History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 49

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Baskin & Battey. Chicago. pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1014

USA > Ohio > Medina County > History of Medina county and Ohio > Part 49

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).

The Third Regiment, after having been mus- tered into the service of the Government at Cincinnati, remained there a short time, and, finally, in company with several other regi- ments, was ordered to New Orleans, arriving there some time in July, 1846. Two days later the Third Regiment took shipping for Brazos, Santiago Island, reaching that city after a stormy voyage of nine days on the Gulf. After two weeks of maneuver and drill, the regiment was ordered to Fort Brown to guard the Ameri- ean stores and property at that point. Five days later, the troops were moved across the Rio Grande River to Matamoras, where they remained until September, doing guard duty and enjoying a few slight skirmishes with Mexi. can guerrillas. During one of the Mexican raids on the pickets of the American forees, O. P. Barney, who had enlisted at Medina (though not a resident there), and who was doing guard duty on the outermost line of pickets, was sur- prised and lassoed by a number of the barba- rous enemy. When found, his body was bruised and mangled in a frightful manner, and around his neck were the blue marks made by the cruel lasso. He had, undoubtedly, been dragged to death upon the hard ground. The troops had pleasant times while guarding the Government stores at Fort Brown and Mata- moras. They mingled freely with the citizens while off duty, and often took the liberty to appropriate chickens, sweet potatoes, ete., with- out the owner's knowledge or eonsent. It is related by Alexander Coretsca, of Medina, the

only ex-soldier of the Mexican war now known to be in Medina County, that two soldiers, on one oeeasion, went to the eity market, and see- ing there a fine quarter of beef, raised it on their bayonets and conveyed it to eamp, where it was eoneealed ; so that, when search was in- stituted a half-hour later, upon the complaint of the buteher, no beef was to be found. Sueh acts were unusual and forbidden. In the latter part of September, the volunteers were ordered to Monterey, and soon afterward received or- ders to mareh rapidly to the relief of the Ameri- ean troops at Meir, where a brisk skirmish was in progress, and the volunteers were receiving severe punishment. The Third Regiment arrived in time to find that the enemy had been repulsed with severe loss, as the field was strewed with about two hundred dead, a por- tion of them, however, being Amerieans. Here the regiment remained until about the middle of February, 1847, when orders were received to mareh with all haste to the relief of Gen. Taylor, who, located in a favorable position in a narrow defile near Buena Vista, with 4,700 men, was anxiously awaiting an attaek from 20,000 Mexieans under Gen. Santa Anna. The regiment reached the field ten days after the battle. After remaining at this point about a month, the Third Regiment was ordered baek to the Rio Grande, and, finally, during the autumn of 1847, was shipped aeross the Gulf to New Orleans, where the volunteers drew their pay for eighteen months, at $7 per month, and were discharged from the serviee, having partieipated in no engagement during the eam- paign. Of the Medina County boys, Josiah Coy died of a fever at Camargo. Amiah Chaffey died near Natehez, Miss., of disease eontraeted while in the serviee, his death oeeur- ring a few days after his discharge. During the homeward journey, Terry (?) Harris was so un- well as to be unable to walk. He died about a week after reaching home. Soon after the re- turn of the volunteers, Horace Potter moved

312

HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

West to Kansas, where he yet lives. C. B. Wood also went West. Columbus Chapman was living at Scville a few years ago. D. W. Rouse was at Harrisville some four years ago, but his present whereabouts are unknown. Elijah Beard moved West five years ago. What became of Charles Barrett is unknown. The Fritz brothers moved to the West about two years after returning home. Alexander Cor- etsca is yet living at Medina, and much of the information above narrated has been obtained from him, and from John A. Rettig. Stephen Hyatt was with Gen. Scott on that memorable and triumphant march from the Mexican Gulf to the "City of the Aztecs." He returned to Ohio after the war, and finally died at Ashland. Robert W. Patterson was among the American troops at the siege of the ancient city of Pueblo, in October, 1847, where he received a severe, though not necessarily fatal, wound in the head. Ambitious to be with his regiment, he exposed himself too soon, and in November of the same year, died in Pueblo. His mother drew $80 of his back pay, and received the land warrant of 160 acres granted him by the Government. Nathaniel Case returned to Medina at the close of the war, where he married. Ten years later, he removed to Wisconsin, and afterward served in the last war. He was killed by an engine while crossing the railroad track near Janes- ville, Wis. Ebenezer Manning and several others had charge of one of the light pieces of artillery at the battle of Mier. His companions at the gun were in turn shot before his eyes, until he, alone, remained, and then, receiving no help, he heroically loaded and fired the piece seven times himself. With such heroism on the part of the Americans, it is needless to add that the enemy were repulsed, leaving their dead and wounded on the field. This ends the brief history of the part borne by Medina County in the Mexican war.

