History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 22

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408

USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio > Part 22

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Ile's six foot one way and four foot todder, An' he weighs six hundred ponn', His coat's so big he couldn't pay de tailor, An' it won't reach half way roun'. He drills so much dey ealls him Cap'n, An' he gits so mighty tan'd. i spec he'll try to fool dem Yankees For to tink he's " Contraband." De Massa run, ha ! ha ! De Darkey stay, ho ! ho ! It must be now de Kingdom Comin', An' de yar ob Jubilo.

The song, "John Brown's Body," first be- came known soon after the opening of the Rebellion. This came about chiefly through the singing of the medley by Union Soldiers. It received a special send-off from the Webster Regiment, made up chiefly of the more culti- vated young men of Boston, who surprised the conservative people of that City by singing it through their streets in August, 1861. As then produced, it was as follows :

John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave ; John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave ; John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave; His soul goes marching ou !

Chorus-Glory IFally Hallelujah ! Glory Hally Hallelujah ! Glory Hally Hallelujah ! His soul's marching on !

The substratum of the balance, omitting the repetition and refrain, was :

He's gone to be a soldier in the army of the Lord- John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back- His pet lambs they will meet him on the way- They will hang Jeff. Davis to a sour apple tree ! Now, three rousing cheers for the Union ! As we are marching on !

Cho .- Glory Hally Hallelujah ! Glory Hally Hallelujah ! Glory Hally Hallelujah ! Hip, Hip, Hip, Hip, Hurrah !

While it might be invidious and unjust to claim that any one State of the Union did more, in proportion to its means, than did any other State, for the defense of the Union in the hour of its sorest trial, it is deemed entirely safe to assert, that in such respect Ohio stands abreast the foremost of her Sisters. She did her duty, and that is all the best possibly could do. From the first signal of rebellion rung out at Charleston Harbor, the Buckeye State was alive with both indignation towards the trea- son and activity and earnestness for its sup- pression. And the sentiment of loyalty and promptness in action which marked her course at the outset, were not the mere ebullition of the moment; but were shown throughout the four years of persistent rebellion. While prompt in response to calls for men and means for the support of the Military operations of the Government, she was no less conspicuous in the maintenance of the no less essential aid of a sound public sentiment. No State did more to cheer the hearts of the Soldiers of the Union, by the assurance of an earnest sympa- thy and devoted co-operation, than did Ohio. It was claimed-with what justice cannot here be asserted-that the Fourteenth Ohio Volun- teers, was the first Regiment accepted by the Government; while her force of Volunteers recruited for the three-months service, was fully one-fourth in number of the entire call of the President.

The report of the Provost-Marshal General, prepared after the close of the War, showed, that from April, 1861, the date of the Presi- dent's first call, until December, 1864, when the last call (for 300,000 men) was made, Ohio had furnished 311,433 men. These were en- listed for different periods of service-from 100 days to five years-but reduced to a three- years standard, they represented 237,076 men.

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THE WAR OF THE REBELLION - HOME WORK.

Under the call of May, 1864, the State furnished 84,116 men, although her quota was only 67,365. Under the call of July 2, 1862, she furnished 58,325 men, when her quota called for but 36,858. The number of Colored men enlisted in the State was 5,002, and of Sailors, 1,016.

Of the 317,433 Ohio Soldiers, 78,219 suffered some casualty or left the field before the expi- ration of their terms of service, as follows : Killed, 11,237; died of disease, 13,554; honor- ably discharged, 16,031; deserted, 12,609 (less than four per cent.); dishonorably discharged, 105 (less than one-third of one per cent.); dis- charged for disability, 21,880. Officers resigned, 4,804; officers dismissed, 157 ; officers cashiered, 16.

The citizens of Ohio paid $4,908,087.53 com- mutation to escape liability to draft and to avoid service when drafted. In addition to her share of $300,000,000, which it cost the General Government to obtain 2,500,000 of Soldiers, Ohio, in her State capacity, and through county and other organizations, paid 823,500,- 000. The total vote of Ohio in 1860, was 442,441. Comparing this with the number of troops furnished, it will be seen that the equiv- alent of about 75 per cent. of her voting pop- nlation were in the field in defense of the Union. Including those from Ohio who enlisted in other States, it would probably be found that the number would nearly, if not quite, reach the entire voting population.

During the War of the Rebellion, the readers of home papers were largely indebted to intel- ligent and observing Soldiers for reports of movements in the field, so far as these could properly be given. The Toledo Blade was highly favored in that respect. Among those who, to greater or less extent, sent such corre- spondence, were the following named persons :

Chaplain John Eaton, jr., 27th Ohio, as "J. E. Jr." Charles E. Bliven, as "Pen Lever."

