CHAPTER XXXII.
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WAR OF THE REBELLION CONTINUED.

COMPANIES A AND B, FOURTH OHIO

Excitement in Mt. Vernon - First Volunteers in Knox County -
How Lorin Andrews Became Colonel - Organization of Companies A and B -
Departure of Troops - Composition of the Fourth Ohio - Lorin Andrews -
Henry B. Banning - Organization of the Fourth Ohio - Three Months' Service -
Three Years' Service - Muster Rolls of Companies A and B -
A Sketch of the Operation of the Regiment to the Date of Muster Out -
Return of the Regiment - Inscriptions on its Flag -
Roster of the Officers and Muster Roll of the Companies.

     THE first contributions of Knox county to the War of the Rebellion were two companies, "A" and "B" which subsequently became a part of the Fourth Ohio regiment.
     The people of Mt. Vernon well remember the wild excitement in the streets when the news came that Sumpter had been fired upon.  The sound of those rebel guns did not die until it reverberated in every hill and valley, and grated upon the heartstrings of every patriot in the land.    Only those who lived in those days can fully appreciate the tremendous effect, the great excitement, the outburst of patriotism, the might revolution in party and public feeling.  The sound of the drum was heard daily on the public square, and the young life of the county sprang to arms as quickly and earnestly as if each household were in danger of immediate annihilation.
     The first man to place his name upon that honored roll of honor thatw ent out from Knox county was Mr. Israel Underwood, yet living in Mt. Vernon.  Sixty-three others followed quickly, and in less than twenty-four hours after the first call for troops flashed over the wires sixty-four men were ready to march to the defence of the imperilled capital.
     There is a little inside history connected with the formation of this company.  Lorin Andrews, the honored president of Kenyon college, had enrolled his name, among the first as a private of this company, ambitious to serve his country in any capacity.  The governor of the State, however, recognizing his fitness for a high position, informed him that he should have a colonel's commission if he would raise a company.  This promise Mr. An-

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drews obtained while on a flying visit of Columbus.  He was personally acquainted with the governor, and three months before Sumter was fired upon had written him, offering his services in case of war.  He returned home with the intention of immediately raising a company, but meeting Mr. Underwood, with whom he was intimately acquainted, the latter made the generous offer to immediately turn over his company, then nearly ready to depart for Columbus, to Mr. Andrews.  The latter hesitated for a time about accepting this generous offer, but finally did so and was elected its captain in place of Mr. Underwood.  This company numbered one hundred and three men, when on the twenty-second of April, 1861, it was ready to depart for Columbus, and was styled the "Knox County Guards."  Israel Underwood subsequently, through the influence of Colonel Andrews, became quartermaster of the Fourth Ohio.  Upon the appointment of Andrews to the colonelcy of the regiment, James C. Irvine became captain, Leonard W. Carpenter first lieutenant and F. A. Coates second lieutenant of company A.
     Meanwhile Henry B. Banning, of Mount Vernon, had been actively at work enlisting men, and the two companies were formed simultaneously,  and were ready to depart for Columbus on the same day.  Of this company (B) Henry B. Banning was elected captain; W. C. Cooper, first, and George Rogers, second lieutenant.  Captain Banning's company numbered one hundred and thirteen men, both companies having more men than are allowed to an infantry company in the service.  Thus it was that within a few days after the first call for troops two hundred and sixteen men organized and officered, marched down High street amid the cheers of assembled thousands, and boarded the train that was to convey then toward the scene of conflict.  Thousands of people assembled at the depot to witness the departure of this, Knox county's first contribution to the great war.  The students of Kenyon college, out of respect to their president, marched over from Gambier in a body to witness the departure.  The crowd and excitement at the depot was beyond description.  Mothers, wives, sisters and lovers, saying "goodbye" and "God bless you" with streaming eyes and full hearts, pale cheeks and trembling lips.  People were not accustomed to war, it was a new experience, and made a lasting impression upon the minds of all present.  Not many months elapsed until the arrival and departure of volunteers was an almost daily occurrence, and was looked upon as a matter of course, and was borne with that grim determination that comes of familiarity with suffering.  Captain Banning's company was styled the "Union Guards."  Nearly every company in those early days of the war, as soon as organized, received a name similar to the above, which soon, however, with much of the sentiment indulged in at first, passed away with the stern realities of war.
     The two companies went into Camp Jackson near Columbus, where the Fourth Ohio was soon organized with the following companies:
     A - Knox County Guards, Captain James Irvine.
     B - Union Guards - Captain Henry B. Banning.
     C - Delaware Guards, Captain James M. Crawford.
     D - Hardin County Company - Captain George Weaver.
     E - Given Guards, Captain James McMilllen
     F - Canton Zouaves, Captain James Wallace
     G - Hardin Company, Captain J. S. Robinson
     H - Marion Company, Captain E. B. Olmstead.
     I - Olentangy Guards, Captain E. Powell.
     K - Marion Company, Captain A. H. Brown
     Lorin Andrews was appointed colonel April 16, 1861; James Cantwell lieutenant colonel, April 26, 1861; James H. Godman, major, April 26, 1861; H. H. McAbee, surgeon, May 2, 1861, and J. T. Cantwell, assistant surgeon, May 1, 1861.
     some of the officers above named subsequently attained to high position, and acquired a national reputation.  Henry B. Banning now a resident of Cincinnati, became a brevet major general, as did also Captain James S. Robinson; and Major James H. Godman and Captain Eugene Powell became brevet brigadier generals.
     As the history of the military services of the two companies from Mount Vernon is inseparable from that of the regiment, what follows is partly taken from Reid's "Ohio in the War" prefaced with the following sketches of two of the prominent men who went out with these companies, and who were both residents of Knox county at the date of enlistment.
     Lorin Andrews was one of the earliest and costliest offerings of Ohio in the war.  He was not permitted to develop fully his military ability, but there was no reason to doubt, from his known character, and his zeal in the distinguished posi-

