Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-12-05
[From the Geausa Democrat
Military Sketch of BreVet
Brigad1er General Emerson
ODdYcke.


of our first defeat at Bull Run.
He was mustered in as Ist Lieut.. c
Co. A, 4lst o. V. l., August 26th, 1861
and stood No. l in Col, Hazens's clas
of officers in December of the sam
year. At Camp Wicklihe, KY, winte
of '6I-'62, he was detailed by brigad
orders to drill and instruct officers G
Col. Hascalps Brigade, Nelson's Divis
ion: also the 18th and 47th Regiment
of Indiana Volunteers. His success
attracted the favorable notice of Gen
Nelson, who, with Coils. Ammon, Has
call and Hazen, recommended him I,
the Governor of Ohio for the command
of a regiment. January, '62, he wa
promoted to the grade of Captain o
Co. A, 4Ist Ohio.
He acted as Major of the regimen
in the battle of Shiloh, April 7th, 1862
by order of Col. Hazen, who then com
manded a Brigade. Arrived on tn,
battle ground at dusk, April 9th, anC
moved upon the enemy by early day
light, April 7th-the regiment in re
serve at first, but soon heavily engage
ed-his first experience under fire.
The men were falling rapidly, and Gen
Nelson rode up and ordered him t,
charge. No one moved, and, as ht
saw the colors laying PROSTATE on tn,
ground, several -color-bearers having
been shot, he ran to the colors, raised
them and bore them some distance tc
the front of the regiment, and ordered
''Forty-First Ohio ! Follow your colorsp
The charge was gallantly made, and il
broke the enemy into a confused re
treat. He was wounded twice, once II
right leg, and once in right arm, but
remained with the command and or
duty. He served in Nelson's Division
through the Corinth campaign, and
until the Fall of '62, when he was or.
dered by Governor Tod to organize the
l25th Ohio Infantry.
He was on his duty at home in War
rem, Trumbull Co., when Kirby Smith
threatened Cincinnati. By request oi
friends, he took command of twelve
hundred Squirrel Hunters, and report.
ed them for duty at Covington, Ky
He left the State at the head of a we'll
drilled and solidly disciplined regi,
ment, January Sd, 1868. Marched
from Nashville for Franklin, Tenn,
Feb. 18th, under Gen. Gilbert's COM
mand. He led his regiment against
the enemy in the town, and drove HIM
out, having forded the Harpeth River
under fire. The regiment at once took
a high position in all the qualities which
compose the true American soldier
Was engaged in the affair with the enc
my at Franklin and Triune, and was
assigned to Harksr's Brigade, Woods
Division, 2lst A. c., just previous to
the opening of Rosecrans' campaign of
1868. Entered Chattanooga, Sept. 9Th
and pursued Bragg to Lee and Cor
don's Mill, Ga., on the banks of the
Chickamauga. Was engaged furiously
during the two-days battle of Chicka-
mauga, where the regiment rendered
important service to the country.
In the forenoon of the second day,
Sept. Goth, the little Division was moY-
ing to the support of Reynolds Divis-
ion, and while thus moving in large,
open field, was attacked in right flank
and rear. They Immediately changed
front, and formed themselves in face
Of a superior and rapidly advancing
enemy. TO attempt to stand there
would probably result in their utter
and Gen. Wood ordered
he charge. He expected the old regi-
nents to lead of, but none moved
he then ordered, -.125th Ohiol Fix
oayonetsw and the rattle of steel rang
llong his line. He then rode to the
ront of his colors, and ordered, "l25th
ohio Follow your Colonel" Loud
cheers arose from the men as they
prang forward against the enemy,
Who FIRST halted, then wavered and
led in confusion. The regiment soon
ook up a position of vital importance,
nd main tanned it against the repeated
nd most furious assaults Of the enemy
lntil all firing had ceased, and they
7ere ordered to march. Two pieces of
rtillery were sent him, which he placed
n position, and hurled canister
through the rebel masses. He rode |
is horse during the entire battle, and |
ienerals Wood, Granger, Garfield and
'homas were only few PAGES from
is regiment. His position was SO i'm
ortant that Gen. Thomas said TO him
this point must be held" he replied
Or the regiment, "We will hold the
osition or go to Heaven from IT,
.osecrans said to him, 81 thank the
fcers and men of the 125th Ohio for
ae magnificent manner in which they
,ught." He was hit once on the Goth
ut not seriously hurt.
The army WAS re-organized after this
attle, and the Brigade became part of
heridan's Division, 4th Corps. He
ommanded five regiments, a demi-
rigade, in the grand assault on Mis-
onary Ridge, Nov. 25th, 1868. His
isault was directly in front of Bragg's
which were on the crest.
e had two horses disabled in the as
mt, and his command captured six
eces of artillery near Bragg's head
1arters, and another piece soon after
the pursuit, which he continued all
ght, taking 800 prisoners and humid
,ds Of small arms. When on the
est of the ridge, one of his men shot
rebel officer and mounted him on his
orse. Served under Sheridan during
Ie East Tennessee campaign of the
me fall. May 8th, Gen. Harker gave :
m a guide, and requested him to ef- !
ct lodgment on Rocky Face Mount
in with his regiment. He made a !
int at the north end of the mountain,
Ien suddenly Withdrew, and under
YER of woods stormed obliQuely up
70 eastern side-carried the crest
Indsomely-drove the enemy along
e crest for three quarters of a mile,
ID held it against whole Brigade of Z
e enemy. This position gave fine !
ew of Johnson's entire works clear to
alton, and the service was SO impor
Mt Gen. Sherman gave official praise
it to the whole Division, although 5
planned the entire attack himself, z
d no troops were within half-hour's
arch Of him until after the work was q
comphshed. =. l
May l4th, he was severely wounded
rough left,upper arm, while on, horse, T
d leading his regiment against the a
emy in the battle of Resacca, Ca n
3 continued in command until too Fl
mt from loss OF blood was then ia
n to the rear, but, soon reyiVing, he "
turned to the field, and retired with a
5 regiment when it was relieved Id
He declined the urgings of his Sur v
on and Brigade. and Division Com "
lndefs to go to hospital, and thence d
me, and continued with the troops, n