History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 92

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 92

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).

During the winter of 1862-63, spent at Fal- mouth, Lieutenant Davenport resigned on a surgeon's certificate. Sergeant F. B. Reckard was promoted to the junior lieutenancy.

Battery H marched to Chancellorsville with Whipple's division of Sickle's corps. When the division went out to join the attack on Jackson's column as it crossed the front of Hooker's position, its batteries, H. First Ohio, First and Thirteenth New York Independent. were left in a field near the turnpike. . Here it became their duty to meet and repel a strong attack from Jackson's advance after the rout of the Eleventh Corps. This was done so as to elicit the warmest commendation from Gen- eral Sickles when he reached the field.

Early the next morning Battery II was left in the same field with two regiments of in- fantry to make a show of resistance till the new line of defense was completed. The front attack of the enemy was repelled, but be- ing outflanked, the infantry support having re-

treated in confusion, the battery was forced to retire as best it could through boggy ground and across a creek. It sustained a heavy loss in men and material-two pieces had to be left across the stream, the horses being killed or disabled.

After the return of the army to Falmouth, the artillery was reorganized and a strong re- serve formed under Gen. R. O. Tyler, United States Army. It was soon afterwards sent to Banks' Ford, on temporary duty, with the reg- ular division of the Fifth Corps. It marched with that division as far as Manassas Junction en route for Gettysburg, then rejoined the re- serve. Just before this, First Lieut. M. B. Ewing resigned to accept promotion into the First Regiment, Heavy AArtillery. Sergeant Albert Merrill became the junior subaltern. At Fairfax Court House a new brigade was formed in the reserve, made up of Company Il, First Ohio, Company C, First Virginia, Company L. First Pennsylvania, and First New Hampshire Independent Battery. Cap- tain Huntington was assigned to the command; so the immediate charge of the battery de- volved on Lieutenant Norton.

.At Gettysburg the battery, posted on Cem- etery Hill, was exposed to a heavy fire of ar- tillery, as well as from sharpshooters near the edge of the town. Some of the best men in the battery fell in that hard-fought battle.

After the return of the army to Virginia. Battery H. with Huntington's brigade, did out- post duty on the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers. In November, 1863. the battery was at Warrenton, Virginia.

Captain Huntington, in consequence of an injury, resigned on a surgeon's certificate, to accept an appointment in the Veteran Reserve Corps. Lientenant Norton became captain. The battery took part in the Mine Run cam- paign, and passed the remainder of the win- ter of 1863-04 at Brandy Station.

In March Captain Norton resigned. Up to this time promotions had been made by sen- iority, a selection in the battery where the va- cancy occurred. A new rule had been intro- duced about this time, under which Lieut. S.

630

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

W. Dorsey, as senior subaltern of the regi- ment. became captain of Battery H.

Soon after the opening of the spring cam- paign, the battery was transferred to the Sixth Corps, and with it fought at Spottsylvania. At the sanguinary action of Cold Harbor the battery was the first to take position, and was heavily engaged. In the advance on Peters- burg the battery held a very exposed position of three days and nights, trying to prevent the enemy from crossing the railroad bridges. In July the battery had a little vacation from siege duties.

In consequence of Early's raid on Wash- ington, it was sent to that city, but after a very brief stay was ordered to return to the front of Petersburg. For over two months the bat- tery held the earthwork officially called Fort Sedgewick, but better known as "Fort Hell." the hottest place on the line. Constantly un- der fire. no amount of active field service is so harrassing and trying to soldiers.

The battery was among the first sent home after the surrender. The muster-out took place at Camp Taylor, near Cleveland, June 15, 1865. The roster of officers then stood as follows:

S. W. Dorsey, captain : James Harris and W. H. Perrigo, first lieutenants: W. W. Pix- ley and W. E. Parmelee, second lieutenants.

