History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 97

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 97

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different aspect. The Rebel general, Early, had arrived from Richmond with a heavy force, and at daylight opened with his artillery. It was evident that a greater than "Mudwall" was at hand. Heavy skirmishing was kept up by the infantry till about noon, when the Union force was most furiously assailed, but stood its ground, and in turn drove the enemy back within their works. General Hunter decided to withdraw, but effected to keep up appear- ances till after dark. The Thirty-sixth was deployed in front of the enemy, and an occa- sional shot delivered, giving time for the troops to get well under way; then quietly withdrawing, briskly marched until the rear of the column was reached. Then commenced one of the hardest marches of the war. Sup- plies were nearly exhausted, and foraging had to be resorted to, with an active enemy hanging on the rear. The retreat was continued via Liberty, Buford's Gap, Salem, Newcastle, Sweet and White Sulphur Springs, Lewisburg, and Meadow Bluffs, to Charleston, on the Kanawha. Chapters might be written of the sufferings of the soldiers, marching from within hearing of the guns at Richmond across all the mountain ranges to the Ohio River. Many men, exhausted, fell out, and never were heard of again. Night and day without sleep or rest, it was march, march-that or starva- tion. During the last nine days the average was 20 miles per day. From June 27th to July roth the starving, worn-out army rested -ate, slept, and was reclothed. They then embarked for Parkersburg. en route east, Gen- eral Crook having been ordered with his com- mand east, to repel General Early in his in- vasion of Maryland. They reached Martins- burgh, by railroad. July 15th ; thence marched to Halltown, near Harper's Ferry. General Crook was at Snicker's Gap, having followed and driven General Early across to the west side of the Shenandoah. Colonel Hayes' bri- gade (the Twenty-third and Thirty-sixth reg- iments) was ordered to form a junction with General Crook. They found the enemy in full force, and no possibility of communicating. After heavy skirmishing the little command

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found itself entirely surrounded by two divi- sions of the enemy's cavalry, and fought its way out towards Harper's Ferry. The Thir- ty-sixth lost three men killed and four wounded. July 22nd they joined General Crook at Winchester.

Two days later a battle was fought at Kernstown, three miles above Winchester, in which the Union troops were forced to retire, the enemy getting in on the flank in over- whelming numbers. The fighting continued till nine o'clock at night. The regiment lost in killed and wounded 127 men and officers. The army moved next day towards Martins- burg, the enemy pursuing closely. At mar- tinsburg the Rebel cavalry charged into town, when General Crook turned on them and drove them back, capturing a few prisoners. The Thirty-sixth had two men wounded. Under cover of this feint General Crook moved on quietly that night to a ford over the Potomac, at Williamsport, and marched down to Har- per's Ferry. The enemy's cavalry having passed through Maryland into Pennsylvania, General Crook's division was ordered to in- tercept them, and moved up through Middle- town. That day, July 28th, the regiment suf- fered terribly with the heat. Many, including its colonel, were stricken with sunstroke. Hear- ing that the enemy had burned Chambersburg and gone back, General Crook turned back to Harper's Ferry.

August 7th General Sheridan took com- mand of the army, having added to it the Sixth Corps, and followed the Confederate forces up to Cedar Creek, but at once fell back to Halltown, followed by General Early, re-en- forced from Lee's army. August 23rd the enemy attacked early in the morning but did not follow it up. Colonel Hayes' brigade (Twenty-third and Thirty-sixth Ohio and Fifth West Virginia, sallied out. and drove in the enemy's skirmishers, capturing a num- ber. August 26th another sortie was made : in this they were successful in capturing a number of officers and men, all from Ker- shaw's division.

Nothing more of interest occurred until

September 3d. General Crook with his troops reached Berryville, halted, and were in the act of making coffee when rapid firing was heard in the direction of a regiment that had been sent forward on picket. At once the reg- iment started on the double-quick, but did not reach them till they were being driven back on the run, closely followed by the enemy. Tak- ing advantage of a little embankment the reg- iment lay down until our pickets passed through. The enemy came on until within a few rods, when the men, with fixed bayonets. rose up and rushed forward to meet them, fir- ing as they ran. The enemy was driven back on his main force and behind his artillery. Taking cover behind rocks and trees, firing was kept up till late in the night. General Sheridan, not wishing to bring on a general engagement here, the brigade was withdrawn. Captured a number of prisoners. The regi- ment's loss was 25 men. Capt. J. C. Selby, a brave and true soldier. was mortally wounded.

