Correspondence to the Governor and Adjutant General of Ohio,
August 9, 1861-October 15, 1861.
August 9, 1861
Jno. L. Winner, et. al., Greenville, Darke County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter from the military committee for Darke County; certifying that David Putnam was a man of good moral character and of such attainments as would fit him for the command of a company in the field; stating that they believed Putnam could recruit a company in Darke County; and pledging themselves to aid Putnam in so doing.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 69]
August 28, 1861
E[rastus] B. Tyler, Colonel, 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Gauley, Virginia. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that it was his painful duty to report the death of Captain John F. Schutte, Company K, 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that Schutte was mortally wounded on August 21 at the head of a scouting party from Cross Lanes, about seven miles from Carnifex Ferry on what was known as the Sunday Road in Fayette County, Virginia, by a squad of rebel cavalry, and that Schutte left a wife and family at Cleveland, Ohio; reporting the death of Captain John N. Dyer of Company D, 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and stating that Dyer was killed at the battle of Cross Lanes on August 26 while leading his company, that Dyer left a wife and family at Painesville, Ohio, and that neither Schutte or Dyer received any pay from the government.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 166]
September 11, 1861
E[rastus] B. Tyler, Colonel, 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Gauley, Virginia. To Captain J.D. King, Ravenna, Portage County, Ohio. Letter stating that King's proposition met with his hearty approval, that if King could at once raise the requisite number of men for a two gun battery, he could without doubt secure the rifled cannon, that his regiment would be delighted with such an addition, that King's men should be enrolled on condition of their assignment to the 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that five more of their men came in last night, having been within half a mile of Cross Lanes since the battle, that these men reported having seen eighty dead bodies gathered from one rebel regiment and said there must have been greater enemy casualties than the admitted loss of 251 men, that their loss was 15 killed and about 50 wounded, that the fire of their men was very destructive, with one ball frequently killing or badly wounding two rebels, that the rebels said their opponents fought more like devils than like men, and that when the facts were fully known, he was inclined to think it would be quite as much of a victory for Union forces as for the rebels; and requesting that King write quite often regarding his progress.
2 pp. [Series 147-12: 31]
September 17, 1861
A Member, Camp Benton, St. Louis, Missouri. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that they were placed in rather peculiar circumstances, that he was writing at the request of the Conneaut Light Artillery Company, 5th Ohio Battery, supposing that Dennison took some interest in their welfare as soldiers and citizens of the State of Ohio, that if the election of their commissioned officers at Camp Chase was legal, as members of the company they did not understand that it was an election, that they were told the officers already had commissions and that they were to sanction these officers, that they did as ordered, not knowing any better, that since arriving in St. Louis, they had been increased to six guns with the men to handle them, that the Captain brought two men and had them appointed against the wishes of the majority of the company, that their Captain was not fit to take command of the battery and had not drilled with them, that it was ditto for the two 2nd Lieutenants, that they wanted the privilege of electing the two Lieutenants, that they also wanted their Drill Master, Lieutenant J.A. Bennett, appointed as their Captain, and that they were willing to obey all commands and fight like dogs.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 93]
September 27, 1861
Charles Brown, Recruiting Officer, Company H, 22nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter enclosing a roll of their men, indicating the choice for 1st Lieutenant; and stating that they had enough men enrolled for a full company and would be able in a few days to have all their men in camp and complete their company organization.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 40]
September 28, 1861
