The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 42

Author: Warner, Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1017

USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 42

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Of the third annual fair, held October 14 and 15, 1851, the President con- tinues: " There were, in all, 403 entries as competitors for premiums. This was more than at the two preceding fairs together. In almost every depart- ment there was also a decided improvement visible. Of the animals exhibit- ed for premiums, 56 entries were for horses and colts, 43 for cattle, 26 for sheep and 13 for swine. In the arrangement of the building which contained the garden productions and artificial articles of female industry, the society was largely indebted to the ladies of the village and country for the time they spent in tastefully arranging, decorating and filling the same with many beau- tiful articles of female industry." The Treasurer's statement showed the fol- lowing receipts: Cash on hand, $222; fees paid to create membership, $162; cash drawn from County Treasury, $158; discount on books purchased in New York, $37.17; total, $577.17. The expenditures for the year were: Premiums paid, $53.13; premiums due and unpaid, $54.62; cash paid for books and

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periodicals, $228.65; expenses of county fair, $42.21; printing, $16; freight and exchange, $9.06; balance in treasury, $173.50.

For the first fair, an inclosure of about three acres was ample to exhibit the entries, but soon after the grounds were permanently located near Dover, eight acres were purchased by the society from the heirs of Christian Deardorff, and the grounds increased in size from time to time until they now include over twenty-four acres. Of these, ten acres were at first leased at $12 per acre annually, and the land afterward purchased by the village of Dover and its use donated to the society.

A floral hall and other necessary buildings were constructed early in the history of the society, and added to and improved at various times since. In 1859, the Secretary reported the erection of a race course, a third of a mile in extent. The receipts for that year were $941.97; the expenditures, $810.28. The society was out of debt, except a payment of $200, not yet due, for the grounds. In 1872, a half- mile track was graded, and a new Secretary's and Treasurer's office built. In 1874, a new dining hall, 80x25 feet, was built and an indebtedness of about $600 incurred for this and other improvements. In 1877, the dining hall was demolished, and other buildings damaged by a severe wind-storm, and the repair of them increased the indebtedness to $800. This has since been paid, and the society is at present in a most prosperous and thriving condition. The report of the society for 1881 makes the follow. ing exhibit: Amount in treasury at the last report, $62.42; received from gate and entrance fees, $2,248.45; from booths, rents and permits, $445.75; received from other sources, $202.70; total, $2,959.39. Paid in premiums, $906.75; paid for other current expenses, $1,388.21; balance in treasury, $664.43. The cash value of the grounds, containing about twenty-five acres, was estimated at $8,000. The membership of the society was 184.

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CHAPTER XII.

TUSCARAWAS COUNTY IN THE WARS OF 1812 AND 1846.

STATE OF THE COUNTY IN 1812-DEPARTURE OF THE INDIANS-PANIC-NUMBER OF SOLDIERS ENGAGED-GALLANT DEFENSE IN BEHALF OF THREE INDIAN PRISONERS AT NEW PHILADELPHIA-MEXICAN WAR-BRIEF CAM- PAIGN OF THE TUSCARAWAS GUARDS.

A T the commencement of hostilities in 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, probably two thousand white people were dwelling in what is now Tuscarawas County, scattered principally along or near the valleys of the Tuscarawas, Sugar Creek, One Leg, Sandy and Big Stillwater. Up to this time, many Indians still occupied their old hunting-grounds in the Tuscarawas Valley, usually living on terms of friendship, and in some in- stances of intimacy, with the settlers. But when war was declared, these associations suddenly ceased. The red men who were not members of the missions daubed their faces with war-paint, boasted of the many scalps they had lifted from the heads of the pale faces in former years, and with threats of an invasion left the county to join their Western brothers. The cowardly surrender of Hull left the entire Western border unprotected, and rumors of an approaching Indian descent were rife. A few pioneers, unwilling to hazard the lives of their families so near the expected scenes of warfare, returned to their former Eastern homes. Panics, produced by startling rumors, pervaded every settlement, and on several occasions the people gathered hastily at the cabin of one of the pioneers and passed the night in momentary expectation of an attack. The greatest alarm occurred soon after Hull's surrender. A few returning paroled soldiers spread the report that the savages were approach- ing in large numbers, and that by the next morning there would not be a white man alive west of the river. The tidings flew from cabin to cabin,

