April 3, 1862
L[ewis] Y. Richards, Captain, Company A, et. al., 68th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp near Crump's Landing, Tennessee. To Samuel H. Steedman, Colonel, 68th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Copy of letter signed by twenty-six commissioned officers of the 68th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; stating that for some time they had been convinced that the interests of the regiment demanded a change in the command; requesting that Steedman resign his present position; and stating that Steedman was totally incompetent for the position he now held both as regarded physical ability and the knowledge of military matters for the discharge of so high a trust, that they had now been in the service some months and Steedman had never drilled the regiment at all nor even given the commands on dress parade except when prompted by those inferior to him in rank, that Steedman had so far neglected his duties relative to the regulation and supervision of the departments belonging to the regiment that the lives and health of their men had been endangered thereby, that they refrained from addressing other reasons for requesting Steedman's resignation, that others might be, but they would readily occur to Steedman, that Steedman was aware that their men were discouraged, sick, and dying, that they had lost more men by sickness than any other Ohio regiment in the field, that their regiment was now totally unfit for service, that the men who were well (brave and patriotic as they knew them to be) would not fight if led by Steedman, that it was a fact too well known to need any proof that men would not fight under a leader in whom they had lost all confidence, that they sincerely regretted the necessity that compelled them to make this request of Steedman, that Steedman might rest assured that should he see fit to retire to private life, they would do all in their power to make his exit from the field appear honorable in the eyes of his friends, and that they hoped Steedman would take the matter into consideration and act upon it promptly.
3 pp. [Series 147-37: 80]

[April 3, 1862]
Copy of charges and specifications against Colonel Samuel H. Steedman, 68th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The charges include neglect of duty, fraud, and conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline. Signed by L[ewis] Y. Richards, Captain, Company A, Arthur Crockett, Captain, Company D, and W[esley] W. Bowen, Captain, Company F, 68th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
4 pp. [Series 147-37: 79]

April 3, 1862
Orland Smith, Colonel, 73rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Weston, Virginia. To ? Special Order No. ?; stating that in pursuance of the expressed desire of a large majority of the company commanders and other officers of the 73rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Reverend Joseph Hill, Methodist Episcopal of Ohio, was appointed Chaplain for said regiment, and that should Hill accept, he would, upon receipt of his commission, please report to headquarters either at Weston or wherever they might be at the time.
1 p. [Series 147-37: 110]

April 5, 1862
H[enry] B. Hunter, Lieutenant Colonel, 61st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that he understood that the office of Lieutenant Colonel in the 69th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry was not yet filled, that it occurred to him that he might possibly be assigned to that regiment, that he therefore went out to Camp Chase that morning and had a conversation with Colonel [Lewis D.] Campbell in relation to the matter, that the arrangement was satisfactory to Campbell, but he did not desire to do or say anything in the matter on account of his having had application for the place by one or two of his personal friends, that if the giving of the office to any other than himself would better serve the interests of the department, then he did not desire to interfere or be considered an applicant, that if the matter was to be decided on the merits of services rendered in recruiting, then he thought his case ought to be considered, that they had now recruited eleven or twelve companies, most of which had been transferred to other regiments, that Campbell had gotten two of these companies, and that in this way, he supposed they had rendered as good service as any other field officers in the state.
2 pp. [Series 147-37: 78]

April 6, 1862
Florence J. O'Sullivan, 1st Sergeant, Company D, 67th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Union Hospital, Winchester, Virginia. To the Honorable James Myers. Letter requesting Myers' aid in obtaining promotion to the 2nd Lieutenancy of Company D, 67th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and stating that they had a hard fight at Winchester on March 23, that a good many of their men were killed and wounded, that he got shot in the left arm, the ball entering at the point of the elbow, glancing along the bone, and lodging in the back of the hand, that it was only a flesh wound and he would be well in two weeks, that their men behaved nobly and fought well, and that there was not a coward on the field belonging to the Union. Bears a note from Myers supporting the promotion.
2 pp. [Series 147-37: 67]

