The story of a regiment : a history of the campaigns, and associations in the field, of the Sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry

Front matter

A HISTORY OF THE CAMPAIGNS, ASSOCIATIONS IN THE FIELD,

THE SIXTH REGIMENT

OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

Chapter I

The Guthrie Greys. — (1854-April 18th, 1861.) — Ohio's Patriotism— Her unpreparedness for the War — Organization of the Independent Guthrie Greys — Biographical Sketch of Captain Presley N. Guthrie — Incidents, etc. — The I. G. G. Battalion— Biographical Sketch of Major W. K. Bosley — Prosperity — Encampment at Middletown — Parades, etc. — Defense of the Jail— The Election in April, ISOl— "G. B. McClellan, Esq." — He declines the Mayorship — The political horizon darkens — Honors to Major Anderson — "Sumter Times" — Action of the Battalion — A Regiment of Greys 17-32

CHAPTER n.

The Three Months' Service. — (April 19th-June loth, 1861.) — The War excitement — Camp Harrison organized — The Greys and other troops at Camp — Visitors, Drills, Incidents, etc. — Mustering in — Roster of Officers — Camp Life — Equipment — Marching Orders — Camp Dennison — The first death in the regiment — Movements in West Virginia— The Sixth Indiana entertained — Tidings of Philippi 33-44

Chapter III

Reorganization. — (May 24th-June 28th, 1861.) — The Three Years' question — Difficulties attending Reorganization — Prompt reiinlistment of the Ninth Ohio — The Sixth re-mustered — Troops moving to the Front — Incidents, etc. — Roster of Officers — Biographical Sketches of the Field and Staff, viz. : Lieutenant-Colonel N. L. Anderson, Major A. C. Christopher, Surgeon Starling Loving, Assistant Surgeon F. W. Ames, Adjutant C. H. Heron, and Quartermaster E. M. Shoemaker 45-54

Chapter IV

To the Front.— (.June 29th-July 6th, 1861.)— Marching Orders— Farewell, Camp Dennison — The trip by rail to Bellair — Xenia, London, Columbus,

(vii)

viii TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Cambridge — At Belmont — Across the Ohio — The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad — At Fetterman — Fourth of July— The Forced March to Phil-

jppi The situation— A Resume— The Plan of Campaign — Morris'

Brigade — Biographical Sketch of General Thomas A. Morris 55-68

Chapter V

Laurel Hill— (July 7th-13th, 1861.)— A night march — In position— "The Siege of Laurel Hill" — Incidents, etc. — McClellan's cooperative movement from Buckhannon — The Middle Fork Bridge affair — Rich Mountain — Garuett's flight — Its discovery — Pursuit — Waiting for daylight — Forward again — A terrible march — Closing in upon the enemy .. 69-79

CHAPTER VL

Carrtck's Ford.— (July 13th-iJ0th, 1861.)— The sounds of Battle— On the field— Captain Benham's Of&cial Report of Carrick's Ford— Resting — General Garnett — Return to Laurel Hill — McClellan's movement to Cheat Mountain — End of the Campaign — The Three Months' Regiments return home — Glance at their future — General Morris' subsequent

career 8U-b'J

Chapter VII

Beverly.- (July 21st-August 27th, 1861.) — To Beverly— Tidings of Bnll Run — McClellan summoned to Washington — The situation in West Virginia— Reynolds' Brigade — Biographical Sketch of General Joseph J.Reynolds — Duties of the Sixth Ohio at Beverly — Scouting — Company D to Leedsville — Death of Corporal Ford — The expedition under Captain Clarke — Its disastrous termination — Mountaineer Guerrillas — Excellent sanitary condition of the Regiment — Changes among its ofl&ccrs — A night march to Huttonsville — Return 90-99

