The National tribune., 1907-03-28
The Goth Ohio.

EDITOR National tribune: was very
much surprised to learn at this late
date that the 60th Ohio had been mus
tered out of the U. S. service without
honor" There were no better men
anywhere than those who constituted
the 60th Ohio. My own regiment, the
32d Ohio, served in the same brigade
with the 60th, and I knew them well
Unfortunately, we were all included in
that disgraceful surrender at Harper's
Ferry, Va, on Sept. Is, 1862. After
being paroled we were sent to Chicago.
The understanding at the time was that
we were to go up irto Minnesota to
quell an Indian uprising, as, according
to the terms of parole we could not
take up arms against the Confederacy
until exchanged. However, we only got
as far as Chicago. Upon arrival we
were marched to the Cook County Fair
Grounds, adjoining Camp Douglass and
near a lot of slaughter houses from
which odors arose of sickening char
acter. The weather was cold and wet,
and pools of water stood everywhere
about the grounds. On one side were
during the Worlds Horse Fair the sea-
son previous. These stables had no
floors, and many had water standing
therein with accompanying stable re-
fuse. We were halted in front of them,
and to our CONSERVATION informed that
they were our quarters. A respectable
farmer would not have put his hogs in
such a place, but soldiers must obey
orders. We had a pretty bad time in
this place. We were given hay for our
beds. which We had to put on the damp
ground. The weather continued cold
and wet, and many sickened and died.
No attention was paid to requisitions
for lumber to make the stable more
habitable, and so. finally, raid was
made on the grand stand Of the race
course. After a time more lumber was
furnished and rough hunks were built.
The rebel prisoners at Camp Douglass
Jared better than we. Rations were In
adequate and Of poor quality. Talk
about "embalmed beef" the soldiers at
Tampa in 1898 had q regular feast com.
pared with US. No passes were allowed
for awhile, to say nothing Of furloughs.
Rats, mice and vermin took possession
of everything; then. to add to the situa-
ton, an attempt was made to place
arms In our hands contrary to the
terms of parole. Things were so bad
were moved into Camp Douglass ad-
joining, but the, rats and mice were
still plentiful there. Is 1t any wonder.
then, that the men became disheartened
and sick? Many. deserted and went to
their homes, and officers resigned their
and returned to civil life.
Hon. E. b. Sherman, Of Chicago, now
a prominent attorney. was one Of those
who would not stand the treatment any
longer, 50 resigned his commission in
the eth VT. He can testify to the truth
Of all have said. AS to the 60th Ohio.
they were composed Of as good men as
any regiment in = the service. Their
time had about expired. and. Of course,
they were IN somewhat Of chaotic
state; 80. to alleviate the situation and
allow the men to re-enlist after their
they were mustered out. Can
anyone call this without honorY I
think not. Scores Of men from all the
regiments at Camp Douglass later on
after the exchange were transferred at
their own request to the Regular Army.
Anything to get out Of the dirty, YER
camp was the one thought
Of the men. The men Of all the regi-
ments, including the Goth Ohio, were
good men and true, and did valiant
service till the close OF the war. As to
the Brownsville affair have nothing to
say, but the history Of the 60th Ohio
and Camp Douglass Is no comparison or
criterion. Let us preserve the integrity
and honor Of the soldiers Of '61.-Wm.
H. Sanderson, Co. c. 9Th VT. and Cos.
I and C, I'd u. s., Dayton, o.