throughout the Sugar Creek settlements, and the terror-stricken people at once commenced a precipitate retreat. A few valuables were usually hastily collected and thrown into the wagon, to which the team of horses or oxen were hitched, and goaded to the highest pitch of speed. The meal from which the pioneer family arose was left standing on the table, and whatever labor they were engaged in was left unfinished. The Dover ferry was crowded all day long, and was scarcely able to transport the thronging, eager fugitives. At New Philadelphia a stand was made, but as days and weeks passed away and no enemy appeared, the settlers gradually returned to their homes. At first they went in squads, and planted their crops in common. While some were engaged in labor, others stood guard with loaded rifles. Fully six weeks elapsed before quiet was restored in Sugar Creek Valley. Many of the set-

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tlers of Tuscarawas County participated in the struggle. Most of them were drafted in the service, but some, doubtless, volunteered. The term of enlist- ment varied from three to twelve months. In all, perhaps more than two hundred Tuscarawas County citizens bore arms. Their number and names are unknown, as files are not on record and the local muster rolls are lost or de- stroyed. They were stationed principally on the frontier of Ohio.

The following account of a stirring incident at New Philadelphia is pre- served in Howe's " Historical Collections of Ohio:" Shortly after the surren- der of Hull, three Indians, said to be unfriendly, arrived at Goshen. The knowledge of this circumstance created much alarm, and an independent company of cavalry, of which Alexander McConnel was Captain, was solicited by the citizens to pursue and take them. Some half-a-dozen, with their Cap- tain, turned out for that purpose. Where daring courage was required to achieve any hostile movement, no man was more suitable than Alexander McConnel. The Indians were traced to a small island near Goshen. McCon. nel plunged his horse into the river and crossed, at the same time ordering his men to follow; but none chose to obey him. He dismounted, hitched his horse, and with a pistol in each hand, commenced searching for them. He had gone but a few steps into the interior of the island when he discovered one of them, with his rifle, lying at full length behind a log. He presented his pistol, the Indian jumped to his feet, but McConnel disarmed him. He also took the others, seized their arms and drove them before him. On reach- ing his company, one of his men hinted that they should be put to death. " Not until they have had a trial according to law," said the Captain. Then, ordering his company to wheel, they conducted the prisoners to the county jail.

The murders which had been perpetrated on the Mohican, in Ashland County, had aroused the feelings of the white settlers in that neighborhood almost to frenzy. No sooner did the report reach them that some strange In- dians had been arrested and confined in the New Philadelphia jail, than a company of about forty men was organized at or near Wooster, armed with rifles, under the command of a Captain Mullen, and marched for New Phila. delphia to dispatch these Indians. When within about a mile of the town, coming in from the west, John C. Wright, then a practicing lawyer at Steu- benville (later Judge), rode into the place from the east on business. He was hailed by Henry Laffer, Esq., at that time Sheriff of the county, told that the Indian prisoners were in his custody, the advancing company of men was pointed out to him, their object stated and the inquiry made, "What is to be done?" " The prisoners must be saved, sir," replied Wright; " why don't you beat an alarm and call out the citizens?" To this he replied, " Our peo- ple are much exasperated, and the fear is that if they are called out they will side with the company, whose object is to take their lives." "Is there no one who will stand by you, to prevent so dastardly a murder?" rejoined Wright. " None but McConnel, who captured them." " Have you any arms?" "None but an old broadsword and a pistol." " Well," replied Wright, " go call

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McConnel, get your weapons and come up to the tavern. I'll put away my horse, and make a third man to defend the prisoners. We must not have so disgraceful a murder committed here."

Wright put up his horse, and was joined by Laffer and McConnel. About this time the military company came up to the tavern door and there halted for some refreshments. Mr. Wright knew the Captain and many of the men, and went along the line, followed by the Sheriff, inquiring their object and remonstrating; pointing out the disgrace of so cowardly an act as was contem- plated, and assuring them that, in case they carried out their brutal design, they would be prosecuted and punished for murder. Several left the line, de- claring they would have nothing more to do with the matter. The Captain became angry, ordered the ground to be cleared, formed his men and moved toward the jail. McConnel was at the jail door, and the Sheriff and Wright took a cross cut and joined him before the troops arrived. The prisoners had been laid on the floor, against the front wall, as a place of safety. The three arranged themselves before the front door-McConnel with the sword, Sheriff Laffer had the pistol and Wright was without weapon. The troops formed in front, a parley was had, and Wright again went along the line remonstrating, and detached two or three more men. He was ordered off, and took his posi- tion at the jail door with his companions. The men were formed, and com- mands preparatory to a discharge of their arms issued.

