The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 44

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214

USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county > Part 44

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The streets were crowded with people, who marehed to the depot with men, where wives, sisters, children and friends bade them a tearful farewell. Ca Corwin was discontinued. August 7, reeruiting eommeneed for a company ! the Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. As soon as a squad was accepted, it v forwarded to the regimental camp at Hamilton, and assigned as Company H. the company there were forty-five Dayton men. Angust 20, an offiee was oper

at the northeast eorner of Ludlow and Third streets, to reeruit a company for Fourth Regiment Ohio Cavalry. September 20, the company went to Camp G ley, where they were mounted, equipped and drilled. November 23. the regim moved to Camp Dennison, and to the front on December 6. The company co- tained about fifty Dayton men. August 20, an offiee was opened to recruit a co. pany of sharpshooters that were afterward assigned to the Second Ohio Voh teer Infantry. There was great delay in the organization. Oetober 10, the compa left, forty of the men being from Dayton. They went to Camp Hamilton, the' to Missouri. August 22, recruiting was began for a company for the Second O Volunteer Infantry. About thirty Dayton men were received, who were forward to the regimental headquarters at Camp Dennison from whence the regiment, soon as organized was moved to Kentucky.

September 12, the Citizens' Relief Committee, that had been in aetive servl since the commencement of the war, held its final meeting, when the business vs

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

vu ed over to the County Commissioners. September 19, an officers' tent was pi bed on the court house lot as a recruiting office for a company to join the MI/ty-fifth Indiana Regiment. Twenty recruits werc sccured the first day, and in le latter part of November the company was moved to the headquarters of the ement in Indiana. There were about forty Dayton men. September 19, a editing office was opened for the purpose of organizing a company for the Fcy-fourth Ohio Infantry. The regimental headquarters were at Springfield. af ast as recruits were received, they were forwarded to that point. Within thirty da: the company was filled, there being abont twenty-five men from Dayton.

Immediately after the departure of the three months' troops in April, 1861. m.cia companies were formed. Each ward had its own company of " Home hrd." Then a company called the State Guard was formed by sixty of our mc prominent gentlemen over forty-five years of age. The remaining members fach of the three companies, that were assigned to the First Regiment, organ- ze what they called Company B of each of their companies. Members of h Society of Turners formed themselves into the Dayton "Yagers." There we: two cavalry companies and one of artillery. The Ohio Guard, Oregon Home third, the Dayton Grays were again revived. The Franklin Invincibles, a com- a'" of " minute men," the Dayton Forcibles, National Guard, the Union Reserve rurd, Harrison Rangers, Slemmer Gnard, McClellan Guard, and Franklin Zou- v. The parades, drills, festivals and picnics of these companies kept the people ou sightseeing as a relief from the more exciting news from the army.

A military committee for Montgomery County was appointed by the Governor, Dober 15, 1861, and to it was given charge of recruiting and organization, and all tIr military matters, and control of affairs generally, so far as the interests of bState and Government were concerned. The names of the gentlemen who seled on this committee are as follows : E. S. Yonng, Daniel A. Haynes, James "vier, T. A. Phillips, Henry Fowler, Robert W. Steele, Thomas J. S. Smith, J. Urre Stutsman, Thomas B. Tilton. The Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry a a recruiting office at Froslin Hall, while that of a company of sharpshooters ve at Walden's Hall, on East Fifth street. A squad of twenty-seven Dayton he left October 17, for Benton Barracks, Missouri, where they were assigned to tnregiment of western sharpshooters. Twenty-three more men from Dayton joined bri in October and November, while the county at large and the counties adjoin- ng irnished men for the same company. December 12, at the regimental organ- zoon, they were assigned as Company G; they were armed with American tar- re :ifles withont bayonets, and equipped with bear-skin pouch. powder horn, q rrel tail cap, blue coat and blue pants. After a time spent in skirmishing in I ouri, the regiment was sent up the Cumberland River, thence to Pittsburg x ling. By order of the Secretary of War, the name of the regiment was higed, April 1, 1862, to the Fourteenth Missouri. and after the close of the nement around Corinth, Miss., in the fall of 1862, the Secretary of War issued n'rder changing its name to the Sixty-sixth Illinois, which was retained through- uthe war. The command saw active service, participating in the campaigns ro Tuscumbia Bridge, February 3, 1863, to Whiteside's Farm, September 9, 1863. 'n anuary, 1864, 470 of the men re-enlisted, going home for a thirty days' vet- r: furlough on the 28th of that month. March 3, 1864, they re-organized at cet, Ill .. and were sent forward to the army in time to participate in the great i enta campaign, having been assigned to the Second Division of the Sixteenth cos, and afterward to the Fifteenth Corps. The regiment lost 225 men in killed. vonded and missing in 120 days ; subsequently went with Sherman on his march one sea, and was with Hazen at the storming of Fort McAllister, near Savannah, vlh a line of supplies from the boats was opened up and the way of the victori- ou Union army was not longer disputed in that direction. The time of several mubers of Company G expired December 18, 1864, and they returned to Dayton fro before Savannah, January 7, 1865. Those remaining were reviewed with

