OHIO STATEWIDE FILES OH-FOOTSTEPS Mailing List Issue 296 *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest Volume 00 : Issue 296 Today's Topics: #1 Civil War letter and outline part ["Tammie and Keith" To: OH-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <01dc01c0316b$c23ccc80$1157f440@default> Subject: Civil War letter and outline part 1 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Ok with all the people who emailed me, I finally have it all typed up into seperate emails two pages at a time from the letter. Everything that is typed is how it was written as to not change anything. I hope you enjoy this letter and sketch as I did and still do. So here goes, Tammie ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ April 6th, 1923 Mrs. Marietta Pennell Townville, Pa. R. #1 My Dear Mrs. Pennell; Your welcome letter received. I was certainly sorry to hear that my old comrade, Corporal Barnett Pennell, your late husband, had been a sufferer so many years. He was fortunate in having such a faithful one to care for him, and I suppose there were others to help you. you said, "He is missed in our home." I take it he had a family. I do not wonder that he is missed. The members of the 15th Ohio Battery missed him, Cpl Pennell, after his being with us for three years. You asked me if I know anything about Comrade S. D. Sugert? I do not. You also asked me if I remember the battles in which the 15th Ohio Battery took part. Inclosed, find a list of same. Also, a short sketch of the 15th Ohio Battery, which may possibly be of some interest to you and yours. It is my first attempt. You may think that it looks like it, judging the many mistakes, poor writing, etc. I would write nearly a sheet, make some mistake, throw it away, and start another, with the same result. Kindly take the will for the deed. It will not take you as long to read it ast it took me to write it. In reading the sketch, you will go over some of the battles, etc. in which your life partner was an actor. He had three long years of battles, and marches, hunger and thirst, cold and heat, etc. You spoke of " the little bugler, " I did not enlist as a bugler. I was appointed bugler at Natchez, Miss., when the bugler was taken sick and died. I kept the bugle until March '64, at Vicksburg, when I went home on veteran furlough. Comrade Burke took the bugle. In Jan. '65, I again took the bugle, kept it until the close of the War of 1861-65. Took it home and kept it and of late years, ever since 1895, have used it, and hope to be able to use it for some time yet. Am still young. Will be 77 in June. On Armistitice Day, 1921, I marched too much with a load on me, BUT NOT IN ME. Heavy uniform and winter overcoat. Friday was the day. Saturday and Sunday I was o.k. Monday morning, as I started to get up, my left side failed me. I was confined to my room for nine days. Then used a cane, and for a year, did no entertaining. Had to cancel dates. I soon expect to make dates again. Speaking about a "load in me," I have never been in that condition. In 1864, I cut out drink, and have stuck to it. Cut out smoking in 1863. Never learned to chew. I feel the better for it. Up to 1864, I would drink a glass of beer once in a while, that's all. Hoping you and yours are well, etc. I remain Yours Truly, Paul Kamerer 112 W. 12th Street New York City, N.Y. ______________________________ ------------------------------ X-Message: #2 Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 16:09:11 -0500 From: "Tammie and Keith" To: OH-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <01ea01c0316c$04b9fa60$1157f440@default> Subject: Civil War letter/outline part 2 pages 1 and 2 and small of 3 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" (One note when you get to the name Pennell its pronounced Pen-ul per my grandfather also this is all typed as I read it) PERSONAL SKETCH OF THE CIVIL WAR 1 You asked me if I remembered the battles the 15th Ohio Battery took part in. Inclosed, you will find the list of the same. Also , the answer to your letter. Possibly a short sketch of the 15th Battery Light Artillery in which your life partner, Barnett Pennell, was a very active and honored member for three years might interest you. The 15th Ohio Battery was recruited in Northern Ohio and rendezvouz at Camp Dennison, Ohio. When mustered into the service, February 2nd, 1862 by Captain A.B. Dod, 15th U.S. Inf. Reg't. Feb. 16th, 1862, we were ordered south. Arrived at Cincinnati, Ohio. Embared for Paducah, Ky. where we went into camp. Men and horses were drilled. We learned a few things about soldier life. April 19, '62, we embarked to join Gen. Grant's army at Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. Were assigned to Gen. Hurlbert's 4th Div. Camped on the battlefield of Shiloh, fought May 6th and 7th, '62. We took part in the siege of Corinth, Miss., which was evacuated May 30th. We were then ordered to march to La Grange, Tenn. Celebrated the 4th of July there. About July 8th, we started for Memphis, Tenn. Men and horses suffered from the heat, and the lack of water. Arrived at Memphis, July 20th. We lived well while there. Sept. 8th, Division 4 was ordered to Bolivar, Tenn. Arrived there, and went into camp. While there, our Brigade was ordered to recconnoiter toward Grand Junction, Tenn. While on our way, our Cavalry discovered a large force of the enemy coming on the road which crossed the road on which we were traveling. Our General ordered a retreat. We lost no time in getting to the crossing. Our Battery got "into battery", that is , we got ready to fire, which we did as soon as the enemy came within reach. 2. Then we limbered up and galloped away. We got back to Bolivar. Had the enemy reached the cross-road first, they would have captured us. They were on their way back to try to re-capture corinth, which they tried to do on Oct. 3rd, but were repulsed with heavy losses, men killed and wounded and many captured. They started on the retreat. OUr Division was ordered to meet them, which they did at the Hatchie River, Oct.5th and fought the battle of Matamora. (Barnett Pennell was there.) We then returned to Bolivar. Nov. 28th, we started with Gen. Grant's army to attempt a capture of Vicksburg, Miss. from the rear, instead of the front. We failed to do it. Why? We had marched about 18 miles below Holly springs, when all of our supplies, ammunition, etc. at Holly Springs were captured-what they couldn't take, they destroyed. It was the same army we defeated at Corinth, Miss. Also, the same one defeated at Matamora. Grant's army had to go back. We were on short rations: for nearly three days we lived on dry corn. Men and horses suffered. Added to hunger, we had six inches of snow. I was lead-driver of the caisson. To keep from freezing, I would dismount, and walk along side of my horse through the mud and snow. Got into camp, my feet were wet, the lower part of my pants were covered with mud, most of my coat was frozen stiff. We went to camp int he woods, no tents, no shelter, coffee and hard-tack. Most of us stood or sat around the fire all night. Those were the happy days we spent, but we made the most of our soldier life. We did not expect to have the best of the land, so we were not disappointed. After a lovely night's rest, we started on again and had another nice day's march. Arrived at a village called Colliersville, Tenn. Took charge of the empty stores and Post Office for quarters. Built a row of bunks, spread our blankets, our knapsacks were our pillows. A great improvement on our past experience. We had plenty to eat. Our 3. horses were also well-housed, and well fed ______________________________ ------------------------------ X-Message: #3 Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 16:10:32 -0500 From: "Tammie and Keith" To: OH-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <01f601c0316c$347e5f20$1157f440@default> Subject: Civil war letter part 3 pages 3 and 4 + small part of 5 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" 3. We enjoyed ourselves until March 9th, '63, when we were ordered to Memphis, Tenn. Arrived there O. K. Had a nice camp near the city. Had plenty to eat, etc. Got passes to go to the city. Easter Sunday, a number of us went to church. I went to the Episcopal Church. Enjoyed the service, singing, etc. April 19th, '63, our Brigade was ordered to make a call on a small force of the enemy, not far from the city. They didn't wait to receive us, but fell back to Coldwater Creek, where they gave us a very hot reception. We fired double canister, but they held their ground. Capt. Spear saw that we couldn't win, so in order not to lose any more men and horses (George Gesner had been killed, John Madox mortally wounded) others slightly wounded, he ordered us to limber up and get out while we could, which we did without losing any more men or horses. John Madox, who was shot through the leg up close to the body, had a hard time of it. The doctors said the only hope of saving his life would be to cut off his leg. He begged Lieut. Reeves to save his leg, he did, the doctors said it would be death, either way. They didn't cut it off. He was in the hospital a while, then sent up North. The leg would sort of heal up, then break out again. It did so several times. He saw there was no chance. He got discouraged, and cut his throat to end his suffering. May 11th, our Division embarked for Vicksburg, Miss. We had a nice ride down the Mississippi River. Landed at Miliken's Bend, in the sight of Vicksburg. Marched to "Hard Times" Landing below Vicksburg, crossed the river to Grand Gulf, Miss. Stayed there a few days, then took boats for Vicksburg. Landed at Warrington near there, didn't go into the city as we hadn't been invited. We were assigned to a position on the Hall's Ferry Road. A fort was built for our 4.6 lb brass cannon (within 300 yards of the enemies' fort.) 4. During the night, our cannon were moved into the fort. Corporal Pennell had charge of one of them. During the siege, our battery fired 2301 rounds of ammunition. July 