History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 88

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 88

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).

July 24th the Thirty-sixth Regiment was in the battle of Winchester, and lost heavily, and all along the line the soldiers from Wash- ington County were getting in their work.

ATLANTA CAMPAIGN.

The war had now resolved itself into two great movements-Grant on Richmond and Sherman on Atlanta. Sherman had gathered within his grasp the armies of the departments of the Ohio, the Cumberland, the Tennessee, and the Arkansas, and after a thorough under- standing with Grant, he began his famous campaign against Atlanta. Washington County had companies in five regiments which took part in this campaign, the First and Ninth Cavalry, the Thirty-ninth, Sixty-third and Ninety-second regiments, besides men in the Seventy-third, Thirty-third, and other regi- ments.

Sherman, by a series of brilliant flank move- ments to the right. compelled the enemy to abandon every position from Dalton to Atlan- ta, and fought the battles of Rocky Face Ridge. Resaca, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Nicojack Creek, Peachtree Creek,

the battles around Atlanta and Jonesborough. In all these battles, making about 120 days of nearly constant fighting, he lost but one-that of Kenesaw Mountain, which was immediately retrieved by another movement on the right flank, compelling the enemy to evacuate Kene- saw. The Rebel authorities being dissatisfied with the Fabian policy of Johnston, removed him and placed Hood in command at Atlanta, where by July 22, 1864, Sherman had extended his lines in the form of a semi-circle, partially enclosing the city and the enemy's works. Hood, on the day named, wishing to begin a strong and aggressive poliey, quietly stole out and got on the flank and rear of the gallant McPherson, before the movement was fully known to the Union generals. Here occurred one of the most desperate and hard fought battles of the war, the Rebels hoping to sur- prise and beat McPherson, and then each of the other divisions in turn made charge after charge on our lines. The Thirty-ninth Reg- iment was in the thickest of this engagement, and suffered severely, losing one-third of the entire number in killed and wounded. Our line was beaten back and several batteries cap- tured. but more than all, McPherson killed. Sherman hurried Schofield up to the scene and after a hard struggle, lasting until night, drove the enemy back with a loss of 8,000, the Un- ion loss being 3.722.

Sherman finally, by another movement to the right and rear of Atlanta, cut the enemy's communications, destroyed all railroads lead- ing into the city when it was abandoned, and on September ist Sherman's triumphant le- gions marched in and took possession. Reor- ganizing his army and sending part of it with Thomas to Nashville, Sherman retained and consolidated the remaining forces into four Corps, the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Seventeenth, and Twentieth, which, together with Kilpat- rick's cavalry, numbered about 65,000 men.

MARCH TO THE SE.A.

After perfecting his arrangements, Sher-

608

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

man by November IIth was ready to begin his famous "March to the Sea." The army marched in two columns, the right with the Fifteenth and Seventeenth corps, commanded by Gen. O. O. Howard, and the left, with the Fourteenth and Twentieth corps, led by Gen. H. W. Slocum. Each wing had a pontoon train, and kept their line of march about 20 miles apart. Kilpatrick, with the cavalry. hovered around the front demonstrating first on one flank and then on the other to deceive the enemy as to the real intentions of Sher- man. By thus widening his lines he enabled the foraging parties to cover 40 miles of ter- ritory from which to obtain subsistence for the troops, and they lived well. On December roth, after marching 255 miles, being six weeks on the way, they arrived at Savannah. Soon Fort McAllister fell, and the grand march was successfully ended. It is an extra honor to have been with Sherman on this "March to the Sea" for history presents few parallels to it, and though little fighting was done it was a grand achievement, and far- reaching in its results.

After resting and refitting his army, Sher- man, on February 1, 1865, started northward through the Carolinas, devastating the country and teaching the South Carolinians a few les- sons in the hardships of war as he went. Gen- eral Johnston having been restored to the command of the decimated divisions of his old army, hurried up from the Southwest on the trail of Sher- man, to intercept him, but by skillful handling of the cavalry, General Sherman de- ceived Johnston into believing that he was go- ing to Charlotte, North Carolina, and as soon as the Rebel force had concentrated there turned to the eastward and started direct to Goklsborough, where he expected to be joined by the divisions of General Schofield. John- ston, however, by rapid marches intercepted four divisions of the left wing on March 15th, at Averysborough, on a narrow, swampy neck of land, between Cape Fear and South rivers, North Carolina. The Rebels under General Hardee, estimated at 20,000, attacked

the Union lines with great spirit, hoping to beat them before re-enforcements could be brought up. By a rapid movement to the left the enemy's flank was turned, and being pressed in front by other divisions, they were repulsed.

