USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume I > Part 78
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distinction in the Army of the Ohio and of the Cumberland in the Civil war, came to Dayton and resided on Main street until his death. At present the only distinguished officer of the war now living in Dayton is Gen. Charles Candy, of the Army of the Potomac. Gen. Alexander McD. McCook, a distinguished corps commander of the Army of the Cumberland, frequently visited Dayton and died in the city several years ago.
In October, 1861, the governor of Ohio appointed a military committee for the county to take general charge of recruiting and organization. The names of the men who served on this committee are: E. S. Young, D. A. Haynes, James Turner, T. A. Phillips, Henry Fowler, R. W. Steele, Thomas T. J. Smith, J. G. Stutsman and T. B. Tilton.
Some fifty Dayton men enlisted for the purpose of joining Birge's sharp- shooters. They were armed with target rifles, molded their bullets, and had a long and varied experience in the army. They were known also as the Fourteenth Missouri and afterward as the Sixty-sixth Illinois.
Dayton had an active and efficient Soldiers' Aid Society, which collected over seven hundred dollars in money and forwarded large supplies of necessaries to the soldier camps in the south. This society was succeeded by a second one which collected over one thousand three hundred dollars in money for a like purpose. There was a Ladies' Benevolent Society and an Oregon Aid Society, all devoted to the help needed by the soldier and his family. While the women were thus lending a grateful aid, the men organized a Union League for the purpose of supporting the government in its struggle with armed rebellion. In 1863 there was considerable excitement and apprehension over an alleged organi- zation of what was known as the Knights of the Golden Circle, whose purpose was to sympathize with and aid the states in rebellion. Indiana appeared to be the location of their greatest strength. Nothing ever came of the movement, if any was contemplated.
During March and April, 1863, the relief committees awakened among the farmers a strong feeling on the side of helping the soldiers' families. A day was set for a grand parade of wagons loaded with fire-wood, provisions, and so forth. It was formed at the head of Main street on April IIth, about noon. Van Buren township, Madison township, and others sent in upwards of one hun- dred and forty-two wagons of wood which were driven to the public landing (the old-time wood and hay market) and there unloaded. This generous supply of wood was distributed to the families of absent soldiers and thus accomplished a vast deal of solid good.
Among the quasi-military happenings of this period may be mentioned the issue of General Order No. 38 by Gen. Burnside, who was the military com- mandant at Cincinnati. It was designed to suppress the utterance of treason- able sentiments. Clement L. Vallandigham, ex-congressman residing in Dayton. continued in public addresses to condemn the war and its method of prosecution as oppressive and unnecessary. On the night of the 5th of May, 1863, a detach- ment of United States soldiers made a quick run to Dayton under the command of Col. E. A. Parrott, who as a Dayton man was supposed to know the lay of the streets, to secure by quick action the arrest of the daring orator and to carry him off to Cincinnati before his friends and supporters could rally to his aid.
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The detachment came on a special train, proceeded directly to Mr. Vallandig- ham's home on First street, and breaking open the doors secured their prisoner and countermarching to the train were soon speeding to Cincinnati. The incident occurred at 3 o'clock in the morning, the detachment consisting of one hundred and fifty soldiers.
This arrest aroused intense excitement, no means being at hand to rescue the prisoner, already beyond reach. The vengeance of the mob which assembled by evening was directed against the Dayton Journal, and in consequence its office on Main street was completely destroyed. This riot brought about the issue of Order No. 146, by Gen. Burnside, placing Montgomery county under martial law.
Later in the month of May, Vallandigham was tried before a military com- mission in Cincinnati and he was found guilty of the charge of uttering disloyal sentiments and a sentence imposed that he should be confined in some fortress of the United States and there kept during the war. This finding was confirmed by Gen. Burnside and Fort Warren in Boston harbor, was selected as the place. This mandate was afterward changed to that of sending Vallandigham through the lines into the Confederate army.
