USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Reminiscences of the Cleveland Light Artillery > Part 2
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In compliance with the terms of this law the Cleve- land Artillery-four guns-was at once reorganized into four companies, and there were added one in Brook- lyn, Cuyahoga county, and one in Geneva, Ashtabula county. These were immediately organized into a "regi- ment"-though its strength in men and guns was only that of a single battery after things were placed upon
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CLEVELAND LIGHT ARTILLERY.
a war footing. The following field and staff officers were elected and commissioned by the Governor August 1, 1860:
Colonel-James Barnett.
Lieutenant Colonel-Stephen B. Sturges.
Major-Clark S. Gates.
Surgeon-C. E. Ames.
Quartermaster-Amos Townsend.
Quartermaster-Sergeant-Randall Crawford.
The companies of the regiment were commended as follows:
Company A, Cleveland-W. R. Simmonds.
Company B, Cleveland-John Mack.
Company C, Brooklyn-J. S. Andrews.
Company D, Cleveland-P. W. Rice.
Company E, Cleveland-Louis Heckman.
Company F, Geneva-Dennis Kenny.
The organization was officially designated as the "First Regiment of Light Artillery, Third Brigade, Fourth Division, Ohio Volunteer Militia."
The first public appearance of the newly born "regi- ment" was at the unveiling of the statue of Commodore Perry, in Cleveland, September 10th, 1860. The occa- sion was an imposing one, and a number of military companies from abroad were present and participated in the parade, notably organizations from Rhode Island, which was Commodore Perry's native state. The visit- ing troops and distinguished guests accompanying them were hospitably entertained during their stay in Cleve- land by the members and friends of the Artillery and the Grays. A few months later the pomp and glory of a holiday pageant were exchanged for the stern realities of "grim visaged war," and the guns of the Cleveland Light Artillery were hurling shot and shell into the ranks of the rebels south of the Ohio River.
Mr. Lincoln was elected President in the fall of 1860. As the political campaign of that year progressed the result was foreshadowed by the strong drift of public
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sentiment at the North. The "fire-eaters" of the South wrought themselves into a high state of excitement over their prospective defeat and for a month before the contest was decided made lurid threats of secession and revolution in such a contingency. The northern people were slow to believe that these declarations were anything more than "wind." Even when they began to take definite form, after the election, the num- ber was yet small who believed there would be a con- flict of arms.
The success of the Republican party in the election was made the pretext for the great revolt. Six weeks later South Carolina packed her knapsack and marched out of the Union. Six other states followed closely upon her heels, and in a short time four more. Beaten at the ballot-box they determined to try the cartridge- box, but-as those most interested in this volume will remember, for they helped to make it so-this experi- ment was equally unsatisfactory to them in its out- come.
By the time the "cotton" states began to secede, and the people of the South to show great activity in the organization of military companies, the impression be- came quite general throughout the North that the situa- tion was critical and there was serious trouble ahead -and not very far ahead, either. The great "coming event" of the century was "casting its shadow before." Every day but strengthened and intensified the determi- nation, through the great, loyal North, that at all hazards the Union should be preserved and the flag pro- tected from dishonor.
During the winter of 1860, months before the North was aroused by the mighty reveille that sounded amidst the echoes of Sumter, many independent companies then existing made a voluntary offer of their services, pro- vided they should be needed. Among the first to show a desire to "get there" early and secure front seats was the Cleveland six-gun "regiment" of artillery. As soon
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CLEVELAND LIGHT ARTILLERY.
as there began to be a smell of powder in the air the members of this organization promptly developed an appetite for war. They sent to the Adjutant General of Ohio a fervid communication tendering their services and stating that they might be depended upon to re- spond instantly to the call of duty. In two or three days an answer was received. The Adjutant General commended their patriotism in the highest terms, and in the name of the state thanked them effusively for their noble offer, but added that he had no idea they would be called upon, as it was not at all probable that any cavalry or artillery would be required! No doubt this official's views soon underwent a most radical change. But his depressing letter had the effect of the proverbial "wet blanket" upon the more enthusiastic artillerists, who were beginning to actually suffer for a scrimmage. They were afraid it wasn't going to be "much of a shower," after all! Nobody will say that during the ensuing four years there was not enough to go around; everybody who wanted any of it had abundant opportunity to supply himself. But after the Cleveland boys heard from the Adjutant General some of them really mourned over the prospect of "get- ting left."
CHAPTER II. A PROMPT RESPONSE TO WAR'S ALARMS AND THE ARTILLERY GOES TO THE FRONT.
