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View Northwest Ohio Civil War Sites in a larger map

Written by Mark Holbrook

It is not surprising that Ohio has so many Civil War places to visit. After all, the Buckeye state supplied more than 300,000 soldiers and 200 generals to the Union Army and Navy during the war. With that many veterans, saving Civil War related sites was never far from a watchful eye. Places like Ulysses S. Grant’s boyhood home in Georgetown, William Tecumseh Sherman’s home in Lancaster, Morgan’s Raid, Buffington Island Battlefield and Johnson’s Island Camp Chase Confederate POW Camps. True, some sites are only a fraction of what they were during the war, but enough remains to tell the stories about what happened there. All told, there are about 31 places you can visit.  We will be highlighting sights by region all this week.

And there are the Civil War related Ohio Historical Markers, 219 of them to be exact.  Each of them tells more great stories. (Watch for these later this month.)  And then there are the monuments, 269 in 85 counties.  Visit http://library.cincymuseum.org/cwdetails7help.htm to see their locations.

So, how do you even begin to try to visit these many reminders of Ohio and its people during the Civil War? I have had the good fortune to visit many of the sites, several of the markers and at least pass by many of the monuments. Here’s my advice. Pick an area and research the places you can visit. Be sure to check for museum and historic site hours before you go. Then, overlay your itinerary with stops at nearby historical markers and monuments. Finally, try to build enough time into your trip to avoid all major highways. Many of the markers and monuments are in small towns and out-of-the-way places. Many small towns throughout the state have a Civil War monument in the downtown area. Unless a specific statue of a local hero, most portray a common infantryman. But a closer look reveals fascinating stories about a local regiment or individuals and their service.

Historical markers are another great way to learn more about the Civil War. Markers are placed at locations where someone lived, was born or an event occurred. There is something special about standing on a spot and imaging a time in the past when a person or event was there. The markers include the story of the place to help you envision the history that took place.

A final note when traveling Ohio’s Civil War sites.  Almost every county has a visitor’s bureau whose purpose is to help you during your visit with everything from locating places to lodging, restaurants, entertainment and more. Give them a call or email and you’ll have your own personal travel advisor to make your visit more enjoyable.

Cost is $5/adult, $3/kids & seniors (60+).

Gorman Heritage Farm members may attend for free.

Vicki Foster

Marketing & Events Manager
Gorman Heritage Farm

Written by Misti Spillman

The costs of any war can be overwhelming, especially considering the efforts taken on by the soldiers during the Civil War. However, costs of a war can mean other issues besides the economical. The Civil War lasted four years, and during that duration numerous expenses added up. One cost was the personal losses people faced after so many friends and family died. The costs strained numerous resources. The destruction (on an economic level) caused the realization that the war lasted longer than a couple months. It consisted of years that had severe consequences and costs.

The cost of the war was $6.6 billion in 1860 dollars. The costs to the North’s population were about $150 or one year’s income. The Southern costs were two times that amount with $376 per man, woman, and child. The printing of money and borrowing on such a huge scale had an enormous effect on economic stability, or lack thereof, of the Confederacy, and the North also suffered from inflation. The Southern agricultural economy was left in shambles. There were problems concerning pollution, and wasteful exploitation of natural resources. The effects and losses of the war were still adding up after it had ended.

However, this still seems like an underestimated total when referring to the emotional costs of the war, including over 600,000 deaths. The causalities were 2% of America’s population. Today that would be 6 million American citizens that would have died in the war. Along with battle wounds, disease claimed a lot of the soldiers’ lives.  Many of them did not receive a proper burial. The body count added up faster after each battle and preparing mass graves was the only quick solution.  This left numerous families without closure. People were trying to cope with loss and devastation, personally and as a nation.

The lives of civilians were also turned upside down. Their homes were turned into hospitals.  They were exposed to battles and diseases in their own backyards. Women were left to take care of their households while their husbands were away at war. The emotional and personal costs were becoming more evident to people. The war was not favored anymore and it did not end until 1865, four years after it started. When the war finally did end, there were many things that did not have closure. The country’s citizens were still divided on beliefs. The nation was left to start completely over with no instructions on where to begin.

Even today, the Civil War remains a popular topic, especially with the 150th anniversary.  People are still trying to understand the history and conflict that happened in our country. The anniversary is also a chance to reflect on how the nation changed during and after the war, especially throughout the reconstruction period. The costs of the Civil War can encompass a magnitude of perspectives and feelings. It is a topic that definitely goes beyond the economic effort.

References:

http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/overview.htm

http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/ransom.civil.war.us

By Fredric C. Lynch, CW150 Committee

Our nation’s highest military award for bravery is the Medal of Honor. “The Medal,” as recipients refer to it, is “earned” not “won.” Award of the Medal of Honor is by Act of Congress: “For Conspicuous Gallantry and Intrepidity in Action at the Risk of Life, Above and Beyond the Call of Duty” by a member of the United States Armed Forces. These words are spoken each time the medal is awarded. Just over 250 Ohioans have received the medal since it was established and first awarded in 1862. For actions during the American Civil War, 154 Ohioans received the medal.

The idea for the Medal of Honor originated with Lieutenant Colonel Edward Townsend, Adjutant General of the United States Army, in November 1861. The award’s purpose was to recognize outstanding acts of combat bravery by enlisted soldiers and sailors during Civil War battles.

The Navy was the first service to establish a Medal of Honor. President Lincoln signed approval to award the medal to sailors and marines in December 1861. The Army approved the same honor for soldiers in February 1862. In July 1863, the enabling federal law was amended to authorize award of the medal to members of both the Army and the Navy, and to commissioned and non-commissioned officers and enlisted men. The Medal of Honor for actions during the Civil War was awarded for the next 50 years based upon recommendations by officers and others who observed and verified gallant acts of recipients.

The medal’s 19th century design was conceived by the Navy and later adapted by the Army with minimal difference. The Medal of Honor design was: “A five-pointed star, tipped with trefoils, with a crown of laurel and oak in the middle of thirty-four stars. The goddess Minerva, symbolizing the United States, stands with her left hand resting on fasces, signifying authority, while her right hand holds a shield emblazoned with the U.S. coat of arms. Minerva is in the act of repelling Discord, represented by snakes. The medal was suspended from a red, white, and blue ribbon. The Navy ribbon used an anchor while the Army medal used an eagle to attach the medallion to its ribbon.”

The first recipients of the Medal of Honor were from Ohio. Their medals were awarded in April 1862. The honorees were six of the twenty soldiers, who, with two civilians, comprised Union Army civilian scout James J. Andrews’ raiding party. The covert operation team went 200 miles behind enemy lines to steal a train, burn railroad bridges, and destroy tracks between Atlanta and Chattanooga. When the train they stole, “The General,” ran out of fuel the soldiers dispersed but were all eventually captured. Andrews and six other raiders were promptly executed as spies.  The remaining fourteen were sent to prison camps. In October 1862, eight of the raiders escaped their Confederate prison. In March 1863, the remaining six Ohio soldiers were paroled and returned to the Union Army.

Secretary of War Stanton personally presented the first Medals of Honor to the six paroled raiders in a ceremony March 23, 1863. Subsequently, during the Civil War 2,100 soldiers and sailors were awarded the Medal of Honor. In 1917, a War Department board of review revoked 900 of the medals having determined they had been awarded without proper consideration of criteria established as the war progressed, most notably the requirement for “conspicuous gallantry” and “risk of life” in combat. The tally afterward for medals awarded for Civil War bravery was 1,200 for soldiers and 327 for sailors.

Among Ohio sailors receiving the Medal of Honor were Boatswain’s Mate Henry Dow and Ordinary Seaman Louis Shepard. Dow received the honor for service aboard the USS Cincinnati during the Battle of Vicksburg where he: “Served courageously throughout the engagement and carried out his duties to the end of this proud ship that went down with her colors nailed to the mast.” Shepard, as a sailor on the USS Wabash, participated in the Naval landing party in 1865 that assaulted Fort Fisher, North Carolina. He was one of the few to enter the fort.

