Copyright 1999

June 12, 1861

"The Spirit of Democracy"

Departure of Our Volunteers

A very large crowd was assembled in Woodsfield on Saturday morning last to see Capt. Washburn's and Williams' Companies take their departure for Camp Jackson at Columbus where they have been ordered. We regret that we have not time to give more detailed accounts of the journey of the soldiers from here to Barnesville or to mention specially some of the iueldants on the way.

The citizens of the town and surrounding country having furnished an abundance of vehicles to convey the soldiers to Barnesville, which being drawn up in line ready for starting; the soldiers and their friends commenced taking leave of each other, perhaps forever, and many and sad were the partings between husbands and wives, mothers and sons, brothers and sisters and soldiers and their friends; and but few dry eyes were seen on the streets as the long line of wagons took their departure conveying the soldiers from Woodsfield.

The soldiers were accompanied from here by the Brass Band and by quite a number of other citizens, ans all along the road from here to Barnesville they were greeted with enthusiastic demonstrations of welcome by the people.

They were escorted into the town of Malaga by a military company belonging to that place, and upon their arrival to town, the soldiers were drawn up into line and were welcomed in a neat appropriate and patriotic address by the Rev. Logan, which was responded to by Maj. Wm. P. Richardson of this place. The citizens of Malaga having provided an abundance of good cheer which was spread out on long tables under the shade of the trees with which the town is amply provided, the soldiers after the speaking were marched to the table and then did ample justice to the good cheer provided for them. There was a large number of persons present at Malaga to welcome and take leave of the soldiers, who also partook of the dinner provided.

The soldiers then gave three rousing cheers in testimony of their appreciation of the hospitality of the citizens of Malaga and vicinity, and then took up their line of March for Somerton, where in like manner they were welcomed and where they halted to partake of the abundant refreshments prepared for them by the citizens of the town. The soldiers and others were quartered around at the different houses and if it would not be considered invidious to particularize where everybody did everything just as near right as they could, we would like to state what we had for dinner at Somerton and who furnished the dinner. Any how the gentleman who furnished that dinner is entitled to our hat and we wish it was a newer one.

With three rousing cheers for the citizens of Somerton, the soldiers took by their line of march and in due time arrived in the vicinity of Barnesville where they were received and escorted into town by the Barnesville Cavalry Company and Home Guard and also a number of citizens of the area. Every preparation that was possible was made in Barnesville for the comfortable quartering of the soldiers during the time they had to remain…… On Sunday the soldiers attended church…

Personal "The Spirit of Democracy" June 12, 1861 Wm. P. Richardson, Esq. Of this place, has received the appointment of Major in the U.S. Army. He will we presume be placed in the same regiment with our volunteers.

Major Wm. P. Richardson, Cmdr. 25th OVI

Letter from Camp Chase

"The Spirit of Democracy"

June 14, 1861

Dear Spirit: Safely and comfortably quartered in camp. Our trip from Woodsfield to Barnesville was a perfect ovation from one end to the other. The people of Malaga, Somerton and Barnesville deserve the greatest praises for their provision for the companies. Every member of both companies was not only satisfied but delighted with the accommodations afforded. But as the editor of the Spirit, Judge Way, accompanied us, I will leave it for him to do the people along the route the justice to which they are entitled. But I cannot forbear expressing my gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Miles of Somerton, and Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw of Barnesville, for their kindness to me personally.

We left Barnesville on Monday morning all cheerful, and in the best of spirits. We proceeded without any incident worth mentioning until we reached Licking Falls. At this point our locomotive ran into the rear end of a freight train which was partly switched off the track, and knocked three cars into kindling wood. Our locomotive was badly wrecked; the front wheels being buried across the track, and the under rigging indiscriminately piled up. Nobody was hurt and nobody was to blame. This latter item is undoubtedly correct, as I heard it from the men in charge of the trains themselves. After a delay of about three hours, during which the boys took a bath in the river, we got under way, and arrived at Coumbus about 4 o'clock. We proceeded at once on foot to Camp Jackson, a distance of about 4 miles. The road was very dusty, and the afternoon was exceedingly hot, but anxiety to see our new home hurried us into camp before sundown.

As we entered the gates hundreds of soldiers lined the roads to our tents, and we could overhear their criticisms on our companies. We were universally pronounced two of the finest looking companies in the camp and when they heard where we were from, many a shout went up for "bully old Monroe." Our first quarters, as is the case with all companies on their first arrival, was in tents, but the boys went to work with a hearty good will and we now have pleasant and comfortable barracks of pine boards.

