Correspondence to the Governor and Adjutant General of Ohio,
August 28, 1861-May 1, 1862.
August 28, 1861
William Dennison, Governor of Ohio. True copy of Daniel Weber's commission as 1st Lieutenant, 39th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
2 pp. [Series 147-31: 94]
December 28, 1861
S[amuel] H. Dunning, Colonel, and John H. Patrick, Lieutenant Colonel, 5th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Keys, Romney, Virginia. To Governor David Tod. Letter urging the appointment of George B. Whitcomb, Captain, Company E, 5th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry to the position of Lieutenant Colonel; and stating that Whitcomb was fully qualified in every respect to fill the rank of field officer in any regiment that might be at Tod's disposal.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 152]
January 4, 1862
A[lexander] C. Christopher, Major, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Wickliffe, Kentucky. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that he had been personally acquainted with Sergeant E.S. Throop since the formation of their regiment and had ever found him to be a good soldier and efficient officer, and that to hear of Throop's promotion would afford him much pleasure as he deemed Throop worthy of it.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 229]
January 4, 1862
James M. Crawford, Captain, Company C, 4th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Kelley, mouth of Patterson Creek, Virginia. To the Adjutant General of Ohio. Letter recommending Sergeant Andrew M. Anderson of his command for promotion to 2nd Lieutenant; and stating that Anderson was a man of excellent moral character and undoubted courage, and that Anderson would fill said position with credit to himself and good to the country.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 193]
January 14, 1862
R.F. Paine, United States District Attorney's Office, Northern District of Ohio, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that F.A. Seymour of Portage County was an applicant for promotion from his present position of Captain of Company G, 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry to Major of the same regiment, that he had known Seymour for more than twenty years, that Seymour was loyal and patriotic, and that he did not know a man of Seymour's military experience who had more fully developed all the qualifications for the place sought.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 202]
January 15, 1862
R.M. Bishop, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To the Honorable J.P. Robinson, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. Letter enclosing a letter from Colonel [Samuel H.] Dunning and Lieutenant Colonel [John H.] Patrick, [5th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry] recommending Captain George B. Whitcomb for a Lieutenant Colonelcy, and also a letter of S.S. Davis and himself endorsing Whitcomb and asking his promotion; stating that Davis was a banker and leading man of Cincinnati; and requesting that Robinson present the letters to Governor [David] Tod and tell him who they were.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 153]
January 15, 1862
R.M. Bishop, and S.S. Davis, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter enclosing a letter from Colonel [Samuel H.] Dunning and Lieutenant Colonel [John H.] Patrick, [5th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry] recommending Captain George B. Whitcomb as suitable for a Lieutenant Colonelcy; and stating that they had known Whitcomb for several years, that they took pleasure in endorsing the statements made by Dunning and Patrick in regard to Whitcomb, that it would be a source of great pleasure to them and the numerous friends of Whitcomb in Cincinnati to see him promoted, that when volunteers were first called for, Whitcomb had command of a company of continentals (independent company) of Cincinnati, that Whitcomb and his company were about the first to offer their services to the Government, that when their three months expired, they volunteered again for three years, and that Whitcomb had taken pride in military matters for years and would doubtless continue doing so if promoted.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 157]
January 15, 1862
William Cochran, Ravenna, Portage County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that he was addressing Tod on behalf of a friend and neighbor, Captain F.A. Seymour, that Seymour was among the first to volunteer for service, that Seymour was elected Captain by a unanimous vote of the company raised by his efforts and had thus far acquitted himself with honor and fidelity, that quite recently, Seymour had been assigned a post of inactivity not suited to his inclinations, that Seymour now desired to obtain a position in the service of greater activity and responsibility, that he had little knowledge of Seymour's military capacity, but from an acquaintance with him of many years, he entertained no doubt of his integrity and fidelity, and that he felt assured that any confidence Tod might place in Seymour would not be misplaced.
