The company was recruited by Frank Buell, at Marietta, Ohio, who was at the time Captain of the “Union Blues,” an independent company of the Ohio militia. It was enrolled from the 15th to the 22nd of April, 1861, though a few men joined as late as May 27th, the date of our arrival at Marietta from Columbus, on our way into Virginia. Governor Dennison accepted Captain Buell’s tender of the company on April 17th, and our term of service dates from that time.

We left Marietta on Monday morning, April 22nd. The evening before, Sunday, the 21st, the company attended divine service at the Congregational church, where Rev. Thomas Wickes, D. D., the pastor of the church, delivered an earnest patriotic sermon. To this address, R. L. Nye, Esq., a member of the company, feelingly replied. Each member of the company was presented with a neat pocket edition of the New Testament by the Washington County Bible Society, through its president, Mr. Daniel P. Bosworth, Sr. At the close of this ceremony two of the members of the company, William Holden and Thomas H. North, were received into the church.

Just before embarking on the steamer “Lizzie Martin” for Zanesville, on the morning of the 22d, a beautiful silk flag, provided by the women of Marietta, was presented to the company by Melvin Clarke, Esq., in a short patriotic address, to which Captain Buell briefly but earnestly responded, giving the company’s pledge that the banner never would be disgraced in its hands. Fully 3,000 people were assembled at the time on the “Common” in front of the Congregational church. I give the following description of the leave taking from the “Marietta Intelligencer,” of May 1st, 1861.

On our way to Zanesville we were cheered at every landing, and at the more important points we were received with the most enthusiastic demonstrations. At Lowell, the home of Captain Buell, at Beverly, Windsor, McConnelsville, Malta, all day long cheers, addresses, salutes, and every demonstration that the bubbling spirit of patriotism could suggest were furnished until on our arrival at Zanesville we were fairly worn out with the overwhelming attentions of the people.

A letter written after our arrival at Columbus to the “Marietta Republican,” by Eli P. Boring, a printer who had volunteered from the force of that paper, gives so good a description of our journey that I gladly subjoin it in full:

As friend Boring states we arrived at Columbus about 6:00 A. M. We were marched up to the State House and spent the day about the grounds. We had a meal about 1 o’clock P. M., at the “Goodale House,” but so many hungry men had preceded us that but little to eat was left and that little was of poor quality and poorly cooked and served.

Some of our boys had friends in the city and were invited to dinner with them and thus fared sumptuously. The first night we were quartered in the basement of the state house, where we slept on beds of straw upholstered with small lumps of coal. The next night we quartered in the rotunda of the capitol building, sleeping on the marble floor with neither straw nor coal to temper the springs of our beds. The next day we went to “Camp Jackson,” now “Goodale Park.” Here we spent some four weeks, drilling and learning the other duties of soldiers. On Thursday, the 25th, we were given quarters at the Ohio Penitentiary, taking our meals there and sleeping on the parlor and office floors and in the loft of a large barn adjoining the prison. Our meals during the time we were quartered here were taken at the mess table of the officers of the prison and were very satisfactory and a great improvement over our camp fare. We remained here about two weeks, when we returned to our barracks in camp. During our stay at the Penitentiary we spent the hours between meals at the camp drilling, etc.

Our patience was sorely tried during this period for we were very anxious to be assigned to a regiment and to get into the field. Some of our members finding opportunity to get into regiments that were going into active service sought transfers and left us. Among these I now recall R. L. Nye and Frank Bosworth, who entered the 17th O., J. Mills Kendrick, who found a position in the Adjutant General’s office, at Columbus, and “Dick” (Richard H.) Green, who recruited a company for the 25th Ohio, three year service, and became its captain. However, we at length were assigned to the 18th O. as Co. B. Capt. Buell was a modest man, without political “pull,” and our representative in the legislature, Hon. John Haddow, while a patriotic, level headed, well meaning man, was inexperienced in political wire pulling, and was no match for the men of large experience and great cheek, who were constantly wedging themselves in and wedging us out. Both Mr. Haddow and Captain Buell were blamed for these delays, but I am satisfied that they both did the best they could. Buell was scarcely more than a boy, being but 23 years old, and he could not be expected to cope with men of greater experience and less conscience.