In this position, the three were ordered off, but refused to obey, declaring that the prisoners should not be tonched except they first dispatched them. Their firmness had its effect; the order to fire was given, and the men refused to obey. Wright again went along the line, remonstrating, etc., while McCon- nel and Laffer maintained their position at the door. One or two more were persuaded to leave the line. The Captain became very angry, and ordered him off. He again took his place with his two companions. The company was marched off some distance and treated with whisky, and after some alter- cation returned to the jail door. were arranged and prepared for a discharge of their rifles, and the three ordered off on pain of being shot. They main- tained their ground without faltering, and the company gave way and aban- doned their project. Some of them were afterward permitted, one at a time, to go in and see the prisoners, care being taken that no harm was done. These three gentlemen received no aid from the citizens; the few that were abont looked on merely. Their courage and firmness was truly admirable.

The Indians were retained in jail until Gov. Meigs, who had been some time expected, arrived in New Philadelphia. He instructed Gen. A. Shane, then a Lieutenant recruiting for the United States service, to take the Indians with his men to the rendezvous at Zanesville. From thence they were ordered to be sent with his recruits to the headquarters of Gen. Harrison, at Seneca, at which place they were discharged.

Another incident occurred in Lieut. Shane's journey to headquarters, which illustrates the deep-rooted prejudices entertained by many at that time against the Indians. The Lieutenant, with his company, stopped a night at

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Newark. The three Indians were guarded as prisoners, and that duty de- volved by turns on the recruits. A physician, who lived at Newark and kept a small drug store, informed the officer that two of his men had applied to him for poison. On his questioning them closely what use they were to make of it, they partly confessed that it was intended for the Indians. It was at night when they applied for it, and they were dressed in fatigue frocks. In the morning, the Lieutenant had his men paraded, and called the doctor to point out those who had meditated such a base act; but the doctor either un- willing to expose himself to the enmity of the men, or unable to discern them, the whole company being dressed then in their regimentals, the affair was passed over with some severe remarks by the commanding officer on the un- soldierlike conduct of those who could be guilty of such a dastardly crime as poisoning.

MEXICAN WAR.

. In response to the requisition made by President Polk, calling on Ohio for three regiments of infantry, to take the field in Mexico for twelve months, Gov. Bartley, May 20, 1846, issued a proclamation, addressed to the people, urging them to respond to the call promptly. The same day, a general order was is- sued from Adjt. Gen. Curtis, of the Ohio Militia, requiring the brigades of militia to muster forthwith and enroll volunteers. Joseph Burns, of Coshoc- ton, Major General of the Third Division of Ohio Militia, by general order dated May 25, 1846. directed Brig. Gen. John Butt, of New Philadelphia, to muster the several regiments of his brigade at once, for the purpose of car- rying into effect the requisition for troops. Thereupon, Gen. Butt, May 26, ordered the First Regiment, commanded by Col. Harry Torrey; the Second Regiment, Col. John Knight; the Third Regiment, Col. James Maginnis; the regiment of volunteers, Col. John J. Robinson, and the squadron of cavalry,

' Lieut. Col. William Hodge, composing the troops of the Fourth Brigade, to parade in the center square, New Philadelphia, Monday, June 1, 1846, at 10 o'clock, A. M., for the purpose of raising volunteers. The following was Col. Robinson's order:

To ARMS !! TO ARMS !!

In pursuance of the above order, the First Rifle Regiment, including Capt. Sheets' company of artillery, are ordered to parade in New Philadelphia on next Monday. Citi- zen soldiers, TO ARMS ! TO ARMS ! Your country is invaded ; we must, and shall drive back the FOE. Let our motto be "OUR COUNTRY, MAY SHE ALWAYS BE IN THE RIGHT, BUT RIGHT OR WRONG, OUR COUNTRY."

JOHN J. ROBINSON, Colonel First Rifle Regiment, Fourth Brigade, Third Division Ohio Militia.

