History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 40

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1060

USA > Ohio > Stark County > History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio > Part 40

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HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

part, embarked on board a brig, commanded by Capt. Thompson, and, after a short, stormy passage, landed at Brazos Island. After a few weeks, the regiment was ordered to the month of the Rio Grande, and soon afterward to Bereta, thence to Brownsville, and finally to Matamoras, arriving at that point about the Ist of August, 1846. After remaining en- camped for a short time. the regiment was divided, and the companies sent to different towns along the Rio Grande, to guard Govern- ment stores and repel sundry attacks from Mexican guerrillas. Company K was ordered into winter quarters at Fort Perides, where it remained until the 2d of January, 1847. when marching orders were received to proceed to Camargo, where the troops arrived three days later. Some time afterward, they were ordered to Monterey, and, when on the way, learned of the battle of Buena Vista. They were met by Gen. Taylor when within about twenty-five iniles of Monterey. who ordered a portion of the regiment in pursuit of a fragment of the defeated Mexican army. After a harassing though bloodless pursuit of three or four days, the troops returned and proceeded to Monterey, and eneamped opposite Black Fort. but soon afterward wore ordered to Saltillo. Here the small-pox broke out among the citizens, and. to avoid the contagion, the troops were or- dered to pitch their tents on the battle-field of Buena Vista. The "Stark Rangers" remained in this vicinity until some time in May, 1847, when they were ordered to the Rio Grande, thence by boat to Brazos Island, and finally to New Or- leans, where, on the 24th of June, 1847, their term of enlistment having expired, they were mustered out of service, and the boys, those re maining, with light hearts, turned their faces toward their homes in Ohio. The " Stark Ran- gers" had participated in no engagement dur- ing the campaign. except perhaps a few shots with Mexican guerrillas. It is related by Mr. F. W. Haack, one of the company yet living at Canton, that the boys at times received rough usage from their commanding officers. He states that, when the company were being conveyed on board the brig across the gulf from the month of the Mississippi to Brazos Island, the provisions were brought out and scattered along on deck, just as the farmer seatters the

eorn for his swine. They were subjected to the severest military discipline while en- camped at different points along the Rio Grande, and when one of their number died Martin Bohrer -he was not given a decent burial, although he left abundant means which could be used for that purpose. Mr. Haack says that the boys were strictly forbidden to forage. but that they often disobeyed orders in this respect. One day, when on the march, he had charge of one of the wagons in the com- missary train, and, seeing a number of fine fowls at one of the Mexican farms. he caught quite a number and secured them in his wagon. When he reached the next encamp- ment and was unloading his live freight, he was suddenly approached by old "Rough and Ready." who was sitting sideways, in a dirty and dilapidated suit of clothing, on a bony old horse. The General noticed the fowls, and instantly inquired, in a loud tone: "Where in h-1 did you get those chickens?" Mr. Haack, with some misgivings, informed him, where- upon the General. after a pause, said, in a low tone, reflectively: "Y-e-e-s; well, you may cook one of them for me, and I'll be around shortly.". Mr. Haack did as ordered. prepar- ing it in his best style, with an abundance of rich and excellent gravy. The General ap- peared promptly, sat down to the meal, and continued to eat and eat, until Mr. Haack thought he would never get enough. Finally, when all had disappeared, he arose from the camp-stool. and, walking up to Mr. Haack, said, quietly: "Look here, you prepare another of those chiekens the same way, and I'll send around" (naming a favorite subordinate officer ). Mr. laack did so, wherenpon the officer came forward and dispatched the fowl with even greater celerity than had the General. When nothing was left, he departed. with heart filled with glowing panegyries for the skill of the cook.