Many soldiers who received medals captured Confederate flags or saved their regiment’s colors from capture. One of them was Private George Tyrell of the 5th Ohio Infantry who captured a Confederate flag during the May 1864 Battle of Resaca, Georgia. Another was Private John Gaunt, 104th OVI, who captured a Confederate flag during the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee in November 1864.  Corporal Issac Gause of the 2nd Ohio Cavalry captured the colors of the 8th South Carolina Infantry during hand-to-hand combat while on a reconnaissance mission near Berryville, Virginia in 1864.

The very first Medal of Honor was presented March 25, 1863 to Private Jacob Parrott, 33rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for his part as one of Andrews Raiders. Private Daniel Dorsey, also of the 33rd OVI, and Private Wilson Brown of the 21st Ohio, were likewise among those honored for their heroism during the “Great Locomotive Chase.” So was Private William Pittinger, 2nd Ohio Infantry.

Sergeant Freeman Davis, 80th OVI, received his medal in 1894 because “while his regiment was falling back, seeing the two color bearers shot down, under a severe fire and at imminent peril [he] recovered both the flags and saved them from capture” during the Battle of Vicksburg in 1863. Captain Hubert Dilger of the 1st Ohio Light Artillery commanded the artillery pieces that provided the rear guard defense that protected retreating Union soldiers following the 1863 Confederate victory at Chancellorsville, Virginia.

First Sergeant Robert Pinn, 127th OVI/5th United States Colored Infantry, earned the Medal of Honor in action at Chapin’s Farm, Virginia in 1864. When all his officers were killed or wounded, he assumed command of Company I and gallantly led it in battle. First Sergeant Powhatan Beaty, 127 OVI/5th USCI did the same with Co. G.

Private Thomas Guinn, 47th OVI, was awarded his medal in 1897 for bravery in May 1863 as part of a “forlorn hope” storming party at Vicksburg, Mississippi. So were Corporals Louis Renninger and Christian Schnell of the 37th OVI and Private David Day, 57th OVI, and others. On the day of the battle, there was little probability that any of the 150 volunteers from the 30th, 37th, 47th, 57th Ohio, 4th West Virginia and other units would survive the assault. In fact, of the storming party, all were killed or wounded.

The mission of the storming party was to build a bridge over a ditch and plant scaling ladders against the side of the Confederate fortification using logs, planks, and ladders they carried along with their rifles. Brigadier General Hugh Ewing, Third Brigade commander, documented their valor in his battle report: “At 10.04 a.m. of the 22d, a storming party, composed of 50 volunteers from each brigade of the division, bearing the colors of my headquarters, and followed by my troops in column, charged down a narrow, deep-cut road upon a bastion of the enemy’s works. . . . They made a foot-path at the salient, by which Captain [John H.] Groce, commanding, Lieutenant O’Neal, [Private] Trogden, the color-bearer, and others, crossing, climbed half way up the exterior slope, and planted the flag upon it unfurled.“

Private Nathaniel Gwynne of the 13th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry was 15 when he earned his Medal of Honor during the attack on Fort Hill – - called Fort Hell by fellow soldiers – -in 1863 during the Petersburg Campaign. Because he was too young for the Army, Gwynne had not been mustered into the regiment and was ordered not to take part in the attack. When the bugler sounded the advance, he went forward anyway, advancing with his regiment directly towards a Confederate artillery position. Hand-to-hand fighting ensued, the assault failed, and the 13th OVC began to retreat. Gwynne, seeing that the colors of his regiment had been captured, charged towards the enemy and recovered the flag. When badly wounded in the arm holding the flag, Gwynne dismounted from his horse and holding it by placing its reins in his mouth, recovered the banner, remounted and returned to his unit – - all under enemy rifle fire.

Corporal David Orbansky served with the 58th OVI during the 1862 Battle of Shiloh, the Battle of Vicksburg in 1863 and other actions. He received “The Medal” in 1879 for: “Exceptional gallantry and heroism in many actions.” Corporal Issac Carmen was the soldier in the 48th OVI at Vicksburg who planted his regiment’s flag on a captured fort. Carmen and his flag quickly became targets for Confederate artillery. He and another soldier dug a hole with their bayonets and returned fire with their rifles, one firing and one loading. After defending their position for hours, they realized further resistance was untenable in the face of a gathering counterattack on the fort itself. Carmen ran back to the Union lines to request permission to remove the regiment’s flag from the fort. Having secured authorization to do so, he returned to his position, recovered the flag of the 48th OVI, and rescued it from capture as the Confederates began their advance.

Sergeants Henry Heller and Thomas Thompson, both from the 66th Ohio Infantry, received the Medal of Honor for the same gallant action. In May 1863 during the Battle of Chancellorsville, they went together under heavy fire to capture and bring back to Union lines a wounded Confederate officer. They saved the officer’s life.  And, under interrogation, he provided valuable information concerning the enemy’s position that resulted in saving the lives of many Union soldiers.

Ohio also has the distinction of being home to the last recipients of the Medal of Honor for actions during the Civil War. In April 1917, Henry Lewis and Henry C. Peters, both from the 47th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, were awarded their medals for service during the battle for Vicksburg in 1863. Both were volunteers who attempted to run a steam tub and two barges of ammunition and other supplies past Confederate artillery batteries along the shore.

Valor in combat at risk of life is the common denominator among Ohio’s Medal of Honor recipients. The medal is always earned by the individual. Even though sometimes more than one brave participant from the same unit in the same battle is recognized by award of the Medal of Honor, the conspicuous gallantry of each is the key criteria for receiving “The Medal.”

A list of all Ohio’s Civil War Medal of Honor recipients is on the Internet at: Ohio Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients http://ohiocivilwar.com/moh.html .

More information concerning many of them is at: For Conspicuous Gallantry: Stories of Ohio’s Medal of Honor Recipients http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/exhibits/moh/gallantry.aspx .

The primary reference source consulted for this post was: “Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients – A Complete Illustrated Record” by Robert P. Broadwater; McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers 2007.

One of the students giving testimony on Ashley’s behalf at the Ohio Statehouse in 2010.

In 2010, my students advocated for James Ashley to be the Ohioan selected for Statuary Hall. Little did I know our advocacy would prepare us for Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln. Three of my current seniors (below) will reflect on who James Ashley was, the role he played in the movie, and the lesson learned from Ashley’s life.   -Paul LaRue

Who was James Ashley?

James Ashley

Born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania in 1824, James M. Ashley’s family moved to Portsmouth, Ohio early in his life. Born to a rather poor and religious family, Ashley was mostly self-educated. In his youth he traveled Virginia and Kentucky with his father, who worked as a minister on preaching circuits in addition to candle making and soap making. It was during this time that Ashley became witness to the horrors of enslavement.

Later in life as a young man, he attempted a variety of jobs, including running his own drug store, editing newspapers, and Law practice. At seventeen he spent some time working on boats in the Ohio River; He began conducting in the Underground Railroad, ferrying two groups of escaped slaves over the Ohio River.

Moving to Toledo, Ohio, Ashley was elected into the U.S. Congress in 1858; he was thirty-four years old. He was included in a group of younger nominees to be elected into Congress. Then in 1859, Ashley trekked to Charleston, Virginia to witness the execution of the well known John Brown, considered famous by some and infamous by others for his radical, violent efforts to end slavery. He snuck in through carriage, as the railroads were under scrutiny at the time. Ashley was one of the few northerners to attend the event, consoling Brown’s wife at the time. Ashley continued to fight against slavery and every compromise Congress made to it, pushing for emancipation in the District of Columbia. He tirelessly campaigned for Lincoln, making many speeches favoring the future president.

Ashley’s most significant contribution to the abolition efforts was his significant role in the ratification of the 13^th Amendment. He aided the efforts by lending his aggressive speaking style to the campaign while also working as a floor manager for Lincoln, and fought relentlessly for every vote. On the second attempt, Ashley achieved his goal, and the 13^th Amendment was ratified in 1865. Three months after the ratification, Lincoln was assassinated. Ashley was chosen as a pallbearer for the President as his body was taken back to Illinois. Ashley served for three more years before leaving in 1868, being distrustful of Andrew Johnson. James M. Ashley passed away in 1896, and was buried in Toledo, Ohio.

