History of Sandusky County Ohio with Illustrations 1882, Part 39

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"Accept then, this Star Spangled Banner; bear it on to victory and triumph; and be assured, sir, that my prayers and the prayers of this whole community shall follow you to the field of danger and honor; and, if called into actual service, see to it that not one star of this glorious constellation shall fall under the feet of those that have forgotten that they who take the sword shall perish with the sword. May. you return with this flag after glorious deeds of military honor, and may history inscribe upon its broad stripes: 'The Ohio Seventy-second was as true as the patriots of '76.' God speed you, sir, and let this be the war cry in your regiment: ' The sword of God and our country."

On account of the throng it was impossible to obtain a verbatim report of

COLONEL BUCKLAND'S RESPONSE.

"I tender my heartfelt thanks to you, the noble donors of these flags, and also the thanks of the Seventy-second regiment, which I have the honor to represent; and I know that I express not only my own feeling, but the feelings of the officers and men under my command, when I say to you that, so far as bravery and courage will do it, we have pledged ourselves here today to sustain the honor of the flags which you have done us the honor to present to us.

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I heartily concur in the remarks made by my friend, Lang, in behalf of my German fellow-soldiers. It is true that incidents are recorded everywhere in the history of this country, in every war, proving that the Germans have been among the bravest, most loyal, and patriotic of our countrymen. They were such during the Revolution, and in the present war we have a Sigel, a Blencker, and a host of German patriots; and wherever the fight has been the hottest, there have been our German fellow-countrymen; and nobly have they sustained the German character by their courage and patriotism. They are friends of liberty the world over, and when they are fighting under the stars and stripes, they are fighting under the emblem of liberty known wherever civilization has made any headway. They are here now, and we rely upon those in our regiment, as well as in others, to help sustain the honor of the regiment and the honor of the colors you have this day presented to us. I am well aware of the great responsi- bility I myself have assumed as colonel of this regiment; and I feel that I am not competent to the task; not so well qualified for the position as I wish I were. But all I can say in reply to that is, that I consented to supply that place, and that I will devote all my energies and abilities, whatever they may be, to advance the interests, the comforts, and the glories of the Seventy-second regiment. It is perhaps the greatest undertaking of my life, and I have pledged myself and my all to sustain the honor of this regiment. More than this I cannot do. I know it is one thing to propose what we will do, and another thing to accomplish that promise when the day of trial comes; and it would be useless for me to detain you here today with any promises. All I have to say is, look to these praying men who are surrounding me, and ask yourselves if you have any fears of the result. I say no! you cannot. I believe, yes I have full confidence, that we shall some day return marching under these glorious banners; and when you come to examine them you will not find anywhere on them a single stain of dishonor. However much they may be shattered and torn, they will be untarnished so far as honor is concerned. If I shall be mistaken, then I shall consider that my efforts have been in vain; but I have no fears, so far as the officers and men under me are concerned. When they bear in mind by whose influence these banners have been conferred today, they will be prompted to deeds of bravery, and the presence of these flags will have an influence on every act and every duty which shall be performed by the Seventy-second reg- iment. Whenever they go into the battlefield and behold these banners, the glorious stars and stripes under which our fathers gained their independence, and under which our men are now in the field fighting for the honor and glory of this country-1 say whenever they go into battle under these banners, they will go in with a shout, remembering the beauti-

ful donors, and be encouraged to acts of heroism by the recollection that they are fighting not only for themselves and the regiment, but for the honor of the ladies who have presented these banners to them. Therefore, ladies, I say I have no fear but that when these banners are returned to you, which I hope they will be, they will be returned covered with honor, and that there will be no spot of dishonor anywhere within their folds.

"Mr. Everett has referred particularly to the part I have taken in getting tip this regiment. I wish in reply to that barely to remark that I owe very much to the officers and men who have taken hold with me and worked so faithfully and energetically in this cause. I do not wish to assume to myself the whole honor of getting up the Seventy-second regiment; it does not belong to me. I only say I have done what I could, and I will give honor to those who have done what they could. We have raised a regiment where it was thought none could be raised. It has been well remarked that many of these men have left families and kindred at home. They have made greater sacrifices than I have made. Some can not well leave their families; and I wish now on this occasion to ask you to look well to the families of the men who have assembled here to do battle for our country and for your benefit. In our absence let them not suffer for want of the necessaries of life. I will not detain you longer, but will return you the heartfelt thanks of the whole regiment for these beautiful flags.

