Correspondence to the Governor and Adjutant General of Ohio,
October 21, 1861-July 11, 1862.
October 21, 1861
R[odney] Mason, Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters, Ohio Militia, Adjutant General's Office, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Jerome B. Phillips, 1st Lieutenant and Quartermaster, 2nd Battalion, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. Letter notifying Phillips that he had been appointed 1st Lieutenant in the 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; instructing Phillips to immediately signify his acceptance or non-acceptance of the appointment; and stating that if Phillips accepted, he was to report in person without delay to the commanding officer of the regiment at Camp Hutchins near Warren, and that as soon as Phillips' regiment was completely organized and mustered into the service, his commission would be issued. Bears a statement dated January 2, 1862, from Jefferson Palen, Justice of the Peace, Trumbull County, Ohio; stating that Phillips had appeared before him and made solemn oath that he would bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America and that he would serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies, and that he would observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers over him according to the rules and articles of war.
2 pp. [Series 147-39: 96]
January 20, 1862
James R. Hubbell, et. al., Delaware, Delaware County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter signed by seven individuals; stating that they were well acquainted with Reverend Amariah Joy of Delaware, Ohio, a regular ordained Baptist minister; and recommending Joy as a suitable and well qualified person for Chaplain of a military hospital or in the army.
1 p. [Series 147-39: 197]
January 31, 1862
Benjamin Eglin, Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that he had been a candidate for Sheriff and went with Tod through Columbiana County when Tod took the stump as a candidate for Governor in 1846, that as an old political and personal friend, he was asking Tod to consider the case of his son, A.R. Eglin, that his son had served about six months as a Private in the 26th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry in western Virginia and was at home for a few days upon furlough, that at the request of Colonel [James] Cantwell and Major [James S.] Robinson, his son received an appointment as 2nd Lieutenant and went to work recruiting for the 82nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that he understood that Tod and Cantwell subsequently requested his son to resign as 2nd Lieutenant (Company K) in favor of [Francis S.] Jacobs of Ashland, that his son was late to commence recruiting and there were fifteen men now in the 82nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry who belonged to his son's credit, that this involved a considerable expense to him, all of which was lost, and that his son was disappointed and out of employment; asking if Tod would give his son a clerkship provided that satisfactory recommendations of his honesty and capability were furnished; and stating that if this was not possible, he wished to know if Tod could give his son an appointment as 2nd Lieutenant in the 57th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry or some other regiment, that he would prefer the clerkship if Tod had any at his disposal, and that he asked it solely upon the grounds that his son could give satisfactory references as to his qualifications.
3 pp. [Series 147-39: 213]
March 3, 1862
Daniel McCook, Washington. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that at the late battle of Logan's Cross Roads, or Mill Springs, in Kentucky, one of his sons had the honor of commanding a brigade, and that the manner in which said brigade acquitted itself in the face of the enemy was now a part of the history of the country; including a quote from General [George H.] Thomas' report of the battle, stating that the 2nd Minnesota kept up a most galling fire in front and the 9th Ohio charged the enemy on the right with bayonets fixed, turned their flank, and drove them from the field, the whole line giving way and retreating in the utmost disorder and confusion; and stating that he knew Tod felt a deep interest in the promotion of Ohio's sons, that he understood that the Governor, Senators, and Representatives in Congress from the State of Indiana were trying to procure the promotion of Colonel Manson, the chivalrous commander of the 11th Indiana Regiment, as the hero of that eventful day, that he was of the opinion that if Tod called the Secretary of War's attention to this matter, the star would at once be conferred upon Robert L. [McCook] to whom it fairly belonged, that Tod's early attention to this matter would bring the family under obligations, and that at the same time, the honor of the State would be advanced.
3 pp. [Series 147-39: 215]
March 14, 1862
John Hutchins, Washington. To the Governor of Ohio. Letter stating that his son, John C. Hutchins, wrote him that Captain Burnett was about to be promoted thereby creating a vacancy in his company, that his son would like the place vacated by Burnett, that he learned from various sources that his son had gotten along well and that the men liked him, that he did not want his son appointed unless he was qualified, that his son was now 1st Lieutenant in Burnett's company, and that all was quiet on the Potomac so far as he could learn.
