Where the 61st Ohio Began Its Career.
(A letter that appeared in the National Tribune, May 15, 1884)
To the Editor National Tribune:
In last weeks paper I noticed for the first time a word from one of the members of my old regiment, the 61st O.V.V.I. In reply to that comrade I would say that to write up the history of the 61st O.V.V.I. would tax the patience as well as the space of the editor, and would interest only those of the regiment who are subscribers to this paper. The 61st Ohio was only one of the many that "did battle for the right," its history only that of hundreds of other organizations that went into service in the early part of the war and remained until its close. And I will say right here that it never had what we soldiers used to call a "soft thing." The regiment was mustered into service about the 1st of April, at Camp Chase, Ohio, and after guarding rebel prisoners until the 1st of May, was ordered to report to General Fremont at Strasburgh, Va. The news was joyfully received by us, and we were soon en route for the South. In due time we arrived at New Creek, Va., on the B.&O. R.R., where we disembarked. Then and there began our soldier life in earnest. We had only played soldier so far; now began with us what ended only the the surrender of Johnson, near Raleigh, N.C.
James A. Ralston,
Co. E, 61st O.V.V.I.
