time enlisting a company for the Thirty-sixth Ohio Infantry, at Lower Salem, of this county, and Ward hastened to enroll his name with the young patriots there assem- bled. This was on the 12th day of August, 1861. Captain Palmer marched his company to Camp Putnam, at Marietta, the same even- ing and reported to Lient .- Col. M. Clarke. com- manding regiment.

Ward was appointed drummer of his com- pany next day, a position of which he was ex- tremely proud.

He served in that capacity until the Ist of February, 1862, when he was placed in the ranks of his company by his colonel.

He was immediately appointed second ser- geant of his company (G) by Captain Palmer, and served as such until the 6th of April fol- lowing, when a vacancy occurring in the first sergeancy, he was appointed to fill that posi- tion. The two last appointments were made while the regiment was in barracks at Summer- ville. West Virginia.

Having served faithfully as first sergeant through Pope's and Mcclellan's campaigns in the cast in August and September, 1862, and for gallantry in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam, he was promoted to second lieutenant (commission dating from the latter engagement ), and assigned to duty in Com- pany A of the Thirty-sixth Regiment, of which | J. Gage Barker, of Muskingum, was then cap- tain. and John L. Palmer, of Salem, first lieu-

720

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

tenant. He served as second lieutenant through the campaign of Rosecrans to Chat- tanooga, and under Thomas during the winter of 1863 and 1864. in camp at that place. Re- mained with the regiment on its re-enlistment as veterans, in February, 1864, visiting home then for the first time since his entry into ser- vice.

On the expiration of the veteran furlough the regiment was ordered to Charleston, West Virginia, where he received a commission as first lieutenant, dated April 21, 1864, and as- signed to duty in the same company, in which he remained until the 13th of January, 1865, when he received his appointment to a cap- taincy, commission dated December 31, 1864.

While first lieutenant he passed through the raids to the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad and to Lynchburg, under General Hunter, and the memorable campaign of General Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, fighting his last bat- tle at Cedar Creek, on the 19th day of October, 1864.

As captain he was assigned to the com- mand of Company F of his regiment, of which company he retained command until the muster out and discharge of the regiment, which took place at Columbus, Ohio, July 27, 1865.

Having served nearly four years honestly and faithfully, and seen the honor of the Amer- ican flag completely established and the Re- bellion crushed, he received his discharge with a degree of satisfaction that only an old soldier can feel, and retired from the army with the entire good will of his company.

The following is a list of engagements in which he bore a gallant and honorable part :

Lewisburg, West Virginia, May 23, 1862; South Mountain, Maryland, September 14. 1862: Antietam, Maryland. September 17, 1862; Hoover's Gap, Tennessee, June 24, 1863 ; Chickamauga, Georgia, September 19 and 20, 1863: Missionary Ridge, Tennessee, No- vember 25, 1863; Cloyd Mountain, Virginia. May o, 1861; New River Bridge, Virginia, May 10, 1864; Kernstown, Virginia, July 23, 1861: Berryville. Virginia, September 3, 1864; Opequan. September 19, 1864; Fisher's Hill. September 22, 1864: Cedar Creek, October 19,

1864. Besides these he was engaged in eight or ten skirmishes, more or less dangerous and bloody.

After his discharge he returned at once to his farm in his native township.

[ In the summer of 1865 the Military com- mittee of Washington county caused a letter to be written to each of the officers in the army from this county, requesting them to give a short account of their life in the service, and the foregoing was written by Captain Ward in response to such letter.] -

In the year following the close of the war Mr. Bartmess, the county recorder, having died, Captain Ward was appointed to fill the vacancy. He afterward engaged in business in Marietta, in which he was very successful.

In 1869 he was married to Kate L. Wake- field, daughter of B. A. Wakefield, of Law- rence County. The following are their chil- dren : Charles Augustus, born July 27, 1870; Willia Wakefield, born March 25, 1872.

Captain Ward was compelled to give up. business on account of failing health. The dis- ease, doubtless the result of exposure in the ser- vice, now made rapid strides, and Captain Ward seeking relief by change of air and medi- cal treatment, went to Green Springs, Ohio, where he died on the 13th of August, 1874.