2 pp. [Series 147-39: 211]
March 19, 1862
S.J. Simmonds, Captain, Commanding Artillery, District of Kanawha, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. To Brigadier General [William S.] Rosecrans, Commanding, Department of Western Virginia. Letter introducing Joseph O'Connor, a Sergeant in his command; and stating that O'Connor had been in active service with him since July 9, 1861, and had proven himself a good and efficient officer, and that O'Connor was a man of undoubted character and courage and was capable of filling a post above his present rank.
1 p. [Series 147-39: 51]
April 1, 1862
J.B. Phillips, Orwell, Ashtabula County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that he expected to be in Columbus that week and was anxious to get his position, that his appointment was made on October 21, 1861, that the place was due him for he had done as much or more than any other man in the section and paid his money freely, that he had left his position in the East to go, that he was getting $1,200 per year and it would do him great damage if he did not have his place, that the Honorable B.F. Wade, the Honorable John Hutchins, and the Military Committee of Ashtabula County gave him a recommendation for the position, that the people of the area said the position was due him, that it had already cost him two or three hundred dollars in helping to raise volunteers for the war, that perhaps there were other parties wishing his place, but he knew he was entitled to it, that almost every man in the section, knowing the circumstances and the interest he had taken, would endorse him, that he hoped Tod would do him justice and send the commission, and that he had gotten a horse, other equipments, etc. Bears a pencilled note stating that Phillips had been left out with the consolidation of the 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry and the 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.
2 pp. [Series 147-39: 95]
April 19, 1862
A.M. Read, M.D., Sanitary Inspector, U.S. Sanitary Commission, Nashville, Tennessee. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that as an agent or member of the U.S. Sanitary Commission, he saw many disabled soldiers who should go home on furlough or who should be discharged, and that in either case, they were frequently compelled to wait for their papers and then could not go for want of money to pay their transportation; asking if this could be remedied; stating that provision had been made by the Governor of Indiana to send such directly home by some authority which he understood derived from the Secretary of War, that if he had such power for the soldiers of Ohio, he could relieve much suffering, and that he did not know how this could be done or if it could be, but was submitting the question for Tod's consideration; and providing references.
2 pp. [Series 147-39: 157]
April 22, 1862
William J. Flagg, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that Major Edward V. Brookfield of the 52nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry desired, in case he lost his position by the consolidation of the 50th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 52nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and 61st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, to receive the appointment of Quartermaster, and that he sincerely hoped Tod could do this much for a worthy man and good officer.
1 p. [Series 147-39: 164]
April 22, 1862
S. Silvester Wells, Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee [Shiloh]. To Captain T[haddeus] Lemert, Commanding 76th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. Letter tendering his resignation as 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant of the 76th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; stating that his resignation was to be unconditional and immediate, that his health was such as to prevent his adequately fulfilling the duties belonging to his position, that while in service, he had contracted a severe diarrhea which was reducing him so as to threaten permanent ill health, that of late, it had assumed the character of flux, that it was plain he needed a different climate if hoping for recovery, that he felt that thus disabled from full performance of duty, he was trespassing upon the country rather than serving it, that it being impossible under present arrangements to procure a furlough and feeling compelled to withdraw at present from active service, he trusted his resignation would be accepted as desired, and that he was last paid by Major F. Brown, U.S. Army to include December 31, 1861; and certifying that he had no property of the Government that was not accounted for. Bears forwarding notes from Lemert and Charles R. Woods, Colonel, 76th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Commanding 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division. Also bears a note dated April 24, 1862, from Lew Wallace, General, 3rd Division; approving and referring the resignation to Major General U.S. Grant. Also bears a note dated April 26, 1862, from U.S. Grant, Major General Commanding, Headquarters, Army of the Tennessee, Shiloh, Tennessee; disapproving the resignation and forwarding to Headquarters Department. Also bears a note dated April 26, 1862, from Andrew C. Kemper, Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters, Department of the Mississippi, Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee; disapproving the resignation. By order of Major General [Henry] Halleck.
2 pp. [Series 147-39: 121]
April 23, 1862
List of members of the 50th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and 61st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry left behind to be discharged at different times.
