USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Memoirs of the Miami valley > Part 69
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The 71st Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camp Dave Todd, Troy, and was recruited in part from Miami county. Barton S. Kyle, of Troy, was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel and later was mortally wounded while leading a charge at Pittsburg Landing. At Fort Donelson this regiment distinguished itself, losing 130 men. In the battle of Nashville one-third of their number was killed or wound- ed. This regiment participated in a number of battles among which were Shiloh; Fort Donelson; Cumberland; Jonesborough; Georgia ; Columbia and Nashville, Tenn.
The 94th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camp Piqua, Ohio, August 24, 1862, to serve three years. It was of raw material and without much training, but was ordered to service in Kentucky. At the battle of Perrysville they distinguished them- selves and subsequently at Stone River, participating in every day of that sanguinary contest. At Tullahoma and Hoovers Gap, at Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain their work shone resplendent. With Sherman they were at Buzzards Roost, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie River and other en- gagements of that campaign. They were the first to enter Raleigh and took part in the grand review. When mustered out June 5, 1865, they had a total of 338 men of the original 1,100. Many au- thorities cite this regiment as one of the most brilliant of the Civil war.
The 110th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camp Piqua, October 3, 1862, to serve three years. This regiment was assigned as part of the Second division, Eighth Army Corp. They were engaged by the superior forces of Lee near Kernstown and were forced to fight their way to Harper's Ferry. On May 4, 1864, they crossed the Rapidan and fiercely charged the Rebels. Their loss this day was 118 killed and wounded and taken prisoners. Altogether this regiment was in 21 actions and suffered a casualty list of 795 men. Among the engagements participated in were Union Mills, Winchester Heights, Mine Run, Spottsylvania Court House, Petersburg, Fishers Hill and Cedar Creek.
The 147th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camp Dennison, May 16, 1864, to serve 100 days. It started for Washing- ton May 20th and was there ordered to Ft. Ethan Allen. It was
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later ordered to Fort Reno and then to Crystal Springs, where it supported the 1st Maine and 1st Ohio Batteries. On August 23, it was ordered to Camp Dennison and mustered out September 3, 1864.
Other contingents recruited in part and composed of a sub- stantial number of Miami county men were the 8th Ohio Battery, the 42nd Ohio regiment, and these organizations participated in many sanguinary engagements. The contribution of Miami county to the Civil war was of the very highest order and does not suffer by comparison with any other military division in the Union army.
The 1st Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Dayton from August to October, 1861, to serve for three years. The original members (except veterans) were mustered out September 24th, 1864, by reason of expiration of term of service and the vet- erans and recruits were transferred to the 18th Veteran Regiment. Ohio Infantry. The regiment saw its initial battle at Pittsburg Landing, and closed its career in front of Atlanta. It participated in the meantime in many of the fiercest and bloodiest battles of the war. Miami county contributed an entire company (K) to this regiment, a number of whom gave their lives on the battle field or in the southern prisons. Bearing the initial number of infantry regiments, this organization stood in the first rank for gallantry and efficiency.
The 1st Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. As in the infantry, Miami county was represented in the first numbered regiments in this branch of the service, one company (I) being entirely composed of Miami county men. The regiment was organized in August, 1861, and served during the entire war, not being mustered out until September, 1865, long after the close of actual hostilities. It had a long list of engagements, extending from May, 1862, to April, 1865, at the very close of the war, and occurring in seven or eight different states, and its career was as honorable as it was extended.
The Spanish-American War. There were two regularly or- ganized companies within Miami county which were called for duty in this war, Company K of Piqua and Company A of Covington, both becoming units in the Third Ohio Infantry. The officers of Company K were: McPherson Brown, Captain; James F. Hub- bard, First Lieutenant; Harry Mitchell, Second Lieutenant. Sub- sequently, Lieutenant Hubbard of Company K was promoted to Captain of Company A of Covington; Harry Mitchell was made First Lieutenant of Company K, and Harry Peterson was made second Lieutenant of the same company. Harry Mitchell later joined the regular army, eventually becoming Colonel in the U. S. A. and as such commanded the famous 165th United States Infantry in France during the World war.
