USA > Ohio > Knox County > Mount Vernon > History of the 20th O. V. V. I. regiment, and proceedings of the first reunion at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, April 6, 1876 > Part 3
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Foragers were a necessity. Every morning, an officer and a squad of men from every regiment, regularly detailed and mounted, were sent out to scour the country and bring in supplies. They commonly went 10, sometimes 20 miles off from
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the line of march. By intelligence that seemed instinct, they divined where the column would halt for the night. Gathering there, they observed the staff officers indicate the ground for divisions and brigades, and cach squad knowing the position of its regiment in the brigade line, unloaded at the spot where their comrades were to arrive. And so the troops that reached camp before morning, found camp fires burning for them, and supplies for supper on the ground.
These foragers, spreading like a cloud over the country, veiled the progress of the column. Whenever they heard a shot, they at once hastened to the spot. If any squad was attacked, help soon came. If they were pressed back, they continu- ally grew stronger by concentration, till they could repel whatever force attacked them. So the infantry tugged their wagons through the roads undisturbed. General Sherman told me that General Johnston said to him: "Your foragers were the most efficient light cavalry ever known. They covered your flanks so completely that I could never penetrate through them far enough to feel your column. And the fact that they could be sent so far off from the eyes of the commanding officers, and return regularly at night, is proof of the highest state of discipline in your army."
Comrades of the 20th Ohio, the four years we spent together-four years sparkling with fun, yet tremulous with pathos, laden with anguish, enno- bled with high purpose and lofty resolve-teem with memories that are interwoven with the very texture of our hearts. We could as soon forget the hours of our childhood ; we could as soon for-
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get our mothers' love, as forget the ties that bound us to each other. Yet we pray those years may' never return. We pray this land may be free from civil strife forever more.
War is essentially cruel. Its purpose is de- struction. Like the surgeon practicing his pro- fession, the soldier, in the progress of war, finds his sensibility grow dull to inevitable suffering. War grows more relentless the longer it lasts. It is simply horrible if not undertaken for some worthy end. But when begun from principle, and carried on from duty to enforce a sacred right, war is consecrated ; it calls into action all that is noblest and best in man, and affords some compensation for its calamities.
Who can count the hearts that bled? Who can number the homes that mourned ? Yet every man who gave his life a willing sacrifice for us and for his country, by showing us how to die in- structed us how we should live. And every woman who, in her errand of mercy, gave her life to save the lives of others, blessed the earth like an angel visitant from higher spheres. And while the war strode across the land like a tornado, scattering havoc and devastation, vet, like a tornado, it dis- pelled the miasma that was poisoning our system. We were one nation living under one government; but the two sections, opposed in their institutions, were continually growing asunder, divergent and alienated. The war swept away the cause of dif- ference, and left us not only one in nationality and one in government, but one in institutions. This generation must bear the suffering and wear the scars, but posterity will reap the benefit.
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Comrades, we no more camp and march and bat- tle side by side. Our homes are widely scattered ; we follow diverse pursuits ; we worship in various churches ; we vote in different parties ; but we still are one in declaring that the war must not be in vain; its results shall stand; this nation shall be forever one ; its laws shall be obeyed, and the gov- ernment saved at so great cost, shall be adminis- tered with such honor and purity as to justify the cost of saving it. But we cannot ask of others what we fail ourselves to do. It is the duty of every man, above all it is the duty of every sol- dier who served in the war, to show in his own life an example of that obedience to law and purity of character that we demand in others. See to it that this great land is the home of a nation truly great; and when the next centennial year rolls around, posterity, while honoring the founders of the Republic, may have some kind words for those who saved it in its sorest peril.
CINCINNATI, 15th April, 1876.
CAPT. D. W. WOOD-Dear Sir: Your letter of yesterday, just received, gave me quite a start. I have been at the court-house until eleven o'clock or later, every night since I returned from Mt. Vernon, and have not been able to do anything whatever. I did not feel troubled, however, as I understood you to say you would not need the manuscript for two or three weeks. I will at once find some time to put my manuscript in order, or else send it to you in disorder.
The photograph came in good order, and is an excellent picture. I should like to have a copy of the photo. of the regiment, and of the three colonels. I think the picture is better when taken di- rectly from the negative without being retouched.
If you could take the trouble to let me know the price of them, I should be glad to send it, together with my contribution towards the cost of printing the pamphlet.
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.
I have thought over what a capital time we had at Mt. Vernon. I have been at larger military re-unions, and more elaborate, but never at one that was more thoroughly enjoyable, or where the preparations were more complete or the hospitality more warm and graceful.
