USA > Ohio > History of the three months' and three years' service from April 16th, 1861, to June 22d, 1864, of the Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the war for the Union > Part 2
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17
IN OUR FIRST CAMP.
of cheer of the gathered thousands, until the depot was reached, . . seats and standing room all taken in the passenger cars, "three cheers and a tiger" given, and the iron horse hurried the happy hundreds, that cheered to the echo the waving of the solitary handkerchief from the log hut or the glorious flag floating from a lovely mansion, as well as the greetings of the hundreds and the thousands in the towns, until the Capital was reached. Never was there a gayer set of men. "Hurrah! who wouldn't be a soldier ?"
Columbus was reached and the march immediately made to Camp Jackson. Up to this time there was and could not have been much restraint or discipline; but now there was a new order of things, fully realized by the men just as soon as they reached the camp and entered the cordon of men dressed in uniforms. Quite a number of these stood about a cloth tent called a guard house; others walked to a fro in a path, or beat, with old muskets at a shoulder. There was also a multitude, dressed in citizens' clothing, either lounging about on the grass under large oak trees, or pitching quoits, or running and wrest- ling. It was a huge picnic of not "privileged characters," surrounded by guards, each of whom seemed to do his utmost to excel his neighbor in yelling "Corporal of the guard!"
Many of our boys, immediately upon breaking ranks also broke for woods and fields, thus crossing guard lines without permis- sion, which caused the most vociferous uproar, all along the line, of "Corporal of the guard!"
The following, related by one of the boys, was the experience of quite a number : "As soon as we broke ranks at Camp Jackson I started for the woods, when one of the guards yelled ' Halt!' I looked at him, and walked faster, and was just cross- ing his little path when he brought down his old musket, shoved his bayonet at me, and thundered, 'Halt! Corporal of the Guard, number seven.' I stopped, asked, 'What do you want?' He said nary a word. I started on. 'Halt! Cawporal of the Guard, number seven!' he yelled with all his might, and was going to shove his old iron into my side, and says, 'Halt! halt!' just as a fellow came up and excitedly asked, 'What's the matter?' 'Cawpral, this fellow crossed my beat,' said the guard. 'Come with me to the guard-house,' says the Corporal to me. 'Guard-
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FOURTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
house, thunder! I 'avn't done nothin';' and I was madder'n a wet hen as I said it. 'Yes you have,' muttered the guard, 'you crossed my beat without permission from an officer.' I begged off-promised I wouldn't do so again-would ask permission of an officer; but 'twas of no use. . I got madder. 'Crossed your beat? Didn't know you had a beat. Didn't know I had to ask an officer,' I growled, as I started off with the Corporal, who marched me to the guard-house. It was my first forced march, my first and last arrest. My Lieutenant had me released im- mediately, and with a dozen more, and permission of an officer, I crossed the fellow's beat."
We noticed things on the arms and shoulders of the guards, and soon learned that they were called chevrons and shoulder- straps, by whichi one was enabled to distinguish the distinguished. That things on the shoulders were worn by commissioned, and those on the sleeves by the non-commissioned officers, we had already found out, and now learned that a Colonel wore a silver embroidered spread-eagle, a Lieutenant Colonel a silver em- broidered leaf, a Major a block, a Captain two silver bars, and a First Lieutenant only one; a Sergeant Major had two cloth bars above his elbows, a First Sergeant three, and if there were only two stripes, then, no mistake, it's a Corporal-look out for him.
On account of the camp already being uncomfortably full of citizen soldiers, wearing garments of every conceivable cut and color, most of our companies were quartered in different public buildings located in the city of Columbus.
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CHAPTER II.
ORGANIZATION OF THE FOURTH OHJO VOLUNTEER
INFANTRY TO SERVE FOR THE PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS-OFF FOR CAMP DENNISON.
The Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Colum- bus, O., on the 26th of April, 1861, to serve for three months. The following were appointed on the field and staff :
Lorin Andrews, Captain of Company A, to be Colonel.
James Cantwell, Captain of Company G, to be Lieutenant Colonel.
James H. Godman, Captain of Company H, to be Major.
Henry H. McAbee was appointed Surgeon, May 2d, 1861.
J. Y. Cantwell was made Assistant Surgeon, May Ist, 1861.
Bradford R. Durfee, First Lieutenant of Company K, Adju- tant.
I. Underwood, First Lieutenant of Company A, Quarter- master.
Addison S. McClure, Sergeant in Company E, Sergeant Major.
