During the winter of 1860, months before the North was aroused by the mighty reveille that sounded amidst the echoes of Sumter, many independent companies then existing made a voluntary offer of their services, provided they should be needed. Among the first to show a desire to “get there” early and secure front seats was the Cleveland six-gun “regiment” of artillery. As soon as there began to be a smell of powder in the air the members of this organization promptly developed an appetite for war. They sent to the Adjutant General of Ohio a fervid communication tendering their services and stating that they might be depended upon to respond instantly to the call of duty. In two or three days an answer was received. The Adjutant General commended their patriotism in the highest terms, and in the name of the state thanked them effusively for their noble offer, but added that he had no idea they would be called upon, as it was not at all probable that any cavalry or artillery would be required! No doubt this official’s views soon underwent a most radical change. But his depressing letter had the effect of the proverbial “wet blanket” upon the more enthusiastic artillerists, who were beginning to actually suffer for a scrimmage. They were afraid it wasn’t going to be “much of a shower,” after all! Nobody will say that during the ensuing four years there was not enough to go around; everybody who wanted any of it had abundant opportunity to supply himself. But after the Cleveland boys heard from the Adjutant General some of them really mourned over the prospect of “getting left.”
CHAPTER II.
A Prompt Response to War’s Alarms and the Artillery Goes to the Front.
At half past four o’clock on the morning of Friday—unlucky day—April 12, 1861, the rebel batteries at Charleston opened fire on Fort Sumter. The fort was surrendered at noon of Sunday, April 14. On this day President Lincoln drafted his proclamation calling out seventy-five thousand volunteers for three months. That night it went out by telegraph, and on Monday the people of the North knew that the last hope of compromise had vanished. Already the “dogs of war” had been slipped, and the country was to be tested in the fierce crucible of a mighty conflict. None who witnessed it, or were a part of it, can ever forget the grand, patriotic uprising of the loyal masses, from Maine to California, and from the Lakes to the Ohio river, to avenge the insult of the National Flag. It need only be alluded to in this connection. The quotas of the various states under the first call for troops were duly apportioned, and in some cases were more than filled in a single day. All the organized military companies in Ohio offered their services, and all were clamorous that they should be accepted. There seemed to be a generally prevailing fear that the war would be “all over” before they could get there.
The Cleveland Grays—from which the first gun squad of the Cleveland Artillery was detailed more than twenty years before—left amidst prodigious excitement for Columbus, became Company E of the First Ohio Infantry, and started immediately for Washington. But so far there was no call for the artillery. How all the men, from Colonel to powder-monkey, chafed in the impatience of their raging patriotism. It would be sad indeed, they thought, if, after all, it should prove that the Adjutant General was right, and that “no artillery would be needed”—or if a few cannon should be required the batteries of the Regular Army would supply them, and the unhappy volunteers would remain “out in the cold.”
But there came a loud call for artillery, and the boys, who were fretting themselves sick, had not long to wait for the glad summons. On Saturday, April 20, the following dispatch went singing over the wires:
Columbus, O., April 20, 1861.
To Colonel James Barnett,
Cleveland, O.
Report your six pieces, caissons and full battery, including Geneva company, at Columbus forthwith—Monday if possible. You can hire horses for the guns here or at your point of service. Bring harness and everything else, and twenty men to each gun. You retain Colonel’s rank. By order—
H. B. Carrington,
Adjutant General.