Correspondence to the Governor and Adjutant General of Ohio,
November 25, 1861-July 12, 1862.
November 25, 1861
W.A. Collins, Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters, 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Camp Chase, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To ? True copy of Special Order No. 167; stating that Captain D[avid] A.B. Moore of Company D, Lieutenant L[afayette] Pickering of Company F, and Lieutenant J[ohn] P. Rea of Company I, 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry were appointed as a Board of Survey, pursuant to Paragraph No. 1019 of the Army Regulations, to examine and report upon the blankets and socks issued to Captain B[eroth] B. Eggleston, 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry for his company, that the board would ascertain whether any and what discrepancy existed between the quantity or description of said clothing, or any part of it, and the invoice thereof, and where and how such a discrepancy occurred, that the board would also ascertain whether the said clothing, or any part of it, was damaged or otherwise deficient when issued, and whether any and what part of it was unfit for use, and would assess the prices at which any portion thereof should be issued to said company, and that the board would make said inquiries and report its proceedings and findings to headquarters without unnecessary delay. By order of Brigadier General [Charles W.] Hill. Together with a true copy of a report dated November 25, 1861, from Captain David A.B. Moore, Company D, Lieutenant L[afayette] Pickering, Company F, and Lieutenant J[ohn] P. Rea, Company I, 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; stating that in pursuance of the above order, the board met and proceeded to examine the 47 horse blankets, 36 men's blankets, and 5 pairs of socks issued to Captain B[eroth] B. Eggleston, Company E, 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, that they had ascertained that the horse blankets were the same that were turned over to Lieutenant [John C.] Frankeberger, Quartermaster, 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry by Captain [James] Laughlin, Company B, 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry and by him issued to Eggleston, that said blankets were short weight, worn out, and totally unfit for public service, and were of no value whatever, that the men's blankets were issued by Lieutenant M. Simonton, Post Quartermaster, Camp Chase as second hand blankets and they found the same to be of light weight, from two to three pounds and from six to ten inches too short, that these blankets were totally insufficient for public service as blankets for the men and were worthless, that a number of the men's blankets would answer for horse blankets (perhaps twenty), and that the socks were too small for men's wear, unfit for use, and not worth over 121/2 cents per piece. Together with a letter dated May 27, 1862, from B[eroth] B. Eggleston, Captain, Company E, 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Camp near Corinth, Mississippi, to General [Charles W.] Hill; stating that it was necessary for him to forward a properly authenticated copy of the above order, etc., to Washington as a voucher to show that the blankets, etc., were condemned, that the 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry had been in line of battle half the days, that there had been considerable skirmishing that day, and that it looked like a general engagement for a time, but all was quiet now.
3 pp. [Series 147-35: 5]
January 5, 1862
M. Welker, State of Ohio, Executive Department, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Colonel [John F.] DeCourcy, 16th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Letter stating that Captain [Hamilton] Richeson would report the result of their interviews with the Adjutant General and at the Quartermaster's Department, that he thought DeCourcy need not fear anything on account of General [Don Carlos] Buell's order as to guns, that it was only to carry out DeCourcy's ideas of having regiments armed all alike (that is, each regiment), that in the matter of the date of the appointment of the Captains of DeCourcy's companies, the Adjutant General directed a clerk to examine, under his inspection, the muster rolls of each company on file there and ascertain from them the time when each company was full (i.e. had 83 men), that at which time, the Adjutant General would decide that the Captain was entitled to his appointment and direct that the commissions should be so issued, and that the books showed the different appointments as they appeared in the last commissions which, as the Adjutant General said, did not show the correct time; listing the dates on which the companies of the 16th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry had 83 men respectively; and stating that the commissions now to be issued would have the listed dates as to time of appointment, that he thought this was really the true way to settle the time of appointment, that no one could be appointed a Captain until he had 83 men and those appointments made before that time could not be effective until the company was full, that the only way to determine when 83 men were enlisted was to be governed by the muster rolls made out, that Captain [Richard W.] Tanneyhill's company could not be full until the transfers were made from Captain [William] Spangler to him, although he had appointment before, that the dates of these appointments as set out in the commission did not effect their pay, that they were paid from the time they were mustered in as appeared in the muster roll returned and the paymaster would be governed by that in the payment, that the rule was that the officers ranked according to the muster, that it would be desirable for DeCourcy to furnish the Adjutant General with the lettering of the companies, that the record must show that so as to designate the companies, that Captain [Samuel] Smith, having been mustered in as a Captain before his commission was issued, the Adjutant General said he must resign in the regular way to get out of the service, that he did not know until Smith came to Columbus that he had been mustered into the service, and that Captain Richeson would explain as to the rule of promotion and what the Adjutant General said as to appointment. Bears a note dated May 5, 1862, from DeCourcy, Cumberland Ford, to the Adjutant General of Ohio; stating that he would feel obliged by having Welker's letter returned to him.
