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The Fourteenth Ohio 
 
 Ncitional Gu-ard, 
 
 The Kourth Ohio 
 VoKioteer Infantry. 
 
 COMPLETE RECORD OF THIS ORGANIZATION FROM 
 ITS FOUNDATION TO THE PRESENT DAY. 
 
 BY 
 
 Sergt. Maj. Chas. E. Creager. 
 
 WITH FULL ACCOUNT OF STRIKE, RIOT, AND COMPLI- 
 MENTARY DUTY, AND THE CAMPAIGN IN THE 
 
 Spanish-American War. 
 
 A COMPLETE ROSTER OF MEMBERS AT THE TIME OF 
 MUSTER OUT OF THE UNITED STATES SERVICE. 
 
 INTUODUC'TIONS 1!Y 
 
 The Pkesident of^ the XJ. S. 
 
 AND 
 
 The Governok ok Ohio. 
 
 PRESS OF 
 
 THE LANDON PRINTING & PUBLISHING CO., 
 
 COLUMBUS, OHIO. 
 
 1899. 
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS BY BUCHER ENGRAVING CO. 
 
 t' 
 
 4^ 
 

 ■ 0"° 
 
 Copyright 1899 
 WALTER F. CLOWES. 
 
 ii APH j il mb \ 
 

 
 EXECUTIVE MANSION, 
 
 WASHINGTON. 
 
 // is a pleasure to make this a.cknol»tedgment of 
 my appreciation of the ser'hices rendered by the Fourth 
 Ohio 'Volunteer Infantry, in 'Porto l^co and e[se%>here, 
 during the recent 'ii>ar. 
 
 The officers and men of this regiment ha'he 
 maintained the splendid reputation as set forth in the 
 following record of the citizen-soldiery of Ohio. 
 "Very sincerely. 
 
 ^^^^^^t-Z-^i-^ie,.^...^ /Ct^^y i«— * 
 
STATE OF OHIO, 
 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. 
 
 OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR. 
 
 The record of the Fourteenth O. N. G. — Fourth 
 0. V. I. is a. most admirable one, and these organi- 
 zations are happily deserving the pfrpetaation the fol- 
 lowing pages have given. From the time of its or- 
 ganization to the day of its departure for the front, 
 the Fourteenth Infantry most loyally and ably sup- 
 ported the State Executive, %>ith their influence in peace 
 or their valor v)hen their active services <zvere required. 
 And again, •when called into the service of the Na- 
 tional Government, the organization proved itself a 
 most trustv)orthy representative of the State. 
 
 My best 'wish for the regiment <zuould be that 
 its future may be as bright and honorable as its past. 
 
 Governor of Ohio. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 Citizen Soldiery of Ohio— Ohio in War— Settlement at Mari- 
 etta—Early Military Laws— Organization and R^ula- 
 tions— Reorganization of 1821— Military Convention- 
 Camp at Columbus— Military in Ohio in the Fifties — The 
 Civil War — Fear of Invasion — The Ohio National 
 Guard— The O. N. G. in the Civil War— Quick Muster 
 and Equipment— The Fourth O. V. I.— Ohio National 
 Guard Disbanded — Reorganization of 1876 — Labor 
 Troubles— Unsettled Condition of the Country. 
 
 CHAPTER 11. 
 
 THE FOURTEENTH INFANTRY. 
 
 Formation of Regiments— Meeting at State House — Captain 
 Ammel's Work — Companies Formed — Adjutant Groven- 
 er's Order — The Regiment Organized — First Duty in 
 Columbus— Chaplain Moore Elected— Trouble in Perry 
 County— The Gatling Gun— Garfield Funeral at Cleve- 
 land—Colonel Freeman Re-elected — A Busy Year— Jus- 
 tice at Cincinnati — The Cincinnati Riots — Colonel Free- 
 man's Report — Killed and Wounded. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 AN EPOCH OF EXCURSIONS. 
 
 Trouble in Hocking County — Companies K and B on Duty- 
 Camp at Detroit— The Field of Gettysburg— Colonel 
 Freeman's Proposition — Corporal Grisso Killed — The 
 Fourteenth at Philadelphia — Inconveniences Suffered by 
 Ohio's Soldiers — Columbus Armory Burned — Hospital 
 
coxrnxTs. 
 
 Corps Organized— SLate Encampment at Columbus— 
 Oliio's Centennial— The Fourteenth in New York— An- 
 nual Encampments. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 STRIKES AND RIOTS. 
 
 Resignation of Colonel Freeman— Election of Colonel Coit— 
 General Sherman's Funeral at St. Louis— Duty at Chi- 
 cago—Howe on 1894— The Vv^heeling Creek Campaign- 
 Causes for the Strike— Troops Called Out— Services of 
 the Fourteenth— The Result— Galvin's Army— Trouble 
 at Washington C. H.— Colonel Charged With Murder- 
 Annual Encampments. 
 
 CHAPTER Y. 
 
 WAR WITH SPAIN. 
 
 Period of Peace— Condition of Army and Navy— American 
 Peace Policy— Relations Between England and Spain- 
 Cessions of land from Spain to United States— Cuban 
 Insurrection— The "Ten Years' War"— Second Rebel- 
 lion—Daily Press Reports— Cuban and Spanish Lead- 
 ers— Weyler's "Reconcentrado" Plan— General Lee's 
 Report— The De Lome Affair— Destruction of the 
 Maine— The Country Aroused— Cry for War— Prepara- 
 tions for War— President's Proclamation— Declaration 
 of War— Dewey's Victory— Ohio's Volunteers— Militia 
 Assembled— The Fourteenth at the Auditorium— Camp 
 Bushnell. 
 
 CHAPTER YI. 
 
 THE FOURTEENTH-FOURTH. 
 
 The March to Camp Bushnell— Camp Life— Changes in 
 Company Organization- Drills and Parades— Growth of 
 the Camp— Change of Name— Signal Corps Dropped— 
 The Regimental Band— Bad Weather— Rumors— Order 
 to Leave— Parting Scenes— Camp Bushnell Left Be- 
 hind—The March to the Depot— Scenes Along the 
 March- At the Depot— Columbus Left Behind— Arrival 
 at Chattanooga. 
 
C0NTF1XT8. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 CAMP GEORGE H. THOMAS. 
 
 The Ride to Chickamauga Park— From Lytle to the Camp — 
 Early Experiences — The Regiment Assigned — Hard 
 Tack and Bacon — A Military Training School — Facts 
 About Lytle — Regimental "Canteens" — Amusement- 
 Facts About the Camp — Some ot Its Advantages — Vis- 
 itors from Home and from Abroad — Evening Parades — 
 Cakes, Pies and Sweetmeats— Religious Services — Re- 
 connoitering Expeditions — A Sham Battle — Setting up 
 and Breaking Camps — Sink Details— Rumors and Or- 
 ders—Good News at Last. 
 
 CHAPTER YIIL 
 
 TO NEWPORT NEWS. VIRGINIA. 
 
 The March to Rossville — To Chattanooga — Delays — The 
 Trip Through Kentucky — Receptions Along the Line — 
 Ifp the Alleghenies — Peep at Piedmont Valley — "On to 
 Richmond" — At Newport News — A "Pup Tent" Camp — 
 Reception — Dynamite Guns — Company F Becomes a 
 Battery — Changes of Officers — Delays and More Ru- 
 mors — Transport "St. Paul" — Transferring Baggage- 
 Waiting Orders— Off to Sea. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 OFF TO PORTO RICO. 
 
 Sail on Friday— The Trip Through the Harbor— The St. 
 Paul — "Travel Rations" — "Prime Roast Beef" — Hard 
 Tack and Coffee — Boston Baked Beans — Tomatoes — One 
 Dollar Pies — Sea Sickness — Religious Services at Sea — 
 Fine Weather Voyage — Warlike Preparations — At the 
 Harbor of Ponce — Cruise to Arroyo — Kragg Jorgensen 
 Rifles — End of the Voyage— The Landing. 
 
cox TENTS. 
 
 CHAPTEK X. 
 
 THE FOURTH UNDER FIRE. 
 
 Arroyo — The People and Climate — First Day in Camp — 
 Native Cigarettes — A Practice March — Orders from 
 General Haines — Fresh Beef Issue — Accident to Colonel 
 Coit — Major Speaks Takes Advance— Military Terms 
 Explained — A Frenchman's Information — A Funeral 
 "Procession" — The House "To the left"— Sergeant Rad- 
 cliffe's Ride — Under Fire — Spanish Bullets and Spanish 
 Marksmanship — Effect of Spanish Fire — Effect of 
 American Fire — Line of Battle Formed— Unjust Re- 
 ports — Spaniards Retreat— Capture of Guayama — The 
 Flag Raising — The Spaniards Rally — Dynamite Guns in 
 Action — First Night in Guayama. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 THE ROAD TO CAYEY. 
 
 'Battle" of Guayama — Comments on the Capture— Effect of 
 This Duty Upon the Regiment — General Haines and the 
 Fourth Ohio — Restlessness in the City— Reconnoiter of 
 the Road — Spanish Camp Located— Orders for Second 
 Reconnoiter — A False Alarm — A Break for Guayama — 
 Stories of Ambush— Their Effect— Excitement at Head- 
 quarters — Regiment Made a Rescuing Party— American 
 versus Spaniard — Dynamite Guns in Action — A Make- 
 Shift Caisson — Barrio De Las Palmas— Other Expe- 
 ditions. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 ONE WEEK OF REST. 
 
 The Fourth Appreciated by People at Guayama — A General 
 Cleaning Up — Beautiful Scenery — Early Impression of 
 Porto Rico — Commissaiy Condition — Fresh Meat at the 
 Outposts— The V/ater Supply— Horses and Reinforce- 
 ments Arrive — Hospital Established — Rumors Again — 
 Preparations for Advance — Final Orders Issued— Death, 
 of Sam Hill. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 BEGINNING OF THE END. 
 
 Imposing Scenes— Breakfast in the Rain— Expedition As- 
 signed to Fourth Ohio— March Begun— Guide "Backs 
 Out"— Plan of Operations— A Rocky Road — A Hot 
 Day — Danger in Straggling — Lunch and a Short Rest — 
 End of the March— Hostilities Suspended— Retraced 
 Steps — Friday and the Thirteenth — Intense Suffering — 
 Temporary Camp — Hospital Call— Permanent Camp. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 IN CAMP AT GUAYAMA. 
 
 Miserable Location — Causes of Dissatisfaction — Health of 
 the Men — Desire to Return Home — Sickness — Condition 
 at Hospital — Changes in Commanders — Market — Finan- 
 cial Condition of Men — The Paymaster — Better Times — 
 Visit of Mr. Klotts— Orders to Move — Brigade Dis- 
 banded. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 FROM GUAYAMA TO SAN JUAN. 
 
 Regiment Leaves Guayama Camp — "The Girl I Left Behind 
 Me" — Marching Through Rain — Road to Cayey — A 
 Terrible March — Arrived at Cayey — Further Detach- 
 ments — Flag Raising — March to Caguas — Duty There — 
 Flags Raised — March to Rio Piedros — Arrival at San 
 Juan. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 THE HOSPITAL CORPS. 
 
 The Corps in the Fourteenth — Its Organization and Effi- 
 ciency — Its Effect on Enlistment — Refused Admittance 
 as a Body Into the U. S. Service — Members Enlist in 
 Companies — Details at Camp Thomas — Reserve Ambu- 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 lance Corps — Detachments From the Regiment — Orders 
 for Porto Rico — Reunited on Massachusetts — Again 
 Separated in Porto Rico — Sent to San Juan — Home 
 With the Regiment — Stragglers Arrive. 
 
 CHAPTER XVn. 
 
 ARMY OF OCCUPATION. 
 
 What General Brooke Said of the Fourth Ohio — D Company 
 to Humacao — A Forty Miles' March — M Company by 
 Sea to Vieques — Duty at Fajardo — Trouble at Carolina — 
 Beautiful Country at Aibonito — An Officer Assaulted. 
 at Cayey — B Company at Rio Piedras — Record of 
 Events in the Companies Which Americanized the 
 Eastern Third of Porto Rico. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 HOME AGAIN. 
 
 Orders to Leave — Preparation — Arrival of Forty-seventh 
 New York— U. S. S. S. Chester at Arroyo— At San 
 Juan — Leaving the Island — Advantages and Disad- 
 vantages of the Chester — The Homeward Voyage — 
 Death of Private Vertner — Arrival at New York — 
 Jersey City — Received by the President — To Colum- 
 bus — Reception — Furlough — Assembly — Accident at 
 Auditorium — Muster Out — Concluding Remarks. 
 
The Fourteenth O. N. G.— The 
 Fourth O. V. I. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 Citizen Soldiery of Ohio — Ohio in War— Settlement at Mari- 
 etta — Early Military Laws— Organization and Regula- 
 tions—Reorganization of 1821— Military Convention- 
 Camp at Columbus— Military in Ohio in the Fifties — The 
 Civil War — Fear of Invasion — The Ohio National 
 Guard— The O. N. G. in the Civil War— Quick Muster 
 and Equipment— The Fourth 0. V. I.— Ohio National 
 Guard Disbanded — Reorganization of 1876 — Labor 
 Troubles — Unsettled Condition of the Country. 
 
 The military spirit of the citizens of the State 
 of Ohio, the valor of the soldiery made up of the sons 
 of the Buckeye state both at home and abroad, have 
 excited favorable coimuent from those who have 
 watched the achievements of Ohioans in every other 
 state in the Union. From the fierce struggle for su- 
 premacy with the Indians in the Ohio valley while the 
 territory now occupied by the state was an unbroken 
 wilderness, to the present time, the people on the right 
 bank of the picturesque Ohio have been noted for 
 their integrity as citizens and their braver}^ as soldiers. 
 
 When the colonial government in the early days 
 of our history needed assistance in the battles with 
 the French and Indians, companies of hardy settlers- 
 
14 TEE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 shouldered their flint-locks, hastened to the scene of 
 hostilities and upon them was always thrown the brunt 
 of the battle. When the struggle for American in- 
 dependence was begun, even though the safety of their 
 own homes was in peril, the American forces were 
 streng-thened by the brave Ohio Valley volunteers. 
 They were trained riflemen, invincible as the rocks 
 over which rolled the mighty river which separated 
 them from the east, and they were born soldiers. 
 They were accustomed to all the hardships attending 
 the life of a soldier, and ever ready to respond to a 
 cause which needed their support ; they have in every 
 struggle in which the country has been involved, done 
 their duty and done it well. 
 
 There has never been a war in the history of the 
 nation wherein the Ohio valley did not furnish her 
 full share of soldiers. On the great roll of honor of 
 the nation, the names of Ohio's sons appear as the 
 greatest leaders, the firmest supporters of the general 
 government and the freest to make any sacrifice re- 
 quired to hasten a desired end. 
 
 In the piping times of peace, her fertile valleys 
 have yielded immense quantities of provisions for her 
 own citizens as well as for those who were less fortu- 
 nately situated, and by the good management and 
 frugal habits of her citizens she has become one of the 
 most prosperous states in the Union. 
 
 The first permanent white settlement made with- 
 in the present limits of the state was made at Marietta 
 in the year 1788, and in that year provisions 
 were made by the territorial judges "for the best pro- 
 
TEE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G. 15 
 
 tection of the territory." All male citizens between 
 the ages of sixteen and fifty were compelled to perform 
 military duty. The first general assembly under the 
 Constitution of Oliio did not meet until March 1, 1803, 
 £ind in the following December the first state military 
 law was passed. This law provided that all free 
 white male citizens^ with a few defined exceptions, 
 between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, and all 
 emigrants within the age limit, and within twenty 
 days after residence, were compelled to perform mili- 
 tary duty. 
 
 Each enrolled militiaman was required to provide 
 himself at his own expense with a good musket or 
 fusee, a sufficient bayonet and belt, a knapsack and 
 two spare flints, a pouch with a box therein to con- 
 tain not less than twenty-four cartridges, "suited to 
 the bore of his musket or fusee," or a good rifle with 
 ])owder; each officer to be armed with a sword or 
 hanger and spontoon. 
 
 The militia of the state was organized into di- 
 visions, brigades, regiments, battalions and companies, 
 with the following officers: To each division a major 
 general, to each brigade a brigadier general, to each 
 regiment a lieutenant colonel commandant, to each 
 battalion a major, to each company a captain, a lieu- 
 tenant, an ensign, fonr sergeants, four corporals, one 
 drummer and one fifer. 
 
 Major generals were to be held accountable that 
 companies be organized prorata in the towns within the 
 districts comprised in the brigade. All officers, ex- 
 cept major generals, were elected. To each brigade 
 
16 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 was to be attached a company of artillery and a troop of 
 horse, when, in the opinion of the brigadier general, 
 the companies, or either of them, could be raised and 
 equipped witJiin his brigade. 
 
 The tactics adopted were ''Baron Steuben's In- 
 structions" and the Articles of War numbered 26. 
 
 These laws were changed very little until 1821, 
 when the strength of Ohio's military power was 
 85,000. A reorganization was then effected, but the 
 general plan remained unchanged. It was about this 
 time that the militar)- spirit of central Ohio began to 
 assert itself and that section of the state has ever 
 since led all the militarv' movements of the day. 
 
 From that time on the military laws of the state 
 were changed to meet the exigencies of circumstances 
 as they arose, it was supposed, but to the present idea, 
 the changes were oftentimes decidedly for the worse. 
 On February 2, 1854, there was a great military con- 
 vention in Columbus, assembled for the purpose of 
 arranging from the entanglement of laws which the 
 early legislatures had managed to impose, a military 
 code which could be at least understood by the com- 
 manding officers and to plac« the military of the state 
 on a firmer footing. 
 
 This convention was held in Neil's New Hall, 
 afterwards the famous Neil House, of Columbus, for 
 many years the political Mecca of the state. One of 
 the leading figures in that convention was Captain 
 Stedman, aftenvards colonel of the Fourteenth regi- 
 ment in the Civil war and who since became "General" 
 Stedman. It seem.s that this couAcntion was by no 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 17 
 
 means barren of results, for, a year later, there began 
 a revival of the military spirit of the state, and or- 
 ganizations of a military nature sprang up in all of the 
 leading counties. On July 4, 1855, a few months 
 more than a year after the great military convention, 
 the State Fencibles, which afterwards became one of 
 the best kno^vn military bodies of the state, was or- 
 ganized, and in 1857 the Columbus Vedettes was 
 organized. 
 
 The spirit seems to have taken firm root, for in 
 the year 1858, at a camp near Columbus, where the 
 Hawk hospital now stands, the following organiza- 
 tions turned out for muster: State Fencibles, Co- 
 lumbus Vedettes, Steuben Guards, Montgomery 
 Guards and Captain Ijam's Battery of Artillery. 
 
 Miltary companies continued to organize, and 
 then came that period in the history of the country 
 known as the Civil war. The two sections of the na- 
 tion were marshalled against each other and every 
 resource of either division was tried to its utmost in 
 the struggle for the preservation of the I'nion on the 
 one side and for its destruction on the other. It was 
 here that the value of the training which the various 
 military companies had been able to impart, began 
 to show. Volunteers flocked to the recruiting sta- 
 tions in response to the call by the president, and 
 thousands of Ohio boys put on the blue and went to 
 the defense of the starry banner, led to victory by 
 officers who had learned something of the art of war in 
 the organizations which the scoffer had before pro- 
 nounced fit for ornament and parade rather than for 
 usefulness. 
 
18 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 The Ohio National Guard, as such, was never 
 heard of until in 1863, the legislature of that winter, 
 in its effort to assist the national government in the 
 mightv struggle then waging, having passed a law 
 repealing the unintelligent mass of rules and regula- 
 tions governing the state military and establishing an 
 entirely new insitution. The idea, then a new one, 
 was favorably received all over the state, and as the 
 fear that the state would be invaded by Southern 
 raiders became more general, the I^Tational Gruard 
 was soon recruited to a strength which could have de- 
 fended the state against a larger army than it was 
 possible for Confederate leaders at that time to 
 command. 
 
 Still the true worth of the organization was not 
 known until the following year, 1864, when on April 
 25 governor Brough, mthout the ceremony of calling 
 for volunteers, offering bounties or leaves of absence 
 from the National Guard seiwice, or pro^dding for 
 any other delav. ordered the entire National Guard 
 of Ohio to assemble at their respective annories for 
 the purj30se of being mustered into the volunteer ser- 
 vice of the United States. There was no choice left 
 to the officers or members, so the order was promptly 
 obeyed, and on Monday, May 2, the entire military 
 strength of the state was assembled, ready for muster. 
 On the following Thursday, eleven days after the first 
 order had been promulgated. Captain Innis was on his 
 way to Virginia with a large body of troops from Ohio, 
 mustered and fully equipped for immediate service. 
 
 Central Ohio had already sent out the gallant 
 Frairth Ohio, but seven davs after the oricinal call 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 19 
 
 from Governor Brough, Franklin county alone had 
 contributed the 133rd E«giment of Volunteer In- 
 fantry, and a better regiment never did service. 
 
 The state troops were all ordered to Columbus in 
 Yery disagreeable weather and all the work of ex- 
 amination and muster had to be performed under the 
 most trying circionstances, but in just sixteen days 
 Governor Brough telegraphed the adjutant general 
 of the army that he had in the field at Baltimore, 
 Cumberland, Washington, Parkersburg, Harper's 
 Terry and other places, forty full regiments and one 
 battalion of seven companies of infantry. This was 
 a mighty army in itself, and it had been formed ex- 
 clusively from the Ohio National Guard. 
 
 Valuable as had been the National Guard dur- 
 ing the war, the close of that struggle brought with 
 it the close of the existence of the O. N. G. The 
 legislature in 1865, anticipating a permanent cessa- 
 tion of hostilities of all kinds, had ordered the militia 
 disbanded, and as the people themselves had had 
 enough of war and of matters pertaining to the mili- 
 tary in general, the action of the legislature was gen- 
 erally approved. 
 
 The cloud of Civil war was followed by a dozen 
 years of peace and quiet, undisturbed until the year 
 1876, when the nation was in the midst of the cele- 
 bration of her one hundredth birthday anniversary at 
 Philadelphia. Serious trouble had arisen with the 
 Indians in the West and the attention of almost the 
 entire regular army was attracted for a time to the 
 Indian reservations. Followine" the Centennial eele- 
 
20 THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G. 
 
 bration, the coimtry passed througii one of the most 
 serious labor disturbances of its history. Of these 
 ti-oubles Dr. John Clarke Ridpath, the historian, has 
 the following to say : 
 
 ''In the summer of 1877 occurred the great labor 
 disturbance known as the 'Railroad Strike.' For 
 several years the mining districts of the country had 
 been vexed with disputes and outbreaks, having their 
 origin in the question of wages. The manufacturing 
 towns and cities had witnessed similar troubles and the 
 great corporations having control of the lines of travel 
 and commerce were frequently brought to a standstill 
 by the determined opposition of their employes. The 
 workingmen and the capitalists of the countrj^ had for 
 some time maintained towards each other a kind of 
 armed neutrality, alike hurtful to the interests of both. 
 In the spring of this year the managers of the gTeat 
 railways leading from the seaboard to the West, de- 
 clared a reduction of ten per cent, in the wages of their 
 workmen. This measure, which was to take effect at 
 the middle of July, was violently resisted by the em- 
 ployes of the companies and the most active steps taken 
 to prevent its success. The workmen of the various 
 roads entered into combinations and the officers stood 
 ■firm. On the 16th of July the employes of the Balti- 
 more and Ohio railroad left their posts and gathered 
 such strength in Baltimore and at Martinsburg, W. 
 Va., as to prevent the running of trains and set the 
 authorities at defiance. * * * * 
 
 "In less than a week the trains had been stopped 
 on all the important roads between the Hnrlson and 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 21 
 
 the Mississippi. Except in the cotton-growing states 
 the insun-ection was universal. I'ravel ceased, 
 freights perished euroute, business was paralyzed. In 
 Pittsbiu'g the strikers, rioters and dangerous classes, 
 gathering in a mob to the number of twenty thousand, 
 obtained complete control of the city and for two days 
 held a reign of terror unparalelled in the history of 
 the country. The lawless violence and madness of the 
 scene recalled the firey days of the French Kevolu- 
 tion. * * * * ' 
 
 ''The insurrection was finally suppressed by the 
 regular troops and the militia of Pennsylvania, but not 
 until nearly a hundred lives had been lost and prop- 
 erty destroyed to the value of more than three million 
 dollars." 
 
 Similar, but perhaps less terrible riots occurred 
 about the same time in Chicago, St. Louis and San 
 Francisc-o, and for a time all the great cities of the 
 country were in immient danger. Cincinnati, Co- 
 lumbus and Cleveland did not entirely escape, but the 
 loss to either life or property was slight as compared 
 to that at Pittsburg. The labor troubles subsided 
 within a month, but at the close of that difiiculty the 
 Indians again became troublesome and the attention of 
 the military was again attracted to the West. 
 
 The young men of Ohio fully appreciated the 
 seriousness of the general situation, and the question 
 began to be asked, "What if Ohio were confronted 
 with such problems of her own?" The necessitv of 
 a reorganization of the ISTational Guard was at once 
 apparent to that class of young men which would 
 
22 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. A. G. 
 
 natui'ally become the rank and file of the organization, 
 and to the legislature. The result was that the gen- 
 eral assembly of the state authorized the re-establish- 
 ment of the state militia, and they also provided for the 
 organization into regiments. The work was soon 
 placed in the hands of competent officers and soon 
 after the passage of the law the Ohio National Guard 
 was again standing on a firm footing. 
 
 It was the possibility of a something not expected 
 yet a something feared, however, that gave to the 
 people of Columbus and surrounding towns a feeling 
 of unrest. Labor agitators were at work all over the 
 country doing their best to renew the troubles of '76 
 and '77, and as the manufacturing interests and other 
 enterprises calling for the employment of many men 
 were rapidly growing, it was thought the wiser plan to 
 provide for a possible emergency. 
 
 There were companies of infantry thoroughly 
 organized and well drilled, and one by one these com- 
 panies were united into regiments, and with little 
 trouble the militar}^ strength of the state was again 
 available for dutv. 
 
GEORGE D. FREEMAN. 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 23 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE FOURTEENTH INFANTRY. 
 
 Formation of Regiments — Meeting at State House — Captain 
 Ammel's Work — Companies Formed — Adjutant Groven- 
 er's Order— The Regiment Organized — First Duty in 
 Columbus— Chaplain Moore Elected— Trouble in Perry 
 County— The Gatling Gun— Garfield Funeral at Cleve- 
 land^Colonel Freeman Re-elected — A Busy Year — Jus- 
 tice at Cincinnati— The Cincinnati Riots — Colonel Free- 
 man's Report— Killed and Wounded. 
 
 Central Ohio was as mucli in need of a regiment 
 of militia as any other section of the state, and in point 
 of military companies and the enthusiasm of the people 
 in military- matters, this part of the state excelled, but 
 the companies having been organized more for social 
 than public benefit, they were slow in uniting with 
 a state institution, making more exacting, but more 
 uncert^iin the duty they loved to perform. 
 
 The iiuestion increased in seriousness. Accord- 
 ingly, in the winter of 1876, a number of Columbus 
 gentlemen met at the office of the adjutant general of 
 the state and discussed the organization of a company 
 or com]ianies of militia in the central part of the state. 
 It was decided that something should be done in the 
 matter at once and the governor promptly appointed 
 Captain Charles Ammel to organize what was to be 
 known as the Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry, Ohio 
 National Guards. 
 
 Captain Ammel at once set to work at this task 
 and in the following March Company A was made the 
 
24 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 nucleus of the new regiment, with Captain Amniel as 
 its commander. A little later Company B, with Cap- 
 tain Henry Seibert, was mustered in, immediately fol- 
 lowed by D Company at West Jefferson, with Cap- 
 tain Eugene Babb in command. Company E was 
 next organized at Marysville, with Captain William 
 L. Curry at its head, and then Captain John Chapin 
 with Company F at Columbus. Company G came 
 next, in command of Captain John P. Slemmous, at 
 Richwood, and then Company C was organized at 
 Westerville, Captain Isaac jS[. Custer. 
 
 The following order then completed the organ- 
 ization : 
 
 October 20, 1877. 
 Special Order 216: 
 
 I. The following companies of infantry will 
 constitute the Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry. Ohio 
 National Guard: Captain Charles S. Aramel's Com- 
 pany, of Columbus, Cranpany A; Thurman Light 
 Guards, Company B ; Captain Isaac jST. Custer's Com- 
 pany, of Westerville, Company C; Darby Videttes, 
 Company D; Captain William L. Curry's Company, 
 of Marysville, Company E; Converse Guards, Com- 
 pany F ; Grosvenor Rifles, Company G. 
 
 II. The several companies composing said Four- 
 teenth Regiment are hereby directed to select dele- 
 gates to put in nomination candidates for colonel, lieu- 
 tenant colonel and major of said regiment. The se- 
 lected delegates are hereby ordered to assemble at the 
 Armory of Ohio jSTational Guard, in the city of Co- 
 lumbus, on the twenty-seventh day of October, A. D. 
 1 877, at such hour as may be most convenient. 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 25 
 
 ill. The several companies composing said regi- 
 ment and the delegates to nominate candidates are 
 hereby directed to be governed in all their proceedings 
 by paragraphs 35, 36 and 37 of the Code of Regula- 
 tions for the Ohio National Guard. 
 
 BAN. A. GROSVENOR, 
 Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 The first election of regimental officers, held Oc- 
 tober 27, 1877, resulted as follows: Henry Hein- 
 miller, colonel; William L. Curry, lieutenant colonel; 
 John W. Chapin, major. Commissions were made 
 to date from October 3, 1877, but owing to his onerous 
 duties as superintendent of the fire department of 
 Columbus, Colonel Heinmiller refused to qualify. 
 Another election for choice of colonel was conse- 
 quently held, which resulted in the choice of George 
 D. Freeman as colonel of the new regiment. His 
 commission was to date from December 29, 1877. 
 
 Two elections were necessary for the selection of 
 the first colonel of the regiment. The candidates, 
 Colonel Freeman and Isaac IsT. Potter, had fought a 
 hard fight and fraud was charged against Colonel 
 Freeman and his friends. The result was very close 
 but the second election gave Colonel Freeman a hand- 
 some majority over his opponent, and all parties were 
 satisfied. 
 
 The first regimental order was issued from 
 Colonel Curry's headquarters at Marysville, and an- 
 ticipated participation in the inaugural parade of 
 
26 THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G. 
 
 Governor Bishop. This occui'red on Janury 14, and 
 was the first occasion on which the regiment made 
 an official appearance. 
 
 The first actual duty performed by the regiment 
 was at the time of the railroad riots of 1877, when A 
 Company was ordered to duty at the State Capitol and 
 B Company at Newark. Out of the enlistment of 
 only fifty-three men, fifty-one responded promptly for 
 duty. Certainly this response bears out all that was 
 said of the Ohio soldieiy at the beginning of this 
 chapter, and certainly this was a noble example to 
 set for an Ohio military organization to follow. 
 
 Shortly after this, two more companies were added 
 to the regiment. They were Company H, at Canal 
 Winchester, with Captain Philip Game in command, 
 and Company I, at Plain City, under Captain J. Q. 
 Converse. Shortly after this General Karr, on be- 
 half of its lady friends, presented to the regiment its 
 first stand of colors. These colors were carried on the 
 day of the first parade, January 14. This was a 
 most handsome present, and it was valued at $300. 
 T^nfortunately, this beautiful standard was bunied in 
 1888, when the Columbus Armory was destroyed 
 by fire. 
 
 The first encampment of the regiment was also 
 held in this year at Marysville. The men were al- 
 lowed one dollar per day by the state for their time 
 and all the expense of the encampment had to be 
 borne by the soldiers themselves. 
 
 In the spring of 1878 there was a large number 
 of incendiary fires in the city of Columbus. Houses 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G. 27 
 
 and factories were rutlilessly burned for no reason 
 which any one was able to understand, and while the 
 city authorities were considering what to do, Colonel 
 Freeman generously offered the services of his regi- 
 ment. The offer was accepted and the whole city was 
 thoroughly patroled. The result was, that after a 
 service of this kind lasting for ten days, the incen- 
 diarism was permanently stopped. 
 
 In this year Company K, of Delaware, Captain 
 F. M. Joy, came into the regiment, and a short time 
 afterwards Rev. W. E. Moore, of Columbus, was made 
 chaplain of the regiment. Chaplain Moore remained 
 with the regiment in this capacity until April, 1898, 
 when, on account of declining years, he thought best 
 to retire from active military service. In his resigna- 
 tion the regiment suffered a great loss and they felt 
 it keenly. 
 
 Company I, of the Twelfth Regiment, was this 
 year transferred to the Fourteenth and given the let- 
 ter E. This company was stationed at Mt. Gilead. 
 The annual encampment for this year was held at 
 Delaware and later the Columbus and other companies 
 turned out to receive General Grant on his return 
 from his tour around the world. 
 
 A pleasing event in the history of the regiment 
 occurred at the beginning of the year 1880, when the 
 Columbus Battalion, on the day of the inauguration 
 of Governor Foster, entertained the retiring Governor 
 Bishop and the new governor as guests of honor and 
 the visiting military organizations. The dinner was 
 given at the Armory on East Town street, and will 
 
28 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 always be remembered by those who were permitted to 
 be present. On August 4 the annual encampment 
 was held at Prospect Park, near Niagara Falls, N. Y. 
 In September of 1880 the miners of Perry- 
 county created another disturbance and Colonel Free- 
 man, placing himself at the head of Companies A, B 
 and F hastened to the scene of the trouble. The 
 situation was critical, the trouble having arisen 
 through the employment by coal companies of a num- 
 ber of colored miners. This enraged the white miners, 
 who had arranged a plot to get all the negroes on the 
 inside of the mine, then set fire to the entrance and kill 
 the fleeing negToes as fast as they came out of the 
 burning mine. 
 
 The strikere tapped telegraph wires, thus keeping 
 fully informed as to what was going on at the capital, 
 and they were rapidly preparing to meet the militia. 
 They learned that the Fourteenth would have a 
 Gatling gim in their possession, but they were ig- 
 norant as to what that weapon resembled in appearance 
 or as to what it was capable of accomplishing. A 
 citizen of Columbus who had formerly been a member 
 of the militia, and who entertained gTeat fears lest a 
 clash between the miners and the soldiers would re- 
 sult in the loss of many lives, proceeded to tell the 
 congregated strikers what the Gatling gun could do. 
 Of course he exaggerated as much as he could safely 
 do, but his tales of marvelous destructive powers had 
 the desired effect. 
 
 When the Fourteenth arrived on the scene, the 
 Gatling gun was in a box car, the murderous-looking 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 29 
 
 barrel extending from the door of the car and a reso- 
 lute squad of men ready to operate it at a moment's 
 notice. The very sight of this gun and the men who, 
 by their looks, showed that they had come to perform 
 the duty of soldiers, had the effect of sending the 
 men peaceably to their homes, and the danger of an 
 outbreak was averted. 
 
 In 1881 the regiment encamped near Sandusky. 
 During that year, also, the regiment won another vic- 
 tory over the other regiments in the National Guard as 
 to appearance and discipline. The occasion was the 
 ceremony at Cleveland, in honor of the murdered 
 President Garfield. When it had been determined 
 that the governor and his official staff would attend 
 the Cleveland services, Colonel Freeman tendered sev- 
 eral companies of the Fourteenth as an escort. The 
 offer was accepted and the colonel at once set to work 
 getting ready his ''several companies." The result 
 was, of course, that the whole regiment assembled, 
 prepared to go to Cleveland. As soon as the other 
 regimental commandei^s had learned what Colonel 
 Freeman had done, they all hastened tO' tender the 
 services of their regiments also. The result was thac 
 practically the whole of the National Guard was rep- 
 resented at the funeral ceremony. 
 
 There was at that time considerable jealousy ex- 
 isting against the Fourteenth, and a great deal of this 
 was at Cleveland. Colonel Freeman decided to 
 either overcome this feeling or give the enemies of the 
 regiment a reason for feeling- as they did. The men 
 were all ordered to wear white collars, black their 
 
30 TEE FOURTEENTE, 0. A". G. 
 
 shoes and make every arrangement for appearing at 
 their best. In addition to this each man was given a 
 red blanket cover, so that when these were strapped 
 across the backs of the men the appearance denoted 
 that the blankets were alike. 
 
 The men looked their best, and on the entrance 
 to the town, instead of leaving the depot and making 
 a great display on their fii-st appearance in the city. 
 Colonel Freeman left the train at a point where he 
 could follow a course around the depot and pass the 
 reviewing stand over a descending street, thus showing 
 to a better advantage the discipline and drill of tKe 
 men. A number of regular army officers witnessed 
 this movement, among them General Schoffield, and as 
 soon as the rear of the column had passed, there was 
 a grand round of applause. When Colonel Freeman 
 reported for duty, he was assigned by the general in 
 charge to the post of honor at the cemetery. The 
 jealoaisies of the other regiments were by no means 
 remoyed at Cleyeland, but there was certainly a greater 
 admiration for the Fourteenth inspired by its fine ap- 
 pearance and the willing-ness with which they per- 
 formed the duty assigned them made a warm place for 
 them in the hearts of the army officers. 
 
 The following year Lieutenant Colonel Curry re- 
 signed and his place was filled by the election of Cap- 
 tain William M. Liggett, of D Company, Marysville. 
 Major John W. Chapin also resigned during the year 
 and he was succeeded by Captain Andrew Schwarz, of 
 B Company. The regimental camp this year was at 
 Belle Tsle. 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 31 
 
 The term of office of Colonel Freeman expired 
 during the following year, 1883, and a convention 
 was called to place candidates in nomination for elec- 
 tion to succeed him. The convention was called to 
 order in Columbus, but after a very brief session, it 
 was unanimously decided to renominate Colonel Free- 
 man by acclamation. The nomination was enthusi- 
 astically received by the companies, and Colonel 
 Freeman was duly elected. The annual encampment 
 was held that year at Cuyahoga Falls. 
 
 The year of 1884 w-as the most eventful so far 
 as the importance of the service of the regiment is 
 concerned that had yet passed over the Fourteenth. In 
 that year its members tasted warfare in all its frightful 
 phases; witnessed scenes of bloody carnage even on 
 the soil of their native state; suffered from fatigue, 
 privation and danger, and one brave lad gave up his 
 life for the safety of his neighbors. 
 
 For several years preceding the one of which we 
 ■wTite, the police department at Cincinnati was man- 
 aged in a manner very unsatisfactory to a large portion 
 of Cincinnati's population. Several heinous crimes 
 had been committed, but the offenders were permitted 
 to plead to light charges, or, if found guilty, sentences 
 imposed were lighter, according to the judgment of 
 many of the people, than the circumstances seemed to 
 justify. Matters grew from bad to woi"se until a 
 prominent citizen was murdered. One of the mur- 
 derers told the story of the crime, admitted his guilt 
 and was sentenced to serve twenty years in the Ohio 
 penitentiary. 
 
32 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 It has since developed that the young man, 
 "Billy" Bemer, had received a sentence as heavy as 
 he really deserved, and before his penitentiary sentence 
 had expired many prominent citizens signed petitions 
 to the board of prison managers asking that he be re- 
 leased. He was accordingly paroled and left the 
 prison a quiet, peaceful citizen. 
 
 There was a strong sentiment against Berner in 
 Cincinnati at the time of the trial, however, and re- 
 membering the cases which had preceded his, a large 
 niunber of citizens united to take the law in their own 
 hands. The sheriff of Hamilton county was unable 
 to protect public property and he appealed to Governor 
 Hoadley for military help. The First Kegiment, 
 most of which was stationed in Cincinnati, failed to 
 suppress the trouble, and tlie Fourteenth was ordered 
 to the scene. How well they performed their duty 
 may be seen in the report of Colonel Freeman which, 
 condensed, is as follows: 
 
 Headquarters Fourteenth Regiment, O. N. G., 
 
 Columbus, Ohio, April 7, 1884. 
 Hon. George Hoadley, Governor and Commander-in-Chief: 
 
 "Sir — In obedience to orders received at 12:30 
 noon, on March 29, 1 caused the riot alarm to be sound- 
 ed in Columbus, and immediately telephoned to Com- 
 pany C, Westerville; Company D, Marysville; Com- 
 pany H, Canal Winchester, and Company K, Dela- 
 ware, to assemble and to take the first train to Colum- 
 bus, equipped for duty. The field and staff, with the 
 several Columbus companies, Company A under Capt. 
 Pugh; Company B, Captain Coit; Company F, Cap- 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 33 
 
 tain Slack; Governor's Guard, unattaclied, Lieutenant 
 Sheppard, and Duffy Guard, Company B of the Ninth 
 Battalion, Captain Payne, reported at 2 P. M. ready 
 for marching orders. I directed them to await orders. 
 At 4 P. M. the command marched to the depot, where 
 Lieutenant Colonel Ligget reported with Company C, 
 Captain Custer; Company D, Captain Sellers; Com- 
 pany H, Captain Speaks, and Company K, Captain 
 Brown. 
 
 "On receipt of written orders, accompanied by 
 Colonel Church of your staff, we left for Cincinnati. 
 At Xenia coffee and sandwiches were served to the 
 command. At Corwin, Company F, Thirteenth Regi- 
 ment, Captain Kearney, reported; at Loveland, Com- 
 pany B, Thirteenth Regiment, Captain Brock, re- 
 ported. Here our first orders from Cincinnati were re- 
 ceived, bearing inforaiation that the Court House was 
 fired in the Treasurer's office and that Captain Des- 
 mond of the First Regiment had been killed by the 
 mob. 
 
 "On arriving at Cincinnati depot, we were met 
 by Colonel Ryan and a deputy sheriff, with written 
 orders from Colonel Hawkins, sheriff of Hamilton 
 county, to report at once at the county jail. 
 
 "Twenty rounds of ball cartridges having been 
 issued to each man, special orders were given to be 
 cool and especially careful not to fire unless absolutely 
 necessary, and then only on command. Under escort 
 of the deputy sheriff and General Ryan, we marched 
 to the jail. 
 
 "We were not molested en route, further than by 
 the throwing of stones and firing of revolvers in the 
 
34 TEE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 vicinity of the rear guard, with plenty of swearing and 
 abuse from the bystanders. Sheriff Hawkins directed 
 me to place the battery g-un with support, at the barri- 
 cade on Court street in front of the jail, and to clear 
 Main street of the mob. To support the battery gun, 
 I detailed Companies H, K and I, then directed 
 Colonel Liggett to take Companies A, F, D and C, 
 climb the north barricade and march to Main and drive 
 the mob from that part of Main street between North 
 Court street and canal bridge, and hold the position. 
 I also directed Major Schwarz with Companies B of 
 the Fourteenth, B and F of the Thirteenth, B of the 
 Ninth Battalion and the Governor's Guards, to clear 
 Main street from that point to Court street and hold 
 the position. On reaching Main street. Colonel Lig- 
 gett ordered Company A, supported by Company D, 
 to move forward and press the mob north over the 
 canal bridge ; this was done at the point of the bayonet. 
 I also directed Companies F and C to hold the mob in 
 front of the Court House in check. As soon as Com- 
 panies A and D had completed the task assigned them, 
 they with a detail from Company C, utilized a lot of 
 salt, in barrels, to build a barricade across Main street 
 at the bridge. Major Schwarz marched to Main street 
 and ordered Company B, Fourteenth, to South Court 
 street to clear the street and hold the position ; at the 
 same time ordering Companies B and F, Thirteenth 
 Regiment, and Company B, Ninth Battalion, to form 
 across Main street and hold the crowd from getting 
 in the rear of his other detachment. Company B, of 
 the Fourteenth pushed forward, driving the crowd 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 35 
 
 from them at the point of the bayonet. When near- 
 ing South Court street, the first manifestations of the 
 mob were made to resist further progress of the sol- 
 diers. The Governor's Guard were immediately or- 
 dered to the support of Company B. The mob in 
 front of the Court House pressed forward, throwing 
 stones and using fireanns, and after repeated warn- 
 ings by myself and other officers to fall back, they re- 
 peated their demonstrations and started to press down 
 on the soldiers, when, seeing there was no other al- 
 ternative, the command was given to the first platoon 
 to fii-e. This checked them, and they fell back into 
 Court street. One person, the leader of the party, 
 was killed and several wounded. I hastened to 
 Colonel Liggett's command and caused Company F to 
 be detailed to move forward and assist in clearing Court 
 street. I then ordered Company B, Fourteenth Regi- 
 ment, and the Governor's Guard to their support. 
 The column then moved west on Court street to the 
 first alley, the crowd falling back in front of them. 
 
 "Later I was advised that the mob had advanced 
 to the point where Court street widened, and under 
 the cover of buildings, had pelted the soldiers with 
 stones and fired on them, wounding Colonel Liggett, 
 Captain Slack and eight others, and that the command 
 was given to the first platoon of Company F to fire, but 
 with what results to the mob I was not informed. I 
 immediately detailed Company H, and with a de- 
 tachment of police, gathered such material as was on 
 hand and carried it to Court street to build a barricade. 
 
 "The mob had retreated to the Market House 
 and contented themselves with firing revolvers and 
 
36 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 muskets from tiiat point. About 2 A. M. came word 
 that the mob had eot into the Music Hall and had cap- 
 tured three brass cannon belonging to the Second Bat- 
 tery. Soon after a telephone message was received 
 from Colonel Church saying that a mob of about 200 
 had three brass cannon at the corner of Fourth and 
 Vine streets. I ordered Companies H and K, with the 
 battery gun, to accompany Sheriff Hawkins and my- 
 self in their pursuit. Chief Keilly of the police de- 
 tailed one company of his command to lead the ad- 
 vance. The police being able to move much faster 
 than the soldiers, who had the gun to shove over the 
 pavement, were enabled to get there first and had the 
 honor of capturing the guns which they pulled by hand 
 to the jail. 
 
 "Little occurred during the remainder of the 
 night. Surgeons Guerin and Gunsaulus secured 
 Burdsal's drug store, iOO Main street, as a temporary 
 hospital, where they attended the wounded soldiers 
 and did good service. Sunday morning we were rein- 
 forced by Colonel Picard, of the Thirteenth Regiment, 
 with Company A of his command, bringing with him 
 10,000 rounds of ball cartridges. During the after- 
 noon a barricade was built at the comer of Main and 
 Ninth streets. The crowds continued to increase at 
 Ninth and Main, ISTinth and Sycamore, at the canal on 
 Main street, and especially on Court street. During 
 the afternoon threats were made and many became 
 unruly and numerous arrests were made by the police 
 under cover of the soldiers at the barricades. The 
 roughs in front of the Court street barricade succeeded 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G. 37 
 
 ill covering themselves by pushing forward all the 
 women and children to the front, but fortunately for 
 all, they contented themselves with venting their 
 wrath in swearing vengeance when night should come 
 and occasionally hurling a stone or firing a revolver. 
 At Main street and the canal, under cover of bridge, 
 stones were continually thrown at the soldiers and 
 many were hit, and it was with the greatest effort that 
 the mob were restrained from advancing on the bridge 
 and firing at the guards. At last one fellow advanced, 
 brandishing a revolver and defying the guard, and fell. 
 His friends carried him away. The shot had the de- 
 sired effect, stopping all disturbance at this point. Be- 
 tween 2 and 3 P. M. the Fifth Battery, Captain Sintz 
 commanding, arrived and were assigned position; also 
 115 officers and men of the Fourth Regiment. 
 
 '"In consultation with Sheriff Hawkins and Col- 
 onel Hunt, it was deemed advisable to move forward 
 and strengthen the barricade on Sycamore and Kinth 
 streets; also the one on Court street facing the canal. 
 At dusk the positions of the companies were changed 
 from what they were the night before. All was com- 
 paratively quiet until between 10 and 11 o'clock, when 
 the mob, which had gathered at the Market House on 
 Court and Walnut, commenced firing from this point, 
 protecting themselves by the stands at the Market 
 House and by the buildings at the comer. When the 
 aim of the mob became too accurate for endurance, it 
 being evident by the balls striking the barricade and 
 the Court House beyond, that larger weapons tlian re- 
 volvers were being used, it was thought best, at least, 
 
38 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 to give the mob tlie benefit of one case of cartridges 
 from the battery gun by firing it into the Market 
 House; but before this was done, due warning was 
 given by the oflicers that it would be done if the firing 
 did not cease. Oaths and a volley from the mob was 
 the response; then the twenty shots were fired from 
 the gun. A number of casualties was the result. 
 This caused the mob to scatter for the time and with 
 the exception of random shots from them, there was 
 comparative quiet until about midnight. Orders were 
 received from General Finley and the mayor, ordering 
 a detachment to be sent to Walnut Hills to guard the 
 powder magazine at that point. Colonel Picard, of 
 the Thirteenth Regiment, with three companies of his 
 regiment, were detailed for that purpose and remained 
 there until about 5 o'clock A. M. After firing the 
 battery gun at 11 o'clock, positive orders w^ere issued 
 against the firing of any single shots by the soldiers 
 and that no firing should be done unless some soldier 
 was shot or the mob endeavored to charge the works. 
 Near 1 o'clock it became evident that another attack 
 would be made. I took my station at the comer of 
 Court and Main with Sheriff Hawkins, Colonel Hunt, 
 Major Schwarz, Captain Sintz and other officers, and 
 in speaking distance with the officers in charge of the 
 barricade. A fusilade was opened by the mob from 
 their old position at the comer of Walnut and Ct>urt. 
 No response was made by the soldiers, and after per- 
 haps fifteen minutes over fifty shots had been counted 
 striking the Court House, others having hit the barri- 
 cade, the mob became bold and decided to charge, and 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. A^ G. 89 
 
 as they expressed it with oaths, 'Clean out those blue 
 coats.' The soldiers obeying orders remained quiet 
 and not until the mob came forwai'd firing and yelling 
 was the order given to fire, when two volleys, in quick 
 succession M^ere fired. Five persons were known to 
 have been wounded. This was the last firing done 
 and gradually all became quiet. 
 
 "At 7 o'clock Monday morning it became evi- 
 dent that the rioting for the day was over and orders 
 were given to unload pieces. 
 
 "During the day, orders were received for Com- 
 pany B of the Ninth Battalion to join the other com- 
 panies of the command at the City Building. Com- 
 pany E and a detachment of Company K of the Four- 
 teenth Regiment and two companies of the Thirteenth 
 Regiment arrived and reported for duty. By orders 
 from General Finley the Seventeenth Regiment re- 
 ported at the jail for duty. Monday night was quiet 
 and in marked contrast with the night previous, the 
 men doing their duty without loads in their pieces. 
 The men of the companies that had been on continuous 
 duty since Saturday were relieved and allowed to se- 
 cure such quarters as were available for rest. Tuesr 
 day morning Company D was detailed to represent 
 the regiment at Captain Desmond's funeral as per 
 General Finley's order. 
 
 "At 2 P. M. orders were received relieving us 
 from further duty and we left for home at 4:30 P. M. 
 Two companies of the Thirteenth Regiment were left 
 at Loveland and Corwin respectively. The remainder 
 of the command arrived at Columbus about 10 o'clock, 
 
40 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. Q. 
 
 where we proceeded to our armory and dismissed tlie 
 city companies. The companies outside the city were 
 quartered in the armory for the night and returned to 
 their respective homes Wednesday morning. It is 
 my painful duty to report one fatal casualty in my 
 command, that of Private Israel Getz, of the Gov- 
 ernor's Guard, who lost his life by the accidental dis^ 
 charge of a gun while on duty Mondav afternoon. 
 I here desire to express my thanks for the courtesies 
 extended to me by my superiors while at Cincinnati and 
 10 every officer and man under my command for their 
 alacrity and promptness in doing every duty assigned 
 them and for their coolness and soldierly bearing 
 under the most trying circumstances. 
 
 "Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 "GEO. D. FREEMAN, 
 "Colonel Fourteenth Regiment." 
 
 The regiment suffered heavily in the duty at 
 Cincinnati. Their suffering from loss of sleep, con- 
 tinued fatigue and the great mental strain, however, 
 was as nothing as compared to the casualties. The 
 effect of the fighting was as follows: 
 
 KILLED. 
 
 Private Israel Getz, Governor's Guard, accident- 
 ally shot. Ball entered right eye, penetrating brain, 
 death ensuing in almost twelve hours. 
 
 WOUNDED. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Liggett, shot through calf of 
 leg, presumed to be a Ko. 32 pistol ball; Captain Slack, 
 Conipany F, Fourteenth Regiment, shot in right hand 
 
TEE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 41 
 
 with medium size shot; Sergeant C. S. Amy, Com- 
 pany F, Foiu-teenth Regiment, shot in head, neck and 
 shoulder, receiving a full load of medium sized shot; 
 Corporal Morrison, Company F, Fourteenth Regi- 
 ment, shot in face and hand with medium sized shot; 
 Corporal U. S. Rogers, Company F, Fourteenth Regi- 
 ment, shot in face and leg with small shot and struck 
 in chest with boulder, and in falling injured his back; 
 Charles W. Berry, private Company F, Fourteenth 
 Regiment, contused wound of left knee from boulder ; 
 Charles Yeiser, Private Company F, Fourteenth 
 Regiment, shot in center of forehead with pistol ball; 
 AVilliam Scobey, private Company F, Fourteenth 
 Regiment, lacerated wound of left upper lip produced 
 by brick or boulder; J. F. Kelly, Private company F, 
 Fourteenth Regiment, slight wound in leg produced 
 by small shot; George Borches, private Company F, 
 I'ourteenth Regiment, contused wound of scalp pro- 
 duced by small sliot; George Dowdall, private Com- 
 pany F, Fourteenth Regiment, contused wound of 
 face produced by a blow of the fist ; E. C. l^eiderlander, 
 private Company F, Fourteenth Regiment contused 
 wound of shoulder produced by club; Grant Thomas, 
 private Company F, Fourteenth Regiment, shot in 
 both hands with small shot, one shot penetrating joint, 
 producing a painful wound; Oakey Armsted, private 
 of Goveraor's Guard, wounded in leg by the accidental 
 discharge of musket. 
 
42 THE FOURTEEMH, 0. N. G. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 AN EPOCH OF EXCURSIONS. 
 
 Trouble in Hocking County — Companies K and B on Duty- 
 Camp at Detroit— Tlie Field of Gettysburg— Colonel 
 Freeman's Proposition — Corporal Grisso Killed — The 
 Fourteenth at Philadelphia — Inconveniences Suffered by 
 Ohio's Soldiers— Columbus Armory Burned— Hospital 
 Corps Organized— State Encampment at Columbus- 
 Ohio's Centennial — The Fourteenth in New York— An- 
 nual Encampments. 
 
 Colonel Freeman in his report has told as fully 
 as could be related in so few words of the excellent 
 service performed by the regiment in the times which 
 certainly "tried men's souls" in Cincinnati. It is very 
 gratifpng indeed to note that in all the state and par- 
 ticularly in Cincinnati there has not since been so 
 troublesome a period. The regiment had another 
 opportunity of showing what they were and what they 
 could do in a call to Ashland, where Company G- was 
 sent to protect the county Court House from mob 
 violence. As the regiment had been successful at 
 Cincinnati, so were the boys who went to Ashland, 
 and the press of the whole country paid glowing 
 tributes to the bravery of the "Gallant Fourteenth." 
 
 The echoes of the Cincinnati riots were still re- 
 verberating through the state when the miners of 
 Hocldng, Perry and Athens counties rose up in their 
 might against a reduction in the wages paid for the 
 mining of coal. They were thoroughly organized 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 43 
 
 and at a fixed day every one of them stopped work and 
 refused to resume operations in the mines until their 
 employers should agree to restore their former wages. 
 This was in June and the trouble continued through- 
 out th.e summer until the following August. 
 
 In the meantime, the mining companies had em- 
 ployed men to take the places of the strikers, and this 
 move was met with determined opposition on the part 
 of the miners. No demonstrations were made, how- 
 ever, until in August, when, on the 30th, mattei-s 
 assumed a very serious phase at Longstreth and Snake 
 Hollow in Hocking county and at Straitsville in Perry 
 county. The old miners here had determined to 
 compel the '"scabs," as those who had taken their 
 places were called, to quit work. They had tried 
 reason and pui'suasion, and these methods failing, force 
 was resorted to. 
 
 Telephone and telegraph wires were cut, and 
 with communication thus shut off, the strikers imag- 
 ined that they commanded the situation. Armed 
 with shotguns, revolvers and other weapons, an assault 
 was made at Snake Hollow and one man killed. A 
 house in which quite a number of people were asleep 
 was attacked, but fortunately no casualties resulted. 
 A four thousand dollar hopper was burned mth a large 
 quantity of coal and some other property destroyed. 
 Fearing that further trouble would follow. Sheriff 
 McCarthy, of Hocking county, appealed to the gov- 
 ernor for military aid. The appeal was joined in by 
 the prosecuting attorney of the county and the mayor 
 of the town where the rioters were in force. 
 
