History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of the most prominent families, &c., &c., Part 48

Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 968

USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of the most prominent families, &c., &c. > Part 48

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).

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

ment into service. At first, the officers per- emptorily refused to accept Capt. MeLaughlin, owing to his age, claiming he could not stand the marches, should they be necessary. He was, however, finally given a commission. He was determined to go to the war, and, had an officer's commission been denied him, the "old war horse " would have shouldered a musket and gone, as he expressed it, "on his own hook." While in camp, Hon. John Sherman joined the company, and was made color bearer. He, however, was not mustered in, his duties as Senator occupying his time. The regiments went to Philadelphia, May 1, where they were until near the last of the month, when they were ordered forward to the defense of Wash- ington. While at Washington, Capt. MeLaugh- lin was offered a captain's commission in the regular army, but declined it. On the 23d of the month, they left the vicinity of Washington and marched to Arlington Heights, where they remained till June 15, when they received orders to cross over into Virginia. In that State, they went into Camp Lincoln, remaining there two days, when they, in company with a large force of troops, were sent forward to gnard the railroad. Near the town of Vienna, they encountered a masked battery. and a short, sharp fight ensued, in which the Federal troops were driven back. The troops left along the road hurried forward to aid their comrades, but met them too late to do any good, and together they retreated in good order to the road lead- ing from Georgetown to Fairfax, where a de- tachment had been left, and, with them, went into camp, naming it Camp Upton. This was the first touch of war for any of Richland County's troops. It is said that in this retreat the "old war horse" was as active as any, despite his lameness ; but the men were all fresh, and, in after years, looked upon this first exploit with considerable feeling of mirth.

Not long after this, the great battle of Bull Run-the first real battle of the war-occurred.

The First Regiment was in the active part of the battle. It did good service, also, in con- (lueting the retreat, and in re-forming the broken Federal lines. It is due to Mr. T. E. Douglas to say, that, when the rout began at that battle, he was the first man to call a rally of Ohio troops. Springing on a stump, he shouted. " Soldiers of Company 1, rally ! rally !" A few gathered about him ; others came ; soon the regiment was called in, and an orderly retreat made, covering other flying troops, and saving the credit of Ohio.

The term of enlistment of the three-months men began to expire about the 1st of August. The magnitude of the contest was now appar- ent, and, ere the day came to disband the first- .called soldiers, the President's call for 300,000 troops went over the land. Many of the three- months men re-enlisted. They were, however, allowed a short furlough, and came home. Friday, August 6, Capt. Miller's company, which had been in the Fifteenth Regiment. arrived in Mansfield. A great concourse of citizens met them at the depot and escorted them up town. Speeches were made, and a happy reunion experienced. But one man had been killed. That was Mr. N. O. Smith, who lost his life in a skirmish between a squad of rebels and his and the Sixteenth Regiments, on the 29th of June. He was Richland's first offering in the war .*

The next day after Capt. Miller's company (enlisted under Capt. M. R. Dickey) came. Capt. MeLaughlin's company arrived. He had lost but two men, James Morrist and Edward Horstack. The first named was missing ; the latter died at Lancaster of disease. The Plymouth company, Capt. Hiram Miller, the Shelby company, Capt. A. C. Cummins, and the

* When his comrades-in-arms received their pay in August, each one contributed to a common fund, and erected a beautiful monu- ment over his grave in the little graveyard at Windsor, whither a great concourse of people laid him away forever at rest.

+ By some means, he was detached from the regiment at the battle of Bull Run, and was taken prisoner by the rebels. This was not known when the company returned.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Bellville company, Capt. Miller Moody, had re- turned with all their men. Thus, in the three- months service, the county sent out four companies, in all of which but four men were lost.

Before proceeding to the history of the three-years service, it will be well to go back and notice the organization of the three com- panies referred to, and their exploits in the war.

Capt. MeLaughlin's company, though the first to enlist men and to leave for the war, was but little in advance of others. He began enlisting men Tuesday night, April 17. In a day or two, his company was full, and on its way to Columbus. Other towns in the county were awaking. The next day after Capt. McLanghlin began enlisting men (Wednesday), Miller Moody, a resident of Bellville, began raising a volunteer company, and the following Monday started for Columbus with "about sev- enty-five men of the right stamp," say the local papers. The Village Council and the citizens raised over $700, and further pledged their aid to the support of the families of volunteers. should any necessity arise where such help would be needed. Mr. Moody was elected Cap- tain of the company ; A. W. Loback, First Lieutenant, and James Riddle, Second Lieuten- ant. At Columbus. the company was assigned to the Sixteenth Regiment, and passed with it a very creditable campaign in the eastern division of the army, doing guard duty and aiding in repelling invasions toward the north. The regiment came home about the 8th or 9th of August. Capt. Moody's company had lost not a man. All returned in health and spirits, and, not long after, many re-enlisted in the three-years service.