He was taken to the camps of Gen. Rosecrans then at Murfreesboro, Ten- nessee, on May 24, 1863. Escorted to the outposts he was sent over to the enemy. Later accounts stated that he was as unwelcome there as he had been at home, and permission was given him to pass eastward through the south and leaving the coast he finally made his way to Windsor, Canada. After the election for governor in the fall, at which he was defeated by John Brough, the republi- can nominee, he returned to Ohio, and was not again molested by the govern- ment authorities. In the log cabin of the Dayton Historical Society are pre- served the two folding doors from the Vallandigham home, bearing the marks of the ax cuts when they were forced open by the soldiers.
One of the notable military events occurring in Dayton was the recruiting of the Ninety-third Regiment of Volunteers. It embodied in its ranks a larger num- ber of Montgomery county and city men than any of the commands hitherto raised. The first start was made in July, 1862. Three companies were raised in Dayton, under Capts. Martin, Mitchell and Birch. A bounty of one hundred dollars was offered of which twenty-five dollars was to be paid in advance and a premium of two dollars. The regiment was finally organized with Charles Anderson colonel, Hiram Strong lieutenant-colonel. Dayton men took great interest in filling up the quota of the three companies and arranged to provide for the families of those who should enlist. George E. Pugh of Cincinnati was brought to Dayton to deliver a stirring address on the war to inspire the people. On the 11th of August the several companies went into camp at the Dayton fair grounds, and on the 23rd departed from Dayton for the front. The ladies pre- . sented the regiment with a stand of colors and the departure formed another memorable event in the history of the city. This regiment acquitted itself well in the field. Stone river, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, the Atlanta Campaign and Franklin and Nashville were among the fields of its experience.
After the departure of the Ninety-third Regiment, recruiting still proceeded. The stress for troops to replace the losses in battle and by deaths in the hospi-
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tals required a draft. The military committee arranged for a draft on September 3, 1862. An enrollment of all citizens between the ages of eighteen and forty-five had already been made.
In the proposed draft twelve men were required from the Third Ward and five from the Fourth Ward, the remaining four wards having filled their quota. Efforts were made to get substitutes to clear the two wards from the draft. Offers were made of two hundred and twenty-five dollars to married men and one hundred and forty-five dollars to single men to enlist. In the townships the number of men required were as follows: Madison, sixty-two; Jefferson, sixty- four; Jackson, seventy-nine; Perry, sixty-six; Clay, fifty-four; Randolph, sixty- three; Wayne, twenty-three; Butler, forty-four; Washington, thirty-nine; Ger- man, sixty-nine ; Miami, ninety-four; Harrison, twenty-one; Mad River, twenty- two; Van Buren, thirty-eight.
In August, 1862, the advance of Kirby Smith's army into Kentucky caused alarm for the safety of Cincinnati. Meetings were held to arouse the citizens of Dayton to the need of arming for defense, for the state on its southern border was peculiarly open to the invasion of guerrilla bands which the rich opportunity for plunder would tempt.
Gen. Lew Wallace, the gallant Indiana soldier, was in command at Cincin- nati. Meetings and rallyings were held in the different wards, and on the evening of the 4th, two hundred and fifty men left for Cincinnati. Other localities also responded and a variety of armed men assembled across the Ohio in Kentucky to repel the dreaded invasion. Government arms could not be had in sufficient number to arm this assemblage, and men came with every sort of gun that could be gathered up for the occasion. These men obtained the name of "Squir- rel Hunters" and have so passed down into history, and by a recent enactment of the Ohio legislature they have been granted the munificent sum of thirteen dollars representing one month's pay for their services in the Kirby Smith raid. Smith found the gathering storm too much for his chances and turned south- ward after making his demonstration.
This hurry of citizen soldiers to the front had caused a postponement of the draft referred to, and the draft finally came off on October Ist. The men drafted were for nine months' service and amounted to six hundred and sixty- six. An opportunity was given the drafted men to enlist. By doing so they could obtain the government bounty of one hundred dollars, and also get the local premium offered.
The next cause of excitement other than the election of a congressman was the John H. Morgan raid. This dashing cavalry leader believed that a foray into Indiana would bring recruits, horses and supplies to his cause. His recep- tion on the shores of Indiana was so unexpectedly adverse that he turned east- ward and skirting Cincinnati came up through a portion of Butler county near its border to the county of Hamilton.
