Correspondence to the Governor and Adjutant General of Ohio,
September 30, 1861-April 7, 1862.
September 30, 1861
C[olumbus] Delano, Commissary General, Headquarters, Ohio Militia, Commissary General's Office, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter furnishing the names of all officers employed by the Subsistence Department of Ohio as of that date.
1 p. [Series 147-30: 50]
October 12, 1861
A[lfred] W. Gilbert, Lieutenant Colonel, Edward F. Noyes, Major, John Groesbeck, Colonel, and Reverend B[enjamin] W. Chidlaw, Chaplain, 39th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Chillicothe, Missouri. To ? Letter recommending Sergeant E[llis] G. Vincent for a position in any regiment not supplied with the requisite number of officers; and stating that since his connection with the 39th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Vincent had proven himself a very trustworthy and estimable man.
1 p. [Series 147-30: 171]
October 14, 1861
E[dward] P. Fyffe, Colonel, 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Ewing, Virginia. To Colonel Medarice. Letter stating that he was sorry to hear that Commissary James Burbridge was so very sick, but hoped he would soon be well and able to rejoin the regiment as his services were much needed, that Burbridge was very efficient and as well qualified as any officer in the army, that there was more to do in the Commissary than any other office in the regiment, that he had often reproved Burbridge for doing both the duty of the officer and the assistant, that Burbridge would not only issue, but would do the lifting, etc., that he hoped Burbridge would return to them in good health in a short time, that he would see to it that Burbridge took better care of his health, that Burbridge was a good officer and he hoped to be able in some way to advance him before his time expired, that they had been retreating for several days, that the Generals said "falling back", but he said "retreat", and that Captain Allston would give Medarice a correct account of things as they were in that part of Virginia.
2 pp. [Series 147-30: 3]
December 11, 1861
James Barnett, Colonel Commanding, 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery, Headquarters, Camp Dennison, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that he wished to finally dispose of Lieutenant Houghton in some manner, that Houghton had rendered valuable services to the State in recruiting for which he should be compensated, that he must protest against Houghton being connected any longer with the 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery, that he would prefer it if Houghton could be transferred, that if not, Houghton must be removed, and that Lieutenant [Stephen W.] Dorsey was objectionable to his company and he asked that the same course be pursued with him. Bears a note from Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham; referring the letter to the Adjutant General of the Army; stating that Lieutenant Houghton was duly mustered into the service, but by some mistake the company had too many Lieutenants when it came to be organized; and requesting that Houghton be mustered out of the service. Also bears a note dated January 7, 1862, from George D. Ruggles, Assistant Adjutant General; returning the letter; and stating that supernumerary officers could not be recognized, and that Governors of States were held responsible that none but the proper organizations be turned over to the United States Government.
2 pp. [Series 147-30: 107]
December 13, 1861
A[ndrew] Hickenlooper, Captain, et. al., 5th Independent Battery, Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery, Camp Corwine, No. 3, Jefferson City, Missouri. To ? Letter signed by five officers of the 5th Independent Battery, Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery; endorsing and recommending Sergeant William L. Broadwell; and stating that they knew Broadwell to be a true soldier, perfect gentleman, and efficient officer, and that Broadwell had always discharged his duties with cheerfulness and promptness to the best of his ability.
1 p. [Series 147-30: 173]
January 11, 1862
E[phraim] R. Eckley, Lieutenant Colonel, 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Union, Fayette, Virginia. To the Governor of Ohio. Letter recommending James W. Burbridge, now Commissary Sergeant of the 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, to the favorable consideration of the Governor of Ohio for promotion to a Lieutenancy; and stating that by his efficiency as an officer, Burbridge had proven himself eminently capable and trustworthy, that Burbridge was young, vigorous, and by education well qualified for said position, that if the promotion depended on merit while in service, Burbridge had won title to position, that he had been associated with Burbridge in an arduous campaign in western Virginia, and that it gave him great satisfaction to place Burbridge before the Governor's consideration with the hope that his merit would be rewarded.
