The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 86

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1254

USA > Ohio > Union County > The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record; > Part 86

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COL. JOSEPH G. HAWKINS, deceased, was born in Goshen, Litchfield County, Conn., January 11, 1828. His father, Joseph Hawkins, was a native of that State and a relative of the Grants, the immediate ancestors of Gen. U. S. Grant. His mother, whose maiden mame was Submitt L. French. was also a native of the said State. When Joseph was a mere infant, his father, with his family, consisting of himself, wife and the subject of this sketch, came to Ohio, and settled in Summit County, near. the town of Hudson, where he purchased a farm and com- menced business as a farmer, dairyman and stock raiser. The mother of Josepli died when he was about two years of age. His father again married and continued to reside on the farm first purchased by him, until his death, which occurred in August, 1872. Here Joseph lived, at- tended school and worked on the farm during his early years. His education was chiefly ob- tained in the common schools, with some time spent at the " Bissel School," near Hudson, finish- ing with a term or two at Chester Academy, in Geauga County. He continued with his father until May, 1847, when he enlisted at Columbus in the company commanded by Capt. M. C. Lilley, Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. C. H. Brough commanding. The regi- ment, was ordered to Mexico, going first to Matamoras, and, after a short stay, to Vera Cruz, which was reached on September 18th. From Vera Cruz, with the forces under Gen. Joe Lane, he marched toward the City of Mexico, participating in all the battles fought by Lane's command until reaching Puebla, from which place the regiment turned back, by reason of the expiration of the term of its enlistment, having been in service fourteen months, two more than the term for which it had been originally enlisted. Mr. Hawkins returned to his home, and again en- gaged in labor on his father's farm, where he continued until November 20, 1849, when he was united in marriage with Miss Isabel Jane Smart, oldest daughter of Col. William Smart, of Delaware County, Ohio, an estimable young lady, with whom he happily lived up to the break- ing out of the rebellion. To them were born two children, a son and a daughter; Leroy S., born September 1, 1851, developed into an amiable, sprightly lad and died April 7,1864. Submitt C., the daughter, is now living, is an intelligent and well-educated young woman, the wife of Mr. Charles Kelsey, of Marysville. The widow and mother of these children resides in Delaware, Ohio, and receives a pension from the Government. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Hawkins settled on a farm, in Summit County, where for about three years he engaged in farming and dairy business.

He moved to Marysville January, 1852, and engaged in the grocery trade ; but finding this occupation not congenial to his taste and habits of life, he soon abandoned it, and engaged in various pursuits of a more active nature, being constantly employed in some of the various branches of industry, up to the time of the attack on Fort Sumter. On receiving the

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intelligence of this act of treason and rebellion against the Government, his patriotic soul became fired with indignation. He forthwith prepared a roll, inscribed his name thereon, and, mainly by his own exertions, raised a company, for the three months' service, under the call of the President for 75,000 men. On the organization of the company, he was unanimously elected Captain, and the organization completed by electing M. C. Lawrence as First Lieutenant, and Isaiah Slocum Second Lieutenant. This being done, Capt. Hawkins went to Columbus, reported to the proper authorities, and his company was accepted for duty, to report at Camp Jackson at the earliest moment practicable. His purpose being made known, the citizens of Marysville resolved the departure should be signalized by appropriate services.

The patriotic ladies of Marysville resolved that they would not be outdone, and decided to present a flag to the company when ready for camp. With commendable zeal and industry they set to work; they readily found material for the red and blue, but nothing suitable for the white was obtainable at the stores. M ss Emily A. Carter, an estimable, patriotic young lady, was the fortunate possessor of a beautiful dress of the desired material, which she generously donated, and in due time the flag was completed. It was arranged that on the morning of April 25, 1861, the company should meet the citizens at the Methodist Episcopal Church, and after appro- priate ceremonies, the flag be presented. Accordingly, as designated, the citizens assembled, the company filed in and took seats reserved for them ; brief addresses followed, and an appro- priate and fervent prayer by Rev. James Smith, at the conclusion of which the company was drawn up in line in front of the church, where the flag was presented, with a most eloquent, stirring and patriotic address, on behalf of the ladies, delivered by Miss Mary Coe, now the wife of Maj. R. R. Henderson, Minneapolis, Minn. Lieut. Slocum received the flag, on behalf of the company, and responded in a feeling manner, and in words fitly chosen. Then came the leave-taking between the soldiers and their families, after which the company fell into line, marched to the depot, and were soon off for Columbus. Reaching the city, it marched to Camp Jackson and was assigned to the Thirteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, then nearly full. On organizing, A. Sanders Pratt was commissioned as Colonel, Columbus B. Mason, Lieutenant Colonel, and Joseph G. Hawkins, Major.

