DIFFERENCES of opinion have been adjusted from time immemorial by the arbitrament of war.  Individuals, dissatisfied with existing relations, have invoked the god of battles, and turned the red hand of slaughter against their brethren.  Others, instigated by passion, ambition or caprice, have, by the powers of will or genius, strewn the earth with human clay, and filled the heavens with woful lamentations.  Nations, delighting in conquest, and, seemingly, in slaughter, have shaken the earth with their elephantine tread, and scattered the hard-earned products of civilization with infinite disregard.  Others have united in hideous schemes to deluge the world with blood, until the name of civilization has seemed a synonym for unlimited reproach.  Enlightened man converts into an art the barbarous plans of human destruction, and establishes institutions of learning wherein are taught the most gigantic and expeditious modes of terminating life.  The world witnesses a strange paradox when man, after thousands of years of moral and intellectual advancement, still resorts to his physical nature; to secure subservience to his desires.  Might, not right, still rules the world with despotic sway.  War, as a result of dissimilar views, necessarily follows from conflicting enlightenment in all departments of human thought.  So long as minds refuse to see alike, conflicts will occur, storms of war will trouble the earth, and the reign of peace will be clouded.  The first war with which Stark County had any connection was the Revolution.  Although at that time no white men lived within the present limits of the county, except, perhaps, a few missionaries, whose object was peace, yet so many of the settlers who afterward came to the county were in the struggle for independence, that reference, though brief, must be made to that war.  The causes of the Revolution and the terms by which the colonies became free and independent, are too familiar to be detailed here.  It is thought that the hardest times the country has ever seen immediately succeeded the establishment of peace.  The colonies were no less than bankrupt, and privations and hardships in the most direful degree were willingly borne when victory and peace were secured.  The paper money, by means of which the war was carried on, was worthless, and the harvests, of necessity, had been so nearly neglected that starvation stared the colonies in the face.  Time alone, and at last, retrieved the havoc of war.  When the country had in a measure recovered from the stroke, enterprising men and women began to push Westward.  The Government offered extra inducements to settlers, and finally the rush for the West became so great that the settlers began to unlawfully invade the territory of the Western Indians.  This brought down upon them numerous and bloody wars with the savages.  Soon after Ohio, as a State, was created, settlers began to boldly appear, regardless of the rights of their red neighbors.  It has been estimated that 10 per cent of the white men who located in the county prior to 1815 had been engaged in the war for independence.  The names of many of them will be found in

* Contributed by W. A. Goodspeed

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the biographical department of this volume.
     At last another war with Great Britain cast its dark shadow over the land.  When it became known in the West that war was inevitable, and had really been declared, the settlements were filled with distrustful forebodings.  A coalition between the British and the Indians was anticipated, and, as soon as it became certain that this dreaded alliance had been effected, the pioneers throughout Eastern Ohio made hasty preparations for defense.  Block-houses were erected in the more exposed localities, and in all places the militia mustered and equipped themselves with the implements of war.  In almost every settlement in the eastern part of the State, companies were organized for a determined resistance against any foe that might appear.  A large blockhouse, about eighty feet square, was built at Wooster, but Canton, being an older settlement, in a less-exposed situation, and well supplied with brave men, concluded to forego the luxury of such a building. As nearly as can be ascertained, Canton, at that time, was the head quarters of the Third Regiment of the Second Brigade of the Fourth Division of Ohio Militia. Several companies belonging to this regiment had been accustomed, for a number of years, to muster in different portions of the county, principaly at the county seat.  At last a call for troops was issued, and a movement was instituted to effect the organization of a company at Canton from the militia.  George Stidger, who had seen active service in former year's in the Eastern States, and who, it is said, had been honored with a General's commission, was elected, or appointed. Captain.  The company was yet incomplete, when a draft was ordered, and enough men were secured to form a respectable company of about seventy.  Several men were drafted, who, from the fact that they had families dependent upon them for support, found it extremely inconvenient to leave home, and substitutes were called for.  One hundred dollars became the prevailing price for a substitute, and a sufficient number to meet the demand were secured at this figure.  The following is a complete list of the members of this company, secured after a great deal of trouble, from the Third Auditor of the United States Treasury, where the rosters of the Ohio volunteers of the war of 1812 are on file:
 

