Many will remember that for two or three years before the war, as the fast-growing sentiment against slavery became more active and aggressive in the North, there were mutterings that boded ill for the peace of the nation. Those whose ears were alert heard sounds that seemed to presage the fierce conflict that finally burst upon the country in all its savage fury. These “signs of the times” had the effect, everywhere, to arouse the state authorities from their lethargy and measures were taken to encourage and promote the organization of military companies. In 1859 the Legislature of Ohio passed a militia law. The friends of the Cleveland Light Artillery had for years been hammering at the law-givers, urging the importance of state aid to such organizations. At last the idea found its way into the minds of the state officials and members of the Legislature, that an emergency might arise when a few serviceable cannon, and trained men to use them, would be found “mighty handy.” So in the new law they authorized the formation of artillery companies, each to consist of a captain, lieutenant, two sergeants and twenty privates, with one gun and caisson. The law further provided for the organization of artillery regiments, each to contain not less than six of such one-gun companies.
In compliance with the terms of this law the Cleveland Artillery—four guns—was at once reorganized into four companies, and there were added one in Brooklyn, Cuyahoga county, and one in Geneva, Ashtabula county. These were immediately organized into a “regiment”—though its strength in men and guns was only that of a single battery after things were placed upon a war footing. The following field and staff officers were elected and commissioned by the Governor August 1, 1860:
Colonel—James Barnett.
Lieutenant Colonel—Stephen B. Sturges.
Major—Clark S. Gates.
Surgeon—C. E. Ames.
Quartermaster—Amos Townsend.
Quartermaster-Sergeant—Randall Crawford.
The companies of the regiment were commended as follows:
Company A, Cleveland—W. R. Simmonds.