A history of the Eleventh regiment, (Ohio volunteer infantry,) containing the military record ... of each officer and enlisted man of the command -a list of deaths-an account of the veterans-incidents of the field and camp-names of the three months' volunteers, etc., etc

Front matter

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Chapter II

Move to Camp Dennison — Building Quarters — Rain and Mud — Reorganization for Three Years-Election of Field Officers-Leave Camp Dennison — First March — Rev. Geo. W. Du Bois 21

CHAPTER IIL

On the " Sacred Soil "—First Shot of the Rebels at the Regiment— Valley of the ELanawha 26

CHAPTER IY.

Object of the Expedition — Poca — Battle of Scarey — Capture of Colonel De Villiers — Lieutenant-Colonel Frizell in Command — Company K as "Sappers and Miners "— Tvler Shoals — "All Right; Run ?er Up !" — Gauley Bridge 2d

CHAPTER V.

The "White House"— A Scout— Frizell at Summerville 32

CHAPTER XL

The ''Lewisburg Road" — Eleventh's First Expedition — Distances — Skirmish — Retreat — Mountain Cove — A Dinner that was not Eaten — James Roach Killed — A Challenge — Hawk's Nest-Callahan Wounded —Devil's Elbow 37

CHAPTER TIL

Wise and Floyd— Frizell's Reports — '-Climbing Gauley Mountains-' and Counting Rebels — The Seventh Ohio at Cross Lanes — Pursuit of Floyd — Extract— Reconnoissance at Sewell Mountain— A Dried-up River — Slemnier ~ 44^

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VIII CONTENTS.

TAGE

CHAPTER VIII.

A Back-out — The Colonel's Ague and the General's "Whisky — Retreat from Sewell — Extract — Return of De Villiers — Discharges 48

CHAPTER IX.

Preparing for Pay — Major Cowan — First Shell from Cotton Hill — Major Reese as a Volunteer — Scrabble Creek — A Eaithful Guard — Driving the Rebels trom Cotton Hill 52

CHAPTER X.

Move to Point Pleasant — Trouble Among the Officers — Company E 55

CHAPTER XI.

Point Pleasant — Lady Visitors — Eriends at the Point — Parties — Up the Kanawha ~ 58

CHAPTER XII.

Again at Gauley-Raleigh-Fight at Princeton — Pack's Ferry-" Black Bet" — On the Move— Female Bushwhacker — Ordered East — Bull Run 61

CHAPTER XIII.

After Lee — Frederick City — Colonel Moore's Cuarge — The Eleventh Charge — Battle of South Mountain— Kind Ladies 68

CHAPTER XIV.

Battle of Antietam — Preliminary Movements — Colonel Coleman "Wounded — At the Bridge — Victory at Last — Army of the Potomac... 74

CHAPTER XV.

Thanks to the Kanawha Division — A Hard March — Colonel Lane — Companies I and E — Curly — Summerville — Promotions 79

CHAPTER XVI.

Cold Knob — Daniel Carson — Off for Tennessee — Treatment of the men at Cincinnati 83

CHAPTER XVII.

Carthage — Foraging Party Captured — Noble Women — Rome — Middletown — Goose Creek — "Much Ado About Nothing" 89

CONTENTS. IX

PAGE

CHAPTER XVIII.

Murfreesboro — The Ninety-fourth Ohio — A sad Casualitv — Hoover's Gap — Tullahoma — Big Springs — "Mutiny'" — University Place — Explosion of Ammunition — Big Blue Spring — Catlet's Gap — In Line of Battle 94

CHAPTER XIX.

Battle of Ciiickamauoa — An Impressive Scene—In Action— A Misunderstanding— A Tight Place and Successful Dash — Bad Arrangements 99

CHAPTER XX.

Chattanooga — Scarcity of Rations — A Successful Exploit — Battle of Mission Ridge — Up the Hill — Successful Charges — Visit to Chickamauga Battle Field 104

CHAPTER XXI.

First Through Train — Pocky Face Ridge — A Rebel "Yankee Trick" — Resacca — The Ea^t Fight — Bound for Home — A Joke on the Sixth Ohio — Camp Dennison — Muster-out - 110

INDIVIDUAL RECORDS.