CAPT. ARTHUR D. EELIS was born at Una- della, Otsego County, New York, February 6, 1838. He was the son of John Eells, formerly of New Canaan, Connecticut, and a grandson of Gen. John Mead, who served his country through the Revolutionary War. Captain Fells came to Marietta in February, 1859. Soon after the rebellion broke out he com- menced recruiting men for the Union army and in August, 1861, took a squad of twenty odd men to Parkersburg, West Virginia, and con- tinued to recruit men for the Union Army until about the 26th of October, 1861, when the Sec- ond Virginia Cavalry Regiment was organized and he was commissioned captain of Company F, the regiment being mostly composed of Ohio men. Soon after the regiment was organized. it was sent to Guyandotte, on the Ohio River, and remained there through the winter of 1861-

721

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

62. In May, 1862, the regiment in part joined General Crook's brigade, at Lewisburg, West Virginia, and went on the raid through the mountains to White Sulpher Springs, Coving- ton, and Jackson Depot, tearing up the rail- road track and doing much damage to the enemy. The march was so rapid that the enemy was entirely taken by surprise and could not gather force sufficient to attack them. Gen- eral Crook with his little army returned to Lewisburg. The day previous to the battle of Lewisburg, Captain Fells with a small detail of men was sent out by General Crook on a re- connoitering expedition. On this expedition he came very near being captured, having gone very nearly within the lines of the enemy's pick- ets. He and his men escaped by strategy, as he personally learned from prisoners captured in the Lewisburg fight the next day. While at a farmer's house, he learned facts that were of sufficient moment to put him on the alert, and in a very careless way gave orders to his men to fall back to the main force, indicating that there was quite a force close at hand. One of the men at the farm house was a Rebel soldier in citizen's dress, who at once reported these facts to the enemy, as one of the prisoners told Captain Eells the next day that they thought by letting him go that they would likely capture the main body of men, not supposing that he would venture to come so near their lines with such a small squad of men. Captain Eells and his men after having gone a reasonable distance from the enemy made good time in getting back to headquarters with his men, and reached camp at about nine o'clock in the evening of the 22nd of May and made his report to General Crook, giving him valuable information. In the early morning of May 23d General Crook was attacked; the enemy drove in his pickets and the fight commenced. The enemy num- bered from 2.500 to 3,000 men, and were de- feated, losing six men killed, 175 prisoners and many wounded, four pieces of artillery and a large number of small arms. This was a grand victory for General Crook and his brave little army. In one of Captain Fells' scouting ex- peditions, he came suddenly on a Rebel picket armed with a double-barreled shotgun. The

picket fired one barrel of his gun at Fells, who returned the fire with his revolver. The picket dropped his gun and ran into the woods. evidently wounded. Captain Eells captured the gun and brought it home with him. The hardships of army life and the mountain cam- paigns were more than his health could bear. Some time in June, 1802, he resigned his com- mission and came back to Marietta. With quiet and rest came better health and renewed strength. In the following August, the govern- ment called for a regiment of cavalry for border service, to be known as the "River Regiment." Captain Eells at once commenced recruiting men for this regiment. In a very few days he reported to the military committee of Wash- ington county that he had a company of 100 men ready for the service. He went to Colum- bus and was commissioned as captain of Com- pany H, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Au- gust 25, 1862. He was very soon ordered to report with his company at Ripley on the Ohio River above Cincinnati, notwithstanding the regiment was raised for border service. Early in December of the same year the regiment was ordered to the front. They crossed the Ohio River below Maysville into Kentucky, reaching Lexington about the first of January, 1863. While in camp at Lexington, Captain Eells was taken sick with typhoid fever and was unable to do any military duty until some time in April following. He joined his regi- ment at Stanford, Kentucky, and was on duty until the 23rd of June. 1863. While stationed at Somerset, Kentucky, it became evident to him that he could not stand the hardships of an active army life. It was often remarked by his brother officers that there was not another man in the regiment who would think he was able to do military duty even when he was in his best health. He was full of hope. always cheerful and ready for duty, a good' soldier. and every man in the regiment his friend. He greatly desired to live to see the war ended. He never for a moment doubted the final result. On the 28th of June, 1863, he sent in his resig- nation and severed his connection with his com- pany and regiment as a comrade and an officer. He came back to Marietta with the hope that

722

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

rest and good care would again bring him bet- ter health and more strength. But not so: the exposure and hardships of an army life had done the work for him-the destroyer's hand was on him-his health gradually failed him. His ambition and cheerful disposition kept him up even to the last, and when death came he was ready for the call and died with the courage of a Christian soldier the thirteenth of September. 1861, and was buried in Mound Cemetery at Marietta, Ohio.

