USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County, Ohio; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Vo. I > Part 23
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A call was made by the War Department for ninety day volun- teers to be used largely as guards along the lines of transporation and in garrisons, to the end that all well drilled and disciplined troops could be sent to the more immediate front; to the armies of General Grant, Army of the Potomac, and of General Sherman, before Chattanooga and in the Atlanta campaign. This call re- ceived a hearty response from the various Ohio National Guard organizations, which had been organizing and drilling during the winter of 1863-4.
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Again Seneca county responded in the organization of the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This regiment was composed of the Forty-ninth Regiment Ohio National Guard, of Seneca county, and the Forty-fourth Battallion of Ohio National Guard, Summit county. The consolidation was effected at Camp Taylor near Cleveland and commanded by Colonel John C. Lee of Tiffin, who had previously resigned as colonel of the Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was mustered into service on the seventh day of May, and on the four- teenth left for Washington, D. C., where it arrived on the seven- teenth. It took position in the defenses on the south side of the Potomac and during its one hundred days' service garrisoned Forts Smith, Strong, Bennet and Haggarty. The regiment was thorough- ly drilled both in infantry and heavy artillery tactics. At the expiration of its term of enlistment the regiment received the thanks of President Lincoln for its efficient service. It was mustered out at Cleveland on the 27th of August, 1864.
In addition to the various company and regimental organiza- tions for the suppression of the war of the Rebellion, as enume- rated in this brief outline of the military history of Seneca county, a large number of the patriotic young men of our county enlisted in regiments raised in other parts of the state. Many of them were drawn thither because of former acquaintance and associa- tions. These rendered just as valuable and honorable service as those belonging to Seneca county organizations.
It is impossible to give a detailed history of the military record of each organization, much less of each individual soldier. In fact, the unwritten history is the most graphic and intensely interesting history of the Civil war. It can be known only by those who participated in that gigantic fratricidal conflict for the preservation of the Union, which did more for the advancement of Christian civilization and the rights of man than any other war in the history of the world. The tidal wave of national patriotism and heroic loyalty reached its highest pinnacle in the rank and file of the Union army from 1861 to 1865, and no county in the state furnished more, or better soldiers in proportion to its popula- tion than our own Seneca.
The spirit of patriotism and love of liberty kindled by the Civil war and its beneficent results were wide spread and universal. All dependencies of the European nations caught the spirit of personal liberty and commenced a struggle for independence. And every patriot in America bade them God speed. None of those dependencies were so aggressive in their revolt against monarch- ical oppression as were the people of Cuba. The more they strug- gled for liberty, the more oppressive became the tyranny of Spain. In the midst of the efforts of President Mckinley to use the friend-
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ly influence of the United States government in an endeavor to ameliorate the unjust oppression of the Spanish government, the battle ship "Maine" was blown up while lying at anchor in Havana harbor. This so intensified publie indignation that all negotiations for a peaceful settlement were closed and war was declared. Every intelligent American citizen knows the result- the capture of Manilla and the destruction of the Spanish Fleet by Commodores Dewey and Schley-the call of President Mckinley for volunteers re-awakened the military and partriotie spirit of the whole nation. From ocean to ocean and from the lakes in the north to the Gulf of Mexico, those who loved humanity and who had at heart the honor of the nation sprang to arms. The Blue and the Gray moved by a common impulse clasped hands in a common cause, while the nations of the old world stood in awe at the spec- tacle of a great people rising in their might, not for greed, not for conquest, but to relieve the oppressed, to lift up the fallen, to feed the hungry and to give to a people who had earned it the right to free government.