Great hardships were endured by the boys, on account of the extremely hot weather and the inferior quality and quantity of their ra- tions. They were often compelled to drink water from ponds covered with a filthy green scum, and it is no wonder that their robust physical development often succumbed to the deadly Mexican miasma. Capt. Allen, in a

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HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

letter to some friend in Massillon, dated at Camargo, February 22, 1817, reports the fol- lowing regarding his company: "John Brischt died August 8, 1846: William H. Christmas ched August 12, 1816: O. C. Billings died Angust 17. 1846: John Ankeny died October 20, 1846; William Hilbert died November 24, 1816: Martin Bohrer accidentally drowned in the Rio Grande December 27, 1816; George Stitzel died December 29, 1546; Frederick Habel died January S. 1847. All these deaths occurred at Matamoras, and were mostly caused by raging fevers. In the meantime, the fol lowing were discharged for various reasons: Robert Clayton, who died at Cincinnati on his return home; Joel B. Martin: Abijah W. Ba- ker: George TotHer: William Dobson: Ma- thias Hoover; Alexander Scheirer; Frederick Marsh; John Hendershot, who died at Spring- field. Ohio, on his return: Samuel C. Fry: Mathias Fox; and Peter Kroft, who died at Cincinnati on his way home, and was buried in the potter's field. One of the company. Ralph S. Courtney, had deserted. and joined.

it is supposed, one of the Indiana companies. The Captain also reported that his company had received recruits until it mastered about seventy men. Early in July. 1847, the com- pany reached home, and, on the evening of the 17th of July, 1547. they were given a splen- did reception and supper at the residence of Christian Cramer. Although the company had been discharged. the war was not over. and Capt. Taneyhill was authorized to enlist a company in Stark County, and. by the 17th of July, 1847. he had secured about sixteen volunteers, but the company was never com- pleted. When the Third Regiment was mus tered out of service. Col. Curtis volunteered again for the war. and was soon afterward ap- pointed Governor of Saltillo. Many years have passed away since the Mexican war. and many of the " Stark Rangers" are laid at rest in the grave. The brave Mexican soldiers innst not be forgotten amidst the glories and grand achievements of the last great war. So far as known. all of Capt. Allen's company are dead except the following: Samuel Beatty .. liv ing in Stark County: Jacob G. Frick. William S. Hartman. Louis E. Clement. in California: Theodore Gibbons, in California: John L.

Cross, in Ohio: John Shannon, in Indiana: Isaac Doxey. near Massillon: Jereboam Creighton. in Summit County: John Clam, in Indiana: Andrew P. Gallagher, in Stark County: Ferdinand W. Haack, near Canton: Thomas Thompson, at Akron: Jacob Se- bold, in Stark County: Jacob Eversole, in Canton: John W. Wagner, in Califor- nia : John R. Walter, in Stark County : Ambrose Essner, in Canton: Samuel Stall, in Indiana: Jacob Fontainheim. in Wayne County: George M. Bollinger, in Massillon; John Fitzsimmons, in Illinois: Isaiah Kiltner, in Ohio; Charles Floom, in Stark County: Dewitt C. Whiting, in Tusearawas County: and Frederick Vogelgesong, in Canton. Thus ends the brief record of the part borne by Stark County in the war with Mexico. It may be said that several of the boys who had served with Capt. Allen in Mexico also enlisted and served in the last great war between the States.

It is nunecessary to give a lengthy sum- mary of the canses which led to the war of the rebellion. Occurring as it did but twenty years ago. its weary marches, dreadful suffer- ings from disease, and daring achievements on the field of battle. are yet green in the rec- ollection of maimed and honored participants. Continued and extensive preparations for war were made in the South long before the North ceased to believe that the differences which bit- terly divided the two factions of the Govern- ment might be amicably adjusted. Armed and hostile bands of the rebellious citizens of the South seized. at every opportunity, large quantities of military stores, and took forcible possession of important strategie points; but still the North was hopeful that peace would prevail. President Lincoln, with that kind forbearance that magnanimous philanthropy or charity which ever distinguished him, and which enrolls his name on the brightest page of moral and intellectual greatness wisely hesitated to begin the contest. in hope that the South would accede to the demands of the Government and lay down the weapons of war. Hot-blooded Abolitionists in the North urged him repeatedly to strangle the hydra of seces sion in its infancy. but still ho hesitated. He knew well the desolation that would deluge

