The National tribune., 1909-09-30
GEN. III. f. DEVOL.
A Brief Story of Gallant Soldier OF
the CaiD,l

the JHID1.
In response to a request Gen. II. +.
Devol, we'll known in the Army of Vest
Virginia and the Army of the Cumber-
land, sends US the following brief sketch
of his war experience:
Editor National Tribune: Torr val
liable paper reaches NE regularly, Snd
it seems to me that il grows more in
interest as time goes on 1t is the only
medium that we old soldiers have by
which we can keep in touch with each
other. All "reminiscences or stories are
eagerly read. Wish there were more of
them. Many are living the past over
again, as most elderly people do.
My personal experience in the war
began in 1869, while in tie South. l
was in New orleans, where drilling OF
Southern soldiers had commenced.
saw the Stars and Stripes come down
from the Federal Building, the Mint.
and the Pelican, the States official en-
bIem, go up. ] hurried to ny home
near Marietta, o., and Immediately at
the call of President Lincoln | COM
menced recruiting under the three
years call and soon had the required
number for company. | reported at
Camp Putnam, and my company was
the nucleus for the 36th Ohio. This
was in August, 1861. The regiment at
once crossed into West Virginia. Col
George Crook came to us as our CJIo-
mel He drilled us night and day, ana
on May 23 together with the 4fth ONO,
we were attacked in the moraiag While
at roll call by Gen. Heth, with Il force
equal to ours. They commenced with
cannon, firing over the city and heads
of the citizens, who were preparing
breakfast for them. Crook az once
marched thru the town, LewsSburg,' anu
charged the enemy posted behind rail
fences. They braveIy stayed in their
hon
was an immediate charge, they moving
to the rear, leaving dead and wounded
and three pieces of artillery. |ot haT-
ing any, we were glad to get them.
They never called on us eor them. 20. l.
briefly mention this to show that sue
cess gave confidence to our regiment.
and never during our four long Years
in the Army of West Virginia or Armies
of the Potomac and Cumberland did
the regiment fail in a charge or to hold
their position.
-Four years ago the 36th Ohio had
a Reunion at Marietta. The Confeder-
ates of Gen. Heths command hearing
of it sent a delegation with an urgent
invitation to meet with them the fol-
lowing May on the Lewisburg battle
field The invitation was gladly ac-
cepted, and q. large number responded.
The good, loyal ladies, some of them
the same who were getting a breakfast
for Gen. Hetn s men on lHt IilOI hihS
of that terrible battle, gave us all a
magnificent dinner and also entertained
number of us at their private homes.
So in this it is readily seen that a bond
of good feeling exists between the men
on both sides, for all were equally
brave.
with the regiment ] was mustered
out in August, 1865. l was nine months
getting into business again, having, like
all others, spent four years of the best
part of my life without financial bene-
fit Since / have been well prospeEed.
First in mercantile business at Water
ford, o., on the beautiful Muslingum
River. I then sold my business there,i
in 1891, and moved to our home here
in Kansas City the next year. had
invested in some real estate before COM
ing here, and since in ranchiug lands
and city property. L have been well
except for a slight sunstroke. / am
now in my 18th year, can eat full ra-
ton and do light work. / served four
years here as Internal Revenue Collec- |
tor for 36 Counties of the western half
of this State, have been an Elder in
the church for over 30 years. and ex-
pect to die in the faith, and hope to
meet all comrades in the Kingdom of
our Lord Jesus Christ where there will
be an everlasting Reunion"