1 p. [Series 147-30: 5]
January 17, 1862
E[phraim] R. Eckley, Colonel, 80th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and E[dward] P. Fyffe, Colonel, 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To the Governor of Ohio. Letter requesting the promotion of J[ames] W. Burbridge, Commissary Sergeant of the 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, to a Lieutenancy; and stating that Burbridge had the experience of the last four months in western Virginia, that Burbridge was a young, active, and energetic man, and that Burbridge would make an efficient and useful officer.
1 p. [Series 147-30: 4]
January 22, 1862
William R. Tolles, Camp Wickliffe, Kentucky. To the Honorable Peter Hitchcock, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. Letter requesting that Hitchcock exert his influence to secure for Sergeant L[ester] T. Patchin of Company B, 41st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, a commission as Lieutenant in said regiment; and stating that there was none other occupying the position or rank which Patchin now did who was better qualified for or entitled to promotion, or who would discharge the duties of an officer more faithfully and understandingly, that there were many commanders of companies in the 41st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry who were by far Patchin's inferiors, both as to the knowledge of military tactics or science and in the practical workings of the same, that Hitchcock's familiar acquaintance with Patchin did not need more than a note to call his attention to the fact, that there were vacancies to be filled in the 41st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that said vacancies should be filled from their own ranks if they had capable men, that this would be in preference to going outside the regiment and taking men whose only recommendation was that of a friend and who had not made any demonstrations of patriotism unless office seeking was classed as such, that Patchin was now at headquarters in Louisville, but was anxious to go into the field as he had been from the first, that Patchin wished to prepare to do that for which he enlisted, namely to meet the enemy, that there was no chance for the development of Patchin's military qualifications while acting in his current capacity, and that he hoped the pressure of business would not prevent Hitchcock's immediate attention to the matter.
2 pp. [Series 147-30: 26]
January 23, 1862
H.H. Hunter, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that the bearer, James Douglas, who was at present a Private in Company B, 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, applied for a Lieutenancy in said regiment, that he had known Douglas a long time and favorably as an upright and worthy gentleman, that he believed Douglas was qualified for the office sought, and that if appointed, Douglas would discharge the duties thereof with promptness and advantage to the service.
1 p. [Series 147-30: 6]
January 24, 1862
W[illiam] A. Choate, Captain, Company B, 38th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Somerset, Kentucky. To William T. Bascom, Columbus, Ohio. Letter stating that he had written a few lines to Bascom on January 23, relative to the position of Major in the 38th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and that said position had become vacant by the resignation of E[paphras] L. Barber; requesting Bascom to call the Governor's attention to the fact that he was entitled to the position on account of being senior Captain; stating that while he had always worked hard and enthusiastically in his part of the State for the cause, he had never asked for anything, that he raised a company and got his position from the hands of the boys who volunteered with him, and that now, since he was fairly entitled to promotion, he very much desired it; requesting that Bascom not let the matter rest, and that Bascom call the immediate attention of the Governor to the matter; and stating that while [James B.] Steedman and [Edwin D.] Bradley ("violent" Democrats) and a host of others of like stripe in northwestern Ohio had been made Colonels and given positions of lesser grade, the Republicans had gotten comparatively nothing, that if Bascom would be his friend in this matter, he would try to repay him in some way in the future, that Bascom would see by referring to the books that he was Captain of Company A, that Colonel [Edwin D.] Bradley had promised the position to Captain [Charles] Greenwood and there was a "difficulty" about it when the regiment left Camp Dennison, that he temporarily gave up the position, and that the letter was still Company A for him, but he was in the left flank. Bears a note from Bascom referring the letter to Governor David Tod.
2 pp. [Series 147-30: 150]
January 24, 1862
E[dward] H. Phelps, [Lieutenant Colonel, 38th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry], Camp near Somerset, Kentucky. To William T. Bascom. Letter stating that their Major had resigned on account of troubles in the regiment, that Captain W[illiam] A. Choate was entitled to promotion as would be seen by the books in the Adjutant General's office, that Choate was in every way competent and ought to be promoted, but an effort might be made to prevent it, that he would write General [Columbus] Delano in full and Bascom could call on Delano for particulars, that he hoped Bascom would do all he could for Choate who was a most worthy man, and that their victory was much more complete than they at first supposed.