No one in these days can imagine the excitement, inflamed by the wildest reports, that spread all over the lower part of the Miami valley. The cry that "Morgan was coming" was shouted along every country road, and prepara- tions were made to hide valuables and conceal cattle and especially get the
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horses out of reach, for cavalrymen had a peculiar liking for the best possible mounts leaving their worn out steeds in place of the captured ones.
The Montgomery county military committee issued its call, and the mayor of Dayton proclaimed martial law, for it was currently reported that the re- doutable Morgan was within one day's march of Dayton. Gov. David Todd called out the militia to report at Camp Dennison. Before this assembling could be accomplished the famous raid was over. Companies A and B, of Dayton, left on July 13th. Morgan had encamped on the hills at Loveland on that day and then turned toward the Ohio river in Brown county. None of the militia companies could find the rapidly moving raider, and it required the cavalry under Gen. J. H. Shackelford to capture him. The raid ended on July 26th, three miles south of New Lisbon, Ohio. Some of the invaders escaped over the river to Kentucky, their leader turning back to rejoin his rear guard and accept cap- ture with them. About four hundred were taken prisoners. Six carloads of these men passed through Dayton on their way to Johnson's Island. Morgan and his chief officers were placed in the Ohio penitentiary for safe keeping, but by the assistance of outside parties, as is believed, managed to effect their escape.
On November 21st, there was established in Dayton a great soldiers' fair and bazaar. Prominent men and women took a willing part in the enter- prise and it proved a great success, the amounts realized reaching the hand- some sum of nineteen thousand, eight hundred and forty-three dollars and ninety cents. The expenses were two thousand, two hundred and sixty-two dollars and thirty-seven cents. The proceeds were used to relieve the necessities of the sol- diers and their families. Afterward, there was a soldiers relief association which visited four hundred and twenty families and rendered aid.
During the first four months of 1864, many of the regiments in which Mont- gomery county men had enlisted, were re-enlisted as veterans for three years or longer, and were returned to their homes for the enjoyment of a thirty days furlough.
On May II, 1864, the second draft for men occurred, but by the use of sub- . stitutes purchased by subscription or by an agreed placing of an amount on the tax duplicate, the whole county was cleared except the first ward and Mad river township. In the former, twenty-four men were drafted and in the latter twenty- one. The number of substitutes were finally secured and the drafted men re- leased.
Early in the summer of 1864, the stress for men to fill the depleted ranks at the front by assignment of the troops doing post or garrison duty, caused the call for one hundred day men. Gov. Brough ordered out the organized compan- ies of "Home Guards," which caused great distress to hundreds of professional and business men thus summoned at a day's notice to leave their occupations and families. The Dayton companies with those from the townships came in promptly and after a brief furlough, were mustered into the United States service at Camp Chase. Most of the city and county companies were assigned to the One Hundred and Thirty-first regiment and were placed on duty at Fort Fed- eral Hill at Baltimore, where they remained until August, and were then brought back to Camp Chase and mustered out on the 23rd.
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In July, 1864, came the President's call for five hundred thousand men. Again a draft was ordered, but finally averted by raising sufficient money to engage substitutes. The brokerage in these "willing ones" was in some localities a dis- graceful one.
On December 21st, another call was made for three hundred thousand troops. The quoto for the county was five hundred and ninety-eight, of the city two hundred. Recruiting interests revived, for it was to be seen that the rebellion was soon to be over, as viewed in the light of the successes of the Federal armies in the field. Many recruits were sent on to Nashville, which was held by the Union army.
Finally came the news of the fall of Richmond, authenticated at last, after several false and premature reports. The news caused a widespread rejoicing. The war was over at last. On Friday, April 14th, a great jubilee was to be held. It came off with the firing of salutes, with fire works and speeches at the court house.
On the morning of the fifteenth, all this was changed into sorrow. The great president who had borne the troubles of the war, had died from the effects of an assassin's bullet. Dayton put on the garb of mourning, business was suspended and the bells of churches and firehouses, were tolled until mid-day.
