USA > Ohio > Clark County > The history of Clark County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, V. 1 > Part 31
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Thus ended one of the great conflicts in the enforcement of the fugitive
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
slave law, which did much toward crystallizing public sentiment against the extension of slavery, and added thousands to the Republican voters of the State. These scenes transpired in 1857, twenty-four years ago, and nearly all the prominent actors have passed away. Ad White was notified of his freedom, and at once returned to Mechanicsburg, where he yet resides, borne down by hard work and age, but ever cherishing the memory of those who gave him shelter and protection when fleeing from oppression and seeking his freedom.
THE MILITARY HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
properly begins with the means of defense provided by the first settlers, to pro- tect themselves against the Indians. The minor details of these preparations are not found recorded upon any public or private pages, and are mostly lost to tradition.
"In 1799, Simon Kenton, John Humphreys and six other families," etc., built a sort of fort, or block-house, near the mouth of Buck Creek. During the summer of 1807, the people of Springfield were greatly alarmed over some per- formances of Tecumseh and his followers; it is said that "Mr. Foos' house was turned into a fort, and the inhabitants there assembled for protection," to which is added "others were formed into militia companies," etc. There is hardly another subject connected with the history of this county that is so obscure as the one relating to the home military operations of the period from 1807 to the close of the war of 1812. There are no accounts of " trainings" or musters until some time after the establishment of the county in 1818. One writer says of Granny Irenbarger that " she was a regular attendant upon the military musters," so it seems that the people here, as elsewhere, complied with the law which required them to muster.
From the year 1811 to 1814 was a period of "wars, and riunors of wars," and this locality was well out on the frontier line, not very far from the seat of war, thereby bringing the operations and consequent alarms close home.
One would naturally expect to find an abundance of material, both recorded · and traditional, from which to fabricate an interesting chapter pertaining to the local events which transpired during this period, as well as of the individ- uals who took part in them; but the only source of information is hearsay, the business note-books of pension and claim agents, or bounty land speculators. and once in a great while a time-stained and imperfect muster or pay roll which is as likely to be the roll of a company from Maine or Maryland as any other. There are on file in the Adjutant General's office, at Columbus, only nine of the rolls of 1812, and they contain little else than the names of the members. Que of these is the roll of Capt. Joseph Vance's company of riffemen, which was organized at Urbana. As the list embraces some names which were well known in this county then, it is here inserted:
Captain, Joseph Vance; Lieutenant, William Ward; Ensign, Isaac Myers; Sergeant, David W. Parkinson; Sergeant, Charles Harrison; Sergeant, James Ward; Sergeant, Reuben McSherry.
Privates -- Randal Sargeant, David Henry, Bennet Tabar, John Dawson, Samuel Slower, Joseph Gutridge, George Sanders, John Lewis, John Rigdon, John Ford, William Sargent, Lord Thomas, John Wiley, Francis Stevenson. Britton Lewis. John W. Vance, Thomas Ford, William Stevens, Andrew Thorp, John Ross, Zebulon Cantrill, Henry Mathew, William H. Fyffe, John Taylor, William McRoberts, Solomon Petty, Lewis Rigdon, Elijah Richards. Isaac Car ter, Frederick Ambrose. William Vance, Archibald MeGrow, Philip Jarbo, Joseph: Voll, Abraham Custer, William MeGrew, Daniel Newcomb, John Pearce,
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
Joseph Duncan, Jesse Egman, James Brown, Henry Coffinan, Edward Johnson, Matthias Sturm.
The following names have been picked up, one at a time, from various places, and are of those who are known to have been " out" in the war. It is not given as anything near a complete record, but for the sake of preserving the names found in course of inquiries after historical matter:
David Jones, Emanuel Zirkle, Abraham Zirkle, Peter Pence, Jacob Pence, Adam Kiblinger, Peter Baker, John Maggart, Gersham Gard, Prestly Ross, John Ross, David Kizer, Elijah Hammett, Pearce Taylor, William Overpack, James Foley, Obediah Lippencott, George Albin, Benjamin P. Gaines, Runyon, William Enoch, John Gentis, Daniel Kiblinger, Jacob Kiblinger, John Moony, Peter Bruner, Jesse Godard, Connoway Rector, William Runkle (Judge), John Branstitter, Solty Hullinger, Philip Kizer, Hugh W. Wallace, Jacob Olin- ger, Jacob Moss, William Ward, William Layton, Joseph Keifer, Abraham Smith, David Hughs, Jacob Ellsworth, William Curl, A. McConkey, William Hunt, Joseph Coffe, Charles Botkin, Daniel Long, Richard Dawson, Pearce Taylor. Drafted-Jeremiah Curl, Jacob Moses, William Runyon.