44 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 Colonel Freeman was at once ordered to get his 
 command ready to move at a moment's notice and the 
 regiment was accordingly assembled ready for duty. 
 Companies of the Sixth and Seventeenth regiments 
 wre sent to the scene of the trouble, and at first it ap- 
 peared as though the trouble would soon end. All of 
 the Fourteenth except Company K was relieved, the 
 company mentioned having received orders to report 
 to Assistant Adjutant General Colonel Dill, who took 
 command of all the troops in the field. Rumors ob- 
 tained general circulation that the situation was be- 
 coming more serious and a great deal of uneasiness 
 was felt among the troops and at the State House. 
 The companies above mentioned remained on duty 
 with Colonel Dill until September 12th, when they 
 were relieved by companies of the Second and Eighth 
 regiments and B of the Fourteenth, Captain Coit 
 commanding. When B company reported it was asr 
 signed to duty at Sand Run, a detail also being made 
 to report for duty at Murray City. The company 
 remained on duty until September 27th, when the 
 trouble was all over. Lieutenant H. A. Guitner, of 
 the Fourteenth, acted as quartermaster for the troops 
 during the time they were at the mines, and Dr. F. 
 Gunsaulus, of the Fourteenth, acted as surgeon. 
 
 Flushed \vith victory and feeling justly proud of 
 the record they had made, but still suffering from the 
 severe loss which they had sustained during the past 
 year, the boys went into camp at Columbus in August. 
 There was no official duty to perform after the en- 
 campment, and what had been the busiest year in the 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, O. X. G. 45 
 
 history of the regiment was quietly ushered out with 
 nothing to occupy the minds or the time of the boys 
 as soldiers, but regular drill and application to the 
 study of military matters. 
 
 In 1885 Lieutenant Colonel Liggett severed his 
 connection with the regiment and his place was filled 
 in June by the promotion of Major Andrew Schwarz. 
 The regiment was treated to a pleasant excursion in 
 the autumn of this year, having been sent to Belle 
 Me, near Detroit, for the annual encampment. 
 While there the regiment participated in the memorial 
 service at the time of the death of General Grant. 
 Their tine appearance and soldierly bearing was favor- 
 ably commented upon by the people and the press at 
 Detroit. 
 
 The next year the Governor's Guard, or as it was 
 "officially" called, "The Governor's Guard Gatling 
 Gun Company," was attached to the regiment and 
 designated as Company L. It was not long 
 after the regiment had been thus strengthened 
 that another riot was threatened at Cincinnati, 
 and it was feared that the trying experience 
 of two years before would be repeated, but fortu- 
 nately the trouble was settled without the service of the 
 regiment. The boys had been ordered into camp, 
 however, at Carthage, and had their services been need- 
 ed they would have been ready to go "where duty 
 called." It was this willingness and this spirit which 
 has won for the regiment the reputation it enjovs now, 
 even beyond the continent. The annual encampment 
 was held in this vear at Springfield and was a brigade 
 
46 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 camp, with Colonel Freeman in command. In July, 
 Captain A. B. Coit of B Company was made major. 
 
 The encampment in 1887 was held in the Fair 
 Grounds near Lancaster, O., and the tents stood in the 
 shadow of the historic old Mt. Pleasant. On the ar- 
 rival of the train, September 6, arches were found over 
 the streets, houses, private and business were dec- 
 orated, and an immense crowd cheered the boys con- 
 tinually. At the camp grounds it was found that 
 floors had been provided for every tent. Until Sat- 
 urday the time was spent in the most severe drill and 
 preparation for the most pleasant and extensive trip 
 ever enjoyed by a regiment of O. X. G. 
 
 The dedication of the Ohio monuments at Gettys- 
 burg, Pa., and the Constitutional Centennial celebra- 
 tion at Philadelphia, were the two occasions in which 
 the Fourteenth was to officially represent the state, 
 but at their own expense. 
 
 The regiment was sadly in need of new service 
 uniforms and equipment. Many of those in use had 
 been worn since the organization of the regiment, and 
 in that time many calls for active duty had put them 
 to the most severe tests. In a conversation between 
 Colonel Freeman and General Axline, the latter re- 
 marked that it was unfortunate that the legislature 
 had made no appropriation to defray the expenses of 
 a regiment or a portion of one to represent the state. 
 Colonel Freeman thereupon tendered the services of 
 the Fourteenth at their own expense, providina: the 
 state would properly equip those needinsr it. 
 
 The offer was accepted, the officers and men 
 turned their camp pay into a common fund and Ohio 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 47 
 
 was represented at an expense to the members of the 
 Fourteenth regiment of over $5000. At 8 o'clock 
 Sunday evening, a special train was boarded and with 
 a short stop in Columbus, the run was made over the 
 picturesque Baltimore and Ohio to Gettysburg, which 
 was reached on Tuesday morning, September 13. 
 The boys disembarked in a drizzling rain, marched 
 through the old town and pitched their tents on East 
 Cemetery Hill. The location of the camp was in the 
 rear of the position occupied by Weidrick's New York 
 Battery, and w^as near the point where the famous 
 Ohio Brigade imder General Carroll repelled and for 
 the first time defeated the Louisiana Tigers. 
 
 In honor of General W. S. Hancock the camp 
 was named after him. The tents had scarcely been 
 pitched when the rain descended in torrents and every- 
 thing was thoroughly soaked. On account of the 
 condition of the ground, the rink was secured as a 
 sleeping place, but in all other respects the camp was 
 maintained. The day for exercises, Wednesday, 
 opened clear and bright and was ushered in by a salute 
 by a section of Battery E of the First Artillery, which 
 accompanied the regiment. The boys brushed and 
 cleaned up to receive Governor Foraker and the Ohio 
 Memorial Commission, and to escort them to the N^a- 
 tional Cemetery, where the formal dedicatory exer- 
 cises were held. 
 
 Upon the conclusion a salute of nineteen gims 
 was fired. While this was in progress a sad accident 
 marred what would other^vise have been a trip of un- 
 alloyed pleasure. On the fifteenth discharge. Cor- 
 
48 THE FOUIiTEEM'H, O. X. (}. 
 
 poral Orris Grisso was fatally injured by the premature 
 discharge of the gun. Grass and weeds were being 
 used as wadding and while Corporal Grisso was in the 
 act of ramming it home, the discharge took place. 
 His right arm and shoulder were almost torn off. He 
 lingered for eight days, when death relieved him. He 
 was not at any time able to be taken to his home. A 
 delegation from Columbus formally represented the 
 regiment at his funeral services in Springfield. 
 
 At 5 o'clock that afternoon tents were struck and 
 the train again boarded for Philadelphia, where the 
 Fourteenth was Ohio's only military representative in 
 one of the most magnificent military pageants since the 
 close of the war. Thursday morning the train rolled 
 into Philadelphia and the regiment took possession of 
 its quarters. 
 
 The state had made no provision for the trip 
 whatever and the regiment was tendered their quarters 
 by the Baltimore and Ohio Eailroad Company. 
 These consisted of the depot, platforms and an en- 
 closed yard. On these the boys nightly rolled up in 
 their blankets and slept soundly. In striking contrast 
 to these quarters were those of the First Massachusetts 
 Regiment, which was located directly across the street. 
 Massachusetts had appropriated $40,000 for a proper 
 and fitting representation. Housed in an elegant and 
 well built rink, the members of the First Massachusetts 
 slept on mattresses, those of the Fourteenth Ohio were 
 housed in blankets and slept on the ground. Long 
 tables were provided by Massachusetts from which 
 her representatives ate from china dishes and were 
 
w r ' »»t";-'i-"" ' v^ ' 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 49 
 
 waited upon by colored servants. Frugal Ohio had 
 her men eat from the tin plates and tin cups that they 
 had brought with them. Massachusetts paid her rep- 
 resentatives for going, while Ohio permitted hers to 
 pay all the expenses for the trip out of their own 
 pockets. 
 
 On Friday morning the regiment formed at the 
 Baltimore and Ohio depot on Chestnut street bridge 
 and proceeded to the rendesvous after formally re- 
 ceiving Governor Foraker and staff. 
 
 At midnight of the same day the regiment board- 
 ed the special train and left for Washing-ton City, 
 where Saturday was spent in sight-seeing. Sunday 
 noon, after a long ride, the Fourteenth pulled into Co- 
 lumbus after tw^o weeks of continuous service and 
 travel. 
 
 Several changes in the organization of the regi- 
 ment took place at the beginning of the year 1888. 
 Major A. B. Coit was promoted to the rank of lieuten- 
 ant colonel. He was succeeded by Adjutant Thad. 
 K. Fletcher. 
 
 In January of this year the Columbus Battalion 
 met with a severe loss. Its Armory on Spring street, 
 at the corner of Front, which had been purchased two 
 years previous, was entirely consumed by fire with all 
 its contents. Among the property lost by the fire was 
 the stand of colors presented to the regiment and car- 
 ried through the several engagements. In addition 
 to these, a new stand was also burned which had been 
 presented by the ladies of Colimibus that winter and 
 had onlv been carried once, on the inauguration of 
 
50 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 Governor Foraker for his second term. It was in the 
 same week that they were burned. 
 
 On March 3 an order was issued from general 
 headquarters for the formation of a hospital corps. 
 This regiment was the only one in the service which 
 complied promptly with the order, and it went into 
 camp with a well drilled corps. It had also a regula- 
 tion ambulance and equipage for field work. "Com- 
 pany bearers" had hitherto performed the work which 
 now came in as the duty of the hospital corps. 
 
 For the first time in the histoiy of the Guard all 
 the troops in the state were brought together in gen- 
 eral encampment, from August 28 to September 4 in- 
 clusive. The camp was located two miles north of 
 Columbus on the Bee Line Road. It contained 500 
 acres and was under the command of Major General 
 Axline. Special attention was given to division work. 
 The purpose in bringing the organizations together 
 was for the companies and regiments to see the degi-ee 
 of efficiency reached by the others. Special attention 
 was given to the formation and maintainance of all 
 forms of guard duty applicable to a division in active 
 service. In the evening parades, by special arrange- 
 ment, men would often become overcome with heat 
 or get suddenly sick, so the other regiments could see 
 the value of an efficient hospital corps. 
 
 This being the Ohio Centennial year, a large 
 demonstration was held in Columbus, and on breaking 
 camp the entire division made a parade in honor of 
 the event. 
 
 On September 9. 10 and 11 the regiment was or- 
 dered on snecial dutv in Columbus incident to the 
 
TEE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 51 
 
 general encampinent of the Grand Army of tlie 
 Republic. 
 
 In 1889 regimental camps were entirely dis- 
 pensed with and the entire Guard was ordered to rep- 
 resent the state at the centennial celebration of the 
 inaug-uration of Washington as President of the 
 United States, in ISTew York City. The Guard was 
 divided into brigades, the Fourteenth being placed in 
 the Second Brigade, of which Colonel Freeman was 
 in command. The Fourteenth left Columbus on 
 Sunday, April 28, via the Columbus, Hocking Valley 
 and Toledo and the Erie Roads, and arrived in ISTew 
 York on Monday at 3 P. M. On Tuesday, the 30th, 
 the parade was held. All other Ohio regiments left 
 for home on ' Tuesday night or during Wednesday, 
 but the Fourteenth remained until Saturday evening 
 and arrived home on Sunday night. The boys were 
 thus given an opportunity to visit the places of in- 
 terest in and about Xew York. A very pleasant treat 
 was accorded by the commanding officer, who char- 
 tered a boat and took the command out to sea. 
 Quarters were fui*nished by the committee of arrange- 
 ments until Wednesday morning. The regiment 
 then moved over to Jersey City, swung cranes and 
 went into camp. The Erie Railroad and the Pullman 
 Car Company officials did everything in their power 
 to make the boys comfortable. They placed extra 
 cars at their disposal, so that each man had plenty of 
 room to lie in at night and they arranged room for 
 cooking purposes in the yards. 
 
52 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 The Fourteenth had no reason to feel ashamed 
 of its appearance in the parade here. The usual de- 
 gree of efficiency was maintained and brought forth 
 praise from all who were conversant with military 
 matters. The entire command appeared in heavy 
 marching order and prepared for field work. 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. 0. 53 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 STRIKES AND RIOTS. 
 
 Resignation of Colonel Freeman — Election of Colonel Coit — 
 General Sherman's Funeral at St. Louis — Duty at Chi- 
 cago — Howe on 1S94 — The Wheeling Creek Campaign — 
 Causes for the Strike — Troops Called Out — Services of 
 the Fourteenth — The Result — Galvin's Army — Trouble 
 at Washington C. H. — Colonel Charged With Murder — 
 Annual Encampments. 
 
 For almost twelve years the destinies of the regi- 
 ment had been in the hands of Colonel George D. 
 Freeman. He had received every success, every re- 
 verse, with the fond interest of a father. He had sur- 
 mounted difficulties which would have driven many a 
 Napoleon to despair. He had taken charge of the 
 regiment when it was made up of scattering groups of 
 awkward men, and with this material he had con- 
 structed a military organization which was now known 
 and loved all over the United States. It had been the 
 hope of his early military experience and it has ever 
 since been the pride of his ripened career. Other 
 duties made it impossible for him to devote the time 
 and energy which according to his ideas of administra- 
 tion were essential in keeping the regiment what he 
 had made it, so on October 9, 1889, he tendered his 
 resignation. The regiment lost his presence and abil- 
 ity, but never his interest or his sympathy. He has 
 watched with a jealous eye every movement of the 
 command, and when it became a part of the United 
 
54 THE FOLBTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 States anny, no one more tliaii he offered every possible 
 assistance. Even while in a foreign land his influence 
 was ever manifest, and when the regiment returned 
 home covered with glory, no hand of welcome was 
 offered mth a warmer heart than his. 
 
 When officers and men realized the loss they had 
 oustained, they began to look about for material with 
 which to repair the breach. In this effort they were 
 exceptionately fortunate. On November 8, the next 
 in command stepped forward and upward, and at the 
 call of the regiment took up the work where their be- 
 loved leader had left off. Lieutenant Colonel Coit 
 immediately assumed command and when the war 
 ^vith Spain came on he was found at his post of duty, 
 where he remaineil until the close of the war. He 
 was succeeded as Keutenant colonel by Major Fletcher 
 who in turn was succeeded by Captain Speaks. 
 
 The following year, 1890, the miltary laws of 
 the state were changed, making fewer but stronger 
 regiments. The Sixth regiment was disbanded, and 
 the companies at Mt. Sterling, Washington C. H. and 
 Circleville were attached to the Fourteenth. The 
 organization was patterned after that of the German 
 army, comprising three battalions of four companies 
 each. This organization differed from that observed 
 in the regular army, but it was maintained throughout 
 the war. The regiment encamped in 1891 at Presque 
 Isle and did no duty of any consequence until Febru- 
 ary of 1892, w-hen on the 20th, they left Columbus 
 to attend the funeral of General William T. Sherman 
 at St. Louis, Mo. The annual encampment was held 
 
ALONZO B. COIT. 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 55 
 
 at Marion. Colonel Ooit at this time was assistant 
 adjutant general of the state. The next year the regi- 
 ment went to camp at Logan, O. In October they 
 attended the dedication of the World's Fair Grounds 
 at Chicago and the following year went to Chicago to 
 camp and attend the World's Columbian Exposition. 
 
 In his report for 1894, Adjutant General Howe 
 said: '^The year has made history for the Ohio Na- 
 tional Guard more extensive in operations, exacting 
 and arduous in execution than any year since its or- 
 ganization. The unsettled conditions existing not 
 only in Ohio, but thi"oughout the whole country, 
 seemed to bring with the idleness imposed, lawlessness 
 in different forms, and in different counties civil au- 
 thority was set at naught, and the strong arm of the 
 state government was called upon to aid and uphold 
 law and order." 
 
 The first trouble of the year occurred at Toledo 
 on January 4. On the 19th a great fire at Springfield 
 made it necessary to call out the militia. Again on 
 February 23, trouble was feared at Cincinnati, but fif- 
 teen men were all that were needed to restore order. 
 On April 15, the sheriff of Logan county was com- 
 pelled to call upon the Second Infantry to aid in 
 protecting a prisoner from mob violence. 
 
 Again Adjutant General Howe is quoted : ''Fol- 
 lowing this trouble came the holding up of a train on 
 the Bailtimore and Ohio Railway, at Mt. Sterling, by a 
 body of men calling themselves "Galvin's Army." 
 These men. 215 in number, had taken possession of 
 a train of sixteen cars, and would not leave the same, 
 
66 THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G. 
 
 even after the civil authorities had called to their aid 
 as many deputies as they could secure to serve. The 
 railroad company also selected a picked body of men 
 from the city of Columbus, and had them sworn in as 
 special deputies and tried to eject the men, but failed 
 in their efforts. The sheriff of Madison county, seeing 
 his inability to enforce law, called upon the Governor 
 for military assistance, and there was ordered to Mt. 
 Sterling on the morning of April 28, the First Bat- 
 talion, Companies A, B. C and F, and Company L, 
 14th Infantry, and Battery H, First Light Artillery, 
 under command of Colonel Coit. The troops arrived 
 at Mt. Sterling and, after warning the offenders to 
 vacate the property they were unlawfully holding, in 
 a good, soldierly way proceeded to displace them, 
 which was done without serious resistance, and trains 
 were at once started on schedule time. The conduct 
 in this affair of both officei-s and men is to be com- 
 mended, and the summary dealing with these offend- 
 ers of Ohio's laws, we believe, saved the State much 
 expense during the year from the same class of people, 
 of whom many bands entered the State and departed 
 without conflict with the civil authorities." 
 
 IsTo comment is needed to these words of praise. 
 The regiment had again done i^"s duty and the glowing 
 report quoted above is merely the official one of many 
 favorable reports of this tour of duty. 
 
 The call for troops coming from the sheriff of 
 Guernsey county, June 6, 1894, proved the greatest 
 of the year. There v\'as called into service besides the 
 14th, the 8th Tufantrv, seven companies of the 17th 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 57 
 
 Infautry, tho 2nd Infantry, the 16th Infantry, the 5th 
 Infantry, three companies of the 3d Infantry, 
 the Toledo Cadets and three Batteries First 
 Regiment Light xVrtillery, making a total of 
 3,371 officers and men in the field. In addition to 
 these, six companies of the 3rd Infantry were as- 
 sembled in their armories, making a total of officers 
 and men under call, of 3,647. 
 
 The cause for this array of military strength was 
 a general "strike" of the miners and the National 
 Guard duty is known as the "Wheeling Creek Cam- 
 paign." 
 
 The first official information Governor McKinley 
 received was a telegram from the sheriff of Guernsey 
 coimty, dated June 6, stating that a force of miners es- 
 timated at from 400 to 600 men had taken possession 
 of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at jVIineral Siding 
 and that they were interfering with trains by placing 
 obstructions on the track and compelling freight trains 
 to run in on the switches and take off all coal cars be- 
 fore being permitted to proceed. The sheriff added 
 that the miners were armed with clubs and more dan- 
 gerous weapons, and that threats were being made to 
 do still greater damage. He also stated that he could 
 not possibly organize a posse capable of coping with 
 the miners and fearing* that they would be reinforced, 
 asked help from the governor. 
 
 Orders were at onoe promulgated to assemble the 
 various regiments and by the next morning, June 7, 
 another appeal was made by the sheriff of Belmont 
 county, giving the same reason. In this county the 
 
58 THE FOURTEENTH, O. X. G. 
 
 B. and O. and the C, L. and W. Kailways were at- 
 tacked, the latter by about fifteen hundred men, mostly 
 foreigners, so the sheriff stated. 
 
 The regiment was scattered all over Central 
 Ohio, many of the men residing in the country and at 
 small inland towns, so that it was three o'clock in the 
 morning before orders were issued to the entire regi- 
 ment. Major Speaks was then a clerk in General 
 Howe's ofiice and had it not been for his energetic ef- 
 fort, the regiment could not possibly have been as- 
 sembled so soon. 
 
 Everything was gotten in readiness and on the 
 morning of the seventh, the Fourteenth left Columbus 
 for Cambridge, where they arrived next morning. 
 General Howe accompanied the regiment in order to 
 be on the scene of the trouble and thus be better 
 enabled to assume personal charge of general opera- 
 tions. At eleven o'clock the regiment arrived at 
 Morris Station. There they found that cars had been 
 knocked to pieces, coal dumped on the tracks and 
 everything in turmoil. At a quarter after one, how- 
 ever, the trains were running for the first time in three 
 days, but the strikers were in the hills near by, ready to 
 sweep doT\Ti on the railroad property as soon as the 
 soldiers had left. 
 
 The danger at St. Clairsville Junction had be- 
 come greater, consequently the Seventeenth was left 
 on guard at Mineral Siding and the Fourteenth and 
 Eighth, with Batteiy H started for the new scene. 
 TelegTams were fast coming in to the governor and the 
 situation became serious. More troops were ordered to 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 59 
 
 prepare to move at a moment's notice, and the whole 
 state became excited. It was reported to the governor 
 that near a cut through which the Fourteenth would 
 have to pass, the miners were located and that they 
 had prepared to roll down a huge boulder on the train 
 bearing the troops as it passed them. The train pro- 
 ceeded, however, and was not seriously molested until 
 it reached Wheeling Creek, six miles east of Bellaire. 
 The train had proceeded along the banks of the stream 
 through the hills until it reached a point where the 
 valley widened into a basin. It was a beautiful spot, 
 an ideal location for the little mining town, which 
 nestled snugly here among the rugged hills. Across 
 the valley, perhaps a mile, stood a little church, 
 around which 600 men were assembled. The regiment 
 was formed and immediately deployed into battle lines 
 and excitement reigned everywhere. It looked as 
 though there was to be a pitched battle and many ex- 
 pected that the banks of the picturesque rivulet which 
 flowed peacefully through the rocky hills, would soon 
 be gorged with a stream of blood. 
 
 As the regiment advanced slowly across the little 
 valley, however, the crowd dispersed. The regiment 
 went into camp and threw out pickets. The soldiers 
 and miners came into constant contact, but at no time 
 did a clash become general. Several times crowds had 
 to be dispersed, but no fatalities resulted from the dis- 
 charge of any duty. 
 
 Onthemoming of the9th Sheriff Scott aunouTiced 
 that trains would start on the C, L. & W. from Bridge- 
 port, where coal trains had been detained by the strik- 
 
60 THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G. 
 
 ers. The sheriff requested that ample protection be 
 given coal trains throughout Belmont county. A 
 guard was ordered consisting of the Second Battalion 
 of the Fourteenth and the Second Battalion of the 
 Second regiments, and Colonel Coit placed in com- 
 mand mth instructions to follow trains and permit no 
 interference. The first train was somewhat delayed 
 just before reaching camp, and before the soldiers had 
 boarded it. It had been stopped for an instant just be- 
 yond the lines, and was immediately attacked by a 
 crowd of women, who pulled the couplings and carried 
 them away. They were encouraged in their actions 
 by a large crowd of men congregated near, but not on 
 railroad property. A detachment was sent from camp 
 who dispersed the crowd and enabled the train men to 
 recouple the cars and proceed. 
 
 The coal trains guarded by the Fourteenth were 
 molested, but so well did the boys perform their duty 
 that no damage was done except at Burton, where the 
 strikers succeeded in disconnecting one of the trains 
 by drawing coupling pins. The train was gotten safe- 
 ly through Belmont county, however, and the soldiers 
 reported back to Wheeling Creek, tired and worn out 
 but ready for duty wherever their serAdce-^ were 
 needed. 
 
 The strike soon became more general and the sit- 
 uation became more serious in proportion. Canal 
 ]^over was made the base of supplies and the governor 
 decided to push a vigorous campaign against the 
 strikers unless they gave up the idea of destroying 
 y.roporty. The Fourteenth Regiment was scattered 
 
'IHE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G. 61 
 
 over almost the whole of tlie mining district, one part 
 of the detached companies being placed under Colonel 
 Darrow at Canal Dover, and the others under the im- 
 mediate command of Colonel Coit, with headquarters 
 at New Philadelphia. 
 
 There was at no time what could be called a 
 pitched battle, but shots were actually fired on several 
 occasions, but fortunately there were no lives lost ex- 
 cept that of Private Gerber, of Columbus, who struck 
 his head on a rock while diving in the Tuscarawas 
 river. His body was embalmed and sent home under 
 escort for military burial. 
 
 The miners pursued a sort of guerilla policy, 
 keeping as much as they could out of sight of the sol- 
 diers and making raids on railway and mining prop- 
 erty. Bridges were burned and trains were stopped, 
 but as soon as the troops approached they would re- 
 treat to some place of safety. Colonel Coit gave or- 
 ders to the sentries on duty to allow^ no one to approach 
 nearer than 200 yards of the picket lines and then to 
 advance singly and be identified by one of the mem- 
 bers or employes of one of the mining companies. 
 Several skirmishes were engaged in but nothing seri- 
 ous occurred. Private Jacob Stinnell had the honor 
 of capturing a banner from a party of miners and the 
 act of himself and comrades was regarded as one of 
 unusual bravery. 
 
 At Canal Dover several dnmken persons and 
 some of the colored cooks and camp followers ensraged 
 in a quarrel and trouble seemed imminent, but prompt 
 action on the part nf the officers quieted all the trouble. 
 
62 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 The drunken persons were arrested and under escort 
 were turned over to the civil authorities. Bridges were 
 burned in all parts of the mining district and the en- 
 tire force of militia on duty were kept dodging from 
 one point to another. Colonel Coit was at one time cut 
 off from his base of supplies by the burning of a bridge, 
 but he managed to get into communication with head- 
 quarters by a round-about way. 
 
 Finally, on the seventeenth, the miners and oper- 
 ators, having come to an agreement, matters became 
 more quiet and Colonel Coit wired that part of his 
 command could be dismissed. Companies H, G, M and 
 L were accordingly relieved and the next day the en- 
 tire regiment was called back to Columbus, where the 
 boys were glad to join their families and friends. At 
 Columbus the regiment was reviewed by Governor 
 McKinley and the men publicly thanked for their ser- 
 vices. 
 
 The regiment liad been on continuous duty for 
 nearly two weeks and in a service that was far from 
 being a pleasant one. There was danger, privation and 
 hard labor to perform, but the men suffered all their 
 trials as real soldiers and the people of Central Ohio 
 Avere justly proud of them. 
 
 While the services of the regiment in the Wheel- 
 ing Creek campaigTi were still fresh in the minds of 
 the people, a most distressing occurrence became part 
 of the history of Fayette county. A negTO named 
 Dolby had committed a criminal assault near Wash- 
 ington Court House, and as all indications seemed to 
 point clearly to the man's guilt, public sentiment be- 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 63 
 
 came uncontrollable. The negro had been duly ar- 
 rested and was confined in the county jail, but as the 
 records of Fayette county were without the stain of 
 such crimes, the people declared that no one should 
 break the record and live. Crowds gathered to discuss 
 the situation and as the law did not provide for the ex- 
 ecution by capital punishment of these crimes, many 
 of the enraged citizens concluded that the best plan 
 would be to adopt lynch law in the case. 
 
 They were soon joined in this opinion by others 
 and before even they themselves were aware of the 
 fact, a dangerous crowd had collected. As life and 
 ])roperty seemed to be in danger the sherift" called in- 
 to service E Company of the Fourteenth Regiment,, 
 f-tationed at Washington Court House, but they <b'u 
 not present force enough to cope with the crowd, so 
 the governor was called upon for more troops. Com- 
 panies A and B, of the Fourteenth, under Colonel 
 Coit, were at once ordered to the scene of the trouble. 
 They left on the afternoon of the 17th of Octo- 
 ber and arrived in Washington Court House a few 
 hours later. The official report has the following to 
 say of the affair : 
 
 "During the day of the seventeenth but little 
 trouble occurred except at the time the prisoner was 
 taken from the court house to the jail for trial. As 
 the sheriff, with his prisoner, left the jail, the crowd 
 assembled, made a rush and but for the cool, solid and 
 effective work of the military, would have secured the 
 prisoner and accomplished their purpose. Ofiicers and 
 men in this afternoon engagement proved them'^elves 
 
64 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 good soldiers and, without exercising severe punish- 
 ment upon those unlawfully assembled, prevented the 
 mob from carrying out their intentions. The prisoner, 
 having been arraigned before a grand jury especially 
 convened, pleaded guilty to the charge and was at once 
 sentenced to the penitentiary for the maximum term 
 of years provided by law. 
 
 "The crowd had constantly been increasing dur- 
 ing the day and, in consequence of the fierce struggle 
 that had occurred in the afternoon, the sheriff was of 
 the opinion that it would not be safe to take the pris- 
 oner from the court house with the number of troops 
 on duty. He therefore asked that more troops be sent 
 so that the prisoner might be moved with safety to the 
 train and transported to Columbus. While awaiting 
 re-enforcements, Colonel Coit had the court house 
 cleared of citizens and he, together with Major Speaks 
 and the sheriff, begged and urged the crowd to dis- 
 perse and leave the court house grounds. These ap- 
 peals were frequently made to the crowds outside and 
 each time they were met by jeers and taunts. Dark- 
 ness coming on. Colonel Coit concluded to withdraw 
 all guards from outside the building and station them 
 within. He barricaded the doors and then warned the 
 besiegers to not molest or attempt to break them down, 
 clearly advising them that if such an attempt were 
 made, the troops would fire. 
 
 "The colonel then went into the building and, 
 after having guards placed at each entrance, gave or- 
 ders that if the doors were broken in by the mob, to 
 fire. Unlawful demonstrations were still kept up, and 
 
s 
 
 iiir'! 
 
 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 65 
 
 at about 7:15 o'clock of the evening of the seventeenth 
 of October, with a battering ram of large dimensions, 
 the south doors of the building were burst in and the 
 detail stationed at this point fired a vollej into the 
 mob, which proved quite destructive, killing outright 
 two persons and maiming and wounding some twelve 
 or fourteen others. Reinforcements had been ordered 
 to report to the sheriff. 
 
 "These commands were readily assembled and 
 reached Washington C. H. in the early morning of the 
 eighteenth. Forming the entire force, the prisoner was 
 taken from the court house and escorted to the depot, 
 where the troops under command of Colonel Coit em- 
 barked, the sheriff having in charge his prisoner, and 
 all proceeded to Columbus, where they arrived at 
 about seven o'clock on the morning of the eighteenth. 
 After seeino" the prisoner safely landed in the peni- 
 tentiary, the troops marched to the armory and were 
 dismissed. Colonel Hunt, commanding the forces left 
 at Washington C. II., remained until about 11 o'clock 
 a. m. of the eighteenth, when they were dismissed by 
 the sheriff and returned to their respective homes. 
 The conduct of the troops throughout was commen- 
 dable, and press and public, not only of the state, but of 
 the entire countrs'-, sustained their action and in the 
 strongest terms have spoken praise of Ohio's citizen 
 soldiery." 
 
 Although the troops had done their duty, it was 
 a sad ''ight to the citizens of Washington Court House 
 to see their neighbors thus shot down and they felt 
 verv much srrieved in the matter. Colonel Coit was 
 
66 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 blamed for the deaths, having given the order to fire,, 
 and the sympathizers with the intended lynchers were 
 very angry. To even up matters, the colonel was 
 charged mth murder and indicted by a gi-and jury. 
 When the time set for his trial arrived, he secured a 
 change of venue and the case was taken into the courts 
 of Pickaway county. The trial lasted several weeks 
 and cost both the county and the colonel considerable 
 money, but it finally ended with a verdict of acquittal. 
 
 Thus ended the history of the regiment as a Na- 
 tional Guard organization so far as active service is 
 concerned. The annual encampment in 1895 was at 
 Chattanooga, near where, three years later, the men 
 received their first experience as United States volun- 
 teers. The next year, 1896, the encampment was at 
 Cleveland, and in 1897 the boys were given au excur- 
 sion to ISTashville, where the last annual encampment 
 was made before the war. 
 
 The year of 1898 brought with it experiences 
 with which very few of the members of the Fourteenth 
 were familiar. Some of the older members remember- 
 ed the trying times of the great Civil War and to the 
 younger members this year brought with ii all the 
 trials and hardships of actual warfare as will be seen 
 in the following pages. 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. O. 67 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 WAR WITH SPAIN. 
 
 Period of Peace^ — Condition of Army and Navy — American 
 Peace Policy— Relations Between England and Spain — 
 Cessions of land from Spain to United States— Cuban 
 Insurrection — The "Ten Years' War" — Second Rebel- 
 lion—Daily Press Reports — Cuban and Spanish Lead- 
 ers — Weyler's "Reconcentrado" Plan — General Lee's 
 Report— The De Lome Affair — Destruction of the 
 Maine — The Countrj' Aroused — Cry for War^Prepara- 
 tions for War — President's Proclamation — Declaration 
 of War — Dewey's Victory— Ohio's Volunteers — Militia 
 Assembled — The Fourteenth at the Auditorium— Camp 
 Bushnell. 
 
 A period covering more than tliiri;y years of 
 absolute peace within her own borders and with all 
 the world found the United States at the beginning of 
 the year 1898 about as unprepared for war as she had 
 been at any time in her history. During that period 
 she had courted peace with all nations and it seemed 
 that no one had so much as dreamed that anything 
 but the same blissful happiness enjoyed so long and so 
 well should ever be disturbed by the howling of the 
 storm of war. The army had been allowed to dwindle 
 down to a minimum strength, the navy had been neg- 
 lected, at least when compared to that of European 
 powers, the military forces of the various states had re- 
 ceived but half the encoura element they should have 
 received and the idea of a naval reserve had just be- 
 gun to be considered. 
 
68 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 In its general foreign policy, peace and good will 
 was tlie first relation to be desired by our government 
 under all administrations with all the nations of the 
 earth. War had never come by solicitation, and hav- 
 ing in all conquests been eminently successful, there 
 seemed to be no need for any special provision for de- 
 fense and the idea of conquest had never ben consid- 
 ered. It seems that with Spain, however, the United 
 States inherited war from the mother country. For 
 centuries the navy, the soldiery and the citizens of the 
 kingdoms of Great Britain and of Spain had tormented 
 and insulted each other with a vie^v of hastening war, 
 and it seems that when the American colonies threw 
 off the yoke of government by the crown, Spain, while 
 inwardly rejoicing at the trouble England was ha\dng 
 on her hands, was too jealous of her own Western 
 po^ibilities to lend a helping- hand to the struggling 
 colonists. She hated England and everything that 
 was English, and merely looked upon the contest be- 
 tween oppressor and oppressed with an inward satis- 
 faction she dared not express. 
 
 The first treaty ever entered into between the 
 United States and Spain was ratified during the first 
 administration of American government in 1795, at 
 the time Thomas Jefferson was secretary of state. It 
 will be remembered that at that time the Spanish 
 government had important colonial possessions in the 
 southern part of what is now the United States, and 
 as trouble between these colonies and the United 
 States seemed to be never ceasing, it was deemed best 
 to secure as much of these possessions as possible. Ac- 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. -V. G. 69 
 
 cordingiy, Spain ceded the territory of Florida to this 
 country. This had a tendency to ease the relations 
 between the two countries and everything passed oif 
 quietly until 1848, when an invasion of Cuba and 
 Porto Rico was contemplated by Mexico and Colom- 
 bia. As intervention on behalf of these islands at 
 that time would have been a bloAv to slavery as it 
 then existed in the United States, nothing was done by 
 the American government. Prominent statesmen 
 and the country in general, however, constantly cast 
 wistful glances toward the wealthy island of Cuba, 
 and a few years later an attempt was made to secure 
 possession of Cuba by purchase and even the snug 
 sum of $100,000,000 was offered the Spanish gov- 
 ernment for her equity in Cuba, but every effort at 
 purchase proved futile. This attempt at purchase was 
 made in good faith by both parties and was carried on 
 very peaceably, but there was a party in the United 
 States which was rather unwisely anxious to see Cuba 
 pass into the hands of the United States and an effort 
 was made to secure the island by force. 
 
 Accordingly the filibustering expedition of 1851 
 was organized and started to Cuba under the com- 
 mand of Lopez, but the result was rather disastrous 
 and many brave American boys lost their lives. The 
 United States of course disavowed this action on the 
 part of some of her citizens, and then it became the 
 Spaniards' turn to offend. This she did in 1854 when 
 the "Black Warrior," an American vessel, was seized 
 in the harbor of Havana, and war was again threat- 
 ened. The slavery question again had a tendency to 
 
70 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 repress any undue enthusiasm, and the matter was 
 peaceably adjusted. 
 
 Another period of good feeling between the two 
 countries then began and existed for nearly twentv 
 years to be again broken by Spain during the much- 
 talked of "Ten Years' War," when Cuba had made an 
 effort to throw off the yoke of Spanish oppression and 
 for ten long years struggled for her liberty. It was 
 duiing the fifth year of this war that Spanish vessels 
 captured the American "Virginius" and towed her to 
 Santiago, where nearly a score of the men and officers 
 of the American ship were rather irregularly executed. 
 Trouble again seemed imminent, but it developed that 
 the register of the "Virginius" was a "fake" and settle- 
 ment was arranged by the Spanish government agree- 
 ing to pay an indemnity to the relatives of those sea- 
 men whose lives had been taken. The Cubans in this 
 war, which lasted from 1868 to 1878, had many sym- 
 pathizers in this country, but public opinion at no 
 time seemed to reach alarming proportions. 
 
 This had been an expensive war, and when the 
 island had been completely subdued, as the Spaniards 
 thought, it was decided that the Cubans themselves 
 should pay the whole expense of the war. Unreason- 
 able as this was, Cuba was helpless; but the increased 
 burden was a breath in the smoldering ruins of Cuban 
 patriotism, and in 1895 another insurrection was be- 
 gun. The "Ten Years' War" had not been barren 
 of results even if the Cubans had been defeated. They 
 had learned much of the art. of war, and during the 
 interval preceding the insurrection of 1895 an or- 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. Q. 71 
 
 ganizatioii almost perfect was effected. Local leaders 
 acted quietly but etit'ectively, and the Junta took the 
 responsibilitj of perfecting all plans. 
 
 The result of combined efforts was that at the 
 beginning of the insurrection in 1895, General An- 
 tonio Maoeo was ready to take the lead and a vigorous 
 campaign was at once begun. Captain General 
 Campos placed himself at the head of a strong Spanish 
 force, but they were no better organized and little bet- 
 ter handled than the insurgents, and as all military 
 operation was that of guerilla warfare. General 
 Campos and the king's troops did very little indeed 
 towai'd squelching the rebellion. 
 
 The financial condition of Spain was by no means 
 encouraging, but being naturally one of the proudest 
 nations of the globe, she put forth every effort to put 
 an end to the insurrection in her western colony. The 
 Cubans were practically without funds and without a 
 government which any government, though willing, 
 could recog-nize. The dusky patriots made every pos- 
 sible sacrifice for the common cause, and with what as- 
 sistance they could receive from private individuals 
 in the United States and other countries, they man- 
 aged to carry on a warfare which was anxiously 
 watched by all the civilized world. The daily press 
 in Europe and America made dilligent records of 
 every step made by either side, and millions of inter- 
 ested readers watched for the accounts of the brilliant 
 dashes and patient marches made by the Cuban leader 
 and his scattered bands. 
 
 The Spanish leaders made every effort within 
 their power to tone down these accounts and to send 
 
Tl THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G. 
 
 out conflicting reports to the press of their own coun- 
 try. This effort was made for the two-fold purpose 
 of arresting sympathy for the Cubans in the United 
 States and Europe and to deceive the taxpaying public 
 of their own country as to the exact condition of af- 
 fairs in the incorrigible colony. Reports were sent 
 out one day that the gallant Maceo had been killed 
 and the next day the report was denied. This was 
 kept up until the reading public was in great fear for 
 the safety of the general, but to their great regret it 
 was finally definitely learned that the brave leader 
 had been killed in December of 1896. It has since 
 been definitely learned also that he was shot 
 and that he died as a soldier, but some reports 
 at the time said that he had been stabbed by 
 members of his own command. He was succeeded 
 soon afterward by General Gomez and the war con- 
 tinued. While the loss of Maceo was a severe blow to 
 the Cubans, they were none the less discouraged and 
 persisted in their resistance to the rale of the Cas- 
 tilian crown. 
 
 The government at Madrid finding that Campos 
 was making little if any headway in crushing the 
 Cubans, sent General Weyler to relieve him. The 
 Cubans, who had heard of General Weyler, shuddered 
 at the thought of having to oppose him, but they soon 
 had better reason to shudder at the mere mention of 
 his name. So cruel and so unmilitary were the o]:)era- 
 tions of the Spanish army that its leader became gen- 
 erally known as "Butcher" Weyler. The method of 
 warfare was absolutely criminal and the "execution" 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 73 
 
 of his army nothing short of murder. At least, it is 
 hardly considered by civilized nations within the rights 
 of an army to slay helpless women and innocent chil- 
 dren and to commit the outrages that reflect even on 
 the character of the men composing a nation's soldiery, 
 yet these methods were constantly pursued by Weyler 
 and these crimes were committed in the name of the 
 Spanish government. 
 
 Finding that he was accomplishing nothing, but 
 on the contrary that he was constantly loosing 
 ground, General Weyler decided to resort to ^'ex- 
 treme" measures. His own troops were poorly fed 
 and while those in the Cuban ai-my could not possibly 
 leave the camp for the field, he knew that the peasantry 
 must be fm-nishing them with subsistence. He also 
 learned that his own soldiers were giving in exchange 
 for sweet potatoes and cured meats, cartridges and 
 other military supplies which were carried directly to 
 the insurgent army. Realizing that he could do noth- 
 ing under these circumstances he decided that instead 
 of feeding his own men and maintaining discipline in 
 his own ranks that he would further punish the rebels. 
 He therefore published in October, 1896, his famous 
 ''bando," an order by which all the peasantry of the 
 island was gathered into the large cities and placed 
 under guard as "reconcentrados," to prevent them 
 from operating the plantations. This, as a matter of 
 course, created an indescribable suffering, but in his 
 obstinacy and cruelty he imagined that he had struck 
 a serious blow at the rebellion. In fact he had only 
 aucmented the hatred of the Cubans for Spain and had 
 
74 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 enlivened the sympathy that had already existed for 
 the struggling patriots. 
 
 After a vigorous campaign in which absolutely 
 nothing had been accomplished by Spanish arms, 
 Weyler was recalled to be succeeded by General 
 Blanco, Avho proceeded much after the fashion of his 
 cruel and unsuccessful predecessor. 
 
 Blanco was instructed by his government, after 
 they saw that it was impossible to defeat them by force 
 of arms, to offer the Cubans a government of Au- 
 tonomy. But having suffered too much already from 
 Spanish deceit, the proposed compromise was scorn- 
 fully rejected and the Spanish officer who conveyed 
 the offer of General Blanco was killed. 
 
 While all these things were going on in Cuba the 
 people of the United States were doing all they could 
 consistently to aid the insurgents. Funds were se- 
 cretly subscribed and sent over in many mysterious 
 ways, and so intense and so general was the feeling in 
 America that even the governors of states were known 
 to subscribe large funds to be sent to Cuba in such 
 ways that the act would not become generally known. 
 The Junta also did good work, organizing societies 
 all over the country and agitating a spirit of interven- 
 tion on the part of the United States by recognizing 
 Ouba as a republic of itself. Enthusiasm ran high, 
 and when it was finally arranged by a sort of tacit 
 agreement that the people of the United States could, 
 through their consuls in Cuba, send provisions and 
 money, the laborer and the capitalist united their 
 offerings and liberal donations were sent not only to 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. O. 75 
 
 the ''reconcentrados," but as well to those who were 
 known to be fighting in the Cuban army. Later on 
 United States vessels openly carried these supplies 
 and United States consuls aided in their distribution. 
 These acts of sympathy as a matter of course 
 created no little indignation in Spain and in Spanish 
 countries. England looked on the struggle in Cuba 
 much as did the United States, but as her interests 
 were not at stake nearly so much as our own, very little 
 if anything was done in that country to aid the Cubans 
 except to show in a quiet way that her sympathies were 
 with them. This may be accounted for in the fact 
 mentioned before that the interests of Spain and 
 of England have been for centuries arrayed against 
 each other. England was in this case ''getting even" 
 for the attitude of Spain at the time her own western 
 colonies were in open and armed rebellion. It might 
 be stated in this connection that in the contest between 
 Spain and the United States, England, although she 
 announced and maintained a neutrality in the real 
 sense of the word, showed in many ways a remarkable 
 friendliness for the United States. It was a strange 
 coincidence that nearly every report, and many there 
 were, that touched on the likelihood of a European 
 power entering into an alliance with Spain, was sup- 
 plemented by another to the effect that Great Britain 
 had made overtures or was considering a plan to enter 
 into an alliance with the United States. Indeed it is 
 still thought by many that the attitude of Great 
 Britain had a great deal to do with the carrying on of 
 
76 THE FOVRTEEXTE, 0. N. G. 
 
 the war, as the other European powers were supposed 
 to be afraid of the strong alliance this would have 
 made. 
 
 In January, 1898, the American consul at Ha- 
 vana, General Fitzhugh Lee, of Virginia, reported 
 that the situation was becoming serious. There were 
 riots in the Cuban capital and xVmerican life and prop- 
 erty had become endangered. A delegation directly 
 representing the American government had visited 
 the seat of war and had reported that the pictures of 
 cruelty and the consequent suffering reported in the 
 daily papers had not by any means been exaggerated. 
 Indeed they said the condition of affairs on the island 
 was absolutely beyond description. Something had 
 to be done in the name of humanity, and it was plain 
 that public sentiment could not be restrained much 
 longer. War with Spain was talked of on every hand 
 and each dav it became more evident that wai was 
 inevitable. 
 
 When the seriousness of affairs was assured by the 
 report of General Lee, the government authorities 
 acted promptly and the North Atlantic squadron was 
 ordered together at Dry Tortugas, a distance of six 
 hours' sail to Havana. Had the life or property of 
 American citizens been jeopardized at any time, Uncle 
 Sam's war dogs could have furnished protection in 
 very short order. 
 
 On January 25 the "Maine," in command of 
 Captain Sigsbee, entered the harbor of Havana. Her 
 arrival had been announced and she was assigned by 
 the Spanish port officials to position. The officers of 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. A'. 0. 77 
 
 the "^laiue" were given a reception on shore and every 
 one seemed to be pleased that the vessel had come. 
 It should he stated here also that the presence of the 
 "Maine" had nothing whatever to do mth the situa- 
 tion as to peace or war, as the visit was a friendly one 
 and was so regarded by the Spanish officials both at 
 Havana and at Madrid. 
 
 Senor De Lome, the representative of the Spanish 
 government at Washington, about this time committed 
 a grave offense by rather vigorously criticising the 
 people of the United States in general and the presi- 
 dent in particular for the attitude taken toward his 
 government and her interests in a letter which was 
 afterwards published. As soon as the contents be- 
 came known, Minister De Lome was told in so many 
 words that he would have to "git" and he "got." The 
 letter was published on February 9 and in a few days 
 afterward Spanish affairs were in the hands of a 
 "charge d'affaires," and remained so until March 12, 
 when Senor Polo y Baniabe arrived to succeed De 
 Lome, 
 
 On the morning of February 15 the daily press 
 came out with the most startling bit of information 
 that had been published at any time since the great 
 Civil AVar had closed. The "Maine," one of the most 
 valuable vessels in the United States navy, had been 
 blown to atoms the night before while lying at anchor 
 in the position to which she had been assigned by 
 Spanish port officials at Havana a few weeks before. 
 Not only was the great vessel totally destroyed, but 
 two hundred and fiftv-one American seamen lost their 
 
78 THE FOURTEENTH, O. N. G. 
 
 lives and ninety-nine otliers were injured. The whole 
 country was now thoroughly aroused, and it was no 
 longer a question of ''war or no war," but "when will 
 it come?" Considering the feeling the people of 
 the two nations had had for each other no one doubted 
 but that the explosion was a result of Spanish treach- 
 ery and the Spanish were accused on every hand of 
 having purposely piloted the "Maine" to a position 
 over a submarine mine. On the I7th a commission of 
 four prominent naval officers were appointed by the 
 president to investigate the explosion and the causes, 
 and they at once took up the work. On the following 
 day the "Viscaya," a formidable Spanish war vessel, 
 made her appearance, also on a friendly visit, in the 
 harbor of New York. 
 
 It was feared by many that some over indignant 
 American would seek revenge for the loss of the 
 "Maine" and commit some rash act, but the "Viscaya" 
 was not molested in any way during her stay in 
 American waters. On the day following the arrival 
 of the "Viscaya" the Spanish government asked that 
 the investigation of the "Maine" affair be carried on 
 by a commission made up of representatiA^es of both 
 governments, but the proposition was not favorably 
 considered. 
 
 Wbile the investigation was being carried on 
 there was a general clamor for war among the masses. 
 Cooler heads advised more deliberation and the presi- 
 dent asked that public opinion be suspended until the 
 report of the examining board should be filed. It now 
 became an absolute certainty that if the examiners 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 79 
 
 found that the explosion of the ''Maine" had been 
 clearly an act of Spanish treachery, war could not 
 possibly be averted. Preparations for the inevitable 
 were instituted and the homes of the army and navy 
 departments changed from the usual scene of quiet and 
 serenity they had presented for the last thirty years 
 to scenes of busy activity. 
 
 While the country was awaiting with almost 
 breathless suspense the action and report of the board 
 of naval examiners, congress, on March 8, appropriated 
 $50,000,000 to be used for purposes of defense, and 
 of course, if necessary, for carrying on the war which 
 was rapidly forcing itself. On the next day this ac- 
 tion Avas concurred in by the senate and preparations 
 were more vigorously pursued. On March 21 the 
 naval examiners finished their labors and completed 
 their report, w^hicli was first reviewed by the presi- 
 dent and his cabinet, and on March 28 presented to 
 congress. On April 1st congress passed the Naval 
 Appropriations bill and the condition of the country 
 soon presented a more war-like aspect. On the 20th 
 ■of the same month an ultimatum was cabled to Spain, 
 announcing that the patience of the United States had 
 been too severely tested and that Spain would have to 
 relinquish her claims on Cuba or fight. Three days 
 were given the Spanish for a reply and it was under- 
 stood that if at noon on the 23rd Spain continued to 
 push her campaign in Cuba, war would be formally 
 declared. When the ultimatum reached Spain the 
 X^nited States minister to that country, General 
 Woodford, was informed by Spain that diplomatic 
 
80 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 relations with the United States had ceased and he 
 was given his pass ports. General Woodford left his 
 papers and business with the British minister and left 
 for France at once. 
 
 On April 23 the president issued the following 
 appeal for volunteers : 
 
 A PROCLAMATION. 
 
 "Whereas, By a joint resolution of congress, ap- 
 proved on the 20th day of April, 1898, entitled, 'Joint 
 Eesolution for the Independence of the People of 
 Cuba,' demanding that the government of Spain re- 
 linquish its authority and government in the island of 
 Cuba, and withdraw its land and naval forces from 
 Cuba and Cuban waters, and directing the president of 
 the United States to use the land and naval forces of the 
 United States to carry this resolution into effect ; and 
 
 "Whereas, By an act of congress entitled ^\n Act 
 to Provide for Temporarily Increasing the Military 
 Establishment of the United States in Time of War 
 and for Other Purposes,' approved April 22, 1898, 
 the president is authorized, in order to raise a volun- 
 teer army, to issue this proclamation calling for volun- 
 teers to serve in the army of the United States: 
 
 "N'ow therefore I, William McKinley, president 
 of tha United States, by virtue of power -vested in me 
 by the Constitution and the laws and deeming suf- 
 ficient occasion to exist, have thought fit to call forth 
 volunteers to the aggregate number of 125,000 in 
 order to carry into effect the purpose of the said resolu- 
 tion; the same to be apportioned as far as practicable, 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. O. 81 
 
 among the several states and territories and the District 
 of Columbia, according to population, and to serve for 
 two years unless sooner discharged. The details for 
 this object vnll be immediately communicated to the 
 proper authorities through the War Department. 
 
 "In vTitness whereof, I have hereunto set my 
 hand and caused the seal of the United States to be 
 affixed. 
 
 "Done at the City of Washington this twenty- 
 third day of April, A. D. 1898, and of the inde- 
 pendence of the United States, the one hundred and 
 
 twenty-second. 
 
 "WILLIAM M'KLNLEY. 
 
 "By the President: 
 
 "JOHN SHERMAN, 
 
 "Secretary of State." 
 
 On the same day there was presented to congress 
 a measure for the purpose of raising funds for carry- 
 ing on the war. On the next day, April 25, the presi- 
 dent sent a message to congress asking that a declara- 
 tion of war be made against the kingdom of Spain. 
 Congress promptly took the action recommended and 
 proclaimed "that war be and the same is hereby de- 
 clared to exist, and that war has existed since the 21st 
 day of April, 1898, including said day, between the 
 United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain." 
 
 Now that war existed and was an established fact, 
 the people began to prepare themselves for the worst. 
 The armies and navies of both nations were ready 
 and waiting for the word to begin the sti-nggle and only 
 two days after the proclamation had been made th<^ 
 
82 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 first action of the war occurred, on April 2Y, when 
 several American gun boats fired on and silenced the 
 forts at Matanzas in Cuba. On the same after- 
 noon Commodore Dewey sailed from Mirs Bay to 
 Manila. He was not heard of from that on until 
 May 1st, when he had entered the bay of Manila, de- 
 stroyed eleven Spanish vessels, killed 700 men, in- 
 cluding two commanders, and virtually "captured an 
 empire," all without the loss of a man or ship and 
 sustaining an injury of but six men wounded. 
 
 The news of the great victory was flashed across 
 the globe and the whole world began to sound the 
 praises of American seamen. They had already 
 showed that the foe before them was less than a 
 handful. 
 
 As soon as the proclamation calling for volun- 
 teers was issued, the various states began to figure on 
 the apportionment they would receive, each state 
 anxious to furnish as many men and as much money 
 as would be needed. 
 
 Ohio came to the front in her effort to furnish 
 soldiers and money in the same energetic manner 
 which had characterized her history in all of the previ- 
 ous wars. The general assembly was in session at the 
 time and authority was at once issued for the sale of a 
 million dollars worth of bonds to be used for war 
 purposes. The quota of troops apportioned to Ohio 
 was 7752 on the first call and 3917 on the second, but 
 this did not permit the enlistment of all the regiments, 
 so the authorities at the national capital were induced 
 to increase the apportionment to about 1500 more. 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. O. 83 
 
 This included one regiment of cavalry, one of artillery 
 and eight regiments and one battalion (colored) of 
 infantry. 
 
 Each regiment was anxious to get to the front 
 first. They were also very anxious to preserve their 
 National Guard organizations in the volunteer service. 
 Their experiences in other services had learned them 
 that their officers were able to take full control, and 
 if they were to engage in any active services, as all 
 firmly believed they would be, they wanted to be led 
 to victory by the same officers who had commanded 
 them in their previous drills and tours of duty. 
 
 The officers of the regiment met at the Columbus 
 Auditorium and for a time it looked as though the 
 regiment would have to go intact or stay at home, but 
 it was finally agTeed that they ofl'er their services to be 
 accepted in just such shape as the government saw fit 
 to use them. The War Department agreed to take 
 the regiments as they were then organized, and accord- 
 ingly the companies began to get ready for the call. 
 
 The regiment was not quite full, but recruits were 
 soon enlisted, one whole company (F) having been 
 enlisted and organized in a few days by Captain 
 Harry M. Taylor, who afterwards became one of thej 
 assistant surgeons of the regiment. The companies 
 of the regiment were stationed as follows: A, B, C 
 and F at Columbus; D at Marysville; E at Washington 
 Court House; G at Marion; H at Portsmouth; I at 
 Lancaster; K at Delaware; L at Mt. Vernon; M at 
 Circleville. These companies were ordered to assem- 
 ble at the Armory at Columbus, which they did as 
 soon as practicable. 
 
84 THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 
 
 The Columbus companies assembled on Monday, 
 April 24, and the next day the other companies came 
 under ai-ms and ready to go to any part of the world 
 if necessary. The Auditorium at Columbus was a 
 splendid place for the accommodation of so many sol- 
 diers. There was plenty of floor space for the men to 
 sleep and apartments for the storing and distribution 
 of subsistence. Goodale park, with its grass plots and 
 shade trees was an excellent parade ground, and as soon 
 as the companies arrived all the routine of camp life 
 was adopted. Dress parade was the order of each 
 evening in the park, and throughout all the day the 
 recruits were drilled either on the floor of the xiu- 
 ditoriimi or in the streets and the park. 
 
 This part of the city soon became a popular re- 
 sort for all Columbus. Crowds flocked in to see the 
 boys and when the time for dress parade came, the 
 park was filled with visitors. 
 
 At the same time the Fourteenth was ordered to 
 assemble, the other regiments of the state received 
 similar orders. It was evident, of course, that the 
 state troops would have to be together, so the entire 
 guard was ordered to mobilize at Columbus. Other 
 cities came forward with claims for the honor and to 
 offer inducements for the state authorities to acknowl- 
 edge their claims, but this was no time to distribute 
 honors, and the capital being the most centrally lo- 
 cated of all the Ohio cities, was at once selected. 
 
 There was not room anywhere in the city to 
 quarter all the troops in houses, so it became necessary 
 to select a place for an encampment. After con- 
 siderable looking around, Bullit park was chosen. 
 
THE FOURTEENTH, 0. N. G. 85 
 
 This park was an ideal place for such use, cover- 
 ing as it did several hundred acres, and situated near 
 Alumn creek, which, it was supposed, would furnish 
 an abunant supply of water for cooking and bathing. 
 This proved not to be the case, however, but water 
 was soon piped from the city water mains to the camp 
 and there was at no time any danger of a water famine. 
 
