Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/353

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��HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

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��it was impossible to obtain supplies except through a regularly commissioned officer. " I want you to take that place," said the Senator, " and then we can go to work at once." Mr. Brinkerhoff at first declined on account of per- sonal and family reasons which seemed almost insuperable. His law partner. Judge Dirlam, and his brother-in-law, Robert Bentley, had both gone into the ai'm3% and their business in- terests in a measure devolved upon him, so that, taking all things together, he felt that he ought to be excused. Mr. Sherman, however, insisted, stating that he had arranged with Gov. Denni- son to issue commissions to such persons as he should designate as necessary to start the re- cruiting, and further asked Mr. Brinkerhoff to take time — till the next morning — to think over the matter. The next morning, on his way to church, Mr. Brinkerhoff' called at Mr. Sher- man's, and consented to act. His name was at once sent to the Governor, and a commission, bearing date September 28, 18G1, sent him as First Lieutenant of the Sixty -fourth Ohio Yol- unteers, the first regiment of infantry to be raised. A commission was also sent to Mr. Sherman as Colonel of the same regiment.

Without waiting for these commissions, Sen- ator Sherman and Mr. Brinkerhoff" established their headquarters in the latter gentleman's law office (then the office of Dirlam «^ Brink- erhoff"), over Miller's clothing store, and went to work. Soon after, Mr. William Blair Lord, of Washington City, a stenographer, and one of the official reporters of the House of Rep- resentatives, came to Mansfield and took charge of the correspondence, which quickly became very voluminous. He received a commission as First Lieutenant in the Sixty-fourth, and acted as x\djutant of the regiment whilst it remained at Mansfield. He was a valuable man, and an able and efficient writer, whose real services were never fully recognized b}' the Government.

One of the first things to do, was to send notices throughout the county notifying the

��people of the proposed brigade, and urging the young men to volunteer. The Herald of Octo- ber 5, contains the first notice* of the Sena- tor, and the plan he proposed to follow regard- ing the appointment of officers.

One of the first duties incumbent on Col. Sherman and Lieut. Brinkerhoff", was the selec- tion of a camp for the brigade. A site was chosen on the " John's farm," adjoining the city on the north, and the same rented from Mr. Z. S. Stocking, the representative of the John's estate. The camp was named " Camp Buck- ingham." The reader will remember Camp Bartley was so named by Col. Ford, though the name w^as not recognized by the State authori- ties.

The establishment of the camp necessitated a requisition for supplies. Both Col. Sherman and Lieut. Brinkerhoff" were novices in the art of filling out such applications. The}' went to work, however, with a will, following the instruc- tions to the letter, and soon produced a requi- sition ; if not exactly according to rule, it was one the Department could understand. It was sent to Washington, and had the desired eff"ect. Others followed it, until the men, as fast as they were recruited, were equipped.

Among the first appointees as Lieutenants were Isaac Gass and Capt. Alexander Mcll- vain. Isaac N. A^'res was also appointed in the same capacity. These three men were at once put in the field at active recruiting service.

��*The following is the notice in the Herald: "To the YotiNG Men of Ohio: I am authorized by the Governor of Ohio to raise at once two regiments of infai try, one fqnadron of cavalry, and one battery of artillery. I am also anthorized to recommend one Lieutenant for each company, who shall receive his commission and be furnished with proper facilities for enlisting. 1 am now ready to receive applications for such appointment^, accompanied with evidences of good habits and character, the age of applicant, and his Illness and ability to recruit a company. Maj. William Mc- Liughlin will command the cavalry. The company officers will be designated by the soldiers of each company, subject to the approval of the Governor. The field officers are not yet designated, but will be men of experience, and, if possible, men of military educa- tion. The soldiers shall have, without diminution, all they are entitled to by law. Danger is imminent. Promptness is indis- pensable. Let the people of Ohio now repay the debt which their fathers incurred to the gallant people of Kentucky for the defense of Ohio against the Indians and British. They now appeal to us for help against an invasion more unjustifiable and barbarous. Let- ters can be addressed to me, marked ' Free,' at Blansfield, Ohio,

"John Sherman."

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