History of the 90th Ohio Volunteer Infantry

In the War of the Great Rebellion in the United States, 1861 to 1865

Henry O. Harden, Scott Cameron

• Publisher: The Kent State University Press / Black Squirrel Books
• Year: 2014
• ISBN:
  9781631010002
• Topic: Storia
• Subtopic: Storia della guerra civile americana

The story of an Ohio regiment in the Civil War

Originally published in 1902 by Henry O. Harden's newspaper publishing company, History of the 90th Ohio Volunteer Infantry tells its story through the soldiers' personal letters, diary entries, and memoirs. Formed in response to Confederate maneuvers in Kentucky in 1862, this regiment was comprised of men from Fairfield, Fayette, Hocking, Perry, Pickaway, and Vinton counties. They served in the Civil War from 1862 to 1865 and spent much of their time in Tennessee bravely participating in such battles as Stones River, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Franklin, and Nashville.

History of the 90th Ohio Volunteer Infantry contains the memories and voices of the men who served in this unit. Asked to reflect on their experiences nearly 40 years after their service, these men recalled the miles they marched, the friends they made and lost, the hardships they suffered, the fear they felt, and the jokes they enjoyed. Harden covers the entire life of this regiment, from the formation and early days to the fate of every member at the close of the war. With its primary-source descriptions of battles, miscellaneous stories and poetry, and listing of every member and his fate, this book will be welcomed by those interested in the Civil War and the role Ohio played in it.

REGIMENTAL HISTORY.

The 90th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was made up of 10 companies: Companies A and F, in Pickaway county; Company B, in Vinton county; Companies C and K, in Fayette county; Companies D and I, in Fairfield county; Companies E and G, in Hocking county; Company H, in Perry county.

August 29, 1862, the regiment was mustered into the United States service, by Capt. Frank P. Muhlenberg (who is still living at Galesburg, Mich.), at Camp Circleville, Ohio. Its aggregate strength was 38 commissioned officers and 943 enlisted men, a total of 981 men and officers; 126 recruits were afterward assigned to the regiment, making a grand total of 1,107 men and officers. Of this number 236 were killed in battle, died of wounds and disease, while in the service. There were 468 men discharged from the service by reason of wounds and disease. There were mustered out June 13, 1865, 363 men who enlisted first, and with the 40 recruits mustered out at Victoria, Texas, the total mustered out was 403 out of 1,107, a loss of 64 per cent. About half of the men composing the regiment were 22 years of age; 16 per cent. 18 years and under. This is the age, on an average.

There are now (Jan. 1, 1902), living, as near as can be ascertained, 408. The longevity of so many is attributed to the fact that they were the flower of the land physically, and that since the war have lived temperate and moral lives, the most of the living members being good Christian men, with several ministers among the number. The youngest of the men are now nearly 60 years old, while the oldest members are near 75, and the oldest one, we think, is Jacob Ulm, of Company F, who is nearly 80, having enlisted at the age of 44. He attended our reunion last fall at Stoutsville, Ohio, and is still living at Circleville, Ohio.

There is some misunderstanding as to the date when the regiment was mustered. The companies were mustered prior to the mustering of the regiment, and on different dates, but the regiment, as a regiment, was mustered Friday, August 29, 1862.

Thirty-nine years — nearly forty — have elapsed since we assembled by companies at Camp Circleville, on the Evans farm, on the pike three miles southeast of Circleville, O., where quarters had been erected, or were being erected. Here all was hurry and excitement. Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, wives and sweethearts came to bid adieu to their loved ones, and, in many cases, here it was that they saw each other for the last time on earth. Can we, who are still living, ever forget those memorable scenes? They are printed on our memories with blood and tears, of hardships, privations and sorrow, and when we meet in our annual reunions is it any wonder that we display a more than ordinary friendship for each other? And what led to these sacrifices? Was it money? No. There were none but could have made from three to ten times the pay of a soldier at home. Then you ask, again, was it the love of war, strife and bloodshed? No. We were quiet, country lads, most of us, many of whom had never been fifty miles from home. It was the love of country which had been instilled in us, and we knew but one flag, one government and one people—no North, no South, no East, no West. It was patriotism, pure and undefiled.

