USA > Ohio > Knox County > Past and present of Knox County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
During the delivery of this speech, those troops who had their knap- sacks and blankets on began to unbuckle and drop them to the ground one by one, and at its conclusion not one appeared in his marching rig, and, from that time on, until honorably discharged, no better soldiers were found in the army. Soon after General Harrison delivered this telling address he de- parted for the scene of other military duties.
General Beall declined to obey orders and march to Cleveland, as he knew that the frontier along about Richland and Knox counties was in great danger of the Indian and British invasion-no part of Ohio was more in need of protection than this locality. His superior officer, an old Revolutionary soldier who had outlived his usefulness as a military commander, General Wadsworth. caused his arrest and he was court-martialed, handing his sword over to General Perkins, but he was released and no stigma attached to his bright, brave, thoughtful military record. He joined and reinforced General Winchester in keeping peace in the very country he had sought to protect, and farther to the north. Later he was seated in Congress and had the chance to vote for his old commander, General Harrison, for President. He was a Whig and a delegate to the nominating convention. He died at Wooster, Ohio, in 1843.
None of the heroes of that short, but terrible and all-decisive conflict remain with earth's shining circle today, but history will ever keep sacred their memory on its foremost pages.
THE TEXAS AND MEXICAN WARS-1836-1846-8.
Again Knox county was called upon to respond to the call of war. This time it was over the colony of Americans who had emigrated to that portion of Mexico now known as Texas, by the invitation of the citizens of that re-
213
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
public several years before. But the two bloods-the Northern and Mexican mongrel bloods-could not agree and trouble followed, much blood being shed on both sides. This was the war that made famous such men as Samuel Houston, David Crocket, on the one side, and Santa Anna of the Mexican army. It took place in 1836, ten years prior to the Mexican war, proper. When a prisoner of war, Santa Anna made a treaty with this country, which the Mexican government refused to acknowledge. Then commenced the sec- ond invasion of Texas by the Mexicans. Then it was that Houston fired the hearts of all northern men to rally round the flag and put down such a war against their own fellow-countrymen. Men responded everywhere at this call.
Among such patriots was Charles Colerick, of Knox county, who or- ganized a rifle company, of which he became the captain, and the muster- roll of the company as well as of the companies commanded by Captain Harle ten years later will follow in this narrative.
Colerick rendezvoused at Louisville, Kentucky, with other companies from Zanesville and Morgan's of Pennsylvania. Colerick's men were all uniformed in green; Burrough's men in Scotch plaid, and Morgan's in blue. The three companies embarked in a covered flat boat, propelled only by the current of the river, for New Orleans, and the starry banner of the Union and the "lone star" of Texas floated side by side over the prow of the boat.
While the boat was taking wood, an up-bound steamer headed for St. Louis with many passengers, for malicious sport struck the flat-boat with sufficient force to somewhat jar its make-up and especially ruffle the temper of the men headed for the Lone Star country. The ready wit of Captain Colerick turned the whole affair to practical account. Water was pumped out of the boat on one side and filled up with camp kettles on the other side. The boat looked to be in bad condition. The three captains repaired to the deck of the superb steamer with a strong guard and at once demanded repara- tion and the captain was given to understand that his boat would not be allowed to go on its northward voyage until things had been settled. The captain, clerk and carpenter of the steamer repaired to the flat boat, where they found the men pumping water out. A sufficient sum was paid over for the damages to allow the first steamer going down stream to carry the entire three companies to New Orleans.
Colerick, of Knox county, Ohio, the hero, was disappointed in not be- ing made colonel of his regiment that was soon formed by various commands. He returned to Ohio and died at Cincinnati en route. Others from this county were Sergeant Lorenzo Jones and George McKee.
