USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County, from the close of the revolutionary war to July, 1880 > Part 47
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
the different printing offices in Tiffin and put them to work printing large handbills and posters, calling upon the people to stop all other work and help in recruiting the regiment, etc. Meetings were held and addressed in various places throughout the district, and companies that had a partial organization were speedily filled up; new ones organized and filled, so that on the evening of the 7th day from the time of re- ceiving the order, the writer was enabled to telegraph to Governor Tod, that the regiment was full, awaiting his orders. We had then the minimum number, and when we finally gathered at Monroeville, we had 1,063 men, and as good men as " ever drew a rammer." During two weeks the writer slept in no bed nor changed clothes until the regi- ment was full. It required labor and money to accomplish the work. The recruiting service was exhausted and the high premiums had been paid to fill up old regiments, and it looked simply like an impossibility to raise a thousand men under these circumstances without premium or bounty. Yet it succeeded. The loafers and drones of society had all been enlisted. The men that made up the 123d were gentlemen, who left their farms, stores, workshops and factories, and every other path of industry, and joined the regiment without a promise of bounty. and from no other motive than that of a patriotic determination to help preserve the Union and the integrity of these states.
Colonel Stem was ordered to report with his regiment (the to1st) at Monroeville, and for want of a place to rendezvous, the com- panies of the 123d, from Seneca and Wyandot, were quartered on the old fair grounds, and John Remele, who had a butcher shop, and Dr. Crawford, who owned a bakery, subsisted the men in good style. The citizens furnished quilts, blankets and comforts and camp life com- menced in good order.
While the recruiting was proceeding vigorously outside, the men were drilled on the fair ground and on the streets.
Captain F. K. Shawhan filled up his company in Tiffin first, and then we recruited Captain Zimmer's company, made up of Germans. A board shanty was built on the southwest corner of the court house yard and a justice of the peace kept there to administer the oath to the men as fast as they enlisted. The hotels and saloons were kept open all night and the fifers and drummers marched up and down the street until nearly morning. Many of the men were sworn in after midnight.
Here is a copy of one of Captain's Shawhan's handbills:
Dignizedby Google
465
123D REGIMENT O. V. I.
THE 123D-COLONEL WILLIAM LANG.
" Strike till the last armed foe expires, Strike for your altars and your fires, Strike for the green graves of your sires, God and your native land !"
Authority has been given this military district to raise another regiment, the 123d, to be commanded by Colonel William Lang.
The regiment must be organized and filled by the 221 of, August. So all men can see the necessity of lively work. Let every patriot in Seneca county put his shoulder to the wheel !
Seneca county will get credit for all recruits raised within that time, and if our quota is filled by volunteering, the necessity of a draft in our county will be obviated.
Recruiting officers are being appointed. Seven days are given to fill up Seneca companies. Men of Seneca, rally ! rally ! ! rally ! !! Awake ! Re- member that the fortunes of a hundred generations are at stake! Let us show the parricides who would destroy the Republic that she can be as ter- rible in war as she is gentle in peace.
TIFFIN, Omo. August 16.
Here is another:
WAR MEETING! -, August -, 1862. Speaking by At
Turn out, everybody, and fill up the ranks as volunteers in the 123d regi- ment, W. Lang, Colonel.
This regiment bas just been authorized by Governor Tod to be raised by the 22d of August, then drafting takes place without fail. "Strike till the last." etc.
Reernits wanted to fill up company A, which holds the post of honor in the regiment.
Headquarters at Tiffin, Ohio.
F. K. SHAWHAN.
The companies were raised and subsisted as above indicated until Colonel Stem, with the forst, was ordered to Kentucky, and Colonel Jones, who was the commander of camp Monroeville, telegraphed to the writer to report with the regiment at Monroeville immediately. The order was promptly executed and we entered the camp after taking our supper in town, just at dark. There was nothing to live on in camp. Several boxes of tallow candles and a quantity of blankets were all the 101st had left. The men were assigned to their quarters, the officers of the day were appointed and the camp soon became quiet and orderly. Quartermaster Brown was at his desk, writing, while the writer stretched himself on a pile of blankets for a night's rest.
30
Dighizedby Google
466
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
It was about midnight when a heavy rap was heard at the door of our tent; a Mr. Brown opening the door, a man slipped in and showed him a paper and retired.
Mr. Brown then came to me and told me that this man had the appointment of colonel of the regiment and his name was Wilson. Mr. Wilson used to edit a little Republican paper at Upper Sandusky. On the next morning, taking the early train for Tiffin and arriving there early, the writer received a dispatch about 9 o'clock A. M. from Gover- nor Tod, in these words: " Mr. Wilson is appointed colonel of the 123d. Will you accept the lieutenant-colonelcy.