4 pp. [Series 147-35: 99, 100]
January 12, 1862
Durbin Ward, Somerset, Kentucky. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that Tod would be inaugurated before his communication arrived, that he was therefore taking the liberty of addressing Tod as Governor, that he had not seen Tod since they were at Charleston and Baltimore together, that Tod might not have observed that he had, in one capacity or another, given himself up entirely to the war from the very day that news reached them of the assault upon Ft. Moultrie and Ft. Sumter, that having had no previous military training, he refused all office and served at first in the ranks, that subsequently, he served as Brigade Quartermaster in Western Virginia, that returning in August 1861, he was appointed Major of the 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that since October 1, 1861, he had been with his regiment in Kentucky, that they were at the battle of Wild Cat and had constantly been further advanced towards the Tennessee line than any regiment in the service, that his object in calling these matters to Tod's notice was one personal to himself, that although very agreeably situated in his present regiment and on the most friendly relations with the other field officers, he preferred to have command of a regiment, that for years past, his habits of thought and action had tended to make such a command more agreeable to him and more useful to the service than his present position, that he did not seek the command of a regiment at first because of his ignorance of military tactics, but the studious application of nine months had, he hoped, removed that objection, that he was now willing to undertake the task and was too patriotic and too proud to wish such a responsibility if not competent to meet it, that if Tod thought the interests of the service would be subserved thereby, he should be happy to accept promotion to the place indicated when a vacancy occurred in any regiment, and that if it was thought best to leave him in his present position, he would cheerfully remain at his post; congratulating the State upon securing Tod's services as Governor at "this perilous crisis"; and expressing his sincere conviction that Tod's administration would reflect honor on their beloved commonwealth.
3 pp. [Series 147-35: 101]
January 14, 1862
James P.T. Carter, Colonel, 2nd Regiment, East Tennessee Volunteers, and R.K. Byrd, Colonel, 1st Regiment, East Tennessee Volunteers, Camp near Somerset, Kentucky. To General L[orenzo] Thomas, Adjutant General, U.S.A. Letter stating that General [Samuel P.] Carter of the East Tennessee Brigade having preferred a request that Thomas should give Charles L. Olds a commission in the line in order that he might act as a staff officer in their brigade, they took pleasure in saying that from their acquaintance with Olds and their knowledge of his capacity in military affairs, they were convinced that he would give satisfaction not only to themselves and to their regiments, but to all with whom and for whom he might be called to transact business, that Olds was formerly a resident of West Tennessee and in the Spring of 1861 was compelled to leave his home and his property because of his attachment to the Union, that a commission in the Confederate army was offered to Olds which he refused to accept and going to Ohio, he enlisted as a Private in the 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that Olds was promoted to Sergeant and had given full satisfaction to his regimental officers who were willing to give him up only on condition that he obtained a position more in accordance with his merits, and that if their recommendation and wishes could have any weight in procuring Olds a commission for the purpose they had named, they were most cheerfully tendered to him and for him.
1 p. [Series 147-35: 113]
January 14, 1862
S[amuel] P. Carter, Acting Brigadier General, Commanding 12th Brigade, Headquarters, Somerset, Kentucky. To Adjutant General L[orenzo] Thomas, U.S. Army. Letter stating that he took pleasure in recommending Sergeant Charles L. Olds, now of the 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for a Lieutenant's commission in the army; and requesting that Olds be assigned to duty on his staff.