Explanatory 119 non-commissioned staff ~ 127

Company F 136

Company D 143

Company H 150

Company Y.—Origiyial — 157

Company K 161

Company B 169

Company C 177

Company G 184

Company 1 191

Company E— New— 197

Llst of Deaths „ 203

CONTEXTS.

INCIDENT DEPARTMENT.

PACK

Promotion of Colonel Coleman 210

Duties in Camp 210

Trades and Occupations •. 211

The "Battle of Montague" 212

The Wounded Rebel 215

Death of Lieutenant Achuff 217

Bill Devore's Hog 218

Incidents of Mission Ridge 220

Loyal "Women in the South 223

Tom Steward and his Stragglers 227

Fighting Barefooted 228

A Bad Shot 229

Rebel and Union Prisoners 230

"Whisky Dodges" 233

Expedition to Pack's Ferry 235

Our Colors 242

Commissary Lightning 243

Barber Bills.. 244

Paying in Advance 244

Sergeant Shain 245

Curly 246

Medical Practice 248

Sergeant-Major Mitchell 250

Seige of Raleigh 251

Cotton Hill 253

Point Pleasant 255

Didn't Know Him 257

General Jacob D. Cox 259

General George Crook 261

Generel John B. Turehin 202

Lost 264

"Greased Minnies" 265

Reserves— Rally 266

Innocence 267

A Hard Tramp 263

At South Monntain 269

Bound to Go to War , 270

A Regiment in Hospital 271

A Generous Act 272

Dutch Vinegar ~ — . 272

CONTENTS. XI -Xl|

PAQK

A "Snnik" Story 273

"When We Went Soldiering 275

Tho "Welcome Home" .' 277

THE THREE MONTHS' SERVICE.

Company B 282

Company D 283

Company F 284

Company G 285

Company H 286

Company K „ „„ 287.

INTRODUCTORY

NECESSARY TO BE READ FOR A FAIR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT FOLLOWS.

On the 10th day of March last circulars, setting forth our intention of publishing a "complete record of the part taken by our glorious old command in the late '"War of the Rebellion,''' were printed, and sent in considerable numbers to the vicinity in which each company was recruited. A sufficient number of copies of the proposed book were ordered to encourage us to proceed with the work, and on the first of May "operations com menced."

"We anticipated difficulty in obtaining the information, so long a time having elapsed since the Regiment was mustered out, and the members having become scattered almost all over the habitable world. General Cox, now Governor of our State, kindly offered us all the assistance in his power, and through him we could have obtained access to the muster rolls on file in the Adjutant-general's Department. But, after reflection, wc came to the conclusion that a more complete record could be made by obtaining from the company officers the use- of official documents retained by them when their term of service closed. After voluminous correspondence, and much time spent, we succeeded in procuring the facts that are embodied in the following pages.

ERRORS.

That there are some errors in the work we are free to admit Under the n\ost favorable circumstances it vould be an utter impossibility to compile And publish a book w.herein names, dates, etc., are so numerous as in this without making mistakes. Taking into consideration the material we have had to work from, and the many indescribable difficulties we have had to

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XIY INTRODUCTORY.

contend against, we feel free to say that we have succeeded as well as ought to be expected in making the record correct. Between the "Regimental Descriptive Book" and the Company Books and Rolls, we have found many discrepancies in names, dates, etc As an instance: in the Regimental Descriptive Book a very worthy member of Company I is reported as a deserter, but we discovered that such was not the case in time to make the correction. There may be other errors in the books by which we have been misled, and if so, the fourth page of this book will show how we propose to proceed in the premises. Another instance as to supposed errors in the Regimental history department: One evening not long since the writer requested two members of the Regiment to talk over certain movements that took place at the battle of Resacca, with which each one thought he was perfectly familiar. After a very short conversation we found that their ideas of the matter were widely different, although both were perfectly honest in their belief that they knew " all about it! " Now we simply ask that before any one says we are mistaken in any statement that we have made, do not be too sure that you are right.

REDUCED TO THE RANKS.