E[benezer] B. Andrews, Major, 36th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Marietta, Washington County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that he had received the 200 Enfield rifles along with straps or slings and ammunition sent by Dennison for the 36th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that he was ordered to Marietta by General [William S.] Rosecrans to complete in all respects the equipment of the 36th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that they would get the clothing without difficulty, but he was completely blocked by U.S. Quartermasters in obtaining other things, that he was now waiting for Rosecrans to give a special order to Captains [John H.] Dickerson, Craig, and Crispin to honor his requisitions, that Rosecrans assured him that he had been given the authority needed to fit out the regiment with all things they were entitled to, that Dickerson refused him because a large supply of army stores had already been sent to Gauley, that he was unable to learn if Dickerson had sent camp and garrison equipage suitable for a new regiment receiving its first outfit, that since he was to make sure of everything before taking the rest of the regiment to Summerville, he disliked going to Gauley with any uncertainties, that Rosecrans had promised them rifled muskets and gave an order to that effect, but for some reason it was not filled, that failing to get more than the 200 Enfield rifles from Columbus, he had learned that Captain Crispin of the Ordnance Department at Bellaire had 1,400 rifled muskets subject to Rosecrans' order, that he had telegraphed Rosecrans for the order, but the lines had not worked for two days, that he regretted this delay most deeply, that there was a probability that the whole regiment might be needed in the work of driving General [John Buchanan] Floyd back to Lewisburg, that the regiment was full to overflowing, that he was grateful to Dennison for appointing [George] Crook as their Colonel, that private letters from Summerville represented Crook as thoroughly acquainted with his duties, energetic, and a general favorite with the regiment, and that Benjamin D. Fearing, who was recommended as a suitable man for Colonel in case they could not secure a regular military man, had done a great and good work for the regiment; asking if there was some way they could retain Fearing; stating that Reuben Nye, the extra Lieutenant, was a most worthy and intelligent young man and desired a better place than that of Adjutant in a regiment where the hearts of all were strongly committed to another man, and that both Nye and Fearing were fine young men and would do their country willing and noble service; and asking if Dennison could transfer Nye to some good position worthy of him and commission Fearing to the 36th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry where he had become almost a necessity. Bears a note from Dennison stating that Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham would transfer Nye to Colonel Gray's regiment and commission Fearing as 1st Lieutenant in the 36th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
4 pp. [Series 147-12: 107]
September 28, 1861
Milton C. Peters, Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter accepting his appointment as 2nd Lieutenant in the 33rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 133]
September 28, 1861
U[zziel] Stevens, Summit, Cheat Mountain, [Virginia]. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that Pernett L. Cooper, son of Thompson Cooper of Mount Vernon, came into the regiment [24th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry] as 3rd Lieutenant in Captain [Josiah] Given's company from Coshocton, that after being mustered into service at Camp Chase, Pernett Cooper was thrown into the ranks as no such office as 3rd Lieutenant existed, that since then, Cooper had been Quartermaster Sergeant, that Cooper was a sober, industrious, good, moral, young man who had acquired considerable knowledge of military affairs and was worthy of a better situation than he now occupied, and that Cooper would fill the office of Lieutenant with honor to himself and profit to his country.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 100]
September 30, 1861
Robert Arnold, M.D., et. al., New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter signed by ten individuals; stating that Lieutenant J.F. Blickensderfer was a man of good education with much intelligence and energy, that Blickensderfer had experience in military affairs and was capable of serving the country in a military capacity, and that Blickensderfer's loyalty was beyond question; requesting that Blickensderfer be given such a position as would enable him to do good service; and providing references for Blickensderfer.