Chapter VIII

To Elkwater. — (August 29th-September 9th, 1861.) — A night march to Elkwater — Fortifying — The situation — Topography of the Cheat Mountain region — Colonel Kimball's camp on the Summit — The Elkwater defenses — Distribution of Reynolds' forces — The Camp of the Sixth Ohio — Brady's Gate — The Sixth on picket there — Receiving the Greenwood muskets — The BuUtown Scout — Incidents — Picketing Stewart's Run— Return of Company D , 100-110

Chapter IX

The Discomfiture of Lee. — (September 9th-17th, 1861.) — Lieutenant- Colonel Owens' reconnoissance — The enemy in motion — Long Roll — Troops to the front — Lee halts — His plan of campaign — The Rebel General Anderson's flank movement — Capture of the Stewart's Run pickets — A stormy night — Lee closing in — Skirmishing — Incidents —

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Dispositions for the night — Tidings of Carnifex Ferry — Critical position of affairs about Elk water — Colonel Marrow's expedition to the Summit — Repulse and flight of General Anderson's Brigade — Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson's expedition — Lee wavering in his purpose of attacking — More skirmishing — Death of Lieutenant-Colonel John A. Washington — Incidents, etc. — Lee retires — General Reynolds' Official Report— Colonel Wagner's Official Report (extract) 111-127

Chapter X

The Campaign draws to a Close. — (September 18-October 8th, 1861.) — The captured pickets — Their march to Richmond — Incidents — Reenforcements— A reconnoissance under Colonel Sullivan — Beating up the enemy on Mingo Flats — Returning — A fearful storm — Frank Guhra drowned — A flooded camp — The Greenbriar fight — Death of Lieut-L'nant Bidwell — Biographical Sketch — A reconnoissance under Colonel Marrow — The Rebel camp found abandoned — End of the campaign.

128-141 CHAPTER XI.

The time grows short at Elkwater. — (October 8th-November 16th, 1861.) — The Paymaster — Messrs. Swartz and Marsh — Correspondents Miller and Crippen — The Letter Writers of the Sixth Ohio — Re-brigading — Camp life — Reminiscences — Captain Bense heard from — Resignations — Autumn deepens — Need of clothing — Relief from Cincinnati, etc. — Inspection by Major Slemmer — Arrival of Surgeon A. H. Stephens — Biographical Sketch — Remarkable healthfulncss of the Regiment — Death of Vanway and Volkers — Discharges for promotion — Thirteenth Indiana on a Scout — Winter at hand — Company G to Beverly — Third Ohio hutting for winter — Prospective transfer to Kentucky — Fond hopes — Snow 142-154

Chapter XII

Virginia, Farewell! — (November 17th-December 7th, 1861.) — Marching Orders — The last night at Elkwater — Off for Kentucky — To Beverly — The Third and Twenty-fourth Ohio ahead — Subsequent career of General Reynolds — Over Rich Mountain — Buckhannon — A race with the Twenty-fourth — At Jane Lew — Clarksburg — Paid off — By rail to Parkersburg — Down the Ohio — Home and friends near at hand — Joyful anticipations — Cincinnati in sight — A bitter, bitter disappointment — To Louisville — In the mud at Camp Jenkins — A stampede — Re-assembling 155-168

Chapter XIII

New Associations. — (December 6th-18th, 1861.) — Camp Jenkins — The troops there — The Third and Sixth Ohio separated — The Fifteenth Brigade, Army of the Ohio — Biographical Sketch of General Milo S. Hascall — Under Nelson — The march to Camp Wickliffe — Location, etc.,

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of the new camp — The Tenth Brigade — Disposition of Buell's forces — Lincoln's birthplace— Life at Camp AVickliffe — Its daily programme — Resignations, promotions, etc. — Tidings of the fight at Woodsonville.

169-178 CHAPTER XIV.

Camp Wickliffe.— (December l-5th, 1861-February 13th, 1862.)— Drills, etc.