Chaplain E. B. Raffensperger, 14th Ohio, as "E. B. R."

Samuel S. Read, Secretary of General J. B. Steed- man, as "Erie."

Wm. A. Ewing, Battery H, 1st Ohio Light Artil- lery, as " Wanderer."

Captain Reed V. Boice, 67th Ohio, as " R. V. B." Ilenry T. Bissell, Adjutant 111th Ohio Infantry, as "H. T. B."

Ralph H. Waggoner, 130th Ohio, as " Dolphus." Lieutenant Geo. M. Ballard, 67th Ohio, as "G.M.B."

Captain John C. Cochran, 67th Ohio, as "J. C. C." Chaplain Geo. A. Adams, 11th Ohio Cavalry, as "G. A. A."

Colonel J. W. Paramore, 3d Ohio Cavalry.

Major Lewis Butler, 67th Ohio.

Captain James A. Chase, 14th Ohio.

Dr. Robert Johnson, Assistant Surgeon 100th Ohio.

Rev. J. Crabbe, Chaplain 67th Ohio. .

Jonathan Wood, 14th Ohio.

Colonel HI. N. Howland, 3d Ohio Cavalry.

Henry G. Burr.

Martin B. Ewing, Battery Shields.

Wm. H. Perigo, Battery H.

Captain J. Kent Hamilton, 113th Ohio. Captain Henry G. Neubert, 14th Ohio.

Rev. 1. M. Albright, from Chattanooga.

Dr. Charles Cochran, Volunteer Surgeon, at Pitts- burg Landing, April, 1862.

Captain Hartwell Osborn, 55th Ohio.

The surrender of Lee's Rebel forces at Ap- pomattox, took place April 9, 1865. The next day a meeting of citizens of Toledo was held at the Board of Trade Rooms, to consult in re- gard to the manner of complying with the request of Governor Brough, for proper com- memoration of the close of the Rebellion. Harry Chase was the Chairman, and Chas. T. Wales of the Blade, and Stephen J. Meaney of the Commercial, were the Secretaries of the meeting. Measures were taken for such object, but ere the time arrived for the proposed ex- ercises, the assassin's hand laid President Lin- coln in death, whereby the day of rejoicing and thanksgiving was suddenly changed to one of sorrow and sadness. Accordingly, the day appointed for celebrating the great Na- tional victory in the defeat of armed Rebellion, was devoted to an extent of mourning never before known in Toledo. The Blade's report of the occasion was substantially as follows :

The request of the authorities that the people of this City should ohserve a portion of the day in ap- propriate religious exereises, was complied with, but the time mentioned did not suffiee for such an ex- pression of the publie feeling as the majority deemed appropriate, and, instead of a suspension of business for four hours during the middle of the day, from morning until night the stores on Summit street were closed, and employers and employes engaged in the exercises on the street and at the different houses of worship, and afterward refrained from all worldly pursuits for the remainder of the day.

From early morn until evening the City presented a most gloomy appearanee. Nearly every building on Summit street was draped in black-flags in the City and of the shipping in the harbor floated at half-

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HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

mast, and many of them were draped in mourning, while on all the back streets, the dwellings showed that the inmates partook of the general sorrow, and in whatever direction the eye turned there was evi- dence of universal grief.

At the hour specified the members of the First Regiment National Guards assembled at the corner of Summit and Cherry streets, and cach company as- sumed its appropriate place in regimental line. While this was being done, citizens were arriving at the place designated for organizing the procession, and when the military arrangements were completed, there were several thousand on the ground awaiting assignment to places in the procession. Among these were several Fire Companiesand other Civic Societies, some of them wearing the regalia of the Order to which they belonged, and all wearing crape on the left arm.

Under the direction of Colonel John R. Bond, Mar- shal of the Day, and his assistants, Colonels D. F. De Wolf and N. M. Howard, the procession was soon completed, and the word being given, the march commenced in the following order :

Union Silver Band. Field Officers Ist Regiment O. N. G. First Regiment Ohio National Guards. Provost Marshal and Assistants. Mayor and Council. The Toledo Board of Trade. Fire Departinent. Wapaukonica Lodge No. 37. I. O. O. F. German Saengerbund. German Shooting Society. Ancient Order of Druids. Father Matthew Temperance Society. Disbanded Fire Companies. Citizens.