2 pp. [Series 147-39: 128, 128a]
April 24, 1862
John W. Piper, 2nd Lieutenant, Company K, Western Sharpshooters, Pittsburgh Landing, Tennessee [Shiloh]. To C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that the date of his commission should be January 27, 1862, not April 2, 1862; and requesting that the corrected commission be forwarded to him.
2 pp. [Series 147-39: 141]
April 29, 1862
R.J. Atkinson, Auditor, Treasury Department, Third Auditor's Office, [Washington]. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that on October 16, 1861, he addressed a circular letter to the governor of each state having volunteers in the service of the United States, requesting certain information deemed essential in the settlement of the accounts, when presented, of each state for expenses incurred by them in organizing, subsisting, clothing, arming, etc., their volunteers, that not having received the information desired from Ohio and presuming that the circular letter had probably been overlooked in the multiplicity of duties, he had found it necessary to repeat the request, that with a view of simplifying the matter as well as lessening the labor in furnishing the information, he had procured blank forms which only needed to be filled up, and that he accordingly transmitted such forms with his letter; requesting that Tod would cause the proper examinations to be made and the blanks filled up to the extent possible and returned to the Third Auditor's Office at the earliest moment; and suggesting that the statements, when filled up, would greatly facilitate the settlement of the claims of Ohio upon the United States for reimbursement of expenses incurred as above.
2 pp. [Series 147-39: 222]
May 1, 1862
Anselme Albert, Headquarters, Mountain Department, Wheeling, Virginia. To Adjutant General Charles W. Hill. Letter stating that Hill's note of April 30, 1862, enclosing a communication from Colonel Cranor commanding the post at Piketon, was received, that Cranor had already addressed to those headquarters a letter substantially the same as that sent to Hill, and that the commanding General, not being able to furnish the desired reinforcements, had referred the whole matter to the Secretary of War.
1 p. [Series 147-39: 142]
May 1, 1862
S.P. Brown, Recorder and Notary Public, Recorder's Office, Van Wert, Van Wert County, Ohio. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that he was writing concerning the affairs of William H. Thomas, Company E, 46th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry on behalf of his widow, that Thomas was wounded in the battle of Pittsburgh Landing [Shiloh] on the first day of the fight, that Thomas was brought to Cincinnati, Ohio and died of the effects of his wound at the 3rd Street hospital on April 23, that they had the Steward's note to prove this, that Thomas' body was brought home and buried, that they wanted to know how to proceed in order for Thomas' widow to get the back pay due him and how to proceed to obtain Thomas' bounty and to get the half pay under the acts of Congress for Thomas' widow and children, and that the widow was in very needy circumstances and they felt a deep interest for her.
2 pp. [Series 147-39: 189]
May 2, 1862
James P. West, Cadiz, Harrison County, Ohio. To ? Letter asking if he could get a commission to raise a company of Blacks in Harrison County and Jefferson County; and stating that he thought he could raise such a company in two months.
1 p. [Series 147-39: 205]
May 7, 1862
C[harles] A. Sheafe, Camp near Field of Shiloh, Tennessee. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter stating that he received a commission from Governor David Tod as Captain in the 59th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry dated February 27, 1862, that said commission should have been to Charles A. Sheafe, but by mistake was made to Charles H. Sheafe, and that he wished his name to be properly on the roll and hoped Buckingham would have the correction made; asking if it would be necessary for him to receive a new commission or if Buckingham could authorize a change in the one he now had; and stating that his regiment was in the 5th (Crittenden's) Division.
1 p. [Series 147-39: 176]
May 7, 1862
John Waddle, Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that the place of 2nd Lieutenant of Company M, 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry had been made vacant by the death of John Renick; recommending Sergeant Charles H. Schultz of Company M as a worthy and spirited young man to fill the vacancy; and stating that Schultz was a fine looking young man of about 22 years of age and among the first to volunteer at Chillicothe on the call of the President for three months' men, that Schultz was elected and served his term as Lieutenant of a company formed at Chillicothe for the 22nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (three months' service), that on receiving his discharge, Schultz volunteered for three years' service in a company raised at Chillicothe for the 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and that Schultz was popular with his company and would make an efficient officer in the place for which he was recommended.
