The Fourteenth Ohio national guard--the Fourth Ohio volunteer infantry

Class.

Book Jl^J^

COPYRIGHT DEPOSm

'hi.

^•■ft|^ ' - ■v?^^"^

r?^-::fe

•died in service-
'to live in hearts we leave
behind is not to die"

PATPKKAHEPN DfRANDOLPh

CELAWSON JH (01/15

DH-DODGE

SLHILL

LHMITCHELL

W-W-REED

WffERPIS

IE-5IMM5

J -W- DENT

W-C-WINTEP

CtEFERRIN

W-P-MARKE50N E-CBRIQ65
G-H-5hU5TER

W-C-DUNLAP
M-M-M0R6AN
CARL KPEl/Z
jWWALKER
EL PATTERSON
Ki/ERT 5PAPKA
HAVM0RRI50N
A-L-VERTNER
J15NYDER

The Fourteenth Ohio

Ncitional Gu-ard,

The Kourth Ohio
VoKioteer Infantry.

COMPLETE RECORD OF THIS ORGANIZATION FROM
ITS FOUNDATION TO THE PRESENT DAY.

BY

Sergt. Maj. Chas. E. Creager.

WITH FULL ACCOUNT OF STRIKE, RIOT, AND COMPLI-
MENTARY DUTY, AND THE CAMPAIGN IN THE

Spanish-American War.

A COMPLETE ROSTER OF MEMBERS AT THE TIME OF
MUSTER OUT OF THE UNITED STATES SERVICE.

INTUODUC'TIONS 1!Y

The Pkesident of^ the XJ. S.

AND

The Governok ok Ohio.

PRESS OF

THE LANDON PRINTING & PUBLISHING CO.,

COLUMBUS, OHIO.

1899.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY BUCHER ENGRAVING CO.

t'

4^

■ 0"°

Copyright 1899
WALTER F. CLOWES.

ii APH j il mb \

EXECUTIVE MANSION,

WASHINGTON.

// is a pleasure to make this a.cknol»tedgment of
my appreciation of the ser'hices rendered by the Fourth
Ohio 'Volunteer Infantry, in 'Porto l^co and e[se%>here,
during the recent 'ii>ar.

The officers and men of this regiment ha'he
maintained the splendid reputation as set forth in the
following record of the citizen-soldiery of Ohio.
"Very sincerely.

^^^^^^t-Z-^i-^ie,.^...^ /Ct^^y i«— *

STATE OF OHIO,
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR.

The record of the Fourteenth O. N. G. — Fourth
0. V. I. is a. most admirable one, and these organi-
zations are happily deserving the pfrpetaation the fol-
lowing pages have given. From the time of its or-
ganization to the day of its departure for the front,
the Fourteenth Infantry most loyally and ably sup-
ported the State Executive, %>ith their influence in peace
or their valor v)hen their active services <zvere required.
And again, •when called into the service of the Na-
tional Government, the organization proved itself a
most trustv)orthy representative of the State.

My best 'wish for the regiment <zuould be that
its future may be as bright and honorable as its past.

Governor of Ohio.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

EARLY HISTORY.

Citizen Soldiery of Ohio— Ohio in War— Settlement at Mari-
etta—Early Military Laws— Organization and R^ula-
tions— Reorganization of 1821— Military Convention-
Camp at Columbus— Military in Ohio in the Fifties — The
Civil War — Fear of Invasion — The Ohio National
Guard— The O. N. G. in the Civil War— Quick Muster
and Equipment— The Fourth O. V. I.— Ohio National
Guard Disbanded — Reorganization of 1876 — Labor
Troubles— Unsettled Condition of the Country.

CHAPTER 11.

THE FOURTEENTH INFANTRY.

Formation of Regiments— Meeting at State House — Captain
Ammel's Work — Companies Formed — Adjutant Groven-
er's Order — The Regiment Organized — First Duty in
Columbus— Chaplain Moore Elected— Trouble in Perry
County— The Gatling Gun— Garfield Funeral at Cleve-
land—Colonel Freeman Re-elected — A Busy Year— Jus-
tice at Cincinnati — The Cincinnati Riots — Colonel Free-
man's Report — Killed and Wounded.

CHAPTER III.

AN EPOCH OF EXCURSIONS.

Trouble in Hocking County — Companies K and B on Duty-
Camp at Detroit— The Field of Gettysburg— Colonel
Freeman's Proposition — Corporal Grisso Killed — The
Fourteenth at Philadelphia — Inconveniences Suffered by
Ohio's Soldiers — Columbus Armory Burned — Hospital

coxrnxTs.

Corps Organized— SLate Encampment at Columbus—
Oliio's Centennial— The Fourteenth in New York— An-
nual Encampments.

CHAPTER IV.

STRIKES AND RIOTS.

Resignation of Colonel Freeman— Election of Colonel Coit—
General Sherman's Funeral at St. Louis— Duty at Chi-
cago—Howe on 1894— The Vv^heeling Creek Campaign-
Causes for the Strike— Troops Called Out— Services of
the Fourteenth— The Result— Galvin's Army— Trouble
at Washington C. H.— Colonel Charged With Murder-
Annual Encampments.

CHAPTER Y.

WAR WITH SPAIN.

Period of Peace— Condition of Army and Navy— American
Peace Policy— Relations Between England and Spain-
Cessions of land from Spain to United States— Cuban
Insurrection— The "Ten Years' War"— Second Rebel-
lion—Daily Press Reports— Cuban and Spanish Lead-
ers—Weyler's "Reconcentrado" Plan— General Lee's
Report— The De Lome Affair— Destruction of the
Maine— The Country Aroused— Cry for War— Prepara-
tions for War— President's Proclamation— Declaration
of War— Dewey's Victory— Ohio's Volunteers— Militia
Assembled— The Fourteenth at the Auditorium— Camp
Bushnell.

CHAPTER YI.

THE FOURTEENTH-FOURTH.

The March to Camp Bushnell— Camp Life— Changes in
Company Organization- Drills and Parades— Growth of
the Camp— Change of Name— Signal Corps Dropped—
The Regimental Band— Bad Weather— Rumors— Order
to Leave— Parting Scenes— Camp Bushnell Left Be-
hind—The March to the Depot— Scenes Along the
March- At the Depot— Columbus Left Behind— Arrival
at Chattanooga.

C0NTF1XT8.

CHAPTER VII.

CAMP GEORGE H. THOMAS.

The Ride to Chickamauga Park— From Lytle to the Camp —
Early Experiences — The Regiment Assigned — Hard
Tack and Bacon — A Military Training School — Facts
About Lytle — Regimental "Canteens" — Amusement-
Facts About the Camp — Some ot Its Advantages — Vis-
itors from Home and from Abroad — Evening Parades —
Cakes, Pies and Sweetmeats— Religious Services — Re-
connoitering Expeditions — A Sham Battle — Setting up
and Breaking Camps — Sink Details— Rumors and Or-
ders—Good News at Last.

CHAPTER YIIL

TO NEWPORT NEWS. VIRGINIA.

The March to Rossville — To Chattanooga — Delays — The
Trip Through Kentucky — Receptions Along the Line —
Ifp the Alleghenies — Peep at Piedmont Valley — "On to
Richmond" — At Newport News — A "Pup Tent" Camp —
Reception — Dynamite Guns — Company F Becomes a
Battery — Changes of Officers — Delays and More Ru-
mors— Transport "St. Paul" — Transferring Baggage-
Waiting Orders— Off to Sea.

CHAPTER IX.

OFF TO PORTO RICO.

Sail on Friday— The Trip Through the Harbor— The St.
Paul — "Travel Rations" — "Prime Roast Beef" — Hard
Tack and Coffee — Boston Baked Beans — Tomatoes — One
Dollar Pies — Sea Sickness — Religious Services at Sea —
Fine Weather Voyage — Warlike Preparations — At the
Harbor of Ponce — Cruise to Arroyo — Kragg Jorgensen
Rifles — End of the Voyage— The Landing.

cox TENTS.

CHAPTEK X.

THE FOURTH UNDER FIRE.

Arroyo — The People and Climate — First Day in Camp —
Native Cigarettes — A Practice March — Orders from
General Haines — Fresh Beef Issue — Accident to Colonel
Coit — Major Speaks Takes Advance— Military Terms
Explained — A Frenchman's Information — A Funeral
"Procession" — The House "To the left"— Sergeant Rad-
cliffe's Ride — Under Fire — Spanish Bullets and Spanish
Marksmanship — Effect of Spanish Fire — Effect of
American Fire — Line of Battle Formed— Unjust Re-
ports— Spaniards Retreat— Capture of Guayama — The
Flag Raising — The Spaniards Rally — Dynamite Guns in
Action — First Night in Guayama.

CHAPTER XI.

THE ROAD TO CAYEY.

'Battle" of Guayama — Comments on the Capture— Effect of
This Duty Upon the Regiment — General Haines and the
Fourth Ohio — Restlessness in the City— Reconnoiter of
the Road — Spanish Camp Located— Orders for Second
Reconnoiter — A False Alarm — A Break for Guayama —
Stories of Ambush— Their Effect— Excitement at Head-
quarters— Regiment Made a Rescuing Party— American
versus Spaniard — Dynamite Guns in Action — A Make-
Shift Caisson — Barrio De Las Palmas— Other Expe-
ditions.

CHAPTER XII.

ONE WEEK OF REST.

The Fourth Appreciated by People at Guayama — A General
Cleaning Up — Beautiful Scenery — Early Impression of
Porto Rico — Commissaiy Condition — Fresh Meat at the
Outposts— The V/ater Supply— Horses and Reinforce-
ments Arrive — Hospital Established — Rumors Again —
Preparations for Advance — Final Orders Issued— Death,
of Sam Hill.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIII.

BEGINNING OF THE END.

Imposing Scenes— Breakfast in the Rain— Expedition As-
signed to Fourth Ohio— March Begun— Guide "Backs
Out"— Plan of Operations— A Rocky Road — A Hot
Day — Danger in Straggling — Lunch and a Short Rest —
End of the March— Hostilities Suspended— Retraced
Steps — Friday and the Thirteenth — Intense Suffering —
Temporary Camp — Hospital Call— Permanent Camp.

CHAPTER XIV.

IN CAMP AT GUAYAMA.

Miserable Location — Causes of Dissatisfaction — Health of
the Men — Desire to Return Home — Sickness — Condition
at Hospital — Changes in Commanders — Market — Finan-
cial Condition of Men — The Paymaster — Better Times —
Visit of Mr. Klotts— Orders to Move — Brigade Dis-
banded.

CHAPTER XV.

FROM GUAYAMA TO SAN JUAN.

Regiment Leaves Guayama Camp — "The Girl I Left Behind
Me" — Marching Through Rain — Road to Cayey — A
Terrible March — Arrived at Cayey — Further Detach-
ments— Flag Raising — March to Caguas — Duty There —
Flags Raised — March to Rio Piedros — Arrival at San
Juan.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE HOSPITAL CORPS.

The Corps in the Fourteenth — Its Organization and Effi-
ciency— Its Effect on Enlistment — Refused Admittance
as a Body Into the U. S. Service — Members Enlist in
Companies — Details at Camp Thomas — Reserve Ambu-

CONTENTS.

lance Corps — Detachments From the Regiment — Orders
for Porto Rico — Reunited on Massachusetts — Again
Separated in Porto Rico — Sent to San Juan — Home
With the Regiment — Stragglers Arrive.

CHAPTER XVn.

ARMY OF OCCUPATION.

What General Brooke Said of the Fourth Ohio — D Company
to Humacao — A Forty Miles' March — M Company by
Sea to Vieques — Duty at Fajardo — Trouble at Carolina —
Beautiful Country at Aibonito — An Officer Assaulted.
at Cayey — B Company at Rio Piedras — Record of
Events in the Companies Which Americanized the
Eastern Third of Porto Rico.

CHAPTER XVIII.

HOME AGAIN.

Orders to Leave — Preparation — Arrival of Forty-seventh
New York— U. S. S. S. Chester at Arroyo— At San
Juan — Leaving the Island — Advantages and Disad-
vantages of the Chester — The Homeward Voyage —
Death of Private Vertner — Arrival at New York —
Jersey City — Received by the President — To Colum-
bus — Reception — Furlough — Assembly — Accident at
Auditorium — Muster Out — Concluding Remarks.

The Fourteenth O. N. G.— The
Fourth O. V. I.

CHAPTER I.

EARLY HISTORY.

Citizen Soldiery of Ohio — Ohio in War— Settlement at Mari-
etta— Early Military Laws— Organization and Regula-
tions—Reorganization of 1821— Military Convention-
Camp at Columbus— Military in Ohio in the Fifties — The
Civil War — Fear of Invasion — The Ohio National
Guard— The O. N. G. in the Civil War— Quick Muster
and Equipment— The Fourth 0. V. I.— Ohio National
Guard Disbanded — Reorganization of 1876 — Labor
Troubles — Unsettled Condition of the Country.

The military spirit of the citizens of the State
of Ohio, the valor of the soldiery made up of the sons
of the Buckeye state both at home and abroad, have
excited favorable coimuent from those who have
watched the achievements of Ohioans in every other
state in the Union. From the fierce struggle for su-
premacy with the Indians in the Ohio valley while the
territory now occupied by the state was an unbroken
wilderness, to the present time, the people on the right
bank of the picturesque Ohio have been noted for
their integrity as citizens and their braver}^ as soldiers.

When the colonial government in the early days
of our history needed assistance in the battles with
the French and Indians, companies of hardy settlers-

14 TEE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

shouldered their flint-locks, hastened to the scene of
hostilities and upon them was always thrown the brunt
of the battle. When the struggle for American in-
dependence was begun, even though the safety of their
own homes was in peril, the American forces were
streng-thened by the brave Ohio Valley volunteers.
They were trained riflemen, invincible as the rocks
over which rolled the mighty river which separated
them from the east, and they were born soldiers.
They were accustomed to all the hardships attending
the life of a soldier, and ever ready to respond to a
cause which needed their support ; they have in every
struggle in which the country has been involved, done
their duty and done it well.

There has never been a war in the history of the
nation wherein the Ohio valley did not furnish her
full share of soldiers. On the great roll of honor of
the nation, the names of Ohio's sons appear as the
greatest leaders, the firmest supporters of the general
government and the freest to make any sacrifice re-
quired to hasten a desired end.

In the piping times of peace, her fertile valleys
have yielded immense quantities of provisions for her
own citizens as well as for those who were less fortu-
nately situated, and by the good management and
frugal habits of her citizens she has become one of the
most prosperous states in the Union.

The first permanent white settlement made with-
in the present limits of the state was made at Marietta
in the year 1788, and in that year provisions
were made by the territorial judges "for the best pro-

TEE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G. 15

tection of the territory." All male citizens between
the ages of sixteen and fifty were compelled to perform
military duty. The first general assembly under the
Constitution of Oliio did not meet until March 1, 1803,
£ind in the following December the first state military
law was passed. This law provided that all free
white male citizens^ with a few defined exceptions,
between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, and all
emigrants within the age limit, and within twenty
days after residence, were compelled to perform mili-
tary duty.

Each enrolled militiaman was required to provide
himself at his own expense with a good musket or
fusee, a sufficient bayonet and belt, a knapsack and
two spare flints, a pouch with a box therein to con-
tain not less than twenty-four cartridges, "suited to
the bore of his musket or fusee," or a good rifle with
])owder; each officer to be armed with a sword or
hanger and spontoon.

The militia of the state was organized into di-
visions, brigades, regiments, battalions and companies,
with the following officers: To each division a major
general, to each brigade a brigadier general, to each
regiment a lieutenant colonel commandant, to each
battalion a major, to each company a captain, a lieu-
tenant, an ensign, fonr sergeants, four corporals, one
drummer and one fifer.

Major generals were to be held accountable that
companies be organized prorata in the towns within the
districts comprised in the brigade. All officers, ex-
cept major generals, were elected. To each brigade

16 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

was to be attached a company of artillery and a troop of
horse, when, in the opinion of the brigadier general,
the companies, or either of them, could be raised and
equipped witJiin his brigade.

The tactics adopted were ''Baron Steuben's In-
structions" and the Articles of War numbered 26.

These laws were changed very little until 1821,
when the strength of Ohio's military power was
85,000. A reorganization was then effected, but the
general plan remained unchanged. It was about this
time that the militar)- spirit of central Ohio began to
assert itself and that section of the state has ever
since led all the militarv' movements of the day.

From that time on the military laws of the state
were changed to meet the exigencies of circumstances
as they arose, it was supposed, but to the present idea,
the changes were oftentimes decidedly for the worse.
On February 2, 1854, there was a great military con-
vention in Columbus, assembled for the purpose of
arranging from the entanglement of laws which the
early legislatures had managed to impose, a military
code which could be at least understood by the com-
manding officers and to plac« the military of the state
on a firmer footing.

This convention was held in Neil's New Hall,
afterwards the famous Neil House, of Columbus, for
many years the political Mecca of the state. One of
the leading figures in that convention was Captain
Stedman, aftenvards colonel of the Fourteenth regi-
ment in the Civil war and who since became "General"
Stedman. It seem.s that this couAcntion was by no

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 17

means barren of results, for, a year later, there began
a revival of the military spirit of the state, and or-
ganizations of a military nature sprang up in all of the
leading counties. On July 4, 1855, a few months
more than a year after the great military convention,
the State Fencibles, which afterwards became one of
the best kno^vn military bodies of the state, was or-
ganized, and in 1857 the Columbus Vedettes was
organized.

The spirit seems to have taken firm root, for in
the year 1858, at a camp near Columbus, where the
Hawk hospital now stands, the following organiza-
tions turned out for muster: State Fencibles, Co-
lumbus Vedettes, Steuben Guards, Montgomery
Guards and Captain Ijam's Battery of Artillery.

Miltary companies continued to organize, and
then came that period in the history of the country
known as the Civil war. The two sections of the na-
tion were marshalled against each other and every
resource of either division was tried to its utmost in
the struggle for the preservation of the I'nion on the
one side and for its destruction on the other. It was
here that the value of the training which the various
military companies had been able to impart, began
to show. Volunteers flocked to the recruiting sta-
tions in response to the call by the president, and
thousands of Ohio boys put on the blue and went to
the defense of the starry banner, led to victory by
officers who had learned something of the art of war in
the organizations which the scoffer had before pro-
nounced fit for ornament and parade rather than for
usefulness.

18 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

The Ohio National Guard, as such, was never
heard of until in 1863, the legislature of that winter,
in its effort to assist the national government in the
mightv struggle then waging, having passed a law
repealing the unintelligent mass of rules and regula-
tions governing the state military and establishing an
entirely new insitution. The idea, then a new one,
was favorably received all over the state, and as the
fear that the state would be invaded by Southern
raiders became more general, the I^Tational Gruard
was soon recruited to a strength which could have de-
fended the state against a larger army than it was
possible for Confederate leaders at that time to
command.

Still the true worth of the organization was not
known until the following year, 1864, when on April
25 governor Brough, mthout the ceremony of calling
for volunteers, offering bounties or leaves of absence
from the National Guard seiwice, or pro^dding for
any other delav. ordered the entire National Guard
of Ohio to assemble at their respective annories for
the purj30se of being mustered into the volunteer ser-
vice of the United States. There was no choice left
to the officers or members, so the order was promptly
obeyed, and on Monday, May 2, the entire military
strength of the state was assembled, ready for muster.
On the following Thursday, eleven days after the first
order had been promulgated. Captain Innis was on his
way to Virginia with a large body of troops from Ohio,
mustered and fully equipped for immediate service.

Central Ohio had already sent out the gallant
Frairth Ohio, but seven davs after the oricinal call

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 19

from Governor Brough, Franklin county alone had
contributed the 133rd E«giment of Volunteer In-
fantry, and a better regiment never did service.

The state troops were all ordered to Columbus in
Yery disagreeable weather and all the work of ex-
amination and muster had to be performed under the
most trying circionstances, but in just sixteen days
Governor Brough telegraphed the adjutant general
of the army that he had in the field at Baltimore,
Cumberland, Washington, Parkersburg, Harper's
Terry and other places, forty full regiments and one
battalion of seven companies of infantry. This was
a mighty army in itself, and it had been formed ex-
clusively from the Ohio National Guard.

Valuable as had been the National Guard dur-
ing the war, the close of that struggle brought with
it the close of the existence of the O. N. G. The
legislature in 1865, anticipating a permanent cessa-
tion of hostilities of all kinds, had ordered the militia
disbanded, and as the people themselves had had
enough of war and of matters pertaining to the mili-
tary in general, the action of the legislature was gen-
erally approved.

The cloud of Civil war was followed by a dozen
years of peace and quiet, undisturbed until the year
1876, when the nation was in the midst of the cele-
bration of her one hundredth birthday anniversary at
Philadelphia. Serious trouble had arisen with the
Indians in the West and the attention of almost the
entire regular army was attracted for a time to the
Indian reservations. Followine" the Centennial eele-

20 THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G.

bration, the coimtry passed througii one of the most
serious labor disturbances of its history. Of these
ti-oubles Dr. John Clarke Ridpath, the historian, has
the following to say :

''In the summer of 1877 occurred the great labor
disturbance known as the 'Railroad Strike.' For
several years the mining districts of the country had
been vexed with disputes and outbreaks, having their
origin in the question of wages. The manufacturing
towns and cities had witnessed similar troubles and the
great corporations having control of the lines of travel
and commerce were frequently brought to a standstill
by the determined opposition of their employes. The
workingmen and the capitalists of the countrj^ had for
some time maintained towards each other a kind of
armed neutrality, alike hurtful to the interests of both.
In the spring of this year the managers of the gTeat
railways leading from the seaboard to the West, de-
clared a reduction of ten per cent, in the wages of their
workmen. This measure, which was to take effect at
the middle of July, was violently resisted by the em-
ployes of the companies and the most active steps taken
to prevent its success. The workmen of the various
roads entered into combinations and the officers stood
■firm. On the 16th of July the employes of the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad left their posts and gathered
such strength in Baltimore and at Martinsburg, W.
Va., as to prevent the running of trains and set the
authorities at defiance. * * * *

"In less than a week the trains had been stopped
on all the important roads between the Hnrlson and

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 21

the Mississippi. Except in the cotton-growing states
the insun-ection was universal. I'ravel ceased,
freights perished euroute, business was paralyzed. In
Pittsbiu'g the strikers, rioters and dangerous classes,
gathering in a mob to the number of twenty thousand,
obtained complete control of the city and for two days
held a reign of terror unparalelled in the history of
the country. The lawless violence and madness of the
scene recalled the firey days of the French Kevolu-
tion. * * * * '

''The insurrection was finally suppressed by the
regular troops and the militia of Pennsylvania, but not
until nearly a hundred lives had been lost and prop-
erty destroyed to the value of more than three million
dollars."

Similar, but perhaps less terrible riots occurred
about the same time in Chicago, St. Louis and San
Francisc-o, and for a time all the great cities of the
country were in immient danger. Cincinnati, Co-
lumbus and Cleveland did not entirely escape, but the
loss to either life or property was slight as compared
to that at Pittsburg. The labor troubles subsided
within a month, but at the close of that difiiculty the
Indians again became troublesome and the attention of
the military was again attracted to the West.

The young men of Ohio fully appreciated the
seriousness of the general situation, and the question
began to be asked, "What if Ohio were confronted
with such problems of her own?" The necessitv of
a reorganization of the ISTational Guard was at once
apparent to that class of young men which would

22 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. A. G.

natui'ally become the rank and file of the organization,
and to the legislature. The result was that the gen-
eral assembly of the state authorized the re-establish-
ment of the state militia, and they also provided for the
organization into regiments. The work was soon
placed in the hands of competent officers and soon
after the passage of the law the Ohio National Guard
was again standing on a firm footing.

It was the possibility of a something not expected
yet a something feared, however, that gave to the
people of Columbus and surrounding towns a feeling
of unrest. Labor agitators were at work all over the
country doing their best to renew the troubles of '76
and '77, and as the manufacturing interests and other
enterprises calling for the employment of many men
were rapidly growing, it was thought the wiser plan to
provide for a possible emergency.

There were companies of infantry thoroughly
organized and well drilled, and one by one these com-
panies were united into regiments, and with little
trouble the militar}^ strength of the state was again
available for dutv.

GEORGE D. FREEMAN.

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 23

CHAPTER II.

THE FOURTEENTH INFANTRY.

Formation of Regiments — Meeting at State House — Captain
Ammel's Work — Companies Formed — Adjutant Groven-
er's Order— The Regiment Organized — First Duty in
Columbus— Chaplain Moore Elected— Trouble in Perry
County— The Gatling Gun— Garfield Funeral at Cleve-
land^Colonel Freeman Re-elected — A Busy Year — Jus-
tice at Cincinnati— The Cincinnati Riots — Colonel Free-
man's Report— Killed and Wounded.

Central Ohio was as mucli in need of a regiment
of militia as any other section of the state, and in point
of military companies and the enthusiasm of the people
in military- matters, this part of the state excelled, but
the companies having been organized more for social
than public benefit, they were slow in uniting with
a state institution, making more exacting, but more
uncert^iin the duty they loved to perform.

The iiuestion increased in seriousness. Accord-
ingly, in the winter of 1876, a number of Columbus
gentlemen met at the office of the adjutant general of
the state and discussed the organization of a company
or com]ianies of militia in the central part of the state.
It was decided that something should be done in the
matter at once and the governor promptly appointed
Captain Charles Ammel to organize what was to be
known as the Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry, Ohio
National Guards.

Captain Ammel at once set to work at this task
and in the following March Company A was made the

24 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

nucleus of the new regiment, with Captain Amniel as
its commander. A little later Company B, with Cap-
tain Henry Seibert, was mustered in, immediately fol-
lowed by D Company at West Jefferson, with Cap-
tain Eugene Babb in command. Company E was
next organized at Marysville, with Captain William
L. Curry at its head, and then Captain John Chapin
with Company F at Columbus. Company G came
next, in command of Captain John P. Slemmous, at
Richwood, and then Company C was organized at
Westerville, Captain Isaac jS[. Custer.

The following order then completed the organ-
ization :

October 20, 1877.
Special Order 216:

I. The following companies of infantry will
constitute the Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry. Ohio
National Guard: Captain Charles S. Aramel's Com-
pany, of Columbus, Cranpany A; Thurman Light
Guards, Company B ; Captain Isaac jST. Custer's Com-
pany, of Westerville, Company C; Darby Videttes,
Company D; Captain William L. Curry's Company,
of Marysville, Company E; Converse Guards, Com-
pany F ; Grosvenor Rifles, Company G.

II. The several companies composing said Four-
teenth Regiment are hereby directed to select dele-
gates to put in nomination candidates for colonel, lieu-
tenant colonel and major of said regiment. The se-
lected delegates are hereby ordered to assemble at the
Armory of Ohio jSTational Guard, in the city of Co-
lumbus, on the twenty-seventh day of October, A. D.
1 877, at such hour as may be most convenient.

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 25

ill. The several companies composing said regi-
ment and the delegates to nominate candidates are
hereby directed to be governed in all their proceedings
by paragraphs 35, 36 and 37 of the Code of Regula-
tions for the Ohio National Guard.

BAN. A. GROSVENOR,
Assistant Adjutant General.

The first election of regimental officers, held Oc-
tober 27, 1877, resulted as follows: Henry Hein-
miller, colonel; William L. Curry, lieutenant colonel;
John W. Chapin, major. Commissions were made
to date from October 3, 1877, but owing to his onerous
duties as superintendent of the fire department of
Columbus, Colonel Heinmiller refused to qualify.
Another election for choice of colonel was conse-
quently held, which resulted in the choice of George
D. Freeman as colonel of the new regiment. His
commission was to date from December 29, 1877.

Two elections were necessary for the selection of
the first colonel of the regiment. The candidates,
Colonel Freeman and Isaac IsT. Potter, had fought a
hard fight and fraud was charged against Colonel
Freeman and his friends. The result was very close
but the second election gave Colonel Freeman a hand-
some majority over his opponent, and all parties were
satisfied.

The first regimental order was issued from
Colonel Curry's headquarters at Marysville, and an-
ticipated participation in the inaugural parade of

26 THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G.

Governor Bishop. This occui'red on Janury 14, and
was the first occasion on which the regiment made
an official appearance.

The first actual duty performed by the regiment
was at the time of the railroad riots of 1877, when A
Company was ordered to duty at the State Capitol and
B Company at Newark. Out of the enlistment of
only fifty-three men, fifty-one responded promptly for
duty. Certainly this response bears out all that was
said of the Ohio soldieiy at the beginning of this
chapter, and certainly this was a noble example to
set for an Ohio military organization to follow.

Shortly after this, two more companies were added
to the regiment. They were Company H, at Canal
Winchester, with Captain Philip Game in command,
and Company I, at Plain City, under Captain J. Q.
Converse. Shortly after this General Karr, on be-
half of its lady friends, presented to the regiment its
first stand of colors. These colors were carried on the
day of the first parade, January 14. This was a
most handsome present, and it was valued at $300.
T^nfortunately, this beautiful standard was bunied in
1888, when the Columbus Armory was destroyed
by fire.

The first encampment of the regiment was also
held in this year at Marysville. The men were al-
lowed one dollar per day by the state for their time
and all the expense of the encampment had to be
borne by the soldiers themselves.

In the spring of 1878 there was a large number
of incendiary fires in the city of Columbus. Houses

THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G. 27

and factories were rutlilessly burned for no reason
which any one was able to understand, and while the
city authorities were considering what to do, Colonel
Freeman generously offered the services of his regi-
ment. The offer was accepted and the whole city was
thoroughly patroled. The result was, that after a
service of this kind lasting for ten days, the incen-
diarism was permanently stopped.

In this year Company K, of Delaware, Captain
F. M. Joy, came into the regiment, and a short time
afterwards Rev. W. E. Moore, of Columbus, was made
chaplain of the regiment. Chaplain Moore remained
with the regiment in this capacity until April, 1898,
when, on account of declining years, he thought best
to retire from active military service. In his resigna-
tion the regiment suffered a great loss and they felt
it keenly.

Company I, of the Twelfth Regiment, was this
year transferred to the Fourteenth and given the let-
ter E. This company was stationed at Mt. Gilead.
The annual encampment for this year was held at
Delaware and later the Columbus and other companies
turned out to receive General Grant on his return
from his tour around the world.

A pleasing event in the history of the regiment
occurred at the beginning of the year 1880, when the
Columbus Battalion, on the day of the inauguration
of Governor Foster, entertained the retiring Governor
Bishop and the new governor as guests of honor and
the visiting military organizations. The dinner was
given at the Armory on East Town street, and will

28 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

always be remembered by those who were permitted to
be present. On August 4 the annual encampment
was held at Prospect Park, near Niagara Falls, N. Y.
In September of 1880 the miners of Perry-
county created another disturbance and Colonel Free-
man, placing himself at the head of Companies A, B
and F hastened to the scene of the trouble. The
situation was critical, the trouble having arisen
through the employment by coal companies of a num-
ber of colored miners. This enraged the white miners,
who had arranged a plot to get all the negroes on the
inside of the mine, then set fire to the entrance and kill
the fleeing negToes as fast as they came out of the
burning mine.

The strikere tapped telegraph wires, thus keeping
fully informed as to what was going on at the capital,
and they were rapidly preparing to meet the militia.
They learned that the Fourteenth would have a
Gatling gim in their possession, but they were ig-
norant as to what that weapon resembled in appearance
or as to what it was capable of accomplishing. A
citizen of Columbus who had formerly been a member
of the militia, and who entertained gTeat fears lest a
clash between the miners and the soldiers would re-
sult in the loss of many lives, proceeded to tell the
congregated strikers what the Gatling gun could do.
Of course he exaggerated as much as he could safely
do, but his tales of marvelous destructive powers had
the desired effect.

When the Fourteenth arrived on the scene, the
Gatling gun was in a box car, the murderous-looking

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 29

barrel extending from the door of the car and a reso-
lute squad of men ready to operate it at a moment's
notice. The very sight of this gun and the men who,
by their looks, showed that they had come to perform
the duty of soldiers, had the effect of sending the
men peaceably to their homes, and the danger of an
outbreak was averted.

In 1881 the regiment encamped near Sandusky.
During that year, also, the regiment won another vic-
tory over the other regiments in the National Guard as
to appearance and discipline. The occasion was the
ceremony at Cleveland, in honor of the murdered
President Garfield. When it had been determined
that the governor and his official staff would attend
the Cleveland services, Colonel Freeman tendered sev-
eral companies of the Fourteenth as an escort. The
offer was accepted and the colonel at once set to work
getting ready his ''several companies." The result
was, of course, that the whole regiment assembled,
prepared to go to Cleveland. As soon as the other
regimental commandei^s had learned what Colonel
Freeman had done, they all hastened tO' tender the
services of their regiments also. The result was thac
practically the whole of the National Guard was rep-
resented at the funeral ceremony.

There was at that time considerable jealousy ex-
isting against the Fourteenth, and a great deal of this
was at Cleveland. Colonel Freeman decided to
either overcome this feeling or give the enemies of the
regiment a reason for feeling- as they did. The men
were all ordered to wear white collars, black their

30 TEE FOURTEENTE, 0. A". G.

shoes and make every arrangement for appearing at
their best. In addition to this each man was given a
red blanket cover, so that when these were strapped
across the backs of the men the appearance denoted
that the blankets were alike.

The men looked their best, and on the entrance
to the town, instead of leaving the depot and making
a great display on their fii-st appearance in the city.
Colonel Freeman left the train at a point where he
could follow a course around the depot and pass the
reviewing stand over a descending street, thus showing
to a better advantage the discipline and drill of tKe
men. A number of regular army officers witnessed
this movement, among them General Schoffield, and as
soon as the rear of the column had passed, there was
a grand round of applause. When Colonel Freeman
reported for duty, he was assigned by the general in
charge to the post of honor at the cemetery. The
jealoaisies of the other regiments were by no means
remoyed at Cleyeland, but there was certainly a greater
admiration for the Fourteenth inspired by its fine ap-
pearance and the willing-ness with which they per-
formed the duty assigned them made a warm place for
them in the hearts of the army officers.

The following year Lieutenant Colonel Curry re-
signed and his place was filled by the election of Cap-
tain William M. Liggett, of D Company, Marysville.
Major John W. Chapin also resigned during the year
and he was succeeded by Captain Andrew Schwarz, of
B Company. The regimental camp this year was at
Belle Tsle.

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 31

The term of office of Colonel Freeman expired
during the following year, 1883, and a convention
was called to place candidates in nomination for elec-
tion to succeed him. The convention was called to
order in Columbus, but after a very brief session, it
was unanimously decided to renominate Colonel Free-
man by acclamation. The nomination was enthusi-
astically received by the companies, and Colonel
Freeman was duly elected. The annual encampment
was held that year at Cuyahoga Falls.

The year of 1884 w-as the most eventful so far
as the importance of the service of the regiment is
concerned that had yet passed over the Fourteenth. In
that year its members tasted warfare in all its frightful
phases; witnessed scenes of bloody carnage even on
the soil of their native state; suffered from fatigue,
privation and danger, and one brave lad gave up his
life for the safety of his neighbors.

For several years preceding the one of which we
■wTite, the police department at Cincinnati was man-
aged in a manner very unsatisfactory to a large portion
of Cincinnati's population. Several heinous crimes
had been committed, but the offenders were permitted
to plead to light charges, or, if found guilty, sentences
imposed were lighter, according to the judgment of
many of the people, than the circumstances seemed to
justify. Matters grew from bad to woi"se until a
prominent citizen was murdered. One of the mur-
derers told the story of the crime, admitted his guilt
and was sentenced to serve twenty years in the Ohio
penitentiary.

32 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

It has since developed that the young man,
"Billy" Bemer, had received a sentence as heavy as
he really deserved, and before his penitentiary sentence
had expired many prominent citizens signed petitions
to the board of prison managers asking that he be re-
leased. He was accordingly paroled and left the
prison a quiet, peaceful citizen.

There was a strong sentiment against Berner in
Cincinnati at the time of the trial, however, and re-
membering the cases which had preceded his, a large
niunber of citizens united to take the law in their own
hands. The sheriff of Hamilton county was unable
to protect public property and he appealed to Governor
Hoadley for military help. The First Kegiment,
most of which was stationed in Cincinnati, failed to
suppress the trouble, and tlie Fourteenth was ordered
to the scene. How well they performed their duty
may be seen in the report of Colonel Freeman which,
condensed, is as follows:

Headquarters Fourteenth Regiment, O. N. G.,

Columbus, Ohio, April 7, 1884.
Hon. George Hoadley, Governor and Commander-in-Chief:

"Sir — In obedience to orders received at 12:30
noon, on March 29, 1 caused the riot alarm to be sound-
ed in Columbus, and immediately telephoned to Com-
pany C, Westerville; Company D, Marysville; Com-
pany H, Canal Winchester, and Company K, Dela-
ware, to assemble and to take the first train to Colum-
bus, equipped for duty. The field and staff, with the
several Columbus companies, Company A under Capt.
Pugh; Company B, Captain Coit; Company F, Cap-

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 33

tain Slack; Governor's Guard, unattaclied, Lieutenant
Sheppard, and Duffy Guard, Company B of the Ninth
Battalion, Captain Payne, reported at 2 P. M. ready
for marching orders. I directed them to await orders.
At 4 P. M. the command marched to the depot, where
Lieutenant Colonel Ligget reported with Company C,
Captain Custer; Company D, Captain Sellers; Com-
pany H, Captain Speaks, and Company K, Captain
Brown.

"On receipt of written orders, accompanied by
Colonel Church of your staff, we left for Cincinnati.
At Xenia coffee and sandwiches were served to the
command. At Corwin, Company F, Thirteenth Regi-
ment, Captain Kearney, reported; at Loveland, Com-
pany B, Thirteenth Regiment, Captain Brock, re-
ported. Here our first orders from Cincinnati were re-
ceived, bearing inforaiation that the Court House was
fired in the Treasurer's office and that Captain Des-
mond of the First Regiment had been killed by the
mob.

"On arriving at Cincinnati depot, we were met
by Colonel Ryan and a deputy sheriff, with written
orders from Colonel Hawkins, sheriff of Hamilton
county, to report at once at the county jail.

"Twenty rounds of ball cartridges having been
issued to each man, special orders were given to be
cool and especially careful not to fire unless absolutely
necessary, and then only on command. Under escort
of the deputy sheriff and General Ryan, we marched
to the jail.

"We were not molested en route, further than by
the throwing of stones and firing of revolvers in the

34 TEE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

vicinity of the rear guard, with plenty of swearing and
abuse from the bystanders. Sheriff Hawkins directed
me to place the battery g-un with support, at the barri-
cade on Court street in front of the jail, and to clear
Main street of the mob. To support the battery gun,
I detailed Companies H, K and I, then directed
Colonel Liggett to take Companies A, F, D and C,
climb the north barricade and march to Main and drive
the mob from that part of Main street between North
Court street and canal bridge, and hold the position.
I also directed Major Schwarz with Companies B of
the Fourteenth, B and F of the Thirteenth, B of the
Ninth Battalion and the Governor's Guards, to clear
Main street from that point to Court street and hold
the position. On reaching Main street. Colonel Lig-
gett ordered Company A, supported by Company D,
to move forward and press the mob north over the
canal bridge ; this was done at the point of the bayonet.
I also directed Companies F and C to hold the mob in
front of the Court House in check. As soon as Com-
panies A and D had completed the task assigned them,
they with a detail from Company C, utilized a lot of
salt, in barrels, to build a barricade across Main street
at the bridge. Major Schwarz marched to Main street
and ordered Company B, Fourteenth, to South Court
street to clear the street and hold the position ; at the
same time ordering Companies B and F, Thirteenth
Regiment, and Company B, Ninth Battalion, to form
across Main street and hold the crowd from getting
in the rear of his other detachment. Company B, of
the Fourteenth pushed forward, driving the crowd

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 35

from them at the point of the bayonet. When near-
ing South Court street, the first manifestations of the
mob were made to resist further progress of the sol-
diers. The Governor's Guard were immediately or-
dered to the support of Company B. The mob in
front of the Court House pressed forward, throwing
stones and using fireanns, and after repeated warn-
ings by myself and other officers to fall back, they re-
peated their demonstrations and started to press down
on the soldiers, when, seeing there was no other al-
ternative, the command was given to the first platoon
to fii-e. This checked them, and they fell back into
Court street. One person, the leader of the party,
was killed and several wounded. I hastened to
Colonel Liggett's command and caused Company F to
be detailed to move forward and assist in clearing Court
street. I then ordered Company B, Fourteenth Regi-
ment, and the Governor's Guard to their support.
The column then moved west on Court street to the
first alley, the crowd falling back in front of them.

"Later I was advised that the mob had advanced
to the point where Court street widened, and under
the cover of buildings, had pelted the soldiers with
stones and fired on them, wounding Colonel Liggett,
Captain Slack and eight others, and that the command
was given to the first platoon of Company F to fire, but
with what results to the mob I was not informed. I
immediately detailed Company H, and with a de-
tachment of police, gathered such material as was on
hand and carried it to Court street to build a barricade.

"The mob had retreated to the Market House
and contented themselves with firing revolvers and

36 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

muskets from tiiat point. About 2 A. M. came word
that the mob had eot into the Music Hall and had cap-
tured three brass cannon belonging to the Second Bat-
tery. Soon after a telephone message was received
from Colonel Church saying that a mob of about 200
had three brass cannon at the corner of Fourth and
Vine streets. I ordered Companies H and K, with the
battery gun, to accompany Sheriff Hawkins and my-
self in their pursuit. Chief Keilly of the police de-
tailed one company of his command to lead the ad-
vance. The police being able to move much faster
than the soldiers, who had the gun to shove over the
pavement, were enabled to get there first and had the
honor of capturing the guns which they pulled by hand
to the jail.

"Little occurred during the remainder of the
night. Surgeons Guerin and Gunsaulus secured
Burdsal's drug store, iOO Main street, as a temporary
hospital, where they attended the wounded soldiers
and did good service. Sunday morning we were rein-
forced by Colonel Picard, of the Thirteenth Regiment,
with Company A of his command, bringing with him
10,000 rounds of ball cartridges. During the after-
noon a barricade was built at the comer of Main and
Ninth streets. The crowds continued to increase at
Ninth and Main, ISTinth and Sycamore, at the canal on
Main street, and especially on Court street. During
the afternoon threats were made and many became
unruly and numerous arrests were made by the police
under cover of the soldiers at the barricades. The
roughs in front of the Court street barricade succeeded

THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G. 37

ill covering themselves by pushing forward all the
women and children to the front, but fortunately for
all, they contented themselves with venting their
wrath in swearing vengeance when night should come
and occasionally hurling a stone or firing a revolver.
At Main street and the canal, under cover of bridge,
stones were continually thrown at the soldiers and
many were hit, and it was with the greatest effort that
the mob were restrained from advancing on the bridge
and firing at the guards. At last one fellow advanced,
brandishing a revolver and defying the guard, and fell.
His friends carried him away. The shot had the de-
sired effect, stopping all disturbance at this point. Be-
tween 2 and 3 P. M. the Fifth Battery, Captain Sintz
commanding, arrived and were assigned position; also
115 officers and men of the Fourth Regiment.

'"In consultation with Sheriff Hawkins and Col-
onel Hunt, it was deemed advisable to move forward
and strengthen the barricade on Sycamore and Kinth
streets; also the one on Court street facing the canal.
At dusk the positions of the companies were changed
from what they were the night before. All was com-
paratively quiet until between 10 and 11 o'clock, when
the mob, which had gathered at the Market House on
Court and Walnut, commenced firing from this point,
protecting themselves by the stands at the Market
House and by the buildings at the comer. When the
aim of the mob became too accurate for endurance, it
being evident by the balls striking the barricade and
the Court House beyond, that larger weapons tlian re-
volvers were being used, it was thought best, at least,

38 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

to give the mob tlie benefit of one case of cartridges
from the battery gun by firing it into the Market
House; but before this was done, due warning was
given by the oflicers that it would be done if the firing
did not cease. Oaths and a volley from the mob was
the response; then the twenty shots were fired from
the gun. A number of casualties was the result.
This caused the mob to scatter for the time and with
the exception of random shots from them, there was
comparative quiet until about midnight. Orders were
received from General Finley and the mayor, ordering
a detachment to be sent to Walnut Hills to guard the
powder magazine at that point. Colonel Picard, of
the Thirteenth Regiment, with three companies of his
regiment, were detailed for that purpose and remained
there until about 5 o'clock A. M. After firing the
battery gun at 11 o'clock, positive orders w^ere issued
against the firing of any single shots by the soldiers
and that no firing should be done unless some soldier
was shot or the mob endeavored to charge the works.
Near 1 o'clock it became evident that another attack
would be made. I took my station at the comer of
Court and Main with Sheriff Hawkins, Colonel Hunt,
Major Schwarz, Captain Sintz and other officers, and
in speaking distance with the officers in charge of the
barricade. A fusilade was opened by the mob from
their old position at the comer of Walnut and Ct>urt.
No response was made by the soldiers, and after per-
haps fifteen minutes over fifty shots had been counted
striking the Court House, others having hit the barri-
cade, the mob became bold and decided to charge, and

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. A^ G. 89

as they expressed it with oaths, 'Clean out those blue
coats.' The soldiers obeying orders remained quiet
and not until the mob came forwai'd firing and yelling
was the order given to fire, when two volleys, in quick
succession M^ere fired. Five persons were known to
have been wounded. This was the last firing done
and gradually all became quiet.

"At 7 o'clock Monday morning it became evi-
dent that the rioting for the day was over and orders
were given to unload pieces.

"During the day, orders were received for Com-
pany B of the Ninth Battalion to join the other com-
panies of the command at the City Building. Com-
pany E and a detachment of Company K of the Four-
teenth Regiment and two companies of the Thirteenth
Regiment arrived and reported for duty. By orders
from General Finley the Seventeenth Regiment re-
ported at the jail for duty. Monday night was quiet
and in marked contrast with the night previous, the
men doing their duty without loads in their pieces.
The men of the companies that had been on continuous
duty since Saturday were relieved and allowed to se-
cure such quarters as were available for rest. Tuesr
day morning Company D was detailed to represent
the regiment at Captain Desmond's funeral as per
General Finley's order.

"At 2 P. M. orders were received relieving us
from further duty and we left for home at 4:30 P. M.
Two companies of the Thirteenth Regiment were left
at Loveland and Corwin respectively. The remainder
of the command arrived at Columbus about 10 o'clock,

40 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. Q.

where we proceeded to our armory and dismissed tlie
city companies. The companies outside the city were
quartered in the armory for the night and returned to
their respective homes Wednesday morning. It is
my painful duty to report one fatal casualty in my
command, that of Private Israel Getz, of the Gov-
ernor's Guard, who lost his life by the accidental dis^
charge of a gun while on duty Mondav afternoon.
I here desire to express my thanks for the courtesies
extended to me by my superiors while at Cincinnati and
10 every officer and man under my command for their
alacrity and promptness in doing every duty assigned
them and for their coolness and soldierly bearing
under the most trying circumstances.

"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"GEO. D. FREEMAN,
"Colonel Fourteenth Regiment."

The regiment suffered heavily in the duty at
Cincinnati. Their suffering from loss of sleep, con-
tinued fatigue and the great mental strain, however,
was as nothing as compared to the casualties. The
effect of the fighting was as follows:

KILLED.

Private Israel Getz, Governor's Guard, accident-
ally shot. Ball entered right eye, penetrating brain,
death ensuing in almost twelve hours.

WOUNDED.

Lieutenant Colonel Liggett, shot through calf of
leg, presumed to be a Ko. 32 pistol ball; Captain Slack,
Conipany F, Fourteenth Regiment, shot in right hand

TEE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 41

with medium size shot; Sergeant C. S. Amy, Com-
pany F, Foiu-teenth Regiment, shot in head, neck and
shoulder, receiving a full load of medium sized shot;
Corporal Morrison, Company F, Fourteenth Regi-
ment, shot in face and hand with medium sized shot;
Corporal U. S. Rogers, Company F, Fourteenth Regi-
ment, shot in face and leg with small shot and struck
in chest with boulder, and in falling injured his back;
Charles W. Berry, private Company F, Fourteenth
Regiment, contused wound of left knee from boulder ;
Charles Yeiser, Private Company F, Fourteenth
Regiment, shot in center of forehead with pistol ball;
AVilliam Scobey, private Company F, Fourteenth
Regiment, lacerated wound of left upper lip produced
by brick or boulder; J. F. Kelly, Private company F,
Fourteenth Regiment, slight wound in leg produced
by small shot; George Borches, private Company F,
I'ourteenth Regiment, contused wound of scalp pro-
duced by small sliot; George Dowdall, private Com-
pany F, Fourteenth Regiment, contused wound of
face produced by a blow of the fist ; E. C. l^eiderlander,
private Company F, Fourteenth Regiment contused
wound of shoulder produced by club; Grant Thomas,
private Company F, Fourteenth Regiment, shot in
both hands with small shot, one shot penetrating joint,
producing a painful wound; Oakey Armsted, private
of Goveraor's Guard, wounded in leg by the accidental
discharge of musket.

42 THE FOURTEEMH, 0. N. G.

CHAPTER III.

AN EPOCH OF EXCURSIONS.

Trouble in Hocking County — Companies K and B on Duty-
Camp at Detroit— Tlie Field of Gettysburg— Colonel
Freeman's Proposition — Corporal Grisso Killed — The
Fourteenth at Philadelphia — Inconveniences Suffered by
Ohio's Soldiers— Columbus Armory Burned— Hospital
Corps Organized— State Encampment at Columbus-
Ohio's Centennial — The Fourteenth in New York— An-
nual Encampments.

Colonel Freeman in his report has told as fully
as could be related in so few words of the excellent
service performed by the regiment in the times which
certainly "tried men's souls" in Cincinnati. It is very
gratifpng indeed to note that in all the state and par-
ticularly in Cincinnati there has not since been so
troublesome a period. The regiment had another
opportunity of showing what they were and what they
could do in a call to Ashland, where Company G- was
sent to protect the county Court House from mob
violence. As the regiment had been successful at
Cincinnati, so were the boys who went to Ashland,
and the press of the whole country paid glowing
tributes to the bravery of the "Gallant Fourteenth."

The echoes of the Cincinnati riots were still re-
verberating through the state when the miners of
Hocldng, Perry and Athens counties rose up in their
might against a reduction in the wages paid for the
mining of coal. They were thoroughly organized

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 43

and at a fixed day every one of them stopped work and
refused to resume operations in the mines until their
employers should agree to restore their former wages.
This was in June and the trouble continued through-
out th.e summer until the following August.

