USA > Ohio > History of the Sixteenth battery of Ohio volunteer light artillery, U. S. A., from enlistment, August 20, 1861, to muster out, August 2, 1865 > Part 11
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SNODDY. DAVID Pvt.
SNODEN, FREDERICK
Entered the service at the age of 20, Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Discharged Jan. 7, 1863, at St. Louis, Mo., on sur-
Pvt. geon's certificate of disability. Died in 1863, at Springfield Ohio. Buried there.
Entered the service at the age of 20, Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Discharged Dec. II, 1862, at St. Louis, Mo., on sur- geon's certificate of disability. Died April 1891, at New Carlisle, Ohio.
SNYDER, FRANCIS M. Pvt.
SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY. 177
Entered the service at the age of 25. Aug. 31, 1864, for I year. Mustered out June 9. 1865, at New Orleans, La., by order of the War Department. .
SNYDER, LEVI H. Pvt.
SPARROW, EMORY Pvt.
Entered the service at the age of 30, Feb. 6, 1864, for 3 years. Mastered out with battery August 2. 1865. Died.
Entered the service at the age of 38, Sept. 5, 1864, for 1 year. Mustered out June 9, 1865. at New Orleans, La., by order of the War Department. Died.
SPEAR MAN, HAYS Pvt.
Entered the service at the age of 22. SPONSLER,. GEORGE W, Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Died Dec. Pvt. 12. 1861, at Jefferson City. Mo. Buried
at
178 SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY.
SPRAWL, JOHN Entered the service at the age of _2, Pvt. March 8, 1864, for 3 years.
Entered the service at the age of 33. Aug. 20. 1861, for 3 years. Reduced STARTZMAN, JOHN Pvt.
from Sergeant, -, -. Mustered out Sept. 5, 1864, at Columbus, O., on expiration of term of service.
Entered the service at the age of 25. STEPHENSON, ADDISON" Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Discharged Pvt. May 25, 1862, at Pilot Knob, Mo., on surgeon.'., certificate of di ability.
Entered the serice at the age of 24, Jan. 1, 1864, for 3 years. Mustered out STEWART, JAMES A. with battery . August 2, 1865.
Pvt.
Entered the service at the age of 42, Feb. 14. 1864, for 3 years. Died June 2, 1864. at New Orleans, La. Buried at New Orleans, La. Interment, No. 16.47 ; cemetery not stated.
STIPES, THOMAS Pvt.
STONER. GEORGE
Pyt.
Entered the service at the age of- - , Sept. 3. 1861, for 3 years. Detached from Co. B, 34th Regt. Indiana Vol. In- intry, March -. 163. Returned to his company, -. Veteran
SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY. 179
Entered the service at the age of 28,
Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Died Jan. STRICKLAND, JOSHUA 23. 1862, at Jefferson City, Mo. Buried Pvt. at
SUDDOTH, HENRY E. Entered the service at the age of 17,
Pvt. Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Mustered out to date Aug. 2, 1865. Veteran.
Entered the service at the age of 19, Aug. 20, 1861. for 3 years. Discharged TAYLOR, GEORGE W. Jan. 24, 1863 at. St. Louis, Mo., on sur- Pvt. geon's certificate of disability. Died
TAYLOR. HORACE N. Pvt.
Entered the service in Company C, 120th O. V, I., serving until March, 1864, He then enlisted in Co. E, 13Ist O. V. I., and after being honorably discharged from this service, he enlisted in this battery on Sept. 6, 1864, for i year, at the age of 18, and was mustered out June 9. 1865. at New Orleans, La., by order of the War Department. Died Nov. 20, 1904. Buried at New Carlisle. Ohio.
Entered the service at the age of 18. Sept. 24. 1864. for t year. Mistered out June 9. 1855. at New Orleans, La., by order of the War Department.
TAYLOR, JOHN A. Pit.
180 SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY.
Entered the service at the age of 25. Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Discharged
TAYLOR, WILLIAM
Pvt. Apr. 22. 1863 at Columbus, Ohio, on surgeon's certificate of disability. Died in 1881 at West Liberty, Ohio.
Entered the service at the age of 20. TODD. THOMAS Pvt.
March 7, 1864. for 3 years.
Entered the service at the age of -- ,
TOLAND, DANIEL Pvt. Sept. 16, 1862, for 3 years. Mustered out with battery Aug. 2, 1865. Veteran.
Entered the service at the age of 24. Aug. 20. 1861. for 3 years. Mustered out Sept. 5, 1864, at Columbus, Ohio, on expiration of term of service.
