History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 84

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 84

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).

BEGINNING OF GOVERNOR TOD'S ADMINISTRA- TION.

When Governor Tod took the reins of government in January, 1862, he found the State fully organized and ready for a vigorous war administration. Many of the men who were subsequently to distinguish themselves and reflect honor upon their native State had already been commissioned by Governor Den- nison, and gone to the field.

Whitelaw Reid, in "Ohio in the War." says of the opening of Governor Tod's admin- istration :

With trained assistants, and organized system, and the work thus gradually coming upon him, Governor Tod speedily mastered his new duties. There was no opportunity for distinguishing his administration by the redemption of a State, or the appointment of officers who were soon to reach the topmost round of popular favor, or the adoption of independent war measures during a temporary isolation from the General Government. But what there was to do he did prudently, systematically. and with such judgment as to command the general approval of his constituents.

There was, however, room for all the zeal of patriotism to have full play. The war was constantly affording opportunities for men in

authority to show what they were made of, and the year 1862 furnished its full share.

FIRST VOLUNTEER KILLED IN BATTI.E.

The first soldier from Washington County to be killed in action was Albert W. Leonard, private of Company C, Second West Virginia Cavalry. He was killed in an action on Jen- nie's Creek, Kentucky, January 7, 1862. His command was in pursuit of Humphrey Mar- shall, and, on turning a curve in the road, was attacked by the enemy, young Leonard fall- ing at the first volley. He was the son of J. D. Leonard, at that time living in New Matamo- ras, but for many years previous a resident of Marietta. His captain, Thomas Neal, said of him. "Officers and men will attest to his bravery on the field, his exemplary conduct as a soldier, and his honest, upright course as a comrade."

SHILOH.

On April 6, 1862. the great battle of Shi- loh took place. It was a momentous and mem- orable event, as being the first great engage- ment for our Western troops, and one exciting especial interest in Washington County, as be- ing the first battle in which the Seventy-seventh Regiment was engaged, having seven com- panies from this county. It was not until the 9th that the full news of the battle was re- ceived, and it revealed a tale of slaughter and suffering that startled and aroused the com- munity. On April 10th a public meeting was called at the Court House in Marietta to pro- vide means of assistance for the wounded. Be- inan Gates, William F. Curtis, George ML. Woodbridge, Henry Fearing, Dr. Benjamin F. Hart, and George Benedict were sent at once to Cincinnati to make arrangements with the Sanitary Commission for the relief of the wounded from Washington County, and if nec- essary to go directly to the battle-ground. Meanwhile ladies assembled at the Episcopal Church and made up four boxes of hospital stores, which, together with $300 in money, were sent along with the committee. . \ stand- ing committee consisting of Davis Green, W.

585

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

R. Putnam, William F. Curtis, I. W. Andrews and Stephen Newton were appointed to raise subscriptions and render such aid to the wound- ed as occasion might thereafter require.

In this engagement the Seventy-seventh bore a gallant part, and on the third day, while in the advance in pursuit of the enemy, were charged upon by Forrest's Texan cavalry and rode down and literally cut to pieces. Their conduct was worthy of regulars. The com- manding general of the division neglected to have the Union cavalry within supporting dis- tance, which exposed the infantry to a destruc- tive charge. General Hildebrand, in his official report, says of the battle :

Early on the morning of Sunday, 6th inst., our pickets were fired upon, and shortly after seven o'clock the enemy appeared in force. presenting himself in columns of regiments, at least four deep. He opened immediately upon our camp a heavy fire, following up rapidly with shell. I ordered an advance. The Seventy- seventh and Fifty-seventh regiments were thrown for- ward to occupy a certain position, but encountered the enemy in force within three hundred yards of our camp. Unfortunately. we were not supported by artil- lery, and were compelled to retire under cover of our camp, the engagement becoming general along the entire front of the command. A battery having been brought to support our right. the Fifty-seventh and Seventy- seventh stood gallantly side by side for four hours, contending with a force of at least four to one. The battery having been forced from its position, and the infantry both on our right and left having fallen back, it finally became necessary that the regiments form- ing part of my command should fall back lest their retreat be effectually cut off. * * The night I passed on the battlefield in company with Colonels Buckland, Cockerel, Rice and other officers.

That night was one of intense interest on both sides. Beauregard, impatient for the morning light, that he might complete the work so auspiciously begun ; and Sherman and Grant hoping for Buell with his fresh divisions, to reinforce the Union Army. Buell arrived and crossed, and one of his officers remarked to a gunboat officer, "We will show you some man-of-war fighting tomorrow," and they kept the promise well. Marching to the front they relieved the exhausted troops engaged the day before and drove the Rebel Army back, regain- ing the lost ground, and the victory was com- plete.