1 p. [Series 147-35: 117]
January 14, 1862
J[ohn] M. Connell, Colonel, M[arshall] F. Moore, Lieutenant Colonel, and Durbin Ward, Major, 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Somerset, Kentucky. To ? Letter stating that understanding that Sergeant C[harles] L. Olds of the 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry had been recommended for appointment to a Lieutenancy in the army with a view to his occupying a position on General [Samuel P.] Carter's staff, they took pleasure in saying that they believed him in every way well qualified for the position; and requesting Olds' promotion.
1 p. [Series 147-35: 115]
January 30, 1862
E[zra] Ricketts, [Captain, Company F, 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry], Camp Somerset. To M.A. Daugherty. Letter written on behalf of L[eonard] C. Butch, a member of his company, whose merits were worthy of a station far above the one he now occupied in the 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and stating that Butch had now been five months in service and was well versed in discipline and the military tactics besides being an active, energetic, and industrious young man, that Butch would honor any station that he might be appointed to, that there were vacancies of commissioned officers frequently occurring in their regiment and he knew of none better qualified to fill them than Butch, that there was now a vacancy in his company occasioned by the resignation of Lieutenant [Irvin] Linn, that he hoped Daugherty would use his influence to get Butch a situation either in his company or some other in the regiment, that if Daugherty could not succeed in this, he wished him to try to get Butch a place in some other regiment, and that Daugherty was well acquainted with Butch's moral habits.
1 p. [Series 147-35: 110]
January 30, 1862
E[zra] Ricketts, [Captain, Company F, 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry], Camp Somerset. To Colonel J[ohn] M. Connell. Letter stating that the Lieutenant Colonel handed him the Adjutant General's acceptance of Lieutenant [Irvin] Linn's resignation and it would perhaps be necessary to act promptly in order to have the vacancy filled by some competent person and at the same time give satisfaction to the company, that he was aware of the difficulty of making any appointment that would meet with the approbation of all and meritorious persons should not be sacrificed to accomplish that end, however desirable it might be, that as to the propriety of promoting Lieutenant [Daniel P.] Sullivan to the 1st Lieutenancy he had no doubt, that as to the 2nd, he would gladly be rid of saying a word, that had it not been for the conversation with Connell some time ago, he would not venture a suggestion, that he expected Connell to use his own judgment in sending in the recommendation, that several of the boys had spoken to him in reference to the matter while others, perhaps equally meritorious, had said nothing on the subject, that Oliver B. Brandt was perhaps the best tactician besides being a strictly moral, fearless fellow, that he thought Brandt would give general satisfaction in the company, that if Connell saw fit to recommend anyone out of the company, he would suggest Stick who would probably make a good officer and be satisfactory, that the matter was left entirely with Connell, and that if Connell saw fit to recommend anyone else, he would be satisfied. Bears a note dated February 13, 1862, from Connell; approving the recommendation of Oliver B. Brandt, Sergeant in Ricketts' company, for promotion to a 2nd Lieutenancy; and requesting his appointment.
2 pp. [Series 147-35: 114]
February 1, 1862
T.F. Wildes, Athens, Athens County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that he understood from his friends that an effort was being made to secure the promotion of Captain C.H. Rippey of the 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that he was acquainted with Rippey and knew him to be an excellent young man, that Rippey was a student of Ohio University and was a good scholar, that Rippey was in the three months' service as a Lieutenant, came home at the end of that service, and filled up a company in a very few days and went into the three years' service, that Rippey had been in the numerous engagements in which the 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry had taken part and had, on every occasion, proven himself a true soldier and competent officer, and that Rippey's friends would consider his promotion as an honor worthily bestowed.
