History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 82

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 82

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LEADERS, NORTH AND SOUTHI, POLITICAL CAM- PAIGN OF 1860.

Previous to the war, through much dis- cussion and many political campaigns, the peo- ple of the States named, as well as the bal- ance of the great North, had settled, as far as they were concerned, the momentous question forced upon them by the slave power. The venerable John Quincy Adams, ex-President, in his gallant fight for the right of petition in Congress, was one of the first to take up the gage and begin the battle, and he was success- ful. Then followed that noble galaxy of leaders, Joshua R. Giddings, William Lloyd Garrison, John Greenleaf Whittier, Henry Ward Beecher, William Cullen Bryant. Wen- dell Phillips, Charles Sumner, Gerrett Smith. Cassius M. Clay, Owen Lovejoy, Benjamin Lundy and a host of others, who appealed to the North in the name of liberty and human- ity, and eventually carried the great majority to victory in the Presidential campaign of 1860.

The people of the South were also led by men of ability, who fought long and hard for what they considered truth and justice, and they have left their mark upon their genera- tion. Some of them, indeed, in certain lo-

calities, are deemed martyrs to a noble cause, lost, and hopeless though it be, forever. Be- ginning with John C. Calhoun, the great ad- vocate and expounder of the "States Rights" doctrine, there were Jefferson Davis, Judah P. Benjamin, Henry A. Wise, R. Barnwell Rhett, Alexander H. Stephens, James M. Mason, John Slidell, John B. Floyd, William L. Yan- cy, Robert Tbombs, Isham G. Harris, and many others, under whose teachings and lead- ership the great States of the South were in- duced to try the arbitrament of the sword to decide their grievances.

Thus the two sections of the country with the leaders named and entertaining the prin- ciples they did, glowing with the white heat of a great political campaign, gradually drifted asunder. In the South, free speech was de- nied to Northern men. Northerners at the South on business were violently treated and hundreds returned, bringing the story of their treatment home. John B. Floyd, Buchanan's Secretary of War, had quietly removed can- non and other munitions of war to Southern arsenals, and these and many other events which occurred in swift succession, enhanced the excitement. Early in January, 1861, news of an alarming character began to be re- ceived, and the "War News" headings of the newspapers had come to be so common as to be regularly looked for by the people.

Mr. Dennison, Governor of Ohio, while. reviewing the situation in his message to the Legislature, January 7, 1861, says :

The patriotism of the country is justly alarmed. The unity of the government is denied. Doctrines sub- versive of its existence are holdly advocated and made the basis of State action, under the pretended right of a State to secede from the Confederacy at its pleasure, in peace or war, constitutional liberty is imperilled. revolution is meditated. and treason is justified. * *

On the occasion of my inauguration I felt it to be my duty to warn my countrymen of those hostile de- signs against the Federal Union. But then they were in speculation only. Now they are in act. Shall they be consummated? Shall the National Government be de- graded into a mere league between independent States. existing only by their appearance. subordinate to them and subject to be destroyed at the pleasure of any State of the Confederacy? Or shall it continue to be main- tained, as it has always been maintained, as a govern- ment proper-sovereign within its prescribed sphere-

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as the States are sovereign within their prescribed spheres -- founded on the adoption of the people as were the States, and creating direct relations between itself and the individual citizens, which no State authority has power to impair or disturb, and which nothing can dissolve but revolution.

POSITION OF THE PEOPLE OF WASHINGTON COUNTY AS TO THE WAR.

The people of Washington County fully endorsed these sentiments. They had stood arrayed against each other in the two great political parties, but when the Union was threatened, irrespective of party they gave. their allegiance to the government of the fa- thers. On the evening of January 8, 1861, pursuant to a call for a union meeting, the people of Marietta and vicinity, including a number of citizens from the adjoining county of Wood. ( West) Virginia, assembled at the Court House, in Marietta. and the mayor, Hon. William A. Whittlesey, was chosen chairman; Hon. Thomas W. Ewart and Charles F. Buell, secretaries. Thereupon, a committee consisting of Melvin Clarke, Arius Nye, Rufus E. Harte, Andrew W. McCor- mick, Davis Green, Douglas Putnam, William West, David C. Skinner and Charles F. Buell. were appointed to draw up resolutions ex- pressive of the sentiment of the people on the condition of the country. The meeting then adjourned to 2 P. M., January 12th. On the day named a large number of citizens of Washington County and of Wood county. (West) Virginia, without distinction of party, assembled at the Court House, and the com- mittee, through Melvin Clarke, reported reso- lutions at length, condemning the secession movement and affirming their devotion to the cause of the Union.