The holidays in camp — Eighth of January — General Nelson's energy

and great industry — His care of the troops — Sickness in the camp — Remarkfible healthfulness of the Sixth Ohio— How accounted for, a conversation between General Nelson and Surgeon Stephens — The Nineteenth Brigade— Nelson ill, etc. — Muskets exchanged and Sibley tents received— Details, courts-martial, etc.— Preparing to move forward—Orders to change camp, etc. — Tidings of victory : .Mill Spring, Fort Henry, and Roanoke Islaud— Marching orders 179-192

Chapter XV

Feom Camp Wickliffe to Nashville. — (February 14th-25th, 1862.) — The march to West Point — Its difficulties and hardships — The Sixth Ohio retained in the Fourth Division by General Nelson's especial request — Embarking for Fort Donelson— The order for embarkation — Cannelton — Glorious tidings from Fort Donelson — Evansville — Mouth of Gi-een River — Back to Evansville and Cannelton — Paducah — Up the Cumberland — Clarksville — Orders from Buell — A push for Nashville — Fort Zolli coffer — In sight of the city— The Sixth Ohio the first regiment to land — It raises its colors over the State House — Captain Driver and his flag — History and subsequent fate of "Old Glory."... 193-208

Chapter XVI

Camp Andrew Jackson.— (February 2.5th-March 16th, 1862.)— The Sixth Ohio at the State House — Out to camp — A cavalry stampede — Composition of the Fourth Division — The Sixth Ohio in the Tenth Brigade — • Its associations there — The Twenty-fourth Ohio — The Thirty-sixth Indiana — Biographical sketch of Colonel Jacob Ammen — Deviltries of John Morgan's cavalry, etc. — A military execution— To the Hermitage — Continued good health of the Sixth Ohio — Resignations, promotions, details, etc. — The ofiicers present during the march to Savanna and at Shiloh 209-220

Chapter XVII

The march to Savanna. — (iVIarch 17t.h-April 5th, 1862.) — The situation — Buell's offer to cooperate with Halleck — The expedition up the Tennessee — The general plan of campaign — The Army of the Tennessee encamped at Pittsburg Landing — Grant and Sherman responsible for great errors in the Sliiloh campaign— Unfairness of Badeau's Life of Grant in regard to Shiloh — March of the Fourth Division from Nashville—Franklin, Spring Hill, Rutherford Creek, Carter's Station— The

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delay at Duck River — Grant's ignorance of his danger — Nelson's foresight — He fords Duck River and gains the advance — Columbia, Mount Pleasant, Pointer's Furnace, Waynesboro', etc. — Buell instructed to concentrate at Waynesboro', but instead puslies forward — Nelson notified not to hasten his march — His unslackened exertions — Rain and bad roads — The Fourth Division at Savanna — Grant's interviews with General Nelson and Colonel Ammen — Nelson peremptorily forbidden to march beyond Savanna— Buell's arrival — Inaccuracies of Badeau's account — The night before the battle — Grant's and Sherman's last dispatches preceding the battle of Shiloh 221-240

CHAPTER XYIII.

To Pittsburg Landing. — (April 6th, 1862.) — A beautiful Sabbath morning — The opening roar of battle — Nelson's impatience — He goes to Grant's head-quaiters — Marching orders — Grant's note to Buell — No information as to the roads — Captain Kendrick sent out to examine them — Rumors of disaster — Nelson's distressing situation — Colonel Ammen at the landing at Savanna — No boats from Pittsburg Landing — Ammen' s interview with General C. F. Smith — Captain Kendrick' s report — The Fourth Division on the march — Through the woods and swamps toward the battle-field — Further orders from Grant, who realizes his peril at last— Scenes at Pittsburg Landing — The battle of Sunday — Success of the rebels— Perilous situation of Grant's army 241-255