TUTTLE. DANIEL Pvt.
Entered the service at the age of 22. Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Discharged Jan. 29, 1862, at Jefferson City. Mo., on surgeon's certificate of disability. Died during the war.
TCHILE, SAMUEL
Pvt.
SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY. 181
Entered the service at the age of 18, Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Mustered out with battery Aug. 2, 1865. Veteran.
UNDERWOOD, DANIEL Pvt.
THADDEUS
UNDERWOOD,
Entered the service at the age of 23. Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Discharged Nov. 26, 1863, at St. Louis, Mo., on Pvt. surgeon's certificate of disability. Died in hospital at Keokuk, Iowa, during the war.
Entered the ser ice at the age of 23. Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Discharged Jan. 2, 1863, at St. Louis, Mo., on sur- geon's certifictae of disability. Re-en- listed Dec. 3, 1863, for 3 years and mus- tered out with battery A g. 2, 1865. Died in 1897 at Troy, Ohio.
UNDERWOOD. WILLIAM
Pvt.
Entered the service at the age of 38. Aug. 20. 1861. for 3 years. Mustered VAN-KIRK, THEODOREout Sept. 5. 1864, at Columbus, Ohio, on Pvt. expiration of term of service. Died in 1887, in Kansas.
182 SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY.
Entered the service at the age of 19. Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Mustered out with battery, Aug. 2, 1865. Veteran.
VANMETER, ALVIN C. Pvt.
Entered the service at the age of 21, - - , for 3 years. Detached from
", 34th Regt. of Indiana Vol. Infantry, March -, 1863. Mustered out with battery Aug. 2, 1865. Veteran.
VARNER, JOHN Pvt.
WADE, JOHN W. Entered the service at the age of 21,
Pvt. Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Discharged Feb. 10, 1863, at Keokuk, Iowa.
Entered the service at the age of 21, Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Mustered out WAGONER, NAPOLEON . Nov. 12, 1864, at Columbus, Ohio, on Pvt. expiration of term of service.
Entered the service at the age of -, Oct. 2, 1861, for 3 years. Detached
WAGONER. WARREN L
Pvt. from Co. B. 46th Regt. Indiana Vol. In- fantry, Jan. 7, 1863. Mustered out with battery Aug. 2, 1865. Veteran.
SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY. 183
Entered the service at the age of 19, Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Mustered out Sept. 5, 1864, at Columbus, Ohio, on expiration of term of service. Died at Lafayette, Ind. in 1881.
WALLACE, CHARLES H Pvt.
Entered the service at the age of 21, WALLACE, REUBIN A Aug. 20. 1861, for 3 years. Died Nov. Pvt. 23, 1861, at Jefferson City. Mo. Buried at
Entered the service at the age of 19. Sept. 21. 1864. for I year. Mustered out June 9. 1865, at New Orleans, La., by order of the War Department.
WALLACE, WILLIAM Pvt.
Entered the service at the age of 18. Aug. 27. 1804. for t year. Mustered out June 2. 1805, at New Orleans, La., by order of the War Department.
WENTZ WILLIAM Pvt.
-
184 SIXTEENTH BATTERY CHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY.
WARWICK, WILLIAM ME Pvt.
Entered the service at the age of 20. Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Mustered out Sept. 5, 1864, at Columbus, Ohio, on expiration of term of service. Died in Dakota.
Entered the service at the age of 22,
Sept. 26. 1864, for I year. No record WERE, WILLIAM H. Pvt. subsequent to his enlistment. Deserted. X
Entered the service at the age of 20,
WHITCOMB. GEORGE Aug. 26, 1864. for 1 year. Mustered out Pvt. June 9, 1865, at New Orleans, La., by order of War Department.
Entered the service at the age of -, Dec. 1. 1861, for 3 years. Transferred from Co. K. 46th Regt. Indiana Vol. In- fantry, J: n. 7. 1863. Mustered out with battery Ang. 2, 1865. Veteran.
₽
WHITE, LYMAN
Pvt.
SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY. 185
Entered the service at the age of -, Aug. 14, 1862, for 3 years. Detached from Co. B, 29th Regt. Wisconsin Vol. Infantry, Apr. - , 1863. Returned to his company Aug. 31, 1864. Veteran. Died in 1892.
WHITNEY. BRAYTON Pvt.