"And now, fellow soldiers! Attention battalion! I propose that the whole battalion give the donors three hearty cheers. " (Cheers by the regiment.)

In the afternoon of Friday, the 24th of January, 1862, the Seventy-second left Camp Croghan, and travelled by railroad to Clyde, Ohio, and thence by the same conveyance to Camp Chase.

The soldiers were apparently in good spirits and cheerful. But the very heartstrings of social life and love throughout the county quivered with suppressed anguish while the men cheered, and the women waved them on to duty. The Infinite God alone can ever know and measure the secret anguish that found relief in tears shed in secret, and the inarticulate prayers which followed the march of the brave boys of the regiment, as they took their departure for three years to expose their lives to all the chances of war. Companies A, B, C, D, E, F, H, and I

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were formed almost entirely of citizens of Sandusky county; company G, with a small portion of companies H and A, were recruited in Erie county, and company K was mostly recruited in Medina county, while a few men in companies C and E were of Wood county, Ohio.

As the regiment did not, when it left Fremont, contain the maximum number of men, company K was broken up, and distributed among the other companies, and the officers of that company discharged. A company originally recruited for the Fifty- second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was assigned to the Seventy-second at Camp Chase, and denominated company K, which made the regiment full.

*The regiment was fully equipped in February, and was ordered to report to General Sherman at Paducah. Here it was assigned to a brigade composed of the Forty- eighth, Seventieth, and Seventy-second Ohio regiments, and Colonel Buckland placed in command. The Seventy-second proceeded with Sherman's division to Fort Henry on the steamer Baltic, by way of the Tennessee River. This movement was early in March, 1862. From Fort Henry the main army proceeded to Savannah, but Sherman's division was ordered up to Eastport, Mississippi, for the purpose of cutting the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, and thus prevent General J. S. Johnson from reinforcing Beauregard. Heavy rains and consequent high water defeated the plan, and after a detention of sixteen days on board of the boats Buckland's brigade disembarked at Pittsburg Landing, and encamped near Shiloh Church.

From the long confinement on the transports and bad water at Shiloh, the troops under General Buckland suffered

greatly in health, and the Seventy-second was weakened and greatly reduced in numbers. On the 3d of April Buckland's brigade was engaged in a reconnaissance, in which the Seventy-second met the rebel pickets, and exchanged shots. On the next day (the 4th of April) companies B and H were ordered to reconnoiter the front of the picket line. These companies became separately engaged, and Major Crockett and two or three men of company H were captured, and several were wounded. Company B was surrounded, but it fought for an hour against great odds, and was saved by the fortunate arrival of companies A, D and F, which were sent forward to their relief. Company B lost four men wounded.

All this time the rebels were massing near Shiloh, and preparing to sweep away the Union forces there, by an unexpected attack in force. But General Buckland, by reconnoitering, had felt the enemy, and was too vigilant to be prepared for an attack at any moment, so far as he was concerned. Whatever has been said, or may be said about our forces being surprised at Shiloh, sure it is that General Buckland was not surprised. His brigade was ready, from the time of Crockett's capture, and all that prudence and bravery could do, General Buckland did to be ready for the enemy at any and every moment. He felt sure from the 3d of April, that the rebels intended an attack in force on the army at Pittsburg Landing, and acted accordingly. And when, on the morning of the 6th of April, 1862, the onset came, he was up and ready. His brigade met the enemy on that memorable morning, and withstood the furious onset of three successive lines; and notwithstanding the defection of the brigade on his left, he held his position for two hours, when General Sherman ordered his brigade to retire. The rebels had advanced

*For the following account of the services of the Seventy-second regiment we are indebted to Reid's Ohio in the War.