 The signal corps of the Fourteenth Regiment was 
 sent out to the grounds and the park was divided into 
 regimental camps. Each regiment was allotted a cer- 
 tain space, with arrangements for regimental and 
 company streets, and the location of the various head- 
 quarters was also marked. The whole was named 
 "Camp Bushnell," in honor of Hon. Asa S. Bushnell, 
 then governor of the state. 
 
 Although this work was carried on as rapidly as 
 possible, it could not be finished for the accommoda- 
 tion of the troops before the 28th. In the meantime 
 the soldiers at the Auditorium were becoming tired. 
 The floor was dry, but it was a hard place for a bed; 
 the town was very convenient, but there were guards 
 to prevent them from enjoying any of the advantages 
 it offered ; the park was a pleasant place, but they were 
 not permitted to lie in the shade of the stately trees 
 or to pluck the buds from the fragrant plants. It was 
 a constant drill from morning to night and the men 
 could hardly wait for the time to leave the place. 
 How glad they were to return to the Auditorium and 
 how different were the circumstances surrounding 
 their return will be seen later on. 
 
86 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 CHAPTEK VI. 
 
 THE FOURTEENTH-FOURTH. 
 
 The March to Camp Bushnell— Camp Life — Changes in 
 Company Organization— Drills and Paradesr— Growth of 
 the Camp— Change of Name— Signal Corps Dropped— 
 The Regimental Band— Bad Weathers-Rumors — Order 
 to Leave— Parting Scenes— Camp Bushnell Left Be- 
 hind—The March to the Depot— Scenes Along the 
 March— At the Depot— Columbus Left Behind— Arrival 
 at Chattanooga. 
 
 The 28tli of April was hailed with delight by 
 every man in the regiment. life in the Auditorium, 
 while it was by no means an uncomfortable place to 
 rive, was not that of the typical soldier. The boys 
 wanted to be out of doors. They wanted to live in 
 tents, to sleep on the ground, and in fact to do and live 
 as soldiers. They did not want to play soldier in any 
 sense of the word, but it was the height of their am- 
 bition to be soldiers, and if a veritable Valley Forge 
 were necessary to the change they were perfectly 
 willing to receive it. Anything bearing real sem- 
 blance to active military existence was preferred to 
 sleeping on the floor of the Auditorium or turning 
 out for dress parade in the adjoining park. 
 
 Finally when all the preliminaries had been ar- 
 ranged "assembly" was sounded and thecompauies were 
 formed in the spacious hall. As soon as all was ready, 
 they were each marched to Park street and the regi- 
 ment was formed for the march to camp. There was 
 
THE FOURTH 0. 7. /. 87 
 
 no escort and no attempt at parade had been made 
 either by those in the regiment or by the citizens of 
 Columbus. Even the daily papers, crowded as they 
 were with telegraph news from Washing-ton and the 
 seat of the war, said little of the trip to Bullit park, 
 but the streets were lined with enthusiastic citizens 
 who crowded out to see the boys "go to war" and to 
 cheer them on the way. 
 
 The old regimental band started the boys off to 
 the tune of "Marching Through Georgia," and the line 
 of march was the nearest route to the new camp: 
 From Park street south to Goodale, east to High street, 
 south to Broad street and east to the camp on the north 
 side of the street and perhaps a half mile away 
 from it. 
 
 The position assigned to the regiment was at the 
 extreme southwestern comer of the entire camp. 
 When the Fourteenth reached the ground assigned to 
 it, however, there was no camp there. None of the 
 state troops had yet reported and no tents had yet been 
 pitched on the park. The day was warm and under 
 the rays of the bright spring sun, the "soldierines" aa 
 they sometimes called themselves, began to realize 
 that the life of the soldier is attended with some labor. 
 They had been cheered to the echo all along the line 
 of march, but that did not keep the sun from burning 
 their soft white faces nor did it fan their sweated brows, 
 but without dinner and without sympathy they car- 
 ried tents and tent floors with all the might and main 
 of veterans and by the middle of the afternoon, what 
 had that morning been a vacant field gave all the ap- 
 
88 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 pearance of a military camp. Supper was soon pre- 
 pared and before night comfortable quarters bad lieen 
 made up for everybody in the regiment. 
 
 The exertion of the day and the exhilarating effect 
 of the vernal evening had a tendency to induce sleep, 
 so all retired early. Not without first liberally patron- 
 izing the sutler who had laid in a large supply of fresh 
 pies and cakes and placed them on sale in a tent on the 
 lot adjoining the camp. The first night at Camp 
 Bushnell was more fully and more universally enjoyed 
 perhaps than any other night in the six months in 
 which the regiment was in the field. 
 
 The Fourteenth was not long to be the only regi- 
 ment at the camp. Soon the regiments from different 
 parts of the state began to come in and within a few 
 days two brigades had been fully organized with Major 
 General Axline in command. He established his 
 headquarters on East Broad street at a central location 
 as to the general camp. Two brigades had been or- 
 ganized, the first under Colonel Hunt, of the First 
 Eegiment, and the second under command of Colonel 
 Coit, of the Fourteenth. Colonel Coit's regiment was 
 commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Adams, who had 
 already established the reputation of being one of the 
 best disciplinarians in the state. 
 
 Colonel Adams began at once to exert his in- 
 fluence over the regiment and the work of drilling 
 was begim where it had been left off at Goodale park, 
 but it was begun in far more earnest. Twice each 
 day the companies were taken to a field at the north 
 side of the camp and there put through the school of 
 
TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 89 
 
 the soldier, of the squad, the company and the bat- 
 talion. As soon as the recruits had learned the "right 
 shoulder" and "fours right," "extended order" drills 
 were begun and many was the charge that was made 
 against an imaginary foe on the banks of now historic 
 Alum Creek. Parade at retreat soon made the camp 
 a popular resort not only to those who had friends or 
 relatives at the camp, but to all Columbus. On the 
 first Sunday the camp was in existence the railroads 
 arranged for excursions to Columbus and all day the 
 street railway leading to the camp, all the hacks, om- 
 nibuses and even transfer wagons were busy carrying 
 visitors to and from the camp. The newspapers took 
 a great interest in the boys and established branch of- 
 fices near General Axline's headquarters. This in- 
 terest kept up as long as there were any troops at the 
 park. 
 
 While the drills were going on, and while the 
 men improved in their knowledge of military tactics, 
 other changes were being made. Sergeants and cor- 
 porals had dropped out for various reasons, others 
 proved incompetent in the field and were reduced so 
 that every private in the regiment who had any am- 
 bition to become great, aspired to the chevrons. Many 
 a disappointment was suffered during those hours and 
 many a good "non-com" received his chevrons. 
 
 This state of affairs existed for twelve days. 
 During that time, however, the boys had been given 
 an idea of every imaginable kind of weather known to 
 a continental climate from summer to winter, to say 
 nothing of the pouring rains which made the camp a 
 
90 TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 veritable pond and the boys who existed in it water 
 soaked heroes. They had wanted all that goes with 
 the life of a soldier and with a few exceptions they 
 received all they had bargained for. All that was 
 lacking was hardtack and the presence of an armed 
 enemy. 
 
 Within a week after the regiment had taken its 
 position in Camp Bushnell Captain Rockefellar, of 
 the United States army, had arrived to muster the 
 militiamen into the volunteer service of the United 
 States. It was decided that the Fourteenth Regiment 
 should become the ''Fourth" in the federal service, the 
 Sixteenth the "Sixth" and the Seventeenth the 
 "Seventh." The First, Second and Third regiments 
 were mustered and then came the Fourth on May 
 ninth. First Colonel Coit and his staff and noncom- 
 missioned staff took the oath which made them volun- 
 teer soldiers. Then the twelve companies in order of 
 the rank of their captains marched to the headquar- 
 ters of the mustering officer, near general headquar- 
 ters and all those who had successfully borne the phy- 
 sical examination required by the government, were 
 sworn in. 
 
 As has been stated elsewhere, it had been de- 
 cided that the regiment would be received into the 
 service as it had been organized in the National Guard, 
 but trouble arose as to the Hospital and Signal corps. 
 Lieutenant Miller, who had made the Signal corps al- 
 most a perfect organization of its kind, was not mus- 
 tered into the service and the men he had trained so 
 Avell, although they were telegraph operators and civil 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 91 
 
 engineers, had to enlist as privates in the various com- 
 panies or remain out of the service. Most of them 
 chose the former and Lieutenant Miller was afterwards 
 given a commission in the U. S. Volunteer service. 
 The physicians, one major surgeon and two assistant 
 surgeons, Major Seamans, of Delaware, and Captains 
 Wright, of Circleville, and Taylor, of Columbus, 
 were mustered in but no provision was made for the 
 Hospital corps as it had existed in the militia service. 
 The greater number of the members, however, enlisted 
 as members of companies under the promise that they 
 would be detailed to the hospital, but later in the ser- 
 vice they were detached from the regiment and some, 
 of them did not return to the regiment until long after 
 the command had been returned to the United States. 
 Several of them were fortunate in this, however, as 
 they afterwards received the rank of hospital steward 
 and commissary sergeant, something that would hardly 
 hr.ve happened had they been allowed to remain with 
 the regiment, from the fact that no vacancies occurred. 
 3tore will b© said of these thoroughly patriotic and 
 ] atient young men later on. 
 
 In the struggle for recognition as an organization 
 the band came in for its share of trouble also. Many 
 of the men who had been members of the old regi- 
 mental band in the ^N'ational Guard felt unable to leave 
 their families and other interests for the compensation 
 offered by the government to private soldiers and 
 while Bandmaster Jesse Worthington and Principal 
 Musician Charles Eulo had been mustered into the 
 federal service as members of the noncommissioned 
 
92 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 staff, no special provision was made for music except 
 the two trumpeters allowed to each company. Man;); 
 plans were discussed and many were the offers that 
 were made, but the only way to get a band was for the 
 musicians of the old band to enlist as privates and ef- 
 fect the musical organization afterwards. It was 
 agreed that all the other men of the regiment would 
 pay two per cent, of their wages to the band. With 
 the exception of the adjustment of a few complica- 
 tions, this arrangement continued until the regiment 
 was mustered out of the service. 
 
 This state of living in an alternate state of 
 fear and hope lasted for several days when the 
 peace of the boys began to be perturbed by ru- 
 mors of orders to leave. Dewey had given the 
 Dons the first defeat in his memorable accomplish- 
 ment at Manila and everybody was singing the praise 
 of the great naval commander and his brave jacktars. 
 One minute it would be thoroughly understood that 
 the regiment would go at once to Tampa, Florida, and 
 there embark for Cuba and then plans had changed 
 and the Ohio troops would be sent to Washington to 
 protect the capital against a possible attack which the 
 Spaniards were said to be contemplating. The next 
 minute some one would get from a "reliable source" 
 that something else would be done and thus between 
 tormenting the guards on duty around the camp of 
 the Eighth Regiment and hearing of "wars and rumors 
 of wars" — especially the rumors — the men lived in a 
 state of anxiety until Saturday, May 14, when Colonel 
 Ooit received definite orders to report at Camp George 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. 1. 93 
 
 H. Thomas, at C'hickamauga Park, Georgia, about 
 ten miles south of the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 
 The night of the foui'teenth was an unusually 
 bad one. The rains had fallen in toiTents, the com- 
 pany streets were little more than ditches and the 
 tents were little more than pools of water. The tent- 
 age had seen too much service and as they were not in- 
 tended to be used in anything but fair weather, the 
 boys suffered more than a little on account of the leaky 
 canvas- 
 Orders for the night were merely nominal so fax 
 as the passing of men in and out of the guai'd lines was 
 concerned. Passes were granted, especially to the Co- 
 lumbus men and most of them spent their last night 
 in Ohio as they thought, and which indeed was to some 
 of them, with their families at home. Those from the 
 other towns were granted permission to go to their 
 homes in cases where it was possible to return to camp 
 before the time set for moving and those who could 
 not get away were made as comfortable as possible. 
 
 The morning of the fifteenth dawned bright and 
 fair. The sun broke through the thick clouds and 
 scattered them away as though a special effort were 
 being made to cheer the men in the hour of parting 
 with friends and loved ones. The camp of the Fourth 
 was the scene of hurry and bustle everywhere. Friends 
 came out from Columbus and from the other cities to 
 see the boys before they had made all arrangements 
 for packing and to take a final handshake before the 
 regiment was formed. Baskets and boxes filled to 
 their utmost with the good things of life were carried 
 
94 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 in, but in many cases it was disposed of before the 
 tents were torn down. 
 
 Finally the order came to get ready and then 
 there was a flurry. Officers and their assistants, the 
 "non-coms," were busy giving orders and the men 
 were kept on the run obeying them. Details were 
 made for this and for that so that the boys had not a 
 minute which they could safely call their o^vn. The 
 baggage was loaded on wagons and the tents were torn 
 down and in less time than is required to read this 
 meager account, the camp of the Fourth Ohio was 
 known no more to Camp Bushnell. 
 
 As soon as everything could be gotten in shape, 
 "assembly" was sounded and the regiment was formed 
 on the ground where it had been paraded each day 
 when the weather would permit. It was a little muddy, 
 of course, but the sun continued to shine brightly and 
 little inconvenience was suffered by anyone. The 
 Eighth Ohio, which had been part of the second bri- 
 gade under Colonel Coit, acted as escort as far as the 
 limits of the camp and there the regiment was taken 
 charge of by all the military and civic societies of the 
 city of Columbus. 
 
 A mass of people lined the route of march from 
 the camp along Broad and High streets to the depot. 
 Flags and bunting stretched over the streets, banners 
 strung from every house and everything took on a 
 gala appearance in honor of the departure for the 
 front of the "pride of Central Ohio." Bands of music 
 heralded the approach of the Fourth and at every 
 point along the line of march, men women and chil- 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 95 
 
 dren cheered, shouted and wept as they saw the hbjs 
 marching steadily down the street, no one knew to 
 where, how many would return or what trials would 
 be endured before any of the faces passing before them 
 would be seen again. 
 
 It was the greatest day the city of Columbus 
 had ever seen. Whistles all over the city screamed out 
 the news that the regiment was leaving; bells from 
 the churches, shops and engine houses rang out their 
 musical peals of farewell; cannon boomed their sonor- 
 ous but significant salutes, but all this turmoil could 
 not suppress the sobs that persistently rose to the 
 breast of the soldier as he recognized through the 
 mass of humanity the wife, the mother or the sweet- 
 heart he was leaving behind, perhaps forever. Strong 
 men wept as they saw their sons march from their 
 sight, living sacrifices to a noble cause; children cried 
 out with pain as they saw their fathers disappear in 
 the distance, going, they knew not where or why; 
 mothers hid their eyes as they saw the pride of their 
 lives among the masses marching proudly down the 
 street with a musket on his shoulder. The only happy 
 face to be seen anywhere was that of the lisping babe, 
 too tender to realize the awfulness of the scene being 
 enacted before its innocent eyes. 
 
 When the regiment reached the Broad Street 
 Methodist church, the voice of the colonel rang out 
 above the din and the command "halt" was repeated 
 down the line. The noises seemed to cease for the 
 time being and there in the open air, beneath the rays 
 of the bright spring sun, Bishop Joyce, of the Metho- 
 
96 THE FOURTH 0. Y. 1. 
 
 d5^t church, asked that the blessing of the Heavenly 
 Father rest upon the men and officers of the regiment 
 wherever duty called them. How nearly that prayer 
 was answered, it is the purpose of the following pages 
 to relate. 
 
 Governor Bushnell had taken place on the box 
 of a coupe near the corner of Broad and High streets 
 to review the regiment as it passed by. Tears rolled 
 down his cheeks as he saw the boys pass down the 
 street to go out to represent the state at the front, and 
 it may be said here that as long as the regiment was 
 out of the limits of its native state or when it returned, 
 flushed with victory, it had no better friend than he 
 who stood there to give the boys a sad farewell. 
 
 Finally working its way through the dense crowd 
 of people, the regiment arrived at the depot and there 
 boarded a train divided into three sections, bound for 
 Chickamauga Park. It was then afternoon and sad as 
 the parting had been the boys were glad to throw 
 themselves down on the car seats to rest. They had 
 gone without dinner and the boxes which loving hands 
 had filled with good things to eat were soon opened 
 only to see the contents disappear as if by magic. The 
 train soon left, however, amid the same patriotic dem- 
 onstration which had marked the march through the 
 streets of the city and when the view of the capital 
 faded away the men reluctantly stretched themselves 
 out on the soft seats to give up their thoughts to the 
 scenes they had just witnessed and to the future. 
 
 The trip through the picturesque hills of Ken- 
 tucky was mostly after night, but the morning brought 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 97 
 
 with it a sight of historic old Lookout mountain and 
 the boys breakfasted within the city limits of Chat- 
 tanooga, Tennessee. Considerable time was spent 
 here before the trip could be resumed, but before noon 
 all was arranged and the regiment was soon bovmding 
 across the hills to the national park. 
 
98 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 CAMP GEORGE H. THOMAS. 
 
 The Ride to CMckamauga Park — From Lytle to the Camp — 
 Early Experiences — The Regiment Assigned — Hard 
 Tack and Bacon — A Military Training School — Facts 
 About Lytle — Regimental "Canteens" — Amusement- 
 Facts About the Camp- — Some of Its Advantages— Vis- 
 itors from Home and from Abroad — ^Evening Parades — 
 Cakes, Pies and Sweetmeats — Religious Services— Re- 
 connoitering Expeditions — A Sham Battle — Setting up 
 and Breaking Camps — Sink Details — Rumors and Or- 
 ders — Good News at Last. 
 
 There was but one railroad leading to the camp- 
 ing place. Trains stopped to discharge passengers for 
 the park at a small station called Lytle. There was a 
 small depot and two dwellings at the station when the 
 regiment arrived there and the only business houses 
 were a grocery where the postoffice was located and 
 several frame structures where enterprising Chatta- 
 nooga restauranteurs had started branches. The gov- 
 ernment had constructed a board platform for the 
 unloading of horses and mules and near the platform 
 was the government coral where were penned hun- 
 dreds of the longeared "soldiers" waiting to be dis- 
 tributed to the volunteer regiments which soon began 
 to mobilize at the park. The corral in itself was a 
 great sight as well as the surrounding scenery, where, 
 nearly half a century before, had been fought one of 
 the greatest battles in history. 
 
 As soon afe the unloading was completed the reg- 
 iment was formed and marched for the position to be 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 99 
 
 occupied in the great camp whicli was daily becoming 
 greater. Several regiments of reg-ular troops had been 
 encamped there before, but they had all been taken 
 further south. There were several regiments of vol- 
 unteer troops ahead of the Fourth, but it was among 
 the very first to reach the great rendezvous. 
 
 Marching across the red clay hills of Chicka- 
 mauga field the regiment presented a brilliant sight. 
 The colors spread proudly before the gentle southern 
 breeze, the band played the same stirring tunes to 
 which two armies had marched out to meet each other 
 on the field of battle long years before, and the boys 
 marched away with the steady tread that becomes 
 worthy sons of noble sires. 
 
 Although the train bearing the Ohio troops 
 reached Lytle about ten o'clock in the morning, the 
 spot selected for camp was not reached until late in 
 the afternoon. 
 
 The camp was laid out in due form and by the 
 time the boys had prepared their future homes, it was 
 time for them to put the hastily prepared couches to 
 service. There were no folding beds, no springs and 
 no place to put these or other comforts if they could 
 have been secured. The boys wrapped themselves up 
 in their blankets and lay down on the bosom of mother 
 earth to dream of home and loved ones. The first 
 night was greatly enjoyed even if the lizards did in- 
 sist on intruding upon the peace of the tire-worn sol- 
 dier. It was not long before the boys learned that the 
 lizards were harmless and that mosquito bites were not 
 dansrerous. 
 
100 THE FOURTH O. T. I. 
 
 The next morning the boys learned that they 
 were a part of the second brigade of the first division 
 of the first corps of the Army of the Gulf, the military 
 division of the United States, of which General 
 Brooke had been commander with headquarters at 
 Atlanta. It was but a few days until the rest of the 
 second brigade came in and took position on either 
 side of the Fourth, the Third Illinois at the west and 
 the Fourth Pennsylvania at the east. These three 
 regiments were together and lived as peaceable neigh- 
 bore until the close of the war. 
 
 There was little interest to the camp at Ohicka- 
 mauga Park except its magnitude. There were sol- 
 diers there from almost every part of the United 
 States, north, south, east and west. There was no di- 
 vision as to the existence of sympathies in former wars 
 — all were Americans. 
 
 One of the first novelties introduced to the boys 
 was part of the first ration. It Avas the old fashioned 
 hardtack. They had read of that feature of military 
 life in both prose and verse. They had heard it 
 praised and cursed, lauded to the skies and carried 
 down into the blackest recesses of the great beyond, 
 but few of them had ever "broken bread when it was 
 hardtack." Of course the hardtack did not come 
 alone. Troubles never do come singly, and when the 
 regular old fashioned army bacon, "sow belly," as it 
 was called by the majority or "pig stomach," as it 
 was known by the less vulgar class, came, the boys 
 realized that their troubles had actually begim. These 
 two evils were well received as long as they were nov« 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 101 
 
 eltieS; but for some reason not explained in the arm} 
 regulations, soldiers become tired of tliis menu if it is 
 served three times each day and for seven days in each 
 week. 
 
 In defense of hardtack it must be said, however, 
 that for troops in the field, it is the best possible sub- 
 stitute for bread that could be secured. It can be eaten 
 "raw" or just as it comes from the bakery, it can be 
 soaked in water and broiled, it can be broken to pieces 
 and moistened in coffee, or it can form part of a mess 
 made of beans, hardtack and other things, which, 
 when ready to serve, bears a name, that when applied 
 by one person to another precipitates a fight. 
 
 This was the only kind of bread that could be 
 procured for a while but the government soon estab- 
 lished a mammoth bakery at Lytle and fresh bread 
 was served to all of the regiments each day. Potatoes, 
 fresh meat, vegetables and sugar came from the com- 
 missary department, while the markets of Chattanooga 
 and vicinity furnished milk, fruit and other provisions. 
 
 Camp Thomas was designed to be nothing more 
 nor less than a military training school on a large 
 basis. The men were drilled from morning to night. 
 They were trained in the manual of arms, in all the 
 evolutions knowQ to military science, and they were 
 educated in the perfoi-mance of guard duty. In fact, 
 they were taught all that it is necessary for the typical 
 American soldier to know. 
 
 "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" 
 was applied in a way at the camp. There were amuse- 
 ments of various kinds, and to a limited extent th? 
 
102 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 men were permitted to enjoy them. Lytle, the station 
 at the railroad, grew in a phenomenally short period of 
 time from the little hamlet described, to a very metro- 
 politan but temporary little city. There were all sorts 
 of business enterprises represented, newspaper branch 
 offices, telegraph and express companies, military sup- 
 ply stores, photographers, hotels and restaurants, 
 gambling dens and all the catch-penny schemes known 
 to the fakir's art. In the midst of the camp a theatre 
 had been constructed but it never met with marked 
 success. The greater number of the regiments had 
 "canteens" or restaurants, the profits of which were 
 set apart for the benefit of the regiment at large. In 
 the case of the Fourth Ohio, the proceeds of the sale 
 of canned goods, refreshments, etc., were used to pay 
 the obligation offered the band when the regiment was 
 at Camp Bushnell. 
 
 One of the most interesting forms of amusement 
 was the collecting of relics of the Civil war. It will 
 be remembered that the soldiers of General Brooke 
 were not the first to occupy positions on the field of 
 Chickamauga, but that those hills had been stained 
 by the blood of one of the most terrible battles re- 
 corded in the pages of history. In every part of the 
 park could be picked up parts of rifles, bayonets, pieces 
 of shell, bullets, canon balls, swords, ordnance supplies 
 of all kinds and even human bones. The trees them- 
 selves bore evidence of the fierce struggle between the 
 forces of the north and the south and the rocks and 
 decayed logs gave mute testimony of the terrible trag- 
 edy which had been played on this scene less than a 
 half century before. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 103 
 
 Some of the members of the Fourth Ohio had 
 been on this very field and to them the work of time 
 and the hand of man was unable to change the ap- 
 pearance of the hills and the surrounding country. 
 They would often pick out the positions of their reg- 
 iments in the great battle and relate the experiences 
 of that fight to their younger comrades, partly for 
 their amusement and instruction and partly to get 
 them familiar with the scenes and duties of the bat- 
 tlefield. 
 
 Chickamauga Park had more than one advan- 
 tage over almost any other place in the country for 
 such a camp. There was not only a good water supply, 
 plenty of fresh air, parade and camp grounds, market 
 facilities, convenience to the sea board, a climate prac- 
 tically semi-tropical at that season of the year, but the 
 very position of the park, the surrounding country and 
 the history of the place had a smack of war which was 
 absolutely wholesome for the young men who were 
 training for the battlefield. 
 
 The concentration of so many troops and the 
 congregation of so many persons had a marked effect 
 on the general intellectual welfare of the soldiers, for 
 here they were able to meet and exchange ideas on 
 subjects which have since proved valuable to them as 
 citizens as well as soldiers. One of the effects of this 
 camp on the soldiers there and in fact of the war and 
 the people of the United States generally, was the re- 
 moval of the old prejudices of the Civil War. Stand- 
 ing here as they did, shoulder to shoulder, preparing 
 to fight under one flag and for one country, the union 
 
104 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 of men from every part of the coimtry, but from the 
 two great sections especially, removed more perman- 
 ently than any other cause could have done the ill- 
 feeling which had once precipitated a long and bloody 
 civil war and which had ever since had the effect of 
 keeping the people of these sections at more than a 
 brotherly distance apart. 
 
 The camp was visited by the friends of the sol- 
 diers there and by foreign soldiers who had come there 
 to study American ideas of warfare. Even China had 
 sent one of her brightest intellectual lights to learn 
 something of the art of war from the young but sub- 
 stantial America. English, German, French and 
 Russian experts pronounced the camp perfect in every 
 particular as to natural appointments, but after the 
 camp was abandoned many defects were pointed out 
 as to the general management of the camp. 
 
 The occasion of a visit from friends at home was 
 the source of great pleasure to the boys. These visits 
 were not restricted in any manner, but the camp was 
 open to all at any time. Excursions were run to the 
 park from almost every town which was represented 
 there and the camp was usually crowded on Sundays. 
 The people of Chattanooga and Atlanta flocked to the 
 park in the evening to witness the evening parades and 
 it is very pleasing indeed to note that the Fourth Ohio 
 drew as much, if not more, attention than any other 
 regiment on the field. The regiment had been so well 
 drilled and so thoroughly disciplined while a IN^ational 
 Guard organization that the parade ceremony of the 
 regiment was as nearly perfect as it was possible for a 
 
TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 105 
 
 single body of men to make it. There were very few 
 occasions, indeed, when the Fourth Ohio did not en- 
 tertain a host of admirers at "retreat." 
 
 One of the disadvantages, not from a soldier's 
 point of view, however, was the absence of the things 
 which make the epicure happy. Mothers, sisters and 
 sweethearts did all they could to gladden the hearts of 
 their loved ones at the park, but their efforts in this 
 line were entirely fruitless, for as fast as the express 
 wagons would deliver the loads of boxes of pies, cakes 
 and pastry, the regimental surgeons would dump it 
 into a sink dug for the purpose. The practice of this 
 apparent "cruelt}," hard as it seemed at the time to 
 the boys, was the means of not only preserving the 
 health and efficiency of the regiment, but undoubtedly 
 sf ved lives. Plain bacon and beans is a very coarse 
 diet to be sure, but the addition of desserts promiscu- 
 ously selected is not conducive to the best results of a 
 military camp, and this was one of the lessons which 
 the Chickamauga training school taught its pupils. 
 
 There were many attractions at Chattanooga also, 
 but it was the policy of the higher officials to discour- 
 age trips to the city as much as possible. Military 
 regulations are so fixed that when an officer of high 
 rank desires the men in his command to do a certain 
 thing, that thing is usually done, or some one receives 
 an opportunity to explain why it is not done. The 
 men of the Fourth soon learned this and at no time 
 was there any trouble in the regiment on account of 
 the disobedience of these orders. 
 
 Each Sunday was made the day it should have 
 been. A branch of the Young Men's Christian As^ 
 
106 THE FOURTH O. V. I. 
 
 sociation erected a canvas tabernacle at which services 
 were held at stated times during the week and also on 
 each Sunday. Some of the most noted evangelists in 
 the country came to the park to hold religious services 
 and they were the means of accomplishing much good. 
 Chaplain Shindel also conducted divine services each 
 Sunday, and owing to the efforts of Captain Joseph J, 
 Walsh, of Company A, the professors of the Catholic 
 faith were permitted to attend services in Chatta- 
 nooga. Thus it will be seen that the moral welfare 
 of the soldiers was not overlooked by the officers of the 
 regiment or by the public. 
 
 As soon as the men became efficient in the ordin- 
 ary drills, their education in warfare was broadened by 
 long marches. The regiment, or sometimes only bat- 
 talions and even companies were formed and often 
 started out on various sorts of expeditions. At one 
 time the First Battalion was given sealed orders and a 
 day's rations and told to pack up and go to McFarland's 
 gap to see how many men could be forced through it 
 in a given length of time under certain circumstances. 
 They were instructed to ascertain the best route to the 
 gap and also other routes, and it was made a part of 
 their duty to make a topographical map of the country 
 through which they passed. In a day or two after that 
 the Second Battalion was started in a different direc- 
 tion and then the Third Battalion was given similar 
 orders. Companies were taken out to be drilled in 
 "extended order," and often the drill was "extended" 
 to the furthermost parts of the park. Many an 
 imaginary foe was driven from its position by a terrific 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 107 
 
 charge up Snodgrass hill, one of the more elevated 
 points of the park. 
 
 On several occasions the whole regiment and even 
 the whole brigade was taken out on such expeditions. 
 Two di\dsions once formed two armies to oppose each 
 other in a sham battle. The men were given pro- 
 visions and blank cartridges and the division to which 
 the Fourth Ohio belonged was started out to find the 
 other division and drive it f i-om its position. This was 
 fun in a way, but the battle came very near to being 
 more than a mere "sham." 
 
 The lines of battle w^ere formed much as they 
 would have been in an enemy's country and started 
 through the camp. All went well until Captain 
 White and his company (B) started to pass through the 
 camp of a Pennsylvania battery. The sentry on one 
 of the posts thought that he should not permit the 
 grass to be trampled upon promiscuously in his camp 
 and he promptly ordered Company B to halt. The 
 company had not made a reputation for halting unless 
 so ordered by its captain and the boys of Company B 
 were not disposed in any way to break the record on 
 this occasion. Consequently they did not halt and the 
 Pennsylvanian called out "the guard." The guard 
 responded very well and so did the officer of the guard, 
 but Captain White ordered his company forward. It 
 seemed for a moment that something would happen, 
 and even as it was Sergeant Hunt would have been 
 thrust with an artillery sabre had it not been for the 
 plate buckle on his belt. While this was going on 
 Colonel Coit came up and put the officer of the Penn- 
 
108 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 sylvania guard under arrest and the company went on, 
 winning the first blood for the regiment in the Spanish 
 war. 
 
 The battle must have been very interesting to the 
 officers who occupied a cool position at the top of the 
 hill, where they could see all the operations, but it was 
 not so pleasant for the fellows who had to move from 
 one point to the other under the rays of the boiling 
 Georgia sun. The enemy was duly discovered and 
 fired upon, but the officers in charge decided the battle 
 in favor of the defense. 
 
 The funniest part of the whole expedition oc- 
 curred after the battle had been declared off and the 
 troops started back to camp. The general and his staff 
 were completely lost. In some way they had wan- 
 dered out in the bushes to "reconnoiter" and before 
 they were aware they could not find the way back to 
 the line of march. The line waited some time, but no 
 officers appearing. Colonel Coit assumed command of 
 the brigade and took them back to camp. 
 
 One of the lessons in the art of war which was 
 thought to be among the more valuable, was the in- 
 struction in the quickness and regularity of forming 
 camp. Companies at first and then battalions and the 
 regiment was taken out to the parade ground and ex- 
 ercised in the setting up of shelter tents. By the 
 execution of given orders it became possible, after a 
 few days' practice, for the Fourth Ohio to stop from 
 the march, stack arms, set up their tents and arrange 
 a regular camp in less than five minutes. Then at 
 the sounding of the "general," the bugle signal for 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 109 
 
 breaking camp, the regiment could be fonned and 
 ready for marching in almost as remarkably quick 
 time. 
 
 Had the regiment engaged in the long campaigti, 
 which, at that time seemed more than probable, this 
 drill would certainly have been very valuable, but as it 
 was, shelter tent camps were only pitched at jSTewport 
 News on the morning of arrival there and near 
 Guayama on the evening of August 13. On neither 
 occasion was there any particular haste required and 
 on neither occasion did every man of the command 
 have his shelter tent. 
 
 No cne who lived at the camp will ever forget the 
 way in which the surface of Chickamauga park was 
 disturbed by the fatigue details. If a man did not 
 respond to roll call without an excuse, or if he violated 
 the thousand and one other rules of camp, he was 
 slated for a fatigue detail. In charge of a non-coni- 
 missioned officer, the men were given picks and shovels 
 and put to work digging sinks. There were sinks 
 from four to seven feet deep for all imaginable pur- 
 poses and many a hard day's task was required to com- 
 plete them. 
 
 As it had been at Camp Bushnell and as it is in 
 all military camps, there were all sorts of rumors 
 floated at all times. Strange to say, the firrther from 
 the probable truth the rumors were, the more believers 
 they had. Many of these rumors, however, were well 
 founded. Headquarters actually furnished material 
 for a large majority of them, and what part of the re- 
 mainder the newspapers did not supply the fertile 
 
110 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 brain of some designing soldier did. Orders came in 
 one day to prepare to move on the next. The prepara- 
 tions would be made and then the order was revoked, 
 only to be succeeded by another order within a day or 
 two. It was at one time intended to send the regiment 
 to Cuba, and shortly before the first expedition was 
 started for Cuba the strength of the regiment was in- 
 creased to 106 men to each company. Officers were 
 sent back to Ohio to do the recruiting. Battalion 
 Adjutant Harry W. Krumm represented the first bat- 
 talion, Captain W. L. Yincent the second and Major 
 John L. Sellers the third. The recruits had not been 
 drilled into thorough soldiers when orders came to 
 drop certain of them in order to reduce the strength 
 of the regiment, and thus it went until the expedition 
 to Cuba had left and Santiago had fallen. 
 
 The receipt of the news of this event was the oc- 
 casion of gTeat demonstrations in Chickamauga park. 
 Headed by the band and the regimental colors, the 
 officers of the regiment called at brigade headquarters 
 to congratulate General Haines. After paying their 
 respects to the general they proceeded to the camp of 
 the Fourth Pennsylvania, where they were joined by 
 the drum corps and the officers and men of that regi- 
 ment and a parade was formed through the Fourth 
 Ohio camp to the Third Illinois. Here the bands 
 played, the men cheered and each of the three colonels 
 made addresses. After all had quieted down, the 
 men went to their tents to drown their sorrow at not 
 being able to help, in the solitude of their tents. 
 
 After the fall of Santiago, rumors came thick and 
 fast. Orders were likewise numerous, but the plan 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. HI 
 
 of issuing and immediately revoking orders was con- 
 tinued, so that things generally were in a very un- 
 settled condition to say the least. Finally an order 
 came which was never revoked. This order directed 
 the Second brigade to take transportation at Rossville, 
 a small station between Lytle and Chattanooga, and 
 from there proceed through Lexington, Kentucky, to 
 Nev\^ort jSTews, Virginia, where transportation would 
 be in waiting to take the regiment to Porto Eico under 
 an expedition in command of General Brooke. So 
 manv orders had been received and then revoked that 
 the men did not really believe that they would leave 
 the park at all, hence the order did not create a con- 
 siderable stir. Travel rations, of which more will be 
 said later on, were issued to the regiment and all the 
 baggage packed and made ready to be transported. 
 :N'o one was to be left behind on this expedition and 
 eveiybody was happy. 
 
112 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 TO NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA. 
 
 The March to Rossville— To Chattanooga — Delays — The 
 Trip Through Kentucky — Receptions Along the Line — 
 Up the Alleghenies^ — Peep at Piedmont Valley — "On to 
 Richmond" — At Newport News — A "Pup Tent" Camp — 
 Reception — Dynamite Guns — Company F Becomes a 
 Battery — Changes of OfRcei^ — Delays and More Ru- 
 mors — Transport "St. Paul" — Transferring Baggage- 
 Waiting Orders — Off to Sea. 
 
 On tlie morning of July 22, the camp of the 
 Fourth Ohio at Chickamauga park ceased to exist. 
 To the music of the most stirring tunes which the 
 band could play, the boys bid farewell to the camp 
 that had been their home for sixty-seven days. The 
 road over which the march was made to Rossville was 
 probably the worst that the most of the men had 
 ever seen. The dust was from three to eight inches 
 deep and when the feet of the men struck the bottom, 
 the dust raised so thick that it was utterly impossible 
 to distinguish persons four feet away. It can well be 
 imagined that the men suffered terribly under these 
 circumstances, but the number who dropped out of 
 ranks was very small. Considering the dust, the con- 
 dition of the weather and the rate at which the march 
 was started, the Fourth Ohio made a record in that 
 march of which they may well feel proud. 
 
 Thev reached the station in good time, but it 
 was late before the train reached Chattanooga and 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 113 
 
 even then the delays were almost innumerable, so that 
 it was long after morning of the next day when the 
 train bearing the Fourth reached Lexington. The 
 route thus far had been oyer the ''Queen and Crescent" 
 line, but at this point the trains were transferred to the 
 line of the Chesapeake and Ohio. Quite a number 
 of Ohio people had come as far as Lexington to take a 
 final farewell to the boys they loved so well, and when 
 the heavy-laden trains steamed out of Camp Bradley 
 to the cheer of the boys of the Fourth Kentucky who 
 were camped there, many were the eyes that were 
 moistened with an impulsive tear and many were the 
 misgivings that prevailed within an heroic breast. 
 
 The route from Lexington covered the most pic- 
 turesque section of beautiful Kentucky. The line of 
 the railway stretched through the heart of the blue- 
 grass region and then plunged into the heart of the 
 massive Kentucky hills as though the fate of the war 
 itself was actually in the hands that held the throttle. 
 The panarama thus stretched before the view 
 of the boys who were going forth to do battle, 
 certainly did a great part in teaching them what a 
 grand and beautiful country they were really fighting 
 for. 
 
 At Ashland a large party of Portsmouth people 
 came down to see the boys of Company H. They 
 came with well-filled baskets and the soldiers disposed 
 of them in regulation military style. 
 
 An amusing circumstance occurred here which 
 served the people of Portsmouth as a lesson in the ap- 
 propriating powers of the soldier. The train was di- 
 
114 THE FOURTH 0. F. /. 
 
 Added into three sections, one battalion to eacli. Com- 
 pany H being part of the second battalion was there- 
 fore aboard the second section, but the Portsmouth 
 enthusiasts had not been apprised of that fact. Going 
 up to the first section a pretty Buckeye maid handed 
 up a large basket to one of the boys whose head hung 
 out of the car window and sweetly asked him to give 
 the basket to "my brother." "Why certainly," re- 
 plied the gallant soldier, and reaching down, he pulled 
 into the car one of the handsomest "layouts" that ever 
 came into the view or the stomach of a hungTy in- 
 f antr^nnan. Another maid had a cousin for whom she 
 had a basket and the same hard hearted rascal agreed 
 to deliver that basket also, and then the third came 
 from a blushing lass of nineteen who simply wished 
 to remember "a friend." An officer happened just 
 then to see what was going on and the game was 
 spoiled, but there were three baskets of picnic dinner 
 divided among a half dozen Fourth Ohio soldiers be^ 
 fore the train had left Kentucky soil, and that officer 
 was not one of the haK dozen either. 
 
 Just before dusk the train passed along the Ohio 
 river and the men involuntarily flocked to the west 
 side of the train to take a last sight of their native 
 state. The blue Ohio hills stretched away into the 
 lengthening shadows with a grandeur they were never 
 known before to have possessed, and with three lusty 
 cheers for the grand old Buckeye state, the train 
 pulled into West Virginia. 
 
 At Huntington, where the first stop was made, a 
 glad surprise was made a feature of the whole trip. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 115 
 
 The history of the regimeut as a National Guard or- 
 ganization was known in Huntington and the people 
 of that town did honor to its members by meeting 
 them at the station with hot coffee and fresh sand- 
 wiches for all. The train stopped some minutes for 
 the reception, which was enlivened by a band concert 
 and the exchange of three cheers and a "tiger" for the 
 Fourth Ohio by the Huntingtonians and for the same 
 compliment by the regiment for their West Virginia 
 friends. While this was going on the boys on the 
 train and the girls on the. platform were trading roses, 
 fans, handkerchiefs and hair ribbons for brass buttons, 
 hard tack and all sorts of souvenirs. 
 
 It was dark when the train bearing the first bat- 
 talion left Huntington, hence there was little interest 
 to the trip from that on until daylight. The train 
 made slow progress in getting up the steep grade 
 during the night, some of the connections being rather 
 bad, so that it was necessary to make numerous stops 
 for repairs. Daylight found the regiment well to the 
 top of the hill, near Cliffton Forge. 
 
 Here the most delightful journey that could have 
 been enjoyed anywhere at that season of the year was 
 begun. The train bounded over the hills, across the 
 narrow valleys, through woodland and by the side of 
 rich- pastures. It dashed by the way stations where, 
 as had been the case in Kentucky, the village people 
 gathered to see the boys "going to war," and at some 
 of the little mountain villages, the train fairly brushed 
 the bunting, flag's and flowers which decorated the 
 buildings and trees in honor of the regiment. 
 
116 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 The men of the Fourth Ohio were treated on that 
 day to the finest views that nature ever spread upon a 
 landscape. On one side the hills towered up into the 
 very bosom of the clouds while on the other side the 
 deep fertile valleys spread out far below the tracks 
 into the distance. Passing through Staunton the 
 train darted through the heart of the mountain, then 
 curved sharply around peaks and cliffs and finally 
 pushed along the side of a steep bluff, where to the 
 right lay the beautiful Piedmont valley, clothed in 
 the most beautiful array which nature could bestow. 
 The gracefully winding turn pike seemed to creep 
 companion-like with the sparkling stream, off to the 
 gentle south, their path leading through fields of ripen- 
 ing grain and waving corn, where were nestled little 
 groves and comfortable farm houses, snugly ensconced 
 in the happy scene as if placed there by the Creator to 
 show above all other places how truly "the heavens 
 declare the glory of Grod and the firmament showeth 
 His handy work." 
 
 Speeding down the mountain side the train soon 
 reached Charlottesville, where it stopped long enough 
 for the sections to get together and for the men to 
 invest in pies and other delicacies at the near-by res- 
 taurants. The delay was longer here than had been 
 intended on account of a breakdown of one of the 
 trucks. The repair was soon made, however, and the 
 journey resumed, so that as it was growing dark, the 
 boys found themselves where their fathers had tried 
 hard to get thirty years before — within the city limits 
 of Richmond. They received a very different recep- 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 117 
 
 tion, however, than their ancestors had received, for 
 the boys in blue were welcomed on every hand, and 
 although the stop at Richmond was very short, the 
 town while they were there belonged to the Fourth 
 Ohio. 
 
 It was dark when the train left Richmond, so that 
 the scenery from that point was lost, but so much had 
 be€n enjoyed through the busy day that the boys were 
 glad to retire to their apartments in the tourist sleep- 
 ers to get the third and last night's sleep as the guests 
 of the Chesapeake and Ohio. 
 
 The train arrived at Newport News about mid- 
 night, but there was no attempt made to unload until 
 daylight. "Reveille" was sounded earlier than usual, 
 however, and as soon as the boys could be summoned 
 out of their comfortable bunks, the regiment was 
 formed and marched to an assigned camping place in 
 a field near the outskirts of the city and on the banks 
 of the James river. 
 
 As soon as the camp was laid out and the work of 
 putting up the shelter tents, or "pup tents," as the 
 boys preferred to call them, was under way, details 
 were made to unload such baggage as was absolutely 
 necessary for the temporary camp. A few cooking 
 utensils, besides the personal baggage of the men and 
 officers was all that was taken off the train at that 
 time. Breakfast was hastily prepared, the old story 
 of digging sinks was completed and the men were 
 allowed the privilege of the James river for bathing 
 purposes. The salt water brought up by the tide was 
 exact! V what the bovs needed, and the dirt and dust 
 
118 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 that had been collected in the long trip from Chicka- 
 mauga park was afterward referred to as a sand bar in 
 the stream. 
 
 The shipping industry of Newport News is very 
 interesting, and the big dry docks near the camp were 
 the first places visited. There were several govern- 
 ment vessels there and many of the boys Avent aboard 
 to see just what they really were and to learn from 
 personal observation if the navy about which they 
 had heard and read so much and for which they had 
 cheered so loudly and so often, were really all that was 
 represented. It is needless to say that any suspicions 
 that might have been entertained were hastily and 
 permanently removed. 
 
 While some of the men were bathing in the river 
 or visiting the dry docks, others took hasty trips to 
 Old Point Comfort and other near-by places of inter- 
 est. The novelty of this also soon wore away and the 
 boys were compelled to resort to the quiet of the camp 
 and simply wait for orders. The weather was the 
 hottest any of them had ever experienced and certainly 
 with the thermometer at one hundred in the shade 
 in a camp on sandy, unshaded soil where rain had not 
 fallen for weeks, it was not to be wondered at that 
 some of the men had no more energy than "the law 
 allowed." 
 
 It was here that the first real war-like order was 
 received. It came to Colonel Coit, who was directed 
 to designate one of the companies of his regiment to 
 take charge of some dynamite guns that had been 
 placed in the hands of the brigade. Captain Potter 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 119 
 
 having had considerable experience as an artillery 
 officer in the First Ohio Light Artillery when it was a 
 ]N"ational Gruard organization, was made one of the 
 officers and his company (F) was made the "dynamite" 
 company of the brigade. 
 
 Acting Ordance Officer First Lieutenant Harry 
 Graham was assigned to the new company and Lieuten- 
 ant Clyde Modie was assigned to A Company to fill 
 the vacancy made by the assignment of Lieutenant 
 Graham. This made the company well equipped foi 
 the work they were expected to do and the boys oi 
 Company F soon became expert artillerymen. The 
 only other change in the regiment was the discharge 
 of Captain Pritchard of Company H. This placed the 
 command of the company upon Lieutei.ant Smith, 
 who retained command until after the regiment re- 
 turned home. 
 
 The parade grounds at Newport News were hot, 
 sundy weed fields. The brigade camp was arranged 
 just as it hL.d been in Camp Thomas, but there was 
 not room for more than one regiment at a time on the 
 parade ground. The regular evening; dress parade 
 came off as usual, however, the Third Illinois taking 
 the field first as the ranking regiment, and the Fourth 
 Ohio next, which in turn was followed by the Fourth 
 Pennsylvania. In this way each regiment was per- 
 mitted to watch the parade of the other two. 
 
 A delay at Newport News had not been expected 
 by any means, and when orders were not forthcoming 
 to board the transports for Porto Eico, the boys began 
 to get uneasy. No complaints were offered the first 
 
120 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 night, but when the boys found that they must lie in 
 their '"pup tents" on Tuesday night as well, there was 
 considerable growling. As a matter of course the 
 authorities at Washington lost little sleep on this ac- 
 count, and those who did not like the idea of staying, 
 staid just the same as those who did. Finally the 
 order came on Tuesday to load all necessary baggage 
 on the transport St. Paul. The Fourth Pennsylvania 
 was ordered to the Seneca and the City of Wash- 
 ington and the Third Illinois to the St. Louis. 
 The St. Louis and the St. Paul were sister ships 
 and had been used before the war as pas- 
 senger ships on the Atlantic ocean. They had 
 been leased by the government, however, and they 
 were at this time classed as auxiliary cruisers. They 
 were heavily armed and protected and the St. Paul 
 had been placed in command of Captain Sigsbee, the 
 naval officer who had grown in public favor from 
 having been in command of the battleship Maine at the 
 time she was blown up in Havana harbor. The dis- 
 tinction of being taken away by this officer afforded the 
 boys considerable satisfaction. 
 
 Large details were made and placed at the hands 
 of Captain Vincent and several lieutenants and the 
 work of loading the transports was begun. The cars 
 were taken to the piers of the C. & O. R'y and there 
 loaded on barges or lighters and taken out to the 
 transport. In the meantime the camp on the out- 
 skirts of the city was broken up and the regiment 
 marched down to the piers to wait for lighters to take 
 the companies out also. It was expected that the 
 
. n, i^-^ wwti 
 
TEE FOURTH 0. T. I. 121 
 
 Kghters would be there and that the re^ment would 
 board the St. Paul at once, but after a long and weary 
 wait, it was found that the men would have to sleep 
 on shore at least one more night. The camp broken 
 up, the baggage all packed, and everything in an un- 
 settled condition, the regiment was in as unhappy 
 plight as it could have been on American soil. Those 
 who had retained their tents, put them up on the 
 campus surrounding a beautiful summer casino. The 
 owners of the building very kindly consented to the 
 use of the veranda and the upper floor for the accom- 
 modation of those who did not have shelter tents. 
 The arrangement was as satisfactory as it could well 
 have been, and with a few exceptions, where the boys 
 got too near each other or where the boards of the 
 floor were laid ''hard side up," they spent the night 
 as happily as the existing state of expectancy would 
 permit. 
 
 Thursday morning did not bring with it the 
 encouragement the boys had expected, but another 
 long day of expectant waiting. Every time a whistle 
 blew or a boat approached, everybody strained his eyes 
 to see if it were the lighter. Dinner was served 
 and still the boat did not come, but as suddenly 
 as a summer shower, at 2 o'clock the regiment was 
 called together by the sounding of "assembly," and 
 when the "forward march" was commanded, the regi- 
 ment followed the colors to the wharf, where in a few 
 minutes one lighter took on the whole command. 
 Several Columbus people had come to ITewport I^ews, 
 and of course they were on hand to see the regiment 
 
122 TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 "heaA'e away." Half the city, where by their gentle- 
 manly manner and soldierly conduct the boys had 
 formed many acquaintances and friends, tui-ned out to 
 give the regiment a parting cheer. 
 
 The trip from the pier to the St. Paul was of little 
 interest. The transport could not get near the pier, 
 of coui'se, and she was anchored out in the bay near 
 Old Point Comfort. The baggage had been loaded 
 when the regiment reached the boat and the work of 
 boarding the monster transport took but little time. 
 
 When the regiment was all on the boys thought 
 it was time to go, but there was a large supply of 
 Kragg-Jorgensen rifles to load, so that it was not until 
 the next morning that the crew of the St. Paul weighed, 
 anchor and started on the voyage to the scene of the 
 conflict. The first night (Thursday) was not given up 
 entirely" to sleep by any means. There was too much 
 to see and talk about. The great vessel had to be ex- 
 plored as a matter of course and the seamen and 
 marines had to be interviewed about the thousands of 
 details, so that few indeed were the eyes that closed 
 in sleep that night. 
 
TEE FOURTH 0. T. I. 123 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 OFF TO PORTO RICO. 
 
 Sail on Friday— The Trip Througli the Harbor— The St. 
 Paul— "Travel Rations"— "Prime Roast Beef —Hard 
 Tack and Coffee— Boston Baked Beans— Tomatoes— One 
 Dollar Pies— Sea Sickness— Religious Services at Sea— 
 Fine Weather Voyage— Warlike Preparations— At the 
 Harbor of Ponce— Cruise to Arroyo— Kragg Jorgensen 
 Rifles— End of the Voyage— The Landing. 
 
 Friday morning came one of the brightest of the 
 year. The delightful sea breeze was cool, refreshing 
 and invigorating and the boys were happy. The long 
 wait at Newport News had worked their nervous 
 systems into such condition that anything in the way 
 of a change was welcome. When the beating of the 
 huge engines was first felt, like the pulse of a strong 
 animal, the boys all flocked to the rails to watch de- 
 velopments. Certainly they did not watch in vam, 
 for everything was new. The sight of the huge 
 vessel pushing its big nose through the light swelling 
 waves is a pretty sight at any time and especially to 
 those who had never before seen the sea. The vessel 
 passed on out the bay, passing Fortress Monroe and 
 other places of interest, finally pushing itself out of the 
 limits of Hampton Eoads and into the open sea. 
 Here her course was set and gradually she passed out 
 of view of land. The boys watched the fading out- 
 lines of houses, steeples and hills \^ath an interest that 
 one who is leaving his native land can only feel, and 
 
124 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 when the last trace of America died away, the boys 
 slowly retired to ''secret places" to relieve themselves 
 of the many misgivings occasioned by the "strange 
 surroundings." 
 
 The St. Paul could not have been made more 
 comfortable for troops had she been built expressly 
 for the purpose. The deep, roomy hold furnished 
 storage room for the subsistence and other supplies, 
 the snug, well-fitted state rooms furnished excellent 
 quarters for the men, and the white smooth decks 
 furnished splendid room for promenading. Now this 
 would have been exactly true if the regiment had con- 
 sisted of six hundred men instead of thirteen hundred, 
 and if the subsistence referred to had been of a dif- 
 ferent kind than that about to be described. As it was 
 the men were crowded. The decks were reserved for 
 the officers, with the insignificant exception of the 
 lower deck and the space "fore" and "aft," which was 
 devoted to the storage of quartermaster's stores and 
 to the quartering of two companies. AVhat deck 
 room was left was devoted to the use of the companies 
 alternately — whose sergeants took them up to air out 
 their clothing and for exercise. 
 
 When the regiment left Ohickamauga park 
 "travel rations" were issued. By travel rations was 
 meant at that time, "Prime Roast Beef," "Boston 
 Baked Beans," "Finest Quality Tomatoes," hard tack, 
 coffee and sugar. This would have made an excellent 
 luncheon for a hungry man, provided that it came as 
 the menu would appear, taken from the labels as 
 above, and onlv administered once, say each week; 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 125 
 
 hut vvlieii it (-dme three times each day, seven days in 
 the week and for more than four weeks in succession, 
 there was room for complaint and every available part 
 of the "room" was used. 
 
 "The Prime Roast Beef" will remain in the 
 memory of every member of the Fourth Ohio who was 
 on that voyage as long- as he lives. The English 
 language absolutely does not contain an expression 
 more deceptive than that combination. It was the 
 lowest grade of beef that could have been placed on 
 the market, packed in tin cans, and after it laid in 
 store rooms, freight depots and other repositories for 
 unknown periods of time, it was handed to the enlisted 
 men of the American army and they were expected to 
 feel happy. In many cases the stuff was spoiled, if 
 indeed it ever had been tit for the use of human beings, 
 and that which was pronounced "sound and all right" 
 had laid around in the sun or hot shade so long that it 
 was absolutely sickening to look at, to say nothing of 
 its use as a diet for men who were expected to perform 
 the hardest kind of physical labor. 
 
 "Boston Baked Beans" — the name itself is sug- 
 gestive as a delicate morsel, but when it comes to a 
 hungry man in tin cans after having laid days, weeks 
 and months where ice was not known, it did not appear 
 as a strengthening food or as a tempting viand. The 
 beans, too, were often spoiled and disgusting even to 
 think of, and served, as they were, without cooking 
 or even seasoning, it is not to be wondered at that the 
 boys became tired of that sort of living. 
 
 The hard tack was the same variety that had been 
 used at Camp Thomas and as long as the bread had to 
 
126 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 be hard, there was no just cause for complaint, but 
 the coffee was simplj horrifying. This was all that 
 was given the boys warm. "Hot" would be a better 
 sounding word to use in the connection, but it would be 
 misleading. A detail from each mess was sent to one 
 of the ship's galleys, where buckets of water little more 
 than tepid were issued. These buckets were carried 
 back to the messes, where crushed coffee grains were 
 thrown in, and after being allowed to remain undis- 
 turbed for a few minutes, the concoction received a 
 small addition of sugar and the slightly colored fluid 
 was called "coffee." It was all that there was to be 
 had and of course all the "kicking" that could have 
 been done availed nothing. 
 
 All attempts to describe the "Finest Quality To- 
 matoes" could but be futile. Less narrow-minded 
 gastronomic critics than vegetarians have pronounced 
 tomatoes an excellent food, but had any one advanced 
 such an argument before the enlisted men of the 
 Fourth Ohio at that time, he would have been thrown 
 overboard in less time than he could have apologized, 
 even could one have been accepted. These tomatoes 
 were stale, sometimes spoiled, sickening at best, and 
 their effect on the moral and physical soldier was de- 
 teriorating in the extreme. 
 
 Who was responsible for this unnecessary suffer- 
 ing it is not the object of this work to determine, but 
 suffice it to say that the officers of the Fourth Ohio did 
 all in their power to prevent it. Colonel Coit even 
 placed his own standing in jeopardy by objecting to 
 such rations, but his efforts were in vain. The regi- 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 127 
 
 mental officers were compelled to take what was given 
 them, hence the men were forced to accept that or 
 none. 
 
 While the regiment was enroute from Chicka- 
 mauga park it was often possible for the men to visit 
 restaurants or provision stores and spend part of their 
 $15.60 per month for something to eat, but out in 
 the "midst of the sea" there were no stores to be visited 
 and he who could not eat what he was given was com- 
 pelled to go without eating anything. 
 