3rd, the white flags appeared: Gen. Pemberton, who was in command at Vicksburg, surrendered with 30,000 prisoners, 150 cannon, and 60,000 stands of small arms. A great victory for the North. Never did braver men surrender. There was no cheering on our side. They were almost starved, no hoppes for them. They were supplied with food at once: coffee, crackers, bacon, etc. How they did enjoy themselves. Our boys helped them in every way. Gen. Joseph E. Johnson, in command of the Confederate Army, tried to raise the siege of Vicksburg, but Gen. W.T. Sherman was on the Big Black River to take care of them. July 5th, our Division was assigned to Gen. Sherman's troops. We started after Gen. Johnson, he retired to Jackson, which was strongly fortified. July 12th, our Brigade was ordered to make a charge. Our battery got into action in an open field. We fired a few rounds, then ceased. Four regiments charged, but were repulsed with a very heavy loss. The 53rd Illinois Regiment came back with 66 men. Every commisioned officer was either killed or wounded. Col. Earl of the 53rd, was killed near the rebel works. 7 color guards were shot down. The color Guard had been shot through the leg, he tore the flag from the staff to save it from being captured, another ball got him through the head. He fell, they got him and the flag. In the evening I attended the roll-call of the 3rd Iowa Reg't, Inf., 150 men responded. July 16th, Gen. Johnson evacuated; we marched into Jackson, then returned to Vicksburg. Aug.15th, we embarked for Natchez, Miss., a very nice town. While camped there, our Brigade was ordered to cross the river to La. and 5. capture a fort about 40 miles beyond. We accomplished this in fine order and returned to Natchez. ______________________________ ------------------------------ X-Message: #4 Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 16:14:38 -0500 From: "Tammie and Keith" To: OH-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <021a01c0316c$c7e9ef40$1157f440@default> Subject: civil war letter pages 9 and 10 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" 9. We had business most every day. Sept. 2nd, our battery took part in the battles of Jonesboro and Love-Joy Station. Defeated the enemy, then returned to Atlanta. Gen. Hood, with his confederate army, moved to our right, and then to our rear. A great mistake for Hood and his army. Sherman and his army followed after him as far as Snake-Creek Gap, and Galesville, Ala. Then Gen. Sherman allowed Gen. (Pop) Geo. H. Thomas to take care of him, and in Dec. destroyed Hood's army. Sherman's army returned to Atlanta. We were satisified with our trip. While camped near Atlanta, the boys (I was too young to vote) helped to re-elect President Abraham Lincoln. Hom most of us loved Father Abraham Lincoln! The army was getting ready to make some great move, all unnecessary articles were sent North. (knapsacks, etc.) We were ready to make a rapid move, fight, or do anything necessary. November 15th, '64, General Sherman started with 60, 000 fighting soldiers all of us had been tried and had not been found wanting. We didn't know where we were going, but we knew we were going somewhere. We had full confidence in our officers, and they knew their men. Railroads and every thing that would assist the enemy were destroyed. Some of the homes were destroyed; but not by true men, -as an exconfederate soldier said to me, "Many of the bad things done on that march, credited to your army, were done by our own men." We were not fighting women and children. We didn't have much fighting until we hit Savannah, Ga. Dec. 10th, we had a hot time. Lieut. Charles N. Moore, of our battery, lost a leg that day. From then on, 'til the night of the 20th, fighting most every day. Dec. 19th, they shelled us right hotly. Jesse Day had his right arm shot off close to the shoulder, he lived four days. Dec. 20th, 22 of our battery whose three years were up, were mustered out and started for home. During the night of the 20th, Gen. Hardee and his army evacuated Savannah. The next day, Sherman's army marched in. 10. Did not have a very merry Christmas. Dec. 21st, we ended our march from "Atlanta to the sea." 300 miles. Jan. 8th, '65, our corps embarked at Thunderbolt, Ga. for Beauforte, S.C. While on the boat, we had little to eat. Paid 25c. for 2 buiscuits. Arrived to Beauforte o. k. Got plenty to eat. Onn our way to Pocotaligo, S.C. the rebels made a little trouble. Corp. Pennell had his last chance to sight and fire his gun to good effect. Jan. 12th, his 3 years were up. He was mustered out on the 14th, when he came to say goodby. We wished him a safe trip and long life. He was a good soldier, a manly man, and a good comrade. We missed Corp. Pennell greatly. Feb. 2nd, the army started on the march through South Carolina. Had some fighting at Salkahatchie River, Orangeburg, and Columbia, S.C. (the hotbed of Seccession). We crossed the Congaree River, marched through part of the city, saw some fires. Marched to Cheraw, S.C., crossed