2 pp. [Series 147-35: 106]
February 2, 1862
H.C. Whitman, Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that Lieutenant Colonel [Cyrus W.] Grant of the 31st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry had resigned and was seeking the appointment for a civilian friend, that said civilian friend ought not to have the place while a single officer could be found who had shown capacity and energy in actual service, that their soldiers and officers in the field had borne the brunt of the storm and endured toil and danger for the good cause, and they should be promoted as fast as opportunities arose, that by this means, their volunteers would be encouraged to enthusiasm, and that if promotions were to be made from civilians (and at the eleventh hour) over the heads of those who went into service early in the day and had done their whole duty nobly, it must sadden and dispirit their army; requesting that the vacancy mentioned be filled by the appointment of Captain Charles H. Rippey, now of the 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry in Kentucky; and stating that Rippey resided in Logan, Hocking County, Ohio, that the breaking out of the rebellion found Rippey in college, that Rippey was the son of a prominent and wealthy man, that if Rippey had been less ardent as a patriot than he was, he could have smugly reposed in the quiet safety and care of his pleasant position in life, that Rippey at once joined the 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (three months' service) and was through the whole of that time in western Virginia in hard and toilsome service, that Rippey made himself a fine soldier and officer and was beloved by all who knew him, that at the end of his three months' service, Rippey returned and at once raised a company in his county for the war, that Rippey had ever since been on active service in Kentucky, that Rippey was a man of unsullied honor, correct habits in all respects, fine talents, well educated, brave, and as patriotic as man could be, that Rippey was thoroughly qualified for the post of Lieutenant Colonel, that Rippey was beloved by all officers and men in his present regiment, that while Rippey's regiment would regret the loss of his services, they would rejoice at his well earned promotion, and that he hoped Tod would promote Rippey and that they would have at least one Governor in the North who had not in vain read the lessons of Bonaparte's careful attention to promotion in his army and the consequent good effects.
4 pp. [Series 147-35: 107]
February 3, 1862
S. Howard, President, Ohio University, Athens, Athens County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that Charles H. Rippey was formerly a student of Ohio University and sustained an honorable position in his classes, that at the call of the President of the United States for men to put down the rebellion, Rippey was among the first to respond, that Rippey had shown himself to be a brave and successful officer, and that if Tod should promote Rippey to a higher position, he had no doubt Rippey would acquit himself honorably and ably.
1 p. [Series 147-35: 107]
February 5, 1862
M.A. Daugherty, Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio. To the Honorable A[lfred] McVeigh, Ohio Senate. Letter stating that the extra judge in that district was in the Portsmouth subdivision, that as to the necessity of having one there, he could not say, that Judge Peck would probably know, and that he was enclosing a letter just received from Captain [Ezra] Ricketts as to the promotion of Leonard C. Butch who it seemed was only a Private; requesting that McVeigh advise him as to Butch's prospects; and stating that he was very anxious for Butch's appointment and hoped McVeigh would do all he could for it.
1 p. [Series 147-35: 109]
February 5, 1862
Alfred McVeigh, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that he had been advised that there would be a vacancy in the company commanded by Captain Ezra Ricketts created by the resignation of Erwin Linn as 1st Lieutenant of said company of the 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that he desired to present the name of Leonard C. Butch as a proper and suitable person to be appointed a 2nd Lieutenant of said company, that Butch was now a Sergeant of said company and was well qualified for the position, that he understood that Ricketts desired Butch's appointment, that Butch was active in raising said company and it was expected that he would have been made one of the Lieutenants at its organization, that owing to certain combinations, Butch failed and was compelled to take a subordinate position in said company, and that if anything could be done for his friend Butch, he would feel as though justice had been done.
2 pp. [Series 147-35: 104]
February 7, 1862
Alfred McVeigh, [Ohio] Senate Chamber. To Governor David Tod. Letter enclosing a letter from Captain [Ezra] Ricketts of the 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry in relation to the appointment of Leonard C. Butch to a Lieutenancy in said regiment and also a letter from M.A. Daugherty; and stating that he hoped Tod might give the application a favorable consideration for he was satisfied that it would be rewarding merit.
1 p. [Series 147-35: 111]
February 16, 1862
Charles Whittlesey, Colonel, 20th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the field before Fort Donelson. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that the resignation of Captain J[ames] Powers of Company H, 20th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry had been accepted by General [Don Carlos] Buell; recommending William Rogers of Company A, the senior 1st Lieutenant of the regiment, for promotion to the vacancy, 2nd Lieutenant Lyman Ayers of Company A, senior 2nd Lieutenant of the regiment, for promotion to 1st Lieutenant of Company A, and Peter Weatherby, 1st Sergeant of Company A, for promotion to 2nd Lieutenant of Company A; and stating that Rogers, Ayers, and Weatherby were thoroughly competent gentlemen and in the regular line of promotion.
