The writer would acknowledge in an especial manner his obligations to L. D. Drum, adjutant-general of the United States army, for the very complete casualty list at the close of the volume; also, to Samuel B. Smith, adjutant-general of Ohio, Hon. E. B. Taylor, Colonel Edward Hayes, Jonas Schoonover, Captain R. H. Baldwin, George W. Holloway; the members of the very efficient revisory committee, Captains D. W. Thomas, T. W. Nash, Lieutenant T. E. Hoyt, Sergeant E. F. Mason, and C. H. Coon; the Ashtabula Sentinel, Jefferson Gazette, and the Akron Daily News, for numerous courtesies extended to him, during the preparation of this work; and to each comrade and friend who has aided him in his labors, to name all of whom would require many pages. He has conscientiously endeavored to make the volume free from errors. If he has succeeded it will be the first of its kind. However, such as it is, it is presented to the regiment and its friends with the belief that it contains much of value.
Jefferson, Ohio, February 1, 1883.
INTRODUCTION.
The author of this volume has honored me with an invitation to write an “Introduction.” A book without a preface would be an anomaly: in other words, out of harmony with established usage; not strictly important, but answering much the same purpose as the “whereas” preceding the resolutions of the convention.
I have not been permitted to read the author’s manuscript, yet I do not hesitate to assure the reader that as he peruses the pages of the book he will find much to entertain and profit. To the veteran who enlisted and fought in the historic “Twenty-ninth Ohio Veteran volunteer infantry” it will be read with especial interest. The eye will moisten, and the heart swell with mingled emotions as he is reminded again of the varying scenes of the camp, the march, and the battle. Others, too young to remember anything of the war, but who have heard the stories of the conflict from their fathers, will read this historic sketch of the old regiment with the greatest avidity.
We well remember the author as “Hamp,” the drummer boy of Company B, his boyish look, with his neatly-fitting suit of blue, and the tenor drum suspended from his neck, while with nimble fingers he plied the ebony sticks in beating the tattoo, reveille, or the “long roll.”
He has done a real and invaluable service to his comrades in gathering up and condensing in neat and durable form so many interesting facts relating to the work of a noble regiment. So much, at least, is saved from oblivion.
In writing the history of any war only a mere outline can be thought of. Anything like a full and detailed account of what happened is out of the question. Neither time nor space would permit.
The multiplied thousands who carried their muskets and knapsacks on foot all over “Dixie,” and who really did the hard work of the conflict, must be massed in history even as in war they were massed against the foe. Their individual deeds of daring and suffering were not a whit behind those of the great Wellingtons, Washingtons, and Grants. The latter were in positions to glide easily into history, and have their heroic deeds emblazoned and read in the books of every nation. The former may have loved their country as well and fought as bravely for her honor, and yet die in obscurity, “to fortune and to fame unknown.”
Dr. SeCheverell has doubtless done his best under the circumstances to do justice to the name of every member of the old Twenty-ninth. It was known as the Giddings’ regiment, in honor of the Hon. Joshua R. Giddings, for twenty consecutive years a member of the lower house of Congress.