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

their command by Gen. Sherman and others. Starting on the homeward mai from Raleigh, N. C., April 29, 1865, they arrived at Washington on the 24th May, and at that city participated in the grand review of Sherman's army. Ju 3, they started for Louisville, Ky., where they arrived on the 7th, were muste! out, deposited the regimental eolors at Springfield, Ill., were paid, and returned their homes with all the honors of war upon them.

During October, November and December, 1861, the military commit collected by contribution from the citizens of Dayton and the country a large nu ber of blankets, shirts, soeks, and other clothing to be sent to the soldiers in field. The Soldiers' Aid Society at Dayton did their share of this good work. ? continued their efforts through the winter. regularly sending supplies to the D ton boys in the field. Fairs and festivals were held and every means taken assure the comfort of the volunteers and their families. About December 1, 18 the company raised for the Seventy-Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry was sent Camp John MeLean, near Cincinnati ; it contained twenty-five Dayton men. ] regiment was organized December 18, 1861, and sent to West Virginia.

The Adjutant General of Ohio urged the " instant, earnest and combi efforts of officers, committees. and patriotic eitizens in recruiting, thus to ena Ohio to send 35,000 more men to the army that was to operate against Nashv and New Orleans." Within the months of November and Deeember, 1861, : during the year 1862, many recruiting offices were opened in Dayton, and as f as companies were organized they were forwarded to the following regiments order given. The Fifty-eighth, Sixty-ninth and Seventy-first Ohio Infantry. 1 Eighth Ohio Battery, Sixty-first, Fifty-second, Eighty-fourth. Eighty-six Ninty-third, Fiftieth, One Hundred and Sixth, One Hundred and Eightb, C. Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Infantry, Second Ohio Cavalry, Sixty-third 0 Infantry, and the Seventeenth Ohio Battery. The company for the Fifty-eig

was recruited as a German company. In it were ninety-five Dayton men.

were sent to Camp Chase as fast as enlisted, where the regiment was organized : drilled, and on February 11 sent to the field. Recruiting began November 1861, for the Sixty-ninth Ohio. There seven Dayton men enlisted for Comp: G, and sent to Camp Hamilton, where the regiment organized and was sent to field on the 19th of April. In November there were enlisted twelve men in D ton for the Seventy-first, then being organized at a eamp near Troy, where th remained until ordered, February 10, to Paducah.

November 1, reeruiting began for the Eighth Ohio Battery. By January thirty Dayton men had enlisted and been taken to eamp at Troy. where they mained until in February, when they were moved to Camp Dennison. The batt organized and received guns and complete equipment. Mareh 22, they were mo. to Benton Barracks, Mo., thenee to Pittsburg Landing. During the winter . Sixty-first was organized at Camp Chase. There were twenty Dayton men! listed in the regiment. The rendezvous for the Fifty-seeond Ohio was at Cai Dennison. Recruiting was slow from May 15 to August 15, the date of the org ization of the regiment. August 25, at sunrise, they left for Kentucky. In p; ing through Cineinnati, they were presented with beautiful regimental colorse the citizens. There were twelve Dayton men in the regiment. Four Dayton b. at Oxford College enlisted in the Eighty-sixth Ohio, a three months' regim organized by Gov. Tod as part of a re-enforcement to be sent to Gen. Banks the Shenandoah Valley. They were organized at Camp Chase, and sent to Cla ?- burg, W. Va., on the 6th of June, 1862. Twenty-six men were enlisted in on, the tents on the court house lot for three months' service in the Eighty-for Ohio Infantry.