The following are the second and seventh resolutions passed :

II. The doctrine of the secession of a Slate has no warrant in the constitution, but, on the contrary, is in its effects fatal to the Union, and subversive of all the ends of its creation : and in our judgment secession is revolution : and while we fully admit the right of revo- lution for the causes st forth in the Declaration of Independence, or for others of equal force, and while we are grieved to say that the Government and citizens of

several States, both north and south, have been guilty of acts of great injustice toward others, yet facts do not exist which warrant a resort to that last and final remedy, revolution, and we have soll an abiding faith in the capacity and adaptation of the General Government to redress all grievances suffered by its citizens, what- ever their origin.

VII. Notwithstanding former differences of opin- ion on this subject, for the purpose of making a final adjustment of the unfortunate controversy now raging in our country, we are willing to accept as the basis of a compromise, the reenactment of the eighth section of the Missouri Compromise act: or we are willing to adopt the principle, that the whole subject of slavery in the territories, shall be left to be determined by the w'11 of the bona fide residents of such territory, provided they also be left free to elect their own officers, ex- ceutive and judicial, as well as legislative.

The history of the progress of public sen- timent in this county is but a repetition of that of many others in the State. The people of Ohio would have compromised with the south gladly ; but it is an old story, often told, how the Southern leaders disregarded all overtures. They were bent on having a new government founded upon the institution of human slavery and awaited their opportunity. In the fullness of time that opportunity came.

But, reader, come again with me to the crest of high Alleghany and let us look once more westward. It is noontide of a beautiful day in April, 1861. Seventy-three years have elapsed since the first settlement of the North- west Territory. To the southwest are the broad valleys of the Ohio. In the far west, by the shore of the Mississippi, is Illinois. On the north, like burnished shields, lie the great lakes. The forests have melted away. No more does the Indian lurk in the thicket or guide his rude canoe on the broad Ohio: but the great Anglo-Saxon has built his domicile beside every stream, and his cattle graze upon the hills and in all the valleys. On the Ohio the great steamer, bearing the commerce of populous States, pursues her way. Instead of a few hamlets, we see the populous valleys of Virginia. In place of the lone wagon trail over the mountains, is the wonderful railroad, connecting Ohio and the East. Instead of the small settlement at the mouth of the Mus- kingum, we see a thriving city, and the coun- ty of Washington with 36.500 inhabitants.

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

The wilderness has been subdued, and out of it has grown Ohio with 2.340,000, Indiana with 1.355,000, Illinois with 1.750,000, Michigan with 750,000, and Wisconsin with 780,000 inhabitants. Cultivated fields interspersed with woodland extend as far as the eye can reach and the thrifty son of toil has made the land "to blossom like the rose." Peace and prosperity have wrought their perfect work. Great cities have sprung up. Thousands of manufactories giving employment to a million of workmen, dot the land. Institutions of learning are scattered here and there over the whole land. Unexampled prosperity! Amaz- ing transformation! Surely this Northwest Territory has more than fulfilled its early promise. Sad, that the wheels of industry should be stopped, the plough left standing in the furrow, the college deserted, and that the red hand of war should paralyze a State in the full tide of prosperity, sending mourning to so many hearts and disaster to so many homes ; but such is war.

At the hour of 4:30 on the morning of April 12, 1861, the boom of a mortar on Sul- livan's Island, in Charleston harbor, gave no- tice to the country and to Major Anderson. pent within the wall of Fort Sumter, that the was was begun. The news was not wholly unlooked for, yet the dread reality was difficult to comprehend. Soon, however, the patriotic impulse of the people obtained control and car- ried everything before it. Washington County was thoroughly aroused.

THE UNION BLUES RESPOND TO TIIE CALL FOR TROOPS.

The news of the beginning of hostilities reached Marietta on Saturday morning. April 13th, and on Monday morning the call of the President for 75,000 men was received. Capt. Frank Buell, of the Union Blues, a Marietta company, called his men together the same evening, and the company promptly tendered their services, were at once accepted by the Governor, and ordered to march on the fol- lowing Monday morning. The company

was soon filled more than to the maximum, officers elected and preparations made for de- parture at the date named.

As this was the first company from this county to offer its services to the government { and as this was an event of great moment at the time, we give the names of this company and a short sketch of the events attending their departure.

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

Captain Frank Buell, First Lieutenant Dennis O'Leary, Second Lieutenant William H. Bisbee, elected major of Eighteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, May 29. 1861 : Second Lieutenant Wallace Hill.