Much marching and counter-marching was gone through with up to September 19th. The Nineteenth Corps having come up, General Sheridan attacked General Early in his forti- fied position in front of Winchester, across the Opequan Creek. The Sixth and Nineteenth corps were ordered to attack the enemy in front. General Crook's forces were held in reserve, but were soon ordered to the right of the line and to fall upon the enemy's left flank. On reachinig that point Colonel Hayes' bri- gade was formed in the first line and moved to the attack. The enemy discovering this movement turned their artillery upon it with vigor. The brigade hurried forward and soon came upon an impassable swamp, and were moved by the right flank a short distance where fording was possible. The enemy's skirmishers were driven in. A short delay ensued until all the forces could come up, when at rush was made-the enemy was doubled up and back and completely routed. General Crook's little command of about 4,000 now became the front, and pursued the fleeing Re- bels. Passing many pieces of artillery, seven

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battle-flags were captured, the blue-coats and the "gray-backs" mingling together. A large number of prisoners were left to the rear. The pursuit continued through and beyond Win- chester, till dark. The regiment's loss was 35 in killed and wounded. In this battle the division commander was wounded and Col. R. B. Hayes assumed command : Col. H. F. De- vol, of the brigade; Lieutenant-Colonel Ad- ney, of the regiment. Following the enemy up the valley they found him, September 22nd, in position at Fisher's Hill, his right resting against Massanutten Mountain, his left at the foot of North Mountain-a very strong posi- tion. As at Opequan, the Sixth and Nine- teenth corps confronted the enemy.

General Crook with his command wended his way, through gulch and brush, by the flank. to the foot and up the side of North Mountain, unperceived by the enemy. When well on their flank, overlooking them, he halted, his orders were to "quietly move down on the en- emy till within range, then raise the yell and go for them.""

At the command, "Forward," the men broke in utter disorder, and like an avalanche, and yelling like demons, fell upon the enemy. Piece after piece of their artillery was aban- coned. The Union forces not being able to overtake them, they fled on up the valley. Four men of the regiment were wounded. The reg- iment followed the fugitive army to Harrison- burg. Soon after, the army fell back to Ce- dar Creek. The creek crosses at right angles to the valley from the foot of Massanutten Mountain to North Mountain. On the lower bank of this creek the army took up its posi- tion. The Nineteenth Corps on the right, the Sixth Corps in the center, Army of Western Virginia ( General Crook's command), on the left-Major-General Wright, the ranking of- ficer, in command of the entire force. After this disposition General Sheridan left for Washington. General Early, re-enforced, came down and confronted the National forc- es, and from Massanutten Mountain could ov- erlook the entire line, and from that point planned his attack. Early in the morning of

the 18th, the entire Rebel Infantry was moved down the stream to a ford, which, by neglect of General Wright, was not properly guarded, and captured the picket without alarm. Af- ter crossing their forces, under cover of dark- ness and a dense fog, about 4 o'clock on the morning of the 19th, they attacked Colonel Thoburn ( First division, which was to the left and front), with a heavy force, completely surprising him, capturing a battery, and put- ting to flight the entire division. The main force of the enemy, at the same time, in doub- le column, moved partly to the rear of Hayes' ( Second ) division. At the first firing at the front, tents were struck, all packed, and lines were formed as the First division men came back. It was now light enough to see the ene- my in large force. The Second division commenced firing and falling back held the enemy in check till General Crook's headquarters train was of out the way. Captain Beir, General Crook's ad- jutant general, and Colonel Thoburn were killed at this point. We were still forced back by weight of numbers and overlapping. A little further back in some woods the First Brigade turned and charged the enemy, who had extended his line, driving that part of the line back which had the effect to check the pursuit and gave time for the reforming of the entire line at a new position about one and a half miles from the camps. Skirmish- ers were thrown forward. The enemy was contented with throwing an occasional shell and plundering the deserted camps. The men of the regiment were furiously angry, and eager to wipe out the stain of the morning.