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tions he had filled, that as a soldier he would have reached as high a rank as he had already won in civil life.
     He was born in Ashland county, Ohio, April 1, 1819.  His early life was passed on his father's farm, and in obtaining a good common school education.  He afterward took a collegiate course, and spent some time in common school teaching.  He became an efficient and intelligent laborer in the cause of common schools in Ohio, and was prominent as a leader of the movement for inaugurating many of the present excellent features of the present common school system.  He was agent and "missionary" of the Ohio Teachers' association in 1851-2.  In 1853 he was its choice for State school commissioner, and in 1854 he was its president.
     At the height of his reputation and influence in the cause of general education, he was chosen to the presidency of Kenyon college.  Bishop McIlvaine, in his funeral sermon, said of this appointment:  "The condition of the college demanded just the qualities for which he was so distinguished - the talent for administration, a very sound judgment, a prompt and firm decision, united with a special drawing of heart toward young men in the course of their education.  All the highest expectations of his administration were more than fulfilled."
     Of his entrance into the military service the bishop says: "When the first call of the President of the United States for quotas of volunteer troops from the several States was made, he was the first man in Ohio whose name Governor Dennison received.  He did it for an example.     .     .     .  He sought no military distinction.  He led to the camp a company of his neighbors, expecting only to be allowed to lead them in the war.  But his talents and character were appreciated, and he was placed in command of the regiment, the order and discipline of which soon became conspicuous, as also did his devotedness to the interest and comfort of his men."
     When in June, 1861, the Fourth Ohio was changed from a three months' to a three years' regiment, he was retained as its colonel.
     His faithfulness in whatever position he was placed, united with his ability to master whatever he chose to learn, made him very soon an able and efficient commander and disciplinarian.  He went with his command to western Virginia, where he soon fell a victim to the exposure incident to camp life.
     In the beginning of his sickness he could not be prevailed upon to leave camp saying:  "My place is with my men;" but as he grew worse he was removed to Gambier, August 29th, where, amid the scenes of his labors, in the best years of his life, and among his weeping friends, he breathed his last, Sept. 18, 1861.  Thus did the country, at the threshold of its great struggle, the State of Ohio, the county of Knox, Kenyon college, and the community, lose one of their brightest ornaments, most noble patriots, and best of men.
     General Banning will appear prominently in the narrative as its progresses, but it may be best to give here a brief sketch of his military career, that a better understanding may be had of what follows.
     Henry B. Banning, the grandson of the Rev. Anthony Banning, and son of James and Eliza Banning, was born at Banning's Mills, near Mt. Vernon, November 10, 1834.
     His mother, an accomplished Christian lady, superintended his early education, and subsequently he attended at the Clinton district school, the Mt. Vernon academy, and Kenyon college.
     He remained at Kenyon but a short time, returned to his home and entered the office of Hosmer, Curtis & Devin as a law student, and was admitted to the bar.  When the war broke out he had acquired a good reputation as a lawyer, and was doing a good business in Mt. Vernon.  In politics he was a Douglas Democrat.
     His connection with the first call for troops has already been mentioned.  In June, 1861, when the Fourth Ohio was reorganized for the three years' service, Captain Banning was re-elected captain of his company.
     At this time Governor Dennison offered him a majority, in another regiment, but he declined it, saying his experience and military knowledge would not justify him in accepting the promotion.
     He served with his company until the spring of 1862, taking part in the battles of Rich Mountain, Romney, Blue Gap (where his company captured a stand of rebel colors), Winchester and Cross Keys.

