Correspondence to the Governor and Adjutant General of Ohio,
October? 30, 1861-May 31, 1862.
October? 30, 1861
Thomas Cox, Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio. To the Adjutant General. Letter stating that he left Camp Chase without leave for the purpose of getting his pay, that when he arrived in Cincinnati, he was informed by Captain Dwyer of the 50th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (who had drawn his money) that he had been transferred from his company to Company C, 61st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that his object in writing was to know to whom he should report, and that the transfer was made without his consent or knowledge, hence his mistake; and requesting a pass.
1 p. [Series 147-32: 213]
November 11, 1861
M[elancthon] S. Wade, Brigadier General Commanding, Camp Dennison, Hamilton County, Ohio, et. al. To Governor William Dennison. Copy of letter signed by Wade, members of the Military Committee of Hamilton County, and fifteen commissioned officers of the 52nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; concurring in the expression by the members of the 52nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, recommending Captain W.H.H. Bown, Company A as a suitable and satisfactory person to be appointed Lieutenant Colonel of said regiment; and stating that Bown had been industrious and untiring in his military duties and devoted to the best welfare and interests of the regiment, and that Bown was well qualified to fill the position of Lieutenant Colonel.
1 p. [Series 147-32: 222]
December 6, 1861
E[dward] P. Fyffe, Colonel, 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio. To Governor William Dennison. Letter stating that one of the most important officers of a brigade was the Ordnance Officer, that William Young of Company H, 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry had been performing the duties of that office at Gauley, Virginia since August 1861, and that Young had given general satisfaction to all concerned, although only a non-commissioned officer; and recommending that Young be appointed 2nd Lieutenant of infantry so that he might be legally competent to fill his office. Bears a note from S[amuel] D. Henderson, Captain, Company H, 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; stating that Young was a member of his company; and recommending Young as a man eminently qualified for the position of Ordnance Storekeeper.
1 p. [Series 147-32: 191]
December 12, 1861
James B. Fry, Assistant Adjutant General and Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Department of the Ohio, Louisville, Kentucky. To ? Copy of General Orders No. 15; stating that Lieutenant Colonel [Herman J.] Korff and Captain Thomas G. Tiernon, 10th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, having been absent without leave for twenty days or more and having rendered no reports to their regiment, would forthwith be mustered out of the service and were accordingly discharged from the service of the United States on December 12, 1861. By command of General [Don Carlos] Buell. Bears a note from J[oseph] W. Burke, Lieutenant Colonel Commanding, 10th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; certifying that the above was a correct copy of the General Order No. 15 received at headquarters on December 16, 1861.
1 p. [Series 147-32: 157]
January 7, 1862
H.H. Leavitt, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter written on behalf of a young man now serving as a Private soldier in the 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry and who was desirous of promotion; stating that the young man's name was Henry W. Frillman, his father being a German residing in Cincinnati, that Frillman was now a little past eighteen years of age, that Frillman entered the service the previous spring as a volunteer for three months, that at the end of that period, Frillman volunteered for the war, that Frillman had been well educated in a good school in Cincinnati and was a fine scholar for one so educated, that Frillman had a decided taste for military service and would be glad to make it his profession for life, that he had the best evidence that since Frillman had been in the army, his behavior had been wholly "unexceptionable" in every respect, that Frillman was beloved in his company and regiment for his correct bearing and soldierly behavior, that Frillman could procure the highest recommendations from his officers, that Frillman was exceedingly desirous of procuring a commission as a Lieutenant, and that he was very certain Frillman was worthy of promotion and, if promoted, would serve his country faithfully; requesting that Frillman be favorably remembered if there were any vacancies in the Ohio regiments; and stating that Frillman was now with his regiment in Kentucky.
3 pp. [Series 147-32: 45]
January 13, 1862
R[utherford] B. Hayes, Lieutenant Colonel Commanding, 23rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Union, Fayetteville, Virginia. To Sir. Letter stating that the bearer, J[ohn] W. Cracraft, Quartermaster Sergeant of the 23rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, had been a most efficient officer and would be recommended for promotion to the next vacancy occurring in the 2nd Lieutenancies of the regiment after those for which recommendations had already been forwarded, that some feeling having been caused by a disregard of the regular order in promotions, it was deemed best to ask for promotions from the non-commissioned officers and priority according to the letters of the companies, and that Cracraft would be a good man for any office he was likely to seek in a regiment.