At half past four o'clock on the morning of Friday- unlucky day-April 12, 1861, the rebel batteries at Charleston opened fire on Fort Sumter. The fort was surrendered at noon of Sunday, April 14. On this day President Lincoln drafted his proclamation calling out seventy-five thousand volunteers for three months. That night it went out by telegraph, and on Monday the people of the North knew that the last hope of compromise had vanished. Already the "dogs of war" had been slipped, and the country was to be tested in the fierce crucible of a mighty conflict. None who witnessed it, or were a part of it, can ever forget the grand, patriotic uprising of the loyal masses, from Maine to California, and from the Lakes to the Ohio river, to avenge the insult of the National Flag. It
need only be alluded to in this connection. The quotas of the various states under the first call for troops were duly apportioned, and in some cases were more than filled in a single day. All the organized military companies in Ohio offered their services, and all were clamorous that they should be accepted. There seemed to be a generally prevailing fear that the war would be "all over" before they could get there.
The Cleveland Grays-from which the first gun squad of the Cleveland Artillery was detailed more than twenty years before-left amidst prodigious excitement for Columbus, became Company E of the First Ohio Infantry, and started immediately for Washington. But so far there was no call for the artillery. How all the men, from Colonel to powder-monkey, chafed in the impatience of their raging patriotism. It would be sad indeed, they thought, if, after all, it should prove that the Adjutant General was right, and that "no
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artillery would be needed"-or if a few cannon should be required the batteries of the Regular Army would supply them, and the unhappy volunteers would remain "out in the cold."
But there came a loud call for artillery, and the boys, who were fretting themselves sick, had not long to wait for the glad summons. On Saturday, April 20, the following dispatch went singing over the wires:
Columbus, O., April 20, 1861.
To Colonel James Barnett,
Cleveland, O.
Report your six pieces, caissons and full battery, including Geneva company, at Columbus forthwith- Monday if possible. You can hire horses for the guns here or at your point of service. Bring harness and everything else, and twenty men to each gun. You retain Colonel's rank. By order-
H. B. Carrington, Adjutant General.
This was received by Colonel Barnett early in the evening of the day named. How the news spread through the city, as if borne upon the wings of the wind! How it set the hearts of the impatient boys to thumping and how they cheered at the tidings, while tears dimmed the eyes and moistened the cheeks of wives and mothers and sisters and sweethearts!
Early Sunday morning Colonel Barnett issued the following order to captains of companies:
You will report your command of twenty men ready to march to Columbus tomorrow at 12 o'clock, noon, at the Public Square. You will have your piece and caisson and harness complete at the depot between Superior street and Vineyard lane, with a detail of ten men to attend to their embarkation, at 9 o'clock A. M., under the command of a sergeant, and when em- barked report to your superior officers.
By order of the Adjutant General of Ohio.
James Barnett,
Colonel First Regiment Artillery, S. B. Sturges, Lieutenant Colonel.
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A messenger was hurried out to Brooklyn to stir up that company, and a telegram was sent to Geneva, carrying the news to Company F.
"Ah, then and there was hurrying to and fro," as the artillerymen hustled around, engaged in hasty prepa- ration for "going to war." In Cleveland, as everywhere else, there was a furious ferment of excitement. For the moment business of every kind was laid aside. The one absorbing theme was the opening conflict. Hus- bands and sons and brothers had been called to the field to defend the nation's flag. Not only their im- mediate friends but the citizens generally put forth every possible effort to fit out the boys in good shape. Meetings were held and fervid speeches were made. But no stimulating force was then necessary, for every heart was swelling with patriotic ardor and the spirit of sacrifice. It was not a good time for the utterance of "copperhead" sentiments. Had any one dared to express sympathy with those who had fired on the flag his life would not have been worth a rush. If there were any such, they kept prudently quiet. People shouted and sang patriotic songs, and spoke words of cheer and encouragement to those who were about to leave for "the front." The boys had little need, however, of being urged to obey the call of duty, and sympathy was wasted on them, for they were in a state of feverish anxiety for an opportunity to unlimber their guns in the face of the foe.
The state of public feeling was about as hot as it could be, but on Sunday morning another dispatch was received which added more fuel to the fierce flames and raised the temperature to even a higher point. It was as follows:
Columbus, O., April 21, 1861.
To Colonel James Barnett.
Can you bring your command here tonight instead of waiting till tomorrow? If so, come armed.
William Dennison, Governor.
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CLEVELAND LIGHT ARTILLERY.
Thus early people began to learn that there is "no Sunday in war." All that day the excitement increased. Those who took the time to go to church listened to sermons on the duty of the hour.
