The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1868-07-24
Hon. Ralph P. Buokland.

From the Baltimore Chronotype, June p, 1861
Mr.. Buckland was born in Leyden, Mas
saehusetts, january 20, 1872 His grand
father was captain of artillery in the RevO-
Iutionary war, from East Hartford, Conn;
was taken prisoner by the English, and died
on board the Jersey prison ship at New
York. His father went from Massachusetts
to Portage county, Ohio, as surveyor in
1911, enlisted as a volunteer in Hull's army,
was surrendered at Detroit, and died st,Re-
VIENNA, Ohio; few months after his return
home, from disease contracted in the SER
vice, having previously moved his family to
Ohio His father leaving no property, the
subject of this sketch was dependent upon
the exertions of his mother aud the kindness
of relations for support until he was old
enough to earn his living by his own labor.
He had the advantage of attending the COM
mon schools of the country during the win
ter. and attended the academy at Talpadge
during the summer of 1880. In the fall Of
that year he went down the Mississippi
river, stopping a few months at Matches,
where be found employment as a clerk. In
the spring of 1891 he was sent by his en-
ployers to New Orleans ip charge of two
flat boat loads Of -four. He remained at
New Orleans in the employment as clerk Of
the cotton house of Harris Wright & Co.
until the summer of 1884, when he returned
to Ohio, spent a year at Kenyon College,
studied law with Gregory Powers, at Md
dlebury, and Whittlessey Il Newton, at
Garfield, and was admitted TO the bar in the
spring of 1887. During the time he was at
New Orleans his leisure moments were oc-
cupied in prosecuting his studies and in
learning the French language. In the sum
mer of 1887 he commenced lbe practice of his
profession at Fremont, Ohio, where he now
resides. In January, 1888, he was married
to Miss Charlotte BOughton, of Garfield,
Ohio. In 1855 be was elected to the State
Senate and reelected in 1857, sewing four
vs.rs. In the fall Of 1861 he entered the
5smv as ColOuel of the Seventy second
Ohio Infantry, a--d commanded brigade at
the battle Of Shiloh, a--d at the serge Of
Vicksburg, under General Sherman 10
November, 1862, he was promoted to s.-s
rank of Brigsdier General. During the year
1864 he was placed In command of the Dis
trict of Memphis, and during his absence
in the field he was elected TO Congress.
BE was reelected in 1866 as Representa-
tive to the Fortieth Congress. After the
close Of the war he was breyeted Major
General. 2
In October, 1861, he began to organize the
I'D Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and in three
months it was ready for the field with full
ranks, and was assigned to Sherman divis-
ION, and to the commHnd of the fourth brig
ade. On the 7th of March be moved up the
Tennessee river, and on the 17th encamped
at Pittsburg Landing, the left of the brigade
resting at Shiloh Church. On the Sd Of
April be made a reconnoisancR with his
brigade some four miles to the front, and on
the 4th be participated in a skirmish with
some Of the enemy advanced forces. On
the morning Of the 9Th, Colonel Buckland'
brigade was in line full one hour before the
hard fighting began. He advanced his linei
about 200 yards on the left and about 400 OF
the right, and met the enemy. The fighting
was desperate for two hours, during this timC
the Colonel was siding along the line en-
| couraging his men by word and example, th'
rebels beng repeatedly driven back. Gen
/ Buckland's brigade maintained its grounC
until ordered back by Gen. Sherman. h
vas heavily engaged during the second day
and was continually in the saddle. Genera
/ Lew Wallace remarked on Tuesday morning
while riding over the ground in front Of tn
| brigade, that "judgiDg from the dead bOdie
here seems to have been the best and hard
est fighting" The Colonel continued il
command Of the brigade during the adyanc
on Corinth until about the middle of May
when he was succeeded by General J. W
Denver. At Memphis, Tennessee, he wa
| assigned to the command OF brigade Ii
! Gen. Lauman's division, and formed par
of the Tallahatehie expedition.
! As soon as the news reached Genera
Grant that General Van Doren had take
Holly Springs, Gen Buckland was sent wit
his brigade to retske The place. He wa
then sent to drive Forest frVm his camp q
Dresden, West Tennessee.
On the 20th of March he Joined Genera
Sherman S corps in front of Yicksburg, ap
panticipsted in that series of battles yhic
occurred in the mOVement TO the rear {
Vieksburg. During heSiege he was alway
active and vigilani, and at times muce ex
posed. On the 22d of May he lead hi
brigade down the Grave Yard road, march
ing on foot TO support the assault on tn
enemies works, exposed 10 a murderou
fire of musketry from the enemies works
His men were shot down in great number
around him. but he escaped untouched.
During the year 1864 he was IN comman
of the District of Memphis, where his ad
ministrative abilities were exempli6ed an
integrity Of character was clearly manifest
cd Al the time Of the Forest raid int
Memphis, General Buckland, though con
handing the post, did not have control {
J the defenses. Forest captured the caEsll
patrols, rushed over the infantry picket