April 6, 1862
J[ohn] W. Sprague, Colonel, 63rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, New Madrid, Missouri. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter regarding the resignation of Lieutenant [Thomas A.P.] Champlin as Regimental Quartermaster; and recommending the appointment of Holly Skinner to fill the vacancy.
3 pp. [Series 147-37: 26]

April 6, [1862]
List of promoted field officers of the 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-37: 100]

April 7, 1862
James R. Challen, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that there was a Private in the 69th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry to whom he would call Tod's attention, that said Private was the son of Dr. James Challen of Philadelphia who was perhaps know to Tod as a preacher, editor, and author, that said Private's name was Thurston C. Challen, that Challen had received a thorough collegiate education and was ambitious to excel, possessed a bright and spotless character, and was therefore entitled to a higher and wider field of usefulness, that Challen was one of the first to rush to arms when the war broke out and had ever since made the profession of arms his constant and diligent study and practice, that Challen came to the West by request, to aid in forming, drilling, and disciplining the 69th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that Challen was the first drillmaster in Camp Hamilton when the regiment was organized, and acted as Lieutenant or Captain for the first three or four months of the existence of the regiment, that Challen was promised the appointment of 2nd Lieutenant, but was needed in camp to instruct and drill and was therefore retained there, that when the companies were permanently organized, the Adjutant General decided that commissions should be issued to recruiting officers in rank according to the number of men they recruited, that the ten who recruited the highest number were Captains and the ten who obtained the second and third from these were commissioned 1st and 2nd Lieutenants, that Challen was thus ruled out for although he had freely spent his money and obtained a few men, yet his principal duty and occupation had been drilling the men, that when it was evident that Challen and other worthy men would be ruled out by individuals whose greatest merit was that they had the largest number of recruits enrolled, Challen was assured by Colonel [Lewis D.] Campbell that he would not be forgotten and be given a place if one could be found worthy of him, that Challen had been forgotten, that Campbell could not and dared not deny Challen's superior qualifications and eminent worthiness, that if Tod had a Lieutenancy in a command or as an aid, on the staff or in the line, it should be given to Challen, that this would be an act of justice and benefit the service, that if there was no such vacancy, Tod could at least detach Challen to some duty where his sphere of usefulness would be enlarged, and that Challen's present position was too circumscribed for his capabilities, but he was too modest to push himself forward.
3 pp. [Series 147-37: 77]

April 7, 1862
Richard Mott, Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter enclosing a letter from 1st Lieutenant [Charles] Hennessey of Company D, 67th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; endorsing the request that Florence J. O'Sullivan, now Orderly Sergeant in said company, might be appointed to fill the vacant 2nd Lieutenancy; and stating that O'Sullivan was a resident of Toledo, a steady, reliable man, and fully suitable for the post, that O'Sullivan would make an efficient officer, and that knowing O'Sullivan well, he could speak with confidence in his behalf.
2 pp. [Series 147-37: 45]

April 10, 1862
John McGill, Agency of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway Company, Orrville, Wayne County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter requesting that Henry McGill be appointed 2nd Lieutenant in Company I, 64th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry in place of Thomas McGill deceased.
1 p. [Series 147-37: 31]

April 12, 1862
W[illiam] Mungen, Colonel, 57th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, 3rd Brigade, 5th Division, District of Tennessee, Pittsburg Landing. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that in consequence of the death in battle of Lieutenant Colonel [Barton S.] Kyle of the 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, a vacancy existed in the field officers, that being personally acquainted with Adjutant James Hart of the 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry for a long time and knowing him both as a soldier and civilian, he took great pleasure in recommending him as a suitable person to fill the position of Major in said regiment, the present Major being promoted to the position of Lieutenant Colonel, and that Hart was an intelligent and capable gentleman.
1 p. [Series 147-37: 87]