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Upon the recommendation of General Shields, Governor Tod appointed him major of the Fifty-second Ohio.  When he arrived at Columbus the regiment had gone to the field, and he was placed in command of the Eighty-seventh Ohio, a three months regiment.  At the expiration of the time of the Eighty-seventh, he was made lieutenant colonel of the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth, with which he served until the spring of 1863.  He was then transferred to and made colonel of the One Hundred and Twenty-first regiment, upon the petition of all the officers of the regiment.  He spent about two months drilling and disciplining this regiment, which had been taken into the battle of Perryville, in the summer of 1862, without discipline or drill, and armed with unserviceable arms, had won no enviable reputation.  During this time he made it one of the best drilled and best disciplined regiments in the reserve corps of the army of the Cumberland.  The glorious record of this regiment is given in full in another place in this regiment is given in full another place in this work.  Colonel Banning retained command of the One Hundred and Twenty-first during the Atlanta campaign, being at the battle of Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Rome, Kenesaw Mountain, Dallas, Peachtree Creek, and Jonesborough, as well as in many hard skirmishes.  After the fall of Atlanta General Jefferson C. Davis, the commander of the Fourteenth corps, in his official report, recommended Colonel Banning for promotion to brevet brigadier general, for gallant and meritorious service during the Atlanta campaign.  General George H. Thomas endorsed this recommendation and the brevet was issued.
     In the battle of Nashville he served with his old commander, General James B. Steadman, where he distinguished himself, and was brevetted major general.
     General Banning was placed in command of the One Hundred and Ninety-fifth regiment and served in the valley of Virginia in the spring and summer of 1865.  He commanded the post of Alexandria, Virginia, until December, 1865, when he was mustered out of the service to take his seat as a member of the Ohio legislature to which he had been elected from this county.
     General Banning's promotion were all fairly won upon the battle-field, and his military record, by the testimony of those who served under him in worthy of all praise.
     The Fourth Ohio regiment was organized at Camp Jackson, Columbus, April 25, 1861.  On the second of May the regiment moved to Camp Dennison, and on the fourth of the same month was mustered into the three months' service by Captain (afterwards major general) Gordon Granger, United States army.  A few days thereafter the President's call for three years' men was made public, whereupon the majority of the men signified their willingness to enter the service for that period, and it was mustered in for three years, dating from June 5, 1861.  The men, however, did not all enlist for three years, and Captains Banning and Carpenter; Lieutenants Lippitt and Gilman, and Sergeants Haller and Hill returned to Mount Vernon on recruiting service.  Upon the reorganization for three years' service company A was officered as follows:  Leonard W. Carpenter, captain; Foster A. Coates, first lieutenant, and Israel Underwood, second lieutenant.  Company B, Henry B. Banning, captain; John Green, first lieutenant, and A. W. Lippitt, second lieutenant.  Lieutenant Underwood was subsequently transferred to the quartermaster's department.
     The following are the muster-out rolls of companies A and B, Fourth Ohio regiment, mustered into service June 5, 1861:*

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     *These rolls were copied from muster-out rolls, and include those that were transferred discharged, killed, died, and deserted, during the time the companies were in service.

