In preparing this sketch of the 149th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, the author has depended upon the memory of events that made a lasting impression upon a young mind. He does not claim to have written a full history of this service, that is stored in the memories and experiences of the different members of the Regiment. He does claim, however, that the main facts and movements of the Regiment and the other bodies of troops associated with it in the field, are accurate. The writer was fortu

This book is dedicated to the memory of our beloved Colonel Allison L. Brown. A brave soldier, a Christian gentleman, and a good friend of every member of his Regiment. He died as he had lived, in the good esteem of the community, and the love of his comrades. Col. Allison L. Brown (from a war time photograph) Enlisted as a private in Co. C 73d O. V. I., promoted to Sergeant; resigned for promotion; recruited a company for the 89th O. V. I.; commissioned Captain of Co. D 89th O. V. I.; resigned

The winter of 1863–4 on the banks of the Rapidan was passed in preparation by both Grant and Lee’s armies for that wrestle of giants that was to begin in May in the wilderness and end at Appomattox in the following April. In the southwest Sherman had won Missionary Ridge and Chicamauga and was getting ready for his Atlanta campaign, and a great force was doing garrison duty at various points. General Grant told the President that if he could have thirty thousand new men to relieve the veterans,

While resting in the camp on this mountain slope, from which the corn fields stretched away for miles, the army cattle were driven up, the fence bars were let down and the cattle turned in to a large field, beautiful in its waving green product. In one hour’s time that field looked like new ploughed ground, not a green blade was left. The army advanced to the Gap, and in crossing the ford the enemy opened fire upon them, and a brisk engagement followed. From our position we could hear the cannon

The army had halted at noon for a little rest and dinner. Four of us, comrades, went into the woods in search of berries. Pushing along through the pines we came to a deep valley in which was a little clearing and a small log cabin. A tiny brook flowed down the vale, and the dark pine woods shut in a scene of beauty. It was the home of a negro family, who were all out in front, listening to the banjo played by one of our colored teamsters. He was a fat, oily, good natured fellow, black as ink. S

While marching one hot, dusty day, a little negro boy, about ten years of age, came out from a farm house and walked along with us, on his road to freedom. After marching awhile he became very thirsty and appealed from one soldier to another for a drink of water. He was refused by several but his thirst increased and he became desperate. Rolling his eyes in agony, with the tears streaming down his cheeks, he exclaimed, “Please sir! for the love of God, Massa, give dis heah poor nigga a drink of

Sutlers, driving out from Baltimore, followed in the wake of the paymasters, striking the camps when the boys had money, would sell their wares at very high prices. A sutler drove up to the camp and had a lively trade all day. He was finally ordered to move on by our officers and toward dusk drove off. He was followed in the dark by a squad from the Sixth Corps and three boys of Company A. His outfit was new, with a fine team of horses. He drove along unconscious of danger. As he began to pull u

It was nine o’clock at night on a beautiful summer night. The moon shone brightly through the dark pines on the mountains, and glistened across the guns of the great army that marched down the turnpike into old Charlestown. The men were weary and foot sore from their long marches and were swinging along carelessly. Suddenly someone started singing “John Brown’s body lies a moldering in the tomb.” Companies, Regiments and Corps took up the refrain, tired bodies straightened up, and took step to t

I was taken prisoner at Berryville, Va., on August 13th, 1864, at 4 A. M., together with James Ghormley, Edward Armstrong, Eldridge Whipple and George Fix, with one man by the name of Sayre of Co. P. These are all that I can recall now. We were cooking coffee by the roadside when all at once we heard the report of a cannon and the shell burst just over our heads and came down through the branches of the trees we were under. At that moment four hundred of Mosby’s mounted guerrillas came down on u

Comrade McCommon in his wonderful record states that he does not know the dates on which his comrades died. The records show that James Ghormley died December 24th, 1864, so counting back, Armstrong must have died about December 17th. Our boys are sleeping in unknown graves, but the government for which they died is not unmindful of them. Among the most noteworthy mementoes of the war is the memorial obelisk erected at Salisbury, N. C. to mark the burial place of the Union soldiers who perished