In compliance with these orders, the brigade assembled, and together with a large number of citizens who were also present, numbered over two thousand persons. They were marched to a grove, and addressed by Gens. Butt and Blake. The latter then stepped forward and volunteered, the orders were read, and "music beat up for volunteers." Sixty-four names were enrolled, and Gen. Blake was authorized to receive more at New Philadelphia. The

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company met at Dover June 6, and elected Walter M. Blake, Captain; Samuel Baughinan, First Lieutenant, and Jacob North, Second Lieutenant. They then repaired to Kaldenbaugh's hotel and partook of a dinner given them by the citizens of Dover. Thursday, June 11, they met at New Philadelphia, and after partaking of a sumptuous dinner at the Red Lion Hotel, took up the line of march for Zanesville, the place of rendezvous. At Trenton, Port Wash- ington and Newcomerstown, they were received with warm demonstrations of patriotism, and all went well until they arrived at Roscoe, where they met the Holmes County company returning from Zanesville, and received the intelli- gence that the required number of volunteers had already been received. They communicated with Gen. Burns, at Coshocton, and were instructed to return home. Mortifying as the news was, they wheeled around, and good- humoredly re-setting their song, " We're on our way to Matamoras," so as to read, " We're on our way to Tuscarawas," they retraced their steps, arriving. Sunday morning. Several of the company, however, would not return, but pressed on, determined to reach the Rio Grande. This was the extent to which Tuscarawas County was engaged during this war. Had there been further need of troops, the county would not have been found lacking or lag- ging in zeal and patriotism.

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MICHAEL UNGER

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CHAPTER XIII.

THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.

ENLISTMENT OF THE TUSCARAWAS GUARDS CAMP MEIGS-DRAFTS-MORGAN'S RAID-TUSCARAWAS COUNTY IN THE FIELD-QUANTRELL, THE REBEL GUERRILLA.

W HEN the tidings that Fort Sumter had fallen flashed over the country on the memorable 14th day of April, 1861, it produced in Tuscarawas County the same deep conviction of approaching and appalling warfare that was felt throughout the entire North, and when President Lincoln immediate- ly afterward issued his call for 75,000 volunteers to suppress the rebellion, the same unbounded loyalty to the Government was exhibited here which per- vaded the whole country. The recent bitter political factions and quarrels were for the time forgotten or laid aside, and the nation's danger and preser- vation was the only theme of conversation and subject for action, and within a few days the organization of companies was commenced in all parts of the county.

On Friday, April 19, a few posters were placarded in New Philadelphia, calling upon the people to meet at the court house the next day at 10 o'clock, to consider the perilous condition of the country. At the appointed time the house was crowded to overflowing. Judge Moffit was elected Chairman, and patriotic addresses were made by him and others, after which about sixty vol- unteers enrolled their names. In the afternoon of the same day, about $2,000 were subscribed by the citizens, to provide for the families of the absent vol- unteers. The company was completed Tuesday following, and on Wednesday an election of officers was held and the following selected: Captain, Thomas W. Collier, Sr .; ; First Lieutenant, C. F. Espich, Jr .; Second Lieutenant, H. Clay Hayden. Wednesday afternoon the company assembled on the square in front of the Exchange Hotel, where a flag was presented them by the ladies of New Philadelphia, and after several speeches were made and songs were sung, the boys bade their many friends farewell and took up the march for Uhrichs- ville. They reached Camp Jackson, Columbus, Thursday, April 25, and be. came Company F of the Sixteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

After the departure of the Tuscarawas Guards, a martial spirit was kept active in all portions of the county, by the formation of companies of home guards, which drilled and paraded regularly and prepared the way for future enlistments. Quite a number of citizens belonging to these bodies enlisted with companies organized in the surrounding counties. Of the Sandyville Light Guards, sixteen members, including the Captain, L. J. Atkinson, enlist- ed June 8, with the Canton Zouaves, Capt. Wallace, for three years. Other L

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members of the Light Guards joined a Massillon company. Company L, Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was raised at New Philadelphia for three years, during the summer of 1861. Liberal subscriptions were made by many citizens for the support of the families of volunteers, and at the June session, 1861, the Commissioners of Tuscarawas County levied a tax of one-half mill for the benefit of the families of volunteers in the army. The amount thus raised by taxation was about $5,000. But the work of enlistment did not begin in earnest until Camp Meigs was organized at the Tuscarawas County fair grounds, near Dover, in the autumn of 1861. The Fifty- first Regiment was organized here. The first recruits came to this camp ear- ly in the fall of 1861, and the active work of enlistment continued until No- vember 3, when the regiment was filled and an organization made. Six of its companies were from Tuscarawas County. A enlisted at New Philadelphia; B, at Dover; C, at Newcomerstown; E, at Uhrichsville; G, at Shanesville, and K at and near Dover.