1 p. [Series 147-32: 154]
January 14, 1862
John Ferguson, Colonel, 64th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, recently Major, 30th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that he was intimately acquainted with Lieutenant Colonel [Theodore] Jones of the 30th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that in Jones, he found the gentleman, the officer, and the soldier, that during the fall campaign in western Virginia, General [William S.] Rosecrans entrusted command of the important post called Sutton Heights to Jones, that in the command of which and the troops there stationed, Jones exhibited more than ordinary skill and ability, and that he felt assured that Jones was well qualified for the command of a regiment and that the Country, in the present trying crisis, would be much benefited by Jones' services in such a position.
1 p. [Series 147-32: 14]
January 14, [1862]
H[enry] H. Tinker, Captain, Company H, and W[illiam] K. Bosley, Colonel, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Wyckliffe, Kentucky. To ? Letter certifying that H[enry] W. Frillman, Company H, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry had been in service since enlisted at Camp Harrison as a Private and had been faithful in the discharge of his duty up to the present time, that Frillman was perfected in the drill, and that Frillman was competent to hold a commission.
1 p. [Series 147-32: 46]
January 15, 1862
J[oseph] L. Ball, Lieutenant, et. al., Company I, 25th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. To the Governor of Ohio. Letter signed by fifty-eight officers and members of Company I, 25th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; recommending Wilbert B. Teeters, a non-commissioned officer in said company, as a man in every respect fully competent to fill, with credit to himself and honor to the service, the office of 1st Lieutenant in said company made vacant by the resignation of James H. Petty; and stating that they wished to call the Governor's attention to the gallant conduct of Teeters in several engagements with the enemy in western Virginia, that Teeters had, by his skill in the command of detachments of men sent out on special and important duties and by his courage on more than one battlefield, shown that he richly deserved promotion to a good office, and that Teeters was one of the best military men in the regiment.
2 pp. [Series 147-32: 136]
January 18, 1862
Joseph A. Andrews, Captain, Company B, William K. Bosley, Colonel, and A[lexander] C. Christopher, Major, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Wickliffe, [Kentucky]. To ? Letter stating that learning it to be the intention of Corporal Edward Breltman to apply for promotion, they cheerfully bore testimony to his character as a man and his qualities as a soldier, that they had found Breltman prompt, active, and obedient, fulfilling all the duties his position demanded of him, that they did not hesitate to endorse Breltman as being qualified for a commissioned office and believed that his promotion would be of great advantage to any regiment now forming, and that Breltman's participation for the past eight months in active service had sufficiently tutored him to be of great assistance in the perfecting of a company.
1 p. [Series 147-32: 47]
January 18, 1862
M[ichael] S. Gunckel, Captain, Company H, 35th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp near Somerset, Kentucky. To J.H. Achey. Letter stating that Achey's letter was received asking him what he thought of the capabilities, etc., of his Orderly (David W. Schaeffer) to fill the position of Lieutenant of an infantry company, that there was not a man in the regiment who could more honorably fill such a position, that Schaeffer's military knowledge was equal to any Lieutenant in the regiment and his business qualifications were far superior to the majority of them, that he would be sorry to loose Schaeffer's services yet he was satisfied Schaeffer was deserving of a higher position and hoped for his promotion, that they were to go on a march to join General [George H.] Thomas when no doubt "Old Zollicoffer" [Felix K. Zollicoffer] would hear from them, that their boys were eager for a fight, that Orderly Schaeffer was again able to be about, but was not fit for duty, and that Achey should look out for good news from Somerset.
2 pp. [Series 147-32: 56]
January 21, 1862
O. Follett, President's Office, Sandusky, Dayton & Cincinnati Railway Company, Sandusky, Erie County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that having been applied to by the friends of Rush Drake, now acting as Postmaster for the 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry in Kentucky, to say a word in his behalf for the advancement of an application for a 2nd Lieutenancy in the army, he took pleasure in bearing testimony to the good character, business habits, and efficiency of Drake, and that he had known Drake from childhood and knew him to be energetic, self reliant, and of the right stuff for a soldier.