D. TOD."
It will interest the reader but very little to know the reason why the office was not accepted, but my answer to the governor is still preserved among the archives of the executive office in Columbus, and it simply says that the kind offer could not be accepted for the respect I bear to the regiment and to his excellency, etc.
Another wrong perpetrated by somebody, worked in this form, viz: Upon our urgent solicitation the Right Rev. Bishop Rappe, of Cleve- land, consented to let my highly esteemed and kind friend, the Rev. Father I .. Molin, go with the regiment as its chaplain. This fact became known very rapidly, and one speech from Father Molin, in Sandusky City, was sufficient to fill up Captain Rigg's company. Father Molin made every necessary arrangement to go with us, and when Colonel Wilson took charge of the regiment, at Monroeville, Father Molin was left out also with the writer.
I rejoice at the fact, and to this day it is a very great consolation to me to know, that Colonel Wilson took good care of the boys and they became attached to him gradually, but the manner in which he received the appointment is no credit to him nor to those who helped to bring it about. A few words more on the subject and the reader can form an opinion of his own.
There were already three colonels appointed from Tiffin over regi- ments raised in this district, Gibson, Lee and Stem. .
A lawyer in Norwalk, Charles L. Boalt, took great interest to keep Tiffin from having another colonel, and went to Columbus on purpose to carry his point. He there found a little intelligent baboon hanging about the state house and a willing tool to help; and while Boalt suc- ceeded in dissuading Governor Tod from giving the colonelcy to the writer, the other fellow made it count by helping a relative. One thing will not be denied by anybody, and that is this: that while the writer labored hard and faithfully to raise the regiment, and spent his money
Digitizedby Google
467
123D REGIMENT O. V. I.
freely, Colonel Wilson laid around loose about Columbus and simply did nothing for the regiment.
In the winter following Governor Tod, who was one of the most efficient war governors of the north, told the writer that in all his appointments and official acts, he regretted nothing so much as this act to which he had allowed himself to be persuaded by these false friends and designing men.
One other thing will not be denied, and that is this: the leading Re- publicans who took an active part in helping to raise the regiment, felt the outrage very keenly, and expressed their opinions at the election that followed soon thereafter. They meant what they said in October, 1862. This congressional district went Democratic that fall, and elected the Hon Warren P. Noble to congress.
The regiment was mustered into the service October 16th, 1862, and immediately ordered on the march to Virginia. This same O. M. Brown above spoken of (E. H. Brown), who had been left in charge of stores at Petersburg, on the evacuation of the place by the regiment, put his stores in one of the churches of the town, set fire to it, and burned both church and stores. He was captured by the rebels, but was paroled the next day.
On the ist of March the regiment was sent up to Winchester, where General Lee, with his whole rebel army, on their way to Pennsylvania, passed through and surrounded the town. On the afternoon of the 13th the regiment had an engagement with General Early's corps, in which it lost in killed and wounded nearly one hundred men. On the next day the national forces were driven into their fortifications, and kept under a severe artillery fire for two hours, and the place was evacuated in the night, leaving the guns spiked. When four miles out on the Martinsburg road, the regiment was captured, and in the attempt to cut their way through, about fifty were killed and wounded. The whole brigade were made prisoners, except Co. D), of the 123d. They were taken to Richmond, where the officers of the 123d were in Libby prison about eleven months. Colonel Wilson was exchanged and sent home. The other officers, after eleven months' confinement in Libby, were removed to Macon and Savannah, Georgia; thence to Charleston, and placed under fire, thence to Columbia. From here several officers made their escape, among whom were George D. Acker, late sheriff of this county, and Thomas W. Boyce. Colonel Wilson, Lieutenant- Colonel Hunter; Captain Chamberlain, now cashier of the National Exchange bank in Tiffin, Lieutenant Schuyler, M. H. Smith, Frank A. -Breckenridge, and Charles H. Sowers were exchanged. Captain Charles
Digazed by Google
468
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
H. Riggs, of Sandusky, and formerly a Tiffinite, died in Charleston, South Carolina, September 15th, 1864. Captain W. H. Bender died at Columbia, South Carolina. The privates were exchanged in a few months, and sent to Annapolis, Maryland, and Camp Chase, Ohio. The regiment was finally collected together at Martinsburg. From Cedar Creek it moved under Seigel up the valley. At a sharp fight at New Market, May 15th, it lost twenty-nine killed and wounded.