No sooner had the Fifty-first gone to the front than the old fair grounds at Dover were again occupied as a recruiting ground, and though Tus- carawas had just contributed nearly six hundred men to the Fifty-first, within a few weeks she furnished four additional companies, which became Companies B, C, E and K of the Eightieth. This regiment was completed in about two months, and in February, 1862, left Camp Meigs for the stirring scenes of war.

In June, 1862, when Washington City was threatened and Gov. Tod made an earnest call on each county in the State to furnish a company for three months to save the capital, C. E. Mitchener and Christian Tschanan took 100 men to Columbus. Their company was apportioned among three regiments, mostly the Eighty-seventh.

During the summer of 1862, Capt. Morrow raised a company at New Phil- adelphia for three years, which was assigned to the Fifty-second Regiment About the same time, Capt. Parrish raised a company, which became Company K of the Ninety-eighth, and served three years. In August, 1862, Capt. Mueller was actively at work at Dover, and enlisted a company of Ger- mans, which was joined to the One Hundred and Seventh. In August, 1862, Companies E and G, Capts. Dixon and France, of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth, were enlisted in Tuscarawas County. A company of sharpshoot- ers was organized in this county in December, 1862, which rendezvoused at Zanesville.

In August, 1863, Company B, of the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth, was recruited in Tuscarawas County for six months' service, by Capt. Mitchener. In the fall of 1863, Capt. Hammon raised about sixty men in Tuscarawas County for the Twelfth Ohio Cavalry for three years.

In response to the Governor's call for the Ohio National Guards in May, 1864, the Seventieth Battalion, composed of four companies, one from New Philadelphia, Uhrichsville. Trenton and Clay Township each, took cars for Columbus May 2, 1864, and the entire battalion was assigned to the One Hun-

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dred and Sixty first Regiment, commanded by Col. O. P. Taylor. Company H of the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth was enlisted at Uhrichsville by Capt. Davis for one year, in the fall of 1864. Some of the men were from New Philadelphia. Early in 1865, Capt. Bowers took a band of about forty men from Tuscarawas County to Camp Chase, where they became a part of Company A, One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Regiment. These were probably the last men enlisted in this county during the war.

Besides the above, there were many Tuscarawas boys in other regiments, though no considerable number in any one. Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, contained a few, and the Twenty - seventh included a part of a company of Germans from Dover.

The women of the county were earnest and faithful in their ministrations to the soldiers. From the beginning to the close of the war an organized sys- tem was maintained by them, through which the soldiers in the field and in the hospital were supplied with many comforts and delicacies which the Gov- ernment could not supply.

In October, 1862, a draft of 431 men was made in Tuscarawas County, apportioned among the townships as follows:

Auburn, 40; Bucks, 54; Clay, 5; Dover, 38; Fairfield, 8; Franklin, 16; Jefferson, 17; Lawrence, 19; Perry, 40; Rush, 23; Sandy, 1; Salem, 5: Sugar Creek, 32; Union, 27; Warren, 14; Warwick, 22; Wayne, 35; Washington, 29; York, 27.

No draft was made in Goshen, Mill and Oxford Townships, as they had already furnished more than their quota of volunteers.

The legality of this draft was questioned, and many of the men did not re- port at Zanesville as ordered. A few took French leave, and retired to Canada. Others were discharged for disability. Those who reported in camp at Zanes- ville were assigned to various companies already in the field.

¿Of the two calls of the President for 300,000 each, under which the above draft was made, Ohio's quota was about 74,000. This number was appor- tioned among the several townships of the State, and each given credit for the force raised theretofore. The number subject to draft September 15, 1862, was 20,427, but the draft was postponed till October, and in the meantime about 8,000 volunteers were raised in the State, leaving about 12,000 to be drafted. Of the eighty-eight counties in the State, about one-fourth the num- ber escaped the draft entire.

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 42

Author: Warner, Beers & Co. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1017

Author: Warner, Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1017