Company A was organized at Covington prior to the outbreak of the Spanish-American war. The officers were: Captain, Sam- uel Palmer; First Lieutenant, Henry Freinfrock; Second Lieu- tenant, Harry Weaver. Weaver was later promoted to captain; Z. Ramsey was made Second Lieutenant to succeed Weaver; Frein- frock continuing as First Lieutenant. Subsequently Weaver con- tracted an illness and died, Lieutenant Hubbard, of Company K, succeeding him as captain.
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Both companies were sent to Columbus, Ohio, for mobilization ; were sent to Fernandina, Fla., later being encamped at Huntsville, Ala., and both were mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, October 26, 1898.
The World War. Unlike other wars in which we have par- ticipated, the individual identity of the separate states was merged with the National Army. Thus we cannot treat each state or county as a unit in this great conflict. We can only follow the move- ments of those companies or regiments that were made up as a whole, or in greater part, of the boys from home.
While the greater part of Miami's contribution to the great war was widely distributed among different regiments and divi- sions, the local identity was preserved in the two regularly organ- ized companies which were distinct Miami county companies. We will confine ourselves largely in this instance to the exploits of these contingents as being distinctly representative of the county. The number of men who claimed Miami county as their home and who served in the World war cannot be definitely ascertained, of course. However, the number of those who joined the colors in the army and navy, by draft and enlistment, was approximately 1,100 men. Many of these served in the 83rd and 37th divisions, the latter division embracing the two units regularly organized within the county.
Company C, of Piqua, and Company A, of Covington, were part of the old Third Infantry of the Ohio National Guard, and as such, they were called for service during the Mexican outbreak on the border. At this time the officers of both companies were as follows : Company A, Covington, Ohio. Captain, W. L. Marlin; first lieu- tenant, W. O. Boggs ; second lieutenant, Kenneth Little. Company C, Piqua, Ohio, Captain, James Freshour ; first lieutenant, Frank McCullough ; second lieutenant, Ray Wolf.
Called for service on the Mexican border, both companies were sent to Camp Willis, Ohio, July 3, 1916. They were assigned to the 11th Provisional Division of the United States Army and were sta- tioned at El Paso, Texas, from September, 1916, to March, 1917. They entrained for Fort Benjamin Harrison to be mustered out but as the world war was imminent, the order was recalled. After a short stay at Fort Benjamin Harrison, both companies were sent to Ohio on guard duty. They were then ordered to Camp Sher- man, August 14, 1917, which was in process of construction, and they later became a part of the 148th Infantry, Thirty-seventh Divi- sion, U. S. A. At Camp Sherman they entrained for Camp Sheri- dan, Montgomery, Ala., where they received intensive training and were sent to Camp Lee at Petersburg, Va. Here they were further trained and equipped for overseas duty and the following June, 1918, embarked for overseas service on the U. S. S. Susquehanna. On July 5, 1918, they disembarked at Brest, France, and were removed to the Napoleon barracks, where they remained for a short time and were then detailed for service on the Alsace-Lorraine front.
As the activities of these two companies were largely merged with the general movements of the Thirty-seventh Division, we will divert to a short history of this division before following it into battle. The Thirty-seventh was a National Guard Division, made
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up of Ohio National Guard units. This division was formed at Camp Sheridan, Alabama, and was completely organized in October, 1917. New numbers were given the various units and the identity of the old National Guard regiments was lost. On August 4, 1918, the infantry of the division took over the Baccarat sector, on the Alsace-Lorraine front, in the Vosges mountains, which had been comparatively quiet. It extended for a distance of fifteen kilometers from the Bois des Elieux, north of the village of Badonvillier, through the Bois Communal de la Woevre, Bois des Haies, the villages of Merviller and Ancerviller, along the edge of Bois Banal to the southern edge of the Bois des Pretres.
Here the men had their initial training and received their bap- tism of fire. They were made the special target each night, weather permitting, for enemy airplanes, which constantly raided and har- assed them. The division responded by carrying out successfully a gas attack and also destroyed the enemy's ammunition dumps at Cirey and Blamont.
The division soon asserted itself and the night patrols made the enemy contest every foot of front they held. The control of No Man's Land became the sole prerogative of the Thirty-seventh after it was there a short time. This sector passed from a quiet zone into one of decided activity on the arrival of the Americans and in every encounter they maintained their traditional bravery. On being relieved, September, 1918, the French general, Duport, who was in command of the troops in this sector, commended the Thirty- seventh Division. In a special order he paid a tribute to their spirit, discipline and valor. The total casualties while on this sector were 102.