The regiment was under General Hunter at Port Republic, where, after a short but severe fight, the rebels were whipped and 2,000 pris- oners captured. They were also at Lynchburg, from whence they made their flight to Salem. The men suffered very severely on this retreat for want of provisions; some died of starvation. They were also at Snicker's Ferry, where a number of the men were killed. On the 22d of July they had another fight with the rebels at Winchester, where the 123d were driven away, and they retreated across the Potomac into Maryland, at Williamsport. . At Berryville they lost twenty-five men killed, wounded and captured. They were again at Winchester, where the rebels were routed. Here the regiment lost five officers and about fifty men. At Strasburg they lost six men. Under the command of General Sheridan, after his ride, they drove the rebels at Cedar Creek and assisted in clearing the Shennandoah valley of the rebels. At Hatcher's Run their loss was quite severe. The whole regiment was captured by the rebel Howe Guards, near High Bridge. They were carried along to Appomattox C. H., where the rebel army surrendered to General Grant, and the prisoners were thus released.
They were mustered out June 12th, 1865, at Camp Chase.
Officers:
Colonel-W. T. Wilson.
LIEUTENANT-COLONELS.
Henry B. Hunter. Horace Kellogg.
MAJORS.
A. Baldwin Norton. Horace Kellogg. John W. Chamberlain.
Surgeons-O. Ferris, William B. Hyatt.
Assistant Surgeons-J. H. Williams, William B. Hyatt, Napoleon B. Brisbine.
Chaplain-Charles G. Ferris.
Captains:
John W. Chamberlain, Louis Zimmer.
Horace Kellogg. Vill. R. Davis.
Charles Parmeter.
David S. Caldwell.
F. K. Shawhan. William Il. Bender.
Samuel W. Reid. Alonzo Robbins.
Edwin HI. Brown.
William V. MeCracken.
Abner Snyder.
Harvey S. Beverton,
Benj. F. Blair.
Digiizedby Google
469
123D REGIMENT O. V .. I.
Dwight Kellogg, M. Hoadley Smith,
John F. Randolph, Jr., J. F. Schuyler, Oswell H. Rosenbaum, Joshua W. Leonard,
Curtis Berry, Sr., Charles H. Riggs, John Newman, Richard A. Kirkwood. First Lieutenants:
William V. McCracken, Abner Snyder,
James B. Pumphrey,
Ed. H. Brown,
Benj. F. Blair,
Elmer E. Husted,
Vill. R. Davis,
Caleb D. Williams, Charles H. Sowers,
John F. Randolph, Jr.,
Harvey S. Beverton,
Sherman A. Jolmson,
Edgar Martin,
James II. Gillian,
George D. Acker,
H. L. McKee,
Josephus E. Schuyler, M. Hoadley Smith,
Charles M. Keys,
Dwight Kellogg,
David Miller,
Alonzo Robbins,
Frank B. Culver, Frank A. Breckenridge,
Oswell H. Rosenbaum,
Joshua W. Leonard,
Frederick W. Wickham,
D. S. Caldwell, William H. Bender,
Thomas W. Boyce,
George A. Scoby,
Randolph B. Ferris.
Mentor W. Willoughby, James Healer,
Many of the second lieutenants were promoted.
Dighized by Google
CHAPTER XXVIII.
DR. ROBERT R. McMEENS.
" Majesty of human nature! Shall I seek thee among the masses? You never live but with a few."-Schiller.
TN the preceding pages the name of my faithful old friend, Dr.
McMeens, has been frequently mentioned, and I would do vio- lence to my own heart and a long, unshaded friendship, did I not devote a separate space amongst these leaves to the memory of a true friend, who, in social life, in the medical profession and on the field of battle, everywhere, was so distinguished for his skill and his many manly traits of character.
The following short record of him will be all the eulogy intended. His widow, one of the most esteemed and distinguished ladies in San- dusky City, has kindly furnished the writer with records, giving the incidents of her husband's closing hours, and they are given here with- out comment. For a specimen of the Doctor's polished, poetical genius, the reader is referred to the poem entitled, "The Islands of Erie," in the second chapter of this book.
True friendship lives beyond the grave, and fills the soul with hope like the christian longing after eternal life, for-
" In that profound and firm reality Rests the soul's hope of immortality."
Dr. McMeens was born in Lycoming county, state of Pennsylvania, on the 26th of February, 1820. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in the spring of 1841, and soon thereafter settled in Tiffin, Ohio, where he commenced the practice of medicine, and where he soon secured, not only a splendid practice, but also the esteem and 'confidence of the old doctors and the people generally.