1 p. [Series 147-30: 149]
January 25, 1862
William L. Cole, Port Clinton, Ottawa County, Ohio. To the Adjutant General of Ohio. Letter enclosing a roll list for the organization of the reserve militia of Carroll Township, Ottawa County; and stating that he hoped the Adjutant General would direct the Brigadier General of the division to order an election, and that H.N. Bill was the Brigadier General of the division.
1 p. [Series 147-30: 57]
January 27, 1862
W[illiam] S. Smith, Colonel, J[oseph] G. Hawkins, Lieutenant Colonel, and Ben[jamin] P. Runkle, Major, 13th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Jefferson, Bacon Creek, Kentucky. To the Governor of Ohio. Letter recommending Joseph Coe, a Sergeant in Company D, 13th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for promotion to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant; and stating that they did this believing Coe to be fully competent to fill the place and justly entitled to it for services rendered in western Virginia.
1 p. [Series 147-30: 36]
January 30, 1862
James Cantwell, Colonel, and B[radford] R. Durfee, Lieutenant Colonel, 82nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Tod. To Governor David Tod. Letter requesting and urging the appointment of W[illiam] D.W. Mitchell as 1st Lieutenant in the 82nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and stating that Mitchell was a man of intelligence, strictly temperate habits, and good moral character, that Mitchell's experience in military drill and his military deportment rendered him a valuable addition to the 82nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and that a failure to commission him would lose to the public service one of their most valuable officers.
1 p. [Series 147-30: 161]
February 2, 1862
A[ugustus] Gunther, Camp Cumberland, Kentucky. To Dear Sir. Letter providing a list of vacancies in the 9th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-30: 4]
February 3, 1862
David Tod. Appointment of Joseph E. Stearns as 1st Lieutenant in the 21st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Bears a note dated March 15, 1862, from J.E. Stearns, 2nd Lieutenant, Company B, 21st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry declining the appointment.
2 pp. [Series 147-30: 226]
February 5, 1862
James Cantwell, Colonel, 82nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Tod. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that William D.W. Mitchell was one of the best officers in the 82nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that he was exceedingly anxious to have Mitchell commissioned, that Mitchell's intelligence, habits, bearing, and experience were of great service to them, and that he hoped Buckingham would send a commission for Mitchell at the earliest convenience.
1 p. [Series 147-30: 162]
[February 6?, 1862]
E. Clark, et. al. To Governor David Tod. Letter signed by twenty-eight citizens of Richland County, Ohio; recommending their fellow citizen, Sergeant D.W. Wilson of Company E, 32nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and stating that Wilson had been in the 16th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (three months' service), that Wilson would make a faithful, competent, and efficient officer, and that Wilson now had a furlough of thirty days on account of sickness in the camp. Bears the endorsement of B. Burns.
2 pp. [Series 147-30: 21]
February 6, 1862
Jno. Hough, Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that he was informed that James W. Burbridge of Chillicothe, now acting as Commissary Sergeant of the 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry now in Kentucky, had been recommended to Tod as a proper person to be appointed to a Lieutenancy to fill some vacancy that had occurred or might occur in the regiments of Ohio volunteers, that he had known Burbridge from his childhood until he volunteered as a Private in Company B, 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that Burbridge's company was raised in Chillicothe in the Spring of 1861, that he had no hesitation in saying that in every respect, Burbridge was well qualified to fill the office of either 1st Lieutenant or 2nd Lieutenant, that Burbridge was a young man of good mental abilities, well educated, of industrious habits, and of great physical strength, and that should he be appointed, Burbridge would no doubt prove himself to be a first rate officer.
1 p. [Series 147-30: 2]
February 6, 1862
D.W. Wilson, Belleville, Richland County, Ohio. To the Honorable C[olumbus] Delano. Letter enclosing his recommendation endorsed by the Honorable B. Burns on the back; requesting Delano to hand the recommendation to Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham; and stating that if Delano desired further references, he could get others including that of his Colonel (Thomas H. Ford), and that he desired a Lieutenancy.