1 p. [Series 147-32: 44]
[January 21?, 1862]
W.F. Stone, et. al. To Governor David Tod. Letter signed by ten citizens of the State of Ohio; requesting that Tod commission Rush Drake, Private, Company B, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a Captain, 2nd Lieutenant, or 1st Lieutenant of some company among the Ohio volunteers whenever such a post became vacant or an opportunity for such a commission occurred; and listing Drake's qualifications.
2 pp. [Series 147-32: 43]
January 22, 1862
Norman Andrews, Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter regarding the promotion of his son, L.G. Andrews, to full Surgeon; and stating that his son had served for six months in western Virginia.
1 p. [Series 147-32: 137]
January 24, 1862
Charles Reemelin, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter recommending Edward Breltman, Corporal, Company B, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry for promotion.
1 p. [Series 147-32: 42]
January 24, 1862
W.W. Scarborough, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To ? Letter recommending Henry W. Frillman, Private, Company H, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry as someone who would make a good officer. Bears the endorsements of George C. Miller & Sons, and N.C. Burt, Pastor, 7th Presbyterian Church.
2 pp. [Series 147-32: 45]
January 24, 1862
M[oses] B. Walker, Colonel, 31st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Somerset, [Kentucky]. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that there was on file a nomination of M[ilton] B.W. Harman for a Captaincy in the 31st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of David C. Rose, that he was very anxious for this matter to be acted upon for the reason that the company [E] was without officers and was on actual service guarding the Kentucky River bridge, that the 1st Lieutenant was away at home on furlough, unfit for duty, and that the 2nd Lieutenant was demoralized and of no account, and would have to be placed under arrest and court-martialed.
1 p. [Series 147-32: 165]
January 25, 1862
John H. Groce, Captain, Company H, et. al., 30th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Union, Virginia. To the Governor of Ohio. Letter signed by twenty-five officers of the 30th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; stating that they believed the regiment would be materially benefited by the presence and services of an efficient Chaplain, of which it had been entirely deprived during the five months it had been in service, and that they had entire confidence in the piety, ability, and patriotism of Lieutenant John C. Lewis of Company I; recommending Lewis' appointment as Chaplain of the 30th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and stating that Lewis was a regularly ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
2 pp. [Series 147-32: 11]
January 30, 1862
A[lbert] S. Hall, Major Commanding, 24th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Wickliffe, Kentucky. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter regarding resignations of Captains, etc.; and recommending the promotions of Lafayette Foster and William B. Sturges to fill vacancies. Bears a note from J[acob] Ammen, Colonel, 24th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Commanding 10th Brigade; approving and forwarding the recommendations. Also bears a note from Ammen stating that if Willard J. Stokes had not been appointed a Lieutenant in the 24th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he most earnestly and respectfully petitioned for him as one who had done good service in the regiment, and was intelligent and worthy.
2 pp. [Series 147-32: 39]
January 31, 1862
A[lexander] L. Haskins, Major, 63rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Tupper. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter regarding the company officers of the 63rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and stating that he trusted the rumor relative to the appointment of J[ohn] W. Sprague as their Colonel was correct, and that from what they heard of Sprague, he would be very acceptable to their officers.
2 pp. [Series 147-32: 129]
February 1, 1862
John H. Groce, Captain, Company H, 30th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Union, Fayette Court House, Virginia. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that Moses B. Gist had resigned the commission of 2nd Lieutenant in Company H, 30th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry and had not accepted the office of 1st Lieutenant, which commission had been issued to him; and recommending the appointment of 2nd Lieutenant Cyrus A. Earnest of said company to the office of 1st Lieutenant, and the appointment of 1st Sergeant Thomas J. Evans of the same company to the office of 2nd Lieutenant. Forwarded for approval by J[ohn] W. Fowler, Captain Commanding Regiment.