In this new line the Second division was on the left and near the Winchester pike. About 10 o'clock General Sheridan came galloping up the pike, having heard the firing. He stopped in the rear of the Thirty-sixth Regiment, dismounted and heard from General Crook the story of the morning. Remounting, he tode along the line to the right and was cheered, all feeling that now there was an ef- ficient head over all. Coming back, he again dismounted and lay down among the weeds

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in consultation with General Crook-sent aides directing the formation of the Nineteenth Corps which had not been engaged in the morning. They reported all in position, then he sent orders to be in readiness to move for- ward. General Custer, commanding cavalry, was posted on the right of the infantry. About half-past 2 P. M. the entire line ad- vanced and drove the enemy at every point. As the Rebels could not cross their forces rap- idly over the ford many were captured, and the cavalry swinging round in their rear took many more. These, with 49 pieces of ar- tillery and most of the enemy's train, were the trophies of the last battle in which the Thirty-sixth Regiment participated, and the finale of Gen. Jubal Early's army. The reg- iment's loss in this battle was 30. The dead of the morning were stripped of their clothing. The regiment remained in the valley at and above Winchester. Marched to Martinsburg. in a cold rain, and January 1. 1865, embarked on railroad trains for Cumberland. In that ride, lastinig most of two days and nights, the men suffered greatly from cold. While .at Cumberland was consolidated with the Thirty- fourth Ohio, retaining its number, Thirty- sixth. In April was sent back to Winchester and thence to Staunton, the object being to head off any of the Rebel forces which might flee that way out of Richmond. At Winches- ter, April 15th, the news of the assassination of President Lincoln was received, and this

· was perhaps the saddest day in the experience of the regiment. Then soldier looked at sol- (lier in silent wonder. It was truly the hush of death. The colors were draped, which en- blem of respect never was removed. The reg- iment was at Staunton when General Lee sur- rendered and the Confederacy collapsed. In June was ordered back to Cumberland and thence to Wheeling. Perceiving there was no more need for soldiers in the field they made application at once to be mustered out. This took place at Wheelinig, West Virginia. July 27th ; went to Columbus, Ohio, were paid off and disbanded AAugust 1, 1865.

To the above account of the Thirty-sixth

Regiment by Gen. H. F. Devol, which is brief- ly and modestly put considering the value of the service rendered, we take pleasure in add- ing the following farewell address by Gen. R. B. Hayes :

HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE. FIRST DIVISION, DEPARTMENT WEST VIRGINIA, NEW CREEK, WEST VIRGINIA, April 6. 1865.

To the officers and men of the First Brigade, First Di- vision, Department West L'irginia :

It is with very great regret that I have been com- pelled to part with the officers and men of the First Brigade. With many of you I have been associated in the service almost four years; with three of the regi- ments of the brigade more than two years, and with all the regiments during the memorable campaign of 1804, the battle of Cloyd Mountain, the burning of New River Bridge, and the night march over Salt Pond Mountain under General Crook in May, the days and nights of marching. fighting and starving on the Lynch- burg raid in June, the defeat at Winchester and the re- treat on the 24th and 25th of July. the skirmishing, marching and countermarching in the Shenandoah valley in .August, the bloody and brilliant victories in September, the night battle of Berryville, the turning of the enemy's left at Sheridan's battle of Winchester, the avalanche that swept down North Mountain upon the Rebel stronghold at Fisher's Hill, the final conflict in October, the surprise and defeat of the morning and the victory of the evening at Cedar Creek. These and a thousand other events and scenes in the cam- paign form part of our common recollections which we are not likely ever to forget. As long as they are remembered we shall be reminded of each other, and of the friendly and agreeable relations which so long existed between us. It is very gratifying to me that I was allowed to serve with you until we received to- gether the tidings of the great victory which ends the Rebellion. Whatever may be your future. I shall not cease to feel a lively interest in everything which con- cerns your welfare and your reputation. Under the able and gallant officer who succeeds me-under whom we have served together with so much satisfaction- I am confident that your future will be worthy of your past. As an organization and as individuals, you have my most fervent wishes for your happiness and success. R. B. HAYES, Brigadier-General.

The regiment during its entire term of service, had a most excellent drum corps. The first half of the time in charge of Chief Mu- sician Ebenezer Corey, the remainder in charge of Chief Musician John Tenney.

If space would permit, an individual men- tion of every officer would be but justice : each one having an honorable record of patriotic (leeds, which was wrought out with great

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

personal sacrifice, not one having the slightest stain. They cherished toward each other throughout only the kindest feelings; no jeal- ousy, no rivalry, or anything that ever marred the fellowship of the true and noble brother- hood.

Companies B and F. Thirty-ninth Ohio Vol- unteers.

REGIMENTAL OFFICERS.

Colonel John Groesbeck, mustered August 24, 1861, resigned July 8, 1862: Colonel A. W. Gilbert, July S. 1862, resigned October 1. 1862; Colonel Edward F. Noyes, October 1. 1862, honorably discharged April 22. 1865: Colonel Daniel Webber, May 18, 1865, mus- tered out with regiment; Lieutenant Colonel A. W. Gilbert, July 27, 1861, promoted to colonel July 8, 1862; Lieutenant Colonel Edward F. Noyes, July 8, 1862, pro- moted to colonel October 1, 1862: Lieutenant Colonel Henry T. McDowell. October 1. 1862, mustered out ;

Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Webber, February IO.

