Correspondence to the Governor and Adjutant General of Ohio
July 5-August 30, 1861.
July 5, 1861
Douglas Day, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter resigning his commission as Surgeon of the 22nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (three months' service).
1 p. [Series 147-5: 180]
July 22, 1861
J. Williams, Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters, Army of Occupation, Western Virginia. Special Orders No. 29 stating that 1st Lieutenant John F. Hoy of the 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, having tendered his resignation on account of physical debility, was considered as discharged from the service of the United States. By order of Major General [George B.] McClellan.
1 p. [Series 147-5: 27]
August 2, 1861
Jno. R. Chamberlin, Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that he could recruit a company for the war in less than 10 days; asking how he could subsist his men at the expense of the United States until orders were received; stating that since Companies A and K of the 20th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (three months' service) were not re-enlisting, he would like to recruit for Company A, 20th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (three years' service), that, upon receipt of a Captain's commission, he would raise 100 men within a week, and that he had served for 3 years as Superintendent of Public Schools and was a graduate of Miami University; and listing references. According to available information, Jno. R. Chamberlin was never Superintendent of Chillicothe City Schools. An I.B. Chamberlain was Principal of the Western Building in Chillicothe from 1854-1855.
2 pp. [Series 147-5: 104]
August 3, 1861
William H. Lytle, Colonel Commanding, and J[ames] A. Grover, Adjutant, 10th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Western Virginia. To ? Letter certifying that George C. Moeller had been elected First Lieutenant of Company F, 10th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry on July 31, in Western Virginia.
1 p. [Series 147-5: 47]
August 9, 1861
R.L. Bowdre, Camp Chase, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Major Hays. Letter stating that this was his second letter, that he had been appointed Quartermaster in the 30th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry by Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham, that he had received the dispatch just as the rear guard was leaving Clarksburg, Virginia, and that he had intended to telegraph Hays after arriving at Columbus, but Buckingham thought it useless since the appointment would be announced at Hays' dress parade; asking Hays to see Captain C.A. Sperry and tell him to make out Bowdre's time as a member of Company B, 23rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and stating that he had served for a month as Orderly Sergeant and for a second month as First Lieutenant in said company, that he had spent nearly all his money while serving in Company B, 23rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and that if Sperry was a gentleman, he would not refuse to credit Bowdre to the day for his time. Bears note dated August 17, 1861, from E.P. Scammon, Colonel, 23rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, reading: "This letter is returned as evidence of the qualifications of the writer for the office of Quartermaster. He did not leave the regiment in a proper manner, for the circumstances were such as to cause him to be reported as a deserter. He had a quarrel with his Captain (Sperry) arising out of an attempt to bring a lewd woman into the field."
2 pp. [Series 147-5: 248]
August 9, 1861
R.L. Bowdre, Camp Chase, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Captain C.A. Sperry. Letter stating that this was his third letter, that in his first letter he had mentioned his appointment as Quartermaster of the 30th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and that in his second letter he had asked to be given his time as Orderly Sergeant (one month) and First Lieutenant (28 days) in Company B, 23rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; reminding Sperry that E.P. Scammon had said they could not take their trunks; stating that when he arrived at the depot to get his trunk expressed, he found a telegraph dispatch waiting for him, that he therefore had no time to see any of the boys, but boarded the train which was waiting to make the trip to Bellaire, and that he arrived in Columbus the next day at 3 p.m. and went to the Statehouse where he received his appointment as Quartermaster of the 30th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; asking if his appointment was ever announced at dress parade; stating that he had been to Jefferson and seen Sperry's lady at George Warren's house, that upon his return to Columbus, he met with Sperry's brother who was looking well, and that Sperry's brother would not enlist again under any circumstances; asking that his best respects be given to all the boys; stating that he expected the 30th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry would leave in three weeks for Old Virginia; asking that Sperry give him his time in Company B, 23rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry so he could collect some money when the Paymaster came around; and stating that Camp Chase was very "lonesome," that three more regiments were forming at Camp Chase, that he had always tried to treat Sperry the best he knew how, and that he hoped his letter found Sperry and all the boys in good health.
2 pp. [Series 147-5: 248]
August 12, 1861
M. Van Every, Camp Gauley, Virginia. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that he had received a letter from home informing him that Buckingham had sent a dispatch requesting him to raise 80 or 90 men for cavalry service, that he presumed Buckingham had forgotten that he came through Columbus on July 8 or 9 on his way to the seat of war, that he traveled 300 miles at his own expense to join a company of cavalry and was now with a squad of the Ironton Cavalry which he joined at Gallipolis, that they had done great service considering their condition and expected to return in about 6 weeks, that he could raise a company of 100 men at Camp Gauley in two or three days, that every day some were asking to be admitted into his company and said they could get a transfer, that General [Jacob Dolson] Cox said any arrangement he might make with Buckingham would be approved, and that if supplied with horses and arms, he expected to raise a company of men accustomed to camp and fatigue.
3 pp. [Series 147-5: 5]
August 13, 1861
O.F. Powell, Niles, Trumbull County, Ohio. To Honored Sir. Letter stating that they were full of military spirit in that part of the country, that he had commissions from Governors Wilson Shannon and Thomas Corwin, and that his commission from Corwin elected him Colonel of the 1st Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Ohio Militia; requesting books on tactics and military law; and stating that he had given his drill books to some men now in service.
2 pp. [Series 147-5: 8]
August 14, 1861
Joseph M. Locke, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that he had been connected with the Kentucky Military Institute as a professor and second in command during the entire time in which S.S.L. Hommedieu, Jr. was a cadet therein, and that Hommedieu had the respect of the entire faculty and gave universal satisfaction in conduct and attention to his duties both academic and military.
1 p. [Series 147-5: 49]
August 16, 1861
F[rederick] Poschner, Colonel, 47th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Dennison, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that he had now mustered into United States service six companies (four American and two German), expected to muster three more companies on August 19, and expected the regiment to be full by August 21, that in case he did not have his regiment full, he would be ready for marching orders after August 21, that he required more time to make his decisions regarding field officers since he wanted to select good and competent men, that his Surgeon would be an American of sixteen years practice, and that his Assistant Surgeon would be a German of thirteen years practice; and asking who paid the regimental bills contracted before being mustered into service which would amount to three thousand dollars being supplied by private individuals. Bears note from John A[ddison] Gurley stating that if Poschner took the field officers he had in mind, the regiment would probably fill up at once, that the men had received no clothes since enlistment, and that the way was clear for an early march to St. Louis.
2 pp. [Series 147-5: 14]
August 17, 1861
Larz Anderson, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that during their brief acquaintance, he had been very favorably impressed by Major Moore's bearing, that he was also favorably impressed by what he had learned from others of Major Moore's character, capacity and experience in military matters, and that he considered Major Moore well qualified to be a field officer in one of the regiments.
1 p. [Series 147-5: 10]
August 17, 1861
R.G. Andrews, Jasper, Pike County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that they had organized a home guard more for the purpose of drill than anything else, that since the late battles, secession sympathizers had grown "insulting," that secession sympathizers were very strong in Pike County, and that under these circumstances, it was thought necessary to have arms; asking if they could get arms from the State under a Home Guard organization; and stating that their constitution subjected them to orders anywhere in Ohio in case of invasion.
1 p. [Series 147-5: 149]
August 17, 1861
H[enry] V.N. Boynton, Major, 35th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter recommending S.S. L'Hommedieu, Jr. of Cincinnati as a suitable person to fill the post of Adjutant in any of Ohio's regiments; and stating that he had been Professor of Mechanics and Astronomy at the Kentucky Military Institute, that L'Hommedieu was a cadet in his classes and also under him in the field, and that as a scholar and a soldier, L'Hommedieu had secured the respect and esteem of the faculty and his fellow cadets.
1 p. [Series 147-5: 48]
August 17, 1861
M[elvin] Clarke, Lieutenant Colonel Commanding, Headquarters, 36th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Putnam, Marietta, Washington County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that Reuben L. Nye had reported himself the previous day with Buckingham's notice of his appointment as 2nd Lieutenant, 36th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, claiming that he had not received Buckingham's notice dated August 2 until August 15.
1 p. [Series 147-5: 21]
August 17, 1861
W.M. Detwiler, Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter requesting an order to raise a cavalry company to go into the 21st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry about to rendezvous at Findlay; and stating that the officers of the 21st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry were very anxious to have him raise a company and that it could be done in a short time, that he had 27 men, but no order for their subsistence, that they had good horses, that he was satisfied they could get up as good a company as would be offered, and that Captain John B. May would be with them and was an experienced officer. Bears penciled note reading "No authority to attach company in that way."