Battery H thus completed a record of ard- nous and honorable service. No man who ever fought at its guns need blush to tell his children, "I belonged to old Battery H." In the matter of losses in action the battery was remarkably fortunate. Few, if any, that saw so much service were equally so. The follow- ing is a resume of its career :

Whole number borne on the rolls during service, 262 : killed in action, 28; died in hospi- tal, 15: discharged on surgeon's certificates, 40; discharged expiration of enlistment. 36; discharged for promotion, etc., 18: mustered out at Camp Taylor. 125.

About six of the original horses went through with the battery. Promotions from the enlisted men were as follows :

To commissions in the battery, seven ; com-

missions in other batteries, three; commis- sions in heavy artillery, two: commissions in infantry, two; commission in United States Navy, one; total, 15.

Battery H was present at the following battles and skirmishes :

Battles-Winchester, Port Republic, Chan- tilly, Fredericksburg. Chancellorsville, Gettys- burg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Chickahominy, Petersburg.

Skirmishes-Edenburg, Strasburg. Rudis Hill. New Market, Mount Jackson, Manassas Gap, Mitchell's Station, Banks' Ford, Weldon Railroad.

Battery K, First Ohio Volunteer Light Ar- tillery.

ROSTER OF OFFICERS.

Captain William L. De Beck, mustered October IO. 1861, resigned May II. 1863; Captain Louis Heck- man, May II, 1863, mustered out with battery: First Lieutenant George B. Haskins, October 10, 1861, re- signed October 20, 1862; First Lieutenant John D. Holden, February 19, 1862, resigned March 27, 1862; First Lieutenant Henry F. Camp, March 27, 1862, died September 15, 1862; First Lieutenant Thomas M. Bart- lett, September 15, 1862. resigned October 30, 1863 ; First Lieutenant Louis Heckman, October 20, 1862, promoted ; First Lieutenant Charles M. Schilley, May II, 1863, mustered out with battery; First Lieutenant Columbus Rodamour. October 15, 1863, mustered out with battery ; First Lieutenant Andrew Berwick, Oc- tober 30, 1863, mustered out with battery: Second Lieutenant John D. Holden. October 10, 1861, pro- mated : Second Lieutenant Louis Heckman, February 20, 1862, promoted; Second Lieutenant Henry F. Camp, January 7, 1862, promoted ; Second Lieutenant Hiram B. Iams, March 27, 1862, resigned May 1I, 1863: Second Lieutenant Charles M. Schilley, October 20 1862, promoted ; Second Lieutenant Columbus Roda- mour. May II, 1863, promoted ; Second Lieutenant John H. Reis, May 11, 1862, promoted: Second Lieutenant Joseph Maloney, May 9, 1864, mustered out with bat- tery ; Second Lieutenant Otto Marolotze, May 2, 1865, resigned June 10, 1865.

Washington County has just cause to be proud of the three batteries she furnished for the Union during the civil war, viz. : De Beck's "L" and Huntington's "H." of the First Ohio and Buell's "C." of the First Virginia.

"De Beck's Battery," so-called in honor of its organizer and first commander, Capt. Will- iam L. De Beck, of Cincinnati, was first started

63L

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

in June, 1861, under authority from the State of Virginia with headquarters at Williams- town, West Virginia, opposite Marietta, but recruiting in "Dixie" proving slow, October Ioth, of the same year, the command was of- fered to Ohio, which was accepted, and the company went to Camp Dennison, near Cin- cinnati, where it was designated as Company "K," First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery. During the fall and winter of 1861, and 1862, the drilling and disciplining were incessant, and so proficient did the men be- come, that the Governor of Ohio, as a special recognition, furnished the company six of the famous Wierd steel guns. March 1, 1862, the command went to Parkersburg. West Vir- ginia, and was incorporated into the Army of West Virginia, then under General Rosecrans, Two weeks later, it went forward to Cumber- land, Maryland, and reported to ( Gen. Robert C. Schenck. A few days afterwards it was sent on a forced march, reaching the wire suspension bridge over the South Potomac, near Romney, and by its timely arrival prevented a raid upon the Baltimore & Chio Railroad by a division of "Stone- wall" Jackson's cavalry. For the prompt- ness here displayed, the battery was publicly thanked by General Rosecrans, and Captain De Beck promoted to chief of artillery, on the staff of General Schenck. Early in April, 1862. "K" was engaged in engagements at Grassy Lick, Lost River. Moorefield and Crab Bottom Church, again receiving the thanks of the general.

