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From The 14th Battery O. V. A.
Camp Dennison, Jan 9, 1862.
To The Editor Of The Sentinel.
Hurrah! For Kansas!
Ho! For Fort Leavenworth!
All the Excitement attanding “marching orders,” is upon us. Why it is we are called into the field without arms, or with being drilled in the use of cannon and sabre, is quite as puzzling to me as the idea of the use of the secesh double-barreled shot gun, (minus the lock,) was to the Rich Mountain rebel prisoner that owned it. But however strange it may appear, our Battery have orders to move with the 2d Cavalry Regiments to join the division under Gen. Lane. A large majority of the boys are suited with this arrangement, while some think they would prefer coming under the command of “meeker” General than Uncle Jim, and would rather join an expedition not quite so extensive as the one he proposes. Being desirous of getting into service, on the whole, the plan takes first rate among the boys, and we shall be just as ready to assist Gen. Lane in demonstrating the utility of his expedition to the Union, and its destructiveness to the rebel cause, as we now are to leave Camp Dennison. When we march, is to us profound a secret as where er are going was four days since. But in all probability some days will yet elapse ere we bid adieu to our now comfortable quarters.
We have just come in from Dress Parade, and have had the unpleasant sight of seeing another soldier bid adieu to camp life and United States service, stepping to the tune “Rogue’s March.” He belonged to Company D, 1st Artillery Regiment, was from Cleveland and named James. He leaves no friends and half his hair to mourn his loss.
There has been quite a number of desertions in this regiment as well as in the Infantry here and we are not infrequently greeted with the music of the fife and drum, and the sight of the deserter as he marches between a file of soldiers with fixed bayonets or sits on the barber’s chair to undergo the pleasant operation of having half the head shaved, free of cost. With the exception, and one or two deaths from being shot in artillery drill, and a rumor of soldiers poisoned eating pies, all is quiet in camp as usual, and sojering is now so common that we make a regular business of it, and thus time passes almost as unheeded as when at home we pursued our daily round of Business. But the bugle sounds for roll call and I hasten to close. More anon.
Yours truly, Lenox.
 
This article was published in the “Ashtabula Sentinel”
Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio 22 Jan 1862
Page 1 Column 4
The newspaper is on microfilm at the Ashtabula Public Library.
This is part of a series on the Civil War in Ashtabula County as was reported in the Ashtabula Sentinel
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
From John Brown’s Company
Camp Johnson, Morristown, Case Co. , Mo., Jan. 4th, 1862.
To The Editor Of The Sentinel.
In compliance with your request, I send you a detailed account of our movements for a few days past. Word came into camp a few days since, that the enemy were committing depredations in the vicinity of Dayton, about 30 miles from our camp. On New Year’s morning, two hundred of the command under Col. Anthony, left camp to find them. They reached the place about daylight and found the enemy, but they retreated, firing as they ran. One Captain had his horse shot under him; another horse was wounded, but not a man of the command was injured. But not so with the enemy—eight of their number, on New Year’s morning met the fate they deserved . The place was burned, and the secession nest in that quarter broken up. The country for a space of about ten miles was scoured, and the leaders of rebellion cleaned out. The house of the notorious Capt. Scott, was visited by Lieut. S. H. Hoyt, and laid in ashes. This Capt. Scott was the man that was leader in the fight which our boys had at Sam Haze’s, and he reported Lieut. Bostwick captured in Independence, saying ha had killed his man; but Providence ordered otherwise, and the Lieutenant yet lives to battle for the right.
Property to a large amount, in horses, mules, store goods, clothing and the like were brought in by the command. The fact is that the name of Jennison is a terror throughout this entire country; and when any of his command go out, there is a scattering among the traitors. There are some men in this command whose names are a terror to secessionists: among them is Lieut. B. H. Bostwick, his thorough going method of doing business is not just liked by the enemy. The health of the command is good especially of our company—their are but two, I believe, but what are in camp. Not a man has been killed or seriously wounded notwithstanding the many reports to the contrary. We have not yet gone into winter quarters, and probably shall not at present. We have had very fine weather for the most pat so far. For three days clouds have obscured the sun, and a damp, chilly atmosphere—rather bad for taking colds—but what the men want is to work and not remain idle in camp.