A gallant officer from Washington County, Gen. B. D. Fearing, commanding the old "Mc- Cook brigade," was on the left line, and Gen- eral Davis ordered him "to check the enemy and hold them if it cost his whole brigade." The charge of General Fearing was made with spirit and accompanied with hard fighting.

At Bentonville, on March 18th, the enemy made their last attack, Johnston hop- ing by a swift and heavy assault to break the

left wing before the other could be brought to reinforce it. Johnston accordingly made several desperate charges on our left wing. In the first, two brigades of Carlin's division were driven back, losing three guns. Slocum thereupon stood on the defensive, placing four divisions in line to the front and making such slight defensive works as they could, while Kilpatrick attacked the enemy on the left. The left received six fierce assaults from Johnston's army. They came on after the old style, line upon line, clos- ing up the gaps made by our fire but were met by equal discipline and coolness, and by super- ior numbers. Our artillery did terrible execution on the foe, inflicting heavy loss on his devoted ranks. The Rebels had hoped to crush Slo- cum, but they were disappointed. Night came and nothing had been gained; and during the night Slocum brought up and disposed three more divisions, rendering his position safe, and Johnston fortified, but made no more at- tacks. Sherman and his entire army came up next day, and movements were immediately Legun to cut off the wily Johnston, but he decamped that night, and Sherman, with his entire army, moved on to Goldsborough. After paying a hasty visit to Grant at City Point. Sherman again began operations against the enemy, which speedily ended in the surrender of Johnston and the collapse of the Confed- eracy.

609

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

. SHENANDOAH VALLEY.

While these memorable events were trans- piring, and Sherman was establishing for him- self a name and fame equal to that of any mil- itary chieftain of modern times, equally bril- liant successes were attending the Union arms in other fields, in which Washington County figured.

In August, 1864. Grant desiring to have a trusty lieutenant on the Potomac and Shen- andoah, sent Gen. Phil Sheridan to take command of those armies. Sheridan's in- structions were comprised principally in two words-"Go in!"-and in he went.

On September 13th he confronted the Re- bel general Early on Opequan Creek, near Berryville. in the Shenandoah Valley, a few miles south of Harper's Ferry, and on the 19th at 2 A. M., began dispositions for battle. Gen- eral Crook, with the Eighth Corps (the Army of West Virginia ), including the Second Vir- ginia Cavalry and the Thirty-sixth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, was sent out on the right to turn the enemy's left flank, while the Sixth and Nineteenth corps assaulted the enemy in front, but were met with a vigorous resistance, and Grove's and Rickett's divisions were re- pulsed with great loss.

A height in the rear, still held by the en- emy, was soon stormed by Crook and carried, and Early retreated to his second position. Fisher's Hill, south of Winchester, but was attacked by Sheridan's victorious columns. beaten and compelled to retreat ignomin- iously, followed by Sheridan's cavalry, de- stroying everything as they went, and what they missed going up they destroyed on their way back. "so that nothing should be left to in- vite the enemy to return.'

On October 9th, General Sheridan, in com- pliance with an order from Washington, went to that city, and by the 18th had returned as far as Winchester. Meanwhile, Early, chaf- ing under his recent defeats, had demanded and received re-enforcements. Planning to take advantage of Sheridan's absence and ef- fect a surprise, he stole out of his lair at dusk

on the evening of the 18th, and to insure si- Ience his men were divested of canteens and other equipments that would likely make a noise in marching. The Union Army, six miles distant, lay encamped at Cedar Creek, with Crook's Army of West Virginia in front, the Nineteenth Corps half a mile behind, and the Sixth Corps to the right and rear of the Nineteenth, Kitching's division behind Crook's left, and the cavalry. under Torbert, on the right of the Sixth. This army was perfectly unsuspicious of an attack, as they were in a measure justified in being. Early had divided his forces in two columns to take our army on both flanks. An hour before sunrise the Rebels were in position, and had not been discovered by our pickets, and our army slumbered in peace with the deep shum- ber of the early morning upon them, when all at once there came a crash of musketry on the morning air, and the Rebels' rushed over the trenches and upon the gallant veterans of so many well-fought fields. They seized their arms, the hurried command is given to form, but the Rebel line presses them out of their camp, and by their rapid pursuit prevent any formation. The enemy, perfectly familiar with every foot of ground, rushed on, and the Army of West Virginia took its way as best it could toward Winchester. The Sixth Corps attempted to stay the Rebel advance, and the Nineteenth, to the right, offered a stubborn resistance to the Rebel onslaught, but gradu- ally fell back.

