111th Ohio Infantry

Organized at Toledo, Ohio, and mustered in September 5, 1862. Moved to Covington, Ky., September 12. Attached to 38th Brigade, 12th Division, Army of the Ohio, September to November, 1862. District of Western Kentucky, Dept. of the Ohio, to May, 1863. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 23rd Army Corps, Army of the Ohio, to August, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 23rd Army Corps, Army of the Ohio, to February, 1865, and Dept. of North Carolina to June, 1865.

SERVICE. – Duty at Covington, Ky., September 13-25, 1862. Reconnoissance to Crittenden September 18-20. Moved to Louisville, Ky., September 25. Pursuit of Bragg to Crab Orchard, Ky., October 1-15. Moved to Bowling Green, Ky., October 16, and duty there guarding railroad to Nashville, Tenn., till May 29, 1863. Skirmish at Negro Head Cut, near Woodburn's, April 27. Moved to Glasgow, Ky., May 29, and duty there till June 18. Pursuit of Morgan June 18-July 26. Burnside's Campaign in East Tennessee August 16-October 17. At Loudoun, Tenn., September 4 to November 14. Knoxville Campaign November 4-December 23. Action at Ruff's Ferry November 14. Near Loudon and Lenoir November 15. Campbell's Station November 16. Siege of Knoxville November 17-December 5. Pursuit of Longstreet to Blain's Cross Roads December 5-16. Operations about Dandridge January 16-17, 1864. Expedition to Flat Creek February 1. Near Knoxville February 13. At Mossy Creek till April 26. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1 to September 8. Demonstrations on Rocky Faced Ridge and Dalton May 8-13. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Advance on Dallas May 18-25. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Ackworth June 2. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Lost Mountain June 15-17. Muddy Creek June 17. Noyes Creek June 19. Kolb's Farm June 22. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Nickajack Creek July 2-5. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Decatur July 19. Howard House July 20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Utoy Creek August 5-7. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. At Decatur September 8 to October 4. Operations against Hood in North Georgia and North Alabama October 4-26. At Johnsonville till November 20. Nashville Campaign November-December. Columbia, Duck River, November 24-27. Columbia Ford November 28-29. Battle of Franklin November 30. Battle of Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River December 17-28. At Clifton, Tenn., till January 7, 1865. Movement to Washington, D.C., thence to Fort Fisher, N. C., January 7-February 9. Operations against Hoke February 11-14. Fort Anderson February 18-19. Town Creek February 19-20. Capture of Wilmington February 22. Campaign of the Carolinas March 1-April 26. Advance on Goldsboro March 6-21. Occupation of Goldsboro March 21. Advance on Raleigh April 10-14. Occupation of Raleigh April 14. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. Duty at Salisbury, N. C., till June. Mustered out June 27, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 52 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 158 Enlisted men by disease. Total 215.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1544

John Brown to John Brown Jr., January 18, 1841

Hudson, Jan. 18, 1841.

Dear Son John, — Since I parted with you at Hudson some thoughts have passed through my mind which my intense anxiety for your welfare prompts me to communicate by writing. I think the situation in which you have been placed by Providence at this early period of your life will afford to yourself and others some little test of the sway you may be expected to exert over minds in after life, and I am glad, on the whole, to have you brought in some measure to the test in your youth. If you cannot now go into a disorderly country school and gain its confidence and esteem, and reduce it to good order, and waken up the energies and the very soul of every rational being in it, — yes, of every mean, ill-behaved, ill-governed boy and girl that compose it, and secure the good-will of the parents, — then how are you to stimulate asses to attempt a passage of the Alps? If you run with footmen and they should weary you, how should you contend with horses? If in the land of peace they have wearied you, then how will you do in the swelling of Jordan? Shall I answer the question myself? “If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth liberally and upbraideth not.” Let me say to you again, love them all, and commend them and yourself to the God to whom Solomon sought in his youth, and he shall bring it to pass. You have heard me tell of dividing a school into two large spelling-classes, and of its effects; if you should think best, and can remember the process, you can try it. Let the grand reason, that one course is right and another wrong, be kept continually before your own mind and before your school.

From your affectionate father,

John Brown.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 139-40

Major Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, June 28, 1861

Camp Chase, June 28, 1861.