P. S. I presume that property to the amount of five hundred thousand dollars, has been taken by this Regiment, since the first of November, to say nothing of the slaves that have been set at liberty; so you see the Moissourians will feel something of rigors of war.
I. B. S.
This article was published in the “Ashtabula Sentinel”
Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio 22 Jan 1862
Page1 Column 3 & 4
The newspaper is on microfilm at the Ashtabula Public Library.
This is part of a series on the Civil War in Ashtabula County as was reported in the Ashtabula Sentinel.
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The soldiers of the 29th Regiment, who were left in the hospital at this place, have been distributed among the families of this village, and the hospital abolished.
__________
By a private note we learn that the 29th Regiment have received orders to march to Romney, Virginia. This is quite a compliment to their efficiency. After being in Camp Chase only about three weeks, to be ordered into active service.
__________
We have letters from the 29th, John Brown’s Company, 14th Battery and Capt. Carlin’s Battery, but the Governor’s Message takes our entire space. Next week we will give a paper which will compensate our readers for the monotony of this one.
__________
There are several members of Co. B, 23d Regiment now at home on furlough. Capt. Sperry returned to Virginia on Monday.
__________
A. S. Hall, formerly prosecuting attorney in this county, has been made Major of the 24th Regiment, O. V., now in Virginia.
____________
The following promotions have been made in the 29th. Lieut. J. J. Wright. Co. G, made Captain of same company; Sergt. Major Williamson made 2d Lieutenant of Co. G; Sergt Russell of Co. G, made Sergeant Major.
This article was published in the “Ashtabula Sentinel”
Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio 15 Jan 1862
Page 8 Column 1
The newspaper is on microfilm at the Ashtabula Public Library.
This is part of a series on the Civil War in Ashtabula County as was reported in the Ashtabula Sentinel.
Capt. Allen’s Capture and Escape.
To The Editor Of The Sentinel.
As there has been divers statements in the newspaper in regard to how I got into the hands of the rebels, I have concluded to give your readers a few facts in the case. On the 29th of Nov., Lieut. Ellenwood and I hired a hack to take us from Leavenworth to Atchison. The driver mistook me for Colo. Montgomery, and informed some one who sent word to the rebels that the Colonel would be at Winthrop that night, to take the cars for St. Joseph. A party of Si. Gorden’s men burned the bridge near Jatan, so that the cars could not reach Winthrop, and we were obliged to stay in seshdom over night. We did not feel alarmed, as we supposed that the road was guarded. I have since been informed that the troops had been removed a day or two previous. As the cars did not come, I went the next morning and hired a coach to take us to St. Joseph. About the time it arrived, I found myself surrounded by twenty men, with guns and revolvers cooked and presented at me in every direction. I had no arms but a small revolver, which I attempted to draw, but found my arm seized by two or three men, and held fast, so that I could not get hold of it. They then arrested Lieut. Ellenwood, who was in citizen’s dress, and unarmed. But as two of us left Leavenworth together, he of course must be the other. He took his arrest so coolly, and played sesh so well, that after taking him some fifteen miles, and questioning me about him until they became satisfied that I did not know him, they released him. They still felt sure that I was Col. Montgomery. They swore that they had got the old Jayhawker at last, and wo’d hang me sure. I told them that if they did hang me, it would take a hundred of their friend’s necks to pay for mine, and as some of them had brothers, prisoners in the federal army, they though it might not be best to do so. They then took me to their camp where I was introduced to Capt. Lanter who used me very well. I saw in their camp several boxes of goods directed to merchants of Leavenworth, which they had taken from the railroad. We left camp a shot time after dark, and went to Platt City, and staid at the hotel, until after breakfast the next morning. The rebels were enjoying themselves, when word came that the federal army was within a mile of the city and coming at full speed. “There was mounting in hot haste.” The captain shouted to his men, “to the woods for your lives,” and such scattering I never saw before. Even St. Gordon, who boasts that his men never felt fear, was taken with a very sudden panic, the result no doubt of prudence; mounted his horse and left on a very excited double quick. I was obliged to mount, and with a small party had such a ride, as no man ever had but John Gilpin. Over hills, through the woods, as if the Kansas Brigade was after us, led on by Lane and Montgomery both. That night I was taken to a house in the woods where was some small children, and as I did not eat any of the babies, they began to think that they had not got the Colonel. The next day we started for Lexington, But before we