The Sixth fell back in good order, and the whole army, after losing 24 guns and 1,200 prisoners was in full retreat. The Rebels stopped to plunder our camps. Meantime. Sheridan riding out of Winchester found the first stragglers of the retreat and at once took in the situation. Putting spurs to his horse he rode with all speed to the scene of action, turning back the soldiers and cheering them with such remarks as, "Face the other way, boys! we are going back to our camps-we are going to lick them out of their boots""' Hast- ily reforming the broken divisions, he arranged anew a line of battle and in two charges sent

610

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

the Rebels flying up the valley, capturing 23 guns and 1,500 men and recovering the guns lost in the morning, and camping at the old camp so hastily abandoned in the early part of the day. This was the last of the Shen- andoah campaign. Early's army was destroyed. and Sheridan had no enemy worth his atten- tion to molest him in the valley.

BATTLE YEAR-1864.

Washington County was represented at the battle of Nashville by one company in the First and one in the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cav- alry, one company in the Eighteenth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, besides a large number dis- tributed through other Ohio regiments. This battle, fought December 15th and 16th, 1864, was the crowning triumph of Gen. George H. Thomas, a parfect Waterloo to General Hood and the Rebel Army in the West. Thus ended the eventful year of 1864. From the be- ginning of the year to the end it was a series of Union victories, and Washington County's sons were on every field. All during the great battle year she had kept a steady stream of re- cruits going to the front, where they stepped into the places made vacant by the loss in bat- tle or in hospital. She had sent out nearly a thousand of her best citizens for the 100 days' service. She had furnished more veterans for re-enlistment than any other county in the State excepting Hamilton, the number being 440, Stark being next with 400. The coun- ties of the Fifteenth District stood as follows: Meigs, 245; Athens, 246; Washington, 440; Morgan, 251 ; Monroe, 238-total number of veterans, 1,420. During this year the grand Army of the Potomac, under General Grant, had engaged the flower of the Rebel Army in Virginia, who fought stubbornly for every inch of ground. It was on May IIth that Grant telegraphed the Secretary of War:

We have now ended the sixth day of very heavy fighting. The result to this time is much in our favor. Our losses have been heavy, as well as those of the enemy. I think the loss of the enemy must be greater.

We have taken over five thousand prisoners, whilst he has taken from us but few except stragglers.

I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer.

U. S. GRANT, Lt .- Gen. Commanding.

It was this tenacious spirit and steady hammerinig that gradually overcame the Re- bel armies.

By the battles of the Wilderness and the other great engagements fought during the year 1864 between Grant and Lee, the Rebel forces were terribly reduced in nun ber, so also were ours, but the great North stood ready to fill the ranks and to furnish the treasure to carry on the war indefinitely, while the South. already exhausted, could scarcely hope to sup- ply fresh regiments or more money. Thus although Grant did not succeed in giving Lee a crushing defeat, he so weakened him that when he set down before Petersburg and be- gan his series of movements towards Rich- mond, he left Washington and the rear in a measure secure from molestation, that city be- ing fully fortified and the fortifications being manned by the artillerists of the reserve-the heroes of many battles-who were not needed at Petersburg. Among them were our Wash- ington County Pierpont Battery, also Hunting- ton's Battery.

The war had lasted nearly four years. Long and dreary they were, but filled with in- tensely exciting episodes. The people of the North were heartily tired of war and longed for peace. They had sent their bravest and best to the support of the Union and were ready for further sacrifices.

1865.

The newspapers of the year 1864 were filled with discussions of the terms of peace and propositions for settlement of the existing war, but nothing could be accomplished. It remained for Grant, Sherman, Thomas, and Sheridan to show the way to an honorable peace. At the beginning of the year 1865, Sherman had virtually completed his part in the great drama. Thomas had defeated and

