Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1872-09-05
POORMANS VAR RECORD.


While listening to Col. Poorman's IS
blue and gray speech made at the
Court House on the day of the Demo-
cratic mass meeting, we, as member
of his regiment during the war, were,
prompted TO give the readers of the
CHRONICLE the opinion of the boys in
blue concerning their commander. In
the Fall of 1861 Poorman raised COM
pany for the 43rd Ohio Volunteers and
went into camp at Mt. Vernon. The
rank OF Captain was too tame position
for Mr.. P. and after term of service of
about six months he secured by some of
his old wire working schemes the posi-
tion of Lieut.. Colonel in the new Regi-
ment-the 9Sth. With this rank he
marched into Kentucky. The Regi-
tnent was commanded by the noble
hearted Col. Webster, u man whom
every soldier respected and loved.
With such an officer as Webster the po-
sition of Lieut.. Colonel was mere
sinecure and consequently Mr.. 2. came
very little into notice. At the disas-
trous battle of Perrysville Webster was
killed, and Poorman was promoted to
the Colonelcy. For some reason it be-
came hard times with the 9Sth.
Whether their condition might have
been bettered by more attention from
headquarters, we shall not say, but
every member of the Regiment knows
the weary, disheartening, spiritless
feeling that pervaded the breast of
every soldier of the 98th. Marching
from one point to another, dragging
their arms and baggage over heavy
roads, encamping in disagreeable places,
none but soldier can appreciate a de
scription. The number of ambulances
was very limited and part of the time
they were encumbered with the wives
of officers during the march. Col. Poor
man was among the class of domestic
soldiers who chose to thus cucumber
the army and deprive his men of their
wagons. Not satisfied with this, how
ever, the gallant Colonel gotta furlough
! home in January, '63, and enjoyed the
comforts of civilized life until some
l time in March. 1t is true that his plea
of absence was sickness and perhaps
the death of child. A furlough was a
privilege not always allowed common
Soldier and then his absence WAS limit.
ed to thirty days at the farthest and
very often to half that time. Howev.
er, by this means the Colonel managed
4 to winter at home instead of amid the
snow and rain of poor winter quarters
On his return he found the regiment al
Franklin, Tennessee. Capt. Mitchell
having marched il to Louisville from
New Market, KY, and after vast dea
of running after paymasters, managed
to have the 9Sth paid off. All of thi:
trouble Poorman avoided. In theil
new field the regiment met with nj
hard fighting. In fact, the battle o
Perryyille was the only one in which
the Colonel led the regiment. At Tri
une, Tennessee, while in face of the enc
lmy,-Van Dorn's forces-he conclud
led that his presence was needed a
home. He resigned and on his depart
lure the brigade was invited out to heal
his farewell speech. Only about hun
dred of the 9Sth boys left their tents tt
compliment by their presence the mil
itary record of their retiring command
er. The writer did not hear his speech
but was creditably informed that tht
few struggling members who did heal
Thin, hisSed him. Such was POorman's
military career embracing a period o
about eighteen months out of foHl
years of bloody war. It seemed to b.
the general impression in the army
; that the Colonel's military Iactics con
, , sisted in scheming for his own promo
ton or that of his relations or friends
Disliked both by officers and privates
!, perhaps, brave enough, but with nont
of the characteristics of commands
|. he left the army ostensiblv for reason o
sickness in the family, but it was vel
understood in the regiment that hi
true purpose was to enter the Congress
siohal field in advance of his probable
rivals. In this he has failed and hi
. failure has driven him from the part,
of boys in blue to that of tho boys il
. gray, and to-day it would not be ex
travagant TO assert that there is no
three members of the gallant old 9Sti
who will support G. L. Poorman.
!; 96th o. V. I.