2 pp. [Series 147-31: 201]
January 18, 1862
James Cantwell, Colonel, and James S. Robinson, Major, 82nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Simon Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Copy of a letter stating that they had been associated with Captain Henry B. Banning, 4th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry for six months, that they had become familiar with Banning's qualities as a man, a soldier, and an officer, both in camp and on the field, that they took great pleasure in recommending Banning for the position of field officer in one of the Ohio regiments, that Banning was with them in the battles at Romney, Virginia and manifested great coolness and courage under fire, that Banning's industry and energy as a man, his knowledge of military drill and discipline, and his cool judgment and bravery in time of danger admirably adapted him to the position he sought, and that they therefore urged Banning's appointment.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 196]
January 20, 1862
J.G. Evans, Camp Kelley. To the Honorable [James R.] Hubbell. Letter asking Hubbell to use his influence with Governor David Tod to secure him a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
4 pp. [Series 147-31: 192]
January 22, 1862
John Kebler, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter enclosing another testimonial to the soldierly qualities of Everett S. Throop whose application for some company office was now before Tod; and stating that Throop was a man of education, a man of energy and tact, a splendid fellow, and abounding in resources, that it was not right that Throop should continue to serve as a Private in Company A, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that Tod would not find among Throop's testimonials a recommendation from Colonel [William K.] Bosley, that Throop, with a large part of his regiment, opposed Bosley's election to the post of Colonel for what he thought were good reasons, that, therefore, Throop would not ask Bosley for a letter, and that he trusted Tod would give Throop such a place as he deserved.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 230]
January [22?, 1862]
John Kebler, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter written on behalf of Everett S. Throop, Company A, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, concerning whom testimonials had been handed to Tod recommending his promotion to some commissioned office in said regiment; and stating that if anyone was fitted and deserving to hold a company office, Throop was, that Throop was a young man of fine soldierly bearing, hardy and strong as his Scotch-Irish extraction might indicate, and of a fine, substantial college education, that Throop taught in their city schools after he left college, that Throop studied in his office as a law student and was admitted to the bar, that Throop entered the army as a three months' volunteer and before that term expired, he enlisted for three years, that Throop relied upon time and circumstances to take the rank which he was qualified to take, that were one half of their Generals equal to Throop, they would be either quietly at home or down in the land of Dixie enforcing the Constitution and the laws, that Throop wrote that there were three offices vacant in his regiment, that of Captain, 1st Lieutenant, and 2nd Lieutenant, that for each of these positions, Colonel [William K.] Bosley had sent nominations, that he did not know their names, but knew they could not be more worthy than Throop nor could they have waited as long as Throop, that if Ohio wanted honor as a State, she must put forward able men, that he hoped Tod would favorably consider Throop's application for a place either in his own or in some other regiment, and that it was a "wicked" waste of material of the best kind to leave such a man as Throop where he was.