611

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

utterly routed and destroyed the Rebel Army under Hood, at Nashville, leaving nothing to fear in the west. Sheridan, by his crushing defeat of Early, in the Shenandoah valley, had made a good beginning on his part. and with Crook, Custer, and the others command- ing that splendid body of cavalry, started on their great raid toward Richmond, broke down all opposition like a whirlwind. swept through Virginia at will, destroying railroads, canals, and everything in their track, and joined Grant at Petersburg on March 27th. The final sur- render of Lee and his remnant of an army was only a question of time, but Grant had his plans fully matured, and he now considered the time most opportune to close in on the Re- bel stronghold. He accordingly continued the flank movements to the left, placing Sheridan with his trusty cavalry on the extreme left with orders to proceed southwestward and develop the enemy's position and strength. Wash- ington County was represented in Sheridan's cavalry by Company F. Second Virginia Cav- alry, as well as in other regiments. Heavy masses of infantry were sent out to support Sheridan, and then began the most skillful and brilliant handling of large bodies of cav- alry of any part of the war. The enemy were compelled to throw out a heavy force to meet this new movement, and thereby weakened the garrison at Petersburg and Richmond. A series of engagements took place, in which the Union troops were successful, taking many prisoners, and gaining many new and impor- tant positions, so that by April 2nd, Lee, real- izing that his extended works around the two beleaguered cities had become untenable, sent the following dispatch from Petersburg to Jefferson Davis, at Richmond: "My lines are broken in three places. Richmond must be evacuated this evening." It was Sunday, and Davis was at church. He at once went out, and by 10 P. M. the Rebel government was well on its way toward Lynchburg, se- curing their own safety, and leaving the army stores that Lee depended on for support dur- ing the retreat at Richmond. Lee. therefore. had to forage for subsistence, which greati.

impeded his retreat. It was indeed a losing game from the first, to contend with hunger and greatly superior forces at the same time. Four trains of provisions had been sent from Lynchburg to Appomattax station, and the Rebels were pushinig on with all haste to gain that point, but their horses were worn out, and they had no cavalry of any consequence. A man will stand hunger and fatigue and outlast several horses, in an emergency. So with Lee's grand Army of Northern Virginia, now reduced to barely 30,000 inen, the veterans of so many battles, they could still offer a stub- born resistance, but the dumb brutes, that pulled their wagons and cannon, were totally exhausted. Sheridan, taking in the situation, dispatched Crook and Custer to capture the four trains, intended for the Rebel Army. This they did by a rapid march, riding up to the astonished train men before they were aware of their danger; and when Lee's ad- vance guards came up they found no provi- sions, but saw an impenetrable wall of blue- coats, blocking their further advance. Lee. coming up, ordered a charge, supposing there was nothing but cavalry to oppose him. Ac- ocrdingly, on came the charging column, when at the proper time, Sheridan rapidly drew off his cavalry, and revealed a heavy force of Union infantry, outnumbering the Rebels two to one. The Rebel line wavered. and seeing the cavalry on the right getting ready to charge their flank, they immediately sent in a white flag, which led to the famous interview between Grant and Lee and the surrender at Appomattox-the final collapse of the Con- federacy-the consummation so devoutly wished.

CELEBRATION OF THIE FALL OF THE REBELLION.

The glorious news caused the greatest re- joicing throughout the North. Governor Brough issued a proclamation announcing the great victories, and recommended April 14th the anniversary of the fall of Sumter, as a fit- ting day on which to celebrate the fall of the Rebellion.

612

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

The people of Washington County needed no proclamation to urge them to celebrate. The news was no sooner received at Marietta, than the streets were filled with a joyful throng made up from all classes, old and young, grave and gay-every one that could make any kind of a gleeful noise was resolved to do it. The tinners did a good business in tin horns that day. Platoons of the best citizens went arm in arm down the street like drunken men, and the whole community was given up to rejoic- ing.

The program for the 14th was as follows: National salute and ringing of bells at sun- rise: IO A. M., grand procession-Capt. A. W. McCormick and Maj. Jewett Palmer, Jr .. just returned from the war, and Capt. Levi Barber, commanding: 2 P. M., assembly of the people to listen to speeches, songs, etc., at corner of Greene and Front streets, Marietta ; in the evening, general illumination, proces- sion, fireworkrs, music, etc.

Hon. W. E. Stevenson, of Wood County, West Virginia; President I. W. Andrews, of Marietta College, and Hon. George M. Wood- bridge, of Marietta, were the orators of the day. Just as the procession was forming, a steamer landed, with the left wing of the Eighth United States Colored Infantry on board, 600 men, under command of Major Long. They marched up to the common in front of the Congregational Church for dress parade, in the presence of the assembled mul- titude. This occurrence, just at this time. was an eloquent commentary on the results of the great contest for human rights, now so suc- cessfully ended.

