The Forgotten Cemetery Tour IV Multi-Cache

There are five cemeteries on this tour and you will need to visit all of them to find the clues that will give you the waypoints to the Cache. The waypoints given will get you to each cemetery, but may not be to the exact spot of the clue. You may need the help of the dearly departed!

As I walked around these cemeteries, I became aware of the flowers on most of the more recent headstones; but what of the old headstones? Who will come to put flowers down to remember and honor them? Except for the local VFW’s that place flags on the graves of the old Veterans; nobody comes.

All those that once cared and came out on Cemetery Day are now gone. So here they lie under their beautifully carved stones; their life’s story long forgotten.

But who were they and what is their story? Those are the questions that keep coming back to me as I walk through these places of rest. When we go to the grave we all have a story. It may not be a page turner, but hopefully this world is just a little bit better because of our journey through it. Hopefully we offered a helping hand to those that we meet along the way.

When I started putting this tour together, I decided that I wanted to learn more about these resting souls and honor them by telling a little of their life story. The more I learned about whom these people were, and what they did in their lives, the more fascinated I became; but who do you leave out? It soon became a labor of love!

On this tour you will visit two of the first places where the early pioneers landed and settled. You will meet those that fought bravely for America’s Independence, and those that fought and gave their all to keep the Union together; so that ALL of her people could one day be free. You will meet those that fought and died on foreign soil to rid the world of evil, along with those that worked to shape this area and state, both religiously and politically.

If you time your hunt with the hours of operation of the points of interest, it will make for a better tour. Like any tour there is much to see and do. Take some time to look around. Don’t forget to tip your hat and say a prayer of thanks for those brave souls that have gone before us.

Awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust, for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. ISAIAH 26:19

The numbers that you need are: N39 AB.FEC x W084 IG.JHD. Plug the numbers into the letters. The questions to answer will be in red. The numbers/letters to find will be in (RED CAPS).

The tour will flow better if you do it in the order I have listed. I know that there is a lot of history/information here, (31,981 words to be exact) but that’s what makes it so interesting. Otherwise, it would be just another multi-cache. Good luck, and enjoy!

POINT OF INTEREST: N39 05. 671 x W084 24.665 - Garard/Martin Station

Founded in 1793, Anderson Township, located in the southeastern corner of Hamilton County, was the fifth township in Hamilton County, originally bounded by the Ohio and Little Miami Rivers and extended into what is now Clermont County.

The earliest pioneers to arrive in this area landed first at the confluence of the Little Miami (west bank) and Ohio Rivers, where Major Benjamin Stites established a settlement in 1788 (known today as Columbia).

Garard/Martin Station was established in Dec. 1790, by John Garard, Joseph Martin, and others along the east bank of the Little Miami River. Many of them bore the scares of the Revolution against England, then but a few years past. The pioneers on two flat boats polled up the Little Miami River and stopped about a mile south of the present Beechmont Levee Bridge. It was the first permanent fortified settlement in Anderson Township. (John enlisted at Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh) late in the year 1775. He fought in the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown. While at Valley Forge he reenlisted the day after Christmas of 1777 in Col. Baylor's Regiment of Light Dragons. John was taken prisoner at Tappan Falls, NJ in 1778 and was held in New York until exchanged. He rejoined his regiment and served until 26 Dec 1780 when he was discharged in South Carolina. John served as the first Clerk of Anderson Township, and on Feb. 4, 1807, he was appointed an Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Miami by the governor of Ohio).

After landing their flatboats most of the men stacked their arms, took up axes and started the work of felling logs for the construction of Girard/Martin Station. High above them, on the hills that now are Mt. Washington, sentinels stood guard to protect the workers from marauding bands of red-skins. Girard Station was situated on the hillside, approximately half-way between the Beechmont Levee Bridge and the present bridge on Kellogg Avenue, tucked protectively among the great forest trees.

Garard/Martin Station, built as an outpost, provided protection from the Indians along the Flinns Ford, which served as a strategic river crossing until 1836. Farther up river,Mercersburg was founded in 1792 (later to be named the Village of Newtown). In the early 1800’s, the dwellings in the area were scattered along the Little Miami River since the wooded hilltops were not conducive to settlement.

As time passed, settlers concentrated near Mt. Washington and California, communities that were later annexed into the City of Cincinnati. The area that would become Anderson Township is unique among the Townships of Hamilton County in that it is the only one which was a subdivision of the original Virginia Military Tract. This was the land reserved between the Little Miami and the Scioto Rivers for land bounties to the soldiers of Virginia who served in the Revolutionary War. The Township was named for Colonel Richard Clough Anderson who was appointed Chief Surveyor of the Military District by the State of Virginia soon after the close of the War. He was awarded four hundred fifty-four acres of the Township.

Mt. Washington probably receives its name from the fact that General George Washington received a similar grant of nine hundred ninety-seven acres. His holding was a triangular tract in the north-eastern part of the Township between the east fork of the Little Miami River and the present Clermont County line. Fort Washington had been founded in Cincinnati, then called Losantiville, four years before Girard Station was begun.

As more settlers came down the Ohio, attracted by the clear waters of the Little Miami River and the flat and fertile land nearby, the station was expanded and more homes were established within its protective walls.

In 1793, came Stephen Sutton, forbearer of a family whose name has become well-known in Anderson Township history. By 1794, the menace of the Indians became less acute, and the sturdy pioneers were ready to clear away the timber, and till the land.

Down the old Beechmont Trail, whichnow is Beechmont Avenue, rode one Obed Denham, in 1797. Denham was the founder of Bethel, in Clermont County. Indians had been causing trouble in the pioneer settlements of Bethel and Williamsburg. Girard Station folks were asked for aid. Not many days after Denham's arrival at Girard, a troop of determined settlers made its way eastward along the way he had come. After several skirmishes, the Indian depredations ceased, and the Girard men, happy at having done a good deed for their neighbors, marched home again through the great beech forests. So the first ties were formed between Eastern Hamilton County and the district that now is Clermont.

Sutton, in the meanwhile, had purchased from Captain William Moore, Revolutionary veteran, a large tract of ground, a part of which embraces the present suburb of Mt. Washington. Sutton, and others of the same mind, built log houses and set to work taking a living from the fertile soil.

The Beechmont trail was widened by use as settlers and traders, coming down from Hamersville, Georgetown and Bethel, making their way, across the ford, to Cincinnati. The settlers made deeper and deeper inroads into the forests, and more land came under the plow. Houses arose; a community was established. In 1846 John Corbly laid out the present village of Mt. Washington.

All this time the Clermont county villages had been growing. In New Richmond a woolen mill had been established, and there many of the Mt. Washington settlers took their wool for spinning. There were mills, too, along the East Fork of the Miami, where farmers drove their grain for grinding into flour and meal.

The travelers along the Beechmont road, going to market places in Cincinnati, paused often to lock the wheels of their wagons before starting the trek down the dangerous Beechmont hill that led across the Little Miami. Coming home, tired and worn, they often stopped under the great beech and oaks at the hill's top to rest their team and eat.

By the Civil War the old trail was now a highway. Six-horse stages plied between Cincinnati and Portsmouth, crossing the Little Miami River on a sturdy covered bridge that replaced the ford.

CEMETERY #1: N 39 06.365 x W084 25.739 will take you to the Anthony Wayne Parkway sign.

Ten paces north you will find: William Brown, who served with the Fifth Regiment Connecticut Continental Line, during the Revolutionary War.

In writing his general orders to the Continental Army on August 7th, 1782, General George Washington issued orders establishing two decorations. He had long recognized the need to award those soldiers who distinguished themselves in honorable service and in combat. He wrote: "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier war were treated and appreciated by their nation" To that end he created these awards. As far as is known, these were the first decorations awarded to the common soldier on a regular basis.

The first was the "BADGE OF DISTINCTION" and consisted of a strip of white cloth sewn above the left cuff of the soldier's regimental coat. The soldier received one strip for each three years of service. Today, 226 years later, this tradition is still practiced in the United States Armed Forces. We know them as hash marks.

The second award, “THE MILITARY BADGE OF MERIT”, was created to reward both soldiers and officers for “Singularly meritorious service, instances of unusual gallantry and extraordinary fidelity and faithful service”. General George Washington designed the award personally, specifying that it be “the figure of a heart in purple cloth, or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding”. It was worn on the left breast.

Those soldiers so decorated would have their names entered in the army's special "Book of Merit" and soldiers wearing this decoration, regardless of rank, were permitted to pass all sentinels and receive salutes as if they were officers. In today's military, such honors are reserved for the famed Medal of Honor.

Eight months after the Badge of Merit was authorized, not a single one had been presented. Most of the officers asked about this, explained that they had been too busy to write up the recommendations. It goes without saying that General Washington refused to accept their excuses. A week later, April 17th, a specially created Board of Officers convened at the New Windsor Encampment and selected two soldiers to be the first recipients. These were the first decorations awarded to the common soldiers by General Washington.

The first recipient of the Badge of Merit was Sergeant Elijah Churchill of the 2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons and the second selected was Sergeant William Brown of the Fifth Connecticut Regiment. The award ceremony took place on May 3rd, 1783 at Washington's Headquarters at Newburgh. The Badge of Military Merit later became the Purple Heart.

Sergeant William Brown won his Badge of Merit at Yorktown. In the late night attack on British redoubt Number 10, he led the "Forlorn Hope", a group of volunteers comprised of Sappers and Pioneers, armed with their traditional military weapons and heavy axes. Their suicidal assignment was to move in advance of the 80 man assault force led by Lt. Colonel Alexander Hamilton, and chop a hole in the abatis (sharpened stakes pointing away from the fortifications designed to keep attackers from scaling the walls of the redoubt, the Revolutionary War equivalent of barbed wire). Their title, "Forlorn Hope", was most appropriate as none of the members expected to survive the attack.

When Sergeant Brown's detachment arrived at the British fortification, Brown decided to push ahead of his men, climb over the abatis and attack the enemy in the redoubt with his unloaded musket and bayonet. The American infantry followed his lead and the redoubt fell with a minimum of American casualties. The American loss in this action was 44 killed and wounded. The British killed and wounded in redoubt No. 10 did not exceed eight. All others were captured. Hamilton said in his report of the action: “Incapable of imitating examples of barbarity, and forgetting recent provocations, the soldiery spared every man that ceased to resist”.

This completed the second siege line for Washington’s forces, now only 400 yards from the British garrison. A few hours after the redoubts were lost, General Lord Charles Cornwallis wrote to Maj. General Henry Clinton: “Experience has shown that our fresh earthen works do not resift their powerful artillery, so that we shall soon be exposed to an assault in ruined works, in a bad position, and with weakened numbers. The safety of the place is, therefore, so precarious, that I cannot recommend that the fleet and army should run great risqué in endeavoring to save us”.

While the allies surrounded his position, Cornwallis learned that Clinton's relief force from New York was going to be late. On October 16, a British attack, intended to silence a French battery, failed. The allied batteries, from their closer second siege line, were now firing directly into the British defensive works. That night, Cornwallis attempted to pass part of his force north across the York River, to Banastre Tarleton's position on Gloucester Point. The maneuver was thwarted by a thunderstorm. Faced with a dwindling supply of food and ammunition, and still awaiting relief from Clinton, Cornwallis offered to surrender unconditionally on October 17.

Sergeant Brown, as adventurous as ever, moved to the frontier after the war, and finally homesteaded a farm near the newly developed river town called Cincinnati. He lived out his days there until his death in 1808. His original tombstone was lost to time, but on July 24, 2004, a new tombstone was laid in remembrance to Sgt. William Brown.

The vital dates are from the 1929 DAR publication "Official Roster Soldiers of the American Revolution Buried in the State of Ohio", which also reports he was the Standard Bearer of the Forlorn Hope at 1780 battle of Stony Point.

Climb the steps to the pillar
The word pioneer was first a military term applied to one of a company who marched before an army clearing the way of obstructions and was afterward applied to anyone who goes before and prepares the way for others coming after. In its original sense Major Benjamin Stites was truly the pioneer of the Miami settlements.

In the summer of 1786, he was on a trading expedition to Limestone, (Maysville) Ky. and joined a party of Kentuckians in pursuit of some Indians who had stolen horses. The thieves were traced down the Ohio and far up the Little Miami. The horses were not found but Stites saw for the first time the rich Miami Valleys. He was the first explorer of the Miami country who made known to prominent men of his native state of New Jersey, the wonderful excellence of the Miami lands. This led to an association for the purchase of the lands between the Miami’s.

He became the owner of twenty thousand acres on the Ohio below the mouth of the Little Miami. It was on the morning of Nov. 28, 1788, that Major Stites and a group of 26 persons including three women, and two girls, landed near the mouth, of the Little Miami River. They built a fort near the Ohio River and farmed the fertile bottomland nearby. Soon the settlers began building homes outside the fort in a town Stites had platted called Columbia, the oldest town between the Miami’s. Columbia was the first settlement of white men in this part of Ohio.

For a few years Columbia grew in population more rapidly than either of its two rivals, Cincinnati and North Bend, and its first settlers were of a better class than those at Cincinnati, where there was a military force stationed at Fort Washington and idleness, drinking and gambling prevailed both among officers and men. Soon after Anthony Wayne's treaty of peace, however, Major Stites saw his town almost depopulated when its settlers starting moving to farms up the Miami’s and into Cincinnati, which soon became the chief town in Ohio. The Queen City of the West finally absorbed Columbia.

The cemetery was established in March 1804, the year that Major Benjamin Stites died. Early burials were unmarked or sometimes marked only with a fieldstone. Some of the headstones here mark the final resting places of the first settlers in this region. Many of these graves are over 220 years old.

The sandstone column was erected on the site of the First Baptist church at Columbia, in 1888 during Cincinnati’s centennial as a memorial to the pioneers who settled here in 1788. The column was taken from the old Cincinnati Post Office.

N-N-East of the column you will find the artificial sun on a pole. 7 paces farther lies Major Ben Stites. Born 1734 Died 8-30-1804.

Go 8 paces further, and you will find the Major’s brother, Hezekiah, who died Dec. 8, ????, aged 81 years 3M, 25D. Add the numbers of the year he died and subtract 14 to find (A).

At 224Degrees and 24 paces you will find resting in the shade of the ancient Junipers;
Richard Gregory – Co. D 1st Ohio Infantry.

THT 1st OHIO INFANTRY REGIMENT was organized at Camp Corwin, Dayton Ohio, from August 5 to October 30, 1861. They moved by rail to Cincinnati, Ohio, October 31; thence to Louisville, Ky. The men of the 1st Ohio saw service throughout the Deep South, at places such as: The Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., Battle of Stone's River, Battle of Chickamauga, and the Siege of Chattanooga, Tenn. The Demonstration on Rocky Faced Ridge and Dalton Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills.

Pvt. Richard Gregory and Co. D were part of 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 4th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, during the battle of Peach Tree Creek July 19-20, 1864, as General Sherman’s Union forces moved ever south to begin the Siege of Atlanta. Retreating from Sherman's advancing armies, Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston had withdrawn his Army of Tennessee across Peachtree Creek, just north of Atlanta. Johnston had drawn up plans for an attack on part of Maj. General George H. Thomas's Army of the Cumberland as it crossed the creek. On July 17 however Johnson was relieved of his command and replaced by Lt. General John B. Hood. In contrast to Johnston's conservative tactics and conservation of manpower, Hood had a reputation for aggressive tactics and personal bravery on the battlefield (he had already been wounded in battle several times). Hood took command and launched the attempted counter-offensive.

On July 19, Hood learned that Sherman had split his army; Thomas's Army of the Cumberland was to advance directly towards Atlanta, while John M. Schofield's Army of the Ohio and James B. Macpherson’s Army of the Tennessee moved several miles east, apparently an early premonition of Sherman's general strategy of cutting Confederate supply lines by destroying railroads to the east. Thomas would have to cross Peachtree Creek at several locations and would be vulnerable both while crossing and immediately after, before they could construct breastworks. In addition, Maj. General William J. Hardee's corps would enjoy a rare three-to-one numerical advantage over the Union IV Corps. Hood thus hoped to drive Thomas west, further and further away from Scholfield and McPherson, and Sherman would be forced to divert his forces away from Atlanta.

This advantage evaporated when the Confederates arrived late to their starting positions, to find the bulk of Thomas's command already on the south side of the Creek, and on prepared high ground. Hood nevertheless unleashed a frontal assault on the Union left, and the Confederates were forced into rolling down the Union lines under enfilade fire. At one point, the Union center was driven back, but Richard Gregory and the rest of the 1st Ohio, ultimately held on and the Confederate troops were forced to call off the attack at sunset, by which time the focus of fighting had rolled just under two miles to the west, all the way to Howell's Mill Road

. Estimated casualties were 6,506 in total: 1,710 on the Union side and 4,796 on the Confederate.

1st Ohio Regiment lost during time of service: 5 Officers and 116 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 130 Enlisted men by disease, for a total 251.

POINT OF INTEREST: N39 07.745 x W084 21.587 - The house that Joseph promised Rebecca, if she came with him to the wilderness.

CEMETERY #2: N39 07.632 x W084 21.325 – You should be standing at the business end. Smile, Wait for Flash!

The cemetery here was established in 1863 by Lodge No. 152 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) is a fraternal organization derived from English Odd Fellows orders of the mid-1700s.

There are several different reasons given for the strange name. One old and apparently authoritative history of Odd Fellowship gives the explanation, "That common laboring man should associate themselves together and form a fraternity for social unity and fellowship and for mutual help”. This was such a marked violation of the trends of the times that they became known as peculiar or odd, and hence they were derided as Odd Fellows. Because of the appropriateness of the name, those engaged in forming these unions accepted it.

Another, similar explanation is that the original Odd Fellows were men who were engaged in various or odd trades, as there were organizations for some of the larger trades.

What is said to be the earliest printed record of an Odd Fellows Lodge appears in a reference to a lodge meeting at a Globe Tavern in England, in 1748.

By 1796 Odd Fellow organizations were numerous in England, and each was independent from the others. Fraternal groups such as the Odd Fellows were suppressed in England for a time, but by 1803 the Odd Fellows were revived by an organization called "London Union Odd Fellows," which later became known as the "Grand Lodge of England" and assumed authority over all Odd Fellow lodges in that country.

Among the first records of the Order in America is that of five Brothers of the English Order who met in New York City in 1806, and formed Shakespeare Lodge No. 1.

The founders were three boat builders, a comedian and a vocalist - a group befitting the name "Odd Fellows," indeed. The lodge was self instituted a common practice in those times. Their first candidate was a retired actor who was the keeper of the tavern where they met. Accounts state that lodge meetings were accompanied by merry making and mirth, and that the wares of the tavern were freely indulged in. This lodge was dissolved in 1813 due to poor attendance brought on by controversy over the War of 1812.

In 1818, Shakespeare Lodge in New York was re-instituted, in the Red Cow tavern, operated by a former member who had in his keeping the books and papers of the former lodge.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows as we know it today began in Baltimore, Maryland, where five members of the Order from England founded Washington Lodge No. 1 on April 26, 1819, by self-institution.

In 1821, the "Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United States of America, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows," was founded.

The most widely encountered symbol of the Odd Fellows is the three-link chain with the initials, 'F', 'L' and 'T', inside the links, signifying Friendship, Love and Truth.