arrived at Liberty, we met Col. Shields who though best to return to Lexington with us. He invited me to ride with him in his carriage, which I was very glad to do as I had rode on horseback until I was very tired. When we got to Lexington the Colonel took me to his home, where I remained five or six days. The Colonel and his family were very kind to me. We left Lexington on the 14th of Dec., and made twenty miles, camping near Columbus. The next morning the rebel force in camp was about two thousand. They learned that several thousand of the federal army had left Sidalia, and was probably after them. They then commenced a forced march, making from thirty to thirty-five miles a day until they reached Price’s army. One night we got but three hours rest. After we arrived at camp, which was on Fox river, ten mules below Osceola, I was taken to Brigadier Gen Steen’s headquarters, where I found a lot of as jovial rebels as I ever saw. I remained with Gen Steen until released by Gen. Price, in order to get a release of one of their captains. I left the army at a place called Humansville. Price gave me a written sale-guard, but I had not gone more than twelve miles before I met a party of twenty or more armed men, on horses, who halted me. I showed them my safe-guard, but they said they did not care a d–n for it; that they knew how to deal with me. They took me to their camp in the woods and after supper, they got a jug of whisky and commenced drinking freely. They passed the jug to me and I drank some. I then made up my mind to get drunk, or rather make them believe that I was drunk. The jug passed often, and by nine, P. M., I appeared to be, what the most of them were very drunk. I soon fell over on the ground and went to sleep. Soon all spread their blankets and laid down. I heard one of them remark, “that it was not worth while to watch me as I was too drunk to get away. About midnight I found them all sound asleep, and left them to enjoy their rest, while I took a walk for my health in the woods. How they swore the next morning, I cannot tell, as I was not there to hear. I was now eighty miles from the nearest place where the stars and stripes waved, in a country where the people boasted of killing their neighbors for saying that a free State was better then a slave State. I went to a house, where there was no one home but a woman and children, and got some old clothes and disguised myself as a secesh, and started for the road to Warsaw. I met several parties going to Price’s army. I always hailed them first and asked them were they were going. Talked knowingly of the army. Told them the federals were trying to catch us, and soon passed on without being suspected. Where I staid nights, we discussed the course of the war and the chances of success. We always felt confident that if the federals would let our niggers alone, and not confiscate our property, that we could whip them easy. But we generally came to the conclusion that they would steal our niggers so that we should not be able to raise any crops next summer, and that we would be forced to leave the State.
I arrived at Smithton on the Pacific Tail Road, on the 23d of Dec., from whence I made my way home by the way of St. Louis.
W. R. Allen.
 
This article was published in the “Ashtabula Sentinel”
Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio 8 Jan 1862
Page 5 Column 4 & 5
The newspaper is on microfilm at the Ashtabula Public Library.
This is part of a series on the Civil War in Ashtabula County as was reported in the Ashtabula Sentinel.
From The 14th Battery O. V. A.
Camp Dennison, Jan 1st, 1862.
Editor Of The Sentinel.
We greet you a Happy New Year! and although our longing eyes and fond imaginations are turned especially to-day, towards absent friends and homes, yet even here we are enjoying a very pleasant New Year.
The dreary monotony of Camp Life has been, to-day, completely broken up, and it seems more like a time of rejoicing, than a day spent on the :”tentad field.” Our boys had the pleasure this afternoon, of presenting our beloved Captain, J. B. Burrows, with a new and elegant sabre, purchased by subscription from the enlisted men in the battery; and as the scheme had been but two days in maturing. “Cap” was completely taken down, not having had even an intimation of the affair. Orders were given last evening for the company to prepare for inspection to day at ten o’clock. At the appointed time we were paraded and a hollow square formed in front of the barracks. A committee of six—one from each detachment all privates, were selected, and Walter B. King, from this committee, was chosen to make the presentation remarks. All being ready, the bugle sounded, and Captain, with Lieutenants Spear and Burrows entered the building from the back side and passed through inspecting quarters. The front door reached, Mr. King stepped forward, and with the following remarks made the presentation:
Captain Burrows:
The members of the 14th Battery through a committee of privates representing the different detachments have charged me with the pleasant duty of presenting you this substantial token of their esteem for you as an Officer—their love for you as a man.