1 p. [Series 147-30: 21]
February 10, 1862
T.A. Lane, Camp Chase, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter regarding certain corruptions of some officers in the 69th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and stating that certain discharges were given in exchange for money and goods, that Colonel Lewis D. Campbell's brother was the regimental sutler, that Levis Woodruff, a Private in the regiment, had for several months performed no duties in camp whatever, but had wholly devoted his time as clerk for said sutler, that Woodruff was a connection of Campbell's by marriage, that another member of the regiment never stayed in camp or performed duty, but was wholly engaged in the employ of Hamilton Hydraulic Company, the stock of which was largely owned by Campbell, that these and other transactions had given them a bad name, that they were called "Campbell's Home Cowards", that many of them felt deeply mortified by this state of affairs, that they had made many great sacrifices to enlist, that in good faith, they desired to serve a bleeding country, and that they wished the offences might be dealt with.
4 pp. [Series 147-30: 121]
February 11, 1862
J[oshua] V. Robinson, Jr., Major, 33rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Louisville, Kentucky. To the Honorable E[dwin] M. Stanton, U.S. Secretary of War. Letter stating that the 56th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry was at Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio, and the 53rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry was forty miles distant at Jackson, Ohio, that he had learned these regiments were not disciplined and were rapidly becoming demoralized, that in Kentucky, there were many Ohio regiments that had seen service and were very anxious to see more, and that these regiments were mere skeletons from exposure, hardships, and disease; and asking if it would not be a wise economy in the Government to break up the useless camps in Ohio and transfer the men able and willing to fight to regiments already in the field and inefficient only because of the want of men. Bears a note dated March 28, 1862, from George D. Ruggles, Assistant Adjutant General, Adjutant General's Office; referring the letter to the Governor of Ohio.
3 pp. [Series 147-30: 102]
February 13, 1862
W.W. Bierce, Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter recommending Charles F. Moore, a young gentleman from Circleville, for promotion to a 2nd Lieutenancy in the 27th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and stating that Moore was the son of one of their best citizens, S.A. Moore, that Buckingham would find the name of young Moore already on his books recommended by Colonel [John W.] Fuller for the first vacancy which should occur in his command, that there was such a vacancy now in that regiment in consequence of the death of Lieutenant [George B.] Upham of Newark, that the promotion of young Moore would be most worthily bestowed, that young Moore had maintained himself admirably thus far, and that Buckingham would greatly oblige the many friends of young Moore's father and himself by giving the application very favorable consideration.
1 p. [Series 147-30: 16]
February 14, 1862
W.B. Thrall, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that the Adjutant General's Department should have a memorandum of Colonel J[ohn] W. Fuller's request to the effect that the next promotion from the ranks in the 27th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry should be conferred on Charles F. Moore, Quartermaster Sergeant since the formation of the regiment, that a vacancy now existed in the office of 1st Lieutenant in Company C, 27th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and that this vacancy would probably be filled by the promotion of a 2nd Lieutenant thus creating a vacancy to be filled from the ranks; requesting Buckingham's attention to the request of Fuller; and stating that he had known young Moore from his birth and regarded him in every way worthy of the favor Fuller desired to have conferred on him.