In the meantime, the mining companies had em-
ployed men to take the places of the strikers, and this
move was met with determined opposition on the part
of the miners. No demonstrations were made, how-
ever, until in August, when, on the 30th, mattei-s
assumed a very serious phase at Longstreth and Snake
Hollow in Hocking county and at Straitsville in Perry
county. The old miners here had determined to
compel the '"scabs," as those who had taken their
places were called, to quit work. They had tried
reason and pui'suasion, and these methods failing, force
was resorted to.

Telephone and telegraph wires were cut, and
with communication thus shut off, the strikers imag-
ined that they commanded the situation. Armed
with shotguns, revolvers and other weapons, an assault
was made at Snake Hollow and one man killed. A
house in which quite a number of people were asleep
was attacked, but fortunately no casualties resulted.
A four thousand dollar hopper was burned mth a large
quantity of coal and some other property destroyed.
Fearing that further trouble would follow. Sheriff
McCarthy, of Hocking county, appealed to the gov-
ernor for military aid. The appeal was joined in by
the prosecuting attorney of the county and the mayor
of the town where the rioters were in force.

44 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

Colonel Freeman was at once ordered to get his
command ready to move at a moment's notice and the
regiment was accordingly assembled ready for duty.
Companies of the Sixth and Seventeenth regiments
wre sent to the scene of the trouble, and at first it ap-
peared as though the trouble would soon end. All of
the Fourteenth except Company K was relieved, the
company mentioned having received orders to report
to Assistant Adjutant General Colonel Dill, who took
command of all the troops in the field. Rumors ob-
tained general circulation that the situation was be-
coming more serious and a great deal of uneasiness
was felt among the troops and at the State House.
The companies above mentioned remained on duty
with Colonel Dill until September 12th, when they
were relieved by companies of the Second and Eighth
regiments and B of the Fourteenth, Captain Coit
commanding. When B company reported it was asr
signed to duty at Sand Run, a detail also being made
to report for duty at Murray City. The company
remained on duty until September 27th, when the
trouble was all over. Lieutenant H. A. Guitner, of
the Fourteenth, acted as quartermaster for the troops
during the time they were at the mines, and Dr. F.
Gunsaulus, of the Fourteenth, acted as surgeon.

Flushed \vith victory and feeling justly proud of
the record they had made, but still suffering from the
severe loss which they had sustained during the past
year, the boys went into camp at Columbus in August.
There was no official duty to perform after the en-
campment, and what had been the busiest year in the

THE FOURTEENTH, O. X. G. 45

history of the regiment was quietly ushered out with
nothing to occupy the minds or the time of the boys
as soldiers, but regular drill and application to the
study of military matters.

In 1885 Lieutenant Colonel Liggett severed his
connection with the regiment and his place was filled
in June by the promotion of Major Andrew Schwarz.
The regiment was treated to a pleasant excursion in
the autumn of this year, having been sent to Belle
Me, near Detroit, for the annual encampment.
While there the regiment participated in the memorial
service at the time of the death of General Grant.
Their tine appearance and soldierly bearing was favor-
ably commented upon by the people and the press at
Detroit.

The next year the Governor's Guard, or as it was
"officially" called, "The Governor's Guard Gatling
Gun Company," was attached to the regiment and
designated as Company L. It was not long
after the regiment had been thus strengthened
that another riot was threatened at Cincinnati,
and it was feared that the trying experience
of two years before would be repeated, but fortu-
nately the trouble was settled without the service of the
regiment. The boys had been ordered into camp,
however, at Carthage, and had their services been need-
ed they would have been ready to go "where duty
called." It was this willingness and this spirit which
has won for the regiment the reputation it enjovs now,
even beyond the continent. The annual encampment
was held in this vear at Springfield and was a brigade

46 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

camp, with Colonel Freeman in command. In July,
Captain A. B. Coit of B Company was made major.

The encampment in 1887 was held in the Fair
Grounds near Lancaster, O., and the tents stood in the
shadow of the historic old Mt. Pleasant. On the ar-
rival of the train, September 6, arches were found over
the streets, houses, private and business were dec-
orated, and an immense crowd cheered the boys con-
tinually. At the camp grounds it was found that
floors had been provided for every tent. Until Sat-
urday the time was spent in the most severe drill and
preparation for the most pleasant and extensive trip
ever enjoyed by a regiment of O. X. G.

The dedication of the Ohio monuments at Gettys-
burg, Pa., and the Constitutional Centennial celebra-
tion at Philadelphia, were the two occasions in which
the Fourteenth was to officially represent the state,
but at their own expense.

The regiment was sadly in need of new service
uniforms and equipment. Many of those in use had
been worn since the organization of the regiment, and
in that time many calls for active duty had put them
to the most severe tests. In a conversation between
Colonel Freeman and General Axline, the latter re-
marked that it was unfortunate that the legislature
had made no appropriation to defray the expenses of
a regiment or a portion of one to represent the state.
Colonel Freeman thereupon tendered the services of
the Fourteenth at their own expense, providina: the
state would properly equip those needinsr it.

The offer was accepted, the officers and men
turned their camp pay into a common fund and Ohio

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 47

was represented at an expense to the members of the
Fourteenth regiment of over $5000. At 8 o'clock
Sunday evening, a special train was boarded and with
a short stop in Columbus, the run was made over the
picturesque Baltimore and Ohio to Gettysburg, which
was reached on Tuesday morning, September 13.
The boys disembarked in a drizzling rain, marched
through the old town and pitched their tents on East
Cemetery Hill. The location of the camp was in the
rear of the position occupied by Weidrick's New York
Battery, and w^as near the point where the famous
Ohio Brigade imder General Carroll repelled and for
the first time defeated the Louisiana Tigers.

In honor of General W. S. Hancock the camp
was named after him. The tents had scarcely been
pitched when the rain descended in torrents and every-
thing was thoroughly soaked. On account of the
condition of the ground, the rink was secured as a
sleeping place, but in all other respects the camp was
maintained. The day for exercises, Wednesday,
opened clear and bright and was ushered in by a salute
by a section of Battery E of the First Artillery, which
accompanied the regiment. The boys brushed and
cleaned up to receive Governor Foraker and the Ohio
Memorial Commission, and to escort them to the N^a-
tional Cemetery, where the formal dedicatory exer-
cises were held.

Upon the conclusion a salute of nineteen gims
was fired. While this was in progress a sad accident
marred what would other^vise have been a trip of un-
alloyed pleasure. On the fifteenth discharge. Cor-

48 THE FOUIiTEEM'H, O. X. (}.

poral Orris Grisso was fatally injured by the premature
discharge of the gun. Grass and weeds were being
used as wadding and while Corporal Grisso was in the
act of ramming it home, the discharge took place.
His right arm and shoulder were almost torn off. He
lingered for eight days, when death relieved him. He
was not at any time able to be taken to his home. A
delegation from Columbus formally represented the
regiment at his funeral services in Springfield.

At 5 o'clock that afternoon tents were struck and
the train again boarded for Philadelphia, where the
Fourteenth was Ohio's only military representative in
one of the most magnificent military pageants since the
close of the war. Thursday morning the train rolled
into Philadelphia and the regiment took possession of
its quarters.

The state had made no provision for the trip
whatever and the regiment was tendered their quarters
by the Baltimore and Ohio Eailroad Company.
These consisted of the depot, platforms and an en-
closed yard. On these the boys nightly rolled up in
their blankets and slept soundly. In striking contrast
to these quarters were those of the First Massachusetts
Regiment, which was located directly across the street.
Massachusetts had appropriated $40,000 for a proper
and fitting representation. Housed in an elegant and
well built rink, the members of the First Massachusetts
slept on mattresses, those of the Fourteenth Ohio were
housed in blankets and slept on the ground. Long
tables were provided by Massachusetts from which
her representatives ate from china dishes and were

w r'»»t";-'i-""'v^'

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 49

waited upon by colored servants. Frugal Ohio had
her men eat from the tin plates and tin cups that they
had brought with them. Massachusetts paid her rep-
resentatives for going, while Ohio permitted hers to
pay all the expenses for the trip out of their own
pockets.

On Friday morning the regiment formed at the
Baltimore and Ohio depot on Chestnut street bridge
and proceeded to the rendesvous after formally re-
ceiving Governor Foraker and staff.

At midnight of the same day the regiment board-
ed the special train and left for Washing-ton City,
where Saturday was spent in sight-seeing. Sunday
noon, after a long ride, the Fourteenth pulled into Co-
lumbus after tw^o weeks of continuous service and
travel.

Several changes in the organization of the regi-
ment took place at the beginning of the year 1888.
Major A. B. Coit was promoted to the rank of lieuten-
ant colonel. He was succeeded by Adjutant Thad.
K. Fletcher.

In January of this year the Columbus Battalion
met with a severe loss. Its Armory on Spring street,
at the corner of Front, which had been purchased two
years previous, was entirely consumed by fire with all
its contents. Among the property lost by the fire was
the stand of colors presented to the regiment and car-
ried through the several engagements. In addition
to these, a new stand was also burned which had been
presented by the ladies of Colimibus that winter and
had onlv been carried once, on the inauguration of

50 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

Governor Foraker for his second term. It was in the
same week that they were burned.

On March 3 an order was issued from general
headquarters for the formation of a hospital corps.
This regiment was the only one in the service which
complied promptly with the order, and it went into
camp with a well drilled corps. It had also a regula-
tion ambulance and equipage for field work. "Com-
pany bearers" had hitherto performed the work which
now came in as the duty of the hospital corps.

For the first time in the histoiy of the Guard all
the troops in the state were brought together in gen-
eral encampment, from August 28 to September 4 in-
clusive. The camp was located two miles north of
Columbus on the Bee Line Road. It contained 500
acres and was under the command of Major General
Axline. Special attention was given to division work.
The purpose in bringing the organizations together
was for the companies and regiments to see the degi-ee
of efficiency reached by the others. Special attention
was given to the formation and maintainance of all
forms of guard duty applicable to a division in active
service. In the evening parades, by special arrange-
ment, men would often become overcome with heat
or get suddenly sick, so the other regiments could see
the value of an efficient hospital corps.

This being the Ohio Centennial year, a large
demonstration was held in Columbus, and on breaking
camp the entire division made a parade in honor of
the event.

On September 9. 10 and 11 the regiment was or-
dered on snecial dutv in Columbus incident to the

TEE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 51

general encampinent of the Grand Army of tlie
Republic.

In 1889 regimental camps were entirely dis-
pensed with and the entire Guard was ordered to rep-
resent the state at the centennial celebration of the
inaug-uration of Washington as President of the
United States, in ISTew York City. The Guard was
divided into brigades, the Fourteenth being placed in
the Second Brigade, of which Colonel Freeman was
in command. The Fourteenth left Columbus on
Sunday, April 28, via the Columbus, Hocking Valley
and Toledo and the Erie Roads, and arrived in ISTew
York on Monday at 3 P. M. On Tuesday, the 30th,
the parade was held. All other Ohio regiments left
for home on ' Tuesday night or during Wednesday,
but the Fourteenth remained until Saturday evening
and arrived home on Sunday night. The boys were
thus given an opportunity to visit the places of in-
terest in and about Xew York. A very pleasant treat
was accorded by the commanding officer, who char-
tered a boat and took the command out to sea.
Quarters were fui*nished by the committee of arrange-
ments until Wednesday morning. The regiment
then moved over to Jersey City, swung cranes and
went into camp. The Erie Railroad and the Pullman
Car Company officials did everything in their power
to make the boys comfortable. They placed extra
cars at their disposal, so that each man had plenty of
room to lie in at night and they arranged room for
cooking purposes in the yards.

52 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

The Fourteenth had no reason to feel ashamed
of its appearance in the parade here. The usual de-
gree of efficiency was maintained and brought forth
praise from all who were conversant with military
matters. The entire command appeared in heavy
marching order and prepared for field work.

THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. 0. 53

CHAPTER IV.

STRIKES AND RIOTS.

Resignation of Colonel Freeman — Election of Colonel Coit —
General Sherman's Funeral at St. Louis — Duty at Chi-
cago— Howe on 1S94 — The Wheeling Creek Campaign —
Causes for the Strike — Troops Called Out — Services of
the Fourteenth — The Result — Galvin's Army — Trouble
at Washington C. H. — Colonel Charged With Murder —
Annual Encampments.

For almost twelve years the destinies of the regi-
ment had been in the hands of Colonel George D.
Freeman. He had received every success, every re-
verse, with the fond interest of a father. He had sur-
mounted difficulties which would have driven many a
Napoleon to despair. He had taken charge of the
regiment when it was made up of scattering groups of
awkward men, and with this material he had con-
structed a military organization which was now known
and loved all over the United States. It had been the
hope of his early military experience and it has ever
since been the pride of his ripened career. Other
duties made it impossible for him to devote the time
and energy which according to his ideas of administra-
tion were essential in keeping the regiment what he
had made it, so on October 9, 1889, he tendered his
resignation. The regiment lost his presence and abil-
ity, but never his interest or his sympathy. He has
watched with a jealous eye every movement of the
command, and when it became a part of the United

54 THE FOLBTEENTH, 0. N. G.

States anny, no one more tliaii he offered every possible
assistance. Even while in a foreign land his influence
was ever manifest, and when the regiment returned
home covered with glory, no hand of welcome was
offered mth a warmer heart than his.

When officers and men realized the loss they had
oustained, they began to look about for material with
which to repair the breach. In this effort they were
exceptionately fortunate. On November 8, the next
in command stepped forward and upward, and at the
call of the regiment took up the work where their be-
loved leader had left off. Lieutenant Colonel Coit
immediately assumed command and when the war
^vith Spain came on he was found at his post of duty,
where he remaineil until the close of the war. He
was succeeded as Keutenant colonel by Major Fletcher
who in turn was succeeded by Captain Speaks.

The following year, 1890, the miltary laws of
the state were changed, making fewer but stronger
regiments. The Sixth regiment was disbanded, and
the companies at Mt. Sterling, Washington C. H. and
Circleville were attached to the Fourteenth. The
organization was patterned after that of the German
army, comprising three battalions of four companies
each. This organization differed from that observed
in the regular army, but it was maintained throughout
the war. The regiment encamped in 1891 at Presque
Isle and did no duty of any consequence until Febru-
ary of 1892, w-hen on the 20th, they left Columbus
to attend the funeral of General William T. Sherman
at St. Louis, Mo. The annual encampment was held

ALONZO B. COIT.

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 55

at Marion. Colonel Ooit at this time was assistant
adjutant general of the state. The next year the regi-
ment went to camp at Logan, O. In October they
attended the dedication of the World's Fair Grounds
at Chicago and the following year went to Chicago to
camp and attend the World's Columbian Exposition.

In his report for 1894, Adjutant General Howe
said: '^The year has made history for the Ohio Na-
tional Guard more extensive in operations, exacting
and arduous in execution than any year since its or-
ganization. The unsettled conditions existing not
only in Ohio, but thi"oughout the whole country,
seemed to bring with the idleness imposed, lawlessness
in different forms, and in different counties civil au-
thority was set at naught, and the strong arm of the
state government was called upon to aid and uphold
law and order."

The first trouble of the year occurred at Toledo
on January 4. On the 19th a great fire at Springfield
made it necessary to call out the militia. Again on
February 23, trouble was feared at Cincinnati, but fif-
teen men were all that were needed to restore order.
On April 15, the sheriff of Logan county was com-
pelled to call upon the Second Infantry to aid in
protecting a prisoner from mob violence.

Again Adjutant General Howe is quoted : ''Fol-
lowing this trouble came the holding up of a train on
the Bailtimore and Ohio Railway, at Mt. Sterling, by a
body of men calling themselves "Galvin's Army."
These men. 215 in number, had taken possession of
a train of sixteen cars, and would not leave the same,

66 THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G.

even after the civil authorities had called to their aid
as many deputies as they could secure to serve. The
railroad company also selected a picked body of men
from the city of Columbus, and had them sworn in as
special deputies and tried to eject the men, but failed
in their efforts. The sheriff of Madison county, seeing
his inability to enforce law, called upon the Governor
for military assistance, and there was ordered to Mt.
Sterling on the morning of April 28, the First Bat-
talion, Companies A, B. C and F, and Company L,
14th Infantry, and Battery H, First Light Artillery,
under command of Colonel Coit. The troops arrived
at Mt. Sterling and, after warning the offenders to
vacate the property they were unlawfully holding, in
a good, soldierly way proceeded to displace them,
which was done without serious resistance, and trains
were at once started on schedule time. The conduct
in this affair of both officei-s and men is to be com-
mended, and the summary dealing with these offend-
ers of Ohio's laws, we believe, saved the State much
expense during the year from the same class of people,
of whom many bands entered the State and departed
without conflict with the civil authorities."

IsTo comment is needed to these words of praise.
The regiment had again done i^"s duty and the glowing
report quoted above is merely the official one of many
favorable reports of this tour of duty.

The call for troops coming from the sheriff of
Guernsey county, June 6, 1894, proved the greatest
of the year. There v\'as called into service besides the
14th, the 8th Tufantrv, seven companies of the 17th

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 57

Infautry, tho 2nd Infantry, the 16th Infantry, the 5th
Infantry, three companies of the 3d Infantry,
the Toledo Cadets and three Batteries First
Regiment Light xVrtillery, making a total of
3,371 officers and men in the field. In addition to
these, six companies of the 3rd Infantry were as-
sembled in their armories, making a total of officers
and men under call, of 3,647.

The cause for this array of military strength was
a general "strike" of the miners and the National
Guard duty is known as the "Wheeling Creek Cam-
paign."

The first official information Governor McKinley
received was a telegram from the sheriff of Guernsey
coimty, dated June 6, stating that a force of miners es-
timated at from 400 to 600 men had taken possession
of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at jVIineral Siding
and that they were interfering with trains by placing
obstructions on the track and compelling freight trains
to run in on the switches and take off all coal cars be-
fore being permitted to proceed. The sheriff added
that the miners were armed with clubs and more dan-
gerous weapons, and that threats were being made to
do still greater damage. He also stated that he could
not possibly organize a posse capable of coping with
the miners and fearing* that they would be reinforced,
asked help from the governor.

Orders were at onoe promulgated to assemble the
various regiments and by the next morning, June 7,
another appeal was made by the sheriff of Belmont
county, giving the same reason. In this county the

58 THE FOURTEENTH, O. X. G.

B. and O. and the C, L. and W. Kailways were at-
tacked, the latter by about fifteen hundred men, mostly
foreigners, so the sheriff stated.

The regiment was scattered all over Central
Ohio, many of the men residing in the country and at
small inland towns, so that it was three o'clock in the
morning before orders were issued to the entire regi-
ment. Major Speaks was then a clerk in General
Howe's ofiice and had it not been for his energetic ef-
fort, the regiment could not possibly have been as-
sembled so soon.

Everything was gotten in readiness and on the
morning of the seventh, the Fourteenth left Columbus
for Cambridge, where they arrived next morning.
General Howe accompanied the regiment in order to
be on the scene of the trouble and thus be better
enabled to assume personal charge of general opera-
tions. At eleven o'clock the regiment arrived at
Morris Station. There they found that cars had been
knocked to pieces, coal dumped on the tracks and
everything in turmoil. At a quarter after one, how-
ever, the trains were running for the first time in three
days, but the strikers were in the hills near by, ready to
sweep doT\Ti on the railroad property as soon as the
soldiers had left.

The danger at St. Clairsville Junction had be-
come greater, consequently the Seventeenth was left
on guard at Mineral Siding and the Fourteenth and
Eighth, with Batteiy H started for the new scene.
TelegTams were fast coming in to the governor and the
situation became serious. More troops were ordered to

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 59

prepare to move at a moment's notice, and the whole
state became excited. It was reported to the governor
that near a cut through which the Fourteenth would
have to pass, the miners were located and that they
had prepared to roll down a huge boulder on the train
bearing the troops as it passed them. The train pro-
ceeded, however, and was not seriously molested until
it reached Wheeling Creek, six miles east of Bellaire.
The train had proceeded along the banks of the stream
through the hills until it reached a point where the
valley widened into a basin. It was a beautiful spot,
an ideal location for the little mining town, which
nestled snugly here among the rugged hills. Across
the valley, perhaps a mile, stood a little church,
around which 600 men were assembled. The regiment
was formed and immediately deployed into battle lines
and excitement reigned everywhere. It looked as
though there was to be a pitched battle and many ex-
pected that the banks of the picturesque rivulet which
flowed peacefully through the rocky hills, would soon
be gorged with a stream of blood.

As the regiment advanced slowly across the little
valley, however, the crowd dispersed. The regiment
went into camp and threw out pickets. The soldiers
and miners came into constant contact, but at no time
did a clash become general. Several times crowds had
to be dispersed, but no fatalities resulted from the dis-
charge of any duty.

Onthemoming of the9th Sheriff Scott aunouTiced
that trains would start on the C, L. & W. from Bridge-
port, where coal trains had been detained by the strik-

60 THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G.

ers. The sheriff requested that ample protection be
given coal trains throughout Belmont county. A
guard was ordered consisting of the Second Battalion
of the Fourteenth and the Second Battalion of the
Second regiments, and Colonel Coit placed in com-
mand mth instructions to follow trains and permit no
interference. The first train was somewhat delayed
just before reaching camp, and before the soldiers had
boarded it. It had been stopped for an instant just be-
yond the lines, and was immediately attacked by a
crowd of women, who pulled the couplings and carried
them away. They were encouraged in their actions
by a large crowd of men congregated near, but not on
railroad property. A detachment was sent from camp
who dispersed the crowd and enabled the train men to
recouple the cars and proceed.

The coal trains guarded by the Fourteenth were
molested, but so well did the boys perform their duty
that no damage was done except at Burton, where the
strikers succeeded in disconnecting one of the trains
by drawing coupling pins. The train was gotten safe-
ly through Belmont county, however, and the soldiers
reported back to Wheeling Creek, tired and worn out
but ready for duty wherever their serAdce-^ were
needed.

The strike soon became more general and the sit-
uation became more serious in proportion. Canal
]^over was made the base of supplies and the governor
decided to push a vigorous campaign against the
strikers unless they gave up the idea of destroying
y.roporty. The Fourteenth Regiment was scattered

'IHE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G. 61

over almost the whole of tlie mining district, one part
of the detached companies being placed under Colonel
Darrow at Canal Dover, and the others under the im-
mediate command of Colonel Coit, with headquarters
at New Philadelphia.

There was at no time what could be called a
pitched battle, but shots were actually fired on several
occasions, but fortunately there were no lives lost ex-
cept that of Private Gerber, of Columbus, who struck
his head on a rock while diving in the Tuscarawas
river. His body was embalmed and sent home under
escort for military burial.

The miners pursued a sort of guerilla policy,
keeping as much as they could out of sight of the sol-
diers and making raids on railway and mining prop-
erty. Bridges were burned and trains were stopped,
but as soon as the troops approached they would re-
treat to some place of safety. Colonel Coit gave or-
ders to the sentries on duty to allow^ no one to approach
nearer than 200 yards of the picket lines and then to
advance singly and be identified by one of the mem-
bers or employes of one of the mining companies.
Several skirmishes were engaged in but nothing seri-
ous occurred. Private Jacob Stinnell had the honor
of capturing a banner from a party of miners and the
act of himself and comrades was regarded as one of
unusual bravery.

At Canal Dover several dnmken persons and
some of the colored cooks and camp followers ensraged
in a quarrel and trouble seemed imminent, but prompt
action on the part nf the officers quieted all the trouble.

62 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

The drunken persons were arrested and under escort
were turned over to the civil authorities. Bridges were
burned in all parts of the mining district and the en-
tire force of militia on duty were kept dodging from
one point to another. Colonel Coit was at one time cut
off from his base of supplies by the burning of a bridge,
but he managed to get into communication with head-
quarters by a round-about way.

Finally, on the seventeenth, the miners and oper-
ators, having come to an agreement, matters became
more quiet and Colonel Coit wired that part of his
command could be dismissed. Companies H, G, M and
L were accordingly relieved and the next day the en-
tire regiment was called back to Columbus, where the
boys were glad to join their families and friends. At
Columbus the regiment was reviewed by Governor
McKinley and the men publicly thanked for their ser-
vices.

The regiment liad been on continuous duty for
nearly two weeks and in a service that was far from
being a pleasant one. There was danger, privation and
hard labor to perform, but the men suffered all their
trials as real soldiers and the people of Central Ohio
Avere justly proud of them.

While the services of the regiment in the Wheel-
ing Creek campaigTi were still fresh in the minds of
the people, a most distressing occurrence became part
of the history of Fayette county. A negTO named
Dolby had committed a criminal assault near Wash-
ington Court House, and as all indications seemed to
point clearly to the man's guilt, public sentiment be-

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 63

came uncontrollable. The negro had been duly ar-
rested and was confined in the county jail, but as the
records of Fayette county were without the stain of
such crimes, the people declared that no one should
break the record and live. Crowds gathered to discuss
the situation and as the law did not provide for the ex-
ecution by capital punishment of these crimes, many
of the enraged citizens concluded that the best plan
would be to adopt lynch law in the case.

They were soon joined in this opinion by others
and before even they themselves were aware of the
fact, a dangerous crowd had collected. As life and
])roperty seemed to be in danger the sherift" called in-
to service E Company of the Fourteenth Regiment,,
f-tationed at Washington Court House, but they <b'u
not present force enough to cope with the crowd, so
the governor was called upon for more troops. Com-
panies A and B, of the Fourteenth, under Colonel
Coit, were at once ordered to the scene of the trouble.
They left on the afternoon of the 17th of Octo-
ber and arrived in Washington Court House a few
hours later. The official report has the following to
say of the affair :

"During the day of the seventeenth but little
trouble occurred except at the time the prisoner was
taken from the court house to the jail for trial. As
the sheriff, with his prisoner, left the jail, the crowd
assembled, made a rush and but for the cool, solid and
effective work of the military, would have secured the
prisoner and accomplished their purpose. Ofiicers and
men in this afternoon engagement proved them'^elves

64 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

good soldiers and, without exercising severe punish-
ment upon those unlawfully assembled, prevented the
mob from carrying out their intentions. The prisoner,
having been arraigned before a grand jury especially
convened, pleaded guilty to the charge and was at once
sentenced to the penitentiary for the maximum term
of years provided by law.

"The crowd had constantly been increasing dur-
ing the day and, in consequence of the fierce struggle
that had occurred in the afternoon, the sheriff was of
the opinion that it would not be safe to take the pris-
oner from the court house with the number of troops
on duty. He therefore asked that more troops be sent
so that the prisoner might be moved with safety to the
train and transported to Columbus. While awaiting
re-enforcements, Colonel Coit had the court house
cleared of citizens and he, together with Major Speaks
and the sheriff, begged and urged the crowd to dis-
perse and leave the court house grounds. These ap-
peals were frequently made to the crowds outside and
each time they were met by jeers and taunts. Dark-
ness coming on. Colonel Coit concluded to withdraw
all guards from outside the building and station them
within. He barricaded the doors and then warned the
besiegers to not molest or attempt to break them down,
clearly advising them that if such an attempt were
made, the troops would fire.

"The colonel then went into the building and,
after having guards placed at each entrance, gave or-
ders that if the doors were broken in by the mob, to
fire. Unlawful demonstrations were still kept up, and

s

iiir'!

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 65

at about 7:15 o'clock of the evening of the seventeenth
of October, with a battering ram of large dimensions,
the south doors of the building were burst in and the
detail stationed at this point fired a vollej into the
mob, which proved quite destructive, killing outright
two persons and maiming and wounding some twelve
or fourteen others. Reinforcements had been ordered
to report to the sheriff.

"These commands were readily assembled and
reached Washington C. H. in the early morning of the
eighteenth. Forming the entire force, the prisoner was
taken from the court house and escorted to the depot,
where the troops under command of Colonel Coit em-
barked, the sheriff having in charge his prisoner, and
all proceeded to Columbus, where they arrived at
about seven o'clock on the morning of the eighteenth.
After seeino" the prisoner safely landed in the peni-
tentiary, the troops marched to the armory and were
dismissed. Colonel Hunt, commanding the forces left
at Washington C. II., remained until about 11 o'clock
a. m. of the eighteenth, when they were dismissed by
the sheriff and returned to their respective homes.
The conduct of the troops throughout was commen-
dable, and press and public, not only of the state, but of
the entire countrs'-, sustained their action and in the
strongest terms have spoken praise of Ohio's citizen
soldiery."

Although the troops had done their duty, it was
a sad ''ight to the citizens of Washington Court House
to see their neighbors thus shot down and they felt
verv much srrieved in the matter. Colonel Coit was

66 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

blamed for the deaths, having given the order to fire,,
and the sympathizers with the intended lynchers were
very angry. To even up matters, the colonel was
charged mth murder and indicted by a gi-and jury.
When the time set for his trial arrived, he secured a
change of venue and the case was taken into the courts
of Pickaway county. The trial lasted several weeks
and cost both the county and the colonel considerable
money, but it finally ended with a verdict of acquittal.

Thus ended the history of the regiment as a Na-
tional Guard organization so far as active service is
concerned. The annual encampment in 1895 was at
Chattanooga, near where, three years later, the men
received their first experience as United States volun-
teers. The next year, 1896, the encampment was at
Cleveland, and in 1897 the boys were given au excur-
sion to ISTashville, where the last annual encampment
was made before the war.

The year of 1898 brought with it experiences
with which very few of the members of the Fourteenth
were familiar. Some of the older members remember-
ed the trying times of the great Civil War and to the
younger members this year brought with ii all the
trials and hardships of actual warfare as will be seen
in the following pages.

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. O. 67

CHAPTER V.

WAR WITH SPAIN.

Period of Peace^ — Condition of Army and Navy — American
Peace Policy— Relations Between England and Spain —
Cessions of land from Spain to United States— Cuban
Insurrection — The "Ten Years' War" — Second Rebel-
lion—Daily Press Reports — Cuban and Spanish Lead-
ers— Weyler's "Reconcentrado" Plan — General Lee's
Report— The De Lome Affair — Destruction of the
Maine — The Countrj' Aroused — Cry for War^Prepara-
tions for War — President's Proclamation — Declaration
of War — Dewey's Victory— Ohio's Volunteers — Militia
Assembled — The Fourteenth at the Auditorium— Camp
Bushnell.

A period covering more than tliiri;y years of
absolute peace within her own borders and with all
the world found the United States at the beginning of
the year 1898 about as unprepared for war as she had
been at any time in her history. During that period
she had courted peace with all nations and it seemed
that no one had so much as dreamed that anything
but the same blissful happiness enjoyed so long and so
well should ever be disturbed by the howling of the
storm of war. The army had been allowed to dwindle
down to a minimum strength, the navy had been neg-
lected, at least when compared to that of European
powers, the military forces of the various states had re-
ceived but half the encoura element they should have
received and the idea of a naval reserve had just be-
gun to be considered.

68 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

In its general foreign policy, peace and good will
was tlie first relation to be desired by our government
under all administrations with all the nations of the
earth. War had never come by solicitation, and hav-
ing in all conquests been eminently successful, there
seemed to be no need for any special provision for de-
fense and the idea of conquest had never ben consid-
ered. It seems that with Spain, however, the United
States inherited war from the mother country. For
centuries the navy, the soldiery and the citizens of the
kingdoms of Great Britain and of Spain had tormented
and insulted each other with a vie^v of hastening war,
and it seems that when the American colonies threw
off the yoke of government by the crown, Spain, while
inwardly rejoicing at the trouble England was ha\dng
on her hands, was too jealous of her own Western
po^ibilities to lend a helping- hand to the struggling
colonists. She hated England and everything that
was English, and merely looked upon the contest be-
tween oppressor and oppressed with an inward satis-
faction she dared not express.

The first treaty ever entered into between the
United States and Spain was ratified during the first
administration of American government in 1795, at
the time Thomas Jefferson was secretary of state. It
will be remembered that at that time the Spanish
government had important colonial possessions in the
southern part of what is now the United States, and
as trouble between these colonies and the United
States seemed to be never ceasing, it was deemed best
to secure as much of these possessions as possible. Ac-

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. -V. G. 69

cordingiy, Spain ceded the territory of Florida to this
country. This had a tendency to ease the relations
between the two countries and everything passed oif
quietly until 1848, when an invasion of Cuba and
Porto Rico was contemplated by Mexico and Colom-
bia. As intervention on behalf of these islands at
that time would have been a bloAv to slavery as it
then existed in the United States, nothing was done by
the American government. Prominent statesmen
and the country in general, however, constantly cast
wistful glances toward the wealthy island of Cuba,
and a few years later an attempt was made to secure
possession of Cuba by purchase and even the snug
sum of $100,000,000 was offered the Spanish gov-
ernment for her equity in Cuba, but every effort at
purchase proved futile. This attempt at purchase was
made in good faith by both parties and was carried on
very peaceably, but there was a party in the United
States which was rather unwisely anxious to see Cuba
pass into the hands of the United States and an effort
was made to secure the island by force.

Accordingly the filibustering expedition of 1851
was organized and started to Cuba under the com-
mand of Lopez, but the result was rather disastrous
and many brave American boys lost their lives. The
United States of course disavowed this action on the
part of some of her citizens, and then it became the
Spaniards' turn to offend. This she did in 1854 when
the "Black Warrior," an American vessel, was seized
in the harbor of Havana, and war was again threat-
ened. The slavery question again had a tendency to

70 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

repress any undue enthusiasm, and the matter was
peaceably adjusted.

Another period of good feeling between the two
countries then began and existed for nearly twentv
years to be again broken by Spain during the much-
talked of "Ten Years' War," when Cuba had made an
effort to throw off the yoke of Spanish oppression and
for ten long years struggled for her liberty. It was
duiing the fifth year of this war that Spanish vessels
captured the American "Virginius" and towed her to
Santiago, where nearly a score of the men and officers
of the American ship were rather irregularly executed.
Trouble again seemed imminent, but it developed that
the register of the "Virginius" was a "fake" and settle-
ment was arranged by the Spanish government agree-
ing to pay an indemnity to the relatives of those sea-
men whose lives had been taken. The Cubans in this
war, which lasted from 1868 to 1878, had many sym-
pathizers in this country, but public opinion at no
time seemed to reach alarming proportions.

This had been an expensive war, and when the
island had been completely subdued, as the Spaniards
thought, it was decided that the Cubans themselves
should pay the whole expense of the war. Unreason-
able as this was, Cuba was helpless; but the increased
burden was a breath in the smoldering ruins of Cuban
patriotism, and in 1895 another insurrection was be-
gun. The "Ten Years' War" had not been barren
of results even if the Cubans had been defeated. They
had learned much of the art. of war, and during the
interval preceding the insurrection of 1895 an or-

THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. Q. 71

ganizatioii almost perfect was effected. Local leaders
acted quietly but etit'ectively, and the Junta took the
responsibilitj of perfecting all plans.

The result of combined efforts was that at the
beginning of the insurrection in 1895, General An-
tonio Maoeo was ready to take the lead and a vigorous
campaign was at once begun. Captain General
Campos placed himself at the head of a strong Spanish
force, but they were no better organized and little bet-
ter handled than the insurgents, and as all military
operation was that of guerilla warfare. General
Campos and the king's troops did very little indeed
towai'd squelching the rebellion.

The financial condition of Spain was by no means
encouraging, but being naturally one of the proudest
nations of the globe, she put forth every effort to put
an end to the insurrection in her western colony. The
Cubans were practically without funds and without a
government which any government, though willing,
could recog-nize. The dusky patriots made every pos-
sible sacrifice for the common cause, and with what as-
sistance they could receive from private individuals
in the United States and other countries, they man-
aged to carry on a warfare which was anxiously
watched by all the civilized world. The daily press
in Europe and America made dilligent records of
every step made by either side, and millions of inter-
ested readers watched for the accounts of the brilliant
dashes and patient marches made by the Cuban leader
and his scattered bands.

The Spanish leaders made every effort within
their power to tone down these accounts and to send

Tl THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G.

out conflicting reports to the press of their own coun-
try. This effort was made for the two-fold purpose
of arresting sympathy for the Cubans in the United
States and Europe and to deceive the taxpaying public
of their own country as to the exact condition of af-
fairs in the incorrigible colony. Reports were sent
out one day that the gallant Maceo had been killed
and the next day the report was denied. This was
kept up until the reading public was in great fear for
the safety of the general, but to their great regret it
was finally definitely learned that the brave leader
had been killed in December of 1896. It has since
been definitely learned also that he was shot
and that he died as a soldier, but some reports
at the time said that he had been stabbed by
members of his own command. He was succeeded
soon afterward by General Gomez and the war con-
tinued. While the loss of Maceo was a severe blow to
the Cubans, they were none the less discouraged and
persisted in their resistance to the rale of the Cas-
tilian crown.

The government at Madrid finding that Campos
was making little if any headway in crushing the
Cubans, sent General Weyler to relieve him. The
Cubans, who had heard of General Weyler, shuddered
at the thought of having to oppose him, but they soon
had better reason to shudder at the mere mention of
his name. So cruel and so unmilitary were the o]:)era-
tions of the Spanish army that its leader became gen-
erally known as "Butcher" Weyler. The method of
warfare was absolutely criminal and the "execution"

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 73

of his army nothing short of murder. At least, it is
hardly considered by civilized nations within the rights
of an army to slay helpless women and innocent chil-
dren and to commit the outrages that reflect even on
the character of the men composing a nation's soldiery,
yet these methods were constantly pursued by Weyler
and these crimes were committed in the name of the
Spanish government.

Finding that he was accomplishing nothing, but
on the contrary that he was constantly loosing
ground, General Weyler decided to resort to ^'ex-
treme" measures. His own troops were poorly fed
and while those in the Cuban ai-my could not possibly
leave the camp for the field, he knew that the peasantry
must be fm-nishing them with subsistence. He also
learned that his own soldiers were giving in exchange
for sweet potatoes and cured meats, cartridges and
other military supplies which were carried directly to
the insurgent army. Realizing that he could do noth-
ing under these circumstances he decided that instead
of feeding his own men and maintaining discipline in
his own ranks that he would further punish the rebels.
He therefore published in October, 1896, his famous
''bando," an order by which all the peasantry of the
island was gathered into the large cities and placed
under guard as "reconcentrados," to prevent them
from operating the plantations. This, as a matter of
course, created an indescribable suffering, but in his
obstinacy and cruelty he imagined that he had struck
a serious blow at the rebellion. In fact he had only
aucmented the hatred of the Cubans for Spain and had

74 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

enlivened the sympathy that had already existed for
the struggling patriots.

After a vigorous campaign in which absolutely
nothing had been accomplished by Spanish arms,
Weyler was recalled to be succeeded by General
Blanco, Avho proceeded much after the fashion of his
cruel and unsuccessful predecessor.

Blanco was instructed by his government, after
they saw that it was impossible to defeat them by force
of arms, to offer the Cubans a government of Au-
tonomy. But having suffered too much already from
Spanish deceit, the proposed compromise was scorn-
fully rejected and the Spanish officer who conveyed
the offer of General Blanco was killed.

While all these things were going on in Cuba the
people of the United States were doing all they could
consistently to aid the insurgents. Funds were se-
cretly subscribed and sent over in many mysterious
ways, and so intense and so general was the feeling in
America that even the governors of states were known
to subscribe large funds to be sent to Cuba in such
ways that the act would not become generally known.
The Junta also did good work, organizing societies
all over the country and agitating a spirit of interven-
tion on the part of the United States by recognizing
Ouba as a republic of itself. Enthusiasm ran high,
and when it was finally arranged by a sort of tacit
agreement that the people of the United States could,
through their consuls in Cuba, send provisions and
money, the laborer and the capitalist united their
offerings and liberal donations were sent not only to

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. O. 75

the ''reconcentrados," but as well to those who were
known to be fighting in the Cuban army. Later on
United States vessels openly carried these supplies
and United States consuls aided in their distribution.
These acts of sympathy as a matter of course
created no little indignation in Spain and in Spanish
countries. England looked on the struggle in Cuba
much as did the United States, but as her interests
were not at stake nearly so much as our own, very little
if anything was done in that country to aid the Cubans
except to show in a quiet way that her sympathies were
with them. This may be accounted for in the fact
mentioned before that the interests of Spain and
of England have been for centuries arrayed against
each other. England was in this case ''getting even"
for the attitude of Spain at the time her own western
colonies were in open and armed rebellion. It might
be stated in this connection that in the contest between
Spain and the United States, England, although she
announced and maintained a neutrality in the real
sense of the word, showed in many ways a remarkable
friendliness for the United States. It was a strange
coincidence that nearly every report, and many there
were, that touched on the likelihood of a European
power entering into an alliance with Spain, was sup-
plemented by another to the effect that Great Britain
had made overtures or was considering a plan to enter
into an alliance with the United States. Indeed it is
still thought by many that the attitude of Great
Britain had a great deal to do with the carrying on of

76 THE FOVRTEEXTE, 0. N. G.

the war, as the other European powers were supposed
to be afraid of the strong alliance this would have
made.

In January, 1898, the American consul at Ha-
vana, General Fitzhugh Lee, of Virginia, reported
that the situation was becoming serious. There were
riots in the Cuban capital and xVmerican life and prop-
erty had become endangered. A delegation directly
representing the American government had visited
the seat of war and had reported that the pictures of
cruelty and the consequent suffering reported in the
daily papers had not by any means been exaggerated.
Indeed they said the condition of affairs on the island
was absolutely beyond description. Something had
to be done in the name of humanity, and it was plain
that public sentiment could not be restrained much
longer. War with Spain was talked of on every hand
and each dav it became more evident that wai was
inevitable.

When the seriousness of affairs was assured by the
report of General Lee, the government authorities
acted promptly and the North Atlantic squadron was
ordered together at Dry Tortugas, a distance of six
hours' sail to Havana. Had the life or property of
American citizens been jeopardized at any time, Uncle
Sam's war dogs could have furnished protection in
very short order.

On January 25 the "Maine," in command of
Captain Sigsbee, entered the harbor of Havana. Her
arrival had been announced and she was assigned by
the Spanish port officials to position. The officers of

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. A'. 0. 77

the "^laiue" were given a reception on shore and every
one seemed to be pleased that the vessel had come.
It should he stated here also that the presence of the
"Maine" had nothing whatever to do mth the situa-
tion as to peace or war, as the visit was a friendly one
and was so regarded by the Spanish officials both at
Havana and at Madrid.

Senor De Lome, the representative of the Spanish
government at Washington, about this time committed
a grave offense by rather vigorously criticising the
people of the United States in general and the presi-
dent in particular for the attitude taken toward his
government and her interests in a letter which was
afterwards published. As soon as the contents be-
came known, Minister De Lome was told in so many
words that he would have to "git" and he "got." The
letter was published on February 9 and in a few days
afterward Spanish affairs were in the hands of a
"charge d'affaires," and remained so until March 12,
when Senor Polo y Baniabe arrived to succeed De
Lome,

On the morning of February 15 the daily press
came out with the most startling bit of information
that had been published at any time since the great
Civil AVar had closed. The "Maine," one of the most
valuable vessels in the United States navy, had been
blown to atoms the night before while lying at anchor
in the position to which she had been assigned by
Spanish port officials at Havana a few weeks before.
Not only was the great vessel totally destroyed, but
two hundred and fiftv-one American seamen lost their

78 THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G.

lives and ninety-nine otliers were injured. The whole
country was now thoroughly aroused, and it was no
longer a question of ''war or no war," but "when will
it come?" Considering the feeling the people of
the two nations had had for each other no one doubted
but that the explosion was a result of Spanish treach-
ery and the Spanish were accused on every hand of
having purposely piloted the "Maine" to a position
over a submarine mine. On the I7th a commission of
four prominent naval officers were appointed by the
president to investigate the explosion and the causes,
and they at once took up the work. On the following
day the "Viscaya," a formidable Spanish war vessel,
made her appearance, also on a friendly visit, in the
harbor of New York.

It was feared by many that some over indignant
American would seek revenge for the loss of the
"Maine" and commit some rash act, but the "Viscaya"
was not molested in any way during her stay in
American waters. On the day following the arrival
of the "Viscaya" the Spanish government asked that
the investigation of the "Maine" affair be carried on
by a commission made up of representatiA^es of both
governments, but the proposition was not favorably
considered.

Wbile the investigation was being carried on
there was a general clamor for war among the masses.
Cooler heads advised more deliberation and the presi-
dent asked that public opinion be suspended until the
report of the examining board should be filed. It now
became an absolute certainty that if the examiners

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 79

found that the explosion of the ''Maine" had been
clearly an act of Spanish treachery, war could not
possibly be averted. Preparations for the inevitable
were instituted and the homes of the army and navy
departments changed from the usual scene of quiet and
serenity they had presented for the last thirty years
to scenes of busy activity.

While the country was awaiting with almost
breathless suspense the action and report of the board
of naval examiners, congress, on March 8, appropriated
$50,000,000 to be used for purposes of defense, and
of course, if necessary, for carrying on the war which
was rapidly forcing itself. On the next day this ac-
tion Avas concurred in by the senate and preparations
were more vigorously pursued. On March 21 the
naval examiners finished their labors and completed
their report, w^hicli was first reviewed by the presi-
dent and his cabinet, and on March 28 presented to
congress. On April 1st congress passed the Naval
Appropriations bill and the condition of the country
soon presented a more war-like aspect. On the 20th
■of the same month an ultimatum was cabled to Spain,
announcing that the patience of the United States had
been too severely tested and that Spain would have to
relinquish her claims on Cuba or fight. Three days
were given the Spanish for a reply and it was under-
stood that if at noon on the 23rd Spain continued to
push her campaign in Cuba, war would be formally
declared. When the ultimatum reached Spain the
X^nited States minister to that country, General
Woodford, was informed by Spain that diplomatic

80 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

relations with the United States had ceased and he
was given his pass ports. General Woodford left his
papers and business with the British minister and left
for France at once.

On April 23 the president issued the following
appeal for volunteers :

A PROCLAMATION.

"Whereas, By a joint resolution of congress, ap-
proved on the 20th day of April, 1898, entitled, 'Joint
Eesolution for the Independence of the People of
Cuba,' demanding that the government of Spain re-
linquish its authority and government in the island of
Cuba, and withdraw its land and naval forces from
Cuba and Cuban waters, and directing the president of
the United States to use the land and naval forces of the
United States to carry this resolution into effect ; and

"Whereas, By an act of congress entitled ^\n Act
to Provide for Temporarily Increasing the Military
Establishment of the United States in Time of War
and for Other Purposes,' approved April 22, 1898,
the president is authorized, in order to raise a volun-
teer army, to issue this proclamation calling for volun-
teers to serve in the army of the United States:

"N'ow therefore I, William McKinley, president
of tha United States, by virtue of power -vested in me
by the Constitution and the laws and deeming suf-
ficient occasion to exist, have thought fit to call forth
volunteers to the aggregate number of 125,000 in
order to carry into effect the purpose of the said resolu-
tion; the same to be apportioned as far as practicable,

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. O. 81

among the several states and territories and the District
of Columbia, according to population, and to serve for
two years unless sooner discharged. The details for
this object vnll be immediately communicated to the
proper authorities through the War Department.

"In vTitness whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand and caused the seal of the United States to be
affixed.

"Done at the City of Washington this twenty-
third day of April, A. D. 1898, and of the inde-
pendence of the United States, the one hundred and

twenty-second.

"WILLIAM M'KLNLEY.

"By the President:

"JOHN SHERMAN,

"Secretary of State."

On the same day there was presented to congress
a measure for the purpose of raising funds for carry-
ing on the war. On the next day, April 25, the presi-
dent sent a message to congress asking that a declara-
tion of war be made against the kingdom of Spain.
Congress promptly took the action recommended and
proclaimed "that war be and the same is hereby de-
clared to exist, and that war has existed since the 21st
day of April, 1898, including said day, between the
United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain."

Now that war existed and was an established fact,
the people began to prepare themselves for the worst.
The armies and navies of both nations were ready
and waiting for the word to begin the sti-nggle and only
two days after the proclamation had been made th<^

82 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

first action of the war occurred, on April 2Y, when
several American gun boats fired on and silenced the
forts at Matanzas in Cuba. On the same after-
noon Commodore Dewey sailed from Mirs Bay to
Manila. He was not heard of from that on until
May 1st, when he had entered the bay of Manila, de-
stroyed eleven Spanish vessels, killed 700 men, in-
cluding two commanders, and virtually "captured an
empire," all without the loss of a man or ship and
sustaining an injury of but six men wounded.

The news of the great victory was flashed across
the globe and the whole world began to sound the
praises of American seamen. They had already
showed that the foe before them was less than a
handful.

As soon as the proclamation calling for volun-
teers was issued, the various states began to figure on
the apportionment they would receive, each state
anxious to furnish as many men and as much money
as would be needed.

Ohio came to the front in her effort to furnish
soldiers and money in the same energetic manner
which had characterized her history in all of the previ-
ous wars. The general assembly was in session at the
time and authority was at once issued for the sale of a
million dollars worth of bonds to be used for war
purposes. The quota of troops apportioned to Ohio
was 7752 on the first call and 3917 on the second, but
this did not permit the enlistment of all the regiments,
so the authorities at the national capital were induced
to increase the apportionment to about 1500 more.

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. O. 83

This included one regiment of cavalry, one of artillery
and eight regiments and one battalion (colored) of
infantry.

Each regiment was anxious to get to the front
first. They were also very anxious to preserve their
National Guard organizations in the volunteer service.
Their experiences in other services had learned them
that their officers were able to take full control, and
if they were to engage in any active services, as all
firmly believed they would be, they wanted to be led
to victory by the same officers who had commanded
them in their previous drills and tours of duty.

The officers of the regiment met at the Columbus
Auditorium and for a time it looked as though the
regiment would have to go intact or stay at home, but
it was finally agTeed that they ofl'er their services to be
accepted in just such shape as the government saw fit
to use them. The War Department agreed to take
the regiments as they were then organized, and accord-
ingly the companies began to get ready for the call.

The regiment was not quite full, but recruits were
soon enlisted, one whole company (F) having been
enlisted and organized in a few days by Captain
Harry M. Taylor, who afterwards became one of thej
assistant surgeons of the regiment. The companies
of the regiment were stationed as follows: A, B, C
and F at Columbus; D at Marysville; E at Washington
Court House; G at Marion; H at Portsmouth; I at
Lancaster; K at Delaware; L at Mt. Vernon; M at
Circleville. These companies were ordered to assem-
ble at the Armory at Columbus, which they did as
soon as practicable.

84 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G.