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on the left, and threatened to cut off the retreat, but Buckland's brigade made a rapid detour to the right through a dense wood, and at 11 o'clock was in position to the right of the National line. The regiment was constantly at the front, and acted with great bravery and coolness throughout the day, and on the 7th effectively participated in the charge which finally swept the enemy from the field, and that night rested in the camp from which it had been ordered to retire the day before. In this action the regiment lost Lieutenant-Colonel Canfield mortally wounded, and two company officers killed, one of them being the brave captain of the German company, H, and one officer missing. Thirteen men were killed, seventy were wounded, and forty-five were missing. The Seventy-second participated in the pursuit of the enemy as far as Monterey.

At the siege of Corinth the Seventy- second bore a conspicuous part, and although its losses in the action were not great, it suffered great loss by disease and consequent disability. During the siege General J. W. Denver assumed command of Buckland's brigade, and Colonel Buckland returned to the command of his regiment.

After the evacuation of Corinth, Sherman's division moved along the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, in a westerly direction, and on the 21st of July, 1863, entered Memphis. When the regiment arrived at Memphis it presented a dilapida- ted condition; the men were worn, sick, weary, and ragged, having drawn no clothing since the battle of Pittsburg Landing. Here the Seventy-second was brigaded with the Thirty-second Wisconsin, Ninety-third Indiana, Ninety-third Illinois, and the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois. This brigade was designated the First brigade of the Third division. The di-

vision was placed under the command of General Lanman, while Colonel Buckland command d the brigade under the new organization.

On the 26th day of November the reg- iment marched toward Wyatt, on the Tal- lahatchie. The rebels retreated, and Sherman's forces were ordered back to Mem- phis. When the Memphis & Charleston Railroad was reached, the regiment was ordered to Moscow, to hold the bridge over Wolf River. Here the regiment fell in with - Richardson's guerillas, but experienced no loss. It remained at Moscow about two weeks, in the performance of picket duty there, until the 9th of January, 1863, when it was ordered to Corinth. The march to Corinth was made by way of Bolivar and Purdy. In the night next after arriving at Corinth, the weather became intensely cold, from which the men suffered severely. Here Buckland's brigade was assigned to the Sixteenth Corps, and was concentrated near Memphis.

The Seventy-second reached White's Station, nine miles east of Memphis, on the 31st of January, 1863, and was engaged in picket duty, and in work on the fortifications. It moved to Memphis on the 13th of March, embarked on the steamer Champion, and on the 14th proceeded down the stream.

The regiment had been reinforced by about forty nine-months recruits, which, with returning convalescents, somewhat increased its effective strength. On the 2d of April the regiment went into camp four miles above Young's Point. Here. it was for a time engaged in working on the canal, and in preparations for the coming campaign. It commenced its march for a position in the rear of Vicksburg on the 2d of May, 1863, moved seventy miles southward, through Louisiana, and reached the Mississippi opposite Grand Gulf. It crossed the river on the

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7th of May, and on the 8th moved toward Jackson, Mississippi, and was in the battle there on the 14th of May. The next day the regiment continued the march toward Vicksburg, and arrived there on the 18th.

The regiment took a part in the assault on the rebel works at Vicksburg, on the 19th and 22d days of May, and then began the labors of the siege. The position of the regiment was on the right of Tuttle's division, and within a half mile of the Mississippi River, and north of Vicksburg.

On the 22d of June the Seventy-second formed part of the force ordered to Big Black River to intercept Joe Johnson, who was attempting the relief of Vicksburg. After this the Seventy-second was thrown out on the advance picket-line, and continued to hold that hazardous position until the surrender of Vicksburg.

The regiment then moved against General Johnson at Jackson, and after the battle pursued the rebels to Brandon, where it had an engagement. After destroying a portion of the railroad it returned to Big Black to rest and refit.

In the latter part of the summer the regiment moved to Oak Ridge, twenty-one miles distant from Vicksburg and near the Yazoo River, and in September it participated in a four days' scout to Mechanicsville, in which it experienced some very hard marching, and lively skirmishing. On the 15th of October, 1863, it took part in General McPherson's expedition to Canton, Mississippi, and on its return went into camp eight miles in the rear of Vicksburg. About the middle of November the regiment was ordered with its division to Memphis, to guard the Mississippi and Charleston railroad, and was stationed at Germantown, fourteen miles east of Mem- phis.