1 p. [Series 147-39: 75]
May 8, 1862
Charles E. Stivers, Sergeant, Company K, Charles M. Sidman, Orderly Sergeant, Company H, and Charles J. Phillips, 5th Sergeant, Company A, 18th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Louisville, Kentucky. To Governor David Tod. Letter calling Tod's attention to their treatment by the authorities after having been taken prisoners and liberated on parole; stating that on April 30, 1862, one hundred and thirty men under the command of Lieutenant Fairchild, 10th Wisconsin Regiment were sent from Columbia, Tennessee to join their regiments at Huntsville, Alabama, only twenty-one of them having muskets, that on May 1, 1862, while resting within sight of Pulaski, Tennessee, they were surprised by the approach of a squad of rebel cavalry, that several of the men fired on the rebels and they hastily retreated, that it was only a few minutes until the rebels received reinforcements of 300 or 400 men, that they retreated to the woods and kept the rebels at bay for an hour and a half, that each man fought until wounded and unable to do more, that after being marched into town as prisoners of war, they were liberated on their parole of honor which bound them not to aid the U.S. Government in warring against the Confederate States during the war unless regularly exchanged, that after being penned up in Nashville four days, they were sent to Louisville as provost guards for the city, that it was no fault of theirs they were sent through an enemy's country in too small a force to repel an attack, and that after resisting to the utmost and being taken prisoners, they took the parole to escape forced marches and southern prisons; asking if it was a generous government that compelled them to take up arms and do military duty guarding the city of Louisville, kept away from their homes and regiments without a possibility of promotion and far from the exciting scenes of active service; and requesting to be immediately exchanged or honorably discharged, or sent to their respective homes until exchanged or honorably discharged. Bears a note dated July 5, 1862, from Charles W. Hill, Adjutant General of Ohio; referring the letter to Major General [Henry] Halleck, Commanding Department of the Mississippi, St. Louis, Missouri.
4 pp. [Series 147-39: 196]
May 9, 1862
R. Hume, Clerk, Adjutant General's Office, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. To Colonel Charles Doubleday, 2nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Fort Scott, Kansas. Letter stating that there were three vacancies of 1st Lieutenants and one of 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; and requesting that Doubleday indicate the names of suitable persons in the regiment to fill the vacancies.
1 p. [Series 147-39: 73]
May 10, 1862
William Patrick, Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that he thought his nephew would prove himself worthy of any attention Tod might bestow, and that his nephew had been in the service some nine months and held the office of Orderly.
2 pp. [Series 147-39: 103]
May 12, 1862
P.F. Rohrbacher, Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio. To Adjutant General [Charles W.] Hill. Letter stating that per the last law passed by the Ohio Legislature, he was entitled to pay until October 10, 1861, that he received his appointment to recruit for Battery D, 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery at the beginning of August, 1861, that Hill would oblige him very much by forwarding a certificate as to the exact time when he received authority from Adjutant General [C.P.] Buckingham to recruit as senior 1st Lieutenant in Battery D, that he resigned his position in early January, 1862, in consequence of sickness which he contracted in their hard service in eastern Kentucky, that his health was now better, that if there should be any chance for him to form a battery of artillery, he would with pleasure reenter the service, and that his name was entered in the list of Captains early in July, 1861, but he never got a battery notwithstanding that he had seen as much artillery service as any man in Ohio.
1 p. [Series 147-39: 62]
May 13, 1862
Henry L. Burnett, Major, 2nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Fort Scott, Kansas. To the Adjutant General of Ohio. Letter asking what course Captain [Benjamin C.] Stanhope should pursue to procure the payment of his account under his Lieutenant's commission.
2 pp. [Series 147-39: 112]
May 15, 1862
Charley Arnold, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. To Dr. Gustave C.E. Weber, Surgeon General of Ohio. Letter requesting that Weber help his father, Captain George Arnold, to obtain the pay to which he was entitled; and stating that his father had not received a cent for six months' service and was wounded, that his father's wound was nearly healed, but he was still very weak, and that as soon as his father was able, he was determined to give the rebels another round.