The interval following the close of the Civil war witnessed the continuance of the military spirit in the city and county. In 1869, the Dayton Zouaves were organized. The name was afterward changed to that of the "Harries Guard." In 1875, the Dayton Light Guard and Emmett Guard were organized. The three companies became part of the Fourth Regiment Ohio Militia. In 1877, the regi- ment aided in quelling the railroad strike. In 1877, the Fifth Ohio Battery was organized in Dayton and re-organized in August, 1878. The bronze Napoleon pieces were supplied by the state. Col. Mott of Dayton became commander of the Fourth regiment, and was unfortunate in his leadership of the men at the time of the Courthouse Riot in Cincinnati. This untoward circumstance led to the disbandment of the regiment.
The Pheonix Light Infantry, organized to redeem the city from the disgrace of the Cincinnati affair, had a long and prosperous career under the captaincy of John L. Miller, and formed a feature of public parades and on the celebra- tions of Memorial day.
Military spirit has never been lacking in Dayton, only needing the occasion to call it forth. One great incentive to lead the younger men to a high regard for military matters, has existed since the Civil War in the presence in the county of the several Grand Army Posts of veterans of that war. Of these, the most notable by reason of its early organization and largest number of members, is that of Old Guard Post No. 23, Grand Army of the Republic, organized at first in October, 1866, under the name of King Encampment and later reorganized under that of Old Guard. It now numbers over five hundred members and ranks as the largest post in the Department of Ohio, including Hiram Strong Post of Miami City (now surviving as a Picket only), and Dister Post. In Miamisburg is located Al Mason Post. In Vandalia, is located Milton Weaver Post. In Ger- mantown, Carlton Bear Post, and at the Soldiers Home, Veteran Post.
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Sons of Veterans, as Earnshaw Camp, composed of the sons of soldier fathers, maintain a sturdy organization and several years ago, brought to Dayton a national encampment of the order.
These various organizations of soldier kindred keep alive the memories of the old days of trial and danger and provide for the proper celebration and obser- vance of Memorial day each year.
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
On Wednesday, February 16, 1898, the Dayton papers appeared with the significant head-line "Today we are one country undivided."
On February 15th, at 9:40 o'clock p. m., the United States Battleship "Maine" was blown up in Havana harbor. Nothing has ever exceeded the flash of indigna- tion that spread over the land at the terrible and exasperating treachery of the insidious Spaniard.
When war was finally officially declared, April 20th, the call for troops excited more than ever the war-time enthusiasm which our people held. Ohio could not use all who were offered. The president issued his call for one hundred and twenty-five thousand troops to serve two years. Steps were at once taken to organize the First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with Col. W. J. White, a veteran of the Civil war. The clamor to enlist was very strong. In a day or two, six companies were ready in Dayton with four outside to join. Ohio's quota was six regiments of infantry, four light batteries and two squadrons of cavalry.
On April 27th, the Dayton boys of companies G and I, started for Springfield. Company I had received a handsome flag from the citizens. It was noticed as the men marched along the streets that the American flag was displayed in un- usual numbers, and that the cheers and laudations rivalled those of the old days when other volunteers marched to war. At the station, there was a great jam of people and the partings were hurriedly spoken. The companies had been escorted by the Old Guard Post, Sons of Veterans, Companies of Col. White's First regiment, Hibernian Rifles, Buckeye State band, postoffice men, fire- men, and city officials. As the train pulled out, hats were doffed by the men in respect for those who respond to the call of duty, and many eyes were wet as the crowds turned to go to their homes, realizing that again war was at hand with all of its terrible realities.
One great thing the war with Spain brought about, and that was the ready re- sponse made in the old Confederate states to the call. It was wonderful. It did not matter whether the bands played "Yankee Doodle" or "Dixie" the result was the same. A typical Vermonter by a change of raiment became at once a Texan and bound to defend the flag. "Remember the Maine" became a new and startling battle-cry.
On May 5, 1898, Troops F Cavalry of Dayton marched away to join in the fray. Again the streets were filled with proud and cheering throngs to see these young soldiers off to the war. Finding that there was no hope of getting into the service as infantry, these determined men sought and obtained the right to go as cavalry with the First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.
