Correspondence to the Governor and Adjutant General of Ohio,
September 19, 1861-January 22, 1862.
September 19, 1861
James W. Ripley, Brigadier General, Ordnance Office, Washington, D.C. To Governor William Dennison. Copy of a letter stating that in answer to Dennison's letter dated September 18 relative to procuring arms and accoutrements and equipments for Ohio troops, he had to say that such supplies, so far as they were necessary for troops which had been or might be authorized by the Government to be raised in Ohio for the service of the United States, could be procured or contracted for by Dennison or such persons as he might designate for that purpose at rates not exceeding those paid at the time by the Government for similar articles and would be paid for on proper vouchers in such funds as the Treasury Department might provide for the purpose. Together with a copy of a memorandum by Mr. Wolcott stating that bills for all purchases made under this authority should be made out in duplicate directly to the United States by the seller, and that each bill should be receipted with a statement to this effect added thereto. Together with a copy of a letter from Dennison stating that certain articles were purchased under authority of a letter dated September 19, 1861 and addressed to him by Brigadier General Ripley, and certifying that the same had been inspected and received by him and were to be issued to Ohio volunteers now mustered into the service of the United States.
3 pp. [Series 147-23: 96]
October 11, 1861
B[enjamin] F. Wade, Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio. To the Surgeon General of the U.S.A. Letter recommending Dr. Thomas W. Gordon of Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio, who applied for the office of Brigade Surgeon, U.S.A.; and stating that no man in Ohio stood higher for medical and surgical skill than Gordon, that Gordon had been appointed by the American Medical Association to the Committee on the Etiology and Pathology of Epidemic Cholera and also served as professor in the Cincinnati Medical College for three years with entire satisfaction, that Gordon now held the position of Brigade Surgeon of the 1st Brigade, 5th Division, Ohio Militia and Ohio Volunteer Militia, that as these troops were not called into active service as a brigade, Gordon wished a position that would give him more active service, that Gordon had paid special attention to epidemic diseases and especially to cholera, which he was reputed by the profession to have great skill in treating, that there was no doubt of Gordon's eminent qualifications for the position he sought, and that he hoped the army would avail itself of Gordon's services.
2 pp. [Series 147-23: 173]
October 17, 1861
E.S. Young, D.A. Haynes, and John G. Lowe, Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that they had been acquainted with Lieutenant J.A. Swayne for many years, and that from their knowledge of Swayne's character and business attainments, they had no hesitation in recommending him as a fit person to receive the appointment of regimental Quartermaster.
1 p. [Series 147-23: 21]
October 19, 1861
J[ames] A. Andrews, Captain, Company B, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Elkwater, Virginia. To all whom it may concern. Copy of a letter stating that he had learned it was the intention of Edward Bultmann of his company to apply for promotion as a Lieutenant in the U.S. service; recommending Bultmann as a soldier in every way suitable and worthy to be promoted; and stating that Bultmann had been energetic and prompt in all the duties assigned him during the time they had been in western Virginia, and that Bultmann was a gentleman personally who would be an ornament as an officer in any company. Bears a note stating that the original was countersigned by A[lexander] C. Christopher, Major, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and a half dozen other respectable gentlemen.
1 p. [Series 147-23: 102]
[October 25?, 1861]
James C. Michie, et. al., Xenia, Greene County, Ohio. To General [William S.] Rosecrans. Letter signed by forty-three citizens of Xenia; petitioning Rosecrans on behalf of their fellow citizen, Lieutenant M[oses] W. Trader of Company D, 12th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, who had lately been dismissed from the service on account of bad conduct; stating that they most positively thought that Trader would not be guilty of a like offence in the future; requesting Rosecrans' kind consideration of Trader's case; and stating that they hoped Trader might be restored to his former position.
2 pp. [Series 147-23: 174]
October 25, 1861
W[illiam] S. Rosecrans, Brigadier General, U.S.A., Headquarters, Department of Western Virginia, Tompkins. To James Michie and others, Xenia, Ohio. Letter stating that he sympathized with them in their desire to give Lieutenant [Moses W.] Trader an opportunity to redeem his character, but the President of the United States alone had the power of reinstating Trader, and that he advised a representation of the matter to the Governor of Ohio.