It is not known whether this is the roster at the time of muster in or muster out.  It is probable that others than those mentioned above served in this company, in which case their names would appear on the roll, as made out by the offices of the company at the time such men served.  Such rolls are probably long ago destroyed.  it is probable that the company was ordered into the service of the Government during the summer of 1812.  The period of enlistment was six months.  The British and the Indians were congregating at or near Detroit, and to hold them in check, several companies, organized in the eastern part of the State, and in Pennsylvania and Virginia, were ordered to the Maumee River, where they were to mass and unite on a means of attack or defense.   Capt. Stidger's company was first ordered to Wooster, where the troops remained a month or more, doing guard duty and enjoying themselves in a multitude of ways.  Their base of supplies was at Canton, where beef, corn-meal, flour and other provisions were prepared and forwarded by wagon.  Scouts were dispatched to inspect the neighboring Indian villages, and to notify the troops and the set-

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tlements of impending danger.  Finally, the company received orders to proceed westward to Perrysburg, on the Maumee River, and to report there to the commanding General.  The Stark County boys remained in the vicinity, enjoying themselves in every manner except encountering the enemy, until a short time before their period of enlistment had expired, when they were discharged and sent home.  They had seen no active service, much to their declared disappointment.  After this, although they were not in the service, yet, knowing that the war was not over, and that attacks from Indians might be expected at any moment, they did not disband, but mastered regularly one or more times a week, to be in readiness for a possible attack, or for another call from the Government.  However, they were not called out again.
     During the early stages of the war, a regiment of soldiers from Pennsylvania, passing through Canton with some thirty pieces of ordnance, stopped for the night.  It is related by Daniel Dewalt, whose father kept a tavern that one of the men in charge of the cannon traded both his horses, which were good ones, but used up by the journey, for one horse belonging to the former, giving at the same time $80 to boot.  "As I sold one of the horses soon afterward for $100, that." says Mr. Dewalt, "was the best horse trade I ever made."  Many interesting incidents are related of circumstances growing out of the war.  On one occasion, it wa sreported by several men who had just arrived from the North, that the British were coming, that they had been seen disembarking from vessels on the lake, and that their appearance might be expected at any moment.  This was sufficient to rouse the citizens to the utmost, and immediate preparations were made to receive the enemy in a fitting manner.  Dwellings were barricaded, scouts were sent out to reconnoiter, and, amidst great excitement, an informal organization of militia was effected.  Finally, a few ragged, half clothed men appeared, who announced that they and their comrades were the parties that had landed at the lake.  They were a portion of Gen. Hull's paroled soldiers.  The citizens slowly relaxed their vigilance, though they continued to guard all points against an unex