But at last the order came for us to “break camp” and it was received with uproarious delight. We left “Camp Jackson” on May 23rd for Loveland, where we changed cars for Athens. We arrived there on the 24th and were mustered into the service by Major Joshua W. Sill,[1] of the regular army.

After spending a few days here in “Camp Scott,” we departed for Marietta on the evening of the 27th. Arrived at Marietta about 11 o’clock in the evening and marched up to “Camp Putnam,” where we spent the night. Co. K, Captain John Henderson, of Beverly, accompanied us to Athens, from “Camp Jackson.”

At Marietta we found a number of other companies of the regiment assembled.

On the morning of the 28th the company was formed and marched down town to show our home people the improvement we had made in our military education. After an exhibition of our skill in military evolution and an hour or two spent with our friends, we returned to camp. At this time quite a number of recruits joined the company and were mustered in. Immediately after dinner we received marching orders. We left camp about 3:00 P. M. and marched down town and across the bridge to Harmar, where in due time we boarded cars and pulled out for Parkersburg.

We crossed the river at Parkersburg on the railroad ferry boat “Webster,” and moved out to the farm of a Mr. Hutchins, adjoining Judge Stephenson’s. We were the first to camp on this ground, afterwards throughout the war known as “Camp Union,” the name given it that day by Captain Buell.

Our tents and baggage did not arrive until about 11 o’clock P. M. During the night a cold rain set in and some of the boys, John T. Booth and others, got one of the tents pitched, which was the first tent put up in “Camp Union.”

The other tents were pitched early in the morning and soon things began to look more cheerful. The 14th Ohio, Col. Steedman, from Toledo, had encamped in Parkersburg previous to our arrival, but they occupied the railroad depot, being without tents.

Today, the 29th, an election for field officers of the regiment was held with the following result:

Colonel, Timothy R. Stanley, of Athens; Lieut. Colonel, Capt. William Bolles, of Company C, Ironton, and for Major, our Second Lieutenant, William H. Bisbee, of Marietta.

We received our first accoutrements today: knapsacks, haversacks, canteens, caps, socks, etc.

Thursday, May 30th—Early this morning orders came to “strike tents” and prepare to move. We marched down to the railroad track and there waited until about 2:00 o’clock P. M., when our train arrived and we started off eastward. During our wait Col. Stanley addressed the regiment. The people of Parkersburg gave us a good dinner, today. We moved slowly out, while our friends who had congregated to see us off gave us hearty cheers and God speed. We were now in high spirits as we were at last “in the field,” after five weeks of weary waiting, and disappointments. Our train, however, soon stopped when a corporal and six men were told off and left to guard the trestle near by. This was repeated until well toward evening Capt. Buell and his remaining 20 men were disembarked at what was afterwards known as the “Burnt Bridge,” over Walker’s Creek, half a mile west of Petroleum station. Co. A, Captain John McMahon, was also left here with us. This bridge, about 60 feet in length, had been burned by the enemy, two nights before. After a meager supper we were taken up and stationed for the night on the top of an abrupt eminence overlooking the bridge, where we spent the night anxiously waiting for a prowling enemy. Practically every man of the company was on guard. Two prowlers came to the neighborhood of the bridge during the night and one of Co. A fired on them, but without known effect.

May 31—About dark the Captain with a detail of men made a trip down the railroad track, about three miles, to a tunnel, guarded by Corporal Holden and a squad of six men. He talked with the dwellers along the line and after hearing the corporal’s report of an attack upon him the night before, which he and his command gallantly beat off, we returned to camp, arriving about 11 P. M.

After supper we camped down as best we could for the night, receiving orders, however, to be ready at daylight on the morrow to go on the march.

