USA > Ohio > Madison County > The history of Madison County, Ohio > Part 52
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134
The regiment formed a part of the advance column on Nashville, after the capture of Fort Donelson, and shared the forced marches, hardships and privations of Gen. Buell's army in its advance to Pittsburg Landing to re- lieve Gen. Grant. In the advance from Shiloh through the swamps of Northern Mississippi, upon Corinth, the Twenty-sixth occupied the front line, and was among the first to enter the place. During the summer of 1862. the regiment bore its full share of the hardships of Gen. Buell's cam- paign. In August of that year. the Twenty-sixth led the attack on Forrest's Cavalry, near McMinnville, Tenn .. defeating the rebels and capturing. among other prisoners, Gen. Forrest's body-servant, battle-horse and private carriage. In the memorable forced marches of Buell and Bragg, from the Tennessee to the Ohio. and thence toward Cumberland Gap, in the fall of 1862. this regiment performed its whole duty.
On the 26th of December, 1862. Gen. Rosecrans commenced his advance from Nashville against Murfreesboro. During this engagement the Twenty- sixth, under the command of Maj William Squires, of Madison County, supported in part by the Fifty-eighth Indiana, made a gallant and success- ful charge, storming and driving from a strong position in the village of La Vergne a far larger force of the enemy, that for many hours had held the left wing of the army at bay, and seriously impeded the execution of the movements in progress. Later in the day, two companies of this command charged the enemy's retreating rear guard, drove them from and extin-
Corporal, Daniel H. Thomas.
Corporal, David Reece.
PRIVATES.
Andrews, Charles C.
Murphy, Mathew.
Anderson, JJames.
Frisbey, George P. Flaherty, George F.
Miller, George.
Winget, Warren C. Wadsworth, F. J.
Chapman, Silas W.
Kile, William N.
Parrish, John.
Wells, Lewis, W.
والر واية "التاني
497
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
guished the fire of a burning bridge, to the great advantage of the advanc- ing columns. This gallant deed was thought of sufficient importance to en- title the regiment to especial mention in reports. At the battle of 'Stone River the Twenty-sixth, under Maj. Squires, was one of several regiments which stood firm against the rebel charge on the 26th inst .. when three- fourths of the National forces on the right had given way and were in full flight. and though for many hours the heavily-massed columns of the enemy were hurled against it, they still stood their ground, and the Twenty- sixth Ohio formed the apex of that little convex line of battle that all Bragg's victorious army could not break or bend. At this time, the command lost one-third of its strength in killed and wounded. Maj. Squires was pre- sented with an elegant sword by the command, in appreciation of his serv- ices in this battle.
In the advance on Bragg's lines at Tullahoma and Shelbyville, the regiment bore a conspicuous and honorable part. In the advance on Chat- tanooga, in December, 1863, the Twenty-sixth led the advance of Critten- den's corps, which first entered the place, Col. Young, who had again taken command of the regiment, leading it in skirmish line over the northern bluff of Lookout Mountain. At Chickamauga, the regiment was in the thickest and bloodiest of the fight, where it acquitted itself with honor. Its loss in killed and wounded was very severe, being nearly three-fifths of the number engaged. At the storming of Mission Ridge by the Army of the Cumberland, the Twenty-sixth Ohio maintained its good reputation. It oc- cupied nearly the center of the front line of assault (Wagner's brigade, Sheridan's division), and was there called upon to sustain the concentrated fire of the rebel circular line of forty cannon and thousands of muskets. The assault was made in the face of this terrible fire, the column fighting its way, step by step, up the long and rugged slope, every minute be- coming weaker and thinner by the murderous fire of the foe from above, un- til, with less than half the command, with the entire color-guard disabled, Col. Young, bearing his own colors, spurred his horse over the enemy's works, who threw down their arms, abandoned their guns and gave them- selves to precipitate flight. In this action the Twenty-sixth captured about fifty prisoners and two cannon. Later in the day, this regiment, together with the Fifteenth Indiana, captured a six-gun battery the enemy were en- deavoring to carry off in their retreat, and flanked and dislodged a strong body of rebels. who, with two heavy guns, were attempting to hold in check the Union forces until their train could be withdrawn. These guns, also, were captured. In token of their appreciation of Col. Young's gallantry on Lookout Mountain, his command subsequently presented him with a mag- nificent sword and belt. The regiment suffered at this time the loss of about one-fourth of its strength in killed and wounded.