the great Pedee River, and started for North Carolina. Had some fighting at Fayetteville, arrived at Goldsboro, N.C. Mar. 24 1865. To give you an idea of the condition of some of the troops, upon arrival at Goldsboro, take the 68th Ohio: ragged, barefooted, and bare headed. Blackened and begrimed with the smoke of pine knots. On the morning after it arrived, the adjutant's report showed 42 men barefooted, 38 bareheaded, and 260 wearing some article of citizen's clothing. After a few days, we started after Gen. Johnson and his army near Raleigh N.C. On our way, we received the very happy news of the surrender of Lee and his army, April 9th. We knew that meant "Home, Sweet Home." A few days after, the news of the death of President Lincoln. How bad we felt! April 26th, Gen. Johnson surrendered to Gen. Sherman. The 29th, we started on our march through Virginia. That certainly was a happy trip. Arrived at Richmond. I saw many interesting things in and near Richmond: Libby Prison, I rode around the prison and saw the end of the tunnel thru' which 105 of our men crawled and came out in the yard next to the prison. 55of them were re-captured. ______________________________ ------------------------------ X-Message: #5 Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 16:15:42 -0500 From: "Tammie and Keith" To: OH-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <022601c0316c$ecc77ee0$1157f440@default> Subject: civil war letter/outline pages 11 and 12 all I have Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" 11. We marched through Fredericksburg, Va. where Gen. Burnside's army fought the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec.12th, '62. The Union army was defeated, losing about 12,000 men and had to re-cross the Rappahannock River on the 14th, we arrived near Washington, D.C. Went into camp near the Potomac River. Polished our brass cannon, etc. and got ready for the Grand Review. Wahsington was packed with people from all parts of the U. S. A. to see the two great armies reviewed. YES, GREAT ARMIES. The Army of the Potomac, that is, some of them, had fought from Bull Run, July 21st, '61, to Lee's surrender at Appommatox Courthouse, April 19th, '65. Four long years of war. Sherman's army, some of them, had served under Gen. Lyon, who was killed at the battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo. Aug.10th, '61, then under Gen. Grant at the battle of Belmont, Mo. Nov. 7th, '61 to the battle of Chattanooga, Tenn. and Missionary Ridge, Nov. 23rd&24th, '63, then General Grant took command of the Army of the Potomac and Gen. Sherman took command of the Western troops until after the Grand Review. No two armies, backed and helped by our brave navy, (as fine and brave a navy as ever went to sea,)also greatly helped and supported by the loyal men, women, and children. They had served our UNITED STATES. The Army of the Potomac was reviewed May 23rd, '65. Sherman's on the 24th. I shall never forget the grand sight. The great mass of people, and as we passed the reviewing stand, President Johnson, Generals Grant, Sherman, and many others were there. The weather was perfect, everything moved to perfection, and yet, there was a great disappointment in the Review We missed our much loved President Abraham Lincoln, "The Saviour of Our Country." The 15th Ohio Battery was in the review. Our Captain, James Bur-dic, rode ahead of the battery. Behind him, the Flag, on the left of the Flad, 1st Sergeant, on the right, Bugler (P. K.), everything about the battery was o.k., and we made a good show. A few days after the review, we took our 4 brass 12 lb and two 20 lb Parott guns, horses, etc. to the United Arsenal and turned them over to 12. the Government. Went back to camp. Several days afterwards, we got into, not Pullman, but BOX cars, and started for home. Went through, or rather, as we were going through Zanesville, Ohio, we were all looking for Gen. Leg-gett, who was for awhile, our Division Commander, who lived there for awhile after the war. Some were on top of one of the cars, our Captain, James Burdick, was there, We were crossing a bridge over the river, their backs faced the bridge. A rod running from side to side of the bridge struck our Captain in the back of the neck. He fell down between two cars, then between two ties, down into deep water. had he fallen about ten feet farther, he would have struck rocks, which might have killed him. He began to swim. The train stopped. There was a flourmill beside the track. The millworkers were at the windows, looking at, and cheering us, but when they saw the Captian fall, some of them jumped into the river from where they were, others ran out on the bridge and dropped down into the river, and swam for him. He said, "Thank you, boys, but I can swim. Kindly gather my papers. They did so, and swam along side of him, in case he should get the cramps or weaken. All landed safely. Such cheering! The Captain and all of us thanked them for their kindness. The Captain seemed to have a charmed life. He