 Some of the ship's bakers proved to be generous 
 individuals, and taking pity on the men offered to bake 
 ordinary-sized peach pies at from twenty-five cents to 
 a dollar. It is needless to say that few pies were sold. 
 It might be added, however, that some were stolen. 
 
 The officers of the regiment appreciated the cir- 
 cumstances under which the men were placed, but 
 they were unable to relieve the suffering. 
 
 There was a time in the experience of many of 
 the boys when the subject of food did not interest them 
 in the slightest degree. The inevitable sea sickness 
 came over them in spite of all their manly efforts to 
 avoid it, and it was no uncommon sight to see an ex- 
 pectant hero delivering all his stomach or his future 
 contained into the deep blue sea. 
 
 When the last dim outlines of Fair Columbia 
 faded away beneath the horizon, the boys began to 
 acquire an experience entirely novel. Aside from the 
 view of the vessel and her spars and masts, her decks, 
 huge stacks and intricate machinery, there was abso- 
 lutely nothing on which the boys could feast their gaze 
 
128 THE FOURTH O. Y. I. 
 
 except the sky above and the water below. Some of 
 them watched the waves, but those who did were soon 
 forced to go below to their bunks and wrestle with the 
 agonies of sea sickness. It was soon learned that there 
 are two stages of the disease: At the first the patient 
 fears that he will die and at the second he is afraid 
 that he will not die. There were a few of the men of 
 the Fourth Ohio who did not suffer in either stage and 
 these fortunate individuals found it the source of an 
 exquisite but certainly a wicked pleasure in tormenting 
 the poor fellows who struggled so nobly but so use- 
 lessly to keep their heads up and their feet on the 
 decks. 
 
 An interesting as well as profitable incident of 
 the voyage on the St. Paul was the religious service 
 conducted by Chaplain Schindel on Sunday, July 
 31. The service was not as largely attended as those 
 at Camp Thomas, perhaps, one reason being that there 
 was not room to accommodate all the regiment and the 
 other being that it was at that time a physical im- 
 possibility for the men to stand or even sit in one 
 place long enough to listen to all of an ordinary re- 
 ligious discourse. Chaplain Schindel himself suffered 
 some of the agonies of coming sea sickness, and had he 
 not reached his "lastly" at the time he did, the sermon 
 would probably have been continued at another date. 
 
 As had been done at Camp Thomas, the music 
 for the service was furnished by the regimental band. 
 Captain Sigsbee had suggested the text: Revelation 
 xxi, 1, "There shall be no more sea." A touching 
 reference was made to the life of Captain Sigsbee and 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 129 
 
 the other seamen on board the St. Paul, and when the 
 chaplain drew out the thought in his discourse that 
 the sea represented shattered hopes, unfulfilled plans, 
 etc., the desctruction of the battleship Maine was 
 made an illustration that moistened every eye within 
 the soimd of the chaplain's voice. One of the 
 thoughts brought out in the sermon was sup-gested by 
 the regimental clerk, Will Markeson. The sight of 
 the waves as they rolled listlessly about, ever and 
 anon striking each other and wasting their forces in an 
 endless but fruitless struggle, thus illustrating the loss 
 of many of the forces which are allowed to waste in the 
 life of the average man, had suggested to the clerk 
 a valuable lesson, and the chaplain decided that his 
 hearers should profit by it. The sermon was an in- 
 teresting and a valuable one, and will remain a lasting 
 impression on the minds of those who heard it. 
 
 This service is also interesting from the fact that 
 it was the only one conducted by troops transported 
 on the St. Paul while she was in the government 
 service and the last one conducted on her decks be- 
 fore she went back into service as a commercial liner. 
 
 The weather was fine during the entire trip. 
 There was a slight shower Monday evening, but the 
 only effect was to cool and purify the atmosphere, and 
 this was a most welcome change. Time drug heavily 
 on the officers and men, and the few forms of amuse- 
 ment that were possible to adopt soon became mon- 
 otonous. 
 
 Finally the boys who were on the lower decks 
 heard a shout from the upper part of the vessel. 
 
130 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 Those who were above flocked to the rails; the band 
 struck lip a merry tune and the word was soon passed 
 to those who were in that part of the vessel where a 
 view of the horizon could not be obtained, that land 
 was in sight. It was indeed a grand sight, although 
 the land that could be seen was merely the outlines 
 of a small island off San Domingo, but the early 
 morning sun lit up the tops of the broken hills so that 
 the boys who had not seen anything but sky and water 
 for three days, considered even that a most welcome 
 sight. This was on the morning of Monday, August 
 1st, and at about 6 o'clock. 
 
 Land was almost constantly in sight from that on, 
 but when the port of Guanico was reached a strange 
 experience passed into the history of each man. The 
 entrance to the harbor of the village could he seen 
 very plainly and back in the harbor could be outlined 
 the mastheads and bulk of a large vessel. The village 
 of Guanico is only a small one, but the harbor is a 
 good one and as heavy storms are of frequent occur- 
 rence in Porto Rico and the surrounding waters, the 
 possession of this harbor was at that time considered 
 quite important. At the side of the large vessel could 
 be seen a smaller one, presumably a gam boat, but 
 even with the aid of glasses these vessels could not be 
 distinctly made out. All the ship's guns were loaded 
 and Captain Sigsbee took his place at the bridge. The 
 St. Paul crept cautiously up to the harbor, signals 
 being made to the strange craft, but without answer. 
 Finally the gunboat started out to sea toward tbe St. 
 Paul and the Ohio boys began to think that the time 
 had at last come for them to see real action. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 131 
 
 As the gimboat approached nearer, however, it 
 proved to be the United States monitor "Terror," and 
 the larger vessel in the port of Guanico was the "City 
 of Washington," loaded with supplies for our army. 
 The sensations experienced by every one on board, 
 however, while the identity of the vessel was in doubt, 
 were the first of what was afterwards a series long to 
 be remembered. 
 
 Guanico is but an hour's sail from Ponce, the 
 port, at which General Brooke intended to land his 
 troops in Porto Rico. After a brief code conversation 
 with the Terror, the St. Paul steamed down the coast. 
 It was but a short time until the Massachusetts came 
 alongside and delivered mail to the officers and sailors 
 on board the St. Paul. A few miles further sail 
 landed the St. Paul in sight of Ponce, and in the har- 
 bor could plainly be seen the St. Louis lying in the 
 protecting shadows of a strong American fleet. 
 
 The first thing learned by the Ohio boys was a bit 
 of news somewhat disappointing when considered in 
 the light of their ambition to fight, that Ponce had 
 sun-endered without a struggle; that the people had 
 actually cheered the approach of the stars and stripes. 
 Nevertheless, the band played "The Star Spangled 
 Banner" as it never played it before and the St. Paul 
 anchored for the night. 
 
 It was rather disappointing to the men to listen to 
 "taps" on lx>ard the ship. So near the presence of the 
 enemy, they had hoped to sleep under arms, with a 
 double strength of guards around an actual carap 0:1 
 Spanish soil. Thev accepted their fate with a fair 
 
182 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 degree of submission, merely vowing that when they 
 got a chance they would make up for all these hours 
 of monotonous waiting. 
 
 The regiment heard the first words of welcome 
 early the next morning when a dusky native was 
 rowed to the St. Paul. The skiff which bore him 
 across the waves was protected by a sort of box canopy, 
 the only evidence that he was more than an ordinary 
 Porto Rican. He might have been the mayor of the 
 city, and he might have been the governor of the 
 province for all anybody knew or cared, but clamoring 
 up the sides of the great vessel, he crawled over the 
 rail onto the upper deck, and swelling up at the chest, 
 he pointed to his home across the bay and grunted: 
 "Ponce! Porto Rico! 'Mericano!" Then punching 
 himself in the ribs, he pointed toward the scene of the 
 victory in southern Cuba a month before and ora- 
 torically remarked, "Santiag' surren', surren'." He 
 had evidently prepared an eloquent address of wel- 
 come, but that was as far as he could go and accepting 
 the cheers the boys gave him as gracefully as a back 
 county politician, he bowed another welcome and 
 climbed back into his skiff as mysteriously as he had 
 boarded the St. Paul. 
 
 Thus finding that there was nothing for soldiers 
 to do at that time at Ponce, General Haines was in- 
 structed to take his brigade forty miles further down 
 the coast and effect a landing at the small port at 
 Arroyo. It was night when the regiment arrived 
 there, so of course it was useless to attempt to land 
 troops before morning. This was still worse to 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 133 
 
 the boys and the growling was proportionately fiercer, 
 but the effect was the same. The Seneca with the 
 Fourth Pennsylvania lay nearest the shore, except the 
 United States battleship Cincinnati, which occupied 
 a commanding position of the port and the country 
 immediately adjoining. Then came the St. Louis 
 \vith the Third Illinois and the St. Paul with the 
 Fourth Ohio, at least five miles further from shore than 
 the other vessels. Lying peacefully at anchor near by, 
 were the tugboats Stillwater, of Philadelphia, and the 
 Gussie, of New Orleans. Swinging with the swell 
 behind the larger vessels were a number of low, heavy 
 lighters used by the natives of the island for drifting 
 sugar from the shore to the large freighting vessels 
 which took the principal product of the country to 
 foreign consumers. The lighters were called "sugar 
 bowls" by the sailors, because of their use. Those 
 secured by the navy, however, had been used at Ponce 
 for unloading horses and mules, forage and all sorts of 
 supplies and stores. These were brought along for the 
 purpose of transporting the men from the larger ves- 
 sels to the shore. 
 
 While the vessel was cruising along the coast to 
 Arroyo, the ordnance officer. Lieutenant Graham, was 
 busily engaged in collecting the old Springfield rifles, 
 belts and bayonets which had been taken from Ohio 
 and issuing in their stead the new KJragg-Jorgensen 
 arms. The men were also given fine web belts with 
 capacity for holding one hundred cartridges each, and 
 new bayonets. The officers were at once set to work 
 instructing their men in the use of the new guns and 
 everything was bustle on the ship. 
 
134 THE FOURTH 0. F. /. 
 
 On Wednesday morning, August 3, arrange- 
 ments were begun for unloading the men. The Still- 
 water and the Gussie came along side the St. Paul, 
 the lighters were towed into position and after the 
 Stillwater had pushed too near the big transport and 
 had torn away the passageway on her port side, the 
 Third Battalion and the non-commissioned staff and 
 band, in command of the colonel and Major Sellers, 
 climbed down the sides of the St. Paul and then into 
 the lighters. The Gussie towed them to the shore 
 and they were at once assigned to quarters on the 
 outskirts of the village. 
 
 The Third Battalion and headquarters had hardly 
 reached shore when it was reported to the officers of 
 the Cincinnati that the Spanish forces just beyond the 
 town were throwing up earthworks. The Cincinnati 
 at once began to investigate and seeing through glasses 
 what aj)peared to be a number of men at work, she 
 began to pump shells into the hills. Those back on 
 the St. Paul could see the great volumes of smoke 
 belch forth from the mouths of the guns of the Cin- 
 cinnati and they could hear the sonorous report dis- 
 tinctly enough, but they could not make out what oc- 
 casioned the shooting. The St. Paul was too far from 
 shore for rifle reports to have been heard and con- 
 siderable fear was entertained lest the Third Battalion 
 might have gotten into trouble. The fact that the 
 lighters had all gone and that there was no possible 
 way of assisting their comrades only made matters 
 worse for the boys, and then when the St. Paul began 
 to push still further out to sea, the disgust of those 
 v,ho were left aboard could not be concealed. 
 
TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 135 
 
 "See here," said a stalwart soldier of C Company 
 when some one suggested that the Third Battalion 
 might need help, "them there fellers belongs to the 
 Fourth Ohio. That's the fightin' reg'ment of this 
 here bregade, and Maje Sellers is right there with 'em. 
 Any time they ain't able to take care of their selves, 
 somebod'll let us know." This patriotic remark had 
 a good effect and the idea was carried from one to the 
 other until the point discussed was what kind of noise 
 these shells were making after they left the cannon. 
 
 In the meantime the Third Battalion was also 
 wondering what the mark of the Cincinnati really was, 
 but they knew as well as they cared to know how the 
 shells sounded as they sailed through the air. They 
 went directly over the heads of the boys in camp and 
 they made a noise that none of them care to hear 
 again. It developed later on that the fears of the of- 
 ficers were wholly unfounded, as no earthworks were 
 found in the hills at that point after hostilities had 
 ceased. 
 
 As soon as the Third Battalion had been taken 
 safely ashore, the Gussie came back for the First. 
 Major Speaks was in command of this trip, assisted 
 by members of General Haines' staff, the general 
 having gone ashore before. This time the Gussie 
 started for the open sea instead of toward the land 
 and she made a circle of at least two miles before she 
 started toward shore. The waves were high and the 
 lighters were tossed about as though they were but 
 chips. Each one contained about a hundred men, 
 the most of whom were so sea sick that they did not 
 
136 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 care wlietlier they ever reached shore or not. Every- 
 body was sick, from the major down to the ugliest pri- 
 vate in the ranks, and if there were an occasional well 
 man, he was too busy keeping out of the way of the 
 fellows who were less fortunate, to appreciate the 
 humor of the case, if indeed there could be anything 
 humorous in such matters. 
 
 Just why the St. Paul could not get as near the 
 shore as the St. Louis, which was exactly like her and 
 which lay at least five miles nearer shore, is a matter 
 which the Fourth Ohio boys could not understand 
 then and which has not been fully explained yet. 
 
 It was dark when the First Battalion reached 
 shore, but they were taken at once to the camp assigned 
 in the morning. 
 
 From no fault of their own by any means, the 
 companies of the Second Battalion remained on the 
 St. Paul one more night than the others. They em- 
 barked under Major Baker as early Thursday morning 
 as it was possible to leave, and indeed they were glad 
 to return to the regiment. By direction of Colonel 
 Coit, Companies H and M remained on board the St. 
 Paul and under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel 
 Adams and Captain Vincent unloaded all the officers' 
 personal and the headquarters baggage. This was 
 by no means an easy task, as the members of these 
 companies voluntarily testified when they rejoined the 
 command after it had reached Guayama. 
 
 The first camp of the Fourth Ohio on Spanish 
 soil was about three-quarters of a mile from the coast, 
 on the site of an abandoned sugar mill and on the 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 137 
 
 plantation of a Captain in the Spanish volunteer army. 
 He had occupied the house up to within the time the 
 American ships came in sight, when he took his family 
 and his household effects and fled. The residence 
 which he thus deserted became the headquarters of 
 the Fourth Ohio on the morning of August 3. 
 
 The house was built after the fashion common in 
 tropical countries, set up on posts or supporters. "A 
 house on stilts" was the description given by one man. 
 
 The residence part of the house was reached by 
 a flight of stairs from the outside with a landing on 
 an overhanging veranda which commanded a view 
 of the sea and the beautiful landscape toward the vil- 
 lage. Near the house was a long shed used for shelter 
 for the oxen and other animals belonging to the plan- 
 tation. As many as could be crowded into this shed 
 spent the first night there, while the others pitched 
 their shelter tents or wrapped themselves up in their 
 blankets and crawled into a cart or the old mill. 
 There was another small building, but this was used 
 as guard headquarters. The band and non-commis- 
 sioned staff established their mess in the lower part of 
 the house. 
 
 As soon as the men reached shbre, a strong guard 
 was placed around the new camp. The exercise of 
 the march from the shore to the site of the camp wore 
 off the sea sickness and the first thing the men did 
 when they had secured quarters for the night was to 
 look for something to eat. Fires were kindled and 
 coffee was ground. Vessels of every description 
 were put to use and before any one was hardly aware, 
 
138 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 the whole plantation was filled with the invigorating 
 odor of coffee. Cans of beans, tomatoes and beef 
 were opened and actually cooked, and while this was 
 not the diet the appetites of the lx>ys really craved, 
 it was nevertheless most tempting food when it was 
 heated and thoroughly cooked to be served to men 
 who had lived on cold rations for almost a week. Be- 
 fore morning a pig and a calf and' several other ani- 
 mals died in a very mysterious way and fresh meat 
 formed a part of the breakfast of some. Strict orders 
 were at once issued against foraging, and indeed dur- 
 ing all the time the regiment was on the island there 
 was very little if any thieving done, at least by the 
 members of the Fourth Ohio. 
 
 As soon as the routine of camp work was com- 
 pleted, the men were permitted to go to AiToyo. 
 There the little provision stores suddenly experienced 
 a flood of prosperity they had never seen before. The 
 British consul at An-oyo exchanged the American 
 money for the soldiers for the native Porto Rican 
 coin at the rate of two pesos for one dollar. At the 
 stores could be bought eggs, fresh bread, cheese made 
 of goats' milk, Spanish sausage, wines of every age 
 and variety, cigars, tobacco that no American could 
 use and dried vegetables. At the market places were 
 offered for sale at what to Americans seemed phenom- 
 enally small prices, cocoa nuts, oranges, bananas, 
 limes, mangoes and other tropical fruits, although it 
 was the advice of the surgeons that none of this be 
 used. The advice was not heeded altogether, but 
 it must be said that the men were very temperate in 
 the use of the native fruits and vegetables and as a 
 consequence, there were no evil results. 
 
THE FOURTH O. V. I. 139 
 
 CHAPTEE X. 
 
 THE FOURTH UNDER FIRE. 
 
 ^^rroyo— The People and Climate— Fir&t Day in Camp- 
 Native Cigarettes— A Practice March— Orders from 
 General Haines— Fresh Beef Issue— Accident to Colonel 
 Coit— Major Speaks Takes Advance -Military Terms 
 Explained— A Frenchman's Information— A Funeral 
 "Procession"— The House "To the left"— Sergeant Rad- 
 cliffe's Ride— Under Fire— Spanish Bullets and Spanish 
 Marksmanship— Effect of Spanish Fire— Effect of 
 American Fire— Line of Battle Formed— Unjust Re- 
 ports—Spaniards Retreat— Capture of Guayama— The 
 Flag Raising— The Spaniards Rally— Dynamite Guns in 
 Action— First Night in Guayama. 
 
 Arroyo was found to be a village of about tbree 
 hundred people wbo depended for their living, such 
 as it was, upon the work afforded by the near-by 
 plantations and by loading freighting vessels by 
 means of the lighters which were used in transporting 
 the regiment from the St. Paul to the shore. The 
 village and the natives made a combination that only 
 one man in the regiment had ever seen before. He 
 was corporal Ed. O. Thompson, whose home was in 
 South America, but who had graduated from Ohio 
 Wesleyan university at Delaware just before the war. 
 He could read, write and speak the Spanish language 
 very fluently and he was at once made regimental in- 
 terpreter. Another member of the regiment whose 
 lingual accomplishments stood him and the whole 
 regiment in good stead was Private, afterwards 
 "Corporal" Will Markeson. The service rendered 
 
140 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 bj these two men were especially valuable, not only 
 to themselves and the regiment, but to the cause of 
 the United States in Porto Rico as well. 
 
 The houses at Arroyo, and in fact all over the 
 island, are the typical low, flat-roofed cottages of 
 Spanish countries. Houses were occasionally built 
 high, but in most cases of this kind there were but two 
 stories, the lower floor being a sort of surface base- 
 ment. This part of the family residence was de- 
 voted to the use of the goats, chickens, ponies and 
 other family animals. The people were of all imag- 
 inable shades of complexion, from the mythical black 
 to the fairest. All spoke Spanish or French, with the 
 exception of a few natives of the island of St. Thomas, 
 formerly an English possession. These were all 
 negroes, but they served with some degree of satisfac- 
 tion as interpreters. 
 
 Although the latitude is considerably nearer the 
 equator than any point at which most of the men had 
 ever reached, the climate was not nearly so hot as had 
 often been experienced within the borders of the 
 United States, and with a constant sea breeze stirring, 
 the weather was fairly comfortable, provided one re- 
 mained in the shade. Surrounding many of the 
 houses were beautiful flower gardens, and the frag- 
 rance from the plants gave the air a pleasant odor 
 which added much to the pleasure of the day in camp. 
 
 The first day in camp was passed for the most 
 part in sight seeing. Notwithstanding the fact that 
 the enemy was known to be in almost firing distance, 
 the brigade officers were very lenient as to restrictions, 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 141 
 
 and with the exception of strong picket lines and out- 
 posts, there were few strict camp orders given. It 
 was the wish of the officers that the men be given an 
 opportunity to completely rest up from their long 
 ocean voyage and to prepare for the hazardous work 
 before them. 
 
 The camp on Thursday night was more com- 
 fortable than it had been the previous night, the sol- 
 diers having had a better opportunity to arrange mat- 
 ters. With fires and the additional rations that could 
 be purchased from the native market, existence was 
 much sweeter than it had been aboard the St. Paul. 
 
 One of the most popular novelties of the new 
 surroundings was the native cigarette. They were 
 found to be stronger and of an entirely different flavor 
 than the American article, but strange to say, many 
 of the users of this form of narcotic learned to prefer 
 them to the ''coffin nails" of their native land. 
 
 Early the next morning the boys were told to 
 pack up all their personal baggage and each one was 
 given two days' travel rations. All that was said 
 in explanation to this was that there was to be a 
 practice march much the same as those at Camp 
 Thomas, but embracing more time and territory. 
 
 At regimental headquarters, however, the fol- 
 lowing communication had been received: 
 
 Arroyo, Porto Rico, Aug. 5. 1898. 
 Colonel Ck)it, Fourth Ohio: 
 
 You will move out your command toward 
 Guayama as soon as you are ready. Have your ad- 
 
142 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 vance guard well ahead and keep point well in ad- 
 vance of support. Two of the Sims-Dudley guns 
 will follow your regiment well closed up. They 
 should not take more than sixty rounds to the gun. 
 Be careful to keep a good lookout on each flank. 
 Your flank should be double the ordinary number. 
 ]reep me posted as to progTCss. I will be on the road. 
 The Third Illinois will support your movement. 
 
 P. C. HAINES, 
 Brigadier General. 
 
 About the time the regiment left camp, a load 
 of fresh beef arrived from one of the supply ships 
 which lay in the harbor at Arroyo. Company F, 
 which did not leave at the same time as did the main 
 column of the regiment, was given charge of this 
 issue, with the understanding that teams be secured 
 and the supply forwarded to the regiment at its first 
 camp. 
 
 The start for the "practice" march was not made 
 as early in the day as had been expected on account 
 of several unavoidable but unimportant delays. The 
 regiment was formed, however, in due time, so that 
 before 8 o'clock the rear of the column left the Arroyo 
 camp. Instead of going east to take the main road, 
 General Haines directed that the regiment follow a 
 plantation trail which lead in a northwesterly direc- 
 tion to a point in the road leading to Guayama, the 
 capital of the province of Guayama. This province 
 embraced that portion of central Porto Eico which 
 extended along the southern coast. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 143 
 
 The appearance of tlie regiment as it started 
 across the field was not unlike that presented at Camp 
 Thomas except the mounts of the field and staff of- 
 ficers. The horses belonging to the regiment and to 
 all the officers had been sent on another transport and 
 had not vet reached the regiment. They had landed, 
 however, but they were at Ponce at the time now re- 
 ferred to. There are no large horses in the island, but 
 there is a small Spanish pony, and on these boney 
 creatures the officers mounted, their feet extending 
 almost to the ground. 
 
 During the night of August 4th a battery of 
 Pennsylvania artillery had arrived and gone into 
 camp a short distance from the Fourth Ohio, and as 
 the latter regiment was moving along toward the main 
 road mentioned above, the artillerymen were leading 
 their horses across the field to a nearby stream for 
 water. Colonel Coit started to ride his pony around 
 one of these horses, but while he was doing so the ar- 
 tillery horse kicked at the pony and the hoof struck 
 the colonel on the leg. The blow was a severe one 
 and the colonel had to be lifted down from his little 
 steed. He ordered the regiment to proceed, however, 
 and Major Speaks of the First Battalion assumed 
 temporary command of the regiment. A surgeon was 
 hastily summoned from the artillery camp to attend 
 Colonel Coit, but Major Semeans, the regimentaj 
 surgeon, also appeared on the scene. It was seen that 
 the injury sustained to the colonel's leg might prove 
 serious and he was advised to return to Arroyo, but 
 he refused to do so, and followed the regiment, assum- 
 ing personal command a few hours later. 
 
144 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 REFERENCE MARKS. 
 
 Pn Cemetery, 
 
 <V First camp in Porto Rico. 
 
 . Point at which extreme "poiiu" of nd- 
 "T vance guard was first fired upon. 
 
 t Position of "C" Company when fir^ 
 ™ opened. 
 
 -|- Position main column when fire opened 
 
 r^ " A" Company deployed lines. 
 
 Q "C" Company deployed lines. 
 
 j~l " B " Company deployed lines. 
 
 A "I" Company deployed lines. 
 
 CT "E" Company deployed lines- 
 
 • » Dynamite Gun's position, 
 
 ^ Out Posts (Fourth Ohio.) 
 
 f^ Out Posts rrhlrd Illinois.) 
 
 X Positions of Companies"!)." "G," "K" 
 and " L." 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 145 
 
 As soon as the regiment reached the main road, it 
 was halted and Major Speaks reported to General 
 Haines, who had been waiting. The general directed 
 that one company act as advance guard and that 
 Major Speaks assume personal charge of this duty. 
 Company A was at once designated to take the ad- 
 vance and it proceeded several hundred yards in ad- 
 vance of the main column. 
 
 A Company had not proceeded far until Major 
 Speaks directed that with loaded pieces "flankers" and 
 a "point" be thrown out. For the benefit of those 
 readers who know nothing of military matters it is 
 explained that "flankers" are detachments of troops 
 deployed to the right and to the left of advancing 
 columns to discover anything that might impede the 
 progress of the advancing column, whether it be a 
 large stream, a fortification or an enemy. The 
 "point" is the extreme advance or "head" of the ad- 
 vancing column. When a line of battle is formed, 
 however, the presence and in most cases the exact lo- 
 cation of the enemy is known and of course there is. 
 no need of an advance or skirmish line to locate him 
 or to determine in any way his strength. 
 
 As the line of march was followed, all natives 
 were closely questioned either by means of signs or 
 through interpreters as to the location of the Spanish 
 forces. It is a fact, surprising perhaps to most read- 
 ers, that it was really not expected that there was at 
 that time an enemy of any consequence within any 
 significant distance. 
 
 After an advance of perhaps a mile had been 
 made, the flankers were strengthened in numbers and 
 
146 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 C Company was brought forward to serve as support 
 of tlie advance. C Company advanced within about 
 500 yards of A Company and at about tbe same dis- 
 tance in advance of the main column, at that time 
 consisting of B Company of the First Battalion and 
 E and I of the Second and the whole of the Third 
 Battalion. 
 
 When this disposition of the advance had been 
 made, the march was pushed with considerably more 
 caution than had been hitherto observed. Finally a 
 house was reached, over which the colors of the 
 French nation were flying. The occupant of the 
 house spoke English, but with a strong French ac- 
 cent, and in his characteristic way explained to Major 
 Speaks and Captain Wilson that the Spaniards would 
 be found in trenches about two thousand yards fur- 
 ther up the road. Their position, he said, could be 
 distinguished by the presence of a cluster of trees 
 bearing red blossoms. 
 
 There were only a few soldiers besides the officers 
 mentioned who had any knowledge of the information 
 gained here, but those who were not had very strong 
 suspicions that something was going to happen when 
 they saw the preparation for trouble going on about 
 them. The flankers were warned to proceed cau- 
 tiously and they were advised as to the carrying of 
 their pieces, barrels and magazines loaded. The ex- 
 treme advance was again strengthened and the line 
 lengthened so that the whole of Company A was now 
 in the skirmish line, the extreme right extending as 
 far as the hills to the right of the road, a distance of 
 , about three-quarters of a mile. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 147 
 
 A short distance bejond the house where the 
 Frenchman gave the important information as to the 
 position of the enemy, a strange experience was 
 gained by those in the road. It was the first time for 
 them to mtness a Porto Rican funeral procession. 
 The corpse in this instance was a small child; the 
 casket which contained the remains was a ru*de wood- 
 en box and the bier was the shoulder of the father. 
 Several half-dressed natives followed on behind jab- 
 bering away in their native tongue at a rate too lively 
 to characterize any sorrow by any means. The party 
 had passed the regiment, and not having the slightest 
 idea that it was a funeral procession, the attention of 
 the officers was not attracted to it. They were going 
 in the direction of Guayama, the town which lay at the 
 end of the proposed march, and not thinking it advis- 
 able for any one to go aJiead to inform the enemy, if 
 indeed one existed, as to the approach of the regiment, 
 the party was halted. They made a series of inco- 
 herent exclamations and doubled themselves up so 
 hysterically in making signs that the officers in charge 
 of the advnnce asked them in the wordless language 
 to open the box. They did so and there was exposed to 
 \-iew a sight which none who witnessed it will ever for- 
 get. If any had entertained doubts as to the fact that 
 ihc men composed a funeral party, those doubts were 
 removed more forcibly than eloquently when they 
 saw the half decomposed body of the child. 
 
 Some of those officers had little ones in their own 
 homes and they easily con.--idered the sorrow of the 
 broken-hearted mother who had spared this little one, 
 
148 TEE FOURTE 0. V. I. 
 
 and the funeral was permitted to proceed, with strict 
 orders to tell no one what they had seen on the road. 
 It was evident from the expression of their faces and 
 the signs made by the men that they promised not to 
 say anything, but they evidently did not redeem their 
 promises, for when the "point" reached the Spanish 
 outposts, it was given a reception that showed that the 
 enemy knew just about where and when the advance 
 would reach the most desirable point for firing pur- 
 poses. 
 
 Passing on toward Guayama a few rods. Captain 
 Wilson called the attention of Major Speaks to a part}- 
 of people near a house to the left of the road. It was 
 but about two hundred yards from the main road and 
 opposite a point about one hundred rods in advance of 
 where the "point" had then reached. The party 
 seemed to be composed of people dressed in white and 
 they appeared at that distance to be women. Field 
 glasses were trained on the spot, but nothing definite 
 could be made out. Finally convincing himself that 
 the party was not one of Spanish soldiers, the major 
 directed Kegimental Sergeant Major Radcliffe to ride 
 across to the house and see what was there and to get 
 any information he might be able to gather. It was 
 the sergeant's birthday anniversary, and he did not 
 consider the presentation of this order as very com- 
 plimentary to the occasion, but he went over, think- 
 ing as he did so of the many good times he had had 
 back in Ohio and wondering if history in Ohio would 
 ever repeat itself. 
 
 He rode towards the house, but the first informa- 
 tion he received was from observation, for he rode 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 149 
 
 through the party of "women," who in that case were 
 goats. There were some people at the house, however, 
 and from these he learned that there were Spanish sol- 
 diers at Guayama. While Sergeant liadclift'e was 
 making this reconnoiter, the point of the advance was 
 ascending a gentle slope just west of a small stream. 
 There was a culvert across the stream at the road and 
 the major and those with him had just reached this 
 point. The culvert was undergoing repairs at the 
 time and was temporarily out of use, but a by-road 
 led into the field at the right and out again to the road 
 a few rods across the stream. 
 
 Just about the time Sergeant Radcliffe returned 
 from his little trip, and about the time the point had 
 readied the top of, the slope and the officers and 
 party had reached the point where the road parted into 
 the field, a sharp crack was heard from the top of the 
 hill. An instant later a shrill whirring noise was 
 heard in the air, directly overhead; this was succeeded 
 by another and then in rapid succession a score of 
 ether sharp reports, followed by the whirring, singing 
 noise. 
 
 Several members of the point had advanced so 
 far beyond the crest of the hill that they could plainly 
 see about fifty Spanish soldiers, in position to defend 
 the approach to the city. It did not require a long- 
 drawn out discussion by any means to determine what 
 the noises were and it did not require an eloquent 
 appeal for the men to dodge behind trees, rocks and 
 cactus bushes. It was the report of the deadly 
 Mauser that the bovs had heard and the disturbances 
 
150 THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 
 
 in the air were made by the leaden messengers that 
 had called home the sons of Columbia at Santiago a 
 few brief weeks before. 
 
 Just who was the object of the first fire, will 
 probably never be known, but whoever he was may 
 congratulate himself upon the fact that the Spaniard 
 who fired it was not an expert at the use of the rifle, 
 for not a member of the advance guard was struck at 
 any time. The honor of firing the first shot at the 
 enemy, however, is laid claim to by Private Charles 
 Hughey, a member of the point who had reached 
 the hilltop. 
 
 The members of this squad returned the fire of 
 iho Spaniards and then slowly retreated to the culvert 
 referred to before. Every one present as a matter 
 of course sought shelter and then a steady fire was 
 poured into the place where the enemy was supposed 
 to be. This was a matter which had to be guessed at, 
 for there was not a Spanish soldier in sight, and as they 
 used smokeless powder, there was nothing to mark 
 their position. It was reasoned that inasmuch as the 
 bullets were whizzing either directly over the heads 
 of the men or striking the gravel in their immediate 
 vicinity, and that while they were at the foot of the 
 hill, those who were firing were surely somewhere at 
 the top, certainly not behind the ridge. The order 
 was, therefore, to shoot at the top of the hill, or at 
 any object that might be used as shelter for a lurking 
 Spaniard. 
 
 As evidence of the fact that the Spaniards were 
 overshooting their mark, if indeed they were shooting 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. /. 151 
 
 at the Americans nearest to them, is evidenced by 
 the fact mentioned before that not a single member 
 of the extreme advance was wounded. Private John 
 O. Cordner, however, a member of Company C, the 
 command which was now acting as support to the 
 advance ^ard, was wounded in the right knee. The 
 ball passed directly through the limb, without strik- 
 ing any bone, but at the time the regiment was mus- 
 tered out of the service of the United States the 
 wound had not entirely healed. About the same 
 time Clarence W. Riffie, a private in A Company was 
 struck by a Mauser, the bullet passing through the 
 fleshy part of both legs. His wound, like that of 
 Private Cordner, was not healed at the time he was 
 discharged. 
 
 After the firing had been kept up for about a 
 half hour or from a few minutes after 10 to 10:30, 
 Major Speaks directed that the men begin to advance 
 toward the hill, keeping under cover all the time as 
 much as possible. The boys had occupied snug posi- 
 tions along the side of the hill, in the culvert and at 
 other convenient places, but now they began one at 
 a time to get bolder and to creep along the edge of the 
 ditch at the roadside, toward the top of the hill. 
 Major Speaks, Captain Wilson and Lieutenant 
 Krumm had but one order to issue and that was to 
 "keep quiet." "They are just afraid of us, boys, as 
 we are of them," encouraged the major, "so just be 
 careful and pump it in to them." The boys certainly 
 "pumped it in" and at a rate entirely too lively for 
 the personal comfort of the Spaniards at the top of the 
 
152 THE FOURTH 0. T. I 
 
 hill, for they retreated toward the town as rapidly as 
 the men of the Fourth Ohio approached them. 
 When the top of the hill was finally reached, there 
 were no Spaniards in view, and they had ceased firing 
 entirely. 
 
 Here Lieutenants Modie and Grandstaff of A 
 Company, who had remained in command of their 
 platoons, were called in and word was taken back to 
 Colonel Coit and General Haines, informing them of 
 what had been done thus far. A Company had acted 
 as advance, C as support and B as reserve. F Com- 
 pany had followed mth the dynamite guns and the 
 entire First Battalion had thus been engaged. There 
 were but two companies left of the Second Battalion, 
 I and E, the remaining two, H and M, having been 
 left aboard the St. Paul to take charge of the unload- 
 ing. What was left of the Second Battalion was sent 
 to the advance under Major Baker, with instructions 
 from General Haines for Major Speaks to depend en- 
 tirely upon his own judgment for the disposition of 
 these five companies. The Third Battalion, under 
 command of Major Sellers was thus left to act as the 
 support of the firing line, the Third Hlinois Regiment, 
 in command of Colonel Bennit, acting as reserve to the 
 whole. This was the only part played by the Illinois 
 regiment in the capture of the city of Guayama, yet 
 in nearly all the accounts sent at the time to the 
 Eastern press, the Third Illinois received as much 
 credit as did the Fourth Ohio. One correspondent 
 stated that Guayama had been captured by "the Third 
 Illinois, assisted by the Fourth. Ohio." 
 

THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 153 
 
 Major Speaks at once decided to make a strong 
 move toward the city. He realized that with that 
 number of troops it would be impossible to sun*ound 
 the city, especially when the strength of the enemy 
 was not known and when there were no means of 
 gaining that information. The fii'st move was to 
 form a firing line and B Company, under Captain 
 Wliite was ordered into the field to the right. As 
 soon as this company had taken the position to be oc- 
 cupied in the line, C Company was sent out, to extend 
 its line from the right of the road to the left of B 
 Company. I Company was sent over to act as sup- 
 port of B Company and to extend its right as far as 
 the portion of A Company, which had gone as a flank- 
 ing detachment into the hills at the right of the road. 
 What was left of A Company and E Company was 
 then ordered to the left of the road and the advance 
 was begun. 
 
 While this preparation was going on, the Spanish 
 outposts were reinforced. From the top of the ca- 
 thedral in Guayama, the Spaniards could see every 
 movement made by the regiment, but as they were 
 concealed in the bushes of cactus, palms and other 
 thick tropical foliage, it was utterly impossible for the 
 American soldiers to learn the position of the Span- 
 iards except from the sound of the bullets or the re- 
 port of their pieces. 
 
 The advance was made under extreme difficulties. 
 There were sharp cacti, thick underbrush, swamps, 
 barbed wire fences and defenses to surmount, and in 
 fa(>t everything possible to impede the advance of the 
 
154 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 regimeut, yet the line pushed slowly un, pouring as 
 it proceeded, a most deadly fire into the town and into 
 the brakes where the enemy was supposed to be con- 
 cealed. On not more than two or three occasions 
 was the enemy seen at all, and when they were seen, 
 their backs were toward the Fourth Ohio. In the ad- 
 vance on the town, there was but one man wounded. 
 He was Stewart Mercer of E Company, but the wound 
 was but a slight one. One B Company man had the 
 sight shot from his gun, others had holes shot through 
 their hats and other strange things to happen them, but 
 miraculous as it seems, there was not a man lost and 
 only three wounded. 
 
 It was not a difficult task to dispose of the enemy, 
 but the work of pushing through the fields was a seri- 
 ous task and the progress was slow. The Spaniards 
 kept up a serious fire, but they seemed to be retreating 
 all the time. After they were driven into the town, 
 instead of taking a firm stand, when the circumstances 
 were even more in their favor than they had been be- 
 fore in the field, they retreated on through to the hills 
 beyond, leaving the town to the mercy of the invaders. 
 
 It was some time before the regiment really knew 
 that the town was theirs. When the advance through 
 the fields to the outskirts had been made, and when 
 some of the suburban streets had been reached, the ad- 
 vance was more rapid. When it was seen that the 
 Spanish fire had again subsided. Major Speaks ordered 
 a halt. This was at the very edge of the town and he 
 did not feel justified in leading the men into the 
 streets to be shot down from the housetops and win- 
 
TEE FOURTH 0. F. /. 155 
 
 dows without reconnoitering the situation, but at this 
 juncture Colonel Coit arrived on the scene and re- 
 sumed command of the regiment. The colonel was 
 suffering intense pain at that time, the result of the 
 kick by the horse, and indeed had he heeded the ad- 
 vice of the surgeons and his friends he would not have 
 accompanied the command at all. 
 
 The colonel determined to allow the men to take 
 a brief rest and then to go into the town, and moving 
 quickly through the streets, he hoped to escape serious 
 loss and to reach the other edge of the city, thus 
 catching the Spaniards in their own trap. But in this 
 case, plans of conquest were useless, for the enemy 
 had gone. Before the start was made, a window was 
 seen to raise and a head to peep out from behind a 
 wooden shutter. A dozen rifles were leveled at the 
 window, but a gesture from the colonel lowered them. 
 In another moment another window opened and 
 another head was exposed to view. Then another 
 shutter was pushed slowly open and finally not only 
 heads but shoulders were seen. Finally hands began 
 to waive and signs to be made, but no one knew 
 whether these signs were friendly signals to approach 
 or whether they were evil designs of the enemy to 
 lure the regiment into the streets to be massacred. 
 Finally a man walked out upon the roof of a house 
 waving a white handkerchief, and other natives ap- 
 peared on the streets. This was considered unmis- 
 takable evidence that there was no more danger and 
 the march into the city was begun. 
 
 Colonel Coit placed himself at the head of the 
 Third battalion and marched rapidly into the streets. 
 
15G THE FOURTH O. V. I. 
 
 The companies that had been out in the firing line 
 resumed their advance, through houses, across lots and 
 over fences, all in a mad race to reach the center of the 
 city first. The honor of reaching the plaza first is 
 claimed by several. There is no official report decid- 
 ing the matter, and it is not the intention to take up 
 the question here, but the man who first set his foot 
 on the property of the crown of Spain in the public 
 square of the city of Guayama, must certainly have 
 experienced the proudest moment of his life. 
 
 Whoever he was, he did not stand there alone 
 many seconds, for the Third Battalion on the one side 
 and the other two from the other sides were madly 
 rushing toward the colors, and in less time than is re- 
 quired to record it, the whole regiment was assembled 
 in front of the Capitol of the province of Guayama. 
 Everybody cheered as he went and everybody con- 
 tinued to cheer when he had reached the square. The 
 regiment had done excellent work, every man in it 
 had helped to do the work, and every one of them had 
 a right to cheer. 
 
 But all the cheering of that day was not done by 
 the men of the Fourth Ohio. There were others there 
 who had still better reason than they to raise the voice 
 which God had given them, to cheer the final freedom 
 which He had sent them. It was a happy day in the 
 history of that quaint little city. Men cheered and 
 women cried; children ran like wild creatures, shout- 
 ing as loud as their little throats would permit, "Vivan 
 los Americanos." Their happiness knew no bounds 
 and no one attempted to restrain their demonstrations. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 157 
 
 They kissed the hands of their deliverers and fell at 
 their feet to worship them. They opened wide the 
 doors of their homes and the best of the land was of- 
 fered in honor of the great event. As soon as it was 
 possible to reach the top of the Capitol the regimental 
 colors were planted there, and Guayama was no longer 
 a Spanish province, but an American colony. 
 
 The ceremony of raising the American flag over 
 the captured city was probably not attended with the 
 eclat that would have been given it under different 
 circumstances. The band had been drilled in the 
 duties of the hospital corps and the band men had 
 done excellent service in carrying litters and perform- 
 ing other work usually devolving upon the hospital 
 corps all day. Their instruments had been left at 
 Arroyo, hence all the music there was to add joy to 
 the already joyous occasion was the music of the little 
 birds that seemed to take up the glad song of victory 
 and of freedom, and of the men, women and children 
 who joined in one glad refrain. 
 
 The flag was carried to the top of the building by 
 the regular color guard. Those who were present 
 and who helped to fasten the starry banner to the staff 
 were Captain M. L. Wilson, regimental adjutant; 
 Sergeant Major Frank C. Eadcliffe, Color Sergeant 
 McDonald, Color Guards Alger of Company H, C<>r- 
 poral Thrall of Company A and T Darte Walker, cor- 
 respondent to "Harper's Weekly." 
 
 While the regiment was assembled the "alcalde" 
 or mayor of the town, through an interpreter, made 
 an address of welcome to the American soldiers. 
 
158 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 The iDterpreter on this occasion was Emanuel Lucin- 
 arius, a gentleman who had been educated in the 
 United States, who understood the English language 
 and spoke it fluently, and who afterwards proved to 
 be a very useful friend to the regiment and to its 
 officers. 
 
 Colonel Coit also took advantage of this, the first 
 opportunity, to thank the members of the regiment 
 for their excellent work, and to congratulate them 
 upon the victory of the day, but he had hardly gotten 
 the words from his lips when the whirring of the bul- 
 lets was again heard, and it was soon learned that the 
 flag was the object of renewed firing. This was kept 
 up for a few moments when a still greater danger 
 developed. Investigation showed that all the Span- 
 iards had not left the town and that those who had 
 remained were doing what had been expected they 
 would do, i. e., fire upon the men from the houses. 
 
 Colonel Coit closed that address more abruptly 
 than any he had ever closed before in his Hfe. He at 
 once ordered the Third Battalion to the northwest 
 part of the town to repel any attack that might be 
 made. It was well that this was done and that it 
 was done as soon as it was, for there is no doubt that 
 had this part of the city been left unprotected, the 
 hard work of the day would have been for naught. 
 As it was, the Spaniards had returned to within range 
 of the city and they were firing at the town at a lively 
 rate when the Third Battalion arrived on the scene. 
 
 Unfortunately little provision had been made for 
 the dynamite guns. There were no horses and the 
 
THE FOURTH 0. 7. /. 159 
 
 guns had to be dragged along the road by the men 
 themselves. They did not reach the scene of action 
 in time to be turned upon the town, but they came in 
 for an important part in the defense of the city after 
 it was captured. The guns were taken out to the city 
 limits and planted in a commanding position. Then 
 the hills where the Spaniards were known to be con- 
 cealed were treated to a bombardment they had not 
 experienced since the day they were created. Huge 
 charges of dynamite were thrown across the fields, 
 which, when they struck the earth, tore everything 
 in their path. Great holes in the ground were torn 
 up and rocks, dust and pieces of timber and roots were 
 thrown high in the air. It is needless to say that this, 
 added to the effective rifle fire of the Third Battalion, 
 had the desired effect, and the enemy did not again 
 attempt to disturb the Fourth Ohio at Guayama. 
 
 As soon as the Third Battalion returned to the 
 city, strong guards were posted all over the town. 
 Private William Walcut, of D Company, was placed 
 on guard at the principal comer, within a few yards 
 of the Capitol building. At a house near him, several 
 shots had been seen to be fired and several times a 
 man with a long black beard was seen to appear on a 
 veranda. The shots came very mysteriously, and as 
 there was no smoke, it was not known to an absolute 
 certainty that they came from the house mentioned 
 except as could be judged from the report of the rifle. 
 One of the shots was well aimed and Sentinel "Walcut 
 was wounded in the foot. 
 
160 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 This created considerable excitement and the 
 house was entered. The man with the black beard 
 was Chief of Police Blanco, an avowed Spanish sym- 
 pathizer, and there is no doubt but that he was the 
 man who fired the shoi which wounded Walcut 
 The house was entered by Colonel Coit in person, ac- 
 companied by several men, and when they came out 
 they had some arms, a Spanish flag and several pris- 
 oners of war. Among them was Blanco. They were 
 all taken to the provincial jail and locked up, a strong 
 guard being placed over the jail. 
 
 When everything had quieted down, it was al- 
 most dark and arrangements were begun for the night. 
 Company B was detailed as guard in the to\vn and the 
 other companies were stationed as outposts on the 
 north and west sides of the city. The Third Illinois 
 took charge of the other approaches. The men that 
 were left were permitted to camp for the night where- 
 ever they chose and some pitched their tents in the 
 street, others in the public buildings and others in the 
 plaza. Most of the shelter tents and other baggage 
 was discarded in the advance on the city so that many 
 of the men were compelled to seek shelter under 
 roofs or sleep in the open air. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. 7. /. 161 
 
 OHAPTEE XI. 
 
 THE ROAD TO CAYEY. 
 
 "Battle" of Guayama — Comments on the Capture — Effect ol 
 This Duty Upon the Regiment — General Haines and the 
 Fourth Ohio — Restlessness in the City — Reconnoiter of 
 the Road — Spanish Camp Located — Orders for Second 
 Reconnoiter — A False Alarm — A Break for Guayama — 
 Stories of Ambush — Their Effect — Excitement at Head- 
 quarters — Regiment Made a Rescuing Party — American 
 versus Spaniard — Dynamite Guns in Action — ^A Make- 
 Shift Caisson — Barrio De Las Palmas — Other Expe- 
 ditions. 
 
 When the officers of the United States army were 
 instructing the officers of the Fourth Ohio as to the 
 preparation of blanks in the final muster out of the 
 regiment at Columbus in January, 1899, one of them 
 said: "In preparing the discharges of the men, you 
 will in recording the military record of each, give thos^ 
 credit who were in action on August 5th at Guayama, 
 Porto Rico, as the government has dignified that en- 
 gagement with the name of "battle." 
 
 The simple facts that only two regiments were en- 
 gaged on the one side and less than a thousand men on 
 the other and that only a few American soldiers were 
 wounded and none killed, does not show any insignifi- 
 cance to the engagement. The Fourth Ohio was there 
 in obedience to orders from the commanding officers 
 and the spirit with which they performed their duty 
 as it appeared to them, would have been the same had 
 there been a milHon Spaniards to oppose them. Be- 
 sides that, the work which they accomplished was cer- 
 
162 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 tainly one worthy the record which, the regiment had 
 made while it was a part of the Ohio National Guard. 
 The capture of the city of Guayama at that time meant 
 more than the mere defeat of a detachment of Spanish 
 troops. Guayama was a city of five thousand in- 
 habitants, and the province of which it was the po- 
 litical, social and commercial center, contained twelve 
 thousand people, who represented many million dol- 
 lars of wealth. This was all lost to the Spanish gov- 
 ernment and some of the hardest fought battles of 
 the Civil war resulted in smaller gains to the federal 
 government. 
 
 ISTor should the value of that day's work be 
 measured by the remarkably short list of wounded. 
 It certainly was no fault of the Fourth Ohio that not 
 more of their number were injured. They placed 
 themselves in the path of the Spanish bullets and for 
 four long hours they were subjected to a hot fire from 
 an enemy which knew every foot of the contested 
 gi-ound, while the Ohio boys were in a strange land 
 and among a strange people. The loss to the regiment 
 was not confined by any means to the damage done by 
 Spanish bullets, for the severe physical strain of the 
 day had a telling effect indeed, and the sweltering 
 rays of the tropical sun did far more damage than the 
 poorly aimed Spanish rifles were able to accomplish. 
 Captain White of B Company, who had been in the 
 thickest of the fray from the time the assault was 
 begun until the regiment reached the city, was com- 
 pletely overcome by tlie heat and spent the night at the 
 hospital in terrible agony. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. F. /. 163 
 
 Many of the boys were overcome by the heat, and 
 it was not an uncommon sight durino- the advance 
 upon the city to see men throw up their hands and 
 with a shriek, sink to the earth. These sights would 
 probably have had a serious effect on men less de- 
 termined than the Fourth Ohio, for from every ap- 
 pearance the men thus fallen, were mortally wounded, 
 and this was what their comrades naturally supposed 
 had happened. 
 
 There are many reasonable objections to the ser- 
 vice of volunteer troops, and there are many strong 
 arguments for their efficiency, but it is very seldom 
 that any confidence is reposed in volunteer regiments 
 by general officers until they have once been under 
 fire and proved themselves. General Haines had 
 watehed the Fourth Ohio all through its course of 
 training at Chickamauga park. He had personally 
 superintended their marches, rifle practice and otber 
 drills and had learned to know that they were made 
 of the stuff that goes where duty calls. The Fourth 
 Ohio had never as such been under fire, but they 
 conducted themselves on the occasion of the capture 
 of Guayama with so much judgment, precision and 
 determination that General Haines freely announced 
 that he could trust any officer or man in the regiment 
 with any duty which falls to the lot of the soldier. 
 
 He formed a warm personal acquaintance with 
 the officers and with many of the men. Anything 
 which was in his power to bestow was freely given to 
 the Fourth Ohio, and that regiment received every 
 
164 THE FOURTH 0. T. 1. 
 
 post of honor whicli General Haines liad the privilege 
 of giving. 
 
 On the night after the capture the town was in a 
 very restless condition. A night attack was feared 
 by the citizens, and property holders were fearful lest 
 Spanish sympathizers would set fire to their buildings 
 and escape to the Spanish camp in the hills beyond the 
 city. Many arrests were made during the night, of 
 men who it was claimed were avowed Spaniards, 
 and before morning the little provincial jail was 
 crowded with prisoners of war. These were all re- 
 leased, however, on their promise not to take up arms 
 against the United States or to assist in any way the 
 Spanish cause. 
 
 Those citizens who remained quietly at their 
 homes, whatever their sympathies might have been, 
 were not disturbed, and with but few exceptions these 
 liberal offers were not abused. The officers of the 
 regiment had taken quarters for the night in a hotel 
 adjoining the City Hall, and during the night a man 
 wearing citizen's clothes was caught lurking near these 
 quarters with a large "machete" concealed on his 
 person. What his intentions were, could only be 
 judged by appearances, and he was hurried away to 
 the jail to join his friends and neighbors. 
 
 The soldiers and citizens continued to be the best 
 of friends, the people ever ready to share their last 
 comfort with the soldiers who had brought to them a 
 new government. There were few households which 
 did not contain an abundant supply of wine of various 
 grades and quality, and this was liberally bestowed 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I- 165 
 
 upon the Ohio soldiers. Some of the boys became 
 too ''sociable," however, and the regimental guard 
 house was pretty well filled up at reveille on the morn- 
 ing of the 6th. 
 
 The night having passed without serious trouble, 
 General Haines directed that the day be spent so far as 
 possible in rest. Guards were made as light as the 
 circumstances would permit and the outposts were 
 made as comfortable as possible. Some of these were 
 some distance from the city, and had an attack been 
 made upon them, they would have had to have f ough' 
 like demons to have held their positions or to have 
 gained the city in safety. D Company was on the 
 top of a mountain next the city, but it was a hard 
 and dangerous climb to reach their post, and they 
 would have had a hard time retreating to the city had 
 such an emergency presented itself. The other com- 
 panies were stationed at a bridge across the stream 
 "Kio Guayama," along the road from the city to the 
 bridge and at other points along the little stream as it 
 flowed along the outskirts of the city to the sea a few 
 
 miles away. 
 
 In the afternoon, Colonel Coit directed companies 
 A and C to make a short reconnoitre beyond tlie 
 bridge before mentioned, to discover if possible the 
 position and strength of the Spanish forces and to 
 report on the condition of the road. 
 
 Corporal William Markeson, who had now been 
 relieved of the duties of regimental clerk and returned 
 to his company (F), accompanied this expedition in 
 the capacity of interpreter. Every native that was 
 
166 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 met was questioned as to what he knew and the 
 answers as to the number of Spaniards in the hills 
 varied from one dozen to several thousand. It was 
 definitely learned, however, that the main force was 
 near the top of the mountain range, five or six miles 
 further up the road and that they were busily en- 
 gaged in throwing up intrenchments and preparing 
 to receive an attack. No reliable information could 
 be secured as to their strength. 
 
 The road leading from Guayama, extended from 
 that city through Cayey, Caguas and Kio Piedras to 
 San Juan, the capital of the island. It had been 
 constructed by the Spanish government, and was 
 found to be one of the finest Maceadam roadways in 
 the world. It wound itself in gTaceful curves around 
 the hills, keeping in the valley as much as possible, 
 and cutting itself along the bluffs and by the side of 
 precipices like a quiet mountain stream. At many 
 places its foundation was the very rocks and at other 
 places it was filled with closely packed stone which 
 had been ground almost into powder. The heavy 
 rains and the absence of freezing had rendered the 
 road as hard as cement and its surface was almost as 
 smooth. 
 
 The engineers had made ample provision for the 
 little mountain gorges which would otherwise have 
 destroyed the road in the course of time, and beautiful 
 masonry marked the places where these little streams 
 threaded their way through the rock under the road- 
 way. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. F. /• 167 
 
 At one of the turns in this road there was found 
 evidence that the Spaniards fully expected that the 
 American troops would push on toward Cayey. A 
 clump of bushes was so arranged that a dozen men 
 could conceal themselves and command a view of the 
 road for a distance of a hundred yards. Had an 
 enemy approached, they could have fired several vol- 
 leys into its ranks and then dropped down the em- 
 bankment and retreated to the next turn, where these 
 tactics could have been repeated. In this way it 
 would have been possible for fitfy Spaniards to have 
 repelled the advance of an entire regiment of Ameri- 
 can soldiers. 
 
 After the party had reached a distance of six 
 kilometers from the city, the lengthening shades of 
 night warned the officers that it was time to return 
 to the city. The advance guard and flankers were 
 called in and the march was made back to Guayama. 
 Both A and C companies returned to outpost duty 
 and the other companies remained at the posts to 
 which they had previously been assigned. 
 
 The discoveries of the reconnoitering party con- 
 vinced the officers that the Spaniards were preparing 
 to carry on a stout defense against any advance of the 
 Americans rather than an offensive campaign, and the 
 fear of an attack was lessened. Saturday night was, 
 therefore, spent in greater ease than the previous 
 night, and Sunday was spent in much needed rest. 
 
 The baggage from off the St. Paul had now 
 reached the regiment at Guayama and most of that 
 which had been discarded on Friday between Arroyo 
 
]68 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 and Guayama had been collected. H and M com- 
 panies liad reported for duty, tlie men liad rested 
 and the entire command was in better condition to 
 hold the city or to make an advance than they had 
 yet been since the landing at Arroyo on the 3rd. 
 
 General Haines established brigade headquart- 
 ers in a large brick building at the southwest corner 
 of the principal square, overlooking the plaza, and 
 Colonel Goit established regimental headquarters in 
 an abandoned residence at the rear of the cathedral. 
 Arrangements were made to remain in the city until 
 more forces should arrive before another advance 
 would be attempted. 
 