1 p. [Series 147-23: 175]
[October 25?, 1861]
C[arr] B. White, Colonel, 12th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, et. al. To the Governor of Ohio. Letter signed by thirty-three officers of the 12th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; petitioning for and requesting the restoration of Moses W. Trader, late 2nd Lieutenant of Company D, to his former rank in the service either in their regiment or in some other Ohio regiment; stating that but for the accidental indiscretion of which Trader was found guilty on his own admission (made under a misapprehension as he said) and which they thought might have been safely overlooked or forgiven without detriment to the service, he would not have lost his rank or his place in the regiment, that Trader was among the first to volunteer in April 1861 for the three months' service and promptly became a three years' man at Camp Dennison, that Trader had participated in all the hardships and services of his regiment on the Kanawha and on the march from Clarksburgh to the Gauley among the mountains, that knowing Trader's services as they did, they cordially united in testifying to his competency and merits, his bravery, and other soldierly qualities, and that they would be glad to see Trader restored to his rank; and recommending the prompt and favorable action and interposition of the Governor of Ohio in Trader's behalf, believing that Trader's future career would show and prove that it was worthily bestowed.
2 pp. [Series 147-23: 176]
November 1, 1861
J[esse] Hildebrand, Colonel Commanding, 77th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Tupper, Marietta, Washington County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter certifying that he had appointed Reverend William Pearce as Chaplain for the 77th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and stating that the appointment was made on the nomination and recommendation of the commandants of companies now in Camp Tupper, and that Pearce was a clergyman and gentleman of high standing and a regularly ordained minister of the Baptist Christian denomination.
1 p. [Series 147-23: 1]
November 14, 1861
James R. Hubbell, et. al., Delaware, Delaware County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter signed by thirty-four citizens of Delaware County; and stating that Richard Humphreys, now a Private in Captain [James M.] Crawford's company in the 4th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was an applicant for a commission as 2nd Lieutenant to recruit a company for the volunteer service, that they took great pleasure in recommending Humphreys' appointment, that Humphreys was a young man of "unexceptionable" moral character, industrious, intelligent, and honest, and that they hoped Humphreys would be appointed.
2 pp. [Series 147-23: 31]
November 21, 1861
R.C. Lemmon, Chairman, and Guido Marx, Secretary, Military Committee of Lucas County, Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. To ? Excerpt from the record of the proceedings of the Military Committee of Lucas County; stating that on motion of W.W. Howe of said committee, it was resolved that the committee endorse the action of the Military Committee of Fulton County, Ohio in recommending the appointment of Reverend John Crabbs as Chaplain to the 67th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-23: 69]
November 27, 1861
P. Ambos, President, Joseph H. Smith, R.G. McLean, J.B. Potter, and J.H. Riley, Secretary, [Military] Committee for Franklin County, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter recommending Charles W. Douty for a commission in the service; and stating that the committee had full confidence in Douty's qualifications and efficiency, and that Douty's experience in the 2nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (three months' service) would contribute to his usefulness in the position he now sought.
1 p. [Series 147-23: 17]
November 27, 1861
R.C. Lemmon, Chairman, and E. Graham, Secretary, District Military Committee for the 5th Congressional District of the State of Ohio, Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. To ? Excerpt from the record of the proceedings of said committee; stating that on motion of E. Graham, it was resolved that the committee recommend the Reverend John Crabbs as a person eminently qualified for the position of Chaplain to the 67th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-23: 70]
November 29, 1861
Schuyler Hamilton, Brigadier General of Volunteers, U.S.A., Headquarters, Department of the Missouri. To E[rasmus] Gest, Captain and Aid to the Governor of Ohio. Copy of a letter stating that he was directed to say that General [Henry W.] Halleck had carefully considered Gest's request of November 18 regarding the union of the detached portions of Colonel [John] Groesbeck's 39th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that the exigencies of the service prevented Halleck from at present ordering a movement of either portion of the regiment, that it was Halleck's earnest desire to unite regiments as far as possible, and that Halleck hoped this might be effected after some little time.