On the 31st of August, 1843, he was married to Ann C., the oldest daughter of John Pittenger, a sketch of whose life has already been recorded.
In the fall of 1846, the Doctor moved to Sandusky City, where he
Digitizedby Google
471
DR. ROBERT R. M'MEENS.
lived to the time of his death and where he was buried. He was of rather small stature, but very active, and took great interest in public affairs. He organized and was captain of the Bay City Guards, one of the finest independent military companies of Sandusky City, and assisted greatly in the organization of the Monumental Association, described in chapter 11.
Mrs. McMeens, in sending to me the subjoined papers, said:
SANDUSKY, Ono, May 9, 1880. Judge W. Lang:
MY DEAR FRIEND: I am much obliged for your good, kind words, and your interest in my loved one; for, although he has been dead to the world for many years, he lives in our home. I cannot write you as fully as I desire , but will give you some items, and your pen can supply the rest, for you were one of the Doctor's faithful friends, and he was warmly attached to you. I enclose dates, etc .. and a published article, written by General W. II. Lytle, of Cincinnati; also a letter from Dr. Shumard to Governor Tod, of our State. These were all published, but I cannot find the papers, so send you the original letter. Ever truly your friend.
ANN C. MUMEENS.
Doctor Shumard's letter. to Governor Tod:
MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S OFFICE, I DANVILLE, October 31, 1862. 1
To His Excellency Governor Tod, Ohio:
Sın : It is with feelings of the deepest regret that I have to announce the death of Surgeon R. R. MeMeens, of the 3d regiment Ohio Volunteer Army, which occurred suddenly at Perryville, Kentucky, on the night of the 30th inst.
Surgeon McMeens was among the first to offer his services to his country after the breaking out of the rebellion.
Entering the three months' service as a regimental surgeon, he was imme- diately after ordered to Camp Dennison, where his gentlemanly deportment and great professional skill soon won for him the esteem and confidence of his brother officers, at whose request he was appointed medical director of the post: all the arduous duties of which office he performed in such a man- ner as to win for him the warmest commendations of the surgeon general of the state.
From that time until the period of his death, he has continued in active service, filling many important positions in the medical department of the army.
Shortly before the battle of Perryville, he was appointed medical director to the troops under the command of the lamented Jackson, and after having participated actively in the battle, was detailed to assist in taking care of the wounded at Perryville, in which position his kindness of heart, sound judgment, and great professional skill, enabled him to contribute very largely toward the relief of our suffering soldiers.
He has fallen while nobly working at his post; although suffering greatly from disease, he refused to abandon his work, and performed several impor- tant surgical operations only a few hours before his death.
Digitizedby Google
472
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
In his death the army has lost a kind hearted, faithful and efficient officer: the country a pure patriot, and the medical profession one of its brightest ornaments. I am. sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE G. SHUMARD, M. D .. Medical Director Danville District ..
General W. H. Lytle's letter to the Cincinnati Commercial:
THE LATE DR. R. R. McMEENS.
EDITORS COMMERCIAL : The announcement of the sudden death of this distinguished medical officer, at Perryville, will be received with profound sorrow in Ohio. Surgeon MeMeens was one of the ranking medical officers in the Ohio line, his commission in the service bearing date April. 1861. He was originally commissioned surgeon in the 3d regiment of Ohio Volunteers. a veteran regiment which did good service in Virginia, and which recently, at Chaplin Heights, side by side with the 10th Ohio, the 15th Kentucky, the 42d and ssth Indiana, and Loomis' battery, constituting the 17th brigade, covered itself all over with glory.
A few days before the battle, Dr. MeMeens was appointed acting medical director of the 10th division, commanded by the lamented Jackson, of Ken- theky. The writer of this notice met him at Perryville, three days after the fight, apparently in his usual health ; but it is quite probable that over-exer- tion, fatigue and anxiety in his department, had brought on the illness. which so suddenly terminated his career. Surgeon MeMeens was a resident of Sandusky City, Ohio, where his professional abilities had secured him an extensive and remunerative practice, while his estimable qualities endeared him to a large circle of attached and appreciative friends. Impelled by a high sense of duty, and the noblest of motives, he exchanged at the very beginning of the rebellion the endearments and comforts of home for the perils and hardships of the tented field. Through the dark ravines, and over rugged mountains of western Virginia under Rosecrans ; through Ken- tucky. Tennessee and northern Alabama under Mitchell and Ronsean : and back again through all the vicissitudes of Buell's last campaign, to where it terminated, in the sanguinary struggle at Chaplin Hights, he discharged with the utmost skill, faithfullness and heroism, his varied and responsible duties. His devoted care and watchfulness; the strict observance which he compelled to the laws of hygiene and police, rendered the camps of his regi- ment at Huntsville and elsewhere, models in the service.