The procession marched up Summit Street to Perry, thence to St. Clair, down St. Clair to Monroe, Monroe to Summit, and thence to Madison street, in front of the Post Office, where it was massed for the purpose of hearing addresses. The streets through which the procession passed were densely crowded with men, women and children, all of whom seemed to partake

of the solemnity of the occasion, for there was an en- tire absence of that frivolity and noise which usually attend large gatherings of the people. The bells were tolled between the hours of 9 and II A. M., and their melancholy tones, mingled with those of the Union Silver Band, added to the solemnity of the occasion. The various organizations, which constituted the Jarger part of the procession, made a fine appearance. The members of the First Regiment Ohio National Guard, by their martial bearing, showed that their military experience of last summer had not been for- gotten, and, both as regards numbers and display, their turnout yesterday was exceedingly creditable. The different Civic Societies were out in full numbers. Having arrived in front of the Post Office, Mayor Dorr called the meeting to order, and Hon. J. M. Ashley, Rev. Father Edward Hannin, Capt. Charles Kent and Louis H. Pike, Esq., addressed the audience. The speaking concluded, the immense concourse united in singing "Old Hundred," the benediction was pronounced by Rev. E. B. Raffensperger, and the members of the different congregations repaired to their respective places of worship.

At the Churches the deepest solemnity prevailed. In each. the altar, pulpit and walls were draped in black, the effect of which, combined with the mourn- ful state of the public mind, rendered the occasion the most impressive ever witnessed in this City. The discourses in the Churches were listened to with marked attention. The subject chosen by each Cler- gyman had reference to the loss which the Nation had suffered in the death of Mr. Lincoln, and the necessity of entrusting to Him who rules among the nations of the earth for the accomplishment of Ilis own wise purposes, the guidance of our affairs, and looking to Him for the preservation of the Republic and the fulfillment of our long cherished hopes of a permanent peace.

In connection with the foregoing report, the Blade of April 20th had the following appro- priate tablet :

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THIE WAR OF THE REBELLION- HOME WORK.

To the Memory

of Abraham Lincoln

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Who died a Martyr to his Country, Falling under the hands of a Traitor Assassin, On the night of the 14th day of April, 1865, The Fourth Anniversary of the beginning of the great WAR OF REBELLION, Through which he had led the Nation to a Glorious Trinmph, Just completed, when the Dastardly Revenge of Vanquished Treason was wrought in his monstrous murder.

The Great Republic loved him As its Father, And reverenced him as the Preserver of its National Life. The oppressed People of all Lands looked up to him As the Anointed of Liberty, and hailed in him the consecrated Leader of her Cause. He struck the chains of Slavery from Four Millions Of a despised Race, and with a Noble Faith in Humanity, Raised them to the admitted dignity of Manhood. By his Wisdom, his Prudence, his Calm Temper, his Steadfast Patience, His lofty Courage and his loftier Faith, He Saved the Republic from Dissolution ; By his Simple Integrity he illustrated the neglected Principles Of its Constitution, and Restored them to their just Ascendancy ; By all the Results of his Administration of its Government, Hle Inaugurated a New Era In the History of Mankind. The Wisdom of his Statesmanship was excelled Only by its Virtuousness. Exercising a Power which surpassed that of Kings, He bore himself always as The Servant of the People, And never as its Master. Too sincere in the Simplicity of his Nature to be affected by an elevation The Proudest among Human Dignities, He stands in the ranks of the Illustrious of all Time as The Purest Exemplar of Democracy. While Goodness is beloved, And Great Deeds are Remembered, The World will never cease to Revere The Name and Memory OF

Abraham Lincoln.

" If God wills that this mighty Scourge of War continue until all the wealth piled by the Bond- man's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toit shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn by the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said, that the Judgments of 'the Lord are true and righteous altogether.'"

March 4th, 1865.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

CHAPTER VII.

THE WAR OF THE REBELLION -FIELD WORK.