1 p. [Series 147-23: 98]
November 29, 1861
John U. Hiltz, Orderly Sergeant, Company C, 12th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Huddleson, western Virginia. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that he was informed that their 2nd Lieutenant, Alonzo M. Dimmitt, had resigned his commission as such, thereby causing a vacancy in the company; asking nothing more or less than fair and impartial treatment from Dennison; and stating that he believed Dennison would act on the subject and promote a man who was justly entitled to the position, that he had acted honestly and faithfully as Orderly Sergeant of the company ever since they were mustered in for three years' service, that he was a Private in the three months' service, that he could send the approval of his good conduct from Colonel C[arr] B. White, who on one occasion after the battle of Carnifex Ferry stated to him that if any vacancy occurred, he should be the successor, that he had taken part in the battle of Scarey [Creek] in the Kanawha Valley where he was wounded on the head, that he was sent to the hospital and as soon as he recovered from his wound, he returned to the company, that he had been with the company through all the marching and privations from Clarksburgh, that he had taken part in the battle of Carnifex Ferry, that he had moved with the company ever since without ever desiring a furlough, although he was a married man, that he never left the company, that he had taken an active part in all the battles and marching besides attending to his business as Orderly Sergeant, that now he was next in rank and he judged should be the next in promotion, that he thought he was entitled to the promotion, that they had thirty German members and this constituted one third of the company, that asking therefore for the 2nd Lieutenancy would only be a just distribution of officers, that not a single German in the whole regiment, and there were several hundred of them, enjoyed the office of a Lieutenant or Captain, that he was an occasional correspondent of the Clermont Courier published in Batavia, Clermont County, Ohio, and that he had at every place drilled the company more than any officer in the company from the beginning to the present.
2 pp. [Series 147-23: 3]
November 29, 1861
J.H. Humphreys, Delaware, Delaware County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that his brother (Richard) was still ready and anxious to be appointed as Lieutenant to raise a company, that his brother was still attached to the 4th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was now at Romney, Virginia in Company C, and that if his brother was commissioned, he could in a very short time secure thirty men and perhaps even raise a full company.
1 p. [Series 147-23: 23]
December 3, 1861
Simeon Nash, Gallipolis, Gallia County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that he saw General [William S.] Rosecrans the previous evening on his way to Wheeling, that he spoke to Rosecrans about the protection to be furnished to Gallipolis and the stores there, that Rosecrans said Gallipolis was outside of his command and hence he had nothing to do with it, that if this was the case, then Gallipolis and its vast amount of public stores were to be left to the drift of times and events, that their part of Ohio should belong to Rosecrans' command, that the river counties from Lawrence County up should be attached to the same department as western Virginia, that it was important that this matter should be attended to at once or southern Ohio was to be left out of anyone's command, that there were enough troops on Kanawha to protect both sides of the river and it was useless to send more to do that which may and ought to be done by Rosecrans' command, that Rosecrans told him he would correspond with Dennison about the matter, that he was not much frightened about the future, but their people generally were very uneasy and lived in constant fear, that [Albert G.] Jenkins' cavalry regiment was being in part disbanded for the winter and some were coming into Ohio secretly, that two of them had been taken at Gallipolis and two more were discovered the previous evening in Gallia County, that they were also spreading themselves over the opposite counties in Virginia, that he feared their object was to be in a condition to rein together and seize Gallipolis and destroy the stores, that they knew these men paid no regard to the laws of warfare recognized by Christian nations, that there was no secret outrage which these men would not perpetrate, that their present leader was John Clarkson, a brother-in-law of his brother Samuel and one capable of any crime, that Clarkson bore an intense hate of Gallipolis, that he did not fear Jenkins as much because Jenkins was not so bad a man, that Clarkson would stop at no move which would lead to the destruction of Gallipolis, that if Clarkson could do this by scattering his men under the pretence of disbanding them, he would do it, that he knew such was the opinion of Union men on Kanawha, that there should be at least 500 to 700 men stationed at Gallipolis who would be able to watch every avenue to and exposed place in the town, that the danger was enough to call for such an arrangement and the troops might as well be wintered at Gallipolis as on Kanawha, that the 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry was just the unit for the duty and Rosecrans said he could send it, that the regiment had seen hard service and needed rest and time to recruit, that they now had one company of the 4th Virginia, but it could provide only partial guard to the town, that they might be burned up in spite of the company's vigilance if Clarkson's disbanded rebels should secretly get into the area and make a raid upon them, that if they had civilized warriors to deal with, he would have no fears, that they had men to deal with who exhibited all the instincts of the barbarian and savage in their mode of warfare, that the report in Virginia was that a rebel was taken who had been shooting pickets, that it was further reported that on the way to camp, the apprehended rebel unfortunately fell over a log or precipice and broke his neck, that such reports showed that their soldiers better knew how to deal with these "devils" than the powers at Washington did, that Rosecrans said he intended to organize parties to hunt out these guerrillas who were committing all kinds of murder and robbery, and that it was time.