WILLIAMS. HARRISON Entered the service at the age of 21,
Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Died Dec. 29, Pvt. 1861, at Jefferson City, Mo. Buried at
Entered the service at the age of 18. March 14, 1864, for 3 vears. Died Feb. WINGFIELD. MARTIN 22, 1865, at Greenville, La. Buried in Pvt. grave No. - , sec. Nc. - , Monument National Cemetery, Chalmette, La.
Entered the service at the age of 35. March 14, 1864, for 3 years. Mustered out with battery Aug. 2. 1865.
WINGFIELD, ROBERT Pvt.
Entered the service at the are of 19. July 28, 1864. for 3 years. Transferred WILSON. JAMES N. to 2nd Independent Battery, Ohio Light Pvt.
Artillery, Dec. 26, 1864.
186 SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY.
Entered the service at the age of _6,
WILSON, SAMUEL R. Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Died Sept. Pvt. 28, 1862, at Helena, Arkansas. Buried at
Entered the service at the age of 17,
Sept. 22, 1864. for 1 year. Mustered out WRIGHT, JAMES W. June 9, 1865, at New Orleans, La., by Pvt. order of War Department.
WRIGHT. SILAS J. Entered the service at the age of 19.
Pvt. Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Died March 18, 1863, at Memphis, Tenn. Buried at
Entered the service at the age of 18.
Aug. 20, 1861, for 3 years. Discharged WYsox. JAMES Apr. 20. 1863, on Surgeon's certificate Pvt. of disability.
Entered the service at the age of 18. YEAZELL, FRANCIS Sept. 20. 1864. for 1 year. Mustered out Pvt. June 9, 1865, at New Orleans. La., by order of War Department.
Entered the service at the age of 17. Sept. 20, 1864, for 1 year. Mustered out June 9. 1865. at New Orleans, La., by order of War Department.
YEAZELL, JOSEPH M. Pvt.
SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY. 187
YAUCH, JACOB
JONAS, HUGHY, Joined the battery, mustered as cook, Jan. 4, 1864, and mustered out with the Colored Cook battery, Aug. 2, 1865.
Joined the battery, mustered as cook Jan. 1, 1864, and mustered out with PETER TAX
Colored Cook battery Aug. 2, 1865.
JACOB TYLER,
Joined the battery May, 1863, near Vicksburg. Mustered as cook, Jan. I, Colored Cook 1864, and mustered out with the battery Aug. 2, 1865. Died at Springfield, Ohio.
AMANDA TYLER (Now Looney) Colored Laundress
Joined the battery May 1863, near Vicksburg. Was the wife of J. Tyler. Was never mustered into service of U. S. but rendered faithful service to the members of the battery in many ways. Was married to a man named Looney and is now his widow and lives at Springfield, Ohio.
Joined the battery, mustered as cook Jan. 1. 1864, and mustered out with the GEORGE WASHINGTON Colored Cook battery Aug. 2, 1865.
.
188 SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VO! UNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY.
ROLL OF HONOR.
"The noblest place for man to die Is where he dies for man."
"Ah, never shall the land forget How gushed the life-blood of her brave-
Gushed warm with hope and courage yet, Upon the soil they fought to save ! Nor shall their glory be forgot While fame her record keeps, Or honor points the hallow'd spot Where valor proudly sleeps."
The muffled drums sad roll has beat The soldier's last tattoo ;
No more on life's parade we'll meet Those brave and fallen few."
James A. Mitchell, Captain. Died May 17, 1863, at Champion's Hill, Miss. Buried in Louisville, Ky.
Horatio J. Forgy, Corporal. Died Aug. 28, 1862, at Helena, Ark. Buried at New Carlisle, O.
Milton J. Smith, Corporal Died Oct. 12, 1862, at Keokuk, Iowa. Buried at
Edward F. Adams, Private. Died Aug. 11, 1862, at Carrollton, La. Buried at
Joseph Andrews, Private. Died Dec. 25. 1862, at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. Buried in Grave No. 4, Sec. No. 64, National Cemetery, Jefferson Barracks, Mo.
SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY. 189
Wallace Bird, Private. Died Oct. 24, 1862, at Keokuk, Iowa.
Buried at Snodgrass Burying Ground, near Spring.k !! , O.
John H. Cress, Private. Died Oct. 21, 1862, at Greenville, La. Buried in Grave, No. - , Sec. No .- , Monument Na- tional Cemetery, Chalmette, La.