Chapter XIX

Shiloh. — (April 6th and 7th, 1862.)— Crossing the Tennessee — Grant, Buell, and Nelson upon the bluff at Pittsburg Landing — The panic-stricken rabble at the river — The Thirty-sixth Indiana in action — Importance of the services rendered by Ammen's brigade — General Badeau's statements upon this point examined— The Sixth Ohio's part in Sunday evening's scenes — The Twenty-fourth Ohio— The night between two battles — Companies A and F, Sixth Oliio, on a reconnoissance at midnight, and private Brocksmith killed — Rain and darkness — Formation of the lines for Monday's battle — Nelson's attack at daylight — Progress of the battle — Terrill's opportune arrival — The fighting of the Fourth Division, of Ammen's brigade, and of the Sixth Ohio — Volunteers from Company A, Sixth Ohio, manning Terrill's guns — Terrill's letter, and Nelson's indorsement — Lieutenant Ludlow — End of the battle — Casualties of the Sixth Ohio — General Buell's official report (extracts) — General Nelson's official report— Letters from Rev. (formerly Captain) J. Mills Kendrick. — General Buell's testimony 256-283

Chapter XX

The Advance upon Corinth. — (April 8th-May 24th, 1862.) — Dr. Stephens' valuable services at Shiloh — The siege of Corinth, so-called — Diary of events during April — Organization and position of Halleck's forces —

2Qi TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Marching orders — Diary of events to May 24th — Reconnoitering, skirmishino-. fortifying, etc. — At Nichols' Ford — The skirmish of May I'Jth — Sergeant Lawler wounded "284-300

Chapter XXI

In Corinth and Beyond. — (May 2oth-June 8th, 1862.) — Flag presentation from the Sixth'to the Twenty-fourth Ohio — Summary of events to May 29tli — The evacuation and occupation of Corinth — Pope's pursuit, so-called — Summary of events to June 3d — The Fourth Division ordered to Pope's support — Through Corinth, Danville, and Rienzi — In position — The Army of the Ohio ordered to East Tennessee — Changes among the Sixth Ohio's officers — List of those present on June 9th.... 301-311

Chapter XXII

luKA AND Athens. — (June 9th^uly 13th, 1802.) — Buell's anomalous campaign — Diary of events to June 11th — Through Jacinto — At luka — Preparing for a summer campaign — Organization of the Fourth Division — The march of June 17th — At Bear Creek — Diary of events to June 29th — Buzzard's Roost and Tuscumbia — Across the Tennessee at Jackson's Landing — Florence, Shoal River, and Rogersville — Fording Elk River— At Athens — The grand review on the Fourth of July — Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson's expedition to the Elk River tunnel — Biographical sketch of Colonel William Grose, the new commander of the Tenth Brigade 312-321

Chapter XXIII

MuRFREESBORO'. — (July 14th-31st, 1862.) — Capture of Murfreesboro' by Forrest — Nelson ordered to re-occupy it and secure Nashville— The march to Reynolds' Station — Elk River and Pulaski — Diai"y of events to July 31st— A railroad accident — Through Columbia — At Nashville ^By rail to Murfreesboro' — Sixth Ohio quartered in the town — Pursuing guerrillas, fortifying, etc. — \ night alarm — Death of Captain Tatem — Biographical Sketch — Changes among the commissioned officers 322-332

Chapter XXIV

McMiNNviLLE.—( August Ist-Septembcr 7th, 1862.) — Diary of events to August lOth — Tlirough Beadyville and "Woodbury to McMinnville — The expedition toward Sparta — Collins' River, Rock Island, and Caney Fork — Picket duty, drills, etc. — The left wing to Murfreesboro' and return — Nelson's departure for Kentucky — The muster of August 18th — The situation — Evacuation of McMinnville — Diary of events to August 27th — To Murfreesboro' with the trains — Returning to McMinnville — Back to Murfreesboro' — Bragg's plans and progress — Buell's whole army in retreat— Through Lavergne to Nashville 333-344