Dear Uncle: — I found all well at home and at Columbus — all feeling anxious about you. I gave as favorable an account of your health as I could conscientiously.

I am again in camp. Our new colonel is personally an agreeable gentleman to be associated with; in experience and education, equal to the place; but probably deficient in physical health and energy. . . .

Sincerely,

R. B. Hayes.

S. BlRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 34

Brigadier-General J.E.B. Stuart to Colonel L. S. Baker

headquarters Cavalry Brigade, July 6th, 1862.

Colonel,—General Jackson is anxious to see Captain Rufus Barringer. Please send him up this afternoon, as Gen. J. may be gone after that. Please forward a report of operations of your cavalry from 26th June to 10th July as soon as possible.

In haste.

J. E. B. Stuart

SOURCE: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 308

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, August 20, 1863

Headquarters Dept. Of The Tennessee,

Vicksburg, Aug. 20,1863.

I wrote you from New Orleans and am now probably in advance of my letter. Circumstances rendered it necessary for me to return with despatch, and I am now on my way to Cairo, and probably Memphis. I have traversed the Mississippi, the lower Mississippi, so often that I am as familiar with its banks almost as a river pilot. I shall leave this afternoon. Write you again both from Memphis and Cairo.

General Grant has not gone to Mobile, he is now in Memphis or on his return to this point.

The health at New Orleans is remarkably good, and this may be ascribed in a great measure to extraordinary cleanliness of the city and the perfection of the quarantine. Natchez, too, is healthy, and I hear no complaint at Vicksburg. I do not believe there will be what is called a sickly season here, or in the Southern country generally, and regret to learn you anticipate one where you are. You speak of rest for our armies. There is, there will be, no rest for armed men while this rebellion lasts. We have sent one army corps to reinforce Banks. Our soldiers are not suffering; they are well fed and well clothed. They want support and reinforcement from home, they want to see the conscript law rigidly enforced.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 329-30

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Mead, August 16, 1863

August 16,1863.

I had a very quiet journey back, arriving at my headquartera about 10 P. M. I found that important despatches had been sent to me at 4 p. M., indicating a probable movement on the part of the enemy; so that it was very well that I returned. This information, brought by a scout, does not seem up to this moment to have been confirmed, and the stampede produced by it has pretty nearly passed away. I hope you had a pleasant journey to Philadelphia, and found them all well at home.

The manner in which I was received and treated in Washington by all with whom I came in contact was certainly most gratifying to me. I really believe I have the confidence of all parties and will continue to retain it, unless some great disaster should overtake me, which I ought not to anticipate. It will be best for both of us to look upon the future in the most favorable light, and trust to that kind Providence which hitherto has so signally blessed and protected us.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 143

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, September 17, 1863

We had a cool rainstorm this afternoon which was quite refreshing. The sick in the general hospital here in Vicksburg are improving and are being sent home on thirty-day furloughs.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 143

Diary of Charles H. Lynch: Sunday, August 24, 1862

It was after eight o'clock last night before the train got under way. At midnight we passed through Harrisburg, Penn. The night very dark. Did not get much sleep. A slow, tiresome journey. Passed through York, on over the state line into Maryland. Soldiers are on guard along the railroad. The train moved along very slowly, making many stops. About noon-time arrived in Baltimore. The regiment soon formed in line and marched through the city, stopping at the Soldier's Rest on Camden Street, where dinner was served, bread, salt-beef, and coffee. Then waited for transportation to Washington. Late in the day orders were received to report at Fort McHenry for duty, and relieve the 48th New York Regiment. A march of four miles. That put our regiment in the 8th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, General John E. Wool, Commander, Brigadier N. W. Morris, commanding the fort.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 8

110th Ohio Infantry

Organized at Camp Piqua, Ohio, October 3, 1862. Moved to Zanesville, Ohio, October 19; thence to Parkersburg, W. Va. Attached to Railroad Division, Clarksburg, W. Va., Middle Department, to January, 1863. Milroy's Command, Winchester, Va., 8th Army Corps, Middle Department, to March, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 8th Army Corps, Middle Department, to June, 1863. 1st Brigade, Elliott's Command, 8th Army Corps, to July, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac and Army of the Shenandoah, Middle Military Division, to June, 1865.

