Correspondence to the Governor and Adjutant General of Ohio,
September 19, 1861-December 9, 1861.
September 19, 1861
J.A. Lynch, Assistant Quartermaster, Western Division, U.S. Army, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Captain R.W.P. Muse, Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio. Letter stating that he understood that Muse had a company of soldiers in camp and might be willing to enter into the service of Major General [John C.] Fremont commanding the Western Division of the U.S. Army, that he was acting on behalf of Colonel C[rafts] J. Wright of Cincinnati who was now in command of the 13th Missouri Volunteers and who had authorized him to receive companies for his regiment, that he would pay for the subsistence of Muse's men at the rate of thirty-three cents per day for ten days, and give transportation to Cincinnati and from Cincinnati to St. Louis if Muse reported himself within three days and mustered into the U.S. service, that upon receiving a statement regarding the number of men and officers Muse had to move, he would send the necessary order for transportation, and that Wright requested that the positions of one commissioned officer and one non-commissioned officer be left open for him to fill.
2 pp. [Series 147-18: 115]
October 15, 1861
John Berry, S.H. Hunt, M. Moran, Jonathan Moffett, and A.W. Brinkerhoff, Military Committee of Wyandot County, Upper Sandusky, Wyandot County, Ohio. To the Governor of Ohio. Letter recommending F.W. Martin for the position of Adjutant of one of the Ohio regiments; and stating that Martin was a gentleman of ability and integrity and, if appointed, would make an able and efficient officer.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 149]
October 16, 1861
S. Mason, Springfield, Clark County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that Harlan P. Christie of Springfield was an applicant for the office of Major of the 66th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry now organizing in Champaign County, that Christie had been giving much of his time and attention to the study and practice of military affairs for a year or more, that Christie had been a 2nd Lieutenant in the Springfield Zouaves commanded by E.C. Mason, 2nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (three months' service), that since Christie's return, he had rendered efficient service in recruiting for the 44th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that Christie had made a fair beginning in the military profession and would make a valuable officer if given the opportunity, that Christie's reputation was good, and that Christie had capacity which would, with further expression, qualify him for a higher position in the army than the one he now sought. Bears several endorsements.
3 pp. [Series 147-18: 80]
October 25, 1861
C[hristopher] M. Degenfeld, Major, 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Ewing. To Colonel L[ouis] Zahm, 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. Letter congratulating Zahm on his appointment as Colonel of the 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; and stating that Sergeant Major [Andrew J.] Kendal, for some time acting Adjutant of the 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, received the appointment as Adjutant in the 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, that Kendal understood his business perfectly, having been five years in the regular service in the West, that Kendal was a "dam good usefull animal" and a whole soldier, that Kendal was better posted in infantry drill than cavalry, but he was more than qualified for the position of Adjutant, that the only fear he had was that Zahm's business establishment [a distillery] might suffer in getting Kendal with him, that he was sorry to lose Kendal and could recommend him freely as a good man for the place and a "darnd" good fellow at that, that the bottle was empty and the hour was late which accounted for his bad scribbling, and that his recommendation was for good whiskey. Bears a note from L[ouis] Z[ahm] stating that Degenfeld's recommendation referred to his distillery.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 62]
October 27, 1861
F[rederick] Poschner, Colonel, 47th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Anderson, Virginia. To Governor William Dennison. Letter recommending John R. Craig for the appointment and commission as Quartermaster of the regiment. Bears a note from Poschner stating that in the absence of Lieutenant Colonel L[yman] S. Elliott at Cross Lanes, he was satisfied that the appointment of Craig would meet with Elliott's approval. Also bears the endorsement (October 28, 1861) of Robert L. McCook, Colonel, 9th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Commanding the 2nd Brigade; and the recommendation (October 30, 1861) of W[illiam] S. Rosecrans, Brigadier General.
