Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-08-05
Governor Tod to tho Pocp;o % oh
TIE STATE OF puIn.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTNENT.
COLUNBUS, July -. iS'%.

LIE STATE OF tll1.
EXECUTIVE DEPAETHENr.
COLUMBUS, July .G lS.'f.
To tie People Of the Stat:
The exciting and important cycnt
which have transpired within The la
two weeks. make the present moment
| fitting one for the Chief Executive tu a,i
I dress you.
Late in the night of the t2th instant
received reliable information that q wei
organized rebel force of cavalry and ar
tillery, supposed to exceed five thousant
in number under lead OF the uuturiou.
Jonn Morgan. was about To enter tn,
Southwestern portion of our State. Avail
ing myself of the power given me hy til,
| Constitution and Laws. at once, b,
Proclamation, called out for the defens,
of the State, that portion OF its organ
lied militia forces residing within tho
counties supposed to be in danger \:
these organizations were only consumma
ted by the election OF company officer.
on the 4th instant, but few returns had
been made; hence. it was quite uncertain
what the actual number embraced in the
call would be. The route the enemy would
take was also uncertain. 1t was believed
however, that the capital Of our STATE
was altogether the most attractive Yoiut
for the enemy. This point afforded q
richer field for plumber than any other
within his reach, and in addition to this
there was at Camp Chase oyer thousand
rebel prisoners. many of whom. including
his Chief-ofSntf had been captured from
Morgan's band. Hence to this point w.,-
ordered a larger force of the militia than
to any other.
The other points namcd for the assem-
blage OF the militia, outside Of Cincinnati.
were Camp Dennison, Chillicothe, Ports
mouth and Marietta. The response 10
the, call, at all points, was most graft
flying. With but very few Individual c,-
ceptionS, the men called into service, for
getting everything but duty, promptly
and cheerfully repaired to the camps a.
signed them, and when en- route for can't.
while there, and when returning io thee
respective homes, conducted themselves
in a manner most creditabIe The people
of the State should ever hold in grateful
the men who thus won so
much character for our State The few
who endeavored to escape n full perform
ance of duty will be frowned upon and
despised 10y all good citizens. and this l.
the severest punishment that can he in
tlicted upon fellow citizen.
The large militia force assembled near
Columbus, kept the enemy from attemp-
ting an attack upon this place. All the
other points indicated for the semblage
of the militia, were felt of 10y the enemy,
and, but for their presence, would have
been sacked and pillaged.
From these several points large mum
bers of the militia moved promptly cut
and participated with the Federal forces
in the numerous skirmishes and engage
ments that took place with the enemy
and in every instance, save one, behaved
with great gallantry and bravery The
exception referred to, was the surrender
Of about three hundred and fifty, under
command of Colonel Sontag, near Ports
mouth. The men comprising this COM
nand are all indignant at the conduct OF
heir commandig officer, and are in no
wise responsible for the disgrace that at
aches to the surrender. The conduct of
Col. Sontag, although volunteer officer, .
Without appointment or commission, shall
'e inquired into. am not now in pos
ession of information which would ena-
lie me to do justice to all the officers in
ommand of these various organizations.
can, however, bear TESTIMONY 10 the
cal and efficiency of the several military
of the counties traversed by
he enemy; their services were invaluable
o the State. When in possession of full
| will, at a future day, do
ustice to to the many gallant officers.
rho so generously devoted themselves
o the interests of the State in this crisis
The enemy entered the State on the
light of the twelfth instant, in the north
rest corner of Hamilton county, closely
ursued by a large Federal force, and
assing through the counties of Butler,
Warren, Clermont, Brown, Adams, Pike,
ackson, Gallia, Meigs, Ninton, Hooking,
Lthens. Washington, Morgan, Muskin-
um, Guernsey, Belmont, Harrison, and
etierson, was finally captured near New
lisbon, Columbiana county. this day,
bout three o'clock, p. m. More or less
and fighting took place all
long the route-but the two principal
Engagements were near Burlington
sland, in Meigs county, on the nine
zenith instant, and near Salineyille, Co
Imbiana county, this morning, ut eight
clock o. m. At the first of these en-
agements, our forces, consisting of cav
lr and artillery force of regular troops,
nd of the militia there assembled, were
nder the command of Generals HobsOn
nd Shackelford, aided materially by a
avail force on the river at that point
t the second engagement, near Saline
lille, our forces, consisting of the 9TH
lichigan Cavalry, and our Militia for
es, were under command of Major
Vay.
In the first of these engagements the
nemy lost in killed, wounded and pris-
ners, about twenty-five hundred III the
7cOnd, about three hundred The final
Irrender TO General Shackellord took
lace without an engagement, and en-
raced Morgan himself and the remnant
his command, the number not now
nown. Thus was captured and DESTROY
i one of the most formidable cavalry
'rces of the enemy, force that has been
terror to the friends Of the Union i'm
and Kentucky for about two
ears. Well may every loyal heart be
roud of the achievement.
The losses on our side have been tri-
ing, so far as numbers are concerned =
ut | am panied TO be compelled TO an
ounce that few gallant spirits have 4
cen taken from us. Prominent among \
lie number is the brave Major Daniel
-cCook the honored father of the heroic
1ys who bear his name, and who have. /
on so much glory and renOwn for our
ms in this great struggle. Major Nc
ook, though advanced in years, has per-
led his life, as a volunteer, upon many
our battle fields believing that Ae,
'uld be of service in ridding the State,
her invaders, he volunteered with his
usty rifle as a private and fell in the en-
cement near Bufington's Island. His
emory will be cherished by all, and the
ncere sympathies of all true patriots will
given TO his widow and children.
Throughout the entire contest was in
instant communication, both day and
ght, Major Gen. Burnside, who had
of the entire forces: and take,
eat pleasure in testifying to the zeal,
lelity and ability with which he has
the campaign. |: