FIRST REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHTARTILLERY.
FIRST REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHTARTILLERY.
May 1, 1902.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Dick, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the following
REPORT.
[To accompany H. R. 619.]
The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was reported the bill (H. R. 619) providing for the recognition of the military services of the officers and enlisted men of the First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery, report the same back to the House with the recommendation that it do pass with the following amendment:Add, after the word “organization,” in line 4, page 2, of the bill, the following: “Provided, That no pay, bounty, or other emoluments shall become due or payable by virtue of the passage of this act.”A bill similar to the one under consideration was reported favorably by the Committee on Military Affairs of the Fifty-fourth, Fifty-fifth, and Fifty-sixth Congresses, which bill, with the accompanying reports, are hereby adopted and made a part of this report.It appears that this regiment was the first body of artillery to engage in the service of the United States in the late civil war. They were hastened to the front on the 21st of April, 1861, and rendered valuable service in the campaign in West Virginia. By an omission, due to the haste with which they were sent to the front, they were never formally mustered into the service by any military officer of the United States. On or about the 30th of May, 1861, while the command was being embarked at Marietta, Ohio, a United States officer reported to muster them into the service, but the commanding officer, General Barnett, stated to him that as his orders were imperative to move with the least possible delay, he could not wait the formality of a muster. They served until the 27th day of July, 1861, and there appears to be no sufficient reason why their services should not be recognized and the officers and men considered to have been in the military service of the United States.
The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was reported the bill (H. R. 619) providing for the recognition of the military services of the officers and enlisted men of the First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery, report the same back to the House with the recommendation that it do pass with the following amendment:
Add, after the word “organization,” in line 4, page 2, of the bill, the following: “Provided, That no pay, bounty, or other emoluments shall become due or payable by virtue of the passage of this act.”
A bill similar to the one under consideration was reported favorably by the Committee on Military Affairs of the Fifty-fourth, Fifty-fifth, and Fifty-sixth Congresses, which bill, with the accompanying reports, are hereby adopted and made a part of this report.
It appears that this regiment was the first body of artillery to engage in the service of the United States in the late civil war. They were hastened to the front on the 21st of April, 1861, and rendered valuable service in the campaign in West Virginia. By an omission, due to the haste with which they were sent to the front, they were never formally mustered into the service by any military officer of the United States. On or about the 30th of May, 1861, while the command was being embarked at Marietta, Ohio, a United States officer reported to muster them into the service, but the commanding officer, General Barnett, stated to him that as his orders were imperative to move with the least possible delay, he could not wait the formality of a muster. They served until the 27th day of July, 1861, and there appears to be no sufficient reason why their services should not be recognized and the officers and men considered to have been in the military service of the United States.
Reference is made to the affidavit of Gen. James Barnett, with exhibits, and to the memorandum of Col. Henry B. Carrington for more complete history of their service and the reasons why they were not formally mustered.