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In May, 1898, the government established a great assembly camp on the his- toric field of Chickamauga. Here came all of the regulars, called in from outlying posts. They came from the plains and mountains, from the forts and sea coast defenses. Up at Old Niagara an infantry command receiving the order to march to the station at the falls, had hardly arrived, when from over the bridge to the Canada side, came a company of British soldiers with military music to see them off and wish them well. It was a time that warmed men's hearts in more than one way. By June Ist, the regulars had departed from "Camp Thomas," named after the old Virginia hero, who held true to the Union in the Civil war and who held the Hill of the Horseshoe on that same spot in the old days.
Then the deserted tenting places were quickly filled by the oncoming vol- unteers, until fifty-two thousand men occupied three miles of camps. It was a great sight, that vast army of determined men drilling, waiting for arms, receiv- ing their colors. A Mississippi regiment brigaded with regiments from Indiana, Iowa and Maine, Ohio and New Jersey, sons of Union and sons of Confederate soldier sires, old First Tennessee rebels escorting their sons in a new First Ten- nessee Volunteer regiment wearing the glorious Union blue at last-an homogen- eous people and as brave as any under the sun.
The war was quickly over, many of the volunteers reached the camps at Tampa only to be sent home again. On May Ist, Dewey had won the great naval victory at Manila bay. The naval fight at Santiago was another surprising accomplishment of the men who knew how to lay the steel breech-loading cannon on the battleships. Moro Castle was taken. San Juan Hill was carried by a splendid charge and the men of the Maine and the poor suffering Cubans had their mead of justice at last.
And then came the home comings of the Montgomery boys. On Saturday, September 16, 1898, Dayton greeted the infantry companies G and I and Troop F, of cavalry.
The streets were almost impassable from the crowds of people, music was drowned by the lusty cheers. At the opera house, the crush was wonderful, and no set program could be carried out, so the men were dismissed and turned over to their waiting and eager friends.
The men had borne themselves well during their term of service and were re- garded as among the best commands sent out.
Since the days of the Spanish-American war, the military affairs of the county and city have suffered no lapse. Under the new state regulations, we have a full Third Regiment of infantry, two full companies G, and K, with prospect of a third in Dayton. These companies are equipped with government service new Springfield high power rifles, khaki uniforms and are governed by the rules of the United States army, and are now known as "Ohio National Guards," liable for duty with the regulars. An armory is maintained for them in the city and every evi- dence exists of the highest state of efficiency.
The design of the government to promote and encourage rifle practice is com- mendable, and for this purpose a splendid range has been established at Camp Perry on the lake, where annual contests in range work are had.
Dayton still remains as a good field for recruiting for the army and navy, and an office for this purpose is maintained in the city.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY MEMORIAL BUILDING.
Recognizing the great debt which Montgomery county, in common with the whole nation, owes to the patriotism, the valor and the great sacrifices of the men who left their fire-sides in Montgomery county to offer themselves as will- ing sacrifices on the altar of patriotism, the citizens of Montgomery county voted. in 1906 by a majority of six thousand, four hundred and twenty-seven votes, to expend two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in the erection and equipment of a Memorial building which shall remain a fitting memorial to our heroes.
Under the wise and careful supervision of a building commission, appointed by the governor, the building was completed in a most satisfactory manner in No- vember, 1909. The committee was comprised of the following public spirited citizens : President, J. C. Reber ; Secretary, Albert Kern ; Charles Ware, Charles Wuichet and Jacob Linxweiler. Mr. Reber has since died and Mr. Charles Wuichet succeeded him in the presidency.
The architect of the building was William Earl Ross. Associated with Mr. Ross was Mr. Albert Pretzinger, consulting architect, and W. F. Stillwell, the chief contractor. The site of the building is on the northwest corner of First and St. Clair streets, the frontage on First street being one hundred and sixty-eight feet and the depth on St. Clair street two hundred feet. The cost of the site was fifty-two thousand, five hundred dollars. The building is fire-proof, concrete and steel. Out of a total cost of two hundred thousand dollars, not more than four thousand dollars has been expended in material of either a perishable or inflam- mable nature, insuring thereby an absolutly fire-proof structure.
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