The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1865-09-12

WhlCn ne ulSplNycu the nrst Oruer Ol Ousl-
ness talent
This active business life suited him. and
it was with mfcigned reluctance that after
fifteen years of retirement, he obeyod the
call OF the people of his native State to
become their standard.bcarcr against
treason in 1863. But he could not refuse
what was so plainly his duty.
MS PATRIOTIC LABoRs IN 1864
1t was 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
contributed to the war, her patriotic Chief
Executive was ambitious to give her tiW
first rank in men and muscle,
For three years the war had ragged with
unequaed fury Tho campaign of 1864
was about to open in still greater earnest.
1t was universally admitted by ,hc rebels
that it was to be their last struggle aud the
impression prevailed throughout the loyal
States that the war would terminate with
the close OF the approaching campaign.
All patriots hoped and many believed that
| it would result in the restoration of the
Union; but the sympathaers were conf
dent that the rebels would be sill unsub-
ducd and the peoplS of the North come TO
| q compromise.
| Among those of small hope but vivid
patriotism, was Governor Brough. His
day-thoughts and nightdreams were for the
complete triumph of the old flag. How to
promote it was his chief study.
General Grant had been made Lieutenant |
| General and took command on the Potomac
lie was rallying all his strength for the APP |
preaching conflicts with General Lee ; and |
while he was planning there, Governor
Brough at Columbus was equally intent up
on the question, how can the Army of the
Potomac be so strengthened rs to make vic.
tory certain. lie 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 10 offer
to the General Government the temporary
service of an extra force of something like
Que hundred thousand men, to enable Gen.
eral Grant to call to his aid all :he forces
doing guard duty over wide area of terri
tory They responded to his suggestion.
1t was proposed to bring into the field q
large force of State militia, to serve for one
| hundred days. The offer was accepted, and
Governor Brough, on the Odd 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 ID of May, and by four o'clock the
commandants were to report the number
present for duty. A short tme truly, for
50 large a number Of the leading citizens of
| The State to set their houses and affairs in |
| order lnr "A military cnmnniVu Rut the unV |
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 O'Clock that evening thir- |
| ty.cight thousand men were reported at |
| camp and cumorous to be sent forward |
| Then came the eXhaustng work of consol- |
dation organization, muster and equip |
nent; but 10y the 10th all was accomplished
and Governor Brough found himself EN-.
barrassed with a surplus of nearly six |
thousand men, that lie scarcely knew how |
| to dispose of. lie telegraphed the Secre-
tary of War. and received for answer, are
1cdW eUeiy man nor" as "other States will
be deficient and behind lime" They were
all sent forward, numbering 1882 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 n considerable number |
went to the front to assist in fighting il ont |
on that line; aud TO the credit of tho peo- |
| pie it must be said that of all this force but |
Que company proved recusant. aud it was
dishonorably dismissed the Guard, under |
the ban of never again being admitted into |
| it's ranks.
Thus, in the busiest season of the year, |
when The plow was preparing the ground
Tor planting, did 1882 men, nearly all OF |
whom had the most pressing business nj
home rally to the glorious work OF helping |
on the final campaign to n termination so
gratifying to all patriots. This work will |
ever stand out as the proudcst monument |
to the energy and patriotism of Governor
Brough. lie originated the movement in |
proposition presented to Mr.. Lincoln in his
own handwriting. The Governors were at |
| Washington consulting with the President |
and General Grant, when the measure was
started and the latter has said that the Ma |
tional Guard gave him $4,000 veteran
troops, and enabled him to win the battle |
of Spottsy Court House.
Governor Brough always evinced great |
confidence in Mr.. Lincoln, and the latter re.
posed great confidence in his Judgment, |
ability and devotion to country. lie FIRE. |
quently sent for him. But BrouSh and |
Stanton Secretary of War; were perhaps |
| the most devoted lIlcnuS, as lneTe was |
strong resemblance of character--both be- |
ing earnest men, hating treason, dishonesty !
aud iraud
his CHARACTER AS A STATESMAN.
! Drough was a statesman. Ills views of
public policy We're broad and catholic, and |
his course was governed by what seemed
to be the best interests of the people, with |
ont regard to party eXpedcncy, or personal
advancement. lie was perfectly honest
and incorrnptible, rigidly just and plain !
even to bluntness, lie had not particle |
of Discrimination, and of course was the OPP. |
posite of Maclliavclle. People thought him |
ilI-natured, rude and hard hearted. lie was |
not; he was simply plain. honest, str ight-
forward man, devoted 10 business. he had |
not the sUarHel' in mOdO. This was, per-
haps, unfortunate for himself, but the pub
| lie interests suffered nothing thereby. lie |
was, moreover, u kind hearted man, easily |
affected by the suferings Of others, and
ready to relieve suffering when he found |
the genuine article lie perhaps niistrusted |
more than some men, but wh he was COLI
WINGED, he did not measure his gifts.
! lie was a great judge Of character, and |
perhaps was never deceived ii his life as TO |
the estimate he at first placed upon the |
men lie had to deal with. lie looked man |
through and through at first sight. Hence |
no man hated o rogue more than he; and on |
| the other hand, no man had warmer ap-
lreciation Of a man Of good principles lie |