History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 98

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 98

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).

664

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

ty-ninth followed in pursuit of Van Dorn and Price for four days, and on October 12th re- turned to Corinth, where they remained un- til November 2d, and marched southward to a point five miles south of Oxford, Mississip- pi. On December 18th they moved by rail to Jackson, Tennessee, to re-enforce General Sullivan, who was hard pressed by General Forrest's command. They then, on Decem- ber 20th, moved toward the Tennessee River, and took part in the battle of Parker's Cross Roads, defeating Forrest there on Decem- ber 31st. General Fuller says of this engage- ment, which was so overshadowed by the great battle of Stone River, in progress at the same time, tliat it never received adequate no- tice :

Colonel Dunham, of Indiana, was sent ahead with a brigade to intercept Forrest's march at Parker's Cross Roads, and the Ohio brigade was to follow the next morning. At four o'clock we started, and marched until daylight, when a halt was made for breakfast. That over, we moved on, and soon the sound of cannon in our front advised us that Forrest was attacking Dunham's brigade, and then began a struggle in which. legs told. Within an hour and a half they marched seven miles without a halt. with ranks well closed ; and when a hill was reached whence Forrest's men and guns were seen, the Ohio brigade formed in line of battle on the double-quick. and went down for them with such good will that every Rebel gun unlimbered and in action was ours in five minutes, and Forrest's forces were galloping away-not all, however, for many had dismounted in the fight, and their horses . left 111 the rear were captured and their riders surrendered. Six guns, 400 horses, and 360 officers and men were captured. This was quite an achievement. for Forrest was not beaten every day.

January 8, 1863, the regiment returned to Corinth, having marched over 200 miles in three weeks, without government rations, transportation, or ambulances. The regi- ment remained at Corinth until April 20th, when it moved with the expedition under Gen- eral Dodge to the Tuscumbia Valley, for the purpose of keepinig the Rebels busy in that direction while another expedition cut the rail- roads in the rear of General Bragg's army. General Dodge was confronted by the Rebel forces under Forrest and Roddy, and on the 28th the regiment was engaged in the battle near Tuscumbia, defeating the Rebels. They

then marched 16 miles beyond Tuscumbia, re- turned to Corinth May 2nd, and marched to Memphis, Tennessee, on May roth. Here the regiment was allowed to rest and recuper- ate. General Fuller says :

"When Grant directed everything at Mem- phis to come to him at Vicksburg, the Ohio brigade was ordered to march and garrison the former city. This was your single 'soft spot' of the war. Excepting this, your lot was al- ways at the front; but here for some months you lounged in camp, guarded the gardens, flirted with the ladies, and seldom missed a 'good square meal.'

The regiment up to this time had lost, in killed and wounded and discharged, since its organization, about 300 men, and had recruit- ed about 200, and had an aggregate of 830 ready for duty.

The regiment remained in Memphis until October 18th, when they went to Prospect, Tennessee, marching a distance of 250 miles, and arriving there November 13th. Here they lay encamped until the 27th of Deceni- ber, when the regiment re-enlisted as veterans, and returned home on furlough for 30 days. "The measured tread. of an army, keeping step, is heard; and that wondrous scene un- folds, which the whole world beholds-the marshaling of the veteran hosts! The sol- diers of the ranks stand forth ! * ter us again! for all the war muster us in!' From that patriotic hour was the doom of the Rebellion sealed."

The Thirty-ninth Regiment furnished more veterans than any other Ohio regiment. The Ohio brigade stood as follows: Thirty- ninth, 534 men ; Sixty-third, 455: Forty-third, 436; and the Twenty-seventh, 437 men.

At the expiration of the furlough, the reg- iment returned to its former camp at Pros- pect, Tennessee, and from thence they moved on Decatur, Alabama. The town was cap- tured by a night movement. The brigade was embarked above in 70 boats, which, with muffled oars, silently stole down until oppo-

*General Fuller's address before the Ohio Brigade.

665

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

site, when, by the left flank, they were soon on shore, up the bank, and in line. The Rebels, after exchanging a few shots, retired, completely surprised and defeated.

On May 1, 1864. the regiment marched to join General Sherman's grand army at Chat- tanooga. Here the great Atlanta campaign was commenced. Meeting the enemy at Res- aca, the Thirty-ninth was, on May 13th, 14th, and 15th, in the front line of battle driving the Rebels to their trenches with a loss of two men.

At Dallas, Georgia, on the 27th, they again met the enemy, driving him from his position, in which engagement the loss by the regiment was severe. The Rebel army was next en- countered at the base of Kenesaw Mountain. Heavy skirmishing began on the 13th of June, in which the Thirty-ninth was constantly en- gaged during the several days' fighting, los- ing severely in killed and wounded. The Rebels were finally compelled to leave their stronghold.