It was found impracticable to assemble the regiment in time to get away on Sunday and the Governor was informed by telegraph that it would leave early Mon- day morning. A dispatch from Capt. Dennis Kenny at Geneva told that Company F was "red hot" and could be ready to leave that night for the rendezvous at Cleveland. The necessary transportation was provided and the company reported before daylight. Company C, from Brooklyn, was equally prompt to respond, and half the people of that town accompanied the boys to the city to "see them off."
During the forenoon of Monday-April 22d-there was the greatest activity among the members and friends of the regiment. The whole city was astir and fairly boiling with excitement. Thousands of people turned out, thronging the depot and the railroad lead- ing to Columbus, to witness the departure of the soldiers. The latter were, of course, only provided with a "pick up" outfit, it being expected that all necessary clothing and supplies would be furnished by the state author- ities.
In order to start the boys in as comfortable shape as possible the citizens contributed a sum sufficient for the purchase of one hundred and twenty blankets- all that could be found in Cleveland suitable for military use. The blankets were bought by Mr. Henry N. John- son, and the following memorandum of the purchases is given as an item of interest:
Number.
Price.
Amount.
E. I. Baldwin.
12
$ 1.481/3
$ 17.80
Taylor & Griswold.
3
2.50
7.50
Alcott & Horton
92
2.00
184.00
Morgan & Root.
13
1.75
22.75
Total
120
$232.05
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At about noon the regiment, numbering in all about one hundred and sixty men, embarked on a special train. There were hasty and tearful farewells and the train moved off amidst tempestuous shouts and cheers, the waving of flags and kerchiefs and the music of brass bands.
At that time no one had more than a vague and foggy idea of what war was. It had not yet become the serious matter that it was a few months later, and during the four long and bitter years that followed. The first volunteers went to the field with a grand hurrah, impelled by motives of the truest patriotism, but with no conception of the hardship and privation and blood and fire and death that were before them. The sickle was sharpened but had not been thrust in to reap its ghastly harvest. As yet there were no stretchers nor hospitals nor ambulances freighted with mangled victims; no miles of reddened earth strewed with the dead and dying; no long, weary marches, through heat and cold and storm; no ravages of wast- ing disease. All these were yet as an unopened book to these men hastening to the field, and to those who with moistened eyes and beating hearts bade them farewell and God speed. Only a few then believed that there would be much of a war-that the trouble would not all be over in sixty or ninety days.
The following is a roster of the regiment as it left Cleveland, the officers of the field and staff having been already given. A few men who joined some of the companies a few weeks later are included:
COMPANY A.
Captain, W. R. Simmonds; First Sergeant, John A. Bennett.
Roger D. Throup,
Thos J. Thompson,
Joseph Dunn,
John A. Benjamin,
John J. Kelley, M. Eugene Cornell,
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CLEVELAND LIGHT ARTILLERY.
John H. Blair,
George W. Clark,
Thomas D. Beckwith,
Edward P. Anson,
W. M. Camp,
Isaac Cramer,
Henry Moels,
David H. Throup,
Daniel Reynolds.
Richard Dunn,
George Bruster,
John R. Milton, Amasa Bailey,
William Bruner.
COMPANY B.
Captain, J. G. Mack; Lieutenant, Jacob Reider; First Sergeant, Frederick C. Grauninger; Second Sergeant Mathias Adams.
Daniel Scheuer,
Frederick Beckel,
George Chapin,
Leonard Nerriter,
John Galcher,
Abraham Fredericks,
Andrew Worley,
Michael Schoemer,
Charles B. Rodder,
Nicholas Weidenkopf,
Peter Ruff,
William Ebert,
Adolph Menzelman,
Lawrence Nigel,
Peter Reidenbach,
Christian Tenfel, Alexander Erhart,
Lewis Fahrion,
Michael Lucas.
COMPANY C.
Captain, F. W. Pelton: Lieutenant, Samuel Sears; First Sergeant, F. S. Pelton; Second Sergeant, P. C. Schneider.
Levi Fish,
Abel Fish,
William Fish,
Henry Fish,
Alexander Heve,
John C. Brainerd,
F. W. Wirth,
C. M. Dean,
William Llewellyn,
J. H. Boyden,
C. E. Marcellus,
J. L. Hand,
Frank Storer,
E. S. Allen,
George Lyon,
William Grotzinger,
G. R. Davis,
Frank Wattles,
Edward S. Brainerd,
Henry Roberts,
George Schmale.
COMPANY D.
Captain, P. W. Rice: Lieutenant, J. H. Miller; First
Henry New,
Henry H. Rebbeck, J. Hale Sypher,
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Sergeant, E. F. Reeve; Second Sergeant, W. H. Hilliard.