Luke Shackelford, Research History Class 2013

Ashley in the movie Lincoln

James M. Ashley’s character in the movie ‘Lincoln’ was easily forgettable. I say that because that’s exactly what I did. Looking back and trying to picture who he was in the movie is almost impossible for me. He was swept into the shadows making it seem like he didn’t play a vital role in earning the votes for the 13^th Amendment. The writers and producers of Lincoln twisted the historical facts and made it appear as if “W. N. Bilbo” went out and persuaded the members of the House to vote positive towards banning slavery when in fact it was actually Ashley. W. N. Bilbo isn’t even a true person in this time span that was concentrated on in the movie. Bilbo isn’t even a real person period! So why did they make up a fictional character when there’s documents that prove that James M. Ashley was the go getter when it came to earning the votes? Why did they keep Ashley in the story as someone he wasn’t? Lincoln of course was a big hit and did make this specific time in history seem more tangible and exciting. But why give the credit that is deservingly Ashley’s to someone who can’t be even be proven?

Sydney Madden, Research History Class 2013

Lesson Learned

James M. Ashley, from a very young age, knew that slavery was wrong. At sixteen, he received his first notable accomplishment as an abolitionist when he helped two groups of slaves cross the Ohio River. He continued to act as a conductor on the Underground Railroad until an incident where he was helping slaves in 1851. He then devoted his life to politics and worked alongside President Abraham Lincoln in the charge to abolish slavery. Ashley’s determination and drive to do what he believed was right inspired many people. A lot of people talked about how they thought slavery should end, but not very many people acted on it. James Ashley did something about it. In 1865, thanks to the help of Ashley, the 13^th amendment was ratified, ending slavery for good. As a senior in high school, I could not imagine a sixteen year old doing as much good work as he did. Most teenagers these days are infused with this air of lethargy. They see something wrong in the world, ignore it, and don’t act upon it. Ashley was truly one of a kind.

Christy Smith, Research History Class 2013

Cincinnati native William Haynes Lytle volunteered for service in the Mexican War in late 1847. Born November 2, 1826 of a leading family in Cincinnati, Lytle graduated from Cincinnati College and established a law firm in his hometown. The Mexican War was going on and the young lawyer enlisted in the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served as a captain for the regiment. Known as the poet-general later in life, Lytle penned the well-known verse Antony and Cleopatra, published in 1857. But Lytle was busy doing more than writing poetry before the Civl War. A staunch Democrat, he was elected to the Ohio House for a term to run from 1851-1853. By 1861, he was a fervent pro-states’ rights Democrat, having strong family ties to Kentucky slave-holders. He was, in personality and temperament, more a Southern cavalier than a northern Yankee. But, like his father and grandfather before him, he strongly believed in the preservation of the Union. Despite his democratic standing, that Union preservation sentiment helped Lytle to secure a commission as colonel of the 10th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Lytle and the 10th were sent to western Virginia and engaged in a series of small battles that helped pave the way for West Virginia statehood. On September 10, 1861, while leading his troops against rebels at Carnifex Ferry, Lytle was struck by a ball in the leg and severely wounded. He was sent home to Cincinnati to recover. After a four month recuperation, Lytle was of a military training camp in Bardstown, Kentucky, then returned to field duty as a brigade commander in Ormsby Mitchel’s division. By the time of the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky in early October of 1862, Lytle commanded the 17th brigade, third division, 1st Army Corps. The 1st Corps was commanded by Alexander McDowell McCook of Ohio. On October 8th, the two armies clash outside of the Small town of Perryville. Colonel Lytle’s brigade is posted around the H.P. Bottom House near Doctor’s Creek. As the Confederates advance, Lytle is enveloped by the opposing troops and is forced to retreat. It is at this time that Lytle is wounded in the head. Respectful Confederate troops take him to the Bottoms House, suspecting his wound to be fatal and leave him there when they retreat after the battle is over. Lytle recovers from his wound and is rewarded for his valor with a promotion to the rank of Brigadier General on November 29th.

The fall of 1863 finds Lytle’s commanding the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division under the command of Phillip Sheridan. The 20th Corps was at this time part of The Army of the Cumberland, commanded by Major-General William Stark Rosecrans, also of Ohio

At the Battle of Chickamauga, Confederate General James Longstreet hit the precise point of the Federal line left open by troops movements. Sheridan’s and Davis’ divisions were shattered by superior force, and the Federal right was driven back on its left flank. In this desperate attempt to defend the Union line, General William Lytle was killed while leading a counterattack on horseback. Once his identity was known, Confederates placed a guard around his body, many reciting his poetry over their evening campfires. The hill where Lytle died is known as “Lytle Hill” in the Chickamauga National Military Park.

These are just a few of the fascinating stories of Ohio generals. Further proof that the Buckeye state was an important part of the Union victory in our Civil War.

Another of the civil war veterans to later become Governor of Ohio was Jacob Dolson Cox. And Cox may be the Ohio Civil War General born farthest away from the Buckeye state. Born to Jacob and Thedia Kenyon Cox on October 27, 1828, he was by birth a Canadian. Jacob senior was a noted New York contractor and was in Montreal with his family in 1828 supervising work on Notre Dame Cathedral. The Cox family returned to New York the next year. His mother, Thedia was a descendant of Mayflower traveler Elder William Brewster.

Young Jacob moved to Ohio in 1846 and attended Oberlin College where he graduated in 1851. The next year he moved to Warren and opened a law practice. Elected to the Ohio Senate as a Republican in 1859, Cox and fellow senator James Garfield were very active in shaping legislation on the eve of the Civil War.

Cox received a commission from his good friend Governor Dennison as a Brigadier General of Ohio Volunteers in the three-month service. He was placed in command of Camp Jackson (now Goodale Park) in Columbus. The major mustering camp Dennison was founded shortly thereafter and Cox took the troops under him to Cincinnati. The three-month enlistments were expiring, but all of the soldiers at Camp Dennison, which now numbered in the thousands reenlisted for three-year terms. Cox received a permanent commission as Brigadier General of Volunteers. General George B. McClellan ordered Cox to take a brigade to the mouth of the Kanawha River in Western Virginia. He maneuvered through the region skillfully, forcing an evacuation of Charleston. Fighting continued southwardly until winter arrived. That spring, under command now of William Rosecrans, the offensive renewed. The Union troops pushed further south until federal efforts elsewhere cause everything to come to a halt in western Virginia. Cox was ordered to send half of his troops to the Army of Virginia near Culpepper Courthouse. Not wanting to be left out of the fighting, he asked for and received permission to go with them.

The Kanawha Division spearheaded the 9th Corps attack at South Mountain on September 13, 1862. When Major-General Jesse Reno, 9th Corps commander was killed, command of the Corps fell to Cox. It was the 9th Corps, that a few days later on September 17th eventually took the bridge across Antietam Creek to seal the Union victory at the Battle of Antietam. While Burnside received much criticism for the slowness with which the 9th Corps took the bridge, Cox’s reputation remained intact. This was perhaps because those there realized that it was Burnside, and not Cox who was in control of the situation. In fact, both Burnside and McClellan sent Cox’s name to Washington for promotion to Major-General. Congress, believing that there were too many generals in the armies, rejected the request along with dozens of other recommended promotions.

After the Battle of Antietam, Cox was ordered back to the Kanawha region to help reclaim what was becoming a new state of the Union. In the spring of 1863, he was put in command of the District of Ohio, headquartered in Cincinnati. He returned to the field, eventually taking part in the Atlanta campaign as a division commander in the 23rd Corps. In the final days of the war, he commanded that 23rd Corps and then the Department of North Carolina. Remaining in the army after the war as part of the Army of Occupation, Cox was elected Governor of Ohio in 1865. He resigned his commission January 1, 1866 and headed for the Statehouse. His moderate views on African-American suffrage, and support for President Andrew Johnson caused the Ohio Republicans to reject him for renomination.