On the 29th day of August, 1862, after the regiment had been mustered, or on the evening of that day, the regiment was formed in line and marched three miles to the railroad depot at Circleville. What a long march it seemed, with our overcoats, extra clothing, guns and accoutrements. We boarded the cars about 9 o’clock p. m., our destination being the front. As we reached Washington C. H. bonfires were burning; the people, especially the ladies, loaded us with pies, cakes and other good things to eat. The train pulled out and we were again on our way to the front, arriving at Cincinnati on the morning of August 30, and disembarked. Many were strung along on Front street, on cellar doors, some sleeping, some already homesick, some having fun, until later, when we were ferried across the Ohio river to Covington, Ky., where it reported to Maj. Gen. Wright. Breakfast was served the regiment here. At 10 o’clock a. m. the regiment took up the march for the K. C. depot, and on its way passed the home of Jesse R. Grant, father of Gen. U. S. Grant, stopped and gave three cheers for the old gentleman, then resumed the march to the depot. Here we boarded the cars, box cars at that, with orders to report to Gen. Nelson at Lexington, Ky. It was the intention to send us to Gen. Nelson as a reinforcement, but the battle of Richmond, Ky., had been fought and lost; Gen. Nelson wounded. We went no farther than Lexington, where Col. Ross reported to Gen. Wright, who had assumed command. He ordered Maj. S. N. Yeoman to take four companies and picket all approaches to the city of Lexington. This duty was faithfully performed until 3 o’clock p. m. of September I, when the rumor of the advance of the rebel army from Richmond, Ky., under Gen. Kirby Smith became so strong that orders were issued to burn the army stores and prepare to move at once. By 7 o’clock p. m. the regiment was in line on the Versailles pike, detailed as guard for the wagon train, four companies in the rear under Maj. Yeoman, and six companies in advance under Cols. Ross and Rippey. When we started most of the men thought we were going out to have a fight, and were in high spirits. As we marched out to the pike, it being warm, the men cast their new government overcoats in a pile alongside of a hedge fence, intending to get them when they came back, but if any of them have been back since we have not heard of it.

At 4 o’clock next morning the army reached Versailles, a distance of 12 miles, and was in full retreat. On the evening of September 2 we arrived at Frankfort, the capital of Kentucky, crossed and guarded the bridge across the Kentucky river. Here we had plenty of river water.

September 3 we were again on the march, as also on the 4th. On the 5th we reached a camp in a grove, about four miles from Louisville, having marched 100 miles in 86 hours, with less than 16 hours’ sleep. The men suffered terribly on this march from thirst and stifling dust. The fatigue was truly agonizing. This suffering was intensely aggravated by guarding wells and cisterns on the pike, which compelled the men to drink from stagnant pools. The army consisted mostly of raw troops, consequently they were unused to such hardships, and many sank beneath the terrible strain. At Shelbyville, a beautiful town, the thirst of the men was alleviated by the clear, cold spring water, kindly issued to each man by the citizens, as the column passed by. This march so completely broke down many of the men that they were never able for duty again. Drinking the filthy water gave them disease from which they never recovered. A stream of water ran by this camp, and its banks were soon lined with men washing and bathing their feet. Some, when they pulled off their socks, pulled their toe nails with them. Here we received our camp equipage, such as tents, cooking utensils, etc.

The regiment was assigned to Gen. Charles Cruft’s brigade, Gen. Woodruff’s division. It was afterwards Gen. Cruft’s brigade; 5th division, Gen. W. S. Smith; 21st army corps, Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden.

Here we first met the 31st Ohio, and visited many old acquaintances.

Just at this time Gen. Bragg with his army had moved north from Chattanooga, Tenn., followed by Gen. D. C. Buell, on a parallel line, but Buell reached Louisville first, and began to fortify. At one time matters looked so badly that the citizens were ordered across the river.

From this camp we were taken on a grand review through the narrow, hot streets of Louisville, at a double quick pace. A hotter set of men was never seen. Hot at the general who ordered it, and hot from the sun’s rays in the narrow streets. Many dropped unconscious; the cellar doors formed couches for the exhausted. This uncalled for march was more disastrous to the men than a hard-fought battle would have been, and it was done for the purpose of giving a general a chance to show off. Who was directly responsible for it we never knew.

From a photo taken about 1885.

COL. S. N. YEOMAN.

Col. Yeoman went out as Major, and remained with the Regiment until the close of the war.

FORT WAYNE, IND., March 12, 1894.

While we were camping near Louisville, Ky., from Sept. 5 to the 20, we all surely remember the great review that took place under Gen. Nelson.