General Hildebrand says of Monday's bat- tle :

On Monday morning I marched near the field of battle, forming near the rear, holding my force in readi- ness to enter into action at any moment, when called upon. We remained in this position, until the enemy had retreated and the victory achieved.

On the 8th instant, in compliance with your order, T marched my brigade, accompanied by a large cavalry force, also by Buckland's brigade, on the Corinth road, about four miles from camp. Halting in an open field, skirmishers were sent forward, who discovered Rebel cavalry in considerable force, exhibiting a disposition to fight. The skirmishers immediately fired upon enemy, when the Seventy-seventh Regiment, under command of Lieutenant Colonel De Hass, was ordered up to sup- port them. Soon after forming in line a large body of cavalry made a boll and dashing charge on the skir- mishers and the whole regiment. So sudden and rapid was the charge, shooting our men with carbines and revolver-, that they had not time to reload, and fell back, hoping our cavalry would cover the retreat. U'n- happily our own cavalry was not sufficiently near to render essential assistance. The Rebel cavalry literally rode down our infantry, shooting. sabering, and tramp- ling them under foot. We sustained a loss in killed. wounded. and missing of 57-19 killed on the spot, 30 wounded, and the balance missing. Of the latter, two captains and one second lieutenant are numbered. Captain A. W. McCormick and Capt. A. Chandler were meritorious officers. This I may also say of Lieutenant Criswell. * *

With regard to the officers and men who partici- pated in the battle of Pittsburg. and the affair of Tues- day, I am happy to hear testimony to the fidelity, brav- ery, and devotion of all. * *

Mai. B. D. Fearing, who was immediately in .com- mand of the Seventy-seventh Regiment, acquitted him- self with as much skill, bravery and military bearing as an old officer of long experience, and was not ex- celled by any other field officer who came under my observation.

The roll of killed, wounded and missing of the Seventy-seventh sufficiently attests the brave stand they made. The following is a recapituilation of the whole number :

Company A-4 killed, 13 wornded, 3 missing ; total, 20. Company B-4 killed, 10 wounded 6 missing ; total. 20. Company C-3 killed. 10 wounded. 3 missing ; total, 16; Company D- 5 killed, 18 wounded ; total, 23. Company E -- 6 killed. 13 wounded. to missing : total, 29. Company F- 2 killed. 11 wounded. i missing : total, 14. Company G o killed, to wounded. HI missing ; total, 30. Company H-4 killed, 8 wounded, 19 missing : total. 31. Company I -- It wounded ; total. II. Company K- 5 killed, 9 wounded, 16 missing : total, 30. Total-42 killed. 113 wounded, 60 missing-Total. 224.

Colonel Hildebrand himself exhibited fine,

585

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

soldierly qualities in this action, and when the Union line was driven back on Sunday, he was of great service in rallying the men, not only of his own brigade but of other brigades, and his portly figure and fearless demeanor inspired many a company with renewed confi- dence and turned them again to the front ; and. he was, no doubt, of great service in saving the army from complete rout before over- powering numbers.

WASHINGTON CITY IN DANGER.

On the 26th of May the startling news was received that Washington City was about to be attacked, followed by a dispatch from the Governor of the State calling for troops. The call designated three classes that would he received for the term of three years, for the term of three months, and for guard duty within the State, and saying: "Everything is valueless to us if our Government is over- thrown."

This dispatch was accompanied by another, directed to the Washington County Military Committee, as follows :

Astounding as the fact may be, Washington City is in imminent danger. You will please raise, without delay. one hundred men, and send them as fast as raised to Camp Chase, where they will be organized and equipped ; and such as are not willing to proceed to Washington will perform guard duty in place of the regiment now at Camp Chase.

DAVID TOD, Governor.

Al meeting of citizens was immediately called to take action. Upon assembling at the usual place of holding such meetings in Mariet- ta, Rufus H. Harte was chosen chairman, and G. R. Rosetter, secretary. Judge Green then addressed the assembly, and was followed by William, R. Putnam, who made a stirring ap- peal to men of all ages to respond promptly to the call of their country. Rev. D. H. Moore, a Methodist minister of Marietta, spoke, say- ing that he had held back from enlisting by the advice of his friends long enough, and now he was bound to go at all hazards. The Court House was filled to overflowing, and this de- claration of the reverend gentleman had a

stirring effect. Others followed in patriotic appeals, and enlistment rolls being circulated quite a number of names were secured. The students of Marietta College held a meeting and 25 young men offered themselves as vol- unteers.