 It was of course necessary to keep informed as 
 much as possible as to what was going on in the 
 Spanish camp and on Monday the following order 
 was delivered to Colonel Coit: 
 
 Headquarters Second Brigade, 
 First Division, First Corps, 
 Guayama, Porto Rico, August 8, 1898. 
 Colonel Coit, Commanding Fourth 0. V. I.: 
 
 Sir — The brigade commander directs that you 
 send a reconnoitering party on the road to Cayey 
 toward the place where the road has been blown up. 
 This party need not be a large one, not more than one 
 company, strong enough to take care of itself and 
 fall back in case of attack. The object is to secure 
 information and not to bring on a fight. Lieutenant 
 Darrow will accompany the party to sketch the 
 ■country. Very respectfully, 
 
 0. W. FEISTTEIT, A. A. G. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 169 
 
 A few moments after the receipt of that order, 
 the following was issued: 
 
 Headquarters Fourth O. V. I., 
 Guayama, Porto Rico, August 8, 1898. 
 Regimental Order No. 77: 
 
 Captain Walsh will, when relieved by Captain 
 Bostwick, make a reeonnoiter with parts of Compan- 
 ies A and C, leaving Company C at a point about 
 two miles beyond Guayama bridge. This expedition 
 is for information only and will be made with care. 
 Lieutenant Darrow and interpreter will accompany 
 the party. You will avoid an engagement and re^ 
 treat in order if you meet with aforesaid opposition. 
 A written report with all information will be made 
 as soon as possible. By order 
 
 COLOKEL COIT. 
 
 M. L. WILSON, Capt. Fourth O. V. I., Adjt. 
 
 In obedience to these orders companies A and C 
 left camp at about 8 o'clock Monday morning, August 
 8th. Advance guards and flankers were thrown out 
 and the command proceeded cautiously up the moun- 
 tain. The main column remained in the roadway, 
 but the line of flankers extended on either side, in the 
 valley at the right and on the mountain side at the 
 left. It was very hard work to climb over the rocks 
 and across the precipices and progress was therefore 
 rather slow. It was not possible for the main column 
 to proceed faster than the flanks which were to pro- 
 tect the movement, so that by noon the command had 
 not gone more than four miles from the bridge. 
 
170 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 Colonel Coit had accompanied the expedition, 
 to be on the ground in person in case anything should 
 happen, as well as to familiarize himself with the 
 condition and outline of the country. Lieutenant 
 Darrow, of General Haines' staff, was also a member 
 of the party. It was his duty to make a topo- 
 graphical map of the road and the adjacent country. 
 The entire reconnoiter was in anticipation of a gen- 
 eral advance from Guayama to San Juan, and for this 
 reason a great deal of importance was attached to the 
 movement. 
 
 As had been learned through the expedition on 
 Saturday before, the main force of the Spaniards 
 occupied a position at the top of the hill, where they 
 commanded a complete view of the road from the 
 bridge to their own camp. The Spanish officers 
 could have seen the expedition leave camp and prob- 
 ably did see their every movement while on the 
 march. 
 
 After the command had reached an abrupt turn 
 in the road, glasses were trained at the hillside to the 
 right and there the Spaniards were in plain view. 
 Men could be seen with the naked eye workinsf in the 
 trenches, which had already been made a most formid- 
 able defense. There were rifle pits at the side of the 
 road, artillery trenches in the hill sides and embank- 
 ments thrown up in the middle of the passage. 
 Bridges and culverts had been destroyed with dyna- 
 mite, and an American cavalry or artillery detach- 
 ment would have found it Dractically impossible to 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 171 
 
 have climbed the mountain even if there had been 
 no defense of the road by Spanish arms. 
 
 The expedition made careful notes of all they 
 saw and of' what they could learn from the natives, 
 but they had not quite reached the bridge referred 
 to in the communication from brigade headquarters. 
 They had just passed one of the sharper turns in the 
 road when a hundred Mauser rifles rang out in the 
 fresh mountain air, directly above and in front of 
 them. An instant later the shrill whistle of the bul- 
 lets was heard directly over their heads and in another 
 moment a second volley was fired. Fortunately the 
 aim of the Spaniards, as it had been at Guayama, was 
 very bad, and the bullets passed harmlessly over the 
 heads of the Americans or struck the side of the cut 
 in the roadway. Some of them, however, struck the 
 surface of the road and had the effect of giving the 
 Americans to understand that they were standing on 
 very uncomfortable ground, to say nothing of the 
 unhealthfulness of the surroundings. > 
 
 The position of the command at this time was 
 very peculiar. The road did not extend more than a 
 few feet in any one direction at one place, but the 
 curves were sharp, bounded on the one side by the rock 
 at the side of the mountain and on the other side by 
 a deep precipice which afforded even as much danger 
 as the bullets from the Spanish soldiers. The head 
 of the column had reached a point behind a steep bluff 
 where it was impossible for the bullets to reach them, 
 but the rear of the column was in direct range of the 
 
172 THE FOURTH 0. 7. I. 
 
 fire which was becoming thicker and more deadly 
 every minute. 
 
 The firing had come like a thunderbolt from a 
 clear sky and for a moment the officers and men of 
 the command were dumfounded. The order from 
 General Haines had been to "fall back in case of at- 
 tack," but here was a situation that no one could 
 have anticipated. To advance was in disobedience 
 of orders and would have been murder on the part of 
 the oflicers commanding it, and to retreat was plain 
 suicide; still, at the rate the bullets were coming 
 from the Spanish trenches, it was plainly seen that the 
 command could not remain in that position many 
 minutes. 
 
 The expedition had been placed in charge of 
 Captain Walsh, but the colonel was there and of 
 course the responsibility of getting out of the dilemma 
 at once devolved upon him. Colonel Coit's first com- 
 mand was to stand firm, but it was soon seen that 
 that would not be safe, for the Spanish soldiers were 
 aiming lower at every volley. 
 
 Finally it was decided that the men should re- 
 treat around the bend in squads so as not to attract 
 the attention of the enemy. The first squad waited 
 until they heard the shower of bullets pass over them, 
 then they made a mad rush around the curve before 
 the Spaniards could fire another volley. The first 
 squad made the trip successfully and then the next 
 tried it. Those who were waiting in the meantime, 
 hugged mother earth as closely as it was possible for 
 them to squeeze their bodies into the shallow ditch 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 173 
 
 at the side of the road where they patiently waited 
 their turn to slip behind the friendly embankment. 
 
 After a few squads had gained the protection of 
 the turn in the road, some one repeated a command 
 to "retreat two by two." Another person gave the 
 alarm: "The cavalry is coming! Run for your 
 lives!" In the absence of a second order, these cries 
 confused the men so that no one knew just what 
 was really expected of him. Some of the men be- 
 came frightened and ran down the road as fast as 
 their legs could carry them. Sergeant McConnel and 
 his squad, which had at first formed one of the flanks, 
 but which, owing to the rough condition of the coun- 
 try had dropped back and acted as the rear guard, 
 at once placed himself in the middle of the road and 
 declared that he would kill the first man who at- 
 tempted to pass him. 
 
 At the same time Lieutenants Reynolds and Alex- 
 ander regained control of the men in their own com- 
 pany and order was soon restored, but not until the 
 following had been wounded: Noble W. Horlocker, 
 Company C, right ankle; Harry L. Haynes, Com- 
 pany C, left shoulder and right arm; Samuel Jones, 
 Company C, knee; William Edgington, Company 
 A, thigh; Edward Thompson, Company K, wrist. 
 
 Some of the men, however, had managed to get 
 down the road before Sergeant McConnel could stop 
 the mad retreat, and they rushed pell mell down the 
 hill to the bridge where M Company was then sta- 
 tioned. They related a marvelous tale of how the 
 expedition had been ambushed and how almost the 
 
174 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 entire command was either killed or captured, and in 
 a few minutes all sorts of wild rumors had reached 
 regimental and brigade headquarters. 
 
 Everything at Guayama was in a state of wild 
 excitement. Stragglers kept coming into the city, 
 telling still wilder stories so that every one was at a 
 loss to know just what had really happened. Major 
 Baker was in command of the regiment when the first 
 rumor reached the city, but at that time he happened 
 to be away from headquarters and could not be found. 
 Colonel Adams soon appeared, however, and he at 
 once ordered those companies nearest the city to go up 
 the road and assist the reconnoitering party if that 
 party still existed. Major Baker hastened to his bat- 
 talion and Major Speaks, hearing the rumor at a dif- 
 ferent part of the city, returned in all haste to regi- 
 mental headquarters only to find the building de- 
 serted. 
 
 Company B was still on guard in the city and 
 they had theu' hands full maintaining order, for be- 
 tween the soldieirs and the citizens all was chaos. 
 Major Sellers and Colonel Adams soon had the out- 
 posts well in hand and as many men as could be 
 spared from these companies were hastened up the 
 road. M Company, which was already at the bridge, 
 had started for the scene of trouble before the regular 
 command reached it, but it was soon overtaken and 
 the regiment marched up the road in regular order. 
 
 As the reinforcement advanced, they were met 
 by stragglers from A and C Companies who were 
 totally unable to give any intelligent information as 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 175 
 
 to what was really going on or what had actually 
 taken place. Careful questioning of these men failed 
 absolutely of result and the relief had to push its 
 way up the steep mountain road, expecting every 
 minute to receive a terrific fire from an enemy in 
 ambush. Caution and speed were combined as far 
 as possible, however, and the regiment hurried to the 
 rescue. 
 
 Strangely enough, the command reached the 
 re^ionnoitering party ^vithout being fired upon. 
 As soon as the party was reached, explanations 
 were hastily made and a course of action de- 
 termined upon. The Spaniards had as a mat- 
 ter of course observed the approach of the fresh 
 troops, but they supposed that the reinforcement had 
 come for more than to merely cover the retreat of 
 their comrades. They had, therefore, themselves re- 
 treated to a stronger position further up the hill and 
 had there awaited an assault. As soon as they dis- 
 covered the real purpose of the movement of the ad- 
 ditional troops, they grew somewhat bolder and re- 
 opened the fire. 
 
 The column had not yet exposed itself on the 
 side of the curves next the enemy and the fire from 
 the trenches was therefore of no serious conse- 
 quence. It was not deemed advisable to return to 
 the city without giving the Dons a dose of their own 
 medicine, and with that end in view. Colonel Adams 
 ordered several companies up to the top of the ridge 
 at the left of the road. In single file, the men 
 climbed up the steep rocky bank and pushed on to the 
 
176 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 top of tli€ ridge, where they could secure the range of 
 the Spanish trenches. As soon as they were in po- 
 sition the men were given the command to fire and 
 three hundred Krag-Jorgensen rifles sent messengers 
 of lead into the Spaniards with as much vim as the 
 Spaniards had fired upon the helpless A and C 
 Companies. 
 
 In the meantime the dynamite guns were hurried 
 forward. No horses had yet arrived, so it was neces- 
 sary for the men themselves to drag the heavy guns 
 up the hill. An attempt was made to press the little 
 Spanish ponies into this service, but they were too 
 small and the effort had to be abandoned. The 
 ammunition for the dynamite guns was taken to the 
 scene of action in heavy ox carts, and this trip forcibly 
 demonstrated the uselessness of this primitive beast 
 in warfare. That the guns ever arrived in position at 
 all was a wonder to all who saw the trip made. 
 
 The rifle fire was kept up at a lively rate until 
 the guns were 2"otten into position, when the small- 
 arm fire was stopped. It had been returned bv the 
 Spaniards, but the bullets fiew so far over the heads 
 of the men on the ridge that they could hardly hear 
 t*hem whistle. The Spaniards did not seem to pay 
 much attention to the rifle fire, but as soon as the ar- 
 tillery was "let loose" there was commotion every- 
 where in their camp. The first shot was aimed too 
 low, but it was near enough to suit those at whom it 
 was aimed and when the shell exploded with a terrific 
 roar, Spaniards could be seen running to the top of the 
 hill and to places of supposed safety in every direc- 
 
REPRODUCED FROM A WATER COLOH 
 
 THE ROAD TO GAYEY. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 177 
 
 tion. One of the shots was afterwards said by a 
 Spanish soldier to have fallen in the midst of the 
 trenches and to have killed outright twenty-seven 
 Spanish soldiers besides maiming many others. 
 
 After a number of shots had been fired into the 
 hills from the dynamite guns, the rifles were permitted 
 to give them a pai'ting volley, and the regiment re- 
 turned to the city. 
 
 Considerable newspaper discussion followed this 
 engagement, but in this case the Fourth Ohio re- 
 ceived all the credit and there was nothing but credit 
 to be given. N^o criticism was oifered whatever to 
 the action of the regiment, but those who had broken 
 to the rear and who beat a disorderly retreat were 
 held in considerable contempt by their comrades, at 
 first, but when all the facts in the case were learned, 
 and when the men fully declared that they heard an 
 order to retreat, the suspicions against them were re- 
 moved. The rear of the column had certainly been 
 in a dangerous position and the men were certainly 
 justified in doing all they could in self-preservation, 
 but it was a difficult task for them to convince their 
 comrades that they had actually heard an order to 
 run. The commanding officer of C Company was 
 relieved from command shortly after the party re- 
 turned to the city, but he was afterwards restored and 
 remained in command at Guayama until after his 
 resignation was accepted, when he returned to his 
 home in Columbus. ISTo charges were ever preferred 
 against the members of the two companies who had 
 started the wild rumors, although it was thought at 
 
178 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 the time that this would be done. The place where 
 the firing occurred was named "Barrio de Las 
 Palmas," and the engagement is known by the same 
 name. 
 
 Several other parties were sent up into the hills 
 after that, but not more than a half dozen were sent 
 at a time and these always avoided the main road. 
 By creeping along the edge of the hill it was possible 
 for small parties to get good views of the Spanish 
 camp, and by the time all was in readiness for the 
 general attack, General Brooke had been supplied by 
 his scouts with maps and even photographs of the 
 Spanish defenses. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 179 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 ONE WEEK OF REST. 
 
 The Fourth Appreciated by People at Guayama — A General 
 Cleaning Up — Beautiful Scenery — Early Impression of 
 Porto Rico — Commissary Condition — Fresh Meat at the 
 Outposts — The Water Supply — Horses and Reinforce- 
 ments Arrive — Hospital Established — Rumors Again — 
 Preparations for Advance — Final Orders Issued — Death 
 of Sam Hill, 
 
 The regiment now settled down for a week of 
 quiet rest. There was at that time nothing to do un- 
 til more troops arrived, for it was apparent to all that 
 a movement toward Cajej would be useless except 
 bv an overwhelming force. The Spaniards were 
 known to be in a strong position and that they were 
 m force, and besides this, they were acquainted with 
 the entire surrounding country. IS^ature had given 
 them an almost impregnable fortress, and they were 
 in excellent position to hold it; this they were evi- 
 dently determined to do. 
 
 While the troops rested, however, the general of- 
 ficers and their staff officers were as busy as bees. 
 Some were collecting information as to the strength, 
 position and plans of the Spaniards, others were ar- 
 ranging for the coming of additional troops, others 
 were making reports, while still others were doing 
 all in their power to make those comfortable which 
 were already at hand. 
 
180 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 The regimental headquarters in the rear of the 
 cathedral was the center of attraction for the citizens 
 of Guayama. The other regiments of the brigade 
 were in camp outside of the city and their members 
 were very seldom seen on the streets, but the people 
 of Guayama had learned that it was the Fourth Ohio 
 which had made them free from Spanish rule, and 
 anything they had or could secure was gladly turned 
 over to the soldiers. This kind feeling was warmly 
 reciprocated, and soldiers and citizens were the best 
 of friends for a long time, but a change came, which 
 will be treated later. 
 
 While the regiment was in the city, word came 
 that the St. Paul was under orders to return to the 
 states and that she would take mail from the soldiers 
 if delivered within a certain time. There was a mad 
 rush for stationery, but there was very little to be 
 found except the ofRcial paper at the City Hall. 
 This was Spanish, and not only afforded excellent 
 writing paper, but it made an appropriate souvenir of 
 the victory to send home. Thousands of letters were 
 written to dear ones at home on this paper. Postage 
 stamps were nowhere to be found, but they were not 
 essential to the sending of the letters. By a ruling 
 of the postofRce department, soldiers in the field were 
 permitted to send mail matter without postage pro- 
 vided they wrote their names across the envelope, 
 marked it "Soldiers' Mail," and had the same ap- 
 proved by a commisioned oificer. The letter was sent 
 just as though it bore the usual stamp and the postage 
 was collected at the office where it was delivered. 
 
THE FOURTH O. T. I. 181 
 
 This arraBgoment was a great accommodation to the 
 boys, as it was almost an impossibility for them to 
 carry postage stamps with them, and now that they 
 had reached a foreign country, United States stamps 
 could not be secui-ed. 
 
 Before the regiment left Guayama, however, the 
 United States government had established a very ac- 
 ceptable postal service, and it was not only possible 
 to purchase postage stamps, but postal money orders 
 could also be secured and it was possible to register 
 
 mail. 
 
 While the reg-imental headquarters were in 
 Guayama during that week, the soldiers themselves 
 were not always there. Company B had been re- 
 lieved as provost guard by a company of the Third 
 Illinois, but matters did not go as they were supposed 
 to move and the Fourth Ohio company was returned 
 to duty in the city. The other companies of the 
 regiment remained at outpost duty at different sta- 
 tions near the city. 
 
 The troops in town were quartered in buildings, 
 while those out of town were obliged to sleep on the 
 ground under the little shelter tents, which afforded 
 very little resistance indeed to the heavy rains which 
 fell for hours at a time. By pitching their tents, 
 however, beneath the trees and in the shelter of banks 
 or crevices, the boys managed to get along fairly well. 
 Those men near the Guayama bridge availed them- 
 selves of near-by sheds for sleeping quarters. 
 
 The commissary department of the Fourth Ohio 
 during all this time was indeed in a sorry condition. 
 
182 TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 There was canned beef and tomatoes and some beans, 
 but aside from this very little could be procured. 
 There w£.s hard tack^ but it was a poor quality; 
 there were fresh beef issues, but they came so seldom 
 that the boys did not get time to appreciate it; there 
 was coffee and sugar, but not in the abundance it 
 should have been, and it was an uncommon thing for 
 a man to drink a gill of coffee, eat a small piece of 
 hard tack and stand guard all night in the presence 
 of the enemy. 
 
 When the fresh beef was issued, the company 
 cook details improved the opportunity to work off 
 some of the beans and tomatoes in very liberal propor- 
 tions. By purchasing a few native vegetables with 
 the pennies which could be collected in the compan- 
 ies, it was possible to prepare a suspicious looking 
 mess which the cooks called "soup," but which in 
 most cases was a base deception. The "fresh" beef, 
 it should be understood, was beef that had been con- 
 tracted for in the United States, and it had been ship- 
 ped from the west to the seaboard, then transferred to 
 transports and shipped to the soldiers in Cuba and 
 Porto Rico. It was packed in ice, then taken out in 
 lighters and brought to shore, where it was once 
 more loaded on ox carts and dragged from the coast 
 towns to the soldiers inland. Handled either in the 
 hot tropical sun or in the heavy rains natural to 
 these climates, the reader can easily imagine how 
 "fresh" the beef was when it reached company cook 
 quarters. The dealings of government contractors 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 183 
 
 for subsistence was, after the war, the subject of in- 
 vestigation by a board appointed for the purpose. 
 
 The market at Guayama afforded a limited sup- 
 ply of food, consisting of oranges, bananas, mangoes 
 and other tropical fruits, most of which was forbidden 
 to the men by the surgeons. Fresh and salt water 
 fish could be purchased in abundance, and milk, com, 
 yams, cheese and eggs could also be secured. The 
 one difficulty, however, was the scarcity of funds with 
 which to purchase these things, as the men had seen 
 the paymaster but once since they had been in the 
 federal service. 
 
 The outposts of the Spaniards and the Americans 
 were almost in range of each other and oftentimes 
 at night when a cow or a horse would be seen wan- 
 dering through the hills, the animal was mistaken 
 for an enemy and shot by a picket man. The mis- 
 take could not be discovered, of course, until daylight, 
 and when the "enemy" proved to be a cow, sheep or 
 goat, the company near whose post the killing had 
 been done, invariably enjoyed a feast of their own. 
 The neighboring plantations were well supplied vnth. 
 chickens also, and if the owners could be made out 
 in any way to represent sympathy for the Spanish 
 cause, foraging expeditions were organized against 
 the place and the trophies secured helped to make 
 merry the hearts that watched night and day over the 
 approaches to the captured city and the camp of their 
 comrades. 
 
 The march from Camp Thomas to Rossville, the 
 long car ride to the coast, the voyage on the St. Paul, 
 
184 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 the severe weather and the hard work since the boys 
 had landed on the island, were causes which combined 
 to render every thread of wearing apparel and 
 blankets in a condition for the laundry. The men 
 had several chances to get small articles of wearing 
 apparel washed "on the jump" from time to time, but 
 even then they alv/ays ran the risk of never seeing 
 the clothing again, because of the uncertainty of the 
 movements of the regiment. When it was seen that 
 nothing would be done until reinforcements an-ived, 
 the boys with one accord started on the hunt for 
 laundries. Some of them had lost all the clothing 
 they possessed except what they had on their backs, 
 and these had to go to Rio Guayama and play wash- 
 erwoman until their clothing was clean and then sit 
 on the bank for a sun bath to w^ait for their clothes 
 to dry. They then dressed and returned to camp, 
 postponing the work of ironing to "some sweet day." 
 The washer^vomen of the city reaped a harvest 
 of which they had never so much as dreamed. They 
 had all they could do and more, but they kept at it 
 night and day, determined to do all in their power 
 for the comfort and convenience of the soldiers, and 
 at the same time to earn a livelihood for themselves. 
 These women would undertake to wash for a whole 
 compan}' almost at a time and w^ould promise to have 
 every garment washed, ironed and returned in less 
 time than it w^ould have been possible for them to 
 have collected it. Their work, however, was entirely 
 satisfactory, but their manner of selecting clothing 
 and their persistency in getting it mixed up as to 
 
TEE FOURTH 0. V. 1. 185 
 
 owners was the source of no little annoyance to their 
 patrons. 
 
 There was no regular laundry in the city. All 
 this work was done by women who took the clothing 
 to the creek and there removed dirt and filth with the 
 aid of soap, cold water and hard work. The garments 
 were each given a good coat of cocoa soap and then 
 they were squeezed and beaten on rocks. There were 
 no wash boards used, such as American women use for 
 that pui'pose, but these women squatted down in the 
 middle of the stream and rubbed the clothing on the 
 rocks wdth their hands or with corn cobs and smooth 
 board paddles. 
 
 After they had been thoroughly cleansed in this 
 way they were carefully rinsed and spread out upon 
 the clean pebbles to dry. During the process of dry- 
 ing, the women would take cocoanut shells of water 
 and sprinkle them. This, with the aid of the bright 
 sun, rendered every piece as immaculately spotless 
 as when it left the store. Rio Guayama was literally 
 lined with washerwomen during the entire stay of 
 the soldiers at Guayama. 
 
 The process of ironing was much the same as that 
 used in the states except that the irons were rude 
 instruments to say the least, and that they were 
 heated on charcoal burners. After the clothing had 
 all been ironed and carefully folded, it was piled in a 
 heap and delivered according to the memory of the 
 one who had collected it. The result of this method 
 was that the clothing of the regiment became pretty 
 thoroughly mixed up, Init as it was exactly alike ex- 
 
186 THE FOURTH O. V. I. 
 
 cept linen, no one suffered a great deal. The com- 
 promising feature of it all, was, that ten cents paid for 
 the largest washing that could be delivered. Prices 
 advanced later on, however, and it was an every-day 
 occurrence for a soldier to pay fifty cents to get a 
 shirt washed or go to the creek and do it himself. 
 
 The bathing facilities at Guayama were better 
 even than they had been at Chickamauga park. 
 Nearly all the better residences in the city were 
 equipped with cement bath basins, fitted out for 
 shower and tub baths. The privilege of these was 
 extended to the soldiers, and they availed themselves 
 generally. Many deep pools could be found in the 
 Kio Guayama and into these the boys plunged their 
 sweltering, dirty bodies to be cleansed and refreshed. 
 
 Another advantage which the duty at Guayama 
 possessed over duty at Camp Thomas, was the beauti- 
 ful scenery which stretched out in every direction. 
 The plain extending from the coast to the city of 
 Guayama was skirted on the east by a high and beau- 
 tiful mountain ridge, extending almost the entire 
 length of the island. This ridge was clothed with a 
 most luxuriant tropical vegetation except in the more 
 even spots, where the natives had cleared it of its 
 natural dress and had appropriated spots for cultiva- 
 tion. The rich southern sky for a back ground made 
 a view of the eastern mountain ridge one of the most 
 beautiful landscapes that could be imagined. Guay- 
 ama was inland a distance of about three miles from 
 the deepest part of a gentle bay. The mountain 
 range followed the curves of the beach, so that the 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 187 
 
 ridge encircled the valley, along the western bank of 
 Rio Guayama, and then changing its course again 
 to a westerly trend, stretched away to the other ex- 
 tremity of the island, apparently burying itself in the 
 sea below and in the clouds above. 
 
 Like a veritable bed of roses the coast plain 
 reached from the foot of the hills off to the water's 
 edge, dotted with fields of waving cane and orna- 
 mented with palms and ferns whose beauty could not 
 be excelled outside of Eden itself. Asa back ground 
 for this view, the waves of the Carribean sea danced 
 against the mossy banks of the plain and then lost 
 themselves in the deep blue bosom of the mighty sea. 
 The sight of a single sunset as it lingered at the top 
 of the beautiful mountain range for a moment, then 
 dropped behind the hill to be reflected by the sea 
 below in the fleecy clouds above, giving to the whole 
 a coloring Avhich no brush could imitate, was well 
 worth a journey to the spot to witness. 
 
 The weather was certainly hot. It was almost 
 impossible for a sentry to pace a beat in the sun for 
 more than a few minutes mthout being completely 
 overcome. The water supply in the city was secured 
 from large springs in the mountain and conveyed to 
 the residences and other buildings through thin iron 
 pipes, but it was very warm, and such a luxury as 
 ice could not be secured under any circumstances. 
 There was an ice plant at Ponce, however, and the 
 supply for the hospital had to be carted across the 
 country over a rough, rocky road forty miles long. 
 The hills were warm to their center from the heat of 
 
188 THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 
 
 the sun above and the heat of the interior beneath, 
 &o that the water never was and probably never will 
 be cool. The water for drinking and cooking at the 
 outposts was secured from the streams and springs. 
 It was all very warm and unrefreshing, so that the 
 men suffered considerably from thirst. 
 
 A short time after the city had been captured, 
 the telegraph line which had been abandoned by the 
 Spaniards was placed in repair and in this way the 
 signal corps opened communication with Ponce. 
 Until that time messages had to be carried by dis- 
 patch boats along the coast. 
 
 Newspapers and news associations were obliged 
 to file their reports at St. Thomas, a Danish island, 
 about seventy miles from Guayama. The reports 
 from Guayama were taken to Arroyo and there de- 
 livered to special news boats, which carried the mes- 
 sages to St. Thomas or Jamaica. No mail had, of 
 course, been received from home as yet, and the men 
 ^vere practically in ignorance of what was going on 
 at Washington or Madrid. A meager report would 
 occasionally reach the camp through the newspaper 
 boats and these would instantly magnify into the 
 wildest rumors that could possibly have been in- 
 vented. 
 
 The health of the men during the first week 
 was far better than any one had anticipated. Several 
 men had been overcome by the heat and there was 
 one or two cases of typhoid fever, but these were 
 supposed to have been developed at Chickamauga 
 park. With everything apparently in their favor, 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 189 
 
 with a prospect before them of just such an experi- 
 ence as they had longed for and worked for in the 
 Camp Thomas training school, the spirits of the boys 
 remained as bright as they had been since the regi- 
 ment left Columbus in May. 
 
 It was under such conditions as those just de- 
 scribed that the first impressions of Porto Rico were 
 formed. The men thought that they had surely 
 reached a paradise and they were happy. Some be- 
 gan to lay plans for remaining there after the war. 
 Others wrote home to their friends, telling them what 
 a resort had been found, and urging them to follow 
 as soon as possible. The more enthusiastic attempted 
 to purchase real estate and to make arrangements 
 for settling down for the remainder of their lives. 
 
 On August 10th the hospital corps and the regi- 
 mental detachments amved at Arroyo. A field hos- 
 pital was established there, but it was removed in a 
 day later to near Guayama. Other troops began to 
 appear, cavalry and artillery, besides the escort which 
 had covered the march of the hospital outfit from 
 Ponce. The horses and mules belonging to the 
 brigade arrived also, and final preparations began 
 making for the advance toward Cayey and San Juan. 
 News reached Guayama that Spain had sued for peace 
 and that hostilities would soon cease, and it was de- 
 termined that if anything should be done it must be 
 done at once in order to hold as much territory as 
 possible when the end should come. Orderlies and 
 staff officers could be seen hurrying from one head- 
 quarters to the other all day on the 12th, and that 
 
19U THE FOURTH 0. V. 1. 
 
 night the commanding officers were called to brigade 
 headquarters, where the plan for the movement was 
 explained to them and each was assigned the duty 
 which he was to perform. 
 
 About 11 o'clock Thursday night, the battalion 
 commanders were instructed to have their companies 
 ready to move at 5 on the morning of the 13th. All 
 the companies had now been sent to outpost duty, 
 Company B having been again relieved. They were 
 not disturbed that night, however, but the order waa 
 communicated to them early the next morning. 
 
 Shortly after the battalion commanders had re- 
 ceived their instructions, Captain Sellers, of D Com- 
 pany, called at headquarters and asked for Major 
 Sellers, of the Third Battalion. When he found the 
 major, the captain reported one of the saddest acci- 
 dents that could have happened throughout the whole 
 campaign. 
 
 One of the outposts guarded by Company D waa 
 at a lonely spot on the north side of the mountain, 
 east of the Guayama bridge. This post was in com- 
 mand of Lieutenant Turner, and one of the members 
 of the Guard was Private Sam Hill. Private Hill 
 had been relieved and had gone to his tent until big 
 turn would again come to take post. It is supposed 
 that he arose in his sleep and wandered from his tent. 
 Those on guard at the time could not have noticed 
 him leave his tent, hence his comrades were in ig- 
 norance of his absence. 
 
 The hills and the valley below were known to be 
 full of Spanish guerillas and picket duty on these 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 191 
 
 posts was very dangerous. One of the guards who 
 had relieved Private Hill and the relief of which he 
 was a member, noticed an object moving in the dark- 
 ness near his post and he at once commanded "halt." 
 The challenge was unheeded, but it was repeated only 
 to be again unheeded. The moving object had every 
 appearance of a human being, but in the darkness it 
 was impossible to distinguish between friend and foe. 
 Before offering the third challenge the sentry called 
 out, "For God's sake speak or I'll fire!" and at this 
 somewhat irregular but conscientious challenge, it 
 seemed to raise up as if to spring, and the sentry fired. 
 Investigation showed that the object had in- 
 deed been a human being and that it was Private 
 Hill. The sentry who had fired the fatal shot was 
 crazed with grief when he saw the lifeless body of his 
 comrade, but he had done his duty and was blameless. 
 The news of the accident fell like a pall upon the 
 entire company, but every member realized that no 
 person was in any way at fault, and the body of the 
 unfortunate man was laid tenderly away in the gov- 
 ernment burial lot at Guayama. 
 
192 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 BEGINNING OF THE END. 
 
 Imposing Scenes— Breakfast in the Rain— Expedition As- 
 signed to Fourth Ohio— March Begun— Guide "Backs 
 Out" — Plan of Operations— A Rocky Road — A Hot 
 Day — Danger in Straggling— Lunch and a Short Rest- 
 End of the March^ — Hostilities Suspended — Retraced 
 Steps — Friday and the Thirteenth — Intense Suffering- 
 Temporary Camp— Hospital Call— Permanent Camp. 
 
 On the morning of August IStli the members 
 of the Fourth witnessed a sight thej could never 
 forget. A light rain had fallen during the night in 
 the city, but out where the companies were located, 
 the rain was quite heavy and continued until some 
 time after daylight. The men were obliged to pre- 
 pare breakfast and get ready for the day's work in 
 this kind of weather, but there was very little 
 gTumbling except that they had not been given a 
 warning sooner of what was to come. The regiment 
 assembled early and before 7 o'clock it was reported 
 to General Haines ready for duty. 
 
 It is not necessary to give the general plan of 
 the movement in this connection, even if the details 
 were at hand. The object was of course the conquest 
 of the island and the immediate capture and possession 
 of the city of Cayey, the capital of the province of the 
 same name. General Brooke was on the scene of 
 action and personally conducted the initial move- 
 ments. The Fourth Ohio had been recommended to 
 
THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 193 
 
 him as a command which could be thoroughly relied 
 upon, and from this recommendation and from what 
 he had seen at Camp Thomas, the regiment was as- 
 signed the most difficult part of the movement. 
 
 The regiment assembled on the road leading 
 from Guayama to Cayey, between the city and the 
 bridge. Before they could proceed on the march, 
 however, and while they were in line. General Brooke 
 and his entire staff passed up the road. Following 
 the general and his staff came a large detachment of 
 cavalry, the most of them regular, one troop, the 
 First City Troop of Philadelphia. The firm, reso- 
 lute faces of these men as they galloped along the 
 line of the Fourth, gave the boys a feeling of confi- 
 dence and they were more anxious than ever to 
 measure strength with the Spanish forces. 
 
 The rear of the cavalry column had hardly 
 pasrjed when the sonorous rumbling of artillery was 
 heard as it rattled over the road into position beyond 
 the bridge. Then came Colonel Bennit at the head 
 of the Third Illinois and then the Fourth Pennsyl- 
 vania, commanded by Colonel Case. Knowing the 
 situation as they did, the Fourth Ohio at first regarded 
 with considerable suspicion the result of this expedi- 
 tion, for they knew full well that from their position 
 in the hills the Spaniards could see exactly what was 
 going on and that they were as a matter of course pre- 
 paring to receive any attack that might be made. The 
 resolute appearance of the men who had passed -^dth 
 the cavalry, however, and the heavy guns that spoke 
 destruction inevitable, manned by men who were as 
 
194 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 anxious to fight as the members of the Fourth Ohio 
 could have ever been, and these, backed up by the 
 other regiments of the brigade, of which the Fourth 
 Ohio was a part, inspired such a feeling in the minds 
 of the boys that they expected to see the very hills 
 before them torn to pieces and the war brought to a 
 summaiy close before night fall. 
 
 As soon as this force had cleared the way, the 
 Fourth Ohio started on the march, in an opposite di- 
 rection, or back towards the town. They passed on 
 through Guayama and on to the road leading to 
 Ponce. This road was followed for a distance of 
 nearly a mile when a turn was made to the right and 
 the line of march was continued along a rough, rocky 
 road that had the appearance of being a private lane. 
 The Second Battalion marched at the head of the col- 
 umn and the First Battalion was assigned to the rear. 
 The march was well protected by a strong advance 
 guard, E Company under Captain Vincent having 
 been assigned to this duty. 
 
 The column advanced through fields and across 
 meadows, over deep ditches and along rugged streams, 
 pushing its way at times through thickets and planta- 
 tions and again coming out into rocky barren places 
 where the horses could hardly be pushed along at 
 all. A guide had been secured to point out the way, 
 but when it came to the test, he refused to go along. 
 General Haines accompanied this expedition and he 
 at once sent back to Guayama for Emanuel Lucinarius 
 who bravely offered to show the way through the 
 mountains. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 195 
 
 Briefly stated, the plan was for the Fourth Ohio 
 to take a very circuitous route through the mountains, 
 arriving at the rear of the town, while the remainder 
 of the force was to have advanced over the main road. 
 The main column would probably have attracted the 
 attention of the entire Spanish force, so that the 
 Fourth Ohio could have moved practically unnoticed 
 into a strong position and the work would have been 
 done. At the same time General Miles, with his 
 army at Ponce, would advance from Comoa, the town 
 which had already been captured with a small loss, 
 so that the Spaniards would have been compelled to 
 exhaust their every resource to cope with such a 
 movement. 
 
 The men had been ordered to take two days' ra- 
 tions with them, and this, added to the weight of the 
 regular equipment began to weigh pretty heavily on 
 the men before they had gone very far. The tac- 
 tics that had been followed on the march from 
 Arroyo w^ere again adopted and shelter tents, blan- 
 kets and ponchos were thrown by the wayside. The 
 rains had entirely ceased and the sun beat down upon 
 the men most unmercifully. The band had again 
 left their instniments behind and were acting as mem- 
 bers of the hospital corps. The sun beat down upon 
 these men, however, with as much force as it did 
 upon the companies, and they were almost as help- 
 less as the other men. They accomplished much 
 good, however, by caring as best they could under 
 the circumstances, for the men who were compelled 
 to drop from the ranks on account of the heat. 
 
1% THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 Considering the terrible heat and the rate at 
 which the march was kept up in order to reach the 
 town at the appointed time, there were not as many 
 stragglers as might be supposed. There was a fight 
 in view and this kept the spirits of the men in such 
 condition that they could have borne even worse hard- 
 ships than they had yet suffered. Before noon, how- 
 ever, the unrelenting heat had claimed quite a num- 
 ber of ^dctims and the poor fellows who could go no 
 further were cared for as \vell as could be done many 
 miles from a hospital. 
 
 Straggling was very dangerous, for the moun- 
 tains were known to be full of guerillas and scouts 
 from the Spanish army, and it was learned after hos- 
 tilities had been suspended that small reconnoitering 
 parties had actually concealed themselves and watched 
 the regiment thread its way through the bushes and 
 among the rocks. They were in such small force, 
 however, that they regarded it folly to make their 
 presence Imown in any way, but had the line of march 
 been marked with men who had fallen from the ranks, 
 they could easily have been captured and carried 
 away to Spanish prisons. 
 
 A peculiar fact connected mth the history of the 
 Fourth Ohio is that every movement was either made 
 on Friday or on the 13th day of the month. This 
 movement was made both on Friday and on the Thir- 
 teenth, and while the regiment at least as a whole 
 was not superstitious in any way, many of the mem- 
 bers fully expected that something serious would 
 happen. Dozens of places were passed, where, if the 
 
THE FOURTH 0. 7. /. 197 
 
 Spaniards had seen or had been ready to act, the 
 regiment could have been wiped out of existence so 
 completely that not one would have survived to tell 
 the tale. As these places were passed the men in- 
 voluntarily heaved a sigh of relief and figuratively 
 ^'held their breath" until the next pass came into 
 view. Every rifle was loaded, chamber and magazine, 
 and during most of the march, every trigger had a 
 finger ready to touch it in the name of "Fair Co- 
 lumbia and the Stars and Stripes." 
 
 The regiment reached a beautiful, well-shaded 
 spot along the bank of one of the mountain streams 
 about noon, and here a short stop was made for din- 
 ner. 1^0 fires were kindled except a few of sticks 
 where the men prepared cups of coffee. "Prime 
 Roast Beef," "Boston Baked Beans/' and "Finest 
 Quality Tomatoes," mth a liberal supply of hard 
 tack and river water, made up the menu of the lunch, 
 but it was heartily enjoyed by all, as was also the 
 short rest which was permitted after lunch. 
 
 When all was again ready, the march was re- 
 sumed, but perhaps at a little higher rate of speed 
 until the last mountain pass was reached. This was 
 little short of a cliff, but it had to be surmounted just 
 the same, as the other bad places had to be gone over. 
 It was about 2 o'clock when the foot of this hill was 
 reached and a brief rest had been ordered before the 
 ascent was commenced. It would have required 
 about an hour for the regiment to have climbed this 
 place, but at the top all the fighting that had ever 
 been asked for was waiting. The command. "For- 
 
198 THE FOURTH O. T, I. 
 
 ward!" had just been given when an officer of the 
 signal corps, Major Dean, overtook the regiment, his 
 horse covered with lather and foam and almost ex- 
 hausted. When he reached the rear of the column, 
 he called for them to make way. He pushed tlirough 
 as rapidly as the men could make way for him, shout- 
 ing as he did so, ''Tell the colonel to halt." When 
 the major had reached the colonel and General 
 Haines, he delivered a message from General Brooke, 
 announcing that dispatches had been received from 
 Washington with the intelligence that hostilities be- 
 tween the United States and the kingdom of Spain 
 had been suspended, and that there would be no more 
 fighting, at least for the time being. The Fourth 
 Ohio was then ordered back to Guayama, to report 
 as soon as possible. 
 
 "This is Friday and the 13th," observed a sol- 
 dier, who had been an observer. ''I told you some- 
 thing would happen, and now sure enough we are up 
 against the worst snap we have struck since we left 
 home. All this killing march for nothing. It does 
 
 beat ," and here the pessimistic observation 
 
 was drowned in the cheer that went up from the ranks 
 for Uncle Sam. The march had been a severe one, 
 and it seemed hard for the boys to turn their 
 backs to the enemy they had yearned so much to 
 meet, but knowing that a fight on that ground would 
 have resulted seriously if not disastrously, the boys 
 accepted their fate as best they could and after a 
 short rest started back to town. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 199 
 
 If tlie advance had been a severe trial, the re- 
 turn trip to the city was a severer one. The first 
 march had been attended with novelty, and with 
 interest and a promise of excitement, but now that the 
 boys had to pick their way back over the rough road 
 without having accomplished anything or without re- 
 ceiving an opportunity of showing what Ohio citizen 
 soldiers could do, the regiment as a whole was sadly 
 discouraged, and very uncomplimentary remarks were 
 made concerning the "backbone" of the Spanish gov- 
 ernment and the fighting quality of her soldiers. 
 However, a soldier's value is estimated by his willing- 
 ness and promptness in obeying orders, and here the 
 Fourth Ohio did its duty just as it had done on every 
 occasion since the day it was accepted as a volunteer 
 regiment. 
 
 The Third Battalion took the lead on the return 
 and they set a merry pace. Half running, the col- 
 umn retraced its steps back to town as though it had a 
 record to beat and had there been one it certainly 
 would have been beaten, for before the sun had sunk 
 behind the hills the regiment had just climbed and 
 then descended, a camp had been estabKshed and 
 preparations were going on for the night camp along 
 the Ponce road, at the point where the regiment had 
 left it earlier in the day. 
 
 On the return there was a large number of strag- 
 glers, for the heat of the sun and the severe physical 
 strain of the march had so nearly worn out a great 
 number of the men that they were wholly unable to 
 keep up. They were compelled, for lack of strength, 
 
20O THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 to drop out and rest, returning to the regiment as best 
 they could. The hospital corps at first attempted 
 to assist these men, but the number increased so rap- 
 idly that no possible means could be devised to help 
 them and they were obliged to get along as best they 
 could. Lack of water and of nourishing or refreshing 
 food had rendered them almost helpless, and words 
 fail to describe the suffering of that afternoon. Men 
 threw away what clothing they could spare in order 
 to lighten their load and to make better progress. 
 Some threw their weary bodies into the streams in 
 the hope that in that way they could quench their 
 parching thirst. Men lay at the roadside begging 
 for water, while their comrades were forced to pass 
 by them, wholly unable to give them more than a 
 quaff of the tepid water from the little rivulets which 
 had almost boiled under the terrible heat of the trop- 
 ical sun. Some of these men did not rejoin the regi- 
 ment until the next day, preferring remaining out in 
 the open country to dragging their exhausted bodies 
 over the rocks before they had enjoyed a night's rest. 
 
 As soon as the temporary camp was established, 
 the men were permitted to report at the hospital, and 
 quite a number improved this opportunity to prepare 
 for the fight against disease. Quite a few were ad- 
 mitted to the hospital as patients, and it is very grati- 
 fying to note that no permanent evil resulted from 
 the terrible march. 
 
 Supper was prepared and the men, after taking 
 liberal quantities of hot coffee into their stomachs, 
 wrapped themselves in the few blankets which re- 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 201 
 
 mained, and creeping into the little shelter tents 
 buried themselves in sleep until morning. The 
 camp was not in existence long, for early the next 
 day the regiment removed to a hill side at the north 
 side of the city, the new camp bordering on one of the 
 Guayama streets at the south and another, the main 
 street or the road to Cayey on the west. The new 
 camp was made with the wall tents which had been 
 brought from Chickamauga park, a decided improve- 
 ment over the low thin "pup-tents." 
 
 Tf a careful survey of the whole island of Porto 
 Rico had been made, a worse location for a military 
 camp could hardly have been selected. There was 
 one advantage and that was the convenience to a 
 water supply, the city water station being located 
 within the limits of the camp. This proved inade- 
 quate, however, and water for cooking and some for 
 drinking purposes had to be carried from the city. 
 The camp was on a hillside at the base of the moun- 
 tain range already described. At the foot of the hill 
 was Eio Guayama, and this made it convenient for 
 washing clothes and for bathing, but the Third Il- 
 linois later occupied a field further up the stream 
 and thewaterwasthoroughlypolluted bythe "Suckers" 
 before it reached the limits of the Fourth Ohio camp. 
 The surface of the ground was such that it was abso- 
 lutely impossible to take a step in any direction with- 
 out going either up or down hill. As popular :.s dress 
 parades were with the regiment, a parade ground could 
 not be found capable of permitting a review in more 
 than a column of platoons and even these were often 
 
202 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 obliged to break to pieces in passing tbe re\dewing 
 officer. Permission could not be secured, however, 
 to remove tbe camp to a more favorable location and 
 tbe regiment made this place its bome until October 
 6tb, wben tbe start was made across tbe island for 
 San Juan and the states. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. 7. I. 203 
 
 CHAPTEK XIV. 
 
 IN CAMP AT GUAYAMA. 
 
 Miserable Location — Causes of Dissatisfaction — Health of 
 the Men — Desire to Return Home — Sickness — Condition 
 at Hospital — Changes in Commanders — Market — Finan- 
 cial Condition of Men— The Paymaster— Better Times- 
 Visit of Mr. Klotts — Orders to Move — Brigade Dis- 
 banded. 
 
 The camp at Guayama was in existence from 
 August 14 to October 6, when, under orders to re- 
 turn to the United States, the regiment marched 
 across the mountains to Cajey, thence to Caguas and 
 from there to Rio Piedras and proceeded to San Juan. 
 The camp has already been described as to its posi- 
 tion and surface. The members of the regiment had 
 but one consolation when the camp was established: 
 The assurance that hostilities having ceased, or at 
 least suspended, the war would soon be declared off 
 and the regiment returned to its home in Ohio. Had 
 it been generally known at the time this camp was 
 formed that the regiment would remain there two 
 long months, the howl that would have gone up from 
 the company streets would have been heard in Wash- 
 ington. 
 
 One of the first duties after the camp was formed, 
 was the digging of sinks and other preparations look- 
 ing to the health and comfort of the men durincr the 
 occupation of the camp, whatever length of time that 
 misrht be. It should be remembered in this connection 
 
204 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 that the only commissary stores received at Guayama 
 were those which had constituted the diet of the reg- 
 iment since the day the regimental camp at Camp 
 Thomas had been abandoned. The regiment was not 
 traveling, much as it wanted to, but "travel rations" 
 continued to come in from the United States. The 
 first few days the boys managed to get along fairly 
 well by buying and bartering of the natives such ar- 
 ticles of food as the island produced and a few arti- 
 cles that had been imported. They were unable to 
 do this very long, however, from the fact that no pay- 
 master had yet appeared at the camp and the funds 
 of most of the men had become practically exhausted. 
 
 About the time the boys began to think seriously 
 of rising up and demanding as one man that more 
 and better rations be issued, they began to under- 
 stand that it was not the fault of the regimental or 
 company officers that they were not better fed, but 
 that it was the fault of those in the states who had 
 the matter of feeding the army in hand. All com- 
 missary stores were purchased by contract and if the 
 contractors could furnish the stores that would fill 
 their coffers more rapidly than to furnish the kind of 
 food which the men in the field wanted and which 
 they needed, the former was invariably sent to Cuba 
 and to Porto Rico. It made little difference how 
 much the men who had to eat these things, objected, 
 the issues continued the same. 
 
 The first diversion from the fare described was 
 rice and potatoes. The issue was very small, but with 
 its aid, the spirits of the boys were wonderfully 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 205 
 
 strengthened. Company officers did much also to 
 lessen the suffering of their men by saving the issues 
 of canned beef, tomatoes, hard tack and beans and 
 trading it to native merchants for yams, eggs, milk 
 and other provisions better suited to the climate and 
 to the condition of the men. 
 
 The health of the regiment first began to break 
 down while this camp was occupied. At Chicka- 
 mauga park, both the other regiments of the brigade 
 had suffered comparatively heavy losses by death for 
 soldiers not in an active campaign. Their hospitals 
 were full and their men were dui'ing much of the time 
 unfit for duty on account of sickness, but during all 
 this time the Fourth Ohio had suffered very little 
 sickness and but one death had occurred in the regi- 
 ment. This was the only death that occurred before 
 the regiment left the United States. It was but a 
 few days after Porto Rico was reached, however, that 
 sickness began to appear and there was a death before 
 the camp at Guayama had been established. This was 
 Daniel H. Dodge, of H company, who was buried at 
 the cemetery at Arroyo by Captain Donavin and sev- 
 eral other members of the regiment. 
 
 There were several causes which combined to 
 break down the health of the men. Without going 
 into technicality or detail, these w'ere, the absence of 
 proper food, the change in climate, homesickness and 
 the indulgence in the use of the native fruits and 
 pastry. The latter may not have caused any deaths, 
 but the eating of mangoes and some of the candies 
 and other products of the native kitchen, in spite of 
 
206 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 the warning of the surgeons and the orders of the 
 colonel and company commanders, rendered many 
 soldiers unfit for duty. Once sick, many of them 
 would give up their thoughts to home and those they 
 had left behind, and before the patient or his com- 
 rades were aware, these were at the hospital in a criti- 
 cal condition. There was very little of this class of 
 disease when compared with that found in the other 
 commands on the island. Either the discipline of the 
 Fourth Ohio was better, the men wiser, or they were 
 less fortunately situated as to finances. 
 
 The change in climate and the lack of proper 
 food claimed several victims, but neither the men nor 
 the ofiicers over them were at fault in this matter. 
 The seat of this trouble has already been located. It 
 is a fact also that the mere fact that the men were 
 members of the army and that they were in an active 
 campaign and suffering all the inconveniences inci- 
 dent to that kind of duty, had very little if anything 
 to do with the suffering superinduced by the change 
 in climate. Persons going to tropical from temper- 
 ate climates on pleasure tours suffer the same diffi- 
 culty. But these causes combined had an evil effect 
 and can not be overlooked. 
 
 These were times that were trying to the medi- 
 cal department. Major Semans and Dr. Wright 
 worked night and day to relieve the suffering of the 
 men and with the aid of the stewards and the other 
 members of the regiment who had been detailed to 
 duty at the hospital, many lives were saved and much 
 suffering was relieved or entirely avoided. The work 
 
THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 207 
 
 of the hospital men in this camp as well as during 
 all the time in which the regiment was in the service 
 was certainly well done and too much praise can not 
 be accorded them. At any howr during the day or 
 night that men went to the hospital, some one was 
 awake and ready and -willing to take care of the pa- 
 tient. The work of the hospital corps ie treated else- 
 where, but it is only proper to mention in this con- 
 nection the untiring effort and the noble work of Doc- 
 tors McMurray, Wilson, Caraon, Nurses Lane, Eeed 
 and others who, on account of their knowledge of 
 medicine and the care of the sick were assigned to 
 duty with the regimental surgeons. These men 
 worked without commissions and without extra pay 
 except the satisfaction of knowing that they were do- 
 ing much good for their comrades in distress. Major 
 Semans worked himself sick and had Dr. Wright 
 been obliged to have remained on duty at the regi- 
 mental hospital, he would have undoubtedly broken 
 completely down. 
 
 Patients could not be retained in the regimental 
 hospital for more than several days, when they were 
 removed to the general hospital. Matters here were 
 in a most deplorable condition as may be seen from 
 the followiner extract from a written statement by an 
 officer of the Fourth Ohio : 
 
 "On the eighth day of August my brother was 
 taken sick \^dth the fever, and reported to the sur- 
 geons of the Fourth, whose quarters were then in the 
 old Spanish barracks, and at my request he was later 
 moved to the Red Cross hospital, where he received 
 
208 TEE FOURTH O. V. I. 
 
 very good treatment from our surgeons. Upon the 
 arrival of Colonel Hidecooper they were ordered to 
 move the sick men to an unprepai-ed hospital on the 
 hill, close to the city, regardless of the fact that the 
 men were in no condition to be moved at that time. 
 Colonel Coit ordered the men to be left where they 
 were, and insisted on his orders being obeyed, but 
 Colonel Hidecooper then got an order from General 
 Brooke and Colonel Coit was powerless to retain the 
 men. 
 
 "While this dispute was going on the sick men 
 were loaded and unloaded several times from the am- 
 bulance. The men were finally moved, while it was 
 raining, and that evening there came to me an inti- 
 mation that they were not being properly taken care 
 of. I immediately went to the hospital, where my eyes 
 were greeted with such a sight as I hope never to 
 witness again. Men in all stages of fever and other 
 kinds of sickness were lying on the ground with noth- 
 ing to lie upon save their own blankets, and a large 
 portion of the men were not under even a tent, but 
 were lying beneath a fly, where the rain was dripping 
 in upon them, and for over a week the men tad noth- 
 ing to eat except regular army rations, unless some 
 kind hearted comrade would spend some of his 
 meagre salary for food for his friend." 
 
 In a quiet spot in one corner of the cemetery at 
 Guayama is a little lot belonging temporarily to the 
 United States. Here under the sweltering rays of 
 the southern sun lie buried the remains of those 
 noble sons of Ohio who were unable to withstand the 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 209 
 
 liardsliips of military service. They had fought 
 bravely the enemy of their native land, they had 
 braved the dangers and the hardships of the mai'ch 
 and the watch, but they had been stricken from the 
 ranks in the still watches of the night by the hand 
 that no military power could stay. Each of these was 
 tenderly laid to rest on beds of beautiful flowers and 
 the last sad rites were performed with the same 
 reverence and tenderness which marks the part- 
 ing of loved ones in the Christian home. Each 
 time the muffled notes of the drum announced 
 the muster out of a comrade, heads were bared and to 
 the slow, mournful step of the funeral march, the 
 remaining members of the company of which the 
 dead soldier had been a member, followed the rude 
 bier to the little cemetery where a beautiful funeral 
 ceremony was performed and with the last sound- 
 ing of "taps," the departed one was left to know no 
 more of the cares of military life or the sorrows of a 
 world where men meet men at the point of the sword. 
 
 The graves of all the deceased members of the 
 Fourth Ohio were plainly marked with wooden slabs 
 and as this account goes to press, arrangements are 
 being made for their transfer back to the soil which 
 gave them birth and which thev left to fight for the 
 honor of their homes and native land. 
 
 The seasons of the year in Porto Rico are sup- 
 posed to be the "wet" and the "dry" seasons, but the 
 experience of the Fourth Ohio at Guayama failed to 
 teach any of its members "which was which." On 
 one day the rain would fall in torrents and the next 
 
210 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 daj it would seem as though no rain had fallen for 
 months. Some times the men would answer the first 
 morning roll call in a driving rain, but before noon 
 the sun would beat down upon the canvas tents with 
 such unrelenting force that the occupants were com- 
 pelled to spread their blankets on the canvas to pro- 
 tect themselves from the terrible heat. Again it 
 would rain for four or five days at a time, in which 
 case, all the food and clothing in camp would be 
 thoroughly soaked. After this the sun would break 
 through the clouds, and beating down upon the well 
 soaked ground, evaporate all the moisture so rapidly 
 that it was too cold on the inside of the tents for the 
 men to remain, and so hot where the sun shone, that 
 one would be unable to stand but a moment without 
 suffering sun stroke. The heavy rains would fill up 
 the streams and springs so that they were unfit to 
 wash clothing or for bathing or drinking. 
 
 The peo^-jle at Guayama, it has been stated, were 
 very friendly to the soldiers when they first lauded in 
 the city. Anything that was in possession of the 
 people could be secured by the soldiers for the mere 
 asking. For every American dollar a soldier pos- 
 sessed, he could secure two Porto Eican dollars or 
 "pesos" as they were called. Current prices on all 
 the commodities which the market afforded were far 
 below those at home and the men felt that they had 
 certainly reached a home for poor men, but as the 
 acquaintance with the soldiers increased, the people 
 began to feel sorry that they had been so liberal and 
 it seemed that they were determined to "make up" 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 211 
 
 for the mistakes they had made in the past and prices 
 began to rise. An American dollar began to depre- 
 ciate in the native markets so that when the regi- 
 ment left, all a soldier could get for the "good old 
 American stuff" was one "peso" and sixty "centavos." 
 Milk advanced in price and eggs could not be bought 
 for less than eight cents each. Merchants doubled 
 the price on everything they offered for sale and wo- 
 men who did laundry work advanced their rates to 
 many times the original figTires. 
 
 This led to more or less ill feeling against the 
 natives, and determined to "break even" with them, 
 all sorts of Yankee tricks were played by the soldiers. 
 There was very little serious trouble between the sol- 
 diers and the natives, but there were several small 
 fights and the privilege of the camp was denied a cer- 
 tain class of merchants. 
 