SERVICE. – Moved to Clarksburg, W. Va., November 3, 1862; thence moved to New Creek November 25, and to Moorefield December 13. Expedition to Winchester December 28, 1862, to January 1, 1863, and duty there till June. Reconnoissance toward Wardensville and Strasburg April 20. Battle of Winchester June 13-15. Retreat to Harper's Ferry June 15-16, thence to Washington, D.C., July 1-4. Moved to Frederick City, Md., and join Army of the Potomac July 5. Pursuit of Lee to Manassas Gap, Va., July 5-24. Wapping Heights July 23. Duty on line of the Rappahannock till August 15, and at New York during draft disturbances August 16-September 6. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Kelly's Ford November 7. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Payne's Farm November 27. Demonstration on the Rapidan February 6-7, 1864. Campaign from the Rapidan to the James River May 3-June 15. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7; Spottsylvania May 8-12; Spottsylvania Court House May 12-21. Assault on the Salient, "Bloody Angle," May 12. North Anna River May 23-26. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Before Petersburg June 18-July 6. Jerusalem Plank Road June 22-23. Moved to Baltimore, Md., July 6-8. Battle of Monocacy Junction, Md., July 9. Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign August 7-November 28. Charlestown August 29. Battle of Opequan, Winchester, September 19. Fisher's Hill September 22. Battle of Cedar Creek October 19. Duty at Kernstown till December. Moved to Washington, D. C, thence to Petersburg, Va., December 3-6. Siege of Petersburg December 6, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9, 1865. Fall of Petersburg April 2. Pursuit of Lee April 3-9. Sailor's Creek April 6. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. March to Danville, Va., April 17-27, and duty there till May. Moved to Richmond, Va., May 16;thence to Washington, D.C., May 24-June 2. Corps Review June 9. Mustered out June 25, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 10 Officers and 107 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 111 Enlisted men by disease. Total 230.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1544

Levi Burnell to Owen Brown Sr., April 3, 1840

Oberlin, April 3, 1840.

Dear Brother Brown, — I received your favor by your son John, and our committee have opened negotiations with him preliminary to his visiting our Virginia lands. We hope for a favorable issue, both for him and the institution. When he has thoroughly examined the papers and spent the necessary time upon the premises, we expect that he will know more than all of us about the matter; and I trust we shall feel disposed to offer liberal inducements for him and others to settle there, if that is best. Should he succeed in clearing up titles without difficulty or lawsuits, it would be easy, as it appears to me, to make provision for religious and school privileges, and by proper efforts, with the blessing of God, soon see that wilderness bud and blossom as the rose.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 135

Major Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, Thursday, June 27, 1861

Camp Chase, June 27, 1861, Thursday, A. M.

Dearest L—: — At my leisure, I have looked over the little what-you-may-call-it and its chapter of contents. It is so nice, and has everything needful that I have thought of, and more too. Much obliged, dearest. With all my boots, I find I have no slippers; forgot, also, my pepper-and-salt vest.

Found mother and all well and happy, and most glad that you are coming up. . . . We shall probably be here some time longer than I supposed. Matthews says Colonel Scammon turns out to be socially and individually a most agreeable person to be associated with.

We have chosen a Methodist chaplain, Amos Wilson, of Bucyrus. The governor could not appoint but one of these four surgeons from Cincinnati, and took Clendenin as first on the list, and first applied for by Colonel Fyffe. If Dr. Clendenin declines, he will appoint Dr. Joe for us, and says he shall be the next appointed from Cincinnati. He has appointed a good man for us, but will transfer him to make room for Joe if Clendenin does not accept. We can't complain of the governor's disposition in the matter. He wishes to know Dr. Clendenin's intentions as soon as possible. If he declines, Dr. Joe must be ready to come up forthwith. Dr. Jim will pretty certainly be retained as assistant, in any event, but he must pass an examination, if he is in this region when the new appointment is to be made.

Love to "all the boys," and much for Grandma and yourself, from your loving and affectionate.

R.

Mrs. Hayes.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 33-4

Major-General Thomas J. Jackson to Mary Anna Morrison Jackson, Monday, July 14, 1862

Again your husband is about leaving his camp. Please direct your next letter to Gordonsville, and continue to address me there until you hear otherwise. Everybody doesn't know the meaning and location of “Headquarters, Valley District!”

SOURCE: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 303-4

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, August 16, 1863

Headquarters Department Op The Gulp,

Nineteenth Army Corps,

New Orleans, Aug. 16, 1863.