COMPANY A was raised at Mount Vernon, Knox county, O., on the 16th of April, and was first known as the "Knox County Guards," of which Lorin Andrews was Captain, I. Underwood First Lieutenant, and Leonard W. Carpenter Second Lieutenant. At the time of the organization of the Regiment, James C. Irvine was elected Captain, Carpenter First Lieutenant, and F. A. Coates Second Lieutenant.
Israel Underwood, afterward Quartermaster of the Regiment, was the first man to enlist in Company A, and having done more than any one else to raise the number to twenty-four in twelve hours, was entitled to a Captain's commission. Lorin Andrews had several months previous offered his services to his friend, Governor Dennison, and had now just returned from
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FOURTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
another visit to him at Columbus, where he was offered a Colo- nel's commission in case he raised a company of volunteers. Underwood learning these facts, and esteeming his friend Andrews better than himself, at once generously offered, urged and persuaded him to accept the company and thus ensure the commission. After considerable hesitation and persuasion Andrews accepted the command of the company in which he had enlisted as a private, and reported it for duty on the 21st.
COMPANY B. In the meantime Henry B. Banning was actively engaged in raising a company of one hundred and thirteen men in the city and county, called "Union Guards," afterwards Company B, of which he became Captain, W. C. Cooper First Lieutenant, and George Rogers Second Lieuten- ant. On the 21st both companies, followed by thousands, marched down High street and took the cars for Columbus, and with Company A, was quartered in Camp Jackson.
COMPANY C, or "Delaware Guards," was organized on the evening of the 16th of April in the overflowing Templar Hall at Delaware, its officers elected, and its services immediately ten- dered to the Governor. James M. Crawford was made Captain, and has the high honor of receiving the first Captain's commis- sion signed by the Governor, bearing date of April 16, 1861. Eugene Powell was elected First Lieutenant, Byron Dolbear Second Lieutenant, and William Hills Third. John S Jones was afterwards elected First Lieutenant, o fill the place made vacant by the resignation of Powell. The company was assigned the left flank, and adopted the Zouave drill.
COMPANY I, or "Olentangy Guards," was organized on the 18th of April at Delaware, with Eugene Powell as Captain, N. W. Scott First Lieutenant, and William Constant Second Lieu- tenant.
A beautiful flag was presented to each of the Delaware com- panies by the ladies of the city. On the 23d they marched through crowded streets to the depot and boarded the eleven o'clock train, remained at Camp Jackson several hours, and then marched to the Insane Asylum, where they were quartered for several days.
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21
DESIGNATION OF COMPANIES.
Companies D and G were raised in the city of Kenton and neighboring villages, and were each presented with a beautiful flag by the ladies of Kenton.
COMPANY G. On the evening of the 16th, a large gathering at the Court House in Kenton listened to speeches, and adopted patriotic resolutions. The next evening, at another meeting, a committee was appointed, which provided blank lists. In a short time one hundred and twenty-five enrolled themselves, and at once organized by electing James Cantwell, a Mexican veteran, as Captain, James S. Robinson First Lieutenant, and Peter Grubb Second Lieutenant. In a few days the company left for Columbus, and was quartered in the City Armory.
COMPANY D. The first company having some thirty-five more men than its quota, and others being anxious to enlist, another was immediately formed, of which George Weaver was elected Captain, Gordon A. Stewart First Lieutenant, and D. R. Tim- mons Second Lieutenant.
The Captain moved his headquarters to Patterson, in the northern part of Hardin county, and on the 21st took the cars at Forest with his men, and was for several days, until tents were furnished, quartered with Company G at the Armory, when both companies were sent to Camp Jackson.
COMPANY E was organized as the "Given Guards," at Wooster, Wayne county, on the evening of the 16th of April, 1861. Previous to this Jacob Shultz, Reason B. Spink and Leander H. Scoby had headed a list, and induced some fifty others to volunteer. Judge Given presided at the rousing gathering in the Court House in the evening, when the quota was filled, and James McMillan, Secretary of the · meeting and an officer in the Mexican War, was elected Cap- tain, J. Shultz First Lieutenant, and Reason B. Spink Second Lieutenant. On the Sabbath, Rev. Lorenzo Warner, future Chaplain of the regiment, honored the volunteers with a special sermon. On the 22d, after a grand dinner at the Arcadome, and speeches by citizens and soldiers, the latter departed amid the enthusiasm of ten thousand patriots, reached Colum- bus at night, quartered in the Capitol, and took meals at the Galt House until they could be accommodated at Camp Jackson.