McClure Davee, Private. Died March 30, 1863, at Helena, Ark. Buried at
John Dunning, Private. Died Dec. II, 1862, at Helena, Ark. Buried at
Levere Dupont, Private. Died Dec. 20, 1864, at Greenville, La. Buried in Grave No. - , Sec. - , Monument National Cemetery, Chalmette, La.
William Ealy, Private. Died Oct. 21, 1862, at Jefferson City, Mo. Buried in Grave No. 10, Sec. No. 65, National Ceme- tery, Jefferson Barracks, Mo.
Henry H. Evans, Private. Died Aug. 28, 1863, at Carrollton, La. Buried at
Henry Forgy, Private. Died March 28, 1863, at Helena, Ark Buried at New Carlisle, O.
Henry Francis, Private. Died Aug. 15, 1862, at Helena, Ark. Buried at
John Guyton, Private. Died Oct. 9. 1862. at St. Louis, Mo. Buried in Grave No. 6, Sec. No. 65, National Cemetery, Jefferson Barracks, Mo.
David M. Hale, Private. Died Jan. 19. 1865, at Greenville, La. Buried in Grave . No. -. Sec. No. - , Monument National Cemetery, Chalmette, La.
James Hege, Private. Died Nov. 17. 1864, at Greenville. La. Buried in Grave No. - , Sec. - , Monument National Cent- etery, Clralmette, La.
Samuel R. Hollister. Private. Died Sept. 16, 1863, at Carrel ton, La. Buried at
190 SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY.
William Hollister, Private. Died Sept. 17, 1863, at Carrollton,
La. Buried at
Joseph Johnson, Private. Died Sept. 15, 1862, at Helena, Ark. Buried at
George Kaler, Private. Died Nov. 17, 1864, at St. Louis, Mo. Buried in Grave No .. 21, Sec. No. 64. National Cemetery, Jefferson Barracks, Mo.
William Lorton, Private. Died June 23, 1863, at St. Louis. Mo. Buried in Grave No. 30, Sec. No. 6, National Cer .. etery, Jefferson Barracks, Mo.
Myron G. Love, Private. Died Nov. 5, 1862, at Helena, Ark. Buried at Yellow Springs, O.
Richard McDaniel, Private. Died Feb. 1, 1863, at Helena, Ark. Buried at
Thomas P. Major, Private. Died Feb. 10, 1864, at New Or- leans, La. Buried at
George S. Miller, Private. Died Oct. 14, 1862, at Memphis, Tenn. Buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis, Tenn. Re- moved to Mississippi River National Cemetery, and re-in- terred with unknown dead.
Benjamin Norman, Private. Died Aug. 27. 1862. at Jefferson City, Mo. Buried in Grave No. 45, Sec. No. 64, National Cemetery, Jefferson Barracks, Mo.
Edward F. Parks. Private. Died Nov. 27, 1862, at helena, Ark. Buried at
William H. Powell, Private. Died Nov. 27, 1862, at fielena, Ark. Buried at
Wakeman W. Prince, Private. Died Feb. 2, 1864, at Indianola Texas. Buried at
SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY. 191
Isiah Rall, Private. Died March 17, 1862, at St. Louis, Mo. Buried at
John Ross, Private. Died Aug. 15, 1862, at Helena, Ark. Buried at
Levi Sanders, Private. Died Oct. 26, 1863, at Carrollton, La. Buried in Grave No. --- , Sec. No. - , Monument National Cemetery, Chalmette, La.
Albert H. Snedeker, Private. Died October 8, 1864, on Hos- pital Boat, D. A. January. Buried in Grave No. 299, Sec. No. 3, Mississippi River National Cemetery.
George W. Sponsler, Private. Died Dec. 12, 1861, at Jefferson City, Mo. Buried at
. Thomas Stiles, Private. Died June 2, 1864, at New Orleans, La. Buried at New Orleans, La. Interment 1647; cemetery not stated. (
Joshua W. Strickland, Private. Died Jan. 2, at Jefferson City, Mo. Buried at
Reuben A. Wallace, Private. Died Nov. 23, 1862, at Jefferson City, Mo. Buried at Jefferson City.
Harrison Williams, Private. Died Dec. 29, 1861, at Jefferson City. Mo. Buried at
Martin L. Wingfield, Private. Died Feb. 22, 1865, at Green- ville, La. Buried in Grave No. - , Sec. -. Monument Na- tional Cemetery. Chalmette, La.
Samuel R. Wilson, Private. Died Sept. 28. 1862, at Helena. Ark. Buried at
Silas J. Wright, Private. Died March 18, 1863, at Memplis. Tenn. Buried at
192 SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY.
IN MEMORY.