4 pp. [Series 147-23: 100]
December 4, 1861
H[enry] S. Commager, Commanding Company A, 67th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Oliver, Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter certifying that his company duly elected Charles F. Handy as 1st Lieutenant and Alva W. Howe as 2nd Lieutenant, and that eighty-nine men were present and voted.
1 p. [Series 147-23: 104]
December 7, 1861
E[rasmus] Gest, Captain and Aid, St. Louis, Missouri. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that General [Henry W.] Halleck's time had thus far been occupied in systematizing department business and in securing information, that the records did not show how many troops were in Missouri, that officers and Privates had been paid who had not been commissioned or mustered into service, that no movement had been made of the army from the several points upon the lines of the railroads since Halleck assumed command, that Halleck had issued fifteen general orders, which when carried out would put a new phase upon secession matters in Missouri and remove further cause for complaint by the officers and men, and that these orders indicated a knowledge of what needed to be done and were free from objection except for Negro order No. 3 (which probably would not have been written had Halleck allowed more time to pass between his appearance in the country and the date of the order); enclosing Order No. 13 which had much in it that looked as if it was prompted by some of his ideas; stating that Order No. 14 prompted him to suggest that Dennison should write a note to Halleck claiming the men popularly known as the 81st and 83rd Ohio regiments, that these men should be mustered as Ohio troops and the necessary officers so commissioned, that his information was that there were only 8 companies (600 men) of the 81st and 5 companies (400 men) of the 83rd now in Missouri, that he also understood that Captain O. Cain's company from Preble County, Ohio (now in Colonel [Crafts J.] Wright's 13th Missouri Regiment) was originally mustered as belonging to the 81st Ohio, that if such was the case, the company should be turned over to Colonel [Thomas] Morton, that if impracticable to fill up the two regiments to the standard and they were merged, it would make a splendid regiment, that officers of all the Ohio commands in Missouri except for Mitchell's battery had been at St. Louis within the last ten days, that under a general order, they had returned to their camps to make out full returns of their commands including requisitions for any necessary wants not heretofore supplied, that he had no information of any deficiency of essential clothing or tents, that should there be any, the officers themselves were at fault, that the petition of Captain [Nelson L.] Lutz of the 27th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry was made without the knowledge of the field officers and was the subject of regret as it was only technically correct, that the men had received the tents and clothing in time for the winter weather and during the march were not so much incomoded for the want as they would have been with the extra packing of the additional clothing, that as for shelter, by borrowing some tents from an Iowa regiment and converting flies into tents, they were able to cover all at night by crowding, that Colonel [John W.] Fuller and Chaplain [John] Eaton made their appearance a week ago, that Fuller left on December 4 for Toledo, that Fuller was very weak, looked bad, but was recovering strength, that Fuller's mind dwelt upon his regiment and unless its current was changed, the Chaplain and others feared it would culminate in insanity, that Fuller and Eaton were kindly treated by [Ben] McCulloch and his officers, but otherwise by [Sterling] Price's officers, that McCulloch told Fuller to hurry away before Price got to Springfield as he could not promise what the latter's course would be, that there appeared to be a feud between the Confederates under McCulloch and the Missourians under Price, that it originated over the spoils left on the field at the battle of Wilson's Creek, that Price, instead of sharing with McCulloch, took all claiming they belonged to him, that McCulloch's troops were principally Arkansas men who said they did not wish to fight in defense of other than their own State, and that the Confederates were comparatively well clad, while the Price men were not; enclosing a copy of Halleck's reply to his request regarding recruiting the 39th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and stating that as Colonel [John] Groesbeck with his five companies had been detailed as body guard by General [Benjamin