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

First Sergeant John Theis, Second Sergeant Daniel Y. Hill, Third Sergeant Owen O'Neal. Fourth Sergeant Theodore G. Field, First Corporal Wallace W. With- row. Second Corporal John D. Holden, Third Cor- poral Samuel C. Skinner, Fourth Corporal George B. Haskins, Musician Louis Fourgeres, Musician Manly Warren, Musician Ebenezer Corry.

PRIVATES.

Mordecai Amos, Eli P. Boring, Frank H. Bosworth, R. H. Bull, William Bryan, Robinson Blain, Jacob Bower, Benjamin Bragg, Absalom Boring, George R. Burris. Alexander H. Bukey, John F. Booth, Guy Bar- rows. Henry Claus, John Clark, Peter L. Coniffe, Ste- phen H. Collins, Charles Clogston, George Coon, Joseph Corey. E. Corey. Daniel Close. John Chase, John Cal- vert. David Craig, Thomas Dyar, David Dow, George W. Devin, Juthro Davis, Thomas Driscoll, Thomas C. Daily, Hannibal Dibble, D. T. Deming. Henry East- man. William N. Foulke, Thomas Fisher, Jeremiah Fairhurst. Daniel Goodman, Allen Green, William Gay, L. R. Gren, Milton Gillingham, Henry Henning. John Henning, George B. Haskins, Albert Hamilton, Thomas Hatfield. William Holden, Henry Kellner, August Kropp. Herman Ketchner, Lafayette La Grange, Philip Loufman, Levi F. Lamotte, Frederick Living. J. H. Lapham. Milton H. Laughlin, Augustus Morris, John Mahnkin. Wesley Miner. John N. Miner, George Moore, Wilbur F. Morse, Leonidas R. Meriber, Lewis Monroe, Thomas McNamara. John McCullough, George McCad- den. John Neigham, Reuben L. Nye, Thomas North, James S. Parker. Anthony Padden. Wallace W. Pixley, William Parker, George Pixley, Michael Padden, James Phelps. Jewett Palmer, Jr .. Thomas Phelps, Daniel Quimby, Philetus S. Ripley, George W. Ridgeway, John Ranger. William Robinson, Walter Rappert, Mil- ton Regnier, William Ranger, James H. Sniffen, Will- iam Stewart, Daniel Soler, John L. Shaw, Elijah G. Smith. Peter Sherrer, Jacob Shaw, William Spence, Smith. Peter Sherrer, Jacob Shaw. William Spence, Ordam Snier, Horatio Stark, John W. Smith. Robert Shiers. Henry B. Stanton, James Stanley. William N. Scott, William H. Snodgrass, Charles W. Sprengle,

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Tartus L. Stewart. Hagh Shoop. David Shockley. James Turner, Thomas R. Thorniley, Samuel Tracey. Abner Tucker. T. W. Terry, Oscar Underwood, George Vickers, James Voschel. Gordon B. West. Charles B. Wetson, Jacob Wood.

CEREMONIES ON DEPARTURE OF FIRST COM- PANY.

Quite a number, whose names appear in the above list, were not accepted, being under age, over age, or physically unfit for service. On Sunday evening before the departure of the company. a meeting was held at the Con- gregational Church in Marietta, members of all the other churches meeting at the same place.

The church was crowded with an earnest and attentive throng, seats being reserved at the front for the volunteers. They marched in. The choir sang the national hymn "My Country 'Tis of Thee." After which Rev. Dr. Wicks preached from the text-Isaiah xi : 4-a sermon full of patriotic zeal and de- votion to country. The concluding part of his sermon was more directly to the volunteers.

Dr. Wicks was followed by Dr. L. G. Leonard, of the Baptist Church, who with Rev. Mr. Wakefield, of Harmar, and Rev. Mr. Mumford. of the Unitarian Church. oc- cupied the pulpit. D. P. Bosworth, Sr., presi- dent of the Washington County Bible Society. then addressed the volunteers and presented each with a neat pocket edition of the New- Testament. At the close of the ceremony. Reuben L. Nye, one of the volunteers, as- cended the pulpit stairs. "and responded in be- half of the company in an exceedingly appro- priate and eloquent speech."

Dr. Leonard then closed the exercises with the benediction.

This was in the oldest church in Ohio, and these ceremonies are said to have been the most impressive and affecting ever witnessed within its walls.

Before the volunteers left for Columbus on Monday morning, the ladies of the city of Marietta presented them with a splendid silk flag. This was in the presence of an immense crowd on the commons, Melvin Clarke making

the presentation speech and Capt. Frank Buell responding.