April 12, 1862
S[ilas] B. Walker, Headquarters, 57th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp Pittsburg. To the Honorable G. V[olney] Dorsey. Letter stating that he presumed Dorsey had heard of the tremendous battle at that point [Shiloh], and of the complete rout of the rebels and the glorious triumph of their arms, that he would not consequently attempt a description of it, which abler pens than his could never do justice to, that his object in writing was to request Dorsey to use his influence to secure the appointment of James H. Hart as Major of the 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that he was informed that Hart behaved well during the conflict and gave all the aid he could by word and deed to encourage and cheer the men, and that he did not wish to interfere in the private affairs of another regiment, but his letter was dictated by personal friendship for Hart as well as the desire to do justice to a gallant officer and promote the best interests of the service.
1 p. [Series 147-37: 88]

April 14, 1862
James H. Hart, Battle Ground [Shiloh], near Pittsburg, Tennessee. To the Honorable Sampson Mason. Letter commending Sergeant Major Samuel J. McConnell of the 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry to Mason's favorable consideration; stating that McConnell was a citizen of Springfield, well and favorably known there, that McConnell had been connected with the regiment since its organization, that during all that time, McConnell had deported himself as a soldier and a gentleman, that McConnell was ever prompt in the discharge of his duty whether in camp or on the field of battle, that McConnell was kind, obliging, and subordinate, that McConnell had earned for himself a good name as a soldier, that McConnell had more than ordinary skill and accomplishments as a tactician, and that in the battle of April 6 and 7 [Shiloh], no man of the army bore himself with more gallantry or determined bravery than did McConnell; urging Mason to use his influence to procure for McConnell the appointment of 1st Lieutenant in the 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and stating that said promotion would be the just reward of true merit. Bears the endorsement of C[yrus] W. Fisher, Major, 54th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
2 pp. [Series 147-37: 85]

April 14, 1862
J[ames] H. Hart, near Pittsburg, Tennessee. To the Honorable W.B. McLung. Letter stating that the death of the lamented Lieutenant Colonel [Barton S.] Kyle would make a vacancy in the Majority of the 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that he was an applicant for said place, that he thought his conduct in the battle of Shiloh entitled him to the position, that his conduct was specially commended to General [William T.] Sherman by Colonel [David] Stuart of the 55th Illinois with whom they were brigaded, that he wanted McLung to use his influence to secure him the place, that they had a hard fought battle of two days [Shiloh], that they got the worst of it on April 6, but decidedly the best on April 7, when they retook their camps from which they had been driven on Sunday and drove the enemy back to Corinth, that the rebels fought like devils, and that General [William] Nelson identified the body of [Albert Sidney] Johnston which was buried in their camp; and providing references in regard to the place he sought.
2 pp. [Series 147-37: 97]

April 14, [1862]
James H. Hart, Pittsburg, Tennessee. To the Honorable P[eter] Odlin. Letter requesting Odlin's assistance in procuring the appointment of Major in the 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
1 p. [Series 147-37: 98]

April 14, 1862
Thomas Kilby Smith, Colonel, 54th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Shiloh, Tennessee. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that he wished to bear testimony in favor of Lieutenant James H. Hart, Adjutant of the 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, so that Tod might give Hart the promotion his gallantry entitled him to, that Hart was by his side at the battle of Pittsburgh [Shiloh] from the time the 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry broke on Sunday until the rebels were routed on Monday evening, that on Tuesday morning, with his handful of followers, Hart was prompt in line, that in the thickest of the fight, Hart was always to be found, cool and self-possessed, with dauntless bravery, rallying and keeping the soldiers in line, that Hart afforded him most valuable assistance as acting aide in the transmission of orders given by General [William T.] Sherman, that he believed they owed to Hart, as much as to any other officer save Sherman, the victory of Monday, that he was writing warmly on Hart's behalf, but not more so than deserved, that he hoped his letter would receive due consideration, and that Hart ought to be made Lieutenant Colonel of the 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry in place of [Barton S.] Kyle who was killed in battle.
2 pp. [Series 147-37: 95]