The following is a closing part of an appeal sent out through the country as a hand-bill :

We call upon our fellow citizens at once to stand forth for their country in this emergency! Your coun- try calls, and it is the duty of patriotic citizens to obey the call! Old Washington to the rescue! Volunteers along the banks of the Muskingum River should be in readiness to take the steamer for Zanesville on Wednes- day. Volunteers from other parts of the county will report themselves immediately to the undersigned at Marietta.

WILLIAM R. PUTNAM, Chairman military committee Washington County. Marietta, May 26, 1862.

On the 28th the company embarked on the steamer "Emma Graham" for Zanesville, and a large concourse of citizens assembled on the commons at Marietta to see them embark. The company was named the Putnam Guards, in honor of Judge William R. Putnam, chair- man of the military committee. On arriving at Camp Chase they elected Rev. D. H. Moore captain ( who was afterward lieutenant-colonel of the Eighty-seventh when in the three-years' service ) : T. S. Aleshire, first lieutenant, and J. R. Jenkins, second lieutenant, and became Company A. Eighty-seventh Regiment. This regiment was at Harper's Ferry, under Col- onel Miles, when the surrender took place, and were paroled, their time being out.

On the 2nd of July, 1862, the President called for 300.000 more volunteers for three years, and Ohio's quota was about 40,000. Governor Tod issued an earnest appeal to the military committees and the citizens of the State, calling upon them to furnish the men. The military committee of the county resolved that old Washington should not be behind in any emergency, and invited a general meet- ing of the citizens of the county in Marietta, on July 19th. Meantime a meeting of the mil- itary committees of the counties comprising the third military district was held in Marietta, to promote concerted action, and to provide-

587

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

officers for the new regiment, which was to be the Ninety-second.

On the 15th of July they assembled, men- bers present :

Athens: J. M. Dana, T. F. Wildes. W. R. Golden, and W. T. Brown.

Meigs: J. V. Smith. G. W. Cooper, J. J. White. D. A. Smith, and George Eiselstein. Noble : E. G. Dudley, Jabez Belford, W. H. Frazier. and Dr. M. Martin. Washington: William R. Putnam, G. W. Barker. John Newton, and S. F. Cooke.

Monroe: Not represented.

Col. William R. Putnam, chairman; J. M. Dana. and J. Belford, secretaries.

A committee consisting of G. W. Cooper. of Meigs. E. G. Dudley, of Noble. W. R. Gol- den and G. W. Barker, of Washington, having been appointed to devise a plan of organiza- tion for the new regiment, reported that the several counties of the district should furnish the following number of companies: Wash- ington, three; Noble, two; Monroe, two; Athens, one, and Meigs, one. Monroe County not being represented. they adjourned until July 22d, and at the adjourned meeting elected officers for the Ninety-second Regiment, and passed the resolutions following :

Resolved, That we pledge ourselves one to another, to use all diligence in recruiting our respective portions of the Ninety-second Regiment, and that we will exert ourselves to the extent of our ability to maintain har- mony and good feeling in our proceedings, upon which we feel will depend, to a great degree, our success, as well in recruiting as in every other branch of the service in this military district.

Resolved, That we call upon every loyal man in this military district to aid us with his might and strength and means to recruit the men called for to fill up the Ninety-second Regiment.

Resolved. That we go home and go to work.

Resolved, That we make everybody else go to work.

With this declaration of purpose to raise a regiment for the war, these gentlemen went home, and we shall presently see with what success.

The mass convention of the citizens of the county, called to meet on the toth of July, as- sembled at the Court House in Marietta, at 10 o'clock a. m. of that day, and Col. David 34

Barber, of Harmar, was chosen chairman, and S. B. Robinson, of Beverly, secretary. The object of the meeting having been stated by the chairman of the military committee, the following gentlemen were appointed to report resolutions: Rufus E. Harte, Davis Green, C. R. Rhodes, E. S. McIntosh, and Douglas Putnam. After the resolutions had been pre- pared, Mr. Harte reported them, and they were unanimously adopted; they declared the confidence of the citizens of the county in the government and in the power of the country to sustain itself in the struggle for equal rights and in the integrity of the Union, and pledged anew the men and means of the county to carry out the war to a successful issue. After remarks by George Benedict and William F. Curtis, an effort was inaugurated to raise a fund to assist in recruiting 300 men in the county for the new regiment. $2,100 was raised in about five minutes. In the afternoon Hon. William P. Cutler, having returned from a session of Congress, made an eloquent and forcible speech upon the situation of public affairs. Further subscriptions raised the total to $3.515. This amount was further increased to $4,026 by the 24th of July, Henry Fearing, of Harmar, donating a house and lot in Beverly, worth Sooo. August ist, the war fund amounted to $5.081. William Pitt Putnam, of Belpre, obligated himself to pay $8 a month to two volunteers and to a third volunteer, $15 bounty.