1 p. [Series 147-39: 168]
May 17-19, 1862
George W. Cullum, Brigadier General, Chief of Staff and Engineers, President of the Board, and Richard D. Cutts, Colonel, U.S. Army, Aide-de-Camp, Recorder, Board of Officers, Headquarters, Department of the Mississippi, Camp on Corinth Road, Mississippi. Official copy of proceedings of a board of officers appointed to examine the capacity, qualifications, propriety of conduct, and efficiency of Colonel Minor Millikin, 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; stating that the board thoroughly examined Millikin as to his capacity and qualifications to serve as a Colonel of cavalry, that questions were proposed in regard to company, battalion, and regimental drill, to dispositions in field of battle under different circumstances, to the proper protection of trains while moving, and to defenses when attacked by superior force, that all these questions were answered promptly and to the entire satisfaction of the board, that the board also found Millikin to be a gentleman of education in other respects, that statements were presented against Millikin by seven officers of the 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, that Millikin provided the board with ten letters all referring to propriety of conduct and efficiency, that a letter from the Governor of Ohio was also read to the members, that from a careful examination of the different papers, the board could find no specific charge against either the conduct or efficiency of Millikin while the evidence was positive in favor of both, that the board also received the personal testimony of Major General George H. Thomas who stated that while under his command and so far as his personal knowledge extended, Millikin performed all his duties as Colonel of the 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry in a prompt, thorough, and officer like manner, and that the board, having maturely considered the case, unanimously concurred in the report that Millikin possessed the capacity, qualifications, propriety of conduct, and efficiency necessary to act and serve as a Colonel of cavalry. Official copy made by Andrew C. Kemper, Assistant Adjutant General.
4 pp. [Series 147-39: 100]
May 18, 1862
F.T. Backus, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter regarding a delay in receiving several letters addressed to him care of the Willard Hotel in Washington; and stating that had he received these letters when he should have, he would have gone to the Valley and looked after the interests of Ohio soldiers there in accordance with the authority which Tod so kindly conferred upon him, that he had been to Fortress Monroe, but there were no Ohio regiments in that region, that some papers had been forwarded to Tod requesting the appointment of Walter Blythe to the position of Quartermaster of the 41st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, that he knew Blythe well, that Blythe was honest and efficient, that Blythe had discharged the duties of said position almost exclusively since the regiment was organized, although as a subordinate, that in his judgement, Blythe would make an excellent officer, that the place was due Blythe, and that he understood that Blythe was temporarily at home to recruit his health which was said to be improving.
3 pp. [Series 147-39: 123]
May 18, 1862
Charles Doubleday, Colonel, 2nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Headquarters, Fort Scott, Kansas. To Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham. Letter recommending various promotions to fill vacancies.
1 p. [Series 147-39: 74]
May 18, 1862
U. Hoffner, Mt. Healthy, Hamilton County, Ohio. To the Adjutant General of Ohio. Letter asking how to go about getting mustered out of the three months' service and paid; and stating that he was away in the three years' service when the three months' men were paid off, and that consequently, he did not receive his pay.
2 pp. [Series 147-39: 188]
May 20, 1862
W[illiam] R. Lloyd, Colonel, 6th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Wheeling Island. To Governor David Tod. Letter stating that the Surgeon assigned to their regiment had not yet reported, that he trusted the Surgeon had been duly informed of his appointment and ordered to report without delay, that they were having a company mounted daily and, as fast as shod, each company was sent forward to the headquarters of General [John C.] Fremont in the field, that they went by rail to New Creek and thence to Franklin, 72 miles through the Valley of Virginia, that he was much obliged to Tod and General Wright for the 71 Colt revolvers sent, that this enabled them to arm one battalion with pistols, and that the Chief of Ordnance was doing all he could to secure arms for his other battalions.
1 p. [Series 147-39: 97]
May 20, 1862
Robert Sherrard, Jr., Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio. To Governor David Tod. Letter enclosing a paper sent him by Charles Mather of Smithfield with a request that Mr. Means and himself sign it and forward it to Tod; and stating that he confessed it was rather a singular paper.
1 p. [Series 147-39: 189]