 The better class of citizens, however, those who 
 owned property or those who were intelligent enough 
 to appreciate the advantages of the change in gov- 
 ernment, remained loyal in their friendship for the 
 Americans. Banquets, receptions and other social 
 functions in honor of the officers and men remained 
 the order of the "society" side of life at Guayama as 
 long as the camp was maintained. Even after the 
 regiment had returned to Ohio letters were received 
 from people at Guayama expresang the friendship of 
 the people there for the Fourth Ohio. 
 
 There was one class of citizens which was not 
 benefited by the change of government and which 
 did not benefit the United States bv its acauisit:on. 
 
212 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 This was the lowest type of Porto Riean. He was 
 black, dirty, lazy, ignorant, immoral, naked and dis- 
 eased. He would steal the clothing from a corpse and 
 while the regiment was in the field before Guayama, 
 some of these fellows robbed the knapsacks of the 
 soldiers who were fighting for their liberty. He 
 profited only by the increase in the population, thus 
 receiving a broader field in which to operate his ne- 
 farious method of securing a livelihood. The mili- 
 tary authority paid little attention to this class, ex- 
 cept to give them scraps from the camp mess and to 
 aid the civil authorities in arresting and imprisoning 
 them. They did not live in houses, but existed more 
 as the lower animals. There was little hope for their 
 improvement and as it was dangerous to get near them 
 on account of disease, the soldiers remained away from 
 them as much as possible. 
 
 Aside from the digging of sinks and other fa- 
 tigue duty in keeping the camp clean, there was lit- 
 tle duty to perform at Guayama. There was a camp 
 guard maintained, but at first it was dangerous for 
 the men to get beyond the limit of the outposts and 
 after hostilities had ceased there was little temptation 
 for the men to leave camp except to go into the city. 
 Passes were issued to a few each day and those who 
 went mthout passes were liable to arrest by the pro- 
 vost guard on duty in and about the city. This made 
 camp guard duty very light and it was often taken ofl 
 at night in bad weather except at one or two posts for 
 the purpose of keeping watch over things in general. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 213 
 
 Guard was mounted in the morning, one company 
 going on at a time. 
 
 The first several weeks,- provost duty was per- 
 formed by the companies of the Fourth Ohio, the 
 different commands taking turns as in camp guard. 
 This duty was at one time assigned to the Fourth 
 Pennsylvania, but after a few days was returned to 
 the Fourth Ohio. Companies A and E were then de- 
 tailed to perform this duty and Lieutenant Colonel 
 Adams was made provost marshal of the town. These 
 companies remained at this duty until they boarded 
 the Chester to leave the island for home. 
 
 Porto Rico was sometimes referred to by the boys 
 as the "land of vile cigars." Tobacco was grown on 
 the island quite extensively and the tobacco was a 
 very fine grade, but it was rolled up into cigars in 
 such manner that they were unfit either to smoke or 
 to smell. The fault lay altogether in the making of 
 the cigar and not in the quality of the tobacco. The 
 redeeming feature of Porto Rican cigars, however, 
 was their price; for any one who cared to smoke could 
 get a fine cigar, at first for part of a hard tack, then 
 for a whole one and finally the price was raised to two 
 hard tacks, the quality of the goods decreasing as 
 rapidly as the price increased. The cigars were 
 brought to camp in baskets of bark or in muslin bags 
 and peddled after the fashion used by the appleman 
 in the cities at home. There were other peddlers ad- 
 mitted to the camp at first, but they were stopped later 
 on because of their method of doing business. 
 
214 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 By an order issued from General Brooke's head- 
 quarters, a mail route was established between Ponce 
 and Guayama. Mail was received from Ponce on 
 Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday of each week and 
 mail could be sent to Ponce on the remaining three 
 days. The mail wagx)n made the trips regularly, but 
 mail from home was only delivered about every two 
 weeks. The quickest time that was made from Ohio 
 towns to Guayama was ten days. This was satisfac- 
 tory, but there were many instances in which letters 
 were delivered that had been mailed weeks and even 
 months before, and many letters were not delivered 
 until after the regiment reached home. These had 
 been mailed long before the regiment had received 
 orders to leave Guayama. It was not unusual for the 
 mail clerks to find mail in the regimental budget ad- 
 dressed to soldiers in Cuba or the Philippines and it 
 was only natural to suppose that mail for the Fourth 
 Ohio was often sent to those places. There was no 
 regular mail line from the United States to Porto 
 Rico and mail was only taken to the island by hospi- 
 tal or quartermasters' boats. 
 
 At Guayama the mail was distributed among 
 the regiments and then turned over to regimental 
 postmasters. At Camp Thomas, Private Irvin, of M 
 company, took care of Fourth Ohio mail, but he was 
 succeeded early in the Porto Eican campaign by Cor- 
 poral Harmount, of K company. It was quite a while 
 after the regiment had been at Guayama that mail 
 reached camp at all. As soon as it was delivered at 
 the regimental postoffice, it was distributed to the 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 215 
 
 companies wliere the first sergeants took it for distrs 
 bution among the men. Letters and newspapers wei<' 
 gladly received as can easily be imagined, but wher. 
 thev came they were from ten days to many weeks 
 old and even after the regiment had reached Colum- 
 bus and had been mustered out of the service, mail 
 that had been addressed to soldiers in Porto Rico, long 
 before the regiment was ordered from Guayama, was 
 delivered to those for whom they were intended, some 
 of them having made a tour around the world. 
 
 During the stay at Guayama, when news from 
 the states was always old, rumors circulated in camp 
 with more rapidity and with less foundation in fact, 
 but with more believers than they had at any time 
 since the regiment left the auditorium. A group of 
 soldiers would often arrange a story, as far from any- 
 thing plausible as they could make it, then separating 
 to different directions, would promulgate the "news" 
 to all whom they met. Given a start thus, the rumor 
 would circulate to every part of the camp in a phe- 
 nomenally short time and cheer after cheer would go 
 up from the company streets, at the thought of going 
 home or doing duty of another nature. Some times 
 the rumor makers would make the news of a discour- 
 aging nature, but the result would be the same as to 
 its general belief and rapid circulation. 
 
 Sickness, bad weather, disgusting natives, bad 
 rations, lack of funds, slow news from home, the fact 
 that the war was over and no duty to perform that 
 seemed "necessary" in the minds of the members of 
 the regiment, an inconvenient camp, discouraging: ef- 
 
216 TEE FOURTE 0. V. I. 
 
 feet of the constantly circulating rumors, slow action 
 on the part of the war department to make any head- 
 way in the occupation of the island, a desire on the 
 part of those men who had employment awaiting 
 them at home and who were obliged to maintain fami- 
 lies on the meager income of fifteen dollars and sixty 
 cents per month and a desire of the college men to re- 
 turn to their regular duties were causes which com- 
 bined to create a general feeling of dissatisfaction in 
 the regiment. There was nothing to do practically 
 but exist; and existence under such circumstances 
 as those which attended life in the camp at Guayama 
 was not a sweet one by any means. Everybody 
 wanted to go home and everybody was free to express 
 this desire. There was a few exceptions to this rule 
 however, but they were men who had no considerable 
 employment at home and who were '^aming far more 
 wages as soldiers than they had ever earned before in 
 their lives so they were desirous of holding to their 
 places as long as possible. These members soon 
 found themselves held in severe contempt by the 
 other members, for the regiment was made up of pro- 
 fessional men and mechanics who were actuated by 
 patriotism only in leaving their homes, their employ- 
 ment or the college to represent their state on the field 
 of battle. 
 
 Time drug heavily and the men began to 
 look about for amusement of some sort. Fre- 
 quent excursions were made to the seashore or into 
 the mountains and every opportunity that was af- 
 forded to while away the time was grasped eagerly by 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. 1. 217 
 
 all. Applications were made for furloughs and 
 discharges, but only a few were granted. The lucky 
 fellows were permitted to go home on the hospital 
 sMps that left quite frequently, loaded down with the 
 sick and dying. Men who were in the hospitals with 
 little hope of recovery in Porto Rico were given sick 
 leave and they too were permitted to go home. None 
 of these ever returned, for as soon as their leaves ex- 
 pired the time was extended, so that they did not re- 
 join the regiment until it had reached Columbus. 
 
 About the first of September there was a change 
 in cormnanders of the brigade. General Haines, who 
 was a colonel in the regular army, was needed else- 
 where in the service and he was relieved by General 
 Fred Grant, son of the "Silent President." General 
 Grant took great interest in the welfare of the men 
 and his personal talks and quiet inquiries with them 
 soon made him a popular officer with the men of the 
 command. The dissatisfaction continued, however, 
 and the desire to go home was as apparent as ever. 
 
 While the boys in Company M were exchanging 
 rumors and waiting for orders, the poetically inclined 
 "got their heads together" and composed a song which 
 BOon grew into popularity with the entire regiment. 
 It certainly voiced the sentiment of all the men. One 
 Averse and the chorus is given : 
 
 Lying in the guard house, awaiting my discharge — 
 
 To H — 1 with all the officers, the provost and the guard — 
 
 When we get back to Circleville, as happy as a clam, 
 To tell about the sow-belly we ate for Uncle Sam. 
 
218 THE FOURTH 0. V. 1. 
 
 Chorus — 
 
 Home boys, home, its home you ought to be! 
 
 Home, boys, home, in your own. country! 
 Where the ash and the oak and the bonnie willow tree — 
 
 Where the grass grows green — in God's country. 
 
 Many verses were added to the song, nearly all 
 of which contained "roasts" concerning some of the 
 officers or some feature of the life at Guayama, the 
 rhythm somewhat irregular in some cases of course, 
 hut the sentiment invariably true. 
 
 One of the most interestinsr diversions from the 
 dull monotony of the camp was an entertainment or- 
 ganized and completed by members of the regiment. 
 Chaplain Schindel took an active part in the pre- 
 paration and rendition of the program and the enter- 
 tainment made a decided "hit" with the entire regi- 
 ment and the people of Guayama who availed them- 
 selves of the opportunity of seeing vaudeville as ex- 
 hibited by Ohio soldiers. The entertainment was 
 given on three evenings, each performance being 
 given for the benefit of the different battalions. No 
 admission was charged, hence the entertainment from 
 a financial point of view was a failure. The program 
 is given below, just as it came from the Spanish 
 press, as to spelling and punctuation: 
 
 4TH Ohio Infantry vaudeville Company, 
 
 Gauyama Theatre, Puerto Rico, 
 
 September 13-15 1898 
 
 EXECUTIVE STAFF. 
 
 George B. Donavan, Mounted (Prt. Ro. Stud with baskets) 
 Capt.: and pro. of mule corrall in Puerto Rico. 
 T. C. Radcliff, the only man who can make Dtails. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 219 
 
 J. L. Sellers, Major and manf. of cigars warranted no sellers. 
 M. Lee Wilson, Reg. Ajt. a farmer lad and not the proprietor 
 
 of a Chinese laundry as his name would indicate. 
 J. B. Adams, Lt. Col. of regiment, Guayamo Provost marshall 
 
 and Gran Jefe de Pollcia. 
 Col. A. B. Coit, Commanding Staff. &c. &c. &c, &c. 
 
 Opening Selection 4th Regiment Band. 
 
 PART I 
 
 THE COLONEL'S RECEPTION. 
 
 Colonel-Serg. C. K. Crum. 
 
 Walters S. Williams, B. Reynolds, W. Connell, Joe Johnson. 
 Ed. Jones. E. Shoemaker. 
 
 Song, "Two Roses from Mother,, — M. E. Murray. 
 
 Oomique, "Warmest Baby in the Bunch"— S. Williams. 
 
 Song, "Break the News to Mother" — Steve Henry. 
 
 Comique, "Guess that v/ill hold you for awhile" — R. Rey- 
 nolds. 
 
 Incidental Music, M. Co. Quarterte— Henry, Murray, Bales 
 and Crum. 
 
 Selection — Poet and Peasant, Regimental Band. 
 
 PART 11. 
 
 MR. SAM WILLIAMS, 
 The Curbstone Comedian who wants a moment with you. 
 
 MESSRS. MARK TWAY AN TOM HILL, 
 Ohio's Greatest Buck and Wing Specialists. 
 
 MESSRS. DAVIS AND LAMBERT, 
 
 In Feats of Juggling, Light and Heavy Balancing, Wire Act. 
 
 MR. JOHN GIBBONS, 
 Terpsechorean Fantastic Toeist. 
 
 MR. MARSHALL MURRAY, 
 Favorite Tenor. 
 
 MR. CELESTINO DOMINGUBZ, 
 Puerto Rican Hymn. 
 
220 TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 PART III. 
 
 H. BALES, 
 Original Sketch Artist. 
 
 MR. CHARLES WOODMaNCY, 
 In Novel Singing Specialty. 
 
 PROF. JESSE Vv'ORTHINGTON, 
 Comet Virtuoso in Aqparelle (which means real water.) 
 
 M. Company quintette, Messrs. Henry, Murray, Bales, 
 Mowery and Crum. 
 
 fi:n"ale 
 
 1. Uncle Sam and the Goddess of Libery review the army. 
 
 2. Uncle Sam and Puerto — Rico under the Stars and Stripes. 
 R. Herod, Dominguez, Mercedes Bruno. 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 Eggs tendered as compliments must be scrambled and 
 not over six weeks old. 
 
 The Mint Julep counter to the right as you enter under 
 personal supervision of Lieut. W. B. McCloud, who is feel- 
 ing better. 
 
 Palm leaf fans furnished by John Trent 20 centavoa 
 
 The Colonel offers $5 reward for the petrified prayer th* 
 Chaplain lost in the attack on Guayama. 
 
 N. B. Major Baker will please occupy an amen pew in 
 the synagogue so that he will be able to comprehend the 
 Program. 
 
 "And the next day it rained "Genl Order No. 10. 
 
 A week after the change in brigade command- 
 ers, there was a change in commanding officers of the 
 First battalion. Major Speaks, who had been with 
 the regiment longer than any other member, was 
 granted a leave of absence and on September 8, he 
 left the Guayama camp to go to his home in Colum- 
 bus. Captain Vincent of E company, the ranking 
 captain of the regiment, was assigned to the battalion 
 and he retained command until the regiment arrived 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 221 
 
 in Columbus. The association of Captain Vincent 
 with the men and officers of the First battalion was 
 mutually pleasant and while there was no important 
 duty to perform except at Caguas, Captain Vincent 
 proved to be a very competent battalion commander. 
 
 At the same time Major Speaks left Guayama, a 
 number of other members started for their homes in 
 Ohio. Among these were Corporal Williamson, of 
 Company F, Principal Musician Rulo and several 
 others, some discharged from the service, others on 
 sick leave and some on furlough. These men took 
 with them messages from nearly every man and offi- 
 cer in the regiment. 
 
 One of the first things General Grant did when 
 he assumed command was to clean up the camp and 
 from all appearances arrange for a long stay at Guay- 
 ama. He encouraged dress parades and as there was 
 no fit place for parade at either of the regimental 
 camps, the Third Illinois and the Fourth Ohio alter- 
 nated in appropriating the Guayama plaza for a pa- 
 rade ground. In the meantime, orders had been re- 
 ceived for the occupation of the entire island accord- 
 ing to the agreement made in the protocol which had 
 been signed by Spain. One evening about September 
 15, General Grant directed that the companies turn 
 out as full as possible as he wanted to view the actual 
 strength of the regiment. He personally reviewed 
 the parade which followed and expressed himself very 
 well pleased with the appearance of the regiment. 
 
 The real object of the big parade, however, was 
 to determine which were the strongest companies. 
 
222 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 D and M companies turned out with the greatest 
 number of men able for duty and these two companies 
 were at once selected to take charge of provinces. A 
 few days later D company received orders to go to 
 Humocoa in the eastern end of the island and then 
 came orders for M company under Lieutenant Duffy 
 to go to the island of Vieques. This was the begin- 
 ning of the separation of the companies and before the 
 end of the month all that remained at the original 
 camp at Guayama were companies B, C, F, G and K. 
 F and K companies were soon after detached and sent 
 to other stations and later on B company was sent 
 away and a part of H company was given a station. 
 The inconvenience of being without money, es- 
 pecially when payment of hard earned wages from 
 such employers as the government is past due, is an 
 experiment hardly calculated to be enjoyed by many; 
 at least it was an experience not enjoyed by the 
 Fourth Ohio. One of the favorite subjects for rumors 
 was the paymaster and he was reported every day. One 
 rumor would have him in Guayama with the informa- 
 tion that he had forgotten the money or that he had 
 come as far as Arroyo and then changed his mind and 
 had gone back to the United States. Another rumor 
 impressed upon the minds of many that the regiment 
 would not be paid at all in Porto Eico, but that pay- 
 ment would be deferred until the regiment reached 
 New York, but on the evening of September 22, 
 Major Jones, one of the volunteer paymasters, arrived 
 in camp with money with which to pay the regiment. 
 The news spread like wildfire, but there had been so 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 223 
 
 many similar stories exploded that the rumor at first 
 was regarded with more or less suspicion, but the safes 
 had been left at guard headquarters for the night and 
 nearly every man in the regiment walked through a 
 pouring rain to confirm the story for himself. The 
 good news had a remarkable effect on the men and 
 the benefit of good spirits among the soldiers could 
 be seen before "taps" was sounded for the night. For 
 the time being, the question of going home was aban- 
 doned and the men spent the night in their tents, 
 dreamins" of the good things to eat which they had 
 been denied on account of the lack of means with 
 which to secure them, but which they could now en- 
 joy to their hearts' content. 
 
 A brigade store had been established in Guay- 
 ama for the benefit of the officers for they were not 
 provided for as were the enlisted men, by the gov- 
 ernment. They had to purchase all their subsistence 
 with private funds and had not this store been estab- 
 lished, the officers would have been compelled to de- 
 pend entirely upon the native markets for their liv- 
 ing. At this store there was offered for sale, tobacco 
 and canned goods, dried fruits and vegetables and in 
 fact everything that would not perish in transit from 
 the United States to Porto Kico. While the store was 
 intended for the convenience of the officers, enlisted 
 men could purchase any article offered for sale so 
 that when the paymaster made his appearance, every 
 man in the regiment could see before him an oppor- 
 tunity for at least one "square" meal. 
 
224 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I, 
 
 The weather was exceptionally bad at the time 
 Major Jones began paying the men on September 23, 
 but the spirits of the regiment presented quite a con- 
 trast to the condition of the weather. The boys 
 marched through a heavy rain to the regimental 
 headquarters and then as soon as they received their 
 money, they hastened to the brigade store to pur- 
 chase anything they could get that was fit to eat. The 
 result was that by the time the Fourth Ohio was paid, 
 the stock of the brigade store was almost exhausted 
 and the members of the other regiments at Guayama 
 were compelled to save their money until a new 
 supply could be received. After the men had pro- 
 vided themselves with all the provisions they could 
 secure, they visited the Guayama stores and purchased 
 everything in sight that could be carried home as 
 souvenirs of the place. In this way the sums that 
 were distributed by the paymaster soon disappeared 
 and the men were again "financially embaiTassed," 
 but they were happy. At the same time the business 
 of Guayama had exprienced such a revival that it had 
 never seen before or probably will ever know. 
 
 Major Jones had hardly finished paying the 
 troops when he received orders to pay for the month 
 of September so that the men received pay for three 
 months at one time. The effect of this was not only 
 that the men had plenty of money, but also that the 
 health of the regiment was greatly improved and 
 from that time on the sickness began to disappear until 
 when the regiment left Guayama, there were very 
 few men in the hospital. The boys could purchase 
 
THE FOURTH 0. F. /. 225 
 
 eggs, milk and fresh meat, and this added to what 
 they could secure at the brigade store had "filled a 
 long felt want" with the result that was only natural. 
 As soon as the troops at Guayama were paid, the de- 
 tachments were followed up and the money due them 
 duly delivered. 
 
 If the visit of Major Jones produced a good ef- 
 fect on the enlisted strength of the regiment, it had 
 a better effect upon the commissioned officers, for 
 they were suffering really more than their men. 
 Many of them "messed" with their companies, but 
 even this advantage could not be enjoyed by the field 
 officers for they had no men with whom they could 
 board. The brigade store did a credit business to a 
 very limited extent, but the officers could secure the 
 same bread that was issued to the men by paying for 
 it. A bakery had been established at brigade head- 
 quarters, but the quality of the product was such tliat 
 the operation of the bakery at home would not have 
 had a serious effect on the market. Sergeant George 
 Zwemer, of D company, the oldest enlisted man in the 
 regiment in point of service, acted as steward for the 
 headquarters officers' mess and it kept him busy gath- 
 ering up food for his wards on the few pennies that 
 could be raked together among the members. When 
 the payment was made, however, Zwemer was a 
 happy man as was also those who depended upon his 
 judgment and activity for their daily bread. 
 
 After the health of the men began to improve 
 there was less cause of complaint against the Guay- 
 f.ma camp, but the main cause for the desire to go 
 
226 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 home still existed and rumors were soon a.2:ain on 
 their way about the camp. It was but a few days 
 after the visit of Major Jones that a happy epoch in 
 the history of the camp was made. It was the visit to 
 the boys of Mr. Frank P. Klotts, a Columbus gen- 
 tleman, whose son was a member of Company A. 
 Mr. Klotts had come to visit his son, who had been a 
 patient in the hospital, but when the father arrived 
 at the camp, he learned that the son had been sent 
 home on a hospital ship and that the two had uncon- 
 sciously met in mid-ocean. Mr. Klotts was loaded 
 down with letters from parents to their boys in the 
 field and the receipt of these and the sight of "a real 
 live Buckeye" as one of the men expressed it, was the 
 source of much pleasure to the boys. The visitor was 
 received with open arms and every comfort the place, 
 afforded was bestowed upon Mr. Klotts during his 
 stay in the camp. He remained but a few days and 
 returned, taking with him thousands of messages to 
 the folks at home. 
 
 After the visits of the paymaster, very little oc- 
 curred to break the monotony of camp life until early 
 in October, when orders finally came for the dis- 
 bandment of the Second brigade. The Fourth Penn- 
 sylvania regiment had been sent home, nearly every 
 man in the Third Illinois was either in the hospital 
 or sick in quarters, so that the regiment was practic- 
 ally unfit for duty, and all the work in sight had de- 
 volved upon the Fourth Ohio. For this reason it was 
 decided to disband the brigade and relieve the Fourth 
 Ohio with fresh troops. Porto Rico was divided into 
 
THE FOURTH 0. K i. 227 
 
 two military districts, the divisions of the West with 
 headquarters at Ponce, General Henry commanding, 
 and the division of the East under General Grant, 
 with headquarters at San Juan. Accordingly what 
 remained of the Fourth Ohio in the camp at Guayama 
 was ordered to San Juan, with a view to the embarka- 
 tion there for home. 
 
228 THU FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 OHAPTEE XV. 
 
 FROM GUAYAMA TO SAN JUAN. 
 
 Regiment Leaves Guayama Camp — "The Girl I Left Behind 
 Me" — Marching Through Rain — Road to Cayey — A 
 Terrible March — Arrived at Cayey — Further Detach- 
 ments — Flag Raising — March to Caguas — Duty There — 
 Flags Raised — March to Rio Piedros — Arrival at San 
 Juan. 
 
 The morning of the sixth day of October, 1898, 
 is one that the boys of the Fourth Ohio will never for- 
 get. It was then that it was definitely decided that 
 the camp at Guayama would forever be abandoned 
 and such information, although for many weeks 
 longed for, prayed for and hoped for, was a glad sur- 
 prise to every man in the command. A and E com- 
 panies, which were left behind, did not fully under- 
 stand why they, too, were not included in the order, 
 but life with them in the city had not been attended 
 with many of the inconveniences of the hillside camp, 
 and they could easily see hoAv, if they were the only 
 troops at Guayama, much of the unpleasantness of 
 the place would be avoided. 
 
 It was arranged that the regiment would leave 
 Guayama early Thursday morning, but General 
 Grant showed his confidence in the officers of the 
 regiment and the ability of their men by saying to 
 Ck)lonel Coit: "Colonel, you will proceed as far as 
 Cayey Thursday, raise the flag there, and leaving 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 229 
 
 Captain Potter's company in possession of the town, 
 you will make headquarters at Caguas until further 
 orders. I leave all to your judgment." 
 
 Thursday morning was dark and dreary — just 
 the kind of weather to drive the men into their quar- 
 ters, there to exchange condolence and cigars and sing 
 the songs of home. The distance from Guayama to 
 Cayey is seventeen miles and the colonel realized that 
 the start must be made as early as possible to make 
 the trip. Dinner was ordered at 10:30, and all day 
 long the men packed their belongings. As soon as 
 dinner was over, wagons were driven through the 
 camp for all subsistence, personal baggage and com- 
 pany chests and desks. Unfortunately some of the 
 men neglected that most important of a soldier's duty, 
 the filling of haversacks. This was the source of 
 much annoyance later on. 
 
 At 2 o'clock all was ready and the start was 
 made. It so happened that the boys got off "between 
 showers," but they had not proceeded far when the 
 first shower came up. The "first" might be said to 
 be the only one, because it rained almost constantly 
 during the entire march of seventeen miles. After 
 the regiment was formed the column moved in fours 
 to the music of "The Girl I Left Behind Me." Then 
 the band struck up "Dixie" and "Marching Through 
 Georgia." Everybody was happy. Even if it had 
 been raining, snowing or anything, it would have been 
 good enough for "The Day "We Leave Guayama." 
 
 The rain began soon after the start was made. 
 All the men had to carry was their canteens, haver- 
 
230 THE FOURTH 0. V. 1. 
 
 sacks and rifles, so they could easily use their pon- 
 chos. These are good things in light showers, but 
 when they were put into service in water spouts and 
 cloud bursts, they proved about as serviceable as pieces 
 of mosquito bar the same size. Long before dark 
 every officer and man in the regiment was as wet as 
 he could be. 
 
 The road from Guayama to Cayey has been de- 
 scribed in another chapter. It is a dangerous one to 
 travel in daytime and much more so at night. At 
 one side, the bluffs towered high above the heads of 
 the traveler and on the other the descent was as steep 
 as a stone wall. A misstep at any time might have 
 meant a severe collision with the sharp stones in the 
 grade at one side or a fall into the darkness and gloom 
 thousands of feet below at the other. To these con- 
 ditions add darkness so dense that one could abso- 
 lutely see nothing twelve inches in front of him, and 
 one may form an idea of the march to Cayey. 
 
 One of the interesting features of the march was 
 passing along the point where A and C companies 
 met with the disaster on August 8, and the sight of 
 the intrenohments and fortifications which would have 
 had to have been carried, had a forced movement 
 toward San Juan been ordered before August 13. At 
 one point the Spanish garrison could have marched 
 out to the roadway, killed off a regiment in one vol- 
 ley, and returned to their quarters before the next 
 regiment would have had time to come up. When 
 the boys saw what they might have had to encounter, 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 231 
 
 most of them heaved a sigh of relief to realize that 
 the war was actually over. 
 
 With the darkness came an experience which 
 in every particular beggars description. Wet to the 
 skin, supperless, tired and weary, the men plodded 
 along, all the way up hill, through narrow passes, 
 where the men actually had to feel their way; where 
 had a step to the side been made, the unfortunate 
 would have been dashed to the rocks a thousand feet 
 below; where, had a horse become frightened or 
 jumped to one side, it would have meant certain 
 death to himself and rider; where, had a Spanish sym- 
 pathizer chosen to have done so, he could have blown 
 out a culvert, and dozens of lives would have gone 
 out in an instant; where if one man fell, a whole 
 company would have stumbled over his prostrate 
 form. 
 
 Men who had been over the road in the daytime 
 were sent ahead as guides. The regimental staff 
 followed, most of the officers leading their horses. 
 The guides were of little use, however, as all they 
 could do was to shout back that the road was clear. 
 They could announce a new turn to the right or left 
 every few yards, but no one could see it, and the 
 warning simply made them more careful in feeling 
 for the road. 
 
 Had it not been for the presence of an All Wise 
 Providence, the regiment could not possibly have 
 covered the distance. Even as it was the wagon train 
 had to halt and wait for daylight. Every few min- 
 utes the lightning would flash across the road, thus 
 
232 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 showing the way for a few feet. Often the regiment 
 had to halt and wait for a flash of lightning to show 
 culverts where the water could be heard roaring 
 down over the precipices. A peculiar circumstance 
 which seemed to be a manifestation of the presence 
 of Providence was the settling of a large "lightning 
 bug" on the hip of the chaplain's horse. Company 
 B followed immediately after the chaplain and those 
 in front could see which way to go, guided by this 
 animal "pillar of fii-e." 
 
 It was shortly after nine o'clock when the regi- 
 ment reached Cayey. The wagon train with all sub- 
 sistence was back in the hills and no food in the haver- 
 sacks. Company commanders hustled around, how- 
 ever, and secured some bread and the men were put 
 to "bed" on a cold cement floor with bread and water 
 for support and their clothing thoroughly soaked. 
 Friday morning quinine was issued freely and as soon 
 as the wagons arrived the men were given a good 
 breakfast and some of them were able to secure dry 
 clothes. By noon everybody was comfortably fixed, 
 but no duty was assigned except to Company F and 
 the First provisional battalion. 
 
 Although Cayey had been occupied several days 
 by American troops, the Stars and Stripes had not 
 been ofiicially raised in the town. As Company F 
 had been ordered to take possession of Cayey, that 
 company was accorded the honor of raising the flag. 
 The entire First Provisional battalion, organized at 
 Guayama by direction of Colonel Coit, and consisting 
 •of companies B, C, G and H, turned out under Cap- 
 
THE FOURTH O. V. I. 233 
 
 tain Vincent. Preceded by the regimental band the 
 battalion escorted F company to the city hall. 
 
 Lieutenant McCoy and Sergeant Freeman raised 
 the flag, F company fired the salute and the band 
 played "The Star Spangled Banner." When the citi- 
 zens saw the beautiful tri-colored banner floating over 
 them, and realized what it meant, they went wild 
 with excitement. After a short serenade by the band, 
 the battalion marched around the plaza and public 
 square, thence back to the quarters near the town. 
 The Spanish flag, which had waved from the public 
 hall of Oayey, became the property of Captain Vin- 
 cent. The exercises of the afternoon were thoroughly 
 enjoyed, and the men felt that they were amply re- 
 warded already for their long weary march across the 
 hills. 
 
 At Cayey K company left the regiment to go to 
 Aibonito to take possession of that and the towns in 
 the district so that all that remained of the "regiment" 
 was the First Provisional battalion. The start to 
 Caguas was not made until Saturday morning and 
 the time spent at Cayey as the guests of F company 
 was for the purpose of rest. An amusing experience 
 during this brief stay was a serenade by the native 
 band. The members were not in uniform, either as 
 to dress, time, harmony, pitch or chord. The in- 
 struments were somewhat similar to those used in 
 American bands except the drum or "guichara" 
 which was a long ghord shaped species of calabash, 
 which had been plucked while green and in the sur- 
 face of which had been cut a number of small circu- 
 
234 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 lar grooves whicli liad become almost as hard as flint 
 when the instrument had ripened in the sun. It was 
 "played" by rubbing a hard stick across the grooves, 
 thus making a most unearthly noise, but which 
 served as a very good chronometer for the other per- 
 formers. After the band had "rendered" several se^ 
 lections. Colonel Coit addressed the crowd, which had 
 assembled, expressing for himseK and staff, an ap- 
 preciation of the serenade and the royal welcome 
 which the citizens of Cayey had given the American 
 troops. The crowd answered with cheer after cheer 
 for the "soldados Americanos." 
 
 An early start was made Saturday morning and 
 before noon the regiment was well on its way to 
 Caguas. The rains had ceased and the sun shone 
 brightly, but not nearly so hot as on the day of the 
 last long march on August 13th. The distance was 
 about the same and the road led first to the top of the 
 northern mountain chain and then down again into 
 the fertile valley below, where the town of Caguas 
 was situated. It was two o'clock when the regiment 
 halted outside the city limits and preparations were 
 made for the entrance into the city. At the time 
 of the march from Guayama to Cayey, many of the 
 boys would drop from the ranks and then wait for 
 the baggage train to ride. This was avoided on the 
 march to Caguas by sending the baggage train ahead 
 of the regiment. Even this arrangement did not pre- 
 vent all the boys from saving their legs, for they 
 walked ahead of the regiment on some pretext or 
 other and caught up with the train when they would 
 
THE FOURTH 0. F. /. 235 
 
 cKmb on the wagons in spite of the protests of the 
 drivers and ride over the remaining portion of the 
 march. The wagon train had not been at Caguas 
 more than an hour when the main column appeared. 
 
 The regiment halted long enough for the few 
 stragglers to come up and for those who had gone 
 ahead to be brought back and then with colors flying, 
 a triumphant entry to the city was made. A hearty 
 welcome was extended to the regiment by the citi- 
 zens and the town was dressed in holiday attire. 
 From nearly every building the American flag 
 proudly waved and the people nearly shouted them- 
 selves hoarse at the sight of the troops. Captain 
 Trench had occupied the town for several days with 
 L company and the American flag had not only been 
 raised over the public building, but it had been placed 
 on every business house and private residence in the 
 town. These flags were supplied by the citizens 
 themselves. 
 
 The occupation of Caguas was not attended 
 with the discomforts of Guayama. The citizens were 
 found to be far more intelligent and the business men 
 far more reliable than those at Gnayama and these 
 conditions, together with comfortable quarters in bar- 
 racks for the men, made the stay at Caguas very 
 pleasant. Then again there were not so many sol- 
 diers to enjoy the hospitality and generosity of the 
 people and this state of affairs increased the comfort 
 of the men. 
 
 Soon after the regimental headquarters had been 
 established at Caguas, four nurses arrived in Porto 
 
236 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 Rico to take care of the sick of the Fourth Ohio. 
 The members had written home from the camp at 
 Guajama while everything was at its worst and the 
 people of central Ohio had become thoroughly 
 alarmed for the safety of their sons and friends in the 
 island. The noble women who offered their services 
 for the men of the Fourth were Sisters Mary Bren- 
 dam and Mary Edberga, Miss Dr. Emma O. Jones 
 and Mrs. Taylor. These ladies were eminently qual- 
 ified to take care of the sick soldiers, but they did not 
 arrive until September 28, and this was after the 
 men had been paid and many of the sick had been 
 sent home. There was still a number in the hospital, 
 however, and the work of these good women was 
 greatly appreciated by the physicians and by every 
 officer and man in the regiment. They remained 
 with the regiment until it reached Columbus, when 
 they were extended the same welcome that was made 
 for the men. They were made honorary members of 
 the regiment and they were appointed lieutenants 
 with spcial commissions by Colonel Coit. 
 
 On October 12 Company C was sent out to the 
 town of Aguas Buenos to assume charge of the town 
 for the day and to convert it into an American sta- 
 tion by raising the flag of the United States. Cap- 
 tain Reynolds took a detachment of his company and 
 accompanied by Major Baker several headquarters 
 attaches and the band, the detachment rode across 
 the country in wagons. The road was not a rough 
 one, but it extended through one of the most pictur- 
 esque sections of the island. Aguas Buenos was in 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. J. 237 
 
 the center of a rich coffee growing section and the 
 people were found to be well to do and very intelK- 
 gent The soldiers were welcomed to the village and 
 the flag was raised over their homes with great re- 
 joicing. As a part of the flag raising ceremony Major 
 Baker made a brief address to the assembled populace, 
 telling them to be good and that things would come 
 out "all right." 
 
 The Spanish flag, which had been on the al- 
 calda's ofiice, became the property of Captain Rey- 
 nolds. Major Baker was presented with a memorial 
 thanking the American troops for the benefit they 
 had been to the people of Porto Rico and pledging 
 their allegiance to the United States. After the cere- 
 mony of raising the flag, the alcalda received the 
 American officers at his home with all the prominent 
 citizens of the province as guests. An elaborate 
 breakfast was served and after making several calls 
 upon other of the officials, the detachment returned 
 to Caguas. On the following day B company was 
 sent to the town of Gurabo and the American flag: 
 was raised there also. Here the soldiers were given a 
 most hearty welcome and they were entertained with 
 the best the town afforded during their brief stay. A 
 detachment from H company was afterwards sent to 
 Aguas Buenos, but no troops were assigned to Gurabo. 
 
 Two days after B company returned from 
 Gurabo. Captain White received orders to proceed to 
 Rio Piedras and take possession of the entire district. 
 Rio Piedras was on a short railway seven miles from 
 the capital and the third largest town on the island. 
 
238 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 The service of the company at this station is de- 
 scribed in another chapter. 
 
 Guard duty at Caguas was performed by the 
 different companies which remained, C, G and H. 
 Guard was mounted each morning and the regular 
 camp routine, even to evening parade, was main- 
 tained as though the entire regiment was stationed in 
 the city. 
 
 One of the most pleasant features of the stay at 
 Caguas was the supply of ice which was received 
 daily from San Juan. This was a luxury which the 
 boys had not enjoyed since they left l^ewport ^ews 
 and the rapidity with which ice cream and lemonade 
 disappeared would have made the keeper of a circus 
 refreshment stand grow sick at heart. A concert was 
 given by the band in the plaza each evening and the 
 people enjoyed the music very much. There was a 
 number of fine musicians at Caguas and these with 
 some of the members of the band aiTanged an enter- 
 tainment which proved quite a success. At first the 
 soldiers were not restricted as to their mingling with 
 the natives, but this privilege was abused by a few 
 careless men so that by special order, at the sound- 
 ing of "taps" every man in the command except 
 those on guard was expected to be in quarters. 
 
 Frequent excursions were made to San Juan the 
 capital, and on the occasion of the formal possession 
 of the city by the Americans on October 18, Colonel 
 Coit and his staff and a large number of the men and 
 officers of the regiment went to the city to witness 
 the flag raising ceremonies. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 239 
 
 Finally, on the 28tli, the command having been 
 relieved by a detachment of the First Kentucky, the 
 regiment marched from Caguas to Rio Piedras. F 
 and K companies had also been relieved and had 
 joined the regiment. The march from Caguas, 
 seventeen miles, was made in five hours, remarkably 
 good time for that climate and the kind of day, for the 
 sun shone almost as hot as it had on August 13, dur- 
 ing the forenoon, and then in the afternoon a terrific 
 rainstorm came up. F company had not started with 
 the main column and these men were nearly drowned 
 when they reached Rio Piedras. 
 
 The command took dinner and a good rest at 
 Rio Piedras and at four o'clock all the companies ex- 
 cept B boarded a train and proceeded to San Juan. 
 B company marching across the valley to the capital, 
 earned the record of being the only company which 
 had marched across the island from the Carribean 
 sea to the Atlantic ocean. Two other companies, 
 however, K and L, had marched a greater number of 
 miles. 
 
240 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 CHAPTEK XYI. 
 
 THE HOSPITAL CORPS. 
 
 The Corps in the Fourteenth— Its Organization and Effi- 
 ciency — Its Effect on Enlistment — Refused Admittance 
 as a Body Into the U. S. Service— Members Enlist in 
 Companies — Details at Camp Thomas — Reserve Ambu- 
 lance Corps— Detachments From the Regiment— Orders 
 for Porto Rico — Reunited on Massachusetts — Again 
 Separated in Porto Rico — Sent to San Juan— Home 
 With the Regiment — Stragglers Arrive. 
 
 When the Fourteenth Eegiment of Infantry of 
 the Ohio l\ati<nal Guards assembled for the T)urpo&e 
 of entering the volunteer service of the United States, 
 that organization contained one of the best auxiliaries 
 for hospital service within the United States. It 
 consisted under the state regulations of one major 
 surgeon, three assistant surgeons, one hospital steward, 
 two acting hospital stewards and twenty four privates. 
 
 The surgeons were men who had been chosen 
 for their fitness in duties which were liable at any 
 time to occur in street riots and other emergency 
 cases where the state militia was apt to be engaged. 
 The stewards and acting stewards were men who had 
 been trained by education and experience to perform 
 just such duties as would be likely to devolve upon 
 them in times where judgment, alacrity and precision 
 were elements absolutely essential in their qualifica- 
 tions as such ofiicers. The privates were all young 
 men who had taken and nourished an interest in the 
 
FROM PONCE TO ARROYO. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 241 
 
 care of the sick and tliey had by study, application and 
 drill acquired such an ability in the matters pertain- 
 ing to active field hospital work that they were ad- 
 mitedly among the best men Ohio or any other state 
 could have furnished a military organization. 
 
 It is a fact that the rapid enlistment to the 
 maximum strength allowed by the government in so 
 short a time was due to the fact that it was well known 
 that the Fourteenth was better able to take care of 
 her sick than any other regiment in the state service. 
 The hospital corps was the pride of the regiment and 
 of that section of the state which boasted the Four- 
 teenth Infantry. Everybody fully expected that the 
 hospital corps as it was organized would be a part of 
 the new regiment of volunteers that was being or- 
 ganized, and great was the surprise and the disap- 
 pointment of not only the men and officers of the 
 regiment, but the corps itself when it was learned that 
 the order for the new organization would not permit 
 the muster of the corps. A great effort was mad© 
 by the hospital boys, the members of the regiment 
 and the citizens of the state to prevail upon the gov- 
 ernment authorities to arrange for the preservation 
 of the corps, but the effort was in vain. 
 
 When the time came for muster into the United 
 States service, the hospital corps, as was the case with 
 the signal corps, ceased to exist, at least so far as the 
 Fourteenth Kegiment could be concerned. The sur- 
 geon and two assistant surgeons retained the rank 
 which they had held in the old regiment. The two 
 acting stewards were made stewards, but that was all 
 
242 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 of the former corps as ?iich, that was accepted by the 
 United States mustering officer. 
 
 The enthusiasm in military matters, the loyalty 
 to the regiment and the patriotism that the men of 
 the hospital corps possessed is shown by the fact that 
 as soon as it was learned that they could not enter 
 the volunteer service with the regiment as an auxil- 
 iary organization they were at once divided among the 
 companies and enlisted as privates of infantry. They 
 served as such until the regiment reached Camp 
 Thomas, when they were detailed by a regimental 
 order to their regimental hospital. They continued, 
 however, to draw rations, clothing and pay from the 
 companies in which they were enlisted, until by di- 
 rection of the war department at Washington they 
 were made regular members of the hospital corps, 
 and assigned to duty wherever, in the judgment of 
 authority higher than the head of the regiment, they 
 were most needed. 
 
 The first several Aveeks at Camp Thomas was 
 attended with more or less sickness in the regiment 
 on account of the change of water, diet and climatic 
 conditions and the advantages of a regimental hos- 
 pital corps were apparent to all, but this fact only 
 made the boys of the regiment feel the more keenly 
 the loss of the old militia hospital service. Under the 
 circumstances, the work performed by the medical 
 department, officers and men^ was as able as could 
 have been expected and the fact that the regiments 
 on either side of the camp of the Fourth Ohio suf- 
 fered heavily from death, while the Fourth Ohio did 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. 1. 243 
 
 uot lose a single man, speaks volumes in praise of 
 the discipline of the regiment and the ability and 
 energy of those officers upon whose shoulders rested 
 the responsibility of taking' care of the health of the 
 boys from central Ohio. 
 
 Major Surgeon Semeans remained with the regi- 
 ment more than either of the other two physicians. 
 He was detached for a time at Camp Thomas, in com- 
 mand of the Division hospital and he was also absent 
 a few weeks from the Guayama camp on account of 
 his health. He worked night and day, was as untir- 
 ing in his effort to serve the members of the regiment 
 as a human being could be, and while he and his 
 department were handicapped in peculiar ways at 
 times, there was never a time when a member of the 
 Fourth Ohio could not obtain any medical or surgical 
 aid that he required, without going outside the lines 
 of his owTi regiment. Even when it did become nec- 
 essary to send a sick soldier from the regimental hos- 
 pital to places where more elaborate arrangements 
 had been made for his treatment, Captain Harry M. 
 Taylor, one of the assistant surgeons of the regiment, 
 was oftenest the man to look after his welfare. Dr. 
 "Wright, the other assistant surgeon, was also de- 
 tached, having served from early in June until in 
 July at the Division hospital at Camp Thomas. From 
 the time he rejoined the regiment he was on duty 
 with the Fourth Ohio until Company M was assigned 
 by Colonel Coit to assume charge of affairs at Vieques 
 when the doctor was designated to accompany this 
 company as its medical officer. He did not return to 
 
244 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 the regiment until the entire command was reunited 
 at San Juan. 
 
 The only members of the medical department 
 who were not at any time detached from the regiment 
 were Steward John Richards and Private Haiice. 
 There was not a man in the Fourth Ohio at the time 
 of muster out who did not consider himself a personal 
 friend "of long standing" with either Stewards Rich- 
 ards or Ritter. The latter was detached from the regi- 
 mental hospital for a short time only at Camp Thomas 
 and for a few weeks with F Company while that 
 command occupied Cayey. 
 
 The first medical officer to be permanently de- 
 tached from the regiment was Captain Taylor. On 
 June 8th the doctor was ordered to report to Major 
 James Johnson, of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania regi- 
 ment, to assist in forming an ambulance service for 
 the First Army corps. The doctor left at once and 
 the result of the consultation of these two and other 
 surgeons was the formation of the "reserve ambu- 
 lance corps." This was made up of men detached 
 from all the various regiments stationed at the park. 
 Application was first made for these detachments by 
 the officers of the Reserve corps and as soon as the 
 men reported to the chief surgeon they were as- 
 signed first to ambulance companies and then to am- 
 bulance corps as the exigencies of the service required. 
 Most of the Fourth Ohio boys remained under the 
 direct command of Dr. Taylor. They were together 
 throughout all the Porto Rican campaign until in Oc- 
 tober, when the corps was disbanded at Guayama. 
 Two of these men, Curry James and Stephen Darby, 
 
THE FOURTH 0. F. /. 245 
 
 were promoted to the rank of acting hospital steward 
 while in this service. 
 
 Those of the Fourth Ohio who were not as- 
 signed to this work were Privates Judkins, Pringle, 
 Wright, Moon and Davis. These were assigned to 
 the First Division hospital while the regiment was at 
 Camp Thomas. The latter was discharged from the 
 service before the close of the war, but the remaining 
 four did not return to their command until in Janu- 
 ary, 1899, after the regiment had returned to Colum- 
 bus in November, 1898. Privates Judkins and 
 Pringle had been assigned to the Third Brigade hos- 
 pital, and Moon and Wright to the Reserve Hospital 
 company. 
 
 Up to July 20, Captain Taylor filled at the Re- 
 serve Ambulance corps at Camp Thomas, the offices 
 of Quartermaster, Commissary, Ordnance Officer and 
 Medical Purveyor. At the date mentioned he was re- 
 lieved of all these duties, but was continued in the 
 service of the corps, and on August 20 he was made 
 acting brigade surgeon of the Second brigade, First 
 division, First corps. On September 1st, 1898, at the 
 time of the retirement of Major Frank Boyd, of the 
 Third Kentucky, Dr. Taylor became the commanding 
 officer of the Reserve Ambulance company near 
 Guayama, which command he retained until this 
 hospital was ordered disbanded and the Fourth Ohio 
 started for San Juan on October 6. 
 
 On July 20 the ambulance corps was ordered 
 to move from Camp Thomas to 'New Port News, Yir- 
 ginia, preparatory to embarking to Porto Rico. The 
 
246 TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 transport Massachusetts was provided and besides the 
 regular hospital outfit, there was loaded on the Massa- 
 chusetts, eleven hundred horses and mules, and two 
 million rations for General Brooke's army. 
 
 The Massachusetts sailed on July 26th and ar- 
 rived outside the harbor at Ponce on Tuesday, Aug- 
 ust 2. Here the Massachusetts struck a coral reef 
 and she was unable to move. The horses were all un- 
 loaded and taken to shore in lighters and this without 
 the loss of an animal. 
 
 The Massachusetts was relieved of all its cargo 
 and passengers by the evening of August 7th. As 
 soon as the landing was made, the hospital outfit and 
 the escort went into camp on the outskirts of Ponce. 
 The next morning, Monday, August 8, the start was 
 made for Arroyo where the entire Second brigade 
 was supposed to b^, but which in reality was at Guay- 
 ama, ready for an attack at any moment. The march 
 from Ponce was in command of Captain Williamson, 
 a regular army officer and a member of General 
 Brooke's staff. Lieutenant Fred Whiley, of I com- 
 pany. Fourth Ohio, was with the party, his duties be- 
 ing to look after the stock in general and to take care 
 of Fourth Ohio property in particular. There was an 
 escort of two troops of cavalry, one a Philadelphia 
 troop and the other Troop H, of the Sixth regulars. 
 There were two signal corps companies in the com- 
 mand, but they were only partly armed. What arms 
 they did possess consisted of a variety of revolvers 
 and rifles so badly mixed as to pattern and calibre 
 that no such thinq- as uniformitv existed. 
 
THE FOURTH O. V. I. 247 
 
 i 
 
 Besides the quartermaster's stores tliat had to be 
 conveyed in wagons, there was the entire mule coral 
 and the horses to be taken. The order of march was 
 in column of fours and a jolly time was seen before 
 the column was ready to move. 
 
 The general plan for handling the mules was for 
 one man to ride a mule and lead three. It would 
 probably have been easier for the rider if the rule had 
 been reversed and there had been three men for each 
 mule. They twisted together, kicked, ran, broke 
 their halters and in fact performed all the antics 
 known only to the typical government mule and be- 
 fore the column was ready to start, Dr. Taylor had 
 sent three men to the hospital with a brilliant pros- 
 pect of sending the rest of the command to bed before 
 the column had moved a mile, 
 
 Finally, when all was supposed to be ready, the 
 command ^'Forward March" was given and the col- 
 umn proceeded to "march," some of it forward, an- 
 other part backward, to either side, and indeed some 
 of it straight up into the air. That "start" was an ex- 
 perience entirely new to the members of the Fourth 
 Ohio medical department, but it was one they never 
 forgot. 
 
 As soon as the mules and the riders became ac- 
 quainted and learned how to "take" each other, better 
 progress was made, but before the command reached 
 Arroyo, seventeen army mules had gone to their re- 
 ward and had to be accounted for by responsible offi- 
 cers after the march was ended and the war was over. 
 It has been said by those who have had experience 
 
248 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 with army mules that these animals are a source of 
 vexation from the time they make their appearance 
 on earth until long after they are dead. 
 
 The second night out in the march, the boys met 
 with another experience which they never forgot. 
 The line of march extended along the road known as 
 the "coast road." This road was in many places a 
 mere trail and the mud in the lower districts was al- 
 most bottomless. Progress was naturally slow, but in 
 addition to this mud there were streams to ford, causr 
 ing increased delay and greater danger to life and 
 property, and the entire country was infested with 
 Spanish g-uerrillas. This was the first expedition to 
 go in this direction along this route and a great pre- 
 caution was as a matter of course maintained at all 
 times. As soon as a camp was established strong 
 picket lines were formed and outposts were estab- 
 lished. On the night referred to, a number of shots 
 were heard near one of the outposts and the result 
 was considerable confusion in camp. One of the sur- 
 geons, not a member of the Fourth Ohio, pulled down 
 his shelter tent from over his mate, packed all his be- 
 longings, climbed in his saddle and remained there 
 until daylight, unheedful of the reproaches and jests 
 of his comrades. 
 
 It was learned that the shots came from an at- 
 tack on the outposts by a band of guerrillas, but the 
 cavalrymen were too much for the Dons and their 
 attack was easily repelled after the exchange of a 
 few moments' hot firing. The loss sustained to the 
 hospital command was nothing but two Porto Rican 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 249 
 
 camp followers were killed. Tlie loss to the attack- 
 ing party was never leai-ned. The march was re- 
 sumed on the following morning and no trouble of 
 this kind was met from that on to the end of the jour- 
 ney. 
 
 Arroyo was reached on August 10th and a gen- 
 eral hospital was at once established. It was in exist- 
 ence a very short time, however, for during Thurs- 
 day night and early Friday morning the hospital was 
 moved in a blinding rain to Guayama. Their removal 
 under these circumstances caused considerable un- 
 favorable comment at the time and for some time aft- 
 erwards, but the removal was made in anticipation of 
 a concerted movement of the American forces toward 
 the north and was an absolute necessity. As a mat- 
 ter of fact hostilities were suspended during the next 
 twentyfour hours, but the authorities were certainly 
 justified in making this preparation for taking care 
 of the thousands who would have been wounded had 
 that movement been made. 
 
 Hostilities having ceased, preparations w^ere at 
 once made to continue the hospital at Guayama. A 
 location was selected at the top of a broad hill just 
 east of the city. There was plenty of room, a good 
 breeze always stirring and the drainage was perfect. 
 Aside from the fact that there was no shade except 
 what was afforded by the tents, this spot was a delight- 
 ful place for the location of a field hospital. Many 
 a poor fellow was nursed back to health from a 
 burning tropical fever at this hospital and many a 
 poor fellow was mustered out of the service forever 
 
250 THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 
 
 within its tented wards during the following months. 
 It continued in use until the forenoon of October 7th, 
 when it was ordered broken up by General Grant. 
 
 It was here that Dr. Taylor rejoined the regi- 
 ment. Dr. Semans was at that time himself a patient 
 in the hospital and the health of the regiment was at 
 once placed in the hands of Dr. Taylor, Dr. Wright 
 still being at Isabel Segunda with M company. The 
 enlisted force of the medical department, however, 
 was ordered to San Juan to duty in the general hos- 
 pital there and that duty continued until the regiment 
 was ready to leave the island. 
 
 These men had applied for release from that 
 duty but their appeals were not heeded. Colonel 
 Coit ordered them to return to the regiment, but 
 technically they were out of his control and the boys 
 were unable to obey the order. Privates Judkins, 
 Piingle and Moon were still at Ponce ig-norant of 
 the fact that their comrades were returning home. 
 The officers of the regiment did all in their power to 
 secure the release of the boys at San Juan, but all 
 seemed to be in vain until it was decided to stand on 
 the fact that the regulations of the army provide that 
 a traveling command is entitled to what is equal to 
 one-twelfth of its strength in hospital help. This was 
 applied for and granted. Then a member of General 
 Brooke's staff was given the names of the Fourth 
 Ohio men and these were the men assigned to accom- 
 pany the regiment on the Chester. When Columbus 
 was reached it was an easv matter to obtain the dis- 
 charge of the hospital force. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 251 
 
 After the entire regiment was reunited at San 
 Juan, the trip back to the starting point was void of 
 interesting incident to the medical department, as 
 they were kept busy from the time the Chester 
 steamed out of the harbor at San Juan until the regi- 
 ment landed at the auditorium at Columbus. Even 
 then while the remainder of the regiment was enjoy- 
 ing a furlough of sixty days, members of the medical 
 department were on duty at the auditorium, read^' to 
 look after the physical welfare of the boys. 
 
 This chapter has told in a feeble manner, the 
 work of the hospital force of the Fourth Ohio. "The 
 half has not been told." In fact, if the medical de- 
 partment of the Fourth Ohio were to be given all the 
 credit they deserve, it would be necessary to devote 
 to the story of their labors, a volume much larger than 
 this. To use the language of a western statesman, 
 these men "knowed their dutv and done it well." No 
 one could do more. 
 
252 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 ARMY OF OCCUPATION. 
 
 What (General Brooke Said of the Fourth Ohio — D Company 
 to Humacao — A Forty Miles' March — M Company by 
 Sea to Vieques — Duty at Fajardo — Trouble at Carolina — 
 Beautiful Country at Aibonito — An Officer Assaulted 
 at Cayey — B Company at Rio Piedras — Record of 
 Events in the Companies Which Americanized the 
 Eastern Third of Porto Rico. 
 
 COMPANY D AT HUMACAO. 
 
 If a straight line be drawn across the map of 
 Porto Rico from Ponce on the south to San Juan at 
 the north, about one-third of the area and population 
 of the entire island will be seen to lie at the east. 
 This territory and also that of Vieques was not won 
 bj the Fourth Ohio from the hands of the Spanish 
 any more than by the other regiments which perform- 
 ed duty in the war, but it was occupied by the Fourth 
 Ohio during the most critical period in the change 
 from Spanish to American government of the island. 
 Just why this duty was assigned to the Fourth Ohio 
 when there were two other regiments in the same bri- 
 gade and several other brigades in the island is not 
 explained in the orders designating Fourth Ohio com- 
 panies to the different stations, but the language of 
 General Brooke at the time of the departure of the 
 regiment to the states seems to throw considerable 
 light on the subject. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 253 
 
 Said General Brooke : ''This regiment is one of 
 the best on the island, volunteer or regular. At one 
 time I had but two volunteer regiments in my com- 
 mand. They were the Fourth Ohio and First Ken- 
 tucky. All the others were either too homesick for 
 duty or they were transformed into regimental hos- 
 pitals." 
 