2 pp. [Series 147-12: 49]
September 30, 1861
M[ichael] C. Ryan, Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter accepting the appointment of Colonel of the 50th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 109]
September 30, 1861
William H. Trimble, Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that he was sending Captain Jno. M. Barrere to Columbus with the hope that Dennison would appoint him Adjutant of the 60th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (one year's service) and permit him to be mustered into the service, that Barrere was not only an intelligent Christian gentleman, but a fine officer, that they would not receive their tents until October 7, and would not be able to go into camp until the Wednesday after the election, that they expected to go into camp with 7 full companies, and that they needed an efficient Adjutant at once.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 133]
October 1, 1861
A.S. Mariner, Major General, 4th Division, Ohio Volunteer Militia, Office, Summit County Beacon, Akron, Summit County, Ohio. To Colonel W[illiam] T. Coggeshall. Letter stating that in looking over the Herald, he noticed an article from the Adjutant General's office dated September 27, relative to enlisting, volunteering, drafting, appointing committees, etc., that he was, and for 20 years had been, more or less engaged in military matters, that he was the first Major General with full staff and completely equipped in Ohio under the law of 1856-1857, that he had done his duty as such for the past four years, that he supposed Governor William Dennison would call upon him to fill some post in the present struggle, that he turned his back to no man, though he be a West Pointer, as a drill officer, that during the past four months, he had done more than any other man in the area towards getting and sending volunteers into service and had not so much as received a thank you, that he had spent his time and money freely for the cause, that men who had never done a day of military duty in their lives, and knew nothing about it, were being appointed recruiting officers and were receiving pay and credit for what he had done himself, that at the Twinsburgh Fair three weeks before, he made a speech and over 80 out of 200 men present enlisted and were now in the different camps, that at Richfield two weeks before, he made another speech and out of 150 men present, 47 had enlisted, that at Cuyahoga Falls the previous week, he made a similar appeal and out of 120 men present, 17 had already gone to camp and many more would be going, that at a parade of 300 soldiers in Greensburg the previous week, he made an appeal for volunteers and about 70 had already enlisted, that it was useless to enumerate, that if Dennison wanted his services as a recruiting officer, a drill officer, a commander, or a staff officer, he should forward the necessary papers, and that he would prefer recruiting or drilling for a short time until he became accustomed to the outdoors and camp life again; providing Colonels [Erastus B.] Tyler, [Samuel] Beatty, [Lewis P.] Buckley, and [James A.] Garfield as references; and stating that he was going to Canton on October 3 to attend a military parade and assist Colonel [Samuel] Beatty with the 19th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
4 pp. [Series 147-12: 45]
October 1, 1861
William H. Trimble, Colonel, 60th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (one year's service), Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter recommending Anderson N. Ellis as a suitable person for the position of 2nd Lieutenant to raise a company for the 60th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (one year's service).
1 p. [Series 147-12: 105]
October 2, 1861
Jno. A. Davenport, Woodsfield, Monroe County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that he had signed a recommendation for the appointment of Nathaniel Manning of the 25th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry to a Lieutenancy in said regiment, and that he knew Manning to be a young man well qualified for the position.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 97]
October 2, 1861
W[illiam] B. Hazen, Colonel, 41st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Wood, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. To the Honorable Jno. Hutchins, Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio. Letter stating that he had taken the liberty of recommending Lieutenant Wesley Owens for the position of Colonel of cavalry, that Owens was currently on duty at West Point, that Owens was a native of Zanesville, Ohio and graduated from the Military Academy in 1853, that Owens was an excellent officer and had seen four years of active service in Texas, and that Owens was twenty-eight years old and currently an instructor at West Point.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 217]
October 2, 1861
W[illiam] B. Hazen, Colonel, 41st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Wood, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter recommending Lieutenant Wesley Owens of the 4th U.S. Cavalry, currently stationed at West Point, as a proper person to command a regiment of cavalry; and stating that Owens was a native of Ohio and had seen much active service on the frontier.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 218]
October 3, 1861
Warren P. Edgarton, Camp Dennison, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter accepting his appointment as Captain in the 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 108]
October 3, 1861
Amos Glover, Company F, 15th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Dennison, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter accepting his appointment as Captain in the 15th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 110]
October 3, 1861
M[ichael] C. Ryan, Colonel, 50th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that Captain Patrick Dwyer had authority to raise a company for the 50th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that Dwyer's company was not yet full, but he had about 80 men on his roll and wanted a Lieutenant's commission for recruiting purposes, and that Dwyer was a well drilled man of good moral character, and in every way qualified to make a first rate Captain.