1 p. [Series 147-32: 12]
February 1, 1862
James P. McIlrath, Captain, Company A, 23rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Commander of Post, Camp McIlrath, near Fayetteville, Virginia. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that 2nd Lieutenant Harry Thompson had been in his company since its formation at Camp Taylor on April 23, 1861, that Thompson had proven himself to be not only eminently capable in a high degree of commanding, but also an ardent student of tactics and an efficient officer, that he would, if it met with Tod's concurrence, be pleased to recognize Thompson as his 1st Lieutenant as he had none at present, that in no less degree of commendation would he speak of 1st Sergeant William P. Chamberlain who was well worthy of promotion, that he had some twenty men from Solon in his company and, to do them justice, they ought to have one commissioned officer, that as Chamberlain was one of no ordinary ability, he recommended him to Tod's notice, and that to complete the thorough organization of his command and to satisfy its wishes, he would like to have Chamberlain hold the position his abilities demanded and become 2nd Lieutenant in the company.
2 pp. [Series 147-32: 155]
February 1, 1862
Ferdinand Van Derveer, Colonel, 35th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Somerset, Kentucky. To Governor David Tod. Letter recommending Sergeant D[avid] W. Shaeffer of Company H, 35th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry to Tod's favorable consideration; and stating that Shaeffer had at all times discharged his duty as a soldier and gentleman, and that he knew of no person more worthy or better qualified for a Lieutenancy than Shaeffer.
2 pp. [Series 147-32: 56]
February 2, 1862
W.F. Giddings, Castalia, Erie County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter asking Tod's attention to Lieutenant M[artin] P. Avery, Adjutant, 23rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and stating that he became intimately acquainted with Avery at Camp Taylor, that Avery was as well qualified for the office of Major or Lieutenant Colonel as any young man in the service from Ohio, that Avery was a natural military genius and had seen service in Texas, New Mexico, and Nicaragua before the commencement of the present unfortunate struggle, that Avery was one of the first volunteers in Camp Taylor and filled successively the places of Orderly Sergeant, 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, and Adjutant in that camp, that soon after the 23rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry went to Camp Chase, Avery was made Post Adjutant, which position he filled to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, that after the regiment went to western Virginia, Avery alternately filled the posts of Regimental and Brigade Adjutant and Acting Assistant Adjutant General, that Avery was, to a certain extent, a military adventurer capable of discharging any and every duty in the camp or the field in infantry, artillery, or cavalry, that Avery was always ready to perform the most arduous tasks without a murmur or seeking the rewards due to his merit, that if Tod could confer upon Avery either the position of Lieutenant Colonel or Major, it would be rewarding merit and doing great service to any regiment to which he should be assigned, that Avery could bring the highest testimonials from Colonel [E. Parker] Scammon and Colonel Stanley Matthews as well as from Lieutenant Colonel [Rutherford B.] Hayes and Lieutenant Colonel [Thomas] Clark of the 29th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that he would be pleased to hear from Tod as soon as possible as to the chances for Avery's promotion, and that if Tod could place Avery in the same regiment with Colonel [John W.] Sprague, it would furnish Sprague with a most efficient assistant as there was not a more competent drill master in the service.
3 pp. [Series 147-32: 152]
February 3, 1862
T[imothy] R. Stanley, Colonel, 18th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Jefferson, Kentucky. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that he learned there was a probability that Colonel [Jacob] Ammen of the 24th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry would receive the appointment of Brigadier General thereby leaving a vacancy in the 24th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that Lieutenant Colonel Josiah Given of the 18th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, formerly Captain in the 24th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was in every way well qualified for the position of Colonel, that although he would regret Given leaving the 18th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry more than any other probable event which might befall them, yet he took pleasure in testifying to Given's capability and efficiency as a military man, that Given was careful, watchful, always at his post, well posted and qualified to command, gentlemanly and kind in his deportment, firm in discipline, of good social and moral habits, and honest with the Government and with his men, that Given combined the qualifications necessary for a commanding officer, that he thought, without a single exception, that the members of the 18th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry would very much regret Given leaving them, and that he knew of no man whom he would more cheerfully and gladly leave in command of the 18th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry were he to leave it.