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     June 25, 1861, the regiment left Camp Dennison for Western Virginia, arriving at Grafton on the twenty-third, moving through Clarksburgh and Buchannan, it arrived at Rich Mountain on the ninth of July, but did not participate actively in that engagement, being held as a support for the skirmishes.
     On the twelfth of July the regiment joined in the pursuit of the enemy, going to Beverly, Virginia, where it went into camp and rested for a day.  On the thirteenth six companies of the regiment under Colonel Andrews moved with the main column of General McClelland's forces to Huttons-

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ville.  The other four companies under Lieutenant Colonel Cantwell, remained at Beverly in charge of six hundred rebel prisoners until they were paroled.  On the fourteenth the six companies moved to the summit of Cheat mountain, but on the sixteenth returned to Beverly, where they remained until the twenty-third, when they took the cars for New Creek, arriving there July 28th.  On the seventh of August they marched to Pendleton, Maryland.
     The first skirmish with the rebels in which either of the Mt. Vernon companies was engaged was at Petersburgh, Virginia, Sept. 7, 1861.  News having reached their camp at Pendleton, that a force of the enemy was at Petersburgh, companies A, F, and K, were detached under Major Godman with orders to attack the rebels.  The detachment left camp about one o'clock at night, and when about three miles out, had a skirmish with a rebel outpost.  At Petersburgh they met a very superior force of the enemy, and Major Godman fell back until re-enforced, when he again advanced and drove the enemy from the place, capturing a large quantity of provisions, animals, and some prisoners.  One man, only, was wounded in this affair.  Their next skirmish was at Romney, Virginia, Sept. 24, 1861.  Lieutenant Colonel Cantwell with six companies of the regiment, including companies A and B one piece of artillery, seventy-five of Ringold's cavalry and about four hundred of the Eighth Ohio under Colonel Parke, moved against this place, driving the enemy from a strong position at Mechanicsburgh Gap, and advancing on Romney drove the enemy before him with a loss of thirty-two men wounded.
     Colonel Andrews having died at his home in Gambier, Captain John S. Mason, of the United States regulars, was appointed colonel of the regiment, and took command October fourteenth.  This appointment was not, at first, satisfactory to the regiment, but Colonel Mason proved himself a brave and able officer, and soon became a very acceptable commander.  He remained with the regiment until after the battle at Fredericksburgh, when his health failing, he was compelled to withdraw from active service.
     October 25th the Fourth Ohio marched to New Creek, Virginia, where it joined General Kelly's command, and on the next day moved to Romney.  The rebels were again driven from that place and all their baggage, two pieces of artillery and a number of prisoners captured.  After this affair Lieutenant Colonel Cantwell was promoted to Colonel and transferred to the Eighty-second regiment, and transferred to the Eighty-second regiment, and was killed while gallantly leading his men in one of the battles on the Rappahannock, Aug. 29, 1862.
     Romney was occupied until Jan. 7, 1862, when the regiment under Colonel Mason moved on the rebels at Blue's Gap, sixteen miles from Romney, surprised and drove them from a fortified position, capturing all their camp equippage and two pieces of artillery.
     Romney was evacuated January 10th, and the regiment transferred to Patterson's creek, on the north branch of the Potomac; and thence, February, 9th, to Pawpaw tunnel on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad.  March 1st the regiment moved toward Winchester under Brigadier General Lander, but, hearing of his death the next day, it returned to Pawpaw tunnel, remaining there until March 7th.  On that day it took the cars for Martinsburgh, and arrived there on the ninth.  On the eleventh it moved toward Winchester, to find on its arrival that the enemy had vacated it the day previous.
     Making Winchester its base, detachments of the regiment were sent out in different directions until the night of March 23d, when it was reassembled at Winchester, and on the twenty-fourth started in pursuit of Stonewall Jackson, who had been defeated at Kernstown on the day previous.  The enemy was pursued as far as Strasburgh, where the regiment remained until the night of March 30th, when it moved to Edenburgh, in the alley.  April 17th the regiment again moved to New Market, skirmishing by the way.  On the twenty-seventh it moved to Moore's farm, five miles from Harrisonburgh, where it remained in Camp until May 9th, when it again returned to New Market.
     On the twelfth of May the regiment marched via Luray, Front Royal, Chester Gap, Warrenton, and Catlett's Station, for Fredericksburgh, Virginia, to join McDowell's corps, arriving there May 22d.  The next day the regiment was ordered back to the valley via Manassas Junction.  It reached Front Royal on the thirtieth, drove the enemy from that

