In 1850 he moved to Chardon, Ohio, and edited a Free-Soil paper until 1852, when, it proving a losing business, he returned to Warren, where he again commenced the practice of the law, which he continued until the breaking out of the rebellion, in 1861. He was among the first in Northern Ohio to tender a company to the Governor. It marched to camp on the 25th of April. He served in the regiment until March, 1863, when he was honorably mustered out of the United States service. During this time he took part in the affair of Cross Lanes and the battle of Winchester, in which last engagement he was severely wounded. After the Cross Lanes affair he accompanied a detachment of four hundred men to Charleston, rendering much assistance during the march. He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel during his service with the regiment, in which position he commanded the regiment in the retreat of Pope's army from the Rapidan.
On returning to Warren he opened an office, and in August organized the Fifty-first Regiment National Guards, and was elected its colonel.
When, in the spring of 1864, the corps was ordered into the field, his regiment was among the first to move. It went to Johnson's Island, and while there the noted John H. Morgan commenced a raid through Kentucky. To resist him, several militia regiments were ordered to the front; among them was the Fifty-first, now become the One Hundred and Seventy-first.
Arriving at Cincinnati, he reported to General Hobson, and was ordered to Keller's Bridge by train. Soon after getting off the cars, it was attacked by the enemy in overwhelming numbers. After a gallant fight of six hours, the brave little band of heroes was compelled to surrender. No regiment of new troops ever did better: it made itself a name which history will perpetuate.
The regiment was mustered out on the 20th of August, 1864. Asper now perfected his arrangements to move to Missouri, which he put into execution in October following. He is now engaged in the practice of law at Chillicothe, in the above State.
MAJOR W. R. STERLING.
The subject of this sketch entered the service as Captain of Company I. He carried with him some considerable military experience, having been connected with a company in his native State. He accompanied the regiment in its Western Virginia campaign, taking an honorable part in the affair at Cross Lanes. He was with the detachment in its march over the mountains to Charleston, during which he rendered great assistance, contributing largely towards bringing the command off in safety.
From Charleston he returned to his home on leave, but soon after returned to his command, accompanied by a number of recruits. He now took part in the various marches and skirmishes occurring in the mountain department of Eastern Virginia. He was not in the battles of Winchester or Port Republic; but was in all the marches occurring before and after those engagements. At the battle of Cedar Mountain he did yeoman's service. His company was led with such coolness and bravery, that many a rebel was made to bite the dust. He now remained with the regiment until General Hooker came to the command of the Army of the Potomac, when Captain Sterling was assigned a position on his staff. In this capacity he served until after the battle of Chancellorsville. A short time after this engagement he was taken prisoner by a roving band of rebels, and conveyed to Richmond, where he was for some time confined in prison. He was finally taken further south to another prison, from which, in the summer of 1864, he escaped; and after spending some time in the mountains, during which he suffered many hardships, finally joined the Union forces in Tennessee.
He was a brave and competent officer. While on Hooker's staff he was promoted to major.
MAJOR E. J. KREIGER.