In a number of instances it will be seen that after a man was promoted to the position of Corporal or Sergeant he was " reduced to the ranks.'' It must not be supposed that all such were reduced in a dishonorable manner, or for "conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman." Many men, after trying "non-com." positions for awhile, requested to be returned to the ranks, for reasons satisfactory to themselves; others were reduced in order to accept " detailed duty" without throwing extra work on their comrades in like positions in the company, as their places could not be supplied while they held their "warrants;" and, taking all things into consideration, it is rarely dishonorable to a man to say that he was "reduced to the ranks."

DESERTERS.

In the Regimental Books, one hundred and fifty-one men are reported as "deserters " — many, however, are given credit for returning to duty. After mature reflection and careful investigation into all the facts of the matter, we came to the conclusion that but very few deserve that harsh and disgraceful appellative. On pages 87 and 88 is given the cause for the bad conduct of a majority of those who are classified under the above heading. If there can be a possible excuse for men deserting the cause they have sworn to stand by and protect, our men had that excuse on the occa-

INTRODUCTORY. XV

•ion referred to. For thoso who did, with premeditated intent, desert their colors and comrades, we are truly sorry. "We desire for them no greater punishment than that inflicted "by their own consciences, and trust that their future lives may, as far as possible, atone for the evil they have done themselves.

PRICE.

We respectfully request any one t,Lo „v+y object to the price of the book to remember that we have printed but a limited number, and that, under the circumstances, we ask not one cent more than the book is worth. Being probably of but little interest to any but members and immediate friends of the regiment, a wide sale can not be expected. Books, the size of this, intended for general circulation, of which several editions of thousands of copies are printed, can be sold at a less price than we have put on this. We ask our friends to look at the quality and not the quantity of the matter, nor the size of the book.

PERSONAL.

We have never seen a book in which was recorded the name3 and military history of a whole regiment, and we believe such an one has never before been published. We think it eminently proper that ours, although numbered the eleventh was really the first, under the re-organization, from O iio, should be the first in whose behalf such a work is made.

We feel under great obligations to the many kind friends whose assistance we have necessarily had to a3k, for the favors shown us. They have not only benefited us, but every other member of our gallant command.

To Mr. Wm. J. Shuet, Publisher, we return our sincere thanks for so freely according us all the facilities of the extensive publishing house over which he presides. "V^e recommend the establishment to friends of soldiers everywhere.

And now we submit our work to the consideration of our friends and comrades. We have labored hard and earnestly, sparing neither time nor expense, to make the book worthy of the cause to which it is devoted, and feel conscious of having performed the task faithfully and impartially. Should it prove to be the case, however, that any one is dissatisfied, and think that we ought to have done better, we can only say try such a work tourself; and if you arc more successful than we have been, you shall h*ve our hearty congratulations.

«*ytou, O, August 23, 1S66.

THE ELEVENTH OHIO.

CHAPTER I.

" PROCLAMATION.'

"Whebeas, the laws of the United States have been for some time past, and now are, opposed, and the execution thereof obstructed, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary coarse of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by law : now. therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, in virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution and the laws, have thought fit to call forth the Militia of the several States of the Union to the aggregate number of 75,000, in order to suppress said combi lations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed.

"The details for this object will be immediately communicated to the State nuthorities through the War Department. I appeal to all loyal citizens to favbr^facilitate and aid this effort to maintain the honor, the integrity, and existence, of our national Union, and the perpetuity of popular Government; and to redress wrongs already long enough endured. I deem it proper to say that the first service assigned to the forces hereby called forth will probably be to repossess the forts, places, and property which have been >eized from the Union; and in every event the utmost care will be observed, consistently with the objects aforesaid, to avoid any devastation, any destruction of, or interference with, property, or any disturbance of peaceful citizens of any part of the country ; and I hereby command the persons composing the combinations aforesaid, to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes, within twenty days from this date.

" Deeming that the present condition of public affairs presents an extraordinary occasion, I do hereby, in virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution, convene both Houses of Congress. The Senators and Repreicntativcs are, therefore, summoned to assemble at their respective chambers at 12 o'clock, noon, on Thursday, the 4th day of July next, then and there

2 (17)

to consider and determine such measures as, in their wisdom, the public safety and interest may seem to demand.