2 pp. [Series 147-18: 28]
October 28, 1861
J[acob] Ammen, Colonel, 24th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Cheat Mountain, Virginia. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that the 24th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry was on Cheat Mountain, busily engaged constructing winter quarters which were so arranged as to make a formidable defense and a comfortable home, that an alarm would not cause them to march to the breastworks or expose them to the inclemency of the weather, but they would be ready behind heavy logs under a good roof and with a blazing fire if necessary, that their hospital was finished, that duties fell heavily upon him with the promotion of Lieutenant Colonel [Samuel A.] Gilbert, that Captain Albert S. Hall and Captain Henry Terry were now the best instructed, best drilled, and most efficient officers in the regiment, that some others were good, but had not studied as Hall and Terry had, that a number of officers had tendered their resignations and were relieved from duty by General [Joseph Jones] Reynolds, but he had not been notified that the resignations were accepted by General [William S.] Rosecrans, that in consequence, the 24th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry did not have a sufficient number of officers for duty, that as soon as the resignations were officially accepted, others could be promoted and the regiment would suffer no loss, that the 24th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry was not one of the suffering regiments, that they had food and raiment, that some of their men needed shoes, socks, and blankets, but they had been supplied, and that the health of the regiment was good.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 50]
October 29, 1861
J[acob] Ammen, Colonel, 24th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Cheat Mountain, Virginia. To ? Letter stating that Captain George Arnold of Company H, 24th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, having tendered his resignation, had leave of absence until further orders, and that this was to be approved by the proper authority. Bears approval of R[obert] H[uston] Milroy, Brigadier General, Commanding Cheat Mountain Brigade. Also bears a note from George S. Rose, Assistant Adjutant General, forwarding the letter. Also bears a note dated November 20, 1861, from J.J. Reynolds, Huttonville, to Ammen, stating that the letter was just received and was all "nonsense", and that the Governor would accept the resignation and supply Arnold's place regardless of "red tape". Back of letter bears a note stating that no reasons were given for resigning nor a statement of acceptance as required and no letter of resignation.
2 pp. [Series 147-18: 168]
October 31, 1861
C[harles] S. Cotter, Captain, Company A, 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery, Camp Nevins, Kentucky. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter introducing Major Frank Foster, who was anxious to obtain a position in the field for active service; and stating that Foster was a thoroughly drilled and educated military officer who had seen service in the Mexican War, and that Foster would be competent to fill any position which might be available in one of the regiments now forming in Ohio.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 39]
[November 2?, 1861]
J.M. Edwards, et. al., Fayette County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter signed by sixteen citizens of Fayette County; stating that they had sent their full quota of troops to the field, and that they wished to be represented by a field officer in one of Ohio's regiments; and recommending Captain A[aron] C. Johnson of the 25th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a man both competent and worthy of such a position.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 52]
November 2, 1861
Nathan Kimball, Colonel, 14th Indiana Volunteers, Camp Huttonville, western Virginia. To Captain A[aron] C. Johnson, 25th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Letter recommending Johnson for promotion.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 51]
November 3, 1861
S[amuel] A. English, Camp Buckingham, Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that he held a commission as a recruiting Lieutenant for the 65th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that he had recruited and reported at Camp Buckingham fifteen men who with himself had been placed in Company I, 64th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that there had been placed over him a Lieutenant who had recruited no men at all, that he therefore asked as his right to have his case investigated, and that if he was entitled to hold the commission of 2nd Lieutenant, as he was led to believe from his instructions, he wanted to be so placed.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 187]
November 3, 1861
Frank T. Foster, Major, 5th Regiment, Kentucky Infantry, Columbia, Kentucky. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that he had considerable service and some of it was rather rough, that he had come to Kentucky to raise a regiment of sharpshooters, but there being so many in the field, he had abandoned the effort, that he was at present connected only temporarily with the 5th Regiment, Kentucky Infantry, that he would appreciate knowing if there was a vacant post in one of the regiments now organizing in Ohio, and that the difficulty getting clothing retarded filling Kentucky regiments.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 38]
November 4, 1861
C.B. Krause, 2nd Lieutenant, 58th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that he had three men at the Cleveland station; asking about transferring recruits from a regiment known as the 2nd Lincoln Cavalry, formerly stationed at Hoboken, New Jersey, to the 58th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and stating that the 2nd Lincoln Cavalry had an office at Cleveland for the past three months and sent some 25 men away, that the 2nd Lincoln Cavalry now had 20 men (all Germans) in Cleveland, that the organization of this regiment had been entirely abandoned, never having more than two companies, that some of the men now wanted to be transferred to the 58th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and that these men wanted to know how that could best be accomplished.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 195]
November 4, 1861
George D. Ruggles, Assistant Adjutant General, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D.C. To Major Samuel L. Leffingwell, 31st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Chase, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. Copy of a letter in answer to Leffingwell's letter making inquiry about the authority of Governors to make transfers from one volunteer regiment to another, stating that Governors of States had no authority to make such transfers after the regiments had been mustered into the United States service.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 142]
November 4, 1861
J[ohnson] M. Welch, Captain, Company C, [18th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry], Camp Dennison, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter signed by thirty officers of the 18th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and stating that they were fully satisfied with the manner in which Major C[harles] H. Grosvenor had discharged the duties of his position and were opposed to any change being made unless Grosvenor desired it.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 188]
November 5, 1861