Officers and men had implicit faith in his professional skill. while his noble, genial and chivalrie traits of character, linked all hearts to him in- separably. No soldier. however humble, ever complained of his neglect, nor acensed him of sacrificing duty to his personal comfort. The eve of the in- valid brightened at his presence, and as he moved through the dreary hos- pitals, crowded with the ghastly harvests of war, despairing sufferers turned toward him on their pallets and smiled hopefully once more. Beloved and lamented by all who knew him, a brave, whole-souled, gallant gentleman, thus, with " harness on," discharging faithfully the high behests of his pro- fession, died Robert R. MeMeens.
Ohio will offer up no nobler sacrifice on our country's altar.
Dignized by Google
473
DR. ROBERT R. M'MEENS.
The following are the minutes of the proceedings of a meeting of army surgeons held at Perryville, Kentucky, October 31st, 1862: -
DEATH OF SURGEON R. R. McMEENS.
At a meeting of the surgeons of the United States army, held in Perry- ville, Kentucky, on the 31st day of October, A. D., 1862, Surgeon J. G. Hatchilt, of Kentucky, medical director, was called to the chair, and Sur- geon Solomon Davis, of Indiana, was appointed secretary.
The chairman briefly explained the object of the meeting and announced the sudden and unexpected demise of an eminent and distinguished sur- geon of the army, Dr. Robert R. MeMeens, of Sandusky City, Ohio. Where- upon a committee was appointed to draft suitable resolutions of regret and condolence, consisting of Surgeons T. B. Williams, of Ohio, F. G. Albright, of Pennsylvania, Assistant Surgeon L. T. Fuller, of Wisconsin, Surgeons G. D. Jacques, of Indiana, and J. G. Hatchilt, of Kentucky.
After a short adjournment the committee reported the following, which were unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, In the order of events and the fortunes of war, an eminent and distinguished medical colleague, Surgeon Robert R. MeMeens, of Ohio, has fallen a victim to disease, superinduced by excessive labor and exposure in the discharge of his duty to the wounded soldiers on the field, during the battle of Chaplain Hills and since the battle of Perryville; and
WHEREAS, In his death the public service has sustained a great loss, and science an ardent devotee and surgery one of its brightest ornaments; and
WHEREAS, He has been cut off in the prime of his manhood, and in the midst of his usefulness; universally beloved by all who knew him intimately as one of the most generous and noble-minded men in all relations of private and public life; therefore.
Resolved, That this meeting is deeply impressed with this sad event; that they realize the loss the country has sustained by his untimely death and the sorrow with which his relatives and numerous friends will receive the mournful intelligence; in view of which we tender assurances of our pro- found regret and heartfelt sympathy.
Resolved further, That we tender to the widow of the deceased our sincere condolence in the melancholy bereavement which she has sustained in the loss of an affectionate and devoted husband. And we pray that in the con- solation of the christian religion she may find a solace in her affliction and sorrow.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the chairman and secretary and published in the papers at Sandusky City, Columbus, Cin- cinnati and Louisville, and that a copy be sent to the widow of the deceased. J. G. HATCHILT, President.
SOLOMON DAVIS, Secretary.
The reader will expect no comments from the writer, and the subject is ended here with the effect the language of the foregoing documents will naturally create and impress upon a noble and patriotic heart.
Dighizedby Google
CHAPTER XXIX. ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
ADAMS TOWNSHIP-T. 3, N. R. 16 E.
U T NDER the treaty of Washington, made on the 28th day of Feb- ruary, A. D., 1831, the Senecas ceded their entire reservation of forty thousand acres to the United States.
By the eighth article of this agreement the United States are bound to sell all this land, deduct from the proceeds certain expenses and six thousand dollars, advanced to the tribe, and to hold the balance of the purchase money until the same shall be demanded by the chiefs, and in the meantime pay them five per cent interest on the same.
The agreement was signed by James B. Gardiner, in behalf of the United States, and by Coonstick, Small Cloud Spicer, Hard Hickory and Captain Good Hunter, in behalf of the Senecas, the Indians mak- ing their marks. The witnesses were Henry C. Brish, sub-agent, George Herron, interpreter, W. H. Lewis, Henry Tolan and P. G. Randolph.
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.