When relieved, the division was sent to the vicinity of Robert- Espagne, a village, for a short rest, after which it was sent to Recicourt, France. Two days later they were transferred to the vicinity of the ruined Avocourt, within sight of historic Verdun.
On the night of September 25th the artillery preparation began for the great Meuse-Argonne campaign. The artillery barrage reached its height at five o'clock the following morning, and the infantry started on their great drive. The Thirty-seventh Division was in the vanguard and was one of the divisions which initiated this great drive. Over a shell-torn area, knee deep in mud, soaked in constant downpour of rain, the infantry plodded on, fighting every foot of the way, until they captured the little town of Ivoiry. A short time later the village of Montfaucon was captured. This objective was considered impregnable and had withstood assaults time and again.
To the men of the Thirty-seventh Division belongs the honor of first entering Montfaucon and breaking the great Hindenburg line for the second time. The division pushed on, without artillery support, fighting every foot of the way until it reached a position north of Cierges, was relieved October 1st, and was sent to the rear after four days' continuous fighting. The total casualties of the divi- sion in this movement were 3,136.
When the relief of the Avocourt sector was completed, the division was sent to Pagny-sur-Meuse and later to the St. Mihiel
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sector. Here there was intermittent activity, although at the time no organized offensive was undertaken. At times they were heavily shelled and constantly harassed by airplane raids. Here, also, they were subjected to a most vicious series of gas attacks which were largely facilitated by the thick woods and deep ravines. After nine days of desultory fighting on this sector, this division was with- drawn with a total casualty list of 197.
October 18, 1918, the troops were entrained in box cars, and, unaware of their destination, were whisked away to St. Jean and Weltje, Belgium, within sight of the ruined city of Ypres.
On October 22, 1918, the division was attached to the French army in Belgium and placed at the disposition of King Albert of Belgium. On October 29th and 30th it took over three kilometers of front trenches near the Lys river, the town of Olsene being ap- proximately in front of the center.
On the morning of October 31st at 5:30 a. m. the artillery began to pave the way for an infantry advance. In spite of a fierce reply of machine gun fire and gas attack, the Americans quickly overcame the enemy resistance and drove him between the Lys and Escaut rivers. The French artillery played havoc with the enemy and the Americans pushed on to the Escaut, forcing the enemy to give way all along this sector. The town of Olsene was completely destroyed in this engagement. Preparations were now made to cross the river. Early in the morning of November 2nd men of the 3rd bat- talion, 148th infantry, under command of Lieut .- Col. William L. Marlin, swam the Escaut river and under a perfect hail of shrapnel and bullets and secured a foot bridge by felling trees and anchoring them on the other side. Over this structure the soldiers began to cross, some falling off into the icy waters, drowned, and others fell victims to the enemy fire. At two other points attempts were made to construct a bridge, one of which succeeded. Enemy planes swooped low over this action, pouring their deadly fire into the ranks of the brave allies. The intensity of the fight continued No- vember 3rd and by this time nine or ten companies of infantry had crossed the river. November 4th and 5th the division was relieved by French units and returned to Thielt for recuperation. This achievement of the Thirty-seventh was indeed a splendid one. It was the first allied division which had succeeded in crossing the Escaut (Scheldt) river and established a bridgehead. They were opposed by the flower of the Germany army, who in their despera- tion gave the gallant Thirty-seventh all they had in human and inhuman warfare.
The conduct of this division was highly commended in an order issued by General H. Penet, in command of 30th army corps. The casualties suffered by the division in this memorable engagement, were 1,612. The division was later transferred to the 34th French Army Corps. It was planned to force another crossing of the river, the initiative, this time, to be taken by the French troops. All speed was urged, in view of the rumors of enemy capitulation as a whole. At 8 a. m., November 10th, the advance troops were on their way, and at the village of Syngem were met by merciless fire from the enemy. The action began and the Thirty-seventh was again in the
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center of the fray. The division sector was at a U-shaped bend in the river, with all the vantage points held by the enmy. Slipping in mud and crawling on all fours, the men worked their way up the river bank and dug in. November 11th, the day on which the armis- tice was signed, found the Thirty-seventh secure in its positions. They fought to the last minute, and were holding the line as far east as the villages of Dickele, Zwartenbroeck, Keerkem and Hun- dlegem, when the armistice took effect. The division casualties in this action were 66.