In July, the State had been divided into eleven military distriets. Me gomery County was included in the Fourth Distriet. One of the regiments to raised was the Ninety-third, to rendezvous at Camp Dayton (afterward located, the fair grounds at the lower end of Main street). Meetings were held in all

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Ih townships and in Dayton during July and August, to assist in filling up the .e'ment. There were four Dayton companies-A, I, G and K. 200 of the men web from Dayton. The aid societies again brought their efforts into requisition o the benefit of the volunteers and their families ; recruiting offices were opened in ents on the court house lot and in buildings in all parts of the city. The mil- it&/ spirit of the people was again aroused in response to the call for troops. Cicens' committees were appointed in all the wards, and nightly meetings were ue to aid the officers in filling the ranks. The streets were used for company n squad drill. Monday morning, August 11, the companies began to assemble, in during the week nine companies were in camp and regular military duty erin. Citizens from all over the district visited the camp, carrying supplies of dxinds to the soldiers. The young ladies of Dayton presented the regiment. vi a handsome stand of colors. The organization left by rail for Lexington, < on the afternoon of Saturday, August 23.

The Fiftieth Ohio contained twenty Dayton men, and was recruited between vdember, 1861, and August, 1862. It was at first intended to make it an Irish re: ment. but the idea was finally abandoned, and the muster-in occurred at Camp Denison on the 27th of August, 1862. Fifteen Dayton men enlisted in the Seven- reith Ohio Battery, which commenced recruiting in the city in August, 1862, in je of the nine tents on the court house lot, and on Sunday, August 24, were orred to Camp Dayton. A few days afterward, they were sent to Cincinnati n equipped, and on the 3d of September were forwarded to the field. In July ·n August, the portion of a German company was recruited in Dayton for the Hundred and Sixth Ohio Infantry. In it there were fifteen Dayton men. L regiment was organized at Camp Dennison and sent to the field September 4. TL One Hundred aud Eighth Ohio was also a German regiment. The recruiting fle here was one of the tents on the court house lot, where forty-three men ve: enlisted for Company E. It was intended to organize thie regiment at Camp- Venison, but the Kirby Smith raid hurried them to Kentucky.

In August, one of the tents at the court house was used to recruit a company The Second Ohio Cavalry. A battalion was organized at Camp Dennison, and Jober 14, they were sent to Kentucky, serving in that State until the latter part fiarch, 1863, when the four companies joined the other eight companies of the- e ment near Lexington. There were thirty-seven Dayton men in the regiment. nuugust, 1862, the military committee authorized the organization of a company h was afterward assigned to the Sixty-third Ohio. First they went to Camp D: ton, then back of Covington, Ky., in the defense of Cincinnati against Kirby irch, and on the 5th of November joined the regiment near Grand Junction, 1. There were twenty-five Dayton men in the company. Ten men were repited on the court house lot for the Eighty-fourth Ohio, but afterward, in De- e ber, 1862, were assigned to the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio Volun- er Infantry, then organizing at Camp Taylor. near Cleveland. January 1, 1863, h regiment was ordered to the front. In August, 1862. a new company was e led for the old Eleventh Ohio Infantry. In one of the tents at the court house e uiting lists were opened, and a number of men enlisted for that splendid regi- m t. Dayton furnished twenty of the new men, and they were assigned as Com- Da; I. Thus ended recruiting for the year 1862.

Through the fall, several companies from this and other counties were at up Dayton. An effort was made to organize the One Hundred and Twelfth i Volunteer Infantry, but failed. City and county bonds were issued in large un unts to raise money for soldiers and their families. Soldiers passing to the ret, or the wounded coming from the field, were met at the depot by our ladies vi provisions and delicacies for their comfort and relief. Additional "Soldiers' A Societies " had been organized throughout the city. and in fact for the last si: months scarcely anything was done but to assist in organizing and supplying thịsoldiers and their families. The citizens' committee had raised $20,077.75 by

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

subscription within two weeks' time. August 19, the military committee beg: arranging for the first draft. On the 22d. formal notice was given that it wou occur on Wednesday, September 3. Then began the fun ; men of all partie creeds and conditions began maneuvering for exemption. By their own accoun' our people of all ages were sadly afflicted, and getting no better fast. The bo in the field were laughing at their brothers, fathers and sons at home, wishing tb they would be drafted. Each ward in the city liad funds in the hands of a coil mittee with which to get substitutes and volunteers credited to their respecti wards, and thus free them from the dreadful draft, September 3. The time w extended to the 16th, then again to October 1. at which time it took place for : townships that had not furnished their full share of volunteers. The city. believe, was clear.

