The National tribune., 1904-01-14


boy. residing in Perry Township, Lake
County, Ohio.
On April % 1 enlisted with others.
from Perry Township, and we united with
volunteers from Madison Township and
formed company called Wright s
Guards. and on the 10Th went into Camp
Taylor, near Cleveland.
The quota of Ohio was Is regiments.
The Presidents call was for 10000 men
to serve for three months. The respon-
siye enlistments exceeded the number by
many times the aggregate required. In
Ohio 1900 answered the call for 13 regi-
ments, and scores of companies rendering
their services were declined. Wrights
Guards were informed after four days in
Camp that they could not be accepted.
We were greatly disappointed and deeply
mortified when denied muster; but We had
to return TO our homes.
The gainesville company, under Capt.
John n. Dyer, who had served in Mex
leo, was accepted as Co. ID, of the 9TH
Ohio. This regiment, on May >, left for
Camp Dennison, in the southern part of
the State.
On May Is the President issued his call
for volunteers to serve for three years.
The men of the 7th Ohio were asked to
enlist under this call, and the great ma
jority did so. Officers were sent home TO
recruit men to fill the places of those who
: declined to reenlist, and when Capt.
Dyer went to gainesville to recruit l
enlisted in his company on June 3, and
on the 9th left with other recruits for
Camp Dennison.
The men had not yet been uniformed or
armed or equipped in any way. We We're
mustered into the service of the United
States on June 10, and the regiment was
reorganized for the three-years service.
James A. Garfield was a candidate for
Colonel of the 7th at this reorganization,
but was defeated by E.. B. Tyler. w. r;
Creighton was elected observation-disclosures
and John s. Easement Major.
Uniforms, equipments and arms were
issued to the men, and we began to learn
how to carry arms, load in nine times"
Elk bayonets," and to accomplish other
things required of soldiers.
June % we boarded passenger cars.
and the train carried US by way of Colum-
bus to Bellaire, where We arrived on the
afternoon of June q, and whence. We
crossed the Ohio River, entering Virginia.
That night We drew our first supply of
ammunition, and for the first time loaded
our guns. We boarded box cars on the
Il. Il .. Railroad and started over the
toughest of roads to Grafton, which we
reached the next day, continuing to
Clarksburg, where we went into camp.
After one night there We started in the
afternoon on an 1S-mile march to Yves
ton. What soldier can forget his maiden
march! We took little note of the weight
and unwieldiness of our guns at the start:
or of the knapsacks, haversaeks, belt,
cartridge boxes and burdens we bore; but,
inspired by the music of the band and the
strange sensations of new and romantic
. experiences, stepped with bouyant feet to
the time of the drums and the horns at
the head of the column.
seAfter a few miles, however, our fresh
ness began to wane, our buoyancy to di-
minish and our legs to lag, because the
guns and the knapsacks and haversacks,
l1ff. xxxs4 <~r l.T~- t.xa
came burdensome and our feet became
heavy and were something difficult to lift
quickly.
1t was said that informal ton had been
received that a large sum Of money had
been deposited at Weston, belonging TO
the State Of Virginia, and that the pur-
pose Of our march was to capture the
cash claimed by the rebellious State.
Night fell upon the marching column
and advanced as We did, and we settled
down to the best marching we could do
in the dark; but the morning of Sunday
June 80, dawned on us when We were yet
some miles from Weston. Many had
fallen from the ranks, exhausted, in the
night. About mile from the town the
: order was given: Forward, double
quick-march" Many more fell out, un-
able TO run, while others cast away their
: knapsacks, haversaeks and all save their
arms, determined to be in at the finish
As We entered the town We deployed
through the streets. The treasure was
secured and the inhabitants of the town
were not aware of our invasion until they
heard our band playing in the Court House
square.
We were welcomed by the Union men
of Weston, who extended every possible
hospitality. Camp Tyler was established,
and Col Tyler commanded the post until
July q. He rendered active service with
the regiment, arresting active secession
lists. scouting, destroying rebel recruiting
agencies, and in other ways.
Tn July greater part OF the regi-
ment was removed to Chenille. There.
July p. a rebel guerrilla wounded Corp'l
l.. f. W. Adams while on picket, and
killed q horse ridden by Capt. Shurtliff
At Weston We had our first military
funeral, one of our men having died of
measles. l had thought little indeed
OF death in service, except in bat
tie or from wounds received i'm battle
might die of a simple distemper, like
measles, was appalling. This funeral
stamped upon me a lasting impression
The regiment marched to the hospital; an
ambulance served as hearse; with arms
reversed, keeping step to the singularly
solemn music of the band, We slowly fol-
lowed the coffined body OF our comrade to
the cemetery. The remarks of our Chap
lain, +. r. Brown, were full of tender
ness, and touched my sympathetic heart.
great lump Sweiied In my throat: tea re
OF genuine sorrow welled: I made a
mighty effort to- repress them, lest l be
laughed at. The sermon and the prayers
concluded, squad fred three volleys over
the graye-the soldier was buried: his
funeral was over. The command marched
back to camp, the band playing a lively
air, and when the ranks were dissolved
the solemnity Of the incident had well-nigh
dissipated.
July "A, 1861, the 9Th Ohio reunited at
Buiitown, Va, and July 25 marched TO
Salt Lick and went into CAMP with the
18th Ohio, 18th Ohio. and 4th Ind. While
there one of our piekets killed guerrilla.
The shot alarmed the camp. and an at.
tack being feared, the long roll was sound
ed. and the entire command fell i'm under
arms and under great excitement; but
no attack was made.
The command moved to Sutton. on the
Little Kanawha River, on Sunday, July
%. The day was excessively warm, and
while our regiment was getting into posi-
ton on Sutton flights. Serg't Leeompt.
of Go. A, dropped dead. He was fine
man, an excellent soldier, aud had served
his country in Mexico.
AT this place We saw artillery i'm exer-
rise for rho fr2f sno II