P.C. Breslin, Captain, U.S. Army, and Disbursing Officer at Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that in pursuance of orders from the War Department, he was engaged in paying for the rental of ground and value of crops at Camp Dennison, and that the Government had thus assumed to discharge all the indebtedness of the State of Ohio growing out of a certain lease made between the State of Ohio and the parties owning or controlling said camp realty; and requesting all original leases, memoranda, maps, and surveys which belonged to or were part of said lease.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 18]
November 5, 1861
H[arlan] A. Edwards, Regimental Quartermaster, 39th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Chillicothe, Missouri. To Governor William Dennison. Letter regarding promotions within the regiment.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 35]
November 6, 1861
Thomas M. Selby, Company A, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp at Elk Water, Virginia. To Governor William Dennison. Letter requesting an appointment as a 2nd Lieutenant; and stating that he had been in active service for five months, was well known in Cincinnati, and believed he could render material aid in raising a company, that he had no influential friends to back him except the Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel of the 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that he was 26 years old and married, and that he would strive to fill the position with credit, both to himself and to the State.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 61]
November 7, 1861
H.D. Pugh, Captain, Company E, 47th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Cross Lanes, Virginia. To General C.W. Hill, Commanding Camp Chase, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. Letter stating that he wanted some suitable person appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of Lieutenant Horace A. Egbert. Bears a note from L[yman] S. Elliott, Lieutenant Colonel, 47th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, stating that he had written to Governor William Dennison to commission anyone Hill might name.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 44]
November 8, 1861
C[hristopher] M. Degenfeld, Major Commanding, 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Ewing. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter regarding vacancies caused by the resignations of three Captains in the regiment; stating that it was for the benefit of the discipline in the regiment to have good, disciplined, active, energetic officers; and recommending appointments.
2 pp. [Series 147-18: 41]
November 8, 1861
James Ewart, Captain, Company E, and Major C[hristopher] M. Degenfeld, Commanding, 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Ewing, Virginia. To Governor William Dennison. Letter recommending George H. Louder, 1st Sergeant of Company E, for 2nd Lieutenant, and John E. Barrett, 4th Sergeant in Company E, for 1st Lieutenant; and stating that Louder and Barrett had seen service and proven themselves well qualified for the specified positions. Bears an endorsement signed by eighteen officers of the 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Also bears the endorsement of Robert C. Schenck, Brigadier General, 3rd Brigade, Army of Occupation Western Virginia.
2 pp. [Series 147-18: 66]
November 8, 1861
Lewis Zahm, Colonel, 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Camp Worcester, Monroeville, Huron County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that [Andrew J.] Kendall, who Dennison appointed as Adjutant to the 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, reported himself on November 5, that he remonstrated against having Kendall in his regiment for any position, that the second day Kendall was in camp, he got "beastly" intoxicated, remained so for nearly two days, was picked up by Privates of his regiment, taken to their company tents, and slept his drunken sleep in one of them amidst the jeers and "damts" of the soldiers, that he had no doubt that Kendall was a confirmed dissipated man and one who would set a very bad example to the rest of the officers and men, that his regiment was pretty clear of dissipated officers and men and he didn't want any attached to it, and that Kendall had lost all respect from the soldiers; requesting that Dennison appoint another man in Kendall's stead, or that he be allowed to recommend someone; enclosing a letter of introduction which Kendall brought from Major [Christopher M.] Degenfeld of the 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and stating that said letter showed very plainly the character of the man, that the other Adjutant, [Wood] Fosdick, was a fine young man and he was very pleased with him, that Major Jones had not reported for duty and he had not heard anything from him, that he was getting along finely with the 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, that the men were making good progress in foot drill, that he had received all the clothing for the men with the exception of overcoats, that he had received 500 overcoats and would undoubtedly receive the balance of them shortly, that he had nearly 1,000 horses in camp, that he would receive horse equipage during the coming week to mount 500 men with the balance coming the week after next, that the arms were promised from Washington as soon as the troops now on the Potomac were equipped, that he was gradually filling up and now had 950 men, that he thought all companies would be full within two weeks, that he had written Mr. Gottshall of Canton about raising some men for him in return for a position in the regiment, and that he had not yet heard from Gottshall.
2 pp. [Series 147-18: 62]
November 9, 1861
L[yman] S. Elliott, Lieutenant Colonel, 47th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Commanding Post, Headquarters, Camp Cross Lanes, Virginia. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that the resignation of 1st Lieutenant Isadore Worms of Company F, 47th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry had created a vacancy, that it was the wish of Captain Valentine Rapp and his company that Orderly Sergeant Samuel Franklin Campbell be commissioned as 1st Lieutenant, and that he recommended Campbell as being efficient and well qualified to fill the office. Bears a note from Elliott stating that his command was well quartered in a good log building and well clothed, that there were but few sick, that they were three and a half miles from the enemy's line, that they occasionally had a brush with the rebels taking prisoners and horses, that they had shot two rebels and taken twelve prisoners, that a home guard numbering two hundred and three had been organized, and that at an election held at Cross Lanes on October 24, 1861, the vote was unanimous for the division of Virginia.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 29]
November 9, 1861
Lewis Schmidt, 2nd Lieutenant, 63rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Marietta, Washington County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that if Buckingham could not transfer him, he would lose many men, that the men he now had sworn in took the oath with the understanding they could be transferred from the 63rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry to the 77th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that Colonel [Jesse] Hildebrand spoke German and had influence with the men in question, that he was sending a list of about thirty men who would take the oath as soon as the transfer was made, and that he was willing to do anything for his country, but if his men were forced into a regiment where they would be dissatisfied, they would never do any good.