April 14, 1862
David Stuart, Colonel, 55th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers and Acting Brigadier General, Commanding 2nd Brigade, 5th (Sherman's) Division, Headquarters, Shiloh, near Pittsburg Landing. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that a vacancy had been made in the 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry by the death of Lieutenant Colonel [Barton S.] Kyle who was killed in the battle of Shiloh on the morning of April 6, that commanding the 2nd Brigade in that "dreadful" battle, he had an opportunity of observing and knowing who were the deserving men and meritorious officers, that in his brigade, he felt true merit should be recognized and rewarded without regard to any other considerations, that the Adjutant of the 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Lieutenant James H. Hart, distinguished himself beyond all other officers of his regiment on the two days of the battle of Shiloh, that after the 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry broke, Hart, together with a few men (about 20) who were as brave and resolute as himself, joined the ranks of the 55th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers and there continued to fight with determined courage in the hottest and thickest of the fight during both terrible days, that Hart had earned promotion beyond one degree, that Hart was immeasurably better fitted and more deserving of the Majority than any Captain or man in the 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that he trusted Hart's merit would be recognized, and that he desired to see justice done to a gallant and brave officer who, under his own eye, had earned more than he asked for him.
2 pp. [Series 147-37: 96]

April 14, 1862
John J. Williams, Shiloh Camp. To the Honorable J[ohn] Bartram. Letter recommending Henry McGill for a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in Company I, 64th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry in place of his brother, Thomas McGill deceased; and stating that Henry McGill was in every way deserving of the place, that Henry McGill was possessed of good habits, honor, and honesty, and that Henry McGill used great efforts in recruiting Company I and his appointment would give great satisfaction.
2 pp. [Series 147-37: 34]

April 15, 1862
R[alph] P. Buckland, Colonel, 72nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Commanding 4th Brigade, Headquarters, 5th Division, Camp Shiloh. To General W[illiam] T. Sherman, Commanding Division. Letter recommending various promotions and appointments in the 72nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Bears a note from Sherman approving the recommendations, and referring the letter to the Governor of Ohio. The note was written for Sherman who was unable to hold a pen from a wound received in the battle of April 6 [Shiloh].
2 pp. [Series 147-37: 103]

April 15, 1862
R. Morris Copeland, Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters, Department of the Shenandoah, Woodstock, Virginia. Official copy of Special Orders No. 25; stating that 1st Lieutenant Wilson Martin, Company K, 66th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry had tendered his resignation and was honorably discharged from the service of the United States. By command of Major General [Nathaniel P.] Banks. Signed by Charles Candy, Colonel, 66th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Commanding Regiment and Post.
1 p. [Series 147-37: 54]

April 16, 1862
John Ferguson, Colonel, 64th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Battlefield, Shiloh, Tennessee. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that his companies were now small and if not recruited would be daily growing smaller, that two commissioned officers for each company were amply sufficient, that more would impose an expense on the Government which ought to be avoided, that he thought he knew the necessities of his regiment, that he hoped Buckingham would not fill any vacancies without consulting him, and that Buckingham could rest assured that he would recommend none to be filled unless it was absolutely necessary.
1 p. [Series 147-37: 30]

April 17, 1862
C[harles] A. Rowsey, Captain, Company D, 67th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Winchester, Virginia. To the Governor of Ohio. Letter recommending Orderly Sergeant Florence J. O'Sullivan of Company D, 67th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry for a commission as 2nd Lieutenant; and stating that O'Sullivan was wounded at the battle of Winchester and would be fit for duty in about ten days, and that O'Sullivan behaved with great courage on the battlefield until wounded and removed from the field. Bears the endorsement of W[illiam] S. Rosecrans, Brigadier General.
2 pp. [Series 147-37: 66]

April 18, 1862
David Putnam, Captain, et. al., Company E, 69th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. To Governor David Tod. Letter signed by seventy-one officers, non-commissioned officers, and Privates of Company E, 69th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and recommending Jacob J. Rarick of Company E as a suitable person to be appointed 1st Lieutenant in said company in place of John M. Boatman resigned. Bears the endorsement of Lewis D. Campbell, Colonel, 69th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
2 pp. [Series 147-37: 75]