On the 2d of January, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted and soon after moved to Memphis. In February it took part in

the expedition under Colonel McMillen, to the Tallahatchie River, to create a diversion in favor of General W. S. Smith's cavalry expedition, all being part of General Sherman's Meridian expedition. This lasted thirteen days, and the regiment marched one hundred and fifty. miles.

VETERAN FURLOUGH.

On the aid of February, at Memphis, it received a veteran furlough and proceeded North. And it is the pleasing duty of the historian to follow the gallant veterans of the Seventy-second regiment, who had re- enlisted, from the scenes of their labors and suffering, their marches, sieges, and battles, back to their homes and friends and dear ones, from whom they parted more than two years before.

On Friday, the 26th day of February, 1864, a telegram to Fremont announced that the regiment was at Cairo the day previous, on its way home. This good news soon put the public mind in the city and county in motion. The brave men we had sent out more than two years before, and who had toiled and suffered, and marched and fought at the front so many weary days, were now coming home to greet those whom they left behind shadowed with anxiety and tears at their de- parture. It may truly be said that the hearts of the whole county thrilled and throbbed with joyous anticipations at the meeting, and with a desire to honor the veterans on their arrival. The mayor of Fremont at once gave notice of a public meeting of the citizens to make arrangements for a proper reception of the regiment. A large meeting was held, over which the mayor, Captain John M. Kline, was called to preside, and D. W. Krebs was chosen secretary. On motion the mayor and common council of the city appointed a committee of arrangements, with power to appoint such subcommittees as they might think proper. The sub-

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committees were then promptly announced as follows: The committee on arrangements and refreshments were: H. R. Shomo, Isaac E. Amsden, John Flaugher, Captain A. Young, C. H. Burdick, and Isaac M. Keeler. The committee on reception were: Homer Everett, J. L. Greene, sr., John Bell, David Betts, James Justice, Dr. Thomas Stilwell, William N. Morgan, Isaac Knapp, Nathaniel Haynes, and William S. Russell. Dispatches were then sent to Columbus, Ohio, inquiring what time the regiment might be expected in Fremont, and also to Governor Brough, asking that the regiment might be ordered to come here in a body, and be furloughed at Fremont instead of at Columbus. To this the Governor gave his assent, and the information came that it was expected to arrive in Columbus Saturday afternoon, and would leave that night at 10 o'clock, and reach Fremont at Io o'clock A. M., Sunday morning. This left but a few hours to make arrangements to receive the brave men in a proper manner. The great Daniel Webster once proclaimed at Philadelphia during a great financial crisis, that "there are no Sabbaths in revolutionary times." All our statutes on the observation of the Sabbath, have an exception from the prohibition of labor on the Sabbath, which says works of necessity and charity excepted. Here, in the reception of the brave boys in blue, our people found a work of necessity and charity combined, and notwithstanding the fact that our people loved the Sabbath, and the common, quiet duties of that sacred day as well as any other people, on this occasion they made it a holy duty to feed the hungry and thank the brave defenders of, our flag.

Our people at once took hold of the preparations with a will. Union hall was procured in which to set the tables for re- freshments. Word was immediately sent

through the town and vicinity for provisions to be sent in. The Ladies' Aid Society at once began work with an energy only known to the women of Fremont, who know no such word as faint or fail. Their efforts soon put the question of ample provision for the patriots beyond all doubt. Had there been twenty-four hours more time there would have been sufficient to feed five times the number.

Eight tables were set, each containing forty plates, besides, in the anteroom adjoining, about fifty more plates were set. Tables were never more tastefully arranged, nor more bountifully supplied. There were oysters, stewed and raw, hot coffee, turkeys, chickens, ham, beef, sliced tongue, slaw, pickled cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, peaches, cherries, bread, biscuit, cakes in quantity, pies, apples, canned peaches, strawberries, cherries, currants, with all other varieties of fruits. No such sumptuous tables were ever before spread in Fremont; they were, in short, loaded with the best that could be provided. At half past eight o'clock Sunday morning a telegram announced that the train conveying the Seventy-second had passed Oberlin at 8 o'clock that morning, on its way to Fremont. At Wakeman this train lay on the side track an hour and a half, waiting for a freight train to pass. After this delay the train bearing our brave boys came thundering into the depot at Fremont, a few minutes after 12 o'clock, Sunday, February 28, 1864. Acres of people were assembled at the depot, and welcomed them with well rendered music from the Fremont band, and cheers and shouts from the glad multitude. The soldiers quickly left the cars and promptly took position in the regiment for the march. The reception committee conducted them down in good order, through Croghan street to Main, on Main street down to State, down State to Front, and up Front