Thus cheered and encouraged, and with the benediction of the entire community upon them. the first company of volunteers from Washington County left for the war. Their progress up the Muskingum was like a tri- umphal march. People flocked to the landings to greet them as the steamer approached. At Lowell the entire population turned out, and cheer upon cheer was given. Speeches were made, and a purse of over sixty dollars was raised for them. After the boat was gone, Albert Chandler and Warner Green started a subscription paper to raise money for the equipment of a company, and for the support of the families of those who should volunteer. In one hour's time, $1.300 were subscribed, one man, James S. Stowe, pledging $500. At Beverly, the citizens had already formed a com- pany of home guards of over 100 strong, and as the steamer approached they fired a salute. The Beverly brass band then played a patriotic air, and were followed by the Beverly vocal band, who sang the stirring song. "My Native Land." Speeches were made-George P. Bu- ell responding on behalf of the company. It is said, on good authority, that Col. E. S. Mc- Intosh, an old citizen, probably upon a timely suggestion, bought up all the underwear in town and presented it to the volunteers. The company went into quarters at Camp Jackson, Columbus, and were assigned to the Eight- eenth Regiment as Company B. of that or- ganization.

A company of volunteers of about 100 strong was organized at Beverly, April 23rd, called the Washington Guards. The follow- ing were the commissioned officers: John Henderson, captain ; Thomas Ross, first lieu- tenant : Oliver H. P. Scott, second lieutenant. They became Company K, of the Eighteenth Regiment.

TUTE MILITIA SYSTEM OF OHIO,

Under the fostering care of Governor Chase, had. at the beginning of the war, grown to be

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY.

an institution of some consequence, and in nearly every county of the State could be found one or more companies, with more or less proficiency in drill, depending on the length of time such companies had been organized and the efficiency of their officers.

When the war broke out, these military organizations were of great utility in furnish- ing men somewhat familiar with the military art, to take the lead in forming companies and regiments out of the mass of raw volunteers offered the State.

Ohio was, at the time, divided into mili- tary divisions. The Seventh Division com- prised the counties of Fairfield, Hocking, Per- ry, Scioto, Lawrence, Jackson, Pike, Newton, Washington, Athens, Meigs, and Gallia. The whole of this large district was under the command of Maj. Gen. Jesse Hildebrand- headquarters at Marietta. This division was subdivided as follows : Fairfield, Hocking, and Perry counties, under command of Brig. Gen. N. Schleich-headquarters at Lancaster ; Scioto, Lawrence, Pike, Jackson, and Vinton counties, under command of Brig. Gen. Peter Kinney-headquarters at Portsmouth: Wash- ington, Athens, Meigs, and Gallia counties, under command of Brig. Gen. Robert A. Con- stable-headquarters at Atliens.

General Hildebrand's staff was as follows : Col. A. W. McCormick, assistant adjutant gen- eral and division inspector; Col. John Mar- shall. assistant quartermaster general; Col. Melvin Clarke, assistant judge advocate gen- eral : Col. A. L. Haskins, assistant engineer-in- chief : Maj. J. B. Hovey, Maj. I. R. Waters, and Maj. W. B. Whittlesey, aids.

On April 22, 1861, in pursuance of orders received from Columbus, General Hildebrand issued his general order No. I. calling on the people of the Seventh Division for 10,000 men. Whenever 80 men should be secured, they were authorized to form an infantry company. and if 40 men be secured, a light artillery com- pany, and to elect one captain, one first lieu- tenant, one second lieutenant, four sergeants, four corporals, and two musicians. This was promptly responded to, more men being offered

than could be used, under the President's call, the quota of the State being 13 regiments.

The language of the general order as to the disposition of the men was as follows :

All companies which may be organized in counties near the Ohio river to remain where organized, to de- fend the frontier, while all other companies will hold themselves in readiness to march when and wherever the President of the United States, through the Go .- ernor of Ohio, may direct.

General Hildebrand and his staff soon afterward tendered their service to the Gov- ernment : but the general and the most of the members of his staff were destined to other duties, and to act important parts on widely separated fields, and in commands tried by the storm of battle, where the glory of a militia uniform was little thought of. The general himself died in the service, at Alton, Illinois. He was a man of good presence, brave, and did good service as commandant of a brigade at Shiloh. His career will be more fully noticed further on.

APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR FOR AID.

During the first two years of the war there was great fear along the border and in Washi- ington County, of raids by the Rebels. News came to Marietta on Sunday, April 21, 1861, that a large body of Rebels was about to de- scend on Parkersburg, and great alarm was felt as to the threatening attitude of affairs, and the following dispatch was sent to the cap- ital :

MARIETTA, OHIO, April 21-5 P. M.