From the time that “the sword of the Lord and of Gideon” routed the heathen nations of antiquity, to the present day, the sword has been the chosen emblem of war in every age and clime. To its dread power every nation has appealed that has ever attained real greatness.
It was fabled in the myths of Greece, that whosoever untied the gordian knot should attain the mastery of the word. For years it baffled the wisdom and talent of mankind but was practically solved by Alexander the Great, who served the knot with his sword—became the conqueror of world, and gave his name to immortality.
Slavery is our gordian knot, whose complexity legislation and diplomacy having vainly striven, the way is now open to sever it with the sword—placing our own loved hand at the head of a world greater and more glorious than ever filled even the vision of Alexander.
The present struggle in which freedom is to be secured is a fitting complement of that Revolutionary struggle in which freedom was won. Lexington and Bunker Hill have a counterpart in Big Bethel and Bull Run, Which are but preludes to a second Saratoga and Yorktown. In those glorious struggles and triumphs we hope to bear with you on honorable and important part. May the sword we present you this day, like the white plume of Navarre, of the sword of Murat, ever be found at the head of the column, the same token of success.
Rest assured that the brave men under your command will ever be proud to press on wherever this sword may point the way, on the gory field were glory and freedom are won, and victory achieved; and that Heaven may return you unharmed from the strife, to friends and home, will be our earnest prayer of God.
Captain Burrows received the sabre, and in his usual touching and familiar manner replied:
I see I am doomed to be a martyr. You are determined to put me under obligations which I can never express. You may choke my utterance, and fill my eyes with tears, but words can never express my gratitude to you, my brave and noble fellow soldiers, for your unbounded kindness to me, and your generosity in presenting this beautiful saber. Thus you see I am a martyr, and so no language can tell my indebtedness to you for contributing from your hard-earned money, fro the purchase of this valuable and substantial gift, if you will accept my heartfelt thanks, it is all I ask. Should I fail to do my duty to my country or hesitate to draw this blade to point the way to victory, it seems to me it would unsheathe itself. Representing, as it dose to me, the brave hearts of noble boys; should I fail to act the part of a hero, while one spark of heroism remains, the sight of this sword, and the thought of you, the givers, would kindle that spark to a flame. Never having been present at a sword presentation, I am totally ignorant to all formula for this occasion and not being prepared with a speech I will simply say, that if ever in a scene like this, there was a thankful heart, that heart is mine.”
This of course ended the “inspection” and the company was dismissed. All rushed for the platform, eager no doubt, to see how the Captain and sword compared, and the bright eyes and merry jokes of the boys, plainly in hcate: that the title expanded, was more than doubly paid, and more than appreciated by our noble Captain. And in behalf of the 14th Battery permit me to say—may the time soon come when on the field of strife we may do a noble act, die or be victors in defending our leader, his sword our Banner and our Nation.
Your Old Friend Lenox.
This article was published in the “Ashtabula Sentinel”
Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio 8 Jan 1862
Page 5 Column 3 & 4
The newspaper is on microfilm at the Ashtabula Public Library.
This is part of a series on the Civil War in Ashtabula County as was reported in the Ashtabula Sentinel.
From Co. B. 23d Reg.
Fayetteville, Dec., 20th, 1861
To The Editor Of The Sentinel.
I arrived in camp Oct. 9th. I found the 23d regiment in tolerably good health and spirits, with a few exceptions. I had a very pleasant trip, especially along the Kasawha, which is embordered with some of the most beautiful scenery I ever saw. Its lofty hills and cragged mountains give it a wild and romantic appearance, which I very much admire.
I have nothing to do yet but to answer at roll call, stand guard occasionally, and go on dress parade.
Floyd and his army was within cannon shot two or three weeks, and one week they were firing back and forth every day. I could hear the deep booming of the cannon; but could learn nothing more. Rosecrans sent Benham round Floyd’s army to cut off his retreat; but he proved false and let him escape.
We are now at Fayetteville. The citizens left on our approach, and we moved into their houses which make us very comfortable quarters. A great many rails have been burned for fire wood, buildings torn to pieces for kindling, beef cattle, hogs, sheep, poultry, grain and vegetables of all kinds taken by the armies on both sides, leaving the citizens destitute of anything to live on. Many have left their homes, perhaps forever. This is the commencement of the horrors of war; yet cruel as it may seem, it is just, for they brought it upon themselves.