W. P. Edgarton, J. S. Harbeck,
George D. E. Murray,
N. A. Baldwin,
D. S. Davis,
George Crawford,
William Kidd,
J. C. Shields,
H. G. Vincent,
Henry Orland,
Frank Wilson,
J. A. Sterling,
Robinson Smith,
W. A. Champlin,
S. W. Killam,
Alexander Marshall,
C. H. Rice,
L. W. Thatcher,
G. W. Tillotson,
Orlando S. Gardner.
COMPANY E.
Captain, Louis Heckman; Lieutenant, Jacob J. Hauck; First Sergeant, Henry Roth; Second Sergeant, Valentine Heckman.
Louis Smithnight,
Frank Thaler,
J. A. Zeller, Albert Rigler,
Conrad Schwendner, Jacob Bomhardt,
George Eshenbrenner, George W. Payson,
George Bruehler,
Charles Herig,
Fred Wetzel,
William Schutt,
Gerhardt Schmidt,
George Kugler,
Henry Trumpy,
George Wolf,
August Beiser.
COMPANY F.
Captain, Dennis Kenny; First Lieutenant, H. S.
Munger; Second Lieutenant, Romanzo Spring; First Sergeant, J. B. Burrows; Second Sergeant, C. D. Lane; Corporal, J. H. Coller.
H. H. Thorp,
W. H. H. Crowell,
A. D. Myers,
D. W. Dorman,
W. E. Proctor,
A. A. Burrows,
M. L. Fitch,
A. R. Paddock,
H. W. Gage,
A. B. Thorp,
Theodore Stroughton,
M. D. Stowe,
Frank Viets,
Myron Bartholomew,
E. D. Turner,
M. Y. Ransom,
A. B. Smith.
Musician-James Willis.
Grooms-Edward Garvin, Milo Gage, Salmon
Chambers, Edward Gates, Thomas Morris.
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It may be remarked here in passing that the men were not long in learning that there was something in "soldiering" besides romance and "flowery beds of ease." Before June 1st six or seven of them had been dis- charged for disability by reason of sickness, and one made up his mind that he had got all he wanted and deserted.
All the way to Columbus the boys sang and laughed and shouted in the exuberance of their patriotic emo- tions, and told one another of the valorous deeds they would perform as soon as opportunity was afforded them. At all points along the route the people greeted them with uproarious cheers. Wherever the train halted the guns and caissons, which were on platform cars, were regarded with the utmost curiosity and interest by crowds of men, women and children. The engines of war were a novelty to them.
On reaching the state capital-where it had been sup- posed that the regiment would debark and go into camp for a few days at least-an order was received to pro- ceed at once to Marietta, Ohio, by way of Loveland. It was thought that Marietta was in jeopardy, being threatened by rebel forces in Virginia. All the infantry companies from that part of the state which had of- fered their services had been sent to Washington. The city was wholly defenseless and there were no troops to send there except the Cleveland artillery regiment. After something had been learned of the art of war it came to be considered the proper thing to always pro- vide an infantry support for artillery, but nobody thought of such things at the moment of emergency. So the hundred and sixty fledglings from Cleveland, with their guns and caissons, but without a single horse to move them, were hurried away to prevent the rebels from capturing Marietta. It is but justice to the mem- bers of the regiment to say that they had an abiding confidence in their ability to hold that city against the entire Southern Confederacy. As the train went
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whirling on through the darkness all hearts were swell- ing with patriotism and a heroic determination to obey every call of duty, even to facing death in its most aw- ful form upon the battlefield. They expected to com- mence wading in blood immediately.
Marietta was reached early next morning but no enemy was there to fight. The air was full of wild rumors that legions of rebels were approaching, with evil designs upon the city, and the people were badly scared. The arrival of the Cleveland artillery, with real cannon, had a reassuring effect upon the citizens. The men were most cordially welcomed and received with unbounded hospitality. The regiment went into camp on the fair grounds, placing the guns in position to command the city and spread havoc and destruction among any misguided people who should attempt to capture it.
The regiment had as yet received nothing whatever in the way of supplies from either the state or national government. Indeed the men had not even been mustered into the service-and as a matter of fact they were not until three months later. Immediate requisi- tions were made upon the authorities at Columbus, by mail and telegraph, for clothing, rations, ammunition, etc., all of which were quite indispensable to efficient
service. When ordered on from Columbus Colonel Barnett had been assured that everything needful would be forwarded at once, but the supplies did not come, nor was the slightest attention paid to the requisitions. The Cleveland contingent seemed to have been entirely for- gotten. It was a pretty clear case of "out of sight out of mind." There may have been some excuse for this in the fact that the call to arms had come suddenly and found the state wholly unprepared for such an emer- gency; nor had there been sufficient time as yet for the United States government to adjust itself to a con- dition of actual war and provide for the needs of its soldiers. The state authorities no doubt did the best
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CLEVELAND LIGHT ARTILLERY.
they could, but in the hurry of raising troops and rush- ing them to the front in the shortest possible time everything was in the wildest chaos. It is little wonder that things went at haphazard and it was only by chance that any officer got for his men what they needed.
