IN the early history of the State of Ohio, before military ardor had decayed under the ridicule that was heaped upon the "cornstalk militia," the men and youth of the territory now forming the County of Noble were accustomed to take part in trainings and musters in obedience to the State law, and were organized into regiments and companies in the counties to which they respectively belonged.  It is known that as far back as 1825 Colonel Erastus Hoskins commanded the second regiment of the then Morgan County militia, and no doubt at later dates the region now known as Noble County had other military commanders of equally high rank.  But their day is past and gone and now their positions seem to have been of trivial importance.  Yet there is no doubt that the old-time military organizations served a good purpose, and gave to their members a crude but useful knowledge of military tactics.  But before the County of Noble came into being the old-fashioned training days and general musters had ceased to evoke enthusiasm, and the militia no longer indulged in brave displays and sham battles.
     But the military spirit, through dormant, was not dead, and the year 1861 found the fires of patriotism blazing brightly.  In a brief time after the receipt of the news that Sumpter had been fired upon in April, 1861, companies were forming in Noble County in response to the proclamations of the president and governor.  Thenceforth ,until the close of the war, the soldiers of Noble County were always found in their place, doing their duties bravely and well.  To recount fully their toils and sufferings, their marches and battles, would be to write a history of the war; and the story would require volumes instead of pages.  Therefore we make mention of only some of the most important events in which the soldiers of the county participated, by giving briefly an account of each regiment in which any considerable number of Noble County men were included.  On this subject "Ohio in the War" has been our authority, and from its pages have been condensed a great part of the memoranda of regiment movements which follow.

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