Ere its dead were buried on the mountain side of Mission Ridge, the Twenty-sixth, now reduced by two years and a half of arduous service. from 1.000 to less than 200 rifles, was on its way, with the Fourth Corps. to raise the siege of Knoxville. This campaign proved to be the most severe of any yet experienced. They marched barefoote.l over frozen ground, and bivouacked without shelter. in midwinter, clad in summer dress, with half rations. on the desolate and dreary hillsides of East Tennessee. Yet even then, with elbows out, pants worn half-way to the knees, socks and shirts gone to threads. hungry and shivering in the bitter cold of January 1, 1864, the Twenty-sixth. almost to a man, re-enlisted for three years more. It was the first regiment in the Fourth Corps to re-enlist, and the first to arrive
498
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
home on veteran furlough. Returning to the field at the expiration of its furlough, the regiment rejoined the Fourth Corps at Bridgeport, Tenn.
When Gen. Sherman moved upon Atlanta, the Twenty-sixth marched with its corps and participated in that arduous campaign. It was at Res- aca, Kenesaw, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro and in all the minor engage- ments of that march, and in each maintained its splendid fighting reputa- tion. After a rest of three weeks at Atlanta, the regiment was again called upon to seek the enemy. Gen. Hood, thinking to defeat the plans of Gen. Sherman, made his dash at the rear of Atlanta and marched on to Nashville. In the race that ensued, the Twenty-sixth Ohio bore a part, and again had the honor of contending, under the gallant Thomas, with the rebel foe. The battle of Franklin was fought, the enemy checked in his swift march, and the Union forces won the race into Nashville. At this point the two armies again met in battle, resulting in a victory for the National arms, the rebels being completely demoralized and put to flight. The latter were pur - slied across the Tennessee River, and then the Union forces fell back on Huntsville an l Nashville.
The Texas campaign was now resolved upon, and the Twenty-sixth formed part of that force. participating in the trip down the Ohio and Mis- sissippi to New Orleans; thence in the severe march across the country from Port Lavaca to San Antonio, which will long be remembered by those gallant veterans, on account of its disagreeable associations of intense heat, burning thirst and the almost unbearable annoyances of the insects inhabit- ing that region. On the 21st of October, 1865, the regiment was mustered out of the service at Victoria. Immediately thereafter, it was sent home to Camp Chase, paid off and discharged.
COMPANY K.
This company was recruited at London. and bore the title of " Cowling Videttes," in honor of Richard Cowling, a leading citizen of the county. It arrived at Camp Chase July 22, 1861, and on the following day was mustered into the Twenty-sixth Regiment. The company organization, with all subse- quent enlistment», is as follows :
OFFICERS.
Captain, William H. Squires.
First Lieutenant, James R. Hume.
Second Lieutenant, James R. Warner.
Sergeant, Moses II. Wood
Sergeant, John F. Martin.
Sergeant, Thomas S. Pennington.
Sergeant, Alexander Dean.
Sergeant, William L. Fickey.
Howsman, James.
Simpkins, Wayne.
Hand. Philip.
Smith. George. Sel-or, Robert.
Corporal, Lucian Dungan.
Jones, Albert S.
Sellenbarger, Henry.
Johnson, Thomas. Kern, Joseph.
Steele, William. Showalter, David. Sanford, James T.
Landis, Emanuel.
Lynch, Travis.
Treanor, James
Lyda, William
Treahern, James A.
Ladley, James. Lock wood, T. K.
Timmons, William. Wemes, George. Wolf, James. Wolford, Nathaniel.
Mclain. John.
Wright, James M.
Williams, George W
Bryan, Brooks
Campbell, Curtis.
Moler. Jacob.
Williams, Joseph. Warren, Jonathan.
Bidwell, Albert.
Clingan, Alonzo P.
Bidwell, Elisha. Cordray, Noble A.
Bendervolt, Jacob.
Cliugan, Andrew J.
Brooks, David D.
Campbell, James.
Bussard, Peter. Chrisman, David R.
Dehaven, Joseph O.
McDonald, James.
Darst, Sylvanus. Nagley, William A
Dennison. James. Powell, Robert E.
Devalt, John. Peters, John.
Dennison, Philip. Phillips. Charles.
Deibl, William.
Porter, William.
Durflinger, Virgil M.
Powell, Samuel.
Ellison, Cladius C.
Eberly, Jolın.
Phillips, John.
Edwards, Jacob J.
Rafferty, Joseph.
Flack, William II.
Flack, Peter.
Graham, Patrick.