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HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

the country, for he had seen practical evidenees of the fiery spirit which characterized the Southern people. Statesmen in the North viewed with reluctance or contempt the steady and aggressive movements for war in the South, and declared that the people in rebellion would not have the temerity or courage to continue the war longer than ninety days. Finally, the blow fell like a knell upon Sumter, and in- stantly kindled a flame of fiery indignation throughout the North. People of all parties forgot everything, save that the country given them by their ancestors was in imminent peril. Business was almost wholly suspended, and the citizens gathered in neighboring villages to face the situation and encourage one another with hopeful words. Intense exeitement every- where prevailed Scores of militia regiments tendered their services to the Government, and when, at last, President Lincoln called for 75,000 men to put down the rebellion, a wave of relief swept throughout the North. Ohio alone offered over 80,000 men, the greater portion of whom were rejected.

Massillon was the first place in Stark County to give publie expression of the feeling on the subject of the war. Notices were circulated on the 16th of April, 1861. for a mass meeting of the citizens at Madison Hall on the same even- ing; and the room was packed with excited men of all parties. Gen. Jarvis called the meeting to order, and R. H. Folger, Esq., who was ap- pointed Chairman, announced that the object of the meeting was to consider what the "exi- geneies of the hour demanded." He reviewed the situation in loyal and eloquent words, and stated that the call of the President for troops must be promptly and abundantly met. At the conelusion of his speech, three times three cheers were given, and immediately thereafter a committee of three was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meet- ing. The members of the committee were Gen. Dwight Jarvis, John McClymond and Hon. J. S. Kelley. The following resolutions were prepared, and adopted with a ringing and unanimous vote:

WHEREAS, The Government being in imminent langer from formidable and organized bands of law- less men, bound together for the purpose of resist- ing the execution of the Jaws; and believing as we

do that it is indispensable that the laws should at all times be kept inviolate and the integrity of the Union preserved, therefore,

Resolred. That we will not stop to inquire who is President of the United States in times of danger; but that it is the duty of every good citizen to sus- tain the Government with alacrity and with a will.

Resolved, That, at such times, we will bury all party feelings, and unite as a band of brothers to strengthen the constituted authorities of our country.

Resolred, That the call of the Governor is well- timed and patriotic, and will meet with a prompt response.

Resolved, That we cannot afford to have rebels and traitors in our midst, for "Hle that is not for our country, is against it."

Resolred, That we have yet a country and a consti- tution, which we have inherited from our fathers- a banner under which their blood was shed.

Rousing and patriotic speeches were made by many of the prominent citizens, and finally the meeting was adjourned, to meet again on the following Monday night. The Repository of the following week, in speaking of this meeting, said: "The meeting throughout was the grandest exhibition of genuine patriotism we have ever witnessed; and was fully indie- ative that there is a national party ready to vindicate the honor and integrity of the Gov- ernment against all traitors, wherever dis- persed." At Massillon, the names of 100 young men were enrolled on Thursday and Friday, April 18 and 19. This was the com- pany of which Albert F. Beach was Captain. It was fully organized and ready to march to the field on Monday, the 22d of April, 1861. Immediately after the meeting at Massillon, others were held at almost every town in the county, and in every instance movements were effected to enlist companies for the war. A rousing meeting was heldl at Alliance, and many signified their willingness to enlist, and their names were enrolled. Canton was some- what slow in holding a mass meeting of the citizens. Small assemblages of men convened to listen to loyal words, but no general meeting was held until the 9th of May. when almost the entire county met at Canton to listen to the following speakers: Jolin MeSweeney, Esq., Hon. B. F. Leiter, Mr. Upham, H. M. McAbee, Seraphim Meyer, R. H. Folger and others. This was one of the largest and most enthusiastie meetings ever held in Stark County. It is stated that, about this time, at least one thousand men in the county sig-

HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

237

nified their willingness to serve the Govern- ment. A company had been organized at C'an- ton a number of years before, and was known as the " Canton Zonavos," James Wallace be- ing Captain. Another company, called the "('anton Light Guards," had also been organ- ized under the Stato militia law. This was commanded by Capt. Samuel Beatty. The headquarters of these two companies were at Canton. A company at Alliance, known as the " Alliance Guards." under Capt. James MeGarr, offered its services for the war. The company at Massillon under Capt. Beach was called the "Massillon Light Guards." These four companies, after being re-organized and recruited. left the county early in May, and. by the middle of June, all were on duty in Western Virginia. "Williams' Battery." com- manded by Capt. W. S. Williams, went from Canton to Columbus, and finally into Virginia. about the same time. In the meantime and thereafter. the rapid enlistment of Stark County men went on. Every effort was made by prominent men at this time, and afterward. to fill the quota of troops called for, but at last the county was compelled to resort to the draft. A military committee was ap- pointed, and a local bonnty was offered for volunteers, and the draft was postponed: but at last it came, on the Ist of October, 1862. at which time 571 men were drafted, about 500 of whom were sent into the field. During the progress of the war. and especially at its early stages, there were a mumber of men in the county, some of them being prominent citi- zens. who conscientiously thought that the Government had no right to coerce the seced- ing States. Some of these men were ontspoken in their opinions, resisted the progress of the enlistment and the draft. and got into serious difficulty for so doing. On several occasions, open riots of a mild nature resulted from the clashing of public sentiment on the questions growing out of the war. Several arrests were made, and at last open or public opposition to the war was avoided. About the 7th of No- vember. 1861, the military committee reported that $51 volunteers had enlisted from Stark. The following is a list of the number of vol- unteers in the field from the county at the time of the annual assessment in 1562:

Paris. .

City of Canton. .155

Washington

Plain .

Lexington ..

103

Lake ..

Marlborough

latokson

Nimishillen

Perry .

121

Ostraburg

Bethichem

Sandy

Sugar Creek

Pike

Tuscarawas

Canton.

LAWrenCO.

Total

467

Total .. 689

Grand Total. 1.156.

This list embraces only those enlisted for three years or during the war. Two or more camps were established in the county -Camp Massillon at that town. and Camp Ford at Alliance. The fair grounds at Canton were used as a military camp. The first calls for sanitary aid came from Western Virginia during the fall of 1861. On the loth of October, the ladies of Canton met at the residence of J. F. Raynolds to organize a Ladies' Aid Society. The following officers were elected: Mrs. J. G. Lester, President : Mrs. E. Buckingham. Sec- retary: and Mrs. J. A. Saxton, Treasurer. The following connnittees were appointed: To draft a constitution, Mrs. Isaac Harter. Mrs. Dr. Wallace, Mrs. J. G. Lester and Mrs. E. Buckingham: General soliciting-First Ward, Mrs. Pierong. Mrs. Lewis Miller, Mrs. E. (. Patterson, Mrs. George Raynolds; Second Ward, Mrs. C. Aultman, Mrs. T. W. Sax- ton, Mrs. W. K. Miller. Miss Henrietta Buekins: Third Ward. Mrs. Dr. Whiting, Mrs. S. Meyer. Mrs. Thomas Patton, Mrs. M. Wiki- dal: Fourth Ward. Mrs. G. Prince, Mrs. Dr. Shisser, Mrs. Shock, Mrs. O. P. Stidger: in the vicinity, Miss M. Harry, Mrs. William Raynolds, Mrs. H. Raynolds, Mrs. William Williams, Mrs. Simon Miller. Mrs. Cassilly. Miss Medill. Almost every township in the county organized a similar society, and. in truth, it may be said that the entire county resolved itself into a committee of the whole to see that the families of volunteers did not suffer, and to solicit money. provisions and supplies of clothing to be sent into the field. Thousands of dollars worth of hospital and camp supplies were sent from the county dur- ing the war. The citizens of the county sub- scribed over $30,000 to the Goverment loan of treasury notes prior to November, 1861. Two regiments were organized at Camp Mas-