But there is another struggle to be partially and briefly recorded, compared with which the

Mexican war was child's play. The causes which led to the last great rebellion-one of the most sanguinary and stupendous wars ever waged by a brave and intelligent people-it is not the object of this chapter to narrate. Many a gifted pen has spread them upon the national records, to be placed among the sad memorials in remembrance of the heroic efforts to rend the beloved Republic from the cruel and degrading grasp of slavery, and from the hateful attempts to subvert the meaning of the Constitution. The wave of excitement and opposition that swept through the South when the news of the election of Mr. Lincoln to the Presidency flashed through- out the country, told in unmistakable language to the still hopeful North, that the red cloud of war was already casting its dark shadow over the peaceful domain of the American Union. Statesmen in the North viewed with reluctance or contempt the steady and extensive prepara- tions for war in the South, and refused to be- lieve its presence until the first blow fell like a thunderbolt upon Fort Sumter, and, at the same time, upon the faithful hearts of loyal peo- ple. Even then, the North believed, as was stated by one of its leaders, that the rebellion would be quelled in ninety days. But, as time passed on, and the large bodies of troops failed to control or quell the aggressive and daring movements of the Confederate armies, and the sullen tide of steady reverses swept over almost every field of battle, the hope of the North for peace died out, the gloom of probable national disaster and disunion filled every heart, and for many desolate months the outlook was dark and forbidding. The impetus of the Confederate cause, gained by an earlier preparation for war, at length aroused every loyal thought to action, and the wave of defeat, striking against the iron defenses of the North, was finally swept back to the birthplace of secession.

When the news of the fall of Sumter swept over the country like a flame of fire, in all places the most intense excitement prevailed.

318

HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

Men forgot their daily employment, and gath- ered in the neighboring villages in erowds, to review the politieal situation and eneourage one another with hopeful words. Plows were left in the half-finished furrow, and shops and stores were elosed. The prompt eall of the President for volunteers, the day sueceeding the fall of Sumter, met the earnest will of Northeru people, and in every State more than double the assigned quota of men, without re- gard to politieal views, immediately enlisted. Millions in money were tendered the Govern- ment for the prosecution of war against the rebellion, aud the most ardent encouragement for upholding and enforeing the spirit of the Constitution prevailed throughout the North. Stirring appeals for loyalty and unity of aetion were made by orators to vast assemblages, wherein were seen the flushed faees of the brave men whose lives were freely given to their country, aud whose sacred dust we now eover with flowers.

A mass-meeting was immediately ealled, to be held at Medina on Tuesday, the 23d of April, 1861, nine days after the fall of Sumter, for the purpose of securing volunteers for the serv- iee and learning the will of the people. Almost the entire county turned out-men, women and ehildren-and great exeitement and invineible determinations of loyalty prevailed. Bands of martial musie paraded the streets for hours be- fore the appointed time for speaking arrived. E. A. Warner was chosen President of the day, and immediately thereafter the following reso- lutions were offered by Hon. Herman Canfield.

WHEREAS, A portion of the States of this nation have, without just cause, renounced their allegiance to the Federal Government, and, by formal acts of traitorous Conventions, declared their seccssion from the Union, and have seized the forts, arsenals, and other property of the United States within their State limits, and, em- boldened by temporary success, are now marching upon the Federal capitol to subvert the Government, and attempt the subjugation of the loyal States, there- fore be it

Resolved, That we regard secession as treason, and the pretended Government of the so-called Confederate States as an organized rebellion.

Resolved, That we make no compromises with traitors, nor terms with rebels in arms.

Resolved, That we will bury all party differences, and forget all party distinctions, until our beloved country is rescued from its peril, and the supremacy of the laws vindicated.

Resolved, That, by the help of God, we will transmit to our posterity the glorious Republic, the free Consti- tution, and the priceless liberties we inherited from a brave ancestry .

Resolved, That this Convention appeal to the Trustees of the several townships to procure the immediate or- ganization and drill of military companies, and that this Convention appoint township committees of five, to co-operate with the trustees in said object.

Resolved, That the Committees so appointed, take prompt and efficient measures for the support of the families of volunteers who go out to their country's bat- tles, and that we hereby pledge the utmost of our means for that purpose.