The cemetery encircles the largest Adena Indian Mound in the Little Miami Valley. The mound builders included many different tribal groups and chiefdoms, probably involving an array of beliefs and unique cultures, united only by the shared architectural practice of mound construction. This practice, believed to be associated with a cosmology that had a cross-cultural appeal, may indicate common cultural antecedents.

The term "mound builder" was also applied to an imaginary race believed to have constructed these earthworks, because Americans from the 16th-19th centuries generally thought that American Indians did not build the mounds.

The Adena prehistoric Native American people were Ohio's first farmers, who inhabited central and southern Ohio from roughly 3000 BC until the 16th century. While hunting and gathering continued to play an important part in their lives, the Adena began to live a more settled life. They cultivated plants like sunflower and squash and grew weedy plants like goosefoot and marsh elder. Since the people lived in one place for longer periods, it became possible to make pottery containers from local clays. These pots were important both for the storage and cooking of food. Burial mounds and occasional circular earthen enclosures became the center of ritual activities in Adena communities.

West of the business end, you will find the arched stone of the Bodine Brothers.
Capt. James M. Bodine – Co. G 2nd Kentucky Infantry. Died Sept. 21, 1863 @ Chickamauga, Ga. Army of the Cumberland

THE 2nd KENTUCKY REGIMENT was organized at Camp Clay, Pendleton, Ohio, in June 1861 under Col. William E. Woodruff. The Regiment was composed entirely of Ohio men at its organization. It performed much valuable service in the early engagements of the war in West Virginia. The unit participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River and Chickamauga.

At the battle of Chickamauga, the 2nd Kentucky was part of the Army of the Cumberland under Gen. Roscrans, in the 21st Corps, under Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden, 2nd Division under Gen. John M. Palmer, in the 1st Brigade commanded by Gen. Charles Cruft. (The 1st Brigade consisted of the 1st Kentucky, 2nd Kentucky,(commanded by Col. Thomas D. Sedgewick), 31st Indiana, and the 90th Ohio).

On the 18th of September, 1863, Captain Bodine and the men of Co. G, along with the rest of 1st brigade, were bivouacked up McLemore’s Cove on the left of the road leading south from Lee and Gordon’s Mill. At 6:30 p.m. of that day the brigade was formed in column along the road ready to move northward across Chickamauga Creek, which it did about 1 a.m. on September 19th. Upon reaching this point the brigade was immediately put in line of battle by its Division Commander, Maj.-Gen. John M. Palmer, and in this position laid on its arms the remainder of the night. Upon the opening of the battle on the 19th the other brigades of the division were ordered northward to join the line of Major-General Thomas, and at 11 a.m. the 1st Brigade under Cruft, was ordered to follow. The brigade moved north on the Lafayette and Chattanooga road until it reached the Brotherton house, where it rejoined its (Palmer’s) Division north the Brotherton and Reed’s Bridge road. The general’s orders were to move in line of battle eastward to join on the right of the troops then engaged, the formation being echelon with Cruft’s 1st Brigade in advance. The brigade had moved from its line of formation only about 400 yards eastward, when the skirmishers engaged those of the enemy and drove them back upon their main lines. Cruft’s Brigade then pressed forward and engaged the enemy, with the 1st Kentucky Infantry in support of the artillery of the division, and the other three regiments forming a single line with the 2nd Kentucky on the right of the brigade, the 31st Indiana in the center, and the 90th Ohio on the left. General Cruft indicated that “the fighting was severe from the time of joining battle, and lasted until 2:20 p.m., an hour and forty minutes, with but little intermission in the musketry on both sides.” General Cruft reports that in this engagement, “the enemy made three very obstinate attempts to break my line by charges. At each time they were reinforced from the woods in the rear. They were on each occasion repulsed with apparently very heavy losses. My command behaved bravely, and steadily held the line”.

From 2:30 p.m. until about 3:50 p.m. there was a general cessation of firing along the front of this brigade, during which time ammunition arrived from the rear and the men replenished their cartridge boxes and their pockets. About 3:30 p.m. the battle again began to rage to the right of Cruft’s Brigade, and extended along the front of General Grose's (Third) Brigade, of Palmer's Division. The battle became more and more critical on the right, and orders were received by General Cruft from General Palmer to send such reinforcements to Grose's 3rd Brigade as he could spare. Capt. Bodine and his men with the rest of the Second Kentucky and the Thirty-first Indiana, were sent to the aid of 3rd Brigade. These two regiments reached General Grose's line only to find it overpowered but giving way stubbornly, under a most impetuous attack by overwhelming numbers, with its supporting lines on the right wholly gone. The situation became critical. The two regiments, the Second Kentucky and Thirty-first Indiana, moved off to the right a short distance in order to avoid the retreating troops and engaged the enemy hotly, thus checking him and holding its position for a time and preventing a disastrous retreat, but was finally forced to the rear about a hundred yards, where they were reinforced by the Ninetieth Ohio and a regiment from Turchin's Brigade. An impetuous charge was made upon the advancing enemy by the four regiments, the lines of the enemy were broken and they fled to the rear. The Union line was restored and the ground previously lost being regained and firmly held until after nightfall.

The lines were formed to the front as best could be done in the darkness. As cook fires would draw a response from the enemy, Captain Bodine and his men dug into their haversacks, for another hardtack supper. Working through the night, the various regiments of the brigade had constructed rough log breastworks along the front by dawn the next morning. The east Kelly field proved to be the line that was to be occupied by the 2nd Kentucky in the battle of Sunday, September 20th.

The Confederate troops engaged in the 7:40 a.m. attack on the Kelly field line, were those of Polk's and Hill's Corps. It consisted of a series of assaults by the men in Gray, with occasional artillery, and continued until about 12 p.m. Artillery support was required almost constantly along the brigade line during these four hours to repel the enemy. The punishment and loss inflicted on the Confederates by the Union east Kelly field line seems to have been sufficient to prevent any further serious attacks upon that portion of Thomas' line.

At about 3 p.m. the troops of General Hazen's Brigade were withdrawn from this portion of the Union left, and again the 31st Indiana and the 2nd Kentucky were ordered out, as in Saturday's battle, to fill the gap and hold the line, which was done.

Around 5 p.m. General Cruft received orders to withdraw his troops and take position in the woods to the west of the Kelly house and the Lafayette and Chattanooga road. At the time that this order was given there was no indication that the movement was to be the beginning of a withdrawal from the battlefield. It was supposed by General Cruft and the officers and men that the brigade was being sent to the relief and support of their lines to the right.

This movement took place at the time of a Confederate charge led by Gen. James Longstreet , which turned the tide in favor of the Confederate forces. About half of the Union army broke in a rout back toward Chattanooga. But Union general George H. Thomas rallied the remaining Union troops on Snodgrass Hill, halting the Confederate advance, and allowing the Union army to retreat orderly and safely after dark. The movement of the 1st brigade was in that direction. On reaching the Lafayette road, Captain Bodine and the men of Co. G, 2nd Kentucky Regiment were ordered to move toward Chattanooga, until it reached the summit of Missionary Ridge, were it was halted and a line of battle was formed. Breastworks were constructed and all preparations made to meet the advance of Confederate General Bragg's Army.

On September 21, Captain Jim Bodine drew his last breath, as Rosecrans's army withdrew to the city of Chattanooga while the Confederates occupied the surrounding heights and laid siege upon the Union forces. Unable to break the siege, Rosecrans was relieved of his command of the Army of the Cumberland on October 19. It took the relief forces of Maj. Gens. Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman and the Battle of Chattanooga that November to break Bragg's grip on the city.

Considered a Confederate victory for halting the Union advance, the Battle of Chickamauga was a costly one. It claimed an estimated 34,624 casualties (16,170 for the Union; 18,454 for the Confederates.

2nd Kentucky losses for Chickamauga: 5 killed, 61 wounded, 7 of these mortally, and 17 missing.

Pvt. Charles E. Bodine – Co. A, 83rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Died Galveston, Texas - June 28, 1865

THE 83rd REGIMENT was organized August 22, 1862, at Camp Dennison Ohio, by Colonel Frederick W. Moore. The Regiment moved to Covington, Ky. September 3, 1862, to repel Kirby Smith's threatened attack on Cincinnati, Ohio. After campaigning in Kentucky it moved into Tennessee and Mississippi later in the year. The 83rd was part of Sherman's Yazoo Expedition, and saw action at Chickasaw Bayou, and took part in Grant's Vicksburg campaign with assaults on the Rebel lines. The Pvt. Bodine and the men of the 83rd did battle throughout the Deep South during the war.

At Mobile, on April 2 the Regiment drove the rebel skirmishers into their works at Fort Blakely, Ala. The troops were all brought to the front and preparations made for a charge, one brigade directly in the rear of the other, forming a solid column. Extra ammunition was distributed, and the musicians were formed into a hospital corps, with stretchers. They stacked arms, under a heavy artillery fire from the enemy, and waited in suspense. At dusk an order came to change position, and the whole Division moved to the left, in the woods, occupying the center of the army. The following morning the attack on Fort Blakely began.

The Confederates were driven closer to their works. Charlie and the rest of the 83rd Regiment took a position in a ravine, where they remained until the final charge. On the 9th of April the men of the 83rd were selected to deploy as skirmishers, and were formed in line of battle in their rifle-pits. Word was passed along the line for the skirmishers to advance at the bugle signal, and the main line to advance, if necessary. The 83rd advanced in skirmish order, a distance of 500 yards, under a heavy fire of artillery, and a musketry cross-fire, over fallen timber, and a double line of strong abattis works, going through and over the rebel forts. The rebel gunners left some of their pieces partly loaded. Some of the rebels surrendered and others fled.

The Regiment captured two forts, eight cannon, two mortars, a long line of breastworks, eight hundred prisoners, two flags, and a large quantity of small arms, ammunition and other stores.

The Regimental colors were riddled, both staffs were shot in two, but the color-bearers gallantly carried the flags over the parapet of the fort.

The Regiment lost 36 officers and men, in killed and wounded. This victory gave Maj. General E.R.S. Canby possession of Mobile and its defenses. It has long been accepted by the news media and general public that the American Civil War ended on April 9, 1865, with the surrender of General Robert E. Lee's army of Northern Virginia to General Ulysses S. Grant. Civil War research has shown that the Battle of Fort Blakely was the last major battle of the Civil War occurring six hours after Lee surrendered at Appomattox.

On the 13th of June, the Regiment embarked on the ocean steamer "J. T. Rice," with orders to proceed to Texas. They passed Forts Morgan and Gaines, then into the Gulf of Mexico, arriving at Galveston, Texas, on the 18th. After disembarking, the 83rd camped in the public square, but shortly afterward broke camp. Each company was assigned to different parts of the city, occupying houses for quarters. While in Texas the battalion performed various kinds of garrison duty in and around Houston and Galveston.

Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 52 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 161 Enlisted men by disease. Total: 219.

The war was over by June 28, 1865, the day that Charlie Bodine died. The 83rd was on garrison duty at the time, and it is my belief that Pvt. Bodine was one of the many men that succumbed to disease during the war. The men of the 83rd were mustered out of service less than a month later!

Walk to the doors of the brick building that was built in 1879. It may have been used as a receiving tomb, where bodies were held in the winter until the ground thawed sufficiently to allow grave digging. Notice the Odd Fellows symbols FLT in the chain links, high above the doors.

At 28 Degrees and 97 paces you will find Corpl. Daniel Huddleston – Co. M 5th Ohio Cavalry.

Initially armed with sabers and pistols, Federal cavalry troopers quickly added the breech-loading carbine to their inventory of weapons. Troopers preferred the easier-handling carbines to rifles and awkward muzzle-loaders. The Hall .52, and the Sharps .54 single-shot breech-loading carbines, saw extensive use during the Civil War. The next step in the evolutionary process was the repeating carbine, the favorite by 1865 being the Spencer .52-caliber seven-shot repeater. Because of the South's limited industrial capacity, Confederate cavalrymen had a more difficult time arming themselves. Nevertheless, they too embraced the firepower revolution, choosing shotguns and muzzle-loading carbines as their primary weapons. In addition, Confederate cavalrymen made extensive use of battlefield salvage by recovering Federal weapons. However, the South's difficulties in producing the metallic-rimmed cartridges required by many of these recovered weapons limited their usefulness.

THE FIFTH OHIO CAVALRY - The beginnings of this regiment were made early in August, 1861, at Camp Dick Corwine, near Cincinnati. On November 5th, the regiment was ordered to Camp Dennison. On February 26, 1862, orders were received with much enthusiasm to proceed to Paducah Ky. The command was now 1142 strong, mostly recruited in Hamilton and Clermont counties. It reached Fort Henry just after the victory of the Union forces there, and in a few days proceeded by steamer to Savannah, on the Tennessee River. March 14th it was transported to a point near Eastport, and made the first expedition of the Federal forces on Mississippi soil. Frequent scouts and skirmishes were had near Pittsburgh Landing, (Shiloh), where it fought heroically in both days' fight, for a time receiving its orders directly from General Grant. Early April 8th it formed the advance and flank guard of General Sherman's reconnaissance. At Corinth it was the first on its part of the line, to enter the town. Company B, and Corpl. Huddleston’s Co. M, were in the brilliant action at Davis' Mill, where a large rebel force were checked by one greatly inferior. In the spring and summer of 1863 the regiment, then in the Second brigade, Cavalry division, Sixteenth corps, was employed in guarding the Memphis and Charleston railroad. Part of the regiment served as train guards during the battles of Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge, while another part acted as escorts and couriers. During the Atlanta campaign it saw much hard service, by which time many of the men were dismounted; having lost their horses in battle.
November 8th it joined Kilpatrick's division, Third brigade, and began the march to the sea.

By early March 1865, the Confederacy had been split asunder. Union troops had driven wedges of men and destruction through the Deep South. General William T. Sherman was marching north from Savannah, Georgia through the Carolinas. He burned Columbia, South Carolina, pushed on into North Carolina, and was nearing Fayetteville. The only organized Confederate forces in the area were Lieutenant General William J. Hardee’s Infantry Corps of 8,000 and Lieutenant General Joseph Wheeler and Major General Matthew C. Butler’s Cavalry that were combined on March 8th under Lieutenant General Wade Hampton and totaled approximately 5,800. Sherman divided his veteran army of 70,000 men into two wings. General Sherman chose to swing east towards Fayetteville to allow resupply from Wilmington, destroy the arsenal, threaten Raleigh and eventually link up with other Federal forces from the coast in Goldsboro. Sherman delayed indicating his intentions in the hope of trapping the Confederate forces on the west side of the Cape Fear River by beating them into Fayetteville and seizing the bridge. Cavalry was used to screen the infantry's march as the army moved relentlessly north.

Brevet Major General Hugh Judson Kilpatrick commanded Sherman's 3rd cavalry division which acted in a screening role to protect the left flank of Sherman's army. Kilpatrick operated well forward and to the left of the main Federal force as if scouting the route to Charlotte, with the intention of turning east at the last possible moment.

General Johnston hoped to use his cavalry to isolate a wing of Sherman’s army and destroy it causing a delay in Sherman’s movement, and allowing him to consolidate the Confederate forces. Thus, Lt. Gen. Wheeler and Maj. Gen. Butler were under orders to attack the wing of Sherman’s army should the opportunity present itself.

As Sherman's army marched by parallel roads toward Fayetteville, Kilpatrick arrived at Rockingham, North Carolina on March 7 where he skirmished with Wheeler's Confederate cavalry. The weather was cold, wet and rainy, making campaigning miserable at best.

On March 8, Kilpatrick marched along muddy roads and crossed rain-swollen creeks and streams. He moved to the head of Drowning Creek where he encamped. The 9th of March saw the column moving again in a torrential downpour. Kilpatrick learned from his scouts that Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee's, infantry had recently moved to the north. He also learned that General Wade Hampton's Confederate Cavalry was to the west moving to join Hardee's command. Kilpatrick ordered his Second Brigade to march along the Morganton Road, the First Brigade to deploy along the Chicken Road, and the Third Brigade, along with the Fourth Provisional Brigade (dismounted), to follow the Yadkin Road on the move toward Fayetteville. The latter was to halt at Green Springs (Monroe's Crossroads) for the night. The Yadkin and Morganton roads intersected west of Green Springs. Kilpatrick, with his staff and an escort of 15 men and one officer, moved to join the Third Brigade.

The 3rd Brigade was commanded by Colonel George E. Spencer; and consisted of the 1st Alabama Calvary (U.S.), 5th Kentucky Cavalry (U.S.), and the 5th Ohio Cavalry, The 4th Provisional Brigade (dismounted) was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel William B. Way and was made up of dismounted men from each of the other brigades. The 3rd Regiment of the 4th Provisional Brigade consisted of men from the 1st Alabama Cavalry (U.S.), 5th Kentucky Cavalry (U.S.), 5th Ohio Cavalry, and 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry. The dismounted brigade, composed of about 400 men, had been armed with rifled muskets and bayonets at Savannah. Portions of Kilpatrick’s command were armed with Sharps carbines and the 9th Pennsylvania troops were armed with Joslyn carbines. We have no way of knowing if Corpl. Huddleston still had a horse at this time. He could have been with Spencer’s 3rd Brigade or Way’s 4th Provisional Brigade.

Hampered by rain and harassed by Confederate Patrols, Kilpatrick’s Division was strung out and scattered, but moving in an eastward direction. Brevet Brigadier General Atkins and the 2nd Brigade, also moving east toward camp behind Kilpatrick came upon the rear of Butler’s Division, but were undetected by the Confederates. Realizing the road ahead was blocked, they countermarched in order to find a way around. After moving west for two or three miles, Atkins then turned off to the south and again tried to circle the Confederates, but ended up in the Piney Bottom and Juniper Creek area and failed to reach the Monroe farm to participate in the battle.

Brevet Brigadier General Thomas J. Jordan and the 1st Brigade, furthest back, had been instructed to proceed down Chicken Road in the hopes of blocking the Confederate Cavalry. Jordan's 1st Brigade also failed to reach its destination, and was now at Rockfish Church, west of Aberdeen. Atkins and Jordan both realized that Hampton's main force was passing them on a parallel road, and each made efforts to reach Kilpatrick's camp before dawn. Both forces were subsequently engaged in skirmishes with Confederate forces all along the 10-mile stretch, and both failed to reach Kilpatrick in time. Kilpatrick was now actually cut off by the very Confederate forces that he was attempting to surround and would have only a third of his division present at the Monroe farm to face the enemy.

The battle at Monroe's Crossroads, fought on March 10, 1865, was one of the largest all-cavalry engagements of the Civil War. It was not a planned engagement, but one of happenstance for both combatant groups. Though not a major battle in terms of its effect on the outcome of the war, it is of interest because it was a cavalry clash between two flamboyant and highly regarded cavalry officers, Confederate Major General Wade Hampton and Union Major General Judson Kilpatrick.

Kilpatrick’s scouts entered the camp at Monroe’s Crossroads in the morning of the 9th and camped south of Nicholson Creek to await the rest of the Division.

Kilpatrick, his staff and a detail from the 3rd Brigade had stayed behind to direct the 2nd Brigade to follow along Morganton Road after it had closed up. Kilpatrick and his escort were also approaching the camp.