Other towns were also preparing for the fray. The next Monday evening after these two com- panies had left-the same day that Capt. Moody and his company left-Moses R. Dickey, now Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, began recruiting a company in Mansfield, and that

evening it was fully organized, and elected its officers. They were: Captain, Mr. Dickey ; First Lieutenant, Hiram Miller; Second Lieu- tenant, A. R. 7. Dawson ; First Sergeant, H. L. Avery ; Second Sergeant, William Ritter ; Third Sergeant, S. M. Wilkinson. The company left for Columbus Thursday, April 25, and went into Camp Jackson. There it was assigned to the Fifteenth Regiment, and began drilling and the regular routine of camp life .*

Shelby was also awake. A meeting of the cit- izens was held April 17. The following notice appeared in the Shelby papers concerning this meeting :

In compliance with previous notice, a very large meeting of the citizens of Sharon Township met at Gen. Wilson's Hall, at 7 o'clock, P. M., to consider the state of the country, and consult together in reference to their duty on the proclamations of the President of the United States and the Governor of the State of Ohio.

The meeting was organized by appointing William Cummins, Chairman, and John H. Cox, Secretary.

A committee of five was appointed to draft resolu- tions expressive of the sense of the meeting, to wit : Harrison Mickey, William R. Bricker, D. Anderson, U. Matson and H. B. Gaylord.

In the absence of the committee, Abraham Cummins, being called upon, made an able and patriotic appeal for the flag of our Union as it is, and the importance of sustaining the laws and liberties of our country.

The committee reported the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted amid the most enthu- siastic unanimity :

Resolved, That the citizens of this community will to the utmost of their ability aid the General Government in maintaining its authority, enforcing the laws, and in upholding the flag of the Union.

Resolved, That we have a Country and a Union, and that to the extent of our ability we pledge our lives and our property to sustain it against all traitors, come from what quarter they may.

*A significant fact connected with the organization of Capt. Dickey's company is worth recording.

At its first organization, five or six men got together and arranged the details, themselves forming the nucleus. It was agreed that no man would be accepted in the company who dil not fill the standard regarding weight, size, height, etc. Also that no man would be eligible who would not receive the vote of not less than four-fifths of the members of the company, admitting him to membership. These requirements secured an excellent class of men, of whom it was said at the close of the war, " that not less than forty had held commissions before the conflict ended."

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

The meeting was then addressed by numerous speakers on the state of the country, and but one feeling pre- vailed-that the Government must be sustained.

* *

* * *

It was further resolved, that the families of volunteers must be cared for, and, on motion of S. Tucker, the fol- lowing committee of nine was appointed, to wit: Simeon Tucker, John Dempsey, David Anderson, W. R. Bricker, C. McMiller, J. H. Cox, S. S. Bloom, William Cummins and William Kerr.

(Signed)

WILLIAM CUMMINS, Chairman.

J. H. Cox, Secretary.

Mr. A. C. Cummins, now a resident of Mansfield, began raising a company about the same time Capt. Dickey raised his, and, in a short time, had enlisted eighty men. When the officers of the company were chosen, he was elected Captain; T. H. Wiggins, First Lientenant, and H. B. Gaylord, Second Lieutenant. The Sergeants were J. H. Fine- frock, A. M. Burns, S. H. Anderson and Edgar Wilson. The Corporals were John Saltzgarber, H. L. Bingham. William Fletcher and Isaac A. Meyers. A second company was also organ- ized there, of which William Cummins was elected Captain ; Rev. A. R. Brown, First Lieu- tenant, and Thomas H. Mickey, Second Lieu- tenant. It was, however, not out in the three- months service.