The Columbus companies assembled on Monday,
April 24, and the next day the other companies came
under ai-ms and ready to go to any part of the world
if necessary. The Auditorium at Columbus was a
splendid place for the accommodation of so many sol-
diers. There was plenty of floor space for the men to
sleep and apartments for the storing and distribution
of subsistence. Goodale park, with its grass plots and
shade trees was an excellent parade ground, and as soon
as the companies arrived all the routine of camp life
was adopted. Dress parade was the order of each
evening in the park, and throughout all the day the
recruits were drilled either on the floor of the xiu-
ditoriimi or in the streets and the park.

This part of the city soon became a popular re-
sort for all Columbus. Crowds flocked in to see the
boys and when the time for dress parade came, the
park was filled with visitors.

At the same time the Fourteenth was ordered to
assemble, the other regiments of the state received
similar orders. It was evident, of course, that the
state troops would have to be together, so the entire
guard was ordered to mobilize at Columbus. Other
cities came forward with claims for the honor and to
offer inducements for the state authorities to acknowl-
edge their claims, but this was no time to distribute
honors, and the capital being the most centrally lo-
cated of all the Ohio cities, was at once selected.

There was not room anywhere in the city to
quarter all the troops in houses, so it became necessary
to select a place for an encampment. After con-
siderable looking around, Bullit park was chosen.

THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 85

This park was an ideal place for such use, cover-
ing as it did several hundred acres, and situated near
Alumn creek, which, it was supposed, would furnish
an abunant supply of water for cooking and bathing.
This proved not to be the case, however, but water
was soon piped from the city water mains to the camp
and there was at no time any danger of a water famine.

The signal corps of the Fourteenth Regiment was
sent out to the grounds and the park was divided into
regimental camps. Each regiment was allotted a cer-
tain space, with arrangements for regimental and
company streets, and the location of the various head-
quarters was also marked. The whole was named
"Camp Bushnell," in honor of Hon. Asa S. Bushnell,
then governor of the state.

Although this work was carried on as rapidly as
possible, it could not be finished for the accommoda-
tion of the troops before the 28th. In the meantime
the soldiers at the Auditorium were becoming tired.
The floor was dry, but it was a hard place for a bed;
the town was very convenient, but there were guards
to prevent them from enjoying any of the advantages
it offered ; the park was a pleasant place, but they were
not permitted to lie in the shade of the stately trees
or to pluck the buds from the fragrant plants. It was
a constant drill from morning to night and the men
could hardly wait for the time to leave the place.
How glad they were to return to the Auditorium and
how different were the circumstances surrounding
their return will be seen later on.

86 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

CHAPTEK VI.

THE FOURTEENTH-FOURTH.

The March to Camp Bushnell— Camp Life — Changes in
Company Organization— Drills and Paradesr— Growth of
the Camp— Change of Name— Signal Corps Dropped—
The Regimental Band— Bad Weathers-Rumors — Order
to Leave— Parting Scenes— Camp Bushnell Left Be-
hind—The March to the Depot— Scenes Along the
March— At the Depot— Columbus Left Behind— Arrival
at Chattanooga.

The 28tli of April was hailed with delight by
every man in the regiment. life in the Auditorium,
while it was by no means an uncomfortable place to
rive, was not that of the typical soldier. The boys
wanted to be out of doors. They wanted to live in
tents, to sleep on the ground, and in fact to do and live
as soldiers. They did not want to play soldier in any
sense of the word, but it was the height of their am-
bition to be soldiers, and if a veritable Valley Forge
were necessary to the change they were perfectly
willing to receive it. Anything bearing real sem-
blance to active military existence was preferred to
sleeping on the floor of the Auditorium or turning
out for dress parade in the adjoining park.

Finally when all the preliminaries had been ar-
ranged "assembly" was sounded and thecompauies were
formed in the spacious hall. As soon as all was ready,
they were each marched to Park street and the regi-
ment was formed for the march to camp. There was

THE FOURTH 0. 7. /. 87

no escort and no attempt at parade had been made
either by those in the regiment or by the citizens of
Columbus. Even the daily papers, crowded as they
were with telegraph news from Washing-ton and the
seat of the war, said little of the trip to Bullit park,
but the streets were lined with enthusiastic citizens
who crowded out to see the boys "go to war" and to
cheer them on the way.

The old regimental band started the boys off to
the tune of "Marching Through Georgia," and the line
of march was the nearest route to the new camp:
From Park street south to Goodale, east to High street,
south to Broad street and east to the camp on the north
side of the street and perhaps a half mile away
from it.

The position assigned to the regiment was at the
extreme southwestern comer of the entire camp.
When the Fourteenth reached the ground assigned to
it, however, there was no camp there. None of the
state troops had yet reported and no tents had yet been
pitched on the park. The day was warm and under
the rays of the bright spring sun, the "soldierines" aa
they sometimes called themselves, began to realize
that the life of the soldier is attended with some labor.
They had been cheered to the echo all along the line
of march, but that did not keep the sun from burning
their soft white faces nor did it fan their sweated brows,
but without dinner and without sympathy they car-
ried tents and tent floors with all the might and main
of veterans and by the middle of the afternoon, what
had that morning been a vacant field gave all the ap-

88 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

pearance of a military camp. Supper was soon pre-
pared and before night comfortable quarters bad lieen
made up for everybody in the regiment.

The exertion of the day and the exhilarating effect
of the vernal evening had a tendency to induce sleep,
so all retired early. Not without first liberally patron-
izing the sutler who had laid in a large supply of fresh
pies and cakes and placed them on sale in a tent on the
lot adjoining the camp. The first night at Camp
Bushnell was more fully and more universally enjoyed
perhaps than any other night in the six months in
which the regiment was in the field.

The Fourteenth was not long to be the only regi-
ment at the camp. Soon the regiments from different
parts of the state began to come in and within a few
days two brigades had been fully organized with Major
General Axline in command. He established his
headquarters on East Broad street at a central location
as to the general camp. Two brigades had been or-
ganized, the first under Colonel Hunt, of the First
Eegiment, and the second under command of Colonel
Coit, of the Fourteenth. Colonel Coit's regiment was
commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Adams, who had
already established the reputation of being one of the
best disciplinarians in the state.

Colonel Adams began at once to exert his in-
fluence over the regiment and the work of drilling
was begim where it had been left off at Goodale park,
but it was begun in far more earnest. Twice each
day the companies were taken to a field at the north
side of the camp and there put through the school of

TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 89

the soldier, of the squad, the company and the bat-
talion. As soon as the recruits had learned the "right
shoulder" and "fours right," "extended order" drills
were begun and many was the charge that was made
against an imaginary foe on the banks of now historic
Alum Creek. Parade at retreat soon made the camp
a popular resort not only to those who had friends or
relatives at the camp, but to all Columbus. On the
first Sunday the camp was in existence the railroads
arranged for excursions to Columbus and all day the
street railway leading to the camp, all the hacks, om-
nibuses and even transfer wagons were busy carrying
visitors to and from the camp. The newspapers took
a great interest in the boys and established branch of-
fices near General Axline's headquarters. This in-
terest kept up as long as there were any troops at the
park.

While the drills were going on, and while the
men improved in their knowledge of military tactics,
other changes were being made. Sergeants and cor-
porals had dropped out for various reasons, others
proved incompetent in the field and were reduced so
that every private in the regiment who had any am-
bition to become great, aspired to the chevrons. Many
a disappointment was suffered during those hours and
many a good "non-com" received his chevrons.

This state of affairs existed for twelve days.
During that time, however, the boys had been given
an idea of every imaginable kind of weather known to
a continental climate from summer to winter, to say
nothing of the pouring rains which made the camp a

90 TEE FOURTH 0. V. I.

veritable pond and the boys who existed in it water
soaked heroes. They had wanted all that goes with
the life of a soldier and with a few exceptions they
received all they had bargained for. All that was
lacking was hardtack and the presence of an armed
enemy.

Within a week after the regiment had taken its
position in Camp Bushnell Captain Rockefellar, of
the United States army, had arrived to muster the
militiamen into the volunteer service of the United
States. It was decided that the Fourteenth Regiment
should become the ''Fourth" in the federal service, the
Sixteenth the "Sixth" and the Seventeenth the
"Seventh." The First, Second and Third regiments
were mustered and then came the Fourth on May
ninth. First Colonel Coit and his staff and noncom-
missioned staff took the oath which made them volun-
teer soldiers. Then the twelve companies in order of
the rank of their captains marched to the headquar-
ters of the mustering officer, near general headquar-
ters and all those who had successfully borne the phy-
sical examination required by the government, were
sworn in.

As has been stated elsewhere, it had been de-
cided that the regiment would be received into the
service as it had been organized in the National Guard,
but trouble arose as to the Hospital and Signal corps.
Lieutenant Miller, who had made the Signal corps al-
most a perfect organization of its kind, was not mus-
tered into the service and the men he had trained so
Avell, although they were telegraph operators and civil

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 91

engineers, had to enlist as privates in the various com-
panies or remain out of the service. Most of them
chose the former and Lieutenant Miller was afterwards
given a commission in the U. S. Volunteer service.
The physicians, one major surgeon and two assistant
surgeons, Major Seamans, of Delaware, and Captains
Wright, of Circleville, and Taylor, of Columbus,
were mustered in but no provision was made for the
Hospital corps as it had existed in the militia service.
The greater number of the members, however, enlisted
as members of companies under the promise that they
would be detailed to the hospital, but later in the ser-
vice they were detached from the regiment and some,
of them did not return to the regiment until long after
the command had been returned to the United States.
Several of them were fortunate in this, however, as
they afterwards received the rank of hospital steward
and commissary sergeant, something that would hardly
hr.ve happened had they been allowed to remain with
the regiment, from the fact that no vacancies occurred.
3tore will b© said of these thoroughly patriotic and
] atient young men later on.

In the struggle for recognition as an organization
the band came in for its share of trouble also. Many
of the men who had been members of the old regi-
mental band in the ^N'ational Guard felt unable to leave
their families and other interests for the compensation
offered by the government to private soldiers and
while Bandmaster Jesse Worthington and Principal
Musician Charles Eulo had been mustered into the
federal service as members of the noncommissioned

92 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

staff, no special provision was made for music except
the two trumpeters allowed to each company. Man;);
plans were discussed and many were the offers that
were made, but the only way to get a band was for the
musicians of the old band to enlist as privates and ef-
fect the musical organization afterwards. It was
agreed that all the other men of the regiment would
pay two per cent, of their wages to the band. With
the exception of the adjustment of a few complica-
tions, this arrangement continued until the regiment
was mustered out of the service.

This state of living in an alternate state of
fear and hope lasted for several days when the
peace of the boys began to be perturbed by ru-
mors of orders to leave. Dewey had given the
Dons the first defeat in his memorable accomplish-
ment at Manila and everybody was singing the praise
of the great naval commander and his brave jacktars.
One minute it would be thoroughly understood that
the regiment would go at once to Tampa, Florida, and
there embark for Cuba and then plans had changed
and the Ohio troops would be sent to Washington to
protect the capital against a possible attack which the
Spaniards were said to be contemplating. The next
minute some one would get from a "reliable source"
that something else would be done and thus between
tormenting the guards on duty around the camp of
the Eighth Regiment and hearing of "wars and rumors
of wars" — especially the rumors — the men lived in a
state of anxiety until Saturday, May 14, when Colonel
Ooit received definite orders to report at Camp George

THE FOURTH 0. V. 1. 93

H. Thomas, at C'hickamauga Park, Georgia, about
ten miles south of the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The night of the foui'teenth was an unusually
bad one. The rains had fallen in toiTents, the com-
pany streets were little more than ditches and the
tents were little more than pools of water. The tent-
age had seen too much service and as they were not in-
tended to be used in anything but fair weather, the
boys suffered more than a little on account of the leaky
canvas-
Orders for the night were merely nominal so fax
as the passing of men in and out of the guai'd lines was
concerned. Passes were granted, especially to the Co-
lumbus men and most of them spent their last night
in Ohio as they thought, and which indeed was to some
of them, with their families at home. Those from the
other towns were granted permission to go to their
homes in cases where it was possible to return to camp
before the time set for moving and those who could
not get away were made as comfortable as possible.

The morning of the fifteenth dawned bright and
fair. The sun broke through the thick clouds and
scattered them away as though a special effort were
being made to cheer the men in the hour of parting
with friends and loved ones. The camp of the Fourth
was the scene of hurry and bustle everywhere. Friends
came out from Columbus and from the other cities to
see the boys before they had made all arrangements
for packing and to take a final handshake before the
regiment was formed. Baskets and boxes filled to
their utmost with the good things of life were carried

94 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

in, but in many cases it was disposed of before the
tents were torn down.

Finally the order came to get ready and then
there was a flurry. Officers and their assistants, the
"non-coms," were busy giving orders and the men
were kept on the run obeying them. Details were
made for this and for that so that the boys had not a
minute which they could safely call their o^vn. The
baggage was loaded on wagons and the tents were torn
down and in less time than is required to read this
meager account, the camp of the Fourth Ohio was
known no more to Camp Bushnell.

As soon as everything could be gotten in shape,
"assembly" was sounded and the regiment was formed
on the ground where it had been paraded each day
when the weather would permit. It was a little muddy,
of course, but the sun continued to shine brightly and
little inconvenience was suffered by anyone. The
Eighth Ohio, which had been part of the second bri-
gade under Colonel Coit, acted as escort as far as the
limits of the camp and there the regiment was taken
charge of by all the military and civic societies of the
city of Columbus.

A mass of people lined the route of march from
the camp along Broad and High streets to the depot.
Flags and bunting stretched over the streets, banners
strung from every house and everything took on a
gala appearance in honor of the departure for the
front of the "pride of Central Ohio." Bands of music
heralded the approach of the Fourth and at every
point along the line of march, men women and chil-

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 95

dren cheered, shouted and wept as they saw the hbjs
marching steadily down the street, no one knew to
where, how many would return or what trials would
be endured before any of the faces passing before them
would be seen again.

It was the greatest day the city of Columbus
had ever seen. Whistles all over the city screamed out
the news that the regiment was leaving; bells from
the churches, shops and engine houses rang out their
musical peals of farewell; cannon boomed their sonor-
ous but significant salutes, but all this turmoil could
not suppress the sobs that persistently rose to the
breast of the soldier as he recognized through the
mass of humanity the wife, the mother or the sweet-
heart he was leaving behind, perhaps forever. Strong
men wept as they saw their sons march from their
sight, living sacrifices to a noble cause; children cried
out with pain as they saw their fathers disappear in
the distance, going, they knew not where or why;
mothers hid their eyes as they saw the pride of their
lives among the masses marching proudly down the
street with a musket on his shoulder. The only happy
face to be seen anywhere was that of the lisping babe,
too tender to realize the awfulness of the scene being
enacted before its innocent eyes.

When the regiment reached the Broad Street
Methodist church, the voice of the colonel rang out
above the din and the command "halt" was repeated
down the line. The noises seemed to cease for the
time being and there in the open air, beneath the rays
of the bright spring sun, Bishop Joyce, of the Metho-

96 THE FOURTH 0. Y. 1.

d5^t church, asked that the blessing of the Heavenly
Father rest upon the men and officers of the regiment
wherever duty called them. How nearly that prayer
was answered, it is the purpose of the following pages
to relate.

Governor Bushnell had taken place on the box
of a coupe near the corner of Broad and High streets
to review the regiment as it passed by. Tears rolled
down his cheeks as he saw the boys pass down the
street to go out to represent the state at the front, and
it may be said here that as long as the regiment was
out of the limits of its native state or when it returned,
flushed with victory, it had no better friend than he
who stood there to give the boys a sad farewell.

Finally working its way through the dense crowd
of people, the regiment arrived at the depot and there
boarded a train divided into three sections, bound for
Chickamauga Park. It was then afternoon and sad as
the parting had been the boys were glad to throw
themselves down on the car seats to rest. They had
gone without dinner and the boxes which loving hands
had filled with good things to eat were soon opened
only to see the contents disappear as if by magic. The
train soon left, however, amid the same patriotic dem-
onstration which had marked the march through the
streets of the city and when the view of the capital
faded away the men reluctantly stretched themselves
out on the soft seats to give up their thoughts to the
scenes they had just witnessed and to the future.

The trip through the picturesque hills of Ken-
tucky was mostly after night, but the morning brought

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 97

with it a sight of historic old Lookout mountain and
the boys breakfasted within the city limits of Chat-
tanooga, Tennessee. Considerable time was spent
here before the trip could be resumed, but before noon
all was arranged and the regiment was soon bovmding
across the hills to the national park.

98 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

CHAPTER VII.

CAMP GEORGE H. THOMAS.

The Ride to CMckamauga Park — From Lytle to the Camp —
Early Experiences — The Regiment Assigned — Hard
Tack and Bacon — A Military Training School — Facts
About Lytle — Regimental "Canteens" — Amusement-
Facts About the Camp- — Some of Its Advantages— Vis-
itors from Home and from Abroad — ^Evening Parades —
Cakes, Pies and Sweetmeats — Religious Services— Re-
connoitering Expeditions — A Sham Battle — Setting up
and Breaking Camps — Sink Details — Rumors and Or-
ders— Good News at Last.

There was but one railroad leading to the camp-
ing place. Trains stopped to discharge passengers for
the park at a small station called Lytle. There was a
small depot and two dwellings at the station when the
regiment arrived there and the only business houses
were a grocery where the postoffice was located and
several frame structures where enterprising Chatta-
nooga restauranteurs had started branches. The gov-
ernment had constructed a board platform for the
unloading of horses and mules and near the platform
was the government coral where were penned hun-
dreds of the longeared "soldiers" waiting to be dis-
tributed to the volunteer regiments which soon began
to mobilize at the park. The corral in itself was a
great sight as well as the surrounding scenery, where,
nearly half a century before, had been fought one of
the greatest battles in history.

As soon afe the unloading was completed the reg-
iment was formed and marched for the position to be

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 99

occupied in the great camp whicli was daily becoming
greater. Several regiments of reg-ular troops had been
encamped there before, but they had all been taken
further south. There were several regiments of vol-
unteer troops ahead of the Fourth, but it was among
the very first to reach the great rendezvous.

Marching across the red clay hills of Chicka-
mauga field the regiment presented a brilliant sight.
The colors spread proudly before the gentle southern
breeze, the band played the same stirring tunes to
which two armies had marched out to meet each other
on the field of battle long years before, and the boys
marched away with the steady tread that becomes
worthy sons of noble sires.

Although the train bearing the Ohio troops
reached Lytle about ten o'clock in the morning, the
spot selected for camp was not reached until late in
the afternoon.

The camp was laid out in due form and by the
time the boys had prepared their future homes, it was
time for them to put the hastily prepared couches to
service. There were no folding beds, no springs and
no place to put these or other comforts if they could
have been secured. The boys wrapped themselves up
in their blankets and lay down on the bosom of mother
earth to dream of home and loved ones. The first
night was greatly enjoyed even if the lizards did in-
sist on intruding upon the peace of the tire-worn sol-
dier. It was not long before the boys learned that the
lizards were harmless and that mosquito bites were not
dansrerous.

100 THE FOURTH O. T. I.

The next morning the boys learned that they
were a part of the second brigade of the first division
of the first corps of the Army of the Gulf, the military
division of the United States, of which General
Brooke had been commander with headquarters at
Atlanta. It was but a few days until the rest of the
second brigade came in and took position on either
side of the Fourth, the Third Illinois at the west and
the Fourth Pennsylvania at the east. These three
regiments were together and lived as peaceable neigh-
bore until the close of the war.

There was little interest to the camp at Ohicka-
mauga Park except its magnitude. There were sol-
diers there from almost every part of the United
States, north, south, east and west. There was no di-
vision as to the existence of sympathies in former wars
— all were Americans.

One of the first novelties introduced to the boys
was part of the first ration. It Avas the old fashioned
hardtack. They had read of that feature of military
life in both prose and verse. They had heard it
praised and cursed, lauded to the skies and carried
down into the blackest recesses of the great beyond,
but few of them had ever "broken bread when it was
hardtack." Of course the hardtack did not come
alone. Troubles never do come singly, and when the
regular old fashioned army bacon, "sow belly," as it
was called by the majority or "pig stomach," as it
was known by the less vulgar class, came, the boys
realized that their troubles had actually begim. These
two evils were well received as long as they were nov«

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 101

eltieS; but for some reason not explained in the arm}
regulations, soldiers become tired of tliis menu if it is
served three times each day and for seven days in each
week.

In defense of hardtack it must be said, however,
that for troops in the field, it is the best possible sub-
stitute for bread that could be secured. It can be eaten
"raw" or just as it comes from the bakery, it can be
soaked in water and broiled, it can be broken to pieces
and moistened in coffee, or it can form part of a mess
made of beans, hardtack and other things, which,
when ready to serve, bears a name, that when applied
by one person to another precipitates a fight.

This was the only kind of bread that could be
procured for a while but the government soon estab-
lished a mammoth bakery at Lytle and fresh bread
was served to all of the regiments each day. Potatoes,
fresh meat, vegetables and sugar came from the com-
missary department, while the markets of Chattanooga
and vicinity furnished milk, fruit and other provisions.

Camp Thomas was designed to be nothing more
nor less than a military training school on a large
basis. The men were drilled from morning to night.
They were trained in the manual of arms, in all the
evolutions knowQ to military science, and they were
educated in the perfoi-mance of guard duty. In fact,
they were taught all that it is necessary for the typical
American soldier to know.

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"
was applied in a way at the camp. There were amuse-
ments of various kinds, and to a limited extent th?

102 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

men were permitted to enjoy them. Lytle, the station
at the railroad, grew in a phenomenally short period of
time from the little hamlet described, to a very metro-
politan but temporary little city. There were all sorts
of business enterprises represented, newspaper branch
offices, telegraph and express companies, military sup-
ply stores, photographers, hotels and restaurants,
gambling dens and all the catch-penny schemes known
to the fakir's art. In the midst of the camp a theatre
had been constructed but it never met with marked
success. The greater number of the regiments had
"canteens" or restaurants, the profits of which were
set apart for the benefit of the regiment at large. In
the case of the Fourth Ohio, the proceeds of the sale
of canned goods, refreshments, etc., were used to pay
the obligation offered the band when the regiment was
at Camp Bushnell.

One of the most interesting forms of amusement
was the collecting of relics of the Civil war. It will
be remembered that the soldiers of General Brooke
were not the first to occupy positions on the field of
Chickamauga, but that those hills had been stained
by the blood of one of the most terrible battles re-
corded in the pages of history. In every part of the
park could be picked up parts of rifles, bayonets, pieces
of shell, bullets, canon balls, swords, ordnance supplies
of all kinds and even human bones. The trees them-
selves bore evidence of the fierce struggle between the
forces of the north and the south and the rocks and
decayed logs gave mute testimony of the terrible trag-
edy which had been played on this scene less than a
half century before.

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 103

Some of the members of the Fourth Ohio had
been on this very field and to them the work of time
and the hand of man was unable to change the ap-
pearance of the hills and the surrounding country.
They would often pick out the positions of their reg-
iments in the great battle and relate the experiences
of that fight to their younger comrades, partly for
their amusement and instruction and partly to get
them familiar with the scenes and duties of the bat-
tlefield.

Chickamauga Park had more than one advan-
tage over almost any other place in the country for
such a camp. There was not only a good water supply,
plenty of fresh air, parade and camp grounds, market
facilities, convenience to the sea board, a climate prac-
tically semi-tropical at that season of the year, but the
very position of the park, the surrounding country and
the history of the place had a smack of war which was
absolutely wholesome for the young men who were
training for the battlefield.

The concentration of so many troops and the
congregation of so many persons had a marked effect
on the general intellectual welfare of the soldiers, for
here they were able to meet and exchange ideas on
subjects which have since proved valuable to them as
citizens as well as soldiers. One of the effects of this
camp on the soldiers there and in fact of the war and
the people of the United States generally, was the re-
moval of the old prejudices of the Civil War. Stand-
ing here as they did, shoulder to shoulder, preparing
to fight under one flag and for one country, the union

104 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

of men from every part of the coimtry, but from the
two great sections especially, removed more perman-
ently than any other cause could have done the ill-
feeling which had once precipitated a long and bloody
civil war and which had ever since had the effect of
keeping the people of these sections at more than a
brotherly distance apart.

The camp was visited by the friends of the sol-
diers there and by foreign soldiers who had come there
to study American ideas of warfare. Even China had
sent one of her brightest intellectual lights to learn
something of the art of war from the young but sub-
stantial America. English, German, French and
Russian experts pronounced the camp perfect in every
particular as to natural appointments, but after the
camp was abandoned many defects were pointed out
as to the general management of the camp.

The occasion of a visit from friends at home was
the source of great pleasure to the boys. These visits
were not restricted in any manner, but the camp was
open to all at any time. Excursions were run to the
park from almost every town which was represented
there and the camp was usually crowded on Sundays.
The people of Chattanooga and Atlanta flocked to the
park in the evening to witness the evening parades and
it is very pleasing indeed to note that the Fourth Ohio
drew as much, if not more, attention than any other
regiment on the field. The regiment had been so well
drilled and so thoroughly disciplined while a IN^ational
Guard organization that the parade ceremony of the
regiment was as nearly perfect as it was possible for a

TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 105

single body of men to make it. There were very few
occasions, indeed, when the Fourth Ohio did not en-
tertain a host of admirers at "retreat."

One of the disadvantages, not from a soldier's
point of view, however, was the absence of the things
which make the epicure happy. Mothers, sisters and
sweethearts did all they could to gladden the hearts of
their loved ones at the park, but their efforts in this
line were entirely fruitless, for as fast as the express
wagons would deliver the loads of boxes of pies, cakes
and pastry, the regimental surgeons would dump it
into a sink dug for the purpose. The practice of this
apparent "cruelt}," hard as it seemed at the time to
the boys, was the means of not only preserving the
health and efficiency of the regiment, but undoubtedly
sf ved lives. Plain bacon and beans is a very coarse
diet to be sure, but the addition of desserts promiscu-
ously selected is not conducive to the best results of a
military camp, and this was one of the lessons which
the Chickamauga training school taught its pupils.

There were many attractions at Chattanooga also,
but it was the policy of the higher officials to discour-
age trips to the city as much as possible. Military
regulations are so fixed that when an officer of high
rank desires the men in his command to do a certain
thing, that thing is usually done, or some one receives
an opportunity to explain why it is not done. The
men of the Fourth soon learned this and at no time
was there any trouble in the regiment on account of
the disobedience of these orders.

Each Sunday was made the day it should have
been. A branch of the Young Men's Christian As^

106 THE FOURTH O. V. I.

sociation erected a canvas tabernacle at which services
were held at stated times during the week and also on
each Sunday. Some of the most noted evangelists in
the country came to the park to hold religious services
and they were the means of accomplishing much good.
Chaplain Shindel also conducted divine services each
Sunday, and owing to the efforts of Captain Joseph J,
Walsh, of Company A, the professors of the Catholic
faith were permitted to attend services in Chatta-
nooga. Thus it will be seen that the moral welfare
of the soldiers was not overlooked by the officers of the
regiment or by the public.

As soon as the men became efficient in the ordin-
ary drills, their education in warfare was broadened by
long marches. The regiment, or sometimes only bat-
talions and even companies were formed and often
started out on various sorts of expeditions. At one
time the First Battalion was given sealed orders and a
day's rations and told to pack up and go to McFarland's
gap to see how many men could be forced through it
in a given length of time under certain circumstances.
They were instructed to ascertain the best route to the
gap and also other routes, and it was made a part of
their duty to make a topographical map of the country
through which they passed. In a day or two after that
the Second Battalion was started in a different direc-
tion and then the Third Battalion was given similar
orders. Companies were taken out to be drilled in
"extended order," and often the drill was "extended"
to the furthermost parts of the park. Many an
imaginary foe was driven from its position by a terrific

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 107

charge up Snodgrass hill, one of the more elevated
points of the park.

On several occasions the whole regiment and even
the whole brigade was taken out on such expeditions.
Two di\dsions once formed two armies to oppose each
other in a sham battle. The men were given pro-
visions and blank cartridges and the division to which
the Fourth Ohio belonged was started out to find the
other division and drive it f i-om its position. This was
fun in a way, but the battle came very near to being
more than a mere "sham."

The lines of battle w^ere formed much as they
would have been in an enemy's country and started
through the camp. All went well until Captain
White and his company (B) started to pass through the
camp of a Pennsylvania battery. The sentry on one
of the posts thought that he should not permit the
grass to be trampled upon promiscuously in his camp
and he promptly ordered Company B to halt. The
company had not made a reputation for halting unless
so ordered by its captain and the boys of Company B
were not disposed in any way to break the record on
this occasion. Consequently they did not halt and the
Pennsylvanian called out "the guard." The guard
responded very well and so did the officer of the guard,
but Captain White ordered his company forward. It
seemed for a moment that something would happen,
and even as it was Sergeant Hunt would have been
thrust with an artillery sabre had it not been for the
plate buckle on his belt. While this was going on
Colonel Coit came up and put the officer of the Penn-

108 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

sylvania guard under arrest and the company went on,
winning the first blood for the regiment in the Spanish
war.

The battle must have been very interesting to the
officers who occupied a cool position at the top of the
hill, where they could see all the operations, but it was
not so pleasant for the fellows who had to move from
one point to the other under the rays of the boiling
Georgia sun. The enemy was duly discovered and
fired upon, but the officers in charge decided the battle
in favor of the defense.

The funniest part of the whole expedition oc-
curred after the battle had been declared off and the
troops started back to camp. The general and his staff
were completely lost. In some way they had wan-
dered out in the bushes to "reconnoiter" and before
they were aware they could not find the way back to
the line of march. The line waited some time, but no
officers appearing. Colonel Coit assumed command of
the brigade and took them back to camp.

One of the lessons in the art of war which was
thought to be among the more valuable, was the in-
struction in the quickness and regularity of forming
camp. Companies at first and then battalions and the
regiment was taken out to the parade ground and ex-
ercised in the setting up of shelter tents. By the
execution of given orders it became possible, after a
few days' practice, for the Fourth Ohio to stop from
the march, stack arms, set up their tents and arrange
a regular camp in less than five minutes. Then at
the sounding of the "general," the bugle signal for

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 109

breaking camp, the regiment could be fonned and
ready for marching in almost as remarkably quick
time.

Had the regiment engaged in the long campaigti,
which, at that time seemed more than probable, this
drill would certainly have been very valuable, but as it
was, shelter tent camps were only pitched at jSTewport
News on the morning of arrival there and near
Guayama on the evening of August 13. On neither
occasion was there any particular haste required and
on neither occasion did every man of the command
have his shelter tent.

No cne who lived at the camp will ever forget the
way in which the surface of Chickamauga park was
disturbed by the fatigue details. If a man did not
respond to roll call without an excuse, or if he violated
the thousand and one other rules of camp, he was
slated for a fatigue detail. In charge of a non-coni-
missioned officer, the men were given picks and shovels
and put to work digging sinks. There were sinks
from four to seven feet deep for all imaginable pur-
poses and many a hard day's task was required to com-
plete them.

As it had been at Camp Bushnell and as it is in
all military camps, there were all sorts of rumors
floated at all times. Strange to say, the firrther from
the probable truth the rumors were, the more believers
they had. Many of these rumors, however, were well
founded. Headquarters actually furnished material
for a large majority of them, and what part of the re-
mainder the newspapers did not supply the fertile

110 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

brain of some designing soldier did. Orders came in
one day to prepare to move on the next. The prepara-
tions would be made and then the order was revoked,
only to be succeeded by another order within a day or
two. It was at one time intended to send the regiment
to Cuba, and shortly before the first expedition was
started for Cuba the strength of the regiment was in-
creased to 106 men to each company. Officers were
sent back to Ohio to do the recruiting. Battalion
Adjutant Harry W. Krumm represented the first bat-
talion, Captain W. L. Yincent the second and Major
John L. Sellers the third. The recruits had not been
drilled into thorough soldiers when orders came to
drop certain of them in order to reduce the strength
of the regiment, and thus it went until the expedition
to Cuba had left and Santiago had fallen.

The receipt of the news of this event was the oc-
casion of gTeat demonstrations in Chickamauga park.
Headed by the band and the regimental colors, the
officers of the regiment called at brigade headquarters
to congratulate General Haines. After paying their
respects to the general they proceeded to the camp of
the Fourth Pennsylvania, where they were joined by
the drum corps and the officers and men of that regi-
ment and a parade was formed through the Fourth
Ohio camp to the Third Illinois. Here the bands
played, the men cheered and each of the three colonels
made addresses. After all had quieted down, the
men went to their tents to drown their sorrow at not
being able to help, in the solitude of their tents.

After the fall of Santiago, rumors came thick and
fast. Orders were likewise numerous, but the plan

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. HI

of issuing and immediately revoking orders was con-
tinued, so that things generally were in a very un-
settled condition to say the least. Finally an order
came which was never revoked. This order directed
the Second brigade to take transportation at Rossville,
a small station between Lytle and Chattanooga, and
from there proceed through Lexington, Kentucky, to
Nev\^ort jSTews, Virginia, where transportation would
be in waiting to take the regiment to Porto Eico under
an expedition in command of General Brooke. So
manv orders had been received and then revoked that
the men did not really believe that they would leave
the park at all, hence the order did not create a con-
siderable stir. Travel rations, of which more will be
said later on, were issued to the regiment and all the
baggage packed and made ready to be transported.
:N'o one was to be left behind on this expedition and
eveiybody was happy.

112 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

CHAPTER VIII.

TO NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA.

The March to Rossville— To Chattanooga — Delays — The
Trip Through Kentucky — Receptions Along the Line —
Up the Alleghenies^ — Peep at Piedmont Valley — "On to
Richmond" — At Newport News — A "Pup Tent" Camp —
Reception — Dynamite Guns — Company F Becomes a
Battery — Changes of OfRcei^ — Delays and More Ru-
mors— Transport "St. Paul" — Transferring Baggage-
Waiting Orders — Off to Sea.

On tlie morning of July 22, the camp of the
Fourth Ohio at Chickamauga park ceased to exist.
To the music of the most stirring tunes which the
band could play, the boys bid farewell to the camp
that had been their home for sixty-seven days. The
road over which the march was made to Rossville was
probably the worst that the most of the men had
ever seen. The dust was from three to eight inches
deep and when the feet of the men struck the bottom,
the dust raised so thick that it was utterly impossible
to distinguish persons four feet away. It can well be
imagined that the men suffered terribly under these
circumstances, but the number who dropped out of
ranks was very small. Considering the dust, the con-
dition of the weather and the rate at which the march
was started, the Fourth Ohio made a record in that
march of which they may well feel proud.

Thev reached the station in good time, but it
was late before the train reached Chattanooga and

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 113

even then the delays were almost innumerable, so that
it was long after morning of the next day when the
train bearing the Fourth reached Lexington. The
route thus far had been oyer the ''Queen and Crescent"
line, but at this point the trains were transferred to the
line of the Chesapeake and Ohio. Quite a number
of Ohio people had come as far as Lexington to take a
final farewell to the boys they loved so well, and when
the heavy-laden trains steamed out of Camp Bradley
to the cheer of the boys of the Fourth Kentucky who
were camped there, many were the eyes that were
moistened with an impulsive tear and many were the
misgivings that prevailed within an heroic breast.

The route from Lexington covered the most pic-
turesque section of beautiful Kentucky. The line of
the railway stretched through the heart of the blue-
grass region and then plunged into the heart of the
massive Kentucky hills as though the fate of the war
itself was actually in the hands that held the throttle.
The panarama thus stretched before the view
of the boys who were going forth to do battle,
certainly did a great part in teaching them what a
grand and beautiful country they were really fighting
for.

At Ashland a large party of Portsmouth people
came down to see the boys of Company H. They
came with well-filled baskets and the soldiers disposed
of them in regulation military style.

An amusing circumstance occurred here which
served the people of Portsmouth as a lesson in the ap-
propriating powers of the soldier. The train was di-

114 THE FOURTH 0. F. /.

Added into three sections, one battalion to eacli. Com-
pany H being part of the second battalion was there-
fore aboard the second section, but the Portsmouth
enthusiasts had not been apprised of that fact. Going
up to the first section a pretty Buckeye maid handed
up a large basket to one of the boys whose head hung
out of the car window and sweetly asked him to give
the basket to "my brother." "Why certainly," re-
plied the gallant soldier, and reaching down, he pulled
into the car one of the handsomest "layouts" that ever
came into the view or the stomach of a hungTy in-
f antr^nnan. Another maid had a cousin for whom she
had a basket and the same hard hearted rascal agreed
to deliver that basket also, and then the third came
from a blushing lass of nineteen who simply wished
to remember "a friend." An officer happened just
then to see what was going on and the game was
spoiled, but there were three baskets of picnic dinner
divided among a half dozen Fourth Ohio soldiers be^
fore the train had left Kentucky soil, and that officer
was not one of the haK dozen either.

Just before dusk the train passed along the Ohio
river and the men involuntarily flocked to the west
side of the train to take a last sight of their native
state. The blue Ohio hills stretched away into the
lengthening shadows with a grandeur they were never
known before to have possessed, and with three lusty
cheers for the grand old Buckeye state, the train
pulled into West Virginia.

At Huntington, where the first stop was made, a
glad surprise was made a feature of the whole trip.

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 115

The history of the regimeut as a National Guard or-
ganization was known in Huntington and the people
of that town did honor to its members by meeting
them at the station with hot coffee and fresh sand-
wiches for all. The train stopped some minutes for
the reception, which was enlivened by a band concert
and the exchange of three cheers and a "tiger" for the
Fourth Ohio by the Huntingtonians and for the same
compliment by the regiment for their West Virginia
friends. While this was going on the boys on the
train and the girls on the. platform were trading roses,
fans, handkerchiefs and hair ribbons for brass buttons,
hard tack and all sorts of souvenirs.

It was dark when the train bearing the first bat-
talion left Huntington, hence there was little interest
to the trip from that on until daylight. The train
made slow progress in getting up the steep grade
during the night, some of the connections being rather
bad, so that it was necessary to make numerous stops
for repairs. Daylight found the regiment well to the
top of the hill, near Cliffton Forge.

Here the most delightful journey that could have
been enjoyed anywhere at that season of the year was
begun. The train bounded over the hills, across the
narrow valleys, through woodland and by the side of
rich- pastures. It dashed by the way stations where,
as had been the case in Kentucky, the village people
gathered to see the boys "going to war," and at some
of the little mountain villages, the train fairly brushed
the bunting, flag's and flowers which decorated the
buildings and trees in honor of the regiment.

116 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

The men of the Fourth Ohio were treated on that
day to the finest views that nature ever spread upon a
landscape. On one side the hills towered up into the
very bosom of the clouds while on the other side the
deep fertile valleys spread out far below the tracks
into the distance. Passing through Staunton the
train darted through the heart of the mountain, then
curved sharply around peaks and cliffs and finally
pushed along the side of a steep bluff, where to the
right lay the beautiful Piedmont valley, clothed in
the most beautiful array which nature could bestow.
The gracefully winding turn pike seemed to creep
companion-like with the sparkling stream, off to the
gentle south, their path leading through fields of ripen-
ing grain and waving corn, where were nestled little
groves and comfortable farm houses, snugly ensconced
in the happy scene as if placed there by the Creator to
show above all other places how truly "the heavens
declare the glory of Grod and the firmament showeth
His handy work."

Speeding down the mountain side the train soon
reached Charlottesville, where it stopped long enough
for the sections to get together and for the men to
invest in pies and other delicacies at the near-by res-
taurants. The delay was longer here than had been
intended on account of a breakdown of one of the
trucks. The repair was soon made, however, and the
journey resumed, so that as it was growing dark, the
boys found themselves where their fathers had tried
hard to get thirty years before — within the city limits
of Richmond. They received a very different recep-

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 117

tion, however, than their ancestors had received, for
the boys in blue were welcomed on every hand, and
although the stop at Richmond was very short, the
town while they were there belonged to the Fourth
Ohio.

It was dark when the train left Richmond, so that
the scenery from that point was lost, but so much had
be€n enjoyed through the busy day that the boys were
glad to retire to their apartments in the tourist sleep-
ers to get the third and last night's sleep as the guests
of the Chesapeake and Ohio.

The train arrived at Newport News about mid-
night, but there was no attempt made to unload until
daylight. "Reveille" was sounded earlier than usual,
however, and as soon as the boys could be summoned
out of their comfortable bunks, the regiment was
formed and marched to an assigned camping place in
a field near the outskirts of the city and on the banks
of the James river.

As soon as the camp was laid out and the work of
putting up the shelter tents, or "pup tents," as the
boys preferred to call them, was under way, details
were made to unload such baggage as was absolutely
necessary for the temporary camp. A few cooking
utensils, besides the personal baggage of the men and
officers was all that was taken off the train at that
time. Breakfast was hastily prepared, the old story
of digging sinks was completed and the men were
allowed the privilege of the James river for bathing
purposes. The salt water brought up by the tide was
exact! V what the bovs needed, and the dirt and dust

118 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

that had been collected in the long trip from Chicka-
mauga park was afterward referred to as a sand bar in
the stream.

The shipping industry of Newport News is very
interesting, and the big dry docks near the camp were
the first places visited. There were several govern-
ment vessels there and many of the boys Avent aboard
to see just what they really were and to learn from
personal observation if the navy about which they
had heard and read so much and for which they had
cheered so loudly and so often, were really all that was
represented. It is needless to say that any suspicions
that might have been entertained were hastily and
permanently removed.

While some of the men were bathing in the river
or visiting the dry docks, others took hasty trips to
Old Point Comfort and other near-by places of inter-
est. The novelty of this also soon wore away and the
boys were compelled to resort to the quiet of the camp
and simply wait for orders. The weather was the
hottest any of them had ever experienced and certainly
with the thermometer at one hundred in the shade
in a camp on sandy, unshaded soil where rain had not
fallen for weeks, it was not to be wondered at that
some of the men had no more energy than "the law
allowed."

It was here that the first real war-like order was
received. It came to Colonel Coit, who was directed
to designate one of the companies of his regiment to
take charge of some dynamite guns that had been
placed in the hands of the brigade. Captain Potter

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 119

having had considerable experience as an artillery
officer in the First Ohio Light Artillery when it was a
]N"ational Gruard organization, was made one of the
officers and his company (F) was made the "dynamite"
company of the brigade.

Acting Ordance Officer First Lieutenant Harry
Graham was assigned to the new company and Lieuten-
ant Clyde Modie was assigned to A Company to fill
the vacancy made by the assignment of Lieutenant
Graham. This made the company well equipped foi
the work they were expected to do and the boys oi
Company F soon became expert artillerymen. The
only other change in the regiment was the discharge
of Captain Pritchard of Company H. This placed the
command of the company upon Lieutei.ant Smith,
who retained command until after the regiment re-
turned home.

The parade grounds at Newport News were hot,
sundy weed fields. The brigade camp was arranged
just as it hL.d been in Camp Thomas, but there was
not room for more than one regiment at a time on the
parade ground. The regular evening; dress parade
came off as usual, however, the Third Illinois taking
the field first as the ranking regiment, and the Fourth
Ohio next, which in turn was followed by the Fourth
Pennsylvania. In this way each regiment was per-
mitted to watch the parade of the other two.

A delay at Newport News had not been expected
by any means, and when orders were not forthcoming
to board the transports for Porto Eico, the boys began
to get uneasy. No complaints were offered the first

120 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

night, but when the boys found that they must lie in
their '"pup tents" on Tuesday night as well, there was
considerable growling. As a matter of course the
authorities at Washington lost little sleep on this ac-
count, and those who did not like the idea of staying,
staid just the same as those who did. Finally the
order came on Tuesday to load all necessary baggage
on the transport St. Paul. The Fourth Pennsylvania
was ordered to the Seneca and the City of Wash-
ington and the Third Illinois to the St. Louis.
The St. Louis and the St. Paul were sister ships
and had been used before the war as pas-
senger ships on the Atlantic ocean. They had
been leased by the government, however, and they
were at this time classed as auxiliary cruisers. They
were heavily armed and protected and the St. Paul
had been placed in command of Captain Sigsbee, the
naval officer who had grown in public favor from
having been in command of the battleship Maine at the
time she was blown up in Havana harbor. The dis-
tinction of being taken away by this officer afforded the
boys considerable satisfaction.

Large details were made and placed at the hands
of Captain Vincent and several lieutenants and the
work of loading the transports was begun. The cars
were taken to the piers of the C. & O. R'y and there
loaded on barges or lighters and taken out to the
transport. In the meantime the camp on the out-
skirts of the city was broken up and the regiment
marched down to the piers to wait for lighters to take
the companies out also. It was expected that the

. n, i^-^ wwti

TEE FOURTH 0. T. I. 121

Kghters would be there and that the re^ment would
board the St. Paul at once, but after a long and weary
wait, it was found that the men would have to sleep
on shore at least one more night. The camp broken
up, the baggage all packed, and everything in an un-
settled condition, the regiment was in as unhappy
plight as it could have been on American soil. Those
who had retained their tents, put them up on the
campus surrounding a beautiful summer casino. The
owners of the building very kindly consented to the
use of the veranda and the upper floor for the accom-
modation of those who did not have shelter tents.
The arrangement was as satisfactory as it could well
have been, and with a few exceptions, where the boys
got too near each other or where the boards of the
floor were laid ''hard side up," they spent the night
as happily as the existing state of expectancy would
permit.

Thursday morning did not bring with it the
encouragement the boys had expected, but another
long day of expectant waiting. Every time a whistle
blew or a boat approached, everybody strained his eyes
to see if it were the lighter. Dinner was served
and still the boat did not come, but as suddenly
as a summer shower, at 2 o'clock the regiment was
called together by the sounding of "assembly," and
when the "forward march" was commanded, the regi-
ment followed the colors to the wharf, where in a few
minutes one lighter took on the whole command.
Several Columbus people had come to ITewport I^ews,
and of course they were on hand to see the regiment

122 TEE FOURTH 0. V. I.

"heaA'e away." Half the city, where by their gentle-
manly manner and soldierly conduct the boys had
formed many acquaintances and friends, tui-ned out to
give the regiment a parting cheer.

The trip from the pier to the St. Paul was of little
interest. The transport could not get near the pier,
of coui'se, and she was anchored out in the bay near
Old Point Comfort. The baggage had been loaded
when the regiment reached the boat and the work of
boarding the monster transport took but little time.

When the regiment was all on the boys thought
it was time to go, but there was a large supply of
Kragg-Jorgensen rifles to load, so that it was not until
the next morning that the crew of the St. Paul weighed,
anchor and started on the voyage to the scene of the
conflict. The first night (Thursday) was not given up
entirely" to sleep by any means. There was too much
to see and talk about. The great vessel had to be ex-
plored as a matter of course and the seamen and
marines had to be interviewed about the thousands of
details, so that few indeed were the eyes that closed
in sleep that night.

TEE FOURTH 0. T. I. 123

CHAPTER IX.

OFF TO PORTO RICO.

Sail on Friday— The Trip Througli the Harbor— The St.
Paul— "Travel Rations"— "Prime Roast Beef —Hard
Tack and Coffee— Boston Baked Beans— Tomatoes— One
Dollar Pies— Sea Sickness— Religious Services at Sea—
Fine Weather Voyage— Warlike Preparations— At the
Harbor of Ponce— Cruise to Arroyo— Kragg Jorgensen
Rifles— End of the Voyage— The Landing.

Friday morning came one of the brightest of the
year. The delightful sea breeze was cool, refreshing
and invigorating and the boys were happy. The long
wait at Newport News had worked their nervous
systems into such condition that anything in the way
of a change was welcome. When the beating of the
huge engines was first felt, like the pulse of a strong
animal, the boys all flocked to the rails to watch de-
velopments. Certainly they did not watch in vam,
for everything was new. The sight of the huge
vessel pushing its big nose through the light swelling
waves is a pretty sight at any time and especially to
those who had never before seen the sea. The vessel
passed on out the bay, passing Fortress Monroe and
other places of interest, finally pushing itself out of the
limits of Hampton Eoads and into the open sea.
Here her course was set and gradually she passed out
of view of land. The boys watched the fading out-
lines of houses, steeples and hills \^ath an interest that
one who is leaving his native land can only feel, and

124 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

when the last trace of America died away, the boys
slowly retired to ''secret places" to relieve themselves
of the many misgivings occasioned by the "strange
surroundings."

The St. Paul could not have been made more
comfortable for troops had she been built expressly
for the purpose. The deep, roomy hold furnished
storage room for the subsistence and other supplies,
the snug, well-fitted state rooms furnished excellent
quarters for the men, and the white smooth decks
furnished splendid room for promenading. Now this
would have been exactly true if the regiment had con-
sisted of six hundred men instead of thirteen hundred,
and if the subsistence referred to had been of a dif-
ferent kind than that about to be described. As it was
the men were crowded. The decks were reserved for
the officers, with the insignificant exception of the
lower deck and the space "fore" and "aft," which was
devoted to the storage of quartermaster's stores and
to the quartering of two companies. AVhat deck
room was left was devoted to the use of the companies
alternately — whose sergeants took them up to air out
their clothing and for exercise.

When the regiment left Ohickamauga park
"travel rations" were issued. By travel rations was
meant at that time, "Prime Roast Beef," "Boston
Baked Beans," "Finest Quality Tomatoes," hard tack,
coffee and sugar. This would have made an excellent
luncheon for a hungry man, provided that it came as
the menu would appear, taken from the labels as
above, and onlv administered once, say each week;

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 125

hut vvlieii it (-dme three times each day, seven days in
the week and for more than four weeks in succession,
there was room for complaint and every available part
of the "room" was used.

"The Prime Roast Beef" will remain in the
memory of every member of the Fourth Ohio who was
on that voyage as long- as he lives. The English
language absolutely does not contain an expression
more deceptive than that combination. It was the
lowest grade of beef that could have been placed on
the market, packed in tin cans, and after it laid in
store rooms, freight depots and other repositories for
unknown periods of time, it was handed to the enlisted
men of the American army and they were expected to
feel happy. In many cases the stuff was spoiled, if
indeed it ever had been tit for the use of human beings,
and that which was pronounced "sound and all right"
had laid around in the sun or hot shade so long that it
was absolutely sickening to look at, to say nothing of
its use as a diet for men who were expected to perform
the hardest kind of physical labor.

"Boston Baked Beans" — the name itself is sug-
gestive as a delicate morsel, but when it comes to a
hungry man in tin cans after having laid days, weeks
and months where ice was not known, it did not appear
as a strengthening food or as a tempting viand. The
beans, too, were often spoiled and disgusting even to
think of, and served, as they were, without cooking
or even seasoning, it is not to be wondered at that the
boys became tired of that sort of living.