May 8th of the same year, after a forced night and day march, of more than 1oo miles, Shenck's army reached the overwhelmed forc- es of General Milroy, the combined army num- berinig 7,000, at once engaging Jackson's army of 23,000 in the fierce battle of Bull Pas- ture Mountain, which lasted till late in the 1 night, and by mutual consent ending as a "drawn game." The Union Army under Schenck, being largely outnumbered, withdrew 1 that night, closely followed by Jackson in its retreat, fighting at Mountain Summit, Ighis' Church, Handy's Gap, Washington's Meadow,

and Franklin; in all of which Jackson's at- tempt to cut the army off from its base of re- treat was frustrated. During the five days and nights of this terrible retrograde move- ment De Beck's Battery was assigned the first place of honor, in covering the retreats and driving back the fierce onslaughts of Jackson, in which it was again so successful that Gen- eral Fremont who had succeeded Rosecrans, in the presence of his staff and other com- manding officers, thanked Captain De Beck for splendid work he had done, General Schenck adding that Battery K had saved the army.

Fremont now started on his memorable march, to intercept Jackson in the Shenan- doah Valley, during which were fought the battles of Strasburg, Middletown. Cedar Creek, New Market, Edinburgh, Woodstock, Mount Jackson, Harrisonburg, Rockingham Fields ( where the Rebel cavalry general, Ash- by, was killed ), and Cross Keys, and in the lat- ter the terrible firing of De Beck's battery, and work it did, exciting the greatest admiration of all officers and men from the highest to the lowest. Fremont was now succeeded by General Sigel, and Captain De Beck was chief of artillery of the army. While under Sigel, the battery took part in the great battles of Cedar Mountain, Freeman's Ferry, Kelly's Ford, Warrenton, Warrenton Junction, Bris- tow Station, New Baltimore ( second ), Chan- tilly, and the second Bull Run, all under Pope.

After this K was assigned to the army of the Potomac, closing the year 1862 by taking part in Burnside's great and fatal battle of Fredericksburg. Gen. Joe Hooker was now made commander, and K Battery was sent to the Eleventh Corps under Gen. O. O. How- ard.

May Ist, 2d and 3d, Battery K was in the terrible field at Chancellorsville, its discipline' and drill never proving of greater value than when the Eleventh Corps so unexpectedly be- came demoralized, and began its disastrous re- treat. K Battery remained like a solid wall. and with canister and shrapnel again and again driving back the fierce charges of Jack- son, remaining in position until our forces had

632

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

either reformed their lines, or new troops came to the rescue. The next day, while temporar- ily serving in the Fifth Corps under General Meade, the battery again distinguished itself by driving back with cannister Longstreet's veterans. Captain De Beck being now called to another command, Lewis Heckman, senior first lieutenant, was commissioned captain, and took charge of the battery.

July 1, 2 and 3, 1863, was fought the greatest battle of the war, Gettysburg, in which Battery K was prominently engaged, its ter- rific fire on Cemetery ITill eliciting the highest encomiums,

In October the battery went to the West with the Eleventh and Twelfth corps under Hooker, and at Chattanooga was incorporated into the Army of the Cumberland, and while there, was participant in all of Grant's battles at Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, etc., and during the rest of the war, remained at Stevenson and Bridgeport, Alabama, finally re- turning to Camp Dennison, where it was mus- tered out of service, delivering its guns over to the Ordnance Department of the United States, and having had the rare good fortune of never having surrendered a single gun to the enemy.

Gallant, noble Frank Buell died in battle, lamented and beloved by all the officers and men of the three batteries, while De Beck and Huntington had the good fortune to live through the contests, to see the country re- stored and reunited, and peace reigning throughout the land.