Capt. Dickey's company went to Columbus Thursday, April 25. Capt. Cummins' company had preceded them a few days, and had been also assigned to the Fifteenth Regiment. This regi- ment was now filled, and ordered into service. Before going, Capt. Dickey had been promoted to the Lieutenant Colonel's place, and Hiram H. Miller, First Lieutenant of the company, elected to fill his place. The regiment left Camp Jackson May 15, and went to Camp Goddard, near Zanesville, where they spent about ten days drilling and waiting for equip- ments. At the end of that time, the Fifteenth went into West Virginia, crossing the Ohio River near Bellaire, and encamping at Camp

Benwood. May 30, they left Camp Benwood, and went on to Camp Burton, the Sixteenth Regiment having preceded them one day. At Camp Burton, seven companies under command of Col. Andrews encamped, and three companies under Lient. Col. Dickey proceeded to Glover's Gap and camped. Both were doing guard duty on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The regi- ments did not well relish this service. They desired to get to the front, and, by a stroke of policy, received an order from the General to " move on." They marched to Grafton. While at this place, three companies were detailed, under command of Lient. Col. Dickey, to go to Philippi. They reached there the day after the fight. None of these companies were from Richland County. The seven companies under Gen. Hill were sent to intercept Gen. Garnett's retreating troops ; but, halting a few miles too soon, the rebels passed them in the night, and escaped. Soon after, the skirmishes at Laurel Hill and Carrick's Ford occurred. At the latter place the rebels lost Gen. Garnett, one of their best generals. He was killed while endeavor- ing to rally his men. The term of enlistment of the three-months men had expired before these engagements occurred ; but they were in- duced to remain in reponse to an urgent appeal from Gen. McClellan, who desired them in the crisis to stand a while longer. After the affairs terminated, the separated regiments were gathered at Grafton, and there took cars for home, arriving in Columbus about the 1st of August. They (the Fifteenth and Sixteenth) had been in almost the same kind of service, principally guard duty. They had performed a large amount of marching, guarding and re- pairing of bridges along the railroad, and in the discharge of these duties had been of great value to the Government. The Fifteenth had lost but two men.

Capt. Miller and Capt. Cummins' companies arrived home August 2, Mr. N. O. Smith being the only man missing, and he, the county's first

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

offering on the altar of freedom, lay asleep in the cemetery. The next day after Capt. Miller arrived, Capt. MeLaughlin's company came ; Capt. Moody was also home soon, and the three-months soldiers the county had sent were again in their homes, and narrating their exploits on the fields of battle. The war had, however, only begun. Their experiences soon

gave way before those who had seen longer terms of service. The Government, recognizing the magnitude of the conflict, was now enlisting new men for three years instead of three months. Many who had seen the front began to prepare to return. "As long as the country is in danger, so long will we be ready," said they. The opportunity was at hand. They improved it.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

FIRST THREE-YEARS TROOPS.

RE-ENLISTMENT OF THREE-MONTHS MEN-UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT OF CAPT. BEEKMAN'S COMPANY TO ENTER THE THREE-MONTHS SERVICE AND ITS RETURN-ORGANIZATION OF COMPANIES IN THE COUNTY-THOMAS FORD COMMISSIONED TO RAISE THE THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT-CAMP MORDECAI BARTLEY-THE FIFTEENTH REGIMENT-DEPARTURE OF THE THIRTY-SECOND-ROSTER OF THE THIRTY-SECOND-ITS LIFE IN THE FIELD.

A S early as May 4, President Lincoln began to see the immensity of the rebellion and prepare to meet it. That day, he issned a call for recruits to the regular army, and 42,000 men to serve three years. The call for three-months men, as has been noted, was more than twice filled, but still recruiting went on. "They will be needed," said the nation, and the nation was correct. Many of the three-months men re-en- listed, being given time to return home and arrange their affairs. While these companies were out in service, the enlistment of troops had gone steadily on at home.

The town papers of that date are full of "war news." When locals ran short, all they needed was an item or two concerning enlist- ments or popular gatherings, which they could dilate to the extent of their columns. They speak fully of the companies mentioned, and their departure and return from war.