The hard tack was the same variety that had been
used at Camp Thomas and as long as the bread had to

126 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

be hard, there was no just cause for complaint, but
the coffee was simplj horrifying. This was all that
was given the boys warm. "Hot" would be a better
sounding word to use in the connection, but it would be
misleading. A detail from each mess was sent to one
of the ship's galleys, where buckets of water little more
than tepid were issued. These buckets were carried
back to the messes, where crushed coffee grains were
thrown in, and after being allowed to remain undis-
turbed for a few minutes, the concoction received a
small addition of sugar and the slightly colored fluid
was called "coffee." It was all that there was to be
had and of course all the "kicking" that could have
been done availed nothing.

All attempts to describe the "Finest Quality To-
matoes" could but be futile. Less narrow-minded
gastronomic critics than vegetarians have pronounced
tomatoes an excellent food, but had any one advanced
such an argument before the enlisted men of the
Fourth Ohio at that time, he would have been thrown
overboard in less time than he could have apologized,
even could one have been accepted. These tomatoes
were stale, sometimes spoiled, sickening at best, and
their effect on the moral and physical soldier was de-
teriorating in the extreme.

Who was responsible for this unnecessary suffer-
ing it is not the object of this work to determine, but
suffice it to say that the officers of the Fourth Ohio did
all in their power to prevent it. Colonel Coit even
placed his own standing in jeopardy by objecting to
such rations, but his efforts were in vain. The regi-

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 127

mental officers were compelled to take what was given
them, hence the men were forced to accept that or
none.

While the regiment was enroute from Chicka-
mauga park it was often possible for the men to visit
restaurants or provision stores and spend part of their
$15.60 per month for something to eat, but out in
the "midst of the sea" there were no stores to be visited
and he who could not eat what he was given was com-
pelled to go without eating anything.

Some of the ship's bakers proved to be generous
individuals, and taking pity on the men offered to bake
ordinary-sized peach pies at from twenty-five cents to
a dollar. It is needless to say that few pies were sold.
It might be added, however, that some were stolen.

The officers of the regiment appreciated the cir-
cumstances under which the men were placed, but
they were unable to relieve the suffering.

There was a time in the experience of many of
the boys when the subject of food did not interest them
in the slightest degree. The inevitable sea sickness
came over them in spite of all their manly efforts to
avoid it, and it was no uncommon sight to see an ex-
pectant hero delivering all his stomach or his future
contained into the deep blue sea.

When the last dim outlines of Fair Columbia
faded away beneath the horizon, the boys began to
acquire an experience entirely novel. Aside from the
view of the vessel and her spars and masts, her decks,
huge stacks and intricate machinery, there was abso-
lutely nothing on which the boys could feast their gaze

128 THE FOURTH O. Y. I.

except the sky above and the water below. Some of
them watched the waves, but those who did were soon
forced to go below to their bunks and wrestle with the
agonies of sea sickness. It was soon learned that there
are two stages of the disease: At the first the patient
fears that he will die and at the second he is afraid
that he will not die. There were a few of the men of
the Fourth Ohio who did not suffer in either stage and
these fortunate individuals found it the source of an
exquisite but certainly a wicked pleasure in tormenting
the poor fellows who struggled so nobly but so use-
lessly to keep their heads up and their feet on the
decks.

An interesting as well as profitable incident of
the voyage on the St. Paul was the religious service
conducted by Chaplain Schindel on Sunday, July
31. The service was not as largely attended as those
at Camp Thomas, perhaps, one reason being that there
was not room to accommodate all the regiment and the
other being that it was at that time a physical im-
possibility for the men to stand or even sit in one
place long enough to listen to all of an ordinary re-
ligious discourse. Chaplain Schindel himself suffered
some of the agonies of coming sea sickness, and had he
not reached his "lastly" at the time he did, the sermon
would probably have been continued at another date.

As had been done at Camp Thomas, the music
for the service was furnished by the regimental band.
Captain Sigsbee had suggested the text: Revelation
xxi, 1, "There shall be no more sea." A touching
reference was made to the life of Captain Sigsbee and

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 129

the other seamen on board the St. Paul, and when the
chaplain drew out the thought in his discourse that
the sea represented shattered hopes, unfulfilled plans,
etc., the desctruction of the battleship Maine was
made an illustration that moistened every eye within
the soimd of the chaplain's voice. One of the
thoughts brought out in the sermon was sup-gested by
the regimental clerk, Will Markeson. The sight of
the waves as they rolled listlessly about, ever and
anon striking each other and wasting their forces in an
endless but fruitless struggle, thus illustrating the loss
of many of the forces which are allowed to waste in the
life of the average man, had suggested to the clerk
a valuable lesson, and the chaplain decided that his
hearers should profit by it. The sermon was an in-
teresting and a valuable one, and will remain a lasting
impression on the minds of those who heard it.

This service is also interesting from the fact that
it was the only one conducted by troops transported
on the St. Paul while she was in the government
service and the last one conducted on her decks be-
fore she went back into service as a commercial liner.

The weather was fine during the entire trip.
There was a slight shower Monday evening, but the
only effect was to cool and purify the atmosphere, and
this was a most welcome change. Time drug heavily
on the officers and men, and the few forms of amuse-
ment that were possible to adopt soon became mon-
otonous.

Finally the boys who were on the lower decks
heard a shout from the upper part of the vessel.

130 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

Those who were above flocked to the rails; the band
struck lip a merry tune and the word was soon passed
to those who were in that part of the vessel where a
view of the horizon could not be obtained, that land
was in sight. It was indeed a grand sight, although
the land that could be seen was merely the outlines
of a small island off San Domingo, but the early
morning sun lit up the tops of the broken hills so that
the boys who had not seen anything but sky and water
for three days, considered even that a most welcome
sight. This was on the morning of Monday, August
1st, and at about 6 o'clock.

Land was almost constantly in sight from that on,
but when the port of Guanico was reached a strange
experience passed into the history of each man. The
entrance to the harbor of the village could he seen
very plainly and back in the harbor could be outlined
the mastheads and bulk of a large vessel. The village
of Guanico is only a small one, but the harbor is a
good one and as heavy storms are of frequent occur-
rence in Porto Rico and the surrounding waters, the
possession of this harbor was at that time considered
quite important. At the side of the large vessel could
be seen a smaller one, presumably a gam boat, but
even with the aid of glasses these vessels could not be
distinctly made out. All the ship's guns were loaded
and Captain Sigsbee took his place at the bridge. The
St. Paul crept cautiously up to the harbor, signals
being made to the strange craft, but without answer.
Finally the gunboat started out to sea toward tbe St.
Paul and the Ohio boys began to think that the time
had at last come for them to see real action.

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 131

As the gimboat approached nearer, however, it
proved to be the United States monitor "Terror," and
the larger vessel in the port of Guanico was the "City
of Washington," loaded with supplies for our army.
The sensations experienced by every one on board,
however, while the identity of the vessel was in doubt,
were the first of what was afterwards a series long to
be remembered.

Guanico is but an hour's sail from Ponce, the
port, at which General Brooke intended to land his
troops in Porto Rico. After a brief code conversation
with the Terror, the St. Paul steamed down the coast.
It was but a short time until the Massachusetts came
alongside and delivered mail to the officers and sailors
on board the St. Paul. A few miles further sail
landed the St. Paul in sight of Ponce, and in the har-
bor could plainly be seen the St. Louis lying in the
protecting shadows of a strong American fleet.

The first thing learned by the Ohio boys was a bit
of news somewhat disappointing when considered in
the light of their ambition to fight, that Ponce had
sun-endered without a struggle; that the people had
actually cheered the approach of the stars and stripes.
Nevertheless, the band played "The Star Spangled
Banner" as it never played it before and the St. Paul
anchored for the night.

It was rather disappointing to the men to listen to
"taps" on lx>ard the ship. So near the presence of the
enemy, they had hoped to sleep under arms, with a
double strength of guards around an actual carap 0:1
Spanish soil. Thev accepted their fate with a fair

182 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

degree of submission, merely vowing that when they
got a chance they would make up for all these hours
of monotonous waiting.

The regiment heard the first words of welcome
early the next morning when a dusky native was
rowed to the St. Paul. The skiff which bore him
across the waves was protected by a sort of box canopy,
the only evidence that he was more than an ordinary
Porto Rican. He might have been the mayor of the
city, and he might have been the governor of the
province for all anybody knew or cared, but clamoring
up the sides of the great vessel, he crawled over the
rail onto the upper deck, and swelling up at the chest,
he pointed to his home across the bay and grunted:
"Ponce! Porto Rico! 'Mericano!" Then punching
himself in the ribs, he pointed toward the scene of the
victory in southern Cuba a month before and ora-
torically remarked, "Santiag' surren', surren'." He
had evidently prepared an eloquent address of wel-
come, but that was as far as he could go and accepting
the cheers the boys gave him as gracefully as a back
county politician, he bowed another welcome and
climbed back into his skiff as mysteriously as he had
boarded the St. Paul.

Thus finding that there was nothing for soldiers
to do at that time at Ponce, General Haines was in-
structed to take his brigade forty miles further down
the coast and effect a landing at the small port at
Arroyo. It was night when the regiment arrived
there, so of course it was useless to attempt to land
troops before morning. This was still worse to

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 133

the boys and the growling was proportionately fiercer,
but the effect was the same. The Seneca with the
Fourth Pennsylvania lay nearest the shore, except the
United States battleship Cincinnati, which occupied
a commanding position of the port and the country
immediately adjoining. Then came the St. Louis
\vith the Third Illinois and the St. Paul with the
Fourth Ohio, at least five miles further from shore than
the other vessels. Lying peacefully at anchor near by,
were the tugboats Stillwater, of Philadelphia, and the
Gussie, of New Orleans. Swinging with the swell
behind the larger vessels were a number of low, heavy
lighters used by the natives of the island for drifting
sugar from the shore to the large freighting vessels
which took the principal product of the country to
foreign consumers. The lighters were called "sugar
bowls" by the sailors, because of their use. Those
secured by the navy, however, had been used at Ponce
for unloading horses and mules, forage and all sorts of
supplies and stores. These were brought along for the
purpose of transporting the men from the larger ves-
sels to the shore.

While the vessel was cruising along the coast to
Arroyo, the ordnance officer. Lieutenant Graham, was
busily engaged in collecting the old Springfield rifles,
belts and bayonets which had been taken from Ohio
and issuing in their stead the new KJragg-Jorgensen
arms. The men were also given fine web belts with
capacity for holding one hundred cartridges each, and
new bayonets. The officers were at once set to work
instructing their men in the use of the new guns and
everything was bustle on the ship.

134 THE FOURTH 0. F. /.

On Wednesday morning, August 3, arrange-
ments were begun for unloading the men. The Still-
water and the Gussie came along side the St. Paul,
the lighters were towed into position and after the
Stillwater had pushed too near the big transport and
had torn away the passageway on her port side, the
Third Battalion and the non-commissioned staff and
band, in command of the colonel and Major Sellers,
climbed down the sides of the St. Paul and then into
the lighters. The Gussie towed them to the shore
and they were at once assigned to quarters on the
outskirts of the village.

The Third Battalion and headquarters had hardly
reached shore when it was reported to the officers of
the Cincinnati that the Spanish forces just beyond the
town were throwing up earthworks. The Cincinnati
at once began to investigate and seeing through glasses
what aj)peared to be a number of men at work, she
began to pump shells into the hills. Those back on
the St. Paul could see the great volumes of smoke
belch forth from the mouths of the guns of the Cin-
cinnati and they could hear the sonorous report dis-
tinctly enough, but they could not make out what oc-
casioned the shooting. The St. Paul was too far from
shore for rifle reports to have been heard and con-
siderable fear was entertained lest the Third Battalion
might have gotten into trouble. The fact that the
lighters had all gone and that there was no possible
way of assisting their comrades only made matters
worse for the boys, and then when the St. Paul began
to push still further out to sea, the disgust of those
v,ho were left aboard could not be concealed.

TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 135

"See here," said a stalwart soldier of C Company
when some one suggested that the Third Battalion
might need help, "them there fellers belongs to the
Fourth Ohio. That's the fightin' reg'ment of this
here bregade, and Maje Sellers is right there with 'em.
Any time they ain't able to take care of their selves,
somebod'll let us know." This patriotic remark had
a good effect and the idea was carried from one to the
other until the point discussed was what kind of noise
these shells were making after they left the cannon.

In the meantime the Third Battalion was also
wondering what the mark of the Cincinnati really was,
but they knew as well as they cared to know how the
shells sounded as they sailed through the air. They
went directly over the heads of the boys in camp and
they made a noise that none of them care to hear
again. It developed later on that the fears of the of-
ficers were wholly unfounded, as no earthworks were
found in the hills at that point after hostilities had
ceased.

As soon as the Third Battalion had been taken
safely ashore, the Gussie came back for the First.
Major Speaks was in command of this trip, assisted
by members of General Haines' staff, the general
having gone ashore before. This time the Gussie
started for the open sea instead of toward the land
and she made a circle of at least two miles before she
started toward shore. The waves were high and the
lighters were tossed about as though they were but
chips. Each one contained about a hundred men,
the most of whom were so sea sick that they did not

136 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

care wlietlier they ever reached shore or not. Every-
body was sick, from the major down to the ugliest pri-
vate in the ranks, and if there were an occasional well
man, he was too busy keeping out of the way of the
fellows who were less fortunate, to appreciate the
humor of the case, if indeed there could be anything
humorous in such matters.

Just why the St. Paul could not get as near the
shore as the St. Louis, which was exactly like her and
which lay at least five miles nearer shore, is a matter
which the Fourth Ohio boys could not understand
then and which has not been fully explained yet.

It was dark when the First Battalion reached
shore, but they were taken at once to the camp assigned
in the morning.

From no fault of their own by any means, the
companies of the Second Battalion remained on the
St. Paul one more night than the others. They em-
barked under Major Baker as early Thursday morning
as it was possible to leave, and indeed they were glad
to return to the regiment. By direction of Colonel
Coit, Companies H and M remained on board the St.
Paul and under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel
Adams and Captain Vincent unloaded all the officers'
personal and the headquarters baggage. This was
by no means an easy task, as the members of these
companies voluntarily testified when they rejoined the
command after it had reached Guayama.

The first camp of the Fourth Ohio on Spanish
soil was about three-quarters of a mile from the coast,
on the site of an abandoned sugar mill and on the

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 137

plantation of a Captain in the Spanish volunteer army.
He had occupied the house up to within the time the
American ships came in sight, when he took his family
and his household effects and fled. The residence
which he thus deserted became the headquarters of
the Fourth Ohio on the morning of August 3.

The house was built after the fashion common in
tropical countries, set up on posts or supporters. "A
house on stilts" was the description given by one man.

The residence part of the house was reached by
a flight of stairs from the outside with a landing on
an overhanging veranda which commanded a view
of the sea and the beautiful landscape toward the vil-
lage. Near the house was a long shed used for shelter
for the oxen and other animals belonging to the plan-
tation. As many as could be crowded into this shed
spent the first night there, while the others pitched
their shelter tents or wrapped themselves up in their
blankets and crawled into a cart or the old mill.
There was another small building, but this was used
as guard headquarters. The band and non-commis-
sioned staff established their mess in the lower part of
the house.

As soon as the men reached shbre, a strong guard
was placed around the new camp. The exercise of
the march from the shore to the site of the camp wore
off the sea sickness and the first thing the men did
when they had secured quarters for the night was to
look for something to eat. Fires were kindled and
coffee was ground. Vessels of every description
were put to use and before any one was hardly aware,

138 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

the whole plantation was filled with the invigorating
odor of coffee. Cans of beans, tomatoes and beef
were opened and actually cooked, and while this was
not the diet the appetites of the lx>ys really craved,
it was nevertheless most tempting food when it was
heated and thoroughly cooked to be served to men
who had lived on cold rations for almost a week. Be-
fore morning a pig and a calf and' several other ani-
mals died in a very mysterious way and fresh meat
formed a part of the breakfast of some. Strict orders
were at once issued against foraging, and indeed dur-
ing all the time the regiment was on the island there
was very little if any thieving done, at least by the
members of the Fourth Ohio.

As soon as the routine of camp work was com-
pleted, the men were permitted to go to AiToyo.
There the little provision stores suddenly experienced
a flood of prosperity they had never seen before. The
British consul at An-oyo exchanged the American
money for the soldiers for the native Porto Rican
coin at the rate of two pesos for one dollar. At the
stores could be bought eggs, fresh bread, cheese made
of goats' milk, Spanish sausage, wines of every age
and variety, cigars, tobacco that no American could
use and dried vegetables. At the market places were
offered for sale at what to Americans seemed phenom-
enally small prices, cocoa nuts, oranges, bananas,
limes, mangoes and other tropical fruits, although it
was the advice of the surgeons that none of this be
used. The advice was not heeded altogether, but
it must be said that the men were very temperate in
the use of the native fruits and vegetables and as a
consequence, there were no evil results.

THE FOURTH O. V. I. 139

CHAPTEE X.

THE FOURTH UNDER FIRE.

^^rroyo— The People and Climate— Fir&t Day in Camp-
Native Cigarettes— A Practice March— Orders from
General Haines— Fresh Beef Issue— Accident to Colonel
Coit— Major Speaks Takes Advance -Military Terms
Explained— A Frenchman's Information— A Funeral
"Procession"— The House "To the left"— Sergeant Rad-
cliffe's Ride— Under Fire— Spanish Bullets and Spanish
Marksmanship— Effect of Spanish Fire— Effect of
American Fire— Line of Battle Formed— Unjust Re-
ports—Spaniards Retreat— Capture of Guayama— The
Flag Raising— The Spaniards Rally— Dynamite Guns in
Action— First Night in Guayama.

Arroyo was found to be a village of about tbree
hundred people wbo depended for their living, such
as it was, upon the work afforded by the near-by
plantations and by loading freighting vessels by
means of the lighters which were used in transporting
the regiment from the St. Paul to the shore. The
village and the natives made a combination that only
one man in the regiment had ever seen before. He
was corporal Ed. O. Thompson, whose home was in
South America, but who had graduated from Ohio
Wesleyan university at Delaware just before the war.
He could read, write and speak the Spanish language
very fluently and he was at once made regimental in-
terpreter. Another member of the regiment whose
lingual accomplishments stood him and the whole
regiment in good stead was Private, afterwards
"Corporal" Will Markeson. The service rendered

140 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

bj these two men were especially valuable, not only
to themselves and the regiment, but to the cause of
the United States in Porto Rico as well.

The houses at Arroyo, and in fact all over the
island, are the typical low, flat-roofed cottages of
Spanish countries. Houses were occasionally built
high, but in most cases of this kind there were but two
stories, the lower floor being a sort of surface base-
ment. This part of the family residence was de-
voted to the use of the goats, chickens, ponies and
other family animals. The people were of all imag-
inable shades of complexion, from the mythical black
to the fairest. All spoke Spanish or French, with the
exception of a few natives of the island of St. Thomas,
formerly an English possession. These were all
negroes, but they served with some degree of satisfac-
tion as interpreters.

Although the latitude is considerably nearer the
equator than any point at which most of the men had
ever reached, the climate was not nearly so hot as had
often been experienced within the borders of the
United States, and with a constant sea breeze stirring,
the weather was fairly comfortable, provided one re-
mained in the shade. Surrounding many of the
houses were beautiful flower gardens, and the frag-
rance from the plants gave the air a pleasant odor
which added much to the pleasure of the day in camp.

The first day in camp was passed for the most
part in sight seeing. Notwithstanding the fact that
the enemy was known to be in almost firing distance,
the brigade officers were very lenient as to restrictions,

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 141

and with the exception of strong picket lines and out-
posts, there were few strict camp orders given. It
was the wish of the officers that the men be given an
opportunity to completely rest up from their long
ocean voyage and to prepare for the hazardous work
before them.

The camp on Thursday night was more com-
fortable than it had been the previous night, the sol-
diers having had a better opportunity to arrange mat-
ters. With fires and the additional rations that could
be purchased from the native market, existence was
much sweeter than it had been aboard the St. Paul.

One of the most popular novelties of the new
surroundings was the native cigarette. They were
found to be stronger and of an entirely different flavor
than the American article, but strange to say, many
of the users of this form of narcotic learned to prefer
them to the ''coffin nails" of their native land.

Early the next morning the boys were told to
pack up all their personal baggage and each one was
given two days' travel rations. All that was said
in explanation to this was that there was to be a
practice march much the same as those at Camp
Thomas, but embracing more time and territory.

At regimental headquarters, however, the fol-
lowing communication had been received:

Arroyo, Porto Rico, Aug. 5. 1898.
Colonel Ck)it, Fourth Ohio:

You will move out your command toward
Guayama as soon as you are ready. Have your ad-

142 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

vance guard well ahead and keep point well in ad-
vance of support. Two of the Sims-Dudley guns
will follow your regiment well closed up. They
should not take more than sixty rounds to the gun.
Be careful to keep a good lookout on each flank.
Your flank should be double the ordinary number.
]reep me posted as to progTCss. I will be on the road.
The Third Illinois will support your movement.

P. C. HAINES,
Brigadier General.

About the time the regiment left camp, a load
of fresh beef arrived from one of the supply ships
which lay in the harbor at Arroyo. Company F,
which did not leave at the same time as did the main
column of the regiment, was given charge of this
issue, with the understanding that teams be secured
and the supply forwarded to the regiment at its first
camp.

The start for the "practice" march was not made
as early in the day as had been expected on account
of several unavoidable but unimportant delays. The
regiment was formed, however, in due time, so that
before 8 o'clock the rear of the column left the Arroyo
camp. Instead of going east to take the main road,
General Haines directed that the regiment follow a
plantation trail which lead in a northwesterly direc-
tion to a point in the road leading to Guayama, the
capital of the province of Guayama. This province
embraced that portion of central Porto Eico which
extended along the southern coast.

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 143

The appearance of tlie regiment as it started
across the field was not unlike that presented at Camp
Thomas except the mounts of the field and staff of-
ficers. The horses belonging to the regiment and to
all the officers had been sent on another transport and
had not vet reached the regiment. They had landed,
however, but they were at Ponce at the time now re-
ferred to. There are no large horses in the island, but
there is a small Spanish pony, and on these boney
creatures the officers mounted, their feet extending
almost to the ground.

During the night of August 4th a battery of
Pennsylvania artillery had arrived and gone into
camp a short distance from the Fourth Ohio, and as
the latter regiment was moving along toward the main
road mentioned above, the artillerymen were leading
their horses across the field to a nearby stream for
water. Colonel Coit started to ride his pony around
one of these horses, but while he was doing so the ar-
tillery horse kicked at the pony and the hoof struck
the colonel on the leg. The blow was a severe one
and the colonel had to be lifted down from his little
steed. He ordered the regiment to proceed, however,
and Major Speaks of the First Battalion assumed
temporary command of the regiment. A surgeon was
hastily summoned from the artillery camp to attend
Colonel Coit, but Major Semeans, the regimentaj
surgeon, also appeared on the scene. It was seen that
the injury sustained to the colonel's leg might prove
serious and he was advised to return to Arroyo, but
he refused to do so, and followed the regiment, assum-
ing personal command a few hours later.

144 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

REFERENCE MARKS.

Pn Cemetery,

<V First camp in Porto Rico.

. Point at which extreme "poiiu" of nd-
"T vance guard was first fired upon.

t Position of "C" Company when fir^
™ opened.

-|- Position main column when fire opened

r^ " A" Company deployed lines.

Q "C" Company deployed lines.

j~l " B " Company deployed lines.

A "I" Company deployed lines.

CT "E" Company deployed lines-

• » Dynamite Gun's position,

^ Out Posts (Fourth Ohio.)

f^ Out Posts rrhlrd Illinois.)

X Positions of Companies"!)." "G," "K"
and " L."

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 145

As soon as the regiment reached the main road, it
was halted and Major Speaks reported to General
Haines, who had been waiting. The general directed
that one company act as advance guard and that
Major Speaks assume personal charge of this duty.
Company A was at once designated to take the ad-
vance and it proceeded several hundred yards in ad-
vance of the main column.

A Company had not proceeded far until Major
Speaks directed that with loaded pieces "flankers" and
a "point" be thrown out. For the benefit of those
readers who know nothing of military matters it is
explained that "flankers" are detachments of troops
deployed to the right and to the left of advancing
columns to discover anything that might impede the
progress of the advancing column, whether it be a
large stream, a fortification or an enemy. The
"point" is the extreme advance or "head" of the ad-
vancing column. When a line of battle is formed,
however, the presence and in most cases the exact lo-
cation of the enemy is known and of course there is.
no need of an advance or skirmish line to locate him
or to determine in any way his strength.

As the line of march was followed, all natives
were closely questioned either by means of signs or
through interpreters as to the location of the Spanish
forces. It is a fact, surprising perhaps to most read-
ers, that it was really not expected that there was at
that time an enemy of any consequence within any
significant distance.

After an advance of perhaps a mile had been
made, the flankers were strengthened in numbers and

146 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

C Company was brought forward to serve as support
of tlie advance. C Company advanced within about
500 yards of A Company and at about tbe same dis-
tance in advance of the main column, at that time
consisting of B Company of the First Battalion and
E and I of the Second and the whole of the Third
Battalion.

When this disposition of the advance had been
made, the march was pushed with considerably more
caution than had been hitherto observed. Finally a
house was reached, over which the colors of the
French nation were flying. The occupant of the
house spoke English, but with a strong French ac-
cent, and in his characteristic way explained to Major
Speaks and Captain Wilson that the Spaniards would
be found in trenches about two thousand yards fur-
ther up the road. Their position, he said, could be
distinguished by the presence of a cluster of trees
bearing red blossoms.

There were only a few soldiers besides the officers
mentioned who had any knowledge of the information
gained here, but those who were not had very strong
suspicions that something was going to happen when
they saw the preparation for trouble going on about
them. The flankers were warned to proceed cau-
tiously and they were advised as to the carrying of
their pieces, barrels and magazines loaded. The ex-
treme advance was again strengthened and the line
lengthened so that the whole of Company A was now
in the skirmish line, the extreme right extending as
far as the hills to the right of the road, a distance of
, about three-quarters of a mile.

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 147

A short distance bejond the house where the
Frenchman gave the important information as to the
position of the enemy, a strange experience was
gained by those in the road. It was the first time for
them to mtness a Porto Rican funeral procession.
The corpse in this instance was a small child; the
casket which contained the remains was a ru*de wood-
en box and the bier was the shoulder of the father.
Several half-dressed natives followed on behind jab-
bering away in their native tongue at a rate too lively
to characterize any sorrow by any means. The party
had passed the regiment, and not having the slightest
idea that it was a funeral procession, the attention of
the officers was not attracted to it. They were going
in the direction of Guayama, the town which lay at the
end of the proposed march, and not thinking it advis-
able for any one to go aJiead to inform the enemy, if
indeed one existed, as to the approach of the regiment,
the party was halted. They made a series of inco-
herent exclamations and doubled themselves up so
hysterically in making signs that the officers in charge
of the advnnce asked them in the wordless language
to open the box. They did so and there was exposed to
\-iew a sight which none who witnessed it will ever for-
get. If any had entertained doubts as to the fact that
ihc men composed a funeral party, those doubts were
removed more forcibly than eloquently when they
saw the half decomposed body of the child.

Some of those officers had little ones in their own
homes and they easily con.--idered the sorrow of the
broken-hearted mother who had spared this little one,

148 TEE FOURTE 0. V. I.

and the funeral was permitted to proceed, with strict
orders to tell no one what they had seen on the road.
It was evident from the expression of their faces and
the signs made by the men that they promised not to
say anything, but they evidently did not redeem their
promises, for when the "point" reached the Spanish
outposts, it was given a reception that showed that the
enemy knew just about where and when the advance
would reach the most desirable point for firing pur-
poses.

Passing on toward Guayama a few rods. Captain
Wilson called the attention of Major Speaks to a part}-
of people near a house to the left of the road. It was
but about two hundred yards from the main road and
opposite a point about one hundred rods in advance of
where the "point" had then reached. The party
seemed to be composed of people dressed in white and
they appeared at that distance to be women. Field
glasses were trained on the spot, but nothing definite
could be made out. Finally convincing himself that
the party was not one of Spanish soldiers, the major
directed Kegimental Sergeant Major Radcliffe to ride
across to the house and see what was there and to get
any information he might be able to gather. It was
the sergeant's birthday anniversary, and he did not
consider the presentation of this order as very com-
plimentary to the occasion, but he went over, think-
ing as he did so of the many good times he had had
back in Ohio and wondering if history in Ohio would
ever repeat itself.

He rode towards the house, but the first informa-
tion he received was from observation, for he rode

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 149

through the party of "women," who in that case were
goats. There were some people at the house, however,
and from these he learned that there were Spanish sol-
diers at Guayama. While Sergeant liadclift'e was
making this reconnoiter, the point of the advance was
ascending a gentle slope just west of a small stream.
There was a culvert across the stream at the road and
the major and those with him had just reached this
point. The culvert was undergoing repairs at the
time and was temporarily out of use, but a by-road
led into the field at the right and out again to the road
a few rods across the stream.

Just about the time Sergeant Radcliffe returned
from his little trip, and about the time the point had
readied the top of, the slope and the officers and
party had reached the point where the road parted into
the field, a sharp crack was heard from the top of the
hill. An instant later a shrill whirring noise was
heard in the air, directly overhead; this was succeeded
by another and then in rapid succession a score of
ether sharp reports, followed by the whirring, singing
noise.

Several members of the point had advanced so
far beyond the crest of the hill that they could plainly
see about fifty Spanish soldiers, in position to defend
the approach to the city. It did not require a long-
drawn out discussion by any means to determine what
the noises were and it did not require an eloquent
appeal for the men to dodge behind trees, rocks and
cactus bushes. It was the report of the deadly
Mauser that the bovs had heard and the disturbances

150 THE FOURTH 0. T. I.

in the air were made by the leaden messengers that
had called home the sons of Columbia at Santiago a
few brief weeks before.

Just who was the object of the first fire, will
probably never be known, but whoever he was may
congratulate himself upon the fact that the Spaniard
who fired it was not an expert at the use of the rifle,
for not a member of the advance guard was struck at
any time. The honor of firing the first shot at the
enemy, however, is laid claim to by Private Charles
Hughey, a member of the point who had reached
the hilltop.

The members of this squad returned the fire of
iho Spaniards and then slowly retreated to the culvert
referred to before. Every one present as a matter
of course sought shelter and then a steady fire was
poured into the place where the enemy was supposed
to be. This was a matter which had to be guessed at,
for there was not a Spanish soldier in sight, and as they
used smokeless powder, there was nothing to mark
their position. It was reasoned that inasmuch as the
bullets were whizzing either directly over the heads
of the men or striking the gravel in their immediate
vicinity, and that while they were at the foot of the
hill, those who were firing were surely somewhere at
the top, certainly not behind the ridge. The order
was, therefore, to shoot at the top of the hill, or at
any object that might be used as shelter for a lurking
Spaniard.

As evidence of the fact that the Spaniards were
overshooting their mark, if indeed they were shooting

THE FOURTH 0. V. /. 151

at the Americans nearest to them, is evidenced by
the fact mentioned before that not a single member
of the extreme advance was wounded. Private John
O. Cordner, however, a member of Company C, the
command which was now acting as support to the
advance ^ard, was wounded in the right knee. The
ball passed directly through the limb, without strik-
ing any bone, but at the time the regiment was mus-
tered out of the service of the United States the
wound had not entirely healed. About the same
time Clarence W. Riffie, a private in A Company was
struck by a Mauser, the bullet passing through the
fleshy part of both legs. His wound, like that of
Private Cordner, was not healed at the time he was
discharged.

After the firing had been kept up for about a
half hour or from a few minutes after 10 to 10:30,
Major Speaks directed that the men begin to advance
toward the hill, keeping under cover all the time as
much as possible. The boys had occupied snug posi-
tions along the side of the hill, in the culvert and at
other convenient places, but now they began one at
a time to get bolder and to creep along the edge of the
ditch at the roadside, toward the top of the hill.
Major Speaks, Captain Wilson and Lieutenant
Krumm had but one order to issue and that was to
"keep quiet." "They are just afraid of us, boys, as
we are of them," encouraged the major, "so just be
careful and pump it in to them." The boys certainly
"pumped it in" and at a rate entirely too lively for
the personal comfort of the Spaniards at the top of the

152 THE FOURTH 0. T. I

hill, for they retreated toward the town as rapidly as
the men of the Fourth Ohio approached them.
When the top of the hill was finally reached, there
were no Spaniards in view, and they had ceased firing
entirely.

Here Lieutenants Modie and Grandstaff of A
Company, who had remained in command of their
platoons, were called in and word was taken back to
Colonel Coit and General Haines, informing them of
what had been done thus far. A Company had acted
as advance, C as support and B as reserve. F Com-
pany had followed mth the dynamite guns and the
entire First Battalion had thus been engaged. There
were but two companies left of the Second Battalion,
I and E, the remaining two, H and M, having been
left aboard the St. Paul to take charge of the unload-
ing. What was left of the Second Battalion was sent
to the advance under Major Baker, with instructions
from General Haines for Major Speaks to depend en-
tirely upon his own judgment for the disposition of
these five companies. The Third Battalion, under
command of Major Sellers was thus left to act as the
support of the firing line, the Third Hlinois Regiment,
in command of Colonel Bennit, acting as reserve to the
whole. This was the only part played by the Illinois
regiment in the capture of the city of Guayama, yet
in nearly all the accounts sent at the time to the
Eastern press, the Third Illinois received as much
credit as did the Fourth Ohio. One correspondent
stated that Guayama had been captured by "the Third
Illinois, assisted by the Fourth. Ohio."

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 153

Major Speaks at once decided to make a strong
move toward the city. He realized that with that
number of troops it would be impossible to sun*ound
the city, especially when the strength of the enemy
was not known and when there were no means of
gaining that information. The fii'st move was to
form a firing line and B Company, under Captain
Wliite was ordered into the field to the right. As
soon as this company had taken the position to be oc-
cupied in the line, C Company was sent out, to extend
its line from the right of the road to the left of B
Company. I Company was sent over to act as sup-
port of B Company and to extend its right as far as
the portion of A Company, which had gone as a flank-
ing detachment into the hills at the right of the road.
What was left of A Company and E Company was
then ordered to the left of the road and the advance
was begun.

While this preparation was going on, the Spanish
outposts were reinforced. From the top of the ca-
thedral in Guayama, the Spaniards could see every
movement made by the regiment, but as they were
concealed in the bushes of cactus, palms and other
thick tropical foliage, it was utterly impossible for the
American soldiers to learn the position of the Span-
iards except from the sound of the bullets or the re-
port of their pieces.

The advance was made under extreme difficulties.
There were sharp cacti, thick underbrush, swamps,
barbed wire fences and defenses to surmount, and in
fa(>t everything possible to impede the advance of the

154 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

regimeut, yet the line pushed slowly un, pouring as
it proceeded, a most deadly fire into the town and into
the brakes where the enemy was supposed to be con-
cealed. On not more than two or three occasions
was the enemy seen at all, and when they were seen,
their backs were toward the Fourth Ohio. In the ad-
vance on the town, there was but one man wounded.
He was Stewart Mercer of E Company, but the wound
was but a slight one. One B Company man had the
sight shot from his gun, others had holes shot through
their hats and other strange things to happen them, but
miraculous as it seems, there was not a man lost and
only three wounded.

It was not a difficult task to dispose of the enemy,
but the work of pushing through the fields was a seri-
ous task and the progress was slow. The Spaniards
kept up a serious fire, but they seemed to be retreating
all the time. After they were driven into the town,
instead of taking a firm stand, when the circumstances
were even more in their favor than they had been be-
fore in the field, they retreated on through to the hills
beyond, leaving the town to the mercy of the invaders.

It was some time before the regiment really knew
that the town was theirs. When the advance through
the fields to the outskirts had been made, and when
some of the suburban streets had been reached, the ad-
vance was more rapid. When it was seen that the
Spanish fire had again subsided. Major Speaks ordered
a halt. This was at the very edge of the town and he
did not feel justified in leading the men into the
streets to be shot down from the housetops and win-

TEE FOURTH 0. F. /. 155

dows without reconnoitering the situation, but at this
juncture Colonel Coit arrived on the scene and re-
sumed command of the regiment. The colonel was
suffering intense pain at that time, the result of the
kick by the horse, and indeed had he heeded the ad-
vice of the surgeons and his friends he would not have
accompanied the command at all.

The colonel determined to allow the men to take
a brief rest and then to go into the town, and moving
quickly through the streets, he hoped to escape serious
loss and to reach the other edge of the city, thus
catching the Spaniards in their own trap. But in this
case, plans of conquest were useless, for the enemy
had gone. Before the start was made, a window was
seen to raise and a head to peep out from behind a
wooden shutter. A dozen rifles were leveled at the
window, but a gesture from the colonel lowered them.
In another moment another window opened and
another head was exposed to view. Then another
shutter was pushed slowly open and finally not only
heads but shoulders were seen. Finally hands began
to waive and signs to be made, but no one knew
whether these signs were friendly signals to approach
or whether they were evil designs of the enemy to
lure the regiment into the streets to be massacred.
Finally a man walked out upon the roof of a house
waving a white handkerchief, and other natives ap-
peared on the streets. This was considered unmis-
takable evidence that there was no more danger and
the march into the city was begun.

Colonel Coit placed himself at the head of the
Third battalion and marched rapidly into the streets.

15G THE FOURTH O. V. I.

The companies that had been out in the firing line
resumed their advance, through houses, across lots and
over fences, all in a mad race to reach the center of the
city first. The honor of reaching the plaza first is
claimed by several. There is no official report decid-
ing the matter, and it is not the intention to take up
the question here, but the man who first set his foot
on the property of the crown of Spain in the public
square of the city of Guayama, must certainly have
experienced the proudest moment of his life.

Whoever he was, he did not stand there alone
many seconds, for the Third Battalion on the one side
and the other two from the other sides were madly
rushing toward the colors, and in less time than is re-
quired to record it, the whole regiment was assembled
in front of the Capitol of the province of Guayama.
Everybody cheered as he went and everybody con-
tinued to cheer when he had reached the square. The
regiment had done excellent work, every man in it
had helped to do the work, and every one of them had
a right to cheer.

But all the cheering of that day was not done by
the men of the Fourth Ohio. There were others there
who had still better reason than they to raise the voice
which God had given them, to cheer the final freedom
which He had sent them. It was a happy day in the
history of that quaint little city. Men cheered and
women cried; children ran like wild creatures, shout-
ing as loud as their little throats would permit, "Vivan
los Americanos." Their happiness knew no bounds
and no one attempted to restrain their demonstrations.

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 157

They kissed the hands of their deliverers and fell at
their feet to worship them. They opened wide the
doors of their homes and the best of the land was of-
fered in honor of the great event. As soon as it was
possible to reach the top of the Capitol the regimental
colors were planted there, and Guayama was no longer
a Spanish province, but an American colony.

The ceremony of raising the American flag over
the captured city was probably not attended with the
eclat that would have been given it under different
circumstances. The band had been drilled in the
duties of the hospital corps and the band men had
done excellent service in carrying litters and perform-
ing other work usually devolving upon the hospital
corps all day. Their instruments had been left at
Arroyo, hence all the music there was to add joy to
the already joyous occasion was the music of the little
birds that seemed to take up the glad song of victory
and of freedom, and of the men, women and children
who joined in one glad refrain.

The flag was carried to the top of the building by
the regular color guard. Those who were present
and who helped to fasten the starry banner to the staff
were Captain M. L. Wilson, regimental adjutant;
Sergeant Major Frank C. Eadcliffe, Color Sergeant
McDonald, Color Guards Alger of Company H, C<>r-
poral Thrall of Company A and T Darte Walker, cor-
respondent to "Harper's Weekly."

While the regiment was assembled the "alcalde"
or mayor of the town, through an interpreter, made
an address of welcome to the American soldiers.

158 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

The iDterpreter on this occasion was Emanuel Lucin-
arius, a gentleman who had been educated in the
United States, who understood the English language
and spoke it fluently, and who afterwards proved to
be a very useful friend to the regiment and to its
officers.

Colonel Coit also took advantage of this, the first
opportunity, to thank the members of the regiment
for their excellent work, and to congratulate them
upon the victory of the day, but he had hardly gotten
the words from his lips when the whirring of the bul-
lets was again heard, and it was soon learned that the
flag was the object of renewed firing. This was kept
up for a few moments when a still greater danger
developed. Investigation showed that all the Span-
iards had not left the town and that those who had
remained were doing what had been expected they
would do, i. e., fire upon the men from the houses.

Colonel Coit closed that address more abruptly
than any he had ever closed before in his Hfe. He at
once ordered the Third Battalion to the northwest
part of the town to repel any attack that might be
made. It was well that this was done and that it
was done as soon as it was, for there is no doubt that
had this part of the city been left unprotected, the
hard work of the day would have been for naught.
As it was, the Spaniards had returned to within range
of the city and they were firing at the town at a lively
rate when the Third Battalion arrived on the scene.

Unfortunately little provision had been made for
the dynamite guns. There were no horses and the

THE FOURTH 0. 7. /. 159

guns had to be dragged along the road by the men
themselves. They did not reach the scene of action
in time to be turned upon the town, but they came in
for an important part in the defense of the city after
it was captured. The guns were taken out to the city
limits and planted in a commanding position. Then
the hills where the Spaniards were known to be con-
cealed were treated to a bombardment they had not
experienced since the day they were created. Huge
charges of dynamite were thrown across the fields,
which, when they struck the earth, tore everything
in their path. Great holes in the ground were torn
up and rocks, dust and pieces of timber and roots were
thrown high in the air. It is needless to say that this,
added to the effective rifle fire of the Third Battalion,
had the desired effect, and the enemy did not again
attempt to disturb the Fourth Ohio at Guayama.

As soon as the Third Battalion returned to the
city, strong guards were posted all over the town.
Private William Walcut, of D Company, was placed
on guard at the principal comer, within a few yards
of the Capitol building. At a house near him, several
shots had been seen to be fired and several times a
man with a long black beard was seen to appear on a
veranda. The shots came very mysteriously, and as
there was no smoke, it was not known to an absolute
certainty that they came from the house mentioned
except as could be judged from the report of the rifle.
One of the shots was well aimed and Sentinel "Walcut
was wounded in the foot.

160 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

This created considerable excitement and the
house was entered. The man with the black beard
was Chief of Police Blanco, an avowed Spanish sym-
pathizer, and there is no doubt but that he was the
man who fired the shoi which wounded Walcut
The house was entered by Colonel Coit in person, ac-
companied by several men, and when they came out
they had some arms, a Spanish flag and several pris-
oners of war. Among them was Blanco. They were
all taken to the provincial jail and locked up, a strong
guard being placed over the jail.

When everything had quieted down, it was al-
most dark and arrangements were begun for the night.
Company B was detailed as guard in the to\vn and the
other companies were stationed as outposts on the
north and west sides of the city. The Third Illinois
took charge of the other approaches. The men that
were left were permitted to camp for the night where-
ever they chose and some pitched their tents in the
street, others in the public buildings and others in the
plaza. Most of the shelter tents and other baggage
was discarded in the advance on the city so that many
of the men were compelled to seek shelter under
roofs or sleep in the open air.

THE FOURTH 0. 7. /. 161

OHAPTEE XI.

THE ROAD TO CAYEY.

"Battle" of Guayama — Comments on the Capture — Effect ol
This Duty Upon the Regiment — General Haines and the
Fourth Ohio — Restlessness in the City — Reconnoiter of
the Road — Spanish Camp Located — Orders for Second
Reconnoiter — A False Alarm — A Break for Guayama —
Stories of Ambush — Their Effect — Excitement at Head-
quarters— Regiment Made a Rescuing Party — American
versus Spaniard — Dynamite Guns in Action — ^A Make-
Shift Caisson — Barrio De Las Palmas — Other Expe-
ditions.

When the officers of the United States army were
instructing the officers of the Fourth Ohio as to the
preparation of blanks in the final muster out of the
regiment at Columbus in January, 1899, one of them
said: "In preparing the discharges of the men, you
will in recording the military record of each, give thos^
credit who were in action on August 5th at Guayama,
Porto Rico, as the government has dignified that en-
gagement with the name of "battle."

The simple facts that only two regiments were en-
gaged on the one side and less than a thousand men on
the other and that only a few American soldiers were
wounded and none killed, does not show any insignifi-
cance to the engagement. The Fourth Ohio was there
in obedience to orders from the commanding officers
and the spirit with which they performed their duty
as it appeared to them, would have been the same had
there been a milHon Spaniards to oppose them. Be-
sides that, the work which they accomplished was cer-

162 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

tainly one worthy the record which, the regiment had
made while it was a part of the Ohio National Guard.
The capture of the city of Guayama at that time meant
more than the mere defeat of a detachment of Spanish
troops. Guayama was a city of five thousand in-
habitants, and the province of which it was the po-
litical, social and commercial center, contained twelve
thousand people, who represented many million dol-
lars of wealth. This was all lost to the Spanish gov-
ernment and some of the hardest fought battles of
the Civil war resulted in smaller gains to the federal
government.

ISTor should the value of that day's work be
measured by the remarkably short list of wounded.
It certainly was no fault of the Fourth Ohio that not
more of their number were injured. They placed
themselves in the path of the Spanish bullets and for
four long hours they were subjected to a hot fire from
an enemy which knew every foot of the contested
gi-ound, while the Ohio boys were in a strange land
and among a strange people. The loss to the regiment
was not confined by any means to the damage done by
Spanish bullets, for the severe physical strain of the
day had a telling effect indeed, and the sweltering
rays of the tropical sun did far more damage than the
poorly aimed Spanish rifles were able to accomplish.
Captain White of B Company, who had been in the
thickest of the fray from the time the assault was
begun until the regiment reached the city, was com-
pletely overcome by tlie heat and spent the night at the
hospital in terrible agony.

THE FOURTH 0. F. /. 163

Many of the boys were overcome by the heat, and
it was not an uncommon sight durino- the advance
upon the city to see men throw up their hands and
with a shriek, sink to the earth. These sights would
probably have had a serious effect on men less de-
termined than the Fourth Ohio, for from every ap-
pearance the men thus fallen, were mortally wounded,
and this was what their comrades naturally supposed
had happened.

There are many reasonable objections to the ser-
vice of volunteer troops, and there are many strong
arguments for their efficiency, but it is very seldom
that any confidence is reposed in volunteer regiments
by general officers until they have once been under
fire and proved themselves. General Haines had
watehed the Fourth Ohio all through its course of
training at Chickamauga park. He had personally
superintended their marches, rifle practice and otber
drills and had learned to know that they were made
of the stuff that goes where duty calls. The Fourth
Ohio had never as such been under fire, but they
conducted themselves on the occasion of the capture
of Guayama with so much judgment, precision and
determination that General Haines freely announced
that he could trust any officer or man in the regiment
with any duty which falls to the lot of the soldier.

He formed a warm personal acquaintance with
the officers and with many of the men. Anything
which was in his power to bestow was freely given to
the Fourth Ohio, and that regiment received every

164 THE FOURTH 0. T. 1.

post of honor whicli General Haines liad the privilege
of giving.

On the night after the capture the town was in a
very restless condition. A night attack was feared
by the citizens, and property holders were fearful lest
Spanish sympathizers would set fire to their buildings
and escape to the Spanish camp in the hills beyond the
city. Many arrests were made during the night, of
men who it was claimed were avowed Spaniards,
and before morning the little provincial jail was
crowded with prisoners of war. These were all re-
leased, however, on their promise not to take up arms
against the United States or to assist in any way the
Spanish cause.

Those citizens who remained quietly at their
homes, whatever their sympathies might have been,
were not disturbed, and with but few exceptions these
liberal offers were not abused. The officers of the
regiment had taken quarters for the night in a hotel
adjoining the City Hall, and during the night a man
wearing citizen's clothes was caught lurking near these
quarters with a large "machete" concealed on his
person. What his intentions were, could only be
judged by appearances, and he was hurried away to
the jail to join his friends and neighbors.

The soldiers and citizens continued to be the best
of friends, the people ever ready to share their last
comfort with the soldiers who had brought to them a
new government. There were few households which
did not contain an abundant supply of wine of various
grades and quality, and this was liberally bestowed

THE FOURTH 0. V. I- 165

upon the Ohio soldiers. Some of the boys became
too ''sociable," however, and the regimental guard
house was pretty well filled up at reveille on the morn-
ing of the 6th.

The night having passed without serious trouble,
General Haines directed that the day be spent so far as
possible in rest. Guards were made as light as the
circumstances would permit and the outposts were
made as comfortable as possible. Some of these were
some distance from the city, and had an attack been
made upon them, they would have had to have f ough'
like demons to have held their positions or to have
gained the city in safety. D Company was on the
top of a mountain next the city, but it was a hard
and dangerous climb to reach their post, and they
would have had a hard time retreating to the city had
such an emergency presented itself. The other com-
panies were stationed at a bridge across the stream
"Kio Guayama," along the road from the city to the
bridge and at other points along the little stream as it
flowed along the outskirts of the city to the sea a few

miles away.

In the afternoon, Colonel Coit directed companies
A and C to make a short reconnoitre beyond tlie
bridge before mentioned, to discover if possible the
position and strength of the Spanish forces and to
report on the condition of the road.

Corporal William Markeson, who had now been
relieved of the duties of regimental clerk and returned
to his company (F), accompanied this expedition in
the capacity of interpreter. Every native that was

166 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

met was questioned as to what he knew and the
answers as to the number of Spaniards in the hills
varied from one dozen to several thousand. It was
definitely learned, however, that the main force was
near the top of the mountain range, five or six miles
further up the road and that they were busily en-
gaged in throwing up intrenchments and preparing
to receive an attack. No reliable information could
be secured as to their strength.

The road leading from Guayama, extended from
that city through Cayey, Caguas and Kio Piedras to
San Juan, the capital of the island. It had been
constructed by the Spanish government, and was
found to be one of the finest Maceadam roadways in
the world. It wound itself in gTaceful curves around
the hills, keeping in the valley as much as possible,
and cutting itself along the bluffs and by the side of
precipices like a quiet mountain stream. At many
places its foundation was the very rocks and at other
places it was filled with closely packed stone which
had been ground almost into powder. The heavy
rains and the absence of freezing had rendered the
road as hard as cement and its surface was almost as
smooth.

The engineers had made ample provision for the
little mountain gorges which would otherwise have
destroyed the road in the course of time, and beautiful
masonry marked the places where these little streams
threaded their way through the rock under the road-
way.