 It was certainly a pleasure for the members of 
 the regiment to realize that this was their standing 
 ^^ith the commanding general, but it seemed strange 
 sometimes to see the other regiments lying about 
 camp doing nothing while they were busy patrolling 
 the eastern third of the island. It required four dif- 
 ferent regiments to take care of the other two-thirds, 
 and even then there were depredations committed 
 in all the eastern part of the island, while the duty of 
 the Fourth Ohio was characterized by a happy, 
 quiet condition of the whole territory in which the 
 regiment was stationed. The provost duty of the 
 Fourth Ohio began on the evening of the capture of 
 Guayama, when Company B was given charge of the 
 town. This was only broken twice, when the other 
 regiments took up the work at Guayama temporarily. 
 Then came the tour of duty of A and E Companies, 
 lasting from the middle of August until they boarded 
 the Chester to return to the states, and of the other 
 companies after September 20 to the same time. 
 After the detachment just mentioned, D company was 
 ordered to Humacao. The order, dated September 
 17th, reads as follows: 
 
254 THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 
 
 "The brigade general commanding directs that 
 you will immediately prepare a company of your 
 regiment to take station at Hiunacao, P. R. They 
 must be fully equipped and take their tentage and 
 thirty days' rations, which the brigade commissary 
 will issue to them. The company must start this 
 afternoon and reach Humacao about 8 a. m., Mon- 
 day, September 19th. They will take a U. S. flag 
 to be raised in the town. If you have no flag, the 
 brigade quartermaster will furnish one. 
 "Very respectfully, 
 
 "0. W. FENTEN, A. A. G." 
 
 On the receipt of this order Company D was at 
 once designated by Colonel Coit to take this station. 
 This company had on the evening of the parade at the 
 Guayama plaza, the strongest line in the regiment. 
 Arrangements were at once made for the start and 
 before evening of the day on which the order was re- 
 ceived, the company was on its way, completing the 
 march of forty miles over mountain roads and reach- 
 ing their destination at 8 o'clock Monday Morning, 
 September 19th. The following is extracted from 
 the several reports made by Captain Sellers to Gen- 
 eral Grant: 
 
 "The company marched to a point about eight 
 miles distant from the regimental camp, when we 
 went into camp for the night. Resumed the march 
 at 5 a. m., September 18th, and marched until noon, 
 when command halted for mess. March resumed at 
 3 p. m. an^i 4 j). m. Maunabo was reached. From 
 Pnglish-speaking natives and others I learned that 
 
TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 255 
 
 the mountain road was impassable to our wagons. 
 Deeming my orders to reach Humacao at a certain 
 time to be imperative, I took Lieutenant Turner and 
 thirty-five men and started for Humacao, lea\dng 
 rest of company and wagon train in charge of Lieu- 
 tenant ISTewlove at Manaubo, with orders to follow 
 Monday morning. 
 
 "We left Maunabo at 4:30 p. m. and arrived at 
 the top of the mountain at 6 p. m., where I ordered 
 a halt. Personally inspecting the road as we came 
 over it, I found that it would be utterly impossible 
 to bring our wagons. I sent word to Lieutenant 
 Newlove to remain in Maunabo until further orders. 
 Marched down the mountain and arrived at Yabocoa 
 at 9 p. m., September 18th. Finding the distance 
 to Humacao could be covered in four hours, I de- 
 cided to stay in Yabacoa for the night. We left the 
 town at 4 a. m. and at Y :45 a. m. arrived at Humacao. 
 I immediately proceeded to the residence of the lieu- 
 tenant colonel in command of the Spanish forces 
 here and found that their orders were not to vacate 
 the town until September 22nd. In order to pre- 
 vent trouble I granted an extension of one hour in 
 order that he might confer with his commanding 
 general, which he did at once. In about a half hour 
 I received the following telegram : 
 
 " 'There has been some mistake in the time of 
 your arrival in Humacao. You will now await out- 
 side the town the time when Spanish troops will 
 vacate, which will be on Thursday, September 22nd.' 
 
256 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 "Having no tentage or rations I secured tlie use 
 of a large house about one-half mile south from the 
 town, where we went in quarters to await evacuation 
 of Spanish troops. No sickness of any kind among 
 the men who accompanied me over the mountain to 
 Humacao. The morning of the 22nd Lieutenant 
 ISTewlove with his detail marched from the coast to 
 Humacao and with the entire company I proceeded to 
 the City Hall, and raising the American flag, took 
 possession of the city at 8 a. m., September 22nd. 
 The raising of the flag was done with the usual 
 honors. I then proceeded with a detail to the cus- 
 toms house six miles distant and raised the flag. 
 Will make due examination of the books and papers 
 and report as soon as possible. 
 
 "After raising the flag on the 22nd the mayor, 
 clerk of register and notary public refused to serve. 
 I called a meeting of the more prominent citizens and 
 explained that I was not sent here to make changes 
 unless positively necessary, but everything was to 
 nm as before. I asked them to name good native 
 citizens competent to fill the offices and I appointed 
 Jaquine Nasereer Berries mayor and Jose Toro Rias 
 clerk of registers to serve during the pleasure of the 
 U. S. government. The notary public had orders to 
 deliver the records over to the presiding judge and I 
 decided that the judge was competent to name a man 
 to fill the office, and he decided that the proper man 
 was the first deputy, who is now in charge of the 
 office. One-half the council refuses to serve, but I 
 did nothing toward filling their places. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 257 
 
 "After raising the flag at the customs house, 
 which is on the beach six miles distant, the captain 
 of the port, upon orders of his superior, took mv re- 
 ceipt for the books and papers of his office, and after 
 consultation with the collector of customs I ap- 
 pointed Eugene Lopez to take charge of the office, 
 taking his receipt for the same. 
 
 "After cleaning and purifying the barracks, 
 under the supervision of my hospital steward, I 
 moved the company into them. The barracks arc 
 large and in fair condition and situated within one 
 square of the court house. The water supply is very 
 poor, all water having to be hauled from the river 
 some distance away. Have made temporary arrange- 
 ments with the same man who furnished water for 
 the Spanish forces. Our health is good, no one in 
 the hospital. 
 
 "The city prison is located in the rear of the 
 court house and has about ninety prisoners. It re- 
 quires fifteen men to guard it, which is the same as 
 the Spanish had. I have a detail of one corporal 
 and six men at the beach. The customs house of 
 Humacao receives all the reports and money taken 
 in by the customs houses at Naugabo and Fajardo. 
 The books and papers seem to be well taken care of. 
 Office and house clean. This office received for the 
 year ending July 1st, '98, from all sources, $85,- 
 038.36, of which $7448 were received from Naugabo 
 and $16,182 from Fajardo. The man at the cus- 
 toms house seems to be competent to fill the place 
 and I have appointed him deputy collector. 
 
258 TEE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 "On the 28th inst. I ordered Lieutenant Turner 
 to take a squad of twelve men and proceed to Naugabo 
 and raise the flag and infonn the mayor that that 
 town was under the supervision of the United States, 
 and in case of trouble to notify me. Lieutenant 
 Turner returned to Humacao at 6 p. m. on the 28th 
 and reported that he had executed my order and that 
 he had found the situation in that neighborhood 
 quiet." 
 
 On the 30th of September, in obedience to or- 
 ders from the brigade commander. Lieutenant Turner 
 and a detail was sent to the towns of Juncas and 
 Piedras for the purpose of raising the American flag 
 at those places. On his return everything was re- 
 ported quiet at Piedras, but at Juncas the mayor re- 
 fused to continue in office under American rule and 
 promptly sent his resignation, turning the office over 
 to the first deputy. This arrangement seems to have 
 suited the deputy first rate, as he wrote the next day 
 that he had everything in his care and in good shape. 
 He was continued in office. 
 
 On October 1st Captain Sellers and a squad 
 raised the flag and appointed a new mayor at the town 
 of Yabucao, and on the 4th Lieutenant Turner and a 
 squad visited the town of San Lorenzo. This town 
 was also made American and everything seemed to 
 be very satisfactory with the greater number of 
 people. 
 
 When the company reached Humacao, the police 
 officers carried short swords or "machetes." These 
 were taken up and maces given them and they were 
 
THE FOURTH O. V. I. 259 
 
 uniformed according to the American idea. The 
 town was thoroughly cleaned from one end to the 
 other and forty prisoners were taken from the jail and 
 put to work on the roads. No rum was permitted to 
 be sold to the soldiers. Eight mounted patrolmen 
 traversed the country immediately surroimding 
 Humacao, and during his stay there Captain Sellers 
 made visits to the other towns, keeping in touch with 
 the civil authorities and rendering them all the aid 
 in his power. 
 
 At no time was there any sickness in the com- 
 pany worthy of mention. Steward Burr, of the hos- 
 pital department, and Dr. Wilson, one of the enlisted 
 men who had 2:iven their services as surgeons, were 
 at this station, and in his reports Captain Sellers 
 praises both. The company remained at Humacao 
 until October 25th, when it was relieved by the 
 Forty-seventh New York from the Chester. 
 Humacao was a much better town than Guayama 
 and the soldiers and citizens were much warmer 
 friends. As evidence of the esteem in which the 
 company and its commander were held in the hearts 
 of the people at Humacao, the following copy of a 
 message sent to General Brooke at the time the com- 
 pany was about to leave for the United States is 
 given: 
 
 "Since the 22nd of last September, on which 
 floats in this city the American flag, hoisted in the 
 name of your government by the worthy Captain 
 Chas. F. Sellers, this people, sir, have nothing but 
 congratulations for you and for General Grant, for 
 
260 TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 the proper appointment of Mr. Sellers, who has ruled 
 the destinies of this military district with as much 
 justice as courtesy. 
 
 "Therefore, today, on having notice that perhaps 
 they would relieve the forces that said captain com- 
 mands, ably assisted by Lieutenant Turner and sub- 
 altern officers, the town en masse, sir, assist me, in 
 order that with the Board of Magistrates, we may 
 formulate a respectful petition before you, to the end 
 that if it is not a hindrance to your plans, you may 
 be pleased to leave Captain Sellers in this city, thus 
 satisfying a strong desire of this town where he has 
 gained so many s^nnpathies by his honesty, good 
 judgment and gentility. 
 
 "At the same time the populations of Yabucoa, 
 San Lorenzo, Junces Piedros and Naguabo, by means 
 of their representatives, join in making this, their 
 manifestation. 
 
 "Be it known for all time, that our gratitude to 
 you will be profoimd, if we ol^tain, that this chief 
 may continue among us, even though it may be for a 
 little longer time." 
 
 ON THE ISLAND OF VIEQUES. 
 
 Company D having been assigned to special 
 duty, selected on account of its fine appearance at the 
 big parade in Guayama plaza. Company M was 
 chosen for special service. Notwithstanding the fact 
 that the company presented a fine appearance in itself, 
 it was in bad condition as to commissioned officers. 
 Captain Bostwick had been compelled to go to the 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 261 
 
 hospital and finally tu return to the states on accoimt 
 of sickness, and Second Lieutenant George M. 
 Florence had been left at Newport News, Va., on ac- 
 count of typhoid fever. This left Lieutenant Dufiy 
 in command of the company and the only officer 
 present for duty. The lieutenant was capable enough 
 to take charge of the company ''lone-handed" under 
 ordinary conditions, but it was not deemed advisable 
 to detach the company for any length of time with- 
 out giving him some assistance. To this end First 
 Lieutenant Fred S. Whiley, of I Company, was as- 
 signed to M Company, and he accompanied the expe- 
 dition about to be described. Having had consider- 
 able experience with quartermasters' stores. Lieuten- 
 ant Whiley proved himself a valuable addition to the 
 company. 
 
 Company M was ordered on September I7th to 
 go to the island of Vieques, a small island some dis- 
 tance off the main land of Porto Rico. In the order 
 the company was directed to leave Guayama on the 
 19th and to assume control of the government of the 
 entire island. About 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon, 
 however, the order was changed so that the company 
 was directed to leave Guayama on the 18th. The 
 start was made, therefore, about 5 o'clock on the even- 
 ing of the day designated. 
 
 Besides M Company there were in the party 
 Colonel Coit, Captain Fenten (General Grant's adju- 
 tant), Captain Wright, who was to look after the 
 health of the company during its stay on the island; 
 Captain Danavin, Civilian Aide Weiner, also of Gen- 
 
262 TEE FOURTH 0. F. /. 
 
 eral Grant's staff; the Fourth Ohio band and a num- 
 ber of regimental headquarters attaches. The com- 
 pany left the camp and passed in review at brigade 
 headquarters, then proceeded to Arroyo, which sta- 
 tion was reached about 8 o'clock the same evening. 
 Eighteen wagons were required to remove the com- 
 pany and its baggage, but as soon as everything could 
 be unloaded and stored temporarily in the customs 
 house at Arroyo, the wagon train was permitted to 
 return to Guayama. This work completed, the com- 
 pany put up for the night. 
 
 About 3 o'clock the next morning word was re- 
 ceived from Lieutenant Newlove of Company D, an- 
 nouncing the trouble met by their baggage train at 
 Maunabo. Arrangements were accordingly made to 
 help him out of his difficulty. On the morning of the 
 19th the Stillwater appeared in the harbor and ar- 
 rangements were at once made for the start to Vie- 
 ques. It was 3 o'clock of the same afternoon, how- 
 ever, before the start was made, and sailing under 
 favorable conditions the Stillwater arrived off Mauna- 
 bo at about 5 o'clock on the same evening. Here the 
 stranded baggage of D Company was taken on, but 
 the task of loading was not completed until nearly 
 midnight, and the Stillwater being in strange waters, 
 the trip was not resumed until the morning of the 
 20th. Sailing down the coast the port of Humacoa, 
 or Point Santiago, was reached, and the D Company 
 detachment disembarked. Colonel Coit, Captain 
 Fenten, Captain Wright, Captain Donavin and Major 
 Hogan, of the Stillwater, also disembarked and went 
 
TEE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 263 
 
 over to the city of Humacoa, about five miles inland, 
 to participate in tlie flag raising ceremonies with 
 Captain k'ellers. The party did not return to the 
 Stillwater until late that night, and then they 
 had a bad time of it, the storms of the autumnal 
 equinox being at that time at their worst. Before 
 Point Santiago was left, however, the Stillwater had 
 the experience of making a capture, a Spanish schoon- 
 er having sailed into the harbor. The captain of the 
 vessel readily hauled down the red and yellow banner 
 and his vessel sailed from that day on under the Stars 
 and Stripes. This arrangement was perfectly agree- 
 able to the captain of the vessel, however, as he had 
 requested an American flag to be used for that pur- 
 pose. Word was also received that the company 
 was not exrected to take possession of the island of 
 Vieques until 12 o'clock noon of the 21st. 
 
 It was 11 o'clock when the Stillwater arrived in 
 the harbor at Isabel Segunda. Arrangements were 
 at once made for disembarking, and about sixty of 
 the ninety men in the company boarded lighters. 
 The band and all the officers also boarded lighters 
 and small boats and the command was towed into 
 the shore. As the soldiers approached the landing, 
 the rocks to the right were fairly black with people 
 who had rushed to the water's edge to welcome their 
 visitors, shouting at the top of their voices a royal 
 welcome. To the left of the landing, however, there 
 was an entirely different scene. There in front of 
 the beautiful light house were the Spanish soldiers 
 drawn up in line, waiting for their conquerers to take 
 
264 THE FOURTH O. Y. /. 
 
 the final step toward the acquisition of more of their 
 territory. 
 
 Besides the crowd of citizens, the soldiers were 
 met at the landing by the mayor of the town and by 
 the colonel and captain who had occupied the fort at 
 this station. All the officers except Lieutenant 
 Whiley, who remained with the troops, went ashore 
 and up to the fort, which stood on a promontory 
 back of the town, where the formal arrangements 
 were made for the turning over of the island to lieu- 
 tenant Duffy. All arrangements having been com- 
 pleted for the transfer, word was sent back to the 
 men who in the meantime had effected a landing^ 
 and were waiting imder Lieutenant Whiley at the 
 customs house. By direction of Colonel Coit the 
 company marched to the Episcopal church, which, by 
 the way, was one of the only two Protestant churches 
 in that part of the Spanish possessions. Here the 
 rector, Kev. Been, conducted a praise service. A 
 blessing was formally invoked upon a beautiful 
 American flag, and at exactly 12 o'clock noon, thia 
 flag was officially hoisted above the highest parapet 
 of the fort by First Sergeant C. K. Crum. 
 
 This was the first American flag ever raised in 
 that part of the world and by that act another valu- 
 able possession came into the hands of the United 
 States. 
 
 Immediately after the flag raising ceremonies, 
 the officers were breakfasted by the customs officer. 
 At 3 o'clock in the afternoon the officers repaired to 
 the apothecary shop of Senor Victor Dutiel, who 
 
SCENE NEAR FAJARDO. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 266 
 
 acted as interpreter, and the transfer papers wei*e 
 formally completed and signed by Captain Francisco 
 Rasineras, of the Spanish army, and First Lieutenant 
 Charles G. Duffy, of the Fourth Ohio Volunteer In- 
 fantry, special commissioners for the United States 
 and the Kingdom of Spain. Shortly after this all 
 the officers except those who were to remain on the 
 island, and the band returned to the Stillwater and 
 sailed for Arroyo, leaving Lieutenant Duffy and 
 Company M "monarchs of all they surveyed." 
 
 One of the first duties for the company to per- 
 form was to find ''where they were at." Vieques 
 was found to be an island containing 5528 peopla 
 There were two towns, Isabel Segunda, the capital, 
 and Mosquito. The wealth of the island consisted 
 principally of cattle, horses and sugar, while in the 
 extreme eastern end of the island were the "Lai 
 Salinas" lagoons. With the investment of a little 
 capital it was learned that the salt producing in- 
 dustry here would soon develop into importance. 
 
 The people were found to excel in every way 
 the inhabitants of Porto Eico. Their homes were 
 more conveniently and more comfortably furnished 
 and the island which they occupied was seen to be a 
 very healthful one. One of the proofs of this con- 
 dition is that during all the time the company was on 
 the island there was not a time when more than three 
 men reported to the hospital in one day and there 
 was usually but one. Soldiers who accompanied the 
 company there weak and frail, left the island sound 
 and healthy men. Dr. Wright, who had made the 
 
266 THE FOURTH 0. 7. /. 
 
 sanitary conditions a careful study, reported that of 
 all the Spanish countries he had yet seen, Vieques 
 was the ideal location for a health resort. 
 
 The people were willing and anxious to aid the 
 military in reorganizing the government of the island, 
 Not a single outrage was committed in the island 
 while the company occupied it. One of the first 
 reforms worked by Lieutenant Duff}' was the re- 
 organization of the schools and the employment of 
 English-speaking teachers. Other accomplishments 
 M^ere the amicable settlement of the questions of 
 church and state, appointment of a new mayor, 
 municipal government rearranged and two new coun- 
 cilmen appointed, the thorough patrol of the entire 
 island by mounted patrolmen, appointment of new 
 civil and criminal judges, the discharge of six customs 
 officers and the rearrangement of salaries, a thorough 
 cleansing of streets and public buildings and a gen- 
 eral "house cleaning" from one end of the island to 
 the other. 
 
 In all this work the citizens entered with a spirit 
 that showed a determination to become good Ameri- 
 can citizens. Isabel Segunda was visited by a United 
 States treasury officer, who made a careful inspection 
 of the customs office and pronounced everything in 
 excellent condition. The work done by M Company 
 was certainly an excellent one and the people of the 
 island thoroughly appreciated all that was done for 
 them. They treated the soldiers with all the hospi- 
 tality known to civilization and feasts and banquets 
 were the order of the day from the first to the last of 
 
THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 267 
 
 every week. As the population was largely made 
 up of French the science of good eating was generally 
 pretty well understood by the people, and this knowl- 
 edge was thoroughly appreciated by the soldiers, who 
 were invited to test it. Fine ponies were brought to 
 the fort and placed at the disposal of the troops and 
 cows were brought in so that they might have fresh 
 milk all the time. The very finest cattle were killed 
 for their benefit and the "finest of the land" was at 
 all times at the disposal of the company, whose mem- 
 bers lived like so many kings during their entire stay 
 in the island. 
 
 On September 26th Major Jones arrived at the 
 island with money with which to pay the men, but 
 money to them was "as filthy lucre," for although 
 they were "strapped" for the most part, they could 
 get almost anything they wanted without paying for 
 it, as the people were glad to give it to them. With 
 the pavmaster, however, came Lieutenants Hamil and 
 Ward, of Companies B and G, who relieved Lieuten- 
 ant Whiley, his own company having been assigned 
 to similar duty at Fajardo. 
 
 A communication by means of the heliograph 
 was established between Isabel Segimda and Fajardo, 
 and this added much to the convenience and pleasure 
 of the company. The same was tried with Humacoa, 
 but the experiment failed. A yacht was placed at 
 the disposal of the company, however, and when the 
 weather would permit, trips were made acro^ the 
 channel and visits made to the other companies in the 
 eastern part of Porto Rico. 
 
268 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 During tlie entire stay of the companj on the 
 island the boys enjoyed the same hospitality and the 
 same friendship with the citizens until on the 26th of 
 October, when the steamer Chester arrived at the 
 harbor with a company of the Forty-seventh New 
 York to relieve them. Although the boys were glad 
 to return to their homes they could not, however, 
 leave the island and their numerous friends without 
 a feeling of reluctance. Just before taldng his de- 
 parture Lieutenant Duffy, Dr. Wright and Lieuten- 
 ants Hamil and Ward were banqueted, and at the 
 close of the festivities, a petition was presented to be 
 conveyed to the president of the United States, asking 
 that Lieutenant Duffy be sent to the island as its 
 governor. This petition was signed by every land 
 owner in the island. 
 
 DETACHMENT TO FAJARDO. 
 
 The next company to receive orders for detached 
 service was Company I, of Lancaster, Captain Palmer 
 commanding. The company left Guayama a few 
 days after the paymaster had visited the Fourth and 
 the boys of the company were feeling in excellent 
 condition for almost any kind of service. "Anything 
 to get away from Guayama," was the general motto, 
 and I Company was not an exception in this matter. 
 The service of Company I is well described in the 
 report which Captain Palmer made to General Grant, 
 given in full as follows: 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. J. 269 
 
 Fajardo. P. R., Oct., 5th, 1898. 
 Brigadier General Grant, Commanding Second Brigade 
 First Division, First Corps: 
 Sir — In accordance with orders received from 
 brigade headquarters September 26th, 1898, I left 
 Guayama, P. R., with my company en route to Fa- 
 jardo on September 28th, 1898. At 2 p. m. that 
 date we embarked on the "Gypsum King," then lay- 
 ing off Arroyo. The following day at 2:30 p. m. we 
 landed at Fajai'do beach and immediately took pos- 
 session of the customs house and raised the United 
 States flag thereon. In this building I am using a 
 large room as a store for Q. M. and commissary sup- 
 plies, the place being guarded by two non-commis- 
 aioned officers and six privates. 
 
 Here I met a Mr. Bird, a prominent citizen of 
 the town. Assisted by him I examined the books of 
 the customs authorities and, as far as I could discern, 
 and according to Mi\ Bird's decision, the books and 
 accounts were in good order. 
 
 At 4 p. m. the same day the United States flag 
 was raised over the alcalde's office in this town amidst 
 great rejoicing of the people. On the 30th of Sep- 
 tember I reinstated C. Andrew as alcalde. 
 
 This gentleman was legally elected and is their 
 choice. He had to leave here some time ago because 
 the Spaniards would not permit him to remain in the 
 town. On this day the town council met and re- 
 organized. With the exception of two, all the old 
 members were retained. The two mentioned — one 
 a Spaniard, the other a Cuban — resigned because they 
 
270 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 could not bear allegiance to America. At ttis meet- 
 ing the following officials were appointed for the time 
 being: Collector of Customs, Edwardo Alonzo; 
 Paymaster of Customs, Manuel Guzman; Captain of 
 Port, Jovito Perovia; Judge, Jose Garcia. The po- 
 lice force was reduced from nine to five. The cus- 
 toms house staff from ten to seven. The captain of port 
 had two assistants. Both of these men were dis- 
 charged. It is my opinion, these appointments and 
 reductions will prove beneficial. 
 
 As there is no land here suitable for a camp 
 without renting it, my men are now quartered in an 
 old theater which was formerly used by Spanish 
 troops. The only water I can obtain has to be hauled 
 from the river near by. It is not of the best quality, 
 owing to the constant rains and the fact that most of 
 the people bathe and wash clothes therein. 
 
 At 3 p. m. on the 2nd of October the United 
 States flag was raised in the town of Ceibe. The 
 natives were jubilant and orderly. As the place is 
 quiet there is no need for a guard to be stationed 
 there. 
 
 Yesterday morning at 10:15 a. m. the United 
 States flag was raised above the alcalde's office at 
 Loquillo. Here, as in Ceibo, a guard is not necesr 
 sary. I have instructed the alcaldes of both towns 
 that if they ever need assistance to let me know. I 
 will visit these places every few days. 
 
 In the towns of Fajardo, Cfeibo and Loquillo 
 there is no disorder, all the people being seemingly 
 well pleased with American occupation. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 271 
 
 Before closing tliis report I wish to mention Mr. 
 H. Bird. He has been of inestimable value to me. 
 He has neglected his business to assist me here and in 
 the other towns. Too much credit cannot be given 
 him for his faithfulness. 
 
 I have the honor to be, sir, respectfully, 
 L. H. PALMER, 
 Captain Company I, Fourth O. Y. L 
 
 One of the advantages enjoyed by I Company, 
 and which also was the source of a great deal of satis- 
 faction to the other companies occupying the eastern 
 portion of the island, was that many of the citizens 
 spoke the English language very well. This made 
 the employment of interpreters less necessary and less 
 difficult. For this reason also, the members of the 
 companies were better enabled to buy provisions from 
 the native markets, and when they were entertained 
 away from the barracks, their pleasure was not 
 marred by being unable to converse with their hosts 
 as had been the case at Guayama and some of the 
 other towns. 
 
 It was the good fortune of the company to havek 
 Dr. Samuel K. Carson, a member of A Company, asr 
 signed to them as medical officer. Dr. Carson had no 
 commission, was merely a private, but he was a gradu- 
 ate in medicine, was enthusiastic in his profession, 
 and not only stood well at the college he had just 
 left, but also with every one with whom he came in 
 contact. Fortunately there was little sickness in the 
 company while at Fajardo, but Dr. Carson performed 
 this duty as well and as freely as though he had held 
 
272 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 a commission as a medical officer. His work with the 
 company was highly appreciated by the officers and 
 men of the regiment. 
 
 At no time during the stay of the company at 
 Fajardo was there any clash between the citizens and 
 the soldiers and the stay was mutually a pleasant one 
 until the Chester appeared in the harbor and the 
 boys embarked for home. 
 
 COMPANY L AT CAROLINA. 
 
 The service of nearly all the detached companies 
 in Porto Rico was characterized by the kindly feeling 
 extended to the soldiers by the natives in whose midst 
 they had been sent. One of the exceptions to this 
 rule, however, was the service of Company L, Cap- 
 tain F. M. French commanding. Company L had 
 made for itseK a record at Camp Thomas as one of 
 the best disciplined and most orderly divisions of the 
 regiment, and it was very fortunate indeed that this 
 particular company was assigned to the post it occu- 
 pied in Porto Rico. The company was organized at 
 Mt. Vernon and was made up of the kind of men 
 who are willing to go anywhere or do anything that 
 comes along the line of duty, and the greatest reward 
 they could have received for their work was the con- 
 sciousness that the duty had been performed to the 
 best of their ability. 
 
 After the regimental camp had been formed at 
 Guayama, L Company remained in its regular camp 
 position until 2 o'clock on the morning of October 
 5th. 
 
TUE FOURTH 0. V. I. 273 
 
 Orders had been received on the evening of the 
 4th for the company to take possession of Caguas, a 
 town 32 miles north of Guayama on the road to San 
 Juan. The order stated that this was to be done on 
 the 5th, and it was this fact that prompted the early 
 start and which is evidence of the truth of the state-- 
 ment made in the iii'ct paragrajdi of this account. 
 The order had been issued several days before, but 
 owing to the condition of tlic wires, the message hai 
 not been delivered. 
 
 The company was busy until tlie hour mentioncij 
 in getting things in readiness for the march. It was 
 raining hard all night and as wet as they could have 
 been had they fallen into the river, the men started 
 on the thirty-two mile march with as much enthusi- 
 asm as that with which they had left their native town 
 six months before. The march was not only a long 
 one, but it was attended wdth considerable danger, for, 
 as has been said of the road across the mountain 
 to Cayey, a false step in the darkness meant at least a 
 serious accident. The rain continued until daylight, 
 but the men stniggled men-ily along, up the steep 
 mountain road and down on the other side until 
 Cayey was reached. Remarkably good time had 
 been made and fearing that a rest would interfere 
 with the march, to say nothing of the failure to comply 
 with the order to take possession of Caguas on the 
 5th, Captain French decided to push on and rest at 
 the end of the jom-ney. The speed was kept up and 
 shortly after 10 o'clock on the night of the 5th Com- 
 pany L was in the city they were to occupy, having 
 
274 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 covered the distance of 32 miles of rough, road in 
 twenty hours. But the company had thus obeyed 
 orders to the letter and every member was happy 
 even if he was nearly tired out. 
 
 Caguas had been quite a military center for the 
 Spaniards and there was plenty of barracks room 
 \^'ith ample facilities for cooking. As little work as 
 possible was done that night, but the next morning 
 the American flag was raised over the city and Cap- 
 tain French assumed general control. The company 
 remained here until after the regiment proper had ar- 
 rived, when, on the 10th, it was relieved and sent on 
 to Carolina, a town near the northern coast. 
 
 The district of which Carolina was the capital 
 embraced the towns of Rio Grande, Cannovinos and 
 Loiza. The American flag was raised at each of these 
 places and the Spanish flags which had previously 
 marked their allegiance, became the property of Com- 
 pany L. This section of the island was one of the 
 richest agricultural districts in Porto Rico, but at the 
 time the company took charge of the district, a gen- 
 eral feeling of unrest prevailed. Two hundred and 
 fifty workmen at the Buena Vista plantation were on 
 a strike and agitators were attempting to induce the 
 employes of the other plantations to follow the ex- 
 ample of the Buena Vista workmen. The strikers 
 at several times had become very violent in their 
 <lemonstrations and attempts had been made to burn 
 the buildings. Two days after the arrival of the 
 company, however, these men were induced to return 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 275 
 
 to work and in another two days quiet was restored 
 at the other plantations. 
 
 There was other trouble to occupy the minds of 
 the company, a feeling of bitterness having been de- 
 veloped against the Catholic priests of the district. 
 No particular reason was assigned for this, the trouble 
 being apparently a desire upon the part of the natives 
 to do all they could to harass the Spanish citizens, 
 and they expected the American soldiers to aid them 
 in this. On the evening of the 13th a mob collected 
 at Carolina and an attack on the priest was made 
 there. The prompt action of the provost guard pre- 
 vented any injury to the object of their wrath and 
 they were also prevented from following out their 
 plan to bum the cathedral. The crowd was dispersed 
 without serious trouble and quiet was restored for the 
 time being. 
 
 At a later hour of the same evening, a man 
 fired a shot at Captain French. The shot was fired 
 through a hedge and the captain was stnick on the 
 hand and forehead with the burnt powder from the 
 explosion. Fortunately the ball missed its mark, and 
 aside from the bums Captain French escaped unin- 
 jured. The would-be assassin made good his escape 
 and in spite of a determined effort to locate him, no 
 clue was discovered to lead to his detection and arrest. 
 He was thought to have been the hireling of a dis- 
 appointed candidate for the office of ma^'^or of 
 Carolina. 
 
 There was no further trouble in the district, the 
 natives havin<T been given to underetand that the sol- 
 
276 TEE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 diers were there for a purpose and that that piupoee 
 ■was not to aid in any lawlessness, even though it 
 were an attempt to disturb Spanish citizens. 
 
 The health of the company remained very good 
 while at Carolina and the other stations, and the boys 
 thoroughlv enjoyed their duty there. The company 
 remained in the district until Friday, October 28th, 
 when a company of the Forty-seventh jSTew York re- 
 lieved them. They immediately went to San Juan, 
 where they rejoined the regiment and sailed for home 
 on the following day. 
 
 DEnJGHTFUL TRIP OF COMPANY K. 
 
 When the regiment left Cayey on the morning 
 of October 8th, Companies F and K were left behind. 
 K Company had been assigned to Aibonito and cer- 
 tainly that command received the "best end" in this 
 detachment, for it was assigned to the most pictur- 
 esque and beautiful part of the island. The story 
 of the service at Aibonito and surrounding country 
 is told by Corporal Patrick, a member of the company 
 at that time, but now a promising attorney of Dela- 
 ware, as follows: 
 
 "On the morning of October 8th we started from 
 Cayey toward the east, while the other companies kept 
 on north toward Caguas. The boys were still stiff 
 and sore from their little constitutional from 
 Guayama on the night of October 6th, but they had 
 heard wonderful stories of the cool and healthy 
 situation of Aibonito. It was even hinted that eggs 
 could be bought there for three centavos a piece, and 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 277 
 
 milk for six centavos per quart, but the man who 
 started this rumor was popularly supposed to be 
 juggling with the tnith, although he protested vali- 
 antly that *he had got it straight from a Wisconsin 
 man who had been there.' All these things helped 
 to cheer up the bovs and as we swung out of town on 
 that beautiful morning all previous cares and hard- 
 ships were forgotten in the enjoyment of the present. 
 
 "The first three or four miles were level, and the 
 time was passed with songs and stories. Then we 
 struck the hills and settled down to hard work. Our 
 first halt was made where a little stream tumbles 
 down the side of the hill, and into the brick gutter, 
 which ran along this magnificent military road. 
 
 "From this point there was considerable strag- 
 gling, as the men would give up to weariness or yield 
 to the seductive charms of a chicken, or the prospect 
 of a few eggs or a hat full of oranges. 
 
 "We soon began to realize the beauty of the 
 country as we looked down into the valleys beneath 
 with their herds of cattle and ponies, and the green 
 bills in the distance covered with tropical vegetation. 
 There was nothing rough or harsh in the scenery ; all 
 was peaceful and quiet in its Arcadian simplicity. 
 
 "For miles one could see over the tops of hills 
 and in the hazy distance could catch a faint glimpse 
 of the Atlantic ocean. Some devout native had 
 planted on the opposite hillside some sort of domestic 
 plant in the form of a huge cross. 
 
 "From here it was but a short distance to the top 
 of the ridge, and from there the road was compara- 
 
278 TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 tively level. Here we saw many fine specimens of 
 ferns and of coffee and banana trees. At last the 
 head of the column reached the outskirts of the town, 
 where they halted and waited for the stragglers, each 
 new arrival being greeted wdth howls, jeers and all 
 kinds of chaff reflecting on his walking abilities. 
 
 'The barracks at Aibonito was a long stone 
 building, built on a slight elevation north of the 
 the town and on the military road. It was designed 
 to accommodate a full battalion. Just west of it 
 was the hospital, also of stone, and a model of its 
 kind. The first night was spent in getting acquainted 
 with the Third "Wisconsin boys stationed there, whom 
 we were to relieve. They were a jolly lot, recruited 
 from Madison and the surrounding towns. They did 
 their best to entertain us with various little social 
 games, and they succeeded splendidly, as several of 
 the boys have reason to remember. 
 
 "The fii-st duty to perform was the raising of the 
 flag. The two companies marched down to the plaza 
 the next morning, and lined up in front of the jail. 
 The buglers played 'to the colors,' the companies pre- 
 sented arms and the flag did not go up. It started 
 gracefully enough, but the ring at the top of the flag 
 pole pulled out, and the flag fell to the ground. 
 This frightened the natives, who were enthusiastic 
 over the flag raising, and thought dire punishment 
 would be meted out to them for this hitch in the cere- 
 monies. The alcalde, who weighed 250 pounds, im- 
 mediately started to climb the flag pole, and was 
 only prevented from swinging out from the balcony 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 279 
 
 bj two other natives hanging onto his legs. In the 
 meantime one little bare-footed fellow had skipped 
 out on the roof of the jail, but about all he seemed 
 to do was swing his arms and yell. A half dozen 
 others reverently gathered up the flag and it was 
 finally tied to the flag pole at half-mast. In the 
 meantime the buglers had sounded 'to the colors' 
 until they were black in the face, and the men stood 
 at present arms in the boiling sun until the muzzles 
 of their pieces wobbled in an alarming manner. But 
 this ended the ceremony. The officers went to a ban- 
 quet given by the alcalde and other solid citizens of 
 the town, and the men went back to quarters in 
 charge of the first sergeants. 
 
 ''Life at Aibonito was one of unalloyed bliss as 
 compared with our previous experiences on the island. 
 The town was beautifully situated high up in the 
 hills, and the climate was delightful. Our only duty 
 was guard every four or five days, the rest of the time 
 was spent in Avandering over the hills, hunting out the 
 Spanish fortifications and looking for relics of the 
 Ooamo skirmish. Just south of the town was the 
 famous Aibonito pass, where the Spanish had made 
 preparations for a desperate stand, which would un- 
 doubtedly have been successful against any force that 
 could have been brought up in front, for their ar- 
 tillery commanded the road for miles down the 
 mountain. 
 
 "A few days after our arrival a detail consisting 
 of Lieutenant O. O. Koeppel, Sergeant H. A. Costler, 
 Corj^oral O. W. Patrick and Privates S. W. Brown- 
 
280 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 ing, 0. H. Brunn, H. M. Butt, C. L. Jonee, M. C. 
 Mahanay, Robert Reed, W. R. Rider and Edward 
 Rodenfels, were detached and ordered to Barros, a 
 town still liiglier up in the mountains and off the 
 military road. We left Aibonito accompanied by a 
 wagon in which was stored our provisions and most of 
 our equipment. With this outfit we were ordered 
 to go over a trail which we afterward discovered 
 could hardly be followed by a mountain pony. 
 When we found the trail it was plainly impossible to 
 take our wagon over it. A native storekeeper went 
 60 far as to say that the trail was impassable on foot, 
 owing to recent rains. To add to our troubles it 
 began to rain, nor was it a gentle spring shower, but 
 a genuine tropical down-pour. A council of war was 
 held in the little store and it was decided that we 
 must have ponies and burros with which to transport 
 our baggage. Accordingly we started out in the 
 rain to find them. The party became split up and 
 came trailing in several hours later with a total of 
 three little shaggy ponies, hired, begged and stolen, 
 -with which to convey 1000 pounds of baggage. 
 
 "A plantation owner just across the road from 
 the store had placed at our disposal a large coffee 
 house then empty. This was a large, airy building, 
 with a hard dirt floor swept scrupulously clean. 
 Here we bivouacked for the night. Each man put on 
 dry clothing and the hardships of the day were soon 
 forgotten in the enjoyment of a hearty meal prepared 
 at the plantation kitchen and washed down with 
 .•several bottles of rare old wine. The air was de- 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 281 
 
 lightfully cool and refreshing from the recent rain, 
 and many a jolly song was sung and stoiy told, till 
 the last candle flickered and went out, leaving us sur- 
 rounded by the gloom of the great building. 
 
 "The next morning we started on mules and 
 ponies to Barronchitis. We had gone scarcely two 
 miles when we came to a mountain stream which 
 swallowed up the trail completely, and a little native 
 boy showed us that all that was necessary to ford it 
 was to ride up the bed of the stream about half a 
 mile. Here the trail was discovered. A few miles 
 further on we were royally entertained at a way-side 
 plantation by a lady and her two daughters. We 
 were furnished, without the asking, with a cup of 
 delicious coffee and several kinds of tropical fruits. 
 We were the first Americans they had ever seen. 
 
 "The trail at best was bad, but was rendered 
 doubly so by reeent rains, which rendered the red 
 clay slippery and dangerous even for the sure-footed 
 mountain ponies. At one time we would be looking 
 down from a dizzy height at a narrow ribbon of 
 water in the valley below, then would come an al- 
 most perpendicular jdunge down the mountain, over 
 slippery rocks and more slippery mud, but we soon 
 learned to put implicit confidence in our ponies, and 
 it was never once betrayed. Their sure-footedness 
 and sagacity was simply marvelous. At the bottom 
 of the mountain there would be a rocky mountain 
 stream swollen to twice its normal volume by the 
 recent rains. Beyond the trail would perhaps lead 
 through a half mile of boggy valley, then up the side 
 
282 THE FOURTH 0. V. J. 
 
 of the next moimtain. This method of travel, to 
 one accustomed to no more exciting mode of locomo- 
 tion than a trolly or perhaps a cable car, was a novelty 
 to say the least. But the hardships were easily for- 
 gotten in admiration of the beautiful scenery which 
 was almost constantly spread out before us in all its 
 luxuriance of tropical coloring. The trip would 
 have been a feast to the eye of an artist, and even 
 to tired soldiers it was ample compensation for pre- 
 vious toils and hardships. 
 
 ''At Barronchitis we were lodged with an ex- 
 Spanish soldier, who helped us pass the evening by 
 relating his experiences in the Spanish army. He 
 also introduced to us the principal of the village 
 school, who tried his best to prove to us, from a map 
 which he had, that Spain was a larger country than 
 the United States. Spain was made on a large scale 
 and the United States on a small one, so Spain ap- 
 peared to be the larger, therefore Spain was the 
 larger. 'Quod erat demonstrandum.' We were 
 ready bright and early the next morning to continue 
 the journey, all having been provided with ponies or 
 burros by the obliging alcalde. Nothing startling oc- 
 curred on the trip to Barros, where we arrived in the 
 evening and were given an enthusiastic welcome by 
 the men of the Third Wisconsin, whom we were to 
 relieve. 
 
 "We found Barros to be a pretty little place, 
 nestling in a valley and surrounded on all sides by 
 mountains. A clear, cool stream flowed almost 
 through the to^vn, affording excellent facilities for an 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 288 
 
 early morning bath. Our short stay here was our 
 best experience on the island. The inhabitants, from 
 the alcalde down, did their best to entertain the 
 Americans, and many were the warm friendships 
 formed in that short stay, and I fear the eyes of sev- 
 eral fair 'senoritas' were dim when we marched away. 
 We had special reason to remember Don Pedro 
 Arroyo and his charming wife, at whose house we 
 spent many a pleasant evening. 
 
 "Truly our lot was cast in pleasant places, but 
 it was decreed that it should be but for a short time. 
 One day, after we had been there about one week, 
 a detachment of the First Kentucky Mounted In- 
 fantry rode into town to relieve us. The Kentuck- 
 ians were whole-souled fellows from Louisville, and 
 we spent several very enjoyable days with them. 
 
 "We left Barros by way of the Coamo trail, 
 which, if anvthing, is worse than the other, but the 
 day was fine, our ponies good and the scenery fully 
 as fine as any we had seen. At one place we could 
 see both the Carribean sea and the Atlantic ocean 
 on the south and north, and on the east Aibonito fully 
 twenty miles away. At another place, as we wound 
 down the mountain the end man was fully one hun- 
 dred feet above the lieutenant, who was in front, and 
 almost perpendicularly below. 
 
 "At Coamo our wagons awaited us and carried us 
 to Aibonito, w^here we arrived late at night of the 
 same day. At Aibonito the rumor was rife that we 
 were going home, but it was several days before 
 final orders arrived. We were ready when they did 
 
284 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 arrive and started almost immediately, with mixed 
 feelings of joj and sorrow at leaving that beautiful 
 town. We arrived at Cajey on our return trip, and 
 marched through the town with the precision of 
 dress parade, without a straggler. This w^as all the 
 result of a little wholesome food. The march from 
 Cayey to Caguas was made with equal facility. 
 There we joined headquarters and were once more 
 a part of the Fourth Ohio. 
 
 "Company K lost six men by death while it was 
 in the service of the United States. Read, Randolph 
 and Vertner were buried at sea. Lawson's grave is 
 at Fort McPherson, Ahem is buried in the national 
 cemetery at Chattanooga and Ferris lies in the ceme- 
 tery at Guayama, Porto Rico. We were only present 
 at the burial of Ferris and Vertner, but the image 
 of each one of the six is engraven deep in the heart 
 of every member of Company K, and years hence, 
 as we gather around our social camp fires, their simple 
 virtues and acts of comradeship will be sweet mem- 
 ories." 
 
 COMPANY F AT CAYEY. 
 
 The service of F Company at Cayey was at- 
 tended with considerable interest on the part of both 
 the citizens of the town and of the members of the 
 company. The stay at this station was from October 
 7th, when the company relieved a detachment of the 
 Third Wisconsin and raised the American flag aa 
 described in another chapter. There were included 
 in the district of Cayey the towns of Barranquitaa 
 and Ceidras. 
 
TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 28^ 
 
 On October 8th, 1898, Sergeant K. E. Hull and 
 nine men went over the mountain to Ceidras, the 
 road being so bad and the rivers so swollen by rain, 
 that while the town was only four miles distant 
 from Cayey, they had to go twelve miles and ride 
 native ponies, having a guide to show them the way. 
 While in Ceidras Sergeant Hull found the city ad- 
 ministration in a very bad way, and acting under 
 instructions elected a new city council of twelve men, 
 two new judges and a vice mayor, and readjusted the 
 revenues so that they would be more properly dis- 
 tributed. Formerly they were being devoted en- 
 tirely to the salaries of those in power. This detach.- 
 ment remained at Ceidras until October 19th, when 
 a detachment of the First Kentucky, mounted, re- 
 lieved them, and they returned to Cayey. 
 
 On October 9th Lieutenant Harry Grraham and 
 ten men were sent to occupy Barranquitas. They 
 also had to resort to pack ponies, as the roads were 
 impassable for wagons. Everything was quiet at 
 this point. The detachment remained until October 
 19th, Avhen they were relieved by the First Kentucky 
 Mounted Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Freid- 
 enhimer. They then returned to Cayey. 
 
 The mayor of Cayey and Captain Potter ex- 
 changed visits and worked in unison, the mayor doing 
 willingly everything that was required. The town 
 itself was prosperous enough, being the center of the 
 best tobacco district on the island, but the main plaza,, 
 streets and jail were in bad shape. 
 
286 THE FOURTH O. V. I. 
 
 Captain Potter told the mayor that this must 
 .all be changed at once, and before the company left 
 everything was in good condition. 
 
 On October 18th Captain Lindsay and his com- 
 pany (F, First Kentucky Infantry), relieved the de- 
 tachment. 
 
 One event which for a time cast a glocm over 
 what would otherwise have been a most delightful 
 tour of duty, was the attempt upon the life of Second 
 Lieutenant I^athan A. McCoy. While the assail- 
 ants failed of their evident purpose of killing the 
 lieutenant, they succeeded in inflicting several pain- 
 ful wounds and in creating far more excitement than 
 they had anticipated. The story of this affair as 
 related by Captain Potter is as follows: 
 
 "On October 23, at 9 p. m.. Lieutenant IsT. A. 
 McCoy, who was acting as post quartermaster and 
 commissary, was returning from the bakery, where 
 he had been arranging for fresh bread for the follow- 
 ing day. He stopped to look in a store on the comer 
 of the main plaza, when three men quietly stopped 
 behind him. One suddenly struck him a hard blow 
 on the head with a heavy club. As the lieutenant 
 fell, another struck him on the shoulder and arm. 
 He fell, half dazed, to the ground. It happened that 
 two of the company were in the store, and ran to hia 
 assistance as he fell. The men who assaulted him at 
 once made good their escape. 
 
 "Lieutenant McCoy was brought to the barracks, 
 covered with blood, but Steward Ritter at once at- 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 287 
 
 tended his injuries and in a few moments he told us 
 all he knew about the assault. 
 
 "I took twenty-four men, put twelve under Cor- 
 poral Lindsay and took twelve myself, and started 
 for the town. We arrested every suspicious looking 
 |)erson we saw and by 4 a. m., by the aid of an in- 
 terpreter, had secured one of the men who committed 
 the assault. Early the next morning we arrested the 
 other two and placed them all in jail. For the next 
 two days there was considerable excitement in the 
 town and we had to double the guards and have a 
 heavy guard at the jail, but the excitement subsided 
 when they saw that we meant business, and we had no 
 further trouble of any kind. 
 
 ''We had just secui*ed evidence enough to con- 
 vict the suspected parties when we were ordered 
 away, so the men were sent to Guayama and turned 
 over to the provost guard there for trial. I preferred 
 charges of assault with intent to kill, but have never 
 heard how the trial came out. 
 
 ''It was intimated to Lieutenant McCoy and 
 myself that the men were liired by Spanish sympa- 
 thizers to kill any American officer whom they could 
 find alone or unprotected." 
 
 On October 27th final orders were received to 
 turn over the town and all the military stores at 
 that place belonging to the government, and the 
 detached squad and battalion having returned to 
 Cayey, the company proceeded to Caguas to join what 
 was left of the regiment. Caguas was reached about 
 •dark on the afternoon of the same day, and the next 
 
288 TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 morning the company started to Rio Piedras, cover- 
 ing the distance in good time, but in one of the hard- 
 est rains that were experienced in the island. 
 
 COMPANY B DETACHED. 
 
 Company B was composed of the kind of men 
 who insisted on doing a part of any work in sight. 
 It was one of the first companies ordered to the firing 
 line before Giiayama on August 5 and the first com- 
 pany to be ordered to provost dutj'. It was B Com- 
 pany that defended the captured town from the north- 
 east to hold the bridge across Guayama creek, a short 
 distance out the military road from Guayama. 
 
 Although the company was not detached in the 
 strict sense of the word at Guayama, its tour of pro- 
 vost duty was performed under the immediate super- 
 vision of General Haines and Captain White. Their 
 next detachment was an execution of an order to raise 
 the American flag over the town of Gurabo, about 
 six miles from Caguas. This was a hard march, 
 over a difificult mountain road, mud to wade, hills to 
 climb and streams to cross, but the trip was a suc- 
 cessful one and the Spanish emblem which once 
 marked the allegiance of the towm was brought back 
 to Columbus by Captain White. 
 
 The American flag was hoisted above Gurabo 
 October 13, and on October 15, at 7:40 a. m., the 
 company started for Rio Piedras to take charge of the 
 town. The headquarters of the United States forces 
 in Porto Rico had been here and Captain White had 
 the distinguished experience of relieving a major 
 
flag: raising at curabo. 
 
THE FOURTH O. T. I. 289 
 
 gcnaral when General Brooke turned over the town. 
 
 Rio Piedras, considering its size, was the wealth- 
 iest town in the island. It was six miles from the 
 capital, with which it was connected by the military 
 road and by the Eio Piedras and San Juan railway. 
 Many wealthy people resided there and there were 
 several beautiful residences, the finest of which, per- 
 haps, was the governor general's palace. There were 
 several comfortable cafes where ices and beverages 
 were served and where beef steak or potatoes were 
 prepared without either the use of olive oil or garlic. 
 
 The town was eminently Spanish in all its sym- 
 pathies and practically imder Spanish control, nearly 
 all the municipal officials having received their ap- 
 pointments in return for favors shown the Castilian 
 crown or its supporters. These were promptly re- 
 moved and the vacancies filled with the better class 
 of Portoriquenos, much to the satisfaction of the 
 islanders. 
 
 The boys of Company B and the natives of Rio 
 Piedras were at all times on very good terms, and 
 there was no occasion during the stay of the com- 
 pany for a clash between soldiers and citizens. 
 
 The company remained there until the regiment 
 had been ordered to the United States and a company 
 of the Forty-seventh 'New York had taken charge of 
 the town. Instead of boarding the train ~:ith the 
 first provisional battalion for San Juan, the company 
 marched over the military road and reported for re- 
 assignment next day. This made B company the 
 only one which really marched across the island, from 
 tl) (V.ribcrm soa to the Atlantic ocean. 
 
990 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 HOME AGAIN. 
 
 •Orders to Leave — Preparatiou — Arrival of Forty-seveuth 
 New York— U. S. S. S. Chester at Arroyo— At Saa 
 Juan — Leaving the Island— Advantages and Disad- 
 vantages of the Chester — The Honaeward Voyage — 
 Death of Private Vertner — Arrival at New York — 
 Jersey City — Received by the President — To Colum- 
 bus — Reception — Furlough — Assembly — Accident at 
 Auditorium — Muster Out — Concluding Remarks. 
 
 While the boys at their respective stations were 
 watching and waiting for orders to go home, Colonel 
 Coit, at Caguas, received official information that his 
 regiment would be relieved by the Forty-seventh New 
 York. He was instructed as to the turning over of 
 government property and other details were given in 
 such an exacting manner that the boys of the regi- 
 ment were satisfied that the time for them to return 
 to their homes was not far distant. Their hopes were 
 confirmed when one fine morning in the latter part 
 of October the U. S. S. S. Chester appeared in the har- 
 bor at Arroyo with the gTeater part of the Forty- 
 seventh l^ew York on board. 
 
 The news spread as rapidly as telegraph and 
 horses could spread it, and long befcTe noon every 
 man in the regiment knew that his stay in Porto Rico 
 would be short from that time on. Everybody was 
 happy accordingly. In fact the joy of the members 
 . of the regiment knew no bounds. Everything was 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 291 
 
 from that day a hasty preparation and the regiment 
 was ready as to packing up and bidding good-by to 
 the natives long before the Chester was ready to leave 
 Arroyo. It was announced that the boat which had 
 transported the iSTew York regiment to the island 
 would also be used to take the Fourth Ohio home. 
 
 A and E companies boarded the vessel as soon as 
 everything was in readiness, but they found the ship 
 to be in a horrible condition with dirt and filth. 
 This condition of affairs was at once reported to 
 Colonel Coit, who at once objected to the use of the 
 ship for the transportation of the regiment on the 
 long voyage to the states. His objection did no 
 further use except to secure the promise that the ship 
 would be thoroughly cleansed before starting for 
 New York, the place designated for landing. The 
 ship was thoroughly cleaned, but the work was per- 
 formed by details from the companies of the Fourth 
 Ohio. 
 
 As soon as the companies at Guayama were re- 
 lieved by the ISTew Yorkers the Ohio boys boarded the 
 vessel and she steamed on down the coast to Hamacoa, 
 where D Company was relieved and taken on. Then 
 M Company was picked up at Isabel Segunda and the 
 Chester proceeded to Fajardo, where I Company was 
 relieved and taken on board, after which the Chester 
 continued the trip around the island to San Juan, 
 where she arrived on October 2Yth. 
 
 In the meantime F Company at Cayey, K at 
 Aibonito and the detachment of H Company at 
 Aguas Bpenos had assembled at Caguas and 
 
292 THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 
 
 joined by B Oompany at Rio Piedras, had reached 
 San Jiian on the evening of October 28th. These 
 companies, except B, had been temporarily relieved 
 by the First Kentucky. L Company at Carolina had 
 gone to San Juan also and the regiment was again 
 intact. The night at San Juan was spent in an old 
 shed just outside the city, but no regular camp was 
 established and the men were permitted to spend the 
 night where and how they pleased. There were 
 numerous restaurants in the city, and as the men still 
 had a supply of cash, there was no suffering on ac- 
 count of lack of provisions. 
 
 The crew of the Chester completed the renova- 
 tion of the ship during the night and the next morn- 
 ing, when the loading of baggage was begun. San 
 Juan was interesting to the boys, especially the de- 
 fenses of the city and the effect of the bombardment 
 by the American fleet in July. All the places of 
 interest were visited, so that at first the quartermast- 
 er's department could not get men to load the bag^ 
 gage. Captain Vincent and Captain Potter came to 
 the rescue, however, and details were soon secured 
 and the horses and baggage were loaded in quick 
 time. The regiment itself did not board the vessel 
 until about 4 p. m., although the Chester had been 
 under orders to sail at noon. 
 
 It was nearly dark when the Chester weighed 
 anchor and steamed out of the harbor. The TJ. S. 
 S. S. !N"ewark, one of the strongest vessels in the navy, 
 was stationed in the harbor, and when the CHiester 
 began to move toward the bay, the band oa the 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 293 
 
 Newark played "Home Sweet Home." This compli- 
 ment was answered by a cheer from the men and a 
 selection from the Fourth Ohio band, when the 
 Newark played another tune, answered by "Yankee 
 Doodle" by the Ohio band. Cheer after cheer 
 was exchanged by the representatives of the army and 
 navy, and with the firing of salutes, the tooting of 
 whistles and the ringing of bells, the Chester steamed 
 slowly out the harbor to the bay and turned her 
 course toward New York. 
 
 It was quite dark when the Oliester reached the 
 open sea and the dim lights from the city gave the 
 general view of the island where the boys had seen 
 80 much hard service, a sort of spectral appearance, 
 exactly in keeping with the final impression of Porto 
 Rico and Porto Ricans in the minds of most of tb® 
 men. 
 
 The voyage to New York was less comfortable 
 in some respects and more comfortable in others than 
 the voyage on the St. Paul had been. There waa 
 less room on the Chester and quarters were not so 
 comfortable, but better provision had been made for 
 rations and cooking, and the men were supplied with 
 warm meals. The weather was fine during the 
 greater part of the voyage, but a storm came up 
 during the third night out and those members of the 
 band and non-commissioned staff and some of the 
 members of the companies who had slept on th« 
 decks were compelled to seek shelter inside. All the 
 available room had already been taken up, but the 
 men who had not been assigned to any particular 
 
294 THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 
 
 part of the ship, appropriated the halls and compan- 
 ion ways for their quarters. This was objected to by 
 the quartermaster of the A^essel, but Colonel Coit in- 
 sisted that those men would remain there and they 
 did. Some slept in the dining room, and others 
 in the halls and passage ways, wherever they could 
 find space enough to lie down. The officers were 
 crowded into small state rooms and they were not 
 much more comfortably situated than the men. 
 
 The only occurrence to mar the pleasure of the 
 voyage from San Juan was the sudden death of Al- 
 bert L. Vertner of K Company. The young man 
 had not been feeling well, and the hospital force had 
 prescribed what seemed to be the proper treatment, 
 but their efforts were in vain and the young man died 
 almost in sight of his native land. 
 
