Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/331

 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

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��The President's proclamation was made the next day after Fort Sumter had surrendered, and the paper obtained by Gen. Brinkerhoff Mouda}' morning contained that in addition to the full account of the surrender. The Grov- ernor"s proclamation was issued the next day — Monda}', April 15 — calling for the organization of companies, and requiring them to notify him. Thirteen regiments were called for im- mediate service. The next day — Tuesday — Gen. McLaughlin telegraphed to the Govern- ment, tendering a company of 100 men, when he, in fact, had not yet enlisted a man. The Governor replied in the affirmative. That evening, he opened his muster-roll in the court house, and, in one hour and a half, sixtj -three men were enrolled.* " The scene," says the Herald, " as each man came forward, was in- tensely exciting. The entire number could easily have been filled that night, had not Gen. McLaughlin declared his intention to wait until morning to enlist the balance."

The next morning, those who had enlisted the night before met at Miller's Hall. Others had joined. The roll was now seventy-eight, three more than the required number. A meet- ing of the citizens was also announced to meet at the same place. When they had assembled, Mr. H. Colby was called to the chair, who stated the object of this meeting to be for the purpose of making suitable provision for the families of those who enlisted, and announced the names of nineteen prominent gentlemen as a committee to take this matter in charge. The committee appointed five of their number as those to whom application should be made for such aid.

After this was done, the company proceeded to elect their officers, and organize for active milit ary life. The election resulted fn the choice

first man was to enroll his name in this company. The facts in the case are these ; When the first call for volunteers was made by Gen. McLaughlin, Joseph Hedges, R. H. Bentley, H. Shelenbarger and T. E. Douglas went forward together. Their names appear as above mentioned. Hence it is probable they enrolled their names in the order given.
 * There has been a little friendlj' controversy regarding who the

��of Gen. McLaughlin, Captain ; _ Alexander Mc- Ilvaine, First Lieutenant ; Thomas E. Douglas, Second Lieutenant ; and S. E. McFarland, Third Lieutenant.* While the election progressed, and even after, more applications for enlistment were made and accepted. When this was done, the men were dismissed for dinner till 1 o'clock. After dinner they assembled, and, preceded by the brass band, marched to the public square, where a handsome silk flag was presented to them in an energetic and patriotic speech, by William Johnston. It was received by the Captain, on behalf of the company, and given to T. G. Bristor, Ensign of the company. That done, Mrs. C. li. Taft sang, with excellent effect, the " Star Spangled Banner." Each man was pi'esented with a copy of the New Testa- ment, b}^ Mr. H. Colby, on behalf of the Rich- land County Bible Society. They then marched back to the hall, where they were dismissed, to be on hand at 7 o'clock in the morning, read}' to embark for the seat of war. During the after- noon more enlistments followed, and, by night, over one hundred names were em-olled.

" During all this time," says the Herald, " the excitement on the street was most intense. Drums were beating in everj' direction, flags flying from the roofs and windows of houses, excited men walking to and fro — all presenting a scene of animation and bustle, reminding us of the dreadful scenes of the battle-field, and impressing upon all the realit}' of the scene. "

Early Thursdaj- morning, people were astir and thronging the streets. Volunteers could be seen on ever}' hand, bidding friends good-bje and preparing for a hasty departure. At half- past 7 o'clock, the compan}' formed into line, and marched to the depot with Gen. McLaugh- lin at its head. The " old war horse " marched with the tread of a soldier. As the compam' came opposite his residence, the}' were di'awn up in front of it, and the General parted from his famil}' with a military salute, and a hearty


 * This office was afterward abolished.

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