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FOURTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
: .
COMPANY F had been known at Canton, Stark county, as the "Canton Zouaves," numbering about forty active members, dressed in Zouave uniform, equipped with muskets and knap- sacks, well drilled in "Hardee's Manual of Arms" and " Mc- Clellan's Bayonet Exercises." In early winter they had deter- mined to offer their services at the first call for troops. While the Captain, James Wallace, was absent at Columbus to secure their acceptance, First Lieutenant Percy S. Sowers and Second Lieutenant George F. Laird proceeded to fill out the quota. After Dr. L. M. Whiting, the oldest physician of the city, had ex- amined the men, and rejected those who were disqualified on ac- count of age, stature or disease, the company was reorganized, the old officers re-elected, and drilling vigorously continued. After reaching Columbus, the men were quartered in an upper room on the marble floor of the Capitol and lunched at St. Paul's for two days, after which they enjoyed the hospitalities of Dr. Lord and wife at the Blind Asylum. At the organization of the regiment the company was assigned to the right flank.
Companies H and K were organized at Marion. The Court of Common Pleas was in session when the news of the fall of Sumter came. General Godman was trying a civil case, had the Court adjourn, and at once enlisted a company of volunteers and tendered its services to the Governor.
COMPANY H at first elected James H. Godman as Captain, and upon his appointment as Major promoted E. B. Olmstead to the Captaincy, William Stroub to be First Lieutenant, and elected Sergeant John R. Pritchard as Second Lieutenant.
COMPANY K elected Albert H. Brown as Captain, M. J. Lafever First Lieutenant, and William H. Garrett Second Lieutenant.
The very windy and dusty Saturday, the 27th, was spent in seeing the sights in city and camp, reading the news, and getting on the qui vive, because of some very sensational rumors of going to the front. Sunday was spent in church-going, lounging about in the shade, or writing letters. On Monday many friends from home visited the boys.
During the day, at Camp Jackson, Adjutant General Carring- ton, in full uniform, with tall feathered cockade and spread-eagle
23
OFF FOR CAMP DENNISON.
epaulets bobbing about, by an address, endeavored to bring our patriotism to a white heat.
The next day there was a greater sensation, when two desert- ers of some other regiment were, with shaved heads, marched through camp. This seemed to reflect upon our patriotism, although intended as punishment, which to our minds was very slight, as hair would soon grow out, and we had conceived the idea that all deserters would lose not only their hair but also their heads.
On the first of May many troops left camp, which made us anxious to go somewhere, too, and we were gratified at the order to be ready to move. The next morning the regiment was formed in line for the first time, marched to the depot, took passenger cars at 10 o'clock, and we were soon on our way south- ward, greeted on all sides by the acclamations of the people and waving flags, while the sun, rapidly hastening westward, disap- peared, and as darkness had already come on reached Camp Dennison, in a beautiful valley on the Little Miami River and Railroad, situated twenty miles north of Cincinnati. We were at once marched to the foot and on the north side of a high knoll, where was a board fence. Cord-wood was soon blazing ; boards were inclined against the fence to shield us from the storm whose approach from the southwest was heralded by the lightning's glare. By midnight the sleepers were roused by the hum of voices and a driving rain, which began to pour through the cracks and knot-holes in the boards of the improvised roofs, into eyes, ears and necks. Some, not at once realizing the situa- tion, sprang up, thudded their heads against the boards above, producing uproarious laughter, which was increased by many mirth-provoking remarks that followed, such as " Lie quiet !" "Here, you are pulling off my cover !" "Great Cæsar, get over, the water is running under me!" "Hoo, it's run into my ear !" "Shut up !" "Quit your music !" " Keep quiet !" " Want to go home !"
'Twas only a shower, and under wet blankets, quilts, and what not, balmy sleep soon hushed all into quiet. Morning came, and such a morning ! Cloudy, misty, and chilly. Mud was soon more than ankle deep. Around burning cord-wood stood the men, turning now a roasting side to the chilly winds,
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FOURTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
and the cold side to the scorching fire, asking, "What are we going to do?" " Put up cantonments," answered one, in terms of the Army Regulations. Soon it was settled that board tents were to be put up at once in a plowed field on the west side of the railroad, and some twenty rods from it.
Orders were given for each mess to put up its own tent. There were about eight messes to a company, formed on the principle of "birds of a feather flock together." Carpenters and tools were in great demand. There was no more singing in plaintive tones "I want to go home," or the ringing question "Where is the enemy ?"