Today, (June 1), contrary to expectations, we remained in camp all day.

June 2—Were called out about an hour before daylight and started for a point called California, on the N. Western Pike, at which place, one Clark, hotel keeper, was reported to have concealed a large store of arms and ammunition, and where the young men of the neighborhood were in the habit of meeting to drill. After diligent search and finding nothing of a warlike character we passed on to “Goose Creek.” Spent most of the day in searching houses of the citizens suspected of disloyalty. In one house an enraged citizen was poked out of a wheat bin in his loft, by John T. Booth, who had put his bayonet on his gun for the purpose of “feeling round” in the bin. He came out of that bin with his fighting clothes on. Returning we reached camp early in the evening. During our absence a rumor reached camp that we were in a tight place and a part of company A was sent out to succor us. They had a long hard march for nothing, but, we were learning the trade of soldiering and it all counted.

Last night and today, (June 3), a down pour of rain visited us and our bridge, almost completed, is in danger of being carried away. Wm. Scott went home on sick leave today.

June 4.—The rain kept up all night and our bridge was partially swept away. A large number of soldiers detailed to assist in getting out timber for repairing the structure. On June 5, trains were again crossing the bridge.

On June 6, a “Liberty Pole” was erected at Petroleum station, and when the flag was run up Companies A and B under command of Captain McMahon saluted it with three rounds.

June 7.—Captain Buell returned from Parkersburg, where he had been on orders, on an early train. Following this came another on which was our scattered squads, who had been relieved. We joined them and were soon under way eastward. Stopping a few moments at Ellenboro to permit the “Express” to pass, we moved on to “Toll Gate” station, where Co. B was disembarked, and went into camp. Our duty here was to guard another “burnt bridge,” near the station. Co. K, Captain Henderson, went into camp just east of us. This evening, our stock of soft bread having run low, and the boys not having as yet quite fallen in love with our “cylinder heads” as they termed our big round hard biscuit—the Captain detailed a squad of us to take a barrel of flour on a hand car to Ellenboro, nine miles back, and have it turned into bread. Arriving at Ellenboro about dark we distributed the flour among a number of the families of the village and by 9 o’clock in the evening we had a fine supply of good bread and biscuits. We reached camp about midnight. This was a foolhardy performance, especially at night. The trains were not only off time but extras were moving constantly. Between our camp and Ellenboro there was at least one very long tunnel and it is a marvel that we were not run down by one of these trains. The people of Ellenboro were so kind and hospitable to us that it is safe to say none of that squad will ever forget our novel but delightful experience there.

Under this date the Marietta Republican says: “The ladies of Marietta have furnished many articles for the comfort of the Washington County Volunteers, now in Virginia. The Havelock or linen shades to be worn on their caps will be appreciated this hot weather and so will the canteens.” This “Havelock” was well meant but on a hot day the “shade” as the editor called it seemed to keep the air from circulating about the neck and rather increased than allayed our discomforts, and they were soon discarded. The writer still preserves his in his collection of war relics.

“June 8.—Today we held an election for Second Lieutenant to fill the vacancy created by the election of Lieut. Bisbee as Major of the regiment. A number of candidates were voted for. After the first ballot the contest narrowed down to three, Jewett Palmer, Jr., who received a plurality on the first ballot, Wallace W. Hill and Oscar Underwood. After the second ballot Underwood was dropped, and on the third ballot, after a spirited contest, Hill was elected, by a majority of five.” The writer felt very proud of his support when he reflected that six weeks before he had not known half a dozen men in the company. Hill was a fine soldier, and distinguished himself later in the war as commander of his battery, “C,” 1st W. Va., Light Artillery.

Sunday, June 9.—Quietly in camp.

On June 10, about 11 o’clock P. M., Capt. Buell with about 50 men of his company and a like number from Co. K, under Capt. Henderson, set out for a point some ten miles distant, where it was reported a native had a quantity of arms and equipments stored. The force reached and surrounded the place about daylight—stirred out the garrison—one man, a not overly bright woman, an idiotic child and a rifle, with an old broken flint lock. By careful maneuvering the command succeeded in reaching camp about 11 o’clock A. M., without the loss of a man.