Kirby Smith's advance upon Cincinnati thoroughly aroused the citizens Ohio to the dangers of and destruction by an invading enemy. The milit and citizens generally turned out in great numbers, and marched overland foot, horseback or in conveyances. and by railroad, to the defense of our bo der, and especially Cincinnati.

In the carly fall of 1862, the people of Ohio were subjected to a bad sca The national arms had been defeated at Richmond, Ky., and there was conc. sive evidence that the rebels intended pushing northward as far as the Ol River, and would probably invade Ohio and Indiana. It was a time for acti( and men of nerve were not found wanting. On the 2d of September, G. Tod called upon the citizens of Ohio to arm and organize themselves and pi ceed by rail to Cincinnati for the defense of the State. The alarm was soun ed far and near; bells were rung, guns fired, and mounted men galloped swif over the country to arouse those beyond the immediate spread of the new Old guns were cleaned up, ammunition was purchased, neighborhoods eve where rallied at given points-at cross-roads, in schoolhouses, churches, blad smith shops, or where it happened-and tens of thousands of men, known ". the squirrel-hunters," armed with rifle. powder horn and bullet-pouch, wea ing homespun garments and having blankets slung across their shoulders, sponded to the call and proceeded as rapidly as possible to Cincinnati, why inany anxious hearts at home beat with fear of what the future might devek yet with pride at the patriotism of their loved defenders. The men, on th arrival at Cincinnati, were marched through the city and across the river of ponton bridge, finally halting in the fortifications in the rear of Covington, I

The citizens of Dayton responded with great alacrity to the Governo call, and on the morning after it was received (September 3), sent three cc panies of 100 men each to Cincinnati. Companies were formed in each of t. wards. The Germans met in Beckel Hall, and Irishmen were called toget] at Hibernia Hall. At each place, a battalion was organized, making in thirteen companies of infantry and one company of cavalry. All citizens w requested to bring to headquarters rifles and shot-guns for the use of the co. panies. Armories and halls were open in the afternoon and at night for dri The streets were used by companies and squads. Factories and stores clos at 4 P. M., so that all could drill. The three companies that were sent Cincinnati, after several days' duty in the city, were assigned to the First R iment, Ohio Militia, and ordered to North Bend to guard twenty miles of ri front. They established "Camp Harrison " above the mouth of the Big Miar Being unused to camp life and Government rations, and having no cooks, tl, did not at first enjoy the service. A company styled the "Body Guard formed by thirty Dayton gentlemen, who had armed themselves with fine art rifles, reported at Camp Harrison, where they remained during the "sieg On the 17th day of September, after two weeks' service, all returned to Dayt.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

A good story is told on a member of one of the companies, who was put- .r on the airs of a veteran. His wife and children had prepared a good din er, it being the first meal after the father had returned. They sat down hicken, potatoes, etc., etc. He got up from the table, turned up his nose, a ed to the grocery, bought some beans and side meat, took them home and Mai to his wife, "Nett, there is the kind of dinner a soldier wants."

The principal aid societies were the Soldiers' Aid Societies Nos. 1 and 2, in the Soldiers' Aid Society of Oregon, and two aid societies whose members e little girls. The churches all had auxiliary societies. All were busy day an night providing for our own men and the many companies passing through. g'etimes there would be trains carrying 1,200 or 1,500 men. The ladies ve always ready to serve coffee and a good lunch at the depot, receiving the 1 ks of the soldiers and "God bless the Dayton people." September 15, I) excitement was occasioned by the report that there was a party of rebel spr in town that day. A squad of ten mounted men was started in pursuit, o. g north on the Covington pike, thence west to Euphemia, near which place Lopies were captured and taken to Richmond, Ind., and turned over to the r 'ost, Marshal.