Battery K. Second Ohio Heavy Artillery. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

Captain Daniel W. Hoffman, mustered August 22, 1863, promoted to maior September 30, 1863; Captain Walter S. Bradford, June 16. 1865, mustered out with regiment : Captain Stowell S. Hazen, September 30. 1863. resigned June 24. 1865; First Lieutenant Richard Burns. August 25. 1863, promoted to captain of bat- Company L. First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. (Gen. G. Il'. Thomas' Body Guard.) tery L: First Lieutenant Stowell S. Hazen, August 27, 1863, promoted to captain of battery K: First Lieu- tenant Thomas M. Sechler, September 30. 1863. re- signed June 3. 1865: First Lieutenant Charles A. Mc- REGIMENTAL OFFICERS. Manus, October 18. 1864. resigned June 21. 1865; First Colonel Owen P. Ransom, mustered August 17, Lieutenant Francis Reichman, June 16. 1865. mustered | 1861, resigned ; Colonel Minor Millikin, January II,

out with regiment; Second Lieutenant Thomas M. Sechler, August 25, 1863, promoted to first lieutenant; Second Lieutenant Charles H. Newton, Aubust 25, 1863, promoted to first lieutenant of battery D, and resigned January 19, 1865; Second Lieutenant George W. Bell, September 30. 1863, promoted to first lieuten- ant of battery B, on General Carter's staff at muster out of regiment; Second Lieutenant Thomas Under- wood, September 15, 1864, mustered out with regiment; Second Lieutenant Henry A. Frary, mustered out with regiment.

This was a Washington County organiza- tion. By the middle of the year 1863, the na- tional armies had made important captures of forts and other strongholds of the enemy. It became necessary to recruit a class of troops whose duty it should be to fortify, garrison and hold these captures. The Second regi- ment of heavy artillery was therefore author- ized, and rank and file consisted of 2,400 men.

K Battery was mustered into the service September 7, 1863, at Covington barracks, Kentucky, and on October 11th, was removed to Mumfordsville. On May 26, 1864, it was transferred to Charleston, Tennessee, where, on the 18th of August, it was engaged with the enemy's cavalry, under Wheeler, and par- ticipated in the subsequent movements of Gen- eral Ammen, moving to Fort Sanders and Knoxville, and on November 18, 1864, marched to open communication with the Un- ion forces, then in a critical position at Straw- berry Plains. On November 20th, returned to Knoxville, and on December 7th, marched with General Ammen's command to Bean's Station, Tennessee. It occupied fortifications at Clinch Gap, Tennessee, until December 31, 1864, when it returned to Fort Lee, at Knox- ville. Shortly thereafter the battery was ordered to Greenville, Tennessee, and thence to Nashville, where, on the 23rd of August, 1865. it was mustered out of service. On Au- gust 20, 1865, it was finally paid and dis- charged at Camp Chase.