1865, promoted to colonel: Lieutenant Colonel Will- iam C. Buck, May 18. 1865. mustered out as cap- tain May 18, 1865; Lieutenant Colonel Henry A. Babbitt. June 6. 1865, mustered out with regiment ; Major Edward F. Noyes, July 27, 1861, promoted to lieutenant colonel; Major Henry T. McDowell, July 8. 1862, promoted to lieutenant colonel; Major Will- iam H. Lathrop. October 1. 1862, colonel Third Ala- bama colored regiment April 20, 1864; Major John S. Jenkins, April 25, 1864. mustered: Major Dan- iel Webber. January II, 1865, promoted to lieutenant colonel ; Maior Henry A. Babbitt, May 18, 1865. pro- moted to lieutenant colonel; Major George T. Rice, June 6. 1865: mustered out with regiment; Surgeon Oliver W. Nixon, August 20. 1861, resigned May 31. 1862: Surgeon Thomas W. McArthur, May 31, 1862, resigned September 3. 1862; Surgeon John A. Follett, September 3, 1862, mustered out with regiment: Assist- ant Surgeon Thomas W. McArthur, August 20. 1861, promoted to surgeon: Assistant Surgeon Christian Forrester, May 31. 1862, promoted to surgeon Septem- ber 3, 1862: Assistant Surgeon Pierre S. Starr, Decem- ber 13. 186, mustered out with regiment: Assistant Surgeon Lionel J. Smith. September 5. 1862: Assist- ant Surgeon William J. Andrews, May IS, 1865, mus- tered out with regiment; Chaplain Benjamin W. Chil- daw, August 20, 1861, resigned April 9, 1862.

COMPANY OFFICERS FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY.

Captain John C. Fell. mustered July 31, 1861, re- signed April 12, 1862; Captain Jacob Koenig, July 31, 1861, died; Captain William H. Pittinger, May 18, 1862, mustered out with regiment; Captain Ethau O. Hurd, July 3. 1862, reisgned March 3, 1864: Captain William C. Buck. May 9. 1864, promoted to lieutenant colonel : Captain George T. Rice, January II, 1862, pro- moted to major ; Captain William H. Mintun, January II, 1862, mustered out with regiment; Captain William

Benze. January 11, 1862. mustered out; First Lieutenant William Edgerton, july 31, 1861, resigned June 25, 1862: First Lieutenant Ethan O. Hurd, July 31, 1861, promoted to Captain : First Lieutenant Henry W. Shep- pard. February 8, 1802, resigned June 10, 1862; First Lieutenant William C. Buck, June 25, 1862, promoted to captain : First Lieutenant August Kropp, July 3. 1862, resigned April 1, 1864: First Lieutenant George T. Rice, May 9, 1864, promoted to captain : First Lieu- tenant Ely Steen, January 11, 1865, mustered out with regiment : First Lieutenant Alexander MeTaggert, Feb- ruary 10. 1865, resigned June 20. 1805: First Lieutenant William Snodgrass, May IS, 1865. discharged July I. 186 ;: First Lieutenant Frank Fortman, July 20, 1862, resigned September 15, 1862: First Lieutenant William Benze. May 25, 1862. promoted to captain : First Lieu- tenant William H. Pittinger, January II, 1865, pro- moted to captain; First Lieutenant Barney Shultz, February 10. 1865, mustered out with regiment ; Second Lieutenant Henry W. Sheppard. July 31. 1861, promoted to first lieutenant : Second Lieutenant Will- iam C. Buck, March 19. 1862, promoted to first lieu- tenant : Second Lieutenant George T. Rice, June 25. 1862, promoted to first lieutenant; Second Lieu- tenant Alexander McTaggart. July II, 1865, pro- mioted to first lieutenant: Second Lieutenant Will- jam Snodgrass. February 14, 1865, promoted to first lieutenant : Second Lieutenant Daniel Otterbein, May 18, 1865, mustered out with regiment; Second Lieu- tenant Buell Congdon. May 18. 1865: Second Lieu- tenant Charles Miller, July 31, 1861, resigned June 16, 1862; Second Lieutenant Frank Fortman, July 18. 1862, promoted to first lieutenant : Second Lieutenant Will- iam Benze, June 20, 1863, promoted to first lieutenant ; Second Lieutenant Barney Shultz, July II, 1865, pro- moted to first lieutenant.