State of Ohio,Cuyahoga County, ss:James Barnett being duly sworn, deposes and says as follows: That for some time before the 20th of April, 1861, and at that date I was the commanding officer of what was known as the First Ohio Light Artillery, organized under the laws of the State as then existing as a part of the militia force of the State. On the 20th of April, 1861, my command was ordered to report for duty, and immediately thereafter, namely, on the 22d day of April, 1861, left Cleveland for Marietta, Ohio, where the command was on duty until May 29 of the same year, upon which date a portion of the command moved into Virginia. On the 30th of May, 1861, the remaining portion of the command went by boat to Benwood and thence to Grafton, Va., from which time until the date of their muster out they actively participated in the campaign in Western Virginia.On or about the 30th of May, 1861, while the command was being embarked at Marietta, an officer reported to muster the command into the service of the United States. This officer, if I am correct in my recollection, was Colonel Sill. I am not very positive as to the name of the officer, but it was either Colonel Sill or Captain Cram, who said to me that he was sent for the purpose of mustering my command. We were at the time busily embarking. A portion of the command had already been sent down the river to Parkersburg, and I stated to the officer that it would be impossible to get the men together for muster, and that our orders were imperative to move with the least possible delay, so it was concluded to defer the muster until some proper time after we had got into Virginia. The command went through the campaign without muster, and soon after the expiration of their term of service were ordered back to Ohio for muster out by orders from the War Department. Upon arriving at Columbus the command was mustered in and mustered out upon the same day, dating back their muster into the date of taking the field. This muster was made by George S. Mygatt, aid-de-camp to governor of Ohio, mustering officer. The muster rolls werechanged from the printed forms, erasing the words “United States” and inserting “State of Ohio.”I append hereto as Exhibit A, and make part of this affidavit, a sketch regarding the movements of the command, which consisted of about 120 men, and is a correct statement of its movements. This sketch embraces pages 711 to 714 of the official register of Ohio troops, known as the “Ohio Roster,” and published by the State.It will be seen from the copy of a letter from the Adjutant-General, United States Army, to Governor Dennison, of Ohio, dated July 27, 1861, which appears upon page 713 of said record, that the command was recognized by the War Department and under its orders during its service in Virginia.The telegraphic orders from General McClellan, commanding the troops in western Virginia, set forth on page 712 of said record, and others, were received by me and executed by me as the commanding officer therein referred to.I also append pages 715 to 718 of said record, which contain the muster roll of the batteries constituting said command.James Barnett.Signed in my presence by the said James Barnett and by him sworn to before me this 9th day of February, A. D. 1895.[SEAL.]M. P. Mooney,Notary Public within and for said Cuyahoga County, O.
State of Ohio,Cuyahoga County, ss:
James Barnett being duly sworn, deposes and says as follows: That for some time before the 20th of April, 1861, and at that date I was the commanding officer of what was known as the First Ohio Light Artillery, organized under the laws of the State as then existing as a part of the militia force of the State. On the 20th of April, 1861, my command was ordered to report for duty, and immediately thereafter, namely, on the 22d day of April, 1861, left Cleveland for Marietta, Ohio, where the command was on duty until May 29 of the same year, upon which date a portion of the command moved into Virginia. On the 30th of May, 1861, the remaining portion of the command went by boat to Benwood and thence to Grafton, Va., from which time until the date of their muster out they actively participated in the campaign in Western Virginia.
On or about the 30th of May, 1861, while the command was being embarked at Marietta, an officer reported to muster the command into the service of the United States. This officer, if I am correct in my recollection, was Colonel Sill. I am not very positive as to the name of the officer, but it was either Colonel Sill or Captain Cram, who said to me that he was sent for the purpose of mustering my command. We were at the time busily embarking. A portion of the command had already been sent down the river to Parkersburg, and I stated to the officer that it would be impossible to get the men together for muster, and that our orders were imperative to move with the least possible delay, so it was concluded to defer the muster until some proper time after we had got into Virginia. The command went through the campaign without muster, and soon after the expiration of their term of service were ordered back to Ohio for muster out by orders from the War Department. Upon arriving at Columbus the command was mustered in and mustered out upon the same day, dating back their muster into the date of taking the field. This muster was made by George S. Mygatt, aid-de-camp to governor of Ohio, mustering officer. The muster rolls werechanged from the printed forms, erasing the words “United States” and inserting “State of Ohio.”
I append hereto as Exhibit A, and make part of this affidavit, a sketch regarding the movements of the command, which consisted of about 120 men, and is a correct statement of its movements. This sketch embraces pages 711 to 714 of the official register of Ohio troops, known as the “Ohio Roster,” and published by the State.
It will be seen from the copy of a letter from the Adjutant-General, United States Army, to Governor Dennison, of Ohio, dated July 27, 1861, which appears upon page 713 of said record, that the command was recognized by the War Department and under its orders during its service in Virginia.
The telegraphic orders from General McClellan, commanding the troops in western Virginia, set forth on page 712 of said record, and others, were received by me and executed by me as the commanding officer therein referred to.