633

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

1862, killed at Stone River December 31, 1862; Colonel Thomas C. H. Smith, December 31, 1862, revoked : Colonel Beroth B. Eggleston. April 1, 1863, mustered out with regiment; Lieutenant Colonel Thomas C. H. Smith, August 23. 1861, promoted to colonel Decem- ber 13, 1862, appointed brigadier general by Presi- dent November 29. 1862: Lieutenant Colonel James Laughlin. December 31. 1862, resigned April 1, 1863 ; Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Cupp. April I. 1863, died September 20, 1863; Lieutenant Colonel Thomas J. Pattin. September 20, 1863, mustered out with regi- ment; Lieutenant Colonel Stephen C. Writer, Decem- ber 9. 1864, mustered out with regiment; Major John D. Moxley, February 25, 1865, A. A. A. G at Camp Webster, Nashville, Tennessee: Major William Mc- Burney, February 28, 1865, mustered out with regi- ment : Major Minor Millikin, August 24, 1861, promoted to colonel ; Major Michael W. Smith, October 31, 1861, resigned June 10, 1862: Major E. B. Dennison, No- vember 27. 1861, resigned June 10, 1862; Major James Laughlin, June 10, 1862, promoted to lieutenant col- onel: Major Beroth B. Eggleston, June 20, 1862, pro- moted to colonel: Major J. W. Robinson, June 1, 1862, died; Major David A. B. Moore, September 7, 1862, killed at Stone River December 31, 1862; Major Val- entine Cupp. December 31, 1862, promoted to lieuten- ant colonel; Major Thomas J. Pattin, December 31, 1862, promoted to lieutenant colonel : Major Stephen C. Writer. April 1. 1863, promoted to lieutenant col- onel; Major James N. Scott, April 1. 1863, mustered out with regiment ; Major John C. Frankenberger, Sep- tember 20. 1863. mustered out : Surgeon Rudolph Wirth, September 7. 1861, resigned May 23, 1862; Surgeon John Cannan, February 1, 1862; Wilson V. Cowen, December 16, 1863, resigned October 4. 1864: Assistant Surgeon John Cannan, October 10. 1864, promoted to surgeon; Assistant Surgeon John B. McDill. August 21, 1864, mustered out: Chaplain J. M. Drake, Decem- ber 13. 1861, resigned May 23. 1862.

COMPANY OFFICERS.

Captain Thomas J. Pattin. mustered September 17. 1864, promoted to major : Captain John D. Barker, De- cember 31, 1863. resigned January 21, 1864: Captain Henry C. Reppert. December 14. 1864, mustered out with regiment: First Lieutenant John D. Barker. Sep- tember 18. 1861, promoted to captain ; First Lientenant Samuel H. Putnam, September 7. 1862, resigned Oc- tober 26, 1863: First Lieutenant Henry C. Reppert. March 31. 1864, promoted to captain ; First Lieutenant Robert B. Rhodes, January 6, 1865. mustered out May 5. 1863, as second lieutenant : First Lieutenant Daniel W. Dye. July 24. 1865, mustered out with regiment ; Second Lieutenant Oscar II. Underwood, Septemher 18. 1861 resigned May 29. 1862: Second Lieutenant Timothy I .. Condit. May 29. 1862, killed at Stone River December 31. 1862; Second Lieutenant Samuel H. Put- nam. November 20, 1862, promoted to first lieutenant ; Second Lieutenant Ilenry C. Reppert, December 31, 1862, promoted to first lieutenant: Second Lieutenant Robert B. Rhodes, December 9. 1863, promoted to first lieutenant.

NON-COM MISSIONED OFFICERS.

First, second and third sergeants at date of mus- ter out.

First Sergeant Edward P. Burlingame, March 31, 1864, mustered out with regiment; Quartermaster Ser- geant John Huff. March 31. 1864, mustered out with regiment ; Commissary Sergeant llenry Duden, March 31, 1864, mu-tered out with regiment.

The following sketch of Company L, First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, was compiled from brief notes taken by Sergeant E. P. Burlin- game from a journal kept by him during the war. Many soldiers kept journals, but few were as fortunate as Mr. Burlingame in get- ting through all the marches and battles and not losing them :

September 5, 1861, Governor Dennison au- thorized a regiment of cavalry to be raised for the three years' service. Through the ef- forts of the military committee of Washing- ton County, and especially two members, John Newton, Esq., and Col. William R. Putnam, together with Thomas J. Pattin and John D. Barker, a company was raised in this county, and by September 14. 1861, 93 names were enrolled. Thomas J. Pattin was elected was captain, John D. Barker first lieutenant, and Oscar H. Underwood second lieutenant.

On the 17th of the same month the com- pany reported at Camp Chase, and was assigned to the First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, as Com- pany L. They were mustered in on the 18th, received uniforms the 21st, horses the 28th, horse equipments October 22nd, sabres and belts November 25th, and revolvers Decem- ber 3rd. Meanwhile they were exercised at mounted and dismounted drill, until they be- came very efficient in the manual of arms and cavalry evolutions.