Truly, yours, M. F. FORCE.
Address of Col. Chas. Whittlesey, April 6, 1876.
To the Surviving Members of the 20th Regiment Ohio 1
Volunteers :
I have met very few of you since we parted on the battle ground of Shiloh, in the latter part of April, 1862.
Our separation at that time, was the result of circumstances that were imperative. I am confi- dent that any of you would have made the same decision under the same circumstances.
· To me, the separation was decidedly painful. On my part, the letter addressed to you on that memorable morning, expressed only in a brief and formal way, my personal attachment to the regi- ment. [* Sce copy attached hereto.] I felt for the officers and men of the command a sincere re- · spect and regard, which to this hour has not be- come less. It was with great reluctance I accepted the position of Colonel in the volunteers, very much preferring the place and duty of a Military Engineer. I knew that you were citizens, in all respects my equals, enlisting in the war from mo- tives of patriotism, before the days of bounties
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and conscriptions. I was also conscious that without discipline, you would never aid much in the accomplishment of what you all wished to ac- complish, the destruction of the rebellion. But I had an instinctive dread of the effects of the se- verity of camp life, coming as you did from com- fortable homes and social surroundings. We were personally strangers to each other. Most of the companies came from portions of the State where I was not acquainted. With one exception, each company was from different counties, and were strangers to each other. Companies coming into Camp Chase, assigned to me, were frequently directed to other regiments. It was a long time before the regiment was full, and before we got acquainted with each other. The more I per- ceived among the men and officers a high grade of intelligence, the more I dreaded the effects of dis- cipline upon you. I found myself in command of nearly a thousand mechanics, farmers, lawyers, physicians and merchants ; but the question weighed incessantly upon my mind-what kind of soldiers will they make ? Many of you, at home, were men of business position and property, and the great query was, when the day of battle shall come, how will they fulfill their duty as soldiers ? But these were useless apprehensions. I soon found you had a good set of officers, which was a great relief. The Adjutant, Lieutenant Owens ; Quartermaster, Lieutenant Hitchcock, were of my own selection. Their subsequent conduct justified all that I expected of them. The field officers, Lieutenant Colonel Force and Major James McEl- roy, came into the regiment by assignment, but I
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could not have done better if I had appointed them myself. I found the Captains and subalterns were of a much higher order than I had reason to expect. They went to work harmoniously, per- fecting the discipline of their men, who took to it much more kindly than I expected. I had not then learned the lesson that soldiers, in a patriotic war, may be made valuable just in proportion to their intelligence.
A portion of my time was still occupied in en- gineering duty, and work perfecting the command fell largely upon the other officers.
When we moved into the lines opposite Cincin- nati, in October, 1861, the troubles I had antici- pated from the vicinity of grog-shops, were not re- alized. The men appeared to have a personal self-respect as citizens and an ambition to do their duty as soldiers.
In constructing the defences of Covington, I needed mechanics as well as laborers, and found no difficulty in getting details from the regiment, who could do every kind of work and do it wil- lingly.
When we were ordered down the river into Kentucky, as a police force over the counties of Boone, Owen, Carroll and Gallatin, your conduct there raised you still higher in my estimation. I began to entertain a feeling of confidence. But, as yet, you were untried in battle. No one can foresee how he will acquit himself, when he meets the enemy for the first time. A persistent battle is the highest expression of human courage and energy. The first conflict is the greatest occasion of a lifetime. Whoever passes this ordeal credit-
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ably, rises in his own estimation. If he fails, it is never forgotten by himself or his fellow-men.
In February, 1862, we were ordered to Padu- cah, subject to orders from General Grant. Ar- riving there on transports, we were turned about instantly, to join the investment of Fort Donelson. Just as the sun was setting, on the 14th, our boats reached the landing, a couple of miles below where the fleet, under Commodore Foote, was bombard- ing the fort. Taking Adjutant Owens, I rode out to the lines for orders, through the mud and snow.
We found the headquarters about dark, with no one present but an orderly. In a short time, General Grant and staff returned, assigning us to the right of the line, under McClernand, with or- ders to remain on the transports till morning.