M.] Prentiss and had gone to St. Joseph or below there towards Ft. Leavenworth, the prospect for reuniting seemed further in the future than heretofore, that emigrants were constantly passing through St. Louis from the interior of the state to Illinois, that marauding parties were ranging nearly every county, that ten days since, three regular U.S. officers were captured by Sy Gordon at Weston, six miles above Ft. Leavenworth, that on December 6, several more were reported captured by the same band, that he supposed it to be the same band that Prentiss and 1,000 men had gone after inasmuch as Prentiss stopped at St. Joseph and made a public speech in which he told what he was going to do, that he feared Gordon would not feel disposed to wait for Prentiss' arrival, that Gordon and Joe Shelby of Waverly were the master spirits of rebellion in their respective neighborhoods, that fifty picked men could have seized either of them at any time since he had been in the State, that recently, they had been more bold in their depredations and their bands had swelled into miniature armies, that consequently away went Prentiss with his little cane and 1,000 men in hot? pursuit, that [John] Pope and Prentiss had now figured in north Missouri, that both had several times told the people what they were going to do and both thus far had done nothing towards quelling the rebellion in that section, that the volunteer officers were getting out of the notion of rifled muskets, that it was very common to hear them say that the Springfield musket was much better, that the rifle took precision and judgement of distance and was seldom effective when in the hands of those lacking such ability, and that there were 2,500 sick and wounded in the military hospitals of St. Louis and about 1,500 in the country.
5 pp. [Series 147-23: 99]
December 13, 1861
James S. Goode, et. al., Springfield, Clark County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter signed by nineteen citizens of Clark County; stating that their fellow citizen, J. Warren Keifer, Major of the 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry now in Kentucky, was one of those who first responded to the call of the President for volunteers in the present war, that Keifer left his family and abandoned a lucrative practice of the law, and had ever since been in actual service in the camp and field, that Keifer served as Major throughout the campaign in western Virginia with fidelity and ability, that Keifer deserved and received the commendations of his superior officers for skill and gallantry in the field, for his care and attention to the men of his regiment in promoting their comfort, and for the improvement of his command in the knowledge of drill and military exercises, by reason of which the character of the 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry stood high among the Ohio regiments for good order and efficiency, and that Keifer was a gentleman of more than ordinary intellect and this, together with his experience as an officer and soldier and his great energy and industry, would in their judgement point him out as a suitable person for promotion to a higher position in the service; recommending Keifer as eminently fitted to the command of a regiment; and requesting that Dennison order Keifer's transfer from his present position to that of the command of some regiment.
2 pp. [Series 147-23: 88]
December 13, 1861
John G. Marshall, Brigadier General, Headquarters, 1st Brigade, 5th Division, Ohio Volunteer Militia, Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio. To General James Rowe. Letter stating that he should have written long since as to the condition of his command, but since the Ripley encampment, almost two full regiments had been drained from it, that prior to that time, he had organized 2,500 infantry, 300 cavalry, and 150 artillery, that he supposed the whole number now would not exceed 1,200 to 1,500 men, that these men had become careless and their officers had totally failed to report since the encampment, that he received from the Quartermaster General of Ohio in May 1861, 1,000 muskets and fixtures, and 100 carbines and 100 sabres for cavalry, that the latter arms were taken from him the same month to fit out a horse company he raised for service and were delivered over to Colonel Phelps, one of Governor William Dennison's aids, and that the 1,000 muskets were distributed among three regiments of infantry with the exception of 40 now in his possession from a company at Georgetown which had gone into service; listing the names of the field and staff officers; and stating that he would try to keep up the brigade as long as he had command of it.
