In 1839, for the purpose of field instruction, the Grays held an encampment on a vacant lot at the present corner of Superior and Erie streets. As compared to its proportions of today, Cleveland was then scarcely more than an overgrown village, and the territory in the vicinity of the spot designated above—now covered, and for miles beyond, with business houses and dwellings—was almost in its primeval state. By invitation of the Grays, Major Fay’s Light Artillery Company, of Buffalo, famous in those early days for its skill in the art of gunnery, was present at the encampment. The fine evolutions of this command and its proficiency in working and handling artillery attracted much attention and awakened a lively interest in that arm of military science.
The Grays caught the artillery fever and at once decided that they would have a gun squad. No sooner said than done, and nine members of the company were detailed for that purpose, as follows:
| David L. Wood, | Frank Krieger, |
| Edward S. Flint, | F. H. Utley, |
| Edward A. Scovill, | James A. Craw, |
| Richard Dockstader, | James B. Wilbur, |
| C. J. Merriam. | |
David L. Wood was appointed Sergeant of the Gun Squad. He had formerly lived in Buffalo and had served as a gunner in Major Fay’s company, but had removed to Cleveland and was an active and zealous member of the Grays. A six-pound iron gun was obtained and mounted on a carriage which, as well as the caisson, was of home manufacture, made at the expense of the company. The early drills were held in a large barn situated on Erie street opposite the cemetery. The building was owned by the Ohio Stage Company, which, before the days of railroads, was operating its lines of public conveyance. These premises were used for five or six years, when more commodious quarters were provided.
In 1840 there was a great gathering at Fort Meigs—a military station at the rapids of the Maumee river, near Perrysburg, Ohio, built by General William Henry Harrison in 1813. A number of military companies from various parts of the West attended the meeting—among them the Cleveland Grays with its gun squad. The members of both organizations distinguished themselves by their accuracy in drill and their soldierly bearing, for which they bore away a large share of the honors.
Stimulated by their success to greater exertions the young artillerists continued their practice with the greatest assiduity, attaining a perfection that was in the highest degree creditable, and they fairly deserved the plaudits that were so freely bestowed upon them whenever they appeared in public. Valuable instruction and assistance were received from members of Major Fay’s company, before mentioned. The drill was in the French style of tactics then in vogue, and generally known as “flying artillery.”
In 1845 the gun squad “seceded” from the Grays, forming a separate organization known as the Cleveland Light Artillery, with two 12-pound guns, and a large increase in its active membership. David L. Wood was chosen captain. Among those who at this early day belonged to the company were James Barnett, W. E. Lawrence, Seymour Race, W. H. Hayward and W. E. Standart, all of whom remained in active membership and were prominent during the war as members of the First Ohio Light Artillery.
The increase in the company, both in size and equipment, made it necessary to have better quarters. An armory was built on Bank street, in the rear of what is now the block next north of the Mercantile National Bank, and the company evacuated the old Erie street barn. It was at this time fully organized as a mounted battery of two pieces, with caissons, harness, and everything complete, all of which equipment was provided at private expense, as were also the uniforms of the men. Whenever the battery appeared on public occasions or went out for field practice all expenses including the use of horses were borne by the company.
On September 10, 1846, a large military encampment was held at Wooster, Ohio, in which the Cleveland Light Artillery was invited to participate. The company, fully mounted and equipped, made the march from Cleveland to and from that place, the distance both ways being something over one hundred miles. This would not have been considered much of a march during the war, but it was the first campaign of the company, and was a great event in those days. During their stay at Wooster the artillerymen received the highest encomiums for their excellent appearance and drill.
July 4, 1847, a great river and harbor convention was held at Chicago. The artillery accepted an urgent invitation to attend, going by lake on the steamer Sultana, a boat famous at that day, commanded by Captain Gilman Appleby. While there the company gave several exhibitions, acquitting itself with such credit as to win unstinted praise. The effect was to stir up the military spirit in Chicago to such a degree that a light battery was at once organized there. The Cleveland company furnished an instructor and otherwise assisted in equipping the battery.