To Governor Dennison:

It is rumored that Rebel troops are on their way to Parkersburg. Virginia. We do not know what credit to give this report. It is, however, reasonable to sup- pose that Parkersburg, being the terminus of one branch of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, will be made in any event a base of operations by the Rebel military, and that we are in danger of being overrun by foraging parties and perhaps worse events. We therefore feel that an absolute necessity exists of being at least pre- pared with a full supply of arms and ammunition, of which we are wholly destitute. We may also need more troops than can be raised on the border, and ex- perienced drill officers. We shall at once organize a home guard, which we believe it to be of the utmost im- portance to arın. We want especially cannon, and as

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many as we can have. We think there can be no pos- sible doubt of the existence of an overwhelming neces- sity for the occupancy of this point and Belpre, opposite Parkersburg, at once. A messenger will leave for Columbus to-night.

A. T. NYE. President of City Council. M. CLARKE, Of Major General Hildebrand's staff.

The messenger sent was Beman Gates, Esq., who went to Columbus and laid the mat- ter before the Governor, with what success will be seen further on.

On the next day, pursuant to a resolution passed by the city council of Marietta. on Sat- urday. April 20th, a large number of citizens of the county assembled at the court house to arrange for home defense. Two committees were appointed to carry out the objects of the meeting, one to raise money for the benefit of the families of volunteers, consisting of Hon. William R. Putnam, J. S. Sprague, and Hen- ry Fearing: the other a committee of safety, consisting of Col. John Mills. William P. Cut- ler. William R. Putnam, Davis Green, Anselm A. Nve. Harlow Chapin, Rufus E. Harte, Da- vid C. Skinner, and the mayor, Hon. William A. Whittlesey.

Measures for the defense of the county, and especially of Marietta City, were adopted. Arms and ammunition were needed, and very few, if any, arms were to be had. Meanwhile, in order to utilize the means of defense at hand. two iron cannon, in the city, were put in readi- ness for active service, and an order was given to the foundry of A. T. Nye. Jr., to cast solid shot for fixed ammunition. In response to the dispatch and to the personal application of Mr. Gates, the Governor ordered the First Regiment. Light Artillery, Third Brigade, Fourth Division of Ohio volunteer militia. from Cleveland and vicinity, to report at Mari- etta for the defense of that point. The regi- ment was made up of six companies of 20 men each, and six guns, under the command of Col. James Barnett.

CAMP PUTNAM ESTABLISIIED.

On Tuesday night, April 23rd, the regi- ment arrived and went into camp at the Fair

Grounds. This was the first camp established, and was named Camp Putnam, in honor of Gen. Rufus Putnam, of the Revolutionary War. These were the first troops to arrive in Washington County. The next was the Four- teenth Regiment Ohio volunteer militia, raised in the Tenth Congressional District, and com- manded by Col. James B. Steedman. Then came the Eighteenth Regiment, on its way to Virginia. The latter regiment was made up as follows :

Company A. Lawrence County Guards, Captain Rogers; Company B. Maretta Blues, Captain Buell; Company C. Laruc Ciny Guard . Cayrun Boiles; Company , Viten C' unty Guar ls. Captan Caldwell; Company E. Lawrence County Guards, Captain Merrill; Conpany F. Meg- Count, Guard -. Captain Curtis; Company G. Galley County Guards, Captain Aleshire ; Company H. Meigs Camty Guards, Captain Wal- Ter: Company K, Washington County Guards, Captain Henderson : Company L. Jackson County Guards, Cap- tam Iloffman. Regimental officers, elected at Parkers- burg. Virgini. Colonel, J. R. Stanley, of McArthur; lieutenant c onel. William Bolles, of Ironton; major, William H. Bisby, of Marietta; quartermaster, Beman Gate, Mr. Gates afterward re- gned, and John C. Paxtom was appointed.

At this point it will be well to understand the situation. The Rebels had penetrated Western Virginia and pushed their forces along both branches of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, from Grafton westwards, toward Parkersburg, and along the northern branch toward Wheeling, burning bridges and trestle works as they went. This spread general aların throughout Western Virginia to Wheel- ing. Parkersburg, and along the border in Ohio.

GOVERNOR DENNISON'S PLAN OF A CAMPAIGN SUCCESSFUL.

Governor Dennison resolved that the line of battle should not be on the border of Ohio, but along the natural line made by the Alle- ghanies. And this was against the advice of General Mcclellan, who counseled delay, but the Governor was positive, and his plan pre- vailed. Accordingly, on the 26th of May, the following movement was ordered : The Fourteenth Regiment, Colonel Steedman, sta-

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 82

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