THE FOURTH 0. F. /• 167

At one of the turns in this road there was found
evidence that the Spaniards fully expected that the
American troops would push on toward Cayey. A
clump of bushes was so arranged that a dozen men
could conceal themselves and command a view of the
road for a distance of a hundred yards. Had an
enemy approached, they could have fired several vol-
leys into its ranks and then dropped down the em-
bankment and retreated to the next turn, where these
tactics could have been repeated. In this way it
would have been possible for fitfy Spaniards to have
repelled the advance of an entire regiment of Ameri-
can soldiers.

After the party had reached a distance of six
kilometers from the city, the lengthening shades of
night warned the officers that it was time to return
to the city. The advance guard and flankers were
called in and the march was made back to Guayama.
Both A and C companies returned to outpost duty
and the other companies remained at the posts to
which they had previously been assigned.

The discoveries of the reconnoitering party con-
vinced the officers that the Spaniards were preparing
to carry on a stout defense against any advance of the
Americans rather than an offensive campaign, and the
fear of an attack was lessened. Saturday night was,
therefore, spent in greater ease than the previous
night, and Sunday was spent in much needed rest.

The baggage from off the St. Paul had now
reached the regiment at Guayama and most of that
which had been discarded on Friday between Arroyo

]68 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

and Guayama had been collected. H and M com-
panies liad reported for duty, tlie men liad rested
and the entire command was in better condition to
hold the city or to make an advance than they had
yet been since the landing at Arroyo on the 3rd.

General Haines established brigade headquart-
ers in a large brick building at the southwest corner
of the principal square, overlooking the plaza, and
Colonel Goit established regimental headquarters in
an abandoned residence at the rear of the cathedral.
Arrangements were made to remain in the city until
more forces should arrive before another advance
would be attempted.

It was of course necessary to keep informed as
much as possible as to what was going on in the
Spanish camp and on Monday the following order
was delivered to Colonel Coit:

Headquarters Second Brigade,
First Division, First Corps,
Guayama, Porto Rico, August 8, 1898.
Colonel Coit, Commanding Fourth 0. V. I.:

Sir — The brigade commander directs that you
send a reconnoitering party on the road to Cayey
toward the place where the road has been blown up.
This party need not be a large one, not more than one
company, strong enough to take care of itself and
fall back in case of attack. The object is to secure
information and not to bring on a fight. Lieutenant
Darrow will accompany the party to sketch the
■country. Very respectfully,

0. W. FEISTTEIT, A. A. G.

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 169

A few moments after the receipt of that order,
the following was issued:

Headquarters Fourth O. V. I.,
Guayama, Porto Rico, August 8, 1898.
Regimental Order No. 77:

Captain Walsh will, when relieved by Captain
Bostwick, make a reeonnoiter with parts of Compan-
ies A and C, leaving Company C at a point about
two miles beyond Guayama bridge. This expedition
is for information only and will be made with care.
Lieutenant Darrow and interpreter will accompany
the party. You will avoid an engagement and re^
treat in order if you meet with aforesaid opposition.
A written report with all information will be made
as soon as possible. By order

COLOKEL COIT.

M. L. WILSON, Capt. Fourth O. V. I., Adjt.

In obedience to these orders companies A and C
left camp at about 8 o'clock Monday morning, August
8th. Advance guards and flankers were thrown out
and the command proceeded cautiously up the moun-
tain. The main column remained in the roadway,
but the line of flankers extended on either side, in the
valley at the right and on the mountain side at the
left. It was very hard work to climb over the rocks
and across the precipices and progress was therefore
rather slow. It was not possible for the main column
to proceed faster than the flanks which were to pro-
tect the movement, so that by noon the command had
not gone more than four miles from the bridge.

170 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

Colonel Coit had accompanied the expedition,
to be on the ground in person in case anything should
happen, as well as to familiarize himself with the
condition and outline of the country. Lieutenant
Darrow, of General Haines' staff, was also a member
of the party. It was his duty to make a topo-
graphical map of the road and the adjacent country.
The entire reconnoiter was in anticipation of a gen-
eral advance from Guayama to San Juan, and for this
reason a great deal of importance was attached to the
movement.

As had been learned through the expedition on
Saturday before, the main force of the Spaniards
occupied a position at the top of the hill, where they
commanded a complete view of the road from the
bridge to their own camp. The Spanish officers
could have seen the expedition leave camp and prob-
ably did see their every movement while on the
march.

After the command had reached an abrupt turn
in the road, glasses were trained at the hillside to the
right and there the Spaniards were in plain view.
Men could be seen with the naked eye workinsf in the
trenches, which had already been made a most formid-
able defense. There were rifle pits at the side of the
road, artillery trenches in the hill sides and embank-
ments thrown up in the middle of the passage.
Bridges and culverts had been destroyed with dyna-
mite, and an American cavalry or artillery detach-
ment would have found it Dractically impossible to

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 171

have climbed the mountain even if there had been
no defense of the road by Spanish arms.

The expedition made careful notes of all they
saw and of' what they could learn from the natives,
but they had not quite reached the bridge referred
to in the communication from brigade headquarters.
They had just passed one of the sharper turns in the
road when a hundred Mauser rifles rang out in the
fresh mountain air, directly above and in front of
them. An instant later the shrill whistle of the bul-
lets was heard directly over their heads and in another
moment a second volley was fired. Fortunately the
aim of the Spaniards, as it had been at Guayama, was
very bad, and the bullets passed harmlessly over the
heads of the Americans or struck the side of the cut
in the roadway. Some of them, however, struck the
surface of the road and had the effect of giving the
Americans to understand that they were standing on
very uncomfortable ground, to say nothing of the
unhealthfulness of the surroundings. >

The position of the command at this time was
very peculiar. The road did not extend more than a
few feet in any one direction at one place, but the
curves were sharp, bounded on the one side by the rock
at the side of the mountain and on the other side by
a deep precipice which afforded even as much danger
as the bullets from the Spanish soldiers. The head
of the column had reached a point behind a steep bluff
where it was impossible for the bullets to reach them,
but the rear of the column was in direct range of the

172 THE FOURTH 0. 7. I.

fire which was becoming thicker and more deadly
every minute.

The firing had come like a thunderbolt from a
clear sky and for a moment the officers and men of
the command were dumfounded. The order from
General Haines had been to "fall back in case of at-
tack," but here was a situation that no one could
have anticipated. To advance was in disobedience
of orders and would have been murder on the part of
the oflicers commanding it, and to retreat was plain
suicide; still, at the rate the bullets were coming
from the Spanish trenches, it was plainly seen that the
command could not remain in that position many
minutes.

The expedition had been placed in charge of
Captain Walsh, but the colonel was there and of
course the responsibility of getting out of the dilemma
at once devolved upon him. Colonel Coit's first com-
mand was to stand firm, but it was soon seen that
that would not be safe, for the Spanish soldiers were
aiming lower at every volley.

Finally it was decided that the men should re-
treat around the bend in squads so as not to attract
the attention of the enemy. The first squad waited
until they heard the shower of bullets pass over them,
then they made a mad rush around the curve before
the Spaniards could fire another volley. The first
squad made the trip successfully and then the next
tried it. Those who were waiting in the meantime,
hugged mother earth as closely as it was possible for
them to squeeze their bodies into the shallow ditch

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 173

at the side of the road where they patiently waited
their turn to slip behind the friendly embankment.

After a few squads had gained the protection of
the turn in the road, some one repeated a command
to "retreat two by two." Another person gave the
alarm: "The cavalry is coming! Run for your
lives!" In the absence of a second order, these cries
confused the men so that no one knew just what
was really expected of him. Some of the men be-
came frightened and ran down the road as fast as
their legs could carry them. Sergeant McConnel and
his squad, which had at first formed one of the flanks,
but which, owing to the rough condition of the coun-
try had dropped back and acted as the rear guard,
at once placed himself in the middle of the road and
declared that he would kill the first man who at-
tempted to pass him.

At the same time Lieutenants Reynolds and Alex-
ander regained control of the men in their own com-
pany and order was soon restored, but not until the
following had been wounded: Noble W. Horlocker,
Company C, right ankle; Harry L. Haynes, Com-
pany C, left shoulder and right arm; Samuel Jones,
Company C, knee; William Edgington, Company
A, thigh; Edward Thompson, Company K, wrist.

Some of the men, however, had managed to get
down the road before Sergeant McConnel could stop
the mad retreat, and they rushed pell mell down the
hill to the bridge where M Company was then sta-
tioned. They related a marvelous tale of how the
expedition had been ambushed and how almost the

174 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

entire command was either killed or captured, and in
a few minutes all sorts of wild rumors had reached
regimental and brigade headquarters.

Everything at Guayama was in a state of wild
excitement. Stragglers kept coming into the city,
telling still wilder stories so that every one was at a
loss to know just what had really happened. Major
Baker was in command of the regiment when the first
rumor reached the city, but at that time he happened
to be away from headquarters and could not be found.
Colonel Adams soon appeared, however, and he at
once ordered those companies nearest the city to go up
the road and assist the reconnoitering party if that
party still existed. Major Baker hastened to his bat-
talion and Major Speaks, hearing the rumor at a dif-
ferent part of the city, returned in all haste to regi-
mental headquarters only to find the building de-
serted.

Company B was still on guard in the city and
they had theu' hands full maintaining order, for be-
tween the soldieirs and the citizens all was chaos.
Major Sellers and Colonel Adams soon had the out-
posts well in hand and as many men as could be
spared from these companies were hastened up the
road. M Company, which was already at the bridge,
had started for the scene of trouble before the regular
command reached it, but it was soon overtaken and
the regiment marched up the road in regular order.

As the reinforcement advanced, they were met
by stragglers from A and C Companies who were
totally unable to give any intelligent information as

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 175

to what was really going on or what had actually
taken place. Careful questioning of these men failed
absolutely of result and the relief had to push its
way up the steep mountain road, expecting every
minute to receive a terrific fire from an enemy in
ambush. Caution and speed were combined as far
as possible, however, and the regiment hurried to the
rescue.

Strangely enough, the command reached the
re^ionnoitering party ^vithout being fired upon.
As soon as the party was reached, explanations
were hastily made and a course of action de-
termined upon. The Spaniards had as a mat-
ter of course observed the approach of the fresh
troops, but they supposed that the reinforcement had
come for more than to merely cover the retreat of
their comrades. They had, therefore, themselves re-
treated to a stronger position further up the hill and
had there awaited an assault. As soon as they dis-
covered the real purpose of the movement of the ad-
ditional troops, they grew somewhat bolder and re-
opened the fire.

The column had not yet exposed itself on the
side of the curves next the enemy and the fire from
the trenches was therefore of no serious conse-
quence. It was not deemed advisable to return to
the city without giving the Dons a dose of their own
medicine, and with that end in view. Colonel Adams
ordered several companies up to the top of the ridge
at the left of the road. In single file, the men
climbed up the steep rocky bank and pushed on to the

176 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

top of tli€ ridge, where they could secure the range of
the Spanish trenches. As soon as they were in po-
sition the men were given the command to fire and
three hundred Krag-Jorgensen rifles sent messengers
of lead into the Spaniards with as much vim as the
Spaniards had fired upon the helpless A and C
Companies.

In the meantime the dynamite guns were hurried
forward. No horses had yet arrived, so it was neces-
sary for the men themselves to drag the heavy guns
up the hill. An attempt was made to press the little
Spanish ponies into this service, but they were too
small and the effort had to be abandoned. The
ammunition for the dynamite guns was taken to the
scene of action in heavy ox carts, and this trip forcibly
demonstrated the uselessness of this primitive beast
in warfare. That the guns ever arrived in position at
all was a wonder to all who saw the trip made.

The rifle fire was kept up at a lively rate until
the guns were 2"otten into position, when the small-
arm fire was stopped. It had been returned bv the
Spaniards, but the bullets fiew so far over the heads
of the men on the ridge that they could hardly hear
t*hem whistle. The Spaniards did not seem to pay
much attention to the rifle fire, but as soon as the ar-
tillery was "let loose" there was commotion every-
where in their camp. The first shot was aimed too
low, but it was near enough to suit those at whom it
was aimed and when the shell exploded with a terrific
roar, Spaniards could be seen running to the top of the
hill and to places of supposed safety in every direc-

REPRODUCED FROM A WATER COLOH

THE ROAD TO GAYEY.

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 177

tion. One of the shots was afterwards said by a
Spanish soldier to have fallen in the midst of the
trenches and to have killed outright twenty-seven
Spanish soldiers besides maiming many others.

After a number of shots had been fired into the
hills from the dynamite guns, the rifles were permitted
to give them a pai'ting volley, and the regiment re-
turned to the city.

Considerable newspaper discussion followed this
engagement, but in this case the Fourth Ohio re-
ceived all the credit and there was nothing but credit
to be given. N^o criticism was oifered whatever to
the action of the regiment, but those who had broken
to the rear and who beat a disorderly retreat were
held in considerable contempt by their comrades, at
first, but when all the facts in the case were learned,
and when the men fully declared that they heard an
order to retreat, the suspicions against them were re-
moved. The rear of the column had certainly been
in a dangerous position and the men were certainly
justified in doing all they could in self-preservation,
but it was a difficult task for them to convince their
comrades that they had actually heard an order to
run. The commanding officer of C Company was
relieved from command shortly after the party re-
turned to the city, but he was afterwards restored and
remained in command at Guayama until after his
resignation was accepted, when he returned to his
home in Columbus. ISTo charges were ever preferred
against the members of the two companies who had
started the wild rumors, although it was thought at

178 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

the time that this would be done. The place where
the firing occurred was named "Barrio de Las
Palmas," and the engagement is known by the same
name.

Several other parties were sent up into the hills
after that, but not more than a half dozen were sent
at a time and these always avoided the main road.
By creeping along the edge of the hill it was possible
for small parties to get good views of the Spanish
camp, and by the time all was in readiness for the
general attack, General Brooke had been supplied by
his scouts with maps and even photographs of the
Spanish defenses.

THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 179

CHAPTER XII.

ONE WEEK OF REST.

The Fourth Appreciated by People at Guayama — A General
Cleaning Up — Beautiful Scenery — Early Impression of
Porto Rico — Commissary Condition — Fresh Meat at the
Outposts — The Water Supply — Horses and Reinforce-
ments Arrive — Hospital Established — Rumors Again —
Preparations for Advance — Final Orders Issued — Death
of Sam Hill,

The regiment now settled down for a week of
quiet rest. There was at that time nothing to do un-
til more troops arrived, for it was apparent to all that
a movement toward Cajej would be useless except
bv an overwhelming force. The Spaniards were
known to be in a strong position and that they were
m force, and besides this, they were acquainted with
the entire surrounding country. IS^ature had given
them an almost impregnable fortress, and they were
in excellent position to hold it; this they were evi-
dently determined to do.

While the troops rested, however, the general of-
ficers and their staff officers were as busy as bees.
Some were collecting information as to the strength,
position and plans of the Spaniards, others were ar-
ranging for the coming of additional troops, others
were making reports, while still others were doing
all in their power to make those comfortable which
were already at hand.

180 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

The regimental headquarters in the rear of the
cathedral was the center of attraction for the citizens
of Guayama. The other regiments of the brigade
were in camp outside of the city and their members
were very seldom seen on the streets, but the people
of Guayama had learned that it was the Fourth Ohio
which had made them free from Spanish rule, and
anything they had or could secure was gladly turned
over to the soldiers. This kind feeling was warmly
reciprocated, and soldiers and citizens were the best
of friends for a long time, but a change came, which
will be treated later.

While the regiment was in the city, word came
that the St. Paul was under orders to return to the
states and that she would take mail from the soldiers
if delivered within a certain time. There was a mad
rush for stationery, but there was very little to be
found except the ofRcial paper at the City Hall.
This was Spanish, and not only afforded excellent
writing paper, but it made an appropriate souvenir of
the victory to send home. Thousands of letters were
written to dear ones at home on this paper. Postage
stamps were nowhere to be found, but they were not
essential to the sending of the letters. By a ruling
of the postofRce department, soldiers in the field were
permitted to send mail matter without postage pro-
vided they wrote their names across the envelope,
marked it "Soldiers' Mail," and had the same ap-
proved by a commisioned oificer. The letter was sent
just as though it bore the usual stamp and the postage
was collected at the office where it was delivered.

THE FOURTH O. T. I. 181

This arraBgoment was a great accommodation to the
boys, as it was almost an impossibility for them to
carry postage stamps with them, and now that they
had reached a foreign country, United States stamps
could not be secui-ed.

Before the regiment left Guayama, however, the
United States government had established a very ac-
ceptable postal service, and it was not only possible
to purchase postage stamps, but postal money orders
could also be secured and it was possible to register

mail.

While the reg-imental headquarters were in
Guayama during that week, the soldiers themselves
were not always there. Company B had been re-
lieved as provost guard by a company of the Third
Illinois, but matters did not go as they were supposed
to move and the Fourth Ohio company was returned
to duty in the city. The other companies of the
regiment remained at outpost duty at different sta-
tions near the city.

The troops in town were quartered in buildings,
while those out of town were obliged to sleep on the
ground under the little shelter tents, which afforded
very little resistance indeed to the heavy rains which
fell for hours at a time. By pitching their tents,
however, beneath the trees and in the shelter of banks
or crevices, the boys managed to get along fairly well.
Those men near the Guayama bridge availed them-
selves of near-by sheds for sleeping quarters.

The commissary department of the Fourth Ohio
during all this time was indeed in a sorry condition.

182 TEE FOURTH 0. V. I.

There was canned beef and tomatoes and some beans,
but aside from this very little could be procured.
There w£.s hard tack^ but it was a poor quality;
there were fresh beef issues, but they came so seldom
that the boys did not get time to appreciate it; there
was coffee and sugar, but not in the abundance it
should have been, and it was an uncommon thing for
a man to drink a gill of coffee, eat a small piece of
hard tack and stand guard all night in the presence
of the enemy.

When the fresh beef was issued, the company
cook details improved the opportunity to work off
some of the beans and tomatoes in very liberal propor-
tions. By purchasing a few native vegetables with
the pennies which could be collected in the compan-
ies, it was possible to prepare a suspicious looking
mess which the cooks called "soup," but which in
most cases was a base deception. The "fresh" beef,
it should be understood, was beef that had been con-
tracted for in the United States, and it had been ship-
ped from the west to the seaboard, then transferred to
transports and shipped to the soldiers in Cuba and
Porto Rico. It was packed in ice, then taken out in
lighters and brought to shore, where it was once
more loaded on ox carts and dragged from the coast
towns to the soldiers inland. Handled either in the
hot tropical sun or in the heavy rains natural to
these climates, the reader can easily imagine how
"fresh" the beef was when it reached company cook
quarters. The dealings of government contractors

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 183

for subsistence was, after the war, the subject of in-
vestigation by a board appointed for the purpose.

The market at Guayama afforded a limited sup-
ply of food, consisting of oranges, bananas, mangoes
and other tropical fruits, most of which was forbidden
to the men by the surgeons. Fresh and salt water
fish could be purchased in abundance, and milk, com,
yams, cheese and eggs could also be secured. The
one difficulty, however, was the scarcity of funds with
which to purchase these things, as the men had seen
the paymaster but once since they had been in the
federal service.

The outposts of the Spaniards and the Americans
were almost in range of each other and oftentimes
at night when a cow or a horse would be seen wan-
dering through the hills, the animal was mistaken
for an enemy and shot by a picket man. The mis-
take could not be discovered, of course, until daylight,
and when the "enemy" proved to be a cow, sheep or
goat, the company near whose post the killing had
been done, invariably enjoyed a feast of their own.
The neighboring plantations were well supplied vnth.
chickens also, and if the owners could be made out
in any way to represent sympathy for the Spanish
cause, foraging expeditions were organized against
the place and the trophies secured helped to make
merry the hearts that watched night and day over the
approaches to the captured city and the camp of their
comrades.

The march from Camp Thomas to Rossville, the
long car ride to the coast, the voyage on the St. Paul,

184 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

the severe weather and the hard work since the boys
had landed on the island, were causes which combined
to render every thread of wearing apparel and
blankets in a condition for the laundry. The men
had several chances to get small articles of wearing
apparel washed "on the jump" from time to time, but
even then they alv/ays ran the risk of never seeing
the clothing again, because of the uncertainty of the
movements of the regiment. When it was seen that
nothing would be done until reinforcements an-ived,
the boys with one accord started on the hunt for
laundries. Some of them had lost all the clothing
they possessed except what they had on their backs,
and these had to go to Rio Guayama and play wash-
erwoman until their clothing was clean and then sit
on the bank for a sun bath to w^ait for their clothes
to dry. They then dressed and returned to camp,
postponing the work of ironing to "some sweet day."
The washer^vomen of the city reaped a harvest
of which they had never so much as dreamed. They
had all they could do and more, but they kept at it
night and day, determined to do all in their power
for the comfort and convenience of the soldiers, and
at the same time to earn a livelihood for themselves.
These women would undertake to wash for a whole
compan}' almost at a time and w^ould promise to have
every garment washed, ironed and returned in less
time than it w^ould have been possible for them to
have collected it. Their work, however, was entirely
satisfactory, but their manner of selecting clothing
and their persistency in getting it mixed up as to

TEE FOURTH 0. V. 1. 185

owners was the source of no little annoyance to their
patrons.

There was no regular laundry in the city. All
this work was done by women who took the clothing
to the creek and there removed dirt and filth with the
aid of soap, cold water and hard work. The garments
were each given a good coat of cocoa soap and then
they were squeezed and beaten on rocks. There were
no wash boards used, such as American women use for
that pui'pose, but these women squatted down in the
middle of the stream and rubbed the clothing on the
rocks wdth their hands or with corn cobs and smooth
board paddles.

After they had been thoroughly cleansed in this
way they were carefully rinsed and spread out upon
the clean pebbles to dry. During the process of dry-
ing, the women would take cocoanut shells of water
and sprinkle them. This, with the aid of the bright
sun, rendered every piece as immaculately spotless
as when it left the store. Rio Guayama was literally
lined with washerwomen during the entire stay of
the soldiers at Guayama.

The process of ironing was much the same as that
used in the states except that the irons were rude
instruments to say the least, and that they were
heated on charcoal burners. After the clothing had
all been ironed and carefully folded, it was piled in a
heap and delivered according to the memory of the
one who had collected it. The result of this method
was that the clothing of the regiment became pretty
thoroughly mixed up, Init as it was exactly alike ex-

186 THE FOURTH O. V. I.

cept linen, no one suffered a great deal. The com-
promising feature of it all, was, that ten cents paid for
the largest washing that could be delivered. Prices
advanced later on, however, and it was an every-day
occurrence for a soldier to pay fifty cents to get a
shirt washed or go to the creek and do it himself.

The bathing facilities at Guayama were better
even than they had been at Chickamauga park.
Nearly all the better residences in the city were
equipped with cement bath basins, fitted out for
shower and tub baths. The privilege of these was
extended to the soldiers, and they availed themselves
generally. Many deep pools could be found in the
Kio Guayama and into these the boys plunged their
sweltering, dirty bodies to be cleansed and refreshed.

Another advantage which the duty at Guayama
possessed over duty at Camp Thomas, was the beauti-
ful scenery which stretched out in every direction.
The plain extending from the coast to the city of
Guayama was skirted on the east by a high and beau-
tiful mountain ridge, extending almost the entire
length of the island. This ridge was clothed with a
most luxuriant tropical vegetation except in the more
even spots, where the natives had cleared it of its
natural dress and had appropriated spots for cultiva-
tion. The rich southern sky for a back ground made
a view of the eastern mountain ridge one of the most
beautiful landscapes that could be imagined. Guay-
ama was inland a distance of about three miles from
the deepest part of a gentle bay. The mountain
range followed the curves of the beach, so that the

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 187

ridge encircled the valley, along the western bank of
Rio Guayama, and then changing its course again
to a westerly trend, stretched away to the other ex-
tremity of the island, apparently burying itself in the
sea below and in the clouds above.

Like a veritable bed of roses the coast plain
reached from the foot of the hills off to the water's
edge, dotted with fields of waving cane and orna-
mented with palms and ferns whose beauty could not
be excelled outside of Eden itself. Asa back ground
for this view, the waves of the Carribean sea danced
against the mossy banks of the plain and then lost
themselves in the deep blue bosom of the mighty sea.
The sight of a single sunset as it lingered at the top
of the beautiful mountain range for a moment, then
dropped behind the hill to be reflected by the sea
below in the fleecy clouds above, giving to the whole
a coloring Avhich no brush could imitate, was well
worth a journey to the spot to witness.

The weather was certainly hot. It was almost
impossible for a sentry to pace a beat in the sun for
more than a few minutes mthout being completely
overcome. The water supply in the city was secured
from large springs in the mountain and conveyed to
the residences and other buildings through thin iron
pipes, but it was very warm, and such a luxury as
ice could not be secured under any circumstances.
There was an ice plant at Ponce, however, and the
supply for the hospital had to be carted across the
country over a rough, rocky road forty miles long.
The hills were warm to their center from the heat of

188 THE FOURTH 0. T. I.

the sun above and the heat of the interior beneath,
&o that the water never was and probably never will
be cool. The water for drinking and cooking at the
outposts was secured from the streams and springs.
It was all very warm and unrefreshing, so that the
men suffered considerably from thirst.

A short time after the city had been captured,
the telegraph line which had been abandoned by the
Spaniards was placed in repair and in this way the
signal corps opened communication with Ponce.
Until that time messages had to be carried by dis-
patch boats along the coast.

Newspapers and news associations were obliged
to file their reports at St. Thomas, a Danish island,
about seventy miles from Guayama. The reports
from Guayama were taken to Arroyo and there de-
livered to special news boats, which carried the mes-
sages to St. Thomas or Jamaica. No mail had, of
course, been received from home as yet, and the men
^vere practically in ignorance of what was going on
at Washington or Madrid. A meager report would
occasionally reach the camp through the newspaper
boats and these would instantly magnify into the
wildest rumors that could possibly have been in-
vented.

The health of the men during the first week
was far better than any one had anticipated. Several
men had been overcome by the heat and there was
one or two cases of typhoid fever, but these were
supposed to have been developed at Chickamauga
park. With everything apparently in their favor,

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 189

with a prospect before them of just such an experi-
ence as they had longed for and worked for in the
Camp Thomas training school, the spirits of the boys
remained as bright as they had been since the regi-
ment left Columbus in May.

It was under such conditions as those just de-
scribed that the first impressions of Porto Rico were
formed. The men thought that they had surely
reached a paradise and they were happy. Some be-
gan to lay plans for remaining there after the war.
Others wrote home to their friends, telling them what
a resort had been found, and urging them to follow
as soon as possible. The more enthusiastic attempted
to purchase real estate and to make arrangements
for settling down for the remainder of their lives.

On August 10th the hospital corps and the regi-
mental detachments amved at Arroyo. A field hos-
pital was established there, but it was removed in a
day later to near Guayama. Other troops began to
appear, cavalry and artillery, besides the escort which
had covered the march of the hospital outfit from
Ponce. The horses and mules belonging to the
brigade arrived also, and final preparations began
making for the advance toward Cayey and San Juan.
News reached Guayama that Spain had sued for peace
and that hostilities would soon cease, and it was de-
termined that if anything should be done it must be
done at once in order to hold as much territory as
possible when the end should come. Orderlies and
staff officers could be seen hurrying from one head-
quarters to the other all day on the 12th, and that

19U THE FOURTH 0. V. 1.

night the commanding officers were called to brigade
headquarters, where the plan for the movement was
explained to them and each was assigned the duty
which he was to perform.

About 11 o'clock Thursday night, the battalion
commanders were instructed to have their companies
ready to move at 5 on the morning of the 13th. All
the companies had now been sent to outpost duty,
Company B having been again relieved. They were
not disturbed that night, however, but the order waa
communicated to them early the next morning.

Shortly after the battalion commanders had re-
ceived their instructions, Captain Sellers, of D Com-
pany, called at headquarters and asked for Major
Sellers, of the Third Battalion. When he found the
major, the captain reported one of the saddest acci-
dents that could have happened throughout the whole
campaign.

One of the outposts guarded by Company D waa
at a lonely spot on the north side of the mountain,
east of the Guayama bridge. This post was in com-
mand of Lieutenant Turner, and one of the members
of the Guard was Private Sam Hill. Private Hill
had been relieved and had gone to his tent until big
turn would again come to take post. It is supposed
that he arose in his sleep and wandered from his tent.
Those on guard at the time could not have noticed
him leave his tent, hence his comrades were in ig-
norance of his absence.

The hills and the valley below were known to be
full of Spanish guerillas and picket duty on these

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 191

posts was very dangerous. One of the guards who
had relieved Private Hill and the relief of which he
was a member, noticed an object moving in the dark-
ness near his post and he at once commanded "halt."
The challenge was unheeded, but it was repeated only
to be again unheeded. The moving object had every
appearance of a human being, but in the darkness it
was impossible to distinguish between friend and foe.
Before offering the third challenge the sentry called
out, "For God's sake speak or I'll fire!" and at this
somewhat irregular but conscientious challenge, it
seemed to raise up as if to spring, and the sentry fired.
Investigation showed that the object had in-
deed been a human being and that it was Private
Hill. The sentry who had fired the fatal shot was
crazed with grief when he saw the lifeless body of his
comrade, but he had done his duty and was blameless.
The news of the accident fell like a pall upon the
entire company, but every member realized that no
person was in any way at fault, and the body of the
unfortunate man was laid tenderly away in the gov-
ernment burial lot at Guayama.

192 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

CHAPTER XIII.

BEGINNING OF THE END.

Imposing Scenes— Breakfast in the Rain— Expedition As-
signed to Fourth Ohio— March Begun— Guide "Backs
Out" — Plan of Operations— A Rocky Road — A Hot
Day — Danger in Straggling— Lunch and a Short Rest-
End of the March^ — Hostilities Suspended — Retraced
Steps — Friday and the Thirteenth — Intense Suffering-
Temporary Camp— Hospital Call— Permanent Camp.

On the morning of August IStli the members
of the Fourth witnessed a sight thej could never
forget. A light rain had fallen during the night in
the city, but out where the companies were located,
the rain was quite heavy and continued until some
time after daylight. The men were obliged to pre-
pare breakfast and get ready for the day's work in
this kind of weather, but there was very little
gTumbling except that they had not been given a
warning sooner of what was to come. The regiment
assembled early and before 7 o'clock it was reported
to General Haines ready for duty.

It is not necessary to give the general plan of
the movement in this connection, even if the details
were at hand. The object was of course the conquest
of the island and the immediate capture and possession
of the city of Cayey, the capital of the province of the
same name. General Brooke was on the scene of
action and personally conducted the initial move-
ments. The Fourth Ohio had been recommended to

THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 193

him as a command which could be thoroughly relied
upon, and from this recommendation and from what
he had seen at Camp Thomas, the regiment was as-
signed the most difficult part of the movement.

The regiment assembled on the road leading
from Guayama to Cayey, between the city and the
bridge. Before they could proceed on the march,
however, and while they were in line. General Brooke
and his entire staff passed up the road. Following
the general and his staff came a large detachment of
cavalry, the most of them regular, one troop, the
First City Troop of Philadelphia. The firm, reso-
lute faces of these men as they galloped along the
line of the Fourth, gave the boys a feeling of confi-
dence and they were more anxious than ever to
measure strength with the Spanish forces.

The rear of the cavalry column had hardly
pasrjed when the sonorous rumbling of artillery was
heard as it rattled over the road into position beyond
the bridge. Then came Colonel Bennit at the head
of the Third Illinois and then the Fourth Pennsyl-
vania, commanded by Colonel Case. Knowing the
situation as they did, the Fourth Ohio at first regarded
with considerable suspicion the result of this expedi-
tion, for they knew full well that from their position
in the hills the Spaniards could see exactly what was
going on and that they were as a matter of course pre-
paring to receive any attack that might be made. The
resolute appearance of the men who had passed -^dth
the cavalry, however, and the heavy guns that spoke
destruction inevitable, manned by men who were as

194 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

anxious to fight as the members of the Fourth Ohio
could have ever been, and these, backed up by the
other regiments of the brigade, of which the Fourth
Ohio was a part, inspired such a feeling in the minds
of the boys that they expected to see the very hills
before them torn to pieces and the war brought to a
summaiy close before night fall.

As soon as this force had cleared the way, the
Fourth Ohio started on the march, in an opposite di-
rection, or back towards the town. They passed on
through Guayama and on to the road leading to
Ponce. This road was followed for a distance of
nearly a mile when a turn was made to the right and
the line of march was continued along a rough, rocky
road that had the appearance of being a private lane.
The Second Battalion marched at the head of the col-
umn and the First Battalion was assigned to the rear.
The march was well protected by a strong advance
guard, E Company under Captain Vincent having
been assigned to this duty.

The column advanced through fields and across
meadows, over deep ditches and along rugged streams,
pushing its way at times through thickets and planta-
tions and again coming out into rocky barren places
where the horses could hardly be pushed along at
all. A guide had been secured to point out the way,
but when it came to the test, he refused to go along.
General Haines accompanied this expedition and he
at once sent back to Guayama for Emanuel Lucinarius
who bravely offered to show the way through the
mountains.

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 195

Briefly stated, the plan was for the Fourth Ohio
to take a very circuitous route through the mountains,
arriving at the rear of the town, while the remainder
of the force was to have advanced over the main road.
The main column would probably have attracted the
attention of the entire Spanish force, so that the
Fourth Ohio could have moved practically unnoticed
into a strong position and the work would have been
done. At the same time General Miles, with his
army at Ponce, would advance from Comoa, the town
which had already been captured with a small loss,
so that the Spaniards would have been compelled to
exhaust their every resource to cope with such a
movement.

The men had been ordered to take two days' ra-
tions with them, and this, added to the weight of the
regular equipment began to weigh pretty heavily on
the men before they had gone very far. The tac-
tics that had been followed on the march from
Arroyo w^ere again adopted and shelter tents, blan-
kets and ponchos were thrown by the wayside. The
rains had entirely ceased and the sun beat down upon
the men most unmercifully. The band had again
left their instniments behind and were acting as mem-
bers of the hospital corps. The sun beat down upon
these men, however, with as much force as it did
upon the companies, and they were almost as help-
less as the other men. They accomplished much
good, however, by caring as best they could under
the circumstances, for the men who were compelled
to drop from the ranks on account of the heat.

1% THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

Considering the terrible heat and the rate at
which the march was kept up in order to reach the
town at the appointed time, there were not as many
stragglers as might be supposed. There was a fight
in view and this kept the spirits of the men in such
condition that they could have borne even worse hard-
ships than they had yet suffered. Before noon, how-
ever, the unrelenting heat had claimed quite a num-
ber of ^dctims and the poor fellows who could go no
further were cared for as \vell as could be done many
miles from a hospital.

Straggling was very dangerous, for the moun-
tains were known to be full of guerillas and scouts
from the Spanish army, and it was learned after hos-
tilities had been suspended that small reconnoitering
parties had actually concealed themselves and watched
the regiment thread its way through the bushes and
among the rocks. They were in such small force,
however, that they regarded it folly to make their
presence Imown in any way, but had the line of march
been marked with men who had fallen from the ranks,
they could easily have been captured and carried
away to Spanish prisons.

A peculiar fact connected mth the history of the
Fourth Ohio is that every movement was either made
on Friday or on the 13th day of the month. This
movement was made both on Friday and on the Thir-
teenth, and while the regiment at least as a whole
was not superstitious in any way, many of the mem-
bers fully expected that something serious would
happen. Dozens of places were passed, where, if the

THE FOURTH 0. 7. /. 197

Spaniards had seen or had been ready to act, the
regiment could have been wiped out of existence so
completely that not one would have survived to tell
the tale. As these places were passed the men in-
voluntarily heaved a sigh of relief and figuratively
^'held their breath" until the next pass came into
view. Every rifle was loaded, chamber and magazine,
and during most of the march, every trigger had a
finger ready to touch it in the name of "Fair Co-
lumbia and the Stars and Stripes."

The regiment reached a beautiful, well-shaded
spot along the bank of one of the mountain streams
about noon, and here a short stop was made for din-
ner. 1^0 fires were kindled except a few of sticks
where the men prepared cups of coffee. "Prime
Roast Beef," "Boston Baked Beans/' and "Finest
Quality Tomatoes," mth a liberal supply of hard
tack and river water, made up the menu of the lunch,
but it was heartily enjoyed by all, as was also the
short rest which was permitted after lunch.

When all was again ready, the march was re-
sumed, but perhaps at a little higher rate of speed
until the last mountain pass was reached. This was
little short of a cliff, but it had to be surmounted just
the same, as the other bad places had to be gone over.
It was about 2 o'clock when the foot of this hill was
reached and a brief rest had been ordered before the
ascent was commenced. It would have required
about an hour for the regiment to have climbed this
place, but at the top all the fighting that had ever
been asked for was waiting. The command. "For-

198 THE FOURTH O. T, I.

ward!" had just been given when an officer of the
signal corps, Major Dean, overtook the regiment, his
horse covered with lather and foam and almost ex-
hausted. When he reached the rear of the column,
he called for them to make way. He pushed tlirough
as rapidly as the men could make way for him, shout-
ing as he did so, ''Tell the colonel to halt." When
the major had reached the colonel and General
Haines, he delivered a message from General Brooke,
announcing that dispatches had been received from
Washington with the intelligence that hostilities be-
tween the United States and the kingdom of Spain
had been suspended, and that there would be no more
fighting, at least for the time being. The Fourth
Ohio was then ordered back to Guayama, to report
as soon as possible.

"This is Friday and the 13th," observed a sol-
dier, who had been an observer. ''I told you some-
thing would happen, and now sure enough we are up
against the worst snap we have struck since we left
home. All this killing march for nothing. It does

beat ," and here the pessimistic observation

was drowned in the cheer that went up from the ranks
for Uncle Sam. The march had been a severe one,
and it seemed hard for the boys to turn their
backs to the enemy they had yearned so much to
meet, but knowing that a fight on that ground would
have resulted seriously if not disastrously, the boys
accepted their fate as best they could and after a
short rest started back to town.

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 199

If tlie advance had been a severe trial, the re-
turn trip to the city was a severer one. The first
march had been attended with novelty, and with
interest and a promise of excitement, but now that the
boys had to pick their way back over the rough road
without having accomplished anything or without re-
ceiving an opportunity of showing what Ohio citizen
soldiers could do, the regiment as a whole was sadly
discouraged, and very uncomplimentary remarks were
made concerning the "backbone" of the Spanish gov-
ernment and the fighting quality of her soldiers.
However, a soldier's value is estimated by his willing-
ness and promptness in obeying orders, and here the
Fourth Ohio did its duty just as it had done on every
occasion since the day it was accepted as a volunteer
regiment.

The Third Battalion took the lead on the return
and they set a merry pace. Half running, the col-
umn retraced its steps back to town as though it had a
record to beat and had there been one it certainly
would have been beaten, for before the sun had sunk
behind the hills the regiment had just climbed and
then descended, a camp had been estabKshed and
preparations were going on for the night camp along
the Ponce road, at the point where the regiment had
left it earlier in the day.

On the return there was a large number of strag-
glers, for the heat of the sun and the severe physical
strain of the march had so nearly worn out a great
number of the men that they were wholly unable to
keep up. They were compelled, for lack of strength,

20O THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

to drop out and rest, returning to the regiment as best
they could. The hospital corps at first attempted
to assist these men, but the number increased so rap-
idly that no possible means could be devised to help
them and they were obliged to get along as best they
could. Lack of water and of nourishing or refreshing
food had rendered them almost helpless, and words
fail to describe the suffering of that afternoon. Men
threw away what clothing they could spare in order
to lighten their load and to make better progress.
Some threw their weary bodies into the streams in
the hope that in that way they could quench their
parching thirst. Men lay at the roadside begging
for water, while their comrades were forced to pass
by them, wholly unable to give them more than a
quaff of the tepid water from the little rivulets which
had almost boiled under the terrible heat of the trop-
ical sun. Some of these men did not rejoin the regi-
ment until the next day, preferring remaining out in
the open country to dragging their exhausted bodies
over the rocks before they had enjoyed a night's rest.

As soon as the temporary camp was established,
the men were permitted to report at the hospital, and
quite a number improved this opportunity to prepare
for the fight against disease. Quite a few were ad-
mitted to the hospital as patients, and it is very grati-
fying to note that no permanent evil resulted from
the terrible march.

Supper was prepared and the men, after taking
liberal quantities of hot coffee into their stomachs,
wrapped themselves in the few blankets which re-

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 201

mained, and creeping into the little shelter tents
buried themselves in sleep until morning. The
camp was not in existence long, for early the next
day the regiment removed to a hill side at the north
side of the city, the new camp bordering on one of the
Guayama streets at the south and another, the main
street or the road to Cayey on the west. The new
camp was made with the wall tents which had been
brought from Chickamauga park, a decided improve-
ment over the low thin "pup-tents."

Tf a careful survey of the whole island of Porto
Rico had been made, a worse location for a military
camp could hardly have been selected. There was
one advantage and that was the convenience to a
water supply, the city water station being located
within the limits of the camp. This proved inade-
quate, however, and water for cooking and some for
drinking purposes had to be carried from the city.
The camp was on a hillside at the base of the moun-
tain range already described. At the foot of the hill
was Eio Guayama, and this made it convenient for
washing clothes and for bathing, but the Third Il-
linois later occupied a field further up the stream
and thewaterwasthoroughlypolluted bythe "Suckers"
before it reached the limits of the Fourth Ohio camp.
The surface of the ground was such that it was abso-
lutely impossible to take a step in any direction with-
out going either up or down hill. As popular :.s dress
parades were with the regiment, a parade ground could
not be found capable of permitting a review in more
than a column of platoons and even these were often

202 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

obliged to break to pieces in passing tbe re\dewing
officer. Permission could not be secured, however,
to remove tbe camp to a more favorable location and
tbe regiment made this place its bome until October
6tb, wben tbe start was made across tbe island for
San Juan and the states.

THE FOURTH 0. 7. I. 203

CHAPTEK XIV.

IN CAMP AT GUAYAMA.

Miserable Location — Causes of Dissatisfaction — Health of
the Men — Desire to Return Home — Sickness — Condition
at Hospital — Changes in Commanders — Market — Finan-
cial Condition of Men— The Paymaster— Better Times-
Visit of Mr. Klotts — Orders to Move — Brigade Dis-
banded.

The camp at Guayama was in existence from
August 14 to October 6, when, under orders to re-
turn to the United States, the regiment marched
across the mountains to Cajey, thence to Caguas and
from there to Rio Piedras and proceeded to San Juan.
The camp has already been described as to its posi-
tion and surface. The members of the regiment had
but one consolation when the camp was established:
The assurance that hostilities having ceased, or at
least suspended, the war would soon be declared off
and the regiment returned to its home in Ohio. Had
it been generally known at the time this camp was
formed that the regiment would remain there two
long months, the howl that would have gone up from
the company streets would have been heard in Wash-
ington.

One of the first duties after the camp was formed,
was the digging of sinks and other preparations look-
ing to the health and comfort of the men durincr the
occupation of the camp, whatever length of time that
misrht be. It should be remembered in this connection

204 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

that the only commissary stores received at Guayama
were those which had constituted the diet of the reg-
iment since the day the regimental camp at Camp
Thomas had been abandoned. The regiment was not
traveling, much as it wanted to, but "travel rations"
continued to come in from the United States. The
first few days the boys managed to get along fairly
well by buying and bartering of the natives such ar-
ticles of food as the island produced and a few arti-
cles that had been imported. They were unable to
do this very long, however, from the fact that no pay-
master had yet appeared at the camp and the funds
of most of the men had become practically exhausted.

About the time the boys began to think seriously
of rising up and demanding as one man that more
and better rations be issued, they began to under-
stand that it was not the fault of the regimental or
company officers that they were not better fed, but
that it was the fault of those in the states who had
the matter of feeding the army in hand. All com-
missary stores were purchased by contract and if the
contractors could furnish the stores that would fill
their coffers more rapidly than to furnish the kind of
food which the men in the field wanted and which
they needed, the former was invariably sent to Cuba
and to Porto Rico. It made little difference how
much the men who had to eat these things, objected,
the issues continued the same.

The first diversion from the fare described was
rice and potatoes. The issue was very small, but with
its aid, the spirits of the boys were wonderfully

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 205

strengthened. Company officers did much also to
lessen the suffering of their men by saving the issues
of canned beef, tomatoes, hard tack and beans and
trading it to native merchants for yams, eggs, milk
and other provisions better suited to the climate and
to the condition of the men.

The health of the regiment first began to break
down while this camp was occupied. At Chicka-
mauga park, both the other regiments of the brigade
had suffered comparatively heavy losses by death for
soldiers not in an active campaign. Their hospitals
were full and their men were dui'ing much of the time
unfit for duty on account of sickness, but during all
this time the Fourth Ohio had suffered very little
sickness and but one death had occurred in the regi-
ment. This was the only death that occurred before
the regiment left the United States. It was but a
few days after Porto Rico was reached, however, that
sickness began to appear and there was a death before
the camp at Guayama had been established. This was
Daniel H. Dodge, of H company, who was buried at
the cemetery at Arroyo by Captain Donavin and sev-
eral other members of the regiment.

There were several causes which combined to
break down the health of the men. Without going
into technicality or detail, these w'ere, the absence of
proper food, the change in climate, homesickness and
the indulgence in the use of the native fruits and
pastry. The latter may not have caused any deaths,
but the eating of mangoes and some of the candies
and other products of the native kitchen, in spite of

206 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

the warning of the surgeons and the orders of the
colonel and company commanders, rendered many
soldiers unfit for duty. Once sick, many of them
would give up their thoughts to home and those they
had left behind, and before the patient or his com-
rades were aware, these were at the hospital in a criti-
cal condition. There was very little of this class of
disease when compared with that found in the other
commands on the island. Either the discipline of the
Fourth Ohio was better, the men wiser, or they were
less fortunately situated as to finances.

The change in climate and the lack of proper
food claimed several victims, but neither the men nor
the ofiicers over them were at fault in this matter.
The seat of this trouble has already been located. It
is a fact also that the mere fact that the men were
members of the army and that they were in an active
campaign and suffering all the inconveniences inci-
dent to that kind of duty, had very little if anything
to do with the suffering superinduced by the change
in climate. Persons going to tropical from temper-
ate climates on pleasure tours suffer the same diffi-
culty. But these causes combined had an evil effect
and can not be overlooked.

These were times that were trying to the medi-
cal department. Major Semans and Dr. Wright
worked night and day to relieve the suffering of the
men and with the aid of the stewards and the other
members of the regiment who had been detailed to
duty at the hospital, many lives were saved and much
suffering was relieved or entirely avoided. The work

THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 207

of the hospital men in this camp as well as during
all the time in which the regiment was in the service
was certainly well done and too much praise can not
be accorded them. At any howr during the day or
night that men went to the hospital, some one was
awake and ready and -willing to take care of the pa-
tient. The work of the hospital corps ie treated else-
where, but it is only proper to mention in this con-
nection the untiring effort and the noble work of Doc-
tors McMurray, Wilson, Caraon, Nurses Lane, Eeed
and others who, on account of their knowledge of
medicine and the care of the sick were assigned to
duty with the regimental surgeons. These men
worked without commissions and without extra pay
except the satisfaction of knowing that they were do-
ing much good for their comrades in distress. Major
Semans worked himself sick and had Dr. Wright
been obliged to have remained on duty at the regi-
mental hospital, he would have undoubtedly broken
completely down.

Patients could not be retained in the regimental
hospital for more than several days, when they were
removed to the general hospital. Matters here were
in a most deplorable condition as may be seen from
the followiner extract from a written statement by an
officer of the Fourth Ohio :

"On the eighth day of August my brother was
taken sick \^dth the fever, and reported to the sur-
geons of the Fourth, whose quarters were then in the
old Spanish barracks, and at my request he was later
moved to the Red Cross hospital, where he received

208 TEE FOURTH O. V. I.

very good treatment from our surgeons. Upon the
arrival of Colonel Hidecooper they were ordered to
move the sick men to an unprepai-ed hospital on the
hill, close to the city, regardless of the fact that the
men were in no condition to be moved at that time.
Colonel Coit ordered the men to be left where they
were, and insisted on his orders being obeyed, but
Colonel Hidecooper then got an order from General
Brooke and Colonel Coit was powerless to retain the
men.

"While this dispute was going on the sick men
were loaded and unloaded several times from the am-
bulance. The men were finally moved, while it was
raining, and that evening there came to me an inti-
mation that they were not being properly taken care
of. I immediately went to the hospital, where my eyes
were greeted with such a sight as I hope never to
witness again. Men in all stages of fever and other
kinds of sickness were lying on the ground with noth-
ing to lie upon save their own blankets, and a large
portion of the men were not under even a tent, but
were lying beneath a fly, where the rain was dripping
in upon them, and for over a week the men tad noth-
ing to eat except regular army rations, unless some
kind hearted comrade would spend some of his
meagre salary for food for his friend."

In a quiet spot in one corner of the cemetery at
Guayama is a little lot belonging temporarily to the
United States. Here under the sweltering rays of
the southern sun lie buried the remains of those
noble sons of Ohio who were unable to withstand the

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 209

liardsliips of military service. They had fought
bravely the enemy of their native land, they had
braved the dangers and the hardships of the mai'ch
and the watch, but they had been stricken from the
ranks in the still watches of the night by the hand
that no military power could stay. Each of these was
tenderly laid to rest on beds of beautiful flowers and
the last sad rites were performed with the same
reverence and tenderness which marks the part-
ing of loved ones in the Christian home. Each
time the muffled notes of the drum announced
the muster out of a comrade, heads were bared and to
the slow, mournful step of the funeral march, the
remaining members of the company of which the
dead soldier had been a member, followed the rude
bier to the little cemetery where a beautiful funeral
ceremony was performed and with the last sound-
ing of "taps," the departed one was left to know no
more of the cares of military life or the sorrows of a
world where men meet men at the point of the sword.

The graves of all the deceased members of the
Fourth Ohio were plainly marked with wooden slabs
and as this account goes to press, arrangements are
being made for their transfer back to the soil which
gave them birth and which thev left to fight for the
honor of their homes and native land.

The seasons of the year in Porto Rico are sup-
posed to be the "wet" and the "dry" seasons, but the
experience of the Fourth Ohio at Guayama failed to
teach any of its members "which was which." On
one day the rain would fall in torrents and the next

210 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

daj it would seem as though no rain had fallen for
months. Some times the men would answer the first
morning roll call in a driving rain, but before noon
the sun would beat down upon the canvas tents with
such unrelenting force that the occupants were com-
pelled to spread their blankets on the canvas to pro-
tect themselves from the terrible heat. Again it
would rain for four or five days at a time, in which
case, all the food and clothing in camp would be
thoroughly soaked. After this the sun would break
through the clouds, and beating down upon the well
soaked ground, evaporate all the moisture so rapidly
that it was too cold on the inside of the tents for the
men to remain, and so hot where the sun shone, that
one would be unable to stand but a moment without
suffering sun stroke. The heavy rains would fill up
the streams and springs so that they were unfit to
wash clothing or for bathing or drinking.