2 pp. [Series 147-12: 157]
October 3, 1861
H[enry] Van Rensselaer, Colonel and Aide-de-Camp, Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D.C. To Messrs. Kent and Allen. Letter stating that the General in chief had nothing to do with the raising of troops, and that this belonged exclusively to the War Department; and suggesting that they had better apply through the Governor of Ohio.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 181]
October 3, 1861
Samson E. Varner, Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter accepting his appointment as Major in the 56th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 110]
October 3, 1861
W[illiam] H. West, Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that the bearer, Captain Lindemuth of Logan County, came to tender his service in some capacity as a soldier, that Lindemuth was a gentleman in every respect and worthy of all confidence as such, and truly loyal, and that Lindemuth would provide evidence of the military positions he had occupied in his native State.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 156]
October 3, 1861
Edward H. Wright, Colonel and Aide-de-Camp to General in Chief, Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D.C. To Messrs. S.H. Kent and G.W. Allen. Letter stating that he was acknowledging receipt of their letter dated September 26 at the request of Lieutenant General [Winfield] Scott, that Scott had no power to accept regiments, and that the Secretary of War alone had the power to accept regiments and they must always be tendered through the Governor of the State in which they were raised. Together with a letter dated October 10, 1861, from S.H. Kent and G.W. Allen, Lenox, Ashtabula County, Ohio, to Governor William Dennison, applying for the privilege of enlisting troops, the number to be not less than 100 or more than 1,000, to go into camp as soon as convenient.
2 pp. [Series 147-12: 181]
October 4, 1861
P.H. Breslin, U.S. Army, Mustering Officer, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that if Buckingham saw fit to issue a conditional 2nd Lieutenant's commission to Charles J. Murphy of Cincinnati, it should be forwarded to Murphy with instructions, blanks, and all other matters necessary for his use in the premises.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 5]
October 4, 1861
Thomas A.P. Champlin, 1st Lieutenant and Regimental Quartermaster, 63rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Putnam, Marietta, Washington County, Ohio. To Assistant Adjutant General R[odney] Mason. Letter accepting the appointment of 1st Lieutenant and Quartermaster of the 63rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 109]
October 4, 1861
Ephraim C. Dawes, Marietta, Washington County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter accepting his appointment as 1st Lieutenant in the 53rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 107]
October 4, 1861
Harry Dorwart, New Lisbon, Columbiana County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that he had been a Private in Captain Charles Wallcut's company from Columbus, Ohio, and had served almost three months when their Captain was promoted to Brigade Major under General Hill and their company was discharged, and that while in camp, he contracted the fever and ague which was still on him; asking if there had been any appropriation made to pay them; and stating that he had an honorable discharge from the Captain and approved by Adjutant General H.B. Carrington, and that receiving his pay would much oblige an old soldier and one who would be in the ranks again as soon as able.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 39]
October 4, 1861
James P. Fyffe, Colonel, 59th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Kenton. To Assistant Adjutant General R[odney] Mason. Letter accepting the appointment as Colonel of the 59th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 136]
October [4?], 1861
William B. Huffman, Springfield Marble Works, Springfield, Clark County, Ohio. To Assistant Adjutant General R[odney] Mason. Letter stating that his time had expired and he had not gotten a company, that he wanted his time extended for thirty days, that his prospects were good, and that he had just gotten a good start, had spent some money, and wanted to go through.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 5]
October 4, 1861
John Hutchins, Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that Secretary [Simon] Cameron told him that he would grant a leave of absence to an army officer, in case one was found who could be spared, to take command of their cavalry regiment, that he knew nothing of the Mr. Owens mentioned in the enclosed papers and did not hold that because a man graduated from West Point, he would make a good Colonel, that he wanted to know more about Owens, that if Dennison saw fit to appoint Owens, he would try to get the consent of the War Department at Washington, that if, after making inquiries, Dennison was not satisfied with Owens, there was a Lieutenant Richard C. Duryea at Fort Pickens, that he wanted good officers, that he did not want Dennison to appoint a man solely because [Benjamin F.] Wade and/or himself gave said individual a recommendation, and that they only gave their opinions from knowledge.