Ormsby McKnight Mitchel was a native Kentuckian, born August 28, 1810 in Morganfield. Young Ormsby’s father died when he was three and the family moved to Lebanon, Ohio in 1813. Mitchel worked odd jobs to help support the family until he was 15 and received an appointment to West Point. He graduated from the Academy in 1829 along with Robert E. Lee and Joseph Johnston. His math aptitude was so impressive; Mitchel was immediately retained by the Academy as assistant-instructor in mathematics. After two years as an instructor, he was assigned to St. Augustine, Florida as a 2nd Lieutenant of Artillery. Mitchel resigned his commission in 1833 and moved to Cincinnati to begin a law practice. After spending a year establishing his practice, Mitchel was appointed Professor of Mathematics, Natural Philosophy and Astronomy at the College of Cincinnati. Mitchel’s true vocation was astronomy and he built quit a reputation in the field. He aspired to build the largest observatory in the country in Cincinnati. When completed in 1845, it was the second largest. Later that year the college burned to the ground and Mitchel found himself unemployed. Seeing the opportunity to perhaps finally follow his passion, he traveled to Boston to lecture on astronomy in hopes of establishing himself in the field. His lectures were a great success, being repeated in New York. He was now on the lecture circuit and doing rather well. He also made several innovations in astronomy, including a means to more efficiently catalog stars. Several books were published, adding to his fame and fortune as an astronomer. By 1861, Mitchel was a noted speaker, desired engineer and respected astronomer, in the U.S. and well as Europe.

When Fort Sumter was fired upon, Mitchel’s Union speeches in New York were praised by the papers. Noting his birth in Kentucky he said,

“I love too, my adopted state of Ohio … but, my friends, I am not a citizen now of any state. I have allegiance to no state, and never did, and God helping me, never will. I owe my allegiance to the government of the United States.”

After the embarrassment at Bull Run, on August 8, 1861 Ormsby Mitchel was appointed a Brigadier General of Volunteers, assigned to command the Department of Ohio, headquartered in Cincinnati. He oversaw the fortifications of that city and the training of the troops. When the Army of the Ohio was formed under Don Carlos Buell, Mitchel’s department ceased to exist. He was placed in command of a brigade in Buell’s new Army.

Dealing with slaves as the Union armies moved south was always a contentious issue. Buell’s orders were to follow the letter of the law and not protect escaped slaves. Mitchel, abhorring the practice of slavery ignored his commander’s orders, in fact promising the protection of the government to slaves who acted as guides, lookouts and guards, assuring them they would never be returned to their masters. Mitchel’s successes on the battlefield made it difficult for Buell to reprimand him, but Washington would remove the problem for him. A promotion to Major General brought Mitchel to Washington to await assignment. Army Chief Henry Halleck disliked Mitchel as much as Buell, mostly for his unorthodox military ways. Mitchel, not being a West Point graduate, or a veteran of previous fighting was not viewed by some as worthy of his rank, regardless of his successes in battle. Mitchel sat in Washington from July 2 to September 12, 1862. President Lincoln, a fan of Mitchel’s believed him best suited to an independent command and assigned him to the Department of South Carolina. He at once went to work infusing fresh energy into his command, visiting all of the many camps in his army. Maintaining his desire to keep active, he took a fort and heavy guns at St. John’s Bluff, burnt railroad bridges, salt works and began to attack the infrastructure of the state.

Mitchel’s camps were overrun with runaway slaves and conditions in their overcrowded barracks were deplorable. He organized the ex-slaves and had them build a village of cabins for themselves. The village, complete with local laws, officials and taxes survived well after the war. In gratefulness, the proud village called their town Mitchelville. Today, the island that contained Mitchelville is known as Hilton Head.

On October 26, 1862 Mitchel contracted Yellow Fever and died October 30. He was buried with honors in Beaufort, South Carolina. While Ormsby Mitchel did not fight prominently in the major battles of the war, he was nonetheless celebrated for his many victories and accomplishments during his 5 months in command in South Carolina.

Interpreting Local History & the Decorative Arts Through the Eyes of the Fernando & Sophia Kelton Family

Civil War Sesquicentennial Program On the Road to Lancaster

Exploring William Tecumseh Sherman’s Boyhood Home & A Visit to the Georgian Museum

Sunday, April 14, 2013

1:00 to 5:30 p.m.

Join us for a bus trip to Lancaster, guided tours of the historic home and museum, and a visit to the site in Franklin Park where Sherman gave his famous “War is Hell” speech.

$35/Adults $30/Seniors $18/Students

Includes bus transportation, admission to both museums and snacks on the bus. Bus pickup and return at Kelton House. Parking available in Junior League/Kelton House lot on Franklin Ave.

Reservations Deadline: March 28. Please call 614-464-2022 or email Keltonhouse@cs.com to make a reservation

Written by Mark Holbrook

Andrew Lintner Harris, Ohio’s 44th governor was the last of the Civil War veteran governors of Ohio. He makes the list of Ohio Generals of the Civil War, but somewhat on a technicality. Harris enlisted as a private in the 75th Ohio which saw action in the Eastern Theatre. On May 8, 1862 at the Battle of McDowell, Virginia Harris was seriously wounded and his right arm permanently disabled. All this time Harris was rising in the ranks, and when Colonel Robert Reily was killed at the Battle of Chancellorsville May 2, 1863, Harris took command of the 75th and became its Colonel. He was wounded again at Gettysburg July 2, 1863 while defending Cemetery Hill against Harry T. Hay’s famed Louisiana Tigers and acting as brigade commander of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, XI Corps. Reverting back to command of the 75th Ohio, Harris and his troops were sent south to Florida for the duration of the war. In 1865, three months before Lee surrender to Grant at Appomattox Harris returned home to Preble County and resumed his education in law, opening a practice in Eaton in April of 1865. As happened with many commanders, it took some time for the War Department to decipher who actually did what during the war and promotions came after the fighting was over in the spring of 1865 and Andrew Harris was promoted to the rank of Brevet Brigadier General March 13, 1866 for gallant and meritorious service. Harris served in several elected positions locally and for the state, being elected as Ohio’s Lieutenant Governor in 1891 and 1893. Harris then served under President William McKinley on the national level on the federal industrial commission. Bending to pressure from the Republican party, Harris ran for Lt. Governor again in 1905. Although his ticket mate Myron Herrick lost his bid for reelection, Harris was elected Lt. Governor, Democrat John Pattison the new Ohio Governor. Pattison took ill and died on June 18, 1906, leaving the office of governor to Andrew L. Harris. Harris became the last Civil War veteran to serve as Ohio’s governor. Beginning in 1865, 10 of the next 14 Ohio governors were veterans of the war.

Joshua Woodrow Sill was from Chillicothe, born there December 6, 1831. Sill graduated third in his class from the Academy and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in Ordnance and assigned to the Watervliet Arsenal in New York. In 1855 he was recalled to West Point as an instructor where he taught for two years. In the spring of 1860, Sill resigned the Army and accepted a professorship of mathematics and civil engineering in the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute.

Following the firing on Fort Sumter, Sill offered his services to Ohio Governor William Dennison, who appointed him Assistant Adjutant General of the state. He busied himself organizing Ohio troops for the war throughout the summer until, in August he was commissioned a Colonel of the 33rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry out of South Central Ohio, mustering in at Portsmouth. Sill, based largely on his experience as a regular army officer was shortly promoted to Brigadier General. It was at the Battle of Stone’s River near Murfreesboro, Tennessee at the end of December, 1862 that Sill became part of a story that may or may not be true. Stone’s River was a bloody battle for both sides. Combined casualties number just over 25,000 for the opposing armies in the bitter cold of that winter. The Confederates under General Braxton Bragg hit the Union right hard and rolled it back. Sill’s brigade fought courageously, the brigade commander out in front leading his troops. It was almost inevitable that a high-ranking officer in front would be a target for the rebel infantrymen. And such was the case as Sill was killed by rifle fire. Here is where the story gets interesting. On the eve of the battle, General Sill was in conference with Sheridan and other commanders anticipating fighting the next day. In the darkness, Sill and Sheridan accidentally put on each other’s coats. Speculation is that the Confederate troops thought they were firing at General Sheridan. The story achieves some validity with a record of the Sheridan family returning the coat to the Sill family in Chillicothe after the war. You can view Sill’s Brigadier General’s frock coat today at the Ross County Historical Society in Chillicothe. Perhaps it is the coast worn by Phil Sheridan in the Battle of Stone’s River.

Written by Mark Holbrook

Of the 325,000 soldiers from Ohio who served in the American Civil War, 229 of them were or became generals during the conflict. While the actual total number of Ohio troops and the exact number of generals that accurately can be attributed to the Buckeye State are debatable, both numbers are impressive. Add to that the fact that Ohio had the only full general, Ulysses S. Grant, a Lieutenant General in William Tecumseh Sherman and five major army commanders.