As promised will write a few thoughts for your book, but as I will have to depend entirely upon memory, it may be imperfect. As a regiment, we have reason to be proud of our record, for there were regiments of one, two and even three years that did less real service than did the 149th O. V. I. one hundred day men. Our day’s work on right of Wallace’s little army on the 9th of July, ’64, at Monocacy, guarding the right flank of the army at Stone Bridge on Baltimore pike, resulted in more good tha

In that portion of the Civil War history pertaining to the events in and around the city of Washington D. C. which occurred during the month of July, 1864, it will be shown that the Capitol was besieged as it were, by a rebel force under the command of the Confederate General Early, and known as “Early’s raid on Washington.” A true account of the prominent part taken by the 149th Regiment O. V. I. in the defence of the Capitol will be found in the foregoing pages of this book, written by a comra

I was captured July 9th, 1864 at the battle of Monocacy, after fighting from early morn until 4:30 P. M., when, being hard pressed and nearly surrounded by the enemy, we received orders for every man to save himself. This order scattered our organization, and we broke for the rear. The rebels were fast closing in on us, leaving only one road open for our retreat. I took that route to escape, and went through all right, but many of the boys were captured before getting through. I followed the mai

While we were in camp at Chain Bridge we occupied the crest of a hill or ridge that sloped gradually to the south, making an ideal camping ground for the army. As night drew on camp fires were kindled and twinkled by thousands over the slope while the soldiers prepared their supper. Stories of their adventures and songs served to pass the evening. When the time came for “lights out,” a drum corps on the right began playing “The girl I left behind me.” A brass band in the centre struck up “Home S

Once on our march toward Snickers Gap I saw a squad of soldiers taking a cow from a farm lot, they had tied a rope around her horns two were tugging at the rope, and others were pushing. The woman of the house and her children were crying and begging them to let her alone. The argument was still on as we marched along. On this same march we passed a field where a fight had taken place a day or two before. The dead had been buried and the wounded removed, but the field was full of dead horses. Th

Harper’s Ferry was the gateway to the south. It was captured and retaken many times during the war by both Union and Confederate armies. Situated at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, with Loudon and Maryland Heights surrounding it, it was a natural fortress. The town was the target for both sides, and many of its homes carried the marks of shot and shell. The United States Arsenal which was burned early in the war, stood with roofless walls and tottering chimneys a silent monu

A chain of forts encircled Baltimore, Maryland, from Fort No. 1 on Baltimore street to Fort No. 12 in Druid Hill Park. Details were made from the men at our fort for guard duty at these outposts. One guard at each fort to remain all day, his duty being to keep a strict watch. One day, (I being on duty at Fort 11), a squad of twelve cavalrymen came on a full gallop down the road past the fort. Just as they came opposite to where I was standing guard, the officer in command shouted, “There they ar

The hundred days service was hard, but it had a humorous side. Many were the pranks played by the boys. Many pleasant hours we spent together, and our experiences are told and laughed over today. At Fort No. 1 we had our own string band, and every evening we had dancing or singing led by Captain Peabody or Lieutenant McKee, some played cards, others went down into the city taking in the markets, theatres, etc. At one time down town a gentleman asked some of us, “Boys, what regiment do you belong

George Perkins Adjutant A. L. Brown Post No. 162 Grand Army of the Republic. Past Commander A. L. Brown Post No. 162 Grand Army of the Republic. Past Chief Mustering Officer, Department of Ohio, G. A. R....

This regiment was organized at Camp Dennison, O., from the 8th to the 11th of May, 1864, to serve one hundred days. It was composed of the Twenty-seventh Regiment, Ohio National Guard, from Ross county, and the Fifty-fifth Battalion, Ohio National Guard, from Clinton county. On the 11th of May the regiment left the state of Baltimore, Md. Upon arrival it was assigned to duty at various forts in and around the city, and remained there until the 29th of May, when it was ordered to the eastern shor