Ten years had passed away and Texas was not free yet, but under the domination of Mexico, and was not recognized as such until after the war
214
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
with Mexico in 1846-8. In 1844 it was the main issue in the Presidential campaign in which Polk and Dallas defeated Clay at the polls. Texas wanted to be annexed to this country and she was so declared by the Texas Legisla- ture and was so ordered by Congress December 27. 1845. Mexico was defiant over this and prepared to retake her old territory. Early in the spring of 1846 a squadron of dragoons commanded by Captain Hardy and Captain Thornton, was captured and taken to Old Mexico as prisoners of war. This immediately brought on the war. The brilliant victories achieved by Taylor at Palo Alto on May 9th thrilled the country with a spirit of enthusiasm, and there was a general cry to arms! Congress authorized the President to organize fifty thousand volunteers, and an appropriation of ten million dollars was voted to maintain the integrity of the Union. In Ohio three regiments of men were asked for. Samuel R. Curtis was appointed adjutant- general of the state. A meeting was called to be held in Mt. Vernon to plan for such warfare and to organize a company of troops. Daniel S. Norton was called to the chair and addressed the meeting. L. W. Strong, Eli Miller and Hosmer Curtis were appointed vice-presidents. The files of the Times, of this county, show that there was considerable division in the meeting, the Whigs being opposed to the manner in which the government went into the war, yet they were willing to say, "Our country, right or wrong."
The Second Brigade, Third Division, Ohio Militia, called out by Brig. Gen. G. A. Jones, was formed on the flat facing High Street and west of where now stands the Baltimore & Ohio tracks. Captain Morgan addressed the brigade The same afternoon those who proposed to volunteer assembled at the court house to organize. George W. Morgan was elected captain, Simon B. Kenton was chosen first lieutenant and Thomas M. Morton, second lieutenant. Caleb J. McNulty enlisted as a private soldier. He was but thirty years of age, but had thrice represented Knox county in the Legislature, had been clerk of the lower house of Congress and was the candidate for that body against Columbus Delano, the Whig nominee in 1844. Delano was elected by a majority of twelve votes. Mr. McNulty did not live to see Mexican soil, but died a victim of intemperance on the steamer which bore the right wing of the Second Ohio Volunteers to New Orleans. The boat stopped in the night at Memphis to obtain a coffin. and the next morning poor McNulty was buried at the foot of a grand old oak near Helena, Arkansas.
Daniel S. Norton, afterwards United States senator from Minnesota, was another seventeen-year-old boy who enlisted and remarked that he wanted to become an officer, but if he could not, he wanted to be the best soldier in the private ranks of his regiment. He was a faithful soldier, but owing to sickness was finally discharged and read law with R. C. Hurd.
215
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
In the great struggle over the trial for impeachment of Vice-President Andrew Johnson, he, with others like Cowan, Trumbull, Doolittle and Rose, sus- tained the Vice-President. He died before his term expired in the Senate and his seat was taken by William H. Windom, also a native of Knox county.
Another private in the "Young Guard" was Robert B. Mitchell. He was made quartermaster-sergeant in Morgan's regiment and second lieu- tenant in Captain Harle's company in the reorganized Second Ohio. He removed to Kansas and at the breaking out of the Civil war he organized and became colonel of the First Kansas Infantry; distinguished himself at Wilson's Creek, Missouri. Later was made a brigadier-general and gov- ernor of New Mexico.
During ten successive days after the organization of his company Captain Morgan drilled his men eight hours each day. One half of this time was given exclusively to the school of the soldier. The command was an excellent body of young and middle-aged men who made rapid progress in drill service.
On Saturday, June 6, 1846, the ladies of Mt. Vernon, through Col. D. S. Norton, presented the "Young Guard" with a flag, upon which folds were inscribed their names, and a few shreds of the old banner were still in the possession of General Morgan in 1880.
The company then took up its line of march for Columbus, accompanied for a long distance by friends and citizens. and was greeted with banquets along the route. On Sunday afternoon it was respectfully escorted into Columbus by the companies of Captains Walcott and Latham.
The general rendezvous of the Ohio troops was at Camp Washington, near Cincinnati, where thirty-eight companies soon assembled. and others were ready to march from different parts of the state. So fierce was the desire to go to the field that an armed collision seemed inevitable and was only prevented by an address of Brig-Gen. John E. Wool, of the United States army, who had charge of the mustering service. T. L. Harmer was appointed by President Polk as brigadier-general and when Morgan was made colonel, Simon B. Kenton was elected captain and Charles D. Miller first lieutenant of Company B, formerly known as the "Young Guards." Arriving in Mexico, every man was eager to get in the fore front of the scenes of war. It was then past mid-summer. The hospitals were all full, but, thanks to the skill and devotion of Surgeon William Trevitt, the loss of the Second Regiment from sickness was less than that of any other regi- ment in the entire army. Before advancing from Carmargo, Morgan's regiment was well drilled in military tactics. While there a breastwork was
216
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
erected of five bastions which was christened Fort Wall, and since then has become well known in the civil wars of Mexico.