 The remains were buried at sea and the occasion 
 was given all the honor that could be bestowed under 
 the circumstances. Vertner was a popular member 
 of the company and the death was a shock to all its 
 officers and men. 
 
 The first time land was sighted after the Chester 
 had left San Juan was on the afternoon of jSTovember 
 2nd, when the hills and steeples of the United States 
 again came into view. There was very little to see 
 and nothing to make out, but when the boys realized 
 that they were once more in sight of their native laud 
 they nearly went wild with glee. 
 
 The band played "America," "Hail Columbia" 
 and other national airs, and the regiment answered 
 with cheers. Everybody on the vessel strained 
 
TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 295 
 
 €very nerve to get a glimpse of the laud they loved 
 so well and all was excitement on board the Chester 
 for the remainder of the day. 
 
 Passing Sandy Hook, the Chester steamed on up 
 the harbor until dark, when she cast anchor until a 
 pilot boarded her, to direct the way to the quarantine 
 station. The boys were a little disappointed at hav- 
 ing to remain on the ship another night, but the as- 
 surance that it was the last one quieted their unrest. 
 An effort was made to secure pel-mission for some of 
 the officers to go ashore before morning, but this 
 could not be done on account of the rules of the 
 c^uarantine. 
 
 ^Yhen the boys woke up on the morning of the 
 3rd they could not see from one side of the vessel to 
 the other. A dense fog had collected in the harbor 
 and fears began to be entertained that another day 
 would have to be spent on the ship, and the dissatis- 
 faction that was created by this idea can easily be 
 imagined. Finally, about 8 o'clock, a quarantine 
 officer boarded the Chester and made a thorough in- 
 spection of the ship. He found the vessel in an 
 elegant condition considering the large number of 
 passengers, horses and baggage she contained, so per- 
 mission was quickly granted to land. The fog pre- 
 vented a landing, however, and all that could be 
 done was for the Cbester to proceed further up the 
 harbor, where she waited near the base of the Statue 
 of Liberty for the fog to disappear. Captain Dona- 
 vin and several other members of the regiment went 
 ashore with the quarantine ofiicer, loaded down with 
 
296 THE FOURTH 0. V. I, 
 
 messages from the soldiei*s to their families and 
 friends at home, announcing the arrival of the regi- 
 ment in New York. 
 
 The fog did not disappear until afternoon and 
 the work of unloading was not completed until al- 
 most evening. It was almost night when the 
 regiment touched land at Jersey City, all the baggage 
 and all the men having been taken off the Chester by 
 a large ferry boat. A train of three sections was in 
 waiting at the depot at Jersey City, but the train 
 did not leave there until about midnight the night of 
 October 3rd. During the wait in Jersey City the 
 boys were given the liberty of the town, and nearly 
 all of them made a visit across the river to New York, 
 where they did just what would be expected- — bought 
 the largest meal they could find. Beef steak, oysters, 
 butter, fresh bread that was made to be eaten, pie, 
 red apples and the thousand and one things that had 
 been wanted, but which could not be obtained in 
 Porto Rico, were gathered together in baskets, bags 
 and stomachs in quantities that under ordinary cii^ 
 cumstances would have fed an entire army for a 
 week. A committee of Columbus gentlemen, repre- 
 senting the citizens of central Ohio, had come to 
 New York to meet the regiment at the moment it 
 reached American soil and to extend to them a hearty 
 welcome. This compliment was more than the of- 
 ficers or men had anticipated, and it was accordingly 
 appreciated. Lieutenant Colonel Adams, who had 
 left the island from Guayama on leave of absence, 
 came to New York from his home in Delaware to 
 
THH FOURTH 0. V. I. 297 
 
 greet his comrades and to again share with them the 
 joys or sorrows of the few remaining days of absence 
 from home. The gentlemen who had met the regi- 
 ment as a committee of greeting were Messrs. Buck- 
 master, Miller, Donavin, Helwagen, Thrall and 
 Huling. Mr. Buckmaster was a railroad man, and 
 being one of the warmest friends of the regiment in 
 Ohio, he did all in his power to assure the safety and 
 comfort of the men on the homeward trip. Captain 
 Thrall had a special interest in the regiment, having 
 come to greet his son, who acted in the capacity of 
 regimental clerk until the regiment was mustered 
 out of the service. The other gentlemen had been 
 active also in securing orders for the return of the 
 regiment to the United States, and they naturally 
 felt an interest in seeing that the boys had a good 
 time after they were once in the limits of the United 
 States. 
 
 This was but the beginning of the hearty recog- 
 nition of the service performed by the regiment. At 
 every station on the way from New York to Colum- 
 bus crowds gathered at the railway stations to extend 
 greetings. 
 
 The stay at Jersey City, although but eight 
 hours, made many more friends for the Fourth Ohio. 
 Several other regiments had landed at that place after 
 foreign service and the first thing they had done 
 when they reached the place was to indulge in all the 
 intoxicants the place afforded. They were noisy and 
 ungentlemanly and their action in the city and in 
 the vicinity was anything but becoming the conduct 
 
298 TEE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 of an American soldiejr. In marked contrast to thir 
 conduct the members of the Ohio regiment con- 
 ducted themselves after the fashion of the gentlemen 
 they were, and this conduct at once earned the ad- 
 miration of the officers and citizens of the entire city. 
 The contrast was the subject of favorable comment 
 in the I^ew York papers the following day. 
 
 Leaving Jersey City about midnight, the regi- 
 ment went over the Baltimore and Ohio railway to 
 Washington, where they arrived shortly after day- 
 light, and where the command was accorded an honor 
 which had not been extended to any other regiment 
 in the service. As soon as breakfast had been 
 served, the regiment was formed and following an 
 escort of mounted policemen, marched to the White 
 House, where it passed in review before President 
 McKinley and a number of other prominent gov- 
 ernment officials. After passing the reviewing 
 stand, the veranda at the White House, the regiment 
 marched to the street, where aims were stacked and 
 left under guard while the res^iment returned to the 
 executive mansion to be received by the president. 
 Here the head of the American government paid a 
 high tribute to the service of the regiment, and feeling 
 thus greatly honored, the boys returned to the rail- 
 way station to resume the journey home. 
 
 Leaving Washington about 5 o'clock, the trains 
 bearing the regiment passed through the District of 
 Columbia and Maryland, and bounding across the 
 Allegheny mountains, reached the Ohio line about 
 daylight. When the boys found themselves on 
 
THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 299^ 
 
 Buckeye soil once more they hardly knew how to act. 
 Some cheered, some sang songs and some wept for 
 joy. "I knew the moment we crossed the river," 
 said one fellow, "by the air I was breathing." It 
 was indeed a proud moment for every member of the 
 command, but nothing as compared to the arrival in 
 Columbus. The w^eather was chilly, and having just 
 come from a land where frost is unknown, and being 
 dressed accordingly, the cold had a rather bad effect 
 on the health of the men, but in marked contrast to 
 the position of the mercury, the reception extended 
 to the regiment by the people of Columbus was cer- 
 tainly "warm." Great crowds of people had come 
 to the railroad to get glimpses of their friends or rela- 
 tives as soon as they set foot in the capital of their 
 native state. 
 
 The train from Kew York had been run in three 
 sections and as soon as the entire train had reached 
 Columbus the regiment was formed and with an 
 escort of all the civic and military organizations of 
 Columbus, made a tour of the city, passing in review 
 before Governor Bushnell. A more extensive 
 demonstration was never seen in the capital city than 
 that in honor of the return of the Tourth Ohio. The 
 parade was dismissed at the Columbus Auditorium 
 and the regiment was then marched inside, where 
 there was in waiting for them a grand feast, prepared 
 by the citizens of Columbus. After enjoying lunch 
 the entire command was dismissed, the members of 
 the Columbus battalion going immediately to their 
 homes and the companies of the other b. ttalions tak- 
 
300 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 ing first trains out of the city for their respective 
 home towns. At Washington Court House, Marion, 
 Portsmouth, Lancaster, Delaware, Mt. Vernon and 
 Circleville, demonstrations similar to those at Co- 
 lumbus, but on smaller scales, were made, and every 
 man in the regiment was given a most sincere wel- 
 come. A furlough of sixty days was granted to aU 
 the members of the regiment except the surgeons, 
 adjutant, quartermr ,ter, commissary and ordnance 
 officers, who were on duty at the Auditorium in Co- 
 lumbus during the entire time of the furlough. 
 
 On January 5 th, after the regiment had reached 
 home on JSTovember 6th, the command was again asr 
 sembled and remained at the capital until the 19th 
 of January, when the final payment and muster out 
 was made. During their stay in Columbus the men 
 were comfortably quartered at the Columbus Audit- 
 orium. Rows of bunks were constructed for sleep- 
 ing apartments, but the men were permitted to go 
 elsewhere if they chose. On the first night of the 
 stay in Columbus three tiers of bunks occupied by 
 H, M and E Companies collapsed anJ twenty men 
 were caught in the falling timbers. E^o lives were 
 lost and no permanent injury was sustained, but the 
 accident was of such a nature that it was regarded 
 almost a miracle that none were killed. While in 
 Columbus the men were fed at restaurants and each 
 man received three hot meals each day, an experi- 
 ence thy had not known during all the time they 
 were in the service. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 301 
 
 While the accounts were being made up between 
 the accountable officers and the government and be- 
 tween the officers anrl men, an order was received 
 from Washington direc^ ing that the sum received by 
 each enlisted man as pay frnm the State of Ohio for 
 the service f:om April 25th to May 9th be deducted 
 from the i ay due him at the time of final settlement 
 with the government. This pay had been received 
 while the regiment was at Chickamauga park and 
 the state had filed an account with the government 
 authorities, asking that the state treasury be reim- 
 bursed for the money expended in preparing for the 
 war. The claim would have been allowed, but the 
 government would have reimbursed itself from the 
 men themselves, thus denying them the sum allowed 
 by the state for active service. This was objected to 
 very vehemently on the part of the members of the 
 regiment and their friends, and the matter was only 
 settled by the withdrawal of the claim by the state 
 authorities, thus securing for the men all the pay 
 due them. 
 
 As soon as the men received their pay from the 
 two government paymasters at the State House, they 
 were handed their discharges and dismissed. Some 
 of the officers who, having lost some triplicate re- 
 ceipt or some insignificant account or technical docu- 
 ment did not receive any pay at the time the men 
 were paid, but they were discharged from the service. 
 As soon as they were relieved from their accounta- 
 bility to the government, however, the money due 
 them was promptly paid. 
 
302 THE FOURTH 0. 7. I. 
 
 With honorable discharges from an honorable 
 sei-idce in their hands, the men were free to go where 
 and when they chose. Some of them remained in 
 Columbus several days, but all soon returned to their 
 respective homes to resume the citizenship which they 
 had temporarily abandoned. These men had shown 
 by the manner in which they had performed every 
 exacting duty, that they were made of the stuff which 
 makes good citizens and that they were of the class 
 of men who help dignify the laws of the country 
 which they had defended. 
 
 The men returned to the farm, to the office 
 ^nd to the factory, there to follow the puiv 
 riuits which they had chosen in the earlier part of 
 their careers. Many were at once tendered the posi- 
 tions which they had occupied before they had left 
 for the front, and most of the remainder soon obtained 
 profitable employment, but unfortunately a few were 
 compelled to seek many weeks before they could 
 secure means to support themselves and their families. 
 
 In the transformation from soldier to citizen the 
 Columbus Board of Trade was a valuable aid. Its 
 secretary, Mr. J. Y. Bassell, had experienced the 
 trials attending the closing of a mihtary career and 
 he was able and willing to help the boys all he could., 
 The Board of Trade had manifested a keen interest 
 in the regiment while it was being prepared for service 
 and after it had taken up its place in the field. By 
 the energies of this organization, all the field officers 
 of the regiment had been presented with horses, and 
 while the regiment was in Camp Thomas, a beautiful 
 
THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 303 
 
 Stand of colors was presented by the Board of Trade. 
 This flag was carried all through the Porto Rico 
 campaign and returned to Columbus, but not without 
 the marks of battle. There are several bullet holes 
 in the starry emblem which mutely tell how the 
 ,?ommand performed its duty, but there is not a stain 
 on its silken folds which tell of a deed of which any 
 man in the regiment or one of its friends need be 
 ashamed. In return for this flag, the Spanish flag 
 which had marked the allegiance of the city of 
 Guayama was given to the Board of Trade, a present 
 from the Fourth Ohio. There were other friends 
 who watched the every movement of the regiment 
 besides the Board of Trade, and the personal friends 
 or families of the members of the regiment. Public 
 spirited men, who regarded every man in the rank 
 and file of the regiment as a son or brother, were 
 ever watchful to supply every possible comfort which 
 the government did not afford. Colonel James Kil- 
 bourne, Colonel George D. Freeman, Colonel Knauss, 
 the W. 0. T. U. and many other societies and private 
 citizens, did all in their power to make the bovs in 
 the field comfortable, their famihes at home happy 
 and to look after the welfare of all when they re- 
 turned to their homes. At Columbus the wives, 
 sisters and mothers of the boys formed themselves 
 into a society for the purpose of rendering all the aid 
 they could, and many were the comforts that these 
 good women were able to provide where homes would 
 otherwise have remained cheerless. 
 
304 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 The Fourth Ohio, as it was known in the Span- 
 ish-American war has ceased its existence except in 
 the hearts of those who gave it and in the pages of 
 history. Central Ohio was well represented in this 
 effort and the brilliant record of the Fourth Ohio 
 in the Civil war was as successfully emulated as the 
 circumstances of the service permitted. A soldier's 
 only duty is to obey orders and the Fourth Ohio has 
 set an example in this which it will be well for suc- 
 ceeding regiments to follow. The Fourteenth In- 
 fantry is still a state organization, and if its future 
 may be judged by the past, it will ever remain a 
 monument to the valor of Ohio's citizen soldiery. 
 
TEE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 305 
 
 ROSTER 
 
 OF THB 
 
 KOURTH O. V. I 
 
 FIELD, STAFF AND NON-COMMISSIONED 
 STAFF. 
 
 Colonel Alonzo B. Coit 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel C. Barton Adams 
 
 Major John C. Speaks 
 
 Major John F. Sellers 
 
 Major Charles V. Baker 
 
 Surgeon |]dward M. Semeans 
 
 Assistant Surgeon Thompson B. Wright 
 
 Assistant Surgeon Henry M. Taylor 
 
 Adjutant Mac Lee Wilson 
 
 Chaplain James C. Shindel 
 
 Quartermaster George B. Donavin 
 
 Battalion Adjutant T. Perry Williams 
 
 Battalion Adjutant Edward M. Fullington 
 
 Battalion Adjutant Harry W. Krumm 
 
 Regimental Sergeant Major Frank C. Radcliffe 
 
 Q. M. Sergeant Charles L. Taylor 
 
 Chief Musician Jesse Worthington 
 
 Principal Musician Lewis F. Lytle 
 
 Principal Musician Charles J. Rulo 
 
 Principal Musician George F. McDonald 
 
 Hospital Steward John W. Richards 
 
 Hospital Steward Louis F. Ritter 
 
 Hospital Steward F¥ank H. Burr 
 
 Battalion Sergeant Major Charles W. Finley 
 
 Battalion Sergeant Major Lewis F. Philo 
 
 Battalion Sergeant Major Charles E. Creager 
 
306 
 
 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 BAND. 
 Harry A. Davis Acting Q. M. Sergeant 
 
 Beitler, Claude M. 
 Brooke, Philo R. 
 Davie, J. B. 
 Davies, David E. 
 Davis, Shell P. 
 Davis, Horace W. 
 Dougherty, Jerome. 
 Ebner, Jacob C. 
 Feeney, Joseph L. 
 Getz, Oscar D. 
 Hane, Vv'illiam A. 
 
 TRIV'ATES. 
 
 Hosfield, Edwin J. 
 Lilley, Frank P. 
 McFarland, William R. 
 McNaughten, Thomas R. 
 McRae. William C. 
 Meihlheim, Leo C. 
 Rorick, Jonas M. 
 Thomas, Harry H. 
 Williard, Ezra H. 
 Zeisler, Valentine. 
 
 HOSPITAL CORPS. 
 
 Edward Steve Darby Acting Steward 
 
 Curry W. James Acting Steward 
 
 Davis, V/illiam R. 
 Dixon, Charles A. 
 Getz, John F. 
 Hance, William T. 
 Judkins, William J. 
 Kelley, John M. 
 Moon, Oliver C. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Oglesby, Nicholas B. 
 Powell, John W. 
 Pringle, Leroy. 
 Rawley, Paul J. 
 Sherwood, Milton W. 
 Stimmell, John S. 
 Wright Ed. M. 
 
TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 307 
 
 COMPANY A. 
 
 Captain Joseph J. Walsh 
 
 First Lieutenant Harry Graham 
 
 First Lieutenant Clyde R. Modie 
 
 Second Lieutenant Cyrus W. Grandstaff 
 
 First Sergeant William C. McConnell 
 
 Q. M. Sergeant L- B. Andrua 
 
 Q. M. Sergeant G. B. Kilboume 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 A. C. McGuire. Ed. Stalter. 
 
 J. A. Auld. J. D. Acker. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 F. H. Stevenson. Harry Syfert. 
 
 O. H. Bonn. F. R. Thrall. 
 
 C. K. McClelland. Emil Meyer. 
 
 J. F. O'Shaughnessy. G. E. Walsh. 
 
 Frank Graham. A. G. Smith. 
 
 F. C. Lockhart. Jos. F. Tate. 
 
 Musicians Preston Coit, T. R. Wirick 
 
 Artificer M. P. GrandstafE 
 
 Wagoner Ollie E. Brixner 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Barnes, P. M. 
 Barnes, F. B. 
 Beecher, J. P. 
 Bennett, F. U. 
 Bergwitz, W. E. 
 Bright, W. S. 
 Brown, W. S. 
 Buskirk, T. M. 
 
 Leuze, C. M. 
 McLaine, S. H. 
 McClure, C. R. 
 McMeekin, Joseph. 
 Mihan, M. M. 
 Musselman, Ferry. 
 Marguardt, F. E. 
 Noble, Otho. 
 
308 
 
 THE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 Carder, T. A. 
 Carroll, Frank. 
 Carson, S. K. 
 Cavlnee, E. M. 
 Chamberlain, B. W. 
 Chatterton, T. H. 
 Clawson, Burnes. 
 Cockins, R. H. 
 Cott, E. P. 
 Cramer, H. H. 
 Cunningham, E. T. 
 Duffy, Thomas. 
 Edgington, W. J. 
 Evans, T. J. 
 Ewing, J. H. 
 Fleck, J. S. 
 Fleck, H. N. 
 Ford, C. L. 
 French, S. N. 
 Gorley, Clarence. 
 Graham, J. A. 
 Guitard, C. B. 
 Hanway, A. L. 
 Hughey, C. F. 
 Hummell, C. E. 
 Jeffrey, P. W. 
 Johnson, E. J. 
 Klotts, E. P. 
 Knouff, 0. M. 
 Lazenby, C. B. 
 Olds, J., Jr. 
 
 Fangle, D. C. 
 Patterson, W. S. 
 Pierce, C. O. 
 Pirt, Joseph. 
 Price, Frank C. 
 Reichard, G. W. 
 Riddle, Carlton. 
 Riffee, C. W. 
 Romanis, Edwin. 
 Roy, C. F. 
 Sackett, L. A. 
 Schertle, D. B. 
 Schuman, John. 
 Scringer, A. L. 
 Shearer, O. F. 
 Sigrist, C. F. 
 Simms, Irwin E. 
 Smith, A. L. 
 Strait, J. D. 
 Teter, C. K. 
 Thompson, W. H. 
 Walker, John W. 
 Wallace, H. D. 
 Weadon, J. S. 
 Webster, D. E. 
 Wells, Ellsworth. 
 Whitman, H. 
 Whitney, C. A. 
 Williams, D. M. 
 Williams, J. W. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 30iJ 
 
 COMPANY B. 
 
 Captain Will S. White 
 
 P^rst Lieutenant Frank L. Oyler 
 
 Second Lieutenant William B. Hamill 
 
 First Sergeant ^Villiam P. Stevenson 
 
 Q. M. Sergeant Robert Swigert 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 Frank G. Jacokes. Charles A. Hunt. 
 
 Frank T. Ethell. Tilden T. Jones. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 Charles E. Bolin. Joseph Davis. 
 
 John M. Conti. Charles R. Wagner. 
 
 S. Perry Capell. Edward H. Smith. 
 
 Roy B. Shook. Frank E. V/illiams. 
 
 Lewis M. Stevenson. Henry Kaiser. 
 
 Joseph B. Clemens. Walter C. Stout. 
 
 Artificer John W. Warman 
 
 AVagoner Fred Buckingham 
 
 Musician Herbert A. Miller 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Arthur, Joseph. Loudenslager, Charles S. 
 
 Angell, Edgar F. Long, Jacob F. 
 
 Anderson, William M. Milligan, Elmer J. 
 
 Butler, Wm. J. Morris, John C. 
 
 Brown, James W. McDonald, James E. 
 
 Brown, Olliver T. McDaniels, Charles H. 
 
 Brown, Charles F. Morris, Edward F. 
 
 Bold, Eber L. Nunamaker, Norman C. 
 
 Bennett, Charles C. Noel, William J. 
 
 Barr, Emory E. Osborn, David G. 
 
 Cumminns, Henry R. O'Harra, Cornelius C. 
 
 Coons, Jasper N. Robinson, Morton W. 
 
310 
 
 TEE FOURTH 0. Y. I. 
 
 Coss, Frank S. 
 Cohn, William. 
 Dally, Vincent L. 
 Deuel, Joseph R. 
 Dauterman, Frank C. 
 Dakin, Perry E. 
 Elder, Arlie. 
 Farahay, William I. 
 Gregory, Charles F. 
 Green, Elmer E. 
 Graham, Earl W. 
 Grove, Frank E. 
 Geis, Henry. 
 Grube, Arthur F. 
 Hedges, Robert L. 
 Heiman, Simon. 
 Hankee, Fred. 
 Harper, Martin A. 
 Harrison, Foster S. 
 Handley, Moses E. 
 Hopkins, Harry H. 
 Hayward, Herbert. 
 Ingraham, Robert B. 
 Keyes, Edward, Jr. 
 Kessie, John. 
 Kessie, Fred C. 
 Kuhn, George A. 
 Lytle, Andrew G. 
 Lane, Cory L. 
 
 Steinel, Jacob. 
 Shuflin, Harry W. 
 Sines, James G. 
 Stewart, Elmer E. 
 Stoker, Jacob, jr. 
 Shipley, Clarence J. 
 Shirrey, Burrell M. 
 Swiger, William S. 
 Smith, Charles A. 
 Sponsler, Charles E. 
 Sperry, Henry C. 
 Snyder, Frank. 
 Smith, George B. 
 Thompson, Robert C. 
 Taylor, Ralph W. 
 Thrush, Jesse. 
 Trone, Wood. C. 
 Van Gilder, Lewis H. 
 Van Eaton, Albert H. 
 Wolfel, Arthur. 
 Watsek, Adam E. 
 Woolard, Asa. 
 White, Carey B. 
 Walker, Arthur H. 
 Wiley, William H. 
 Willhide, Melvin B. 
 Woodmansee, Charles M, 
 Werner, Edward J. 
 Williams, Joshua L. 
 
THE FOVRTE 0. Y. 
 
 311 
 
 COMPANY C. 
 
 Captain Thomas R. Biddle 
 
 Captain Arthur W. Reynolds 
 
 First Lieutenant Arthur W. Reynolds 
 
 First Lieutenant Frank A. Alexander 
 
 Second Lieutenant Frank A. Alexander 
 
 Second Lieutenant Edward M. Biddle 
 
 First Sergeant Edward M. Biddle 
 
 First Sergeant V.'illiam E. Stimmel 
 
 Q. M. Sergeant Harry L. Barker 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 Paul Armstrong. Marvel W. Bliss. 
 
 S. Riley Harrod. Charles D. Rowland. 
 
 Harry H. Nichols. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 Benjamin F. Morris. Frank C. Biddle. 
 
 Harry E. Eichorn. Richard A. Twaddel. 
 
 Clinton C. Martin. Otto F. Cook. 
 
 Charles F. Eastner. Henry T. Helwagen. 
 
 Adam T. Renck. Edwin Steubenrauch. 
 
 Charles O. Schoonoover. Edward M. Slemmons. 
 
 Musicians Charles F. Bauer, Claude Putnam 
 
 Artificer Lewis M. Carter 
 
 Wagoner Samuel Ford 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Athern, Clarence. Minnick, Robert T. 
 
 Buehler, John W. Mann, Allen D. 
 
 Baehr, George. Mayfield, Victor H. 
 
 Baehr, Charles. Munk, Andrew J. 
 
 Balsley, Lloyd W. Mugrage, Ed. 
 
 Bierhalter, Joseph. McCoy, Lorin. ' 
 
 Butler Arza A. McLeoid, Albert E. 
 
311 
 
 TEE FOURTH O. V. I. 
 
 Blackburn, Thomas F. 
 Charles, William S. 
 Cordner, John O. 
 Crawford, John J. 
 Cowley, Arthur. 
 Corwin, John. 
 Croninger, John. 
 Dearth, Earnest. 
 Dent, Joseph W. 
 Dixson, Lovett T. 
 Dubois, Edmond L. 
 EJaston, Fred L. 
 Fix, Charles W. 
 Groves, William P. 
 Hickey, Aaron. 
 Haines, Harry L. 
 Hesley, Frederick. 
 Hook, John. 
 Horlocker, Noble W. 
 Haniwalt, John C. 
 Hoover, Asa. 
 Hampton, Wade. 
 Ingersol, Charles G. 
 Jones, William. 
 Jones, Samuel T. 
 Kreuz, Karl. 
 Losch, Joseph. 
 Lloyd, Charles O. 
 Lioveland, Fred. 
 Lewis, Frank B. 
 Molloy, Theopholis. 
 McFarland, Charles. 
 
 McCalley, Hiram. 
 McClurg, Charles B. 
 Parsons, Arthur. 
 Renck, Charles F. 
 Rhodes, Simeon A. 
 Roberts, Matthew S. 
 Rodgers, James L. 
 Ross, William. 
 Rowe, William I. 
 Spaith, Edwin Arthur. 
 Shoemaker, Edward B. T. 
 Stephens, Lorin. 
 Smith, Benjamin. 
 Smith, Jesse F. 
 Smith, Carl F. 
 Southcomb, Robert P. 
 Steck, Henry J. 
 Snead, James. 
 Sullivan, John. 
 Taylor, Charles K. 
 Thomas, George. 
 Thompson, Harry R. 
 Vetter, John. 
 Whip, Harry C. 
 Wells, Ira E. 
 Withers, Austin A. 
 Wallets, Frank B. 
 Watzek, Frank. 
 \*ineman, Glenn G. 
 Yearding, William T. 
 Yost, William J. 
 
THE FOVRTU 0. V. 1. 
 
 313 
 
 COMPANY D. 
 
 Captain Charles F. Sellers 
 
 First Lieutenant J. Richard Turner 
 
 Second Lieutenant Frank H. Otte 
 
 Second Lieutenant Abe Newlove 
 
 First Sergeant Abe Newlove 
 
 First Sergeant Allen C. Edson 
 
 Q. M. Sergeant Thomas J. Alexander 
 
 Q. M. Sergeant George P. Zwerner 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 Charles J. Greene. William R. Kennedy. 
 
 Prank Mills. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 Charles Orahood. Conrad Kirchner. 
 
 William Johnson. Will Saygrover. 
 
 Charles Ford. Joseph Mullen. 
 
 Elijah A. Horr. Joseph Mills. 
 
 Walter P. Gregg. Arthur H. Armine. 
 
 Lewis Orahood. Elmer Hedges. 
 
 Musicians F. Pearl Taylor, Bertram G. Marls 
 
 Artificer John Lansdown 
 
 Wagoner Anderson Williams 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Armine, Harry G. Lyons, Charles. 
 
 Anderson, Willis. Lee, Ell M. 
 
 Alden, Eujean. Lower, Clifton. 
 
 Andrews, Edward. Lee, James. 
 
 Beaver, James N. Mitchell, Pearl. 
 
 Beaver, Wassen. Mathers, Charles. 
 
 Bartlett, William. Martin, Robert B. 
 
 Blake, Layton. Maris, Harry. 
 
 Bell, Joseph S. Mills, Charles. 
 
314 
 
 THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 
 
 Bradley, Frank C. 
 
 Brake, Holly O. 
 
 Bishop, Otto. 
 
 Beck, James. 
 
 Brown, Elmer. 
 
 Connell, Edward. 
 
 Conner, Thomas. 
 
 Clapham, Frank. 
 
 Converse, Harrj'. 
 
 Clastic, George. 
 
 Church, Edward. 
 
 Dines, William L. 
 
 Donohoe, Fred. 
 
 Daugherty, Benjamin. 
 
 Fisher, Victor. 
 
 Gosnell, Otto. 
 
 Greene, Huitt. 
 
 Goff, Walter. 
 Hush, George B. 
 Hudson, Edward. 
 Hensley, Delbert. 
 Hinton, Mack. 
 Holycross, Frank L. 
 Hill, Samuel. 
 Johnson, Alia. 
 Johnson, Joe. 
 Jones, Allen. 
 Jones, John. 
 Kees, Isaac. 
 Lawrence, Joe. 
 Laird, Charles M. 
 Mullen, George. 
 
 Moon, Spencer. 
 
 Martin, William S. 
 
 New^love, Lute. 
 
 Nelson, Edward. 
 
 Nelson Fred W. 
 
 Otte, Lewis. 
 
 Orr, Lee. 
 
 Plotner, Bert. 
 
 Perry, Charles A. 
 
 Phelps, Earl. 
 
 Rausch, Will. 
 
 Randall, Edward. 
 
 Sparks, Harry. 
 
 Schlegel, George, Jr. 
 
 Shetterly, Carson B. 
 
 Shetterly, Joseph E. 
 
 Smith, Albert. 
 
 Shuler, John. 
 Sloop, Artemus. 
 Sheridan, Chester. 
 Tway, Carl. 
 Taylor, Harry W. 
 Turner, Charles M. 
 Tossey, Defro. 
 Vaii, Reuben. 
 Williams, William. 
 Weber, Walter. 
 Webb, Luther. 
 Wise, William F. 
 Walcut, William. 
 Williams, Charles F. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 
 
 315- 
 
 COMPANY E. 
 
 Captain William L. Vincent 
 
 First Lieutenant Charles O. Updyke 
 
 Second Lieutenant James M. Fugaie 
 
 First Sergeant Charles E. Stogdon 
 
 Q. M. Sergeant Charles E. Jarnagin. 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 Orestus Hardway. Charles L. Sexton. 
 
 Lohn Gillum. Michael Daily. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 Robert Bonham. John S. Reeder. 
 
 Henry D. Faudree. John W. Cook. 
 
 Lon Stevenson. Harvey W. Smith. 
 
 L. S. Updyke. Frank Sammons. 
 
 Herbert C. Marquett. Will S. Gray. 
 Frank W. Potter. 
 
 Musicians Odd F. Ott, William N. Eyre 
 
 Artificer Eugene Conway 
 
 Wagoner Charles Bitzer 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Allebaugh, Alvin. Krebs, Adam. 
 
 Armstrong, William C. Kunz, Charles. 
 
 Baker, Morris O. Kidd, Chedister C. 
 
 Bayse, W. H. Kneisley, Carey W. 
 
 Bales John A. Marine, A. E. 
 
 Bales, Howard. McCormick, Harvey. 
 
 Bateman, Frank M. Mitchner, J. H. 
 
 Beeler, John C. Mercer, Stew^art. 
 
 Baker, Richard A. Murphy, Arthur L. 
 
 Bellar, Milt. McCord, Elmer G. 
 
 Brown, Americus. McDonald, James E. 
 
 Butler, John H. McDonald, Norman* 
 
316 
 
 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 Cook, James F., Jr. 
 Coffman, Nathan J. 
 Coffman, Elwert. 
 Cook, Scott. 
 Creamer, Michael S. 
 Clemens, Ramie. 
 Cubbage, Johnson. 
 Dawson, Jacob H. 
 Douglass, Ed. 
 Doddridge, John A. 
 Daniels, Tyra C. 
 Davis, Isaac C. 
 Dearth, Charles C. 
 Doyle, Charles V7. 
 Ely, Clyde B. 
 Ervin, Floyd D. 
 Ford, Franklin P. 
 Figgins, Charles E. 
 Flint, William E. 
 Grass, John. 
 Hardy, Andrew J. 
 Kolcomb, Hartley C. 
 Haffler, Harry P. 
 Hall, Emory P. 
 Harris, Harry A. 
 Haynes, William N. 
 Jacobs, Claude S. 
 Johnson, John C. 
 Johnson, Morgan B. 
 Keaton, James W. 
 
 Nixon, John T. 
 Pratt, Robert. 
 Palmer, Harry B. 
 Pine, Ward. 
 Pricer, Herbert L. 
 Robb, John. 
 Simms, French. 
 Slonaker, Galard. 
 Shingles, Arthur M. 
 Smithers, Lynn F. 
 Shimp, Burt 0. 
 Snapp, Joseph E. 
 Sams, William W. 
 Sever, Frank. 
 Smith Charles A. 
 Smith Charles. 
 Smith, Ed. 
 Sollars, Emerald M. 
 Taylor, Jerome. 
 Vincent, Elmer. 
 Vincent, Burten. 
 Voss, Charles T. 
 Walters, Elie W. 
 "V\Tiited, Benjamin F. 
 Wilt, Arthur W. 
 Woods, George F. 
 Wyatt, James H. 
 West, Frank R. 
 Wilson, William H., Jr. 
 Welch, Homer G. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 
 
 317 
 
 COMPANY F. 
 
 Captain Joseph D. Potter 
 
 First Lieutenant Clyde R. Modie 
 
 First Lieutenant Harry Graham 
 
 Second Lieutenant Nathan A. McCoy 
 
 First Sergeant A. A. Grimm 
 
 First Sergeant R. E. Hull 
 
 First Sergeant George D. Freemaai 
 
 Q. M. Sergeant Frank L. Thornton 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 Arthur A. Grimm. William S. Haley. 
 
 Richard E. Hull. Rowland Duulap. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 Arthur H. Simons. Chester M. Spurgeon. 
 
 Fred Wahl. Frank D. Potter. 
 
 Moses H. Barlow. Charles F. Bowen. 
 
 Earl C. Greenley, Walter J. Modie. 
 
 Lewis F. Sage. John T. Seiders. 
 
 David R. Sams. Jackson Westenhaver. 
 
 William P. Markeson. Alfred Chapin. 
 
 Musicians John Keith, Wm Crawford, Lewis Anderson 
 
 Artificer Horatio C. Prittner 
 
 Wagoner George Stonebemer 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Barnes, Robert. Lydy, Sam J. 
 
 Bear, Edmond. Meeker, William D. 
 
 Blakely, Worley S. Meninngen, William P. 
 
 Butler, Ray. Merrick, Medford. 
 
 Creviston, Lark. Morris, John C. 
 
 Corson, William. Michel, Robert. 
 
 Carroll, John. Miller, Webb. 
 
 Chapin, Albert. McCormick, P. C. 
 
318 
 
 THE FOURTH 0. T. I. 
 
 Cromwell, W. E. 
 Cross, Fred J. 
 Dennis, Leroy G. 
 Dixon, Herbert D. 
 Doke, Arthur H. 
 Fitzgerald, Edwin. 
 Gibbons, John. 
 Oilliam, E. F. 
 Grate, Frank. 
 Grove, Charles O. 
 Gynter, Albert. 
 Giles, Frank M. 
 Gray, Meldrum. 
 Hess, Edward. 
 Hess, R. C. 
 Handley, Scott. 
 Hemming, R. N. 
 Hilf, Charles F. 
 Hill, Clyde W. 
 Holmes, Martin. 
 Holmes, Thomas. 
 Ismon, Ralph E. 
 Jones, William R. 
 Jones, Thomas J. 
 Kellar, John A. 
 Kerr, Edward C. 
 Kight, Thomas H. 
 Kirkpatrich, Warden. 
 Kneeland, Arthur R. 
 Kriel, George. 
 Lang, Edward J. 
 McElvane, J. R. 
 
 McKenzie, W. A. 
 Osborn, Clyde W. 
 Palm, James. 
 Paraday, Charles. 
 Petry, August. 
 Putman, Charley. 
 Preston, William B. 
 Ranney, Jess F. 
 Reynolds, C. B. 
 Robbins, Ralph. 
 Rodgers, J. E. 
 Riddlesberger, William. 
 Roberts, Charles. 
 Rhoades, Lawrence. 
 Schrock, Fred C. 
 Shipley, Fred F. 
 Sharp, Howard. 
 Smith, Ralph. 
 Snyder, John M. 
 Snyder, Edward F. 
 Staley, Edward. 
 Simms, Edwin M. 
 Shaw, Leroy. 
 Sharp, J. R. 
 Sharp, Birdsell. 
 Taylor, Frank L. 
 Taylor, Thomas E., Jr. 
 Tucker, Albert E. 
 Ulry, Fred. 
 Williamson, H. W. 
 Yourk, Mike. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. F. /. 
 
 319 
 
 COMPANY G. 
 
 Captain Fred W. Petera 
 
 First Lieutenant Fred S. Titus 
 
 .Second Lieutenant Thomas E. Andrews 
 
 First Sergeant James E. Messenger 
 
 Q. M. Sergeant Frank E. Lattimore 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 Zed. E. Gunder. Charles R. Lattimore. 
 
 James W. McMurray. George E. Irvin. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 Will H. Hunt. Wesley C. Winters. 
 
 E:arnest Boger. William F. Amrine. 
 
 Nathaniel J. Clapper. Frank L. Jordan. 
 
 F. Charles Stump. John E. Button. 
 
 Newberry W. Wheeler. Omie J. P. Ward. 
 
 Frank C. Stevenson. Charles F. Copeland. 
 William E. Cleveland. 
 
 Musicians Hary T. Love, John F. Snid«r 
 
 Artificer Robert L. Rathell 
 
 Wagoner Harry T. Messenger 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Alexander, Arthur G. Maag, William A. 
 
 Anderson, Neal. MacFadden, Edward S. 
 
 Akron, Pearl C. Madden, John W. 
 
 Berry, Frank C. Marlow, George. 
 
 Beichler, Albert. Mayes, Edson C. 
 
 Bryan, Harry E. McConnell, Charles. 
 
 Burk, James H. Minard, Daniel. 
 
 Carey, Howard E. Monnette, Arthur A. 
 
 Carroll, Harry G. Midlam, Carl O. 
 
 Chapman, Ross. Mong, Yv^illiam C. 
 
 Couts, James H. Niles, William T. 
 
320 
 
 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 Clark, Robert B. 
 Close, James W. 
 Coleman, Rant R. 
 Comwell, William P. 
 Cnssick, James M. 
 Day, Lewis E. 
 Doke, Henry C. 
 Edwards, Charles F. 
 Elliott, Ulysses G. 
 Evans, Edward C. 
 Evans, w illiam. 
 Ferrell, Hershel C. 
 Ferrin, Guy T. 
 Fields, Harry H. 
 French, Arthur J. 
 Glaze, Charles W. 
 Hessong, Charles H. 
 Hill, Josh. W. 
 Hinklin, Howard A. 
 Houseworth, Charles P. 
 Howison, Lee. 
 Hubley, Marion E. 
 Hull, Hollis. 
 Hull, Zane. 
 Irey, Harley O. 
 Johnson, William. 
 Luethold, Alfred S. 
 Little, Frank M. 
 
 O'Brian, Thomas J. 
 Parker, John. 
 Padgett, Frank 0. 
 Pierce, Daniel B. 
 Porter, Henry N. 
 Purkey, George A. 
 Prlndle, James W. 
 Rease, Joseph. 
 Rhoades, Harry. 
 Riddle, William W. 
 Sharrock, James. 
 ShaJBfer, Frank E. 
 Scott, John W. 
 Shuster, George. 
 Smith, Marion. 
 Smith, Albert S. 
 Smith, William G. 
 Snider, Charles M. 
 Simpson, Walter W. 
 Spring, Harry L. 
 Stone, William. 
 Swallen, Harvey. 
 Taugher, Michael. 
 Thomas, Lloyd W. 
 Thompson, Robert L. 
 Wickess, John L. 
 Wolfe, Finlay. 
 Wilson, John R. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. 1. 
 
 321 
 
 COMPANY H. 
 
 Captain Robert S. Pritcliard 
 
 Captain James W. Smith 
 
 First Lieutenant Frank B. Pratt 
 
 First Lieutenant James W. Smith 
 
 First Lieutenant Kinney P. Funk 
 
 Second Lieutenant James W. Smith 
 
 Second Lieutenant Kinney P. Funk 
 
 First Sergeant Forrest C. Briggs 
 
 First Sergeant Russell C. Newman 
 
 Q. M. Sergeant Charles C. Wilhelm 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 Andrew B. Foster. Walter H. Trimmer. 
 
 Samuel Williams. George G. Oldfield. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 Charles H. Maguire. Joseph C. Bratt. 
 
 Harvey M. Will. Charles N. Reed. 
 
 Denver Crull. George A. Batterson. 
 
 Asberry W. Davidson. John L. McMonigle. 
 
 Byron D. Shriver. William P. Reed. 
 
 Charles S. Noel. Floyd E. Thurman. 
 
 Artificer Roy N. Matthews 
 
 Musician Fred N. Armstrong 
 
 Wagoner William D. McMonigle 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Alger, Barry J. Kinney, Clifford M. 
 
 Alger, Frank H. Kelley, William H. 
 
 Anderson, Preston H. Krick, Isaac. 
 
 Adams, Harry E. Nohl, Harry N. 
 
 Andre, Benjamin. Masters, William A. 
 
 Bybee, Monte G. Mann, George F. 
 
 Barber, Albert M. Moore, George B. 
 
322 
 
 THE FOURTH 0. V. 1. 
 
 Bumgardner, Elton M. 
 Bush, Francis M. 
 Bush, Thomas J. 
 Bush, Matthew. 
 Boren, Elmer S. 
 Barr, Charles. 
 Bennet, David P. 
 Birmingham, John. 
 Calvert, Ralph W. 
 Cooper, Milton J. 
 Cole, William L. 
 Chapman, Tasw^ell. 
 Cunningham, Vinton A. 
 Davidson, Reed M. 
 Distel, Louis E. 
 Donaldson, Harry W. 
 Douglass, Duncan M. 
 Davis, David C. 
 Dodge, Daniel H. 
 Evans, Mitchell H. 
 George, Robert M. 
 Gilbert, Ora B. 
 Hicks, Edward B. 
 Herms, Albert G. 
 Hubert, John A. 
 Hood, Charles E. 
 Harris, Evan G. 
 Johnson, David J. 
 Johnson, Samuel E. 
 Johnson, William E. 
 Jones, Wells H. 
 Kinney, John Wesley. 
 
 Messer, Alfred M. 
 Mathiott, Harry W. 
 Monk, John E. 
 Molester, Charles G. 
 Mead, Alexander R. 
 McKeown, Emmet K. 
 McGuire, Edward M. 
 McDaniels, James. 
 Morrison, Henry M. 
 Patterson, Elbert L. 
 Peebles, William M. 
 Redmon, Joseph A. 
 Reinert, Adolph G. 
 Reinhardt, Euward J. 
 Sturgill, William C. 
 Stewart, James F. 
 Stowe, Walter H. 
 Skelton, James. 
 Shela, John W. 
 Schmidt, John F. 
 Sparka, Kurt. 
 Thompson, Matthew W. 
 Taylor, Charles C. 
 Thomas, William E. 
 Turner, Joseph. 
 Wells, Edward S. 
 Whitman, Charles R. 
 Welch, Arthur. 
 Wheeler, x^dgar R. 
 Winters, Henry H. 
 Youngman, John. 
 Zeek, Edward. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 323 
 
 COMPANY I. 
 
 Captain Louis H. Palmer 
 
 First Lieutenant Fred S. Whiley 
 
 Second Lieutenant William H. Hause 
 
 First Sergeant William S. Kindler 
 
 Q. M. Sergeant Roy T. McNaughten 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 Thomas W. Nickum. Frank M. Murpuy. 
 
 John E. rhomas. Gaylord C. Peters. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 Seymore E. Hansley. Ernest I. Curtiss. 
 
 John W. Littrell. Charles Fishbaugh. 
 
 Arthur J. Phillips. Henry C. Clark. 
 
 Hugh S. Love. Warren A. Lowry. 
 
 Herman L. Wagner. Nelson E. Terry. 
 
 Frank E. Beery. George L. Justice. 
 
 Musicians Oscar D. Getz, Irving A. Cook 
 
 Wagoner William E. Neal 
 
 Artificer Samuel L. Bush 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Arnold, Jesse W. 
 Amann, Augustus M. 
 Buckley, William J. 
 Bope, Charles B. 
 Brainard, Will J. 
 Bentrol, Charles F. 
 Bulger, John. 
 Black, Harry B. 
 Bobbitt, David. 
 Botts, James E. 
 Ballard, James M. 
 Balthaser, Chauncey E. 
 
 Mertz, Jacob J. 
 McSweeney, James I 
 McLain, Clifford C. 
 Moore, Charles R. 
 Mauk, Arthur R. 
 Morton, Robert R. 
 Miller, John M. 
 McCray, Andrew L. 
 Nisley, Harry J. 
 Nisley, Joseph W. 
 Nye, Charles E. 
 Proctor, Harry E. 
 
324 
 
 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 Basore, William H. 
 
 Clifton, George. 
 
 Cook, Walter. 
 
 Dyarman, Charles T. 
 
 Dupler, Murray C. 
 
 Derr, Charles E. 
 
 Dew, Stanley J. 
 
 Dille, Willis. 
 
 England, Benjamin T. 
 
 Flood, William H. 
 
 Foster, John H. 
 
 Green, Lester O. 
 
 Greentree, James. 
 
 Gebhardt, William H. 
 
 Gantz, John G. 
 Gyr, Harry. 
 Griner, James R. 
 Goodyear, Charles. 
 Herman, Henry. 
 Hite, Joseph A. 
 Jeffries, George T. 
 Keller, James O. 
 Keller, William U. 
 Keller, Harry 0. 
 Kernes, David. 
 Knotts, Charles. 
 Lape, Theodore I. 
 Leeper, Charles L. 
 Light, James G. 
 Potter, Jesse N. 
 
 rrentice, George H. 
 
 Paskins, James H. 
 
 Patterson, Tecumseh B. 
 
 Robinson, Amosa W. 
 
 Robinson, Robert B. 
 
 Reynolds, George E. 
 
 Roskovemckey, Lewis S. 
 
 Reed, Charles G. 
 
 Rossley, Charles E. 
 
 Reese, Edward A. 
 
 Spitler, David L. 
 
 Spitler, Pearl D. 
 
 Spitler, Earl <g. 
 
 beifert, Abe. 
 
 Shaw, Robert. 
 
 Straley, James. 
 
 Stewart, Frank L. 
 
 Shue, Frank E. 
 Sprague, James W. 
 Terry, George T. 
 Todhunter, Reese B. 
 Todhunter, George B. 
 Tipple. David E. 
 White, John E. 
 Williams, Howard A. 
 Walters, Perry. 
 Wolfe, Royal. 
 Yingling, Sherman. 
 Zimmerman, John D. 
 
TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 325 
 
 COMPANY K. 
 
 Captain Bert H. Greiner 
 
 First Lieutenant William B. McCloud 
 
 Second Lieutenajit Oscar O. Koeppel 
 
 First Sergeant W. L. Norton 
 
 Q. M. Sergeant George A. Griebel 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 Charles Riddle. H. A. Cosier. 
 
 Frank M. Said. Carl T. Cratty. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 Lq. O. Thomson. Elbert Nelson. 
 
 Earl Sheldon. A. Kent Harmount. 
 
 Merton S. Starr. Sturges Dunham. 
 
 Charles Thrall. Orrain W. Patrick. 
 
 Ray H. Longwell. Robert H. Lybrand. 
 
 Llysses G. Sanger. Lester C. Riddle. 
 Thomas Glaze. 
 
 Musicians J Shultz, John Longwell 
 
 Artificer Charles L. Inscho 
 
 Wagoner L. R. Spain 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Auman, John. Lynch, J. 
 
 Ahern, Patrick. Lawson, C. E. 
 
 Bennett, J. F. Marritt, J. M. 
 
 Brownmiller, C. R. Miller, C. C. 
 
 Brunn, C. H. Miller, H. A. 
 
 Browning, S. W. Montane, C. B. 
 
 Billig, C. E. Maloney, J. 
 
 Butt, A. M. Maloney, C. H. 
 
 Campbell, H. R. Maine, C. A. 
 
 Cruikshank, A. Mahonay, M. C. 
 
 Corbin, Richard. McFarland, F. A. 
 
326 
 
 THE FOURTH 0. V. 
 
 Doyle, J. P. 
 Driscoll, T. J. 
 Dall, C. K. 
 Davis, H. W. 
 Dove, T. C. 
 Enright, F. H. 
 Ford, W. R. 
 France, C. O. 
 Frantz, Walter. 
 Ferris, W. M. 
 Foley, W. J. 
 Gerber, Max. 
 Greiner, J. R. 
 Grove, T. S. 
 Harmount, H. W. 
 Hills, L. C. 
 Howald, W. A. 
 Hodges, S. M. 
 Hansley, E. D. 
 Hollison, W. 
 Hunt, H. E. 
 Ingle, W. W. 
 Inscho, A. D. 
 Jones, C. L. 
 Jamison, F. B. 
 Jacobus, H. C. 
 Kelley, J. L. 
 Lenhart, L. 
 Lyons, J. 
 O'Connor, J. 
 
 O'Bryan, P. 
 Osborne, B. 
 Powell, H. B. 
 Platz, G. 
 Rose, H. E. 
 Riddle, R. R. 
 Reed, W. 
 Read, R. W. 
 Rider, W. R. 
 Randolph, D. F. 
 Rodenfels, Edward. 
 Ross, T. 
 Siegfried, John. 
 Smith, William L. 
 Strohm, G. 
 Said, T. H. 
 Schneider, B. J. 
 Shank, J. W. 
 Thrall, G. W. 
 Vertner, A. L. 
 Watkins, F. S. 
 Wells, Rex. W. 
 Windham, R. H. 
 Vvohlheater, W. Z. 
 Wells, Charles. 
 Wohlheater, E. F. 
 Webster, Olliver Perry. 
 Whitlinger, Henry. 
 Zeigler, Frank. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 327 
 
 COMPANY L. 
 
 Captain Fred M. French 
 
 First Lieutenant Charles E. Bigler 
 
 Second Lieutenant Sherman E. Ward 
 
 First Sergeant Earl F. Thuma 
 
 Q. M. Sergeant Edwin J. Scott 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 George D. Lewis. Burr A. Wyant. 
 
 James H. Graff. Robert H. Westlake. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 Carrol R. Jackson. William M. Edwards. 
 
 John J. Jacobs. Elbert L. Mendenhall. 
 
 J. Louis Ewalt. John K. Davis. 
 
 Scott U. Kirby. D. Horton White. 
 
 Oscar Adams. Harry L. Thuma. 
 Edwin J. Myers. 
 
 Musicians Charles W. Wood, Lewis Herrod 
 
 Artificer William Gregory 
 
 Wagoner Harry M. Jacobus 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Armentrout. L. Vance. Lambert, Philip J. 
 
 Ashton, Walter G. Loback, Frank B. 
 
 Adams, Oscar. Lockwood, Charles D. 
 
 Barber, Fred. Lane, George M. 
 
 Braddock, John S. Lee, John T. 
 
 Bishop, Anson. Loose, Jacob L. 
 
 Baughman, Edward L. Long, Wilson G. 
 
 Brentlinger, Clyde L. McMahon, Ralph. 
 
 Banbury, Charles K. McConnell, William. 
 
 Bigler, Arthur L. McKeown, Andrew J. 
 
 Bigler, Eugene F. Mitchell, Leon H. 
 
 Barnhart, Cyrus. Morey, Roy C. 
 
328 
 
 TEE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 Bucher, George K. 
 Critchfield, Jesse B. 
 Clark, William H. 
 Clark, Michael P. 
 Chrisman, Arthur. 
 Copper, Charles 0. 
 Cochran, Ward B. 
 Coile, one E. 
 Channell, Charles H. 
 Cochran, John M. 
 Cochran, Walter. 
 Daniels, William L. 
 Dunlap, William C. 
 Dickson, James F., Jr. 
 Davis, Jacie J. 
 Davis, Charles E. 
 Edwards, William I. 
 Gingham, Harry L. 
 Graff, George. 
 Hersh, Sherbin J. 
 Harris, Walter M. 
 Houle, Louis F. 
 Harker, William. 
 Hutchinsin, Charles. 
 Hayes, James M. 
 Heddington, John L. 
 Hissong, John R. 
 Kinney, John D. 
 Long, Daniel V. 
 Magill, John S. 
 
 Osborn, Timothy G. 
 Perrin, Charles. 
 Porter, Orrin C. 
 Rowley, Byron D. 
 Rowley, William. 
 Robinson, Williard. 
 Simco, Edward. 
 Smalle, James A. 
 Stoyle, Edward. 
 Shetler, Walter S. 
 Smith, Oliver H. 
 Sapp, Frank W. 
 Simpson, Ottis A. 
 Sherman, Rupert L. 
 Tighe, William F. 
 Vernon, Walter C. 
 White, Edgar J. 
 Williams, Harry. 
 Wagner, Fred F. 
 Waite, Ralph. 
 Waldruff, Ellis F. 
 Wright, Frank D. 
 Welshymer, Charles B. 
 Weider, William F. 
 Wolfe, Fred W. 
 Wood, Herbert C. 
 Whitney, William M. 
 Wade, Bruce M. 
 Wright, Clinton. 
 
THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 329 
 
 COMPANY M. 
 
 fetain Burr J. Bostwlck 
 
 First Lieutenant Charles G. Duffy 
 
 Second Lieutenant George Florence 
 
 First Sergeant Charles K. Crumm 
 
 Q. M. Sergeant S. J. Henry 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 Charles F. Lowe. B. Frank Warner. 
 
 Charles A. Bostwick. Bradley Fletcher. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 Harry L. Hughes. John Kashner. 
 
 J. Mouser Crayne. Ed. M. Brown. 
 
 Leroy M. Thompson. Charles M. Titus. 
 
 William B. Reeder. George Redman. 
 
 Arlow T. Mowery. \villiam A. Warner. 
 
 Fred Donelly. Marshall E. Murray. 
 
 Musicians Frank Miller, John DoyU 
 
 Artificer George Brady 
 
 Wagoner James Baughman 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Ambrose. William. Lape, William. 
 
 Anderson, J. Hartley. Lewis, Leotus. 
 
 Baer, Henry C. Lower, William. 
 
 Bagby, Arthur P. Mackey, Will L. 
 
 Bailey, John. McCready, John W. 
 
 Baker, John L. McHale, Thomas. 
 
 Bales, Blenn R. McKenzie, David. 
 
 Barker, William J, McQuaide, John. 
 
 Baughman, Joseph. Miller, Jacob W. 
 
 Bennett, Ed. F. Montgomery, Ed. W. 
 
 Bowsher, William B. Mowery, Clifford E. 
 
 Brannon. Charles. Moyer, Harley E. 
 
330 
 
 THE FOURTH 0. V. I. 
 
 Brown, Nathan J. 
 Bessert, Wayne. 
 Byers, Joseph. 
 Caldwell, Job. D. 
 Collopy, James J. 
 Cook, George B. 
 Chrlssinger, Frank. 
 Crites, Clifford W. 
 Dimkle, Floyd L. 
 Edgington, George C 
 Egan, Hugh, Jr. 
 Evans, David J. 
 Fisher, William. 
 Flemming, Robert. 
 Forsythe, Bert. 
 Friley, Charles. 
 Haines, George L. 
 Hernstine, Philip G. 
 Hitson, John R. 
 Highes, Clarence H. 
 Hurst, William F. 
 Irwin, George G. 
 Jack, Thomas B. 
 Jack, William F. 
 Jackson, Albert. 
 Johnson, Miner N. 
 Kerns, James W. 
 Kinney, Daniel. 
 Klneey, Samuel. 
 
 Murphy, Clark. 
 Meeker, John. 
 Neff, Morton A. 
 Newland, George F 
 Palm, Joseph. 
 Rayborn, David. 
 Reigle, Pearl E. 
 Roof, Charles E. 
 Russel, Charles E. 
 Sells, George W. 
 Shaffer, Samuel. 
 Shaffer, Walter. 
 Smith, Charles E. 
 Smith, George W. 
 Spangler, Samuel. 
 Spiers, James E. 
 Steepleton, James I 
 Strawser, Harry. 
 Tatman, Edward. 
 Taylor, Edward. 
 Thorn, Fred H. 
 Walker, Ed. I. 
 Withrow, Gordon E. 
 Wolfe, Homer E. 
 Wright, George F. 
 Wright, Homer A. 
 Wright, Porter E. 
 Wilson, Jacob F. 
 Yowell, Harrj'- 
 
 H 50 89 
 
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