I also append pages 715 to 718 of said record, which contain the muster roll of the batteries constituting said command.
James Barnett.
Signed in my presence by the said James Barnett and by him sworn to before me this 9th day of February, A. D. 1895.
[SEAL.]M. P. Mooney,
Notary Public within and for said Cuyahoga County, O.
Exhibit A.
FIRST OHIO VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY.
[Three months’ service.]
Six days after the fall of Fort Sumter the following telegram was wired to Colonel Barnett:
Columbus, Ohio,April 20, 1861.Col. James Barnett,Cleveland, Ohio:Report your six pieces, caissons and full battery, including Geneva company, at Columbus forthwith. Monday if possible. You can hire horses for the guns hereor at your point of service. Bring harness and everything else, and twenty men to each gun. You retain colonel rank.By order:H. B. Carrington,Adjutant-General.
Columbus, Ohio,April 20, 1861.
Col. James Barnett,Cleveland, Ohio:
Report your six pieces, caissons and full battery, including Geneva company, at Columbus forthwith. Monday if possible. You can hire horses for the guns hereor at your point of service. Bring harness and everything else, and twenty men to each gun. You retain colonel rank.
By order:H. B. Carrington,Adjutant-General.
The news spread through the city of Cleveland (four of the batteries were from the city of Cleveland, the other two being from Brooklyn and Geneva) as though borne upon the wings Of the wind. Early Sunday morning Colonel Barnett issued the following order to captains of the companies:
You will report your command of twenty men, ready to march to Columbus, tomorrow at 12 o’clock noon at the public square. You will have your piece, caissons and harness complete, at the depot between Superior street and Vineyard lane, with a detail of ten men to attend to their embarkation, at 9 o’clock a. m., under the command of a sergeant, and when embarked report to your superior officers.By order adjutant-general of Ohio:James Barnett,Colonel 1st Regt. Artillery.S. B. Sturges,Lieutenant-Colonel.
You will report your command of twenty men, ready to march to Columbus, tomorrow at 12 o’clock noon at the public square. You will have your piece, caissons and harness complete, at the depot between Superior street and Vineyard lane, with a detail of ten men to attend to their embarkation, at 9 o’clock a. m., under the command of a sergeant, and when embarked report to your superior officers.
By order adjutant-general of Ohio:
James Barnett,Colonel 1st Regt. Artillery.
S. B. Sturges,Lieutenant-Colonel.
Word having been sent in the meantime to the Brooklyn and Geneva companies.
Another dispatch was received on Sunday by Colonel Barnett, as follows:
Columbus, Ohio,April 21, 1861.Col. James Barnett:Can you bring your command here to-night instead of waiting till tomorrow? If so, come armed.William Dennison,Governor.
Columbus, Ohio,April 21, 1861.
Col. James Barnett:
Can you bring your command here to-night instead of waiting till tomorrow? If so, come armed.
William Dennison,Governor.
It was found impracticable to assemble the regiment on Sunday in time to get away on that day. The governor was informed by telegraph that it would leave early Monday morning. The two outside companies responded promptly, and at noon of Monday the regiment left Cleveland for Columbus, at which place it was ordered to Marietta via Loveland. Marietta was reached next morning, when it went into camp on the fair groundplacing the guns in position to guard the city against any invasion of the enemy.
About the middle of May General McClellan sent Captain O. M. Poe, of the U. S. A. Engineers, to inspect the regiment, with a view to its being ready for service at a moment’s notice. He was greatly pleased with the command and the drill, discipline and soldierly bearing of its members. A few days later clothing and camp equipage were received, all of which were heartily welcomed. Colonel Barnett also received a telegram from Columbus to purchase seventy-six horses for his battery upon the best terms possible; ten thousand dollars having been placed by the State authorities in a Marietta bank to the credit of Colonel Barnett, out of which the horses were to be paid for.
