| The Men of the Original 21st OVI |
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| The men of the 21st OVI were a good representation of 19th-Century America. Some were farmers, businessmen, writers, carpenters, lawyers, politicians, or shopkeepers. Many were born in this country while others were immigrants. They were sons, husbands, fathers, and brothers. All of them were Americans. |
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| Flags of the free, hearts and home by angel hand and valor given, the stars have lit the silken dome and thy hues were born in heaven forever float that standard sheet! Where breathes the foe, but falls before us With freedoms soil beneath our feet Our freedoms banner streaming over us all. |
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| Henry Ackerman Smith Co. K, 21st Ohio |
| Webmaster: Joshua Haugh Last Updated: 4.04.2006 |
| Robert Sample Dilworth Co G and I |
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| Six journals written by Lt. Dilworth were offered to me by a relative of his. I referred him to Bowling Green State University as this would enable the journals to be available to anyone interested in the 21st. These journals are now available over the web and are a great read for everyone interested in the daily life of the men in the 21st from enlistment to Nashville in December 1862. Robert Sample Dilworth was born in Beaver County, PA, in 1837. He moved to McComb, OH, prior to 1850. Robert was 5' 9 tall with blue eyes and black hair. He was a carpenter and enlisted in the 21st on August 23, 1861, shortly after the war broke out. He was promoted to First Sergeant following his bravery at the Battle of Ivy Hill (KY). He was further promoted to Lieutenant in February 1862 and transferred to Company I. Dilworth was one of the few officers that was not killed, wounded, or captured at the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863. He expressed great pride in his regiment when he reflected upon the bloody engagement. "Our colors are in the hands of the rebs But thank god they are not disgraced . . . We left but all glory to the cause in which so many of the brave boy's of the 21st shed their life blood" (Dilworth Journal, Ohio Historical Association). Dilworth returned home to McComb on leave and married his longtime love Lois Blakeman on January 18, 1864. Robert returned to the regiment in early February as they began preparations for the spring campaign to Atlanta. Robert wrote nine journals so that Lois would not have to ask him about the war and so she would better understand what the regiment went though during the war. Therefore, they could move on with their lives when he returned home. On June 27, 1864, with the regiment in front of Kennesaw Mountain (GA), Robert had just returned from command of night guard mount. He layed down in his tent which was about 400 yards from the Confederate lines. An artillery shell exploded over his tent and a piece of shrapnel entered his left side. Robert died shortly thereafter. His last words were "My dear sweet wife." Lois never remarried and was true to their love until she died in July 1936. Robert is buried at Marietta National Cemetery (Section K, Grave 2292). |
| After Action Reports 20 Jan 1865 - 23 Mar 1865 Capt. S. F. Cheney |
| Here on deck glowed the spark of human liberty, Will call me once again, to be heat of the fray But Old Glory shall wave, over the grave of the hero and millions unborn shall honor the Flag Treading the sod that your life blood has hallowed And under the Flag, that you died to save, They will remember the deeds of your valor And a nation paying homage to the name of it's brave. Sleep, comrades, sleep. In thy grave near the river Where thou fell in the thickest of the fight Sweetly resting and waiting, ever For the great morning of light. Untold numbers shall breath aprays for the hero, Who died on the field for humanities' sake Sleep, comrades, sleep. Until the morrow When God's reveille shall bid the awake. Sleep, comrades, sleep. The old Flag is above thee. Honored by the whole world today. While we jog with the joy of the free We have a tear in our hearts for the Gray. O God - May our love for each other Be our pass to thy Kingdom that day. Where we shall clasp glad hands as brothers And live in thy presence, the Blue and the Gray. |
| Samuel Linton Co. I, 21st Ohio |
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| Lt. Colonel James Neibling 21st Ohio |
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| John Scott Co F, 21st Ohio Medal of Honor Recipient, Andrews Raid Chattanooga National Cemetery |
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| Tilton Kleckner Co A, 21st Ohio Chattanooga National Cemetery |
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| Isaac Dunifin 21st Ohio Photo courtesy of Bob Van Dorne |
| Text by Brad Quinlin |
| Photo courtesy of Bob Van Dorne |
| Section K, Grave 2292 Marietta National Cemetery Marietta, Georgia |
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| Member of the Southeast Coalition of Authentic Reenactors |