Among those who raised companies that saw no service, but were ready, was Capt. John W. Beekman, of Plymouth, who raised a company of 100 men. He began recruiting April 18, the next day after Maj. Mclaughlin, and, by Friday evening, enough men were enlisted and waiting for orders to march. Mr. Beekman was elected Captain, and B. F. Day and David Gibbs, Lientenants. Sabbath day, after drill, the company marched in a body to the Presby- terian church, where they listened to a sermon from the fifteenth verse of the fourteenth chapter of Exodus-" Speak unto the children of Israel,

that they go forward"-by the Rev. Selman. At its close, the men were each presented with a Bible. "Fully three thousand people were in town," says the Advertiser. The next morning, at 8 o'clock, the company left the village, marching to Norwalk, in Huron County, where it took the cars for Cleveland. Just as it formed to start from Plymonth, Miss Susan Seymour appeared with a fine flag, the gift of the ladies of the town, and, in a neat, appro- priate speech, asked the soldiers to "guard it well, and carry it through all war's vicissitudes." Arriving at Cleveland, the company went into camp. But the State could not receive half the men offered. and. after a short encampment, the company disbanded and returned home. Richland County was doing her part nobly. Only seven counties gave more troops on the first call.

Mansfield was also organizing more com- panies. As fast as organized, they met gener- ally in Miller's Hall to drill. Among these local companies were the "Mansfield Cadets," composed of fifty men, organized May 9. J. B. Hoffer was Captain ; Michael Keiser was First Lieutenant ; F. Harding. Second Lieuten- ant ; Isaac Gass, First Sergeant.

Jonas Smith, the County Auditor, also organ- ized a company, who met and drilled in the court house hall. while almost daily, on the streets, in the park or near the city, could be heard the

" Tread of armed men."

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

A militia company was formed in Washing- ton Township, consisting of fifty men, of whom Mr. Fickle was Captain ; James Pollock and Elias Hiser, First and Second Lieutenants. "This company," say the Herald, "was organ- ized under the call for 100,000 men, and holds itself in readiness to move, should it be needed."

A company, called the " Old Guards," com- posed of men in the city and vicinity, whose ages ranged from thirty-five to sixty-five years, of whom George Armentrout was Captain, was also organized, and began drilling. Several of the members of this company had served in the Mexican war, and were now reviving a taste of their old experiences.

The Herald, in the latter part of July, says : " Rev. Jacob Kahler has just raised a company of artillery, who are to be ready in case an invasion of the city occurs. They are not to leave the city. Each man must be of 175 pounds weight, and of a necessary height and build. They are some of the best men of our county." This paper of the same date also says : "Capt. Thomas H. Ford, on July 25, sent another com- pany to Columbus under command of Capt. Bowland."

Charles R. Lord organized a company early in May, and Friday, the 17th, he was elected Captain ; J. Davis, Jr., First Lieutenant, and L. D. Myers, Second Lieutenant. The com- pany, at its organization, numbered fifty-three men. Union meetings were held in most of the townships, at which stirring speeches were made, funds collected and supplies gathered for the relief of the families of those who vol- unteered, and to be sent to the soldiers in camp whom the Government had not yet supplied with equipments. Ex-Gov. Ford and Capt. Seaton each raised a company, and June 8 both companies were on their way to Columbus. M. W. Worden was, at the same time, raising a company, which, however, like all these noticed, was not needed, and, like many of

them, saw no service until they re-enlisted as three-years soldiers. Capt. Worden's com- pany reported ready for duty August 3.

This chaotic condition of affairs in the mili- tary departments of Ohio was largely due to the excited war Governor, and his equally ex- cited staff of assistants. They had telegraphed hither and thither for troops, and suddenly found themselves with thousands of men on hand, and no provisions for their keeping. The newspapers of an adverse political faith, hear- ing the cry of favoritism and ill-supply of the men, took up the refrain and stirred up the masses, who in turn roundly abused the Gov- ernor and the Administration for not being pre- pared in a moment. Large numbers of the soldiers could not be received ; there was no call for them, and, like Capt. Beekman's company from Plymouth, they returned without being mustered, and without pay, and minus their time and expenses. The call for three-years men gave the State time and opportunity to relieve itself of its supply of men. They were returned to their homes, and recruiting for the war began. Gov. Dennison commissioned ex-Gov. Ford to raise a regiment, to be known as the Thirty-second, and gave him the colonelcy. He enlisted as many of his men as he could induce to enter the service, and sent recruiting officers to adjoining counties. His commission was given the last week in July, and in a short time he had one company in the city, full ; two being recruited, and one organizing in Perrys- ville, under command of Capt. Joseph Gladden. On the 2d day of August, two companies, one from Knox and one from Carroll County, came and were clothed here and kept to await the selection of a camp, near Mansfield, now becom- ing necessary. By the next week, five com- panies were ready, three of whom, Capt. Bow- land's, Worden's and Gladden's, were from this county. Two sites were proposed for camps. One was on the farm of Mr. Long, a little way northwest from the city ; the other near Bart-

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

ley's mill. As the State had made no pro- visions for maintaining the camp here, it was expected that the citizens would raise the money to pay the rent of the ground and pro- vide barracks for the men.