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street to Union hall, on the corner of Front and Garrison streets. Here the regiment standing amidst a throng of men, women, and children, were welcomed on behalf of the citizens by Homer Everett, esq., in a brief speech, which was as follows:

BRAVE MEN, PATRIOTS AND SOLDIERS OF THE ARMY OF THE UNION :- The people of Fremont and vicinity, by the mayor and common council of Fremont, desire me to say that during your absence in the field of active military duty for more than two years, they have watched your conduct with intense interest. We have all observed your sacrifices, hardships, suffering, and sympathized in them all. Our best wishes and prayers have been constantly offered in your behalf. We feel that the honor and glory you won on the bloody field of Shiloh, and at the laborious and trying siege of Vicksburg, is in a measure reflected back on us, and we rejoice to share it with you. We thought and believed when we parted with the Seventy-second, that we were sending into the field as fine, intelligent and brave a regiment as ever adorned the service of any State or Nation. Now we know it to be so. You left as volunteer citizens unused to war; you return soldiers, veteran soldiers, with banners soiled and tattered in the storms of battle. It is the Sabbath day ; we hope we do not violate it in discharging our solemn duty to thank you on the only occasion we can have to do so. We remember that on the Sabbath of the 6th of April, 1862, you beat back the assailing foe, that we might enjoy this day in peace. Hence today you see this great assemblage of men, women and children here to thank you. You went away a thousand strong, you return with less than half that number. Battles and disease have thinned your ranks. Many dear and once familiar faces no longer answer to the roll call. Many cheering voices, once animating your ranks, are heard no more. To all those who fell or died of wounds received in battle, as Canfield, Weigstem, Witmer, Wonders, Glass, and many others ; to all those who died of disease in the service, as Crocket, Caldwell, and many others of the Seventy- second, as well as to all who have perished in this great war, we here pay our grateful tribute of dear remembrance, holding them as priceless offerings on the altar of Freedom and Union. They have not died in vain. Your brave and beloved Colonel Buckland, so devoted to the honor and welfare of the Seventy-second, though not present on this occasion, we rejoice to know still lives to serve the country in another and advanced sphere of service.

Brave men, notwithstanding your sufferings and services, with a full knowledge of all the privations and dangers of war, you have further proved your

devotion to the great cause by re-enlisting, by volun- tarily promising to fight the battle through. This noble act crowns your merit, proves you worthy of the country's confidence and excites our admiration to the highest point. We thank you! We are proud of you! You are weary and hungry; fathers, mothers, wives and sisters, and other dear ones, are yearning to embrace you; your hearts are bounding to embrace them. It is not the time to hold you here to recount all, all you have done for us.

Brave men, veteran soldiers of the Grand Army of the Union! The people with open arms gratefully, thankfully welcome you to our hearts, our homes, and the best cheer we can give.

After heartily cheering the welcome, the regiment marched in order into the hall for refreshments. The men had eaten nothing since 8 o'clock the Saturday night previous to their arrival. They were, as may be properly supposed, in a condition to appreciate the repast prepared for them. Never did men eat with a better relish, or with more earnest, heartfelt thankfulness take a feast of good things amidst smiling and grateful faces of beautiful and good women than did the veterans of the Seventy- second on that memorable day. Such expressions of gratitude by both the entertained and the entertainers were never heard before in the county. The hearts of all the soldiers, and all the citizens, were never before so manifestly sympathetic and tender. It was a scene and a time long to be remembered in Fremont, and in fact throughout the county of Sandusky.

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History of Sandusky County Ohio with Illustrations 1882, Part 39

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