1 p. [Series 147-35: 143]
March 6, 1862
R.P. Johnson, Surgeon to University and Barracks Hospitals, and Brigade Surgeon, 14th Brigade, 5th Division, Hospitals, Camp Andrew Jackson, Nashville, Tennessee. To Governor David Tod. Letter commending Dr. John G. Purple, Assistant Surgeon, 20th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry to Tod's favorable notice as an efficient, energetic, and competent physician and surgeon worthy of promotion; and stating that the 20th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry was not at his post, but having been informed while at Ft. Donelson that the regiment was en route to Nashville, Purple came on with the army and was assigned to duty with him as Assistant Surgeon in the hospitals at Camp Andrew Jackson by the Medical Director.
1 p. [Series 147-35: 139]
March 13, 1862
Joel Haines, Captain, and Company, Camp Thomas, near Nashville, Tennessee. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that his request was the prayer of all the members of Company C, 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; asking Buckingham to promote Caleb B. Sharp, now Orderly Sergeant and one of their best men, as 2nd Lieutenant of Company C in place of Joseph H. Pool who had been promoted to 1st Lieutenant of said company; and stating that a report said that Buckingham had promoted a Sergeant out of Company F, that the man who was said to have the promotion had not been with the regiment for a month and there was no telling when he would come as he was said to be sick at Danville, Kentucky, that according to Buckingham's General Order No. 3, Sharp was the man entitled to promotion and the Colonel said he would recommend Sharp, that for reference, Buckingham should call on the Honorable B[enjamin] Stanton who was well acquainted with Sharp, and that his 1st Lieutenant had been sick for the last two months and he needed some help in the way of commissioned officers as he was nearly run down.
1 p. [Series 147-35: 112]
March 17, 1862
Charles R. Harmon, 1st Lieutenant, Company H, 24th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and Recruiting Officer, Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that he failed to find a copy of the third volume (evolutions of the line) of Scott's tactics at Louisville, Cincinnati, or Cleveland, that it was issued by the Government to General [Don Carlos] Buell's column in December to the field, that he sought a copy because he intended to join the field himself, and that if the Adjutant General's department had the third volume, he wished Buckingham would express him a copy.
1 p. [Series 147-35: 168]
March 30, 1862
J[ohn] M. Connell, Colonel, 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Columbia, Tennessee. To Governor [David Tod]. Letter stating that William H. Eagle, 2nd Lieutenant, Company G, 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry having resigned, he desired to recommend the appointment of Thomas R. Thatcher, Sergeant Major of the regiment, to fill the vacancy, that this would represent a suspension of the usual rule, that Thatcher was instrumental in getting up Company G and at one time was selected as 1st Lieutenant, but, after a consolidation of two companies and a second election, he was beaten by one or two votes, that Thatcher was a very fine officer, was an attorney with a practice in Wilmington, Ohio, and had a family dependant upon him, that such was Thatcher's force of character that he at once went into the ranks and carried a musket as a Private until appointed as Sergeant Major, that Thatcher was better qualified for the position and more deserving of promotion than any officer or man in the regiment, and that he trusted Thatcher would receive the promotion his merit so well deserved.
2 pp. [Series 147-35: 102]
March 31, 1862
Durbin Ward, Columbia, Tennessee. To the Honorable John Quincey Smith. Letter stating that Tom Thatcher, a young lawyer from Wilmington, was in his regiment (17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry) as Sergeant Major, that Thatcher belonged to Company G composed of men from Warren County and Clinton County, that the 2nd Lieutenancy was vacant in Company G or would be as soon as the necessary forms were complied with, that Thatcher was not only in the regular line of promotion, but ought to be promoted independent of his ranking, that Company G was made up by the combination of two fractional companies, one from Warren County and one from Clinton County, that the Warren County boys outnumbered the Clinton County boys by three votes and so elected a Captain and 2nd Lieutenant from that county, that Thatcher had been 1st Lieutenant in the Clinton County company so far as it had gone and did as much as anyone to raise it, that in the new arrangement, Thatcher was beaten by county lines and three votes, that Thatcher had since patiently acted as Sergeant Major and performed his duty well, that as Thatcher was from Smith's county, it was hoped he would see the Governor on Thatcher's behalf, that Thatcher was recommended by the Colonel, that they were now moving heavy columns of men to the southward and before long, Smith might expect news, and that they expected their columns to have a pitched battle before April closed.