How vividly it comes to me --- Now, over FORTY years ago- When. just hanging in the balance. On Fort Sumter fell the blow ! How the slumbering NORTH awakened From her fitful dream of peace. And saw the cloud approaching. With a fearful. dread increase.
Now all is quiet where the ca.mon. Showered forth its hail of death : And a olurv calm and lasting. Lingers in the morning's breath. Here and there within the valley, All unmindful of the hours. Calmly sleeping are the Heroes. And our love is told in flowers !
God knows how NORTHERN mothers Gave their SONS and stalwart MEN, And how the Heart was rended When they ne'er came back again ! And so, while strewing flowers On the graves of Comrades here. I crave a single rose be placed For Our COMRADES UNKNOWN biers! -- 1903 in F. C. C: L.
SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY. 193
APENDIX.
REUNIONS OF THE BATTERY SURVIVORS.
It may occur to many who may read this little volume to ask why such long delay in writing this history. why was it not done when the events noted herein were fresh in the comrade's minds. It can be said however, that the comrades were not writers, but rather the makers of history neither were they professional soldiers, but they returned at once to pursuits of peaceful occupations and the duties of civil life, as soon as discharged. The older comrades found upon their return to their homes that the places formerly held by them in most cases filled by others. and the younger who had left their studies had to apply themselves diligently for years to such tasks as they could find available. in order to support themselves and those dependent upon them, but as time went by and they became established again, their thoughts turned to war-time days and the feelings of fraternity which grew out of participation in common dangers and hardships naturally gave rise to a desire on the part of the surviving members to meet each other in a social way, exchange greet- ings, and renew the old and strongly cemented friendships of army life, and talk over again with each other the things seen and experienced together in those dark days of war. So after a lapse of nineteen years, the comrades in New Car- lisle and vicinity issued a call for a reunion to be held at that place on August 9th, 188.4.
The response was a pleasant surprise to all, the following survivors were present: L. H. Anglebarger, John Arnett, T.
٠
194 SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY.
C. Ackerson. James C. Baxter, Jasper Botkin, James MI. Bol- inger, George W. Brier, Henry Baker, George C. Bean, Jos- eph P. Corey, W. R. Corey, R. C. Courtner, James Cowan, Sam Daily, Phil Davil, Jacob Esterline, .Adam Esterline, Jacob C. Funderburg, William Foreman, Joseph Gowdy, John Hansell, Phil Hysner, William Hunter. George Humphreys, Gorden Kennedy. O. B. Kinert. C. T. Lemon. Cyrus Lowman, Issac N. Mitchell, Asa N. Mitchell, A. Bart !-- Mitchell, Pom- eroy Mitchell, Milton G. Mitchell, Thos M. Manle, T. J. Meranda, Thos. Meredith, J. L. Mckinney. John McGrath, James J. Neely, J. L. Pumphrey. George Poling C. S. Polly, Jacob Rall, Joseph Ross, George Rosebrook, J. M. Runyon, Samuel Robinson, J. Q. A. Smith, George Sintz, J A. Stewart, F. M. Snyder, S. McK. Stafford, David Sheets, Andrew Snodgrass, Daniel Tuttle, Findley D. Torrence, Hor- ace N. Taylor, Amanda Tvler, William Underwood. William Warrick. F. H. Yeazell, J. M. Yeazell, and Fletcher White. Sixty-three of the survivors attended this the first gathering of the comrades, the majority not having seen their comrades since separating at Columbus, Ohio, on August 2nd. 1865. Some came a long distance, Joe Gowdy, from Illinois; Dan Tuttle, from Missouri, and many from Indiana. It was a grand occasion and was participated in by the wives, children. fathers, mothers, and neighbors of the comrades. The good people in and near New Carlisle made it a holiday and feasted those in attendance with all the good things of earth. ·
Addresses were made by prominent citizens and comrades, among which and the most touching was delivered by Liest. I. N. Mitchell as follows:
"Chairman and Fellow Citizens: Once more and after long years. I return to my boyhood home. Here I received my early education, and for years I listened to the words of wisdom, as they were delivered to us by our loved pastor,
SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY. 195
Rev. E. R. Johnston, now numbered with our loved ones, dead and gone. Those were happy, by-gone years. Near here was my loved home, father, mother, brothers and sisters; that home is mine no longer. A stranger calls it by that name. That kind father and loving mother, sleen in yonder beautiful cemetery, they have gone to their final home in heaven. Brothers and sisters one by one are silently passing away, and as I turn back the pages of time, I re- call many a familiar face, many a loved friend, who have passed over the journey of life, yes, how many vacant chairs; how many homes of mourning, have been crowded into these fleeting years. In looking over this vast assembly, but few familiar faces appear, the old landmarks are fast dis- appearing. Fellow citizens, allow me to express my surprise at the wonderful changes, in the appearance of this village. The iron horse and palace couch have taken the place of the old lumbering stage of other days. There where I plaved ball in days of long ago, I behold busy workshops and bright new homes, I find the old corner stores crowded out by fine business rooms of modern style, and I must truly say you are worthy of your new name. All hail, beautiful "Gem City."