On May 26, 1861, Colonel Barnett received the following telegram from General McClellan at Cincinnati: “Expedite the mounting of your batteries and report to me when ready for service.” Within two days the required number of horses were purchased and all hands were busy breaking them into their new sphere of usefulness and arranging to move on a moment’s notice. The artillery was re-enforced by the arrival of the 14th O. V. I. on the 24th day of May and the 18th O. V. I. on the next day; the 14th being armed and equipped.
On May 27 General McClellan sent the following dispatch to Colonel Barnett: “Upon the requisition of Colonel Steadman, you will supply him with a detachment of two guns, with the proper officers and men.”
On May 29, 1861, Batteries D and F, under command of Lieut.-Colonel Sturges, left Camp Putnam, Marietta, by boat, for Parkersburg, W. Va., with orders to report to Colonel Steadman, 14th O. V. I. They moved rapidly along the line of the B. & O. Railroad, repairing bridges destroyed by the enemy, so that on May 31st they had arrived at Clarksburg, eighty miles east of Parkersburg. The rebels retreated from Clarksburg to Philippi. From Clarksburg they moved to Webster, and after a tediousnight march arrived before Philippi at 4 a. m., making short work of the rebel force. The roar of the artillery frightened them so that they fled in dismay, heedless of their officers, leaving large quantities of supplies and war materials behind them. (This was the first Light artillery fired by the national forces in the war of the rebellion. In this engagement only a few men were wounded.)
On May 30, 1861, the four companies at Camp Putnam with Colonel Barnett moved by boat to Benwood, reporting to General Morris, who ordered Colonel Barnett to proceed to Grafton, and from there marched to Philippi, arriving too late to take part in that engagement. During June the headquarters of the 1st Regiment Light Artillery was at Philippi. The companies, however, were scattered; some with their guns did duty as bridge guards.
July 6th orders were received by General Morris to advance early the following day, occupy Belington, and menace the enemy, who were holding a strong position at Laurel Hill. At daylight the skirmishers struck the rebel pickets near Belington. The artillery was ordered to the front and shelled the enemy’s outposts with demoralizing effect. It was in this skirmish that the artillery suffered its first casualty—George W. Tillotson, of Company D, was wounded in the groin by a musket ball, from the effect of which he died a few years later.
July 12th the rebels retreated from Belington and Laurel Hill, being pursued by the Union forces to Carrick’s Ford, where the 1st Artillery opened fire on the enemy (who were holding a position on a high bank on the opposite side of the river) with excellent effect. The enemy fled once more in dismay. The rebel general Robert S. Garnett was killed in this battle. A fine rifled piece was captured and presented to the artillery, and this trophy is now in the public square in the city of Cleveland.
Its term of service having expired, the regiment movedback to Belington, and remained there until ordered to Columbus to be mustered out. Up to this time, like the nine regiments of infantry, it was serving as a State organization, and while all other Ohio three-months troops were mustered out by United States officers and recognized as United States troops, this regiment, for some reason, was mustered out by a member of the governor’s staff and is recognized by the War Department as only aState organization. The following letter, however, will show that it was the intention of the General Government to place this regiment of artillery on the same footing as other Ohio organizations that did service at the same time in West Virginia.
War Department, Adjutant-General’s Office,Washington, July 27, 1861.Sir: The nine regiments of Ohio State troops and Colonel Barnett’s artillery of six guns and one hundred and twenty men, which have been serving in West Virginia, will be sent back to Ohio, to be there mustered out of the service. They, or such of them as may be presented by you, will there be accepted and mustered into the United States service for three years as regiments, companies of cavalry, and batteries of artillery. The two sections of artillery from Ohio (other than Barnett’s Battery) and the two companies of cavalry from the State, all of which have been serving in Virginia, will also be sent home at the expiration of their three months’ service, to be there mustered out. They, or such of them as may be presented by you, will then be accepted as specified for three years, and will be mustered into the service of the United States for that period. The same will be done in regard to the battery of artillery and the two companies of cavalry at Camp Chase.In short, all three-months men are to be sent home to be mustered out of the service. They, or such of them as may be presented by you, will there be accepted for three years and sworn into the service for that period as regiments, companies of cavalry, and batteries of artillery.I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,L. Thomas,Adjutant-General.His Excellency GovernorDennison,Columbus, Ohio.