2 pp. [Series 147-32: 37]
February 4, 1862
E[verett] S. Throop, Camp Wickliffe, Kentucky. To Mr. Hosea. Letter stating that there were three vacancies in the 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that three names (all 1st Sergeants) were forwarded on February 3, the former three having been withdrawn, that Captain [Marcus] Westcott would resign within the next thirty days and Captain [J.] W. Wilmington's place would be vacant soon as he would either be cashiered or resign, that if 2nd Lieutenant Thomas B. Royse should be re-elected for Clerk of Police Court, he would also resign, that even if he failed to obtain one of the existing vacancies, there would soon be three more to work for, that as matters now stood, the field officers could give him only a general recommendation, that this did not matter as Hosea already had his testimonials, that the order issued by the War Department as long ago as last August had not been strictly observed by governors of states heretofore, that Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham's new order was probably intended to revive the old order, and that he was in good health and spirits.
2 pp. [Series 147-32: 68]
February 4, 1862
Thomas H. Yeatman, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To William J. Flagg. Letter recommending Walker Y. Sedam for the office of 2nd Lieutenant in Company F, 24th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
3 pp. [Series 147-32: 38]
February 5, 1862
C.E. Glidden, Poland, Mahoning County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that the bearer, J[ohn] W. Cracraft, was a member of their Poland company (Company E, 23rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry), that Cracraft studied law with him, that he knew Cracraft to be a young man of good character and of excellent abilities, that Cracraft was the first lawyer who enlisted in Mahoning County and the only one with whom he was acquainted who enlisted as a Private, that many of Cracraft's comrades had been at home on furlough and they all told him that there was not a young man in the regiment more capable and deserving, that Cracraft had a letter from his Colonel recommending him to Tod's attention, and that should Cracraft be promoted, he would do honor to the position.
2 pp. [Series 147-32: 151]
February 5, 1862
C[harles] H. Grosvenor, Major, 18th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Bacon Creek, Kentucky. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that his brother, Edward Grosvenor, was a 2nd Sergeant in Company C, 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that his brother was a young man of good education who was just admitted to practice law at the breaking out of the rebellion, that his brother was very poor and had lost all his books, clothing, etc., in a fire, that his brother enlisted on April 23, 1861, and had been on duty ever since, that the field and company officers of the 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry recommended his brother as in all respects worthy and competent to fill the post of Lieutenant either in line or staff, that a company of the 18th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry would soon have a vacancy, that said company was from their county and his brother was well known to all the men, that they desired, in case of the vacancy, that his brother should have it, that the Captain would so recommend and Colonel [Timothy R.] Stanley was very willing, and that so too was Captain [John G.] Mitchell and the officers of the 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; asking, with such a statement from them in writing, if Buckingham could make the appointment; and stating that he had three brothers, and that they were all in the service.
1 p. [Series 147-32: 141]
February 6, 1862
A[lbert] S. Hall, Major Commanding, 24th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Wickliffe, Kentucky. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter enclosing certificates of qualifications on diverse commissions lately received in the regiment; regarding vacancies in companies and how they should be filled; and stating that he still had no intelligence from Lieutenant Colonel F[rederick] C. Jones, that they were to march on February 7 at 6 A.M. for the Green River and he had no assistance, that he had done his duty in asking for it and would do his duty in going forward, but there was a responsibility unjustly pushed upon him in thus commissioning strangers who could not report for duty, that he had spared no energy in drilling the regiment daily since December 27, 1861, that daily he had expected assistance and daily been disappointed, that at the notice of an early movement, he telegraphed Governor David Tod of his condition, but got only the response that the Lieutenant Colonel was ordered to report forthwith, that such had been the case for over a month, that it was for the State of Ohio to say how long this should continue, that he could not call a Captain to his assistance for want of a horse and equipage to fit him, that they had the most excellent material known to the volunteer forces in the person of Captain [Henry] Terry of the regiment, that Terry's assistance would be a tower of strength to him, that when the authorities at Columbus deemed it a sufficient length of time to wait for Jones to report, he sincerely hoped that other assistance would be assigned him out of the officers who had been tested in the regiment, and that in the meantime, he remained with great anxiety.
2 pp. [Series 147-32: 36]