On June 11th, Col. H. B. Canington, Adjutant General of Ohio, and Col. T. R. Stanley, accompanied by the “McArthur Cornet Band,” our regimental band, paid us a brief visit and passed on to Parkersburg.

On June 12.—Col. Stanley called at the camp of Company K, on his way east and made the boys a brief address. During the day we had a visit from Hon. Geo. P. Buell, of the “Cincinnati Times,” a brother of Captain Frank’s, Dr. Hall, of Harrisville, Va., and Ed. C. Skinnard, clerk in the Marietta P. O. The latter brought a quantity of mail for us from the folks at home.

On June 13 our first blouses were received and while they were being distributed a train “whistled in” and the order was given to strike tents and load up. We were soon under way and arrived at Clarksburg about noon. After an hour’s wait we moved on to Bridgeport, about 6 miles beyond. Here we left the cars and marched out about a mile north of the village to the Sandusky farm, where we went into what proved to be the pleasantest camp of our three months’ experience. Situated on a gentle elevation covered with a solid turf, with plenty of shade and good water near at hand, we here enjoyed our soldier life to the utmost. Company A rejoined us here and the camp was under the command of Captain McMahon. We remained here four weeks, until July 13th, drilling, guarding railroad bridges and tunnels, taking in an occasional “secesh” prowler and making ourselves generally useful. The next day after our arrival some generous hearted neighbor came into camp with a wagon load of bread, butter, milk and other edibles, a free offering which we greatly enjoyed. During our stay here the people of Bridgeport and the surrounding country placed us under constant obligations for like generous treatment. The remembrance of this kindness is fresh in the minds of all the survivors of the two companies.

On the 18th, our Major, W. H. Bisbee, visited the camp and the boys, especially of Co. B, gave him a warm greeting.

On the 2nd of July, Sergt. T. G. Field, Corporals Holden and Haskins, and privates Palmer, Pixley, Stanley, Vickers and drummer Fougeres, went home on furlough for a few days.

On this day also our Drum Major, Ebenezer Corey, returned to camp from Marietta with ten recruits for the band: George Jenvey, William Jenvey, Charles Holden, H. M. Langley, John Tenney, James Judd, Henry Corey, Frank Brenan, Fred Regnier and Wm. H. Smith.

While in camp here privates William Holden and Charles P. Wilson were detailed at the request of Lieut. John C. Paxton, our Regimental Quartermaster, for clerks in his office at Clarksburg, where the headquarters of the regiment were located.

JULY 4.

For some days the people of the vicinity and the men in camp had been preparing for a celebration of the day and by 8:00 o’clock in the morning the people began to arrive with wagons loaded with bread and butter, cakes, pies, roast chicken, roast pigs and dainties innumerable. Our camp had been thoroughly policed and put in prime order, and the camp guard had strict orders for the night before not to permit any one to pass out and no passes were given. This was to prevent any of the boys from visiting an “Apple Jack” distillery located not far from camp. The Captains were to put their best foot forward in their part of the day’s displays and did not want the “spirits” mixed, when the time for parade came. A number of long tables had been erected in the shade of the trees near camp and these were early covered with the superabundant supplies. Scores of young ladies came with the crowds and they were the waiters at the dinner. By 9:00 o’clock the crowd on the ground numbered fully one thousand. At 10 A. M. came the drill, followed by a dress parade. The exhibition embraced manual of arms, company evolutions, volley firing, etc., to the great enjoyment of the people.

