Ohio History Connection

November 12, 1861
J[ohn] M. Connell, Colonel Commanding, 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Calvert, London, Kentucky. To General. Letter asking if there could be appointments of Brevet 2nd Lieutenants in the volunteer organization; and stating that in every regiment in the field, company officers were sick and unfit for duty, that frequently, a 1st Sergeant took the place of both 1st Lieutenant and 2nd Lieutenant for weeks, that other duties and sickness had sometimes prevented the attendance at parade of any commissioned officers, and companies appeared under the sole command of a Sergeant, that non-commissioned officers frequently showed such superior intelligence, power of command, and proficiency in drill that they gradually fell into the places and performed the duties of inferior commissioned officers in addition to their own arduous duties, that non-commissioned officers got poor pay and inferior rank while their proper rank and pay were enjoyed by indolent or hardly capable commissioned officers, that if a brevet rank and pay were given such deserving non-commissioned officers, it would do them justice, that the 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with the exception of the flank companies, was armed with the altered flintlock rifled muskets, that some of these muskets were worthless and all were unsafe, that the muskets had no guide sights, that they had tested the muskets at target practice and found them to be worthless as arms of precision, that when the muskets executed properly it was by accident, that Indiana had armed her soldiers with the improved rifled musket with guide sights for all ranges, and such muskets did good execution at Wild Cat, that their guns made noise "et pretoria nihil", that Ohio, a richer and abler State, ought to be as kind to her soldiers as Indiana, that the altered flintlock musket was dangerous, that after expelling the minie ball with terrific force a few times, in many instances the filling in the old vent was blown out with enough force to kill anyone standing nearby, that he would infinitely prefer the improved Springfield smoothbore musket and buck and ball cartridge, and that his officers threatened to demand a board of inspection to condemn their arms.
4 pp. [Series 147-18: 55]

November 12, 1861
W.M. Corry, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that it would be well for Dennison to have his eye on those young men of Cincinnati who possessed singular merit, with a view to their promotion in the service, that those who possessed well known names were important in the business of recruiting and in otherwise infusing a high spirit into the army, that James F. Irwin had distinguished himself in the 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (Guthrie Grays) in the western Virginia campaign, that Irwin was only an Orderly Sergeant, but deserved a much higher position if there was an opportunity, that Irwin was robust, and well educated in accounts and civil business generally where he was distinguished for promptness, punctuality, and accuracy, that Irwin was also a splendid drill master and had an abundance of the martial spirit with admirable temper and integrity, that of such young men as Irwin, heroes could be made who would overcome fatigue and danger while having discretion and humanity, that he had always believed in "blood" and liked to know about a young man's ancestors, that it was principally because he knew and admired Irwin's ancestors that he recommended him, and that Irwin would give elevation and strength to their side of the present unhappy struggle which he prayed might cease as soon as possible.
2 pp. [Series 147-18: 23]

November 12, 1861
William H. Lytle, Colonel, 10th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that Edmund B. Warren, now a Sergeant in Company B, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, wanted to secure a commission, that he regretted there was no vacancy in his own regiment for which he could recommend Warren, that there were many meritorious Privates and non-commissioned officers in the 10th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry who deserved promotion in their own corps, that if a vacancy should occur in any other regiment, he could cheerfully endorse Warren as a brave, educated, and intelligent young gentleman who was entirely worthy of a commission, that Warren was the son of their respected fellow citizen, Judge Jno. B. Warren, and that he would regard the advancement of Sergeant Warren as a personal favor.
2 pp. [Series 147-18: 34]

November 12, 1861
William McDonald, Chairman, and F.M. Wright, Secretary, [War Committee of Champaign County], Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that the committee recommended Captain Charles Candy, Assistant Adjutant General, U.S. Volunteers, for appointment as Colonel of the 66th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that by reason of Candy's service for many years in the regular army and his recent prominent service in the present war, his qualifications were undoubted, and that there would be a fitness and propriety in Candy's appointment because Urbana was and had been his home for some time. Bears the endorsement of Joseph C. Brand, Quartermaster, 66th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and John H. Young.
2 pp. [Series 147-18: 45]

November 12, 1861
John Maloney, West Milton, Miami County, Ohio. To Assistant Adjutant General [Rodney] Mason. Letter enclosing a facsimile of his furlough paper; and stating that he was very unwell for some time after he returned home, that he wanted Mason to send him some money as he was very much in need, and that he was now well and ready for service.
2 pp. [Series 147-18: 86]