2 pp. [Series 147-18: 20]
November 9, 1861
S.B. Shaw, Lieutenant Colonel, Fremont Light Guard, Headquarters, St. Louis, Missouri. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that after serving for three and a half months as Major of the 4th Regiment, U.S. Volunteers of St. Louis, he had the honor to receive from General [John C.] Fremont the appointment as Lieutenant Colonel of a new regiment to be raised in the several States of the Western Department, that the action of the Governors of those States had prevented the completion of the regiment, and that he had wasted as much time and money as he could afford; asking for the command of one of the new regiments forming in Ohio and the privilege of bringing some of the officers he had appointed in his regiment who were military men and well qualified as Captains and Lieutenants; and stating that he was an Ohio man.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 53]
November 10, 1861
C[hristopher] M. Degenfeld, Major Commanding, 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Ewing, Virginia. To Brigadier General R[obert] C. Schenck, 3rd Prov. Brigade. Letter stating that recent resignations of officers, the small number reported for duty owing to sickness, and the number absent made it very difficult to find a sufficient number for daily regimental duty, and urged him to request the influence of the brigade commander to have various vacancies in the regiment filled as soon as convenient by good, energetic, and, if possible, military men.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 71]
November 10, 1861
Barton S. Kyle, Lieutenant Colonel, 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Dave Tod, near Troy, Miami County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that the 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry was very much in need of a Surgeon, that men coming into camp changed their habits of living, diet, etc., and were subject more or less to the liability of disease, that there were now quite a number of men in the 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry who, although not in the hospital, were complaining very considerably, that he found it very inconvenient to be without a Surgeon, that Lieutenant C[ornelius] N. Hoagland, M.D. had been tendered the appointment of Surgeon provided he could be transferred from the 11th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that Hoagland was now the Commissary at Camp Dennison, and that he hoped the transfer would be made at once.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 19]
November 11, 1861
Calvin Babbitt, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that his son, William Pitt Babbitt, now in service as a Private in Company A, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, wanted an appointment to 1st or 2nd Lieutenant in the volunteer service, that his son was 19 years old and had entered the service on May 20, that his son was of steady habits, physically and mentally vigorous, and well educated (having graduated with honor from the city high school), and that he recommended his son for either of the positions to which he aspired. Bears an endorsement signed by eight individuals.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 22]
November 11, 1861
G. Volney Dorsey, Piqua, Miami County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that Samuel Alward of Piqua had for some time been a Quartermaster in the service, that Alward was now desirous of obtaining an appointment of the same kind in one of the new regiments forming in Ohio, and that he took great pleasure in adding his testimony regarding Alward's capacity, honesty, and energy.
2 pp. [Series 147-18: 34]
November 11, 1861
John Hutchins, Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that the bearer, Benjamin P. Ensign of Ashtabula County, wanted to recruit a company for the 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, that he was unacquainted with Ensign, but was informed that he was a suitable person, that he was told that John M. Stewart of Trumbull County had failed to raise his men and intended to give up his appointment, that if this was so, Dennison could safely make another appointment, and that he had recommended Ensign to get the endorsement of the county military committee. Bears the endorsements of W.R. Lloyd, Lieutenant Colonel, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and B.F. Wade. Also bears a note from Charles W. Hill, stating that he had known Ensign from boyhood, that Ensign was a cavalry officer for several years, and that he thought Ensign's appointment would be a good one.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 15]
November 11, 1861
George W. McNeil, Chairman Pro Tem, Archibald Shields, William C. Sackett, and H. McKinney, Secretary, [Military Committee of Summit County], Cuyahoga Falls, Summit County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter regarding the appointment of A.S. Mariner of Summit County as a Lieutenant Colonel; and stating that Mariner was the best drilled and educated military man in Summit County, that Mariner was well qualified in all respects to fill the position of Lieutenant Colonel with credit and ability, that they regarded Mariner as an excellent man for the place and one whose service would be invaluable, and that if there were other applications from Summit County for the same position, Mariner should have the decided preference.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 54]