The boys felt proud of their part of the day’s doings and were complimented highly for their efficiency. After the military show was over violins were brought out and soon soldiers and citizens, the young ladies especially, were joined in the dance on the green sward under the branches of the great oaks. Games of many kinds were indulged in—swings were put up and liberally patronized by the youngsters, and all hands enjoyed themselves in various ways until the dinner hour. At 12:30 dinner was announced, when the companies fired “three rounds” as the closing act of the forenoon’s programme. Just at this time a train load of enthusiastic soldiers and citizens arrived from Grafton and other points east of us and Co. B formed and marched over to Bridgeport and escorted them to camp. The dinner was a great success. Five times the tables were filled and cleared of food and guests. No one was neglected or turned away hungry. After dinner a member of Co. A delivered a well prepared address in an impressive manner. He was followed by Capt. Buell in a brief and spirited address, and he by an elderly minister of the locality, whose name has escaped me. Songs, sentimental, military and comic, fife and drum and violin music were interspersed and a most enjoyable day all too rapidly drew to a close.

From July 5th to the 13th, the routine of camp duties went on as before, but on that day marching orders were received. By 5:00 o’clock P. M., tents were struck and taken to the station, except a few left to shelter the men detailed to guard camp in our absence. We soon were under way eastward.

Our train now held the full regiment, the first time we had come together as such since leaving Parkersburg, May 29th. We arrived at Oakland on the morning of the 14th, and lay in camp until the afternoon of the 15th, when, Whitelaw Reid says, “About 5:00 o’clock P. M., Gen. Hill moved with the 5th and 18th Ohio regiments from Oakland in a diagonal line to the bridge on the Northwestern Pike, over the west branch of the Potomac, at which point he was to be joined by Col. Irvine’s command from Red House, intending to turn the enemy’s right and cut them off before they could reach Petersburg. Here, at the bridge a dispatch was received from McClellan informing Hill of the action at Carrick’s Ford and the death of Garnett.”

We “marched over the Allegheny mountains, a distance of 35 1/2 miles in 24 hours, after leaving Oakland. At 4:00 o’clock the next morning (17th) Gen. Hill, with about 800 picked men in light marching order started for an additional forced march but after moving five miles was overtaken by a courier with a dispatch from McClellan ordering him to return.”

We returned leisurely to Oakland and there went into camp, remaining until the morning of the 23rd of July, when the regiment took cars for the west. We reached Bridgeport about the middle of the afternoon and after getting our camp guards and equipage aboard moved slowly on to Clarksburg. Here we went into camp until the 30th when we again took cars for Parkersburg and home! While in camp at Clarksburg a call was made for volunteers to go to Rosecrans, on Gauley, where he was about to engage in battle with Gen. Floyd’s forces.

The regiment was drawn up in line and a call made upon those who were willing to go to step out five paces to the front. Not a score of men left their places in the ranks. Our time had expired on the 17th, and many of the men had already made arrangements to enter the three years’ service in other organizations and were anxious to get home and take up the new work.

We jogged along nearly all night, 30th-31st, side-tracking for eastbound trains, nearly all of which carried troops. As we were nearing Parkersburg early in the day of the 31st a man belonging to Co. I, fell from the top of a car and was mortally hurt, dying a day or two later. At Parkersburg we took the railroad ferry steamer, “Daniel Webster,” for Marietta, the same boat that brought us to Parkersburg in May. We arrived off Harmar about 2:00 o’clock P. M. The banks on both sides of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers were lined with our friends, who had assembled to bid us welcome.

The “Putnam Light Artillery,” of Marietta, boomed forth a loud-mouthed welcome. The boat rounded to near the “Point.” Here we disembarked and after a warm greeting by our friends, fell in and marched through the city to “Camp Putnam.” The whole population seemed to be out and our march was a continuous ovation. Before “Camp Putnam” was reached Co. B was reduced to a platoon. Many of the town boys quietly slipped out of ranks and accompanied their friends home. About the middle of the following forenoon the regiment was drawn up in line in Camp Putnam, when Col. Stanley gave us a few final words of farewell, and we were dismissed until such time as we should be called together for final muster-out and pay. On August 30th, the following call appeared in the Marietta papers:

The following is a