TABLE OF CONTENTS. xiii

Chapter XXV

The Race with Bragg for Louisville. ^(September 8th-30tb, 1862.) — En route for Bowling Green — Diary of events to September 13th — Edgefield Junction, Tyree Springs, Mitchellsville, Franklin, and Cave Mill — At Bowling Green — Half-rations, etc. — Subsequent services of General Ammen — Biographical sketch of General William Sooy Smith, the new commander of the Fourth Division — The situation — The march resumed — Diary of events — Dripping Spiings, Prewitt's Knob, etc. — In line of battle — Woodsonville, Green River, Munfoi-dville, Camp Nevin, Elizabethtown, and West Point — Hard-tack once more — To Louisville — On Goose Island — Muster-out, etc., of Colonel Bosley — Resume of the Sixth Ohio's service since leaving Corinth — Changes among the commissioned ofacers 345-357

Chapter XXVI

Nelson. — His death and burial — Biographical sketch — Extent of his services at Shiloh — Summary of General Nelson's character 358-369

Chapter XXVII

Perrtville, Wildcat, and Nashville Again. — (October Ist-December 25th, 1862.) — Reorganization of Buell's army — New troops — The Eighty-fourth Illinois — Diary of events to October 8th — Floyd's Fork, Mount Washington, Bardstown, Springfield, and Rolling Fork — The battle of Perry ville — In position on the right, skirmishing, etc. — True significance of the battle — Buell's failure to improve a great opportunity — Reconnoitering, etc. — In pursuit again — Danville and Stanford — Diary of events to October 18th — A night march — Crab Orchard, Mount Vernon, Rockcastle River, Camp Wildcat, and Nelson's Cross-roads -Countermarching toward Nashville — A snow storm — The scenes of Valley Forge repeated — Somerset, Fishing Creek, Mill Spring, Edmonton, Glasgow, and Scottsville — Through Gallatin and across the Tennessee — At Silver Springs — The situation — Promotions, etc. — Outline of events down to the battle of Stone River — Biographical sketch of General John M. Palmer, the new commander of the Fourth Division — Flag presentation to the Sixth. Ohio — Colonel Anderson's speech of acceptance — Changes among the commissioned officers, etc. — Biographical sketch of Major Anthony 0. Russell 370-389

Chapter XXVIII

Stone River. — (December 26th, 18G2-January 4th, 1863.) — The situation — Organization of the Fourth Division — On the march to attack Bragg at Murfreesboro' — Skirmishing, etc. — Lavergne, Stewart's Creek, etc. — In position at "Cowan's Burnt House" — Events of December 30th — The battle morning — Rosecrans' plans and magnificent example at Stone River — Movements of Grose's brigade — Terrific fighting of the Sixth xiv TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Ohio in tlie cedars — Progress of the battle — Supporting Hazen — Rousseau's and H.iscall's mention of the Sixth Ohio — The nights on the battle-field — Events of January 1st, 18G3 — The fighting on Friday afternoon and its glorious results — Bragg' s retreat — In camp at Murfreesboro' — Biographical sketches of Captain McAlpin, Adjutant Williams, and Lieutenant Foster — Colonel Anderson's official report — List of casualties of the Sixth Ohio — The regiment's heavy loss — Colonel Grose's official report - - 390-ilo

CHAPTER XXTX.

MuRFREESBORo' AND Cripple Creek. — (January 5th-June 23d, 1863.) — In camp near Murfreesboro' — Foraging, guerrilla hunting, etc. — The Sixth Ohio's "roll of honor'' — Changes among the commissioned officers — Biographical sketch of Adjutant Throop — -First experience with shelter tents— Expeditions to Cripple Creek, Ready ville, Woodbury, Brady ville, etc. — Splendid condition of the camp — Tidings of Chancellorsville, Streight's exi:)edition, etc. — In camp at Cripple Creek — Drills, reviews, etc. — A terrible rain-storm — A memorable grand review — Changes among the commissioned officers — Officers on duty with the regiment during the TuUahoma campaign 410-431