An incident is related of Gov. Shelby, of Kentucky, who accompanied the troops from that State, on their march to join Gen. Harrison's forces in 1813. The Kentucky men reached Springfield on a Saturday and encamped on the ground near where John Foos' oil-mill now stands, where they remained over Sunday. During the day a young clergyman of Springfield volunteered to con- duet services in camp, and in course of his remarks tried to impress the men with the devout character of Gov. Shelby, who, he said, never engaged in any enterprise without first appealing to the Almighty for guidance. The speaker urged them each to follow the pious example of their leader and all would be well. In a day or two after this the troops encountered bad weather, and for various. reasons became somewhat demoralized, which called forth the prompt administration of the discipline of the day. Gov. Shelby's voice could be heard echoing through the woods as he showered a volley of caths at some stubborn subdivision. One of the soldiers who overheard the language hinted that the Governor might be engaged in devotional exercises or else wanted some new favor; at all wents the high notions set forth by the chaplain, in regard to Gov. Shelby's piety, were forever dispelled.
During the few years immediately after the war of 1812, there seems to have been a re-actionary sentiment prevailing among the people in regard to local military matters, which resulted in nothing more than the assembling, according to law, from time to time, to perform muster duty. About the years 1824 to 1830. the martial spirit began to revive, and a munber of so-called "Independent Companies" were organized, among these were the Springfield Artillery, Capt. Benjamin Brubarker, the Clark Guards, Osceola Plaids, Springfield Cadets, and later one or two other companies, the names of which are not known. It should be mentioned that the "militia law " was one of the most important acts on the "scroll of edicts" then. The first law enacted, by the first law-making body in Ohio, was " a law for regulating and establishing the militia," published at Marietta July 25, 178S, Chase, Vol. I, page 92. By the requirements of this act, "all male inhabitants between the ages of sixteen and fifty," were required to perform military duty
This law, or some modifications of it, continued in force until 1847 or 1848, when the system had become so rediculous, that the act was repealed.
" TRAINING-DAY " PERIOD.
From 1825 or 1830, to about the time of the outbreak of the Mexican war, the militia interests of the State were at the height of their glory.
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
The law demanded that every able-bodied citizen of the State should "per- form," etc .; also, that he, the said citizen, should be armed with a "good and sufficient musket, fusee, or rifle," and regulations defined " good and sufficient " to include "lock, stock, barrel and ram-rod." A small volume could be written upon the various capers that were indulged in at these meetings for " instruc- tion." In fact these old muster days were the only real legal holidays ever provided for by law. The people were obliged to come out and " train," so they made the most of it. The men were each armed with any kind of a firelock that would pass muster: old, worn out, and broken guns were called into use to supply the demands of the law, which in its majesty defined what should com- pose a gun.
One case is related of a man who appeared with an ancient horse-pistol. minus the lock, but with a huge padlock fastened on in its place, and a broomstick driven into the muzzle to make the weapon long enough to be handled to good advantage. This "rig" was objected to by the minion who represented the dignity of the service, and the soldier was sent before the proper authorities to answer. The court decided that the man had furnished all that the law re- quired, viz., lock, stock, barrel and ram-rod, and let him off without fine, which decision was fatal to discipline. as the next muster found half of the men pres- ent with only pocket pistols with sticks driven into them.
There were various assemblages on account of militia matters, such as company training, regimental training, brigade musters, officer musters and many minor meetings.
Brigade musters or regimental training was looked forward to as an occasion of great importance. For weeks beforehand the note of preparation sounded through the country; arms and accouterments were put in order, and uniforms brushed; chickens, gingerbread. cakes, pies and all sorts of edibles and "drink- ables" were prepared, and everything made ready for a general gala day. Some- times a drenching rain would set in at the wrong time, and the plumed and be- feathered officers forced to seek the cover of a sheltering tree, where dripping and crestfallen they resembled a lot of half-drowned and disappointed roosters. To be Captain in those days was to wear a title which amounted to a sort of tar- get for the shafts of wit and cheap wisdom to butt against. The "Cap'n" was expected to furnish a dinner for his command, and this was often served under a "bower" of green leaves, made of limbs, crotches and poles, and covered with branches and twigs of the sugar or other convenient tree, in full verdure; under this was spread the tables. The dinner consisted of the "fat of the land," roast pig, roast beef, vegetables, etc .. an enormous Indian pudding "with rasins in it," being an essential part of the feast.