served in the war against Mexico, and more than three years in the Civil War. He lived to be about 84. he was a fine and good looking soldier, we thought a great deal of him. The train reached Columbus, Ohio, and on the 20th of June '65, turned over it's battle-stained Flag to the State authorities, were paid off, and mustered out, ONCE MORE FREE MEN. I failed to mention, that while on our way to join Gen. Grant's army at Pittsburg Landing, we were fired into by some rebels. Our boat landed on the other side of the river, charged ON A CORNCRIB. Moved wagons, and some other stuff from the bow of the boat and planted 2 of our 6 lb brass cannon there, the boat pulled out, started for the place from where we were fired into. THEN for the first time, some of the boysof the 15th That currently is all I have of the letter and outline until I get in touch with my cousin. Hopefully it touched you like it did me. Once again I state I typed everything word for word and letter for letter exactly how it was in the letter from Mr. Paul Kamerer. Also, from what I have right now on hand from the Civil War Research Database from ancestry.com: Edward SPEAR, Served Ohio, Enlisted 20 August 1861 and 1st Lieut, age 31 James BURDICK,Served Ohio, Enlisted 26 November 1861 as 1st Lieut. , age 35 Edwin F. REEVE, Served Ohio, Enlisted 01 January 1862, as 2nd Lieut, age 32 Charles N. MOORE, Served Ohio, Enlisted 12 December 1861 as Qtr Master Serg, age 27 Stiles E. STURGES, Served Ohio, Enlisted 02 January 1862 as Corporal, age 35 Barnett PENNELL (my gg grandfather), Served Ohio, Enlisted 09 January 1862 as Private, age 21 Jesse DAY, Served Ohio, Enlisted 26 February 1864, Private, age 44 (a little note I believe Jesse to be father of George E. DAY, Served Ohio, enlisted 26 February 1864, Private age 18) George GESNER, Served Ohio, Enlisted 11 December 1861, as Private, age 21 Have a Blessed Day, God Bless, Tammie ______________________________ ------------------------------ X-Message: #6 Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 16:23:46 -0500 From: "Tammie and Keith" To: OH-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <023a01c0316e$0ebced40$1157f440@default> Subject: part 1 of Civil War letter Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit April 6th, 1923 Mrs. Marietta Pennell Townville, Pa. R. #1 My Dear Mrs. Pennell; Your welcome letter received. I was certainly sorry to hear that my old comrade, Corporal Barnett Pennell, your late husband, had been a sufferer so many years. He was fortunate in having such a faithful one to care for him, and I suppose there were others to help you. you said, "He is missed in our home." I take it he had a family. I do not wonder that he is missed. The members of the 15th Ohio Battery missed him, Cpl Pennell, after his being with us for three years. You asked me if I know anything about Comrade S. D. Sugert? I do not. You also asked me if I remember the battles in which the 15th Ohio Battery took part. Inclosed, find a list of same. Also, a short sketch of the 15th Ohio Battery, which may possibly be of some interest to you and yours. It is my first attempt. You may think that it looks like it, judging the many mistakes, poor writing, etc. I would write nearly a sheet, make some mistake, throw it away, and start another, with the same result. Kindly take the will for the deed. It will not take you as long to read it ast it took me to write it. In reading the sketch, you will go over some of the battles, etc. in which your life partner was an actor. He had three long years of battles, and marches, hunger and thirst, cold and heat, etc. You spoke of " the little bugler, " I did not enlist as a bugler. I was appointed bugler at Natchez, Miss., when the bugler was taken sick and died. I kept the bugle until March '64, at Vicksburg, when I went home on veteran furlough. Comrade Burke took the bugle. In Jan. '65, I again took the bugle, kept it until the close of the War of 1861-65. Took it home and kept it and of late years, ever since 1895, have used it, and hope to be able to use it for some time yet. Am still young. Will be 77 in June. On Armistitice Day, 1921, I marched too much with a load on me, BUT NOT IN ME. Heavy uniform and winter overcoat. Friday was the day. Saturday and Sunday I was o.k. Monday morning, as I started to get up, my left side failed me. I was confined to my room for nine days. Then used a cane, and for a year, did no entertaining. Had to cancel dates. I soon expect to make dates again. Speaking about a "load in me," I have never been in that condition. In 1864, I cut out drink, and have stuck to it. Cut out smoking in 1863. Never learned to chew. I feel the better for it. Up to 1864, I would drink a glass of beer once in a while, that's all. Hoping you and yours are well, etc. I remain Yours Truly, Paul Kamerer 112 W. 12th Street New York City, N.Y. -------------------------------- End of OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest V00 Issue #296 *******************************************