You probably remember the parade at daylight, in a frozen cornfield, and the march over an exe- crable route in search of McClernand. About 10 o'clock A. M., his division was pretty much disor- ganized by the rebel attack of that morning. General McClernand could not be found, and I reported to General Lew Wallace, who commanded the centre. His orders were to go in, as soon as Colonel Wood's regiment, the 76th Ohio, had exhausted their ammunition. The moment had arrived for which all our drill and discipline had been only the preparation. We were sur- rounded by circumstances very trying to new troops. We lay in a thick wood, on an old road, over which the artillery passed to the front. Round shot from the fort was cutting off the limbs of the trees over our heads. An Illinois regiment lay on the opposite side of the road, ducking their heads
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as the shot whizzed through the leafless trees. Their Colonel came rushing up the road, saying that Schwartz' battery was captured, Taylor's had only twenty-eight horses left, and Waterhouse could hold out but little longer. The wounded were being brought along the road to the rear, their blood dripping through their blankets on the snow. Colonel Logan sat on his horse, wounded in the shoulder, suffering intensely, waiting for a surgeon. A heavy cannonade was going on not far to the front, at the edge of the timber. The Chicago Board of Trade Battery was ordered for- ward at a gallop. In passing us, a gun upset and caught a man under it, which nearly killed him. It was a trying moment for me, also, conscious that even veterans might not move promptly into line amid all those discouragements. Colonel Woods' regiment was sent in ; the Chicago battery righted its gun and went forward with a rush.
Standing in the bushes, I could not see more than two or three of our companies at a time. Riding along the line from the right, I called each company to attention, giving it special instructions what to do. I could look into the upturned face of every man, as they listened to my directions. When I reached the last company, every doubt had vanished. I experienced a new sensation of mingled pride, confidence and power. In the " Wandering Jew," I had read of a General of the Jesuits, who had been a Colonel of Cavalry, relat- ing how he felt when his regiment had proven itself in a charge. No one can appreciate this emotion who has not been through his experi- ence. He thought himself magnified into a thou-
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sand men. Beside the idea of power, I experi- enced a lofty military pride in the command of such men. I felt an assurance that you would go anywhere that I would go myself, and if we should fail of success and be repulsed, it would not be un- til the number of the dead would be such as to consecrate the spot in after times.
But the order was soon changed from a move- ment direct to the front, to one on the right, form- ing a crotchet against a presumed advance of the enemy in pursuit of McClernand. This was the last order I received, until the morning of the sur- render, when General Grant directed me to take charge of the prisoners. We slept that night among the same regiments from Illinois, who had borne themselves so bravely in the fight of the morning. Quartermaster Hitchcock had brought up a few teams with rations, which we shared with those men, who were hungry and had become vet- erans in a day. You were thus initiated into the realities of war. The next trial was at Shiloh, then at Corinth, and the march to Grenada, to Vicksburg, Champion Hill, Atlanta and the sea, upon which General Force has already discoursed. I wish to add, however, that I had frequent reports of your behavior in these marches and in the bat- tles I have named. You were always on my mind .--- my interest in your reputation was equal to your own.
From the day of our separation to this, I know of nothing that abates the confidence and the re- gard that flashed upon me on that morning at Donelson.
General Force has said to me, in his correspond-
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ence, that every order you received was not only executed, but within the time named in the order. I do not see how any higher praise can be given to a regiment and to the officers and men who com- pose it.
* Parting Correspondence.
CAMP SHILOH, TENN., April 20, 1862. To the Officers and Men of the 20th Reg. O. Tol. :
I have found it necessary to offer my resigna- tion, which, having been accepted, I now retire from the service.
Before separating myself from you, I wish to express my general satisfaction with the conduct 'of the regiment. Wherever you have been sta- tioned, the citizens in the vicinity have voluntarily commended your demeanor toward them, your so- briety and your intelligence. I did not suppose it possible to place so many men under the re- straint of military life, with so little difficulty. This is owing to the fact that the best citizens, those who are the most respectable and orderly, make the best soldiers. They submit to disci- pline from principle, rather than from fear of pun- ishment. I have taken pride in the command of such men, and felt confident that when the hour of battle arrived, you would do your whole duty, as you have done. I owe very much of this result to the assiduity and capacity of the field officers of
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the regiment and the regimental staff. Having been much of the time on detached service, with- out this hearty co-operation, you might not have been so well prepared for effective service. The same may be said of the commissioned officers generally. There has also been unusual personal harmony among the officers of all grades.
The non-commissioned officers, too, have won my esteem by the fidelity and alacrity with which they have performed their duties.
I wish to say further, that I remember no in- stance of insolent or disrespectful language being used toward myself by any officer or man in the regiment.
I part from you with regret, having full confi- dence that you will continue cheerfully to submit to discipline, and will never disgrace your present reputation ; that when this infamous rebellion is broken up, as it soon will be, you will return to your homes and become good citizens, where you will be repaid for your toils, by the respect of your neighbors and friends. There you will enjoy through life the proud consciousness of having given your best efforts in support of the most righteous and important cause for which ever men fought. CHAS. WHITTLESEY, Col. 20th Reg. Ohio Volunteers.