Rowland. Samuel.
Guy, Charles. Goodwin, John.
Roper, James H.
Howsman, Charles.
Sanford, Daniel B.
llolswager, Lewis.
Holden. Jobn.
Helms, John.
Hunter, James.
Swigert, William, S.
Hutchison, Amos J.
Sanford, Benjamin.
Corporal, Era -tus Guy. Corporal, H. W. Rowland.
Holeycross, Andrew M.
Corporal, C. R. Warner. Corporal, B. C. Putnam.
Corporal, George O'Brien.
Corporal, Benjamin F. Tyler.
Corporal, James Withrow.
PRIVATI'S.
Anderson, Marion. Busa, Conrad.
Anchanr, Charles. Burt, John F.
Bradley, John. Corcoran, Patrick.
Byers, John W. Carey, Mortimer.
Bupp, George. Benjamin, Herrick.
Cisna. Samuel. Campbell, John.
More, James.
More, Willlam D.
Weaver, Era.
Morris, Joseph P.
Warner, Willis C.
Morse, Albert E.
Williams, Francis JI.
Moler, David.
Teamster, Jerry Flynn.
Peppers, George W. R.
Ray, Isaac W. Robbins. Z. S.
Ray, Alfred.
Swingle, S. G Saunders, G. W. Suver, William.
Mains, Isaac
Moore, John F.
Mock. Able.
499
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
FORTIETH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
The organization of this regiment was completed at Camp Chase, Ohio, December 7, 1861, and, on the 11th of the same month, it left camp for Eastern Kentucky, going by railroad to Paris, Ky., and marching thence to Paintville, where it formed a junction with Col. Garfield, who was then moving up Sandy River. On the 10th of January, 1862, the regiment par- ticipated in the battle of Middle Creek, defeating Humphrey Marshall, and after that remained in camp at Paintville, suffering very much from sickness. In February, it moved to Piketon, where, in connection with a Kentucky regiment, it remained as an outpost until June 13, when the troops moved to Prestonburg. A month later, Prestonburg was abandoned, the Fortieth going to Louisa, where it remained until September 13, when it left Louisa and moved to the mouth of the Sandy, and a few days after was ordered to Gallipolis, Ohio. On the 4th of October, it moved to Guyandotte, W. Va., and, November 14, was again ordered into Eastern Kentucky.
The regiment started for Nashville, Tenn., February 20, 1863, and, on its arrival was assigned to the First Brigade, First Division, Reserve Corps, then at Franklin, which point the regiment reached in March in time to take part in a forced march after Van Dorn. On the 10th of April, when the Fortieth was on picket south of Franklin, Van Dorn attacked the line with a large mounted force, but was repulsed by the regiment alone. The Fortieth moved to Trinne, on the 2d of June, and, on the 23d, the reserve corps moved forward, forming the right of Rosecrans' army in its advance on Shelbyville, Wartrace and Tullahoma. The regiment was stationed at the two latter points until September 7, when the reserve corps pushed forward rapidly to assist in the movement on Chattanooga. The regiment participated in the battle of Chickamauga, losing quite heavily, and, after falling back to Chattanooga, encamped at Moccasin Point, opposite Look- out Mountain, and finally went into winter quarters at Shell Mound, Tenn., where four companies re-enlisted.
On the 24th of November, the regiment shared in the battle of Lookout Mountain, and behaved with great gallantry. It was in the second line of battle, and, upon reaching the rebel breastworks, was ordered to halt, by Gen. Whittaker, who was in command; but not hearing the order on account of the din of battle, kept right on alone, capturing two pieces of artillery at the " White House," several hundred yards in advance of the other troops. The right of the regiment advanced to near the Summertown road, but, re- ceiving no support, were obliged to fall back. The gallant Fortieth felt much chagrined at the result, and claimed, that if properly supported, they would have captured the rebel guns and stores on the summit of the mount- ain. At the close of the campaign, the regiment returned to Shell Mound. On the 20th of January, 1864, the regiment moved, and, February 6, went into camp near Cleveland, Tenn. On the 22d of February. it started on a reconnoissance to Dalton, returning to camp on the 28th. On the 2d of May, the Fortieth marched on the Atlanta campaign, participating in many of the battles before that place, and being under fire almost constantly after reaching Dalton. Companies A, B, C and D were mustered out of service at Pilot Knob, Ga., October 7, 1864. The remainder of the regiment shared the fortunes of the Fourth Corps in its pursuit of Hood, and in its retreat before him from Pulaski. In December, those who were not veterans were mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., and the veterans were consolidated with the Fifty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
After the consolidation of the Fortieth with the Fifty-first, the com-
500
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
bined regiment was transported, with the Fourth Army Corps, to New Or- leans, thence to Texas, where, at the town of Victoria, it performed guard duty for some months. It was mustered out of the service December 3, 1865, brought home to Camp Chase, where it was finally paid and dis- charged.