Officers and men carried heavy boards some fifty rods, through mud and water ankle-deep. All day long there was the con- fusion of voices, rasping saws, and whacking hammers. At night more than half of the tents were up, and in many of them were board floors. Many of the buildings had no floor at any time on account of an order forbidding it, since floors were considered unhealthy.
The arrangement of the barracks and position of companies on parade were from north to south, in the following order: A, F, D, I, C, H, E, K, G, B.
CHAPTER III.
SWORN INTO THE UNITED STATES SERVICE FOR THREE MONTHS-TENTS FINISHED-LIFE IN CAMP DENNISON -DRILLS-UNIFORMS AND ARMS RECEIVED.
The next day, Saturday, May 4th, the regiment was mustered into the United States Service for the period of three months from date of enlistment. But very few were rejected. At the close of the day some eighty tents had been put up, four to five deep, in lines parallel with the railroad track. Each company had two files of four or five tents facing on a street at right angles to the railroad and color line. Each company had thus a row of tents on each side of its street. The door of each tent was at the right hand of the gable end of the left row, and on the left hand of the right row of tents, bringing door opposite door; in front of the door was a long table; to the left or right of it were two tiers of bunks, where the men sat, reclined or slept day or night. At first the officers took up their quarters with the men. On account of a brook passing near to the rear of the regiment, the Field and Staff occupied board-tents on the immediate right of it, toward the town of Milford, which was distant about two miles.
The 5th and 6th of May were dull, dreary, rainy days, with very meager fare, spent in story-telling, eating, sleeping, getting acquainted, letter-writing and the study of the tactics.
The 7th, clear and beautiful, gave opportunity to vary a life already monotonous by squad-drill, when drill-master showed his skill. His words of command were at first rather feeble- possibly fearing to give offence-or lacked that necessary quali- fication, self-confidence. Both commanders and commanded soon surmounted many difficulties, made great advancement, and, in a few weeks, some claimed that we were indeed the best drilled regiment in the army-equal to Ellsworth Zouaves-and
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FOURTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
·
that we, too, might make a journey to Washington and astonish the natives. Why, of course, we were able to parry the thrust of any rebel; to punch him anywhere about his harness; hold him dangling on the point of a bayonet. Until the muskets came we not only obeyed the " Forward, march," "Eyes right," "Dress up," "Out in the center," "Out a little more," "There now," "Right wheel," "Left wheel," and many other orders- even improvised some which ought to have been given in the "Tactics"-but we learned what we ofttimes found so very desir- able: the " How to lie down very close to the ground when the enemy fired at us," or we thought he was going to; also how to hold that position at all hazards while loading and firing.
Visiting friends expressed their profound admiration; General Officers gave flattering compliments; newspaper correspondents voiced the feelings of many by the " Why is not the Fourth sent to the front?"
The monotony of camp was further relieved by our giving heed to the "Calls" of the bugle, such as "Adjutant's Call," "Sergeant's Call," the "Quinine, quinine, come get your pills; come get your pills, quinine," of the "Doctor's Call;" and "Reveille," followed by the calling of the Roll, as well as " Re- treat," "Tattoo" and "Taps;" the latter ofttimes followed by the order, "Lights out!" Aside from drill there were the daily diversions of " Mounting Guard" in the morning, "Dress Parade" toward evening, and occasional inspections, especially on Sunday morning.
At the guard-house the frequent "Fall in, Guards," when some of "ye mighty men, men of renown," were passing by, was often a trial of patience; but to be thus called out at night was always most provoking. For some time the "Grand Rounds" put the guard 'twixt hope and fear; in hope, to be able soon to see the marvel itself; and fear, that he may have forgotten the "countersign" when "Advance" called for it, and thus relegate himself to twenty-four hours in the guard-house to develop his memory. The novelty soon gave way to business, and the Guard became more than a match for the fooling about of the "Grand Rounds," as Major De Villiers found out when he was trying this game, and was hit under the chin with the butt of a musket in the hands of one of the boys and laid on his
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ENLISTMENT FOR THREE YEARS.
back in a twinkle. Springing to his feet, and laughing heartily, he exclaimed : "Goot soldier! goot soldier! Vas goot-did right." Such escapades, with such results, he knew would inspire the soldier with confidence and the further determination to do his duty in times of danger, come who or what may.