On July 4th the enemy was again encoun- tered at Ruff's Mills, when the Thirty-ninth. together with the Twenty-seventh, made a gallant charge on the enemy's works, driving them out in confusion, and not giving them time to remove their dead and wounded, and capturing quite a number of prisoners. This engagement is known also by the name of Nic- ojack Creek. The colonel of the regiment, E. F. Noyes, lost a foot in this action and never joined the regiment afterwards. Company B lost four severely wounded.

The Rebels retreated, and the National Army pursued until they were finally driven into their devoted city, Atlanta, around which scenes of terrible slaughter were soon to be enacted.

On July 22, 1864, the regiment together with the Twenty-seventh Ohio, was ordered to a responsible position in the line of battle of that memorable day, and they held it.

"The men were directed to unsling knap- sacks, fix bayonets, and lie down on the crest of the ridge, where the line was formed, for protection from the fire of the enemy which came from the wood in front. The Second di-

vision had formed a line conforming in the main to that of the Twenty-seventh and Thir- ty-ninth, on a parallel ridge to the left of the Thirty-ninth, but separated from that regi- ment by a deep transverse ravine. The ene- my charged the Second division within a few minutes and were repulsed.

"Immediately afterward his line of battle came out of the timber in front of the Thirty- ninth and Twenty-seventh regiments, advanc- ing in plain view and within easy range, when individual men of both regiments raised to their feet and taking deliberate aim discharged their pieces. No order could keep them down with such an opportunity to use their muskets effectually. In less time than it takes to re- late it, both regiments were on their feet dis- charging their pieces with rapidity and tell- ing effect on the foe; yet on he came until the Thirty-ninth and Twenty-seventh charge'] him in turn, driving him from the field into the wood. Meanwhile another body of the enemy in line of battle came out of the wood to the right of the Twenty-seventh, bearing down on its flank and rear. General Fuller directed that the three right companies of the regiment be retired to face this second assault. This was done, but it soon became evident that a change of front to the rear of the entire line was necessary. This change was made under a hot fire. In executinig this movement nec- essarily made with celerity and under trying conditions, in the face of a defiant and rapidly advancing foe, the Twenty-seventh became somewhat disordered ; and my thanks are due to General Fuller for his timely assistance in forming the new line. He grasped the colors of the Twenty-seventh and with them desig- nated the ground he wished the new line to occupy. The line was promptly formed there ; several volleys fired by the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Ohio regiments, Eighteenth Missouri and Sixty-fourth Hlinois (the latter two regiments until then in reserve ), followed by a charge again drove the enemy from the field. The line laid down fac- ing the wood which was on its right flank in the beginning of the battle.

under a raking fire from the timber

666

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

for an hour or more, when the enemy retreated and the greatest battle of the campaign was over. This was a stand up open field fight, with only such protection as the muskets and bayonets afforded."*

This stubborn resistance in this part of the field saved the left wing of Sherman's army from defeat; the old Thirty-ninth and Twenty-seventh stood as an impenetrable wall in front of the enemy, not giving an inch of ground and repelling several distinct charges by the Rebels. Our artillery, supported by the Ohio brigade, poured into the Rebel col- umns closed en masse, their deadly fire, mus- ketry, grape, and canister, causing them to melt away like dew before the morning sun, leaving the National forces the victors of the field. The Thirty-ninth lost 144 killed and wounded.

The regiment then moved to the west side of Atlanta, forming the right wing, where on the 28th of July another severe battle was fought in which the Thirty-ninth participated, repulsing the enemy with great loss. Thus almost every day the regiment was engaged in skirmishinig until the final evacuation of the city, which occurred on the end of September. 1864, and in the meantime they marched to Jonesborough, 15 miles south of Atlanta, de- stroying 10 miles of the Montgomery Railroad while on the way. At the latter place we again met the enemy in force and repulsed him with great loss, driving him so far south as Lovejoy's Station. In all these move- ments the Thirty-ninth performed a conspic- uous part. They then returned to Atlanta, where they enjoyed a rest of about 30 days. In the meantime Hood, with his army, had got in our rear, destroying our communica- tions with Chattanooga and investinig our stronghold at Altoona Pass. General Corse commanded at that point and had 1.944 men. the Rebel general, French, many times that number. The Rebels came on in full force and charged the devoted garrison, but were

"Address of Gen. M. Churchill, late colonel of the Twenty-seventh Regiment, at the reunion of the Ohio brigade.

driven back with the loss of hundreds, still assault after assault was delivered with same result, while the Twenty-third corps under Gen. J. D. Cox were hastening to the rescue, and flags conveying from peak to peak, the message from General Sherman to General Corse to "hold the fort," and that he was "coming with re-enforcements." Sherman, on learning that Corse was there, exclaimed, "He will hold out! I know the man!" and he did hold out, though 707 (more than a third) of his men had fallen, when the enemy desisted, leaving 231 dead and 411 prisoners and 800 muskets on the field.