COMPANY A.
This company was organized at Jefferson, and mu tered into the Fortieth Regiment September 19, 1861, at Camp Chase, where it arrived on the 10th of that month. The muster-out rolls of the Fortieth Regiment are not in the Adjutant General's office at Columbus, and we, therefore, had to depend on the muster-in rolls, and the assistance of Col. William Jones, Lient. James C. Peck, and other officers of the regiment, to com- plete the lists. The roster is as follows :
COMPANY C.
This company was organized at. London, in the autumn of 1861. and mustered into the Fortieth regiment at Camp Chase, September 21st of that year, as follows:
OFFICERS.
Captain, Thomas Acton.
First Lieutenant, Delamer L. Deland.
Second Lientenant, James C. Peck.
Sergeant, Ezra Tullis.
Sergeant. C. C. MeCormack.
Sergeant, David M. Clark.
Sergeant, J. W. Ware.
Sergeant, A. W. Kirkley.
Corporal, Heury Kelly.
Corporal, Alonzo Fleming.
Corporal, David Tullis.
Corporal, llenry Lyman.
Corporal, William Ellars.
Corporal, H. McDaniel.
Corporal. S. L. B. McMillio.
Corporal, O. A. McCaulla.
PRIVATES.
Anderson, William. Link, Washington D
Allen, Jeremiah.
Liuk, Harvey.
Althen, John.
Lusch, George.
Allen. Homer.
Lyons, George.
Bennett, Wallace.
Moreland, John.
Butterwick, Henry.
Betts, Charles.
Anderson, William.
Hubbard, Samuel.
Adams, Hamilton.
Hubbard, William.
Augsburger, John.
Henderson, Charles C.
Brown, Peter.
McCaulla, George.
Arhood, John.
Irwin, Joseph.
Baker. George.
Murray, Robert B.
Altman, Charles.
Ingalls, George.
Bates, Edward.
Madigan, Michael.
Bradley, Calvin.
Ingalls, Rufus W.
Blaine, William A.
Moreland, Thomas.
Bidwell, Benjamin.
Ingalls, Francis.
Coin, Patrick.
Morain, John.
Burkheart, William.
Jolinson, Firman.
Cox, John.
Melvin, Madison MI
Bradley. H. K.
Kingman, George.
Curtis, James.
Melvin, Samuel.
Bradley, F. S.
Kelso, John.
Curran, Patrick.
Nattrie. Benjamin.
Bidwell, Malon.
Long, Jacob.
Chamberlain, Geo.
Postle, Jefferson.
Byerly. David. Brown, John.
Lilly, Henry C.
Cook, John W.
Peck, John.
Chambers, James.
Lilly, Daniel.
Cook, Josiah T.
Prugh, A. . 1.
Chambers, Samuel.
Leiter, George.
Candler. Francis M.
Paine, Miner.
Chenoweth, Thomas.
Mahar, Mathew.
Rose, George.
Cartwright, James.
Martin, John H.
Eastman, Dyer B.
Clover. James.
Miller, Francis R.
Evans, Richard.
Reed, Benjamin.
Cochran, John.
Murphy, Hugh.
Fleming, Daniel.
Roberts, Phillip L.
Cochran, Marion W.
Olney, George.
Flodi, Jacob.
Roby, Michael S.
Du Bois, Joseph.
Olney, Wilson. Olney, J. S
Garrard, Silas.
Roberts, George.
Doren Henry.
Plummer, James.
Graham, William.
Shipps. Laban.
Duren, James.
Plimmell, George W.
Gayheart, Christ.
Smith, Cicero C.
Dewal, Oscar.
Pearce, Thomas.
Gamble, George.
Suver, Adam.
Duti, Jonab.
Paugh, Solomon.
Guiton, William.
Spencer, Oliver.
Dyer, Lemuel.
Reno, William.
Grey, John. Gear, George W.
Soward, William.
Ford, Jackson.
Scott, H. O.
Hutchinson, W. J.
Gritlin, Patrick II.
Stokes, Edward W.
Huntington, Thomas.