Chapter XXX

From Cripple Creek to the Chickamauga. — (June 24th-September 11th, 1863.) — The situation — Marching orders — Rosecrans' plan of campaign — Diary of events to July 3d — Rain, more rain — Bradyville and Manchester — To Morris' Ford, on Elk River — In camp on Indian C'eek — Tidings of Vicksburg — In camp at Manchester — Cutting railroad ties, etc. — Camp-life as described in an officer's letter — The party sent to Ohio for drafted men — The situation — The march across the Cumberland mountains and Waldron's Ridge to Poe's Tavern — Operations in the Tenn'.'ssec Valley — Ilocrossing Waldron's Ridge and down the Sequatchie Valley — Across the Tennessee— Advancing on Chattanooga — Shell Mound, Lookout Valley, etc. — Grose's recounoissance to Summer town — Occupation of Chattanooga — Rosecrans' misconception of Bragg's plans — In pursuit — Graysville and Ringgold — Skirmishing, reconnoitering, etc. — Critical situation of the Army of the Cumberland — Changes among the commissioned officers, and roster of those present on the Chickamauga campaign .j 432-449

Chapter XXXI

Chickamauga.— (September 12th-20th, 1863.) — Diary of events to September 18th — At Gordon's Mill — Reconnoitering, skirmishing, etc. — To Chattanooga Valley and back — Watching the line of the Chiokamauga — Crawtisli Springs— Private Ilooth, Company F, Sixth Ohio, killed in a picket skirmish — The enemy's plans developed — A nigiit march — la

TABLE OF CONTENTS. XV

position — Grose's reconnoissance to Baird's division and return — Opening of the battle — Summary of its principal events, etc. — Casualties of the Sixth Ohio — Major Erwin's official report — An officer's letter — General Reynolds' mention of the Sixth Ohio — Colonel Grose's official report 450-476

CHAPTEK XXXII.

Chattanooga and Brovtn's Ferry. — (September 21st-November 19th, 1863.) — Retirement to Chattanooga — Bragg's starving-out strategy — Straits of the Union army — Leading incidents in the Sixth Ohio's history to October 9th — Reorganization of the army — Subsequent career of General Palmer and Colonel Grose — Biographical sketches of Generals Wood and Hazen, the new division and brigade commanders of the Sixth Ohio — Summary of events to October 21st— Sufferings of the troops — Rosecrans replaced by General Grant — The Brown's Ferry expedition — Its complete success — Hooker's men in Lookout Valley — Summary of events to November ISth — Changes among the commissioned officers, and roster of those present at Missionary Ridge 477-495

Chapter XXXIII

Missionary Ridge. — (November 20th-25th, 1863.) — Longstreet sent into East Tennessee — Sherman coming up — Gr'ant's original plan of "the battle of Chattanooga " — Preparing for action — Events of November 21st and 22d — Wood's division ordered upon a reconnoissance — General Wood's description of the seizure of Orchard Knob, the assault oa Mission Ridge, etc. — An officer's letter — Incidents — Lieutenant-Colonel Christo- • pher's official report — Biographical sketch of Major Erwin — Casualties of the Sixth Ohio — General Hazen's official report 496—518

Chapter XXXIV

East Tennessee.— (November 28th, 1863-April 16th, 1864.)— The march to the relief of Knoxville — Harrison, Georgetown, the Hiawassee, Decatur, Sweetwater, the Little Tennessee, Marysville, Little River, eic. — Hardships of East Tennessee campaigning — To Blain's Cross-roads — The Clinch Mountains — Bitterly cold weather — Across the Holston and through Strawberry Plains to Dandridge — The retreat from thence — Through Knoxville to Campbell's Station — In camp at Lenoir's — Colonel Andersou in command of the brigade — Back to Knoxville — The Shuck's Gap expedition— Advancing again —Through Strawberry Plains and New Market to Morristown — In camp at New Market — Panther Springs, Rutledge, Powder Spring Gap, Bonn's Station, etc. — Return of Sergeant Price— Reconnoitering, etc. — Longstreet's final withdrawal — Leaving East Tennessee — Sti-awberry Plains, Knoxville, Lenoir's, Loudon, the Holston, Sweetwater, Athens, Charleston, the Hiawassee, Cleveland, etc 519-528