Again Seneca county showed her intense patriotism and loyalty by a prompt response to the president's call for volunteers. Unlike the unprepared conditions which prevailed in 1861, the state of Ohio had been for twenty-five years training under the cog- nomen of the Ohio National Guard. the nucleus of an army back in the seventies; a regiment of National Guard was organized by Colonel G. Nubern. One company (D) of this regiment was re- cruited in Fostoria. This company was commanded in succession by Captains J. J. Worman. F. R. Stewart, A. M. Dildine, William O. Bulger, J. M. Kreiger and F. P. Culp. When first organized, Company D was composed very largely, fully one-third, of men who had seen service in the Civil war. During the intervening years from its organization until the breaking out of the Spanish- American war, in 1898, the personnel of the rank and file, as well as of the officers, was materially changed. But the company con- tinued to become more thoroughly disciplined and better drilled. When the Spanish-American war broke out, in the spring of 1898, Company D was commanded by Captain F. P. Culp, First Lieu- tenant William D. Andes and Second Lieutenant G. W. Cunning- ham. The rank and file was composed of young men, many of them belonging to our best families. Like Company D. the whole regiment had changed just as radically in its personnel. The headquarters was still at Toledo, with the following officers in com- mand : Colonel, William D. MeMaken; lieutenant colonel, William 0. Brady (formerly captain of Company C) ; majors, Sansford B. Stanbery, George P. Barker and William E. Gillett; major and surgeon, Dr. Park L. Myers (a former Fostoria boy) ; adjutant captain, William H. Parker; quartermaster captain, Eugene E.
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Newman; captain and assistant surgeon. Dr. John D. Howe ; chap- lain, Rev. Thomas J. Harbaugh. This regiment was mustered into the United States service as the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry at Camp Bushnell, Columbus, on the 12th day of May, 1898, and left Camp Bushnell for Chickamauga Park. Georgia, on the 17th of May. Here in company with many other regiments from Ohio Indiana, Illinois and Michigan, several months were spent in brigade and division organization. and in more thorough drill and discipline preparatory to active field operations. The history of the Sixth Regiment, and Company D in which we are particularly interested, was a very creditable one. It was one of the more fortunate regiments. Its active operations were in Cuba and not in the far distant island. In January, 1899, the Sixth Regiment was sent to Cienfuegos, island of Cuba, where it did garrison and general guard duty until April 22nd, when it embarked on board the U. S. Transport "Sedgwick" and sailed for the United States, landing at Savannah, Georgia, April 25, and thence going to Augusta, Georgia, where the regiment was mustered out, May 24, 1899, and reached Fostoria and Toledo two days later.
Fostoria and the western end of Seneca county were not alone in responding to the call for volunteers for service in the Spanish- American army. Tiffin and the central part of the county re- sponded with the same spirit of loyal patriotism. On the 24th day of June, 1892, a company of Ohio National Guard Infantry was organized at Tiffin, with Captain Roscoe L. Carle in command, and Robert W. Lysle, Jr., and Newton W. Brown as first and second lieutenants, respectively. The company was mustered into the state service as Company E, Second Regiment Ohio National Guard. It was called into active service to assist in quelling the riot at Wheeling Creek for twelve days in 1894, and for four days' service at Tiffin, in 1895.
The opening of the Spanish-American war found Company E, Second Regiment, with Captain Lorenzo D. Gassen, First Lieu- tenant Joseph B. Sohn and Second Lieutenant Frank J. Dildine in command of Company E.
With the same patriotic enthusiasm which has always made the United States volunteers the best soldiers in the world, Com- pany E, with the whole Second Regiment, was mustered into the United States service at Columbus, on May 10, 1898. Company E, with its regiment. remained in rendezvous at Camp Bushnell, Columbus, until May 18th, when it was ordered to Camp George H. Thomas, Chickamauga Park, Georgia, where it remained in drill and discipline until August 28th, when it was transferred to Knox- ville, Tennessee, and thence on the 15th of November, to Macon, Georgia.
The Second Regiment was not favored with active service in
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foreign lands, but had several months of thorough drill and dis- cipline; and was mustered out at Macon, on February 10, 1899.
After their return both the Second and Sixth Regiments were re-organized, and Company D. of Fostoria, is, if possible, more thoroughly drilled and disciplined than ever before. Company E, of the second, with headquarters at Tiffin, is as ready for active service as when it entered the Spanish-American war. In addi- tion to those of Companies D and E, quite a number of young men from Seneca county volunteered and did service during the Span- ish-American war, in regiments organized entirely outside of the county.
As much as we would like to give a more specific and extended individual history of the military service of the volunteers of Seneca county, both in the war of the Rebellion ond the Spanish- American war, it would be impossible to do so in a general history of this kind because of want of space. They all did valiant ser- vice for their country and reflected credit on the United States volunteer soldier.