It will be seen that the Thirty-seventh Division was one of the very best divisions in action, measured by accomplishments. Time and again it evoked the praise of the Allied commanders, and cov- ered itself with glory on the battlefields of France and Belgium.
Company A and Company C of Covington and Piqua, respec- tively, were at all times part of this division. As units in the 148th Infantry, they were in the thick of action and took a prominent part in all the regimental and divisional movements.
At El Paso, Texas, Captain Marlin of Company A, was pro- moted to Major and W. O. Boggs succeeded him as captain. He in turn was succeeded by Robert C. Bunge who became captain of this company at Camp Sheridan. Captain Bunge was wounded at the Argonne, the command of the company subsequently passing to Lieutenant Mccullough, and in turn to Captain C. W. Batchelor and Lieutenant George Kingery. On September 27th, at the Ar- gonne, Company A was in the thickest of the fighting. They were continuously engaged from September 27th to October 1st, and dur- ing this engagement they suffered 52 casualties.
During one of the engagements of Company A, First Sergeant Luther Langston, of Covington, was cited for unusual bravery. He was far in advance of the firing line, when he perceived a machine gun nest on his right. Midst a hail of machine gun bullets he ad- vanced, flanked the machine gun, and captured it and its crew, sin- gle handed. Lieutenant Kingery was wounded at Olsene, Belgium, but remained with his troops and helped to carry wounded com- rades to the rear.
Major W. L. Marlin, who had been promoted from Captain of Company A, was in charge of two battalions at the crossing of the Escaut. During this terrific engagement, he rendered unusually distinguished services. For two days and two nights he worked with his men, urging them on and setting a splendid example him- self. He was practically in charge of the 148th Infantry regiment, being the highest commanding officer of that regiment present. At the Battle of the Lys and Escaut rivers and at the assault on Olsene, he performed wonderful service, not only personal service of the very highest order, but in the strategic handling of his men. It can be safely said that Major Marlin was one of the prime factors in the attainment of the objectives in this great battle.
The unusual service rendered by Major Marlin, who was then at the Escaut, won several recommendations for citations and decora- tions by American, French and Belgian orders. His promotion to Lieutenant Colonel was awarded for services of unusual distinction in the Argonne region.
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.Later, at the home coming of King Albert of Belgium, after his country had been freed of the Germans, Colonel Marlin was se- lected to command the guard of honor of American troops, an un- usual distinction, conferred in recognition of his services in restor- ing Belgium to its former rulers.
The movements of Company C of Piqua and Company A of Covington throughout their active service were almost parallel. Company C took part in all the general movements of the division, as a unit in the 148th Infantry. On the Baccarat Sector, at the Argonne and later in Belgium, Company C gained many laurels and contributed its share to the general victories. At St. Mihiel this company was gassed time and again and suffered many casual- ties. At the Scheldt and Olsene, the boys were in the thickest of the fray and sustained heavy losses.
One of the outstanding feats of heroism of the Piqua con- tingent was that of Clifford Thompson of Troy. At Baccarat, while Thompson and a number of his comrades were in an outpost, an enemy hand grenade was thrown into their midst, timed to explode. Thompson sprang forward and seized the grenade, with the inten- tion of hurling it outside, fully realizing the imminent danger to himself and comrades. As he seized the grenade, it exploded- blowing his hand and part of his arm off. In making this heroic sacrifice, he saved the rest of his comrades from severe injury, if not death. For this feat of heroism, Thompson was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Decorations from the French. He also was severely gassed, subsequently dying from the effects. In his honor, his comrades from Troy named the Troy Post of The American Legion-Clifford Thompson Post. Sergeant Paul Schnell, a Piqua boy, fell in battle at Olsene, wounded while advancing on an enemy position, dying on the field of battle. In his honor the Post at Piqua has been named the Paul Schnell Post. The A. B. Cole Post of Covington, was named in honor of one of their com- pany heroes, who fell in battle also. A number of citations for bravery or service were earned by boys in both companies ; indeed, these two companies time and again elicited praise and citations from the highest commands, both from American and foreign commanders. Captain Freshour and Lieutenant Wolf, of Company C, were both wounded in action, while leading their men.