We are all familiar with the triumvirate of Grant, Sherman and Major-General Phil Sheridan, three Ohioans largely credited with winning the war for the Union. Another group of generals, some successful, some infamous are recognizable to even casual students of the Civil War. Major-Generals George B. McClellan, William Rosecrans, Irvin McDowell, Don Carlos Buell and George Custer make up a second tier of generals from Ohio who made their mark in the war. More serious students of the period will recognize names like James B. McPherson, William B. Hazen, Alexander McDowell McCook, Emerson Opdycke, August V. Kautz, August Willich and William Sooy Smith. Then there are the generals who we now recognize because of their achievements after the war. Two of these, along with Grant and an unknown NCO named William McKinley would one day become president of the United States – Major-General James A Garfield and Brevet Major-General Rutherford B. Hayes. Once we get past these 18 officers, recognition begins to decline.

But the contributions of these generals were anything but insignificant. Nor were their stories less interesting. Let’s look at a few.

William Burham Woods was Speaker of the House in the Ohio General Assembly when the work broke out in 1861. A former mayor of Newark and loyal Democrat, Woods opposed the war, but his views against slavery brought him to the conclusion that the Union must be saved. He resigned from the Assembly in 1862 and was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the 76th Ohio. Fighting at Shiloh and Vicksburg, Woods did well and was promoted to Brigadier General, commanding a brigade under Sherman during the march to the sea. After the war, he remained in the South, settling in Bentonville, Alabama where he resumed his law practice and began farming cotton. In 1869 he was named by President Grant to the U.S. Court of Appeals. In 1880, President Rutherford B. Hayes appointed Woods to the Supreme Court. Woods was the first Supreme Court Justice from a Southern state since 1853. Being a Republican, he had switched parties by then, he received the necessary support for confirmation to the high court.

Here’s a story of a General who was so unknown, he never officially became a general. Charles Champion Gilbert from Zanesville graduated from West Point in the famous class of 1846 along with George McClellan, Stonewall Jackson and George Pickett. Gilbert served in the Mexican-American War, then two years in Texas before returning to West Point as an instructor. Shortly after the Civil War started, Gilbert was appointed a captain in the 1st U.S. Infantry. He was made inspector general of the Army of the Ohio in the spring of 1862 as that Army was fighting at Shiloh, Tennessee and Corinth, Mississippi. In September, General William Nelson, Commander of the III Corps was killed in battle. In an unusual distain for promotion, none of the ranking officers in the Army of the Ohio would accept command of the Corps. So, Captain Charles Champion Gilbert was field promoted to Brevet Major-General in command of the III Corps. There may be an example of a greater leap in rank in America’s military history, but it is doubtful. Gilbert lead his Corps at the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky in October of 1862, checking the last of the Confederate attacks and driving a rebel brigade back through the town. Holding a brevet rank meant waiting for Congress to approve the promotion. Citing an over abundance of generals in the Union Army and some criticisms by the Senate for his actions at Perryville, Gilbert’s promotion to Major-General of volunteers was not approved. Ironically, Congress did see fit to sanction Gilbert’s promotion to Major of the 19th U.S. Infantry.

Date(s):  March 22 - April  20, 2013

Location:  French Creek Nature Center, 4530  Colorado Avenue, Sheffield Village, Ohio,  44054

Phone:  440-458-5121

Ohio Civil War 150 Traveling Exhibit.

The Ohio Historical Society, in partnership with the Ohio Humanities Council and American Electric Power sponsored development of Ohio and the Civil War: 150 Years Later, a special panel exhibit produced for the 150th commemoration of the Civil War. The exhibit explores Ohio’s participation in the war and focuses on individuals’ choices that impacted local communities and the course of the war.

Three themes – Democracy, Transformations and Memory – are used to reveal Civil War stories that impacted Ohio in the 19th century to present day. Through the use of these themes the exhibit explores topics such as civil rights, political dissent, pacifism, religion and popular culture, and reveals patterns in our county’s response to those topics throughout history.

The Civil War began in April 1861 and Ohio was deeply involved, providing General Ulysses S. Grant and many other Union officers, along with 300,000 Union troops to the war effort. This exhibit will allow Ohio families an opportunity to learn more about Ohio’s impact on the war.

Ohio’s leadership before, during and after the Civil War had a profound influence on American history. Now, decades later, a statewide initiative to observe the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in Ohio, 2011 to 2015, is being led by the Civil War 150 Advisory Committee and the Ohio Historical Society. American Electric Power and the Ohio Humanities Council are sponsors of the initiative.

For more information about Ohio’s Civil War 150th Anniversary commemoration, special events and more, visit www.ohiocivilwar150.org.

Written by Anthony Gibbs 

Print, First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation Before the Cabinet, c. 1866

The 150^th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation recently passed.  There was little fanfare on January 1^st, 2013 regarding the historic document.  The blockbuster movie just released on Abraham Lincoln covered two years after the document and focused on Lincoln’s work with the 13^th Amendment to the Constitution.  The Emancipation Proclamation (EP) in history has been both overinflated and underestimated in its scope and accomplishments.  As we march through the sesquicentennial commemoration of the Civil War, we get an opportunity to look back and examine the “real deal” about key moments in the war. We can see what events truly brought significant change that affected the war at the time and directly relates to conditions in our current reality.  To examine what the EP really accomplished we must examine the challenges Lincoln himself recognized and pondered before signing the EP.

On September 13^th 1862, a group of gentlemen approached Lincoln about the potential of emancipation.  No doubt Lincoln had already contemplated emancipation and discussed it with his cabinet numerous times.  His response to these gentlemen reflects his struggles with the document.  The President began his position as such, “The subject is difficult, and good men do not agree”; a statement that summarized the divided country’s challenges with slavery and emancipation.  In characteristic storytelling fashion, Lincoln explains how northern men debated both sides of the issue and how Congress had a majority of anti-slavery representatives and still they could not agree on a policy regarding emancipation.  He goes on to explain that even in religious circles emancipation was a very much divided issue, and soldiers of both sides were earnestly praying for God to favor their particular side.

Lincoln, showing the influence of his law background, began to debate the case for emancipation:

“What good would a proclamation of Emancipation from me do, especially as we are now situated?  I do not want to issue a document that the whole world will see must necessarily be inoperative…Would my word free the slaves, when I cannot even enforce the Constitution in the Rebel States?  Is there a single court, or magistrate, or individual that would be influenced by it there?….And, suppose they (slaves) could be induced by a proclamation of freedom from me to throw themselves upon us, what should we do with them?  How can we feed and care for such a multitude?….If, now, the pressure of the war should call off our forces from New Orleans to defend some other point, what is to prevent the masters from reducing the Blacks to Slavery again; for I am told that whenever the rebels take any Black prisoners, free or slave, they immediately auction them off!  They did so with those they took from a boat that was aground in the Tennessee River a few days ago.  And then I am very ungenerously attacked for it!”

Today, many historians agree that Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation as a war measure, and that it was not done for any other reason. However, Lincoln did contemplate every reason for emancipation when deciding whether or not to issue the document:

“Now, then, tell me, if you please, what possible result of good would follow the issuing of such a proclamation as you desire?  Understand:  I raise no objection against it on legal or constitutional grounds; for, as Commander-in-Chief of the army and navy in time of war, I suppose I have a right to take any measure which may best subdue the enemy; nor do I urge objections of a moral nature, in view of possible consequences of insurrection and massacre at the South.  I view this matter as a practical war measure, to be decided on according to the advantages or disadvantages it may offer to the suppression of the Rebellion.” 