CHAPTER X
ANTI-BRITISH AND INDIAN CAMPAIGNS
THE COLONEL CRAWFORD EXPEDITION-CAUSES OF THE WAR · OF 1812-BATTLE OF THE RIVER RAISIN-MASSACRE OF THE RIVER RAISIN-HAS THE "LOST GRAVE-YARD" BEEN FOUND ?- OLD FORT SENECA-LATE VISIT TO SITE OF FORT-HARRISON AT FORT SENECA -DETAILS OF CROGHAN'S HEROISM-OLD FORT BALL AND SETTLERS.
As stated in the preceding chapter by Captain Frank R. Stewart, although Seneca county did not participate in any of the campaigns against the British and their Indian allies as a civil organization, not a few of its early settlers participated in the war of 1812-4. The reader will also see by a perusal of the following articles that even earlier expeditions against these forces have a bearing upon the pioneer history and the pioneers of this section of the state.
No incident in Ohio's history has attracted more widespread attention than the Crawford campaign of 1782 against the San- dusky Indians. Yet, only recently have the real causes that led to it been carefully studied and deserved credit given to the heroic patriots who unselfishly ventured life and property therein. Undeservedly it has been characterized as a band of marauding butchers whose sole intent was to put to death the remnant of the Moravian Indians, and represented as supplemental in purpose to the Gnadenhutten massacre of March 8, 1782, when ninety-six Indians, said to be inoffensive, were ruthlessly put to death.
To correctly understand the causes that led to this memorable ex- pedition we should keep in mind a few historial facts which will here be briefly noted. England was the actual enemy at war with America; the Indians were employed as her allies. The Revolutionary war had waned in the east on account of the capture of Cornwalis and his army at Yorktown, October 19, 1781. treaty of peace had been made and the bitter feeling of the English and their tory constituency of the west had increased rather than diminished. By the aid of the most atrocious and unscrupulous agents ever employed by a civilized government, England had hired the western Indians to perform deeds of extreme cruelty. She
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paid the savages to kill and sealp American settlers. to burn their buildings and destroy their crops. In addition to this she promised that the Indians should have the region north of the Ohio as a per- petual hunting ground. A few English officers may have mildly reprimanded the Indians because of shameful deeds, but the authorities never broke with them nor withheld the reward. In proof of this culpable conduct on the part of Britain many facts can be cited. For example the Indian chief Brant was dressed in the uniform of a British captain at Cherry Vale on December 10, 1778, where fifty men, women and children were murdered in cold blood. English officers were present during the awful car- nage of Wyoming valley, and saw the helpless and innocent white people slain, and pretended they could not control the Indians, yet they never severed their relations with them, but tried to justify themselves by exaggerated accounts of American retaliation. In the summer of 1781 Colonel Luchry and a party of forty men were butchered near the mouth of the Little Miami after they had sur- rendered and protection promised. Girty, MeKee and Elliott, ingrate and renegade white men were employed agents of England, and the two latter wore the British uniforms of captains in the battle of Sandusky Plains and witnessed the torture of Crawford without making remonstrance. Guns and ammunition were fur- nished the savages by Britain and her coat-of-arms was etched on their powder horns. It may seem out of place in these days when England is making a loud boast of love and friendship for America. but nevertheless it is an undeniable fact that the basest deeds and most cruel brutalities that stain the annals of border warfare are directly chargeable to English influence.
The Crawford campaign was forced on the country by the oft- repeated excursions of these British hirelings and their numerous deeds of murderous cruelty. Six hundred miles of our western frontier had been mercilessly harrassed until there was scarcely a mile but had witnessed scenes of savage murder and bloodshed. It blazed with midnight fire and was red with innocent blood. Painted Indians with scores of scalps dangling from their belts boasted to British agents of their horrid work and received pay for these evidences of inhuman crime. These barbarous maraud- ing parties continued to ransack the settlements, and commit these deeds of butchery until a spirit of just revenge swelled the bosoms of our pioneer fathers and Gnadenhutten was one of the results. They had suffered under the lash of constant fear until human forbearance could endure no longer and all feeling of compassion for an Indian was driven from their breasts.