PARKERSBURG THREATENED.

On July 28th the following despatch was received at Marietta :

PARKERSBURG, July 28, 1802-1:50 P. M. To the mayor of Marietta:

Send us all the men and arms you can at onee. We are about to be attacked by a force of Rebels. M. P. AMISS, Mayor.

Seon 100 men were raised, and Liemt. George T. Rice, being home on recruiting ser- vice from the Thirty ninth Regiment, was placed in command. as captain. also Lient. Robert Booth, of the Sixty-third regiment, and

588

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

Lieut. C. B. Way, of the Eleventh Virginia, were appointed lieutenants, and Manly War- ren, orderly sergeant. They marched to the depot to take a train for the beleagured city, but there received a second dispatch "we are not yet attacked and no reinforcements are needed now."

THE DRAFT.

On August 4th the call for a draft of 300,- ooo nine-months' men came, and this, in addi- tion to the call for three-years' men, made the quota of Washington County under both at 2.030. The total number enrolled militia at that date was 6,089, making two calls equal to about 33 per cent. of the whole number of militia in the county.

The draft commissioner for this county was George Benedict; provost marshal, Will- iam F. Curtis, of Marietta: examining sur- geon, Dr. James Little, of Beverly. After several postponements by Governor Tod the draft finally took place on October Ist as fol- lows: Adams, It; Barlow, o: Fairfield, 4: mer, 3: Union, 1; Fearing, 15: Grandview, 6; Independence, 2; Lawrence, 9; Liberty, 6: Ludlow. FO; Palmer, 3 ; Union, I ; Warren, 7; Watertown, 7: Wesley, 16-total, 107, which was afterward increased to 131. A great effort was made to save the county from the draft, and large sums of money were raised in all parts of the county to facilitate enlistments. Barlow was down for over $200; Waterford, over $1,200, in addition to $1,000 subscribed to the county war fund previously. To this must be added large sums in every town- ship, of which we can find no record, running up into the thousands. It should be said, how- ever, in regard to drafted men from this coun- ty, that a greater portion of them volunteered for three years when they reached Camp Den- nison, and some even before. Noble County had over 300 men drafted, Monroe 61, Mor- gan 167, Muskingum 293, and Gallia 217.

Athens, Lawrence and Scioto escaped.

CAMP MARIETTA ESTABLISHED.

Judge William R. Putnam having been

placed in command of the post at Marietta, with the rank of colonel, was authorized to lease ground and erect additional barracks. Accordingly, in September, of 1862, he se- lected a site which, at that time, lay between the Fair Grounds and the Muskingum River, and constructed quarters to accommodate the new regiment. By the 19th of September the Ninety-second Reginient was complete; it con- tained as good material as any regiment from this part of the State, the men being from among the best citizens of the district, and its subsequent history fully justified the ex- pectation of its friends. The time in camp at Marietta was devoted to drill and disciplining the men for active service. On October 7th they received orders to march, and left Camp Putnam for Gallipolis. Many of those who marched out on that October day with such fine martial bearing were destined never to re- turn. Again Washington County was sending forth her bravest and best, but the sacrifice was not considered too great for the issues at stake.

CORINTH, ANTIETAM AND SOUTH MOUNTAIN.

The great battle of Corinth took place on October 4th, resulting in a crushing defeat to the armies of Price and Van Dorn, and not without great loss to the Union army. The Sixty-third Regiment, containing two com- panies of Washington County men, stood the brunt of the charge at Fort Robinet, and lost very heavily in officers and men-fully 45 per cent. Col. J. W. Sprague said of his regi- ment : "The loss of my regiment has been terrible, but I have the consolation of beliey- ing that no braver or truer set of men were ever taken into battle. Every officer dis- tinguished himself for gallantry and daring."

On July 17th, the Thirty-sixth was hotly engaged in the great battle of Antietam, in which its colonel, Melvin Clarke, was killed. and losing heavily in non-commissioned offi- cers and mnen.

On October 12th the battle of South Moun- tain was fought, in which the Thirty-sixth was

589

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

engaged. It was in this battle that the future brigade commander of the Thirty-sixth was severely wounded-Col. Rutherford B. Hayes, the successor of Grant to the Presidency.