THIE compiler of this Volume is not insensi- ble to the extreme delicacy of the duty de- volved upon him in the preparation of the sec- ond branch of Lucas County's record in defense of the Union. Full justice could be done the County, only by doing full justice to every cit- izen thereof who took an active part as a Sol- dier of the Union ; and that would be imprac- ticable. Record the most complete possible would not supply the data requisite for such a work; for the reason that human testimony could not reveal the qualities of such service which, after all, most truly bear witness to the Soldier's real merits-those of the heart. The best to be done is to present the action of these who " went to the front," in such just light as may be practicable, leaving the reader to judge therefrom as to the motives which, in each case, controlled such action. The greater prominence of particular individuals, is by no means conclusive proof of either superior service or superior merits. The obscure pri- vate, with nothing but the " enlisting papers " to bear witness even of his presence in the Army, often is entitled to higher honors than he whose promotion was sounded through the ranks and proclaimed by the public press ; bnt proof of this fact, is denied the world, and may never have been known beyond the mod- est, nnpretending consciousness of the obscure hero. It was the Private Soldiers-not their commanders-who suppressed the Rebellion ; and this fact cannot be too fully recognized. It was not the giving, so much as the execu- tion of orders, that controlled results. It is to the brave men who made the charges-not those who directed them-that the country is indebted chiefly for the many signal ad- vantages, and the final triumph, over treason's cohorts. Hence the writer's great regret that so little can be done toward the record so eminently due to the untitled heroes of the Union Army. It is a source of satisfaction, however, that to so large extent it has been found practicable now to present the names

of Immeas County's "Enlisted Men" in that patriotic force; the only regret being, that the list cannot be made more complete. With the imperfect sources of information, it is not possible to secure the names of all ; while in some cases those shown may not be correctly given.

The special reference here made to the ser- vice of the Private Soldier, cannot properly be taken as in any sense depreciation of the qualities and record of those placed in com- mand, whether from this County or elsewhere. Officers and enlisted men are alike indis- pensable to efficient work ; and both classes in their respective spheres are entitled to credit according to the fidelity of their ac- tion. Lucas County may justly point with pride to her representatives in both. With exceptions very rare, they loyally and etti- ciently met duty, as the same was made known, and thus contributed to the good rec- ord made.

It will be the purpose briefly to present the organization and service of such Regiments and Companies as were raised in or largely contributed to from this County. In doing this, the most ready and reliable source found for information, is the work of Whitelaw Reid (" Ohio in the War "), which, though published soon after the close of war, is yet recognized as the most full and correct presentation yet made of the State's share in the vindication of American Nationality. The rosters given of the several Regiments and Companies, are sup- plied mainly from the records in the State Adjutant-General's office, which are as com- plete as the returns of muster-out rolls made practicable. Omissions no doubt occur, as do errors in names, which are unavoidable from the imperfect data furnished by returning offi- cers, and the repeated copying of papers. Notwithstanding these facts, it is believed the record here given will be found serviceable in showing something of what Lucas County did for the " Union and Liberty."

[126]

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THE WAR OF THE REBELLION-FIELD WORK.

FOURTEENTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

The official list of battles in which this Regiment bore an honorable part is not yet published in orders of the War Department, but the following has been prepared after careful research :

IN THREE-MONTIIS' SERVICE.

HOOVER'S GAP, TENN.

June 27, 1863.

PHILIPPI, W. VA. June 2, 1861.

CHICKAMAUGA, GA. . September 19-20, 1863.

LAUREL HILL, W. VA.

June 7, 1861.

CARRICK'S FORD, W. VA. . June 12, 1861.

IN THREE-YEARS' SERVICE.

WILD CAT, KY. .

October 21, 1861.

KENESAW MOUNTAIN, CIA. June 9-30, 1864.

MILL SPRINGS, KY.

January 19-20, 1862.

UTOY CREEK, GA. . August 5-7, 1864.

SHILOH, TENN. . April 6-7, 1862.

JONESBORO, GA. .

September 1, 1864.

CORINTH, MISS. (Siege of) . April 30, 1862.

GOLDSBORO, N. C. . . March 21, 1865.

First in order of time, and first in pro- portion of Lucas County recruits, stands the Fourteenth Regiment, which was raised almost wholly in the Toledo Congressional District, and very largely in Toledo and vicinity. In less than three days from the President's call for 75,000 men, this Regiment was ready for the field, being, as believed, the first Regiment accepted by the Government. On the 25th April, 1861, and only 12 days from the attack on Fort Sumpter, this command left Toledo for Camp Taylor, near Cleveland, for comple- tion of organization and thorough drill. Until May 18th it was a State Regiment, and on that day was transferred to the General Gov- ernment. May 22d, it left Camp Taylor for Columbus, where it was provided with arms, and at once left for the field, reaching Zanes- ville and Marietta on the 23d. At the latter place, it went into Camp Putnam, and re- mained there until the 27th, when it embarked for Parkersburg, Virginia, where it first set foot on Rebel soil, and without opposition. A Company was double-quieked along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the bridges of which had been fired by retreating Rebels, upon the appearance of Union troops. On the 29th the Regiment advanced into Virginia, reaching Clarksburg on the 29th, having re- paired the Railroad to that point, when trains were put in operation for bringing in supplies.