2 pp. [Series 147-35: 108]
March 31, 1862
Charles Whittlesey, Colonel, 20th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Crumps Landing, Tennessee River. To Governor David Tod. Letter recommending Sergeant Henry O. Dwight of Company D, 20th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of 2nd Lieutenant Herman H. Sherwin; and stating that Dwight had been temporarily assigned to the place and was the best appointment from Sergeants that could be made. Bears a note dated April 7, 1862, from J.C. Kelton, Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters, Department of the Mississippi, approving the recommendation and forwarding the letter to the Governor of Ohio. By order of Major General [Henry] Halleck.
2 pp. [Series 147-35: 138]
March 31, 1862
Charles Whittlesey, Colonel, 20th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Crumps Landing, Tennessee River. To Governor David Tod. Letter recommending Sergeant Henry O. Dwight of Company D, 20th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of 2nd Lieutenant Herman H. Sherwin, Company H; and stating that Dwight was now acting 2nd Lieutenant in the absence of Sherwin and was the best selection that could be made from Sergeants.
1 p. [Series 147-35: 141]
April 4, 1862
John F. DeCourcy, Colonel, 16th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Cumberland Ford, Kentucky. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that he was informed that some of the officers of the regiment under his command were about to be promoted to higher grades in the new Tennessee regiments now in process of formation, that these promotions would create at least one vacancy among the field officers, that should such vacancy be created, he deemed it his duty to call the attention of the Governor of Ohio to the great claims to promotion which Adjutant C[ushman] Cunningham had earned for himself since undertaking the constant and difficult duties of the Adjutancy, that Cunningham had never been absent from or neglectful of any of the duties which were within the limits of his office, that above all, great praise was due to Cunningham for always showing a perfect command of temper, even at those moments when great energy and rapidity of execution were demanded, that when, on March 22, the regiment was under fire at the "Gap", Cunningham's cool and gallant bearing satisfied him that he had most of the qualifications which were required to make a good soldier, that he felt a large share of the praise accorded to the good conduct and discipline of the regiment was due to Cunningham, that Cunningham was ever energetic in seeing his orders obeyed and in reporting any neglect of them, that the merits of Cunningham entitled him to promotion to a Majority, that he would consider a Captain's commission to be a poor reward for Cunningham's services, that he had marked his communication "confidential" and requested that it remain so, and that there was a great excitement in the regiment about these promotions and nearly one half the Captains were looking forward and expecting to fill the vacant Majority.
4 pp. [Series 147-35: 91]
April 4, 1862
R[obert] W.P. Muse, Captain, 16th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp "Cumberland Ford", Knox County, Kentucky. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that his letter would be handed to Tod by Lieutenant Moore of the 16th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that Moore was visiting Columbus on business for the service, that he took pleasure in introducing Moore to Tod's acquaintance, that Moore was well posted on the region of Cumberland Gap from observation and could give Tod some idea of the rebel mountain stronghold, that there would be a vacancy in the office of Major in the 16th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that he was an applicant for the office and trusted Tod would see proper to give him the appointment, that he was the senior Captain in the regiment and, by military rule, entitled to the promotion, and that he trusted Tod would remember one of his old friends when filling the vacancy.
1 p. [Series 147-35: 95]
April 4, 1862
H. Thrall, Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters, Mountain Department, Wheeling, Western Virginia. To Lieutenant Colonel William P. Richardson. Special Orders No. 17; stating that Lieutenant Colonel William P. Richardson, 25th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry would proceed to Columbus, Ohio to procure, if practicable at that point, such articles of ordnance and ordnance stores as might be necessary to the full equipment of his regiment for active service. By command of Major General [John C.] Fremont.
1 p. [Series 147-35: 190]
April 5, 1862
M.A. Daugherty, Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio. To the Honorable A[lfred] McVeigh. Letter stating that he understood that the Captain and 1st Lieutenant of Company C, 17th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry had resigned or were about to resign and that the 2nd Lieutenant of Company G had resigned, that it was supposed by his information that 1st Lieutenant [Aaron P.] Ashbrook of Company B would be appointed Captain of Company C, and that this would leave three Lieutenants to be appointed; asking if McVeigh could get Leonard C. Butch the appointment for one of these places; and stating that Butch would have been made 1st Lieutenant in the first organization of Company F if whisky had not interposed in favor of Irvin Linn who, as the result showed, should never have been appointed.