On May 9, the regiment reached Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, where it was re-organ- ized and enlisted for three years. On re-organization, W. S. Smith, an officer who had served in the regular army, was commissioned as Colonel, Lieut. Col. Mason and Maj. Hawkins retain- ing their former positions. June 30, the regiment was ordered to West Virginia to re-enforce Gen. McClellan, and accordingly proceeded, by way of the Ohio River, reaching Parkersburg, Va., on the 1st of July, one thousand strong. July 14, the regiment boarded cars on the Park- ersburg Branch Railroad for Oakland, Md., and from thence marched to Greenland Gap. On arriving at that place, no enemy being found, the regiment returned, by way of Oakland, to Clarksburg, Va., thence to Sutton, on Elk River, and went into camp on the hills, where it was joined by infantry and artillery, so that the combined force amounted to about five thousand. During the stay here, the Thirteenth was occupied in picket duty and scouting. Early in Sep- tember, the army under command of Gen. W. S. Rosecrans set out in pursuit of a large force under the rebel Gen. John B. Floyd, and came up with him on the 10th, strongly intrenched at Carnifax Ferry, where a fierce and hotly contested battle was fought, in which the Thirteenth was engaged, occupying the extreme left of the line. In this engagement the Thirteenth, both officers and men, exhibited such coolness and bravery that it won the lasting respect of the commanding General, and thereafter he regarded it with much favor. There, Col. John W. Lowe, of the Twelfth, fell early in the action, and later in the day, Col. William II. Lytle, of the Tentli, was severely wounded. lIere also fell the first Union County soldier killed in the serv- ice up to this time-Ransom Reed, of Maj. llawkins' old company. The enemy retreated during the night and their works were taken possession of by the Union troops early next morning, and soon thereafter the Thirteenth took up a position at Gawley Bridge. While here, Maj. Hawkins, on October 25, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, to succeed Lieut. Col. C. B. Mason, resigned.

The Thirteenth now formed a part of Benham's brigade, and with it, on November 6, crossed the Kanawha River, and camped at Loup Creek, where McMullen's battery joined the brigade, and on November 12 the whole force set out in pursuit of Floyd, then in command of the entire rebel army operating in West Virginia. On this march, Col. Ilawkins, with his regi- ment, led the advance, and came up with the rear of the rebel army in full retreat, at or near Cotton Ilill. Col. Hawkins deployed skirmishers, while he steadily advanced, delivering a well directed fire into the rebel ranks at short range. The skirmishers, in the mean time, were hotly engaged, one of whom shot and mortally wounded Col. Croghan, in command of the rebel rear. Col. Hawkins soon came up, and assisted in conveying the wounded and dying officer into a house near by, and proffered medical aid, to which the Confederate Colonel replied : " Sir, you can do nothing for me." At this time Gen. Benham came up, and recognizing in the dying man a once dear friend and class-mate at West Point, with a voice tremulous with emo- tion exclaimed : " My God ! Croghan, is this you ?" The recognition was mutual, and was af- terward described by Col. Hawkins to the writer as the most affecting scene he had ever wit- nessed, which soon ended in death-Col. Croghen expiring within thirty minutes.