Four companies of infantry were then at Camp Dayton, which had been eclited for the One Hundred and Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and on 16 2th of September, three of these companies were ordered to Camp Shaler, miles south of Covington. Ky., where they remained until the 2d of Octo- er On the latter date. they returned to Camp Dayton, and were afterward 43sned to the Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On the 1st of Septem- e11862, a draft was ordered to fill the quotas of the respective counties, but is postponed to the 16th. The number required from each township and a'l was sent to the Draft Commissioners by the Governor on the 12th of Sep- Der, the list being as follows: Madison Township, 62; Jefferson, 64; Jack- I 79; Perry, 66; Clay, 54; Randolph, 63; Wayne. 23; Butler. 44; Wash- gon. 39; German, 69; Miami, 94; Harrison, 21: Mad River, 22; Van Buren S First Ward, Dayton, none; Second Ward, none; Third Ward, 12; Fourth

d, 5: Fifth and Sixth Wards. none. Substitutes and exemptions' were In st frantically sought after. The townships were left to take care of them- ps. while the city endeavored to free the two wards. Large sums were a to those who enlisted as substitutes. In the city. 226 persons claimed anption, and of that number, 178 were allowed. Everybody was excited; g ts were at work with pockets full of money, and on the day of the draft )ober 1) it was found that Dayton and the township of Mad River were re The other townships recruited but little. and nearly the full numbers hin above were drafted in them. The men were assembled at Camp Day- ) and taken from there to Camp Dennison, where they were organized into o panies and regiments.

In December, 1862, twenty-two men were recruited here for the One Hun- r and Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, then organizing at Camp Den- lin. December 27, they were ordered to Louisville, Ky .. where they re- ailed on duty for a month. then were moved out thirty miles on the Nash- i. Railroad, and, after three weeks, returned to Louisville and took boats for viaville, and were assigned to Gilbert's division. 'The regiment received a lody baptism at Chickamauga. losing 138 officers and men. January, 1863, officer of the Tenth Tennessee Infantry came to Dayton to organize a brass bal for the regiment, then stationed at Nashville and known as Gov. Andrew Tcason's "body guard." Seven men were recruited for the band in Dayton ar ten from Germantown. They were stationed at Nashville until April, LE5, then sent to Greenville; were mustered out at Knoxville June 20, 1865, pel off at Nashville and came home.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

An enthusiastic demonstration occurred in Dayton on Saturday, April ( 1863, when 142 loads of wood for soldiers' families were brought into the cii by the farmers from all sections of the county. Large quantities of provision were also donated, both by the farmers and by citizens of Dayton. May 1863, martial law was proclaimed in Montgomery County, and a company . the One Hundred and Seventeenth Ohio Infantry was stationed at Dayton May 27, a tent was pitched on the court house lot, and recruiting began fo Company K, First Regiment Ohio Heavy Artillery. The company, when o ganized, consisted of 152 men. Fifty Dayton men enlisted. In August, tl company joined the regiment at Covington, Ky., and assisted in the constru tion of the extensive earthworks in a circle of eight miles around Covington ar Newport, thus making Cincinnati one of the strongest fortified cities in tl land. The regiment was armed and drilled as infantry, and served as such tl greater part of the time. Company K was assigned to provost duty in Co ington; afterward, was stationed at Camp Nelson, with Companies H, L at M. Ten recruits were sent from Dayton. In March, 1864, the regime marched over the mountains through the heavy snow to Knoxville, and fro that time until July 14, 1865, the date of their discharge, they were in acti field service.

Four companies of Ohio State militia were organized in Dayton in M: and June, 1863. On the 21st of the latter month, the county was reliow from martial law, and a military post was established in the city; and on t]| 26th, recruiting began for a cavalry company for six months' service. Hea quarters were in a tent at the court house. In another of these tents a recru ing office was opened, July 2, for Company C. Second Regiment Ohio Hea Artillery. Eleven Dayton men enlisted, proceeded to Camp Dennison, then to Covington, where the company was mustered in on the 26th of August. T. battery was ordered to Fort Smith, at Bowling Green, Ky., where it was , duty until May 6, 1864, when it moved to Charleston, Tenn. August 1 Wheeler's rebel cavalry attacked the post and were repulsed. The batter with Gen. Steedman's column, pursued. October 9, the battery moved to Fo Saunders and Knoxville: November 18, moved with the forces under Gr Tillson to open communication with the troops, then in a critical situation Strawberry Plains. In two days, it returned to Knoxville : December marched under Gen. Ammen to Bean's Station, Tenn., and returned to Kn ville on the 29th, thence to London, Tenn .. which place it secured January 1865, where it remained until August 23, when it was taken to Nashville a mustered out. August 29, the men arrived at Camp Chase, where they we paid and discharged.

The 4th of July, 1863. was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Daytd and excitement ran high over the good news that the Union arms had be successful at Gettysburg. On the following day came the news of the fall Vicksburg, and a large meeting for rejoicing was held at the court house.

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 44

Author: W.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1214

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214