Confederate Maj. Gen. Butler’s advance guard arrived at the intersection of Yadkin and Morganton Roads. They noted that at least a mounted brigade had passed the spot very recently. As they discussed the situation, Kilpatrick’s advance guard also arrived at the intersection and was promptly captured. Kilpatrick and his escorts, following a short distance behind, narrowly made their escape through the woods to the south, skirting the Confederate units and reentering Morganton Road to the east where they proceeded on to the camp. The Union scouts had not detected the Confederate Cavalry thus leading Kilpatrick to believe that the incident at the intersection and the sporadic gunfire to the west was the result of a chance encounter with a Confederate patrol.

LT. Col. Wm. Way's 4th Provisional Brigade, having in charge the ordnance wagons and the division headquarters train, arrived at Monroe's Cross-Roads at nine o'clock that stormy night, and camped in line along the road in front of the Monroe farm house. Colonel Spencer's Third Brigade comprising the 1st Alabama (Union) Cavalry, 5th Kentucky Cavalry, 5th Ohio Cavalry and a section of the 10th Wisconsin Light Battery, filed on past the house and turned off into a large open field lying on the ridge about a hundred yards north of Green Springs. Shelter tents were thrown over fence rails and saplings. Picket lines were quickly stretched between pine trees; the artillery was parked about fifty yards from the house, on a slight rise at the top of the ridge. The wagons were also near the farm yard. Colonel Spencer picketed the country carefully in the direction of Fayetteville, leaving Colonel Way to picket the rear. The Union officers were tired, wet, and confident that the war would soon end in their favor. They were not as diligent in their defense of the camp as they should have been. Guards had been set out to the west, but none to the north where the Confederates were now approaching. Colonel Spencer and his staff soon made themselves comfortable in the little farm house, from which the inhabitants had fled; he was joined here by Kilpatrick and his staff and the private mounts belonging to these gentlemen were tied to the railing of the front porch, and the garden fence. There were also in the building two ladies, said to be refugees from Savannah, who were following Kilpatrick's column in a buggy.

With the help of the Rev. Evander McNair, a Presbyterian minister who served as a guide to the Confederate forces, Maj. General Butler arrived outside Kilpatrick's camp around midnight. Butler soon realized that Kilpatrick had not posted any pickets to guard his encampment from the rear. Confederate Captain Shannon and his scouts succeeded in capturing the only guards to the west without a shot, leaving the entire north and west sides of the camp open to Confederate reconnaissance. The Confederate scouts were able to go right into the Union camp and lead horses away without being detected. Throughout the night the Confederates scouted the Federal camp determining the exact location of each unit and their commands. As the Confederate units moved in the night to position themselves for the attack, the rain halted. Lt. Gen. Hampton proposed a dawn attack led by Butler’s Division from the north, Wheeler’s Corps from the northwest and Hume’s Division from the west across a small tributary of Nicholson Creek. Hampton further gave control of the battle to Lt. Gen. Wheeler to carry out as planned leaving himself and Brig. Gen. Dibrell in reserve.

At dawn, heavy mists and fog obscured the Federal camp which was mostly asleep, but some were preparing coffee and breakfast. At Lt. Gen. Wheelers command, hundreds of gray horsemen in columns of regiments came bearing down on the awakening Federals. They swept past the house and into the camp, firing pistols and slashing with sabers. The attack so surprised the Federals that they could do little more than flee south where the swamps of Nicholson Creek stopped their retreat. The Confederates completely overran the camp stopping only when the Federals seemed to be completely run off. The prospect of much loot in the camp became their primary concern. Turning back into the camp they encounter more fleeing Yankees. Confusion reigned and hand to hand combat was common.

During the night planning of the battle, Confederate officers developed plans for the capture of Maj. Gen. Kilpatrick by a small squadron of handpicked troops. During the melee of the battle however, only Confederate Captain Bostick had the chance to carry out his orders. Kilpatrick had come out to the porch just before the attack, but was not yet in uniform. Capt. Bostick rode up with the first wave of the attack and, not recognizing Kilpatrick, demanded “Where is General Kilpatrick”? Kilpatrick, realizing his luck replied “There he goes yonder on that black stallion!” and Bostick and his escort quickly rode off after an unfortunate officer who was making his escape down Blue’s Road. Kilpatrick ran for the cover of the woods and swamp to the south of camp, joining up with most of his units there. (This later became known as Kilpatrick’s shirttails skedaddle). Kilpatrick's staff and that of Colonel Spencer's were unable to leave the Monroe House during the fight, although in the melee the Confederates did not try to enter.

Confederate Brig. General Humes, to the west had also attacked at the sound of the bugle, but was immediately repulsed by dense thicket. Humes’ division, in their night maneuver to attack position had positioned themselves west of not one, but two of the tributaries to Nicholson Creek. He was now aware that they were attempting to attack across an impenetrable swamp. Humes ordered his attack to pull back and move north to find an easier crossing.

The Federal soldiers’ now floundering neck deep in the swamps south of camp broke off their flight and, encouraged by the arrival of Kilpatrick and other soldiers made their way back to the edge of the camp. As the Federal veterans began to organize their line and prepare the weapons they had instinctively grabbed in flight, they were joined by Kilpatrick’s Scouts, who had camped south of Nicholson Creek and were now just arriving after hearing the gunfire. The Confederate failure to press the retreating Federals allowed them precious time to recover and regroup. The Federals who had made it to the swamp, about 50 yards from the camp, now positioned themselves behind trees and poured a hot volley toward the Rebels. The 1st Alabama, 5th Kentucky and Corporal Daniel Huddleston’s 5th Ohio, formed a line in the swamp strong enough to check the Confederates' advance.

Lt. Ebenezer W. Stetson of the 10th Wisconsin Light Battery crept unnoticed through the ranks of the Confederates on his hands and knees and managed to reach his 3 inch Hotchkiss guns parked on the ridge. (The 3-inch (76 mm) Hotchkiss gun was intended to be mounted on a light carriage or packed on mules to accompany a troop of cavalry or an army travelling in rough country). Entirely alone, he unlimbered one of the pieces, loaded it, and then fired it into a mass of Confederates. Sergeant John Swartz and a few other men then ran to Stetson's location to assist in firing two more rounds at the Confederates. As the small group of Federals discharged double loads of shot at the Confederate troopers, the remnants of Kilpatrick's cavalry took heart, regrouped and prepared to counterattack.

Some of Butler's men concentrated their fire at the battery to knock it out. Then, with drawn sabers, they charged and swept down toward the camp; but they were met with such a shower of bullets from the swamp that they were hurled backward. The Federals moved up the rise from the swamp to the battery, and both cannons were then fired down at the Rebels.

The Confederates again charged and attempted to take the battery. They managed to reach within 20 yards, but again were stopped by the withering fire. The Confederates moved a column around the house in an attempt to take the battery from the rear, but Stetson noticed the movement and let go another round. It was at this point that the Federals started to move back into camp. Captain Theodore F. Northrop and his scouts vigorously attacked the Confederate left flank, driving them beyond the camp. Wheeler reformed his men twice and charged the Federals during the advance, but to no avail.

Harrison's brigade of Texans, who had charged the swamp, now circled north to the head of the swamp to rejoin the fighting. But by the time they reached the rear of Butler's division, the tide of battle had turned.

In camp, order was impossible to maintain as hundreds of hungry and ill-clothed Confederates intermingled in the confined area of the camp in a desperate attempt to collect food and supplies. The rapid firing Spencer carbines of the reorganized Federal lines to the south began to take their toll on the Confederates in the camp. Unable to reorganize the scattered Confederate units in the camp, Wheeler sent for Brig. Gen. Dibrell to bring the reserve forward. As the Federals continued their advancing fire into the camp, couriers soon returned to Wheeler with the news that Lt. Gen. Hampton had already brought the reserves onto the field, and they too were now scattered and useless to the Confederate commanders.

The solid line of Federal troops advanced slowly toward the mounted Confederates and poured a deadly fire into the enemy line, killing or wounding many of them. One account stated, "General Kilpatrick, mounted on a mule without a saddle, barefooted, and dressed only in his drawers and shirt, advanced leading 150-200 men."

Generals Wheeler and Hampton quickly conferred and decided that in view of the probability that Federal Infantry would soon be on the scene, withdrawal would be prudent.

The Confederates formed a line with their horses. With pistols and carbines they fired volleys of hot lead into the Federal line, but between 7:30 and 8 a.m. they began to slowly yield the field. About 9 o'clock the firing slackened, and the Battle of Monroe's Cross Roads was over.

General Kilpatrick ordered no pursuit, his troops were not only exhausted but also out of ammunition, and most were only half-dressed. Instead, Kilpatrick and his command stayed on the field of battle until mid-afternoon caring for the wounded, burying the dead, and reassembling their kits. The dead were buried in shallow pits dug into the sandy soil. Neill S. Blue, a boy of 15 at the time of the battle and a local resident, set a few pieces of sandstone over the graves after the battle. Blue also stated he went to the field the day following the battle and found many dead and wounded around a log barn where the fighting had been particularly heavy. Blue reported he counted 320 dead horses some days after the battle. General Kilpatrick and his men moved out traveling south on Blues Rosin Road to Plank Road and then east toward Fayetteville.

Late in the afternoon, Kilpatrick ordered a cavalry division to march to the point where Chicken Road crossed Little Rockfish Creek. There they built a circle of log breastworks and camped for the night. Several of the mortally wounded died and were buried there. Spencer's 3rd Brigade rode about five miles in the direction of Fayetteville, where he joined Kilpatrick's other two brigades and camped for the night.

The Confederate Cavalry moved slowly into Fayetteville and established camp at the arsenal, allowing the wounded to be treated at local hospitals and homes. On the morning of March 11, with Sherman’s army closing in, the Confederates evacuated Fayetteville and crossed the Cape Fear leaving a few Cavalry to burn the bridge as the Federals approached.

5th Ohio Cavalry losses in this affair alone: 7 killed, 8 wounded, and 21 missing.

Of the Forces Engaged: Kilpatrick's Cavalry Division of 1,850; Wheeler's and Hampton's Cavalry Division of 3,000, 269 were killed (U.S. 183 – C.S. 86). The battle was nearly a Union disaster, but in the totality of the overall campaign, it has become only a footnote to the epic events played out at Appomattox Courthouse one month later.

Four stones to the right lies Wm. T. Bowen 1837-1909 - Co. C Fremont’s Body Guard

Over your right shoulder you can find William’s comrade Daniel, keeping up with the rest of the Jones’. 1840-19(B)8

FREMONT’S BODY GUARD (MISSOURI CAVALRY) On July 25, 1861, General John C. Fremont replaced General Nathaniel Lyon as commander of the military’s “Western Department”, headquartered in St. Louis. In August, General Fremont started to form an elite cavalry unit that came to be known as “Fremont’s Body Guard”, Missouri Cavalry. Fremont’s Body Guard was a battalion of 4 companies’ of cavalry and one company musicians, under the command of a Hungarian, Major Karoly “Charles” Zagony, who was a veteran of the 1848 revolutions in Hungary, and a specialist in horse riding and military cavalry. He personally picked every single horse for the Body Guard, and interviewed every man, before accepting them. During training, he drove the men and horses hard, and they became one of the most precise, disciplined units in the Army of the West.

By September, Gen. Fremont had amassed roughly 50,000 men to form an Army to pursue Confederate General Sterling Price, and rid Missouri of all rebels. His goal was to cut the Confederacy in half, by controlling the Mississippi River, and to be in New Orleans by Christmas.

General Fremont’s large army left St. Louis in September and headed for Springfield in pursuit of General Price. The Body Guard, along with divisions from General Franz Sigel’s army, acted as the advance guard for Fremont’s army, along with a Company of 50 Delware Indians headed by Fall-Leaf and Journeycake (also known as Johnny-Cake). Nearing Springfield, they heard that Confederate troops numbering about 300 under Colonel Julian Frazier of the Missouri State Guard, were stationed near the city. Zagonyi obtained permission to pursue and attack, but as the Body Guard approached Springfield, they were informed that the Confederate numbers were over 2,000.

As the Body Guard headed down a small lane off of the Mount Vernon Road around 4:00PM on Friday, October 25, 1861, they were unexpectedly greeted by a hail of gunfire from Confederate snipers hiding in the woods, and several Body Guard troopers and many horses went down. Major Zagonyi led the rest of the unit to an open field and he quickly formed them in line of battle, and gave the command, “draw sabres…CHARGE!” In unison, the steeds thundered across the open field towards the enemy, as more Body Guard members fell from their saddles. The enemy soon broke ranks and was dispersed in all directions within minutes of the charge. Fighting continued for several hours though, through the woods and fields of the surrounding area and through the downtown streets of Springfield.

Amazingly, only 18 members of the Body Guard were killed in “Zagonyi’s Charge” (supposedly the first cavalry sabre charge of the Civil War). News spread around the country about this battle, and General Fremont likened it to the famous “Charge of the Light Brigade” at Baklava exactly 10 years prior.

From Daniel, turn around and look for a brown stone with a star. Here you will find resting in the shade of the pines, Capt. Stephen Coddington – Co. F 5th Ohio Vol. Inf.

FIFTH OHIO INFANTRY - was made up of young men from Cincinnati and the vicinity. It went into Camp Harrison, near that city, April 20, 1861, and transferred to Camp Dennison May 23. The regiment started for the field in western Virginia, July 10th, in and about Romney.

Hearing of a rebel force of fifteen hundred at Blue's Gap, sixteen miles out, a detachment was moved against it during a driving snow storm on the night of January 6, 1862, surprised the enemy, killing twenty of them, capturing a number, and two cannon, and destroying the mill and other property of the rebel Colonel Blue. This was the beginning of the Fifth Ohio's reputation for bravery and thorough-going dealing with the rebels. The Confederate papers soundly anathematized the regiment led "by a butcher," and advised their commanders to show its members no quarter.

On March 22, 1862, under General Shields, the regiment was moved out hastily and the next day reached Kernstown and took a position to support a battery, where it was attacked about 9a.m. It held its place until afternoon, when five companies were detached and moved alone against an overwhelming force, whose fire they sustained alone in an open field for some time, returning it with interest, until reinforcements came. The united commands advanced and soon routed the enemy.

Five color-bearers of the regiment were successively shot down in this short but sharp fight. The enemy retreated in the darkness of the night. The Fifth lost forty-seven killed and wounded in the battle. The regimental colors received forty-eight bullet holes in this action, and the State flag ten.

The regiment returned to Camp Harrison, near Cincinnati, where on May 7th, a beautiful stand of colors was presented by a deputation from the city council of Cincinnati, as a token of appreciation for the regiment's bravery and efficiency in the late battle.

May 12th another march was begun, and on June 3rd, the regiment reached the Shenandoah Valley again, having marched in three weeks 285 miles through mud and rain without meeting an enemy and with scarcely half rations.

On June 9th, however, at Port Republic, it became hotly engaged, and behaved with its usual courage and dash. After some firing by volley, it charged two rebel regiments covered by a fence and drove them into the woods, where they were again charged and one field gun captured. Moving to the left, it repelled a charge upon one of our batteries, but had to cover a retreat, in which it lost 185 men taken captive. Its total loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners was 244.

The colors were saved on the retreat by color Corporals Brinkman and Shaw wrapping them about their bodies and swimming the Shenandoah River. The regiment was in retreat and on daily march for five weeks, over more than five hundred miles, compelled by the rapid and obscure movements of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson in the valley. When at last halted at Alexandria, the men of the Fifth were completely spent.

After rest and resupply, it went by rail to Warrenton, and on August 9, the regiment made a forced march from Culpeper Courthouse to the battlefield of Cedar Mountain. The Union forces were pressed back by overwhelming numbers, and the Fifth lost 18 killed, 13 officers and 89 men wounded, and two missing, out of 271.

The Fifth participated in the terrible battles on the plains of Manassas, and reached the field of Antietam September 16th, 1862. Here it was closely engaged, once in a hand-to-hand conflict, in which many of the men used the butts of their guns, until the enemy slowly and stubbornly gave way. At another point the brigade to which it belonged, reduced to five hundred men, held its ground against a much larger force, and was so poorly supported that it had to fall back to avoid being outflanked. In this battle the Fifth emptied its cartridge boxes three times, firing about one hundred shots per man, and marking the front of its positions by rows of dead rebels. It lost 54 men killed and wounded, of 180 engaged.

On April 24, 1863, the regiment joined the advance of Hooker across the Rappahannock, and was engaged at Chancellorsville, performing a distinguished part in that bloody action. It was also in the great battle of Gettysburg, July 3d.

At Gettysburg, the Fifth Ohio was part of Maj. Gen. H. Slocum’s XII Corps, Brig. Gen. J. Geary’s 2nd Division, and Col. Charles Candy’s 1st Brigade. The regiment was commanded by Col. John H. Patrick, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland.

On the second day of battle, July 2nd, two regiments of Confederate Brig. General George H. Steuart’s left, the 23rd and 10th Virginia, outflanked the Union works of the 137th New York. Like the fabled 20th Maine of Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain on Little Round Top earlier that afternoon, Col. David Ireland of the 137th New York found himself on the extreme end of the Union army, fending off a strong flanking attack. Under heavy pressure, the New Yorkers were forced back to occupy a traversing trench, facing south. They essentially held their ground and protected the flank, but they lost almost a third of their men in doing so. Because of the darkness and Ireland’s heroic defense, Steuart's men did not realize that they had almost unlimited access to the main line of communication for the Union army, the Baltimore Pike, only 600 yards to their front. Ireland and his men prevented a huge disaster from befalling Maj. General George G. Meade's army, although they never received the publicity that their colleagues from Maine enjoyed.

Confederate troops now occupied some of the Union defensive line on the southeastern slope of the Culp’s Hill, near Spangler's spring. While Steuart's brigade maintained a fragile hold on the lower heights, Maj. General Edward “Allegheny” Johnson's other two brigades were pulled off the hill, to wait for daylight. Both sides prepared to attack at dawn.

On July 3, as Captain Coddington and the 5th Ohio were moving into position on Culp’s Hill, General Lee was planning to renew his attacks by coordinating the action on Culp's Hill with another attack by Lt. General James Longstreet and A.P. Hill against Cemetery Ridge. Longstreet was not ready for an early attack, and the Union forces on Culp's Hill did not accommodate Lee by waiting. At dawn, five Union batteries opened fire on Steuart’s brigade in the positions they had captured and kept them pinned down for 30 minutes before a planned attack by two of Geary's brigades. However, the Confederates beat them to the punch. Fighting continued until late in the morning and consisted of three attacks by Johnson's men, each a failure.

Since the fighting had stopped the previous night, Lt. General Richard S. Ewell had reinforced Johnson with additional brigades from the division of Maj. Gen. Robert E. Rodes, under Brig. Gens. Junius Daniel, and William "Extra Billy" Smith, and Col. Edward A. O'Neal. These additional forces were insufficient to deal with the strong Union defensive positions. The boys in blue repeated a tactic used the previous evening; regiments were rotated in and out of the breastworks while they reloaded, enabling them to keep up a high rate of fire.

In the final of the three Confederate attacks, around 10 a.m., Walker's Stonewall Brigade and Daniel's North Carolina brigade assaulted from the east, while Steuart's brigade advanced over the open field toward the main hill against the brigades of Candy and Kane. The 5th Ohio did not have the advantage of strong breastworks to fight behind. Nevertheless, both attacks were beaten back with heavy losses. The attacks against the heights were again fruitless, and superior use of artillery on the open fields to the south made the difference there.