War Department, Adjutant-General’s Office,
Washington, July 27, 1861.
Sir: The nine regiments of Ohio State troops and Colonel Barnett’s artillery of six guns and one hundred and twenty men, which have been serving in West Virginia, will be sent back to Ohio, to be there mustered out of the service. They, or such of them as may be presented by you, will there be accepted and mustered into the United States service for three years as regiments, companies of cavalry, and batteries of artillery. The two sections of artillery from Ohio (other than Barnett’s Battery) and the two companies of cavalry from the State, all of which have been serving in Virginia, will also be sent home at the expiration of their three months’ service, to be there mustered out. They, or such of them as may be presented by you, will then be accepted as specified for three years, and will be mustered into the service of the United States for that period. The same will be done in regard to the battery of artillery and the two companies of cavalry at Camp Chase.
In short, all three-months men are to be sent home to be mustered out of the service. They, or such of them as may be presented by you, will there be accepted for three years and sworn into the service for that period as regiments, companies of cavalry, and batteries of artillery.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. Thomas,Adjutant-General.
His Excellency GovernorDennison,Columbus, Ohio.
This regiment was mustered out at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, July 27, 1861, by George S. Mygatt, aid-de-camp to governor of Ohio, mustering officer.
Memorandum of Col. Henry B. Carrington (U. S. A., retired),late colonel Eighteenth United States Infantry.Brigadier-general United States Volunteers, adjutant-generalof Ohio before and at commencement of thewar of 1861-1865.
Memorandum of Col. Henry B. Carrington (U. S. A., retired),late colonel Eighteenth United States Infantry.Brigadier-general United States Volunteers, adjutant-generalof Ohio before and at commencement of thewar of 1861-1865.
Memorandum of Col. Henry B. Carrington (U. S. A., retired),late colonel Eighteenth United States Infantry.Brigadier-general United States Volunteers, adjutant-generalof Ohio before and at commencement of thewar of 1861-1865.
Memorandum of Col. Henry B. Carrington (U. S. A., retired),
late colonel Eighteenth United States Infantry.
Brigadier-general United States Volunteers, adjutant-general
of Ohio before and at commencement of the
war of 1861-1865.
In re House bill No. 2400, Fifty-fifth Congress, first session,“The muster of the First Ohio Light Artillery.”
In re House bill No. 2400, Fifty-fifth Congress, first session,“The muster of the First Ohio Light Artillery.”
In re House bill No. 2400, Fifty-fifth Congress, first session,“The muster of the First Ohio Light Artillery.”
In re House bill No. 2400, Fifty-fifth Congress, first session,
“The muster of the First Ohio Light Artillery.”