Heartrending tales and pitiful appeals for protection were , daily poured into the ears of General Irvine then in command of the American forces west of the Alleghenies with headquarters
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at Pittsburg. Something must be done to protect the settlers or give up the Ohio valley. The center from which these Indian forays came was the Sandusky Plains. From this quarter scores of marauding parties were sent to all parts of the frontier. It was a strategie point for the allies of Great Britain. The English headquarters were at Detroit and from thence arms and other war supplies were sent down the lakes and up the Sandusky river to the head of canoe navigation where the portage to the head waters of the Scioto river was only a few miles and thus they could reach all parts of the west and southwest. Many were the visits of warriors from the west to this place to obtain supplies. It was thought by Irvine and his advisers that an effective blow struck here defeating the Indians and destroying their villages would give the settlers rest and might result in a treaty of peace with them which would stop their excursions until a treaty with Great Britain should be effected. The plan was based on the hope of
taking the Indians by surprise.
It was laid before General Wash-
ington and received his approval. The continental troops at Fort Pitt were only sufficient for defense, and the enterprise was too dangerous for militia. Therefore General Irvine issued a call for volunteer horsemen. Each man was to furnish his own horse and thirty days' provisions. Mingo Bottom was fixed upon as the place and May 20, 1782. as the time of rendezvous. Volunteering progressed rapidly. Men who did not own a horse and equippage
were furnished the same by others who could not go. The troops were to be permitted to elect all their own officers, but General Irvine was not slow to make it known that he desired that Colonel William Crawford should be chosen leader.
Colonel Crawford did not fully endorse the plan of the cam- paign. He objected on the ground that they could not reap the full benefit of victory should they win. His own plan outlined three years before was to build a line of forts as they advanced and garrison and provision these that in case of defeat in open fight they would have a rallying point. and thus hold every inch of ground they won. This plan was afterward adopted, in the main, by Wayne, in his advance northward from Cincinnati. An Indian town had no essential value, the houses being made of bark and hence it would work no great discomforts to them if a few villages were destroyed. Crawford hesitated about volunteering until his son John. nephew William (son of Valentine Crawford) and son-in-law William Harrison, had enlisted and they finally per- suaded him to do the same.
The volunteers began to gather on the 20th and proceeded to organize under the county marshals, Crawford going by the way of Pittsburg, reached the rendezvous on the 22nd, was elected chief in command the 24th, and Colonel Williamson was made field
1
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major, and second in command. Thomas Gaddis, John McClel- land, - Brickston were elected field majors and Daniel Leet, brigadier major. £ General Irvine sent Lieutenant Rose of the · continentals to be aide de camp to the commander, and Dr. Knight to be surgeon. John Slover, Jonathan Zane and John Nichols were chosen guides. Among the troops were many experienced scouts and Indian hunters of whom Wetzel, Brady. Ross, Pente- cost and the two Poes. Every man understood the desperate char- acter of the enterprise. Crawford had made his will and bade his family an effectionate farewell before leaving. Touching scenes were witnessed as these brave men left to defend home and loved ones, there were streaming eyes, prolonged hand shakes, and good bye kisses as there would be now should the hope of the home go off to war.