The Thirty-ninth was in the front during the pursuit of Hood, being the first regiment in the Ohio brigade commanded by Gen. J. WV. Fuller.

The Rebels were driven across the Ten- nessee to be left to the tender mercies of Gen. George H. Thomas, while Sherman made all haste to get ready for his "March to the Sea." The regiment now no longer in the Ohio bri- gade, but in the First Division of the Seven- teenth Army Corps, on the 15th of November, took up its line of march with that corps, down to the sea, with Sherman. They destroyed the railroads as they went, meeting with but little opposition until they arrived in front of Savannah, on the 9th of December, making a distance of 350 miles from Atlanta. Here they found the Rebels strongly fortified, with Hardee in his last ditch. After opening com- munication with the sea by way of St. Catha- rine Sound, taking Fort McAllister on the way, and having several days' hard fighting around the city of Savannah, in all of which the Thirty-ninth participated, the Rebels evac- uated the city on the 21st of December, and it was immediately occupied by the National Army.

About the middle of January, 1865, the Thirty-ninth embarked with other troops on transports, and went to Beaufort, South Car- olina, and assited in driving the Rebels from their strongholdl at Pocotaligo Station, 25 miles northwest from Beaufort.

On the Ist of February the Thirty-ninth,

667

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

with other forces of the grand army, took up its line of march through the Carolinas, wad- ing swamps and fighting the enemy from place to place. On the 4th of February they en- gaged the enemy at Rivers bridge, repulsing him with severe loss, the Thirty-ninth losing two killed and three wounded.

Continuing the march, they struck the Au- gusta & Charleston Railroad at Midway sta- tion, moving on that road to Columbia, thence north to Waynesborough, thence east to Che- raw, driving the enemy before them and cap- turing at that point a large amount of ammu- nition and artillery, thence marched to Fay- etteville, North Carolina, thence to Benton- ville, where a severe battle was fought March 21st, in which the First Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, was hotly engaged, the Thirty- ninth being in the center of the brigade on the right of the line of battle. They firmly held their ground, while those on the right and left gave way, leaving both flanks exposed to a raking fire. The brigade finally formed in the shape of a horse shoe and succeeded in re- pulsing the enemy. The brigade then moved to a stronger position, lay on their arms all night and in the morning were ready to re- sume the fight, but the enemy was gone. The next day they moved to Goldsborough. Our loss in this engagement was 23 killed and wounded.

Here they rested until April joth, when they resumed the line of march toward Ral- eigh, and arrived there on the 15th and went into camp two miles west of the city, enjoying a few days of rest. We then joined in the pursuit of the Rebel forces under General Johnston. After marching 15 miles a pro- posal was received by General Sherman to surrender the Rebel forces, which was finally consummated, and we again returned to Ral- eigh. We then marched to Richmond, the late Rebel capital, a distance of 180 miles, in seven days, and from there to Washington City.

After participating in the grand review of all the armies by President Lincoln, the heads of departments, diplomatic corps, and a large

number of distinguished officers of the army and navy, and an immense throng of rejoicing citizens, the Thirty-ninth moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where it was mustered out of the United States service on July 9, 1865, the war being over.

Engagements in which the Thirty-ninth Regiment participated :

New Madrid, Missouri, March 7, 10, and 13, 1862; Island No. 10, April 8, 1862: Farm- ington, Mississippi, May 8 and 9, 1862; Cor- inth, Mississippi. May 28 and 29, 1862; luka, Mississippi, September, 19, 1862; Parkers Cross Roads, Tennessee, December 31, 1864: Resaca, Georgia, May 13 and 14, 1864; Dal- las, Georgia, May 31, 1864: Kenesaw Moun- tain, Georgia, June 18, 23, 26, and 27, 1864; Ruff's Mills, Georgia, July 4, 1864; Atlanta. Georgia, July 22, 29 and 30, 1864; Savannah, Georgia, December 10, 1864; River's Bridge, South Carolina, February 4, 1865; Benton- ville, North Carolina, March 21, 1805.

The Thirty-ninth Regiment nie rched 3,- 521 miles, by rail 2,680 miles, by steamboat 2405 miles ; total, 8,606 miles.

Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

REGIMENTAL OFFICERS.

Colonel John W. Sprague, mustered January 23, 1862, promoted to brigadier general volunteers ; Colonel Charles E. Brown, June 6. 1805. on detached duty at muster out of regiment: Lieutenant Colonel William E. Gilmore, October 17, 1861, resigned July 17, 1862; Lieutenant Colonel Alexander 1 .. Haskin, July 17, 1862: Lieutenant Colonel J. Hunter Odlin, March 20, 1863: Lieutenant Colonel Charles E. Brown, March 20. 1863, promoted to colonel: Lieutenant Colonel Oscar Jackson. June 6, 1865. mustered out with regime it - as major ; Major Alexander L. Haskins, October 1, 1861, promoted, and honorably discharged March 20. 1863: Maior J Hunter Odlin, October 1. 1862 resigned January 3. 1863: Maior John W. Fouts, January 1 1863, mu dered out: Maior Oscar L. Jackson, January 28. 1865, promoted to lieutenant colonel: Surgeen Istae L. Crane, October 7. 1861, resigned January 28, 1863: Surgeon Arthur D. Monahan, january 28, 1863, mis- tered out July 21, 1305: Assistant Surgeon Arthur 1). Monahan, November 7. 1861, promoted to surgeon ; Assistant Surgeon J. O. Marsh. August 21. 1802. 1(- signed October 2, 1802: Assistent Surgeon John B. Me- Dell. March 11, 1803, resigned May 31. 1865: Chaplam B. S. Fry, February 13. 1802, mu-tered out September 27. 1864, at expiration i term.

668

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

COMPANY OFFICERS.

Captain John W. Fouts. October 28, 1861, pro- mioted to major; Captain Christopher E. Smith, Octo- ber 26, 1861, resigned December 22, 1862: Captain Rod- ney K. Shaw, December 20, 1861, resigned August 30, 1862; Captain Charles J. Titus, December 20, 1861, resigned June 18, 1862; Captain O. W. Pollock, June 18, 1862. mustered out with regiment; Captain George Wightman, August II, 1862, discharged October 19, 1864: Captain Winslow L. Bay, January 1, 1863, mus- tered out with regiment: Captain A. C. Fenner, Octo- ber 4. 1864. mistered out with regiment; Captain George B. Bartlett, November 12, 1864, mustered out with regiment; Captain M. A. Stewart, November 12, 1864. declined promotion : Captain Madison Hoon, June 28, 1865, mustered out with regiment; First Lieu- tenant Wesley J. Tucker, October 28. 1861, resigned June 18, 1862; First Lieutenant Henry S. Burt, Decem- ber 20, 1861, detailed on staff duty; First Lieutenant O. W. Pollock, December 26, 1861, promoted to cap- tain : First Lieutenant Louis Schmidt, February 13, 1862, resigned August 24, 1864: First Lieutenant Rich- ard B. Cheatham, June 18, 1862, died July 18, 1863 ; First Lieutenant A. C. Tenner, August II, 1862, pro- moted to captain; First Lieutenant George B. Bartlett, July 18. 1863, promoted to captain ; First Lieutenant A. J. Howard, August 11, 1864, declined promotion ; First Lieutenant M. A. Stewart. September 26, 1864, returned commission, mustered out; First Lieutenant Angus McDonald, September 26, 1864, promoted to captain ; First Lieutenant Wallace S. Roach, September 26, 1864, returned commission : First Lieutenant Madison Hoon. October 4. 1864, promoted to captain; First Lieutenant Alexander H. Brill. January 20. 1865. mus- tered out with regiment ; First Lieutenant Wallace C. Bay, January 20, 1865, resigned May 23, 1865: Second Lieutenant Robert Booth, October 1. 1861, resigned June 28. 1862: Second Lieutenant Benjamin Knight, November 12, 1861, resigned September 3. 1862; Sec- ond Lieutenant Lewis L. Grubb. February 13, 1862, re- signed May 26, 1862; Second Lieutenant George B. Bartlett. May 26, 1862, promoted to first lieutenant ; Second Lieutenant Winslow L. Bay, January 30, 1862, promoted to captain ; Second Lieutenant A. J. Howard. January 1. 1863. honorably discharged November 9, 1864; Second Lieutenant M. A. Stewart, January 1, 1863. mustered out : Second Lieutenant Angus McDon- ald. July 18, 1863. promoted to first heutenant : Second Lieutenant Wallace S. Roach, June 30, 1863, mustered out : Second Lieutenant Alexander H. Brill. November 12, 1864. promoted to first lieutenant.

The Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry was formed by the consolidation of a battalion of six companies raised at Camp Worthing, Chillicothe, with a battalion of four compa- nies raised at Camp Putnam, Marietta .* It

*By this consolidation it became practical to trans- fer. and by order of the war department. the Thirteenth Missouri Regiment, composed mostly of Ohio men and officer , was transferred to the credit of Ohio, and be- came the Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

was originally intended for two regiments- the Twenty-second, to be raised under the di- rection of, and to be commanded by, Col. Will- iam E. Gilmore, and the Sixty-third, to be raised under the direction of, and to be com- manded by, Col. William Craig, then quar- termaster in charge at Marietta. In Decem- ber, 1861, the call for troops to be sent to the front became so pressing that the order for consolidation came, and the two battalions were Junited; the Twenty-second furnishing companies A, B, E, H. I, and K; and the Sixty-third furnishing four companies raised in Washington County-Company C, com- manded by Capt. Christopher E. Smith ; Com- pany B, commanded by Capt. John W. Fouts ; Company F, commanded by Capt. Charles J. Titus ; and Company G, commanded by Capt. Rodney K. Shaw. The command of the reg- iment was given to Colonel Craig ; William E. Gilmore was made lieutenant-colonel, and Alexander L. Haskins, major.

On the 21st of December, 1861, the regiment removed to Camp Dennison; and on the 27th of the same month it returned to Mar- ietta, and encamped at Camp Tupper.

On the 23rd of January, 1862, Colonel Craig resigned, and the command of the reg- iment was given to Col. John W. Sprague, formerly a captain in the Seventh Ohio. Col- onel Sprague immediately took command, and proceeded to fit his regiment to enter the field by perfecting its drill and discipline.

On the 18th of February, 1862, Colonel Sprague with his regiment was ordered to the field, and to report at Paducah, Kentucky. The regiment left Marietta late in the evening of the 18th: six companies under the com- mand of Colonel Sprague, on the steamer "Bostona, No. 2." and four companies under command of Major Haskins, on the steamer "T. J. Rattin." Marietta gave one of the best proofs of her sympathy and interest for the sticcess of the Union cause by turning out en masse at the landing to witness their depar- ture. On Saturday the 22nd of February, the command reached Paducah and reported for orders. Having been armed and drilled in

669

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

Camp Marietta, it was ordered to proceed to Commerce, Missouri, and report to General Pope, then organizing the Army of the Mis- sissippi at that point. The regiment reached Commerce, on Sunday morning, the 23rd of February, being the second regiment to ar- rive at the rendezvous. It immediately de- barked, and encamped and occupied the ceme- tery on the high ground in the rear of the town. Later in the day it was joined by the Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth, and Forty- third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, its companions in the organization known as the Ohio brigade. These four regiments were brigaded together, and were made the First Brigade in the First Division of the Army of the Mississippi. Gen. Schuyler Hamilton commanded the divi- sion one day; the command was then given to Gen. David S. Stanley, one of Ohio's briga- dier-generals.

From the 23rd to the 27th of February, the army was actually employed in the collec- tion of stores, and the organization of divi- sions. On the morning of the 28th the line of march was taken up for New Madrid, the Ohio brigade taking the advance. The army arrived in sight of New Madrid on the third day of March, and at two o'clock in the af- ternoon of that day the Sixty-third was first brought into action. It moved forward in line of battle with the same steadiness and pre- cision that it would in review. Its first ex- perience gave it the morale of veterans. For three hours it remained in its trying position, exposed to the artillery fire of the two forts and a fleet of six gunboats, without the oppor- tunity of using their arms. Late in the after- noon the army retired out of range, and went into camp. The day had been a cold raw March day, and in the afternoon it began to snow. En route the army had been restrained from using fences, or in any manner foraging. The cold and exposure brought from head- quarters the order to take the top rail, for campfires. In a short time the boys were com- fortable around the blazing campfires, and in the morning it was found the army "was not fenced in."

The Sixty-third shared in all the fights in and around New Madrid previous to its cap- ture. Int the reconnoissance on the 7th of March it took an exposed position, and for a short time the upper fort had its range, and made its situation uncomfortable, fortunately without casualty.

On the 13th of March the Ohio brigade was made the infantry support of the siege bat- teries. The Sixty-third on the right, the Thirty-ninth on the left, well up to the bat- teries, and the Twenty-seventh and Forty- third in reserve. The troops were exposed to a constant artillery fire from the dawn until sunset, when the cannonading ceased. The troops remained in the trenches at night, ex- posed to a most terrific thunderstorm, without shelter or fires, the ground flooded with wa- ter. The dawn revealed the fact that the ene- my had abandoned the forts, and retreated during the darkness.

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 98

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