The peculiar conditions of the Ohio militia organization at the outbreak of hostilities in 1861 explain the delay in properly adjusting the record of this pioneer artillery corps of the United States volunteer service.Unlike any other State west of Pennsylvania, Ohio had been for several years engaged in perfecting a militia system by regiments, brigades, and divisions. State encampments had been held, and several of its general and field officers made immediate records after war began. A single company furnished Major-Generals Walcutt and Jones to the service.The artillery was represented by skeleton companies with one or two guns each. Three companies, each making technically a “gun section,” were organized at Cleveland, Brooklyn, and Geneva, with headquarters at Cleveland. James Barnett, of Cleveland, was commissioned as colonel, it being the purpose of the adjutant-general to organize other companies in the State at large. These three companies or sections, really composing but one battery proper, was the basis of Colonel Barnett’s command when ordered to the field April 20, 1861.This battery had previously been inspected by Gen. Winfield Scott at Niagara Falls while on an experimental march, and was well disciplined and equipped. As early as January, 1861, the previous governor, Salmon P. Chase, had urged the necessity of having the Ohio militia ready for sudden summons, and within sixty hours from receipt of President Lincoln’s first call twenty disciplined companies (two regiments) were dispatched to Washington. The incomplete record of the First Light Artillery grew out of the fact that artillery had not been called for in the first instance, and thefact that troops were needed upon the State border before any had been mustered into the United States service.By act of Congress, 1789, militia, when called into the service of the United States, retained their officers. The governor of Ohio did not deem it wise thus to designate the general officer to command the troops called for by the President. A special legislative act promptly provided that the major-general might be taken from citizens at large. George B. McClellan was then appointed and commissioned. The President also appointed him major-general. But while thousands of the militia and of volunteers went into camp, none had been mustered into the United States service when their services were instantly demanded in West Virginia. A demand came from Marietta, Ohio, for artillery, as hostile demonstrations had commenced, tending to the control of southern Ohio. A telegram received at the Adjutant-General’s Office on the morning of April 20 to that effect was followed by an order to Colonel Barnett to report with his battery forthwith. On the following day, Sunday, Ambos foundry was fired up and round shot were cast for use of the battery. A car was sent to Xenia for powder; flannel was procured, and cartridges were made for service, as the State had no fixed ammunition for artillery in its arsenal. On Monday, April 22, Barnett, having been assured that he would retain his rank as colonel, reported with his battery in good condition. The citizens’ committee from Marietta arrived at the same hour from Loveland, and with the battery at once returned to Marietta. The only possible “muster” was to administer the State obligation and make up the roll as the company was organized. The battery therefore moved to the border to await orders, but in a position for defensive duty.Meanwhile, General Wool, at Watervliet Arsenal, forwarded arms, so that nine regiments were immediately organized and armed as State militia, while no volunteers had as yet been mustered into the United States service. General Morris, of Indiana (a graduate of West Point), had been appointed a brigadier-general from that State, and the regiments of Colonels Dumont and Milroy had moved to support the regiment of Colonel Kelley, of the First West Virginia, but they had no artillery. Governor Dennison, doubtful as to his authority to push militia across the State boundary, authorizedthe adjutant-general to visit General McClellan and submit a plan, which General Wool had approved, and also to act for the State, as the conference might agree upon a plan. As the result, all of the regiments in the various camps were put in motion, with no regard for a United States muster.Governor Dennison visited Indiana to consult its governor, and during his absence General McClellan called for the battery. The following telegram was sent: “Barnett, borrow money and buy horses instanter.” Also, to each and all commanders, “Obey promptly all orders of Major-General McClellan; Governor Dennison puts him in command of all State troops.”Neither Colonel Sumner nor Major Cram were then accessible, and, in fact, no troops were fully ready for muster; but the battery, supported by the Fourteenth Ohio, occupied the heights back of Parkersburg, moved to Grafton, opened the battle of Philippi, and with its associated Ohio militia regiments and the regiments of Indiana, saved western Virginia. It rendered United States service, under United States officers, in brigade with regularly mustered United States troops. It had the same claim to full recognition and a muster, nunc pro tunc, corresponding with the facts.The Secretary of War, as well as Generals Scott and Wool, at once recognized the service, and the adjutant-general, without his solicitation or knowledge in advance, was appointed colonel of the Eighteenth United States Infantry, shortly afterwards created by law. The emergency admitted no delay as to questions of State boundary, and the battery did as good service as if it had been that of Captain Bragg, whose precedent it sought to emulate.Respectfully submitted.Henry B. Carrington,
The peculiar conditions of the Ohio militia organization at the outbreak of hostilities in 1861 explain the delay in properly adjusting the record of this pioneer artillery corps of the United States volunteer service.
Unlike any other State west of Pennsylvania, Ohio had been for several years engaged in perfecting a militia system by regiments, brigades, and divisions. State encampments had been held, and several of its general and field officers made immediate records after war began. A single company furnished Major-Generals Walcutt and Jones to the service.
