Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-09-14
which he displayed The first order Of busi-

! II was with u1fe1gned reluctance that after
| fifteen years of retirement, he obeyed the
call of the people Of his native State to be-.
come their standard bearer against treason
in 1868. But he could not refuse what was
so plainly his duty. '..........t .t...
HIS PATRIOTIC LABoRs IN 1864.
twas during the administration Of Mr..
Brough that Ohio was enabled to distin.
guish herself above all her sister States in
the prosecution of the war. First on the
list in respect to the military talent contrib
uted tothe war, her patriotic chief execu-
tive was ambitious to give her the first rank
in men and muscle.
For three years the war had ragged with
unequalled fury. The campaign of 1864
was about to open in still greater earnest
1t was universally admitted by the rebels
that it was to be their last struggle, and
the impression prevailed throughout the
loyal States that the war would terminate
with the close ofthe approaching campaign.
All patriots hoped and many believed that
it would result in the restoration of the
Union; by the sympathizers were confident
that the rebels would be still unsubdued
and the people of the North would come to
a compromise.
Among those Of naturally small hope but
of vivid patriotism, was Governor Brougb.
His day-thoughts and night-dreams were
for the complete triumph Of the old flag
How to promote it was his chief study
Gen. Grant had been made Lieut. Gen
eral and took command on the Potomac.
He was rallying all his strength for the ap-
preaching conflicts with General Lee and
while he was planning there, Gov. Brough
at Columbus was equally intent upon the
question, how can the Army of the Petom.
&C be so strengthened as to make victory
certain. He thought to some purpose
lie found in Ohio National Guard organ
lied to defend the State against invasions
from the South. Straightway, he proposed
to several Of the Western Governors to Of
fer to the General G Government the tempo
rary service of an extra force of something
like one hundred thousand men, to enable
Gen. Grant to call to his aid all the forces
doing guard duty over wide area of terri
tory. They responded to bis suggestion
1t was proposed to bring into the field
large force Of State militia, to serve for one.
hundred days. The offer was accepted, and
Gov. Brough, on the 23d of April, tele-
graphed the Adjutant General of Ohio to
order out 10000 militia, the greater portion
to serve out OF the State. This was Satur-
day. On the following Monday an order
was issued calling out to several places of
rendezvous, the National Guards, to be
mustered into the United States service for
one hundred days. They were to appear
on the I'd of May, and by four o'clock the
commandants were to report the number
present for duty. A short time, truly, for
so large number of leading citizens of the
State to set their houses and affairs in order
for military campaign. But the day came
round, and though it was one of the most
dismal and gloomy of the season, the Guard
almost unanimously responded, and by half
past seven 0 clock that evening thirty-eight
thousand men were reported at camp, and
clamorous TO be sent forward Then came
the eXhau,ting work of consolidation, Or
ganization. muster and equipment but by
the 10th all was accomplished, and Gov.
Brough found himself embarrassed with
surplus of nearly six thousand men, that he
scarcely knew how to dispose of. He tele-
graphed the Secretary of War, and received
for answer, ",1e ,cant erery man no,o," as
'tother States will be deficient and behind
time" They were all sent forward, num-
bering So, 9S2 men. They were scattered
all along the line of the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad, placed in the forts at Baltimore,
in the trenches at Washington, and a con-
siderable number went to the front to as
sist in fighting it out on that line; and to
the credit of the people it must be said that
OF all this force but one company proved
recusant and it was dishonorably dismissed
the Guard, under the ban of never being
again admitted into its ranks.
Thus in the busiest season Of the year,
when the plow was preparing the ground
for planting, did 35, ,9S2 men, nearly all of
whom had the most pressing business at
home, rally to the glorious work of helping
on the final campaign to termination so
gratifying to all patriots. This work will
ever stand out as the prOudest monument
to the energy and patriotism of Governor
Brough. He originated the movement in
proposition presented to Mr. Lincoln in
his own handwriting. The Governors were
at Washington consulting with the Presi-
dent and General Grant, when the measure
was started, and the latter has said that the
National Guard gave him $4,000 veteran
troops, and enabled him to win the battle of
Spottsylvania Court House.
Gov. Brough always evinesd great con-
fdence in Mr.. Lincoln, and the latter re-
posed great confidence in his Judgment,
ability and devotion to country. He fire.
quently sent for him. But Brough and
Stanton (Secretary of War; were perhaps
the most devoted friends, as there was
strong resemblance OF character-both be-
ing earnest men, hating treason, dishonesty
and fraud. 1a
i. HIS CHARACTER AS A STATESMAN.
Brough was statesman. His views of
public policy were broad and catholic, aad
his course was governed by what seemed to
be the best interests of the people, without
regard to party expediency, or personal ad-
vancement. He was perfectly honest and
ineorruptible, rigidlyjust and plain even to
buntness. He had not particle of dis
stimulation, and of course was the opposite
of Machiavelle. People thought him i'll
natured, rude and hard hearted. He was
not be was, simply plain, honest, stright-
forward man, devoted to business. He had
not the sudviter in modo. This was, per-
haps, unfortunate for himself, but the pub
lie interests suffered nothing thereby. He
was, moreover, kind-hearted man, easily
affected by the sufferings of others, and
/ ready to relieve suffering when he found the
genuine article. . He perhaps mistrusted
more than some men, but when he was con-
WINGED, he did not measure his gifts
, He was great judge Of character, and
perhaps was never deceived in his life as to
the estimate he at first placed upon the
men he had to deal with, He looked a man
through and through at first sight. Hence
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