November 12, 1861
George Rogers, Captain, Company E, 20th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp King, Kentucky. To Colonel J.L. Kirby Smith, 43rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Letter stating that the bearer, Sergeant H.M. Williams of Company E, 20th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, wanted to obtain leave to recruit a company or part of a company for the 43rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and recommending Williams as a young man of exemplary character and as one whose intelligence and activity rendered him eminently calculated to discharge the duties of the post to which he aspired.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 75]

November 13, 1861
B.D. Fearing, Post, Summerville, Virginia. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter regarding his service with the 36th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and stating that his conscience told him he had done his duty and his part to make the regiment what it was, the best disciplined in that division of the army, that he never sought a position in the command, but rather it sought him, and that he had no political friends to speak on his behalf.
3 pp. [Series 147-18: 209]

November 13, 1861
F[rederick] W. Lister, Major, 31st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Dick Robinson, Kentucky. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that on August 10, he had the honor of receiving an appointment as Lieutenant in the 45th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that accompanying the appointment was an order detailing him for duty at Camp Chase as drill master, that he had held said office until his promotion to the Majority of the 31st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry on September 28, that he had been unable to get his pay for the time served in the 45th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was leaving the matter in Buckingham's hands, that with regard to the 31st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he was happy to say that whilst their brethren of Kentucky and Tennessee had been dying around them daily, they had not lost one man, that sickness had prevailed to a considerable extent among them, but thanks to the care of their Surgeons and to the naturally healthy constitutions and habits of the men, all were in a fair way of recovery, that measles and low fever had been the prevailing complaints, that their delay at Camp Dick Robinson, which was at first the cause of some discontent, had proven beneficial in many respects, that the drill had been maintained upon all favorable opportunities and they could undoubtedly stand the test of competition with most volunteer corps, that their present occupation was not perhaps so dignified as it might be, but they had the pleasure of knowing that it was eminently useful, that at certain periods during the day, solemn processions of six men dragging a mule and sometimes a mule dragging six men might be seen upon the roads adjacent to the camp, that their merciful treatment and consequent easy victory over those animals was productive of the best results to the Quartermaster's Department, that a retrograde movement seemed now to be underway as they were removing stores to Nicholasville, but with what ulterior object they knew not, that "to hear and obey" was the maxim he had endeavored to instill into the minds of the regiment, an observance of which would have saved some officers an ugly reprimand from the powers that be, that as to anything which transpired at the seat of war, they were in "utter darkness" until the "ubiquitous" press informed them of it, and of something which did not take place, that their more youthful and inexperienced friends were fearful lest they should be too late to fire a shot in the campaign, but he anticipated warmer work than had yet been seen before the month was out, that they had the advantage of the proximity of a battery of six pieces and he drilled some of their officers and men daily in the use of them so that if they should take a battery, enough would be found to turn the captured guns upon the enemy, and that if they had two smooth bore sixes in the regiment, he would not refuse battle to three times their number.
3 pp. [Series 147-18: 141]

November 14, 1861
John H. Foster, Major, 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Camp Worcester, Monroeville, Huron County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter calling Dennison's attention to his request for the transfer of his son, William S. Foster, from the 8th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry to the 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; and stating that since making the request, his son's situation in the 8th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry had become rather unpleasant, that his son's Captain and others took some goods from a store at Romney, [Virginia] and attempted to convert them to their own use, that his son was a clerk in the Quartermaster's Department and they offered him a cut if he would let them put the goods there and take them again when they could be shipped away unbeknownst to the Government, that his son declined to do so and informed on them, that they were consequently arrested and now threatened his son, that his son was competent for a Lieutenancy, and that as a father, he was sure Dennison could judge how he felt having a son in such a situation.
2 pp. [Series 147-18: 63]

November 14, 1861
J[esse] Hildebrand, Colonel, 77th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Tupper. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that he had appointed Thomas J. Cochran as Adjutant for the 77th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; requesting that Cochran be appointed and commissioned as a Lieutenant; and stating that Cochran was a young man of good character, a graduate of Marietta College, and one of the first to volunteer to defend the Stars and Stripes, that Cochran served in the 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (three months' service), and that Cochran was in the celebrated, but unfortunate Battle at First Bull Run.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 56]

November 15, 1861
James Buckingham, Duncans Falls, Muskingum County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that the soldiers in Camp Goddard were ruining everything about them, that already they had burned some fifteen hundred dollars worth of lumber and it was still going on, that the officers seemed to have no command over their men and did not seem to care how things were conducted or taken care of, that on the old meadow farm adjoining the camp, the soldiers had taken three stacks of hay and stolen all the corn and potatoes raised there that year, that when his tenant protested and asked the soldiers to leave, they drew their knives on him and he had to leave, that such things could not continue, and that the regiment [62nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry] would never be of any account with such men as [Francis B.] Pond and [Delafield] DuBois at the head of it.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 21]

November 15, 1861
T[homas] Clark, Major, 29th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Giddings, Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that they found the weather to be rather uncomfortable during the past few days for their men in camp with their scant supply of clothing, that a letter recently received from Governor [William] Dennison gave them no reason to expect their arms or overcoats very soon, that they had heartily wished to receive their complete outfit at Camp Giddings and go directly into service, that the approach of winter induced them to ask for a removal further south or for permission to erect winter quarters at Camp Giddings, that they were in a locality where lumber was cheap and fuel plenty, that if it was practicable to erect a few barracks at Camp Giddings in addition to the fair ground buildings, they could give those having families in the vicinity leave of absence until called for and the rest could remain at Camp Giddings until called for, that if accomodations were prepared at Camp Chase or Camp Dennison for cold weather and if it was more desirable that they go there, they would like to go soon, that unless the weather should be more favorable, they did not wish to stay more than a week longer at Camp Giddings, and that they had two companies not full; asking if Buckingham had a few parts of companies unorganized which could be sent to Camp Giddings and into the 29th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry to fill up the last company as a partial reparation of the injury done the 29th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry by the 41st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry in decoying a full company; and stating that said company was allowed by Buckingham to remain with the 41st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry after giving verbal and written assurance that it should not, that there had been many attempts at an explanation and many excuses offered for the company going to the 41st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but the more explanations and excuses offered, the meaner the whole transaction looked, that there had been attempts to deceive the Adjutant General's department, that the company had gone to the 41st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry and they wished them well, but it had thrown the 29th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry behind and dependent on territory which had been thoroughly canvassed and already had its full quota of enlisted men, that they wanted at least one hundred more men, and that they could raise the men in time, but needed Buckingham's help now. Letter written by order of Colonel [Lewis P.] Buckley.
3 pp. [Series 147-18: 36]

November 15, 1861
John Kennett, Colonel, 4th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Camp Gurley, near Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter asking if the oath of allegiance could be administered by any commissioned officer of the army or only by an officer of the regular army; and stating that he wanted the mustering of all their soldiers to be done in conformity with the law as understood by leading military minds, that he wanted his regiment moved to some camp more "capacious" so that he might drill the regiment to greater perfection, and that Captain Wood, the mustering officer of the regular army, claimed he had no right to muster them in unless they belonged to the United States Army.
2 pp. [Series 147-18: 47]

November 15, 1861
B. Stanton, and William Lawrence, Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison, and Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that Judge William A. Carey of Sidney had been recommended by the Military Committee of Shelby County for an appointment as Quartermaster in one of the Ohio regiments, that Carey was a worthy gentleman, well qualified, honest, capable, and faithful, that Carey was one of the long established citizens of Shelby County, and that Carey was a man of good business habits, excellent character, and reliable.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 40]

November 15, 1861
William Stedman, Major, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Camp Hutchins, near Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that the bearer, I[saac] N. Wilcox, had been a Lieutenant in the 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (three months' service) and recruited about 40 men for that regiment, that Wilcox declined the three years' service from a pressure of circumstances, that having arranged his matters of business, Wilcox desired to enter the service again, that Wilcox was a man of unimpeachable moral character, intelligent, patriotic, high minded, and would make a valuable officer, that Wilcox desired the post of Adjutant of the 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and that should Dennison see fit to give Wilcox the appointment, his military talents ensured that the duties would be faithfully and earnestly performed.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 67]

November 16, 1861
W[illiam] B. Hazen, Colonel, 41st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Gallipolis, Gallia County, Ohio. To General S.M. Wade, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. Letter stating that he had just arrived at Gallipolis and found the people very much excited as they also had been for several miles back, that he stopped at Ceredo, [Virginia] and found about 200 effective men, that the people were very much frightened, that [Albert Gallatin] Jenkins had never been to Ceredo and rumor only brought him within eighteen miles of the place, that it appeared more than probable that Jenkins might have a force about twenty miles back of Ceredo, that it was estimated Jenkins might have from five hundred to three thousand men, mostly irregular cavalry, that he expected in the course of two or three days to be able to move through that region with two thousand men if he could secure the cooperation of the regiment stationed at the mouth of the Kanawha, that he would have two pieces of artillery and Jenkins would have none, that it was believed by many that [John Buchanan] Floyd was moving across to Kentucky, that if this was the case, he would discover it, that he called at [Albert Gallatin] Jenkins' place, but found only women and Jenkins' father-in-law who claimed to be a Union man, that he brought away all of Jenkins' horses suitable for cavalry, that he could easily go down and bring away five or six thousand bushels of corn, some three hundred fat hogs, and Jenkins' household effects if it was thought advisable, and that he believed the people were much more frightened than there was any cause for; and requesting that his letter be shown to General [Don Carlos] Buell. Copy sent to Andrew C. Kemper, Assistant Adjutant General, from Camp Dennison, Ohio on November 19, 1861.
2 pp. [Series 147-18: 37]