The men Lincoln addressed continued to urge the President and brought up the potential of strengthening the Union’s position in Europe by taking a stance against the “degrading curse of American slavery”.  Lincoln began to concede the benefits of emancipation, but then displayed his beliefs and concerns with black soldiers and the issue of the border states:

“I admit that Slavery is at the root of the Rebellion, or at least its sine qud non.  The ambition of politicians may have instigated them to act; they would have been impotent without Slavery as their instrument.  I will also concede that Emancipation would help us in Europe, and convince them that we are incited by something more than ambition.  I grant, further, that it would help somewhat at the North, though not so much, I fear, as you and those you represent imagine.  Still, some additional strength would be added in that way to the war; and then, unquestionably, it would weaken the Rebels by drawing off their laborers, which is of great importance; but I am not so sure we could do much with the Blacks.  If we were to arm them, I fear that in a few weeks the arms would be in the hands of the Rebels; and, indeed, thus far, we have not had arms enough to equip our White troops.  I will mention another thing, though it meet only your scorn and contempt.  There are fifty thousand bayonets in the Union army from the Border Slave States.  It would be a serious matter if, in consequence of a proclamation such as you desire, they should go over to the Rebels.  I do not think they all would-not so many indeed, as a year ago, or as six months ago-not so many today as yesterday.  Every day increases their Union feeling.  They are also getting their pride enlisted, and want to beat the Rebels.  Let me say one thing more:  I think you should admit that we already have an important principle to rally and unite the people, in the fact that constitutional government is at stake.  This is a fundamental idea, going down about as deep as anything.”

The President took a strong stand against emancipation and argued his point diligently.  It would seem that he was convinced that a proclamation would be unwarranted and impracticable.  But just nine days after this slightly heated discussion, Lincoln issued a preliminary proclamation that would change the war and forever mark a moment of hope for four million people in bondage and a half a million free men and women of color across both the North and South.

To be continued…

• January – Emancipation
• February – Ohio Generals
• March – Medal of Honor
• April – The Costs of War
• May – Ohio Civil War Road Trips
• June – United States Colored Troops
• July – Ohioans in Battle
• August – Ohio’s Regiments and Militia
• September – Political Leadership
• October – Immigrants in the Civil War
• November – Why They Fought
• December – Supplying the Military

“The monthly themes are a way to provide cohesion and focus for a sesquicentennial celebration that lasts for four years,” said Amy Rohmiller, Local History program assistant working with the Ohio Civil War 150 Advisory Committee.  “This year we have themes that speak to the depth and breadth of Ohio’s experience in the Civil War.  For instance, October’s theme, ‘Immigrants in the Civil War,’ is an important theme that provides an additional perspective on Ohio’s experience in the Civil War, which is particularly significant considering the number of immigrants in Ohio in the mid-century.”

The 2013 monthly themes also correspond to important historic dates.  January’s theme – “Emancipation” – will allow organizations to plan programs around the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.  In addition, May’s theme – “Ohio Civil War Road Trips” – allows groups to plan trips that capitalize on the beginning of the summer tourism season.  And, July’s theme – “Ohioans in Battle” – will correspond with commemorative events for Morgan’s Raid and the battle at Buffington Island.

Organizations that use a monthly theme to create programs and events can receive help planning and promoting events.  For more information, contact Amy Rohmiller at (614) 297-2609 or arohmiller@ohiohistory.org.

(Columbus, October 22, 2012) – Philip Stichter will present Lincoln and Ohio: His Friends and Foes on Sunday, November 11, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. at the Kelton House Museum and Garden, 586 East Town Street, Columbus. Admission is $5/person. Call 614.464.2022 for reservations.

In Ohio, who were Lincoln’s friends, foes, and acquaintances? What were the issues during Lincoln’s presidency that caused Ohioans to support or oppose Lincoln? Which Ohioans were appointed by Lincoln to important public positions? In the presidential elections of 1860 and 1864, why did a majority of Columbus voters cast ballots for Lincon’s opponents? How did Lincoln-Douglas debates come to be published for the first time here in Columbus?

Join us to find out about Lincoln in the context of our state.

Parking is available in the Museum lot on Franklin Avenue

See www.keltonhouse.com for upcoming Civil War Sesquicentennial events.

General Informaton

The Kelton House Museum and Garden is located at 586 E. Town Street in downtown Columbus. Built in 1852 by Fernando Cortez and Sophia Stone Kelton, the House has been preserved with Kelton family treasures from the 1800′s. Strong Abolitionists, the Kelton family hid fugitive slaves and gave long term support to a particular African-American family. In 1975, when Grace Kelton, the granddaughter of Fernando and Sophia, died, her will entrusted the property to the Columbus Foundation with the stipulation that her family home be preserved and used as a museum of local history and the decorative arts. In 1976, The Junior League of Columbus took on the task of renovating and restoring the house and garden to create a museum of 19th-century life.

Today, the Kelton House Museum and Garden is a community service of the Junior League of Columbus that offers an ongoing program of house tours, special events and educational opportunities. An active volunteer program provides a training ground for individuals interested in historic preservation, the decorative arts, American History and museum management.

For more information about the Kelton House Museum and Garden log on to www.keltonhouse.com or contact Georgeanne Reuter,executive director, at 614. 464.2022 or keltonhouse@cs.com

The 2012-2013 Ohio History Service Corps Members.

The Ohio History Service AmeriCorps Program returns for a third year of supporting community and local history throughout Ohio.  Members across the state are available as a resource for local history organizations.  This year brings a change to the program as the Civil War 150 Corps is now the Local History Corps.  Members can still help with Civil War commemoration events, but are now also available for a much wider scope of projects.  They can assist with volunteer recruitment and management, event planning, multi-organizational partnerships, and K-12 education outreach.  In addition, this year the Historic Preservation Corps features four community surveyors who will be adding underrepresented buildings to the Ohio Historic Inventory.

To learn more about this year’s AmeriCorps members and to find their contact information, go here.

The continuing success of this program would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of last year’s members.  Together, twenty members more than lived up to the AmeriCorps motto of “getting things done” and put in 34,000 hours of service to Ohio’s local history community.  A big thank you to all of year two’s members: Karen Caputo, Christine Chapman, Rob Dishon, Rachel Doddato, Richard Donegan, Jennifer Gray, Melanie Janiszewski, Grant Joslin, Melissa Luthman, Jacob Masters, Jodie McFarland, Devin Miles, Amanda Nelson, Andrew Neutzling, Maria Pease, Danielle Ross, Matt Strobel, Douglas Versaw, Brenna Walker, and Jessica Wobig!

This program is supported in part by a grant from ServeOhio, the state’s commission on service and volunteerism.  AmeriCorps is a service program of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Tuesday night, two readings kicked off the commemorations.  The Westerville City Council’s meeting began with a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation by Anthony Gibbs.  In Wooster, the Wayne County Civil War Round Table meeting  included a reading of the document and a program on Margaret Junkin Preston, a Confederate poet.

Andrew Gilmore, president of the the Annual Emancipation Celebration Day; Rep. Mark Okey; and Anthony Gibbs, Ohio Historical Society at the Gallipolis Emancipation Day

The weekend of September 22 and 23 featured the majority of events in places ranging from the Jackson County Apple Festival in Southeast Ohio to the Lathrop House in Northwest Ohio. A Saturday highlight was the 149th Annual Emancipation Day Celebration in Gallipolis, Ohio.  Mark Okey, the state representative from Carroll County gave remarks on Saturday afternoon.  Okey spoke about his ancestors mustering into the Union Army at the Gallia County Fairgrounds, the location of the Emancipation Day Celebration.  He also praised the coordinators of the Celebration for continuing the annual tradition.  The Gallipolis Emancipation Celebration is reported to be the longest running celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation in the United States.

Abraham Lincoln, Mary Lincoln, and Lincoln’s Union soldier guard at the Spring Hill Historic Home.

Sunday, September 23 included a very successful event at the Spring Hill Historic Home in Massillon with 76 people in attendance.  Massillon Mayer Katherine Catazaro-Perry welcomed the group to Spring Hill.   Abraham and Mary Lincoln, portrayed by Gerald and Marilyn Payn of Wooster, were also in attendance.  Mary Lincoln spoke of growing up surrounded by slavery in Kentucky.  Abraham Lincoln spoke of his experiences with slavery, his goals for the Civil War,  his final decision to to end slavery, and read excerpts from the Emancipation Proclamation.  After the program, guests were able to view slave narratives, pictures from slavery and the Civil War and replica newspaper from 1861-1865 to get a glimpse of what was happening in the country during the war.  A highlight of the day was when young Jackson, age 6, got to meet his hero: Abraham Lincoln.   Lincoln showed Jackson the papers he keeps in his hat and answered all Jackson’s questions.  Jackson recited the Gettysburg Address for the president.