Our cooking utensils consist of camp kettle and sheet iron pans. What does anybody want with cooking stoves, skillets, frying pans and such other nonsense? Kettles and pans are all that can be used advantageously. Our dishes consist of tin pans, knives, forks, spoons and tincups -- who could want more? We don't. Our provisions are bread, pork or fresh beef, potatoes, beans or hominy, coffee, sugar, vinegar and salt, together such vegetables as we choose to purchase, and which can be obtained cheaply on the ground. All our boys are well satisfied with our rations, and eat with good appetites.

As some of our friends feel some anxiety that good feeling should be maintained between our two companies, it may be gratifying to know that a better state of feeling could not possibly exist. And especially does the greatest cordiality and intimacy exist between the officers.

Captain Washburn's company was yesterday mustered in the service, not a single man refusing to take the oath. His company was cut down to 101, as that is the greatest number of men which will be received in one company. Captain Washburn has just furnished me with the following list of those of his company who were not mustered into service:

Phillip Allen, of Grayville, deserted

Simon Fisher, of Grayville, deserted

Kinds D. Hinds of Grayville deserted

Hupp Daniel of Grayville deserted

Marion Nichols Cameron deserted

Tillman Nichols Cameron deserted

Columbus Pean, sick, discharged

Martin Bishop sick, discharged

Emanuel P. Dotson sick, discharged

Vincent Ross sick in hospital

August Walton, discharged (home sick)

Robert Hendershot, discharged (under age)

Our company would also have been muster in but the officer who attends to it was suddenly called away to Chambersburg, Pa.. We may not be mustered in before Monday. The following named persons have deserted from us since we came here: Albert Cavenagh, William Barker, William Slack, Sylvanus Williams, all from Noble county, and Benjamin Howell from Ohio township. Richard K. Henthorn was discharged by the surgeon on account of ill health. No fears are entertained of any further desertions from either company as no dissatisfaction whatever exists.

The health of both companies has been generally good. Capt. Washburn has one man -- Vincent Ross -- in the hospital. He is doing well, and not believed to be dangerously ill. We have had very little sickness in our company; none have yet been in the hospital.

The following is a list of the companies in our regiment (the 25^th) so far as I know them:

Company A, Capt. Walcott.

Company B Capt. Charlesworth.

Company C Capt. Williams.

Company D Capt. Washburn.

We have no means of knowing how long we will remain here, but it is not improbable that we may remain here most of the summer. I would be perfectly content to remain, if our water was a little improved. The wells have been recently dug, and may get better.

Hoping you are all as well contented in old Monroe as we are here, I am, & c.

JERE.
(Jeremiah Williams)

"The Spirit of Democracy"

June 26, 1861

Dear Spirit: Don’t be astonished at seeing this letter dated at Camp Chase instead of Camp Jackson. It is simply a change of the name. I know of no reason for this change, unless it was, as Artemas Ward would say, because there is no one of the present generation officials resembling Gen. Jackson to any alarming extent.

Notwithstanding our confidence that no more of our men would desert us, there is pretty long list of them, to wit: Charles W. Andrews, William H. Adams, Stephen Loveall, Irvin T. Smith, Benjamin Mead, James Phillips, John Williams, Stephen a. Buskirk.

Capt. Washburn has lost two from his company since they were mustered into service and sworn.. they are John Osborn and Henry H. Moose. I am informed that a reward has been offered for them and then an officer will be sent to arrest them and bring them back.

There is no doubt that these fellows who have been deserting will tell all manner of stories about their hardships here in order to justify themselves in deserting. The people need not place much confidence in their tales, as I am perfectly satisfied that a majority of them fared better here than they do at home.

Our company was mustered into the service of the U.S. on last Sunday. The following men were rejected: Emanuel Clane, over age; Gotlieb Kerstner, cheat defective; Caleb Pearce, under age; John Resecker, defect in right eye; Jacob Resecker, rheumatism. These latter were of course honorably discharged. Our company now musters rank and file just 100.

There have been several cases of measles in the camp. One of my company – Benoni Bennett --- and three from Capt. Washburn’s company, Mark Brown, Geo. Martin and Robert Mariner. None of them are dangerously ill. I myself on the list of those unfit for duty, in consequence of a gathering on the bottom of my foot. The manner in which I dispose of my rations testifies that my general health us all that could be desired.

There is some complaint in camp in regard to our rations. An occasional deficiency in bread is the only just cause of complaint which has come under my notice. I have once or twice had to buy bread for some of the messes, and the same thing has been done by other officers. The fact is, the contractor took the contract too cheap. He gets but 14 cents a day for each man, and has to make his profits by stinting in the amount.

I am informed that our regiment was filled up last evening by transferring companies from the 26^th. I have not yet learned the order in which they will be formed into the regiment. Capt. Washburn has been changed from D to B and Capt. Charlesworth from E to A. – Whether this arrangement will remain permanent or not is somewhat doubtful.

A number of companies which came here partly full have been disbanded and gone home, in consequence of not being able to fill up. This will make room for some companies not yet accepted.

On yesterday we were visited by Martin Viegtly and Mr. Dunlap, of Barnesville, who dined with us; and also by Dr. McCullough an a lady from Beallsville. This morning we received a visit from Dr. Ellis, of Stafford, who informs me that the Summerfield company has been accepted on condition that it will be here by Wednesday.

The friends of the soldiers in writing to them should enclose postage stamps, as they cannot often be obtained on the camp ground. And, by the way, a good many of the boys are about "strapped." All letters should be addressed t the care of the Captain of the company to which the one to whom it is addressed belongs, Camp Chase, near Columbus, Ohio.

We expect to be uniformed some time next week. When we will e paid anything is uncertain, though we have a promise of it on the 1^st of July.

The mail boy is here and I have only time to add.

Yours, & c.

JERE

(Jeremiah Williams)

a third letter from Camp Chase

"The Spirit of Democracy"

June 26^th 1861

Dear Spirit: The undersigned members of Mess No. 2 in Capt. Washburn's company, beg leave, through the Spirit, to return thanks to Mrs. H. B. Hill, Mrs. Alfred Driggs, Mrs. Milton Patton and Mr. Doherty for their kind remembrance of us, by sending through Lt. Colonel Richardson, a fine stock of good things for our benefit, consisting of pies, cakes, dried fruit, berries, etc.; in fact, as auctioneers say, "Many things too tedius to mention."

The scene presented, and emotions felt, upon the reception of your bounty, will not soon be forgotten by us. Every face in the Mess was graced with a smile, and from every heart went forth a silent blessing for the good people of Woodsfield, generally, and to you, friends, particularly.

Every mother can imagine the feelings of her son, and every sister her brother, the sight of these things recalled to mind home, friends and connections.

The nocturnal visits of St. Nicholas were never more pleasing to juvenile hearts, and diffused more genuine happiness among them, than did the arrival of those "fixens" to us.

We will remember you, dear friends, whilst on the tented field, an admidst the din of battle. And, should the accidents of war consign our bodies maimed and wounded, to the sick bed or possible to a soldier's grave, as sacrifices to liberty on the alter of our country, may we never be recreant to the sacred trust confided to us, and the generous sympathy manifested by you inour welfare, since our enlistment in support of our country, its constitution, and flag.

Wm. B. Sultzer, Capt. of Mess No. 2

Carwood P. Lucy, 1^st Cook.

Sylvester Sultzer, 2d Cook

William D. Driggs Dishwasher

John B. Driggs Dishwasher

James A. Driggs Dishwasher

Jas. C. Sultzer Dishwasher

Eb. Bouthner Dishwasher

John T. White Dishwasher

Wm. M. Greer Dishwasher

Charles W. Twinum Dishwasher

John L. Patton Dishwasher

Daniel Norfolk Dishwasher

John Doherty Dishwasher

Hugh McConvill Dishwasher

D. A. Hollingsworth Dishwasher

Barna. Powell Dishwasher

"The Spirit of Democracy"

July, 1863

The 25^th Ohio Regiment

This gallant regiment which took part in the battles at Gettysburg, from the reports which we have received, is nearly annihilated, being nearly all killed, wounded or prisoners. The privates, including one commissioned officer, to the number of 68 were taken prisoners and paroled. Lieut. Col Williams commanding regiment and Lieut. Mosely are prisoners. Captain Manning is wounded in the thigh. Lieut. Martin had his arm shot off. Lieut. Wilson, killed.

Although we ought to have had full particulars by this time, this is all the information we have received.

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