1 p. [Series 147-30: 17]
February 22, 1862
A[bner] J. Phelps, Huttonsville, Virginia. To George B. Wright, Quartermaster General of Ohio. Letter stating that he was informed that Lieutenant A[ndrew] J. Hale, Quartermaster of the 25th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, had received the appointment as Post Quartermaster at Beverly, that if so, Hale's position in the regiment would be vacant, that he had been the Quartermaster Sergeant of the 25th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry ever since they left Camp Chase and had the entire charge of the regiment more than half of the time as Hale had been home sick, that for the last month, he had charge of the Post Quartermaster's Department and also the Post Commissary at Huttonsville, that Hale had not returned yet, that Hale had been absent over two months, but would be at Beverly the following week, that if Hale should be promoted, he wished Wright to see Governor David Tod and have him hold off appointing anyone to fill Hale's place in the regiment until he had time to send the proper recommendations, that he could get such recommendations from everyone he had done business with as well as the General and the General's staff in addition to the regimental officers, that he knew his appointment would be entirely satisfactory with the entire regiment, that if there was any change to be made, he claimed that the position justly belonged to him, that he had a family which his present situation could not support, and that as he had done the duties of the Quartermaster most of the time since he had been in the service, he claimed the promotion. Bears a note dated March 1, 1862, from George B. Wright, Quartermaster General's Office, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, to Governor David Tod; stating that he knew Phelps, and that he would be glad to see his case considered and to give such information as might be desired in regard to him.
3 pp. [Series 147-30: 41]
February 22, 1862, and March 25, 1862
Charles A. Junghanns, Captain, Company E, 57th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Paducah, Kentucky, and Pittsburg, Tennessee. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letters regarding two deserters.
4 pp. [Series 147-30: 84]
February 24, 1862
N[ewton] Schleich, Colonel, 61st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters. To J.H. Justus, Massillon, Stark County, Ohio. Letter stating that Justus' note of February 17, in relation to the case of Harvey Seaman of Captain [Edward] Briggs' company, was before him, that when said company reported for duty, it was the desire of Briggs and himself that Seaman should be elected 1st Lieutenant of the company, that with this in view, he appointed Seaman Lieutenant by brevet preliminary to the company's organization by election, that when the election came off, Seaman was beaten by Lieutenant Blackburne, that Briggs then proposed to appoint Seaman as Orderly Sergeant of the company, that he urged Seaman to accept, but he declined, that afterwards, he detailed Seaman as drill Sergeant of another company intending to have him commissioned its 2nd Lieutenant when the company was recruited full, that before the company was recruited full, it and another squad of men having a Lieutenant of that rank were united by orders from headquarters, that all of the officers of this company thus organized had already been appointed and there was no place for Seaman, that following this came an order transferring companies to other regiments, that said order took Seaman out of the 61st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry and removed all opportunities of his promoting him, that he was sorry the circumstances deprived Seaman of a commission, that Seaman was a good soldier, but not the best in the regiment, that strong papers should be presented to the Governor recommending Seaman for promotion to the first vacancy which occurred in his regiment (76th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry), and that he would be pleased to join in the recommendation.
2 pp. [Series 147-30: 170]
February 24, 1862
E[llis] G. Vincent, Company K, 5th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Camp Dennison, Hamilton County, Ohio. To the Honorable W[illiam] S. Groesbeck. Letter stating that there were two vacant 2nd Lieutenancies in the regiment, one in Company G and one in Company H, that he hoped Groesbeck could procure him one of the positions, and that he preferred to go into Company H.
2 pp. [Series 147-30: 173]
February 24, 1862
M[oses] B. Walker, Colonel, 31st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Rock Cliff, near Bardstown, Kentucky. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter presenting the name of James J. Donohoe, Commissary Sergeant of the 31st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and recommending Donohoe as a suitable non-commissioned officer upon whom to confer a Lieutenancy.
1 p. [Series 147-30: 14]
February 25, 1862
John Groesbeck, Colonel, 39th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, 1st Brigade, Commerce, Missouri. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that he had given Henry W. Shepard his commission, and that Shepard was now 1st Lieutenant of Company H; requesting that Henry A. Babbitt, former Sergeant Major, be sent a 2nd Lieutenant's commission for the same company; stating that the acceptance of John Rhoades' resignation from Company K vacated the Captaincy of said company; and requesting that a Captain's commission be sent for Jacob M. Paulk, former 1st Lieutenant, that a 1st Lieutenant's commission be sent for Charles G. Knowles, former 2nd Lieutenant of said company, and that a 2nd Lieutenant's commission be sent for Bennet Davis, former Orderly Sergeant of said company.
1 p. [Series 147-30: 25]