June 2d the Regiment took rail for the Town of Webster, whence it marched to Philippi, 13 miles, on a dark, dismal, rainy night. Ar- riving at 5 A. M., a force of 2,000 Rebel Cav- alry in camp were surprised by the cannonading of the unexpected Union troops. Owing to a mistake which deprived the movement of a co-operating force from an opposite direction,

it was not as successful as had been hoped for. But the superior Rebel force were most thoroughly frightened, and at once, in great disorder, took to the bushes and hills for es- cape, leaving their clothing behind A few prisoners and several wagon loads of war material were taken by the invading force.

On the 3d of June, the Fourteenth, in con- nection with the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Ohio, the Sixth and Seventh Indiana, and the First Virginia Infantry, went into camp near the Town of Philippi ; whence expeditions were sent in different directions against guerrilla bands. On these marches, the men suffered severely from excessive exhaustion and lack of essential supplies-made the more severe by their entire lack of preparation for such service. These expeditions seemed to amount to little, having been induced by unwar- ranted alarm and false reports in regard to Rebel movements.

The Rebels under General Garnett, began to show themselves at Laurel Hill, on the 7th June, when works were thrown up at Bealing- ton to repel their attacks, which soon followed, but were promptly repulsed. On the 12th the Rebels suddenly retreated, when the Union force moved out, the Fourteenth Ohio in the lead, and took possession of a Rebel fort, and rap- idly advanced in pursuit. So severely were the Rebels pushed, that they left baggage and supplies of every kind on the way. At Car- rick's Ford they were overtaken, and com- pelled to make a stand. The advance gnard of the Fourteenth first reached them, when a shower of balls from the bluff above and oppo- site the stream, met the advance. The Four- teenth promptly responded in an effective volley, and in 20 minutes, and just as the first

RINGGOLD, GA.

DALTON, GA.

November 27, 1863. May 9, 1864.

RESACA, GA. .

May 13-16, 1864.

MISSION RIDGE, TENN. November 25, 1863.

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HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

Regiment of the main column of the Union force came up for action, the enemy gave way in confusion, throwing away whatever could impede their retreat. Among the fruits of this occasion, were 30 baggage wagons, well- laden, three stands of colors and 250 prisoners taken from the Rebels. The next day the Regiment started for Philippi, where it ar- rived on the 15th July, on the way fording six streams, swollen by heavy rains.

As a sample of the experience to which the Fourteenth was then subjected, it may be stated, that on Friday noon, June 14th, the Regiment was ordered from Philippi to Buck - hannon, 20 miles distant, over one of the worst roads in the State. At Buckhannon they cooked breakfast, and rested for two bours only, when they were ordered back to Phil- ippi, and left at 11 A. M. Saturday, getting into eamp at that place at 2 A. M. Sunday. Saturday was an intensely hot day, and so prostrated were the men, that the moment they were within camp they dropped on the ground and were soon all asleep. During their return trip they had no food, save a single cracker apiece. And all this, because a fleeing young Rebel had written from Bev- erly to his girl in Grafton, that Gen Wise was in Beverly at the head of 9,000 Virginia troops. The girl showed the letter to Col. Der- mont, of an Indiana Regiment, who thereupon gave the order for the march referred to.

At Laurel Hill the Fourteenth remained in camp until July 22d, when its term of en- listment having expired, it returned to Ohio. On the way, it was the object of much atten- tion, including many expressions of kindness. At Toledo, where the Regiment arrived on the 25th, a meeting of citizens had made arrange- ments for a fitting reception ; but such was the throng in attendance and the excitement of the occasion, that the programme provided could be but partially carried out. The Regi- ment was received with every manifestation of pride and joy. Not the people of Toledo only, but many persons from other localities represented in that command were present.

The loss of the Regiment in service con- sisted of the following : In battle, two-Frank Gero and Samuel Mills. Accidentally killed, two-Captain Andrew Crawford and Lieuten- ant J. D. Belknap. The circumstances of Captain Crawford's death were very painful.

While as officer of the day, making the guard rounds one dark night, passing through a dense thicket he came suddenly upon a soldier on duty as pieket guard, who, greatly frightened by such sudden appearance, at once fired at the Captain, killing him instantly. The de- ceased was from Napoleon, Ilenry County, where he practiced law, and was much es- teemed.

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History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 22

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company Number of Pages: 1408

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408