CAMP SHILOH,
NEAR PITTSBURG LANDING, TENN., April 21st, 1862. COL. CHAS. WHITTLESEY -Sir : We deeply regret that you have resigned the command of the 20th Ohio. The considerate care evinced for the
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soldiers in camp, and above all, for the courage, coolness and prudence displayed on the battle- field, have inspired officers and men with the high- est esteem for, and most unbounded confidence in, you as our commander.
From what we have seen at Fort Donelson, and at the bloody field near Pittsburg, on Monday, the 7th, all felt ready to follow you unfalteringly into any contest, and into any post of danger. While giving expression to our unfeigned sorrow at your departure from us, and assurance of our high re- gard and esteem for you. and unwavering confi- dence as our leader, we would follow you with the earnest hope that your future days may be spent in uninterrupted peace and quiet, enjoying the happy reflections and richly earned rewards of well spent service in the cause of our blessed · country in its dark hour of need.
Your obedient servants,
MANNING F. FORCE, Lt. Colonel,
JAMES N. MCELROY, Major 20th Regt.
P. M. Hitchcock, Qr. Master. E. A. Owen, Adjutant.
John C. Fry, Capt. Co. B. George Rogers, Capt. Co. E.
J. M. McCoy,
C.
Chas H. McElroy,
D).
A. Kaga, K.
Wm. H. Updegraff, F.
T. M. Shaklee, I.
E. C. Downs,
6
H.
William Rogers, " A.
B. A. T. Grier, Ist Lt. Co. E.
V. T. Hills, 1st Lt. Co. D.
I. L. Meleck, G.
A. J. Edwards, 66 B. Lyman N. Ayres, A.
Harrison Wilson, I. E. Garis, 66
C.
Henry M. Davis, 2d Lt. Co. H. D. B. Rhinehard, 2d Lt. Co. K.
W. H. Jacobs, E. R. M. Colby, B.
W. L. Waddel,
I. G. Hale, 66
B.
P. Weatherby,
A. Robert I. Irwin,
C.
Henry O. Dwight,
H. William D. Neal,
66
F.
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CINCINNATI, OHIO, Nov. 20, 1861.
Maj. Gen. HALLECK, St. Louis :
SIR : Will you allow me to suggest the consideration of a great movement by land and water, up the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers ?
Ist. Would it not allow of water transportation half way to Nashville ?
2d. Would it not necessitate the evacuation of Columbus, by threatening their railway communication ?
3d. Would it not necessitate the retreat of Gen. Buckner, by threatening his railway lines ?
4th. Is it not the most feasible route into Tennessee ??
Yours, respectfully,
CHAS. WHITTLESEY, Col. Chief Engineer Dept. of Ohio. WAR DEP'T, ADJ. GEN'L OFFICE, Dec. 11, 1875. L. H. PELOUZE, Asst. Adjt. Gen.
Official paper.
CLEVELAND, O., April 24, 1876.
Capt. D. W. WOOD :
DEAR SIR-I have just returned from Boston, Mass., and find your favor of the 14th inst. I will, if possible, get time to reduce my " ramblings " at Mt. Vernon to writing ; but don't delay a mo- ment for me, for I greatly fear I shall have no time at my control. I doubt whether what I said has any place, properly, in your pro- posed publication.
Very Truly, &c., M. D. LEGGETT.
SIDNEY, O., May 10, 1876.
Capt. WOOD, Mt. Vernon, O .:
MY DEAR SIR-I think it impossible to give for publication, any thing like a correct report of my random speeches made at our re- union. My business engagements have been such, that I could not give my early attention to your request, and now everything has faded from memory. I am unwilling to have reported and circulated anything different from what I said, which might look like an afterthought, or attempt to improve for the purpose. I don't think the proceedings will lose interest by leaving my efforts out, or by merely mentioning them incidentally, as you will have too much other matter too voluminous to report. Let me beg of you that you will adopt this course, and excuse me.
Respectfully, etc., H. WILSON.
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HEADQUARTERS 20th REG'T, O. VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
SNYDER'S BLUFF, MISS., June 3d, 1863.
Brig. Gen'l CHARLES W. HILL, Adjutant General of 0) .:
GENERAL-I have the honor to report the following list of cas- ualties in the 20th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the ac- tion near Raymond, Miss., May 12th, 1863 :
Company A, Killed-Privates Joseph Carpenter and Ephraim Harris.
Wounded -- Privates Thomas B. Runyon, head, mortally ; George Hoover, hand, slightly.
Missing-none.