3 pp. [Series 147-23: 165]
December 17, 1861
N.W. Daniels, Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter requesting the appointment of 1st Lieutenant or 2nd Lieutenant in the 67th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry or any other regiment; and stating that he had the offer of the appointment of Aide on General [Albin Francisco] Schoepf's staff in Kentucky upon obtaining a Lieutenancy, that he had forwarded recommendations, that he had recently returned from Louisiana, that he had a thorough knowledge of all the defenses in Kentucky and Tennessee, that he could make this knowledge available in active service, and that he would forward any additional recommendations required.
2 pp. [Series 147-23: 37]
December 21, 1861
R.J. Atkinson, Auditor, Treasury Department, Third Auditor's Office, Washington, D.C. To Governor William Dennison. Letter referring to the application made by Dennison that the provision in the rules relative to the preparation and settlement of claims of States for expenses incurred by them in behalf of the United States in aiding to suppress the present insurrection, requiring the production of the original bills of particulars with receipts for payment, might be waived in the case of the State of Ohio and copies received in lieu thereof; and stating that the Secretary of the Treasury thought it better to adhere to the rule requiring the originals, and that as the only objection against furnishing the originals was that the State officers who had them in custody did not feel at liberty to surrender them for the purpose named unless authorized by the legislature and as that body would in a few days be in session, it was supposed the necessary legislation could be had without involving material delay.
1 p. [Series 147-23: 101]
December 23, 1861
E[rastus] B. Tyler, Colonel, 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Keyes, Romney, Virginia. To Reverend D[ean] C. Wright. Letter stating that he reposed special confidence in Wright's patriotism, valor, and fidelity; appointing Wright as Chaplain of the 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and authorizing and requiring Wright to discharge the duties and services pertaining to said appointment agreeable to law and general regulations and to obey such orders as he might receive from superior officers. Bears a note dated January 9, 1862, from Samuel Foljambe, Justice of the Peace, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, stating that Wright appeared before him and made solemn oath that he would perform the duties of Chaplain of the 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry agreeable to law and general regulation and that he would obey such orders as he might receive from superior officers.
2 pp. [Series 147-23: 221]
December 26, 1861
C.P. Buckingham, Adjutant General of Ohio, the State of Ohio, Executive Department, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Brigadier General D[on] C[arlos] Buell, Commanding, Department of the Ohio. Letter stating that Frank McFadden of Muskingum County, Ohio, who was a Private in Company E of the 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry and who had also been acting as Quartermaster Sergeant in said regiment, wanted a transfer from the 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry to the 78th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry now being organized at Zanesville, Ohio, that the friends of McFadden were among the most influential and prominent citizens of Zanesville and they were all united in urging this request for a transfer so that McFadden might be promoted in the 78th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that he hoped Buell would comply with this request as McFadden was an excellent soldier and very worthy, and that McFadden would hand Buell the letter.