There are rumors that we will soon be attacked by the rebels; but I think not; they are too cowardly to attempt it.
The weather is very pleasant, with frosty mornings; the roads have been muddy but are getting dry and nice. We have had one snow storm. It fell about two inches deep, but it soon left. I have been sick four weeks so as to be unfit for duty; but am now getting better. Yet I cannot help thinking of friends at home—friends—no: they can’t be friends either; for they have not written one word to me since I have been in the army; nothing could be more pleasing to me in my present circumstances, than to hear from distant friends, old or young; so if you respect a true friend, write to me and I shall be pleased to answer.
B. J. Kilbourn.
This article was published in the “Ashtabula Sentinel”
Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio 1 Jan 1862
Page 5 Column 2
The newspaper is on microfilm at the Ashtabula Public Library.
This is part of a series on the Civil War in Ashtabula County as was reported in the Ashtabula Sentinel.
From John Brown’s Company.
Camp Pardee, Cass, Mo.
December, 20th, 1861
To The Editor Of The Sentinel.
By request I write you a note of our progress in the land of sccesion.
We left Camp Herrick, Monday morning, and traveled most of the day, though the country claimed and held by the Delaware Indians, and camped about sunset near Wyandott City, out command consisting of Jennison’s Regiment (1st Kansas Cavalry) three companies of our Infantry and three pieces of Artillery.
Yesterday morning, Dec. 19th, four companies of the Cavalry were sent to Independence in the charge of Lieutenant-Colonel Anthony, and the remainder of the command, Under Capt. Merriman, was sent to West Point on the border, about seventy miles south of Kansas City. The southern command to which we are connected, passed through Kansas City and West Point, and took up quarters with an old secessionist, where we could find plenty of forage for our horses and teams, and other convenient camp accommodations. To-day we have traveled most of the way on the line road between Kansas and Missouri, over as fine a prairie country as I ever saw, crossing now and then a ravine, seeing frequently a deserted farm, for most of the inhabitants were secessionists, and left for protection with Price. Most of the people left here, are true Union, and no mistake; so the “Jay Hawks” (as we are called,) had but little to do but travel. Singular to say, now and then a horse or a mule would follow the train, however much we might do to the contrary; and chickens and turkeys and many other items of a similar kind had the same failing that prevailed among the horses and mules.
Since I began this note the picket guard came to camp and gave the alarm that the enemy were upon us. Our horses were saddled and we marched out to met them. In five minutes after the alarm was given, the entire command had their horses ready and in line of battle, ready to welcome them with such as we think they deserve. But the false alarm was done by the pickets not going the road they were told and the other pickets though they were enemies and reported them; yet nothing serious happened.
John Brown’s company, to which I am attached, belongs to Jennison’s regiment. They are mounted and armed with rifles, sabre and navy revolvers, and feel that they are able to stand against any secession force of not more than three to one they can bring.
We have had one chance to try our pluck, under Lieut. Bostwick. We met them, and our force was only twenty-six, and they had nearly two hundred, and we came off, after getting the better of the field, with the loss of three horses, and Lieut. Bostwick and one guide slightly wounded. All are still more anxious to meet the enemy.
We live well, for the necessaries that Uncle Sam fails to provide, the rebels so far have been sure to furnish us.
We hear from reliable sources, that the enemy are about forty miles from here, some four thousand strong, and we are going there to try their strength. The boys are sanguine that the old flag will ever wave over the ground where they go; for extermination to the rebels is our motto. Col. Jennison is the man for the times. He says we cannot serve God and Mammon, and he fights to whip, and nothing else, and can do that most effectively by striking directly at the cause and not at the effect.
The weather is fine; not very uncomfortable camping out. Last night I did not put up my tent, but took my blankets and lay down by the fire. To-day has been so warm that most of the command rode without their overcoats, and the dust flew considerable through the middle of the day.
The boys are all well except a few cases of measles. There is more sickness in the Western camps from measles then all other causes.
The boys all wish to be remembered to their friends in Ohio.
Yours very respectfully, B. H. B.
This article was published in the “Ashtabula Sentinel”
Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio 1 Jan 1862
Page 5 Column 1 & 2
The newspaper is on microfilm at the Ashtabula Public Library.
This is part of a series on the Civil War in Ashtabula County as was reported in the Ashtabula Sentinel.
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