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The rebels immediately fled on the fall of Croghan, were followed by the Union troops as far as Fayetteville, through which Floyd passed and kept up his flight until he reached Louis- burg. Fayetteville was found deserted, and the pursuing forces halted and occupied the houses of the place during their stay there. The Union forces turned back from this place, and having driven the entire rebel forces from West Virginia, were ordered to Jeffersonville, Ind., near Louisville, Ky., to which point they were conveyed by way of the Ohio River on transports, the Thirteenth going into camp immediately opposite the latter place. As the army removed from West Virginia, Col. Hawkins obtained leave of absence and visited his family at his home in Marysville, it being his first since going into West Virginia, and proved to be the last as well. He remained a few weeks, mingling in friendly intercourse with his old friends and fellow-citi- zens, and during the time united with the Presbyterian Church of Marysville, and remained true to its teachings and precepts to the end of life. On December 11, his regiment received orders to join Gen. Buell, then about to march southward in pursuit of Bragg. Col. Hawkins hastened to join his regiment, and came up with it on the march, below Louisville; marched with it, first to Elizabethtown, thence to Bacon Creek, where a few days were spent in a thorough and rigid drill in order to better prepare the men for the bloody conflict anticipated in the near future. February 10, 1862, he received orders to march on Bowling Green, a strongly fortified place occupied by a large rebel force under Gen. John C. Breckenridge. He immediately pushed forward with his command and entered the place on the 15th, it having been evacuated on the approach of the Union forces. On the 22d, he was ordered, with his regiment, to proceed by cars on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, and head the advance of Buell's army, then mov- ing against Nashville, which place was reached on the 26th ; crossed the Cumberland and camped about two miles beyond on the Murfreesboro pike. About this time, Col. Hawkins assumed the command of the regiment, in the absence of Col. Smith, who was then, or soon thereafter, pro- moted to Brigadier General. March 1, he was ordered, with the Seventeenth Brigade, to which his regiment was then attached, to proceed to Lavergne, to aid a detachment of Federal troops that had been attacked by the rebels. The enemy retreated on the approach of re-enforcements, and the regiment returned to camp. March 10, Col. Hawkins was ordered to report with his regiment to Gen. Crittenden, and April 2, with that division, joined the forces under Gen. Buell, then marching to re-enforce Grant at Pittsburg Landing. On this march the troops suffered many hardships. It was excessively fatiguing, yet borne with fortitude and cheerfulness by all.

On the evening of April 5, the column under Buell was forty miles from Pittsburg Land- ing. Marching was resumed carly on the morning of the 6th, and as soon as the sound of the battle was heard, the speed of the column was accelerated, and Savannah was reached some time in the afternoon, which is about ten miles from the scene of the conflict. From Savannah, Nel- son's Division took the advance, closely followed by Crittenden's Division. On reaching Pitts- burg Landing, the division under Crittenden was formed in line of battle on the right of Nelson's command, where it remained during the entire night, without food or shelter, officers and men lying on their arms, and resting on the damp ground. To add to their discomfort, a cold, driz- zling rain set in, that cont nued through a part of the night. About 8 o'clock, on the morning of April 7, the order was given to advance. Col. Hawkins, with his regiment, soon became hotly engaged with a heavy force of rebels, supported by the famous Washington Battery of New Or- leans. He ordered a charge, and led it against this battery in a hand-to-hand struggle, and the battery was taken. Col. Hawkins sprang from his horse, and finding it impossible to take the guns off the field, the horses attached being killed, he spiked one of the guns, and then with soft mud so completely filled and stopped up the others, that the entire battery was rendered useless for a long time thereafter, in consequence of the mud being hardened like bricks in solidity, by the intense heat of the guns. Soon after the capture of this battery the enemy retreated, and the battle of "Shiloh" was fought and won. The Thirteenth Regiment lost heavily in this en- gagement, in killed, wounded and missing. Of the officers, Maj. Ben. P. Runkle and Capt. R. R. Henderson were severely wounded, and Capt. Isaac R. Gardner soon after died from the effects of wounds received. Silas Kimball and Felix Field, two brave soldiers from Union County, mem- bers of Hawkins' old company, were killed and buried on the field.

Soon after this, Col. Hawkins was promoted to Colonel, his commission dating April 7, 1862, the day on which he was engaged in the battle of Pittsburg Landing. He next led his command on Cor- inth, which place was evacuated by the enemy on May 31. He then joined Buell in his advance on Chattanooga, crossed the Tuscumbia River on June 5, crossed the Tennessee to Florence, Ala., and proceeded to Shallow Creek, and from thence to Huntsville, reaching the latter place on July 1, after a fatiguing march, in which both officers and men endured great hardships from dust, exposure to a broiling Southern sun, and nearly famishing from thirst. After this, the regiment was engaged for a short time on detached duty, guarding the Chattanooga Railroad, and on the 16th joined the division at Stephenson, Ala., and went into camp at Battle Creek, where it re- mained until August 20. On the above mentioned date the regiment was ordered to advance in pursuit of Bragg, who had left Chattanooga and was well on his way toward Louisville. Such was the celerity of movement, that Louisville was reached in-advance of the rebel forces, the Union troops having passed Bragg's army on a parallel road, reaching the city September 26. On this march the soldiers endured suffering, fatigue and privations scarcely equaled in the his-

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tory of human endurance, all of which was borne without a murmur, and was shared equally by officers as well as privates.

After a much needed rest, again pushed forward, on October 1, in pursuit of Bragg. On the 8th, McCook and Rosseau came up with him near Perryville, Boyle County, Ky. A severe and bloody engagement ensued.

