THE EIGHTY-FOURTH OHIO VOL. INFANTRY. CHAPTER III. In answer to a call for 50,000 soldiers for an emergency, the 84th O. V. I. was speedily recruited and properly organized and then drilled for active service in the field. This regiment was mainly recruited in and about Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo and Dayton, Ohio, and mustered into service at Camp Chase June 7, 1862. June 11th this regiment was ordered to report for duty to Gen. Kelley at Cumberland, Md. The following is a list of the names of the officers of the eighty-fourth : Col. Wm. Lawrence, Lieut. Col. John J. Wiseman, Major John C. Groom, Surgeon B. B. Leonard, Ass't. Surg. James W. Thompson, Chaplain A. R. Howbert, Captain Richard Waite, Captain Rosewell Shertliff, Captain Halbert Case, Captain John N. Frazee, Captain James Pickands, Captain Christopher H. Orth, Captain W. H. Powell, Captain Abraham Cummons, Captain John H. Winder, Captain Uriah Gregory, 1st Lieut. Eli Ealy, 1st Lieut. John B. Lounsbury, 1st Lieut. John Lourbeck, 1st Lieut. James Crandon, 1st Lieut. Virgil C. Taylor, 1st Lieut. John M. Leish, 1st Lieut. Horatio H. Manning, 1st Lieut. Homer Ayers. Ist Lieut. Alex. G. Maynes. 1st Lieut. Charles Rhodes. 1st Lieut. Edmond Pine. 1st Lieut. Alex. G. Stilwell. 1st Lieut. John B. Irwin. 1st Lieut. Frank Braisted. 2d Lieut. Hamilton C. Colton. 2d Lieut. Hiram M. Fifield. 2d Lieut. Charles S. Abell. 2d Lieut. Frank H. Hinman. 2d Lieut. Henry F. Nash. 2d Lieut. Barrell W. Kerfoot. 2d Lieut. Wm. H. H. Miller. 2d Lieut. Carlton S. Morehouse. The 84th O. V. I. remained on duty at Cumberland, Md., during a period of nearly four months, and rendered valuable service to the Government by keeping open railroad communication and preventing invasions from Virginia into Maryland by the enemy. Although this regiment was not permitted to take part in a single battle or skirmish, yet, the well drilled soldiers of this regiment, doubtless would have done good service on the field of battle had there been an opportunity offered. Their courage was tested on several occasions. On one fearfully dark night, when called by the long roll to fall into ranks, the soldiers instantly obeyed the call and started out of their tents pell mell, falling over stumps and logs, skinning their shins and bruising themselves generally. Quiet was restored in the camp by the announcement that it was a false alarm. On another occasion an alarm was given There was the appearance of what in daylight. was supposed to be a reconnoitering party of Confederates on the brow of an adjoining hill; the long roll sounded and the alarm in the camp became general; but as field glasses were called into requisition the alarm speedily subsided when the discovery was made that it was only a band of Roman Catholic Monks taking a little exercise. We may be allowed to say that the 84th O. V. I. was faithful to the charge committed to them. They had a good time with each other generally. It is true, that toward the last of our stay at Cumberland, our pleasures were marred by a good deal of sickness and several deaths of our comrades in the regiment. This regiment was made up of excellent material; both officers and privates were men of high standing in the community as a rule. Several members of this regiment have been called upon to occupy high places in the nation and state since the close of the war. It is due to the 84th O. V. I. to state that just at the close of the term of their service, Sept. 13, 1862, the regiment was ordered to New Creek, Va., where an attack was anticipated by a division of Confederates under Generals Jackson and Imboden. The regiment promptly obeyed the order, and were soon found occupying the fort in the rear of the village The enemy evidently thought it best not to attack the fort for they immediately retired without firing a gun. The regiment now having more than filled the term of service for which it was enlisted was ordered back to Ohio, and at Camp Delaware it was reviewed by Governor Tod. He highly compli mented the regiment for its efficiency and the value of its services to the Government. The regiment was mustered out after having served nearly four months. Many strong attachments among the officers and privates of the regiment had been formed and there seemed to be a general regret that the day of parting had come. |