CHAPTER I.
The South Preparing for War—The Fall of Sumter—The Grand Rally to the Support of the Flag—Formation of the Regiment.
President Lincoln, in his inaugural address of March 4, 1861, said: “I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe that I have no lawful right, and I have no inclination to do so.” The South had apparently decided otherwise, and continued the preparations for secession, begun under the administration of, and so ably seconded by that old imbecile, James Buchanan.
The outlook became so fraught with danger to the Union, that on April 7th a naval expedition sailed from New York to the relief of Fort Sumter. Its arrival off Charleston harbor was followed by a furious bombardment of the fort by the rebel batteries of General Beauregard. The capitulation on April 13th, of the little handful of gallant men who so bravely defended their country’s flag, was followed by an outburst of patriotic indignation perhaps never before witnessed in the history of the world. In an incredibly short space of time the President’s call for seventy-five thousand men was filled by citizens eagerly marching to the defense of the National capital.
The rebels meanwhile were busily engaged in appropriating or destroying the available arms and munitions of war belonging to the Government. At Bull Run, a few miles from Washington, General Beauregard massed his rebel horde, and here, on July 21st, General McDowell gratified the insane “On to Richmond” cry, by giving them battle. The result was the complete overthrow of the Union army, which retreated in the wildest disorder to Washington. This event cast a deep gloom over the entire North (barring the copperhead element). More than twice the time allowed by the knowing(?) ones to crush the Rebellion (sixty days) had elapsed, and yet it was growing stronger every day. The North was not yet awake to the magnitude of the work it had undertaken. The first patriotic outburst was on the wane; the sympathy of England and the encouragement given to the rebels by the “copperheads” in the North, gave a prestige to the Southern cause which, to many, bespoke the final success of treason. In this dark hour of our country’s peril, that brave old hero, Joshua R. Giddings, with B. F. Wade, E. B. Woodbury, and other well known associates, feeling that they had been disappointed in the acts of another regiment, made up in part of soldiers recruited in this district, obtained permission to organize regiment number Twenty-nine, which should be made up as far as possible, of those in political sympathy with the projectors. The report of the soldiers already returned from the three months’ service, and who were generally ready to go again, seemed to indicate who they wished for commanders. Major Lewis P. Buckley, of Akron, educated at West Point, was generally desired as colonel, and Thomas Clark, of Cleveland, formerly a cadet at Norwich university, Vermont, was for the same reason selected to commence the work. He was accordingly appointed major, on the 13th of August. Two days later he was mustered into service, and ordered to report at once to Jefferson, select a suitable location, and organize a camp. On the 17th he arrived at Jefferson, and a couple of days were spent in examining fields offered; at last the grounds of the County Agricultural Society were selected. A part of company A reported on the 19th, and company B in the afternoon of the same day. The camp equipage arrived on the 20th. On the 27th company C reported, and on September 10th, company D, and with this company came Colonel Buckley, who had just completed his service in the Nineteenth regiment.
Following are the companies, in the order they entered the service, with the commanders and the localities from which they were recruited: Company A, Captain William F. Fitch, was recruited in Jefferson and vicinity, and Hartsgrove. Company B, Captain Wilbur F. Stevens, was recruited in Pierpont and vicinity, and Harpersfield. Company C, Captain Edward Hayes, was recruited in Andover and vicinity, Gustavus, Ohio, and Espyville, Pennsylvania. Company D, Captain Pulaski C. Hard, was recruited in Akron, Summit county. Company E, Captain Horatio Luce, was recruited in Conneaut and surrounding townships. Company F, Captain John F. Morse, was recruited in Painesville and Mentor, Lake county, and Montville, Geauga county. Company G, Captain John S. Clemmer, was recruited in Akron and vicinity. (Second Lieutenant W. P. Williamson, of this company, who was shot dead at the battle of Winchester, Virginia, March 23, 1862, was the first man in the regiment to die by rebel hands.) Company H, Captain Jonas Schoonover, was recruited in Akron and vicinity. Company I, Captain Russell B. Smith, was recruited in Medina county, and by transfers, and company K, Captain Alden P. Steele, was recruited from the various townships in Ashtabula county.
The adverse causes before referred to, materially retarded the enlistment of the regiment, and it was not until about December 1st that the different company organizations were completed and the following staff officers elected:
Colonel Lewis P. Buckley, Akron, Summit county.
Lieutenant-colonel Thomas Clark, Cleveland, Cuyahoga county.
Major John S. Clemmer, Mogadore, Summit county.