There is still at least one more chance to hear the Emancipation Proclamation this fall.  On October 7, the Major General William T. Sherman Camp 93, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War will hold readings as part of its event, “Hear the Silent Speak – A CW150 Learning Experience.”

As the nation observes the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the National Park Service (NPS) is asking for public feedback about the future of the war’s touchstone battlefields.  The NPS’s American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) has released a draft report about the conditions of the nation’s Civil War battlefields.  As directed by Congress, the report highlights battlefield preservation efforts over the past 20 years and sets new priorities for federal, state, and local action.  The report will help focus the efforts of an active Civil War community and provide useful information to federal, state, and local officials responsible for making land use decisions on historic Civil War battlefields. The draft report is online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/battlefields and the ABPP invites public comment on its contents and recommendations.  The comment period is open until October 12, 2012.

“A tremendous amount has already been accomplished in the area of battlefield preservation, but we know that much work is left to do, and our surveys tell us that preserving these sites is important to communities,” said Jonathan B. Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service.  “This report will serve as the outline, and the 150th anniversary as the catalyst, of what is probably the last great opportunity to save any significant portions of these hallowed grounds.”

In 1993, the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission produced a landmark report that outlined actions needed to save the nation’s Civil War battlefields from destruction and its recommendations have guided decisions about the allocation of limited public and private sector resources to Civil War battlefields for two decades.  The ABPP’s update of that original document looks at what has happened to the battlefields since 1993 and seeks to draw attention to battlefields that have become increasingly vulnerable to development today.  “This report is much more comprehensive than the 1993 report.  It provides better baseline data as well as highlighting efforts of preservationist across the United States,” said Paul Hawke, Chief of the American Battlefield Protection Program.

Many of the battlefields endangered in the early 1990s remain threatened, according to the ABPP.  Places such as Gettysburg (Pa.), the Wilderness (Va.), Port Hudson (La.), and Mobile Bay (Ala.) face ongoing development challenges or have important structures in need of emergency repair.  At other battlefields, however, landowners, preservationists, and government entities have collaborated to help protect large portions of the historic landscapes, often through conservation easements.  Among the success stories are Antietam (Md.), South Mountain (Md.), Bentonville (N.C.), Brice’s Cross Roads (Miss.), Cedar Creek (Va.), Perryville (Ky.), and Corinth (Miss.).

The report places special emphasis on battlefields that 20 years ago were considered to have few threats and those that were thought to be unsalvageable.  The ABPP found that a number of historically rural battlefields are now seeing development pressures.  For example, places like Averasborough (N.C.), Cedar Mountain (Va.), and Fort DeRussy (La.) are being splintered by the subdivision of older farms for new houses.  However, the ABPP also found that some battlefields deemed fragmented or “lost” in the commission’s 1993 report do still harbor pockets of preservation-worthy land.  The ABPP’s data indicates that the Moorefield (W.Va.), First Suffolk (Va.), and Belmont (Mo.) battlefields retain large portions of their historic landscapes, but are now used as the locations for a sewage treatment plant, housing developments, and an industrial park, respectively.  The report elevates the profiles of these and other threatened battlefields and suggests ways in which communities can work with landowners, public agencies, and nonprofit partners to ensure the battlefields’ survival as evocative historic landscapes.

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 397 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.

In December, Nelson visited Green Lawn Cemetery, located in Southwest Columbus, for the Wreaths Across America Ceremony. Upon the ceremony’s conclusion, she met two members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Jonathan Davis and Steve Ball, who walked her to a section of Green Lawn known as “33.” All that appeared in section 33 were a handful of stones, some of which were worn or broken.  What she thought looked like an empty field, turned out to be a site of over 1,200 buried bodies.  Some of which, she learned, were Civil War veterans.  The news was shocking.  As she surveyed the section, and gingerly stepped over the dips in the ground where she knew bodies were, she began to wonder who these veterans were.  And out of that curiosity came the “Green Lawn Civil War Project.”

While she had a set plan in place, the task of investigating these soldiers was not easy. So, she called on the help of Jonathan Davis from the SUVCW who had originally introduced her to the section. He provided her with an old 1930s WPA map of Section 33, and also provided her with a map of section 51, a designated veterans section of Green Lawn. Davis explained that more graves were unmarked in 51, so Nelson decided to include 51 in her efforts. After she located and gathered the names of the men she was planning to research from the WPA maps, she sought out help from some high school students from Centennial, located in Northwest Columbus.  With the help of Nancy Clendenen, the librarian at the school and a leader of special projects, she was able to gather 8 enthused students who were willing to give their time to the project. They met for the first time in January when Nelson presented the plans for the project and what their involvement would be. Immediately Nelson, and her team of students got to work researching these men, plugging their names into ancestry.com, and even took a trip to the Ohio Historical Society, where Nelson serves, to work in the archives and microfilm room.

With the help of her student volunteers, Nelson was able to research the soldiers, locate their grave registration cards, birth and death dates, family history, etc. Once all the information was gathered, Nelson and the students filled out 26 applications for new military headstones. The applications, made available by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, had to be 100% correct. The information the students found on each veteran, accompanied the applications, which were all sent out in early March. In late March / early April, the Nelson and her researches were notified that all but one headstone had been approved. They were so relieved, but Nelson was disappointed that one stone was left out, so she contacted the Franklin County Veterans Service Commission who agreed to place a private marker for the soldier. Now that she had been notified about the applications, the next part in the process was to wait patiently for the stones to be received. By early June, all but two had arrived, and on June 15, Nelson held an installation.

Volunteers from Central Ohio leveling and setting a headstone in Section 33.

With each stone weighing around 230 pounds, she put out the call for volunteers as she knew placing the stones properly would be a daunting task.  About 25 people from the outside community, whose ages ranged from 8 to 60, contacted Nelson to sign up.  And with their help, and the help of her student volunteers, fellow AmeriCorps members, Jonathan Davis, some staff from Home Depot, and her mentor Paul LaRue (member of the Ohio Civil War 150 Advisory Committee), Nelson was able to complete the installation within two hours – an undertaking she thought would take two days.  Nelson later remarked, “Seeing those new marble stones in the ground for the first time was overwhelming.  It was like a dream.  There were some days when we thought it would never happen.  But to finally see those stones in the ground was breathtaking.  Someone now knows who those soldiers are.”  After the installation was complete, the last and final step for Nelson was planning the gravestone dedication and memorial service.

When thinking about the most effective way to honor the soldiers Nelson had researched since January, she kept returning to the idea of holding a military funeral service, a provision she knew some of the men had never received.  She made contact with Sergeant Major Rebecca Herzog from the Ohio Army National Guard who immediately offered her support and services.  Nelson, then contacted the Franklin County Veterans Service Commission, who she had been in correspondence with since her project’s inception.  Larry W. Roberts, President of the Commission, committed to give remarks at the program.  As she began to line up speakers, she worked with Green Lawn’s former General Manager, Linda Burkey to select the location of the program, which would turn out to be Sections 33 and 51.  As Nelson continued her program plans, she focused on highlighting the student volunteers who dedicated their time to the project.  “So many people were involved in this and I wanted to make sure they were all featured.”

Before anyone knew it, Military Appreciation Day had finally arrived.  The day was met with ‘picture perfect’ weather–some of the best the summer had seen.  As the tent and chairs were set up in Green Lawn’s Section 33, people began to gather.  Promptly at 10am, the Ohio Army National Guard’s Color Guard marched in bearing the colors and stood behind the podium, with the Rifle Party stationed behind them.

The program began with a prayer from Reverend Leon M. Troy, Sr., Pastor Emeritus of Second Baptist Church.  Following the prayer was Linda Burkey, who welcomed everyone to Green Lawn and provided guests with a general history of the cemetery.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited following Burkey, then Nelson took the podium.  She spoke of the project’s origins and what inspired her to do this type of work.  She credited all those involved in the efforts and explained why more projects like hers need to surface.

Cover of “Commemorating Ohio’s Boys in Blue” program handout.