In those days temperance consisted in not getting too drunk too often. and was practiced by the rank and file of " our army of citizen soldiery" to a liberal extent on training days.
The system included the establishment of divisions, brigades, regiments and battalions, with a full corps of commanders. staff' officers, etc. This gave rise to a long list of Generals, Colonels and other war-like titles, and when " general musters," or "brigade training" brought out the forces, these magnates were on hand in full feather. The law required each officer to have a "good and sufficient sword." but was silent in regard to the dress or any of the equipments. leaving each individual to exercise his taste in those matters. This produced a confusion of gorgeousness not seen now-a-days, except at a circus or carnival. From what has been stated, it will be seen that the whole system tended rather to precipitate the serious duties it was intended to teach into a course of use- less foolery, quite detrimental to the interests of the State. The frontier line had advanced to the "far West," and with it the Indian terrors of early times;
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
the army musket in the hands of the reguliar soldier had taken the place of the settler's rifle -- the trainings became useless wastes of time, the laws were repealed and nothing was left but the titles held by the officers. to be by them worn with their ripening years, as evidences of their worth and popularity in "ye olden times."
This article would hardly be complete without the names of some of the prominent officers of " ante-bellum" days.
Samson Mason, Major General Fifth Division, Edward H. Cumming. Lieutenant Colonel and Inspector, Fifth Division Staff, promoted to be Adju- tant General of Ohio, with the rank of Brigadier General, under Gov. Thomas Corwin, John Kiefer, Brigadier General, Third Brigade, Fifth Division: Charles Anthony, Brigadier General, Third Brigade, Fifth Division; Peter Sintz, Colonel of "horse," Third Brigade, Fifth Division; Harvey Vinal, Lieu- tenant Colonel, Independent Battalion: Thomas Kizer, Lieutenant Colonel in the Fifth Division; William Moore, Quarter Master. Vinal's Battalion; James S. Christie, Major, Aid on Gen. Mason's Staff. promoted to Lieutenant Colonel; Edwin Barton, Major; Sampson Runyan, Captain Fifth Division; Horatio Banes, Brigadier . General, Fourth Brigade: James Cheshunt, Colonel Fifth Division; Samuel Bechtle, Captain in Fifth Division: T. J. Barton, Captain Fifth Divis- ion; William T. Hough; Major Fifth Division.
THE MEXICAN WAR.
During the years 1846-47. a call was made upon the people to furnish men for the army of regulars and volunteers, which was to invade Mexico for the acquisition of Texas, and the extension of the Southwestern frontier.
It is not known how many men were in the Mexican war from this county. The State furnished four regiments of infantry, of ten companies each, besides a number of organizations of the cavalry and artillery arms.
There were probably sixty or seventy companies in all, yet there is but one of these muster rolls on file at the military headquarters of the State.
It is related by some of the older people that twelve or fifteen men volun- teered for this service, at a general muster of the militia, held at or near "Bos- ton;" but there is no record or account of it now known to exist.
From the statement made by those who served in those campaigns. it is thought that not more than eight or ten men went out from Clark County to the Mexican war, and they went out one at a time, and into different companies.
It must be remembered that the county was Whig in politics. and as such the people were not in sympathy with the war. farther than to maintain the honor of our national arms. The following names are of those who represented this county in that war. The list is short and unsatisfactory, and is no doubt incomplete:
Andrew F. Boggs-see note with United States Naval list.
Biddle Boggs was one of the leading spirits here, who raised a company for the service in Mexico, but failed to get it accepted. Entered the service as Wagonmaster; had charge of the ammunition train at the battle of Buena Vista: received the thanks of Gens. Taylor and Wool for services in that engagement.
Edward Boggs was enlisted from Kentucky, but was a resident of this county.
Other names are George Cox, Isaiah Cheney, Daniel Harsh, James Botten, Adam Evans, ------ Hoover.
Capt. Simon H. Drum, U. S. A., was brought here for final interment. after his fall, during the assault on the city of Mexico. See United States Regular List.