3 pp. [Series 147-31: 231]
January 23, 1862
Casper N. Gunther, Camp Wickliffe, Kentucky. To A.M. Dorland. Letter stating that it was impossible to get a furlough, that he had not asked yet, but it was not worthwhile as furloughs were not given to Privates, that as to vacancies, there were plenty in Kentucky, that he thought he was capable of filling a Lieutenancy in any regiment, either American or German, and that he would prefer a Lieutenancy in the 9th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
3 pp. [Series 147-31: 226]
January 24, 1862
James H. Goodman, Lieutenant Colonel, 4th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Kelly, Virginia. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that he understood the friends of Captain H[enry] B. Banning of the 4th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry were asking his promotion, that he took great pleasure in expressing his approbation of the movement, that he had been with Banning in the service since the outbreak of the rebellion and knew that he had performed his duties well in the camp and in the field, that he regarded Banning as one of the best officers in the regiment, and that he would regret the day Banning left them, but if the service demanded a field officer of experience in any of the new regiments, he knew of no one who could better fill such a place.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 197]
January 24, 1862
John S. Mason, Colonel, 4th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Kelly, Virginia. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that having learned that the friends of Captain Henry Banning, 4th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry were recommending him for promotion, he took great pleasure in saying that he considered Banning a very good officer, an intelligent gentleman, and well qualified to fill a higher grade, and that his only real objection to recommending Banning was that he disliked losing one of his best officers.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 198]
January 24, [1862]
W.K. Upham, Canton, Stark County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter calling Tod's attention to the papers on file recommending the Honorable B.F. Leiter for a military appointment; and stating that he thought Leiter would make a good officer, that Leiter would be attentive to his men and was familiar with military matters, that Leiter was a man of undoubted courage, that Leiter's appointment would give satisfaction to Tod's numerous friends in that section of the state, and that Tod's inaugural address was an admirable paper worthy of himself and the state.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 165]
January 24, 1862
George Weaver, Major, 4th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Kelly. To Governor David Tod. Letter recommending Captain H[enry] B. Banning for any position in the field; and stating that while they were sorry to part with Banning, if the cause could be furthered by his promotion, they would make the sacrifice.
2 pp. [Series 147-31: 209]
January 25, 1862
A.M. Dorland, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To the Honorable N.H. Swayne, Columbus, Ohio. Letter enclosing a letter from Caspar; and stating that the brother Caspar alluded to was a Private in the 9th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that said regiment was a German regiment and took an active part in the victory at Mill Springs, that Caspar said his brother would prefer a commission in said regiment, that Caspar felt confident of his brother's ability to fill a Lieutenant's position in any regiment, American or German, that Caspar alluded to several vacancies in his own regiment, and that he left the matter wholly in Swayne's hands.
2 pp. [Series 147-31: 223]
February 3, 1862
A.E. Jones, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Sergeant Edmund B. Warren, Company B, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, General Nelson's Brigade. Letter stating that Warren had been in the service since April 18, 1861, and was in the campaign through western Virginia, that Warren had performed all his duties with alacrity, that Warren had the certificates of his good conduct from Major [Alexander C.] Christopher and Captain [James A.] Andrews and could get one from Colonel [William K.] Bosley, that Warren was 191/2 years old, that Warren was of good moral character and well educated, and that Warren was applying for promotion to a Lieutenancy.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 226]
February 3, 1862
Justin M. Thatcher, Lieutenant Commanding, Company F, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Wickliffe, Kentucky. To ? Letter certifying that Caspar Gunther, a Private in his company, had always shown himself prompt to obey all commands of his officers and had paid the strictest attention to the duties of a soldier, that Gunther was well drilled in the manual in skirmish drill and in battalion drill, that Gunther had won the respect of his officers and comrades by his soldierly bearing and gentlemanly conduct, and that in all of his actions, Gunther had proven himself a soldier and a gentleman. Bears the approval of W[illiam] K. Bosley, Colonel, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 224]
February 4, 1862
W[illiam] R. Creighton, Lieutenant Colonel Commanding, James T. Sterling, Captain, Company B, and J[oseph] P. Webb, Sergeant Major, 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Kelley, Patterson's Creek, Virginia. To the Governor of Ohio. Letter stating that they had a long acquaintance with Asa H. Fitch, Sergeant, Company B, 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that they had no hesitation in recommending Fitch as a suitable person for promotion, and that Fitch had shown himself to be a good and true man, and an efficient officer.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 205]
February 4, 1862