The heat of May 9th was very oppressive. Twenty-one men were now in the hospital, sick. On the roth the regiment was ordered into line, and remarkable developments were antici- pated. Possibly we would at once go to the relief of Wash ington. An order-Special Order No. 1-was read. In silence and disgust the men returned to their quarters. "What was the order about?" was asked, and was met with the sarcastic reply, "Oh, somebody has stoned the telegraph wires. Somebody musn't stone the wires any more or somebody will get hurt."
On the 14th the regiment was equipped with a lot of old muskets, some of which were made in the year 1828.
The rainy days of the 12th and 13th gave the officers an opportunity to make out the Muster-in Rolls, in accordance with Special Order No. 2. The height of the men and color of the hair could easily be determined, but in regard to complexion, age and the color of the eyes, there might be some mistake and difference of opinion.
On the 17th we had a glimpse of Major Anderson, of Fort Sun ter fame, as he passed, standing on the rear end of the car. On the 22d the regiment was formed in line, marched to our Colonel's quarters, and listened to stirring speeches made by General Cox, Colonel Andrews and others, urging the men to re-enlist for three years. The great majority at once determined to re-enlist. Furloughs and free transportation were promised those who re-enlisted.
Little else was done than the work of reorganizing until Thursday, June 6th, when those who had re-enlisted were mus- tered into the United States Service " for three years or during the war." Most of the men were under the impression that the three years' term of service would date from time of first enlist- ment. Such seems to have been the intention, as the regiment was never mustered out of the three months' service. The men who had re-enlisted now went home on furlough for six days, wearing their new uniforms, which had just been furnished and
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FOURTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
were becoming a necessity, as the citizen garments were in rags and tatters. The new were soon not much better; the panta- loons, especially, were shoddy, and many of them began to go to pieces on the first wearing.
On the 12th the furloughed men returned. On the 17th General McClellan inspected the nine hundred and seventy-six men present for duty. On the 20th orders were received to cook two days' rations of beef. It was evident that we would now leave the dusty, filthy quarters, the wretched monotony of camp life, and go to the front. In the afternoon we received our arms and ammunition. The flanking companies, C and F, were furnished with Enfield rifles, and the rest of the regiment with Springfield muskets, caliber 69, and, by way of ammuni- tion, buck and ball.
The companies were now assigned the following positions : F, A, D, I, H, E, K, G, B, C, giving F the right and C the left flank.
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CHAPTER IV.
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OFF FOR WESTERN VIRGINIA, GRAFTON, CLARKSBURG, BUCKHANNON, RICH MOUNTAIN, HUTTONVILLE, TOP OF CHEAT MOUNTAIN-RETURN TO BEVERLY-FIRST MAN, COOPER, OF BAND, KILLED BY BUSHWHACKERS.
The Regiment left Camp Dennison on board box-cars, at 5 P. M. Friday, June 2 Ist ; passed through Xenia, and Columbus-where coffee and bread were had for breakfast-then on through Zanes- ville, and reached Bellaire at 5 P.M. on the 22d. We quar- tered in machine shops; bathed in the Ohio, which was crossed the next forenoon, and at 2:30 P. M., on board box-cars, moved rapidly through a beautiful country, with here and there the Stars and Stripes floating in the breeze. Mountains came in sight, and soon little could be seen but high hills, while we glided along the muddy Monongahela, then away from it, among hiç her spurs, until, at dark, Grafton was reached. The train backed to Fetterman, where, in the cars or on Old Dominion's "sacred soil," we slept until morning ; then awoke to find a high mountain on the one side and a rapid stream, the Tygart Valley River, on the other.
In the morning, Monday, June 24th, we began to look about, and found many acquaintances in the Sixteenth Ohio, who told us of the "Phillipi Races," rebels arrested, scouting expeditions, and that the enemy was massing his forces some thirty miles east, and no doubt there would be music in the air, and we would have a chance to smell powder in a few days. Some went on guard, others were engaged in target practice, and many in roaming about. There seemed to be no danger near, as the people were mostly loyal. It was hardly credible that we were now one hundred miles from the Ohio River, and had yet to see the first rebel this day.
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FOURTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
The 24th of June, being St. John's Day, Colonel Andrews and Surgeon McAbee made addresses to the Masonic Fraternity of Grafton, and a number of others who had gathered there from different parts of West Virginia ; encouraged them to be loyal, and thus insure protection from the Government, which would not infringe upon, but rather jealously guarantee them their rights as citizens and as a State. The speeches and greetings were productive of excellent results. At eleven in the evening, after four hours had been spent in getting a car back upon the track, the Regiment was taken to Clarksburg, the birthplace and early home of the afterwards famous "Stonewall Jackson."
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