1 p. [Series 147-35: 103]
April 5, 1862
Henry S. Wetmore, Captain, 9th Independent Battery, Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery, Headquarters, Camp Cumberland Ford, [Kentucky]. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that as a friend of Captain R[obert] W.P. Muse, 16th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he was writing that the position of Major in said regiment was now vacant in consequence of the former Major having accepted a position in a regiment of Tennesseeans now forming, that Muse was an officer who had studied well his duties and enjoyed the reputation of being a good military man, that Muse was the senior Captain of the 16th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and that this combined with Muse's knowledge were reasons why he desired to see him attain the Majority of the 16th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-35: 93]
April 7, 1862
W[illiam] R. Monroe, Captain, Company F, 16th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Patton, Near Cumberland Ford, [Kentucky]. To the Honorable R[ichard] Harrison. Letter stating that they had been encamped at and near Cumberland Ford for some two months, that from their own observations, they were satisfied that their present force was not sufficient to take the "Gap", that they had to wait for reinforcements or for the rebels to evacuate, one or the other, that he hardly knew which it would be, that Major Phillip Kershner had been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the 4th Tennessee Regiment and consequently there was a vacancy in the 16th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that the Colonel of their regiment was very desirous of having Adjutant C[ushman] Cunningham appointed to fill the vacancy, that Cunningham was not entitled to the place or qualified to fill it, that he had been requested by the officers of the regiment to ask Harrison to use his influence with the Governor of Ohio in favor of Captain Milton Mills who had been unanimously recommended by the company officers of the regiment, that he hoped Harrison would give this matter a few moments consideration as the officers and men of the regiment were very much interested in the subject, and that they were satisfied that there would be a strong effort made to put certain men in to fill the vacancy who were not entitled to or capable of filling the position and who would not be satisfactory to the officers and men of the regiment.
2 pp. [Series 147-35: 94]
April 7, 1862
R[obert] W.P. Muse, Captain, Company A, 16th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp "Cumberland Ford", Knox County, Kentucky. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that the office of Major was about to become vacant in the 16th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry by the resignation of P[hilip] Kershner who was offered a Lieutenant Colonelship in one of the new Tennessee regiments now in process of formation near Camp "Cumberland Ford", that he desired the appointment and would be gratified to receive it, that he was the senior Captain of the regiment and, by the rules governing the military service of the U.S., entitled to fill the vacancy, all other considerations being equal, that a caucus nomination had been made in the person of Captain [Milton] Mills of Company D and his name would probably be urged for the vacancy, that Mills was a worthy gentleman and officer and he had no word to utter against him, that there might be other applicants, but he did not know of such, that his friends advised him that if he attended the meeting (caucus) and participated in the nomination, he would be honorably bound to sustain the nominee and to some extent sink his right to the appointment by ranking position, that for this reason, he declined to attend the meeting, that he sent a letter to that effect and stated his reasons at the same time, that he was therefore in no way bound by the recommendation, that he had some friends in and out of the meeting at the time, that he had raised two companies for the war at great cost and had sacrificed a good deal for the cause, that he would not like to see juniors promoted over him in the regiment and by such a course, that if Tod thought the interests of the regiment and cause would be promoted by his promotion to the Majorship, he would be gratified, and that he had labored many days, weeks, and months to elevate and promote Tod.
2 pp. [Series 147-35: 92]
April 9, 1862
M[anning] F. Force, Lieutenant Colonel Commanding, 20th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp near Pittsburg Landing [Shiloh]. To Major General [Henry] Halleck, Commanding Department of the Mississippi. Letter stating that in case Henry Sherman be dropped from his rank of 2nd Lieutenant in Company D, 20th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he recommended that Arthur H. Humiston, now Sergeant Major, be appointed in Sherman's place, that Humiston had given great satisfaction in his present place, and that Colonel [Charles] Whittlesey, now commanding the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, Army of West Tennessee, concurred in the recommendation. Bears a note dated April 14, 1862, from J.C. Kelton, Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters, Department of the Mississippi, forwarding the letter to the Governor of Ohio with recommendation that the promotion be granted. By order of Major General [Henry] Halleck.
2 pp. [Series 147-35: 140]