Xvi TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Chapter XXXV

Cleveland, Resaca, Home, and Muster-Out.— (April 17Lli-June 23(1, 1864.) In camp at Tuckers Gap — Drills, reviews, etc. — Garrisoning Cleveland — Colonel Anderson in command of the Post — Tidings from Tunnel Hill, Dallon, and Resaca — Marching orders — Once more to the front — Dalton, Resaca, Calhoun, Kingston, etc. — Guarding the railroad bridge .at Resaca — Ninth and Tenth Ohio, and First and Second Kentucky off for home — Officers and detailed men rejoining the regiment — • The trip home — Reception in Cincinnati — Musiei'-out — Present location, etc., of tlie officers mustered out with the regiment — Summary of the Sixth Ohio's service in marching and fighting —Heavy details for clerical duty — Remarkable healthfulness of the regiment 529-536

Part II

CHEAT MOUNTAIN CAMPAIGNING.— The march to Cheat Mountain — A notable scouting adventure — The court-martial OF Stalnaker — "Skedaddle" — How did the term ORIGINATE? 539-547

TRAINING UNDER NELSON.— A Private's diary— Nelsoniana

— A military execution 548-557

COMING UP AT SHILOH 558-569

BATTLE PICTURES FROM SHILOH.— 0\ the battle-field— An

officer's recollections — Extracts from a letter 570-581 m HOSPIT.-VL AFTER STONE RIVER 597-610

APPENDIX. — Roster of thi; Independent Guthrie Greys — Roster of the Sixth Ohio Regiment (three-years' term) 611

THE STORY OF A REGIMENT.

Chapter I. The Guthrie Greys

IN the tumultuous rushing to arms which succeeded the full of Fort Sumter, the country — that is to say, the loyal North — was conscious of great and lamentable unpreparedness for the war thus suddenly forced upon it. In fact, from the first hour of the tremendous conflict, the nation's salvation lay bound up in the patriotism, courage, and determination of the people. These grand attributes of a free community produced wonderful results. Even amid the wild enthusiasm and extravagant self-confidence of "Sumter times," they developed resources and capabilities of incalculable value, alike in a military and in a political point of view. As the contest deepened, and its full significance by degrees dawned upon the popular mind, they created vast armies and navies, colossal combinations, and new methods of warfare, with an energy and rapidity unparalleled in history.

The record of Ohio during the War of the Rebellion is an illustrious exemplification of the power inherent in great moral

principles for effecting vast material results. The President's 2 (17)

first call for troops was issued on the 15th of April, 1861. The morning of the 19th saw two entire regiments en route from Columbus to the National Capital. Ohio's assigned quota, under the call, was thirteen thousand men. Within two weeks, says the report of Adjutant-General Buckingham for 18G1, nearly thirty thousand had offered their services, and, it hud become "a task of serious and embarrassing difficulty to decide which should be the favored ones." ' Yet the war had found Ohio "in no condition whatever to meet its requirements. Almost the entire organization of the militia was merely nominal. Very many of the high offices were vacimt, and the system, if such it could be called, had no 'working power. The only bright spots in this melancholy picture wore less than a dozen independent companies of volunteer infantry,"^ and seven or eight gun squads of artillery, called, by law, companies."

Two of the infantry companies here referred to — namely, the " Independent Guthrie Greys," of Cincinnati — became the nucleus of the Sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry; whence it naturally came about that that regiment, at home, was long known by the old, familiar name of the Guthrie Greys, and perhaps many Cincinnatians still remember it best by tliat designation.

Early in the year 1854, a serious disaffection among the " Rover Guards," a well-remembered Cincinnati company of volunteer militia, culminated in the withdrawal of a number of its members, among whom were several of the officers, with

*Tlif, term "independent companies" here designates all companies other than those of the ordinary militia. The Guthrie Greys formed the only orizanization which ever availed itself of the provisions of the lavf, passed in March, 1S59, legalizing an independent militia. That lavr we bIiuII oonsidor presently.