The peo^-jle at Guayama, it has been stated, were
very friendly to the soldiers when they first lauded in
the city. Anything that was in possession of the
people could be secured by the soldiers for the mere
asking. For every American dollar a soldier pos-
sessed, he could secure two Porto Eican dollars or
"pesos" as they were called. Current prices on all
the commodities which the market afforded were far
below those at home and the men felt that they had
certainly reached a home for poor men, but as the
acquaintance with the soldiers increased, the people
began to feel sorry that they had been so liberal and
it seemed that they were determined to "make up"

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 211

for the mistakes they had made in the past and prices
began to rise. An American dollar began to depre-
ciate in the native markets so that when the regi-
ment left, all a soldier could get for the "good old
American stuff" was one "peso" and sixty "centavos."
Milk advanced in price and eggs could not be bought
for less than eight cents each. Merchants doubled
the price on everything they offered for sale and wo-
men who did laundry work advanced their rates to
many times the original figTires.

This led to more or less ill feeling against the
natives, and determined to "break even" with them,
all sorts of Yankee tricks were played by the soldiers.
There was very little serious trouble between the sol-
diers and the natives, but there were several small
fights and the privilege of the camp was denied a cer-
tain class of merchants.

The better class of citizens, however, those who
owned property or those who were intelligent enough
to appreciate the advantages of the change in gov-
ernment, remained loyal in their friendship for the
Americans. Banquets, receptions and other social
functions in honor of the officers and men remained
the order of the "society" side of life at Guayama as
long as the camp was maintained. Even after the
regiment had returned to Ohio letters were received
from people at Guayama expresang the friendship of
the people there for the Fourth Ohio.

There was one class of citizens which was not
benefited by the change of government and which
did not benefit the United States bv its acauisit:on.

212 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

This was the lowest type of Porto Riean. He was
black, dirty, lazy, ignorant, immoral, naked and dis-
eased. He would steal the clothing from a corpse and
while the regiment was in the field before Guayama,
some of these fellows robbed the knapsacks of the
soldiers who were fighting for their liberty. He
profited only by the increase in the population, thus
receiving a broader field in which to operate his ne-
farious method of securing a livelihood. The mili-
tary authority paid little attention to this class, ex-
cept to give them scraps from the camp mess and to
aid the civil authorities in arresting and imprisoning
them. They did not live in houses, but existed more
as the lower animals. There was little hope for their
improvement and as it was dangerous to get near them
on account of disease, the soldiers remained away from
them as much as possible.

Aside from the digging of sinks and other fa-
tigue duty in keeping the camp clean, there was lit-
tle duty to perform at Guayama. There was a camp
guard maintained, but at first it was dangerous for
the men to get beyond the limit of the outposts and
after hostilities had ceased there was little temptation
for the men to leave camp except to go into the city.
Passes were issued to a few each day and those who
went mthout passes were liable to arrest by the pro-
vost guard on duty in and about the city. This made
camp guard duty very light and it was often taken ofl
at night in bad weather except at one or two posts for
the purpose of keeping watch over things in general.

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 213

Guard was mounted in the morning, one company
going on at a time.

The first several weeks,- provost duty was per-
formed by the companies of the Fourth Ohio, the
different commands taking turns as in camp guard.
This duty was at one time assigned to the Fourth
Pennsylvania, but after a few days was returned to
the Fourth Ohio. Companies A and E were then de-
tailed to perform this duty and Lieutenant Colonel
Adams was made provost marshal of the town. These
companies remained at this duty until they boarded
the Chester to leave the island for home.

Porto Rico was sometimes referred to by the boys
as the "land of vile cigars." Tobacco was grown on
the island quite extensively and the tobacco was a
very fine grade, but it was rolled up into cigars in
such manner that they were unfit either to smoke or
to smell. The fault lay altogether in the making of
the cigar and not in the quality of the tobacco. The
redeeming feature of Porto Rican cigars, however,
was their price; for any one who cared to smoke could
get a fine cigar, at first for part of a hard tack, then
for a whole one and finally the price was raised to two
hard tacks, the quality of the goods decreasing as
rapidly as the price increased. The cigars were
brought to camp in baskets of bark or in muslin bags
and peddled after the fashion used by the appleman
in the cities at home. There were other peddlers ad-
mitted to the camp at first, but they were stopped later
on because of their method of doing business.

214 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

By an order issued from General Brooke's head-
quarters, a mail route was established between Ponce
and Guayama. Mail was received from Ponce on
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday of each week and
mail could be sent to Ponce on the remaining three
days. The mail wagx)n made the trips regularly, but
mail from home was only delivered about every two
weeks. The quickest time that was made from Ohio
towns to Guayama was ten days. This was satisfac-
tory, but there were many instances in which letters
were delivered that had been mailed weeks and even
months before, and many letters were not delivered
until after the regiment reached home. These had
been mailed long before the regiment had received
orders to leave Guayama. It was not unusual for the
mail clerks to find mail in the regimental budget ad-
dressed to soldiers in Cuba or the Philippines and it
was only natural to suppose that mail for the Fourth
Ohio was often sent to those places. There was no
regular mail line from the United States to Porto
Rico and mail was only taken to the island by hospi-
tal or quartermasters' boats.

At Guayama the mail was distributed among
the regiments and then turned over to regimental
postmasters. At Camp Thomas, Private Irvin, of M
company, took care of Fourth Ohio mail, but he was
succeeded early in the Porto Eican campaign by Cor-
poral Harmount, of K company. It was quite a while
after the regiment had been at Guayama that mail
reached camp at all. As soon as it was delivered at
the regimental postoffice, it was distributed to the

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 215

companies wliere the first sergeants took it for distrs
bution among the men. Letters and newspapers wei<'
gladly received as can easily be imagined, but wher.
thev came they were from ten days to many weeks
old and even after the regiment had reached Colum-
bus and had been mustered out of the service, mail
that had been addressed to soldiers in Porto Rico, long
before the regiment was ordered from Guayama, was
delivered to those for whom they were intended, some
of them having made a tour around the world.

During the stay at Guayama, when news from
the states was always old, rumors circulated in camp
with more rapidity and with less foundation in fact,
but with more believers than they had at any time
since the regiment left the auditorium. A group of
soldiers would often arrange a story, as far from any-
thing plausible as they could make it, then separating
to different directions, would promulgate the "news"
to all whom they met. Given a start thus, the rumor
would circulate to every part of the camp in a phe-
nomenally short time and cheer after cheer would go
up from the company streets, at the thought of going
home or doing duty of another nature. Some times
the rumor makers would make the news of a discour-
aging nature, but the result would be the same as to
its general belief and rapid circulation.

Sickness, bad weather, disgusting natives, bad
rations, lack of funds, slow news from home, the fact
that the war was over and no duty to perform that
seemed "necessary" in the minds of the members of
the regiment, an inconvenient camp, discouraging: ef-

216 TEE FOURTE 0. V. I.

feet of the constantly circulating rumors, slow action
on the part of the war department to make any head-
way in the occupation of the island, a desire on the
part of those men who had employment awaiting
them at home and who were obliged to maintain fami-
lies on the meager income of fifteen dollars and sixty
cents per month and a desire of the college men to re-
turn to their regular duties were causes which com-
bined to create a general feeling of dissatisfaction in
the regiment. There was nothing to do practically
but exist; and existence under such circumstances
as those which attended life in the camp at Guayama
was not a sweet one by any means. Everybody
wanted to go home and everybody was free to express
this desire. There was a few exceptions to this rule
however, but they were men who had no considerable
employment at home and who were '^aming far more
wages as soldiers than they had ever earned before in
their lives so they were desirous of holding to their
places as long as possible. These members soon
found themselves held in severe contempt by the
other members, for the regiment was made up of pro-
fessional men and mechanics who were actuated by
patriotism only in leaving their homes, their employ-
ment or the college to represent their state on the field
of battle.

Time drug heavily and the men began to
look about for amusement of some sort. Fre-
quent excursions were made to the seashore or into
the mountains and every opportunity that was af-
forded to while away the time was grasped eagerly by

THE FOURTH 0. V. 1. 217

all. Applications were made for furloughs and
discharges, but only a few were granted. The lucky
fellows were permitted to go home on the hospital
sMps that left quite frequently, loaded down with the
sick and dying. Men who were in the hospitals with
little hope of recovery in Porto Rico were given sick
leave and they too were permitted to go home. None
of these ever returned, for as soon as their leaves ex-
pired the time was extended, so that they did not re-
join the regiment until it had reached Columbus.

About the first of September there was a change
in cormnanders of the brigade. General Haines, who
was a colonel in the regular army, was needed else-
where in the service and he was relieved by General
Fred Grant, son of the "Silent President." General
Grant took great interest in the welfare of the men
and his personal talks and quiet inquiries with them
soon made him a popular officer with the men of the
command. The dissatisfaction continued, however,
and the desire to go home was as apparent as ever.

While the boys in Company M were exchanging
rumors and waiting for orders, the poetically inclined
"got their heads together" and composed a song which
BOon grew into popularity with the entire regiment.
It certainly voiced the sentiment of all the men. One
Averse and the chorus is given :

Lying in the guard house, awaiting my discharge —

To H — 1 with all the officers, the provost and the guard —

When we get back to Circleville, as happy as a clam,
To tell about the sow-belly we ate for Uncle Sam.

218 THE FOURTH 0. V. 1.

Chorus —

Home boys, home, its home you ought to be!

Home, boys, home, in your own. country!
Where the ash and the oak and the bonnie willow tree —

Where the grass grows green — in God's country.

Many verses were added to the song, nearly all
of which contained "roasts" concerning some of the
officers or some feature of the life at Guayama, the
rhythm somewhat irregular in some cases of course,
hut the sentiment invariably true.

One of the most interestinsr diversions from the
dull monotony of the camp was an entertainment or-
ganized and completed by members of the regiment.
Chaplain Schindel took an active part in the pre-
paration and rendition of the program and the enter-
tainment made a decided "hit" with the entire regi-
ment and the people of Guayama who availed them-
selves of the opportunity of seeing vaudeville as ex-
hibited by Ohio soldiers. The entertainment was
given on three evenings, each performance being
given for the benefit of the different battalions. No
admission was charged, hence the entertainment from
a financial point of view was a failure. The program
is given below, just as it came from the Spanish
press, as to spelling and punctuation:

4TH Ohio Infantry vaudeville Company,

Gauyama Theatre, Puerto Rico,

September 13-15 1898

EXECUTIVE STAFF.

George B. Donavan, Mounted (Prt. Ro. Stud with baskets)
Capt.: and pro. of mule corrall in Puerto Rico.
T. C. Radcliff, the only man who can make Dtails.

THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 219

J. L. Sellers, Major and manf. of cigars warranted no sellers.
M. Lee Wilson, Reg. Ajt. a farmer lad and not the proprietor

of a Chinese laundry as his name would indicate.
J. B. Adams, Lt. Col. of regiment, Guayamo Provost marshall

and Gran Jefe de Pollcia.
Col. A. B. Coit, Commanding Staff. &c. &c. &c, &c.

Opening Selection 4th Regiment Band.

PART I

THE COLONEL'S RECEPTION.

Colonel-Serg. C. K. Crum.

Walters S. Williams, B. Reynolds, W. Connell, Joe Johnson.
Ed. Jones. E. Shoemaker.

Song, "Two Roses from Mother,, — M. E. Murray.

Oomique, "Warmest Baby in the Bunch"— S. Williams.

Song, "Break the News to Mother" — Steve Henry.

Comique, "Guess that v/ill hold you for awhile" — R. Rey-
nolds.

Incidental Music, M. Co. Quarterte— Henry, Murray, Bales
and Crum.

Selection — Poet and Peasant, Regimental Band.

PART 11.

MR. SAM WILLIAMS,
The Curbstone Comedian who wants a moment with you.

MESSRS. MARK TWAY AN TOM HILL,
Ohio's Greatest Buck and Wing Specialists.

MESSRS. DAVIS AND LAMBERT,

In Feats of Juggling, Light and Heavy Balancing, Wire Act.

MR. JOHN GIBBONS,
Terpsechorean Fantastic Toeist.

MR. MARSHALL MURRAY,
Favorite Tenor.

MR. CELESTINO DOMINGUBZ,
Puerto Rican Hymn.

220 TEE FOURTH 0. V. I.

PART III.

H. BALES,
Original Sketch Artist.

MR. CHARLES WOODMaNCY,
In Novel Singing Specialty.

PROF. JESSE Vv'ORTHINGTON,
Comet Virtuoso in Aqparelle (which means real water.)

M. Company quintette, Messrs. Henry, Murray, Bales,
Mowery and Crum.

fi:n"ale

1. Uncle Sam and the Goddess of Libery review the army.

2. Uncle Sam and Puerto — Rico under the Stars and Stripes.
R. Herod, Dominguez, Mercedes Bruno.

NOTES.

Eggs tendered as compliments must be scrambled and
not over six weeks old.

The Mint Julep counter to the right as you enter under
personal supervision of Lieut. W. B. McCloud, who is feel-
ing better.

Palm leaf fans furnished by John Trent 20 centavoa

The Colonel offers $5 reward for the petrified prayer th*
Chaplain lost in the attack on Guayama.

N. B. Major Baker will please occupy an amen pew in
the synagogue so that he will be able to comprehend the
Program.

"And the next day it rained "Genl Order No. 10.

A week after the change in brigade command-
ers, there was a change in commanding officers of the
First battalion. Major Speaks, who had been with
the regiment longer than any other member, was
granted a leave of absence and on September 8, he
left the Guayama camp to go to his home in Colum-
bus. Captain Vincent of E company, the ranking
captain of the regiment, was assigned to the battalion
and he retained command until the regiment arrived

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 221

in Columbus. The association of Captain Vincent
with the men and officers of the First battalion was
mutually pleasant and while there was no important
duty to perform except at Caguas, Captain Vincent
proved to be a very competent battalion commander.

At the same time Major Speaks left Guayama, a
number of other members started for their homes in
Ohio. Among these were Corporal Williamson, of
Company F, Principal Musician Rulo and several
others, some discharged from the service, others on
sick leave and some on furlough. These men took
with them messages from nearly every man and offi-
cer in the regiment.

One of the first things General Grant did when
he assumed command was to clean up the camp and
from all appearances arrange for a long stay at Guay-
ama. He encouraged dress parades and as there was
no fit place for parade at either of the regimental
camps, the Third Illinois and the Fourth Ohio alter-
nated in appropriating the Guayama plaza for a pa-
rade ground. In the meantime, orders had been re-
ceived for the occupation of the entire island accord-
ing to the agreement made in the protocol which had
been signed by Spain. One evening about September
15, General Grant directed that the companies turn
out as full as possible as he wanted to view the actual
strength of the regiment. He personally reviewed
the parade which followed and expressed himself very
well pleased with the appearance of the regiment.

The real object of the big parade, however, was
to determine which were the strongest companies.

222 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

D and M companies turned out with the greatest
number of men able for duty and these two companies
were at once selected to take charge of provinces. A
few days later D company received orders to go to
Humocoa in the eastern end of the island and then
came orders for M company under Lieutenant Duffy
to go to the island of Vieques. This was the begin-
ning of the separation of the companies and before the
end of the month all that remained at the original
camp at Guayama were companies B, C, F, G and K.
F and K companies were soon after detached and sent
to other stations and later on B company was sent
away and a part of H company was given a station.
The inconvenience of being without money, es-
pecially when payment of hard earned wages from
such employers as the government is past due, is an
experiment hardly calculated to be enjoyed by many;
at least it was an experience not enjoyed by the
Fourth Ohio. One of the favorite subjects for rumors
was the paymaster and he was reported every day. One
rumor would have him in Guayama with the informa-
tion that he had forgotten the money or that he had
come as far as Arroyo and then changed his mind and
had gone back to the United States. Another rumor
impressed upon the minds of many that the regiment
would not be paid at all in Porto Eico, but that pay-
ment would be deferred until the regiment reached
New York, but on the evening of September 22,
Major Jones, one of the volunteer paymasters, arrived
in camp with money with which to pay the regiment.
The news spread like wildfire, but there had been so

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 223

many similar stories exploded that the rumor at first
was regarded with more or less suspicion, but the safes
had been left at guard headquarters for the night and
nearly every man in the regiment walked through a
pouring rain to confirm the story for himself. The
good news had a remarkable effect on the men and
the benefit of good spirits among the soldiers could
be seen before "taps" was sounded for the night. For
the time being, the question of going home was aban-
doned and the men spent the night in their tents,
dreamins" of the good things to eat which they had
been denied on account of the lack of means with
which to secure them, but which they could now en-
joy to their hearts' content.

A brigade store had been established in Guay-
ama for the benefit of the officers for they were not
provided for as were the enlisted men, by the gov-
ernment. They had to purchase all their subsistence
with private funds and had not this store been estab-
lished, the officers would have been compelled to de-
pend entirely upon the native markets for their liv-
ing. At this store there was offered for sale, tobacco
and canned goods, dried fruits and vegetables and in
fact everything that would not perish in transit from
the United States to Porto Kico. While the store was
intended for the convenience of the officers, enlisted
men could purchase any article offered for sale so
that when the paymaster made his appearance, every
man in the regiment could see before him an oppor-
tunity for at least one "square" meal.

224 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I,

The weather was exceptionally bad at the time
Major Jones began paying the men on September 23,
but the spirits of the regiment presented quite a con-
trast to the condition of the weather. The boys
marched through a heavy rain to the regimental
headquarters and then as soon as they received their
money, they hastened to the brigade store to pur-
chase anything they could get that was fit to eat. The
result was that by the time the Fourth Ohio was paid,
the stock of the brigade store was almost exhausted
and the members of the other regiments at Guayama
were compelled to save their money until a new
supply could be received. After the men had pro-
vided themselves with all the provisions they could
secure, they visited the Guayama stores and purchased
everything in sight that could be carried home as
souvenirs of the place. In this way the sums that
were distributed by the paymaster soon disappeared
and the men were again "financially embaiTassed,"
but they were happy. At the same time the business
of Guayama had exprienced such a revival that it had
never seen before or probably will ever know.

Major Jones had hardly finished paying the
troops when he received orders to pay for the month
of September so that the men received pay for three
months at one time. The effect of this was not only
that the men had plenty of money, but also that the
health of the regiment was greatly improved and
from that time on the sickness began to disappear until
when the regiment left Guayama, there were very
few men in the hospital. The boys could purchase

THE FOURTH 0. F. /. 225

eggs, milk and fresh meat, and this added to what
they could secure at the brigade store had "filled a
long felt want" with the result that was only natural.
As soon as the troops at Guayama were paid, the de-
tachments were followed up and the money due them
duly delivered.

If the visit of Major Jones produced a good ef-
fect on the enlisted strength of the regiment, it had
a better effect upon the commissioned officers, for
they were suffering really more than their men.
Many of them "messed" with their companies, but
even this advantage could not be enjoyed by the field
officers for they had no men with whom they could
board. The brigade store did a credit business to a
very limited extent, but the officers could secure the
same bread that was issued to the men by paying for
it. A bakery had been established at brigade head-
quarters, but the quality of the product was such tliat
the operation of the bakery at home would not have
had a serious effect on the market. Sergeant George
Zwemer, of D company, the oldest enlisted man in the
regiment in point of service, acted as steward for the
headquarters officers' mess and it kept him busy gath-
ering up food for his wards on the few pennies that
could be raked together among the members. When
the payment was made, however, Zwemer was a
happy man as was also those who depended upon his
judgment and activity for their daily bread.

After the health of the men began to improve
there was less cause of complaint against the Guay-
f.ma camp, but the main cause for the desire to go

226 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

home still existed and rumors were soon a.2:ain on
their way about the camp. It was but a few days
after the visit of Major Jones that a happy epoch in
the history of the camp was made. It was the visit to
the boys of Mr. Frank P. Klotts, a Columbus gen-
tleman, whose son was a member of Company A.
Mr. Klotts had come to visit his son, who had been a
patient in the hospital, but when the father arrived
at the camp, he learned that the son had been sent
home on a hospital ship and that the two had uncon-
sciously met in mid-ocean. Mr. Klotts was loaded
down with letters from parents to their boys in the
field and the receipt of these and the sight of "a real
live Buckeye" as one of the men expressed it, was the
source of much pleasure to the boys. The visitor was
received with open arms and every comfort the place,
afforded was bestowed upon Mr. Klotts during his
stay in the camp. He remained but a few days and
returned, taking with him thousands of messages to
the folks at home.

After the visits of the paymaster, very little oc-
curred to break the monotony of camp life until early
in October, when orders finally came for the dis-
bandment of the Second brigade. The Fourth Penn-
sylvania regiment had been sent home, nearly every
man in the Third Illinois was either in the hospital
or sick in quarters, so that the regiment was practic-
ally unfit for duty, and all the work in sight had de-
volved upon the Fourth Ohio. For this reason it was
decided to disband the brigade and relieve the Fourth
Ohio with fresh troops. Porto Rico was divided into

THE FOURTH 0. K i. 227

two military districts, the divisions of the West with
headquarters at Ponce, General Henry commanding,
and the division of the East under General Grant,
with headquarters at San Juan. Accordingly what
remained of the Fourth Ohio in the camp at Guayama
was ordered to San Juan, with a view to the embarka-
tion there for home.

228 THU FOURTH 0. Y. I.

OHAPTEE XV.

FROM GUAYAMA TO SAN JUAN.

Regiment Leaves Guayama Camp — "The Girl I Left Behind
Me" — Marching Through Rain — Road to Cayey — A
Terrible March — Arrived at Cayey — Further Detach-
ments— Flag Raising — March to Caguas — Duty There —
Flags Raised — March to Rio Piedros — Arrival at San
Juan.

The morning of the sixth day of October, 1898,
is one that the boys of the Fourth Ohio will never for-
get. It was then that it was definitely decided that
the camp at Guayama would forever be abandoned
and such information, although for many weeks
longed for, prayed for and hoped for, was a glad sur-
prise to every man in the command. A and E com-
panies, which were left behind, did not fully under-
stand why they, too, were not included in the order,
but life with them in the city had not been attended
with many of the inconveniences of the hillside camp,
and they could easily see hoAv, if they were the only
troops at Guayama, much of the unpleasantness of
the place would be avoided.

It was arranged that the regiment would leave
Guayama early Thursday morning, but General
Grant showed his confidence in the officers of the
regiment and the ability of their men by saying to
Ck)lonel Coit: "Colonel, you will proceed as far as
Cayey Thursday, raise the flag there, and leaving

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 229

Captain Potter's company in possession of the town,
you will make headquarters at Caguas until further
orders. I leave all to your judgment."

Thursday morning was dark and dreary — just
the kind of weather to drive the men into their quar-
ters, there to exchange condolence and cigars and sing
the songs of home. The distance from Guayama to
Cayey is seventeen miles and the colonel realized that
the start must be made as early as possible to make
the trip. Dinner was ordered at 10:30, and all day
long the men packed their belongings. As soon as
dinner was over, wagons were driven through the
camp for all subsistence, personal baggage and com-
pany chests and desks. Unfortunately some of the
men neglected that most important of a soldier's duty,
the filling of haversacks. This was the source of
much annoyance later on.

At 2 o'clock all was ready and the start was
made. It so happened that the boys got off "between
showers," but they had not proceeded far when the
first shower came up. The "first" might be said to
be the only one, because it rained almost constantly
during the entire march of seventeen miles. After
the regiment was formed the column moved in fours
to the music of "The Girl I Left Behind Me." Then
the band struck up "Dixie" and "Marching Through
Georgia." Everybody was happy. Even if it had
been raining, snowing or anything, it would have been
good enough for "The Day "We Leave Guayama."

The rain began soon after the start was made.
All the men had to carry was their canteens, haver-

230 THE FOURTH 0. V. 1.

sacks and rifles, so they could easily use their pon-
chos. These are good things in light showers, but
when they were put into service in water spouts and
cloud bursts, they proved about as serviceable as pieces
of mosquito bar the same size. Long before dark
every officer and man in the regiment was as wet as
he could be.

The road from Guayama to Cayey has been de-
scribed in another chapter. It is a dangerous one to
travel in daytime and much more so at night. At
one side, the bluffs towered high above the heads of
the traveler and on the other the descent was as steep
as a stone wall. A misstep at any time might have
meant a severe collision with the sharp stones in the
grade at one side or a fall into the darkness and gloom
thousands of feet below at the other. To these con-
ditions add darkness so dense that one could abso-
lutely see nothing twelve inches in front of him, and
one may form an idea of the march to Cayey.

One of the interesting features of the march was
passing along the point where A and C companies
met with the disaster on August 8, and the sight of
the intrenohments and fortifications which would have
had to have been carried, had a forced movement
toward San Juan been ordered before August 13. At
one point the Spanish garrison could have marched
out to the roadway, killed off a regiment in one vol-
ley, and returned to their quarters before the next
regiment would have had time to come up. When
the boys saw what they might have had to encounter,

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 231

most of them heaved a sigh of relief to realize that
the war was actually over.

With the darkness came an experience which
in every particular beggars description. Wet to the
skin, supperless, tired and weary, the men plodded
along, all the way up hill, through narrow passes,
where the men actually had to feel their way; where
had a step to the side been made, the unfortunate
would have been dashed to the rocks a thousand feet
below; where, had a horse become frightened or
jumped to one side, it would have meant certain
death to himself and rider; where, had a Spanish sym-
pathizer chosen to have done so, he could have blown
out a culvert, and dozens of lives would have gone
out in an instant; where if one man fell, a whole
company would have stumbled over his prostrate
form.

Men who had been over the road in the daytime
were sent ahead as guides. The regimental staff
followed, most of the officers leading their horses.
The guides were of little use, however, as all they
could do was to shout back that the road was clear.
They could announce a new turn to the right or left
every few yards, but no one could see it, and the
warning simply made them more careful in feeling
for the road.

Had it not been for the presence of an All Wise
Providence, the regiment could not possibly have
covered the distance. Even as it was the wagon train
had to halt and wait for daylight. Every few min-
utes the lightning would flash across the road, thus

232 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

showing the way for a few feet. Often the regiment
had to halt and wait for a flash of lightning to show
culverts where the water could be heard roaring
down over the precipices. A peculiar circumstance
which seemed to be a manifestation of the presence
of Providence was the settling of a large "lightning
bug" on the hip of the chaplain's horse. Company
B followed immediately after the chaplain and those
in front could see which way to go, guided by this
animal "pillar of fii-e."

It was shortly after nine o'clock when the regi-
ment reached Cayey. The wagon train with all sub-
sistence was back in the hills and no food in the haver-
sacks. Company commanders hustled around, how-
ever, and secured some bread and the men were put
to "bed" on a cold cement floor with bread and water
for support and their clothing thoroughly soaked.
Friday morning quinine was issued freely and as soon
as the wagons arrived the men were given a good
breakfast and some of them were able to secure dry
clothes. By noon everybody was comfortably fixed,
but no duty was assigned except to Company F and
the First provisional battalion.

Although Cayey had been occupied several days
by American troops, the Stars and Stripes had not
been ofiicially raised in the town. As Company F
had been ordered to take possession of Cayey, that
company was accorded the honor of raising the flag.
The entire First Provisional battalion, organized at
Guayama by direction of Colonel Coit, and consisting
•of companies B, C, G and H, turned out under Cap-

THE FOURTH O. V. I. 233

tain Vincent. Preceded by the regimental band the
battalion escorted F company to the city hall.

Lieutenant McCoy and Sergeant Freeman raised
the flag, F company fired the salute and the band
played "The Star Spangled Banner." When the citi-
zens saw the beautiful tri-colored banner floating over
them, and realized what it meant, they went wild
with excitement. After a short serenade by the band,
the battalion marched around the plaza and public
square, thence back to the quarters near the town.
The Spanish flag, which had waved from the public
hall of Oayey, became the property of Captain Vin-
cent. The exercises of the afternoon were thoroughly
enjoyed, and the men felt that they were amply re-
warded already for their long weary march across the
hills.

At Cayey K company left the regiment to go to
Aibonito to take possession of that and the towns in
the district so that all that remained of the "regiment"
was the First Provisional battalion. The start to
Caguas was not made until Saturday morning and
the time spent at Cayey as the guests of F company
was for the purpose of rest. An amusing experience
during this brief stay was a serenade by the native
band. The members were not in uniform, either as
to dress, time, harmony, pitch or chord. The in-
struments were somewhat similar to those used in
American bands except the drum or "guichara"
which was a long ghord shaped species of calabash,
which had been plucked while green and in the sur-
face of which had been cut a number of small circu-

234 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

lar grooves whicli liad become almost as hard as flint
when the instrument had ripened in the sun. It was
"played" by rubbing a hard stick across the grooves,
thus making a most unearthly noise, but which
served as a very good chronometer for the other per-
formers. After the band had "rendered" several se^
lections. Colonel Coit addressed the crowd, which had
assembled, expressing for himseK and staff, an ap-
preciation of the serenade and the royal welcome
which the citizens of Cayey had given the American
troops. The crowd answered with cheer after cheer
for the "soldados Americanos."

An early start was made Saturday morning and
before noon the regiment was well on its way to
Caguas. The rains had ceased and the sun shone
brightly, but not nearly so hot as on the day of the
last long march on August 13th. The distance was
about the same and the road led first to the top of the
northern mountain chain and then down again into
the fertile valley below, where the town of Caguas
was situated. It was two o'clock when the regiment
halted outside the city limits and preparations were
made for the entrance into the city. At the time
of the march from Guayama to Cayey, many of the
boys would drop from the ranks and then wait for
the baggage train to ride. This was avoided on the
march to Caguas by sending the baggage train ahead
of the regiment. Even this arrangement did not pre-
vent all the boys from saving their legs, for they
walked ahead of the regiment on some pretext or
other and caught up with the train when they would

THE FOURTH 0. F. /. 235

cKmb on the wagons in spite of the protests of the
drivers and ride over the remaining portion of the
march. The wagon train had not been at Caguas
more than an hour when the main column appeared.

The regiment halted long enough for the few
stragglers to come up and for those who had gone
ahead to be brought back and then with colors flying,
a triumphant entry to the city was made. A hearty
welcome was extended to the regiment by the citi-
zens and the town was dressed in holiday attire.
From nearly every building the American flag
proudly waved and the people nearly shouted them-
selves hoarse at the sight of the troops. Captain
Trench had occupied the town for several days with
L company and the American flag had not only been
raised over the public building, but it had been placed
on every business house and private residence in the
town. These flags were supplied by the citizens
themselves.

The occupation of Caguas was not attended
with the discomforts of Guayama. The citizens were
found to be far more intelligent and the business men
far more reliable than those at Gnayama and these
conditions, together with comfortable quarters in bar-
racks for the men, made the stay at Caguas very
pleasant. Then again there were not so many sol-
diers to enjoy the hospitality and generosity of the
people and this state of affairs increased the comfort
of the men.

Soon after the regimental headquarters had been
established at Caguas, four nurses arrived in Porto

236 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

Rico to take care of the sick of the Fourth Ohio.
The members had written home from the camp at
Guajama while everything was at its worst and the
people of central Ohio had become thoroughly
alarmed for the safety of their sons and friends in the
island. The noble women who offered their services
for the men of the Fourth were Sisters Mary Bren-
dam and Mary Edberga, Miss Dr. Emma O. Jones
and Mrs. Taylor. These ladies were eminently qual-
ified to take care of the sick soldiers, but they did not
arrive until September 28, and this was after the
men had been paid and many of the sick had been
sent home. There was still a number in the hospital,
however, and the work of these good women was
greatly appreciated by the physicians and by every
officer and man in the regiment. They remained
with the regiment until it reached Columbus, when
they were extended the same welcome that was made
for the men. They were made honorary members of
the regiment and they were appointed lieutenants
with spcial commissions by Colonel Coit.

On October 12 Company C was sent out to the
town of Aguas Buenos to assume charge of the town
for the day and to convert it into an American sta-
tion by raising the flag of the United States. Cap-
tain Reynolds took a detachment of his company and
accompanied by Major Baker several headquarters
attaches and the band, the detachment rode across
the country in wagons. The road was not a rough
one, but it extended through one of the most pictur-
esque sections of the island. Aguas Buenos was in

THE FOURTH 0. V. J. 237

the center of a rich coffee growing section and the
people were found to be well to do and very intelK-
gent The soldiers were welcomed to the village and
the flag was raised over their homes with great re-
joicing. As a part of the flag raising ceremony Major
Baker made a brief address to the assembled populace,
telling them to be good and that things would come
out "all right."

The Spanish flag, which had been on the al-
calda's ofiice, became the property of Captain Rey-
nolds. Major Baker was presented with a memorial
thanking the American troops for the benefit they
had been to the people of Porto Rico and pledging
their allegiance to the United States. After the cere-
mony of raising the flag, the alcalda received the
American officers at his home with all the prominent
citizens of the province as guests. An elaborate
breakfast was served and after making several calls
upon other of the officials, the detachment returned
to Caguas. On the following day B company was
sent to the town of Gurabo and the American flag:
was raised there also. Here the soldiers were given a
most hearty welcome and they were entertained with
the best the town afforded during their brief stay. A
detachment from H company was afterwards sent to
Aguas Buenos, but no troops were assigned to Gurabo.

Two days after B company returned from
Gurabo. Captain White received orders to proceed to
Rio Piedras and take possession of the entire district.
Rio Piedras was on a short railway seven miles from
the capital and the third largest town on the island.

238 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

The service of the company at this station is de-
scribed in another chapter.

Guard duty at Caguas was performed by the
different companies which remained, C, G and H.
Guard was mounted each morning and the regular
camp routine, even to evening parade, was main-
tained as though the entire regiment was stationed in
the city.

One of the most pleasant features of the stay at
Caguas was the supply of ice which was received
daily from San Juan. This was a luxury which the
boys had not enjoyed since they left l^ewport ^ews
and the rapidity with which ice cream and lemonade
disappeared would have made the keeper of a circus
refreshment stand grow sick at heart. A concert was
given by the band in the plaza each evening and the
people enjoyed the music very much. There was a
number of fine musicians at Caguas and these with
some of the members of the band aiTanged an enter-
tainment which proved quite a success. At first the
soldiers were not restricted as to their mingling with
the natives, but this privilege was abused by a few
careless men so that by special order, at the sound-
ing of "taps" every man in the command except
those on guard was expected to be in quarters.

Frequent excursions were made to San Juan the
capital, and on the occasion of the formal possession
of the city by the Americans on October 18, Colonel
Coit and his staff and a large number of the men and
officers of the regiment went to the city to witness
the flag raising ceremonies.

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 239

Finally, on the 28tli, the command having been
relieved by a detachment of the First Kentucky, the
regiment marched from Caguas to Rio Piedras. F
and K companies had also been relieved and had
joined the regiment. The march from Caguas,
seventeen miles, was made in five hours, remarkably
good time for that climate and the kind of day, for the
sun shone almost as hot as it had on August 13, dur-
ing the forenoon, and then in the afternoon a terrific
rainstorm came up. F company had not started with
the main column and these men were nearly drowned
when they reached Rio Piedras.

The command took dinner and a good rest at
Rio Piedras and at four o'clock all the companies ex-
cept B boarded a train and proceeded to San Juan.
B company marching across the valley to the capital,
earned the record of being the only company which
had marched across the island from the Carribean
sea to the Atlantic ocean. Two other companies,
however, K and L, had marched a greater number of
miles.

240 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

CHAPTEK XYI.

THE HOSPITAL CORPS.

The Corps in the Fourteenth— Its Organization and Effi-
ciency— Its Effect on Enlistment — Refused Admittance
as a Body Into the U. S. Service— Members Enlist in
Companies — Details at Camp Thomas — Reserve Ambu-
lance Corps— Detachments From the Regiment— Orders
for Porto Rico — Reunited on Massachusetts — Again
Separated in Porto Rico — Sent to San Juan— Home
With the Regiment — Stragglers Arrive.

When the Fourteenth Eegiment of Infantry of
the Ohio l\ati<nal Guards assembled for the T)urpo&e
of entering the volunteer service of the United States,
that organization contained one of the best auxiliaries
for hospital service within the United States. It
consisted under the state regulations of one major
surgeon, three assistant surgeons, one hospital steward,
two acting hospital stewards and twenty four privates.

The surgeons were men who had been chosen
for their fitness in duties which were liable at any
time to occur in street riots and other emergency
cases where the state militia was apt to be engaged.
The stewards and acting stewards were men who had
been trained by education and experience to perform
just such duties as would be likely to devolve upon
them in times where judgment, alacrity and precision
were elements absolutely essential in their qualifica-
tions as such ofiicers. The privates were all young
men who had taken and nourished an interest in the

FROM PONCE TO ARROYO.

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 241

care of the sick and tliey had by study, application and
drill acquired such an ability in the matters pertain-
ing to active field hospital work that they were ad-
mitedly among the best men Ohio or any other state
could have furnished a military organization.

It is a fact that the rapid enlistment to the
maximum strength allowed by the government in so
short a time was due to the fact that it was well known
that the Fourteenth was better able to take care of
her sick than any other regiment in the state service.
The hospital corps was the pride of the regiment and
of that section of the state which boasted the Four-
teenth Infantry. Everybody fully expected that the
hospital corps as it was organized would be a part of
the new regiment of volunteers that was being or-
ganized, and great was the surprise and the disap-
pointment of not only the men and officers of the
regiment, but the corps itself when it was learned that
the order for the new organization would not permit
the muster of the corps. A great effort was mad©
by the hospital boys, the members of the regiment
and the citizens of the state to prevail upon the gov-
ernment authorities to arrange for the preservation
of the corps, but the effort was in vain.

When the time came for muster into the United
States service, the hospital corps, as was the case with
the signal corps, ceased to exist, at least so far as the
Fourteenth Kegiment could be concerned. The sur-
geon and two assistant surgeons retained the rank
which they had held in the old regiment. The two
acting stewards were made stewards, but that was all

242 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

of the former corps as ?iich, that was accepted by the
United States mustering officer.

The enthusiasm in military matters, the loyalty
to the regiment and the patriotism that the men of
the hospital corps possessed is shown by the fact that
as soon as it was learned that they could not enter
the volunteer service with the regiment as an auxil-
iary organization they were at once divided among the
companies and enlisted as privates of infantry. They
served as such until the regiment reached Camp
Thomas, when they were detailed by a regimental
order to their regimental hospital. They continued,
however, to draw rations, clothing and pay from the
companies in which they were enlisted, until by di-
rection of the war department at Washington they
were made regular members of the hospital corps,
and assigned to duty wherever, in the judgment of
authority higher than the head of the regiment, they
were most needed.

The first several Aveeks at Camp Thomas was
attended with more or less sickness in the regiment
on account of the change of water, diet and climatic
conditions and the advantages of a regimental hos-
pital corps were apparent to all, but this fact only
made the boys of the regiment feel the more keenly
the loss of the old militia hospital service. Under the
circumstances, the work performed by the medical
department, officers and men^ was as able as could
have been expected and the fact that the regiments
on either side of the camp of the Fourth Ohio suf-
fered heavily from death, while the Fourth Ohio did

THE FOURTH 0. V. 1. 243

uot lose a single man, speaks volumes in praise of
the discipline of the regiment and the ability and
energy of those officers upon whose shoulders rested
the responsibility of taking' care of the health of the
boys from central Ohio.

Major Surgeon Semeans remained with the regi-
ment more than either of the other two physicians.
He was detached for a time at Camp Thomas, in com-
mand of the Division hospital and he was also absent
a few weeks from the Guayama camp on account of
his health. He worked night and day, was as untir-
ing in his effort to serve the members of the regiment
as a human being could be, and while he and his
department were handicapped in peculiar ways at
times, there was never a time when a member of the
Fourth Ohio could not obtain any medical or surgical
aid that he required, without going outside the lines
of his owTi regiment. Even when it did become nec-
essary to send a sick soldier from the regimental hos-
pital to places where more elaborate arrangements
had been made for his treatment, Captain Harry M.
Taylor, one of the assistant surgeons of the regiment,
was oftenest the man to look after his welfare. Dr.
"Wright, the other assistant surgeon, was also de-
tached, having served from early in June until in
July at the Division hospital at Camp Thomas. From
the time he rejoined the regiment he was on duty
with the Fourth Ohio until Company M was assigned
by Colonel Coit to assume charge of affairs at Vieques
when the doctor was designated to accompany this
company as its medical officer. He did not return to

244 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

the regiment until the entire command was reunited
at San Juan.

The only members of the medical department
who were not at any time detached from the regiment
were Steward John Richards and Private Haiice.
There was not a man in the Fourth Ohio at the time
of muster out who did not consider himself a personal
friend "of long standing" with either Stewards Rich-
ards or Ritter. The latter was detached from the regi-
mental hospital for a short time only at Camp Thomas
and for a few weeks with F Company while that
command occupied Cayey.

The first medical officer to be permanently de-
tached from the regiment was Captain Taylor. On
June 8th the doctor was ordered to report to Major
James Johnson, of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania regi-
ment, to assist in forming an ambulance service for
the First Army corps. The doctor left at once and
the result of the consultation of these two and other
surgeons was the formation of the "reserve ambu-
lance corps." This was made up of men detached
from all the various regiments stationed at the park.
Application was first made for these detachments by
the officers of the Reserve corps and as soon as the
men reported to the chief surgeon they were as-
signed first to ambulance companies and then to am-
bulance corps as the exigencies of the service required.
Most of the Fourth Ohio boys remained under the
direct command of Dr. Taylor. They were together
throughout all the Porto Rican campaign until in Oc-
tober, when the corps was disbanded at Guayama.
Two of these men, Curry James and Stephen Darby,

THE FOURTH 0. F. /. 245

were promoted to the rank of acting hospital steward
while in this service.

Those of the Fourth Ohio who were not as-
signed to this work were Privates Judkins, Pringle,
Wright, Moon and Davis. These were assigned to
the First Division hospital while the regiment was at
Camp Thomas. The latter was discharged from the
service before the close of the war, but the remaining
four did not return to their command until in Janu-
ary, 1899, after the regiment had returned to Colum-
bus in November, 1898. Privates Judkins and
Pringle had been assigned to the Third Brigade hos-
pital, and Moon and Wright to the Reserve Hospital
company.

Up to July 20, Captain Taylor filled at the Re-
serve Ambulance corps at Camp Thomas, the offices
of Quartermaster, Commissary, Ordnance Officer and
Medical Purveyor. At the date mentioned he was re-
lieved of all these duties, but was continued in the
service of the corps, and on August 20 he was made
acting brigade surgeon of the Second brigade, First
division, First corps. On September 1st, 1898, at the
time of the retirement of Major Frank Boyd, of the
Third Kentucky, Dr. Taylor became the commanding
officer of the Reserve Ambulance company near
Guayama, which command he retained until this
hospital was ordered disbanded and the Fourth Ohio
started for San Juan on October 6.

On July 20 the ambulance corps was ordered
to move from Camp Thomas to 'New Port News, Yir-
ginia, preparatory to embarking to Porto Rico. The

246 TEE FOURTH 0. V. I.

transport Massachusetts was provided and besides the
regular hospital outfit, there was loaded on the Massa-
chusetts, eleven hundred horses and mules, and two
million rations for General Brooke's army.

The Massachusetts sailed on July 26th and ar-
rived outside the harbor at Ponce on Tuesday, Aug-
ust 2. Here the Massachusetts struck a coral reef
and she was unable to move. The horses were all un-
loaded and taken to shore in lighters and this without
the loss of an animal.

The Massachusetts was relieved of all its cargo
and passengers by the evening of August 7th. As
soon as the landing was made, the hospital outfit and
the escort went into camp on the outskirts of Ponce.
The next morning, Monday, August 8, the start was
made for Arroyo where the entire Second brigade
was supposed to b^, but which in reality was at Guay-
ama, ready for an attack at any moment. The march
from Ponce was in command of Captain Williamson,
a regular army officer and a member of General
Brooke's staff. Lieutenant Fred Whiley, of I com-
pany. Fourth Ohio, was with the party, his duties be-
ing to look after the stock in general and to take care
of Fourth Ohio property in particular. There was an
escort of two troops of cavalry, one a Philadelphia
troop and the other Troop H, of the Sixth regulars.
There were two signal corps companies in the com-
mand, but they were only partly armed. What arms
they did possess consisted of a variety of revolvers
and rifles so badly mixed as to pattern and calibre
that no such thinq- as uniformitv existed.

THE FOURTH O. V. I. 247

i

Besides the quartermaster's stores tliat had to be
conveyed in wagons, there was the entire mule coral
and the horses to be taken. The order of march was
in column of fours and a jolly time was seen before
the column was ready to move.

The general plan for handling the mules was for
one man to ride a mule and lead three. It would
probably have been easier for the rider if the rule had
been reversed and there had been three men for each
mule. They twisted together, kicked, ran, broke
their halters and in fact performed all the antics
known only to the typical government mule and be-
fore the column was ready to start, Dr. Taylor had
sent three men to the hospital with a brilliant pros-
pect of sending the rest of the command to bed before
the column had moved a mile,

Finally, when all was supposed to be ready, the
command ^'Forward March" was given and the col-
umn proceeded to "march," some of it forward, an-
other part backward, to either side, and indeed some
of it straight up into the air. That "start" was an ex-
perience entirely new to the members of the Fourth
Ohio medical department, but it was one they never
forgot.

As soon as the mules and the riders became ac-
quainted and learned how to "take" each other, better
progress was made, but before the command reached
Arroyo, seventeen army mules had gone to their re-
ward and had to be accounted for by responsible offi-
cers after the march was ended and the war was over.
It has been said by those who have had experience

248 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

with army mules that these animals are a source of
vexation from the time they make their appearance
on earth until long after they are dead.

The second night out in the march, the boys met
with another experience which they never forgot.
The line of march extended along the road known as
the "coast road." This road was in many places a
mere trail and the mud in the lower districts was al-
most bottomless. Progress was naturally slow, but in
addition to this mud there were streams to ford, causr
ing increased delay and greater danger to life and
property, and the entire country was infested with
Spanish g-uerrillas. This was the first expedition to
go in this direction along this route and a great pre-
caution was as a matter of course maintained at all
times. As soon as a camp was established strong
picket lines were formed and outposts were estab-
lished. On the night referred to, a number of shots
were heard near one of the outposts and the result
was considerable confusion in camp. One of the sur-
geons, not a member of the Fourth Ohio, pulled down
his shelter tent from over his mate, packed all his be-
longings, climbed in his saddle and remained there
until daylight, unheedful of the reproaches and jests
of his comrades.

It was learned that the shots came from an at-
tack on the outposts by a band of guerrillas, but the
cavalrymen were too much for the Dons and their
attack was easily repelled after the exchange of a
few moments' hot firing. The loss sustained to the
hospital command was nothing but two Porto Rican

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 249

camp followers were killed. Tlie loss to the attack-
ing party was never leai-ned. The march was re-
sumed on the following morning and no trouble of
this kind was met from that on to the end of the jour-
ney.

Arroyo was reached on August 10th and a gen-
eral hospital was at once established. It was in exist-
ence a very short time, however, for during Thurs-
day night and early Friday morning the hospital was
moved in a blinding rain to Guayama. Their removal
under these circumstances caused considerable un-
favorable comment at the time and for some time aft-
erwards, but the removal was made in anticipation of
a concerted movement of the American forces toward
the north and was an absolute necessity. As a mat-
ter of fact hostilities were suspended during the next
twentyfour hours, but the authorities were certainly
justified in making this preparation for taking care
of the thousands who would have been wounded had
that movement been made.

Hostilities having ceased, preparations w^ere at
once made to continue the hospital at Guayama. A
location was selected at the top of a broad hill just
east of the city. There was plenty of room, a good
breeze always stirring and the drainage was perfect.
Aside from the fact that there was no shade except
what was afforded by the tents, this spot was a delight-
ful place for the location of a field hospital. Many
a poor fellow was nursed back to health from a
burning tropical fever at this hospital and many a
poor fellow was mustered out of the service forever

250 THE FOURTH 0. T. I.

within its tented wards during the following months.
It continued in use until the forenoon of October 7th,
when it was ordered broken up by General Grant.

It was here that Dr. Taylor rejoined the regi-
ment. Dr. Semans was at that time himself a patient
in the hospital and the health of the regiment was at
once placed in the hands of Dr. Taylor, Dr. Wright
still being at Isabel Segunda with M company. The
enlisted force of the medical department, however,
was ordered to San Juan to duty in the general hos-
pital there and that duty continued until the regiment
was ready to leave the island.

These men had applied for release from that
duty but their appeals were not heeded. Colonel
Coit ordered them to return to the regiment, but
technically they were out of his control and the boys
were unable to obey the order. Privates Judkins,
Piingle and Moon were still at Ponce ig-norant of
the fact that their comrades were returning home.
The officers of the regiment did all in their power to
secure the release of the boys at San Juan, but all
seemed to be in vain until it was decided to stand on
the fact that the regulations of the army provide that
a traveling command is entitled to what is equal to
one-twelfth of its strength in hospital help. This was
applied for and granted. Then a member of General
Brooke's staff was given the names of the Fourth
Ohio men and these were the men assigned to accom-
pany the regiment on the Chester. When Columbus
was reached it was an easv matter to obtain the dis-
charge of the hospital force.

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 251

After the entire regiment was reunited at San
Juan, the trip back to the starting point was void of
interesting incident to the medical department, as
they were kept busy from the time the Chester
steamed out of the harbor at San Juan until the regi-
ment landed at the auditorium at Columbus. Even
then while the remainder of the regiment was enjoy-
ing a furlough of sixty days, members of the medical
department were on duty at the auditorium, read^' to
look after the physical welfare of the boys.

This chapter has told in a feeble manner, the
work of the hospital force of the Fourth Ohio. "The
half has not been told." In fact, if the medical de-
partment of the Fourth Ohio were to be given all the
credit they deserve, it would be necessary to devote
to the story of their labors, a volume much larger than
this. To use the language of a western statesman,
these men "knowed their dutv and done it well." No
one could do more.

252 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

CHAPTER XVII.

ARMY OF OCCUPATION.

What (General Brooke Said of the Fourth Ohio — D Company
to Humacao — A Forty Miles' March — M Company by
Sea to Vieques — Duty at Fajardo — Trouble at Carolina —
Beautiful Country at Aibonito — An Officer Assaulted
at Cayey — B Company at Rio Piedras — Record of
Events in the Companies Which Americanized the
Eastern Third of Porto Rico.