Following Nelson was Kelly Selby, a recent addition to the Ohio Civil War 150 Advisory Committee.  She spoke on behalf of the committee and explained why this research is important.  She provided the attendees with some background information on a few of the soldiers being honored, and remarked that there is still more work to be done.  Commissioner Larry Roberts then spoke, and his words were moving, to say the least.  He talked about his recent family history discovery; he had just learned that one of his ancestors fought in a colored regiment during the Civil War.  As tears rolled down his face, he shared how overcome he was with the project and how proud he was to be there.  Nelson described his remarks as “emotional” and “unforgettable.”  She said, “That is one of the moments from the program I will remember for the rest of my life.  I think after he finished speaking, the meaning of why we were holding the program sunk in for a lot of people.”  Following Roberts’ impactful words, was Todd Kleismet from the Ohio Historical Society.  As Director of Government and Community Relations, he talked about how the project had impacted the local community and explained the other events happening during Military Appreciation Day.

After Kleismet ended his remarks, three of Nelson’s student volunteers took the podium.  Austin Carlier, Robbie Whitehead, and Corey Bell gave reflections on their involvement with the project and what it meant to them.  When talking about including her students in the program, Nelson said, “Their faithfulness to this endeavor deserved to be recognized, so I wanted them to explain what this work represented for them.”  Carlier mentioned how proud he was of the soldiers and what they had done for the country.  Whitehead talked about his plans to go into the Marine Corps and how he hopes that all current and future veterans, like him, can be honored in this way.  Bell spoke to the legacy of the project and how he hopes his work has started the process to revitalize other cemeteries.  While each reflection was different, they were equally powerful.  It was clear to see why they had done such great work on the project; they were truly invested in it.  A poem entitled Freedom was then read, followed by the first Three Round Volley Salute and the playing of Taps.

Paul LaRue giving remarks in Section 51.

As the program in 33 concluded, a procession headed by the Color Guard, led people to section 51, where seven colored soldiers were being honored.  The second part of the commemoration opened with the words of Paul LaRue, high school teacher and Ohio Civil War 150 Advisory Committee Member, who spoke to his personal connection to the project.  2012 marked his tenth year of doing similar cemetery research and restoration work with his high school students.  Following LaRue were two more of Nelson’s high school students, Dan McClaskey and Zack Bailey, who read the famous Paul Laurence Dunbar poem, The Colored Soldiers.  After the poem was read, the second round of shots were fired and Taps echoed through the air once again.  Before the program concluded, the Folding of the Flag took place, which was presented to Nelson in honor of the soldiers she worked so hard to recognize.  After Nelson received the flag, Rev. Troy, Sr. graced the crowd once again to give a closing prayer.

The “Ohio’s Boys in Blue” program and entire Military Appreciation Day were huge successes.  Nelson was so honored that her program could serve as the anchor event for the day.  “It really set the tone,” she said.  “The morning at Green Lawn gave people the chance to remember the sacrifices these men made and how they impacted Ohio.  And the afternoon at the history center provided people the opportunity to engage with reenactors and displays about why remembering these soldiers is significant.  The whole day was impactful.”  While Nelson plans to continue her research on unmarked soldiers buried in Green Lawn and other local cemeteries, she is now facing some obstacles.  Currently, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is enforcing a 2009 law that states you must either be next of kin, a representative on behalf of a descendant, or a representative on behalf of next of kin, to apply and receive a military headstone.  Future projects for Nelson are on hold at the moment until this law can somehow be revised, but she is not discouraged.  “If I don’t do it, who will?  I feel like I have an obligation to do this work; to inspire others to get involved; to tell these stories; to honor these lives.”

For more information about this project, please contact Amanda Nelson at amanda.ge.nelson@gmail.com.

Today, many people and organizations are involved in the transformation process at Wesleyan, and these organizations have given countless hours to the cause. Among the groups involved are such diverse organizations as Friends of Wesleyan, Cincnnati Park Board, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, Cincinnati Public Services, Northside-College Hill Kiwanis, Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War General William Lytle Camp #10, Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, 1st District Prince Hall Lodge Masons, and 1st District Free & Accepted Masons.

As the work continues, help is always needed. If you would like to find out more information about Wesleyan Cemetery and how you can help, contact Kathy Dahl at 513-542-2909. Kathy has also put together a pdf about Wesleyan that you can read by clicking on the link below.

Wesleyan Cemetery Cincinnati 2

Reenactors at the Garfield House encampment preparing to march.

On July 14 and 15, I had the privilege to represent the Ohio Historical Society and the AmeriCorps Civil War 150 program at a Civil War encampment hosted by the James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor, Ohio.  Despite the prevalence of events in the area that weekend, a number of people attended the encampment.  Estimates for Saturday the 14th were over 1,000.  Numbers were not available for the 15th, but attendance measured in the hundreds.  I was alone on Saturday, but was joined by fellow AmeriCorps member Jacob Masters on Sunday.

My role at the event was to promote the awareness of Ohio Historical Society sites throughout the state, and to inform the public of the Civil War 150 initiative.  I spoke with a number of people who were thoroughly interested in the literature and brochures that were available on presidential and Civil War sites in Ohio.  Many were not aware of all that Ohio had to offer in terms of its history.

The event itself was very entertaining.  Camps were opened up to visitors to see how soldiers lived 150 years ago.  Two times a day, the Camp Chase Fife and Drum Corps played music for the assembled crowd.  Reenactors from various Union and Confederate units also performed weapons demonstrations twice on both days.  The event was also enhanced with roving living history impersonators taking on the guises of Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, General Grant, General Sherman, and many others.  All of the interpreters stayed in character (most of the time) and talked to people as if they were back in the 1860s.

Location: Cleveland Play House, 1501 Euclid Ave – Second Stage, Thrust Configuration

Sponsor: Cleveland Play House

Time: November 2 – November 25, Tues-Sat 7:30 PM, Sun 2:30 PM, Sat Matinee 2:30PM

Details: Discounts for groups of 10 or more of 40% off Box office.  Discounts also for Single tickets and $10/$15 student tickets – pre show discussions – study guides online.  Purchase tickets by August 31.

Contact: Cosandra Wheeler, cwheeler@clevelandplayhouse.com

Date(s): July 16, 2012 – August 9, 2012

Time: Fri-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 1pm-5pm

Cost: Free

Location: John P. Parker House Museum, 300 N. Front Street, Ripley, OH 45167

Phone: (937) 392-4188

Ohio Civil War 150 Traveling Exhibit.

The Ohio Historical Society, in partnership with the Ohio Humanities Council and American Electric Power sponsored development of Ohio and the Civil War: 150 Years Later, a special panel exhibit produced for the 150th commemoration of the Civil War. The exhibit explores Ohio’s participation in the war and focuses on individuals’ choices that impacted local communities and the course of the war.

Three themes – Democracy, Transformations and Memory – are used to reveal Civil War stories that impacted Ohio in the 19th century to present day. Through the use of these themes the exhibit explores topics such as civil rights, political dissent, pacifism, religion and popular culture, and reveals patterns in our county’s response to those topics throughout history.

The Civil War began in April 1861 and Ohio was deeply involved, providing General Ulysses S. Grant and many other Union officers, along with 300,000 Union troops to the war effort. This exhibit will allow Ohio families an opportunity to learn more about Ohio’s impact on the war.

Ohio’s leadership before, during and after the Civil War had a profound influence on American history. Now, decades later, a statewide initiative to observe the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in Ohio, 2011 to 2015, is being led by the Civil War 150 Advisory Committee and the Ohio Historical Society. American Electric Power and the Ohio Humanities Council are sponsors of the initiative.

For more information about Ohio’s Civil War 150th Anniversary commemoration, special events and more, visit www.ohiocivilwar150.org.

In and around the museum center there will be other attractions as well.  Motts Military Museum will have a number of historic military vehicles on display between the Center and the Village.  The Ohio National Guard will have a Historic Uniform Exhibit on the Red Carpet of the Museum Center.  Also, Bertram Floyd will share a Civil War Miniatures diorama on display in the Center.  At 3pm, in the Arthur Johnson Auditorium, there will be a benefit program for the Wounded Warrior Project.  Thomas Moe, Director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, will speak about honoring our military, and everyone will have an opportunity to honor our warriors of today.

Please join us for a full day of interactive fun and support our efforts to honor our service men and women.  Active Duty military and their families receive free admission all summer; veterans receive half price admission.

Location: 161 Carter Street, Bremen, OH, 43107

Sponsor: Bremen Area Historical Society

Contact: Terry Borah, 740-569-4457