--------
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
Vincent Nowotny, of Springfield, was one of the party of half a dozen sol- diers who bore Capt. Drum off the field.
In 1857, the militia interests were again revived, and the laws tinkered with upon the general plan of the old system, but without any of the margins for fun which preserved that system so long. The State was divided into divis- ions and brigades, and a general officer elected or appointed in each; in many of these subdivisions not a soldier existed except the Brigadier himself. Under this arrangement, J. F. Whiteman was chosen Brigadier General, and died in office during the year 1857 or 1858. There were three companies of uniformed militiamen in the county then, viz., the Springfield Light Artillery, Springfield - Zouave Cadets, and one company at Tremont. On the 27th of November, 1958, John M. Deardorff, commanding the artillery company, was chosen Brigadier General to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Gen. Whiteman. James C. Bonondor succeeded to the command of the Artillery. For the names of those who served as staff officers to both Gens. Whiteman and Dear- dorff', the reader is directed to another paragraph. From the poll-book of this election it is learned that Deardorff had 123 votes, and that one Samuel Bowlus had ninety votes; the Judges were Scott Martin, J. B. McKinley and John C. Miller, with W. R. Munroe Clerk. This poll-book is an interesting paper, as it contains the names of 213 citizens of this county. who were con- lected in some way with the militia interests of the period that witnessed the outbreak of the great rebellion. Some of those who voted then are now rest- ing in soldiers' graves with their names and deeds recorded upon tablets more enduring than the flimsy scroll which reveals the martial spirit of their youth. Young gentlemen who then called each other "Howard," or "Phil," or "Ed," or "Dave," or "Joe," are now wearing the well earned and honorable titles of the higher grades of actual war, which distinctions have been sealed by the iron stamp of conflict. These men were unconsciously learning the alphabet of a language which three years later was destined to echo back the jarring of Sumter's walls with an eloquence that forced the admiring attention of the civilized world.
During the period from this election to the spring of 1861, the organiza- tions are said to have performed the yearly rounds of camp duty. The Briga- dier and his full staff were on hand, and "reviewed " the three companies. One well-known citizen relates that it cost him about $100 for his outfit, and some- thing more for pocket money, for one half day's experience in camp. A year later, he was furnished with all the experience he desired, and was paid $13 a month and "board" besides, war having changed the market value of nearly everything.
Gen. Whiteman's Staff-Brigade Adjutant; Samuel Shellabarger, Bri- gade Inspector; Rodney Mason, Judge Advocate; J. J. Snyder, Brigade Engi- neer; William G. Boggs, Chaplain; Jerry Kleinfelter, Quartermaster; A. Denny Rogers, Aid.
Gen. John M. Deardorff's Staff-J. Warren Keifer, Brigade Adjutant; George Spence, Judge Advocate; Jolin H. Littler, Brigade Inspector: J. V. Bal- lantine, Brigade Engineer; William G. Boggs, Chaplain; William Reed, Quar- termaster; John C. Miller, Aid.
The city history contains an account of the shock experienced here, as else- where, at the attempted disruption of the nation in 1861. It only remains to trace the workings of that great wrong, upon the hearts of the people of this county, to some of the results which were incidental, and yet of a nature so general and broad as to fairly include them in the list of subjects pertaining to the county proper.
To enter into all the details of labor, in a hundred forms, which was
SPRINGFIELD
295-246
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
engaged in, by the citizens of this county, on account of the war, would of itself form a history of great extent. Aid societies-the Sanitary and Christian Commissions -- collections of food and clothing, maintaining a proper "rest" for sick and weary soldiers, extra hours of hard labor on account of being short of help, etc., to a distant end, were all attended to by our people in a manner that is pleasant to think of after a lapse of fifteen years, because those duties were well done.
Other portions of the work will contain more or less of the details pertain- ing to different parts of the county.
COUNTY MILITARY COMMITTEE.
During the administration of Gov. Dennison it was decided to appoint a standing committee, of able and responsible men, in each county of the State, which committee should have principal charge and direction of military matters in and for that county. The raising of funds for bounties, enlisting recruits, looking after the families of those who were absent, and a score or more of other" duties were performed by this body. It was a good labor gratuitously rendered. The gentlemen who composed the committee in this county were: John B. Hagan. Chairman; D. A. Harrison, Secretary; Alexander Waddle, Samuel F. Sterritt, Charles M. Clark, William S. Meranda, J. Kreider Mower* and perhaps one or two others whose names have not been learned. The records and papers of this committee cannot be found, though much effort has been put forth to discover them. No officer was commissioned by the Governor, or other action taken, in any case, until the matter had been subjected to the scrutiny of this board, which also co-operated with the Sanitary Commission, and with the Pro- vost Marshal's department.