COMPANY D AT HUMACAO.

If a straight line be drawn across the map of
Porto Rico from Ponce on the south to San Juan at
the north, about one-third of the area and population
of the entire island will be seen to lie at the east.
This territory and also that of Vieques was not won
bj the Fourth Ohio from the hands of the Spanish
any more than by the other regiments which perform-
ed duty in the war, but it was occupied by the Fourth
Ohio during the most critical period in the change
from Spanish to American government of the island.
Just why this duty was assigned to the Fourth Ohio
when there were two other regiments in the same bri-
gade and several other brigades in the island is not
explained in the orders designating Fourth Ohio com-
panies to the different stations, but the language of
General Brooke at the time of the departure of the
regiment to the states seems to throw considerable
light on the subject.

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 253

Said General Brooke : ''This regiment is one of
the best on the island, volunteer or regular. At one
time I had but two volunteer regiments in my com-
mand. They were the Fourth Ohio and First Ken-
tucky. All the others were either too homesick for
duty or they were transformed into regimental hos-
pitals."

It was certainly a pleasure for the members of
the regiment to realize that this was their standing
^^ith the commanding general, but it seemed strange
sometimes to see the other regiments lying about
camp doing nothing while they were busy patrolling
the eastern third of the island. It required four dif-
ferent regiments to take care of the other two-thirds,
and even then there were depredations committed
in all the eastern part of the island, while the duty of
the Fourth Ohio was characterized by a happy,
quiet condition of the whole territory in which the
regiment was stationed. The provost duty of the
Fourth Ohio began on the evening of the capture of
Guayama, when Company B was given charge of the
town. This was only broken twice, when the other
regiments took up the work at Guayama temporarily.
Then came the tour of duty of A and E Companies,
lasting from the middle of August until they boarded
the Chester to return to the states, and of the other
companies after September 20 to the same time.
After the detachment just mentioned, D company was
ordered to Humacao. The order, dated September
17th, reads as follows:

254 THE FOURTH 0. T. I.

"The brigade general commanding directs that
you will immediately prepare a company of your
regiment to take station at Hiunacao, P. R. They
must be fully equipped and take their tentage and
thirty days' rations, which the brigade commissary
will issue to them. The company must start this
afternoon and reach Humacao about 8 a. m., Mon-
day, September 19th. They will take a U. S. flag
to be raised in the town. If you have no flag, the
brigade quartermaster will furnish one.
"Very respectfully,

"0. W. FENTEN, A. A. G."

On the receipt of this order Company D was at
once designated by Colonel Coit to take this station.
This company had on the evening of the parade at the
Guayama plaza, the strongest line in the regiment.
Arrangements were at once made for the start and
before evening of the day on which the order was re-
ceived, the company was on its way, completing the
march of forty miles over mountain roads and reach-
ing their destination at 8 o'clock Monday Morning,
September 19th. The following is extracted from
the several reports made by Captain Sellers to Gen-
eral Grant:

"The company marched to a point about eight
miles distant from the regimental camp, when we
went into camp for the night. Resumed the march
at 5 a. m., September 18th, and marched until noon,
when command halted for mess. March resumed at
3 p. m. an^i 4 j). m. Maunabo was reached. From
Pnglish-speaking natives and others I learned that

TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 255

the mountain road was impassable to our wagons.
Deeming my orders to reach Humacao at a certain
time to be imperative, I took Lieutenant Turner and
thirty-five men and started for Humacao, lea\dng
rest of company and wagon train in charge of Lieu-
tenant ISTewlove at Manaubo, with orders to follow
Monday morning.

"We left Maunabo at 4:30 p. m. and arrived at
the top of the mountain at 6 p. m., where I ordered
a halt. Personally inspecting the road as we came
over it, I found that it would be utterly impossible
to bring our wagons. I sent word to Lieutenant
Newlove to remain in Maunabo until further orders.
Marched down the mountain and arrived at Yabocoa
at 9 p. m., September 18th. Finding the distance
to Humacao could be covered in four hours, I de-
cided to stay in Yabacoa for the night. We left the
town at 4 a. m. and at Y :45 a. m. arrived at Humacao.
I immediately proceeded to the residence of the lieu-
tenant colonel in command of the Spanish forces
here and found that their orders were not to vacate
the town until September 22nd. In order to pre-
vent trouble I granted an extension of one hour in
order that he might confer with his commanding
general, which he did at once. In about a half hour
I received the following telegram :

" 'There has been some mistake in the time of
your arrival in Humacao. You will now await out-
side the town the time when Spanish troops will
vacate, which will be on Thursday, September 22nd.'

256 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

"Having no tentage or rations I secured tlie use
of a large house about one-half mile south from the
town, where we went in quarters to await evacuation
of Spanish troops. No sickness of any kind among
the men who accompanied me over the mountain to
Humacao. The morning of the 22nd Lieutenant
ISTewlove with his detail marched from the coast to
Humacao and with the entire company I proceeded to
the City Hall, and raising the American flag, took
possession of the city at 8 a. m., September 22nd.
The raising of the flag was done with the usual
honors. I then proceeded with a detail to the cus-
toms house six miles distant and raised the flag.
Will make due examination of the books and papers
and report as soon as possible.

"After raising the flag on the 22nd the mayor,
clerk of register and notary public refused to serve.
I called a meeting of the more prominent citizens and
explained that I was not sent here to make changes
unless positively necessary, but everything was to
nm as before. I asked them to name good native
citizens competent to fill the offices and I appointed
Jaquine Nasereer Berries mayor and Jose Toro Rias
clerk of registers to serve during the pleasure of the
U. S. government. The notary public had orders to
deliver the records over to the presiding judge and I
decided that the judge was competent to name a man
to fill the office, and he decided that the proper man
was the first deputy, who is now in charge of the
office. One-half the council refuses to serve, but I
did nothing toward filling their places.

THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 257

"After raising the flag at the customs house,
which is on the beach six miles distant, the captain
of the port, upon orders of his superior, took mv re-
ceipt for the books and papers of his office, and after
consultation with the collector of customs I ap-
pointed Eugene Lopez to take charge of the office,
taking his receipt for the same.

"After cleaning and purifying the barracks,
under the supervision of my hospital steward, I
moved the company into them. The barracks arc
large and in fair condition and situated within one
square of the court house. The water supply is very
poor, all water having to be hauled from the river
some distance away. Have made temporary arrange-
ments with the same man who furnished water for
the Spanish forces. Our health is good, no one in
the hospital.

"The city prison is located in the rear of the
court house and has about ninety prisoners. It re-
quires fifteen men to guard it, which is the same as
the Spanish had. I have a detail of one corporal
and six men at the beach. The customs house of
Humacao receives all the reports and money taken
in by the customs houses at Naugabo and Fajardo.
The books and papers seem to be well taken care of.
Office and house clean. This office received for the
year ending July 1st, '98, from all sources, $85,-
038.36, of which $7448 were received from Naugabo
and $16,182 from Fajardo. The man at the cus-
toms house seems to be competent to fill the place
and I have appointed him deputy collector.

258 TEE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

"On the 28th inst. I ordered Lieutenant Turner
to take a squad of twelve men and proceed to Naugabo
and raise the flag and infonn the mayor that that
town was under the supervision of the United States,
and in case of trouble to notify me. Lieutenant
Turner returned to Humacao at 6 p. m. on the 28th
and reported that he had executed my order and that
he had found the situation in that neighborhood
quiet."

On the 30th of September, in obedience to or-
ders from the brigade commander. Lieutenant Turner
and a detail was sent to the towns of Juncas and
Piedras for the purpose of raising the American flag
at those places. On his return everything was re-
ported quiet at Piedras, but at Juncas the mayor re-
fused to continue in office under American rule and
promptly sent his resignation, turning the office over
to the first deputy. This arrangement seems to have
suited the deputy first rate, as he wrote the next day
that he had everything in his care and in good shape.
He was continued in office.

On October 1st Captain Sellers and a squad
raised the flag and appointed a new mayor at the town
of Yabucao, and on the 4th Lieutenant Turner and a
squad visited the town of San Lorenzo. This town
was also made American and everything seemed to
be very satisfactory with the greater number of
people.

When the company reached Humacao, the police
officers carried short swords or "machetes." These
were taken up and maces given them and they were

THE FOURTH O. V. I. 259

uniformed according to the American idea. The
town was thoroughly cleaned from one end to the
other and forty prisoners were taken from the jail and
put to work on the roads. No rum was permitted to
be sold to the soldiers. Eight mounted patrolmen
traversed the country immediately surroimding
Humacao, and during his stay there Captain Sellers
made visits to the other towns, keeping in touch with
the civil authorities and rendering them all the aid
in his power.

At no time was there any sickness in the com-
pany worthy of mention. Steward Burr, of the hos-
pital department, and Dr. Wilson, one of the enlisted
men who had 2:iven their services as surgeons, were
at this station, and in his reports Captain Sellers
praises both. The company remained at Humacao
until October 25th, when it was relieved by the
Forty-seventh New York from the Chester.
Humacao was a much better town than Guayama
and the soldiers and citizens were much warmer
friends. As evidence of the esteem in which the
company and its commander were held in the hearts
of the people at Humacao, the following copy of a
message sent to General Brooke at the time the com-
pany was about to leave for the United States is
given:

"Since the 22nd of last September, on which
floats in this city the American flag, hoisted in the
name of your government by the worthy Captain
Chas. F. Sellers, this people, sir, have nothing but
congratulations for you and for General Grant, for

260 TEE FOURTH 0. V. I.

the proper appointment of Mr. Sellers, who has ruled
the destinies of this military district with as much
justice as courtesy.

"Therefore, today, on having notice that perhaps
they would relieve the forces that said captain com-
mands, ably assisted by Lieutenant Turner and sub-
altern officers, the town en masse, sir, assist me, in
order that with the Board of Magistrates, we may
formulate a respectful petition before you, to the end
that if it is not a hindrance to your plans, you may
be pleased to leave Captain Sellers in this city, thus
satisfying a strong desire of this town where he has
gained so many s^nnpathies by his honesty, good
judgment and gentility.

"At the same time the populations of Yabucoa,
San Lorenzo, Junces Piedros and Naguabo, by means
of their representatives, join in making this, their
manifestation.

"Be it known for all time, that our gratitude to
you will be profoimd, if we ol^tain, that this chief
may continue among us, even though it may be for a
little longer time."

ON THE ISLAND OF VIEQUES.

Company D having been assigned to special
duty, selected on account of its fine appearance at the
big parade in Guayama plaza. Company M was
chosen for special service. Notwithstanding the fact
that the company presented a fine appearance in itself,
it was in bad condition as to commissioned officers.
Captain Bostwick had been compelled to go to the

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 261

hospital and finally tu return to the states on accoimt
of sickness, and Second Lieutenant George M.
Florence had been left at Newport News, Va., on ac-
count of typhoid fever. This left Lieutenant Dufiy
in command of the company and the only officer
present for duty. The lieutenant was capable enough
to take charge of the company ''lone-handed" under
ordinary conditions, but it was not deemed advisable
to detach the company for any length of time with-
out giving him some assistance. To this end First
Lieutenant Fred S. Whiley, of I Company, was as-
signed to M Company, and he accompanied the expe-
dition about to be described. Having had consider-
able experience with quartermasters' stores. Lieuten-
ant Whiley proved himself a valuable addition to the
company.

Company M was ordered on September I7th to
go to the island of Vieques, a small island some dis-
tance off the main land of Porto Rico. In the order
the company was directed to leave Guayama on the
19th and to assume control of the government of the
entire island. About 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon,
however, the order was changed so that the company
was directed to leave Guayama on the 18th. The
start was made, therefore, about 5 o'clock on the even-
ing of the day designated.

Besides M Company there were in the party
Colonel Coit, Captain Fenten (General Grant's adju-
tant), Captain Wright, who was to look after the
health of the company during its stay on the island;
Captain Danavin, Civilian Aide Weiner, also of Gen-

262 TEE FOURTH 0. F. /.

eral Grant's staff; the Fourth Ohio band and a num-
ber of regimental headquarters attaches. The com-
pany left the camp and passed in review at brigade
headquarters, then proceeded to Arroyo, which sta-
tion was reached about 8 o'clock the same evening.
Eighteen wagons were required to remove the com-
pany and its baggage, but as soon as everything could
be unloaded and stored temporarily in the customs
house at Arroyo, the wagon train was permitted to
return to Guayama. This work completed, the com-
pany put up for the night.

About 3 o'clock the next morning word was re-
ceived from Lieutenant Newlove of Company D, an-
nouncing the trouble met by their baggage train at
Maunabo. Arrangements were accordingly made to
help him out of his difficulty. On the morning of the
19th the Stillwater appeared in the harbor and ar-
rangements were at once made for the start to Vie-
ques. It was 3 o'clock of the same afternoon, how-
ever, before the start was made, and sailing under
favorable conditions the Stillwater arrived off Mauna-
bo at about 5 o'clock on the same evening. Here the
stranded baggage of D Company was taken on, but
the task of loading was not completed until nearly
midnight, and the Stillwater being in strange waters,
the trip was not resumed until the morning of the
20th. Sailing down the coast the port of Humacoa,
or Point Santiago, was reached, and the D Company
detachment disembarked. Colonel Coit, Captain
Fenten, Captain Wright, Captain Donavin and Major
Hogan, of the Stillwater, also disembarked and went

TEE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 263

over to the city of Humacoa, about five miles inland,
to participate in tlie flag raising ceremonies with
Captain k'ellers. The party did not return to the
Stillwater until late that night, and then they
had a bad time of it, the storms of the autumnal
equinox being at that time at their worst. Before
Point Santiago was left, however, the Stillwater had
the experience of making a capture, a Spanish schoon-
er having sailed into the harbor. The captain of the
vessel readily hauled down the red and yellow banner
and his vessel sailed from that day on under the Stars
and Stripes. This arrangement was perfectly agree-
able to the captain of the vessel, however, as he had
requested an American flag to be used for that pur-
pose. Word was also received that the company
was not exrected to take possession of the island of
Vieques until 12 o'clock noon of the 21st.

It was 11 o'clock when the Stillwater arrived in
the harbor at Isabel Segunda. Arrangements were
at once made for disembarking, and about sixty of
the ninety men in the company boarded lighters.
The band and all the officers also boarded lighters
and small boats and the command was towed into
the shore. As the soldiers approached the landing,
the rocks to the right were fairly black with people
who had rushed to the water's edge to welcome their
visitors, shouting at the top of their voices a royal
welcome. To the left of the landing, however, there
was an entirely different scene. There in front of
the beautiful light house were the Spanish soldiers
drawn up in line, waiting for their conquerers to take

264 THE FOURTH O. Y. /.

the final step toward the acquisition of more of their
territory.

Besides the crowd of citizens, the soldiers were
met at the landing by the mayor of the town and by
the colonel and captain who had occupied the fort at
this station. All the officers except Lieutenant
Whiley, who remained with the troops, went ashore
and up to the fort, which stood on a promontory
back of the town, where the formal arrangements
were made for the turning over of the island to lieu-
tenant Duffy. All arrangements having been com-
pleted for the transfer, word was sent back to the
men who in the meantime had effected a landing^
and were waiting imder Lieutenant Whiley at the
customs house. By direction of Colonel Coit the
company marched to the Episcopal church, which, by
the way, was one of the only two Protestant churches
in that part of the Spanish possessions. Here the
rector, Kev. Been, conducted a praise service. A
blessing was formally invoked upon a beautiful
American flag, and at exactly 12 o'clock noon, thia
flag was officially hoisted above the highest parapet
of the fort by First Sergeant C. K. Crum.

This was the first American flag ever raised in
that part of the world and by that act another valu-
able possession came into the hands of the United
States.

Immediately after the flag raising ceremonies,
the officers were breakfasted by the customs officer.
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon the officers repaired to
the apothecary shop of Senor Victor Dutiel, who

SCENE NEAR FAJARDO.

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 266

acted as interpreter, and the transfer papers wei*e
formally completed and signed by Captain Francisco
Rasineras, of the Spanish army, and First Lieutenant
Charles G. Duffy, of the Fourth Ohio Volunteer In-
fantry, special commissioners for the United States
and the Kingdom of Spain. Shortly after this all
the officers except those who were to remain on the
island, and the band returned to the Stillwater and
sailed for Arroyo, leaving Lieutenant Duffy and
Company M "monarchs of all they surveyed."

One of the first duties for the company to per-
form was to find ''where they were at." Vieques
was found to be an island containing 5528 peopla
There were two towns, Isabel Segunda, the capital,
and Mosquito. The wealth of the island consisted
principally of cattle, horses and sugar, while in the
extreme eastern end of the island were the "Lai
Salinas" lagoons. With the investment of a little
capital it was learned that the salt producing in-
dustry here would soon develop into importance.

The people were found to excel in every way
the inhabitants of Porto Eico. Their homes were
more conveniently and more comfortably furnished
and the island which they occupied was seen to be a
very healthful one. One of the proofs of this con-
dition is that during all the time the company was on
the island there was not a time when more than three
men reported to the hospital in one day and there
was usually but one. Soldiers who accompanied the
company there weak and frail, left the island sound
and healthy men. Dr. Wright, who had made the

266 THE FOURTH 0. 7. /.

sanitary conditions a careful study, reported that of
all the Spanish countries he had yet seen, Vieques
was the ideal location for a health resort.

The people were willing and anxious to aid the
military in reorganizing the government of the island,
Not a single outrage was committed in the island
while the company occupied it. One of the first
reforms worked by Lieutenant Duff}' was the re-
organization of the schools and the employment of
English-speaking teachers. Other accomplishments
M^ere the amicable settlement of the questions of
church and state, appointment of a new mayor,
municipal government rearranged and two new coun-
cilmen appointed, the thorough patrol of the entire
island by mounted patrolmen, appointment of new
civil and criminal judges, the discharge of six customs
officers and the rearrangement of salaries, a thorough
cleansing of streets and public buildings and a gen-
eral "house cleaning" from one end of the island to
the other.

In all this work the citizens entered with a spirit
that showed a determination to become good Ameri-
can citizens. Isabel Segunda was visited by a United
States treasury officer, who made a careful inspection
of the customs office and pronounced everything in
excellent condition. The work done by M Company
was certainly an excellent one and the people of the
island thoroughly appreciated all that was done for
them. They treated the soldiers with all the hospi-
tality known to civilization and feasts and banquets
were the order of the day from the first to the last of

THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 267

every week. As the population was largely made
up of French the science of good eating was generally
pretty well understood by the people, and this knowl-
edge was thoroughly appreciated by the soldiers, who
were invited to test it. Fine ponies were brought to
the fort and placed at the disposal of the troops and
cows were brought in so that they might have fresh
milk all the time. The very finest cattle were killed
for their benefit and the "finest of the land" was at
all times at the disposal of the company, whose mem-
bers lived like so many kings during their entire stay
in the island.

On September 26th Major Jones arrived at the
island with money with which to pay the men, but
money to them was "as filthy lucre," for although
they were "strapped" for the most part, they could
get almost anything they wanted without paying for
it, as the people were glad to give it to them. With
the pavmaster, however, came Lieutenants Hamil and
Ward, of Companies B and G, who relieved Lieuten-
ant Whiley, his own company having been assigned
to similar duty at Fajardo.

A communication by means of the heliograph
was established between Isabel Segimda and Fajardo,
and this added much to the convenience and pleasure
of the company. The same was tried with Humacoa,
but the experiment failed. A yacht was placed at
the disposal of the company, however, and when the
weather would permit, trips were made acro^ the
channel and visits made to the other companies in the
eastern part of Porto Rico.

268 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

During tlie entire stay of the companj on the
island the boys enjoyed the same hospitality and the
same friendship with the citizens until on the 26th of
October, when the steamer Chester arrived at the
harbor with a company of the Forty-seventh New
York to relieve them. Although the boys were glad
to return to their homes they could not, however,
leave the island and their numerous friends without
a feeling of reluctance. Just before taldng his de-
parture Lieutenant Duffy, Dr. Wright and Lieuten-
ants Hamil and Ward were banqueted, and at the
close of the festivities, a petition was presented to be
conveyed to the president of the United States, asking
that Lieutenant Duffy be sent to the island as its
governor. This petition was signed by every land
owner in the island.

DETACHMENT TO FAJARDO.

The next company to receive orders for detached
service was Company I, of Lancaster, Captain Palmer
commanding. The company left Guayama a few
days after the paymaster had visited the Fourth and
the boys of the company were feeling in excellent
condition for almost any kind of service. "Anything
to get away from Guayama," was the general motto,
and I Company was not an exception in this matter.
The service of Company I is well described in the
report which Captain Palmer made to General Grant,
given in full as follows:

THE FOURTH 0. V. J. 269

Fajardo. P. R., Oct., 5th, 1898.
Brigadier General Grant, Commanding Second Brigade
First Division, First Corps:
Sir — In accordance with orders received from
brigade headquarters September 26th, 1898, I left
Guayama, P. R., with my company en route to Fa-
jardo on September 28th, 1898. At 2 p. m. that
date we embarked on the "Gypsum King," then lay-
ing off Arroyo. The following day at 2:30 p. m. we
landed at Fajai'do beach and immediately took pos-
session of the customs house and raised the United
States flag thereon. In this building I am using a
large room as a store for Q. M. and commissary sup-
plies, the place being guarded by two non-commis-
aioned officers and six privates.

Here I met a Mr. Bird, a prominent citizen of
the town. Assisted by him I examined the books of
the customs authorities and, as far as I could discern,
and according to Mi\ Bird's decision, the books and
accounts were in good order.

At 4 p. m. the same day the United States flag
was raised over the alcalde's office in this town amidst
great rejoicing of the people. On the 30th of Sep-
tember I reinstated C. Andrew as alcalde.

This gentleman was legally elected and is their
choice. He had to leave here some time ago because
the Spaniards would not permit him to remain in the
town. On this day the town council met and re-
organized. With the exception of two, all the old
members were retained. The two mentioned — one
a Spaniard, the other a Cuban — resigned because they

270 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

could not bear allegiance to America. At ttis meet-
ing the following officials were appointed for the time
being: Collector of Customs, Edwardo Alonzo;
Paymaster of Customs, Manuel Guzman; Captain of
Port, Jovito Perovia; Judge, Jose Garcia. The po-
lice force was reduced from nine to five. The cus-
toms house staff from ten to seven. The captain of port
had two assistants. Both of these men were dis-
charged. It is my opinion, these appointments and
reductions will prove beneficial.

As there is no land here suitable for a camp
without renting it, my men are now quartered in an
old theater which was formerly used by Spanish
troops. The only water I can obtain has to be hauled
from the river near by. It is not of the best quality,
owing to the constant rains and the fact that most of
the people bathe and wash clothes therein.

At 3 p. m. on the 2nd of October the United
States flag was raised in the town of Ceibe. The
natives were jubilant and orderly. As the place is
quiet there is no need for a guard to be stationed
there.

Yesterday morning at 10:15 a. m. the United
States flag was raised above the alcalde's office at
Loquillo. Here, as in Ceibo, a guard is not necesr
sary. I have instructed the alcaldes of both towns
that if they ever need assistance to let me know. I
will visit these places every few days.

In the towns of Fajardo, Cfeibo and Loquillo
there is no disorder, all the people being seemingly
well pleased with American occupation.

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 271

Before closing tliis report I wish to mention Mr.
H. Bird. He has been of inestimable value to me.
He has neglected his business to assist me here and in
the other towns. Too much credit cannot be given
him for his faithfulness.

I have the honor to be, sir, respectfully,
L. H. PALMER,
Captain Company I, Fourth O. Y. L

One of the advantages enjoyed by I Company,
and which also was the source of a great deal of satis-
faction to the other companies occupying the eastern
portion of the island, was that many of the citizens
spoke the English language very well. This made
the employment of interpreters less necessary and less
difficult. For this reason also, the members of the
companies were better enabled to buy provisions from
the native markets, and when they were entertained
away from the barracks, their pleasure was not
marred by being unable to converse with their hosts
as had been the case at Guayama and some of the
other towns.

It was the good fortune of the company to havek
Dr. Samuel K. Carson, a member of A Company, asr
signed to them as medical officer. Dr. Carson had no
commission, was merely a private, but he was a gradu-
ate in medicine, was enthusiastic in his profession,
and not only stood well at the college he had just
left, but also with every one with whom he came in
contact. Fortunately there was little sickness in the
company while at Fajardo, but Dr. Carson performed
this duty as well and as freely as though he had held

272 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

a commission as a medical officer. His work with the
company was highly appreciated by the officers and
men of the regiment.

At no time during the stay of the company at
Fajardo was there any clash between the citizens and
the soldiers and the stay was mutually a pleasant one
until the Chester appeared in the harbor and the
boys embarked for home.

COMPANY L AT CAROLINA.

The service of nearly all the detached companies
in Porto Rico was characterized by the kindly feeling
extended to the soldiers by the natives in whose midst
they had been sent. One of the exceptions to this
rule, however, was the service of Company L, Cap-
tain F. M. French commanding. Company L had
made for itseK a record at Camp Thomas as one of
the best disciplined and most orderly divisions of the
regiment, and it was very fortunate indeed that this
particular company was assigned to the post it occu-
pied in Porto Rico. The company was organized at
Mt. Vernon and was made up of the kind of men
who are willing to go anywhere or do anything that
comes along the line of duty, and the greatest reward
they could have received for their work was the con-
sciousness that the duty had been performed to the
best of their ability.

After the regimental camp had been formed at
Guayama, L Company remained in its regular camp
position until 2 o'clock on the morning of October
5th.

TUE FOURTH 0. V. I. 273

Orders had been received on the evening of the
4th for the company to take possession of Caguas, a
town 32 miles north of Guayama on the road to San
Juan. The order stated that this was to be done on
the 5th, and it was this fact that prompted the early
start and which is evidence of the truth of the state--
ment made in the iii'ct paragrajdi of this account.
The order had been issued several days before, but
owing to the condition of tlic wires, the message hai
not been delivered.

The company was busy until tlie hour mentioncij
in getting things in readiness for the march. It was
raining hard all night and as wet as they could have
been had they fallen into the river, the men started
on the thirty-two mile march with as much enthusi-
asm as that with which they had left their native town
six months before. The march was not only a long
one, but it was attended wdth considerable danger, for,
as has been said of the road across the mountain
to Cayey, a false step in the darkness meant at least a
serious accident. The rain continued until daylight,
but the men stniggled men-ily along, up the steep
mountain road and down on the other side until
Cayey was reached. Remarkably good time had
been made and fearing that a rest would interfere
with the march, to say nothing of the failure to comply
with the order to take possession of Caguas on the
5th, Captain French decided to push on and rest at
the end of the jom-ney. The speed was kept up and
shortly after 10 o'clock on the night of the 5th Com-
pany L was in the city they were to occupy, having

274 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

covered the distance of 32 miles of rough, road in
twenty hours. But the company had thus obeyed
orders to the letter and every member was happy
even if he was nearly tired out.

Caguas had been quite a military center for the
Spaniards and there was plenty of barracks room
\^'ith ample facilities for cooking. As little work as
possible was done that night, but the next morning
the American flag was raised over the city and Cap-
tain French assumed general control. The company
remained here until after the regiment proper had ar-
rived, when, on the 10th, it was relieved and sent on
to Carolina, a town near the northern coast.

The district of which Carolina was the capital
embraced the towns of Rio Grande, Cannovinos and
Loiza. The American flag was raised at each of these
places and the Spanish flags which had previously
marked their allegiance, became the property of Com-
pany L. This section of the island was one of the
richest agricultural districts in Porto Rico, but at the
time the company took charge of the district, a gen-
eral feeling of unrest prevailed. Two hundred and
fifty workmen at the Buena Vista plantation were on
a strike and agitators were attempting to induce the
employes of the other plantations to follow the ex-
ample of the Buena Vista workmen. The strikers
at several times had become very violent in their
<lemonstrations and attempts had been made to burn
the buildings. Two days after the arrival of the
company, however, these men were induced to return

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 275

to work and in another two days quiet was restored
at the other plantations.

There was other trouble to occupy the minds of
the company, a feeling of bitterness having been de-
veloped against the Catholic priests of the district.
No particular reason was assigned for this, the trouble
being apparently a desire upon the part of the natives
to do all they could to harass the Spanish citizens,
and they expected the American soldiers to aid them
in this. On the evening of the 13th a mob collected
at Carolina and an attack on the priest was made
there. The prompt action of the provost guard pre-
vented any injury to the object of their wrath and
they were also prevented from following out their
plan to bum the cathedral. The crowd was dispersed
without serious trouble and quiet was restored for the
time being.

At a later hour of the same evening, a man
fired a shot at Captain French. The shot was fired
through a hedge and the captain was stnick on the
hand and forehead with the burnt powder from the
explosion. Fortunately the ball missed its mark, and
aside from the bums Captain French escaped unin-
jured. The would-be assassin made good his escape
and in spite of a determined effort to locate him, no
clue was discovered to lead to his detection and arrest.
He was thought to have been the hireling of a dis-
appointed candidate for the office of ma^'^or of
Carolina.

There was no further trouble in the district, the
natives havin<T been given to underetand that the sol-

276 TEE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

diers were there for a purpose and that that piupoee
■was not to aid in any lawlessness, even though it
were an attempt to disturb Spanish citizens.

The health of the company remained very good
while at Carolina and the other stations, and the boys
thoroughlv enjoyed their duty there. The company
remained in the district until Friday, October 28th,
when a company of the Forty-seventh jSTew York re-
lieved them. They immediately went to San Juan,
where they rejoined the regiment and sailed for home
on the following day.

DEnJGHTFUL TRIP OF COMPANY K.

When the regiment left Cayey on the morning
of October 8th, Companies F and K were left behind.
K Company had been assigned to Aibonito and cer-
tainly that command received the "best end" in this
detachment, for it was assigned to the most pictur-
esque and beautiful part of the island. The story
of the service at Aibonito and surrounding country
is told by Corporal Patrick, a member of the company
at that time, but now a promising attorney of Dela-
ware, as follows:

"On the morning of October 8th we started from
Cayey toward the east, while the other companies kept
on north toward Caguas. The boys were still stiff
and sore from their little constitutional from
Guayama on the night of October 6th, but they had
heard wonderful stories of the cool and healthy
situation of Aibonito. It was even hinted that eggs
could be bought there for three centavos a piece, and

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 277

milk for six centavos per quart, but the man who
started this rumor was popularly supposed to be
juggling with the tnith, although he protested vali-
antly that *he had got it straight from a Wisconsin
man who had been there.' All these things helped
to cheer up the bovs and as we swung out of town on
that beautiful morning all previous cares and hard-
ships were forgotten in the enjoyment of the present.

"The first three or four miles were level, and the
time was passed with songs and stories. Then we
struck the hills and settled down to hard work. Our
first halt was made where a little stream tumbles
down the side of the hill, and into the brick gutter,
which ran along this magnificent military road.

"From this point there was considerable strag-
gling, as the men would give up to weariness or yield
to the seductive charms of a chicken, or the prospect
of a few eggs or a hat full of oranges.

"We soon began to realize the beauty of the
country as we looked down into the valleys beneath
with their herds of cattle and ponies, and the green
bills in the distance covered with tropical vegetation.
There was nothing rough or harsh in the scenery ; all
was peaceful and quiet in its Arcadian simplicity.

"For miles one could see over the tops of hills
and in the hazy distance could catch a faint glimpse
of the Atlantic ocean. Some devout native had
planted on the opposite hillside some sort of domestic
plant in the form of a huge cross.

"From here it was but a short distance to the top
of the ridge, and from there the road was compara-

278 TEE FOURTH 0. V. I.

tively level. Here we saw many fine specimens of
ferns and of coffee and banana trees. At last the
head of the column reached the outskirts of the town,
where they halted and waited for the stragglers, each
new arrival being greeted wdth howls, jeers and all
kinds of chaff reflecting on his walking abilities.

'The barracks at Aibonito was a long stone
building, built on a slight elevation north of the
the town and on the military road. It was designed
to accommodate a full battalion. Just west of it
was the hospital, also of stone, and a model of its
kind. The first night was spent in getting acquainted
with the Third "Wisconsin boys stationed there, whom
we were to relieve. They were a jolly lot, recruited
from Madison and the surrounding towns. They did
their best to entertain us with various little social
games, and they succeeded splendidly, as several of
the boys have reason to remember.

"The fii-st duty to perform was the raising of the
flag. The two companies marched down to the plaza
the next morning, and lined up in front of the jail.
The buglers played 'to the colors,' the companies pre-
sented arms and the flag did not go up. It started
gracefully enough, but the ring at the top of the flag
pole pulled out, and the flag fell to the ground.
This frightened the natives, who were enthusiastic
over the flag raising, and thought dire punishment
would be meted out to them for this hitch in the cere-
monies. The alcalde, who weighed 250 pounds, im-
mediately started to climb the flag pole, and was
only prevented from swinging out from the balcony

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 279

bj two other natives hanging onto his legs. In the
meantime one little bare-footed fellow had skipped
out on the roof of the jail, but about all he seemed
to do was swing his arms and yell. A half dozen
others reverently gathered up the flag and it was
finally tied to the flag pole at half-mast. In the
meantime the buglers had sounded 'to the colors'
until they were black in the face, and the men stood
at present arms in the boiling sun until the muzzles
of their pieces wobbled in an alarming manner. But
this ended the ceremony. The officers went to a ban-
quet given by the alcalde and other solid citizens of
the town, and the men went back to quarters in
charge of the first sergeants.

''Life at Aibonito was one of unalloyed bliss as
compared with our previous experiences on the island.
The town was beautifully situated high up in the
hills, and the climate was delightful. Our only duty
was guard every four or five days, the rest of the time
was spent in Avandering over the hills, hunting out the
Spanish fortifications and looking for relics of the
Ooamo skirmish. Just south of the town was the
famous Aibonito pass, where the Spanish had made
preparations for a desperate stand, which would un-
doubtedly have been successful against any force that
could have been brought up in front, for their ar-
tillery commanded the road for miles down the
mountain.

"A few days after our arrival a detail consisting
of Lieutenant O. O. Koeppel, Sergeant H. A. Costler,
Corj^oral O. W. Patrick and Privates S. W. Brown-

280 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

ing, 0. H. Brunn, H. M. Butt, C. L. Jonee, M. C.
Mahanay, Robert Reed, W. R. Rider and Edward
Rodenfels, were detached and ordered to Barros, a
town still liiglier up in the mountains and off the
military road. We left Aibonito accompanied by a
wagon in which was stored our provisions and most of
our equipment. With this outfit we were ordered
to go over a trail which we afterward discovered
could hardly be followed by a mountain pony.
When we found the trail it was plainly impossible to
take our wagon over it. A native storekeeper went
60 far as to say that the trail was impassable on foot,
owing to recent rains. To add to our troubles it
began to rain, nor was it a gentle spring shower, but
a genuine tropical down-pour. A council of war was
held in the little store and it was decided that we
must have ponies and burros with which to transport
our baggage. Accordingly we started out in the
rain to find them. The party became split up and
came trailing in several hours later with a total of
three little shaggy ponies, hired, begged and stolen,
-with which to convey 1000 pounds of baggage.

"A plantation owner just across the road from
the store had placed at our disposal a large coffee
house then empty. This was a large, airy building,
with a hard dirt floor swept scrupulously clean.
Here we bivouacked for the night. Each man put on
dry clothing and the hardships of the day were soon
forgotten in the enjoyment of a hearty meal prepared
at the plantation kitchen and washed down with
.•several bottles of rare old wine. The air was de-

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 281

lightfully cool and refreshing from the recent rain,
and many a jolly song was sung and stoiy told, till
the last candle flickered and went out, leaving us sur-
rounded by the gloom of the great building.

"The next morning we started on mules and
ponies to Barronchitis. We had gone scarcely two
miles when we came to a mountain stream which
swallowed up the trail completely, and a little native
boy showed us that all that was necessary to ford it
was to ride up the bed of the stream about half a
mile. Here the trail was discovered. A few miles
further on we were royally entertained at a way-side
plantation by a lady and her two daughters. We
were furnished, without the asking, with a cup of
delicious coffee and several kinds of tropical fruits.
We were the first Americans they had ever seen.

"The trail at best was bad, but was rendered
doubly so by reeent rains, which rendered the red
clay slippery and dangerous even for the sure-footed
mountain ponies. At one time we would be looking
down from a dizzy height at a narrow ribbon of
water in the valley below, then would come an al-
most perpendicular jdunge down the mountain, over
slippery rocks and more slippery mud, but we soon
learned to put implicit confidence in our ponies, and
it was never once betrayed. Their sure-footedness
and sagacity was simply marvelous. At the bottom
of the mountain there would be a rocky mountain
stream swollen to twice its normal volume by the
recent rains. Beyond the trail would perhaps lead
through a half mile of boggy valley, then up the side

282 THE FOURTH 0. V. J.

of the next moimtain. This method of travel, to
one accustomed to no more exciting mode of locomo-
tion than a trolly or perhaps a cable car, was a novelty
to say the least. But the hardships were easily for-
gotten in admiration of the beautiful scenery which
was almost constantly spread out before us in all its
luxuriance of tropical coloring. The trip would
have been a feast to the eye of an artist, and even
to tired soldiers it was ample compensation for pre-
vious toils and hardships.

''At Barronchitis we were lodged with an ex-
Spanish soldier, who helped us pass the evening by
relating his experiences in the Spanish army. He
also introduced to us the principal of the village
school, who tried his best to prove to us, from a map
which he had, that Spain was a larger country than
the United States. Spain was made on a large scale
and the United States on a small one, so Spain ap-
peared to be the larger, therefore Spain was the
larger. 'Quod erat demonstrandum.' We were
ready bright and early the next morning to continue
the journey, all having been provided with ponies or
burros by the obliging alcalde. Nothing startling oc-
curred on the trip to Barros, where we arrived in the
evening and were given an enthusiastic welcome by
the men of the Third Wisconsin, whom we were to
relieve.

"We found Barros to be a pretty little place,
nestling in a valley and surrounded on all sides by
mountains. A clear, cool stream flowed almost
through the to^vn, affording excellent facilities for an

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 288

early morning bath. Our short stay here was our
best experience on the island. The inhabitants, from
the alcalde down, did their best to entertain the
Americans, and many were the warm friendships
formed in that short stay, and I fear the eyes of sev-
eral fair 'senoritas' were dim when we marched away.
We had special reason to remember Don Pedro
Arroyo and his charming wife, at whose house we
spent many a pleasant evening.

"Truly our lot was cast in pleasant places, but
it was decreed that it should be but for a short time.
One day, after we had been there about one week,
a detachment of the First Kentucky Mounted In-
fantry rode into town to relieve us. The Kentuck-
ians were whole-souled fellows from Louisville, and
we spent several very enjoyable days with them.

"We left Barros by way of the Coamo trail,
which, if anvthing, is worse than the other, but the
day was fine, our ponies good and the scenery fully
as fine as any we had seen. At one place we could
see both the Carribean sea and the Atlantic ocean
on the south and north, and on the east Aibonito fully
twenty miles away. At another place, as we wound
down the mountain the end man was fully one hun-
dred feet above the lieutenant, who was in front, and
almost perpendicularly below.

"At Coamo our wagons awaited us and carried us
to Aibonito, w^here we arrived late at night of the
same day. At Aibonito the rumor was rife that we
were going home, but it was several days before
final orders arrived. We were ready when they did

284 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

arrive and started almost immediately, with mixed
feelings of joj and sorrow at leaving that beautiful
town. We arrived at Cajey on our return trip, and
marched through the town with the precision of
dress parade, without a straggler. This w^as all the
result of a little wholesome food. The march from
Cayey to Caguas was made with equal facility.
There we joined headquarters and were once more
a part of the Fourth Ohio.

"Company K lost six men by death while it was
in the service of the United States. Read, Randolph
and Vertner were buried at sea. Lawson's grave is
at Fort McPherson, Ahem is buried in the national
cemetery at Chattanooga and Ferris lies in the ceme-
tery at Guayama, Porto Rico. We were only present
at the burial of Ferris and Vertner, but the image
of each one of the six is engraven deep in the heart
of every member of Company K, and years hence,
as we gather around our social camp fires, their simple
virtues and acts of comradeship will be sweet mem-
ories."

COMPANY F AT CAYEY.

The service of F Company at Cayey was at-
tended with considerable interest on the part of both
the citizens of the town and of the members of the
company. The stay at this station was from October
7th, when the company relieved a detachment of the
Third Wisconsin and raised the American flag aa
described in another chapter. There were included
in the district of Cayey the towns of Barranquitaa
and Ceidras.

TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 28^

On October 8th, 1898, Sergeant K. E. Hull and
nine men went over the mountain to Ceidras, the
road being so bad and the rivers so swollen by rain,
that while the town was only four miles distant
from Cayey, they had to go twelve miles and ride
native ponies, having a guide to show them the way.
While in Ceidras Sergeant Hull found the city ad-
ministration in a very bad way, and acting under
instructions elected a new city council of twelve men,
two new judges and a vice mayor, and readjusted the
revenues so that they would be more properly dis-
tributed. Formerly they were being devoted en-
tirely to the salaries of those in power. This detach.-
ment remained at Ceidras until October 19th, when
a detachment of the First Kentucky, mounted, re-
lieved them, and they returned to Cayey.

On October 9th Lieutenant Harry Grraham and
ten men were sent to occupy Barranquitas. They
also had to resort to pack ponies, as the roads were
impassable for wagons. Everything was quiet at
this point. The detachment remained until October
19th, Avhen they were relieved by the First Kentucky
Mounted Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Freid-
enhimer. They then returned to Cayey.

The mayor of Cayey and Captain Potter ex-
changed visits and worked in unison, the mayor doing
willingly everything that was required. The town
itself was prosperous enough, being the center of the
best tobacco district on the island, but the main plaza,,
streets and jail were in bad shape.

286 THE FOURTH O. V. I.

Captain Potter told the mayor that this must
.all be changed at once, and before the company left
everything was in good condition.

On October 18th Captain Lindsay and his com-
pany (F, First Kentucky Infantry), relieved the de-
tachment.

One event which for a time cast a glocm over
what would otherwise have been a most delightful
tour of duty, was the attempt upon the life of Second
Lieutenant I^athan A. McCoy. While the assail-
ants failed of their evident purpose of killing the
lieutenant, they succeeded in inflicting several pain-
ful wounds and in creating far more excitement than
they had anticipated. The story of this affair as
related by Captain Potter is as follows:

"On October 23, at 9 p. m.. Lieutenant IsT. A.
McCoy, who was acting as post quartermaster and
commissary, was returning from the bakery, where
he had been arranging for fresh bread for the follow-
ing day. He stopped to look in a store on the comer
of the main plaza, when three men quietly stopped
behind him. One suddenly struck him a hard blow
on the head with a heavy club. As the lieutenant
fell, another struck him on the shoulder and arm.
He fell, half dazed, to the ground. It happened that
two of the company were in the store, and ran to hia
assistance as he fell. The men who assaulted him at
once made good their escape.

"Lieutenant McCoy was brought to the barracks,
covered with blood, but Steward Ritter at once at-

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 287

tended his injuries and in a few moments he told us
all he knew about the assault.

"I took twenty-four men, put twelve under Cor-
poral Lindsay and took twelve myself, and started
for the town. We arrested every suspicious looking
|)erson we saw and by 4 a. m., by the aid of an in-
terpreter, had secured one of the men who committed
the assault. Early the next morning we arrested the
other two and placed them all in jail. For the next
two days there was considerable excitement in the
town and we had to double the guards and have a
heavy guard at the jail, but the excitement subsided
when they saw that we meant business, and we had no
further trouble of any kind.

''We had just secui*ed evidence enough to con-
vict the suspected parties when we were ordered
away, so the men were sent to Guayama and turned
over to the provost guard there for trial. I preferred
charges of assault with intent to kill, but have never
heard how the trial came out.

''It was intimated to Lieutenant McCoy and
myself that the men were liired by Spanish sympa-
thizers to kill any American officer whom they could
find alone or unprotected."

On October 27th final orders were received to
turn over the town and all the military stores at
that place belonging to the government, and the
detached squad and battalion having returned to
Cayey, the company proceeded to Caguas to join what
was left of the regiment. Caguas was reached about
•dark on the afternoon of the same day, and the next

288 TEE FOURTH 0. V. I.

morning the company started to Rio Piedras, cover-
ing the distance in good time, but in one of the hard-
est rains that were experienced in the island.

COMPANY B DETACHED.

Company B was composed of the kind of men
who insisted on doing a part of any work in sight.
It was one of the first companies ordered to the firing
line before Giiayama on August 5 and the first com-
pany to be ordered to provost dutj'. It was B Com-
pany that defended the captured town from the north-
east to hold the bridge across Guayama creek, a short
distance out the military road from Guayama.

Although the company was not detached in the
strict sense of the word at Guayama, its tour of pro-
vost duty was performed under the immediate super-
vision of General Haines and Captain White. Their
next detachment was an execution of an order to raise
the American flag over the town of Gurabo, about
six miles from Caguas. This was a hard march,
over a difificult mountain road, mud to wade, hills to
climb and streams to cross, but the trip was a suc-
cessful one and the Spanish emblem which once
marked the allegiance of the towm was brought back
to Columbus by Captain White.

The American flag was hoisted above Gurabo
October 13, and on October 15, at 7:40 a. m., the
company started for Rio Piedras to take charge of the
town. The headquarters of the United States forces
in Porto Rico had been here and Captain White had
the distinguished experience of relieving a major

flag: raising at curabo.

THE FOURTH O. T. I. 289

gcnaral when General Brooke turned over the town.

Rio Piedras, considering its size, was the wealth-
iest town in the island. It was six miles from the
capital, with which it was connected by the military
road and by the Eio Piedras and San Juan railway.
Many wealthy people resided there and there were
several beautiful residences, the finest of which, per-
haps, was the governor general's palace. There were
several comfortable cafes where ices and beverages
were served and where beef steak or potatoes were
prepared without either the use of olive oil or garlic.

The town was eminently Spanish in all its sym-
pathies and practically imder Spanish control, nearly
all the municipal officials having received their ap-
pointments in return for favors shown the Castilian
crown or its supporters. These were promptly re-
moved and the vacancies filled with the better class
of Portoriquenos, much to the satisfaction of the
islanders.

The boys of Company B and the natives of Rio
Piedras were at all times on very good terms, and
there was no occasion during the stay of the com-
pany for a clash between soldiers and citizens.

The company remained there until the regiment
had been ordered to the United States and a company
of the Forty-seventh 'New York had taken charge of
the town. Instead of boarding the train ~:ith the
first provisional battalion for San Juan, the company
marched over the military road and reported for re-
assignment next day. This made B company the
only one which really marched across the island, from
tl) (V.ribcrm soa to the Atlantic ocean.

990 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

CHAPTER XVIII.

HOME AGAIN.

•Orders to Leave — Preparatiou — Arrival of Forty-seveuth
New York— U. S. S. S. Chester at Arroyo— At Saa
Juan — Leaving the Island— Advantages and Disad-
vantages of the Chester — The Honaeward Voyage —
Death of Private Vertner — Arrival at New York —
Jersey City — Received by the President — To Colum-
bus — Reception — Furlough — Assembly — Accident at
Auditorium — Muster Out — Concluding Remarks.

While the boys at their respective stations were
watching and waiting for orders to go home, Colonel
Coit, at Caguas, received official information that his
regiment would be relieved by the Forty-seventh New
York. He was instructed as to the turning over of
government property and other details were given in
such an exacting manner that the boys of the regi-
ment were satisfied that the time for them to return
to their homes was not far distant. Their hopes were
confirmed when one fine morning in the latter part
of October the U. S. S. S. Chester appeared in the har-
bor at Arroyo with the gTeater part of the Forty-
seventh l^ew York on board.

The news spread as rapidly as telegraph and
horses could spread it, and long befcTe noon every
man in the regiment knew that his stay in Porto Rico
would be short from that time on. Everybody was
happy accordingly. In fact the joy of the members
. of the regiment knew no bounds. Everything was

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 291

from that day a hasty preparation and the regiment
was ready as to packing up and bidding good-by to
the natives long before the Chester was ready to leave
Arroyo. It was announced that the boat which had
transported the iSTew York regiment to the island
would also be used to take the Fourth Ohio home.

A and E companies boarded the vessel as soon as
everything was in readiness, but they found the ship
to be in a horrible condition with dirt and filth.
This condition of affairs was at once reported to
Colonel Coit, who at once objected to the use of the
ship for the transportation of the regiment on the
long voyage to the states. His objection did no
further use except to secure the promise that the ship
would be thoroughly cleansed before starting for
New York, the place designated for landing. The
ship was thoroughly cleaned, but the work was per-
formed by details from the companies of the Fourth
Ohio.

As soon as the companies at Guayama were re-
lieved by the ISTew Yorkers the Ohio boys boarded the
vessel and she steamed on down the coast to Hamacoa,
where D Company was relieved and taken on. Then
M Company was picked up at Isabel Segunda and the
Chester proceeded to Fajardo, where I Company was
relieved and taken on board, after which the Chester
continued the trip around the island to San Juan,
where she arrived on October 2Yth.

In the meantime F Company at Cayey, K at
Aibonito and the detachment of H Company at
Aguas Bpenos had assembled at Caguas and

292 THE FOURTH 0. T. I.

joined by B Oompany at Rio Piedras, had reached
San Jiian on the evening of October 28th. These
companies, except B, had been temporarily relieved
by the First Kentucky. L Company at Carolina had
gone to San Juan also and the regiment was again
intact. The night at San Juan was spent in an old
shed just outside the city, but no regular camp was
established and the men were permitted to spend the
night where and how they pleased. There were
numerous restaurants in the city, and as the men still
had a supply of cash, there was no suffering on ac-
count of lack of provisions.

The crew of the Chester completed the renova-
tion of the ship during the night and the next morn-
ing, when the loading of baggage was begun. San
Juan was interesting to the boys, especially the de-
fenses of the city and the effect of the bombardment
by the American fleet in July. All the places of
interest were visited, so that at first the quartermast-
er's department could not get men to load the bag^
gage. Captain Vincent and Captain Potter came to
the rescue, however, and details were soon secured
and the horses and baggage were loaded in quick
time. The regiment itself did not board the vessel
until about 4 p. m., although the Chester had been
under orders to sail at noon.