Garabrant, Andrew J.
Suver, Jeremiah
Harrington, Peter.
Groff, Benjamin.
Tillman, Eli
lowe, John R.
Watson, George.
Gray, William.
Thomas, Mackey.
llarrington, Irvin.
Williams, Clem.
Glaize. Nelson.
Taner, Stephen.
Hull. Elijah.
Watrous, George.
Gray, James W.
Wheatley. David M. Wood, Jonah.
Kenzla. George.
Veardley, Joseph C.
Harrington, Alonzo.
Williams, Thomas B.
Long, William.
Hann, Maurice.
Whitney, J. K.
Hamman, John.
White, Calvin.
Hann, Arthur.
Williams, Albert.
Hann, Levi.
Young, Isaac
Hubbard, Thomas.
Drummer. Frederick Olney.
Fifer, Jonathan Hammel. Teamster, James Roberts.
Drummer, George II. Phifer.
Fifer, James Lyons. Teamster, Newman Whittaker.
COMPANY D.
This company, called the " Buffenburgh Boys," in honor of Peler Buttenburgh, was
OFFICERS.
f'aptain, William Jones.
First Lieutenant. Orlando C. Bowles.
Second Lieutenant. Thomas Lilly.
Sergeant, William Dillon.
Sergeant, Jacob Houston.
Sergeant, Marion Simpkins.
Sergeant, Thomas Price. Sergeant, Wilson Burris.
Corporal, Ralph Robinson.
Corporal, Lawrence Englesberger.
Corporal, John H. Plimmell.
Corporal, Elisha Bidwell.
Corporal, James Blair.
Corporal, William M. French.
Corporal, Charles Schwartz,
PRIVATES.
Berry, John.
Brady, John.
Me Millen. James. Michael, Johu. Myers, Granville. Mel'aulla, M. J.
Long, John.
Clarridge, Pleasant.
Palmer. James H.
Clifton, Jackson.
Moody, Hezekiah.
Fullington, John.
Roby, David H.
Dunson, Howard.
Euglesberger, Jacob, Fahey, Edward.
studebaker, Augustus.
Hornbeck, Preston.
Taylor, Oliver T.
Wetherill, James G.
Wilson, James. Woolheather, Martin.
Ing, James.
Yentis, William.
Harrington, George.
Spring, Elijah.
Roberts, C. C
Emmerson, George. Ehni. John.
Rider, John. Rincheart, Peter.
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
501
also organized at London, and mustered into the Fortieth at Camp Chase on the 30th of September, 1861.
Douglas, Hiram.
Paine, James.
Eastman, John.
Peters, George M.
Forshee, Charles.
Piper, William.
Frazell. Angust.
Porter, Cyrus.
Flood, James W.
Powers, Joseph.
OFFICERS.
Forshee, Josephi.
Ritchie, David. Robinson, Samuel B.
First Lieutenant, Charles Converse.
Gray, William.
Robison, Samuel W.
Second Lieutenant, James M. Dungan.
Ilogendoffer, J. F.
Sidener, Willis S.
Sergeant, Charles R. Cover.
Hiser, Benjamin.
Sidener, John W.
Sergeant, Daniel H. Thomas.
Hughes, Albert B.
Seldomridge, David.
Sergeant, James P. Thacker.
Hand, Philip.
Snodgrass, Delinoo.
Sergeant, Joseph Woods.
Hickman, John.
Shumway, Lewellyn.
Corporal, William A. Rouse.
Irwin, Leander.
Sager, George M.
Corporal, Jobn Goslee.
Jones, Berthier.
Sager, Francis M.
Corporal, Joel HI. Worthington.
Kaupp, John.
Stroup, James R.
Corporal, Melancthon Worthington.
Lee, William A.
Taynor, Isaac.
Corporal, Benjamin Emery.
Lewis, Andrew.
Thompson. George M.
Corporal, Richard Cowling.
Lewis, Reason.
Thacker, Elias C.
Corporal, James Real.
Lilly, William.
Vogt, William.
Corporal, George P. Robinson.
Maxwell, Patrick.
Vogt, John.
PRIVATES.
McPike, John.
Ward, George.
Allen, Madison C.
Clark, John.
Miller, Simon.
Woodford, II. S.
Auklin, Martin.
Conklin, Edward B.
McDowell, J. B.
Whiteside, David.
Babb, Eugene.
Conklin, David.
Mercer. A. F.
White, Joshua.
Britton, Harrison.
Creager, Isaac.
Byers, Isaac.