Despite receiving reinforcements and attempting his assaults again, Johnson was repulsed with terrible losses from one end of his line to the other. The losses at Culp's Hill included approximately 2,000 men in Johnson's division, nearly a third. An additional 800 fell from the reinforcing brigades on July 3. The XII corps lost about 1,000 men over both days Brigadier General Alpheus S. Williams of the XII Corps command, summed up the futility of this fighting: "The wonder is that the rebels persisted so long in an attempt that the first half hour must have told them was useless."

One of the sad stories of the war involved the Culp family. Two of Henry Culp's nephews were brothers: John Wesley Culp and William Culp. Wesley joined the Confederate States Army and William the Union Army. Wesley's regiment, the 2nd Virginia Infantry, fought at Culp's Hill, and he was killed in the fighting on his family property on July 3. Ironically, he allegedly was carrying a message from another soldier, just deceased, to "Ginnie" Wade, the only civilian killed during the battle. His brother William was not present at Gettysburg and survived the war.

Culp's Hill became a prime tourist attraction after the battle. It was close to the town and, unlike most battles in open fields, it was heavily wooded and the extreme firepower took a very visible toll on the trees, some of which were completely sheared off. Geary's division alone on July 3 reported that they expended 227,000 rounds. It took over twenty years before the scars of battle faded and nature reclaimed the breastworks.

In August, the regiment was sent to New York City to quell the draft riots, and remained there till September 8th. The 5th was in the advance on Atlanta when Col. Patrick fell mortally wounded at New Hope Church in May 1864 during the campaign. The time of the regiment expired during this movement, and it was moved to the rear in charge of prisoners. Many of the men decided to re-enlist, and had the privilege of a short furlough. They soon rejoined the conquering General Sherman pressing upon Atlanta, and were in the march to the sea and through the Carolinas and the great reviews at Washington, from which they returned to Cincinnati July 26, 1865, where they were finally paid and discharged at Camp Dennison.

Scarcely any Ohio regiment has a more remarkable history. It took part in twenty-eight engagements, including six pitched battles, with many reconnaissance’s and skirmishes; marched on foot 1375 miles, traveled 993 miles by rail, and sustained a total loss of 500 men, killed, wounded, and taken prisoner.

Turn left to find the 3 Turpin spires standing in a row.

Among the three children of Dr. Turpin was Philip, his only son. To Phillip, the father presented, by assignment, the right to one thousand acres in the Virginia military district, under the Crittenden warrant. Young Philip made several trips on horseback, near the close of the century, to and from the Miami valley, sometimes visiting Lieutenant Crittenden at Lexington (this was the father of John J. Crittenden, the celebrated lawyer and statesman, George B. Crittenden, Confederate General, and Thomas L. Crittenden, Union General, 21th Corps, Army of the Cumberland); and finally, it is believed in the year 1797, he set his pioneer stakes down upon the rich tract below Newtown subsequently patented to him, and began improvement on it.

After a few years he moved to the Kentucky shore for a more healthful location, and resided on the hills opposite the mouth of the Little Miami. On October 9, 1799, his patent to the Survey No. 416, upon which he had located, for one thousand acres, was granted and signed by John Adams, President of the United States and Timothy Pickering, Secretary of State. Mr. Turpin was married in 1807, to Miss Mary Smith, of a family that had just immigrated to Kentucky from New York. Mr. Turpin spent five to six years upon the Kentucky hills, where his first children, Philip and Ebenezer, were born.

Around 1813, he then moved his family to the Anderson farm, and built the original family mansion at Union Bridge. In 1824 he erected the well known Turpin mill, a large flouring establishment, upon the site of the old mill of the Holley’s at that point, about a quarter of a mile below the Union bridge, (Beechmont Levee Bridge) probably at the same place where the floating mill of Wickerham was anchored in the pioneer days. He conducted this mill, as well as farming operations.

In the mill he was in partnership for the first five years with his brother-in-law, Aaron Foulk, who was a practical millwright and miller, and had superintended the construction and starting of the mill.

Mr. Turpin also, in 1826, built a small distillery on Clough creek, one mile from the mill, which he carried on for three or four years, and then left it to the management of his sons. He remained in the milling business, however, until the time of his death, in 1834. Mary Turpin buried six of her nine children before she died in August, 1851.

The nine children were:
Philip Parnell, born November 18, 1804; died June 24, 1818, age: 13

Ebenezer Smith, born May 30, 1808; died September 15, 1879, age: 71 Ebenezer was identified with the growth of Hamilton County for more than half a century. In his early life he attended Wing's academy in Cincinnati, and in due time was associated with his father and his brother Edward in the mill below Union Bridge, the two brothers continuing in the business together after the decease of the elder Turpin. This was abandoned, however, in 1868, when the mill was demolished by the flooding back-waters from the Ohio River. He had previously carried on for a number of years a distillery near Newtown, and engaged in other business, most of which was successful and realized him a handsome fortune. He settled on a valuable farm in the vicinity adjoining that of his brother Edward, upon which he erected a handsome dwelling. In 1855, he became a candidate for the Ohio legislature on the Democratic ticket, and was elected, serving for one term.

Caroline Matilda Rozenia, born May 13, 1810; died July 3, 1822, age: 12 On July 3rd 1822, while crossing the Little Miami River at Round Bottom ford, the skiff that she was in with several others, overturned and she was Drouned. (One row back and to the left you will find Esau Foulk. Notice that Esau’s and Mary’s headstones are the same. ESAU DIED AT THE AGE OF 2(J). Note the date. Aaron Foulk was a brother in law and business partner of Philip Turpin. Esau was Aaron’s younger brother. It is my belief that Esau died trying to save Caroline and the others. He may have been in the skiff with Caroline on that fateful day, maybe at the oars, or jumped in from shore to attempt a rescue. It is interesting that the 9th and last child born to Philip and Mary was named Aaron Foulk Turpin! Mary Turpin was 5 months pregnant with Mary C. when Caroline lost her life.)

Edward Johnson, born May 6, 1814; died February 28, 1889, age: 74 Edward spent his early years at home, receiving his education in the schools of that neighborhood, except during a few months' attendance at Woodward College, Cincinnati. Returning to the farm, he engaged in its labors and after his father's death leased the interest of his brothers in the mill and managed it for three or four years, also conducting the distillery for some time. In the spring of 1844 he left the mill and bought the fine place half a mile south of Newtown, upon which he erected a spacious mansion. (See the home at: N39 07.133 x W 084 21.938). Here he lived the tranquil life of a successful and independent farmer. He was a staunch Republican since the party sprang into being, and was a Free Soiler from the time of the Van Buren campaign.

Tensions within the Whig Party over the slavery issue had been kept below the surface for some time, but the admission of Texas into the Union in 1844 brought the issue to a boil. The friction between the two factions, threatened the party’s existence.

Conscience Whigs called for a convention to form a new political party. Some twenty thousand like-minded men came to Buffalo, New York, the first week of August 1848. In attendance were Old Liberty men, who were advocates of free labor, and antislavery Democrats. Dr. John Rogers, (who brought Ulysses S. Grant into this world) Jacob Ebersole, and Thomas Glisson, were chosen as the three-man delegation from Clermont County.

Ohioan Salmon P. Chase, was chosen to draft a party platform. The multi-plank platform opposed the expansion of slavery, supported cheap postal rates, free land to settlers of the west, harbor and river improvements, and tariff reforms.

Martin Van Buren was chosen as their presidential candidate, and Charles F. Adams, son of John Quincy, as his running mate. With the party slogan “Free Soil, Free Speech, Free Labor, and Free Men”, the delegates went home and prepared for the 1848 campaign.

The Van Buren and Adams ticket received only 10% of the vote in the national election, but the 1848 state elections altered Ohio's political landscape for some time to come.

Mr. Turpin was married May 29, 1839, to Miss Christina, daughter of Mathias Kugler, of the pioneer family that settled early in the century near Camp Denison, and of Elizabeth (Waldsmith) Kugler, daughter of the famous miller and land-owner of that settlement, who you will met later.

Mary Margaret, born May 20, 1816; died September 8, 1816, age: 3½ months.

Philip Parnell, born August 5, 1818; died September, 29, 1848, age: 30.

Robert Carmichael, born September 3, 1820; died December 22, 1847, age: 27 Robert died of consumption, while travelling in the south for his health, on board the steamship Galveston, near the Balize.

Mary Caroline, born November 6, 1822; died July 19, 1839, age: 16 Mary was attending The Augusta Female Seminary when she died on July 19 1839, at the age of 16 years, 8 months, 13 days. The Seminary became Augusta College on December 7, 1822. It was the first Methodist College west of the Alleghenies. The school’s charter was revoked in 1849 because faculty and students agitated against slavery. John G. Fee, founder of Berea College was an alumnus.

Aaron FOULK, born June 24, 1827; died September 16, 1851, age: 24

CEMETRY #3 N39 09.808 x W084 17.685 Here you will find James E. Malarkey

THE 24th MARINE REGIMENT was activated at Camp Pendleton, California on March 26, 1943. In August of 1943 the Regiment was attached to the newly created 4th Marine Division.

The Regiment began movement to the combat zone in January 1944 when it sailed from San Diego, California for the enemy held Marshall Islands. The first combat assignment for the Regiment was to take part in the seizure of Roi-Namur, twin islands in the Kwajalein Atoll.

On February 1, the Regiment assaulted Namur. The 2nd and 3rd Battalions led the attack. On moving inland the Regiment met strong resistance. Second Battalion suffered especially heavy casualties, primarily due to the explosion of an enemy ammunition dump. The island was completely wrested from the Japanese by the following day. Saipan was the first objective of the Mariana Island Campaign for the Regiment. The 24th Marines were originally placed in reserve. However, heavy fighting on the day of the landing, June 15, 1944, forced the call-up of the Regiment. The 24th Marines went ashore that afternoon joining other units from the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions pushing inland. The Japanese stubbornly resisted the invading Americans until July 9 when the island was declared secure.

American military forces in the Marianas next turned their attention to the neighboring island of Tinian. The 24th Marines had a leading role in the campaign to seize Tinian. The Regiment was in the first wave to hit the beaches. Enemy opposition was quickly overcome and the 24th rapidly moved inland. By August 1st organized resistance had ended with the island under American control.

The Regiment returned to Hawaii by the end of August, where the 24th Marines received replacements for losses suffered in the Marianas, and started training for its toughest battle of World War II - Iwo Jima.

In late January 1945, the 24th Marine Regiment embarked and sailed for the Japanese stronghold, landing on February 19, with other 4th Marine Division units. From the very beginning, the 24th Marines remained locked in battle.

In his Memoirs, Alva R. Perry of Co A, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, writes: “We stood on the rail of our ship and watched as the landing craft in the first waves went ashore. At first it looked as if the Japs were not going to open fire, but they waited, and after the guys were landed they opened up. About 11:00 hours, we saw Higgins boats coming out to some of the ships with wounded. It begins to look bad. One of the new guys turned to me and said, “What do you think, how long will it take to secure the island?” I lied when I said that I thought we could take it in about one week. At 14:30 the First Battalion 24th was ordered to the blue beach one area. We went down the cargo nets into the landing craft. I had more than 60 lbs. of equipment on my back. After we got into the boat and started in, I realized what a beautiful day it was. The sky and the water were blue, the sun was out, and it was balmy. We were going in to kill some Japs we thought.

When we hit the beach the front of our boat did not go fully down and I jumped to shore…The first things I noticed were the steep terraces of volcanic ash. As we tried to run up them our feet dug down deep and we had no traction. We would take three steps and go back one. We finally got to the top of the terraces and all I could see was dead marines.

The Japs had all of us in their sights. They had the island laid out in quadrants. They could call down devastating fire on any of us at all times. It was like walking through a violent rain storm without getting hit by a drop. The Japs were all below the ground and we were all above the ground”.

Having seen good weather the last few days, PFC Jim Malarkeys last day, March (Date + 2 = D) 1945 dawned with a grey mist hanging over the island and a light rain falling from the sky. The air support and naval bombardments were cancelled due to poor visibility and so the Marines were on their own. The 4th Marine Division once again concentrated on the 'Meat grinder' with tanks and rocket firing trucks taking every opportunity to blast the enemy positions in and around the 'Amphitheater'.

Alva Perry continues: “Our next objective was the high ground north of the airfield. I found out later that it was called Turkey Knob, The Amphitheater and hill 362. To me, as a scout with a BAR (Browning automatic rifle), it was the worst terrain I had ever fought in. It started to rain and the wind turned cold. I was not prepared for this. Having fought the last three battles in the tropics and the landing day being so beautiful I had nothing to keep me warm and dry but a poncho. The volcanic ash had worn a hole through my shoes. Complete misery as my foxhole filled with cold rainwater. I thought I would freeze”.

Small groups of enemy attempted unsuccessfully to infiltrate through the lines of 3rd Battalion, and sporadic enemy mortar and small arms fire were received along the front from 0001 until dawn. The Division order was received and the 24th Regiment was ordered to continue the attack in its zone of action at 0730; with 3rd Battalion on the left, 2nd Battalion in the center and 1st Battalion (Less Company A) on the right. Company A remained in rear of 2nd Battalion as a Reserve. Division Artillery reinforced by Corps Artillery fired a preparation for the attack from 0715 until 0745. Flame thrower tanks were used against caves and other enemy positions. The attack jumped off on time but very little progress was made. The attack continued throughout the day against heavy enemy resistance. AT 1500 a coordinated attack was made with the 23th Regiment but very little advance was made. When the lines were consolidated at 1750 the largest gain made in the sector was only 100 yards. Heavy mortar, machine gun and small arms fire had been received throughout the day and The 24th Marines had received heavy casualties.

Alva Perry concludes: “It is hard to write about Iwo Jima. It was a grind. Every day was a big battle. No matter where you were on the island you were constantly exposed. The only way we could take this island was to kill the Japs in their caves. We did that with flame throwers, satchel charges and hand grenades. We literally buried them alive. Every day it was as if we were on a big beachhead and the whole island was like landing and the enemy was in a perfect position to kill you. This was the way it was every day. Collecting dog tags of kids who followed you, but you never knew their names”. The tags of PFC Malarkeys were among those collected that terrible day.

This day also saw the first B29 Superfortress to land on Iwo Jima - the very reason the battle was being waged. 'Dinah Might' was returning from a raid near Tokyo with her bomb bays jammed open and the reserve fuel tank transfer valve malfunctioning. Lt. Raymond Malo had two choices, ditch in the sea or attempt to land on Iwo Jima. The latter option seemed the most attractive. The Superfortress circled the island twice and then put down on Airfield No. 1. The aircraft was quickly moved to the Suribachi end of the runway and repairs made.

The arrival had not gone unnoticed by the Japanese who brought a steady rate of artillery fire down on the airfield. About half-an-hour later the bomber was on it way again with a parting goodbye of weak Japanese antiaircraft fire. The floodgates were opened and very soon Iwo Jima was taking up to twenty-five flights each day as the large-scale evacuation of wounded by air began.

Lt General Kuribayashi finally realized that the Americans had firmly gained the upper hand and radioed Tokyo that the result was no longer in doubt. It was just a matter of time. The last enemy pocket of resistance was finally crushed on March 16th.

In its 36 days of combat on Iwo Jima, the V Amphibious Corps, of which the 24th Marines were a part, killed approximately 22,000 Japanese soldiers and sailors. The cost was staggering.

The assault units of the corps—Marines and organic Navy personnel—sustained 24,053 casualties, by far the highest single-action losses in Marine Corps history. Of these, a total of 6,140 died. Roughly one Marine or corpsman became a casualty for every three who landed on Iwo Jima. According to a subsequent analysis by military historian Dr. Norman Cooper, "Nearly seven hundred Americans gave their lives for every square mile. For every plot of ground the size of a football field, an average of more than one American and five Japanese were killed and five Americans wounded." The ferocity of the campaign was reflected by the great number of casualties incurred by the 24th Marines. The Regiment suffered 652 killed and 1053 wounded. The assault infantry units bore the brunt of these losses. Captain William T. Ketcham's Company I, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines, landed on D-day with 133 Marines in the three rifle platoons. Only nine of these men remained when the remnants of the company re-embarked on D+35.

POINT OF INTREST: N 39 11.362 x W 084 17.527 - The Camp Monument. Take time to read the information boards.

With the start of hostilities at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln called for troops to put down the rebellion and preserve the union. Speaking from Washington D. C. on April 15, 1861, Lincoln called for 75, 000 troops:

WHEREAS, The laws of the United States have been and are opposed in several States by combinations too powerful to be suppressed in the ordinary way, I therefore call for the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of 75,000, to oppress said combination and execute the laws. I appeal to all loyal citizens to facilitate and aid this effort, and maintain the laws and integrity of the National Union and the perpetuity of popular government, and redress wrongs long endured. The first service assigned will probably be to repossess the forts, places and property which have been seized from the Union. The utmost care will be taken, consistent with the object, to avoid devastation, destruction or interference of peaceful citizens in any part of the country; and I hereby command the persons composing the aforesaid combinations to disperse within twenty days from this date. I hereby convene both Houses of Congress for the 4th of July next, to determine upon such measures as the public safety and interest may demand.

Gov. Dennison, lacking military experience himself, persuaded retired officer George B. McClellan to command the entire Ohio militia. McClellan (who later went on to command the Army of the Potomac) and his wife found to their surprise that Cincinnati residents were "really quite Eastern and quite civilized". McClellan's task was to create an army out of nothing. Every hamlet in Ohio, seized with anti-secessionist fervor, had established companies which drilled on local grounds. It was necessary to bring these widely scattered troops to a central location and prepare them for battle.

Two young men from New Richmond answered Lincoln’s call to arms. William and Adolphus Hulshult were brothers, and members of Co. C, 12th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment; (The Union Guards of New Richmond). The Twelfth Ohio Infantry was organized at Camp Jackson, Ohio, on the 3rd of May, 1861. On May 6th, it moved to Camp Dennison and there it went through the reenlistment process and the men of the regiment were mustered in for a three year period on June 28, 1861, under Colonel John W. Lowe, who was killed early in the war and was succeeded by Col. Carr B. White. They were my Great-Great Uncles! The sons of Henry and Elizabeth, Wm. was 8 and Adolphus 3 when the family came to America on the Ship Olbens, landing in Balitmore on July 13, 1844. It must have been quite an adventure for the two boys and their older sister Maria age 11.

This area was selected by Capt. William S. Rosecrans for its flat ground near both the Little Miami River and the Little Miami Railroad; it also had a turnpike to Cincinnati (now St. Rt. 126 & 50). The rail line ended at Cincinnati's Public Landing, and could transport troops quickly into Cincinnati in case of enemy threat. There is variable number of acres listed, but 700 acres of land appears to have been rented from the Nimrod Price and Alfred Buckingham families. They were offered $12 to $20 per acre per month, a figure named without negotiation, and considered generous. Camp Dennison was to serve as a recruitment and training center for southern Ohio, a possible target for the Confederate States Army due to its Ohio River location and proximity to slave states such as Kentucky and Virginia, from which invasions could be launched. Rosecrans laid out the camp via survey around April 24, 1861.

The camp received its first troops on April 30, 1861 when Brig. General Jacob Cox arrived with the 11th OVI and half of the 3rd OVI. from Camp Chase. Numbering about 1,500 men they arrived by train. The Little Miami Railroad could transport volunteers from Central Ohio, and from areas along those tracks.

The location had fresh water in the nearby Little Miami River but the recruits had to be trained to use latrines, the United States Sanitary Commission reported that some of the men refused to use latrines, and instead used an area hillside, at the bottom of which was their water supply.