Each individual resolution was submitted separately to the assembled eitizens, and adopted by a ringing and uuanimous vote. Thrilling and eloquent speeches were made by Messrs. H. G. Blake, C. T. Prentiss, Myron C. Hills, W. W. Ross, J. B. Young, Washington Crane, Revs. Grosvenor and Davis, and several others. Volunteers were ealled for, and about 200 men subseribed their names to the enlist- meut rolls. The volunteers were divided into two companies-A and B-and soon after the meeting, they perfeeted their organization, and eleeted their offieers. The following were the offieers when the eompauies departed from Cleveland for the field : Company A (afterward K)-Wilbur F. Pierce, Captain ; H. F. Fritz, First Lieutenant ; Otis Shaw, Second Lieuten- ant. Compauy B (afterward H)-O. O. Kelsey, Captain ; Philo W. Chase, First Lieutenant ; Charles A. Wright, of Lorain County, Seeond Lieutenant. On Friday, the 26th of April, 1861, Company A, having reeeived orders from Adjt. Gen. Carrington to proceed to Camp Cleveland, and be mustered into the serviee, as

314

HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY,

part of the Eighth Regiment, then in process of formation, set forward in about thirty wagons, eseorted by the members of Company B. As they were leaving town, a span of eolts, attached to one of the wagons, ran away, throwing the men out, and injuring two of them so that they were compelled to remain behind, and join their eom- rades afterward at Cleveland. Upon the arrival of Company A, the Eighth Regiment was found so nearly organized that it alone of the Medina Companies eould be aeeepted, much to the re- gret of the members of Company B. Company A was mustered into the serviee under a three months' enlistment as Company K, and, while en- eamped at Cleveland, the eity newspapers spoke of its members as the most promising volun- teers in the regiment. The boys eould outrun, outjump and outwrestle any other company, and were praised for their cheerful obedienee to military diseipline, and for their fine appearanee while on parade. To complete the regiment, it was found necessary to ereate another company (H) from two or more eonnties, and about fifty of the Medina boys belonging to Company B were aeeepted and mustered in.

Just before marehing away to the field, the volunteers were visited by their friends from home, who supplied them with money and all necessary elothing, blankets, ete. All being in readiness, the regiment, on the 2d of May, 1861, was ordered to Camp Dennison, where it arrived the following day during a heavy rain. Here, for the first time, the men were obliged to sleep in the open air with nothing but their blankets to proteet them from the inelement weather. The field and staff officers were ap- pointed as follows : Hermin G. Depuy, Colonel ; Freeman E. Franklin, Lieutenant Colonel ; Henry F. Wilson, Major ; Benjamin Tappin, Surgeon. The regiment while at Camp Denni- son was subjected to frequent " drills," to fit it for its future hard serviee. While here, it became evident that, from the fact that the quota of Ohio was more than filled, the regi-

ment would not be ordered into the service under the three months' enlistment, and meas- ures were immediately taken to re-enlist the troops for three years, meeting a ready response in the affirmative from all exeept Company I. Thus the regiment with but nine companies was mustered in for the three years' serviee, on the 22d, 25th and 26th of June, 1861. Under the three years' enlistment, the following regi- mental officers were elected : Hermin G. Depuy, Colonel ; Charles A. Park, Lieutenant Colonel ; Franklin Sawyer, Major. On the 9th of July, 1861, the regiment received orders to proceed to Grafton, Virginia, and three days later reached West Union, Preston County, of that State. Here, for several weeks, the regiment was stationed along the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road, on the Alleghany Mountains, whenee the rebels, under Garnett, were being driven by MeClellan's troops. While here the regi- ment suffered severely from typhoid fever, having eontraeted it, as the men believed, at a plaee which they will ever remember as " Mag- goty Hollow." Three hundred were in the hospital at one time, and thirty-four died with- in a few weeks. In September the regiment was joined by Company I. On the 24th of September, the Eighth, in company with several others, was ordered to attaek Romney, where, at a place ealled "Hanging Roek," under a heavy fire, several men were killed and a num- ber wounded. On the 24th of October, the attack on Romney was renewed ; but the posi- tion was evacuated by the enemy, and oeeupied by the troops under Gen. Kelley until Janu- ary, 12, 1862. Soon afterward, the regiment participated in a sueeessful attack on Blue's Gap. In the latter part of January, 1862, Gen. Landers assumed command of the de- partment, removing the troops sueeessively to Patterson's Creek, and in February to Pawpaw Tunnel. The Eighth was engaged in a brisk fight at Bloomery Gap, and soon afterward Gen. Landers died, whereupon Gen, Shields took

HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

317

command. Pursuing the enemy, the command of Gen. Shields was engaged in sharp skir- mishes at Cedar Creek and Strasburg, on the 18th and 19th of March. It was here that the Eighth established a reputation for skirmish- ing, that remained with it until the end of the war. On the 23d of Mareh, the bloody battle of Winchester was fought, and during the day and preceding evening the Eighth was deployed on the skirmish line. Toward evening on the 23d, the right wing of the regiment participated in the furious charge on the right flank of the enemy. The companies of the regiment en- gaged in the hottest of the fight were C, D, E and H, and the loss in killed and wounded amounted to the appalling number of over one- fourth of those engaged, while the other com- panies lost but two killed and eight wounded. The battle was one of the most severe during the war, and when, toward evening, Col. Kim- ball ordered the charge upon the enemy's flank, the troops fought desperately, often hand-to-hand, and " Stonewall" Jackson's right wing was driven in confusion from the field.

The victory was dearly bought. The enemy retreated up the valley, where brisk skirmishes occurred at Woodstock, Edinburg, Mount Jackson, and New Market, Col. Kimball at the latter place receiving his commission as Briga- dier General, and assuming command of the brigade, of which the Eighth was a part. On the 12th of May, the regiment was ordered to Fredericksburg to join Gen. MeDowell's corps, arriving on the 22d, and being reviewed by President Lineoln the following day. In the absence of the division to which the Eighth belonged, Jackson, on the 25th of May, suc- ceeded in driving the Union troops, under Gen. Banks, from the Valley of the Shenandoah, whereupon the division was ordered back, and on the 30th reached and recaptured Front Royal, the Eighth skirmishing all the way from Rectortown, a distance of eighteen miles. Among the prisoners captured was the

renowned Belle Boyd. Shield's division was pushed rapidly up the South Branch of the Shenandoah, while Fremont pursued Jackson up the other branch. From this point the brigade under Gen. Kimball, of which the Eighth formed a part, was detached from the remainder of Shield's division, and, in com- pany with the brigade under Gen. Terry, was ordered to the Peninsula, on arriving at Harri- son's Landing on the 1st of July. On the 3d and 4th of July, the Eighth was ordered out on the skirmish line toward the swamps of the Chiekahominy, engaging each day in a brisk skirmish with rebels, and losing seven men severely wounded. While here, on the 16th of August, after engaging in a reconnaissance to Malvern Hill, the army was united to the Second Corps under the command of Gen. Sumner. Here the Eighth remained during the remainder of the service, being a part of Kimball's brigade, in French's division.

When the army was ordered to retreat, the Seeond Corps served as rear guard until the troops were across the Chickahominy, after which the eorps was ordered to Newport News, whence it was conveyed by transports to Alexandria, arriving on the 28th of August. Two days later, the eorps was ordered to the assistance of Gen. Pope, who, in the vicinity of Centerville, was engaged in a severe battle with Gen. Lee ; but the troops, thoughi subjected to a rapid march, failed to arrive in time. On the following day, the army began its mareh toward Chain Bridge, the Second Corps being on the left flank. At Germantown, this corps was. for a short time, under fire, the Eighth Regiment participating. After crossing the Potomac at Chain Bridge, the army began its march through Maryland. The enemy was en- countered at South Mountain, but the Second Corps was not actively engaged, being employed as a supporting column, and only skirmishing with the rebels at Boonsboro and Keedysville. Here it was, that, on the morning of the 16th,