1 p. [Series 147-5: 11]
August 17, 1861
John Groesbeck, Colonel, 39th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Dennison, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter forwarding muster rolls and apologizing for their "dirty" and "scratched" condition; stating that the 39th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry was starting for St. Louis at 8 a.m. the next day, and that they had been complimented about the camp; recommending an artillery company forming at Portsmouth; and stating that this company was composed of foundry men, the "best material."
1 p. [Series 147-5: 19]
August 17, 1861
Wesley Jones, Martinsville, Clinton County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that he had been in the service during the past three months; requesting a Captain's commission to enroll a company for three years' service; and stating that he had served as Sergeant under Captain Wallace who was now promoted to Major of the 15th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
2 pp. [Series 147-5: 50]
August 17, 1861
R.L. Nye, Camp Putnam, Marietta, Washington County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter accepting his appointment as 2nd Lieutenant in the 36th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-5: 29]
August 17, 1861
A[mandus] Peycke, Charles Zielinski, J.H. Plaspohl, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To ? Letter stating that George Frochlich, Louis Piderit, and Max Frank had been elected as officers in the light battery [4th Independent Battery, Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery], and that every man in the battery was satisfied with the election of these officers.
1 p. [Series 147-5: 38]
August 17, 1861
William Smith, Allentown, Allen County, Ohio. To the Adjutant General of Ohio. Letter requesting an order for the Allentown Rifle Company of home guards; and stating that his company was made up.
1 p. [Series 147-5: 4]
August 18, 1861
E.P. Abbot, Captain, Company E, 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Elk Water. To Governor William Dennison. Letter urging the appointment of First Sergeant Benjamin C.G. Reed of Zanesville to replace 2nd Lieutenant John R. Johnson who had resigned; and stating that Reed was fully competent, active, energetic and exceedingly attentive to his duties as a soldier, and that he had already written Dennison regarding the case of former 1st Lieutenant George Egan.
2 pp. [Series 147-5: 136]
August 18, 1861
A.L. Brewer, New Lisbon, Columbiana County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that a Home Guard company was being formed at New Lisbon, that this company was desirous of getting the use of some State arms for the purpose of drill, and that they believed there were arms in the State Arsenal that the State would not use.
1 p. [Series 147-5: 3]
August 18, 1861
John G. Plimpton, Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that Doctor [Israel] Fisler, an old resident of Urbana, wanted an appointment as Quartermaster of some Ohio regiment, that Fisler was a gentleman of ability and education, and in every way fully qualified for the position he sought, and that Fisler's appointment would be a great pleasure to his numerous friends in Champaign County.
1 p. [Series 147-5: 70]
August 18, 1861
W.J. Riggs, Pageville, Meigs County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that while many young men from Meigs and adjoining counties had already taken up arms, there were a large number of men with small families who were willing to enroll their names and discharge their duties provided that arrangements could be made to be sworn in and paid from the time of their enlistment, and that these men were not willing to enlist, be taken to Marietta or Mason City, and stay five or six weeks before being sworn in.
2 pp. [Series 147-5: 3]
August 18, 1861
E.P. Scammon, Colonel, 23rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Western Virginia. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter enclosing two letters of R.L. Bowdre (see 207-5: 248); and stating that he had intended to write Buckingham at length, but was always thwarted by incessant and distracting calls.
1 p. [Series 147-5: 23]
August 18, 1861
C.W. Skinner, West Unity, Williams County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that owing to the 14th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry being detained in Toledo, it would not be possible for them to report as soon as August 19, that some of their men were still in the 19th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (three months' service) and had not been mustered out or received their pay, that they would have to either wait for these men to return or call in other men, that every exertion would be made to fill up as fast as possible, and that some of their men had horses and wanted to furnish them if possible; asking what kind of horses were received and at what price per month or day, and what pay the men in the ranks received per month; and stating that they were from the back woods and not well versed in such matters as allotments for horses and soldiers' pay.
2 pp. [Series 147-5: 20]
August 19, 1861
N. Ambrose, et. al., Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter recommending the appointment of Dr. Israel Fisler to the office of Quartermaster in the 2nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry or one of the other regiments being organized. Signed by 15 citizens of Urbana.