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who were both shot dead.  Several Lieutenants were severely wounded.  The battle began at 5 o'clock on the evening of November 30, and lasted five hours.  After the fight, the regiment marched to Nashville, where it remained until December 30, when it moved to the right, and, in a slight skirmish, lost three men wounded.  On the 10th, it participated in a charge on the enemy's works.  In January, the regiment was transferred to Federal Point, N. C.  On the 18th of February, it skirmished with the rebels near Fort Anderson, losing live men killed and wounded.  Two days later, at Old Town Creek, it charged the enemy, losing two killed and twenty wounded.  After occupying several points and taking part in the grand review at Raleigh, it was finally mustered out of service on the 17th of June, 1865, at Greensboro.  On the 27th of June, it was paid off and discharged at Cleveland.
     The One Hundred and Seventh Regiment was represented by more than a company from Stark County.  The regiment was largely German, and was organized at Camp Taylor, near Cleveland, Aug. 25, 1862.  Seraphim Meyer, of Canton, was chosen Colonel; Charles Mueller, Lieutenant Colonel; George Arnold, Major; and C. A. Hartman, of Cleveland, Surgeon.  It remained at Cleveland preparing for the field until the latter part of September, when it was ordered to Covington, Ky. Companies A and D and about fifty men of Company H were from Stark County.  The officers of Company A were; Captain, Peter Sisterhen; First Lieutenant, Jacob Hose; Second Lieutenant, John H. Piero.  Those of Company D were: Captain, Bernard Steiner; First Lieutenant, Samuel Surburg; Second Lieutenant, William T. Beehtel.  Those of Company H were: Captain, Augustas Vignos: First Lieutenant, John Sinning; Second Lieutenant, Philip Setzler.  The regiment was ordered to Covington to assist in repelling the threatened attack of Kirby Smith on Cincinnati.  At the end of a week, it was ordered to Delaware, Ohio, and soon afterward to Washington, D. C, where it was employed for nearly a week on the fortifications of that city.  Early in November, it was ordered to Fairfax C. H., Virginia, and two weeks later to Stafford C. H., where it was assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division, Eleventh Anny Corps, Maj. Gen. Sigel commanding.  Two weeks later, it was ordered on a flanking expedition to the left and rear of Fredericksburg, to co-operate with Gen. Burnside on a second attack against that point, but the design was foiled by bad roads, and the regiment fell back with the army to Brooks Station, where it went into winter quarters.  On the 29th of April, 1863, the whole division moved across the Rappahannock to Chancellorsville, and took part in the bloody battles there on the 2d and 3d of May.  The regiment went into battle under Col. Meyer, and the corps under Gen. Howard.  While the storm of battle was threatening, the commanding officer rode along the lines to encourage the men, which he did by telling them that the enemy would attack them in front, and that they must fire low and not throw away a single shot.  But the Fates had decreed otherwise.  That wonderful man, "Stonewall" Jackson, completely flanked the Union lines, and with his legion of desperate rebels swept like a spirit of destruction upon our lines, scattering the men like chaff before the gale.  The One Hundred and Seventh suffered terribly, losing 120 officers and men killed, wounded and missing.  The Regimental Surgeon, Dr. Hartman. was instantly killed by a heavy shot which struck him in the abdomen, tearing him in a frightful manner.  Company D, from Stark County, lost some twenty men killed, wounded and missing.  Company A lost about as heavily, and Company H lost eighteen men.  On the 6th of May, the regiment returned to Brooks Station, where it remained until June 12, when it was ordered North to assist in intercepting Gen. Lee, who had invaded Pennsylvania.  It passed through Catlett's Station, Manassas Junction, Centerville, Frederick City, and Emmettsburg, reaching Gettysburg on the morning of the 1st of July, and instantly engaging in the battle on the right wing.  During the day, it was compelled to fall back through the town of Gettysburg to Cemetery Hill, where it remained during the continuance of the battle.  While falling back, the regiment lost in killed, wounded and missing

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inclosed by the track was almost wholly taken up by these tables.  The day dawned bright and clear, and the citizens were aroused by the roll of drums and the report of cannon.  The business portion of the city and a large  number of private residences were one grand profusion of evergreen boughs, flags and decorations.  Almost the whole county turned out for the occasion, and it is said 40,000 strangers were in the city.  The following distinguished persons were present:  President and Mrs. Hayes, Gen. Garfield, Gov. Foster, Ex-Gov. Bishop, Gens. Sherman, Hazen, Devens, Crook, Carroll, Kennedy, Gibson, Heckenlooper, Meyer, Poe, Leggett, Barnett, Robinson, Beatty, Voris, Manderson, Wiley, Com. Wells, Col. Corbin, Hon. Stanley Matthews, Webb Hayes, Hon. Amos Townsend, Maj. Goodspeed, Col. Dewstoe and several others.  During the forenoon the procession was formed as follows:

Maj. Gen. Samuel Beatty and Staff
Grand Army Band
Wallace Grays
Open landeau, drawn by four white horses, containing President Hayes and suit.  Two open carriages, with Gen. Garfield, Ex-Gov. Bishop, Maj. McKinley and other prominent officers and citizens.
Twenty-third Regiment O. V. I. [140 men].
Gibraltar Brigade [65 men].
Greentown Band.
Third Battery.
Carrollton Band.
Thirty second Regiment O. V. I. [50 men].
Companies I, K and F, Seventy sixth Regiment O. V. I. [100 men]
Ninety eighth Regiment [50 men]
First Regiment O. V. I. [3 men].
Ninety eighth Regiment [50 men]
First Regiment O. V. I. [3 men]
Mechanics' Band, of Youngstown.
Eighth regiment O. N. G. Band.
Nineteenth Regiment O. V. I. [250 men]
New Berlin Band.
Wooster Guards.
Thirteenth Regiment [40 men].
Navarre Band.
Fifteenth Regiment Veteran Drum Corps.
Hundred and Seventh Regiment [154 men].
Knights of Pythias Band, of Cleveland.
Detachments of the Eighth and Eighty seventh Pennsylvania Regiments.
Cuyahoga County Soldiers' Union [50 men].
New Philadelphia Drum Corps.
Mansfield National Band.
One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment [22 men].
Fifty-first Regiment [6 men].
Second Iowa [3 men].
Seventh Regiment [several men].
Hancock Legion 150 men].
Fay's Cornet Band, of Cleveland.
Congress Band.
Sixteenth Regiment [25 men]
Dalton Band.
Forty first Regiment [60 men]
Fifth Regiment [colored, 15 men].
Leetonia Band.
One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment [300 men].
Dover Drum Corps.
Sixth Ohio Battery [8 men].
Massillon Drum Corps.
One Hundred and Fourth Regiment [250 men].
Alliance Band.
Richville Band.
Sherman's Brigade [250 men]
Canton City Band.
Alleghany Veteran Corps [75 men]
Veteran Fife Corps.
Massillon City Band.
Beaver Falls Drum Corps.
Beaver Falls Veterans [60 men].
Uniontown Band.
Akron City Band.
One Hundred and Second Regiment [several men].
The war eagle "Old Abe."
Steele Cadets of Wooster.
East Liverpool Band.
East Liverpool Veterans [100 men].
Members of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Twenty-eighth, Fourth and Eleventh Pennsylvania Infantry.
Citizens in Carriages.

     This splendid procession was over an hour in passing a given point, and on its march was accompanied by thousands of the citizens.  At the fair grounds the vast assemblage partook of the dinner prepared.  Each township had a separate table, ornamented with a large maltese cross at its center, upon which was the name of the township.  Five steam engines were used in forcing the water from twenty-one pumps, the water to be used for cooking purposes.  About four hundred waiters ministered to the wants of the public, and the distinguished persons were distributed around among the townships, wo that none of the latter would be left out in the cold, as it were.  Mayer Valleley delivered the welcoming speech, and Gen. Kennedy replied of the nation were brought forward, one by one, and introduced, and were greeted by the vast assemblage with loud acclamations and thundering cheers.  Speeches were delivered by the following persons in about the order given: President Hayes, Gen. Garfield, Gen. W. T. Sherman, Hon. Stanley Matthews, Gen.
 

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Wiley, Ex-Gov. Bishop, Maj. McKinley, Gov. Foster, Gen. Voris, Gen. Devens, Gen. Crook, Senator Sullivan and others.  At night, on the square in Canton, $500 worth of fireworks, in charge of an experienced man from New York, were exhibited to 25,000 people.  The crowd present during the day was the largest ever in Canton.  Although the costs were very great, yet, so great had been the effort, that the citizens found they had left about $1,000 which has since been subscribed to the monument fund.  It may be said, in conclusion, that the citizens, generally, celebrate Decoration Day in a fitting manner.  Some distinguished speaker is obtained, who reviews the achievements of the honored dead, and demonstrates that their death was not in vain.  The silent mounds of sod are lovingly decked with sweet blossoms, and over the precious dust of the dead heroes waves the bright banner they died to sustain.  Let us not forget them, but place their names, like jewels in memory's golden urn, to be treasured in everlasting remembrance.  It is sad though glorious, to think of the noble lives sacrified on the bloody altar of sucession; but we forgive it all, and accept the advice of the sweet singer:

     "From the silence of sorrowful hours
          The desolate mourners go,
      Lovingly laden with flowers,
          Alike for the friend and the foe.
      Under the sod and the dew,
          Under the lilies the Gray."

END OF CHAPTER V -