The War of 1812 - The Mexican War - A Remarkable Military Career - The
Civil War - A Laughable Incident - The 15th Ohio at Chickamauga - The
Soldiers of Belmont County in the Civil War. - The Duty of Belmont
County to Her Soldiers, Living and Dead.

     Belmont County was one of the foremost counties of the State in responding to the nations appeal to arms, in every great struggle for the defense of the Republic and the honor of the flag.
     Before the organization of the county, a few veterans of the Revolutionary War had located in the territory now embraced within the limits of Belmont County, and their remains rest in the old Methodist Cemetery in St. Clairsville.  Among these we would mention Ezekiel Cooper of the 5th Massachusetts Minute Men, who died in May, 1812, and Mamaduke Davis.

THE WAR OF 1812.

     At the out break of the War of 1812, the population of Belmont County was only about one-sixth of what it is today.  Nevertheless, between 1,000 and 1,200 soldiers responded to the call of President Madison and enlisted for the war.

1st Ohio Regiment

Colonel De Long, commanding.  Belmont County furnished six companies for this regiment, viz.:

3rd Ohio Regiment.

     Colonel Coss commanding.  One company commanded by Capt. Robert Morrison, was from Belmont County.

4th Ohio Regiment.

     One company, commanded by Capt. Solomon Bentley, was from Belmont County.

     There were two other companies, one commanded by Capt. Joseph Kirkwood, and the other by Capt. William Williams; likewise three companies of militia, commanded by Capt. Robert Irwin, Capt. Absalom Martin and Capt. John McElroy, respectively.
     As no roster was kept of the gallant men who participated in the second struggle for our national existence, it is very difficult after the lapse of four score years, to find any record of their deeds.  The company of Captain Morrison was in Hull's surrender.  Morrison we are told was promoted to major and William Gill succeeded him as captain.
     Capt. Howells' company was largely recruited along the banks of Captina, and were a part of the "musket fleet," engaged in guarding the captured British vessels near Put-in-Bay.
     Capt. Solomon Bentley was promoted to the position of major.  While in the service, his company belonged to the 4th Ohio Infantry.
     The following is a list of the soldiers of 1812 from Belmont County upon records in the possession of Col. J. F. Charlesworth:

     Included in the above list will be found the familiar names of many of Belmont County's honored and respected citizens, descendants of the above-named soldiers of the War of 1812.
     Captain McElroy's company of militia was recruited mainly from about St. Clairsville, and left for the service in October, 1812, but was only out for a short time.
     The officers were:

    Captain McElroy kept a daily diary of the company's service which is probably not of sufficient interest to publish.

THE MEXICAN WAR.

     When Congress in 1845 threw open the doors of the young American Republic for the admission of Texas, Mexico protested, and her representative at Washington demanded his passports.
     Soon thereafter war was declared and President Polk called for volunteers to maintain the nation's honor.  In response to that call, an enthusiastic meeting of the citizens of Belmont County was held and a company was recruited, composed of the following men:

     This company was mustered into service as Company D of the 3rd Ohio Regiment, commanded by Col. Samuel R. Curtis, and in the month of July sailed to Pt. Isabel opposite Brazos Island near the mouth of the Rio Grande and was placed on duty at Fort Brown.
     On the herd of May, a battery at Matamoras opened a heavy cannonading upon the fort, and in the engagement that followed the commander of the fort was killed.
     At the conclusion of the term of service of Capt. Patterson's company, the citizens of St. Clairsville extended the members a royal welcome home on July 22, 1847.  It was a galaday for the town and the whole surrounding country.

REMARKABLE MILITARY CAREER.

     At the outbreak of the Mexican War, Col. J. F. Charlesworth of St. Clairsville was a youth attending school at Granville, when a lieutenant in the United States service came to that place upon recruiting duty, and this patriotic young man in company with a number of schoolmates ran off from school and although not of legal age sought admission into the ranks at New Orleans.  This was refused until the consent of the parents was obtained by telegraph when Colonel Charlesworth enlisted and remained in the service until the close of the war.
     Colonel Charlesworth has had a remarkable military career.  While serving under Scott in Mexico he was slightly wounded at Contreras, but continued in the service until the conclusion of the war.  At the outbreak of the Civil War his previous military experience made his services much in request.  He commanded the first three yeas company organized in Ohio, viz.:  Company A, 25th Ohio, and was again wounded slightly at Allegheny Mountain.
     He was subsequently promoted major of his regiment and at the bloody battle of Cross Keys was shot through the entire body.
     The bullet was picked up by the comrades who carried him off the field and it is still in the Colonel's possession.
     Miraculously, Major Charlesworth partially recovered and returned to the field and was promoted lieutenant-colonel, but the severity of his wound  (which ordinarily proves fatal) compelled him to resign and retire from further active service.
     Notwithstanding Colonel Charlesworth has attained his 76th year and is still slightly lame from his old wound, he has the soldierly bearing of a veteran and the military enthusiasm of a youth.