"In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

" Done at the City of Washington, this 15th day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-fifth.

"ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

"By the President:

" Wm. H. Seward, Secretary of State.7'

TnE state of bewildering excitement that had existed throughout the country, for some time previous to the appearance of the foregoing proclamation, was becoming painful in the extreme. It could scarcely be credited by the people of the Northern States that the "overt act" had been committed; they could not believe that the infatuation of the Southern leaders would carry them so far as to inaugurate any decided hostilities against that flag which had been the joy and pride of our common country y and the hope of the oppressed of the entire world. But now all doubts were dispelled, direction was given to the public mind, and all saw what their duties were to be in the terrible crisis.

Early on the morning of the 16th of April, 1861, Mr. Isaac S. Clark appeared on the streets of Piqua, Ohio, in the capacity of a recruiting officer. Accompanied by a martial band, with drums beating and colors flying, he started from the Public Square and marched North on Main street, and at almost every step one after another of the young men of the city fell into the line. Stores and shops were almost entirely neglected, and it seemed that for once every man in the town had but a common object in view — to volunteer himself or to do all in his power to make the way clear for others who wished to go. In a very few hours the organization afterwards known as

"Company F, Eleventh Regiment . Ohio Volunteer Infantry" was ready to "go where duty called."

And while the men were thus engaged, the noble-hearted women were working night and day in making preparations for the comfort and convenience of the loved ones about to leave them, many, perhaps, forever. And such scenes as these could probably have been witnessed in nearly every city and village of the Northern States during those ever memorable days.

So little did the people know about war in this hitherto quiet and peaceful country, that many thought it would be but a short transfer from their homes to the field of battle. After a few days spent in the rendezvous camps our embryo soldiers began to see that considerable schooling was necessary before they would be able to successfully cope with the enemies of their country. Enthusiastically patriotic, ami determined to learn, they made light of the duties required of them, and the transformation from the quiet citizen to the stern and unyielding soldier progressed rapidly.

But would it not be a curious sight now, after these years spent in the apprenticeship and master-work of war, to look upon such scenes as transpired five years ago this first of May, 1866, at the various camps throughout the country? Those "squad" and "company" drills, what terribly earnest aiiairs they were! "Left!" "left!" "left!" from morn till night. With what deep feelings of pride and superiority over their friends and late neighbors the newly-Hedged Captains and Lieutenants brought out their companies before the admiring gaze of the multitudes ever in attendance at the camps, who looked on with openniouthed wonder at the warlike preparations going on around them! Ah! then could be appreciated, by both officer and spectator, that ever favorite declamation of our youthful days —

" Oh, were you ne'er a school-boy,

And did you never train !

And feel that swelling of the heart

You ne'er can feel again ';

But as the task of recording the generalities of the times referred to is not the province of this work, the special object for which it has been undertaken, viz : — to perpetuate the record of the Eleventh Ohio Infantry — will now be kept steadily in view.

The companies composing the original Eleventh Regiment were among the very first organized in the State, but by reason of the greater influence exerted in favor of other? their claims to early recognition were not considered, and preparations for its active participation in the war proceeded but slowly. Y*et, notwithstanding the campaign with camps "Jackson" and "Dennison" as the bases was bloodless, it was conducted with honor to the country and profit to the men engaged.

As organized at " Camp Jackson," Columbus, Ohio, the Regiment was composed of but nine companies — rive from Miami county, two from Darke county, and two from Montgomery county, which were mustered into the service of the United States on the 26th day of April, 1861, for the period of three months. At the election for officers, J. Findlay Harrison was chosen Colonel, Joseph W„ Frizell. Lieutenant-Colonel, and Augustus II. Coleman, Major; the Regimental staff officers were not appointed until after the removal to " Camp Dennison."

C1TAPTER II.