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sillon during the early autunm of 1862. On Hundred and Seventy-eighth, Second, One the 30th of August, when one of these was Hundred and Twenty-fifth. Thirty-second, inustered into the service, Gov. Tod was pres- Fifty-eighth. Fortieth, First. Seventeenth Ten- ent, and spoke to a vast assemblage that had : nessee, Seventy-first. Fiftieth, One Hundred and Twenty-second. Forty-first, Forty-second, One Hundred and Tenth, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth. Tenth. Ninety-ninth Pennsyl- vania, Forty-fifth. Forty-eighth Indiana, Eighteenth, Sixth Battery, One Hundred and Sixty-third, Eighty-sixth, One Hundred and Fifteenth, One Hundred and Eighty-eighth, and Third Cavalry. gathered to witness the military review of the two newly formed regiments. The county sent a company of men on the bloodless squirrel campaign to Cincinnati. The company was commanded by Capt. Dougherty. of Green town, and about forty of the men belonged to the "Lake Rifles." Massillon furnished eight- een colored volunteers for the Fifth United States Infantry. while, so far as known, no other portion of the county furnished a colored man. at least at that time.

The Fourth Ohio Regiment was organized at Camp Jackson, Columbus, April 25, 1861. and contained one company from Stark County, under the following officers: James Wallace. Captain: Perey S. Sowers, First Lieutenant: George F. Lair, Second Lieutenant. The com- pany. known as the " Canton Zouaves," had been organized before, under the militia law of the State, and as soon as the war broke out it was immediately re-organized and filled up, and hastily left for Columbus to secure a place in one of the first thirteen regiments. It was assigned to the Fourth Regiment, commanded by Lorin Andrews, Colonel: James Cantwell. Lieutenant Colonel: James H. Godman. Major. These were the officers during the three-months enlistment. On the 2d of May. the regiment moved to Camp Dennison, and, on the 4th of the same month, was mustered into the three-months service by Capt. Gordon Granger. On the 5th of June. a majority of the regiment signified their willingness to enter the three-years service, and were accord ingly mustered in. their enlistment dating from that day. The regiment moved to Graf- ton, W. Va., reaching that point on the 23d of June. It moved through Clarksburg and Buckhannon, and arrived at Rich Mountain on the 9th of July, but did not participate in the battle, being held as a reserve. In July, it was brigaded with the Ninth Ohio and How's Battery, Fourth United States Artillery, Col. Robert MeCook commanding, the brigade being Gen. MeClellan's advance guard during his West Virginia campaign. After a variety of movements, during which the regiment pur- sned the enemy's forces and guarded several hundred prisoners until they were paroled. oc- cupying. in the meantime, Beverly. Huttons-

It is the design, in the following pages. to give a brief though exact sketch of every regi- ment which served the Government during the last war, and which contained a company or more of Stark County men. While, in the main, the record given by Whitelaw Reid has been followed, yet. in almost every instance, departures have been made from his text. as the writer, after careful inquiry, has dis covered his errors. The alterations will be observed in reading the sketches. In nu- merons instances, dates have been corrected; and infrequently serious mis-statements of fact have been discovered by having Mr. Reid's ac- counts carefully read by soldiers who served in the regiments. A great many regiments, sketches of which are not given, contained men from Stark County, As complete a list of these as ean be given will be found below. The following regiments contained men from Stark County: One Hundred and Fifteenth, Seventy-sixth, Sixty-fourth, Eleventh. Eight- eenth United States, One Hundred and Fourth, One Hundred and Seventh. Nineteenth. Fifty- first, Sixty-first. One Hundred and Second, Ninth. One Hundred and Seventy-ninth. Twenty-sixth Battery (some fifteen men), Forty-fifth N. G., Third Battery, Thirteenth. Twenty-sixth, Second Michigan, One Hundred and Sixty-third. Tenth Cavalry, Sixth Cavalry, Second Cavalry, Fifteenth Illinois, Sixty-fifth, One Hundred and Sixty-second, Seventeenth Tennesee, Seventy-eighth, One Hundred and Twentieth, Forty-third, Third. Fifty-fifth. Sixth Michigan, One Hundred and Sixty- fourth, Sixteenth, Fourth, Sixty-third, One