Couples, Joseph B.
Beadle, Richard.
Cornwall, T. W.
Byers, Marion.
Dasher, Frederick.
Carr, Samuel.
Delaney, Thomas J.
Teamster, Ethan A. Brittingham.
NINETY-FIFTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
On the 19th of August, 1862, this regiment was mustered into the service of the United States at Camp Chase. The following day, it pro- ceeded to Lexington, Ky., where it was brigaded, and soon transferred to Richmond, Ky. The brigade made a forced march to this place and drove off the rebels, after they had sent in a flag of truce, asking the surrender of the town.
August 29, the regiment, with its brigade, had an encounter with Kirby Smith's advance, capturing one gun, They remained all night on the field, confident of their ability to defend the approaches to Rich- mond. and underestimating, in their ignorance, the enemy's strength. The almost impassable barrier afforded by the precipitous approaches to the Kentucky River had been left fifteen miles in the rear, while they advanced to encounter an army of veterans double their numerical strength. Kirby Smith was then on his march to the Ohio River, making his famous North- ern raid, that will long live in story, and in the memory of the squirrel- hunters who were summoned to the defense of Cincinnati. Across his way, and barring it, lay an army of ten thousand raw recruits, with only nine pieces of artillery. Veterans would have fallen back to the river, where it was possible to delay the advance of the enemy until the arrival of re-en- forcements: but it was not so ordered in the book of fate. Blind to the danger, and bold to rashness, our troops not only stood their ground, but advanced to meet certain defeat and almost annihilation. As no other Ohio regiment participated in the battles around Richmond, a brief description will be interesting.
The rebel army made an attack the next morning, and at 9 o'clock made a determined charge, which drove our men from the field. One hundred and twenty men of the Ninety-fifth, and a majority of the line officers, com- manded by the Lieutenant Colonel, deeming themselves the only represent- atives of the State on the field, scorned to fly, and fought desperately until completely surrounded and forced to surrender. The scattered and demor- alized forces made another stand, a mile or two in the rear, but were scat- tered like chaff, and still farther on a third stand, which resulted, after a
Newman, Joseph. Wyncoop. Sammuel.
Patterson, John. Walker, James.
Musician, McDona Frazell.
Musician, James Finch.
Captain, James Watson.
Grace, F. L.
McConnell, Samuel.
Woodman, James M.
Allen, Creighton. Conklin, James E.
502
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
stubborn though brief resistance, in a tumultuous retreat for the river. The loss to the Ninety-fifth was eight men killed, forty-seven wounded and 600 captured. The loss of the other regiments engaged was about two hundred and fifty killed, eight hundred wounded and nearly two thousand captured. The rebel loss in killed and wounded was heavier than ours.
November 20, 1862, the regiment was exchanged, re-organized and sent to Memphis, where it arrived May 25, 1863, 600 strong. It was attached to a division and moved to Vicksburg. Here it did effective service until a few days previous to the capture of the city. It also aided in the capture of Jackson, Miss., and in the operations around the Big Black River. The regiment participated in Sherman's attempt to storm the works of Vicks- burg, on May 22, where, besides sustaining a repulse, many brave men were sacrificed. After the fall of Vicksburg, another attack was made on Jack- son, where the rebels were whipped, after which our troops went into win- ter quarters near Memphis. During the winter, the Ninety-fifth was as- signed to the Sixteenth Corps, with which it served until the end of the war.
Early in June, 1864, an attempt was made to strike the Mobile & Ohio road, in the vicinity of Tupelo. This ended in defeat. The Ninety-fifth went into the affair with nineteen commissioned officers and 300 muskets, and got back to Memphis with nine officers and about one hundred and fifty men. In July, the regiment marched with Gen. Smith's expedition to Memphis, and, after skirmishing along the way, formed near Tupelo. The Confederates made a furious attack and were handsomely whipped. On re- turning to Memphis, Forrest made a night attack and got badly whipped again. Smith's forces were moved to Nashville, arriving the evening after the battle of Franklin. On the morning of December 15, Gen. Smith's force, now an army corps, stationed on Thomas' right, pushed boldly out from their works, and were soon on Hood's left flank. Here an assaulting column. including the Ninety-fifth, was formed. In a few minutes, the first rebel work, mounting three guns, was captured. From a hill farther on, crowned with a redoubt. the rebels poured a galling fire on the victors. Without halting, on went our forces, like wild buffaloes, over the intrench - ments and into the works, capturing more guns and holding the position.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.