About the first of May the Regiment embarked on the cars of the Little Miami Railroad for "Camp Dennison," then but a stubble field, of the muddiest description. Arriving at this future celebrated camp about nightfall there was "hurrying to and fro" to prepare quarters in time to give shelter from the approaching storm. Plenty of prne boards were at hand, but they had to be carried from along the track of the Railroad a considerable distance through the mud to the place where the "shanties" were to be erected. That first night spent in " Camp Dennison" will never be forgotten by any who had the misfortune to be there. Although in no wise to be compared to many dark and stormy nights afterward endured by the men, yet as this was their first true initiation to the soldiers' life it left an impression on their minds not soon to be erased. Huddled together under their partially erected " quarters," the rain coming down in torrents, with a steady drip, drip, drip through the many crevices in the boards, mud beneath and all around them, but few closed their eyes that night, and when the morning light began to appear it was welcomed with a heartiness not often experienced by these water-soaked heroes. But a few days, however, were required to get things in proper working shape, and from that time until the reorganization for the three years'* service the daily routine of duties and amusements was but little varied.

About the middle of May the question of re-enlisting for three years began to be agitated, and a* very little correct information could be obtained concerning the matter, great dissatisfaction was manifested throughout the camp. Those officers who desired to remain in the service exerted their utmost influence to retain the organization of their companies, but comparatively few succeeded in doing so. Of the Eleventh Regiment Go's A. F, I), II, and B, were all that succeeded in holding together, and about the 1st of June were "sworn in" by Gen. Cox for "three years, unless sooner discharged.'' Co. C, from Salem, Columbiana county, and Co. K, from Cincinnati, joined the Regiment in time to participate in the election for Field Officers, under the reorganization for three years.

Every person who spent a day or more at Camp Dennison about the time referred to will remember a dapper little gentleman of very dark complexion, quick, nervous movements, dressed in blue frock coat, red pants, and red cap embroidered with gold lace. Whether on foot or on horseback he seemed always to be in a great hurry, and could frequently be seen galloping to and fro throughout the camp in the most frantic manner possible. This gentleman was Charles A. de Yilliers, whose duty it was (although not clearly defined in "General Orders") to act as a sort of "Inspector General" of the camp. Sleepless and untiring as he was it can not be denied that his vigilance exerted a good influence over those officers and men who were disposed to be careless and negligent while on guard duty, and many will remember the sudden appear* ance, quick denunciations or approvals of "the Major" at tho most unexpected times and places. An expert in tlio bayonet drill, "Major" de V. took especial pains to "show oft" before the men, and succeeded in getting himself elected Major of the Eighth Ohio Infantry, whose quarters were adjoining those of the Eleventh. Each evening after Dress Parade the Eighth were instructed in the bayonet exercise, and so "taken" were many members of the Eleventh with this fancy drill that when it was announced that the election for officers for their Regiment would shortly take place, Major de Villiers was nominated as a candidate for Colonel. The election took place on Friday, July 5th, and resulted in the choice of the following Field Officers*: Charles A. de Villiers, Colonel ; Joseph W. Frizell, Lieutenant- Colonel; and Augustus II. Coleman, Major.

It may be thought strange that an "outsider" should have been selected as the commanding officer, over men who had been with the Regiment from the beginning, and it would be a hard task at this time to give satisfactory reasons for the choice. It can not be doubted, however, that misrepresentations and intrigue were used to defeat Col. Frizell and Major Coleman, who were respectively candidates for Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel. These officers had been doing all in their power to advance the interests of the Regiment, by having it tilled to the maximum, the men armed, equipped, and prepared for the field, instead of working to secure their own advancement. False and malicious reports were circulated concerning their abilities as officers, and at one time it seemed that the efforts made to drive them from the Regiment would prove successful. But a short time was necessarv in the actual ilate.

Col. Harrison had resigned several weeks previous, and was not a candi-

RL duties of the field to show who were capable and worthy, and there were hut few members of the Regiment who did not regret giving these gentlemen secondary positions.*

On Saturday morning, July 6th, an order was received to prepare to leave Camp Dennison on the following day, which order was hailed with joy hy all. After two days' hard work the Regiment got off at a late hour on Sunday night, via the Marietta & Cincinnati R. R. to Haniden, thence hy Hocking Valley R. R. to Portland, Jackson County, Ohio, arriving at the last named place Monday morning. While the train stopped at Chillicothe for a short time on Sunday niffht a number of the citizens ot that city appeared at the depot with well-laden baskets' of provisions, which were most heartily welcomed by the hoys.