Within the first week, inclement weather made life very hard on those who were first there. They had no chance to build substantial structures, and the weather turned cold and was accompanied by a lot of rain. The fields became a sea of mud.

Early volunteers in the spring of 1861 were housed in huts built with lumber shipped from Cincinnati. The recruits lived in unfloored pine 12-man barracks, measuring 18 by 12 feet. Each company had a street, 3 or 4 barracks, and a separate hut for officers. The parade grounds were on the eastern side.

Soon Camp Dennison was overpopulated, and enlistees were housed in tents. Later the smaller barracks were replaced with buildings 100 by 22 feet with three-tiered bunks on each side. Each barracks housed an entire company and had a kitchen and two stoves--a great improvement over the earlier huts.

Uniforms were not available at the beginning of the war, and most regiments used their civilian clothes. However, some pre-war militia companies had distinctive parade uniforms with red flannel shirts and black pants.

Each unit was responsible for its own food and laundry. Pay was $13 a month in greenbacks. Staples of the camp diet were rice, potatoes, bacon, and coffee, but occasionally chicken was available. Often a company hired a cook or laundress; and officers frequently brought to camp their own domestic help, some of whom remained after the war as residents of the area.

The camp hospital was established on the ground floor of the Waldschmidt barn, after horses were liveried elsewhere, the manure removed, and fresh straw laid down. Many men contracted pneumonia, and then there was a measles epidemic. For a time, the "hospital" was simply a shelter, although there was minimal bedding. At least one man died.

In November, 1861, the first cavalry regiments to train at Camp Dennison arrived (including the 4th, 5th, and 12th cavalries). The 12th was famous for its regimental band mounted on snow white horses.

Throughout the course of the war, over 80 regimental and independent company/battery-sized units were organized and trained at the camp. With as many as 12,000 men at Camp Dennison at one time, tension existed and clashes occurred. Despite the overcrowded conditions, coarse diet, and infighting, Camp Dennison managed to train an estimated 50,000 US troops. The command of this difficult post changed frequently, with 18 commandants during the four years of the war.

There had been a hospital barracks in Camp Dennison all along, with Dr. Alfred Buckingham in charge, treating various complaints and illnesses--the most serious of which was measles. Common medicines were calomel, quinine, or whiskey. As men injured in battle returned to the camp, more surgeons were engaged.

As the war progressed, shortly after the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862, Dennison U.S. Army General Hospital was established due to the large number of casualties arriving by steamboat. An estimated 20,000 to 30,000 sick and wounded patients, both US and CS, were treated in the Dennison hospital during the war.

The hospital consisted of about 100 buildings of the 220 at the site.The buildings were the wooden barracks originally used to house soldiers, but converted into hospital wards, with over 200 beds. Camp Dennison served as a camp and a hospital for the rest of the Civil War.

Confederate Brig. General John Hunt Morgan approached Camp Dennison on July 14, 1863 during his raid through Ohio. Several sharp skirmishes were fought, and an approaching Little Miami Railroad train was derailed by Morgan’s troops. However, the resistance was stiff enough to cause Morgan to bypass the main camp location and continue eastward.

Ohio contributed more men to the Grand Army of the Republic than any other Northern state except New York.

The soldiers who had drilled there returned to be mustered out. Their ranks were thinned, but the Union was restored; and in September, 1865, Camp Dennison was deactivated.

Materials from some of the camp structures were razed after the Civil War, and went into Indian Hill farm homes and barns; remnants of a once booming military camp.

CEMETERY #4: N 39 11.669 x W 084 17.252 – (Take the next road to the right)

From the Ohio Historical Marker, walk due West for 72 paces to find Christian Waldsmith Died 5(E) years & 7days.
Two rows in front of Christian you will find Mathias and C. Elizabeth Kugler. Their daughter Christina married Edward J. Turpin, whom you recently meet.

POINT OF INTEREST: N 39 11.940 x W 084 17.388 – The Schoolhouse Restaurant
Built in 1863, it is believed to be the first two story school built in the Midwest.
Open for lunch Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, and dinner Thursday – Sunday.
For a great home cooked meal, stop in!

POINT OF INTEREST: N 39 11.508 x W084 17.415 – Waldschmidt Homestead
Built in 1804 and used as the HQ of General Joshua Bates during the time that the Camp was active.
Open for tours Sundays, 1 to 5, May – October. Turn right out of the drive.

The next house on the right was the mill works house and today serves as the Camp Civil War Museum.

The next house on the hill was the home of Mathias and Elizabeth Kugler.
Of course you know all of this because you stopped and read the information boards!

CEMETERY #5: N39 10.384 x W084 16.522
From the Ohio Historical Marker, drive straight ahead and take the first right then second left.
If your passenger looks out their window, (you did bring one, didn’t you?) they will find Eppa Rixey, resting by the side of the road in section 22, just past the tree.

Rixey had his best season in 1922 with the Reds, finally getting some support, winning 25 of 38 decisions. He had a 3.53 ERA and walked just 45 batters in more than 300 innings. The southpaw completed 26 games for the Reds, who finished in second place - the highest mark they achieved while Rixey was on the club. He won 20 games four times, three times for Cincinnati, leading the National League with 25 in 1922. He pitched effectively until he was 42 years old, using his pinpoint control to keep the ball in play.

Powel Crosley Jr. assumed control of the Cincinnati Reds in a deal announced on February 4, 1934. Mr. Crosley bought 3200 of the 6000 shares for $240,000, and was given a two year option to buy a controlling interest in the team.

Larry MacPhail was hired from the Cardinals minor-league franchise in Columbus Ohio to run the team. In fact, it was MacPhail that talked Crosley into buying the team, thus keeping the Reds in Cincinnati.

Red Barber was hired to call the play by play on Crosley's 500,000 watt powerhouse WLW Radio; "The Nations Station". Larry MacPhail soon made developmental arrangements with six minor league franchises; making numerous player moves. The old fan favorite, Eppa Rixey, was let go.

The Reds lost Opening Day that year, 6-0. They lost 98 more times during the season, and finished last for the fourth year in a row! Must have been another building year.

Eppa retired with 266 wins, 251 losses, and a 3.15 ERA, the most by a left-hander in National League history. The mark was finally surpassed in 1959, by Warren Spahn.

Eppa was the starting pitcher in 552 games and a relief pitcher in 140 games during his career. Rixey was a humble man, who unlike other players who waited their turn to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, was very patient. When Rixey finally received the call in 1963, he was modest. "I guess they're scraping the bottom of the barrel," he said in an interview. He was also inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1959, and died February 28, 1963.

Four stones to the left you will find:
Pvt. 1st Class Byron C. Terwillegar, 332nd Infantry 83rd Division Dec. ?? 1894 – Nov. ?? 1941 (Subtract lowest from highest to find (I).

For the Allied Powers, battered and exhausted after nearly three years of bloody, indecisive, trench warfare, the American entry into World War I in April 1917 represented a glimmer of hope in their struggle against Germany and her allies. American troops soon poured into Europe to shore up the weary French and British along the Western Front, to help finally push the Germans back. While most of the American forces were sent to France, a small number of American troops played an important role on the Italian front, which paled in contrast to the carnage of the Western Front. The 332nd Infantry Regiment, under the command of Colonel William Wallace, was the only American unit to serve on the Italian Front.

The 332nd Infantry was organization on August 30th 1917, at Camp Sherman, Ohio, and assignment to the 83rd Division. The regiment was made up of mostly men from around Cleveland, Akron, and Youngstown.

After some training and drill at Camp Sherman, the 332nd moved by train on November 18th to Camp Perry, Ohio. Upon arrival, the soldiers found that the tents sheltering them offered little protection from the cold rain that turned to snow. Many men fell ill; an outbreak of smallpox forced the vaccination of the entire regiment.

On June 6th the regiment departed for Europe. Upon arrival in Liverpool, England, on June 15th, Wallace and his men soon learned they would not be fighting in France. The disastrous defeat at Capporetto in October 1917 left the Italian Army, battered and demoralized. At meeting of the Supreme War Council in Paris on February 6th, the Italian Minister of War requested that General John J. Pershing send a battalion of American troops to the Italian Front to bolster the morale of the Italian Army and people, and to show American-Italian cooperation for the war effort. Pershing agreed and ordered the 332nd to go the Italian Front with the remaining units of the 83rd to serve as replacements.

On July 28th the regiment arrived in Milan to the cheers of Italian citizens that showered the soldiers with flowers. The regiment's stay in Milan was short, the men of the 332nd soon found themselves at Sommacampagna, where they resumed training for the upcoming fighting. Their stay here was very unpleasant; rations were of poor quality and the quarters for the soldiers were infested with mice and fleas. Dysentery had broken out, killing one soldier and leaving many others too sick for drill. Colonel Wallace had the 332nd moved to Valleggio, where the men could be better housed and sanitation could be more easily maintained.

At Valleggio, Wallace had a realistic set of trenches constructed so his men could practice trench warfare. Each battalion lived and operated in the trenches for three day periods, while another battalion practiced raiding and maneuvering against them. In addition, Wallace also secured a battalion of Arditti, Italy's most experienced shock troops, to assist with the training of his men.

On October 2nd, the 332nd was ordered to the front, and arrived at Treviso, eighteen miles northwest of Venice, where they started training for a river crossing for an assault across the Piave.

During the night of October 21th, while the men of the 332nd slept, a group of Austrian planes staged an air raid that lasted eleven minutes. While terrifying, the raid failed to do anything other than scare several of the men out of their sleep.

The offensive against the Austrians, led by British, Italian and French forces, had commenced a few days before, with very heavy fighting taking place along the entire front by October 27th. The Austrians soon had had enough! Their swift withdrawal came as a surprise to the Allied commanders, who expected the Austrians to fight a stiff rearguard action, particularly at the river crossings. Instead, the Austrians hastily retreated, pausing only to demolish every bridge in an effort to delay the Allied advance.

Placed at the advance guard of the Italian 31st Division, the 332nd reached the Tagliamento River on the afternoon of November 3rd, where Wallace ordered the regiment to halt.

At 05:30 on the morning of November 4th, Wallace ordered the 2nd Battalion, to cross the Tagliamento. Crawling along the remains of a destroyed bridge, the men made their way across in the early morning darkness, taking the 400 Austrians defending the east bank completely by surprise. Once across the river, the 332nd rapidly expanded its bridgehead and pressed the attack, smashing through the Austrian lines sending them into a headlong retreat. The Austrians never attempted to establish new positions. The 332nd pushed on, capturing the Austrian supply depot at Codroipo, netting a huge cache of weapons, ammunition, and supplies.

On November 4th, an armistice with Austria went into effect.

Much to the amazement of Colonel Wallace and other American officers of the 332nd, the Austrian generals were convinced that there were at least six American divisions facing them in Italy, and possibly as many as 300,000 men total. When told that the American forces in Italy were comprised of one regiment, the Austrian officers refused to believe it. Colonel Wallace quickly realized that the ruse created at Treviso by continuously marching his men down different roads, wearing different types of headgear and other equipment clearly worked. As a result, Austrian morale plummeted, resulting in the quick withdraws; shortening the war on the Italian front and saving countless lives.

With the Austrians out if the war, there was nothing between the Allies in Italy and Berlin. The regiment moved north, but was halted by the announcement that Germany had signed an armistice on 11 November 1918. The war ended none too soon. The northern areas of Italy and former Austrian controlled territories were being ravaged by an epidemic of influenza, killing people faster than they could be buried.

While the men of the 332nd rejoiced at the news of the second armistice, their happiness was short lived. They would not be going home right away. Colonel Wallace soon learned that the regiment would be divided for occupation duty in areas formerly held by the Austrians.

Finally on April 14th, the 332nd arrived at Camp Merritt outside of New York City. One week later, the regiment paraded down Fifth Avenue before a crowd estimated at 350,000. Four days later, the 332nd arrived in Cleveland. There was another parade through the streets of Cleveland, with Colonel Wallace accepting awards from the Italian-American community of Cleveland on behalf of the 332nd.

The following day, the regiment returned to Camp Sherman to demobilize and hand in their equipment. The men received their final pay, bonuses, and discharge papers, along with lectures on re-enlistment, industrial employment, and "sex hygiene."

While its participation in the actual fighting along the Italian Front was brief, the 332nd Infantry played an important part in the final victory. Its presence boosted the morale of the Italian forces, and the ruse created by Colonel Wallace, left the Austrians reluctant to stand and fight. Finally, the 332nd served as goodwill ambassadors and peacekeepers in the role as occupation forces after the war, in the volatile Balkans region, a role later repeated by American forces decades later.

Turn left and find General Henry Clark Corbin’s Cannon
(Stamped on the muzzle of the cannon is the date it was manufactured. Add these four numbers together and subtract 11 to find (G).

Born in Clermont County, Ohio, September 15, 1842, Henry C. Corbin was reared on the family farm along Colclazer Run near Laurel. He attended public school and the private Parker Academy in nearby Clermontville. After teaching school and studying law, he enlisted in the Union Army on June 28th 1862, serving with the 83rd Ohio Infantry as a Second Lieutenant, (Lt. Corbin served with Pvt. Charley Bodine, who you meet earlier), and was advanced through the ranks to Colonel, US Colored Troops, September 23, 1865; Breveted Brigadier General, US Volunteers, March 13, 1865 for meritorious service; mustered out March 26, 1866. Military service became his career. He entered the regular army as a Second Lieutenant, 17th U.S. Infantry, May 11, 1866, Breveted Major, March 1, 1867 for gallant and meritorious service in action at Decatur, Alabama, and Lieutenant Colonel, March 2, 1867 for same at Nashville. He served for ten years on the plains in Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. In March 1877 he was detailed for duty at the Executive Mansion; secretary of the Sitting Bull Commission. He was with President Garfield at the time he was shot and was at his bedside at Elberon, where he died.

In 1890 Henry began his long career in the Adjutant General’s office in Washington. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898, he was made the Adjutant General of all the American forces under President William McKinley.

He commanded the Atlantic Division, 1904; conducted army maneuvers, Manassas, Virginia, September 1904; commanded the Philippine Division, 1904, Northern Division, 1906, and was promoted through the grades to Lieutenant General, US Army, April 15, 1906. In recognition of his services, and the part he took in the Spanish-American War, Congress conferred upon him the rank of Major General. He retired September 14, 1906.

He made his home in Washington, DC, where he died September 8, 1909. He was buried in Section 2, Grave 853, at Arlington National Cemetery. His wife, Edythe Agnes Patten Corbin, is buried with him.

From the General’s cannon, travel you must for 65 paces on a heading of 210 Degrees to find Corpl. Milton Lineback, Co. F 6th Ohio Infantry

THE 6th OHIO INFANTRY REGIMENT was organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, June 18, 1861. On February 14, 1862, the 6th Ohio started an expedition down the Ohio River to reinforce General Grant at Fort Donaldson, then on to the occupation of Nashville on February 25. The 6th Ohio Regiment was the first Union forces to enter city. The Regiment saw action at the Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., and the siege and occupation of Corinth, Miss. The 6th Ohio, commanded by Lt. Col. Alexander C. Christopher, was attached to Brig. General Wm. B. Hazen’s 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 4th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, when it took part in reopening the Tennessee River at Brown’s Ferry (Wauhatchie) October 26-29, 1863.

In an effort to relieve Union forces besieged in Chattanooga, Maj. General George H. Thomas and Maj. General Ulysses S. Grant initiated the “Cracker Line Operation” on October 26, 1863. (In this case, "cracker" refers to a piece of hardtack, one of the staple items of the soldiers' daily fare. The name had nothing to do with the derogatory nickname which Georgia plantation owners had for upcountry farmers, whose wheat had to be "cracked" before it could be used.)

Following the battle of Chickamauga, the Confederacy occupied positions that required the Union to transport supplies by wagon from the railroad at Stevenson via a 60-mile roundabout route which ended on the opposite riverbank from Chattanooga, Tennessee. To gain a shorter, direct route the Union needed to capture and control Brown's Ferry, Kelly's Ferry and the Lookout Valley in between.

This operation required the opening of the road to Chattanooga from Brown’s Ferry on the Tennessee River with a simultaneous advance up Lookout Valley, securing the Kelley’s Ferry Road. Union Chief Engineer, Military Division of the Mississippi, Brig. General William F. “Baldy” Smith, received orders Monday, October 19, 1863, to occupy the left bank of the Tennessee River. He reconnoitered the river and selected a landing spot called Brown's Ferry, at the mouth of Lookout Creek. The spot was in a position to control a road from there through Lookout Valley, which would be used for the movement of supplies after a pontoon bridge was assembled to replace the small ferry. If the operation was successful, the supply route for the entire Union Army forces would be in place for the final capture of the Chattanooga region. This would set the infrastructure for a future campaign against the Confederate stronghold of Atlanta, Georgia.

On Sunday, October 25, 1863, Brig. General John B. Turchin’s 1st brigade, and Brig. General William B. Hazen’s 2nd brigade, was assigned the task of establishing the Browns Ferry bridgehead. Meanwhile, Maj. General Joseph Hooker, with three divisions, marched from Bridgeport through Lookout Valley towards Brown’s Ferry from the south.

The troops of the assault force were divided as follows: 50 pontoon boats each to carry a crew of 3, and 25 soldiers; 1 flatboat with 43 men and 1flatboat carrying 85 armed men, for a total over 1210.

At 3:00 am, on October 27, portions of Hazen’s brigade embarked upon pontoons and set off from the city of Chattanooga, nine miles upstream from Brown's Ferry. The flotilla of flatboats floated around Moccasin Bend to Brown’s Ferry. Turchin’s brigade took a position on Moccasin Bend across from Brown’s Ferry. Due to the large bend of the river, they actually circled a northern arc to arrive at a point due west of their departure, and attack back in the direction of Chattanooga. They drifted silently past long lines of Confederate pickets and were not seen until landing at about daylight.

The 115 man landing party aboard the two flatboats, were to secure the immediate area of Brown's Ferry and connect the pontoon bridge. The flatboats landed and the men headed for the high ridges on either side and commenced making picket lines. Three or four of the pontoon companies landed and headed down the roadway in the middle. The men fanned out and became the advance skirmishers and pickets for a single occupation force. Confederate forces attacked and originally repulsed them. A counter-attack succeeded in driving back the Confederates, allowing more of the Union forces to land and secure the pontoons to form a bridge. Captain Dresser led a small group which placed guns on the hill to protect Brown's Ferry. Lt. Col. Langdon led the remnant of Hazen's brigade across the bridge engaged the Confederates and drove them farther back. Gen. Turchin's Brigade then crossed the bridge and went into position. The southerners kept up constant skirmishing at the perimeters of the Union troop placements

Once the bridgehead was in place Major General Joseph Hooker commanding the 11th and 12th Army Corps, was to cross the river and approach Brown's Ferry from the opposite direction, clearing all Confederate opposition along the way.....and opening the supply road. Hooker, while his force passed through Lookout Valley on October 28, detached Brig. General John W. Geary’s division at Wauhatchie Station, a stop on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, to protect the line of communications to the south as well as the road west to Kelley’s Ferry. The Rebels engaged his pickets in constant skirmishing, and artillery placed on top of Lookout Mountain periodically rained fusillades on them. Observing the Union movements on the 27th and 28th, Confederate Lt. General James Longstreet and General Braxton Bragg decided to mount a night attack on Wauhatchie Station. Relatively few night engagements occurred during the Civil War; Wauhatchie is one of the most significant.