April 19, 1862
J[ohn] H. Finfrock, Captain, Company F, 64th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp, Shiloh Battlefield. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that Dr. John Blecher, a Private in Company F, 64th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, deserved the place of Assistant Surgeon in some Ohio regiment, that Blecher had served faithfully in the ranks for six months, never having been off duty one day, and that Blecher had read medicine three years, attended a full course of lectures, and practiced medicine over eight years in Van Wert, Ohio; citing references; and stating that he hoped Tod would reward a deserving man.
1 p. [Series 147-37: 32]

April 20, 1862
Charles Candy, Colonel, 66th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Strasburg, Virginia. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that he had the honor to enclose a copy of a letter forwarded to Tod's address on March 27, 1862, asking for the promotion of Sergeant Major Robert Murdock of the 66th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and that for fear the original letter had miscarried, he was enclosing the duplicate.
1 p. [Series 147-37: 56]

April 20, 1862
Charles Candy, Colonel, 66th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Strasburg, Virginia. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that 1st Lieutenant Wilson Martin of Company K had resigned his position, that the resignation was accepted of in Special Orders No. 25, Headquarters, Department of the Shenandoah, Woodstock, Virginia, April 15, 1862, and that a copy was enclosed; requesting that a commission of 1st Lieutenant be issued to 2nd Lieutenant William A. Sampson of Company K to fill the vacancy; and stating that upon the recommendation of Captain J[oseph] H. Van Deman of Company K, he was requesting that 1st Sergeant William N. Clark of that company be commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant.
2 pp. [Series 147-37: 57]

April 21, 1862
S[ampson] Mason, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter recommending Sergeant Major Samuel J. McConnell, 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry for promotion to the office of 1st Lieutenant. Together with a letter dated April 22, 1862, from W.B. McLung, [Ohio] Senate Chamber, to Governor David Tod, supporting the recommendation.
3 pp. [Series 147-37: 84]

April 22, 1862
William Sawyer, E.M. Phelps, and Ben Metcalf, Wapakoneta, Auglaize County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that they were informed that Colonel [Rodney] Mason of the 71st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry had given a very flattering report of the conduct of Captain Gideon LeBlond in the battle of Pittsburg Landing [Shiloh] on April 6 and 7, that if this was found to be true, they would ask for LeBlond's promotion, that the regiment had been dishonored and it was reported that their colors were taken from them, that they did not pretend to decide who was to blame, that they did feel it was their duty to try and remove the stigma which attached to the regiment from those who performed their part well and had shown themselves gallant on the field, that they had every assurance that Captain LeBlond had done so, that with the death of Lieutenant Colonel [Barton S.] Kyle, there was a vacancy which would probably be filled by the next in rank who was Adjutant [James H.] Hart, that if so, Hart's place would have to be filled, that as a matter of strict justice, they were asking that Gideon LeBlond be appointed to the place vacated by Hart or some other place, that they thought LeBlond had honorably won the place by his acts of bravery, and that this promotion would help to wipe out the disgrace now attached to the regiment.
2 pp. [Series 147-37: 86]

April 24, 1862
John Bartram, House of Representatives, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that he had just received a request from Major J[ohn] J. Williams, 64th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry asking him to solicit from Tod the appointment of Henry McGill to the office of 2nd Lieutenant in Company I of said regiment in place of his brother, Thomas McGill deceased, that he was not acquainted with the young man mentioned except from the character given him by Williams, that he should think Henry McGill's appointment would be gratifying to his company, and that he enclosed Williams' letter and bespoke Tod's favorable consideration.
2 pp. [Series 147-37: 34]

April 24, 1862
James Cantwell, Colonel, 82nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Headquarters, Camp Durfee, Moorefield, Virginia. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter asking, as there were several vacancies for 2nd Lieutenant in his regiment, if the Sergeant Major was entitled to promotion, he being the oldest Sergeant of Company A.
1 p. [Series 147-37: 150]