THE GUTHRIE GEEYS. 19

the determination of organizing a military corps which should be entirely independent of control by the authorities of the State or any militia officer appointed under its laws. Their first meeting, for this purpose, was held at the Rover Enginehouse, on Fourth Street, being attended by just seven persons;* and, on the 19th of April, the anniversary of the battle of Lexington, the organization of the " Independent Guthrie Greys " was completed. The company assumed its name in compliment to the citizen who, by unanimous choice, became its first commander.

Captain Presley N. Guthrie, grandson of an officer in the revolutfonary war, was not a novice in military affi\irs. Although reared to mercantile pursuits, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was born, on the 4th of August, 1819, his taste for the profession of arms early manifested itself, and while still quite a young man he was chosen to the command of the '' Duquesne Greys," a noted volunteer company of his native city. On the 11th of March, 1847, having previously applied for a position in the regular army, he was commissioned a captain in the Eleventh United States Infantry; a detachment of which, including Captain Guthrie's company, were the first reenforcements received by General Scott from the United States, cutting their way through hostile forces for a considerable portion of the distance between Vera Cruz and Puebla. Captain Guthrie was in the battles of Contreras, Cherubusco, and El Molino del Key, and, for his gallantry and good conduct, received the brevet of Major. In the action last named, he was twice shot down, receiving severe and dangerous wounds.

* These were P. N. Guthrie, W. K. Bosley, Julian White, John H. Carter, James Bense, Samuel B. Neal, and T. A. Bosley. A roster of the Guthrie Grey organization is given in the Appendix.

The declaration of peace with Mexico was speedily followed by the disbandment of the new regiments of regular troops, of whicli the Eleventh Infantry was one. Upon his return to civil life, Captain Guthrie removed to Cincinnati, where, for a number of years, he was engaged as book-keeiser in a mercantile house on Pearl Street. His military prestige accompanied him. He was a leading spirit in the company of Rover Guards, and at the period under consideration had recently been its captain.

The Guthrie Greys made their debut on the Fourth of July following their organization, in a public parade, wherein thirty-five members participated.* Though on so modest a scale, numerically, the display attracted much attention, and resulted in decided benefit to the young company.

Captain Guthrie continued in command about a year, when

* None of the survivors but will recall, vrith lingering fondness, the keen enjoyments and the good fellowship of this occasion. Captain Guthrie resided in Covington. Thither the company repaired after the morning parade, and was most hospitably entertained, returning to Cincinnati late in the afternoon. The writer is indebted to Mr. John H. Carter for a complete " KoU of the Independent Guthrie Greys, on their first parade, July 4th, 1854," as follows. The stars indicate withdrawals from the Kover Guards:

Captain, P. N. Guthrie ; * First Lieutenant, W. K. Bosley ; * Second Lieutenant, Chas. G. Carter;* Third Lieutenant, Julian White;* Ensign, Alexander Lockwood.*

Orderly Sergeant, John 11. Carter;* Second Sergeant, James Bense;* Third Sergeant, Walter J. Smith;* Fourth Sergeant, D. V. Bennett. Corporals, J. II. Anderson, S. B. Ncal,* W. B. Carter,* J. D. Lovell.*

Privates, Trux. T. Swift,* W. Vandevier,* John II. Eagau,* C. J. F. Burley,* T. A. Bosley,* C. M. Chenoweth, Al. L. Smith, W. H. Vandewator, John Ellis, C. W. Sullivan, L. H. Kellogg, Geo. B. Weidler, W. M. Sheppard, Chas. Ilofer, Frank Lewis, J. Ashcraft, W. Price, Chas. H. Brutton, W. McGoorge, John Baldwin, H. W. Diggins, Thatcher Lewis.