Although the attack was scheduled for 10:00 pm on the night of October 28, confusion delayed it till midnight. Surprised by the attack, Geary’s division, at Wauhatchie Station, formed into a V-shaped battle line. Hearing the din of battle, Hooker, at Brown’s Ferry, sent Maj. General Oliver Otis Howard with two 11th Army Corps divisions to Wauhatchie Station as reinforcements. As more and more Union troops arrived, the Confederates fell back to Lookout Mountain. In the early morning of the 30th the steamboat Chattanooga arrived at Kelly's Ford with 40,000 rations and tons of forage. The newspapers claimed that soldiers shouted "The Cracker line is open!" The Federals now had their window to the outside and could receive supplies, weapons, ammunition, and reinforcements via the Cracker Line.

The 6th Ohio Regiment was mustered out at Camp Dennison, Ohio, June 23, 1864. Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 82 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 56 Enlisted men by disease. Total: 144.

Four rows directly in front of ol’ Milt you will find,
Andrew Balzhiser Co. G 89th Ohio V.I.184(H) - 1915 G.A.R.

THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC (GAR) was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army who had served in the American Civil War.

THE GAR was founded by Benjamin F. Stephenson, M.D., on April 6, 1866, in Decatur, Illinois. Its organization was based partly on the traditions of Freemasonry, and partly on military tradition.

The organization wielded considerable political clout nationwide. Between 1868 and 1908, no Republican was nominated to the presidency without a GAR endorsement. In 1868, General Order #11 of the GAR called for May 30 to be designated as a day of memorial for Union veterans; originally called "Decoration Day," this later evolved into the U.S. national Memorial Day holiday. The GAR was also active in pension legislation, establishing retirement homes for soldiers, and many other areas which concerned Union veterans. The influence of the GAR led to the creation of the Old Soldiers' Homes of the late 19th century, which evolved into the current United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Turn around and walk to the “Howell” stone tree trunk behind the “Stuntz” monument. Ahead will be the stone tree trunk of Wm. C. Elston, Born Aug. 8 1817.

Stones shaped like tree stumps usually signify that the deceased was a member of The Woodmen of the World, the largest fraternal benefit society with open membership in the United States.

WOODMAN OF THE WORLD was founded in Omaha, Neb., by Joseph Cullen Root on June 6, 1890. Root, who was a member of several fraternal organizations including the Freemasons, founded Woodmen of the World, after hearing a sermon about "pioneer woodsmen clearing away the forest to provide for their families". Taking his own name of Root to heart, he wanted to start a Society that "would clear away problems of financial security for its members". From its humble beginnings, Woodmen of the World has grown into a financial services organization large enough to offer security, but small enough to still care about each individual member. One of the most enduring physical legacies of the organization may be the number of distinctive headstones erected in the shape of a tree stump. This was an early benefit of Woodmen of the World membership, and the headstones can be found in cemeteries across the nation. This program was abandoned in the 1920s for being too expensive.

The first certificate of membership was issued to William A. McCully of Independence, Kan., on December 29, 1890. Six months later, Woodmen of the World paid its first death claim on the life of teenager Willie O. Warner who drowned on June 14, 1891, in Niles, Mich.

Woodmen of the World's first financial statement, dated December 31, 1891, listed receipts of $59,753.31 and disbursements of $58,876.22, with a balance on hand of only $877.09. By 1900, the Society had $219 million of life insurance in force.

In addition to providing life insurance protection to members, Root believed that Woodmen of the World members, through their local lodges, should be an active volunteer force within their communities, helping those in need.

The first test of Root's fraternal vision came in 1900 when a tidal wave devastated Galveston, Texas. Root, who was visiting the city along with Woodmen of the World Treasurer Morris Sheppard, led relief efforts. Within a short time Root also had Woodmen erect a memorial to the event.

Today, the organization continues to provide disaster relief efforts through the Woodmen of the World/American Red Cross partnership. More than 1,600 Woodmen of the World volunteers belong to 160 disaster action teams nationwide, providing relief efforts in their local communities.

Spanning three centuries, Woodmen of the World has evolved into a modern financial services organization, offering life and health insurance, annuities, investments and home mortgages. Today, Woodmen of the World is one of the largest fraternal benefit societies with more than 810,000 members who belong to more than 2,000 lodges across the United States and conduct volunteer projects that benefit individuals, families and communities.

From Wm., on a heading of 206 Degrees, go 42 paces and find:
John A. Jones, 1839 – 1932 Co. K 21st Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

Shortly after Confederate forces fired upon Fort Sumter, President Abraham Lincoln put out a call for 75,000 volunteers. Ulysses S. Grant helped recruit a company of volunteers and accompanied them to Springfield Illinois. Grant accepted a position offered by Illinois Governor Richard Yates to recruit and train volunteers. Pressing for a field command, Governor Yates appointed Grant the colonel of the undisciplined and rebellious 21st Illinois Infantry, which was organized at Mattoon, Illinois and mustered into Federal service on June 28, 1861. Grant and the 21st Ill. were deployed to Missouri to protect the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad. Under pro-Confederate Governor Claiborne Jackson, Missouri had declared it was an armed neutral in the conflict and would attack troops from either side entering the state. By the first of August the Union army had forcibly removed Jackson and Missouri was controlled by Union forces, which had to deal with numerous southern sympathizers.

On August 7, 1861, Grant was appointed brigadier general of volunteers by Lincoln, and left the boys of the 21st.

The regiment moved through Arkansas, and on into Tennessee and Kentucky, where they saw action at Corinth, Perryville, Murfreesboro, and Stone River.

By mid September, 1863, 1st Lieutenant John A. Jones and the rest of the 21st Illinois were on the march in Georgia. At this time the Regiment was commanded by Col. John Washington Shields Alexander. The 21st was part of Brig. General Wm. P. Carlin’s 2nd Brigade; Brig. General Jefferson Davis’ 1st Division; Major General Alexander M. McCook’s XX Corp.; Major General Wm. S. Rosecrans’ Army of the Cumberland.

Confederate General Braxton Bragg’s Army of Tennessee was also on the move. Over the next few days, the opposing armies closed in on one another, and by Saturday, September 19th, the two armies collided at Chickamauga, Georgia. By night fall, wounded soldiers from the initial clash of the armies were scattered about the area. Sgt. James of the Confederate 39th Alabama, recorded in his diary that the men slept that evening with "the dead and wounded all around".

During the night, the two opposing forces rearranged their dispositions in the difficult terrain. Rosecrans prepared defensive positions, and Bragg planned an attack. Lieut. General James Longstreet had arrived during the night, and was given command of the left wing of Bragg's army.

The men of the 39th Alabama woke up to a relatively quiet morning. Birds could be heard singing in the trees, and the battle appeared to have either been lost or won. As the men of the 39th ate a quick breakfast, cannon shells suddenly began to rain in on them.

Longstreet, pointed toward the woods to the west of the men, and told the Alabamians that the enemy was 'somewhere in there'. General Longstreet authorized Brig. General Zach. C. Deas to lead his brigade into the woods immediately. At 11:20 am on that bright Sunday morning, General Deas ordered the men forward, and with a surge, the Brigade moved ahead into the dark forbidding woods.

Ordinarily, a brigade marching into an attack will spread a thin line of men in front of their main body. These soldiers are referred to as skirmishers. These men perform the act of 'feeling' ahead of the main brigade. If the enemy were known to be ahead, the skirmishers could approach carefully, engaging the enemy in light firing to learn its strengths, and report the information back to the brigade commander. By using skirmishers, a brigade reduces the chance that they will be attacked suddenly and subjected to an initial violent blow, which could drive the men into disorder.

On this particular morning, General Deas elected to advance his men without skirmishers. The attack was to utilize a large force of infantry and deal a terrific blow upon the federal army. His men would thrust so quickly and suddenly, that the shock of the impact would rout the federals from their position.

The men of the 39th Alabama advanced up a heavily wooded slope. Suddenly, the Alabamians ran into a federal skirmish line of Midwesterners under the command of General William B. Carlin. The skirmishers had been carefully tucked away in the woods, but as the Confederates burst from the underbrush directly in their front, the skirmishers bolted to the rear, with the men of the 39th right on the heels of the Illinoisans and Indianans. Within a few moments, the yanks reached their main line and hurled themselves over the log breastworks for safety.

The 38th Illinois Infantry, behind the log breastworks, opened a volley in the face of the 39th, who wavered for a moment, but then the 22nd, 26th and 50th Alabamians began to edge the federals out of their breastworks. The commander of the 38th Illinois, Lt. Col. Daniel Gilmer, was hit with a mortal wound, and almost immediately, seventy-five men of the 38th Illinois threw their weapons down and raised their arms in surrender, while the remainder of the federals fled to the rear in disorder.

In line with the 38th Illinois was the 21st Illinois. The commander, Colonel John Alexander, rose in front of his men and gallantly urged the men to pour lead into the 39th Alabama. A bullet knocked Col. Alexander to the earth, where he lay dying. Nearly one-half of his men surrendered without a fight. The rest were trying to get away; to live and fight another day! From the Confederate point of view, the 21st Illinois were remembered as "being so cowardly that they did not shoot as we advanced on them, but stuck their heads behind logs and waited for us to pass them [before surrendering]. It was the quickest and prettiest fight I ever saw".

In his report of the battle of Chickamauga, dated September 28, Brig. Gen. Jefferson C. Davis, U.S. Army, commanding First Division, writes; “As the fire increased and gave assurances of a general engagement, the troops closed their ranks and moved steadily forward with that firm step and soldierly alacrity which characterizes the actions of determined men on the eve of battle.

On approaching the vicinity of the battle-field I received orders from the corps commander, [General McCook] to move forward and to report my command to General Rosecrans…. for orders. Arriving near Widow Glenn's, at whose house General Rosecrans had established his headquarters, I reported my command ready for action. The rapid and increasing fire of musketry gave indications of the necessity of re-enforcements….. General Rosecrans ordered me forward to engage the Rebels.

The enemy, in strong force, was at once met, and both sides opened fire with great fierceness and determination. Carlin's brigade was immediately deployed…. and his left regiments became at once engaged in the conflict. The enemy soon showed himself in heavy force on our front, and was evidently making an effort to turn our flank.

The action commenced about half past 12 p.m., and was sustained with great stubbornness on both sides for a half to three-quarters of an hour…. I immediately ordered Carlin's reserve regiment, which proved to be the Twenty-first Illinois, to support. This distinguished regiment moved promptly into position under its indomitable leader, Colonel Alexander, and engaged with great spirit in the contest then pending and of doubtful issue.”

In his after action report dated September 27, Brig. Gen. William P. Carlin, U.S. Army, commanding Second Brigade, writes;
Early on the 20th, the brigade was moved up on a high ridge near Widow Glenn's. Passing over a rocky ridge a position was assigned to my brigade by General Davis…. The position seemed strong, having been improved by rude breastworks.

The Thirty-eighth Illinois was held in reserve behind breastworks 100 yards in rear of the brigade. The Twenty-first Illinois was on the right, the Eighty-first Indiana in the center, and the One hundred and first Ohio on the left. Skirmishers were thrown out to the front, and twice I rode out beyond the skirmishers and beyond the main road leading up the valley to reconnoiter. Not the least sign of an enemy could be seen. I had just returned from the second visit to the front of my skirmishers when firing commenced and the skirmishers ran into the main line. The firing on both sides immediately became terrific, and ours I know was very destructive. The front line of the assaulting column of the enemy was everywhere driven back or shot down except where it overlapped my right, but soon I discovered a few men running on the right of the Twenty-first Illinois.

I immediately rode up to Lieutenant-Colonel Gilmer, Thirty-eighth Illinois, and ordered him to move his regiment to the right of the Twenty-first Illinois…. he hesitated, but finally succeeded in giving an order to his men to rise; it was now too late. A column of the enemy had come directly on my right flank and nearly against it, and opened a most destructive enfilading fire. This enabled the storming column in front of my right to reach the breastworks, and many of the enemy were on our side of them…. Seeing that the position could not be held I ordered a retreat, intending to reform on the rocky ridge in rear about 400 yards. But in this design I was utterly disappointed. But one field officer of my brigade succeeded in getting away from the position, and but few company officers; I believe nearly if not quite all of them were killed or wounded, and many of our men shared the same fate. ….. judging from the severe loss in the Twenty-first Illinois it must have done as well as could have been expected.

I remained near the position for half an hour or more endeavoring to collect scattered men to hold the enemy in check. The officers of my staff had gone to the rear to rally the regiments of the brigade, and succeeded in collecting about 400 men, with a few officers. It was too evident that but little more fighting could be procured from this division.

On the 19th I took into action 85 officers and 1,130 enlisted men; aggregate, 1,215. I lost 43 officers and 608 enlisted men; aggregate, 651. Among these officers were many of the bravest and best of my brigade, including every field officer engaged of the four regiments except one, viz, Col. J. W. S. Alexander and Lieutenant-Colonel McMackin, Twenty-first Illinois: Lieutenant-Colonel Gilmer and Maj. H. N. Alden, Thirty-eighth Illinois; Lieutenant-Colonel Messer and Major McDanald, One hundred and first Ohio. All the others I believe were killed or wounded and captured.

As the aggregate of this brigade is now less than 700, and many companies have not an officer with them, I most earnestly recommend a thorough reorganization of every regiment. I could have little confidence in their usefulness if taken into battle in their present condition”.

Generals Rosecrans, McCook, and Crittenden, unable to rally the troops around them, fled to Chattanooga, thinking the entire army was being destroyed. Although Bragg had won a decided tactical victory, his piecemeal method of attack and lack of a general reserve deprived him of the success that an outstanding general might have achieved under the circumstances.

An evaluation of the statistics shows that the Union had 19.6 percent killed and wounded and Confederates 25.9 percent. Using Livermore's "hit by 1,000" system of comparing the combat effectiveness, Rosecrans' troops killed or wounded 292 Confederates for every 1,000 Federal soldiers engaged; Bragg's forces, on the other hand, killed or wounded only 172 Federals for every 1,000 of their own troops engaged. The battle, fought in a densely wooded area which permitted little or no tactical control of units, was one of the bloodiest of the war.

The 21 Illinois was mustered out at San Antonio, Texas, December 16, 1865, and discharged at Camp Butler, Ill., January 18, 1866.
The Regiment lost during service 6 Officers and 124 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 140 Enlisted men by disease, for a total 272.

Illinois men made up 16% of the total number of Union troops. The war took a devastating toll on them. By the end of the war, Illinois lost 34,834 men, 1,700 of those died in Confederate prison camps. 1 in 20 died from battle or wounds, 1 in 11.2 died from disease.

Now at 74 Degrees and 151 paces will be the Greeno Spire. After about 20 paces you should see your destination.
The Greeno Spire is circled by ?? stones.

Find the stone of Col. C.L. Greeno 1839 - 19?? 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry Co. C & H. Subtract number of stones from date to find (F)

The authority to raise the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment was given on the 27th of August, 1861, to William B. Sipes, of Philadelphia, by the Honorable Simon Cameron, Secretary of War. The companies were recruited, for the most part, by their officers and at their expense, the grade of their commissions depending upon their success in securing men. The companies rendezvoused at Camp Cameron, near Harrisburg, where a regimental organization was effected. Clothing was promptly issued to the men upon entering camp, and the regiment was regularly exercised in dismounted drill. Side arms were received while at Camp Cameron, and horses were supplied, but not issued until after leaving it.

On the 18th of December, the colors were presented by Governor Curtin, from the steps of the State Capitol, and on the following day, in pursuance of orders from the Secretary of War, the regiment started for Louisville, Kentucky, where, upon its arrival, it reported to General Buell, in command of the Department of the Cumberland, and was placed in camp of instruction at Jeffersonville, Indiana. Belgian Rifles were issued, but were soon after condemned and turned in, and subsequently the Smith and Burnside carbines were given.

Towards the close of January, 1862, the regiment broke camp, and, moving leisurely southward, through Kentucky, arrived at Nashville, Tennessee, soon after its occupation by Union forces.

On the 1st of May, Captain Newlin, with company F, while scouting on the Tennessee and Alabama Pike, was met by a party of the enemy, under the rebel chieftain Morgan, near Pulaski, and was driven back in the direction of Columbia, with a loss of two taken prisoners. Halting at Pulaski for a day, Morgan moved in the direction of Murfreesboro, and was met by the Third Battalion and driven in the direction of Lebanon. On the afternoon of the 4th, the Third was reinforced by the Second Battalion, and some Kentucky troops, and continued the pursuit to Lebanon. At daybreak on the 5th, Morgan was comfortably housed in the town.

Moving forward with as little noise as possible, the Second Battalion in advance, the pickets were met about a mile from town, and the charge sounded. Morgan was taken entirely by surprise, but, throwing his men into the Court House, Academy, and buildings surrounding the square, which commanded the principal streets, offered obstinate resistance. The contest lasted nearly two hours, during which repeated charges were made with the sabre. Morgan was finally compelled to yield, and, drawing off the remnant of his command remaining, retreated rapidly towards Carthage, hotly pursued by the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry. One hundred and seventy prisoners were taken. The loss in the fighting was three killed, thirteen wounded, and three taken prisoners. Major Given was among the prisoners, Adjutant R. F. Moson, and 2nd Lieutenant Charles L. Greeno were among the wounded.

The cavalry was now kept actively employed in defending the flanks of the army. The enemy's cavalry was becoming very troublesome. The Seventh spent most of their time fighting the forces of Morgan and Forrest, who were at times united, and greatly outnumbered the Union command. The weary men and horses saw action in and around Chattanooga, and participating in the battle of Perryville, Ky.

Early in November, 1862, General Rosecrans, who had superseded General Buell in command of the Army of the Cumberland, made a complete reorganization. Up to this time, the cavalry had not been formed in brigades and divisions, but had been scattered over Tennessee, Kentucky, and a portion of Alabama, doing very hard duty, but accomplishing very little. General D. S. Stanley was now assigned to the command of the cavalry, and made a thorough organization of it for efficient service, the Seventh Pennsylvania being assigned to the First Brigade of the Second Division.

On January 31, 1863, the Seventh Pennsylvania, along with the rest of First Brigade was ordered to proceed to Rover and break up a rebel outpost. Arriving near the place, the regiment was ordered to draw sabre and charge, which was executed with a cheer, breaking the rebel line. The pursuit was maintained for ten miles, causing a loss of half the Rebel force.

On March 1, 1863 2nd Lieutenant Greeno was promoted to Captain of H Company.

In early 1863, President Lincoln and Secretary of War Stanton were anxious to press a general offensive against General Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee, which was encamped near Tullahoma, Tennessee after the battle of Murfreesboro.

The Tullahoma Campaign resulted. A precursor to the battle of Chickamauga, the Tullahoma Campaign was marked by severe weather and one of the war's most gallant cavalry charges. On June 24th, General Rosecrans commenced his advance on Tullahoma and Shelbyville. The cavalry, under General Stanley, moved on the right flank of the army. In his official report dated July 8, 1863, David Stanley, Major-General and Chief of Cavalry, wrote, "That day (June 24th) the rain set in, which has continued to this present date, and which, converting the whole surface of the country into a quagmire, has rendered this one of the most arduous, laborious, and distressing campaigns upon man and beast I have ever witnessed".