1 p. [Series 147-5: 67]
August [19?], 1861
T.H.D. Bell, Dresden, Muskingum County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter asking if Buckingham would receive 5, 10, or 15 men at Camp Chase; stating that if such numbers would be accepted, he intended to bring his men from Coshocton County, that his men wanted to be in camp before any companies currently forming, and that his men were good and true and ready to fight for the red, white and blue; and asking if he could get a permit to raise a company of home guard cavalry, and if the government would pay the recruits' fare by railroad to Columbus.
2 pp. [Series 147-5: 1]
August 19, 1861
J[ohn] M. Connell, Colonel, 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that Major Moore, late of General [Newton] Schleich's staff, wanted an appointment as a field officer in a three years' regiment, that he knew Moore well and could commend him as in every way qualified, and that in character, habits, experience and ability, Moore would make a valuable field officer.
1 p. [Series 147-5: 18]
August 19, 1861
M.E. Cully, Newark, Licking County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that he had ten sworn in, and that he wished to send his men in squads of twenty and ten under his 1st Lieutenant; and requesting an order.
1 p. [Series 147-5: 8]
August 19, 1861
E.C. Dawes, Constitution, Washington County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that Mr. Cutler, who was at present confined to his bed by a severe attack of typhoid fever, wanted him to inform Buckingham that the regiment could probably be organized within a month and perhaps sooner, that he was very anxious to obtain a commission to recruit a company for any of the new regiments, and that a commission as either a Captain or Lieutenant would be gladly received; and providing references.
2 pp. [Series 147-5: 39]
August 19, 1861
James S. Downing, Ravenna, Portage County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that he had seen Buckingham's notice in the Cleveland Herald that letters of authority would be issued for the enlistment of companies; applying for such letters; and stating that he was engaged in raising a company, that he was a former Pennsylvanian, but had resided in Ohio for the past four years, that he had been a commissioned Major in a Pennsylvania regiment, that there were several companies partly made up in the different townships of Portage County, that some of these companies had asked him to assist in their training, and that he did not want to do so without proper authority.
2 pp. [Series 147-5: 51]
August 19, 1861
S.J. Firestone, New Lisbon, Columbiana County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that he had decided to enlist a company of light infantry to serve for three years or during the war; requesting a letter of authority for the enlistment of this company; and stating that he had learned that letters of authority had been issued to several persons in Columbiana County, but all to persons living in New Lisbon or the eastern part of the county, that his home was in the western part of Columbiana County and no company had yet been organized there, and that he could soon report a full company. Bears recommendation from William J. Jordan, Clerk of Courts, Columbiana County, Ohio, and J.B. Morgan, Recorder, Columbiana County, Ohio, stating that Firestone was a young lawyer of good ability, great energy and force of character, and that Firestone's determination to enlist in the service of his country would induce many to volunteer who would not otherwise do so. Also bears P.S. from Firestone stating that he had been asked to address several companies of Home Guards at a general parade on August 23, and that he wanted the letter of authority with him at the time.
2 pp. [Series 147-5: 9]
August 19, 1861
Isaac B. Fisher, Captain, Graysville, Monroe County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that he had the heartfelt "mortification" to inform Dennison that, owing to the "mental infirmity" of one of their officers who was compelled to resign and who drew some men with him, their company could not report to camp on August 24, and that there were sixty men who remained with the company; and asking what he should do with these men.
2 pp. [Series 147-5: 1]
August 19, 1861
Thomas H. Ford, Colonel Commanding, Headquarters, 32nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Buckingham, near Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that he expected to go into Camp Chase with his companies when he commenced the recruiting of the regiment, that about 12 days before, he had received an order to go into Camp Buckingham, that in consequence, he lost several companies which wanted to enter his regiment, that these companies went to Camp Chase and were assigned to other regiments, that he had experienced difficulties making Camp Buckingham suitable given the condition that there be no expense to the State and in consequence of not getting any camp equipage until that day, that he had been very much embarrassed in his operations, that circumstances had greatly retarded the filling of his regiment, that he was currently "patching" his camp and preparing to go to work in earnest, that the labor of obtaining the few remaining recruits to fill a company was always greater than that of recruiting the first 75, and that there was a decided advantage in keeping the fragments of companies together so long as there was a reasonable chance of recruiting them to the minimum both in point of economy to the State and the drill and discipline the men underwent; requesting that he be permitted to exercise reasonable discretion in selecting his recruits and in filling up the regiment; and stating that he hoped his privileges were not abridged or restricted to ten commissions for companies at any one time since that would greatly retard the filling of the regiment besides increasing the expense.
3 pp. [Series 147-5: 26]