1 p. [Series 147-23: 169]
December 27, 1861
B. Butterworth, Maineville, Warren County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that on October 8, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant to recruit for the 75th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry and assigned Warren County as a field of operation, that he tried recruiting in Warren County until he found he could not succeed in raising 30 men, that per the advice of Colonel N[athaniel] C. McLean, he went to Lawrence County and Scioto County where he and another individual recruited 36 men, that upon reaching camp, not having enough men to secure two commissions, he assigned his men to Lieutenant Fessenden who assisted in recruiting them, that before leaving camp they effected a consolidation with a part of a company, that the two squads united made 72 men, that their Colonel (by what authority he did not know) refused to allow time to fill up the company and placed J.A. Johnston in command of it, wholly ignoring his claims to a position, that Johnston, while he was a worthy gentleman and had an absolute commission as 1st Lieutenant, had not recruited a single man, that he admitted Fessenden's claims to a place were paramount to his, not because Fessenden recruited more men than himself but by virtue of an agreement entered into between them, that since the war began, he had recruited over one hundred men and spent over three hundred dollars for which he had received neither honors or emoluments, that if Johnston, without recruiting a man, was to take the place which should belong to him by virtue of his services as a recruiting officer, he ought to be assigned another not less honorable, that the orders issued to them expressly provided that they should not be commanded by an officer who had recruited a less number of men than they had, and that he supposed Colonel McLean evaded this by setting him aside altogether, leaving him not commanded at all; providing a reference; stating that he had not endeavored to secure a position by the influence of men of political distinction, but by actual service, that he had performed service as a soldier since the second month of the war, that he disliked exceedingly to be disposed of in so summary a manner, and that he reported his men as they were recruited and supposed Fessenden would forward the muster roll; and requesting a response so that he might know what disposition was made of him. Bears a note from Buckingham referring the letter to Colonel McLean; and requesting that he return it with an explanation.
4 pp. [Series 147-23: 94]
December 27, 1861
Thomas S. Kirker, Company L, 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery, Camp Dennison, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that he was one of the unlucky members of F[rederick] Dorries' artillery company at Ironton, that after waiting for their order and losing half their men, they joined with Captain Newt Robinson of Portsmouth, that they had 56 men and Robinson had 80 men, that if he failed to be elected as an officer in the company, he wished some other appointment such as from Major down to 2nd Lieutenant, that he had a good idea of military tactics, had always been a Whig, was never drunk, and never swore but once, that he knew Dennison had twice as much to do as any other governor of Ohio, and that he supposed he had defended Dennison as often as any man in Ohio when Dennison was maligned for the faults of others. Bears a note from R[odney] Mason, Assistant Adjutant General; referring the letter to Colonel James Barnett; and stating that Barnett would see to it that in the distribution of officers, justice was done to Dorries' detachment and that Robinson's men, being in the majority, were not permitted to elect their own numbers to all the offices.
4 pp. [Series 147-23: 27]
December 28, 1861
M[ortimer] D. Leggett, Lieutenant Colonel Commanding, 78th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Gilbert, near Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio. To General [Don Carlos] Buell. Letter stating that Frank McFadden, a Private in Company E, 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, wanted to be transferred from that regiment to the 78th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that it would be very agreeable to him to have McFadden so transferred, and that the application was not made to fill up a company for the company to which McFadden would be transferred was already organized. Bears a note dated January 14, 1862, from George D. Ruggles, Assistant Adjutant General, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D.C., stating that transfers from one volunteer regiment to another could not be granted, and that if the Governor of Ohio would commission McFadden, he would be discharged from the service to accept it.
2 pp. [Series 147-23: 163]
[December 28?, 1861]
I[saac] H. Marrow, Colonel, 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Jefferson, Bacon Creek, Kentucky. To L[orenzo] Thomas, Adjutant General, [Washington, D.C.]. Letter stating that Frank McFadden of Company E, 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, wanted to be transferred from said regiment to the 78th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry now at Zanesville, Ohio, that the friends of McFadden were anxious for the transfer to be made, that McFadden was a young man of excellent character, and a good and brave soldier, and that he hoped the department would order McFadden's transfer to the 78th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-23: 168]
January 1, 1862
John B. Hegerman, Headquarters, Camp Putnam. To Colonel W. Craig, 63rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Letter tendering his resignation as a 2nd Lieutenant in Company D, 63rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Bears a note from Craig approving the resignation and referring it to the Governor of Ohio.
2 pp. [Series 147-23: 18]
January 1, 1862
A[braham] Sanders Piatt, Colonel, 34th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio. To Dr. J[ohn] H. Ayres. Letter stating that Ayres could have time to arrange his matters at home, that the sooner this could be done the better, and that he would suggest six days.
1 p. [Series 147-23: 134]