At Portland the first marching experience of the Regiment commenced. Starting at about sundown twelve miles were gone over that night, and after a short bivouac the march was resumed and Gallipolis leached soon after noon on Tuesday. The Regiment was divided for this march into two detachments ; the first, under Col. de Villiers, marching at night and having been forced through almost on the "double quick " arrived at their destination tired, hungry and jaded. The companies under command of Lt. Col. Frizell started from Portland some ten hours later, but arrived in good time, and were highly pleased with their trip. An officer who accompanied the first detachment writes : " The day was one of July's hottest, but scarcely surpassed in heat the zeal of the vigilant Col. de V., who failed not frequently to warn the command that they were

♦For further details see individual record of "Field and Staff.''

in * tie enemy's country/ and that they ' must be ready to meet de foe at any moment ! ' "

While the Regiment was lying at Gallipolis, Rev. Geo. W. DuBois, of Chillicothe, was elected Chaplain. He was recommended by Gen. Cox, and afterward proved entirely worthy of all the General had said in his favor. A kindhearted, earnest Christian gentleman, he did all in his power to advance the welfare of the command in every particular, but failing health compelled him to resign after sharing the hardships of a soldiers' life until the following January.

Chapter III

On the 10th of July, 1861, the Eleventh first trod the "sacred soil" of Virginia, having embarked on steamboats at Gallipolis, and landed at the village of Pt. Pleasant, four miles above, at the mouth of the Great Kanawha river. During the short stay at this point the country in the immediate vicinity was pretty thoroughly scouted by squads of men, frequently under the immediate command of Col. de Y., but aside from scaring a few old women and children no important feats were accomplished.

From a letter written home from AVinfield, Putnam County, Ya., and dated July 14, 1861, we make the following extract, giving an account of the

FIRST SHOT FIRED BY THE REBELS AT THE ELEVENTH.

"We left Point Pleasant on Friday afternoon, and came up the river about twenty miles. Yesterday (Saturday) morning Companies A and ¥ were gent on an expedition up the eastern side of the river. Lieut. Sol. Teverbaugh had command of the advance guard, and about two miles south of Buffalo discovered a party of rebels on horseback on the opposite side of the river, and this party has the honor of firing the first shot at our Eegiment. Lieut. T. gave orders to return the compliment, and for a few moments the bullets flew back and forth pretty lively. This was the first time any of our boys had been under fire, but all stood it bravely and seemed to enjoy the affair, rather than otherwise. No one was hurt on our side, and the rebels retreated without advising us of any casualties that may have happened to them.

Just after the retreat of the rehels referred to in the above extract, word was Drought in that some six or eight hundred rebels had taken a position some few miles up the river, anil were ready to give battle. Four of our Companies were marched off the steamboats on which they were quartered, and ordered to attack any enemy that could he found. After marching all day without discovering an armed rebel, the detachment arrived at "Winiield, and found the village entirely deserted. The inhabitants of the place were finally discovered secreted in the woods adjoining, and induced to return. In his retreat up the Valley, Gen. H. A. Wise had informed the people that the "Yankees"' were coming to burn, kill, and destroy, and that they must either join his army or get out of the way. The state of debased ignorance existing throughout almost the entire mountain region of Virginia made it an easv task for such men as Gov. Wise to deceive and mislead the people with the most foolish and absurd stories regarding the " Yankees,'' and it required no little effort on the part of the "invaders" to disabuse the minds of many of these poor, deluded wretches.

The valley of the Kanawha, at almost any time of the year, is one of the utmost beauty, and is deeply interesting to the student of nature. The river itself in many particulars resembles the Hudson, although neither so wide nor deep, and is navigable for steamboats nearly its entire length, or to the falls of Gauley. The bluffs at "Red House,'* and "Tyler Shoals" are the " pallisades M of this noble little stream, and the "Catskills" will find no mean rivals in "Gauley Mount" and "Cotton Hill."

The tillable land on either side of the river is but a narrow strip, yet for productiveness can not be excelled. Abounding in all the most useful minerals — salt, coal and oil to be had almost for the asking, nothing but a moderate degree of "Yankee" enterprise is needed to make this most remarkable valley more valuable than the mines of California or Australia,