CHAPTER IV.
The public reception of the First Regiment Ohio Light Artillery (3 months) at their home as before related practically closed the military career of that command; however, a large number of the men enlisted in other commands, notably into the First Ohio Light Artillery (3 years) the term being for three years or during the war. It was soon found that through the emergency of affairs at the opening of trouble and the improper muster in and muster out as state troops that the men had no proper standing on the rolls of the Army of the United States. This error was called to the attention of Hon. Amos Townsend, then our member of Congress, who made many earnest attempts to rectify the mistake through the Honorable Secretary of War; those efforts were however unsuccessful, it being decided as the muster roll showed that they were state troops, so the matter ran along for years and until Mr. T. E. Burton was elected to Congress. Upon representation of the case to Mr. Burton he was at once impressed with the fact that fairness and justice to the command required action of Congress, whereupon he introduced a bill substantially the same as the one finally passed in January 1903, and given herewith as well as the report of the Military Committee of which General Dick was chairman.
The command was very fortunate in having in Congress two such good friends as Mr. Burton and Gen. Dick, men who have looked so closely and faithfully that justice might be obtained. The members of the First Ohio Light Artillery (3 months) owe these two men a debt of gratitude which they can never pay but which is not forgotten.