Company B, Killed-Private Martin L. Thrush.
Wounded-Corporals James Hashburger, chest, mortally, since died; Wm. H. Brown, mouth, slightly ; Jonathan Rea, hand, slightly.
Missing-none.
Company C, Killed-Private Strander Raseboom.
Wounded -- Privates Patrick Nugent, arm, slightly; John C. Simmons, hand, slightly ; Wm. Bevridge, thigh, slightly.
Missing-none.
Company D, Killed-Private Lyman C. Sherman.
Wounded-Corporal Amos C. Mount, hand, slightly ; Privates Chancy W. Smith, hand, slightly ; Edward Allen, arm slightly; Stephen P. Thrall, body, slightly; Frank Pierson, shoulder, slightly.
Missing-none.
Company E, Killed-Ist Sergeant Byron Selby ; Private Leroy C. Baker.
Wounded-2d Lieutenant John G. Stevenson, neck, severely; Cor- porals John C. Wooddell, head, mortally, since died ; Abram Fra- zier, arm, severely ; Privates Elijah P. Dowd, arm and body, mor- tally, sinee died; Josiah Workman, arm, slightly; Jacob Baker, arm, slightly ; Thos. Magourn, arm, slightly ; Daniel S. Driden, leg, slightly ; James H. Wooddell, leg, slightly ; Darius R. Swails, face, severely ; Johnson Van Buskirk, mouth, slightly ; Joseph McMahon, arm, slightly; William Trott, arm, slightly ; Thomas Jarnell, shoulder and arm, slightly.
Missing-none. 1
Company F, Killed-none.
Wounded-Sergeant David Robins, hand, severely ; Privates John Martin, arm, slightly; L. J. Donaldson, leg, severely; Mathias Elliott, arm, slightly ; Gaddis P. Hageman, hand, slightly : Robert Johnson, hand, slightly; George Spraker, leg, slightly; Thomas Wright, leg, slightly ; A. B. Curtis, leg, slightly.
Missing-none.
Company G, Killed-none.
Wounded-Privates John W. Baxter, head, mortally, since died ; Robert Larimore, arm, slightly ; A. J. Brake, shoulder, severely ; James Grimes, shoulder, slightly.
Missing-none.
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Company H, Killed-Privates Urias C. Fulk ; Henry Lanmore.
Wounded-Sergeant E. W. Quiekenbush, arm, slightly ; Cor- porals Dorsey W. Huxley, head, severely ; Wesley Criz, face and breast, slightly; Privates Lewis Grim, jaw, severely ; Colegit J. Bussy, side, slightly ; Russell Lee, arm, slightly.
Missing-none.
Company I, Killed-Corporal C. Miracle.
Wounded-Privates Enoch Fuller, arm severely ; Fred. Crow, leg, slightly.
Missing-none.
Company K. Killed-none.
Wounded-Captain Abraham Kaga, acting Major, two field officers being on detached service, shoulder, severely ; Is Ser't, William H. Nogle, throat, severely ; Corporal Andrew Wilson, hip, slightly; Privates Oliver P. Bogast, leg, slightly ; Henry Clansind, mouth, severely; Regimental Orderly James A. Knox, hip and abdomen, mortally, since died.
1
List of casualties in the 20th Regiment, O. V. I., at Raymond, Miss., May 12th, 1863 :
RECAPITULATION.
RANK.
Killed.
Mortally
Wounded.
Wounded. Severely
Slightly Wounded.
Commissioned Officers ....
0
2
0
Non-Commis'd Officers ..
2
4
6
Privates
8
4
7
31
0 0 0 OOO Missing.
Total
10
6
13
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0
Five of the six reported wounded have since died.
I am, General, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, M. F. FORCE, Col. Com. 20th Ohio.
.
HEADQUARTERS 20th REGIMENT, O. VOL. INFANTRY, SNYDER'S BLUFF, MISS., June 3d, 1863. Brig. Gen'rl CHARLES W. HILL, Adjutant General of O .:
GENERAL-I have the honor to report the following list of cas- ualties in the 20th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the ac- tion at Champion Hill, Miss., May 16th, 1863 :
Company A, Killed -- none.
Wounded-2d Lieut, W. W. MeCracken, face, severely; Privates Daniel Harris, thigh, severely ; James Clinch, leg, slightly ; Ma-
7.
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jor Rigby, shoulder, severely ; Ira B. Allen, arm, slightly ; J. J. Cremer, hand, slightly.
Missing-none.
Company B, Killed-none.
Wounded-Sergeant John Rheinhart, leg, slightly; Private Silas Young, head, mortally.
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