Colonel Morgan seeing that some of his men were being murdered out of real battle by brutish Mexicans, sent forth an order and took three of the wealthiest. most highly honored of the Mexican citizens and held them as hostages against private rapine and murder within their jurisdiction. These were held as prisoners, but kindly treated and cared for. They were allowed to communicate with their friends, but were given to understand that for every American murdered, not really killed in battle, there would be prompt retaliation. This caused bitter complaint, and the matter was referred to the two governments, but Morgan was fully sustained and not another assault or murder was committed in that section afterwards. When all was over the three wealthy men were allowed to go home in peace.
One historic incident must not fail of being recorded in this chapter. This is concerning an incident that happened in Mexico and in which Hon. Columbus Delano, of Knox county, was implicated and became a target. The annexation of Texas was bitterly opposed by the Whig party, who charged that it had brought on the Mexican war, which was true, too. Al- though both Taylor and Gen. Winfield Scott were Whigs, and many of their officers belonged to the same political party, many of the leading Whigs were denouncing it in Congress and wanted no war. Foremost among these were the two Ohians, Hon. Thomas Corwin, of the United States Senate, and Hon. Columbus Delano, of the House. When the intelligence of this opposition to war reached the army it created intense feeling, and one night just before tattoo a sudden flame shot up on the parade grounds of the Third Ohio, and loud groans rent the air. Morgan was field officer of the day, and happened to be making a call on Colonel Curtis, when, seeing the flames and hearing the groans, he sprang to his feet to suppress the strange and unlooked-for disorder in camp. Colonel Curtis said, "Remember, Colonel, this is my parade ground," intimating that it was for him and not for Morgan to interfere. Morgan answered, "Yes, but I am field officer of the day." On reaching the grounds a large crowd of the troops of different regiments were gathered around a burning effigy which was addressed with jeers and taunts by the soldiers. Morgan ordered the men to cut down the figure and return to their regiments, but the order was only answered by a good laugh, and it was not until a detachment of guards arrived that the crowd dispersed, and by that time the effigy was totally consumed.
Another incident, which was altogether too sad, occurred just before the march was taken up by the Ohio troops at Buena Vista for the Rio Grande.
217
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
Noah F. Johnston, of Licking county, Ohio, was a law student in the office of Miller & Morgan when the first company from Mt. Vernon was sent to the field. He was a private, and was always prompt in the discharge of his duties but had no desire for promotion. He was a great wag and a practical joker. On the evening referred to near the guard tent he was teazing an- other soldier, who became angry and called Johnston some harsh name. As a joke, of which the other knew nothing. Johnston challenged him to fight with muskets. The intention was that the muskets should not be loaded, and that of Johnston's was not. By some sad mistake the gun of the other was reg- ularly charged. The distance was only eight paces. The word was given; a smile of merriment was playing on Johnston's lips, when he was shot dead in his tracks.
At Camargo Colonel Morgan bid good-bye to his comrades and set out for Vera Cruz to take command of the Fifteenth Regular Infantry to which he had been promoted as colonel. While under Lieutenant-Colonel Irwin the Second Ohio proceeded to New Orleans, where it was honorably discharged.
Lientenant-Colonel Irwin obtained authority to reorganize the Second Regiment. of which he was made colonel. Capt. William Latham was made lieutenant-colonel, and Captain Lick was made major. For this new regiment a new company was organized at Mt. Vernon, September 4, 1847. James E. Harle, the old captain of Company B, was chosen captain. Robert B. Mitchell was made first lieutenant and Silas L. Thrift was, together with Jabez J. Antrim, made second lieutenants. Harle, Morton and Mitchell had all been field officers in the old Second.
On arriving in Mexico Lieutenant-Colonel Latham, with four com- panies, was stationed at Pueblo, and Colonel Irwin, with six companies, at Agua Frio. the highest part of the mountain before descending into that beautiful valley of Mexico, and continued to occupy those points until the close of the war and returned home with much joy.
On February 22, 1879, at Columbus, Ohio, there was held a reunion of the Ohio regiments that took active part in the war with Mexico. Upon that occasion a speech-a real oration-was delivered by General Morgan. His long and eloquent address closed with this paragraph: "Thinned by the bullets and diseases of two wars, it is not strange that after the lapse of a third of a century so few of us should be still lingering along the lines. But while we do remain, let us meet often as now and recall the legends of the past, cherish the memory of the heroic dead, and offer up our earnest prayers for the liberty, peace and prosperity of our glorious land."