THE CIVIL WAR.

     At the outbreak of the Civil War, the patriotic spirit in Belmont County pervaded all classes, and in quick response to President Lincoln's call for troops, the youth and gallantry of the county sprang to the defense of the nation, and three companies were organized and in the field within 30 days after the call.
     At the expiration of their term of service, the majority of the three months men re-enlisted for three years, and as the bloody strife continued, company after company was organized until upwards of 3,500 gallant men from this county were enlisted in the various branches of the service.
     In addition to the names that follow, there were hundreds of the patriotic sons of Belmont County that enlisted in the 1st and 2nd Virginia Cavalry and Carlin's Virginia Battery, that were not accredited to Belmont County.
     Capt. W. H. Orr of Martin's Ferry also organized a whole company of Belmont County boys, that enlisted in the 2nd Virginia Infantry and were accredited to that State.  George Scheck of St. Clairsville was a member of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry.

A LAUGHABLE INCIDENT.

     Colonel Charlesworth relates an incident of the racing up and down the Shenandoah, between Pope and Jackson the fall of 1862, that while laughable shows the extremities to which the boys were driven.  The Colonel's regiment had been on the march for several days, and the men were footsore and very hungry.  "One morning," said the Colonel, "I saw Billy Smith of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry riding up the valley holding his sword above his head, with a loaf of bread sticking to the sheath.  Now Billy used to live on Robert Wilkin's farm and many of us knew him.  'Hello! Smith,' I cried.  'What is that you've got?'  'Bread.' he exclaimed, 'bread.  We captured a Rebel camp yesterday and found a big batch of new bread.  Have this loaf,' he cried.
     "I caught it eagerly and biting off a 'hunk' passed it down among the hungry boys who devoured it without ceremony and in less time than it has taken me to tell you.'
     Beside those mentioned above, there were some Belmont County men that enlisted in the regular service, and many who claimed a birthright in Belmont County that were conspicuous in leading the troops of their adopted States into action.
     This was notably true of Col. Joseph Thoburn of the 1st Virginia Infantry, a brave son of Belmont County, who was killed while leading his brigade in the bloody charge at Cedar Creek.
     Another of the brave Belmont County soldiers, accredited to other States, was Gen. Henry Capeheart of West Virginia Cavalry.  Genearl Capeheart entered the service as colonel of the 1st Virginia (loyal) Cavalry and fought under Sheridan in the memorable campaign down the "Valley of Virginia."  At the conclusion of the Civil War, Colonel Capeheart was serving as brigadier-general, an honor that had been conferred upon him by appointment of Governor Pierpont of West Virginia for skill and bravery in the field.
     When hostilities ceased, General Capeheart returned to the practice of his profession - that of medicine - which he followed until his death.

THE 15TH OHIO AT CHICKAMAUGA.

     At the battle of Chickamauga, the 15th Ohio was in the fiercest of the conflict.  Capt. C. W. Carroll speaks approvingly of the published account written upon the battlefield which says:  "In the Saturday night fights and the all day Sunday assaults upon our log breastworks, the Confederate general, Claiborne, lost 43 per cent of his men.  General Helms was killed and his brigade had worn itself away upon the breastworks until 75 per cent of his men had perished.  The closing scenes around the Kelley farm came before sunset.  Rosecrans had retired and Thomas was in command.  Breckenridge and Claiborne of the Confederate side had brought their divisions together for a supreme effort.  At this juncture, Willich's brigade, in which was the 15th Ohio, made the fourth successful charge across the field.
     "The Confederates were driven back through the woods and quiet was restored."
     There was scarcely a bloody battle fought from Bull Run to Spottsylvania Court House in which Belmont County's troops were not engaged.
     Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Chancellorsville, the "March to the Sea," Perryville, Kenesaw Mountain, Cold Harbor, the Wilderness, and many other memorable battlefields were enriched by the blood of her gallant sons.  And it is but just and right that the names of these honored soldiers, living and dead, be transmitted to posterity.  The following is a roster of the soldiers of Belmont County that was prepared with much care 22 years ago.  The names were copied from the Adjutant General's books on file in the State House at Columbus and were published in the "History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties."  Much care was taken in copying the roster and we trust there will be no omissions.
     The roster will tell the story of the enlistments, the promotions, the disabilities, and the casualties of the gallant sons of Belmont County that fought for the preservation of the Union if the War of the Rebellion.  An examination of it will reveal the fact that a great majority of the old veterans have been "mustered out" and those that still abide with us are enfeebled by age and disabilities.