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HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

ville and New Creek. it marched to Pendleton. Va., reaching that section the 7th of August. On the 7th of September, Companies A. F and K. under Maj. Godman, skirmished the rebels at Petersburg, capturing a large quantity of provisions, animals and some prisoner -. Col. Cantwell. with six companies, moved on Rom- ney on the 24th of September. and, after a brisk tight. dove the rebels ont, losing thirty- two men wounded. Col. Andrews having died at his home in Ohio of camp fever. his suc- ressor. John S. Mason, was appointed on the 1th of October, and. ten days later, assumed command. On the 25th. the regiment marched to New Creek, and the next day. with Gen. Kelley's command. moved on Romney. driving the enemy from that place, and capturing all his baggage. two pieces of artillery, and a number of prisoners. Romuey was occupied until January 7. 1562. when the regiment at- tacked the rebels at Blue Gap, surprised and drove them from a fortitied position. capturing all the camp equipage and two field pieces. During January. 1862. a new brigade was formed. consisting of the Fourth and the Eighth Ohio. Clark's United States Battery. Damm's First Virginia Battery, Robinson's and Huntington's First Ohio Batteries, known as the Artillery Brigade of Lander's Division, commanded by Col. Mason. On the 10th of January. the regiment moved to Patterson's Creek. and. on the 4th of February, to Paw Paw Tunnel. It occupied Winchester and Martinsburg, making the former place a base of supplies, whence detachments were sent out in different directions until the 21th of March. when it started in pursuit of "Stonewall" Jack- son, who had been defeated at Kernstown the day previous. It moved as far as Strasburg. and. on the 30th. to Edenburg. On the 17th of April, it skirmished on the way to New Mar ket. and afterward occupied Moore's farm, and finally returned to New Market. It joined MeDowell on the 22d of May. marching through Luray. Front Royal, Chester's Gap. Warrenton, Catlett's Station, and finally reached Fredericksburg, Va. The next day it moved back to the valley, and, on the 30th, reached Front Royal, driving the enemy from that place and capturing a large quantity of amnnnition. supplies, and a number of pris

oners. After remaining in this vicinity until the 29th of June, the regiment was transferred to the Peninsula, arriving at Harrison's Land- ing on the Ist of July. About the middle of August. it marched to Newport News. It oc cupied Alexandria, Centerville. Fairfax Court House, Fort Gaines, D. C., Harper's Ferry. Leesburg, Halltown. Gregory's Gap, Rector town, Piedmont, Salem. Warrenton, reaching Falmouth some time in November. Here it remained in camp until the 12th of December, when. under the command of Col. Mason, it crossed the Rapidan into Fredericksburg, and was thrown to the front as skirmishers, holding that position until the next day, when the des- perate charge was made through the streets of the city. The regiment received the first fire of the rebel artillery on the right of the na tional line, and lost. during the engagement, five officers and forty-three enlisted men, out of 115 engaged. It suffered terribly, and Col. Mason was made a Brigadier General for his conduct during the battle. The Fourth re- turned to Fahnouth, where it remained until the 2Sth of April, 1863, and then participated in Hooker's remarkable movement on Chancel- lorsville. On the 3d of May, the battalion en- gaged the enemy, and captured one stand of colors and over one hundred prisoners, among whom were nine commissioned officers. It lost in killed and wounded seventy-eight men. On the 6th of May, the regiment moved back to Falmonth. On the 14th of June, it marched north to assist in the movement to check Gon. Lee, who had invaded Penn sylvania. Gettysburg was reached on the Ist of July, and the regiment took part in that great battle. It was one of the three regiments that drove the rebels from Cometery Hill, and received the highest commendations from Gens. Hancock, Howard and Gibbon. It lost thirty seven men killed and wounded. After occupying numerons positions in Vir- ginia and Maryland at one time being ordered to New York City to quell the riots there, and at other times marching in a circuit through Virginia, skirmishing with the rebels at Bristo Station, and at Robinson's Cross Roads on the 27th of October, losing at the latter place twenty-eight men killed and wounded- - the regiment finally, on the Ist of December, went

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 40

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1060

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1060