218
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
FROM THE MUSTER ROLLS.
The following is a list of the officers who served in the Mexico and Texan border wars from Mt. Vernon and Knox county, Ohio.
Commissioned Officers (enrolled August 22, 1836)-Charles Colerick, captain ; John Lemon, first lieutenant; Edward Smith, second lieutenant.
Non-Commissioned Officers-Thomas W. Carter, first sergeant; Joseph Meix, second sergeant; Jackson Blackmore, third sergeant; Lorenzo Jones, fourth sergeant: Benj. West, first corporal; Jesse Axtel, second corporal; Benj. Downs, third corporal; Orlando Forest, fourth corporal.
These all belonged to the First Regiment in the Texas service.
SECOND REGIMENT (COL. GEORGE W. MORGAN).
Commissioned Officers (enrolled July, 1846)-G. W. Morgan, colonel; S. B. Kenton, captain; C. D. Miller, first lieutenant ; T. P. Morton, second lieutenant.
Non-commissioned Officers-F. B. Davis, first sergeant; A. J. McFar- land, second sergeant; William Watson, third sergeant; William N. Color, fourth sergeant; N. F. Johnston, first corporal; John Watson, second cor- poral: Charles White, third corporal; Mamley Foote, fourth corporal; John P. Miller. musician: J. I. Antrim, musician.
RE-ORGANIZED SECOND REGIMENT-COMPANY B.
Commissioned Officers (enrolled September 4, 1847)-James E. Harle, captain ; Robert B. Mutchell, first lieutenant; Stiles L. Thrift, second lieu- tenant ; Jabez J. Antrim, second lieutenant.
Non-commissioned Officers-Peter T. Morton, first sergeant; Andrew S. Glessner, sergeant; Jared M. Hord, sergeant; John Hawn, sergeant; Lemuel L. Ireland, corporal: Hiram Miller, corporal ; James J. Runyon, cor- poral; William Campbell, corporal.
There were one hundred and ninety-two privates who served under the three sets of commissioned and non-commissioned officers from Knox county, as shown by the muster rolls. But few, if indeed any, are still sur- vivors of those two wars with Mexico. Many of them took part in the Civil war of 1861-65.
KNOX COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR.
The true patriotism of the men of Knox county has always been high in standard and those who went forth to defend the flag of the Union, both
219
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
at home and abroad, have been men with daring, soldier-like qualities. "Thank God! the fathers had not to blush to own their sons in many a well fought field," was once penned, and but tells the poetic story of those who fell on Southern battle grounds, and who now sleep in an "unknown" marked grave in the far-away Southland.
Ohio furnished in round numbers, according to official count, about three hundred and ten thousand soldiers in the war for the Union, from 1861 to 1866, the strife ending in the spring of 1865. Of this number of true Americans Knox county furnished, in round numbers, three thousand. Something more than twenty companies were organized in this county, be- sides a large number of detachments and companies raised in other counties, not credited to Knox county. Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri all had many regiments with Knox county men within their ranks.
When the thunders of cannon echoed back their noise of war and South- ern secession from Fort Sumter, on that historic day in April, 1861, Ohio was not long in offering more men to the call of President Lincoln than were asked for. Knox county was not behind the other counties in the matter of volunteering. The whole nation was ablaze with excitement, and here in Knox county the war spirit was unbridled.
The first war mass-meeting in Mt. Vernon was held April 20th, only one week after the first gun of the Rebellion had been heard. This meeting was presided over by Hon. Henry B. Curtis. Thousands of people were present, and party lines, which up to then had been tightly drawn, were al- most obliterated. With a few dishonorable exceptions, Republicans and Democrats met on common ground, to counsel together for the safety and welfare of the nation and the starry flag that had been shot down in South Carolina by guns aimed by traitors at the Union so long cherished by both the North and South lands. Indeed this was more notable then than later in the war.
This mass-meeting was held in front of the court house. Speeches were made by Hon. Columbus Delano and others, after which the following reso- lutions were adopted :
"Resolved, that civil war exists by the act of the seceding states and we hold the traitors banded together under the Southern Confederacy, or other- wise, responsible before God and the world for all the evil that may arise from the unnatural war, thus inaugurated.