While these glad citizens were rejoicing and the illumination and fireworks were progress- ing so happily, there was being enacted in the far off capital of the nation a tragedy that on the morrow would send a thrill of horror throughout the country. Abraham Lincoln,

that evening, was assassinated. Alas! that so sad a morn should succeed so joyful a day. The flags, that were displayed so proudly and exultantly Friday, on Saturday were draped in mourning for the great and good man, the martyred President. In compliance with the request of the Secretary of War, the day of the funeral, Wednesday, April 19th, was ap- propriately observed. The mayor of Marietta issued a proclamation asking all citizens of the city to desist from their ordinary occupations on that day, and attend religious services at the Centennary Methodist, and Congregational churches. This request was duly complied with, and the day was very generally observed. The speakers at the churches were Revs. W. M. Mullenix and C. D. Battelle, at the Cen- tennary, and President I. W. Andrews and Rev. Thomas Wicks, at the Congregational. After the services an immense throng was formed in procession at the foot of Putnam street, under Col. William R. Putnam as chief marshal, assisted by Maj. Jewett Palmer, Jr., and Capt. Levi Barber. They marched in the following order: Music, pall-bearers, colors, pall-bearers, clergy, mayor and Council of Marietta, mayor and Council of Harmar, citi- zens. The procession moved up Putnam to Second, up Second to Scammel, and down Scammel to Front, where a hollow square was formed, and the benediction pronounced by Rev. C. D. Battelle.

Thus ended the great Rebellion. Wash- ington County had done her part fully, and with distinguished honor, and it was the de- light of her citizens during the next few months to welcome back to their homes and to the ranks of peace, the veterans, the citizen soldiery, where they took their places, started again the wheels of industry and resumed the occupations they had left, and in a few months the blue-coats were lost to sight, but the wear- ers were destined never to be forgotten.

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE CIVIL WAR Continued.

WOMEN'S WORK IN THE WAR-UNION SOLDIERS' RELIEF ASSOCIATION --- SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY OF HARMAR-THE MARIETTA MILITARY HOSPITAL-SHORT SKETCHES OF THE MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS FROM THE COUNTY -- BATTERY C, FIRST WEST VIRGINIA LIGHT ARTILLERY-BATTERY H, FIRST OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY-BAT- TERY K, FIRST OHIO VOUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY-BATTERY K, SECOND OHIO HEAVY ARTILLERY-COMPANY L, FIRST OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY-COMPANY H, SEVENTH OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY-COMPANY B, NINTH OHIO VOLUNTEER CAV- ALRY-COMPANY F, SECOND VIRGINIA VOLUNTEER CAVALRY-COMPANY F. EIGH- TEENTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY-COMPANIES A, F AND G, THIRTY. SIXTH OHIO VOLUNTEERS -- COMPANIES B AND F. THIRTY-NINTH OHIO VOLUNTEERS -- SIXTY-THIRD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY -- COMPANY F. SEVENTY-THIRD OHIO VOLUNTEERS-SEV- ENTY-SEVENTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY-NINETY-SECOND OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY -- THE SILVER GRAYS- THE " PONY SECTION"-ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY- EIGHTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY-BIOGRAPHIES OF OFFICERS OF THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.

WOMEN'S WORK IN THE WAR.

While recounting the deeds of Washing- ton County soldiers, let us not forget the noble part taken by the women of the county during that struggle, in ministering to the wants of the Union soldiers and in alleviating that world of suffering in the hospital and camp, and on the field of battle.

Their work was done quietly and without ostentation, and they modestly hoped that by helping the sick and wounded of the grand ar- mies, to bear their burdens of pain and dis- ease, they should be counted as having done something for the Union.

They had husbands, sons, brothers, fathers and other very dear friends with Grant, Sher-

man or Sheridan, at the front. Not a day passed but their hearts were troubled for the welfare of the loved ones. How anxiously did they look for the letters! If only a few lines were received, those few lines told the story that he was still among the living and battling for his country. How they tried the patience of the postmasters, especially after a great bat- tle. "Are you sure there is no letter? Please look again," and then, perhaps, the mother, in hier anxiety, before another mail. would send around the little boy to ask still again. Then there came too often, not the long-looked-for missive, but the telegram or hurried line from a comrade, stating that he was dead. Dead for his country. for liberty and union, in so much a great consolation, but how could even that

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 88

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