I believe I may be said literally to have fought my way to the Gulf. At all events, I find myself at New Orleans after many trials. The lower Mississippi is to me very beautiful scenery. You can have no conception of the nature of the grounds, the houses, improvements, general appearances of the country from anything you read. I was certainly interested and charmed. The city of New Orleans is familiar from description. I feel almost as if I had been here before. General Banks occupies one of the most beautiful residences in the most beautiful locality. I am sojourning with him. I left my horses and servants at Vicksburg, but the General has placed a carriage at my command. His establishment is elegant and thoroughly appointed. The St. Charles Hotel, the shell road to the lake, the levee, and the French portion are the most noticeable features. All these I have pretty thoroughly investigated. The streets are perfectly clean, the police system above compare, everybody here is on their best behavior. Two years in the woods among the toads and snakes has made me unfamiliar with city life and all sights and sounds are strange to me. Memphis is a mere village as compared to New Orleans, and Vicksburg and Natchez mere suburban towns. But I only weary you with vague recital of my own impressions. As new and strange scenes greet my eye, I long for the power to communicate with those I love and make them in some degree sharers in my own emotions. Upon the steamer's deck, in the whirl of life, the rapid transition from the camp to what in democratic America may be called the court, in all the varied scenes of my stirring life, kaleidoscopic in its changes, I think of home, or the dear group that makes my home. Shall I ever see any of you again? I seem impelled by some strange destiny forward, always a little in advance of the army. There are important movements in contemplation. Soon you will hear of them.

Everybody here, out of the army, is “Secesh.” This of course. We must conquer this people, wrest the power of the government from their grasp, prevent their ever regaining power, and meanwhile treat them kindly. Extermination, annihilation is out of the question. Oppression will react.

The women are strangely hostile. There is no difference among them. From the borders of Tennessee to the Gulf they are all alike — in country, town, or city, but one feeling, rebellious, coupled with an antipathy to Northern men inconceivable, indescribable. They are herded now within a narrow compass, driven, hedged in, almost girdled by a circle of fire. Georgia and Alabama are full of them. When Charleston and Mobile fall, I do not know where they will find refuge. As their men disappear, however, there will be a commingling of races and perhaps the nation regenerated. A long and bloody war is still before us. A united North would finish it in a month. Their strange, perverse insanity, their want of unity, prolongs the struggle. But God in his own good time. The nation is being bathed in fire and blood. Five years more of war will purge, the viler material will have passed away, then twenty-five years more and the people may again hope.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 328-9

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Mead, August 9, 1863

Sunday, August 9, 1863.

General Crawford, commanding Pennsylvania Reserves, has notified me that the sword which they desire to present me with is ready, and asked me to allow an officer to go to Philadelphia to get it, and make the necessary arrangements, which I have done; so this affair of long standing will soon come off.

I note what you say reports as the secession talk of New York; the same thing has been said in the Times, Tribune and Herald; but I was ahead of all these gentlemen, as in the despatch I sent General Halleck, urging to be permitted to advance, I told him that in my judgment, reasoning from the past, and in view of the power hitherto exercised over the people of the Confederacy, and the fertility of resources exhibited by them, I was of the opinion delay would be more advantageous to the enemy than to us, and that Lee would be reinforced more rapidly than I would be. Every day confirms me in this view. Up to the present time they have taken from this army over twenty regiments, between eight and ten thousand men, and as yet have sent only one hundred and twenty miserable creatures, substitutes for drafted men, to a Pennsylvania regiment; a dozen of whom it is already ascertained were discharged from old regiments for physical disability; four of them had delirium tremens the day they joined, and several have already deserted. Such worthless material, as these men, are no addition to this army, but only a clog, and if the draft is not heartily responded to, the Government had better make up its mind to letting the South go. Don't misunderstand me; I am nothing of a copperhead. I am for a vigorous prosecution of the war; but the war cannot be prosecuted with any hope of success, not only without men, but a great many willing men; men who have their hearts in the business and who are determined to fight and to conquer, or die. I have had Warren made a major general, and George's friend, Colonel Ganard, a brigadier.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 142-3

