Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-07-17
3onlf SnteIIiatnts.
Statement Of the Returned Soldiers Of
Company C.

Statement OF the Returned soldiers o
Company C.
Having served in Company c, 18th Reg
O.V. II. U. S. A, in the present Campaign il
Virginia, until the It'll of July. inst and ther
having been ordered to Columbus O., and Their
dismissed the service in disgrace, in justice Il
our friends and ourselves, We submit the fol
Loving statement.
The 18th Reg't broke camp ten miles beyond
ClArksburgh Va, on the evening of June Both
marched eighteen miles, and encamped in the
suburbs of B~uekhannon.
From the time we entered Virginia, it had
been customary for parties from the sth and
10th Indiana, and the 18th Ohio Regis to GO
out os scouting expeditions. capturing seees-
~siOnists. and bringing them into camp. These
on taking the oath Of allegiance to the United
States Government. were released.
This practice was frequent, and when men
cSere arrested, the oath was administered by
the superior officers OF the Brigade, sometimes
by the Colonies, sometimes by Gen. Rosen-
Grams himself. The practice was well known
W = chENAO OAnSNASH AN Aoo v a. -
as we are aware. been disapproved of, but as
we supposed. was encouraged. We had no
idea the. it was contrary to orders, and We do
not now understand that it was so. before q
general order issued BY Gen. Mcclellan. July
5th one or two days after the occurrence here
matter mentioned, took place. This order pro-
hibited the making Of arrests, except where
che parties were in communication with he
rebel forces, or bearing arms against the Gov
eminent
On the % of July, a number Of Union men
residing near our e~ncampment. informed seve-
rl of our company of the whereabouts of one
Jackson. a secessionist of whom they intims-
ted suspicious of earring on a secret CORES
pondence with the rebels, then a few miles dis
tant. They urged the Importance of taking
him into custody. Accordingly eight of US,
taking the company wagon, started out for that
purpose. On our arrival at his house, we found
it open, the beds, furniture, dc, tossed miscel-
laneously about. and some Indiana soldiers
lettering near. We had been at the house but
q few moments, when the owner arrived. We
informed him of the object of our visit, but on
his producing q paper signed by Gen. Rosen-
Grams, certifying that he had on that day tax
en- the oath of fealty to the Constitution of the
United States, We did not arrest him. On ex-
aiming his house, he said he missed a lot of
clothing, a watch, some stores, DC. We as
sured him that we had taken nothing, and if
he desired it, each man should be searched be-
fore We left the house. He proceeded to search,
carefully, every man of the party. He accom-
panied us to the wagon, and remarked that be
had searched it before coming into the house.
While there, a neighbOr of his, Esq. Clark,
rode up. to whom he referred the question of
his being a good Union man. Esq. CLARK re-
piled, "Ar. jackson, among your ~neighbors
you are believed TO De 3 seeessionist." We
then had some conversation in the course of
which Mr.. Clark referred to the poll books of
the last election, as proof that he, jackson, vo-
ted for the secession Representative; whic h
Jackson admitted to be TIE fact.
We then returned to camp. On the follow
ing day q CozrtOf Inquiry was called, to which
we were summoned as witnesses. The facts
ELECTED there, were as above. Jackson bring
ing no charge agains: Us, to our knowledge.
We were ordered to return to camp, and did
90, tuppOsing the matter vas at an end, SO far
- we were concerned.
On the morning of the 9TH inst. re were
thunderstruek at hearing the report that Com
pany G, was to be disbaDded. Col. Beatty.
(COl. of the 18th Reg.,) Immediately rode to
headquarters to ascertain the facts of the case.
On his return, be stated that Gen. Rosencrans
said such an order had been issued that in
answer to his inquiry for the reason for such
unusual and unjust proceeding, he could get
no satisfaction. Lieut.. Col. HollihgsEorth
aad Gen. Fitch, then rode to Gen. McClellAnis
headquarters, with no better success. They
said they had protested against such hasty &C.
tion-asked that 8 full and fair investigation
might be had, that the whole company might
not be disgraced, and that those directly
charged might at least have the benefit of
court martial.
At nine L. 81. the Regiment was drawn I'D
ir line and an order read commanding the
disarming of Company C., and their return to
Columbus. The company stepped forward,
delivered up their arms and secoutrements
and returned to camp preparatory 10 eOmmene-
ing their march home. As the company passed
down the line several companies presented
arms.
About noon, guar ded by q detachment Of
ten men of the Indiana 9Th Reg we started fer
Columbus. We reached Camp Chase, at Go
lumbus on Wednesday, and were then confined
under guafd. On Thursday Capt. Hall, Com
pany F. oath Reg, informed US that he had
called on Gov. Dennison, the day before, in
orr behalf, and that the Governor informed
him that NO charge against US had been re-
eeived, at that time, but as soon as they ar
rived would be Investigated, and if Of sufficient
Importance, a court martial would be ordered,
10 which We should have . full and fair hear