The Herald of August 17 states that "a camp has been selected on the Tingley farm, to be known as Camp Mordecai Bartley," and "that six companies are there busily engaged in preparing it for the reception of the troops of the Thirty-second Regiment."

While Col. Ford was engaged in recruiting his regiment, Capt. Conger came to the city and announced he would receive recruits for a eav- alry regiment. Soon after, Col. Lewis Zahm, a well-known citizen of the State, began raising a cavalry regiment, to which one company, raised by Charles Seidel, was attached. Several men in this company were from this county. At the same time these events were occurring, Lieut. Col. Dickey announced that he would raise a company for three years, to be assigned to the Fifteenth Regiment now recruiting for that serv- ice. Capt. Miller received a commission as a Captain, and William Ritter, as Second Lieuten- ant. Capt. Miller "has good success raising men," says the Herald. But various contin- gences arose, and the company was, not raised as was at first proposed. Capt. Miller, however, raised a company, which was, not long after, assigned to the re-organized Fifteenth, for three years' service. Nearly all the returned soldiers were, in one way or another, engaged in recruit- ing. Capt. MeLaughlin was commissioned about the middle of September to raise a battalion of eavalry, which afterward formed a part of the " Sherman Brigade." Alexander McIlvaine, who had been First Lieutenant in MeLaughlin's three-months company, was commissioned to raise a company, of which he was Captain, when the company was assigned to the Sixty-fourth Regiment. His company was organized Satur- day evening. September 21, and elected MeIl- vaine, Captain ; Michael Keiser, First Lieuten-

ant. and Samuel Wolf, Second Lieutenant. The first and last named were in the three months' service, while Mr. Keiser had seen service in the Mexican war.

H. Bentley Smith, Dr. Anderson, of Lexing- ton, Messrs. Winter and Gregg were au- thorized to raise companies, and nearly all suc- eceded. Late in August, Miller Moody began re-enlisting his company for the Sixteenth Regi- ment, three years' service. Capt. A. R. Z. Daw- son was also commissioned, and began raising a company. This company was also intended for the Fifteenth Regiment, which, as three- months men, were paid off August 20, and began rapidly re-enlisting for three years.

Speaking of the number of companies formed in the county, the Herald of August 21 says : "Several companies are being formed in the county. If all of them are accepted, Richland County will have furnished a full regiment of three-years men."

August 15, Capt. Cummins received his eom- mission to recruit men for the three-years serv- ice. He at once went to work. In a short time after the men were paid for their three months' service, the Captain, like the others, had his company full.

September 4, the Herald gives the following summary of enlisted men ready for service :

"Capt. Aaron C. Johnston's company in the Twenty-fifth Regiment ; William II. Seaton's, in the same ; William B. Bowland's in the Thirty- second ; Joseph Gladden's, in the same : Hiram Miller's, A. R. Z. Dawson's and A. C. Cummins, in the Fifteenth; and Miller Moody's in the Sixteenth ; Charles Seidel's company of cavalry is composed of men from this and adjoining counties, and are now in Col. Zahm's regiment. In addition to these," continues the paper, "the following companies are nearly ready : Capt. F. S. Sowers, for Col. Zahm's cavalry ; J. B. Franklin's, for Wade's cavalry ; E. B. Conger, for the First Virginia Cavalry, and Capt. George Weaver's for the Fourth Infantry."

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

About this time, these various companies began organizing. Col. Ford was commis- sioned by the Governor to raise a regiment- the Thirty-second-and, as has been mentioned, was also progressing favorably in its recruit- ing, while these events were occurring. Camp Mordecai Bartley had been selected on the Tingley farm, and there the Colonel began gathering his regiment, augmented to six com- panies when the site was selected. The camp equipage arrived Monday, August 19, the Gov- ernment having accepted the camp, and soon tents appeared. Strict military discipline was enforced by the Colonel, who was determined the soldiers should be well drilled. The camp was the center of attraction for all the adjacent country, and every day received a great many visitors, many of whom brought edibles of all sorts, by which means the soldiers fared very well. The soldiers are all highly complimented by the local papers, as being very orderly and military in appearance.

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Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848- Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co. Number of Pages: 968

Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 968