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place, and captured a large quantity of amunition, supplies, and a number of pioneers.  On the third of June it moved toward Luray, reaching that place on the seventh.  From this point a forced march was made by the brigade for Port Republic, reaching there in time to cover the retreat of the National forces.
     It was during this month that Captain Banning was made colonel of the eighty-seventh.  His old company (B) passed appropriate resolutions, and presented him with a saddle and bridle and a pair of revolvers.
     After marching and counter-marching around Luray and Front Royal until the twenty-ninth of June, the regiment went by rail to Alexandria, from whence it embarked for the Peninsula, arriving at Harrison's Landing on the first of July.  It remained at this place until August, 15th, and was the last regiment to leave Harrison's Landing on its evacuation by the army of the Potomac.
     It marched via Charles City Court House, Williamsburgh, and Newport News, and on the twenty-fourth of August embarked for Aquia Creek and Alexandria, reaching the latter place August 27th.  On the twenty-ninth the regiment marched to Centerville, and on the first of September returned to Fairfax Court House.  On the second it marched to Fort Gaines, District Columbian, and from thence to Harper's Ferry via the Baltimore & Ohio railroad.  On the first of October the regiment marched to Leesburgh via Waterford, returning to Harper's Ferry on the second.  On the fourth it marched to Halltown, coming back to Harper's Ferry on the sixth.  October 30th the regiment broke camp and crossed the Shenandoah.  November 1st it marched to Gregory's gap, thence through Smucker's and Ashby's gaps to Rectortown and Richmond; thence to Salem, Warrenton, and Fremont, Virginia, where it remained in camp until the twelfth of September, at which time, under command of Colonel Mason, it crossed the Rapidan into Fredericksburgh, and was thrown to the front as skirmishes, holding that position until the next day, December 13th, when the desperate charge was made through the streets of Fredericksburgh.  It received the first fire of the rebel artillery on the right of the National line.  This was a desperate and bloody battle for the Fourth Ohio, and its losses were very severe; five officers and forty-three enlisted men, out of one hundred and fifteen engaged, were either killed or wounded.  The regiment re-crossed the river in the night, with the retreat of the National forces, and occupied its old camp at Falmouth.
     The regiment continued in camp at Falmouth until April 28th, when it participated in Hooker's remarkable movement on Chancellorsville.  On the third of May the regiment engaged the enemy, and captured one stand of colors and over one hundred prisoners, among whom were nine commissioned officers.  It lost in killed and wounded seventy-eight out of three hundred and fifty-two engaged.  On the sixth of May the regiment moved back to their old camp at Falmouth.
     In this severe battle (Chancellorsville) the losses in company A were Charles A. Runyan, killed; Bernard Griffis, Auston Lawton, Byron Ward, Francis O. Jacobs and Robert Kimball, wounded.  In company B Thomas Shaffer, killed; Gilbert M. Parks, George Wilcox, Plinney Ball, Valentine Glasscock, George H. Sargents, Archibald Scott, George Michaels, O. L. Stroughton and F. G. Beach, wounded.
     June 14th the line of march was resumed toward Pennsylvania, in consequence of the rebel army under Lee having invaded that State.  Gainesville, Virginia, was reached on the twentieth, when a halt was made until the twenty-fifth.  The next day the Potomac was crossed at Edward's Ferry, and, passing through Frederick, Uniontown was reached on the twentieth, and Gettysburgh, Pennsylvania, on the first of July, where the regiment took part in that great battle.  It was one of the three regiments that drove the rebels from Cemetery Hill, after they had driven part of the Eleventh corps from the field, and had gained possession of two of our batteries.  Generals Hancock, Howard and Gibbon, and other prominent generals witnessed this charge and gave it their highest commendation.  The Fourth Ohio lost in this engagement three commissioned officers and thirty-four  enlisted men killed and wounded.
     After the battle the regiment with its brigade an division marched in pursuit of the flying rebels, passing through Frederick City; and thence through Crampton's gap of the South mountain,