"But comrades pardon me, I came here to talk to you, to meet you once more face to face and to turn back and re- call the past. Again we will let memory drift back to the dark days of 1861. Those were days that tried men's souls. Again the bugle calls and the drum beats. Comrade after comrade enlist; then comes the order to march, and war with all its vivid realties is upon us. I turn back the pages of our history twenty-three long years, to August, 1861. We at our country's call. banded together as a company, stood upon the public square of the Champion City, and were addressed by that grand old hero Col. Granville Moody, and were
196 SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY.
told to go and battle for our country. We said good-bye to oved ones. Alas! how many, forever. Comrades you all re- member our first march to the depot at Springfield, then bv railroad to Cincinnati, then on the boat where we all stood up in line and held up our strong right arms and swore to be true to our flag and our country. One hundred and sixty- three men, loyal and true, then our boat ride to Lawrence- burg, Ind., thence by rail to St. Louis, Mo., then came our first camp experience. The long weeks of tiresome drill, when you thought sometimes your officers were too strict, but afterwards fully realizing the benefits of thorough dis- cipline : then our move to Jefferson City, Mo., those pleasant autumn days when so many of us first felt that longing for home. But as winter came, we built us log cabins, pleasant. comfortable quarters, but sickness enters there, and the messenger of death calls first. Comrade Reuben A. Wallace. Many of you older citizens remember him. Comrade Geo. G. Sponsler next. and many more were sick, but with bright days of coming spring, health came. and we returned to St. Louis, where we received our full equipments, our fine horses, and we were ready for marching orders, and were soon on the march to Iron Mountain, Mo. Our drill camp and target practice, the pleasant days of busy camp life. Comrades there is where the Reb brought in the maple sugar in the ox-cart : "Who got that sugar? drive on John, I don't like the way this sugar is going." But we receive marching orders then we enter upon a long weary campaign, through Misssouri and Arkansas, to Helena on the Mississippi River; yet vou were always cheerful, always hopeful and ready for duty. The long sultry month of August comes, and alas! it was the valley of death to many of our brave tried and true com- rades, sickness came, and oh, how many died. One by one the angel of death called the roll, and some dear comrade
SIXTEENTH BATTERY OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY. 197
answered "here," and was mustered out by death; many of them still sleep far away in the southland where we tenderly laid them to rest. Those were days when the heart grew weary and sick, and oh! how we missed a mother's gentle loving care. And when the fever raged, how many called in vain for some loved one far away. In those days if I failed to do my duty, God forgive. But time moves on, it is the memorable spring of 1863. The Vicksburg campaign begins, we march through swamps and across lagoons, and in the evening twilight we cross the broad Mississippi River; march all night; then comes the battle of Port Gibson. The Old Sixteenth Ohio Battery nobly does her duty and victory is ours. Again we march, constantly on the eve of a great battle; it comes on a bright May morning, the never-to-for- gotten 16th of May, 1863.
Hark! comrades, what sound is that? It was the sharp report of the first gun on the skirmish line, another, then a volley, and soon the cannon's deep mouth speaks in thunder tones, the battle rages, our grand old division, commanded by General Hovey, advances up Champion's Hill. We were forty-five hundred tried and true, and there we advanced and faced the leaden messengers of death; we contended with twice our numbers, and charged and captured a Rebel battery, drove the enemy back to the log cabin on the hill, then they charged us; our support gave way and we were com- pelled to fall back. There our Captain fell, mortally wound- ed: the bravest among the brave. He commanded his men to leave him and save their guns, and he would take care of himself; then our reinforcements came. a division com- manded by that grand soldier. General John A. Logan, of Illinois. He said "Come on boys follow me." again we went up that hill and rolled back the rebel host, and victory was ours. But our brave Captain, my brother, had received his
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