C'APT. THEODORE EDGERTON GREENWOOD. ·only son of George Greenwood, Esq., and Elizabeth Edgerton Greenwood, was born at Newport, Washington County, Ohio, February 7, 1838. He entered the Preparatory Depart- ment of the Marietta College at the age of 16, and entered the freshman class in September, 1855. During his college course he united with the Congregational Church at Marietta, and al- ways remained a consistent member. He grad- uated in the summer of 1859, and at the head of his class. At the death of Tutor Washburne, he was made tutor and filled that position accept- ably for the remainder of the year. He spent part of the following year in the study of the law, but subsequently decided to undertake a business career. But the breaking out of the Rebellion spoiled his plans, as it spoiled those of so many ardent young men in 1861. As early as the autumn of 1860, he began to study Scott's "Tactics." and in a confidential talk with a college friend. said: "Any observant man can see that we are on the eve of a terrible war between the North and the South, and the man of military knowledge will be the man of power, who can help his country in her hour of need." At the beginning of hostilities, young Greenwood did not see his way clear for leav- ing his parents for the field. He however ac- cepted the position of post quartermaster at Marietta. and in the autumn of the same year was called to a more important position of the same kind at Wheeling, West Virginia.

But he was not satisfied with this kind of service ; he believed that he was needed in the

field. Accordingly, having at length satisfied the claims of filial duty which had before de- tained him, he resigned his position, and, in June, 1862, having enlisted in the military ser- vice, was appointed on the staff of General Rosecrans, who had become acquainted with him in West Virginia, but was now in com- mand of a portion of the Army of the Tennes- see. Greenwood started immediately for the field, full of ardor, gratified to be at length where he would have an opportunity to do his part in the great struggle. His letters of that date are full of the spirit of his station. But his service was short ; a single summer in the climate of Mississippi cut him down. Weak- ened by disease, he concealed his condition as much as possible from his general, and in the battle of Inka, September 19th, he was placed in a position of much danger and responsibility. The line was broken, and Greenwood, by his courage and skill, succeeded in stopping a de- tachment that was flying before the enemy, and restored order to that part of the line. General Rosecrans testifies that "Captain Greenwood's conduct was admirable." But the exertion and excitement were too great for his strength. On the second day after the battle he was com- pletely prostrated, and was taken in an ambu- lance to Jacinto, Mississippi, where he rapidly sank, and a week later, on the 27th of Septem- ber. 1862, passed away.

CAPT. JOHN J. JUMPER was born in Man- chester township, Morgan County, Ohio, Sep- tember 6, 1830, son of George and Elizabeth Jumper, who afterward removed to Washing- ton County. John was married, September 13, 1851, at Reinersville, Morgan County, Ohio.

In August, 1861, Captain Jumper raised a company for the three years' service, and after remaining at Camp Putnam, Marietta, until his company was full, he joined the Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry at Camp Wool, Ath- ens, Ohio. and his company became "F," of that regiment.

While in the army he did good service, and would have continued until the close but for a

723

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

severe attack of chronic diarrhea, compelling him to resign, and of which disease he died September 13, 1864, at Beverly, Ohio.

LIEUT. LEVI J. FOURAKER was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, September 8, 1838, where he lived until August, 1852, when he came to Washington County with his parents, and re- mained with them until April, 1861. He en- listed a few days after the breaking out of the war, in Captain John Henderson's company, K, Eighteenth Ohio three-months' regiment. and at the expiration of his terms of service volunteered in Company H. Seventy-seventh Ohio, Colonel Hildebrand commanding. Upon organizing the company he was elected second lieutenant, and Richard Fouraker, his father, captain of the company.

After the regiment landed at Pittsburgh Landing, Tennessee. Lieutenant Fouraker served faithfully on scouting and other duty, until the Seventy- seventh was ordered into camp at Shiloh Church, when Lieutenant Fouraker was placed in command of the first picket guard sent out from that point, which guard was stationed near the place afterwards known as the battle- field of Fallen Timbers.

Lieutenant Fouraker fought with his com- mand through the battle of Shiloh, April 6th and 7th, and was taken prisoner with many others, on the 8th, at the battle of Fallen Tin- bers, and when a prisoner of war was basely shot by the Rebel cavalry and subsequently brought into camp, nearly dead. He stayed in the field hospital a few days, when he was sent to the Cincinnati hospital, and from there to his father's house, where he died of his wounds March 5, 1875, aged 36 years.

Lieutenant Fouraker was always jovial. agreeable, and a good companion. He was brave to a fault, and had no enemies. His comrades had learned to love and respect him as a true soldier, when he fell at his post of duty.

ADJUTANT GEORGE BUTLER TURNER Was a son of Samuel R. Turner, Esq., and Hannah B. Turner, of Marietta, Ohio, and was born at New London, Connecticut, November 13. 1840.

From the age of eight years his home was at Marietta. He graduated at the high school, then finished his preparation for college under a private tutor, entered the freshman class in the fall of 1858. and passed through his course with the highest credit, graduating with the class of 1862. His parents were at the time in the East, and he informed them by letter that he felt it his duty to engage in the great | struggle to save the Union, and soon there- after was enrolled in Company F, Ninety-sec- ond Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which W. Beale Whittlesey was a lieutenant. He was made orderly sergeant of the company, and filled the position very satisfactorily.