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crossing the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, July 18th, marching through Smucker's gap, Woodbury, Bloomfield, and Upperville, to Markham and Manassas gap; thence to Salem and White Plains, Warrenton Junction, Elk Run, Kelley's ford on the Rappahannock, returning to Elk Run on the first of August.  Here it remained until the sixteenth of August, when it moved to Bealton Station, and took the cars for Alexandria, Virginia, and took the cars for Alexandria, Virginia.  On the twentieth of August the regiment embarked for New York, arriving in that city on the twenty-third.  The riotous spirit prevailing in that city having subsided, the troops were removed, and on the twenty-sixth of August the Fourth moved to Jamaica, Long Island, near the city, in order that they might be on hand in case of further outbreak.
     September 6th the regiment took passage at New York for Alexandria, Virginia, arriving there on the eleventh.  Again a series of marches commenced, embracing Fairfax Court House, Bristoe Station, Bealton, Brandy Station, Cedar Mountain and Robinson's run, arriving at the latter place on the seventeenth of September, and remaining until October 6th.  It then moved to Culpeper Court House; thence to Bealton Station; thence to Auburn; thence to Bristoe Station, where it had a skirmish with the enemy.  After this came another series of marches in a circle until, on the twenty-sixth of September, the regiment crossed the Rapidan at Germania ford, and on the twenty-seventh, at Robinson's Cross Roads, it had a brisk skirmish with the enemy, with a loss of twenty-eight men killed and wounded.  On the first of December the regiment went into winter quarters near Stevensburgh, Virginia.
     February 6th, the regiment moved to Morton's ford on the Rapidan, crossed the river, had a skirmish with the enemy, and lost seventeen men wounded; re-crossed the river on the seventh, and returned to camp near Stevenburgh, Virginia, where it remained until the latter part of August, when it removed with the forces of General Grant, participating in the skirmishes and engagements of that arduous campaign, until in the early part of September, the term of enlistment of the main part of the regiment having expired, it was mustered out of the service as a regiment.  Those who had re-enlisted as veterans were retained and organized into a battalion, called the Fourth Ohio battalion.  This remainder of the Fourth was placed on duty in and around Washington city, and continued in that locality until the final muster out during the closing scenes of the war.
     The Fourth marched one thousand nine hundred and seventy-five miles, and travelled by railroad and transport two thousand two hundred and neventy-nine miles, making an aggregate of four thousand two hundred and fifty-four miles travelled.  Throughout its career it maintained its efficiency, discipline and good conduct on every battle-field.
     A Columbus paper of June 14, 1864, says:

     This old and gallant regiment (the Fourth Ohio), or rather what is left of it, arrived in this city Saturday night under command of Colonel L. W. Carpenter.  It was done good and noble service for the country.  In the battles in which this regiment was engaged prior to General Grant taking command of the army, it had dwindled down to four hundred men.  In the last battles they were in (Grant's campaign in '64) they went in with three hundred men, and came out with just ninety-one, and part of these wounded.

     The few battle-scarred veterans that entered Mt. Vernon in June, 1864 - the remnant of the two full companies of bright, vigorous, noble young men that marched away from here more than three years before - were tendered a reception by the ladies of Mt. Vernon.  At the banquet which followed, speeches were made by Hon. Columbus Delano and other citizens; but no words can adequately portray the sadness caused by the thought that these were the lat of that noble band.  The remainder of the Fourth Ohio (Fourth Ohio battalion) was mustered out in January, 1866.
     Upon the return of the first remnant of the regiment in June, 1864, the battle flag of the Fourth Ohio was turned over to Governor Brough by Captain George F. Laird.  The following inscriptions were placed upon it:
     Romney, Blue's Gap, Front Royal, Harrison's Landing, Fredericksburgh, Chancellorsville, Gettysburgh, Bristoe, Mine Run, Norton's Ford, The Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Po River, North Anna River, Prospect Hill, and Cold Harbor.

     The following is a roster of the Knox county officers of companies A and B, Fourth Ohio regiment, with date of muster into service.

COMPANY A.

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