Having broke through confederate lines at Guy's Gap (north of Shelbyville), on the 27th, the Seventh Pennsylvania, along with elements of Robert H. G. Minty's brigade, had advanced southward on the Shelbyville Pike towards the town square of Shelbyville.

In his official report, Lieut. Col. William B. Sipes [of the 7th] wrote, "The advance having come within range of the enemy's artillery in Shelbyville, I directed the prisoners to be taken to the rear, and the regiment, which by this time was necessarily much scattered, to concentrate at a given point. The dismounted skirmishers, having rejoined their horses, came forward, under Major Davis, in good order, and I halted him on the road, there to remain until the regiment was reformed… Major Davis' command was placed in front, led by the most gallant officer”.

“The force I then had ready for action did not certainly exceed 150 men, composed of companies G, B, L and M, under Major Davis, numbering less than 75 men, and parts of A, F, I and [Captain Greeno’s H ]companies, not 75 more. The Fourth Michigan, and Fourth United States, as skirmishers, mounted, and the Seventh Pennsylvania was held in column”. This force was moved forward at a walk until within a mile of the public square of the town, when, covered by the smoke of two guns discharged for the purpose, the men commenced cheering, the skirmish line charged, and Colonel Minty, taking advantage of the favorable moment, ordered the 7th Penn. to charge also. Never did men move more gallantly and daringly into the face of the most imminent danger than did this little force.

“The street up which it moved (Shelbyville Pike) was perfectly straight, gradually ascending to the courthouse. Dashing forward with wild shouts, the entrenchments were stormed and taken, with many prisoners, and, nerved by their success, pushed on after the flying foe. A mile from town a rebel regiment was hemmed in, in an open field, and captured, offering little resistance. As the troops advanced towards the town, they were suddenly checked by the rapid fire from a battery of four pieces posted in the public square.

Colonel Minty at once brought up two pieces of artillery, and, directing the Fourth United States and the Fourth Michigan to take a parallel street to the right, Colonel Jordan, with the Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, of the First Division, the first street to the left, and three companies of the Seventh Pennsylvania to take the centre. The Seventh was obliged to move in the face of the rebel guns, which were trained full upon it, at first dealing shot and shell, and then double shotted canister. But, unmindful of the storm, the brave men of the Seventh dashed up the narrow street, filing it from curb to curb, the shouts of the men ringing above the noise of battle. As they came near, they were saluted by a shower of bullets from the rifles and pistols of the enemy. A short run brought the column hand to hand with the hostile force, and a brief struggle ensued over the gun; but the slash of the sabre, and the rapid rounds from pistols and carbines proved too much for rebel valor. He was driven in confusion, and the powerful battery was captured….After the loss of his artillery in the square, a panic seemed to seize the enemy, and he fled in consternation toward the Duck River, a mile away”.

Near the railroad depot, in the town, another piece of artillery was overtaken and captured, with but little resistance. In a vain attempt, the rebels tried to form a line to cover the passage of their supply trains. Charge after charge was delivered with an impetuosity inspired of success, and, finally, a wagon having been overturned upon the bridge, in wild affright the rebels broke, and threw themselves by hundreds into the river, where large numbers were drowned. Confederate General, Joseph Wheeler, barely escaped capture from the pursuing men of the Seventh Pennsylvania, by leaping with his horse into the Duck River!

“At the bridge over the Duck River, yet another gun was secured. This piece was not removed back to town, as were the others, because a wheel horse had been killed by one of my men to prevent its escape. It was left at the bridge, while the advance continued on in pursuit of the enemy, following them more than 2 miles on the south side of the river. Major Davis, with his few remaining men, had crossed the river more than ten minutes before any assistance came up to that point”.

Shelbyville, with all its military stores, fell into Union hands, and a powerful impetus was given to the retreat of the entire rebel army. Wheeler's boasted cavalry was broken, and never afterwards recovered from the blow.

For this action, Major Davis won the regiment's only Medal of Honor.

Early in the year 1864, while stationed at Huntsville, Alabama, a large part of the regiment re-enlisted and was given a veteran furlough. Upon returning, the numbers having been swelled by recruits to about eighteen hundred, rank and file, it was stationed at Columbia, where it was ordered to drill and make preparation for the opening of the spring campaign. While upon furlough, Colonel Sipes drew Spencer carbines, improved sabres and horse equipment for the entire regiment.

On the 30th of April, the regiment, under command of Colonel Sipes, broke camp, and, joining Garrard's Division, set forward with General Sherman in the Atlanta Campaign. After a hot summer of heavy fighting, the 7th Penn. found itself at the end of October engaged at Lead's Cross Roads, which closed the campaign.

The regiment, having suffered severely in men, horses, and equipments, during a campaign rarely equaled for severity, was no longer fit for the field, and was ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, to be remounted, equipped, and prepared again for active duty. While here, many of the officers, whose three years' term of service had expired, were mustered out. On February 13, 1865, promotions were, accordingly, made, and, as re-organized, the field officers were, Charles C. McCormick, Colonel; James F. Andress, Lieutenant Colonel; Benjamin S. Dartt, Charles L. Greeno, and Uriah C. Hartranft, Majors.

After the battle of Nashville, in which General Thomas defeated and put to rout the rebel army under Hood, the regiment was stationed at Gravelly Springs, Alabama, on the Tennessee River, where it was engaged in drilling and completing its organization and equipment for the spring campaign of 1865.

On the 22nd of March, it joined the command of General James H. Wilson, and with it set out on the expedition from Eastport, Mississippi, across the Gulf States. On the 1st of April, it was engaged in the battle of Plantersville, Alabama, and on April 2 Major Charles L. Greeno was made Brevet Lieutenant Colonel. ( brevet – a commission promoting a military officer to a higher rank without increase of pay) On the 20th it arrived at Macon, Georgia, where, the war having substantially closed, it remained until the 23th of August, when it was mustered out of service.

Regiment lost during service 8 Officers and 94 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 5 Officers and 185 Enlisted men by disease.

In 1877, The 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry Veterans Association held their first annual reunion. On October 25, 1910, The Daily Courier (Connellsville, PA) reported, “The 33rd annual reunion of the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry convened with a reception at the Hotel Wyman, during which time several very pleasant hours were spent by the veterans. One of the most prominent veterans present is Lieutenant Colonel Charles L. Greeno, who is the only living field officer of the regiment….

Lieutenant John D. Jones of Hastings, PA, was the oldest veteran present up until noon today. He is 78 years old and is always on hand for the reunions. The death list last year was the largest in the history of the Association, with 21 veterans being called away by the grim reaper. Out of a regiment composed of about 2500 men, there are now only 534 known living”.

On October 26, 1910, The Daily Courier reported, “At 8:30 this morning, the annual business meeting of the 7th Pa Cavalry was held at the Carnegie Free Library. The meeting opened with prayer offered by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Greeno, after which Miss Claire Drollinger of Pittsburgh played and whistled, “Tramp, Tramp the Boys are Marching,” and “Marching through Georgia.” A motion was made and seconded that Miss Drollinger be adopted as a ‘daughter of the regiment.’ The motion was unanimously carried. Miss Drollinger is a daughter of the late Adolph Drollinger….. a Civil War veteran, whose daughter always attends the reunion, and her whistling is looked forward to with eager delight by the veterans…. At the conclusion of the business meeting, the soldiers and their friends, headed by the Uniontown Martial Band, boarded a West Penn street car for Fairview farm, where a basket picnic [was] being held.”

It was further reported that scores of veterans of the Civil War made their way to the Carnegie Free Library to attend the annual campfire of the 7th Penn. Cavalry. The oldest person present was Major Henry Reger, a veteran of the Civil War, and the only surviving regular army veteran of the Mexican War in Pennsylvania. Major Reger is 82 years old, and with the aid of two of his comrades, he appeared on stage last evening, and after being introduced, stated that he was good enough for another war. The auditorium at the library was well filled with friends and relatives of the cavalry. Headed by the Connellsville Drum Corps, the Cavalry veterans marched to the auditorium, where special seats had been reserved for them. The decorations were very appropriate and unusually pretty. Large silk flags were artistically draped on the walls; while great bunches of autumn leaves presented a fall like appearance. A row of ferns extended the entire length of the stage. Col. J. J. Barnhart, President of the Association, presided.

A brief history of the regiment was given by Col. Greeno, from the time it was formed in 1861, until the close of the war. He reported that the first two men killed in the battle of Chickamauga were from the regiment. Miss Clair Drollinger, a daughter of the regiment, favored the veterans and their friends with two selections. Col. Barnhart said if he could whistle as well as Miss Dollinger, he would do nothing but whistle.

Preceding the campfire, the veterans took supper at the Christian church as the guests of the committee. Chicken and waffles were served, and it was reported the veterans still had good appetites, as sample justice was done to everything placed before them.

It was noted in the Democratic Watchman newspaper (30th reunion @ Bellefonte, Pa. 1907) that, “There is nothing an old soldier enjoys as to interchange notes of that four long years of struggle, unless it is a good dinner. That the old soldiers appeared to enjoy themselves while here was evident, and it is equally as true that Bellefonte was only too glad for the opportunity and honor of entertaining them.”

In 1911, Col. Greeno was asked to speak on the capture of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. The following paper was read before the Ohio Commandery of the Loyal Legion Oct. 4, 1911.

Having been on the ground at the time, and in a measure indirectly connected with it, at the earnest solicitation of Major Thrall and a number of my companions in the commandry, I will undertake to relate the circumstances of the capture from my own personal knowledge.

On May 7, 1865, our Brigade, which was then in camp near Macon, Ga., was ordered by General Minty, commanding the division, to proceed down the South side of the Ocmulgee River to picket same, as it was learned that President Davis and members of his Cabinet, with an escort of Confederate cavalry, had left Washington, Ga. and were proceeding south along the line of the river, with a view of crossing and going into Texas, where, at this time, the only organization of Confederate forces existed.

In compliance with these orders, our Brigade commenced picketing the river a few miles south of Macon. The Seventh Pa Cavalry, my Regiment, was the first to commence placing vedettes, some distances apart, with instructions to patrol carefully between same. [Vedette – to keep watch – a mounted sentinel stationed in advance of pickets. Pickets – a detached body of soldiers serving to guard an army from surprise], After the entire Regiment had been placed in this position, Colonel Pritchard, of the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, was instructed to join the Pa. Regiment and continue the same formation further down along the river.

When Colonel Pritchard commenced placing his vedettes he was near Abbeyville, which is about seventy miles south of Macon. He there learned that Davis had already crossed the river. He also met there Colonel Hardin of the First Wisconsin Cavalry, who had been pursuing Davis for a number of days with about 70 men and officers.

It was now near evening. Colonel Pritchard detailed about one hundred and fifty men and officers and immediately started in pursuit of Davis. He marched all night, arriving near Irwinsville, Ga. just at the break of day, in the meantime stopping only long enough to feed his horses. Again moving forward, he very soon arrived at the Camp of Davis and at once charged same, no resistance being offered, as it was a complete surprise to the Camp, most of whom were sleeping at the time.

Just at this time a most unfortunate mistake occurred between the Wisconsin soldiers and Colonel Pritchard’s command, each being taken by the other for the enemy. A sharp engagement took place, resulting in the killing of two soldiers and the wounding of one officer of the Fourth Michigan, and also severely wounding three soldiers in the First Wisconsin.

While Colonel Pritchard was engaged in the Skirmish in the rear of the Camp, Lieutenant Dickinson, of the Fourth Michigan, took charge of the capture of Davis and all the Confederate escort. Guards were at once placed around the Camp and at each of the tents. Davis came out of one of the tents partly dressed and at once surrendered. He stated to Lieutenant Dickinson that ladies and children were in the tent and asked that no soldiers be permitted to enter. Lieutenant Dickinson replied that he would certainly do all in his power to protect the ladies and children and that no soldiers would be permitted to intrude on their privacy. Davis returned to his tent and soon after an apparently old lady, accompanied by a young lady, came out of the tent. The young lady asked permission of Lieutenant Dickinson to go to the swamp a short distance away to get a bucket of water, she carrying the bucket on her arm. The supposed old lady was wearing a waterproof cloak that came close to her feet, with her head wrapped in a small plaid shawl. The permission was given. The guard at the front of the tent at the time was Private Andrew Bee, who had been a Crimean soldier. He was not pleased with Lieutenant Dickinson for having permitted them to pass, yet, as the privilege was granted; he let them go, but kept a very sharp watch on their movements. After they had passed him a few yards the cloak of the old lady caught on a bush, which lifted it just enough to disclose a pair of cavalry boots and spurs. It did not take Private Bee more than a second to level his seven shooting carbine at the grandmother. Just at this moment Colonel Pritchard came in sight. Davis threw off his disguise and made a second surrender to Colonel Pritchard.

After the second surrender Colonel Pritchard said to Davis, “What and who shall I call you?” Davis replied, “You may call me what and who you please.” Colonel Pritchard said, “I will call you Mr. Davis.” Then Davis, acknowledging who he was, said, “I suppose you think you are doing a brave act in making a raid like this on defenseless women and children.”

Colonel Pritchard had no further conversation with Davis at this time, but at once proceeded to take an inventory of his captives as follows:
Jeff Davis, defunct President of the Confederacy
Mrs. Davis and four children.
John H. Regan, Postmaster General of the Confederacy,
Colonels Johnson and Lubbock, Aides-de-camp to Davis
Burton N. Harrison, Private Secretary to Davis<<br> Major Maurand, Captain Moody, Lieutenant Hathaway of the Rebel Army, Jeff D. Howell, midshipman in the Rebel Navy, and thirteen private soldiers,
Miss Howell, sister of Mrs. Davis, the young lady who represented Davis as her grandmother,
Together with ambulances, wagons, and a complete camp outfit.

After allowing time for the prisoners to breakfast, the column was formed and they started at once on the march to Macon, Ga. A courier had been dispatched to our headquarters, arriving soon after. The balance of our Brigade, of which I was Assistant Inspector General, serving on the Staff of General Minty, met Colonel Pritchard with his capture near Hawkinsville. I was introduced to President Davis and all the officials by Colonel Pritchard. Davis and I stepped to one side and had quite a talk together. He seemed somewhat nervous, but talked pleasantly. He was attired in a neatly fitting gray suit cut in military style, plain black buttons, but with no military insignia, and wore high-top cavalry boots. He was a distinguished looking man, a man who would be noted among a thousand for his striking personality. I had no conversation with either Mrs. Davis or her sister, Miss Howell, but was near them frequently. Mrs. Davis was a large woman, not particularly good looking, but Miss Howell was a very beautiful woman. They appeared very much distressed, apparently undergoing a great nervous strain.

The other officers who were with Davis were jolly men and did not seem very much disturbed over the condition of affairs. I had pleasant conversation with all of them at different times. I think they were quite well satisfied that the conditions with them were as favorable as they were.

In my conversation with Davis he said, “Major, what do you think they will do with me when we get to Macon? I suppose they will string me up.” I replied, “There is no thought of that. You need have no fears. You will be protected as a prisoner until you can have a fair trial. What the result of that trial may be, I cannot say.” I also said to him what I believed to be true, that there was not a soldier in the command who had any thought of doing him harm. This I believe was true. While oft times during the war we heard soldiers express a desire to get a sight of Davis and they would shoot him on the spot, and other like threats, yet there was not the slightest move to carry out this, nor do I think there was a soldier in the Command who would have carried out the threats had opportunity offered.

No indignity was offered Davis but the bands of the Division continually played the national airs, such as, “The Star Spangled Banner”, “Yankee Doodle”, “Hail Columbia”, etc., which I have no doubt grated on the nerves of Davis. Mr. Davis asked me which was my native State. I replied, “Pennsylvania.” He responded, “That is a fine State. I have passed through it a number of times on my way to Washington. This part of Georgia does not compare favorably with your State.”

This was true, as the part of Georgia in which we were was one of the most desolate portions of our country I was ever in. Davis added, “This is not the pleasantest part of Georgia by any means.” I said to him, “I love my native State,” to which he replied smilingly, “I suppose you do, and I wish you had loved it well enough to have always stayed there.” I replied, “We expect now, our work being over, we will return to our homes and I shall have no desire to again return to this part of Georgia at least.”

Soon after this two of the little children of the President, a girl about six years of age and a boy of perhaps four years were near us playing, and I separated from Davis to have a little amusement with the children. They were remarkably bright and intelligent and I was greatly impressed with their beautiful black eyes. While I was talking with them the little boy spied a bug at his feet and called to his sister. “Sister, kill that bug, don’t you see it? Kill it.” His sister said, “No, brother, you do not want to kill the bug,” He said, “Yes, I do. Kill the bug.”

I was relating this little incident to an Aid on the staff named O’Rourke. He was a very thoroughbred Irishman and went by the name of Teddy. He was very bitter towards the South and southern people. As I related the incident he said, “That is just like the old man. Think how many men he has killed and this little devil has the same blood in him; always wanting to kill something.”

I have met Teddy several times since in Cleveland, where he established a merchant tailoring business, apparently quite prosperous, but his feeling toward the South had not changed. The young Davis boy went to Memphis after he grew to manhood, and during the scourge of yellow fever there took the fever and died. The little girl was the Winnie Davis whose name often appeared before the public and who died a comparatively short time ago in New York City.

I next met Postmaster General Regan and was very favorably impressed with him. He seemed an honorable, high-toned gentleman. I had quite a lengthy conversation with him, during which he said to me, “Our cause is lost and it is now my desire to see our country restored to its normal condition and I shall make every effort possible to affect this end.” He returned to Texas, as you all know, and was afterward elected U. S. Senator, serving in the office until his death.

After a short rest the entire command was formed and the return march to Macon was resumed. The entire Davis capture was in charge of Colonel Pritchard, and they hurried forward. The balance of the Command made a leisurely march and arrived in Macon about the 14th or 15th of May. There the command went into Camp. Many of the soldiers were discharged and soon after went to their homes. My Regiment remained in service, the different companies sent around to adjacent towns for the protection of the inhabitants, as the conditions of the country were very unsettled at the time. I was then Provo-Marshall on the Staff of General Wilson.

This little incident occurred at Macon. Davis, his family and officers, were quartered in the Lanier House; the leading Hotel of Macon. I afterwards boarded for a time at the Lanier House and became well acquainted with a Major Warren, clerk of the hotel. He told me that after Davis arrived there, he and a number of his Confederate friends arranged to assist Davis to escape. He had the ropes under his desk in the hotel at the time he was retelling the incident to me that they had provided for their use in making the escape. But Mr. Davis positively refused to let this be done, which was very fortunate for him and many others.

The last of August the very welcome order for our discharge was received from the War Department. This order was received with great joy by the Regiment. Our hearts were filled with pride by the record our Regiment had gained during the four years of constant service in the field. But we could not repress a feeling of sadness that so many of our brave true men were sleeping their last dreamless sleep on the many battlefields where the Regiment had been so often engaged.

We were ordered to Harrisburg, where we were given our final discharge and bid adieu to our comradeship that had been so close and constant during our four years of service. Thus ended my war experiences.

Look due east and you will see the oldest part of the cemetery. At 68 paces you will find
Rev. Philip Gatch and his wife Elizabeth. In front of them is their son Philip who served in the War of 1812.