Col. Hawkins with his regiment in Crittenden's Division, forming the right thereof, pur- sued the retreating rebels, under Bragg, from Perryville, through the valley of Rock Castle River; November 8. reached Glasgow, having accomplished the distance by forced marches in twelve days. On reaching Nashville, the Thirteenth encamped and rested for a brief time from its late fatiguing march. Gen. William S. Rosecrans, a brave and accomplished officer, having on October 30, 1862, been assigned to the command of the Army of the Ohio, to succeed Buell, joined the forces near Nashville prior to the arrival of the Thirteenth. December 2, reviewed the Fifth Division of which the Thirteenth formed a part.

Gen. Rosecrans recognized the Thirteenth as a part of his command of the preceding year ; paid it a high compliment for its soldierly appearance, at the same time reminding the officers and men that he bore some very pleasing remembrances of the " Old Thirteenth," as he was pleased to call it, while serving under him in West Virginia.

On the morning of December 26, the Thirteenth, with Crittenden's Division on the left, Thomas the center, and MeCook the right, made the grand advance. The Thirteenth, being in the advance of the division, met and defeated Wheeler's Cavalry, after a severe fight. Two of this regiment were killed, several wounded, and Lieut. Bates, of Company B, taken prisoner. The enemy was forced back, and Lavergne was reached on the morning of the 27th, on which day that town was evacuated by the enemy. The 28th, being Sunday, was observed as a day of rest by the entire army. by order of Gen. Rosecrans. On the 29th the march was resumed, the whole line advancing toward Stone River, which was reached on the evening of the same day, except the column under McCook, which, by reason of resistance from the enemy, did not get in until near noon of the next day, the 80th. On reaching Stone River, Col. Hawkins was ordered with his regiment on outpost duty, and was thus engaged up to the morning of the 31st, when he was called in, and ordered to take up position in line with the brigade to which the Thirteenth was attached, being the Fourteenth, and constituted the Second Brigade of the Fifth Division. On coming into line, the regiment was ordered, with the division, to cross Stone River and attack the enemy, but had scarcely commenced the advance. when the order was counter- manded. The right, under McCook, having been driven in the center, was considered in dan- ger. Col. Hawkins immediately countermarched his regiment, and proceeded on the double quick back to the Murfreesboro pike, where he assisted in rescuing a. train that had been at- tacked by the enemy's cavalry. Soon after rescuing the train, Col. Hawkins received orders to form on the right of his brigade, which brought him on the extreme right, also, of the Second Brigade. The line being formed, it was ordered by Gen. Van Cleve to advance down a slope thickly covered with cedars, cross an open field, and attack the enemy posted in the wood beyond. Col. Hawkins having reconnoitered the position of the enemy, and knowing its strength, as it was concealed in the wood, which was little more than a dense thicket of cedars, swarming with rebels, informed Van Cleve that the enemy was too strong for the force he was ordering to attack it, and further informed him that the enemy's line was so posted that by the time the attacking force should reach within musket range of the enemy, it would be outflanked and exposed to an enfilading fire. Gen Van Cleve retorted in language discourteous and offensive, implying a doubt of the Colonel's courage, to which Col. Hawkins replied in courteous, yet feeling language- . Gen. Van Cleve. I am not a coward. I have not spoken for myself, but out of regard for my men. I will go in if it takes my life ; but I do dislike to see my men slaughtered, without ac- complishing any good result." He then turned, placed himself at the head of his regiment, and gave the order to advance, which he led down the slope.

In passing through the cedar thicket on the ridge at the top of the slope, his line became broken and slightly disordered, but on emerging from it the well-known voice of its leader brought it into line, when it advanced steadily across the open field, in the face of a terrible fire from the enemy tearing through its ranks. The Fifty-ninth Ohio and Forty-fourth Indiana led the advance, but were soon driven back. The second line, composed of the Thirteenth Ohio and Eighty-sixth Indiana, opened a well-directed fire into the enemy that for a time held it in check, advanced, and took shelter behind a rail-fence, on reaching which the Thirteenth was ordered by Col. Hawkins to lie down. Col. Hawkins alone remained standing, observing the movements of the enemy. His men besought him to follow their example by lying down, but, regardless of self and solicitous regarding their safety, he replied : "I am but one man." The response came from many voices : " You are everything to us." While standing thus, and seeing that he was being outflanked, and in the act of giving an order to his men, he fell dead on the field, pierced by two balls, one entering and passing through his body just above the hips, the other passing into his neck near the base of his brain, killing him instantly. With him fell many others of his command. Maj. Dwight Jarvis now assumed command, continued to fight until nearly sur- rounded, when he fell back with the remnant of the regiment, leaving the body of its beloved Colonel on the field in the hands of the enemy, where it remained until some time on the follow-