PROVOST MARSHAL'S DEPARTMENT FROM 1863 TO 1866.
All Sheriff's were, by virtue of their office, made Deputy Provost Marshals, and to them was assigned the duty of catching and returning to duty all of that class of sinners known as bounty jumpers, deserters and shirks generally. The Sheriff was virtually in command of the whole body of enrolled militia, and straggling volunteers and regulars besides. James Fleming was Sheriff of this county then, and his old papers are rich in data for many a "yarn." A few of the most general specimens are given as illustrating the strength of the law in time of war, and also the duties which devolved upon the Sheriff.
Here is one of "Uncle Sam's prizes," drawn by a citizen of this county:
[No. 461.] PROVOST MARSHAL'S OFFICE, SEVENTH DISTRICT, STATE OF OHIO, } SEPTEMBER 29, 1864. S
To GERMAN TOWNSHIP, CLARK CO .:
Sir-You are hereby notified that you were, on the 29th day of September, 1864, legally drafted in the service of the United States for the period of one year, in accordance with the provisions of the act of Congress "for enrolling and calling out the national forces, and for other purposes." approved March 3, 1863, and the act amendatory thereof, approved February 24, 1864. You will accordingly report, on or before the- -, at the place of rendezvous, in Columbus, Ohio, or be deemed a deserter, and be subject to the penalty prescribed therefor by the Rules and Articles of War.
$
BENJ. NESBITT, Procost Marshal Seventh District of Ohio.
PROCLAMATION OF THE GOVERNOR.
THE STATE OF OHIO, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, / COLUMBUS, JULY 12, 1563. 1 Now, therefore, to prevent the same, I, David Tod, Governor of the State of Ohio.
Whereas, this State is in imminent danger of invasion by an armed force-
*This was the composition of the committee at the close of 1863.
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
and Commander-in-Chief of the militia forces thereof, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of said State, do hereby call into active service that portion of the militia force which has been organized into companies within the counties of Hamilton, Butler. Montgomery, Clermont, Brown, Clinton, Warren, Greene, Fayette, Ross, Monroe, Washington. Morgan, Noble, Athens, Meigs, Scioto. Jackson, Adams, Vin. ton, Hocking, Lawrence, Pickaway, Franklin, Madison, Fairfield, Clark, Preble, Pike. Gallia, Highland and Perry. * * * And it is further ordered that all such forces residing in the counties of Franklin, Madison, Clark, Greene, Pickaway and Fair- field report forthwith at Camp Chase to Brig. Gen. John S. Mason, who is hereby author- ized to organize said forces into battalions or regiments, and appoint temporary officers therefor. Each man is requested to furnish himself with a good, service- able blanket and tin cup. They will remain on duty, subject to the orders of their com- manding officers, until further ordered from these Headquarters. In organizing the forces into battalions and regiments, the Volunteer Companies will, as far as practicable, be organized separately from the enrolled militia. The commanders of companies will pro- vide their respective commands with subsistence and transportation to the camps indicated, giving the parties furnishing the same suitable vouchers therefor. The commanders of the several camps will report by telegraph to the Adjutant General of Ohio, every morning, the number of inen in camp. It is confidently expected that this order will be obeyed with alacrity and cheerfulness. It is issued upon the urgent solicitation of Major General Burn- ·side. Commander-in-Chief of the Department of Ohio.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the great seal of the [L. S.] State of Ohio.
DAVID TOD, Governor.
The foregoing is the copy of so much of Gov. Tod's order calling out the forces to capture Joli Morgan, as relates to this county.
The following telegram pertains to the same, and every able-bodied man in the county, at that time, was included in the call:
BY TELEGRAPH FROM COLUMBUS, JULY 12, 1863. Send all your organized companies, whether militia or volunteers. TO JAMES FLEMING.
DAVID TOD.
The "Cornstalk" militia were prepared for duty in the field by orders like this which follows:
GENERAL, HEADQUARTERS, STATE OF OHIO, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE. } [SPECIAL ORDERS, No. G, VOL. [.] COLUMBUS, OHIO, JULY 18, 1863. 5
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