THE SOLDIERS OF BELMONT COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR.

Company B, 15th Regiment, O. V. I.
Three months' service.

     Capt. William Wallace's company was recruited at Martin's Ferry.  It marched from said place to Columbus, where it arrived on the 22nd of April, 1861.  It was organized with the 15th O. V. I., and made Company B.
     The organization of this company was as follows:

Company K, 17t Regiment, O. V. I.

     This company was recruited for the three months' service by Capt. Peter Tallman, at St. Clairsville, Apr. 22, 1861, and went into service on the 27th of the same month.  It was made Company K of the 17th Regiment, which was organized at Lancaster, Ohio.  The company is as follows:

     Company K was sent with the regiment down the Ohio, and did garrison work in West Virginia.  It was mustered out of service Aug. 3, 1861.
     Most of the company re-enlisted again into the 17th and other regiments.

Company B, 3rd Regiment, O. V. I.

     Of the Third Ohio Infantry, Belmont County furnished one company, which served under two terms of enlistment, Apr. 16, 1861, and May 3, 1861, the first for three months and the latter for three years.  The company was organized at Camp Jackson.  On the 27th of April, it was mustered into the United States service.  An election by ballot was held for field officers, which resulted in the choice of the following gentlemen:

Company E, 15th Regiment, O. V. I.

     Company E of the 15th Regiment, which was recruited in Belmont County, arrived in Mansfield, Sept. 12, 1861.   At this palce the 15th Regiment, which was among the first to respond to the President's first call for 75,000 men, re-organized with the following field officers:

     Company E was as follows:

Company F, 15th Regiment, O. V. I.

Company K, 15th Regiment, O. V. I.

     This company was organized at Fllushing, Sept. 5, 1861.  Rendezvoused at Camp Bartley for a short time.  The officers and members were as follows:

    Company A, 25th Regiment, O. V. I.

     This company was organized at St. Clairsville, and arrived at Camp Jackson June 12, 1861.  On the 28th of the samemonth the 25 Regiment was organized at Camp Chase, near Columbus.  The officers and members of Company A, as first organized, are as follows:

     This company was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio.

Company A, 43rd Regiment, O. V. I.

     This company was made up mostly of men from Bellaire, Bridgeport and Martin's Ferry.  It was recruited from October to December, 1861, when mustered into service.  The officers and members of Company A were as follows:

     This company was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 13, 1865.

Company F, 50th Regiment, O. V. I.

     Company F was raised in Belmont County, and was mustered into service Aug. 30, 1862.  This company was organized as follows:

     There were 38 deserters from this company, but the above were all from Belmont County.  This company was mustered out at Salisbury, N. C., June 26, 1865.

Company C, 52nd Regiment, O. V. I.

     Company C was composed mainly of recruits raised at Barnesville and Somerton.  On the 20th of August it was accepted into the service at Camp Dennison, Ohio, where the 52nd Regiment was organized.  The officers were:

     This company was mustered out June 3, 1865, at Washington, D. C.

Company F, 52nd Regiment, O. V. I.

     Company F was recruited at Powhatan, Armstrong's Mills, Dillie's Bottom and Captina.  It entered serice at Camp Dennison, Aug. 22, 1862.  The officers were as follows:

     Mustered out June 3, 1865, at Washington, D. C.

Company H, 61st Regiment, O. V. I.

     This company was recruited at Bellaire, Bridgeport, Martin's Ferry, Jacobsburg and Glencoe, Belmont County, Ohio.  It was enlisted between January and April, 1862.  It was organized as follows:

     Company H was practically consolidated with the 82nd Regiment, O. V. I., March 31, 1865, and made a part of Cmpany H of that regiment.

     Mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 24, 1865.