The regimental organization was perfected August 16, 1861, at Camp Dennison, Ohio; ordered to St. Louis, Missouri, where they arrived August 19th; moved up the North Missouri Railroad September 7th. September 12th, the regiment was divided, Companies A. B. E, I and K, going toward St. Joseph. This detachment remained in Northern Missouri until February, 1862. Companies A and I marched from St. Joseph to Liberty in pursuit of the enemy and back to St. Joseph, in September, then moved by rail to Chillicothe, when they rejoined B, E and K. These five companies marched from Chillicothe to Macon City, thence to St. Jo- seph and Chillicothe and back to Macon City and St. Joseph, at which latter place they ar- rived December 4, 1861. On the 5th of De- cember they marched under Brigadier-General Prentiss toward the Missouri River, reach- ing it at Lexington; proceeded to Carrolton

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and returned to Utica December 8, 1861. De- cember 20th, moved to Palmyra, Missouri. and remained there until the middle of Feb- ruary, 1862, when the detachment moved by rail to St. Louis. Companies C. D, F, G and H. moved from Utica, Missouri, as part of the command of Brigadier-General Sturgess to the relief of Lexington, which place was then besieged by the enemy under General Price. Arrived in sight of Lexington September 19th. but finding it impossible to cross the river, and having no artillery, the relieving force di- verged and marched to Liberty, when they embarked on steamers for Kansas City, Mis- souri, October 15th, still under General Stur- gess, took up line of march for Springfield, Missouri, by way of Osceola, Bolivar and Greenfield. Arrived at Springfield November Ist, having marched on that day 39 miles, to re-enforce General Fremont's grand army, which was reported to be in the presence of the enemy. On the gth of November marched towards the Missouri River, reaching Sedalia by way of Warsaw November 16th, and by December 18th, reached Syracuse. February 2. 1862, took up line of march for St. Louis, by way of Boonville, Columbia, Fulton and St. Charles, and arrived at St. Louis February 19. 1862, when the entire regiment was re- united.

on the 17th, where the command arrived on the 23rd, and disembarked. During the siege of Corinth from April 23rd to May 29th, the regiment made many reconnoissances and was frequently engaged in skirmishes with the en- emy. On the 30th they advanced upon the Rebel works, found them deserted, and the Thirty-ninth was the first regiment to enter the entrenchments. For several days they pursued the Rebels, and on the 12th of June returned to Clear Creek, four miles south of Corinth, and went into camp, where the reg- iment was armed with the Whitney rifle with sabre bayonet. August 20th, marched to luka under General Rosecrans and returned on September 12th. On September 14th the movement against General Price, who had oc- cupied Inka, began, and on the 19th they were engaged in the battle of luka, which was a bloody contest, resulting in a defeat to the ene- my. They pursued the Rebel forces several days and then turned back and reached Cor- inth October 3rd. The Thirty-ninth, in the dispositions for the great battle impending at that point, was stationed near Fort Robi- net. After dark the Ohio brigade, which con- sisted of the Twenty-seventh. Thirty-ninth, Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio regiments. marched to relieve one of the brigades of (ien- eral Davie's division, which had been resist- ing the enemy's advance in front. The Ohio brigade was ordered to occupy the high ground near Battery Robinet. Near the crest was formed the line of battle. Directly on the right of the earthwork covering the battery and stretching across the Chewalla road, stood the men of the Sixty-third. next came the Twenty-seventh and farther still to the right was the Thirty-ninth Regiment. On the left of the battery facing to the left and nearly at right angles with the main line, rested the Forty-third.

The regiment embarked on steamer Feb- ruary 22d, and arrived at Commerce, Mis- souri, on the 24th, and at New Madrid March 3d. when the regiment formed a part of Groes- beck's brigade, Stanley's division of General Pope's Army of the Mississippi. During the next 10 days made several reconnoissances and took part in the siege of New Madrid. March 13th and 14th. Assisted in the cap- ture of the place March 14th crossed the Mis- sissippi April 7th, and on the 8th, in conjunc- tion with other troops, captured 5.500 prison- ers at Tiptonville, being the Rebel force from The locality above-mentioned was the scene . of the desperate charge of October 4th, in which the Twenty-seventh, and especially the Sixty-third Regiment, lost heavily, the Thirty- ninth escaping with slight loss, and the enemy Island No. 10. On the same day marched to Island No. 10, and on the oth returned to New Madrid. April 13th embarked on steamer to go down the river, arrived near Fort Pillow on the 15th, started for Pittsburgh Landing | were terribly punished and routed. The Thir-

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 97

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