The troop consisting of 480 well mounted men left Mingo Bot- tom the 25th of May, entering a great forest with scarcely a stick amiss (but we will speak of the places as now named to make the line of march understood.) The night of the 20th they camped at Shoenbrun, Tuscarawas County, the 30th at Butler Spring in Holmes county, the 31st at Newkirk Spring within Wayne county, north of Lake Odell. In Richland county they slaked their thirst at a spring now in Mansfield and camped at Spring Mills the night of the 1st of June. The night of the 2nd they camped by the San- dusky at a spring near Leesville. The 3rd they emerged from the tall forests into the open plain, about 9 o'clock and spent the night near the Little Sandusky. The 4th they cautiously advanced to the place of destination, a Wyondotte town in Crane township of Wyandotte county. It was vacant and showed evidences of having been deserted for weeks. Here was general disappointment. The expedition could not be a surprise. A council decided to march to the lower villages. An hour later the men complained that they only had provisions in reserve for five days more. Guide Zane boldly advised retreat and it is said Crawford endorsed his counsel. But brave men, volunteers conducting a campaign at their own expense could not bear the thought of returning home without seeing the enemy and doing something in defense of their loved ones. They compromised by agreeing to go forward the re- mainder of that afternoon but no longer. Soon the scouts came back with word that they had seen Indians. Quickly the little army was alert and eager for the conflict. The Indians were seen hastening into a grove on a rising knoll, since called Battle Island. Crawford discerning the advantage of this position ordered part of the men to dismount and advance rapidly. This prompt action secured them an advantageous position which probably saved the army from being overwhelmed. Then followed a sharp battle in which 500 Delawares, 600 Wyandottes and Lake Indians, aided by
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two companies of British from Ft. Sandusky, fought for three hours to retake the lost position and at sunset withdrew defeated. The morning of the 5th the enemy were shy of the fatal riffles of Crawford's men. When pressed they would shrink back and conceal themselves in the tall prairie grass. The army was weary from a long forced march, some were sick, nineteen wounded were to be cared for. and the day was hot and sultry. But the men were full of confidence, and orders were cheerfully obeyed. About 3 o'clock affairs took a serious change. A large body of Shawnees joined the enemy, and additional Lake Indians were seen coming from the north. Then to the consternation of the volunteers a large body of well trained cavalry came galloping into view. Quickly the word flew from lip to lip that they were Butler's Rangers from Detroit. Indians and British were arriving every hour. A council was held and it is said that even then some dar- ing propositions were made, but they decided to retreat over the route they had come as soon as darkness should favor. Major
McClelland was to have charge of the front, the wounded were to be kept in the center, and Williamson and Leet were to keep back the enemy in the rear. It was 9 o'clock before they were ready to start. The enemy had anticipated their purpose and began a fierce attack in front. Major McClelland was fatally wounded and had to be left on the field. The rear was sharply assaulted. Major Leet with ninety men charged the enemy and broke through their ranks and threw them into confusion, but kept on to the west for an hour and then turned sharply to the south and passed through the northeast corner of Marion county, struck the Owl creek and Vernon river trail to Coshocton and then over the route of Bougart to Mingo Bottom. Leet's bold move must have con- fused the enemy for it seems. according to all accounts, there was no systematic attack on the rear of the main body until long after daylight of the sixth. Crawford, not knowing that McClelland had fallen, complained of undue haste and neglect of the wounded. Then missing his son, son-in-law, nephew and Lieutenant Rose, he rode toward the rear, loudly calling their names and was seen no more by the army.
The main body. much confused by the attack of the Delawares and Shawnees in their front and by some of the companies becom- ing entangled in a marsh where a good many horses were lost, reached the deserted village of the Wyandottes about daylight of the 6th. Here a halt was called, and scattered companies came in until they numbered nearly 300. Crawford was missed and Col. Williamson assumed command and assisted by Lieutenant Rose soon brought order out of chaos and the retreat continued. Toward the middle of the forenoon the British Light horse and mounted Indians began to make their appearance and annoy the rear and
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flanks by making bold rushes, each time growing more irritating. Near where a small stream enters the Whetstone, Williamson hasti- ly drew up a part of his men. resolved to teach the enemy a lesson and if possible put a stop to these harrassing dashes. The enemy came on as if expecting to annihilate their foe when they were met with such a deadly fire from the ambushed Americans that many a trooper fell to the earth and the others got out of range as soon as possible. It was soon over, but they were so severely punished that they did not attempt another attack on the rear, but contented themselves with firing at long range and picking up stragglers. This has been called the Battle of the Olentangy and deserves mueh more notice than I have time to give it. The troop went into camp at the. Leesville Spring and during the night were not disturbed. Early the morning of the seventh of June they were in the saddle. The enemy made their appearance and fired a few shots from a safe distance, the last shot was not far west of where Crestline now stands and then they abandoned the pursuit. No stop was made at Spring Mills unless it was to shake the thirst and fill their can- teens, but they passed on to the spring now in the city of Mans- field and ate their scant lunch. That was 123 years ago today. Let our imagination remove this city with its business blocks, busy shops and lovely homes for a few minutes. that we may re- clothe this hill with its primitive forest of magnificent arches, whispering leaves, and sublime silence and watch this tired little army come in and see the weary men fling themselves from the saddles, quench their thirst from these springs, give drink to their horses, eat a hurried meal. remount and hasten on.
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