Company E, 62nd Regiment, O. V. I.

     Company E was organized at Somerton and rendezvoused at Camp Goddard.  This company was mustered into service Oct. 16, 1861.  The company was as follows:

     This company was mustered out June 1, 1864.  The history of this company is identical with the history of hte regiment, as it never was separated from it.

Company E, 77th Regiment, O. V. I.

     This company was recruited at Bellaire, Pultney township, Washington, Mead and York townships, Belmont County.  It rendezvoused with the regiment at Marietta, where the regimental organization took place.  Jesse Hildebrand was elected colonel.  The organization of Company F, with its members, was as follows:

     The men of Company E re-organized as a portion of companies E and F of the same regiment.

     Mustered out at Brownsville, Texas, Mar. 8, 1866.

Company B, 98th Regiment, O. V. I.

     This company was enlisted at St. Clairsville and organized with regiment at Camp Mingo, near Steubenville, Aug. 22, 1862.  Its original officers and members were as follows:

     This company was mustered out June 1, 1865.

Company E, 98th Regiment, O. V. I.

     Was enlisted in Belmont County, and was mustered into service Aug. 20, 1862.  The original officers and members were as follows:

     Company E was mustered out of service on the 1st of June, 1865, near Washington, D. C.

Company B, 126th Regiment, O. V. I.

     Capt. William B. Kirk recruited this company from Flushing, St. Clairsville, Barnesville, and other points in Belmont County.  It was mustered into service on the 4th of September, 1862.  The following was the original organization:

     The company was mustered out near Washington, June 25, 1865

Company D, 129th Regiment, O. V. I.

     This company was composed of men from Belmont, Fairfield, Monroe and Licking counties.  It was mustered into the Unied States service at Camp Cleveland, Aug. 10, 1863.  The following are the names of those from Belmont County:

     The company was mustered out at Cleveland, Ohio, Mar. 4, 1864.

170th Regiment, Ohio, National Guards.

     This regiment was recruited at Bellaire, Ohio, where it was organized May 13 and 14, 1864, to serve 100 days.  It was mustered into the United States service on the 13th of May, 1864, and left for Washington City on the 17th, but, being detained by the destruction of the bridge at Harper's Ferry, it did not reach its destination until the 22nd.  The regiment was mustered out Sept. 10, 1864.  The field and staff officers of this regiment were as follows:

COMPANY A

COMPANY B.

COMPANY C.

COMPANY D.

COMPANY E.

COMPANY F.

COMPANY G.

COMPANY H.

COMPANY I.

COMPANY K.

MISCELLANEOUS

     The following is a lsit of recruits and veteran volunteers mustered into West Virginia organizations and credited to Belmont County, Ohio, since January 1, 1864:

1st West Virginia Cavalry

5th West Virginia Cavalry

1st West Virginia Artillery

Company C, 116th Regiment, O. V. I.

     This company was composed of Monroe County men, with the exception of five from Belmont County.  It was mustered into service under Capt. Frederick H. Arckenoe on the 19th of September, 1862.  The company was mustered out of service at Richmond, Va., June 14, 1865.  The following named gentlemen were from Belmont County:

Company H, 86th Regiment, O. V. I.

Company K, 78th Regiment, O. V. I.

Company C, 60th Regiment, O. V. I.

     Capt. B. Kyle's company was mustered into the service at Camp Chase, Apr. 5, 1864.  Belmont County contributed about 25 men to this company, as follows:

     The company was mustered out at Delaney House, D. C., July 28, 1865.

Company D, 60th Regiment, O. V. I.

     This company was composed of men from different counties in the State.  Those from Belmont County are given below.  The company was organized by Capt. W. W. Robbins and went into Camp Chase, Apr. 6, 1864.

THE DUTY OF BELMONT COUNTY TO HER SOLDIERS, LIVING AND DEAD.

     The author has no apology to offer for the space occupied in printing the names of the brave "boys in blue" living and dead that sacrificed so much for the preservation of the government in the hour of its greatest peril.  Our only regret is that the roster is perhaps incomplete.
     There were doubtless many gallant sons of Belmont County who were accredited to other counties and other States whose names should appear among the above.
     Belmont County should prepare a "Roll of Honor" upon which should be inscribed the name of every soldier and sailor that went out from her "sun kissed hills" to fight the battles of the Republic - a "Roll of Honor" that should be preserved through all generations as an incentive and inspiration to patriotism.