The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-10-21
The Ie5th ohio at Chickamaugn.


This regiment did NEST glorious work in
the battle of Chickamauga. Col. Opdycko,
and his noble men proved themselves the
bravest of the brave. On going into the tight
on the goth, Col opdycke said to his SOL
diers: g Men of the 125th Ohio, if or 9TH
ers fall, stand IN the ranks till victory as oars''
And while the battle raging at its great
est fury, he forgot not to cheer his men, for
loud above the din of conflict arose his voice,
g Now men of the I25th if you love your
country, aim low-aim WELL" Side by side
and shoulder to shoulder did the men of the
125th contest that bloody field, aiming low,
and following the direction of their brave
leader s5 s
In the correspondence of the Cleveland
Herald, we find the following account Of the
department of the '125th:
While the battle was raging at its fercest
heat and it seemed no living being could
Withstand the tide of death, our Colonel rode
along the line, and raising his voice above tie
din of crashing arms cried out, /" Stand firm,
my boys, am willing to fight for my coun-
try, to die for her, and hope you are with
me-" During the entire strife Col. 0pdycke
renamed upon his horse, being the only Off
Ger on the field who did not dismount, con-
spicuous mark to the enemy's sharp-shooters,
who soon discovered the bravest on the field.
Nebly was he seconded in his efforts by our
gallant Adjutant, Lieut., E. G, Whitesides, of
Plttsburg, Pa. Itfwas miraculous that they
escaped. The Colonel had ball shot through
his blouse, slightly wounding his shoulder
His horse was wounded several times by the
rebel marksmen. The Adjutant had his
horse shot from under him, but mounted a
second Said an officer to Col. O., "Sir you
must have charmed life, for l cannot see
how you could live in such a storm of lead."
Generals Thomas and Garfield, in speaking
of this part of the battle, said twas the
grandest repulse they had ever seen.
At three P. M. the 41st Ohio came up and
laid down couple of rods in rear of our reg
iment just as the enemy made his last and
most terrible assault. 4 mutual recognition
Immediately took place between our Colonel
and the 41st, for he had formerly served as
Captain in their regiment. Three thunder
ing cheers arose for Col. Opdycke from their
ranks, while he, hat in hand, amidst the cloud
of balls, sat upon his horse and commanded
his regiment Two pieces of artillery were
placed under our Colonel's command, with
which he swept the rebel ranks with grape
and canister. ~
We remained upon this spot until all tir-
ing had ceased and night had closed upon the
bloody field. Our Division, after being or
dered the second time, fell slowly back and
without interruption, to Rossville, where
General Thomas put the army again in p 81
ton. 1t is needless for me to comment upon
the heroic actions of the 125th during two
days of the most terrific fighting ever record
ed, for abler judges than I have spoken of it.
Gen. Roseerans visited our lines the other day
and as his staff arrived near us, Gen. Garfield
pointed to Col. Opdycke and said, Gen. Ro-
secrans, there is the man that sat on his horse
through all of the Sundays fight and these
are the men, pointing to the 125th who
stood at their post. Fer two hours stood
and watched them hold the enemy in check.''
Gen. Rosecrans then rode up to our Colonel,
who stood near our battle -soiled and bullet
riddied flags, and said, II thank the officers
and men of the 125th Ohio Regiment for the
magnificent manner in which they fought
Do as well on your present lines and the gray
back of this rebellion will be broken" This
was proud moment for the 125th. Cheer
after cheer went up for Rosy and our brave
Colonel. The 125th have met the enemy
and stood the test most nobly. How could
they do otherwise when led on by so brave
and efficient commander as COL Opdycke.
He has proved his words, .That if we would
stand by him he would stand by US, and lead
us to glorious victory or an honorable grave"
John A. Bingham declined the Florida