In October. 1862. Capt. AArthur D. Eells recruited a company of cavalry for a new regi- ment authorized by the Governor. Captain Eells' company was recruited very rapidly, as he was a popular man and had seen service as captain of Company F, Second West Virginia Cavalry, from which position he resigned in May, 1862, on account of ill-health, but by Oc- tober of the same year was again engaged in the service of his country, as captain of Com- pany H. Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. . At the date of leaving for the front the company had for men, officered as follows: Captain, Arthur D. Eells; first lieutenant, William L. Tripp, second lieutenant, John J. Smith.

The year 1862 was one of great military activity in Washington County. Over 2,000 men were sent out, many to fill up old regi- ments, but the greater part to form new or- ganizations, which were, in the main, recruited for three-years' service. The danger of inva- sion from Virginia had thoroughly aroused the county, and the militia companies through- out the townships were called out for drill at regular intervals. The citizens of Marietta during the summer closed their places of busi- ness at four o'clock p. m., and all the able- bodied men, including the Silver Grays, turned out to drill.

On Tuesday, August 26th, Col. William R. Putnam, commandant of Camp Marietta. received a dispatch from Governor Tod, sav- ing, "You are in danger of invasion on the border; prepare for it." The citizens of Marietta then had the following companies : Silver Grays, Capt. D. P. Bosworth, First Lieut. C. J. Sheppard, Second Lieut. Rufus E. Harte: Home Guards, Capt. Charles R. Rhodes, First Lieut. James Lewis, Second Lieut. John B. Dutton ; First Ward company, Capt. Robert Booth, First Lieut. Dan Y. Hill, Second Lieut. Philip Schramm: Second Ward company. Capt. Rufus E. Harte ( promoted from Silver Grays), First Lieut. Samuel C.

Skinner, Second Lieut. Lewis Theis: Third Ward company, Capt. John S. Conley, First Lient. S. J. Dutton, Second Lieut. Joseph L. Stephens ; Bloomfield Guards, Capt. Nathaniel F. Bishop, First Lient. Joseph E. Hall, Jr., Second Lieut. D. A. Belden: Putnam Light Artillery, Capt. A. T. Nye, Jr., Lieut. Charles A. Hall, Gunner John Hall. On September 13th Ernst Lindner, having resigned as ad- jutant of the Thirty-sixth Regiment and resid- ing for the time being in Marietta was placed in command of the companies of Marietta and Harmar, by order of the commander of the Washington County militia. The companies were lettered as follows: A. Capt. Charles R. Rhodes; B. Capt, Rufus E. Harte: C, Capt. Nathaniel F. Bishop: D. Capt. Oscar Under- wood: E, Capt. Robert Booth; F, Capt. I. W. Andrews; G. Capt. D. P. Bosworth ; H, Capt. Casper Crouss: I. Capt. John W. Conley; K, Capt. W. B. Hollister. Smith J. Dutton was appointed adjutant, and D. P. Bosworth, Jr., sergeant major: George Payne, Sr., drum major. We give these details to show how pressing the emergency was considered and how the men of those days rallied to meet it. The city of Marietta was laid off for the pur- poses of guard duty into beats, and for many weeks the night patrol paced the streets expect- ing a border foray.

Many brave sons of Washington County fell in the year 1862, among them Capt. Frank Buell, Capt. Theodore Greenwood, Col. Melvin Clarke, and Lieut. J. J. Steenrod.

DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA ESTABLISHED AT MARIETT.A.

The closing event of the year was the ar- rival in the county of Maj. Gen. J. D. Cox and staff on December 7th, who established at Marietta the headquarters of the Depart- ment of West Virginia, which included the State of West Virginia and the bordering counties of Ohio from Wheeling to the Big Sandy. General Cox remained until April 8. 1863, when he went to Columbus, Ohio, having been assigned to a new command.

590

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY.

EMANCIPATION.

The year 1863-the great battle year of the war-was ushered in by two important events ; the memorable battle of Stone River and the emancipation proclamation striking the shackles from three millions of slaves. Washington County had not been strongly for the abolition of slavery, but the fierce logic of war had convinced the most conservative that the time had come and they heartily approved the action of Abraham Lincoln when he issued the emancipation edict to take effect January 1, 1803, and the grand Union party of Ohio, which swept everything before it in the great political contest of the year, endorsed the con- duct of the war by a hundred thousand major- ity for John Brough. The partisan feeling that characterized this campaign was some- thing fearful to contemplate: the party of the Union could brook no resistance, and there was a strong tendency to brand as traitors all who were not in its ranks, when in fact many good and true men of the opposition were devoted to their country and to the preservation of the Union; but some of the opposition were not for the Union or the war, and were so out- spoken and active in their course that they were arrested in their course as was their leader C. L. Vallandigham, but not like him arrested, tried, convicted and sent south.

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 84

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