The artillery was represented by skeleton companies with one or two guns each. Three companies, each making technically a “gun section,” were organized at Cleveland, Brooklyn, and Geneva, with headquarters at Cleveland. James Barnett, of Cleveland, was commissioned as colonel, it being the purpose of the adjutant-general to organize other companies in the State at large. These three companies or sections, really composing but one battery proper, was the basis of Colonel Barnett’s command when ordered to the field April 20, 1861.
This battery had previously been inspected by Gen. Winfield Scott at Niagara Falls while on an experimental march, and was well disciplined and equipped. As early as January, 1861, the previous governor, Salmon P. Chase, had urged the necessity of having the Ohio militia ready for sudden summons, and within sixty hours from receipt of President Lincoln’s first call twenty disciplined companies (two regiments) were dispatched to Washington. The incomplete record of the First Light Artillery grew out of the fact that artillery had not been called for in the first instance, and thefact that troops were needed upon the State border before any had been mustered into the United States service.
By act of Congress, 1789, militia, when called into the service of the United States, retained their officers. The governor of Ohio did not deem it wise thus to designate the general officer to command the troops called for by the President. A special legislative act promptly provided that the major-general might be taken from citizens at large. George B. McClellan was then appointed and commissioned. The President also appointed him major-general. But while thousands of the militia and of volunteers went into camp, none had been mustered into the United States service when their services were instantly demanded in West Virginia. A demand came from Marietta, Ohio, for artillery, as hostile demonstrations had commenced, tending to the control of southern Ohio. A telegram received at the Adjutant-General’s Office on the morning of April 20 to that effect was followed by an order to Colonel Barnett to report with his battery forthwith. On the following day, Sunday, Ambos foundry was fired up and round shot were cast for use of the battery. A car was sent to Xenia for powder; flannel was procured, and cartridges were made for service, as the State had no fixed ammunition for artillery in its arsenal. On Monday, April 22, Barnett, having been assured that he would retain his rank as colonel, reported with his battery in good condition. The citizens’ committee from Marietta arrived at the same hour from Loveland, and with the battery at once returned to Marietta. The only possible “muster” was to administer the State obligation and make up the roll as the company was organized. The battery therefore moved to the border to await orders, but in a position for defensive duty.
Meanwhile, General Wool, at Watervliet Arsenal, forwarded arms, so that nine regiments were immediately organized and armed as State militia, while no volunteers had as yet been mustered into the United States service. General Morris, of Indiana (a graduate of West Point), had been appointed a brigadier-general from that State, and the regiments of Colonels Dumont and Milroy had moved to support the regiment of Colonel Kelley, of the First West Virginia, but they had no artillery. Governor Dennison, doubtful as to his authority to push militia across the State boundary, authorizedthe adjutant-general to visit General McClellan and submit a plan, which General Wool had approved, and also to act for the State, as the conference might agree upon a plan. As the result, all of the regiments in the various camps were put in motion, with no regard for a United States muster.
Governor Dennison visited Indiana to consult its governor, and during his absence General McClellan called for the battery. The following telegram was sent: “Barnett, borrow money and buy horses instanter.” Also, to each and all commanders, “Obey promptly all orders of Major-General McClellan; Governor Dennison puts him in command of all State troops.”
Neither Colonel Sumner nor Major Cram were then accessible, and, in fact, no troops were fully ready for muster; but the battery, supported by the Fourteenth Ohio, occupied the heights back of Parkersburg, moved to Grafton, opened the battle of Philippi, and with its associated Ohio militia regiments and the regiments of Indiana, saved western Virginia. It rendered United States service, under United States officers, in brigade with regularly mustered United States troops. It had the same claim to full recognition and a muster, nunc pro tunc, corresponding with the facts.
The Secretary of War, as well as Generals Scott and Wool, at once recognized the service, and the adjutant-general, without his solicitation or knowledge in advance, was appointed colonel of the Eighteenth United States Infantry, shortly afterwards created by law. The emergency admitted no delay as to questions of State boundary, and the battery did as good service as if it had been that of Captain Bragg, whose precedent it sought to emulate.
