ASHTABULA COUNTY OHIO - CIVIL WAR: "Squirrel Hunters" of 1862 *************************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. *************************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by DiCoxDD DiCoxDD@aol.com February 21, 1999 ************************************************************************ From: The Kingsville Tribune, October 1, 1895 Ed. Tribune: Dear Sir and Comrade. - One evening thirty-three years ago this month the news was flashed over the wires that Ohio had been invaded by the rebels. At seven o'clock the next morning, 63 of our citizens started for the front. I shall not soon forget the patriotic devotion of the ladies of Kingsville who sat up all night, scraping lint, making bandages and preparing lunch for us, nor my wild ride on horse back to notify the people of North Sheffield. Capt. A. P. Steele has kindly furnished me with a copy of the roll which I send you thinking it may interest many of your readers. Fraternally Yours, B. C. Wakefield Chicago, Sept. 20, 1895 Chicago, Sept. 2, 1895 447 West Madison Street B. C. Wakefield: Dear Sir and Comrade.-Permit me, in accordance with a recent request, to hand you a transcript of the roll of the Company of "Squirrel Hunters" who went from Kingsville and Sheffield to Cincinnati in the autumn of 1862 to assist in the defense of Southern Ohio against what is now known in history as Kirby Smith's Raid. The original roll was compiled from the service list, or field notes of First Sergeant, Geo. W. Thompson, immediately after our return from service, and while facts and names were fresh and familiar. The discharges and certificates voted by the Legislature were distributed according to the diction of this document, and as I never heard any complaint, I consider it correct. The roll records 63 names, while the "provision returns" for part of the period were for 66 rations, but as the officers (?) were entitled to an extra ration each, (and I presume we drew all that was due us,) the discrepancy is accounted for. Concerning the services rendered by the "Minute Men" of Ohio in 1862, I can only say that while they were a "motley crew," they represented that willing, patriotic, "soul of the North" which later on seized and held the master-key to our National unity; the great and decisive battles of the war were yet to come; the faith of the people was none too firmly grounded, and the old world looked on in doubt; "history" had not been made. Several of those whose names are borne upon this roll entered the army and became veterans at the end of the war. Many no doubt have passed the "final muster," (I think of two, Dunks and Coleman,) while others have lived to realize the blessings secured by that great sacrifice, "The American Civil War." With kindly remembrance, I have the honor to be, Yours Truly, Alden P. Steele, Late Capt. U.S. Vols. " " O.N.G NOTE.-I do not remember just how long we were out,-think about ten days. Have lost my diary of '62. A.P.S. Roll of a Company of Ohio Militia, commonly called "Squirrel Hunters," which went from Kingsville, Ohio, to Cincinnati, Ohio on the 11th day of September, 1862, in response to the call of Governor David Todd. It was stationed at the Gravel Pit, on the O.& M. R.R., 22 miles down the Ohio River from Cincinnati, and was assigned to duty as Artilery, with one 6 pounder bronze gun and equipments. Capt. - Alden P. Steele, Kingsville, O. Grover, Hiram Kingsville, O. 1st Lieut. - Hiram B. Farley, Jefferson, O. Howard, Andrew " 2nd Lieut. - Ira Blodgett, N. Sheffield, O. Hatch, John R. " 1st Sergt.-Geo. W. Thompson, Kingsville, O. Hess, Conrad N. Sheffield, O. 2nd " - Dwight Hodge, Buffalo, N. Y. Hine, Francis M. " 3rd " - Geo. W. Peebles, N. Sheffield, O. Hawkins, Albert H. " 4th " - Julus E. Colburn, N. Sheffield, O. Hulbert, Geo. L. Kingsville, O. 5th " - Andrew W. Gage, Kingsville, O. Johnson, David E. E. Plymoth, O. Adams, Henry Kingsville, O. Jones, Joel Kingsville, O. Avery, Austin " Lowe, James L. " Ackerman, Soloman " Lyon, Geo. A. " Black, Harrison N. Sheffield, O. Murr, Freeman N. Sheffield, O. Bunnell, George E. " Merrills, S. C. Jr. W. Andover, O. Brown, G. H. Kingsville, O. Norton, Stephen O. N. Sheffield, O. Butt, Levi D. " Palmer, Horace Kingsville, O. Cleveland, H. D. N. Sheffield, O. Rathbone, Chas. D. " Coley, James H. " Rogers, Nelson J. " Cook, R. (not given) Rogers, Perry G. " Coleman, N. L. Lindenville, O. Richmond, David Y. " Colgrove, Benjamin Kingsville, O Shaw, Ashel N. Sheffield, O. Clark, Fred G, " Stevens, Hammon " Curtiss, Wm. " Straight, Benjamin " Clute, R. S. H. " Stanton, John Kingsville, O. Delno, Tenins ' Wiley, Edwin F. N. Sheffield, O. Dunks, Daniel D, ' Wakefield, Orrin, Jr. Kingsville, O. Delaney, Horace " Wakefield, Barnard C. " Eastman, Almon R. ' Whitney, William " Fox, Henry " Whiton, Wm. M. " Fellows, Chas. W. " Woodworth, J.P. " Green, C. Albert " Ward, Albert " Gordon, T. (not given) Williams, Erastus " ==== OH-FOOTSTEPS Mailing List ====