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ing Sunday, when it was recovered and sent home to his sorrowing and stricken family. Col. Hawkins seemed to have a presentiment, in the morning, when ordered into the battle, that he would not come out alive, and when receiving the order to cross Stone River, he gave his horse into the care of his colored servant, saying to him: "It's too rough for a horse, and if you never see me again take good care of him." This horse had borne him through all his term of service, enduring with him hunger, thirst and fatigue, and to it he felt strongly attached. Ilis wishes in this regard were carried out by his faithful servant, and the horse was sent home to the Colonel's widow.

In the death of Col. Hawkins, his regiment lost a cool, brave and kind commander. He was beloved by them in life, and his memory will be cherished in their hearts so long as one of that noble band survives. The Nation lost one of its noble and loyal defenders, who laid down his life in its defense, heroically contending for the country and cause he loved. The community in which he lived mourned the loss of an honored citizen who had proved faithful to every trust reposed in him, while his wife and children were bereft of a kind and affectionate husband and loving father, to whom the loss was irreparable. His remains were transferred to his home, and after appropriate and impressive services, with the honors of war, he was laid to rest in the cemetery at Marysville, where a beautiful monument has been erected to his memory, mainly through the contributions of his fellow-officers and soldiers of the " Old Thirteenth."

The writer has given more of a detailed history of the movements and services performed by the Thirteenth Regiment than perhaps is generally allowable in a biographical sketch of one of its officers. This has been done for several reasons, among which may be enumerated the follow- ing : First, Col. Hawkins was with this brave and gallant regiment in all the dangers, fatiguing marches, sufferings and exposure through which it passed, sharing in all up to the time he gal- lantly fell at its head; and secondly, being inseparably connected with it, a history of the same is his true biography, and its gallant deeds, noble and honorable record, his highest and best eulogy.

D. W. HENDERSON, physician, Marysville. The records of this family show them to be of ancient Scotch and Irish origin. The family were allied to the famous house of Stuarts, Caldewood Durham, J. W. Clair Lang, and other distinguished families. It has always been in - fluential, and essentially military ; no Scotch family having furnished more gallant soldiers to the British army or navy, or the East India service. The principal house is now only repre- sented in the person of George W. Mercer Henderson, Esq., a son of Douglass Mercer, who as- sumed the name, and a Lieutenant General and Colonel of the Sixty-eight British foot, by royal license. Alexander Henderson, with William and John, who were sons of Hugh, in the County of Fife, were the first of the van who came to the colonies about the middle of the seven- teenth century. The brothers located in the boundaries of Maryland and Virginia, and raised fami- lies, but were lost sight of in the permanent settlement of the country. David W. Henderson is a son of John and Annie (Jack ) Henderson, who were among the pioneers of Union County, Ohio, in 1837. Her father, Col. James Jack, was one of the original settlers of Pennsylvania, and an officer in the Revolutionary war. The subject of this sketch was born in Indiana County, Penn., October 4, 1823. He was fitted for college at the Marysville Academy, and entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, remaining until near the close of the Freshman year, when in May, 1847, he volunteered his services to the United States in the Mexican war, from which he returned in July, 1848. He at once began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. R. Hills, of Delaware, Ohio, completing his studies at the Starling Medical College, from which he graduated in February, 1852. The following spring he selected a home in Marysville, where he has since followed a constant and successful practice. He has performed some of the major operations both in surgery and obstetrics, and is a member of the Ohio State Medical Society. He was commissioned Surgeon of the Ninety-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteers at its organization, and remained on duty in the field until April, 1863, when his ill health compelled him to resign, and he returned to his practice. He is one of the oldest practitioners of the medical profession, in the county, and has accumulated a handsome property through the years of incessant toil, and contributed largely to the promotion of public interests, while laboring for the relief of suffering humanity. As a citizen, a man and a physician, he enjoys the esteem and confidence of all who know him. Dr. Henderson is one of the Directors of the Marysville Library and Literary Association, a member of the Board of Education and Board of Health, and ex-President of the ex-Soldiers and ex-Sailors Association of Union County. His marriage to Miss Anna Hathaway, of this county, occurred December 29, 1857. Two sons born to this union are both living.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 86

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1254

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1254