In citing these few instances of bravery, it is not the intention to minimize the many outstanding deeds of heroism of the boys who served over there. It is rather the intention to show in these few examples, the general conduct of our boys, and especially those of Company A and Company C. Miami county was well repre- sented, on land and sea, and in the sketch of the two regularly or- ganized companies of this county, is the epitome of all of the brave boys of Miami county, wherever they were called to duty.
Government War Loans. To tell the full story of the wonder- ful achievements of Miami county in this important phase of the war movements, would be to enter a field of inexhaustible possibili- ties. From the inception of the First Loan to the final Victory loan, Miami county rose splendidly to its full duty. When the call came for the first loan a compact organization was formed including most
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of the leaders of the community in every avenue of life. The ex- perience gained during the first two loans, defined the needs for the subsequent campaigns, and the very efficient organization per- fected during the following campaigns was largely the result of many tireless and painstaking efforts on the part of the executive force of the first two campaigns.
The personnel of the executive force selected to push the First and Second loans were Chairman, H. E. Scott ; vice-chairman, R. C. Conner; Secretary, T. J. Appleyard; Publicity, A. R. Garver, C. A. Campbell, F. C. Roberts, George O'Donnell, B. J. Ford, A. A. Hall, C. C. Waltermire, Merrit C. Speidel, Henry Kampf and H. A. Pauley. Rural Sales, Wirt Kessler, Chairman; George M. Bre- count, Harry Ammon, Sumner Senseman, D. G. Wenrick, C. M. Patty, Geo. M. Boak, A. B. Jones, J. F. Caven, John K. Knoop. Speakers, J. T. Nielson, Chairman ; H. E. Scott, T. J. Appleyard, jr., and L. E. Coppock. Factory, L. M. Flesh, Chairman; A. G. Tim- berlake, Henry Besanceney, H. H. Ritter, and H. L. Johnson. Finance, H. E. Scott, Chairman; J. L. Black, L. M. Flesh, A. R. Garver, and Geo. M. Boak. City Sales, J. L Black, Chairman ; J. K. DeFrees, F. O. Flowers, F. P. Irvin, Geo. M. Peffer, A. W. Miles, E. L. Crane, A. W. Landis, Dr. J. Kendall, C. F. Perkins, D. F. Douglass, L. E. Ellerman, L. G. Peffer, Seth McCulloch, W. B. Bu Bois, L. O. Shilling, J. L. Reck, and Roy Pohlman. The new members added for the Second Loan were: Louis G. Peffer, Seth McCulloch, L. O. Shilling, J. L. Reck, Roy Pohlman, A. W. Miles.
The results attained in these two loans are a testament to the very fine organization perfected by these men. A total sale of $577,550 was recorded in the First loan. The Second loan was greatly oversubscribed, the quota asked for this having been $781,- 400, and the amount subscribed $1,549,000, the number of subscribers being 3,011.
The campaign for the Third Liberty loan was also pushed with great vigor. Mr. R. B. Sullivan, of Piqua, relieving T. J. Apple- yard, jr., as Secretary. The quota asked for this loan was $888,350, the amount subscribed being $1,698,900, and the number of sub- scribers, 4,822.
The executive force selected for the Fourth and Fifth loans was as follows: J. L. Black, Chairman; Bond Houser, Vice-Chairman, and R. B. Sullivan, Secretary-Treasurer. Executive committee : J. L. Black, Piqua ; H. D. Hartley, Piqua ; J. M. Spencer, Troy ; Bond Houser, Troy ; Publicity Director, Ralph C. Sykes, Troy ; As- sistant Publicity Director, J. E. Bryan. Township chairmen under H. D. Hartley, Harry Conley, Newberry township; L. A. Frazier, Brown township; A. A. Hall, Washington township; J. B. Wilkin- son, Spring Creek township. Township Chairmen under J. M. Spencer, A. B. Fessler, Concord township; Geo. Rehmert, Staunton township; Geo. Boak, Lost Creek township; Isaac Sheets, Eliza- beth township; Wirt Kessler, Union township; C. F. Perkins, Newton township. Township Chairmen under L. E. Coppock, Sumner Senseman, Bethel township; J. W. Scheip, Monroe town- ship.
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MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY
Piqua City Organization : A. G. Rundle, corporation and busi- ness houses; F. M. Shipley, factory employees; J. P. Spiker, in- dividuals and homes; R. B. Sullivan, local office ; J. E. Bryan, pub- licity ; and Miss Stella Boal, women's committee.
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