John S. Mason, Colonel, 4th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Kelly, Virginia. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that Lieutenant [Byron] Dolbear was a good officer and one whom he could cheerfully recommend for promotion; and enclosing the recommendation of the company commander for the promotion of Sergeant [Andrew M.] Anderson of Company C.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 194]
February 4, 1862
R.F. Paine, United States District Attorney's Office, Northern District of Ohio, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that application would be made to Tod for the appointment of John Schrink as Captain of Company K, 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that said company was entirely German and most of the members were from the vicinity of Cleveland and acquainted with Schrink, that he was told the company had unanimously requested Schrink's appointment, that he had known Schrink long and intimately, that Schrink had been known as one of their best and most active military men, that Schrink's character was No. 1, that Schrink's business habits and talent were of a high order, that Schrink was second to none in his devotion to the Union and maintenance of the Government, that he hoped Schrink might receive the appointment, and that if Schrink did not lead the company where they would smell powder, without an effect, all who knew him would be disappointed.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 199]
February 4, 1862
John Schrink, Late Captain of the Cleveland Light Dragoons, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that since the outbreak of the present war, he felt the impulse to partake in the defense of their Government, but was so far prevented from joining the army by unavoidable circumstances, that he was now ready and wished his post, that lately, he had been solicited by Colonel E[rastus] B. Tyler of the 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry to make application for the Captaincy of Company K (the German company) of his regiment in place of the late Captain John F. Schutte killed at Cross Lanes, that he had also been called upon by members of said company to accept said office, that he had been informed that it was the unanimous voice of the whole company that he might become their leader, and that under these circumstances, he now made application to Tod for appointment to said office. Together with a letter dated February 4, 1862, from H.V. Willson, F.T. Backus, and James Mason, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, to Sir; stating that they endorsed the application of Captain John Schrink for the appointment of Captain of the German company, 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that Schrink was eminently a fit person for such a post, that Schrink was a very good drilled soldier, that Schrink had the reputation of being an efficient instructor in military tactics, and that Schrink was a good scholar, spoke the English as well as his native German tongue, and was very highly esteemed as a man by all who knew him.
2 pp. [Series 147-31: 198]
February 4, 1862
Samuel C. Wheeler, Company E, 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Kelley, Patterson's Creek, Virginia. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter requesting a promotion; and referring to recommendations on file.
3 pp. [Series 147-31: 209]
February 8, 1862
A.M. Dorland, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To the Honorable N.H. Swayne. Letter stating that he had received a very interesting letter from Caspar, enclosing a recommendation from his superior officers, which he was forwarding at Caspar's request, and that he hoped Caspar might succeed, through Swayne's influence, in obtaining a commission of some kind.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 223]
February 11, [1862]
?, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that Mrs. [N.H.] Swayne asked Buckingham to read the papers concerning Caspar Gunther and take such action as might best suit his convenience, that Gunther was an intelligent and well educated young German, that Gunther had learned the trade of watch maker in Columbus, and that since then, Gunther had worked with a jeweler in Cincinnati who seemed anxious for his advancement.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 225]
February 14, 1862
John R. French, Washington. To My Esteemed Friend. Letter stating that there was a young man named Virgil E. Smalley in Company D, 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, who ought to have a Lieutenant's commission, that the indications were that [George B.] McClellan intended a forward movement as soon as the roads might permit and the roads were fast improving, and that their old friend McConnell from Warren visited him on February 13, and said he had come to see if any measures had been taken for the finishing of a monument at Harpers Ferry, whose foundations were commenced last April.
3 pp. [Series 147-31: 207]
February 15, 1862
George W. Stone, et. al., Northfield, Summit County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter signed by twenty-two residents of Northfield; stating that they were well acquainted with A.H. Fitch, that Fitch was a young man of good character, that Fitch was the first man in Northfield who enlisted for the three months' service and was the first man from Northfield who enlisted for three years or during the war, that all reports from Fitch since he had been in the army had been favorable to him as a soldier, and that they desired Fitch's promotion; and citing references. Bears the endorsement of L.V. Bierce, Senator.
2 pp. [Series 147-31: 204]
February 16, 1862
R.F. Paine, United States District Attorney's Office, Northern District of Ohio, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. To Dear Governor. Letter recommending that Virgil E. Smalley be appointed a Lieutenant in Company D, 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-31: 206]