As day after day passed and no answer to the requisi- tions came both officers and men began to get a little warm under the collar. Colonel Barnett prodded up the Columbus people daily, his messages growing more and more pungent and emphatic. The artillery had not been provided with a single horse and would have been of little practical value in case of an attack, unless the rebels had kindly marched up in front of the guns and permitted themselves to be shot down. In this case the slaughter would have been fearful, had the boys been supplied with effective ammunition. When the regiment passed through Columbus the condition of the command was reported and the Adjutant General had promised that horses and ammunition should be promptly fur- nished at Marietta. As a starter he put into the bag- gage-car, before leaving the state capital, several pork barrels full of round shot, a few chests of fine rifle powder and a lot of linsey-woolsey stuff, ostensibly for the purpose of making cartridges. The whole "outfit" was entirely worthless. The shot did not fit the guns and the powder was no doubt a good thing with which to go squirrel hunting, but was little better than so much sawdust for artillery use. It will be readily un- derstood that at this time the Cleveland Light Artillery was not in condition to do any overwhelming damage to the Southern Confederacy.
The men had no clothing except that which they had brought from home. Few had a change of garments, as it was understood when they left Cleveland that they would be amply supplied. They could rub along a while with what clothes they had but they must have "grub"- that was in the nature of a prime and fundamental necessity. Patriotism was a good thing as far as it went,
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but it didn't go a long way in satisfying the cravings of an empty stomach. Appeals to the authorities were in vain and so Colonel Barnett entered into a contract with a man named Hall, of Marietta, to "board" the command. There was nothing else to be done, and it is just to the authorities to say that this bill was finally allowed and paid by the state. It is also fair to Mr. Hall to say that he carried out his contract in good faith, furnishing plenty of food which allowed small margin for grumbling.
The camp of the artillery in the fair grounds was named "Camp Putnam," in honor of an old and patriotic citizen of Marietta who was a direct descendant of Gen. Israel Putnam-"Old Put"-of Revolutionary fame. The men fixed up their quarters in a style that a year or two later would have been considered luxurious in the ex- treme. The kindness and hospitality of the citizens were conspicuous. No effort was spared to make the boys as comfortable as possible. But even under these favorable conditions some of the boys imagined that they were having a hard time of it and were suffering a good deal for their country. When they came to experience the real hardships of active service in the field they looked back with unutterable yearnings to the idle weeks that were largely spent in playing euchre and "old sledge" at Camp Putnam.
Colonel Barnett was in command of the camp and of the post of Marietta. He enforced the strictest dis- cipline and daily drills rapidly increased the efficiency of the command. Early efforts were made to secure a supply of better ammunition, as that hastily picked up at Columbus was of no value whatever. There were no shells or cannister, and the solid shot were not only wrong in size but they were not round and could not have been thrown with any degree of precision. Colonel Barnett telegraphed to Cincinnati and secured a quan- tity of shot that was promptly forwarded. He engaged the use of a shop in Marietta where a lathe was put to
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work turning sabots, and a laboratory was fitted up where cartridges were made and the sabots were proper- ly strapped to the shot. Nearly all this work was per- formed by the members of the regiment. Many of them were excellent mechanies and all were intelligent and willing. Such men can do anything. The ladies of Marietta offered their services, glad of the opportunity to do something for the cause of the Union. Since the first tocsin of war they had been busy in scraping lint and 'preparing bandages, until the supply seemed to be great- ly in excess of the immediate demand-for scarcely any- body had been hurt yet, and a million or two of women all over the North had been engaged in the work. Now there was a chance for the matrons and maidens of Marietta to render assistance in another very practical way. A bountiful supply of red flannel was procured and immediately a hundred fair hands were at work, plying scissors and needle, in making cartridge-bags. The ladies made a "bee" of it, and in a wonderfully short time they had finished enough to last for months. The fine rifle powder that was pitched on the train at Columbus was exchanged for cannon powder, and the artillery began to look more like business. This home- made ammunition was largely used in target practice, which was deemed highly essential to future usefulness. Day after day the air resounded with the roar of artil- lery, as the boys sighted their guns at the targets and imagined themselves hurling the whistling missiles through solid battalions of rebels.
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