This cemetery is an expansion of the Gatch family burial ground. The first burial in the cemetery was Reverend Gatch’s wife, Elizabeth, who died July 12, 1811. In fact, on June 13, 1831, within his last will and testament, Philip Gatch included an unusual provision, the acre of land that was the family cemetery, together with a “convenient way to and from it”, he gave to his sons “jointly and severally as a burying ground never to be sold or possessed by any person as personal property.” Family cemetery records show Miami Township Trustees purchased its first parcel of the land from the Gatch heirs in 1867, with further purchases made in 1869 and 1874. The last purchase, which was made in 1895, brought the cemetery to its present size of 37.41 acres. The cemetery remained under the ownership of Miami Township until January 2, 1982 when the ownership was transferred to the City of Milford.

Born in Baltimore on March 7, 1751, young Philip heard the calling at an early age, and converted to Methodism. Conversions generally occur against a backdrop of a “personal crisis.” Examples include family troubles, a recent death, personal concern for one’s salvation, poverty, etc.

Philip Gatch, as a teenager, became aware of his wickedness and concerned for his salvation after his sister and uncle unexpectedly died within a short span of time. A vision of heavenly things occurred, leaving the new convert in a state of almost inexpressible joy. Philip recalled the words of a familiar hymn to describe the impression left upon him after his vision. “Tongue cannot express the sweet comfort and peace of a soul in its earliest love.”

In 1774 Philip took an appointment as a Methodist minister and was one of the first native preachers in America to serve a circuit. He was very zealous, and as Methodism was not favorable received, became subject to violent abuse. In a small town in Maryland, one man became enraged at what he thought was Philips influence over his wife. Rev. Gatch was tarred and feathered by a mob and run out of town. His sight in one eye was injured permanently by the hot tar, and he narrowly escaped death at their hands.

After his recovery, Rev. Gatch was assigned a friendlier circuit in Powhatten Co., Virginia, where he met and married Elizabeth Smith. They were giving a farm, and slaves to help work it by Elizabeth’s father. Philip was not comfortable with this arrangement. Several years later when his father-in-law died, Philip became the owner of nine slaves. In Dec. of 1788 he went before the Powhatten Co. court to free his slaves! In 1790, Philip joined the Virginia Society for the Abolition of Slavery.

In 1797 Rev. Francis McCormick (1758-1836) moved from Kentucky to the North West Territory and established a settlement on the Little Miami River where Milford now is located. At his cabin, Rev. McCormick founded the first Methodist church in the Northwest Territory.

After suitable homes were built and enough land cleared, Philip Gatch and his family came to the wilds of the Northwest Territory, on Nov. 7, 1798. They landed at the mouth of Bullskin Run Creek in Clermont County, Ohio. He purchased nine hundred acres of land at the forks of the Little Miami River, near the Francis McCormick settlement, where he made a home for his family.

Methodism's roots were re-enforced in the Little Miami Valley when the Rev. Phillip Gatch emigrated here. He, together with four or five local preachers, circulated throughout the Miami Country preaching the Word. Soon a regular circuit was established and by 1827, there were seven Circuits within the bounds of the first one.

Francis McCormick and Philip Gatch remained "Yokefellows" for the rest of their lives.

Philip Gatch served as Judge of the Common Pleas Court, a Justice of Peace, and because of his anti-slavery viewpoint, Clermont County citizens selected him as a delegate to Ohio’s First Constitutional Convention in the Northwest Territory, in 1802.

It was at the convention that Gatch and other likeminded men were successful in inserting into Ohio’s Constitution that there will be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in what would become the great state of Ohio. Clermont County’s antislavery roots had been planted.

Your almost there!
At 52 Degrees and 72 paces you will find Major James B. Wallace Co. C 12th Ohio

In a letter to General William S. Rosecrans, dated April 3, 1862, Sam D. Carey of Cincinnati writes that Major James B. Wallace of the 12th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry was absent from his regiment on account of sickness, that it was a well known fact that since Wallace's appointment to the office more than six months before, he had not performed three days service. At the present time, Wallace was physically unfit for duty, and that the duties and responsibilities of Wallace's office had devolved in a great measure upon the senior Captain, his brother Edward M. Carey.

Sam felt that it was neither right, nor patriotic for a man to enjoy the honors and receive the emoluments of an office which he did not fill; and stating that it was the testimony of all the officers of the regiment that his brother had faithfully and bravely performed his duty and proven himself worthy of promotion.

He did not desire to enter into any eulogy which might seem to originate in brotherly affection, that he presented his statement of facts relying with confidence upon Rosecrans' judgment and sense of justice, and that he trusted Rosecrans would take such action as the case might warrant.

The letter bears a note from C. Goddard, 1st Lieutenant, 12th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and Aide-de-Camp; referring the letter to Major General John C. Fremont, Commanding Mountain Department, by command of General William S. Rosecrans. Also bears a note dated April 10, 1862, from Albert Tracy, Colonel and Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters, Mountain Department, Wheeling, Virginia; referring the letter to the Governor of Ohio, with the request that the Governor inform those headquarters if any circumstances of the case warranted further investigation.

The fourteenth word in the paragraph on the bronze plaque beneath Old Glory has (C) letters.
Governor Pattison’s head stones are behind the family monument.

The record of Ohio's forty-third governor, John M. Pattison, is that of a man eminently successful in business and capable of winning his way in politics by sheer force of character. Governor Pattison was born near Owensville, Clermont County, Ohio, on June 13, 1847, the son of Mary Duckwall and William Pattison, a country merchant. As a youth, John worked in his father's store and on neighboring farms.

In early 1864, before he was seventeen years old, he joined the 153d Ohio Volunteer Infantry, following the infamous Morgan's Raid.

The 153rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment was one of the 96, 100-day regiments called up in the spring of 1864 to support the Union’s final push to achieve victory over the Confederate armies and bring an end to the War for Southern Independence.

By the spring of 1864, the Confederacy’s future looked increasingly bleak, and Union military and political leaders geared up for a final decisive drive deep into the southern nation. Governor John Brough of Ohio, with the support of the governors of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin, proposed to President Lincoln that existing state militia units be called into Federal service for 100 days and be equipped and paid by the national government. Lincoln accepted the plan, and on April 25, Ohio called up 36,000 troops in 43 regiments, leading the other states who, together with Ohio, provided about 80,000 men in 100-day units. The primary mission of these new regiments was to free up front-line troops by taking on critical rear echelon functions such as guarding railroads, bridges, forts, and prisoners of war.

The 153rd Ohio evolved from the 35th and 41st Ohio National Guard Battalions. The 35th was organized in Clark County in October 1863 in response to Confederate General Morgan’s raid into Indiana and Ohio. Upon the call-up of the Guard units, the 35th under the command of Colonel Israel Stough was ordered to Camp Denison near Cincinnati where it was consolidated, in part, with the 41st to become the 153rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment with Colonel Stough in command. The new regiment, numbering 909 men, was mustered into Federal service on May 9, 1864 and spent the next several days preparing for deployment. The troops were likely issued standard US Army uniforms of dark blue blouse, light blue trousers, and billed caps, known as kepis. It appears that many of these regiments were issued British-made .557 Enfield rifles.

Like most of the other 100-day regiments, the 153rd headed east on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to reinforce Federal units guarding the railroad and Union garrisons along the Potomac River in eastern West Virginia and western Maryland, an extensive territory that included a portion of the lower Shenandoah Valley.

Union forces in that region were assigned to the Department of West Virginia (commanded by Major General Franz Sigel, followed by Major General David Hunter) until early August when several Federal military departments were combined into a new Army of the Shenandoah under Major General Philip Sheridan. Railroad guard units were assigned to a Reserve Division, commanded during most of the 153rd‘s period of service by Sigel.

The Division was subdivided into two geographic "commands", functionally equivalent to brigades. The 153rd was assigned to the Command of Brigadier General Benjamin F. Kelley, an officer with long service in operations in West Virginia and in guarding the railroad. His command included 3 other 100-day Ohio regiments and a number of other Maryland, Illinois, Ohio, and West Virginia regiments or smaller units. Kelley was responsible for guarding the railroad from Sleepy Creek, Maryland, to the Ohio River–a region that included a full transect across the Allegheny Mountains and a portion of the lower Shenandoah Valley. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, one of the nation’s oldest, was a vital link between the US capital and other Mid-Atlantic cities and the Ohio Valley and "west" more broadly, and as such was a hotly contested piece of linear real estate throughout the war.

Despite serious setbacks for Confederate forces, control of the Shenandoah Valley and the adjacent mountain counties of West Virginia changed hands several times over the course of the 153rd ‘s service. In particular, Lieutenant General Jubal Early’s Army of the Valley pushed Federal forces back to Harper’s Ferry, at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, in late June. On July 5 they crossed the Potomac at Shepherdstown, West Virginia, in the first step in a headline-grabbing but largely inconsequential campaign to attack the Federal capital. Throughout August, action seesawed back and forth between the blue and the gray armies. Over most of the summer Confederate cavalry units and Partisan Ranger units struck the B&O railroad, often destroying rolling stock and large segments of track, as well as bridges, culverts, and other rail support facilities.

The changing military situation, weather (including floods), and even some Federal-State politics, confounded the deployment of the Ohio regiments. In the end, the 153rd was strung out along approximately 35 miles of the B&O, primarily in Hampshire County, West Virginia, where the rail line closely follows the winding Potomac as it passes through heavily forested and rugged mountain terrain. The regiment was deployed in companies or smaller detachments at critical bridges and other facilities.

Railroad guard duty was lonely and dangerous business with small units scattered widely along the rail line and highly vulnerable to surprise attack from the narrow valleys and the steep forested ridges. Most of the time boredom was the principal enemy, and the men spent some of their time fishing and hunting near their posts. Though most of their service was in the summer, the mountains can be cold and rainy even in that season and many nights were spent huddled in flimsy tents while attempting to keep warm and dry.

This part of West Virginia was primarily southern in its sympathies, and many of the Confederate units that attacked the 153rd drew recruits from the area, giving them the dual advantage of knowledge of the terrain and the support of local citizens. Two new technological innovations helped offset these advantages somewhat for the Union troops. Those were the use of rail cars armored with plate steel and carrying mounted artillery pieces that could be moved rapidly along the rail line when needed and the construction of wooden blockhouses at key locations. These small fortified buildings, constructed of heavy timbers and earthen berms, provided protection against small arms fire but not artillery. The Union forces, while separated, also had the ability to communicate by telegraph as lines paralleled the tracks, but these lines of course were also the first thing to be destroyed during an attack on the railroad.

In early July, the 153rd experienced its first major taste of combat, when elements of the regiment were struck by two of Early’s cavalry brigades in separate expeditions. In the first of these, Brigadier General John Imboden’s Northwestern Virginia Brigade was sent to destroy the B&O Bridge over the South Branch of the Potomac at its confluence with the North Branch. Imboden left the Valley on June 28, moving northwest toward their objective. Enroute through the North River Valley (a tributary of the Great Cacapon River), the brigade on July 3 encountered a scouting party of the 153rd under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leeds at North River Mills (or Hammock’s Mill). The considerably larger Confederate forces captured 34 men and killed one officer of the 153rd.

General Imboden’s command continued north, reaching the South Branch bridge on July 3, finding it heavily defended and protected by a blockhouse and an armored rail car with a 12-pound gun. Imboden attacked the next morning and succeeded in using his own horse-drawn artillery pieces to destroy the armored car, but his troops were unable to dislodge the Federal troops from the blockhouse or, because of Union sniper fire, to position his own artillery so that it could damage the bridge. The Union forces (the 153rd and the 6th West Virginia) lost 2 men captured and 2 men slightly wounded. Imboden’s losses were greater with 8 killed and 15 wounded.

On July 6, the brigade attacked the bridge at Big (Great) Cacapon but failed to destroy it. On the same day, the brigade struck again, this time the railroad bridge at Sir John’s Run, somewhat downriver, but the 153rd with the assistance of ironclad cars under the command of the 2nd Maryland Regiment, Potomac Home Brigade, repulsed them without casualties or damage to the bridge. Imboden’s casualties were 2 killed and several wounded. The brigade moved east to Martinsburg, rejoining General Early’s army for the advance on Washington.

At the same time that Imboden’s Brigade was attacking bridges farther west, Brigadier General John McCausland’s Cavalry Brigade departed Winchester for a spearhead drive up Back Creek Valley to North Mountain (west of Martinsburg) with the objective of destroying the rail bridge over Back Creek. After burning the bridge, they attacked the Union garrison at North Mountain Depot near Hedgesville on July 4. McCausland’s forces were successful; capturing 200-300 Union troops–perhaps all from the 153rd. Confederate losses were very light. These prisoners were all paroled, as McCausland’s Brigade moved eastward to join the advance on Washington, only McNeill’s Rangers stayed behind to maintain pressure on the railroad.

General Kelley ordered the 153rd to complete blockhouses on the Little Cacapon and Sir John’s Run in anticipation of a Confederate offensive, which came in late July. Early’s forces destroyed 75 miles of track between Cumberland and Harper’s Ferry.

On July 29, Early sent McCausland’s Brigade and that of Brigadier General Bradley Johnson, both under McCausland’s command, north across the Potomac in a raid into Pennsylvania which culminated in the burning of Chambersburg on July 30 when the town refused to pay a large cash ransom as retribution for Union destruction of private property in the Valley. McCausland’s command immediately thereafter advanced on Cumberland (Kelley’s headquarters and a major Union supply depot) via Hancock. Kelley moved quickly to concentrate his forces and directed Colonel Stough to Old Town, Maryland, on the Potomac, with 7 companies of the 153rd and the objective of blocking a Confederate withdrawal across the river into West Virginia.

Following an inconclusive engagement near Cumberland on August 1, McCausland withdrew toward Old Town during the night. Colonel Stough and his troops lay squarely in the path of the withdrawing Confederate forces, which numbered approximately 3000 cavalry and a heavy artillery battery. Stough lay in ambush, engaging the lead Confederate elements at dawn on the 2nd, initially throwing them back. The engagement lasted from 5 to 9 a.m., when the superior Confederate forces began flanking the Ohio troops. Stough, under heavy fire, fell back across the river to the blockhouse at Green Springs, West Virginia, where he placed 40 of his men in the blockhouse and the remainder behind the railroad embankment. The 153rd was soon supported by the 2nd Maryland with an ironclad car, but Johnson’s artillery quickly knocked it to pieces. After about a half hour of continued fighting, much of the Union detachment boarded a nearby train and pushed off to Cumberland, thinking that the Colonel was already on board. Colonel Stough with 79 men sought refuge in the blockhouse and continued to resist until 11 a.m. when the last shot was fired.

Having completely surrounded the blockhouse, Johnson sent a note under a flag of truce to Colonel Stough demanding immediate surrender or the forfeit of any terms. Stough surveyed his untenable situation, and complied. Col. Stough and his men were immediately paroled and released to return to Cumberland. Union losses were very light–2 killed and 3 wounded. Despite their victory, McCausland and Johnson lost 20-25 killed and 40-50 wounded.

The 153rd should have completed their 100 days on August 18 or 20, but Kelley agitated to retain the Ohio regiments until replacements could be found for guarding the railroad. Although the general prevailed in part, his actions precipitated a flurry of telegrams within the Union command structure and between Governor Brough and the Secretary of War. The 153rd did not return to Ohio until August 30.

They arrived at Camp Chase at Columbus and mustered out of Federal service on September 9, the last 100-day Ohio unit to do so. Of the original 909 men, the regiment mustered out with only 753.

Upon his return home from the war, John Pattison entered Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. To support himself while attending the university, he taught school in winter and worked in the harvest fields in summer. Though he spent not more than twenty months on the campus, he graduated with his class in 1869.

After graduation, Pattison took charge of an agency for the Union Central Life Insurance Company in Bloomington, Illinois. Tiring of the insurance business, he returned to Cincinnati to study law, and was admitted to the bar in 1872. He became the attorney for the Cincinnati and Marietta Railroad, but resigned when he was elected to the state legislature from Hamilton County in 1873. He declined re-nomination because he wished to devote his time to his profession. Pattison became a member of the firm of Yaple, Moos, and Pattison and practiced law with that firm for ten years. From 1874 to 1876 he was attorney for the Committee of Safety, a nonpartisan organization in Cincinnati for the promotion of civic welfare.

In 1881 Pattison was elected vice president and manager of the Union Central Life Insurance Company. Under his management the company enjoyed a remarkable expansion. He became its president in 1891.

Pattison reentered politics in 1890, when, against his wishes, he was nominated to fill a vacancy in the state senate for the Clermont- Brown counties district. The redistribution of the congressional districts was about to be made, and since that would determine the political complexion of Ohio's representation in congress, the campaign attracted national attention. Pattison won the election with the largest vote on record in Clermont County for a state office. In 1891 he was elected to congress, where he helped to secure one of the first appropriations for the rural free delivery of mail. Pattison was re-nominated but defeated. At the expiration of his term in 1893, he returned to the Union Central Life Insurance Company in Cincinnati.

By 1905 fourteen years of Republican rule had created a desire among the people for a change. Encouraged by Republican blunders, the Ohio Democrats were full of hope when they met in convention in June 1905. Pattison was firmly supported by the Democrats in the rural communities, while he was strongly opposed by the urban Democrats. The most important planks of the platform were a denunciation of boss rule and a plea for municipal ownership of public utilities. Pattison gained the nomination, and with this irreproachable candidate, the Democrats entered the campaign undaunted by the large plurality of the Republican Party in the national election of 1904.

Pattison was a strict observer of the Sabbath and an ardent temperance man. He had advocated the Sunday closing law and had made a speech in congress opposing the opening of the World's Fair in Chicago on the Sabbath Day. Pattison was not an uncompromising partisan; he was a man of high intelligence and outstanding executive ability; his character was unimpeachable. He was elected governor with a plurality of more than 43,000 votes, though the Democratic candidates for all the other state offices were soundly defeated. Pattison's victory was clearly a personal achievement.

On January 8, 1906, he read his inaugural address in a firm clear voice, but he looked frail and worn. The strain of the campaign had sapped his strength. He returned to his office for a little while, but soon left it, never to return.

Governor Pattison lived through only one session of the general assembly. In April he left the executive mansion for Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, where he was treated for Bright's (kidney) disease. Near the end of his life, he returned with his wife Anna to Promont, (his Milford home), where he died on June 18, 1906. His funeral cortege with honor guard made a solemn procession from Promont to the Governor's final resting place in the Pattison family plot, where you stand now. Close your eyes and imagine all the people in their Sunday best, the men in suites and top hats, the women in long puffy dresses, stepping down from their horse drawn carriages.

The most notable legislation passed during his short administration concerned liquor, county salaries and funds, and railroads. The saloon tax was raised from 350 to 1,000 dollars, and a law was passed which authorized local option on the sale of liquor in residential districts. Idle county funds were put to work as loans, the accrued interest to be paid into county treasuries; salaries were provided for county officials; and fees were abolished. A two-cent railroad fare was established, and the office of commissioner of railroads and telegraphs was superseded by a railroad commission of three members. The regulation of railroads was a live issue in congress and in many state legislatures at that time.

You should now have all the numbers that will take you to Mr. & Mrs. J.M. Vanlandingham.
Once there, turn 243 degrees and move 17 paces to find Pfc. Melvin C. _ _ _ _ of the 102 Division, 9th Army Corps.

From here the object of your search is 27 paces at 184 degrees.

POINT OF INTEREST: N 39 10.692 x W084 16.774 - Governor Pattison's beloved Promont.
Open for tours Friday – Sunday 1 to 4:30.

I hope that you have enjoyed the tour and stories as much as I have putting it together.