The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-08-07

Ninetieth Illinois, better known as the Irish
Legion of Chicago. Leaving a good busi
ness and large family he enlisted as a
private, was promoted to Captain and
commanded the regiment as acting Colonel
in some of the hardest fought and most
memorable engagements of the war. As
will be seen from the testimonials appended
to this sketch, his war record was brilliant
and highly meritorious. At the close of the
war Col. O'Marah moved to Cleveland,
where he has since resided. In 1874 he
was compimented by Gov. William Allen
with an appointment as Quartermaster
General of the State. A firm and unfinch-
ing Democrat, Gen. O'Marah has never
sought an Office, this being his first appear
ance on any ticket. But he has always
been an untirng worker at the polls, serv
ing on the Cuyahoga county committee as
Chairman and otherwise for number of
years. The General has certainly per-
formed his share of service for common
country, rislxing life and fortune in the dark
days when mems perseverance, endurance
and courage were put to the test. and when
the Union hung In the balance. Aside from
the record indicated in the following testi-
monials, the Generals war history is that
of the Irish Legion of Chicago, than which
1lO UIt1vSE IOa[1k1cuL cvGI SOOulUeTeO lnuSkeC
or charged bayonet:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF
THE TENNESSEE, HOLLY SPRINGS,
MISS, January Sth, 1868.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 4.-The Major
General commanding the Department takes
just pride and satisfaction in congratulate
ing the small garrisons of the posts of
Coldwater, Davis Mills and Middlebury for
the heroic defence of their positions on the
Goth, 21st and 24th ultimo, and their sue
cessful repulse Of an enemy many times
their number.
The Goth Illinois at Coldwater Gts first
engagement, the detachment of the vet
eran 25th Indiana, and two companies Of
the 5th Ohio Cavalry, at Davis Mills, and
the detachment of the gallant 18th Michi-
gan, at Middlebury. are deserving Of the
thanks Of the army, which was m a meas
ure dependent upon the road they SO nobly
defended, for supplies. and they viii re-
ceive the need of praise ever awarded by
a grateful public to those who bravely and
successfully do their duty.
These regiments are entitled to inscribe
upon their banners respectively Cold
water, Davis Mills and Middlebury, with
the names of other battfefelds made VIC
eOA1OuS Oy tACA NdIOA Olu OuSCaRuuC
1t is gratifying to know that at every
during the late raid OF the enemy.s cav
airy, success followed and the enemy was
made to suffer loss in killed and wounded
greater than the entire garrisons Of the
places attacked. Especially was this the
case at Davis Mills and Middlebury.
The only success gained by Van Dorm
OF nj rlr
garrison was left BY their commander in
ignorance Of the approach of danger.
By order of
MAJOR GENERAL q. S. GRANT.
| HEADQUARTERS 1st BRIGADE,
4TH DIv., 18th A. c.,
| SCoTsBoRo, Ala, March 5th, 1865.
Capt p. O'Marah, GOTH Ms: sf iili sif5lI
Dear SRI can not permit you to leave
my command without an expression Of my
feelings concerning your conduct while
serving with me. Your fidelity and zeal
in the discharge of your duties, and. patient
endurance of suffering and fatigue, have
often been noticed and highly commended.
But more especially would refer to your
| well known bravery the spirit and force
with which you repulsed and drove the
enemy attacking our army advancing upon
Jackson, Miss; and the heroic courage and
endurance exhibited by you in the late san
culinary battle of Mission Ridge.
| / am not only deeply indebted to YOU foz
your courage In action there, but also fol-
your persevering efforts in behalf of the
wounded, whereby your suffering and dis.
abled Colonel was rescued and relieved.
have the honor to be, Captain, very re-
spectfully, your obedient servant,
| JOHN MASON LOOMS,
Col. 26th ILLS. Commanding Brigade.
Col. O'Marah of e0th Regiment:
| DEAR SIR-I desire to commend you
and the gallant regiment you. command
for your patience and good conduct and
heroism exhibited in the advance upon
jackson, Miss. Men that will march In
their bare feet and fight as bravely as the
officers and men of the Goth have aone,
cannot be too highly praised. Accept
my warmest thanks, and tender them tc
your command, Yours truly, n y
/ w. 8. SMITH,
/ Brig. Gen. commanding 1st Division.
July 20, 1864. s9.f
| LANCASTER, o., July I, 1879.
To Gen. P. O'Marah, Cleveland. Ohio:
/ GENERAL:-It gives me pleasure to re
tcall the deeds of yourself and gallant rela.
tive, and of the splendid Goth Illinois, that
you successfully commanded at MisHof
Ridge. Better and Drawer officers and
men never moved into battle, and being IN
never behaved with greater dash, gallantry
and efficiency. -lr..5 isjs s -. 80.
/ To your relative, who commanded thai
glorious legion, and fell early in the battle
Illinois should erect a monument Shs
never sent out more devoted soldier
1 To, yourself who fought the troops d
through the day, and continued splendid
4 " to command them through the pursui
Of Bragg. and over the blood d-stained
frozen road to the relief of Knoxville, tn
citizens of Ohio should show their appreca
ton as to one who has fought the goot
fight; and our comrades, who helpet
us to bear the heat and burden of thos
days, should give you the hand Of fellow
ship IN October. l will give you mine.
i 5ss5a HUaH EWING
4 General Ewing commanded the Division
that the 9Oth Illinois was in, and was al
eye witnesses to what he relates above.
; GEN. Ew1Na remarks that he is no
making alliances with anybody. He in
tends to carry Ohiosas the candidate
of the people of Ohio.
ScHADE, the defender of Wirz, the An
dersonville prison keeper, avows himsel
the warm personal friend Of Foster, an,
calls General Ewing demon" becajus
of his war record. The Republicans an
no doubt proud of the support of Mi
Schade. s,i4la'
i A CONGRESSIONAL Committee is nov