Respectfully submitted.
Henry B. Carrington,
Colonel, U. S. A., Retired, Late Colonel Eighteenth Infantryand Brigadier-General Volunteers. FormerlyAdjutant-General of Ohio.
Colonel, U. S. A., Retired, Late Colonel Eighteenth Infantryand Brigadier-General Volunteers. FormerlyAdjutant-General of Ohio.
Colonel, U. S. A., Retired, Late Colonel Eighteenth Infantryand Brigadier-General Volunteers. FormerlyAdjutant-General of Ohio.
Colonel, U. S. A., Retired, Late Colonel Eighteenth Infantry
and Brigadier-General Volunteers. Formerly
Adjutant-General of Ohio.
The movements of this regiment show a service which was distinctly national in character. On May 29, 1861, a part of the command moved into Virginia.
On the 30th of May, 1861, the remaining portion of thecommand went by boat to Benwood and thence to Grafton, Va., from which time until the date of their muster out they actively participated in the campaign in western Virginia.
The command of the troops, after they left Marietta, Ohio, and embarked for Virginia, passed completely from the officers of the State of Ohio to the Federal officers. In May, 1861, General McClellan sent an officer of the United States Army Engineers to inspect the regiment “with a view to its being ready for service at a moment’s notice” for service with the United States. And the evidence shows that the Federal officer found the regiment in excellent condition as respects drill, discipline, and soldierly bearing. Clothing and camp equipage were also furnished to the regiment by the United States.
On May 26, 1861, Colonel Barnett, commander of the regiment, received from General McClellan the following telegram from Cincinnati: “Expedite the mounting of your batteries and report to me when ready for service.” On May 27 General McClellan wired Colonel Barnett: “Upon requisition of Colonel Steadman you will supply him with a detachment of two guns, with proper officers and men.”
On May 29, 1861, Batteries D and F of the regiment left Marietta, Ohio, for Parkersburg, Va., with orders to report to Colonel Steadman, Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which were serving under Federal authority. They performed important service under such orders, and were engaged in the battle of Philippi. On May 30, 1861, four companies of the regiment, with Colonel Barnett, proceeded by boat to Benwood, and received orders to proceed to Grafton. They proceeded thence to Grafton, but too late to take part in the engagement. July 6, 1861, the regiment was ordered to Belington, where it was engaged with the enemy. On July 12 the First Ohio Artillery opened fire upon the enemy at Carrick’s Ford with excellent effect.
The record clearly shows that the Ohio Light Artillery regiment was taken into Virginia under authority of and for service with the United States Government. Such was the understanding of the soldiers and of the Federal officers under whom they served, and the character of their service was distinctly national.
The regiment was not called into the service of the State of Ohio alone, but of other States. Every State is an integral part of the Union which the Federal Government is, under the Constitution, bound to protect against invasion. The evidence shows that the regiment was employed in general service with and as a part of the Federal forces, under orders from the Federal Government, and in the execution of a duty which was distinctly national in character. The regiment not only protected Ohio but also Virginia from the attacks of the enemy, and stayed the advance of the enemy. “It rendered United States service under United States officers in brigade with regularly mustered United States troops.”
And when the term of three months’ enlistment expired, the regiment, which had been “serving in Virginia,” was, by order of the War Department dated July 27, 1861, sent back to Ohio, to be there mustered out of the service of the United States. And the same order directed that any of such troops or soldiers as should be tendered should be mustered into the service of the United States for three years’ service. Owing, no doubt to an oversight, or to ignorance of the fact that the regiment had been actually in the service of the United States, the regiment was mustered out as an organization of the State of Ohio.
The records of the War Department fail to show facts upon which justice can be done to this regiment, and Congress is asked to afford such relief by a special act. Upon the evidence in the case it is submitted that the First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery is entitledto proper recognition as having been in the service of the United States, and its officers and soldiers should receive certificates of honorable discharge as such.