It was nearly dark when the Chester weighed
anchor and steamed out of the harbor. The TJ. S.
S. S. !N"ewark, one of the strongest vessels in the navy,
was stationed in the harbor, and when the CHiester
began to move toward the bay, the band oa the

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 293

Newark played "Home Sweet Home." This compli-
ment was answered by a cheer from the men and a
selection from the Fourth Ohio band, when the
Newark played another tune, answered by "Yankee
Doodle" by the Ohio band. Cheer after cheer
was exchanged by the representatives of the army and
navy, and with the firing of salutes, the tooting of
whistles and the ringing of bells, the Chester steamed
slowly out the harbor to the bay and turned her
course toward New York.

It was quite dark when the Oliester reached the
open sea and the dim lights from the city gave the
general view of the island where the boys had seen
80 much hard service, a sort of spectral appearance,
exactly in keeping with the final impression of Porto
Rico and Porto Ricans in the minds of most of tb®
men.

The voyage to New York was less comfortable
in some respects and more comfortable in others than
the voyage on the St. Paul had been. There waa
less room on the Chester and quarters were not so
comfortable, but better provision had been made for
rations and cooking, and the men were supplied with
warm meals. The weather was fine during the
greater part of the voyage, but a storm came up
during the third night out and those members of the
band and non-commissioned staff and some of the
members of the companies who had slept on th«
decks were compelled to seek shelter inside. All the
available room had already been taken up, but the
men who had not been assigned to any particular

294 THE FOURTH 0. T. I.

part of the ship, appropriated the halls and compan-
ion ways for their quarters. This was objected to by
the quartermaster of the A^essel, but Colonel Coit in-
sisted that those men would remain there and they
did. Some slept in the dining room, and others
in the halls and passage ways, wherever they could
find space enough to lie down. The officers were
crowded into small state rooms and they were not
much more comfortably situated than the men.

The only occurrence to mar the pleasure of the
voyage from San Juan was the sudden death of Al-
bert L. Vertner of K Company. The young man
had not been feeling well, and the hospital force had
prescribed what seemed to be the proper treatment,
but their efforts were in vain and the young man died
almost in sight of his native land.

The remains were buried at sea and the occasion
was given all the honor that could be bestowed under
the circumstances. Vertner was a popular member
of the company and the death was a shock to all its
officers and men.

The first time land was sighted after the Chester
had left San Juan was on the afternoon of jSTovember
2nd, when the hills and steeples of the United States
again came into view. There was very little to see
and nothing to make out, but when the boys realized
that they were once more in sight of their native laud
they nearly went wild with glee.

The band played "America," "Hail Columbia"
and other national airs, and the regiment answered
with cheers. Everybody on the vessel strained

TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 295

€very nerve to get a glimpse of the laud they loved
so well and all was excitement on board the Chester
for the remainder of the day.

Passing Sandy Hook, the Chester steamed on up
the harbor until dark, when she cast anchor until a
pilot boarded her, to direct the way to the quarantine
station. The boys were a little disappointed at hav-
ing to remain on the ship another night, but the as-
surance that it was the last one quieted their unrest.
An effort was made to secure pel-mission for some of
the officers to go ashore before morning, but this
could not be done on account of the rules of the
c^uarantine.

^Yhen the boys woke up on the morning of the
3rd they could not see from one side of the vessel to
the other. A dense fog had collected in the harbor
and fears began to be entertained that another day
would have to be spent on the ship, and the dissatis-
faction that was created by this idea can easily be
imagined. Finally, about 8 o'clock, a quarantine
officer boarded the Chester and made a thorough in-
spection of the ship. He found the vessel in an
elegant condition considering the large number of
passengers, horses and baggage she contained, so per-
mission was quickly granted to land. The fog pre-
vented a landing, however, and all that could be
done was for the Cbester to proceed further up the
harbor, where she waited near the base of the Statue
of Liberty for the fog to disappear. Captain Dona-
vin and several other members of the regiment went
ashore with the quarantine ofiicer, loaded down with

296 THE FOURTH 0. V. I,

messages from the soldiei*s to their families and
friends at home, announcing the arrival of the regi-
ment in New York.

The fog did not disappear until afternoon and
the work of unloading was not completed until al-
most evening. It was almost night when the
regiment touched land at Jersey City, all the baggage
and all the men having been taken off the Chester by
a large ferry boat. A train of three sections was in
waiting at the depot at Jersey City, but the train
did not leave there until about midnight the night of
October 3rd. During the wait in Jersey City the
boys were given the liberty of the town, and nearly
all of them made a visit across the river to New York,
where they did just what would be expected- — bought
the largest meal they could find. Beef steak, oysters,
butter, fresh bread that was made to be eaten, pie,
red apples and the thousand and one things that had
been wanted, but which could not be obtained in
Porto Rico, were gathered together in baskets, bags
and stomachs in quantities that under ordinary cii^
cumstances would have fed an entire army for a
week. A committee of Columbus gentlemen, repre-
senting the citizens of central Ohio, had come to
New York to meet the regiment at the moment it
reached American soil and to extend to them a hearty
welcome. This compliment was more than the of-
ficers or men had anticipated, and it was accordingly
appreciated. Lieutenant Colonel Adams, who had
left the island from Guayama on leave of absence,
came to New York from his home in Delaware to

THH FOURTH 0. V. I. 297

greet his comrades and to again share with them the
joys or sorrows of the few remaining days of absence
from home. The gentlemen who had met the regi-
ment as a committee of greeting were Messrs. Buck-
master, Miller, Donavin, Helwagen, Thrall and
Huling. Mr. Buckmaster was a railroad man, and
being one of the warmest friends of the regiment in
Ohio, he did all in his power to assure the safety and
comfort of the men on the homeward trip. Captain
Thrall had a special interest in the regiment, having
come to greet his son, who acted in the capacity of
regimental clerk until the regiment was mustered
out of the service. The other gentlemen had been
active also in securing orders for the return of the
regiment to the United States, and they naturally
felt an interest in seeing that the boys had a good
time after they were once in the limits of the United
States.

This was but the beginning of the hearty recog-
nition of the service performed by the regiment. At
every station on the way from New York to Colum-
bus crowds gathered at the railway stations to extend
greetings.

The stay at Jersey City, although but eight
hours, made many more friends for the Fourth Ohio.
Several other regiments had landed at that place after
foreign service and the first thing they had done
when they reached the place was to indulge in all the
intoxicants the place afforded. They were noisy and
ungentlemanly and their action in the city and in
the vicinity was anything but becoming the conduct

298 TEE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

of an American soldiejr. In marked contrast to thir
conduct the members of the Ohio regiment con-
ducted themselves after the fashion of the gentlemen
they were, and this conduct at once earned the ad-
miration of the officers and citizens of the entire city.
The contrast was the subject of favorable comment
in the I^ew York papers the following day.

Leaving Jersey City about midnight, the regi-
ment went over the Baltimore and Ohio railway to
Washington, where they arrived shortly after day-
light, and where the command was accorded an honor
which had not been extended to any other regiment
in the service. As soon as breakfast had been
served, the regiment was formed and following an
escort of mounted policemen, marched to the White
House, where it passed in review before President
McKinley and a number of other prominent gov-
ernment officials. After passing the reviewing
stand, the veranda at the White House, the regiment
marched to the street, where aims were stacked and
left under guard while the res^iment returned to the
executive mansion to be received by the president.
Here the head of the American government paid a
high tribute to the service of the regiment, and feeling
thus greatly honored, the boys returned to the rail-
way station to resume the journey home.

Leaving Washington about 5 o'clock, the trains
bearing the regiment passed through the District of
Columbia and Maryland, and bounding across the
Allegheny mountains, reached the Ohio line about
daylight. When the boys found themselves on

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 299^

Buckeye soil once more they hardly knew how to act.
Some cheered, some sang songs and some wept for
joy. "I knew the moment we crossed the river,"
said one fellow, "by the air I was breathing." It
was indeed a proud moment for every member of the
command, but nothing as compared to the arrival in
Columbus. The w^eather was chilly, and having just
come from a land where frost is unknown, and being
dressed accordingly, the cold had a rather bad effect
on the health of the men, but in marked contrast to
the position of the mercury, the reception extended
to the regiment by the people of Columbus was cer-
tainly "warm." Great crowds of people had come
to the railroad to get glimpses of their friends or rela-
tives as soon as they set foot in the capital of their
native state.

The train from Kew York had been run in three
sections and as soon as the entire train had reached
Columbus the regiment was formed and with an
escort of all the civic and military organizations of
Columbus, made a tour of the city, passing in review
before Governor Bushnell. A more extensive
demonstration was never seen in the capital city than
that in honor of the return of the Tourth Ohio. The
parade was dismissed at the Columbus Auditorium
and the regiment was then marched inside, where
there was in waiting for them a grand feast, prepared
by the citizens of Columbus. After enjoying lunch
the entire command was dismissed, the members of
the Columbus battalion going immediately to their
homes and the companies of the other b. ttalions tak-

300 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

ing first trains out of the city for their respective
home towns. At Washington Court House, Marion,
Portsmouth, Lancaster, Delaware, Mt. Vernon and
Circleville, demonstrations similar to those at Co-
lumbus, but on smaller scales, were made, and every
man in the regiment was given a most sincere wel-
come. A furlough of sixty days was granted to aU
the members of the regiment except the surgeons,
adjutant, quartermr ,ter, commissary and ordnance
officers, who were on duty at the Auditorium in Co-
lumbus during the entire time of the furlough.

On January 5 th, after the regiment had reached
home on JSTovember 6th, the command was again asr
sembled and remained at the capital until the 19th
of January, when the final payment and muster out
was made. During their stay in Columbus the men
were comfortably quartered at the Columbus Audit-
orium. Rows of bunks were constructed for sleep-
ing apartments, but the men were permitted to go
elsewhere if they chose. On the first night of the
stay in Columbus three tiers of bunks occupied by
H, M and E Companies collapsed anJ twenty men
were caught in the falling timbers. E^o lives were
lost and no permanent injury was sustained, but the
accident was of such a nature that it was regarded
almost a miracle that none were killed. While in
Columbus the men were fed at restaurants and each
man received three hot meals each day, an experi-
ence thy had not known during all the time they
were in the service.

THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 301

While the accounts were being made up between
the accountable officers and the government and be-
tween the officers anrl men, an order was received
from Washington direc^ ing that the sum received by
each enlisted man as pay frnm the State of Ohio for
the service f:om April 25th to May 9th be deducted
from the i ay due him at the time of final settlement
with the government. This pay had been received
while the regiment was at Chickamauga park and
the state had filed an account with the government
authorities, asking that the state treasury be reim-
bursed for the money expended in preparing for the
war. The claim would have been allowed, but the
government would have reimbursed itself from the
men themselves, thus denying them the sum allowed
by the state for active service. This was objected to
very vehemently on the part of the members of the
regiment and their friends, and the matter was only
settled by the withdrawal of the claim by the state
authorities, thus securing for the men all the pay
due them.

As soon as the men received their pay from the
two government paymasters at the State House, they
were handed their discharges and dismissed. Some
of the officers who, having lost some triplicate re-
ceipt or some insignificant account or technical docu-
ment did not receive any pay at the time the men
were paid, but they were discharged from the service.
As soon as they were relieved from their accounta-
bility to the government, however, the money due
them was promptly paid.

302 THE FOURTH 0. 7. I.

With honorable discharges from an honorable
sei-idce in their hands, the men were free to go where
and when they chose. Some of them remained in
Columbus several days, but all soon returned to their
respective homes to resume the citizenship which they
had temporarily abandoned. These men had shown
by the manner in which they had performed every
exacting duty, that they were made of the stuff which
makes good citizens and that they were of the class
of men who help dignify the laws of the country
which they had defended.

The men returned to the farm, to the office
^nd to the factory, there to follow the puiv
riuits which they had chosen in the earlier part of
their careers. Many were at once tendered the posi-
tions which they had occupied before they had left
for the front, and most of the remainder soon obtained
profitable employment, but unfortunately a few were
compelled to seek many weeks before they could
secure means to support themselves and their families.

In the transformation from soldier to citizen the
Columbus Board of Trade was a valuable aid. Its
secretary, Mr. J. Y. Bassell, had experienced the
trials attending the closing of a mihtary career and
he was able and willing to help the boys all he could.,
The Board of Trade had manifested a keen interest
in the regiment while it was being prepared for service
and after it had taken up its place in the field. By
the energies of this organization, all the field officers
of the regiment had been presented with horses, and
while the regiment was in Camp Thomas, a beautiful

THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 303

Stand of colors was presented by the Board of Trade.
This flag was carried all through the Porto Rico
campaign and returned to Columbus, but not without
the marks of battle. There are several bullet holes
in the starry emblem which mutely tell how the
,?ommand performed its duty, but there is not a stain
on its silken folds which tell of a deed of which any
man in the regiment or one of its friends need be
ashamed. In return for this flag, the Spanish flag
which had marked the allegiance of the city of
Guayama was given to the Board of Trade, a present
from the Fourth Ohio. There were other friends
who watched the every movement of the regiment
besides the Board of Trade, and the personal friends
or families of the members of the regiment. Public
spirited men, who regarded every man in the rank
and file of the regiment as a son or brother, were
ever watchful to supply every possible comfort which
the government did not afford. Colonel James Kil-
bourne, Colonel George D. Freeman, Colonel Knauss,
the W. 0. T. U. and many other societies and private
citizens, did all in their power to make the bovs in
the field comfortable, their famihes at home happy
and to look after the welfare of all when they re-
turned to their homes. At Columbus the wives,
sisters and mothers of the boys formed themselves
into a society for the purpose of rendering all the aid
they could, and many were the comforts that these
good women were able to provide where homes would
otherwise have remained cheerless.

304 THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

The Fourth Ohio, as it was known in the Span-
ish-American war has ceased its existence except in
the hearts of those who gave it and in the pages of
history. Central Ohio was well represented in this
effort and the brilliant record of the Fourth Ohio
in the Civil war was as successfully emulated as the
circumstances of the service permitted. A soldier's
only duty is to obey orders and the Fourth Ohio has
set an example in this which it will be well for suc-
ceeding regiments to follow. The Fourteenth In-
fantry is still a state organization, and if its future
may be judged by the past, it will ever remain a
monument to the valor of Ohio's citizen soldiery.

TEE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 305

ROSTER

OF THB

KOURTH O. V. I

FIELD, STAFF AND NON-COMMISSIONED
STAFF.

Colonel Alonzo B. Coit

Lieutenant-Colonel C. Barton Adams

Major John C. Speaks

Major John F. Sellers

Major Charles V. Baker

Surgeon |]dward M. Semeans

Assistant Surgeon Thompson B. Wright

Assistant Surgeon Henry M. Taylor

Adjutant Mac Lee Wilson

Chaplain James C. Shindel

Quartermaster George B. Donavin

Battalion Adjutant T. Perry Williams

Battalion Adjutant Edward M. Fullington

Battalion Adjutant Harry W. Krumm

Regimental Sergeant Major Frank C. Radcliffe

Q. M. Sergeant Charles L. Taylor

Chief Musician Jesse Worthington

Principal Musician Lewis F. Lytle

Principal Musician Charles J. Rulo

Principal Musician George F. McDonald

Hospital Steward John W. Richards

Hospital Steward Louis F. Ritter

Hospital Steward F¥ank H. Burr

Battalion Sergeant Major Charles W. Finley

Battalion Sergeant Major Lewis F. Philo

Battalion Sergeant Major Charles E. Creager

306

THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

BAND.
Harry A. Davis Acting Q. M. Sergeant

Beitler, Claude M.
Brooke, Philo R.
Davie, J. B.
Davies, David E.
Davis, Shell P.
Davis, Horace W.
Dougherty, Jerome.
Ebner, Jacob C.
Feeney, Joseph L.
Getz, Oscar D.
Hane, Vv'illiam A.

TRIV'ATES.

Hosfield, Edwin J.
Lilley, Frank P.
McFarland, William R.
McNaughten, Thomas R.
McRae. William C.
Meihlheim, Leo C.
Rorick, Jonas M.
Thomas, Harry H.
Williard, Ezra H.
Zeisler, Valentine.

HOSPITAL CORPS.

Edward Steve Darby Acting Steward

Curry W. James Acting Steward

Davis, V/illiam R.
Dixon, Charles A.
Getz, John F.
Hance, William T.
Judkins, William J.
Kelley, John M.
Moon, Oliver C.

PRIVATES.

Oglesby, Nicholas B.
Powell, John W.
Pringle, Leroy.
Rawley, Paul J.
Sherwood, Milton W.
Stimmell, John S.
Wright Ed. M.

TEE FOURTH 0. V. I.

307

COMPANY A.

Captain Joseph J. Walsh

First Lieutenant Harry Graham

First Lieutenant Clyde R. Modie

Second Lieutenant Cyrus W. Grandstaff

First Sergeant William C. McConnell

Q. M. Sergeant L- B. Andrua

Q. M. Sergeant G. B. Kilboume

SERGEANTS.

A. C. McGuire. Ed. Stalter.

J. A. Auld. J. D. Acker.

CORPORALS.

F. H. Stevenson. Harry Syfert.

O. H. Bonn. F. R. Thrall.

C. K. McClelland. Emil Meyer.

J. F. O'Shaughnessy. G. E. Walsh.

Frank Graham. A. G. Smith.

F. C. Lockhart. Jos. F. Tate.

Musicians Preston Coit, T. R. Wirick

Artificer M. P. GrandstafE

Wagoner Ollie E. Brixner

PRIVATES.

Barnes, P. M.
Barnes, F. B.
Beecher, J. P.
Bennett, F. U.
Bergwitz, W. E.
Bright, W. S.
Brown, W. S.
Buskirk, T. M.

Leuze, C. M.
McLaine, S. H.
McClure, C. R.
McMeekin, Joseph.
Mihan, M. M.
Musselman, Ferry.
Marguardt, F. E.
Noble, Otho.

308

THE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

Carder, T. A.
Carroll, Frank.
Carson, S. K.
Cavlnee, E. M.
Chamberlain, B. W.
Chatterton, T. H.
Clawson, Burnes.
Cockins, R. H.
Cott, E. P.
Cramer, H. H.
Cunningham, E. T.
Duffy, Thomas.
Edgington, W. J.
Evans, T. J.
Ewing, J. H.
Fleck, J. S.
Fleck, H. N.
Ford, C. L.
French, S. N.
Gorley, Clarence.
Graham, J. A.
Guitard, C. B.
Hanway, A. L.
Hughey, C. F.
Hummell, C. E.
Jeffrey, P. W.
Johnson, E. J.
Klotts, E. P.
Knouff, 0. M.
Lazenby, C. B.
Olds, J., Jr.

Fangle, D. C.
Patterson, W. S.
Pierce, C. O.
Pirt, Joseph.
Price, Frank C.
Reichard, G. W.
Riddle, Carlton.
Riffee, C. W.
Romanis, Edwin.
Roy, C. F.
Sackett, L. A.
Schertle, D. B.
Schuman, John.
Scringer, A. L.
Shearer, O. F.
Sigrist, C. F.
Simms, Irwin E.
Smith, A. L.
Strait, J. D.
Teter, C. K.
Thompson, W. H.
Walker, John W.
Wallace, H. D.
Weadon, J. S.
Webster, D. E.
Wells, Ellsworth.
Whitman, H.
Whitney, C. A.
Williams, D. M.
Williams, J. W.

THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

30iJ

COMPANY B.

Captain Will S. White

P^rst Lieutenant Frank L. Oyler

Second Lieutenant William B. Hamill

First Sergeant ^Villiam P. Stevenson

Q. M. Sergeant Robert Swigert

SERGEANTS.

Frank G. Jacokes. Charles A. Hunt.

Frank T. Ethell. Tilden T. Jones.

CORPORALS.

Charles E. Bolin. Joseph Davis.

John M. Conti. Charles R. Wagner.

S. Perry Capell. Edward H. Smith.

Roy B. Shook. Frank E. V/illiams.

Lewis M. Stevenson. Henry Kaiser.

Joseph B. Clemens. Walter C. Stout.

Artificer John W. Warman

AVagoner Fred Buckingham

Musician Herbert A. Miller

PRIVATES.

Arthur, Joseph. Loudenslager, Charles S.

Angell, Edgar F. Long, Jacob F.

Anderson, William M. Milligan, Elmer J.

Butler, Wm. J. Morris, John C.

Brown, James W. McDonald, James E.

Brown, Olliver T. McDaniels, Charles H.

Brown, Charles F. Morris, Edward F.

Bold, Eber L. Nunamaker, Norman C.

Bennett, Charles C. Noel, William J.

Barr, Emory E. Osborn, David G.

Cumminns, Henry R. O'Harra, Cornelius C.

Coons, Jasper N. Robinson, Morton W.

310

TEE FOURTH 0. Y. I.

Coss, Frank S.
Cohn, William.
Dally, Vincent L.
Deuel, Joseph R.
Dauterman, Frank C.
Dakin, Perry E.
Elder, Arlie.
Farahay, William I.
Gregory, Charles F.
Green, Elmer E.
Graham, Earl W.
Grove, Frank E.
Geis, Henry.
Grube, Arthur F.
Hedges, Robert L.
Heiman, Simon.
Hankee, Fred.
Harper, Martin A.
Harrison, Foster S.
Handley, Moses E.
Hopkins, Harry H.
Hayward, Herbert.
Ingraham, Robert B.
Keyes, Edward, Jr.
Kessie, John.
Kessie, Fred C.
Kuhn, George A.
Lytle, Andrew G.
Lane, Cory L.

Steinel, Jacob.
Shuflin, Harry W.
Sines, James G.
Stewart, Elmer E.
Stoker, Jacob, jr.
Shipley, Clarence J.
Shirrey, Burrell M.
Swiger, William S.
Smith, Charles A.
Sponsler, Charles E.
Sperry, Henry C.
Snyder, Frank.
Smith, George B.
Thompson, Robert C.
Taylor, Ralph W.
Thrush, Jesse.
Trone, Wood. C.
Van Gilder, Lewis H.
Van Eaton, Albert H.
Wolfel, Arthur.
Watsek, Adam E.
Woolard, Asa.
White, Carey B.
Walker, Arthur H.
Wiley, William H.
Willhide, Melvin B.
Woodmansee, Charles M,
Werner, Edward J.
Williams, Joshua L.

THE FOVRTE 0. Y.

311

COMPANY C.

Captain Thomas R. Biddle

Captain Arthur W. Reynolds

First Lieutenant Arthur W. Reynolds

First Lieutenant Frank A. Alexander

Second Lieutenant Frank A. Alexander

Second Lieutenant Edward M. Biddle

First Sergeant Edward M. Biddle

First Sergeant V.'illiam E. Stimmel

Q. M. Sergeant Harry L. Barker

SERGEANTS.

Paul Armstrong. Marvel W. Bliss.

S. Riley Harrod. Charles D. Rowland.

Harry H. Nichols.

CORPORALS.

Benjamin F. Morris. Frank C. Biddle.

Harry E. Eichorn. Richard A. Twaddel.

Clinton C. Martin. Otto F. Cook.

Charles F. Eastner. Henry T. Helwagen.

Adam T. Renck. Edwin Steubenrauch.

Charles O. Schoonoover. Edward M. Slemmons.

Musicians Charles F. Bauer, Claude Putnam

Artificer Lewis M. Carter

Wagoner Samuel Ford

PRIVATES.

Athern, Clarence. Minnick, Robert T.

Buehler, John W. Mann, Allen D.

Baehr, George. Mayfield, Victor H.

Baehr, Charles. Munk, Andrew J.

Balsley, Lloyd W. Mugrage, Ed.

Bierhalter, Joseph. McCoy, Lorin. '

Butler Arza A. McLeoid, Albert E.

311

TEE FOURTH O. V. I.

Blackburn, Thomas F.
Charles, William S.
Cordner, John O.
Crawford, John J.
Cowley, Arthur.
Corwin, John.
Croninger, John.
Dearth, Earnest.
Dent, Joseph W.
Dixson, Lovett T.
Dubois, Edmond L.
EJaston, Fred L.
Fix, Charles W.
Groves, William P.
Hickey, Aaron.
Haines, Harry L.
Hesley, Frederick.
Hook, John.
Horlocker, Noble W.
Haniwalt, John C.
Hoover, Asa.
Hampton, Wade.
Ingersol, Charles G.
Jones, William.
Jones, Samuel T.
Kreuz, Karl.
Losch, Joseph.
Lloyd, Charles O.
Lioveland, Fred.
Lewis, Frank B.
Molloy, Theopholis.
McFarland, Charles.

McCalley, Hiram.
McClurg, Charles B.
Parsons, Arthur.
Renck, Charles F.
Rhodes, Simeon A.
Roberts, Matthew S.
Rodgers, James L.
Ross, William.
Rowe, William I.
Spaith, Edwin Arthur.
Shoemaker, Edward B. T.
Stephens, Lorin.
Smith, Benjamin.
Smith, Jesse F.
Smith, Carl F.
Southcomb, Robert P.
Steck, Henry J.
Snead, James.
Sullivan, John.
Taylor, Charles K.
Thomas, George.
Thompson, Harry R.
Vetter, John.
Whip, Harry C.
Wells, Ira E.
Withers, Austin A.
Wallets, Frank B.
Watzek, Frank.
\*ineman, Glenn G.
Yearding, William T.
Yost, William J.

THE FOVRTU 0. V. 1.

313

COMPANY D.

Captain Charles F. Sellers

First Lieutenant J. Richard Turner

Second Lieutenant Frank H. Otte

Second Lieutenant Abe Newlove

First Sergeant Abe Newlove

First Sergeant Allen C. Edson

Q. M. Sergeant Thomas J. Alexander

Q. M. Sergeant George P. Zwerner

SERGEANTS.

Charles J. Greene. William R. Kennedy.

Prank Mills.

CORPORALS.

Charles Orahood. Conrad Kirchner.

William Johnson. Will Saygrover.

Charles Ford. Joseph Mullen.

Elijah A. Horr. Joseph Mills.

Walter P. Gregg. Arthur H. Armine.

Lewis Orahood. Elmer Hedges.

Musicians F. Pearl Taylor, Bertram G. Marls

Artificer John Lansdown

Wagoner Anderson Williams

PRIVATES.

Armine, Harry G. Lyons, Charles.

Anderson, Willis. Lee, Ell M.

Alden, Eujean. Lower, Clifton.

Andrews, Edward. Lee, James.

Beaver, James N. Mitchell, Pearl.

Beaver, Wassen. Mathers, Charles.

Bartlett, William. Martin, Robert B.

Blake, Layton. Maris, Harry.

Bell, Joseph S. Mills, Charles.

314

THE FOURTH 0. T. I.

Bradley, Frank C.

Brake, Holly O.

Bishop, Otto.

Beck, James.

Brown, Elmer.

Connell, Edward.

Conner, Thomas.

Clapham, Frank.

Converse, Harrj'.

Clastic, George.

Church, Edward.

Dines, William L.

Donohoe, Fred.

Daugherty, Benjamin.

Fisher, Victor.

Gosnell, Otto.

Greene, Huitt.

Goff, Walter.
Hush, George B.
Hudson, Edward.
Hensley, Delbert.
Hinton, Mack.
Holycross, Frank L.
Hill, Samuel.
Johnson, Alia.
Johnson, Joe.
Jones, Allen.
Jones, John.
Kees, Isaac.
Lawrence, Joe.
Laird, Charles M.
Mullen, George.

Moon, Spencer.

Martin, William S.

New^love, Lute.

Nelson, Edward.

Nelson Fred W.

Otte, Lewis.

Orr, Lee.

Plotner, Bert.

Perry, Charles A.

Phelps, Earl.

Rausch, Will.

Randall, Edward.

Sparks, Harry.

Schlegel, George, Jr.

Shetterly, Carson B.

Shetterly, Joseph E.

Smith, Albert.

Shuler, John.
Sloop, Artemus.
Sheridan, Chester.
Tway, Carl.
Taylor, Harry W.
Turner, Charles M.
Tossey, Defro.
Vaii, Reuben.
Williams, William.
Weber, Walter.
Webb, Luther.
Wise, William F.
Walcut, William.
Williams, Charles F.

THE FOURTH 0. T. I.

315-

COMPANY E.

Captain William L. Vincent

First Lieutenant Charles O. Updyke

Second Lieutenant James M. Fugaie

First Sergeant Charles E. Stogdon

Q. M. Sergeant Charles E. Jarnagin.

SERGEANTS.

Orestus Hardway. Charles L. Sexton.

Lohn Gillum. Michael Daily.

CORPORALS.

Robert Bonham. John S. Reeder.

Henry D. Faudree. John W. Cook.

Lon Stevenson. Harvey W. Smith.

L. S. Updyke. Frank Sammons.

Herbert C. Marquett. Will S. Gray.
Frank W. Potter.

Musicians Odd F. Ott, William N. Eyre

Artificer Eugene Conway

Wagoner Charles Bitzer

PRIVATES.

Allebaugh, Alvin. Krebs, Adam.

Armstrong, William C. Kunz, Charles.

Baker, Morris O. Kidd, Chedister C.

Bayse, W. H. Kneisley, Carey W.

Bales John A. Marine, A. E.

Bales, Howard. McCormick, Harvey.

Bateman, Frank M. Mitchner, J. H.

Beeler, John C. Mercer, Stew^art.

Baker, Richard A. Murphy, Arthur L.

Bellar, Milt. McCord, Elmer G.

Brown, Americus. McDonald, James E.

Butler, John H. McDonald, Norman*

316

THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

Cook, James F., Jr.
Coffman, Nathan J.
Coffman, Elwert.
Cook, Scott.
Creamer, Michael S.
Clemens, Ramie.
Cubbage, Johnson.
Dawson, Jacob H.
Douglass, Ed.
Doddridge, John A.
Daniels, Tyra C.
Davis, Isaac C.
Dearth, Charles C.
Doyle, Charles V7.
Ely, Clyde B.
Ervin, Floyd D.
Ford, Franklin P.
Figgins, Charles E.
Flint, William E.
Grass, John.
Hardy, Andrew J.
Kolcomb, Hartley C.
Haffler, Harry P.
Hall, Emory P.
Harris, Harry A.
Haynes, William N.
Jacobs, Claude S.
Johnson, John C.
Johnson, Morgan B.
Keaton, James W.

Nixon, John T.
Pratt, Robert.
Palmer, Harry B.
Pine, Ward.
Pricer, Herbert L.
Robb, John.
Simms, French.
Slonaker, Galard.
Shingles, Arthur M.
Smithers, Lynn F.
Shimp, Burt 0.
Snapp, Joseph E.
Sams, William W.
Sever, Frank.
Smith Charles A.
Smith Charles.
Smith, Ed.
Sollars, Emerald M.
Taylor, Jerome.
Vincent, Elmer.
Vincent, Burten.
Voss, Charles T.
Walters, Elie W.
"V\Tiited, Benjamin F.
Wilt, Arthur W.
Woods, George F.
Wyatt, James H.
West, Frank R.
Wilson, William H., Jr.
Welch, Homer G.

THE FOURTH 0. T. I.

317

COMPANY F.

Captain Joseph D. Potter

First Lieutenant Clyde R. Modie

First Lieutenant Harry Graham

Second Lieutenant Nathan A. McCoy

First Sergeant A. A. Grimm

First Sergeant R. E. Hull

First Sergeant George D. Freemaai

Q. M. Sergeant Frank L. Thornton

SERGEANTS.

Arthur A. Grimm. William S. Haley.

Richard E. Hull. Rowland Duulap.

CORPORALS.

Arthur H. Simons. Chester M. Spurgeon.

Fred Wahl. Frank D. Potter.

Moses H. Barlow. Charles F. Bowen.

Earl C. Greenley, Walter J. Modie.

Lewis F. Sage. John T. Seiders.

David R. Sams. Jackson Westenhaver.

William P. Markeson. Alfred Chapin.

Musicians John Keith, Wm Crawford, Lewis Anderson

Artificer Horatio C. Prittner

Wagoner George Stonebemer

PRIVATES.

Barnes, Robert. Lydy, Sam J.

Bear, Edmond. Meeker, William D.

Blakely, Worley S. Meninngen, William P.

Butler, Ray. Merrick, Medford.

Creviston, Lark. Morris, John C.

Corson, William. Michel, Robert.

Carroll, John. Miller, Webb.

Chapin, Albert. McCormick, P. C.

318

THE FOURTH 0. T. I.

Cromwell, W. E.
Cross, Fred J.
Dennis, Leroy G.
Dixon, Herbert D.
Doke, Arthur H.
Fitzgerald, Edwin.
Gibbons, John.
Oilliam, E. F.
Grate, Frank.
Grove, Charles O.
Gynter, Albert.
Giles, Frank M.
Gray, Meldrum.
Hess, Edward.
Hess, R. C.
Handley, Scott.
Hemming, R. N.
Hilf, Charles F.
Hill, Clyde W.
Holmes, Martin.
Holmes, Thomas.
Ismon, Ralph E.
Jones, William R.
Jones, Thomas J.
Kellar, John A.
Kerr, Edward C.
Kight, Thomas H.
Kirkpatrich, Warden.
Kneeland, Arthur R.
Kriel, George.
Lang, Edward J.
McElvane, J. R.

McKenzie, W. A.
Osborn, Clyde W.
Palm, James.
Paraday, Charles.
Petry, August.
Putman, Charley.
Preston, William B.
Ranney, Jess F.
Reynolds, C. B.
Robbins, Ralph.
Rodgers, J. E.
Riddlesberger, William.
Roberts, Charles.
Rhoades, Lawrence.
Schrock, Fred C.
Shipley, Fred F.
Sharp, Howard.
Smith, Ralph.
Snyder, John M.
Snyder, Edward F.
Staley, Edward.
Simms, Edwin M.
Shaw, Leroy.
Sharp, J. R.
Sharp, Birdsell.
Taylor, Frank L.
Taylor, Thomas E., Jr.
Tucker, Albert E.
Ulry, Fred.
Williamson, H. W.
Yourk, Mike.

THE FOURTH 0. F. /.

319

COMPANY G.

Captain Fred W. Petera

First Lieutenant Fred S. Titus

.Second Lieutenant Thomas E. Andrews

First Sergeant James E. Messenger

Q. M. Sergeant Frank E. Lattimore

SERGEANTS.

Zed. E. Gunder. Charles R. Lattimore.

James W. McMurray. George E. Irvin.

CORPORALS.

Will H. Hunt. Wesley C. Winters.

E:arnest Boger. William F. Amrine.

Nathaniel J. Clapper. Frank L. Jordan.

F. Charles Stump. John E. Button.

Newberry W. Wheeler. Omie J. P. Ward.

Frank C. Stevenson. Charles F. Copeland.
William E. Cleveland.

Musicians Hary T. Love, John F. Snid«r

Artificer Robert L. Rathell

Wagoner Harry T. Messenger

PRIVATES.

Alexander, Arthur G. Maag, William A.

Anderson, Neal. MacFadden, Edward S.

Akron, Pearl C. Madden, John W.

Berry, Frank C. Marlow, George.

Beichler, Albert. Mayes, Edson C.

Bryan, Harry E. McConnell, Charles.

Burk, James H. Minard, Daniel.

Carey, Howard E. Monnette, Arthur A.

Carroll, Harry G. Midlam, Carl O.

Chapman, Ross. Mong, Yv^illiam C.

Couts, James H. Niles, William T.

320

THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

Clark, Robert B.
Close, James W.
Coleman, Rant R.
Comwell, William P.
Cnssick, James M.
Day, Lewis E.
Doke, Henry C.
Edwards, Charles F.
Elliott, Ulysses G.
Evans, Edward C.
Evans, w illiam.
Ferrell, Hershel C.
Ferrin, Guy T.
Fields, Harry H.
French, Arthur J.
Glaze, Charles W.
Hessong, Charles H.
Hill, Josh. W.
Hinklin, Howard A.
Houseworth, Charles P.
Howison, Lee.
Hubley, Marion E.
Hull, Hollis.
Hull, Zane.
Irey, Harley O.
Johnson, William.
Luethold, Alfred S.
Little, Frank M.

O'Brian, Thomas J.
Parker, John.
Padgett, Frank 0.
Pierce, Daniel B.
Porter, Henry N.
Purkey, George A.
Prlndle, James W.
Rease, Joseph.
Rhoades, Harry.
Riddle, William W.
Sharrock, James.
ShaJBfer, Frank E.
Scott, John W.
Shuster, George.
Smith, Marion.
Smith, Albert S.
Smith, William G.
Snider, Charles M.
Simpson, Walter W.
Spring, Harry L.
Stone, William.
Swallen, Harvey.
Taugher, Michael.
Thomas, Lloyd W.
Thompson, Robert L.
Wickess, John L.
Wolfe, Finlay.
Wilson, John R.

THE FOURTH 0. V. 1.

321

COMPANY H.

Captain Robert S. Pritcliard

Captain James W. Smith

First Lieutenant Frank B. Pratt

First Lieutenant James W. Smith

First Lieutenant Kinney P. Funk

Second Lieutenant James W. Smith

Second Lieutenant Kinney P. Funk

First Sergeant Forrest C. Briggs

First Sergeant Russell C. Newman

Q. M. Sergeant Charles C. Wilhelm

SERGEANTS.

Andrew B. Foster. Walter H. Trimmer.

Samuel Williams. George G. Oldfield.

CORPORALS.

Charles H. Maguire. Joseph C. Bratt.

Harvey M. Will. Charles N. Reed.

Denver Crull. George A. Batterson.

Asberry W. Davidson. John L. McMonigle.

Byron D. Shriver. William P. Reed.

Charles S. Noel. Floyd E. Thurman.

Artificer Roy N. Matthews

Musician Fred N. Armstrong

Wagoner William D. McMonigle

PRIVATES.

Alger, Barry J. Kinney, Clifford M.

Alger, Frank H. Kelley, William H.

Anderson, Preston H. Krick, Isaac.

Adams, Harry E. Nohl, Harry N.

Andre, Benjamin. Masters, William A.

Bybee, Monte G. Mann, George F.

Barber, Albert M. Moore, George B.

322

THE FOURTH 0. V. 1.

Bumgardner, Elton M.
Bush, Francis M.
Bush, Thomas J.
Bush, Matthew.
Boren, Elmer S.
Barr, Charles.
Bennet, David P.
Birmingham, John.
Calvert, Ralph W.
Cooper, Milton J.
Cole, William L.
Chapman, Tasw^ell.
Cunningham, Vinton A.
Davidson, Reed M.
Distel, Louis E.
Donaldson, Harry W.
Douglass, Duncan M.
Davis, David C.
Dodge, Daniel H.
Evans, Mitchell H.
George, Robert M.
Gilbert, Ora B.
Hicks, Edward B.
Herms, Albert G.
Hubert, John A.
Hood, Charles E.
Harris, Evan G.
Johnson, David J.
Johnson, Samuel E.
Johnson, William E.
Jones, Wells H.
Kinney, John Wesley.

Messer, Alfred M.
Mathiott, Harry W.
Monk, John E.
Molester, Charles G.
Mead, Alexander R.
McKeown, Emmet K.
McGuire, Edward M.
McDaniels, James.
Morrison, Henry M.
Patterson, Elbert L.
Peebles, William M.
Redmon, Joseph A.
Reinert, Adolph G.
Reinhardt, Euward J.
Sturgill, William C.
Stewart, James F.
Stowe, Walter H.
Skelton, James.
Shela, John W.
Schmidt, John F.
Sparka, Kurt.
Thompson, Matthew W.
Taylor, Charles C.
Thomas, William E.
Turner, Joseph.
Wells, Edward S.
Whitman, Charles R.
Welch, Arthur.
Wheeler, x^dgar R.
Winters, Henry H.
Youngman, John.
Zeek, Edward.

THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

323

COMPANY I.

Captain Louis H. Palmer

First Lieutenant Fred S. Whiley

Second Lieutenant William H. Hause

First Sergeant William S. Kindler

Q. M. Sergeant Roy T. McNaughten

SERGEANTS.

Thomas W. Nickum. Frank M. Murpuy.

John E. rhomas. Gaylord C. Peters.

CORPORALS.

Seymore E. Hansley. Ernest I. Curtiss.

John W. Littrell. Charles Fishbaugh.

Arthur J. Phillips. Henry C. Clark.

Hugh S. Love. Warren A. Lowry.

Herman L. Wagner. Nelson E. Terry.

Frank E. Beery. George L. Justice.

Musicians Oscar D. Getz, Irving A. Cook

Wagoner William E. Neal

Artificer Samuel L. Bush

PRIVATES.

Arnold, Jesse W.
Amann, Augustus M.
Buckley, William J.
Bope, Charles B.
Brainard, Will J.
Bentrol, Charles F.
Bulger, John.
Black, Harry B.
Bobbitt, David.
Botts, James E.
Ballard, James M.
Balthaser, Chauncey E.

Mertz, Jacob J.
McSweeney, James I
McLain, Clifford C.
Moore, Charles R.
Mauk, Arthur R.
Morton, Robert R.
Miller, John M.
McCray, Andrew L.
Nisley, Harry J.
Nisley, Joseph W.
Nye, Charles E.
Proctor, Harry E.

324

THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

Basore, William H.

Clifton, George.

Cook, Walter.

Dyarman, Charles T.

Dupler, Murray C.

Derr, Charles E.

Dew, Stanley J.

Dille, Willis.

England, Benjamin T.

Flood, William H.

Foster, John H.

Green, Lester O.

Greentree, James.

Gebhardt, William H.

Gantz, John G.
Gyr, Harry.
Griner, James R.
Goodyear, Charles.
Herman, Henry.
Hite, Joseph A.
Jeffries, George T.
Keller, James O.
Keller, William U.
Keller, Harry 0.
Kernes, David.
Knotts, Charles.
Lape, Theodore I.
Leeper, Charles L.
Light, James G.
Potter, Jesse N.

rrentice, George H.

Paskins, James H.

Patterson, Tecumseh B.

Robinson, Amosa W.

Robinson, Robert B.

Reynolds, George E.

Roskovemckey, Lewis S.

Reed, Charles G.

Rossley, Charles E.

Reese, Edward A.

Spitler, David L.

Spitler, Pearl D.

Spitler, Earl <g.

beifert, Abe.

Shaw, Robert.

Straley, James.

Stewart, Frank L.

Shue, Frank E.
Sprague, James W.
Terry, George T.
Todhunter, Reese B.
Todhunter, George B.
Tipple. David E.
White, John E.
Williams, Howard A.
Walters, Perry.
Wolfe, Royal.
Yingling, Sherman.
Zimmerman, John D.

TEE FOURTH 0. V. I.

325

COMPANY K.

Captain Bert H. Greiner

First Lieutenant William B. McCloud

Second Lieutenajit Oscar O. Koeppel

First Sergeant W. L. Norton

Q. M. Sergeant George A. Griebel

SERGEANTS.

Charles Riddle. H. A. Cosier.

Frank M. Said. Carl T. Cratty.

CORPORALS.

Lq. O. Thomson. Elbert Nelson.

Earl Sheldon. A. Kent Harmount.

Merton S. Starr. Sturges Dunham.

Charles Thrall. Orrain W. Patrick.

Ray H. Longwell. Robert H. Lybrand.

Llysses G. Sanger. Lester C. Riddle.
Thomas Glaze.

Musicians J Shultz, John Longwell

Artificer Charles L. Inscho

Wagoner L. R. Spain

PRIVATES.

Auman, John. Lynch, J.

Ahern, Patrick. Lawson, C. E.

Bennett, J. F. Marritt, J. M.

Brownmiller, C. R. Miller, C. C.

Brunn, C. H. Miller, H. A.

Browning, S. W. Montane, C. B.

Billig, C. E. Maloney, J.

Butt, A. M. Maloney, C. H.

Campbell, H. R. Maine, C. A.

Cruikshank, A. Mahonay, M. C.

Corbin, Richard. McFarland, F. A.

326

THE FOURTH 0. V.

Doyle, J. P.
Driscoll, T. J.
Dall, C. K.
Davis, H. W.
Dove, T. C.
Enright, F. H.
Ford, W. R.
France, C. O.
Frantz, Walter.
Ferris, W. M.
Foley, W. J.
Gerber, Max.
Greiner, J. R.
Grove, T. S.
Harmount, H. W.
Hills, L. C.
Howald, W. A.
Hodges, S. M.
Hansley, E. D.
Hollison, W.
Hunt, H. E.
Ingle, W. W.
Inscho, A. D.
Jones, C. L.
Jamison, F. B.
Jacobus, H. C.
Kelley, J. L.
Lenhart, L.
Lyons, J.
O'Connor, J.

O'Bryan, P.
Osborne, B.
Powell, H. B.
Platz, G.
Rose, H. E.
Riddle, R. R.
Reed, W.
Read, R. W.
Rider, W. R.
Randolph, D. F.
Rodenfels, Edward.
Ross, T.
Siegfried, John.
Smith, William L.
Strohm, G.
Said, T. H.
Schneider, B. J.
Shank, J. W.
Thrall, G. W.
Vertner, A. L.
Watkins, F. S.
Wells, Rex. W.
Windham, R. H.
Vvohlheater, W. Z.
Wells, Charles.
Wohlheater, E. F.
Webster, Olliver Perry.
Whitlinger, Henry.
Zeigler, Frank.

THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

327

COMPANY L.

Captain Fred M. French

First Lieutenant Charles E. Bigler

Second Lieutenant Sherman E. Ward

First Sergeant Earl F. Thuma

Q. M. Sergeant Edwin J. Scott

SERGEANTS.

George D. Lewis. Burr A. Wyant.

James H. Graff. Robert H. Westlake.

CORPORALS.

Carrol R. Jackson. William M. Edwards.

John J. Jacobs. Elbert L. Mendenhall.

J. Louis Ewalt. John K. Davis.

Scott U. Kirby. D. Horton White.

Oscar Adams. Harry L. Thuma.
Edwin J. Myers.

Musicians Charles W. Wood, Lewis Herrod

Artificer William Gregory

Wagoner Harry M. Jacobus

PRIVATES.

Armentrout. L. Vance. Lambert, Philip J.

Ashton, Walter G. Loback, Frank B.

Adams, Oscar. Lockwood, Charles D.

Barber, Fred. Lane, George M.

Braddock, John S. Lee, John T.

Bishop, Anson. Loose, Jacob L.

Baughman, Edward L. Long, Wilson G.

Brentlinger, Clyde L. McMahon, Ralph.

Banbury, Charles K. McConnell, William.

Bigler, Arthur L. McKeown, Andrew J.

Bigler, Eugene F. Mitchell, Leon H.

Barnhart, Cyrus. Morey, Roy C.

328

TEE FOURTH 0. V. I.

Bucher, George K.
Critchfield, Jesse B.
Clark, William H.
Clark, Michael P.
Chrisman, Arthur.
Copper, Charles 0.
Cochran, Ward B.
Coile, one E.
Channell, Charles H.
Cochran, John M.
Cochran, Walter.
Daniels, William L.
Dunlap, William C.
Dickson, James F., Jr.
Davis, Jacie J.
Davis, Charles E.
Edwards, William I.
Gingham, Harry L.
Graff, George.
Hersh, Sherbin J.
Harris, Walter M.
Houle, Louis F.
Harker, William.
Hutchinsin, Charles.
Hayes, James M.
Heddington, John L.
Hissong, John R.
Kinney, John D.
Long, Daniel V.
Magill, John S.

Osborn, Timothy G.
Perrin, Charles.
Porter, Orrin C.
Rowley, Byron D.
Rowley, William.
Robinson, Williard.
Simco, Edward.
Smalle, James A.
Stoyle, Edward.
Shetler, Walter S.
Smith, Oliver H.
Sapp, Frank W.
Simpson, Ottis A.
Sherman, Rupert L.
Tighe, William F.
Vernon, Walter C.
White, Edgar J.
Williams, Harry.
Wagner, Fred F.
Waite, Ralph.
Waldruff, Ellis F.
Wright, Frank D.
Welshymer, Charles B.
Weider, William F.
Wolfe, Fred W.
Wood, Herbert C.
Whitney, William M.
Wade, Bruce M.
Wright, Clinton.

THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

329

COMPANY M.

fetain Burr J. Bostwlck

First Lieutenant Charles G. Duffy

Second Lieutenant George Florence

First Sergeant Charles K. Crumm

Q. M. Sergeant S. J. Henry

SERGEANTS.

Charles F. Lowe. B. Frank Warner.

Charles A. Bostwick. Bradley Fletcher.

CORPORALS.

Harry L. Hughes. John Kashner.

J. Mouser Crayne. Ed. M. Brown.

Leroy M. Thompson. Charles M. Titus.

William B. Reeder. George Redman.

Arlow T. Mowery. \villiam A. Warner.

Fred Donelly. Marshall E. Murray.

Musicians Frank Miller, John DoyU

Artificer George Brady

Wagoner James Baughman

PRIVATES.

Ambrose. William. Lape, William.

Anderson, J. Hartley. Lewis, Leotus.

Baer, Henry C. Lower, William.

Bagby, Arthur P. Mackey, Will L.

Bailey, John. McCready, John W.

Baker, John L. McHale, Thomas.

Bales, Blenn R. McKenzie, David.

Barker, William J, McQuaide, John.

Baughman, Joseph. Miller, Jacob W.

Bennett, Ed. F. Montgomery, Ed. W.

Bowsher, William B. Mowery, Clifford E.

Brannon. Charles. Moyer, Harley E.

330

THE FOURTH 0. V. I.

Brown, Nathan J.
Bessert, Wayne.
Byers, Joseph.
Caldwell, Job. D.
Collopy, James J.
Cook, George B.
Chrlssinger, Frank.
Crites, Clifford W.
Dimkle, Floyd L.
Edgington, George C
Egan, Hugh, Jr.
Evans, David J.
Fisher, William.
Flemming, Robert.
Forsythe, Bert.
Friley, Charles.
Haines, George L.
Hernstine, Philip G.
Hitson, John R.
Highes, Clarence H.
Hurst, William F.
Irwin, George G.
Jack, Thomas B.
Jack, William F.
Jackson, Albert.
Johnson, Miner N.
Kerns, James W.
Kinney, Daniel.
Klneey, Samuel.

Murphy, Clark.
Meeker, John.
Neff, Morton A.
Newland, George F
Palm, Joseph.
Rayborn, David.
Reigle, Pearl E.
Roof, Charles E.
Russel, Charles E.
Sells, George W.
Shaffer, Samuel.
Shaffer, Walter.
Smith, Charles E.
Smith, George W.
Spangler, Samuel.
Spiers, James E.
Steepleton, James I
Strawser, Harry.
Tatman, Edward.
Taylor, Edward.
Thorn, Fred H.
Walker, Ed. I.
Withrow, Gordon E.
Wolfe, Homer E.
Wright, George F.
Wright, Homer A.
Wright, Porter E.
Wilson, Jacob F.
Yowell, Harrj'-

H 50 89

•^^" 10 i^&s

v\ ^Q

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

0 013 789 765 9 #