2 pp. [Series 147-12: 111]
October 4, 1861
A.E. Jones, Commanding, Headquarters, 52nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that the enclosed report showed the condition of the companies named, that the two officers commanding the companies wanted commissions so that they might be empowered to sign certificates of transportation for recruits to camp, that Captain Galloway had intended to be attached to the 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but his men would not remain in that regiment, that to save these men to the service, they were taken into the 52nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that the two officers in question were good, energetic men, and that Captain Galloway had authority to raise a company for the 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and now wanted the same authority for the 52nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 131]
October 4, 1861
M.H. Kirby, Upper Sandusky, Wyandot County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that James K. Agnew of Wyandot County wanted the appointment of Lieutenant to raise a company of infantry, that he had known Agnew for a number of years, and that Agnew was strictly a moral man of good business habits and general practical information. Bears a note dated October 8, 1861, from James K. Agnew, stating that he had some military knowledge and the prospect of procuring thirty men, if not more, and that he was willing to cooperate with others.
2 pp. [Series 147-12: 50]
October 5, 1861
G.M. Bascom, Assistant Adjutant General (by order of J[acob] D. Cox), Headquarters, Kanawha Brigade, Camp Sewell, Virginia. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter acknowledging the receipt of Buckingham's letter regarding the return of Captain Williams' section of artillery to Ohio to be mustered out, and stating that they would probably be in a position in a few days when this could be attended to.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 122]
October 5, 1861
J.W. Boynton, Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter accepting his appointment as Lieutenant in the 69th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 108]
October 5, 1861
N.L. Chaffee, et. al., Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter signed by nine individuals; stating that in the absence of a county military committee, they recommended Edgar C. Miller of Ashtabula County as a suitable person for a commission as Lieutenant; attesting to Miller's good moral character, ability, and military experience; stating that as a recruiting agent, Miller had expended much of his time and money, without any remuneration, and enlisted one company of infantry and part of a company of artillery to which he was currently attached as a Private perfecting his artillery drill; requesting that Miller be appointed as a Lieutenant and assigned to the artillery as a recruiting officer; and stating that Miller was 23 years old, a little above medium height, and prompt, soldierly, and efficient.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 38]
October 5, 1861
Jacob C. Frost, 1st Lieutenant, 18th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Wool, Athens, Athens County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter accepting his appointment as 1st Lieutenant in the 18th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 113]
October 5, 1861
Joel W. Garrett, Upper Sandusky, Wyandot County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that the district assigned him in his commission for raising recruits was not in accordance with their understanding, that Wyandot County was to have been in his recruiting district, and that he hoped Buckingham would have the correction made at his earliest convenience; and asking if Buckingham could issue an order or authorize him to make the correction.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 26]
October 5, 1861
Daniel Hamilton, Milan, Erie County, Ohio. To Assistant Adjutant General R[odney] Mason. Letter stating that Mason's letter to his son, William, had been received, that since his son was absent, he was answering for him, that he appreciated Mason's kind offer to his son, and were it not for the strong objection of William's mother, his son would report himself to Mason at once, that circumstances might be such before long that his son would be glad to accept Mason's offer, that at present, William yielded to his mother as she had been so much afflicted in the loss of children within the past few years, that William would not be 21 years of age until March, 1862, that he had an unmarried nephew about 30 years old who had a good education and had spent some years in Minnesota and Nebraska, and who could give good references of character, etc., that his nephew would be glad of the offer Mason made to William and could get the endorsement of the Honorable John Sherman, and that his nephew's name was Edwin Hamilton and his place of residence was Milan, Ohio.
2 pp. [Series 147-12: 71]
October 5, 1861
James H. Haynes, 2nd Lieutenant, 18th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Wool, Athens, Athens County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter accepting his appointment as 2nd Lieutenant in the 18th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 114]
October 5, 1861
Wade & Hutchins by Jno. Hutchins, Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that the bearer, David Anderson of Mahoning County, Ohio, was a suitable man to recruit a company, and that Anderson was energetic and prompt.
1 p. [Series 147-12: 149]