November 17, 1861
Henry Breen, Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. To Friend Klippart. Letter stating that they had gotten into a "disagreeable mess" with the 67th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that the Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel were quarrelling and the difficulties had reached such a pitch that the good of the service required that one or the other be transferred, that the quarrelling had so materially interfered with recruiting that it had come to a standstill, that their citizens had come to the conclusion that the regiment could not be filled unless the Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel were separated, that the community generally put the blame on the Lieutenant Colonel and believed he ought to be out of the way, that if he was, they thought all would go smooth and straight enough, that a large majority of the citizens of Toledo were firmly of the opinion that the regiment would never be filled under the present state of feeling against Lieutenant Colonel Hathaway, that he thought the powers that be should be given the facts, knowing that it was difficult for them to get the facts from interested parties, and that he had no axes to grind himself except as contractor of supplies.
2 pp. [Series 147-18: 32]

November 17, 1861
S.S. Carroll, 10th Infantry, U.S. Army, West Point, New York. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that he had received an order from the War Department granting him a leave of absence to take command of a regiment of Ohio volunteers and ordering him to report to Dennison; and requesting that Dennison telegraph or write him at Washington, D.C., in care of the Clerk of the U.S. Supreme Court, as to when and where he should report.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 25]

November 18, 1861
F.T. Backus, A. Stone, Jr., and William Bingham, [Military Committee for the 19th Congressional District], Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that they were informed that Colonel [James] Barnett of the 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery had recommended the appointment of their fellow citizen, William H. Hayward, as Lieutenant Colonel of said regiment, that they took great pleasure in seconding the recommendation, that Hayward's life had been spent in Cleveland and they had no hesitation in saying that as a citizen and a businessman, Hayward stood among the very first men of Cleveland, that of Hayward's military qualifications, they did not pretend to judge, and that nowhere in civil life, aside from those who had seen actual service or had been educated in a military school, could a more competent officer for the post in question be found.
2 pp. [Series 147-18: 27]

November 18, 1861
W. Baker, Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that the organization of their new regiment had unfortunately gotten into a very unpleasant shape, that unless some action was taken to modify the present arrangement, it seemed likely to be a failure altogether, that there was no disguising the fact that the person designated for the position of Lieutenant Colonel was very unpopular and very obnoxious to a large part of their people and to the soldiers enlisted, that he was credibly informed that the Lieutenant Colonel publicly spoke against the Colonel, that he was not prejudiced for or against the Colonel as he had never been introduced to him, that the Colonel's deportment had won the confidence and respect of their people both as to his military capacity and his integrity and honorable bearing, that he had no friend or enemy in any way connected to this matter whose interests he wanted to advance or retard, that he was only interested as "one of the sovereigns" who felt an interest and a pride in the proper organization and conduct of their troops, and that everything he had seen or heard of Colonel [Otto] Burstenbinder justified the wisdom of his appointment.
3 pp. [Series 147-18: 16]

November 18, 1861
W.F. Bartlett, Member of County [Military] Committee, Chesterville, Morrow County, Ohio. To Assistant Adjutant General R[odney] Mason. Letter regarding Lieutenant E.B. Kinsell's company; and stating that he had tried his utmost to keep down strife and interfering with each other in recruiting men, and it did not matter to him which regiment Kinsell's company belonged, that he wished and labored to keep harmony and quietness with the men, and that he believed Kinsell had 48 or 50 men gone into camp at St. Louis for the 81st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
2 pp. [Series 147-18: 88]

November 18, 1861
T[haddeus] K. Cock, Sergeant, Company F, 4th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Keys, Romney, Virginia. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that he had received a commission from Buckingham to recruit a company in Stark County, Ohio for the 43rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry and immediately wrote a letter of acceptance noting that he would report in person as soon as relieved from his present duty, and that Colonel [John S.] Mason questioned the authority of the Governor of Ohio to commission men now in the ranks of the federal army and place them in other regiments now forming without the consent of the officer commanding them; and asking if the commanding officer had the right to hold him there or prevent him from complying with the terms of such commission after he had received and accepted it.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 1]

November 18, [1861]
J[onathan] Cranor, Colonel, 40th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, et. al., Camp Chase, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter signed by sixteen officers of the 40th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; requesting that Dennison commission Lieutenant Phillip Smizer, currently in the 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, to raise and command men for a battery of artillery to be attached to the 40th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-18: 6]

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