Although of seemingly frail constitution and one likely to succumb to the hardships and trials of a soldier's life, yet he seemed to stand it well, so far as I can now remember, being usually in good health, and always bright and cheerful. An earnest Christian, he was at all times consistent, yet by no means obtrusive in asserting his faith. His everyday life com- mended his belief to all those associating with him. In battle he was cool and self-possessed. At Chickamauga, at a critical time, Colonel Fearing and his adjutant were both wounded. and word was brought to the writer, on the right wing, to assume command: Turner, then acting as sergeant major, notified me of it, kindly urging me to keep cool, and all would be well. At this battle the adjutant, D. E. Put- nam, was so badly wounded as to render his discharge a necessity, and Turner, who had been promoted, was made adjutant of the regi- ment as soon as it could be done: in which capacity he acted after the date of that battle, September 18, 1863.

On the afternoon of November 25, 1863, the Ninety-second regiment, with less than 400 fighting men, formed a part of the column that assaulted and captured Missionary Ridge. Turner lived to reach the summit unharmed. The commanding officer of the regiment had been wounded, Whittlesey and other officers killed, and others wounded in the assault, which was a very difficult one, the hill being steep and rough. The summit once reached and the enemy driven over, he assumed com- mand of the shattered line, now three times

724

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

decimated, in about half an hour, and with drawn sword rallied the men about him and led them to aid in repelling a brigade of the enemy who were coming to the assistance of their comrades in our front. He here received his mortal wound, a large minie ball striking him just behind the ear; no doubt he was facing the men, urging them forward at the time.

Everything was done that could be, but his wound was mortal. He was evidently expect- ing death, and while he talked but little, seemed to draw comfort from his pocket Testament, opened at the 14th and 15th chapters of St. John. General Turchin, who commanded the brigade, called, and in speaking of Turner's bravery and ability, offered him a position on his staff, asking him if he would like it. The reply came at once-"I am willing to go and do that in which I can be the most useful." He gradually sank, became delirious, and when it was thought best to remove him to the of- ficers' hospital, gave the writer his hand, say- ing. "Good bye, colonel, good bye; we will both go home together." He went home that night, living but a few hours afterwards. He died December 1, 1863. Just before going into this last battle he wrote a letter home, to be mailed in case he should be killed, which closed with these words-"If I return not with the victors, think not the sacrifice too great for the interests at stake."

LIEUT. TIMOTHY L. CONDIT .- Killed in battle of Murfreesborough, December 31. 1862.

Timothy L. Condit was born at Cleveland. Ohio, in December, 1837. In 1852 he entered the office of the Marietta Intelligencer as an apprentice. He devoted three years to the mastery of his trade as a printer. During this time spare moments were occupied in diligent preparation for college. He so far succeeded in fitting himself, that, after one year more spent partly in the preparatory department. and partly in working at his trade, he entered college the most thoroughly prepared of any member of his class. This leadership he main- tained throughout the course, graduating in

1860, as the valedictorian of that year. Princi- pally by his own labor as a printer, he secured the money to pay his way through college. The perseverance and force to achieve such marked success against such obstacles, of themselves stamp Condit as a young man of devoted pur- pose, great industry, and no ordinary ability.

In 1856 he united with the Congregational Church at Marietta, and felt called to prepare for the ministry, but before the fall term of the theological seminary began he felt a stronger call to enter the service of his country, and decided to volunteer. In pursuance of this de- cision, he entered Company L, of the First Ohio Cavalry, as a private soldier, for three years' service. An educated gentleman, with influen- tial friends, in places of authority, he could have had a commission for the asking. Deem- ing himself unprepared for the responsibility of command, he refused to ask one. Through the camps and campaigns of his regiment, a gallant body of soldiers, Condit faithfully per- formed his arduous duties, adorning his hum- ble position by maintaining amid all trials, temptations, and sufferings, his Christian profession and gentlemanly bearing. On the 29th of May, 1862, he was promoted to be second lieutenant in his company.

On the 31st of December, 1862, on the bat- tlefield of Murfreesborough, in the thickest of the fight, and at the head of his squadron, Con- dit was shot dead.

Two companies of his regiment, on duty guarding a wagon train, were suddenly over- whelmed in the fierce onset of the attack by the Confederate Army. Said a private soldier who rode with Condit on that day, "When the lieutenant was killed, they were all around us; we could not see any way out. The lieutenant said the only way was to charge and then re- treat. He rode forward to lead and was killed." To make way for his men to get out Condit died. Arnold von Winkelried, when he gathered to his breast the spears of the Aus- trian phalanx, died not a more heroic death.

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.

History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 108

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