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, September 16, 1863

I was on division guard today. There are several negro regiments in camp in the vicinity of Vicksburg; they made a good appearance today for their first time on review. They were reviewed by the commander of the post. As a rule there are inferior officers in charge, and it would be a good thing if they would drill in the manual of arms themselves.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 143

Diary of Charles H. Lynch: Saturday, August 23, 1862

Very little sleep on board the boat last night. Passing around New York the boat landed at Pier No. 2, North River, at about 6 A. M. The transport steamer Kill-von-Kull was at the pier waiting for us. Marched across the pier on board to the music of the band. When all were on board the Kill-von-Kull, the City of Boston sailed away and with it the band. The last tune we heard the band play was “The Girl I Left Behind Me,” and the strains in the distance coming across the water to us were “Home, Sweet Home.”

The Kill-von-Kull soon got under way. Reported that we were going to Elizabethport, N. J. It proved to be a very pleasant trip. The weather fine. We were saluted by passing boats and the people along the shores. Late in the day we arrived in Elizabethport, safe and sound. We found a long train of cars waiting for us. All railroad lines leading to Washington were crowded with troops hurrying on in response to the President's call for three hundred thousand more men.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 7-8

109th Ohio Infantry

Organization of Regiment not completed.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1544

General John Bell Hood to Lieutenant-General Richard Taylor, October 7, 1864

VAN WERT, October 7, 1864.

Lieutenant-General TAYLOR,

Commanding Department, Gainesville Junction:

Your dispatch of the 6th received. This army being in motion it is of vital importance that Forrest should move without delay and operate on the enemy's railroad. If he cannot break Chattanooga and Nashville Railroad he can occupy their forces there and prevent damage being repaired on the other road. He should lose no time in moving. I am very thankful to you for the assistance already afforded this army.

J. B. HOOD,

General.

SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 39, Part 2 (Serial No. 79), p. 802; John Bell Hood, Advance and Retreat, p. 260

Records of John Brown at Oberlin College: April 1 – August 28, 1840

April 1, 1840. In the Prudential Committee, Brother John Brown from Hudson being present, some negotiations were opened in respect to our Virginia lands.

April 3, 1840. A communication from Brother John Brown, of Hudson, was presented and read by the Secretary, containing a proposition to visit, survey, and make the necessary investigation respecting boundaries, etc., of those lands, for one dollar per day, and a moderate allowance for necessary expenses; said paper frankly expressing also his design of viewing the lands, as a preliminary step to locating his family upon them, should the opening prove a favorable one: whereupon, Voted, that said proposition be acceded to, and that a commission and needful outfit be furnished by the Secretary and Treasurer.

July 14, 1840. The report of John Brown, respecting his agency to Virginia and examination of the Smith donation of land, was read by the Secretary and deferred.

Aug. 11, 1840. Voted, that the Secretary address a letter to John Brown, of Hudson, in reference to the Virginia land agency.

In the records of the Board of Trustees, under date of Aug. 28, 1840, is the following minute: —

"Voted, that the Prudential Committee be authorized to perfect negotiations, and convey by deed to Brother John Brown, of Hudson, one thousand acres of our Virginia land on the conditions suggested in the correspondence which has already transpired between him and the committee."

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 134-5

Major Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, June 22, 1861

Camp Chase, June 22, 1861.

Dearest Lu: — I start for Fremont this morning. . . . As to surgeons, four only are to be appointed; it will not be possible to get two of them from Cincinnati. Either Clendenin or Dr. Joe will not get appointed. I mention this merely to show the facts. I want the doctor to do nothing at all about it, nor to say anything about it. Dr. Clendenin can probably get an appointment from Washington as brigade surgeon. It will be some days before the appointments will be made. There is a good disposition to accommodate us at headquarters, and I think the prospect fair for his [Dr. Joe's] appointment.

I shall want towels, sheets, and three table-cloths, one and one-half dozen napkins, two comforts. Don't buy them, or any of them, but if you have them to spare, I will take them. I would advise the spending of as little as possible. We do not know the future, and economy is a duty. These things are merely luxuries. Love to all.

Affectionately,

R.

P. S. — You will enjoy looking at us here, and I shall be glad to have you come up. You can hardly live out at camp; but possibly, we can keep you a night or two, and you can stay here through the day. It is pleasant living here. Colonel Scammon is our colonel. This will do. It has advantages which I need not explain which would not occur to an outside looker-on.

Mrs. Hayes.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 33