"Resolved, that in this crisis the people of Ohio know but one party- friends of the Union. We ignore all former partisan distinctions and declare with one voice for our country, our whole country, and nothing less than our country.
220
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
"Resolved, that we pledge to our government, in support of the con- stitution and laws. our property, our lives and our sacred honor.
"Resolved, that we hereby pledge ourselves to the volunteers who may go from this county that we will support their families during their absence in the service of their country; and for that purpose therefore,
"Resolved, that there be a central executive committee of five in the town of Mt. Vernon, and a county committee of twenty-two, one from each township, appointed."
These resolutions were presented by Messrs. C. Delano, Rigby L. Harper, Major Sapp. William Dunbar and were voted and adopted amid deafening cheers and wild excitement.
The central committee consisted, when appointed, of the following: W. Sapp. William Dunbar, William Mefford, A. J. Beach, and Columbus Delano. Their hands were soon full of business which continued through- out the four and more long years of the Rebellion.
The township committee was composed of these worthy gentlemen : Jackson township, A. J. Butler ; Butler township, James McCammett; Union township, Doctor Moffett; Jefferson township. Mark Greer; Brown town- ship, Wait Whitney : Pike township, Samuel Popham; Howard township, U. T. Porter : College township, James Head : Morgan township, George Hughes : Clay township, Thomas Rogers; Harrison township. Moses Dudgeon; Mil- ler township, L. W. Gates; Milford township, Nathan Bostwick; Pleasant township, Robert Graham; Hilliar township, William Mitchell; Liberty township James Severe: Clinton township, John Welch; Middlebury town- ship, Stephen H. Sherwood; Berlin township, James Markley: Monroe town- ship, Peter Hoke.
In addition to these one name was added for each ward in Mt. Vernon so that soldiers' wives and families were well cared for during that terrible four-year conflict.
Meetings of a like nature were held at once in Amity and Brownsville. In the last named place a company was immediately formed, and elected John F. Cunningham captain ; William L. Brook, first lieutenant, and Square Williams. second lieutenant. This meeting was held in the Methodist church and after the volunteering one side of the house was cleared and those who would contribute to the support of the families of volunteers requested to take that side. Immediately that side of the house was filled.
April 23, 1861, a meeting was held in Morgan township and a company of home guards formed, and still another at about that date in Mt. Vernon. C. P. Buckingham was captain of this company. Two of this company sub- sequently rose to high military positions in the army.
22I
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
Up to June, 1862, there had volunteered from Knox county eight hun- dred and fifty-two men. The people who remained at home were loyal and busy in collecting money and provisions to care for soldiers and the families left behind. The county auditor's books are the evidence as to the amounts contributed up to that date for the payment of soldier's bounties in this county, the same being refunded in 1866 by an act of government and state departments, by direct taxation, the only just and honorable manner in which it could be done :
Jackson township $14,830
Pleasant township
7,905
Butler township
10,610
Pike township
12,315
Harrison township 16,100
Clinton township 7,605
Milford township
8,500
College township
10,348
Middlebury township 9,327
Berlin township 15,670
Jefferson township
12,040
Mt. Vernon city 40,527
Morgan township
14,388
Liberty township
10,444
Morris township
9,910
Hilliar township
18,105
Wayne township
37,500
Howard township
20,160
Union township
15,610
Monroe township. 3,040
Brown township
4,709
Miller township
22,13I
Clay township
18,760
County-at-large 28,170
The total amount raised during the war, including the above for bounties was $368.748. This was largely to fill the quota under Presi- dent Lincoln's call for three hundred thousand more men, in 1862. Under this call, Knox county was asked to furnish two hundred and twenty volun- teers for the Ninety-sixth Regiment, and they were easily raised and no draft had to be instituted in the "Kingdom of Knox." This was not enough, and President Lincoln called for an additional three hundred thou- sand men and the county's quota was immediately filled. Two companies were raised within fifteen days from the legal call. These entered the One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment, under Captains Stephens and Yager.
Preparations for a draft were made in August, 1862, but none was needed. However, in October of that eventful year one did occur and a number of the 'men were assigned to the Sixty-fifth Regiment. Yet few men, comparatively, were drafted from Knox county. The newspapers at Mt. Vernon carried the following notice :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.