318

HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

after the army had been massed, a furious artillery duel commeneed. One of the first shots of the enemy killed W. W. Farmer, a Color Sergeant of the Eighth, and the dreadful firing was continued all day. This cannonade was the commencement of the hard-fought bat- tle of Antietam, which took place the next day. The morning came, and, after Gen. Hooker had been engaged several hours, French's division, of which the Eighth formed a part; and Sedg- wick's division, were ordered to advance. The Second Corps was near the center of the line, Kimball's brigade being the third from the front. The troops swept forward, but the ad- vance was driven back by the hot fire, and Kim- ball ordered a charge on the double-quiek, car- rying the rebel advance handsomely, and hold- ing the position under a severe fire for four hours, and until firing eeased in front. Sedg- wick was driven back on the right, rendering a change of front necessary for the Fourteenth Indiana and Eighth Ohio, the change being effected with great skill and gallantry. The rapid and effective movement of these two regiments, undoubtedly saved the entire brigade from rout. Gen. Sumner styled Kimball's eom- mand the " Gibraltar Brigade," doubtless mean- ing that it was the rock, against which the mad waves of the rebel army were dashed. Be it remembered that the two regiments mentioned above merit the greater part of the houor. After the battle the Second Corps was ordered to Bolivar Heights, and afterward with the army to Falmouth, where the Eighth partici- pated in the skirmishes at Halltown, Snicker's Gap, United States Ford, ete. On the 13th of December, the Eighth formed the right wing in the "forlorn hope " at the bloody battle of Fredericksburg, while the Fourth Ohio and First Delaware formed the left. The regiment swept up Hanover street by the left flank to deploy and forin in line with other regiments that advaneed lower down; but, ere it had cleared the street, the head of the column was

struck by a terrible fire, and twenty-eight men went down before the fearful blast. The other regiments lost as heavily, but the desired line was formed, and the enemy driven to the foot of the hill, on which were his main works. After this positiou was reached, the line was ordered to halt and seek eover until re-enforcements should arrive ; but the fire from the hill was so fierce and hot that column after column was driven back, broken and confused. The brave troops that had passed through this awful fire were compelled to remain under cover at the foot of the hill until dark, when, the firing having ceased, they were withdrawn. During this battle, the loss to the Eighth was thirty- seven killed and wounded, the most of them being shot down while advaneing to the foot of the hill. On the 28th of April, 1863, the army crossed the river and fought the battle of Chan- cellorsville, the brigade in which was the Eighth being under the command of Gen. Carroll. Here for four days the Eighth Regiment was almost constantly under fire, though its loss was but two killed and eleven wounded. No further aetive work was done until the Gettys- burg campaign. On the 2d of July the regi- ment was ordered to charge on the double- quick, and take a knoll from which rebel sharp- shooters were annoying the Federal lines. The position, a short distance beyond the Emmitts- burg road, was taken and held twenty-six hours, or until the close of the battle. Three times was the regiment assailed by superior numbers. At one time three regiments swept upon it, but were repulsed with the loss of three stands of colors and a large number of prisoners. The loss to the regiment in this battle was 102, killed and wounded. In the pursuit of Lee, several skirmishes were engaged in, after which the Eighth marched with the army to the Rapi- dan. On the 15th of August, it was ordered to proceed by water to New York City to help quell the pending riots there ; but, after several weeks, returned and joined the army at Culpep-

HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

319

er. receiving orders to proceed to Robinson River, where the troops once more saw the enemy, after a brief respite from the anxieties of war. During the last days of November, the regiment, acting on the skirmish line, was engaged in the battles of Robinson's Cross Roads, Loeust Grove and Mine Run, losing several men killed and wounded. On the 6th of February. 1864, it crossed the Rapidan, and fought the battle of Morton's Ford, where sev- eral offieers and men were wounded. On the 3d of May, the entire army was ordered to ad- vance, the Second Corps oeeupying the extreme left of the line, erossing the Rapidan at Ger- mania Ford, and moving rapidly through the Wilderness to Todd's Tavern. The right was hotly engaged on the evening of the 5th, and the Second Corps swung round to its support. Here the Eighth Regiment, with several others, re-took a seetion of a battery which had been lost by the Sixth Corps. It was engaged the entire day of the 6th, and suffered a severe loss in the dense undergrowth. It was engaged in irregular, and sometimes severe, skirmishing, during the 7th, 8th and 9th. On the 10th, a stronghold of the rebels was charged, and another severe loss sustained, Sergeant Con- lan. the regimental eolor-bearer, after earrying his banner through thirty engagements, being wounded. During the 12th, 13th and 14th, the gallant Eighth was almost constantly under fire, the loss in the several encounters being sixty in killed and wounded. The regiment partiei pated in numerous skirmishes from Spottsyl- vania to Petersburg, in the bloody battles before Petersburg, and at North Anna and Cold Harbor. Its term of service expired on the 25th of June, 1864, while the regiment was in the trenehes before Petersburg, with only sev- enty-two officers and men fit for duty. The regiment was relieved, and returned to Ohio to be mustered out of service. This old regiment that had seen so mueh hard service, that had been shot to pieces in many fierce battles, was

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 Medina county and Ohio, Part 49

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Baskin & Battey. Chicago. pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1014

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Baskin & Battey. Chicago. pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1014