We camped four miles from the city. The first lieutenant of Company C, Comrade Black the name, but he was red-headed by nature, and red-hot when we got back from the review.

Well, it is vivid to my memory, and always will be, the ordeal we passed through on that march, that hot afternoon, from four to eight-story buildings on each side of the street, with knapsacks, canteens and accoutrements weighing 60 pounds, with arms at shoulder for about one-half mile and double quick time.

The end came at last. When we got near the river the command “halt” was given. The 90th sprawled out in all forms. Every one of us was too weary, and some completely exhausted, to stand. The most of us lay on our backs, using our knapsacks for pillows. In that attitude we remained for nearly one hour, the quietest repose I ever had in this life, because I was never so tired before nor since, nor never will be, I sincrely trust.

I came to the conclusion then that those who survived that “Nelson Review” could endure all hardships in the future, let the war last five years—four miles to the city, four miles of parade in the city and four miles to camp after the great display of human endurance. No wonder Lieut. Black uttered those thrilling words that I’ll never forget. When we reached the spot we left some five hours before the good lieutenant was completely used up. We all felt like fighting Gen. Nelson just then. Comrade Black’s words are in my diary, taken down the same evening. They are: “God forbid that I shall ever have to go through hell again. Capt. Caddy, I know you are my friend, and you don’t blame me what I say in regard to Gen. Nelson, but let come what will, I’ll receive it cheerfully, let it be fighting battles with the enemy, or marching day after day on half rations, or death in prison pen or hospital or on the battlefield, but by the Eternal I’ll never review again for Nelson, or the devil or any of his kin.

(Nelson was shot shortly afterward by Gen. Jeff. C. Davis.—Ed.)

The good lieutenant was freckle-faced, but when we got to camp that evening he took his sword, stuck it in the ground and then declared those thrilling words, mentioned already in my letter.

Well, we could not see a freckle on his face. He was red-hot all over, externally and internally. Wm. Beecher, of Company D (now dead), told us an anecdote on Comrade Mumaugh.

On Sept. 20, 1862, we moved out in the suburbs of the city, and began to fortify, and the next day Mumaugh began to crave for more to eat. He was always hungry, day and night. Beecher took Mumaugh to a bakery to appease his tremendous appetite, and purchased seven loaves of bread for him. Beecher declared that Mumaugh ate six loaves, and the seve11th to the bulge.

S. D. SOLIDAY,

Company D.

We lay in and around Louisville, Ky., until September 29, drilling, digging rifle pits, doing picket duty, etc., when we moved down the river about three miles and put up our tents in a potato patch. The same day Gen. Nelson was shot by Gen. Jeff. C. Davis in the Galt House, for an alleged insult by the former.

September 30 many of the boys went to the river and washed up, came back and went out on picket duty three miles out. Here we smoked our pipes— we were just learning—and some got quite sick.

Gen. Bragg had abandoned the idea of capturing the city and moved off south.

October 1st.— We started in pursuit of Bragg, and marched about five miles out on the Bardstown pike, where we camped for the night. Our supper consisted of hard-tack and muddy water, nevertheless we slept soundly.

2nd.— The men were aroused at daylight, made some coffee, drank it, and marched 12 miles toward Bardstown. It rained very hard. The rebels had torn up the bridge and we had to wade the stream. We then lay down and slept in the rain until morning.

3rd.— Marched eight miles in pursuit of Bragg. Were drawn up in line of battle. There was heavy cannonading in front of us. Passed through Mt. Washington.

4th.—Moved seven miles and camped for the night in a rebel camp. Here some of the boys captured some hogs and some honey, and had quite a feast. Water is very scarce.

5th.—Passed through Bardstown and went on picket two miles east of the town. Before we got to this town we stopped and got over into a graveyard where we saw the graves of several of our soldiers.

6th.—The regiment again on the march after Bragg. We marched east from Bardstown, across Rating creek, over the worst roads we ever saw, where we camped near Springfield, having marched 15 miles. Provisions are very scarce.

7th.—Started from camp near Springfield, passed through the town, marched through a very rough country, across the Danville, Ky., pike, through below Lebanon, and camped 21 miles from Danville. Had some skirmishing today. Provisions still very scarce. Our camp was on Rolling Fork.

8th.—This morning we started from our camp on Rolling Fork, marched seven miles toward Danville, and camped two miles from the battlefield of Pe...