December 11th, the regiment arrived at Louisville, Kentucky, and on the 20th were re- viewed by Gen. Don Carlos Buell, command- ing the department.

January 30, 1862, the company made a short tour in search of the Rebel chief. John Morgan, but failed to come up with him.

The regiment proceeded southward through Nashville, and on March 24th encamped at

634

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

Spring Hill, Tennessee, where a detail from Company L, was made as an escort for Gen. George H. Thomas, under command of Lieut. John D. Barker.

April 6, 1862, while on the march with General Buell's army in the direction of Pitts- burgh Landing, the cannonading at the bat- tle of Shiloh was distinctly heard. The regi- ment arrived at Pittsburgh Landing April 8th. too late to take part in the battle, and were ac- tively employed up to May 30th, having sex- eral skirmishes with the enemy, and lost one man, William M. Robinson-missing.

On June 4. 1862, they fought their first battle, Company L, with part of Company D, were on picket duty three miles from Boone- ville, at Carolina Church. when the Rebels, four companies strong, attacked them. Form- ing hastily they checked the enemy's advance, and then fell back in good order, to entice the enemy into the open ground. The Rebels, supposing they were retreating, charged with a vell, but our men wheeled by fours and faced the enemy, opening on them with their Sharp's carbines, Captain Pattin riding up and down the line, urging the boys to "give it to them." The Rebels having a larger force now endeav- ored to flank them. They consequently were compelled to fall back stili farther, turning on the Rebels several times, and finally reached their supports at Booneville, when the enemy retired. The company escaped without loss : two of Company D, however, were wounded.

In July, 1862, the company was engaged in the siege of Corinth, and on the 24th of that month joined the regiment at Tuscumbia, Ala- bama. During August they were engaged in scouting along the line of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. September 30th found the regiment at Louisville again under the command of General Buell, where they were clothed and equipped and received four months' pay.

On October 2d. Company L was thrown out of Louisville to make a flank movement on the Rebels who had taken possession of Mount Washington. Captain Pattin advanced part of the company, dismounted, who were sup-

ported by other troops ; they were soon briskly engaged, when the enemy opened on them with grape and canister ; they thereupon retired to give room to our artillery ; moving now to the other flank the company got into the town, and the Rebels rapidly retreated. Loss, Henry Duden, wounded.

October 4, 1862, a detachment under Ma- jor Laughlin having been sent out to the front they left the direct road to Bardstown, and pro- ceeding via Fairfield, came into it again at Bardstown fair-grounds. After some skir- mishing we gained the road. Company L was formed parallel to the road, close up to the fence, and was on the left line, disconnected. We had commenced letting down the fence to enable nis to get on to the road, but a rush of cavalry from the direction of Louisville caused us to make other disposition of our time. We were between a brigade of Texan rangers and Bardstown, and they were charg- ing down upon us in columns of platoons, evi- dently intent upon cuttinig through. We fired a few rounds at a right oblique, and the right having broken, we had to fall back. The Rebels were between us and our reserves. We must run the gauntlet or jump a rail fence and take a wide circuit around. Captain Pattin's bridle-reign caught on a gate-latch, and he barely escaped capture. Corporal Daniel W. Dye having dropped his carbine, dismounted and picked it up, and with the Rebels demand- ing his surrender, he put spurs to his horse and escaped. Jonathan H. Smith was mor- tally wounded after he had been compelled to surrender. Corporal Jacob Gano and privates Edward P. Bigelow, Calvin C. Broughton. Pe- ter Cline, David M. Grimes, John Hoskinson and William Rice were captured and paroled. John Duden and William Reese were captured and dismounted, but watching their opportun- ity, they escaped.

On October 8th the detachment took part in the battle of Perryville, and bivouacked that night on the field.

By order of General Buell. Major Laugh- lin's detachment on October Ioth started for Bardstown, with a large number of Rebel pris-

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 92

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