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��HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.
��" God bless you all," that touched many a heart and l)r()uoht tdars to many an eye. The com- pany then re-formed and proceeded. As they came opposite the foundry of Hall & Allen, the workmen came out in procession and escorted them to the depot. It was indeed a proud moment. At the depot the scene was quite thrilling. Friends parted from friends, brothers from l)rothers and sisters, husbands from wives, fathers and mothers from sons, lovers from lovers. " Man}^ a manly fellow," says one who saw it all, " felt the tear rush unbidden from his eye." Many a "God bless and preserve you " was heard as the train came in and left, while hearty cheers went up from the bystanders as this, the first company" from Eichland County, started on its mission of patriotism.
On the way to Columbus, but little happened, Mr. George W. Grubb,* now a resident of Lex- ington, in a letter describes the trip as one full of fun, yet not unmixed with sadness. They had left homes and dear ones behind, not know- ing they would see them again. Yet they were determined to be brave, and mirth ruled the hour. He narrates an incident well worth pre- serving, which shows the ideas then held by new recruits regarding the discipline in an army.
Mr. Thomas E. Douglas was the Second Lieu- tenant, and had been assigned charge of part of the men. While on the way, on the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indian- apolis Railroad, he had occasion to reprove a soldier for some boisterous conduct. The sol- dier, not knowing his rank, and not relishing the reproof, looked in Lieut. Douglas' face and very blandly and coolly remarked, "And who the devil are you, sir ? " The joke was pretty good, and was relished by the rest of the boys, if not by the Lieutenant.
Arriving at Columbus, the company reported to the Governor. That official and his Adju-
- Mr. Grubb was the first man to enlist from Troy Township, and,
he thinks, the fifth in the county. He was afterward a member of the Sixth Ohio Battery.
��tant found themselves suddenl}' with two or three regiments on hand, and no place to keep them. Hotels were utilized until a camp could be selected, and better means provided. The company, whose history is now being written, was assigned to the First Ohio Volunteers. While here, Joseph Hedges was appointed First Sergeant ; R. H. Bentley, Second ; T. G. Bris- tor,* Third, and James D. McBride, Fourth ; thus completing the organization of the com- pany, which was known in the regiment as " Company I."
Owing to the chaotic state of military mat- ters at Camp Jackson, the men, in common with many other companies, did not get any supper until late at night, and found a place to sleep as best they could about the camp. At 2 o'clock in the morning, they were marched to the depot, and, with a few other companies, were soon on the way to the front. At Harris- burg, the company remained over Sunday, and then went on to Lancaster, where it went into camp on the fair grounds, about a mile from the city. Both Ohio regiments, the First and Second, numbering about one thousand six hundred men, were there. Regimental officers had been elected while at Harrisburg, and, Sunday afternoon, April 29, the Colonel, Alex- ander McCook, arrived, and mustered the regi-
��* There is rather an amusing anecdote connected with the appointment of some of these officers that is worth preserving:
When the election for company officers was held in Mansfield, T. G. Bristor and T. E. Douglas were both candidates for a Lieuten- ant's place. As it happened, however, neither of them knew the difference between the positions of Lieutenant and Sergeant, each thinking they were about the same. It was agreed that Bristor shovild support Douglas for Lieutenant, and he, Bristor for Sergeant. Douglas was elected, and. not long after, Bristor learned that his office depended on the Captain, who appointed Sergeants. lie nat- urally felt a little chagrined at his easy defeat. After the com- pany got to Columbus, Mr. B., wanted to go to the city, but found a guard around camp. None of them knowing much about the requirements of war, Mr. B., when confronted by the guard, deliber- ately snatched the musket out of his hands and went on his way. He knew Gen. McLaughlin had a weakness for whisky, and, after imbibing a quantity himself, returned to camp, where he was informed that the Captain would "see to his case at the proper time." Looking arounJfor that official, he found him sound asleep on a board. B. sat down by him and patiently awaited his waking. When that occurred, the first object that confronted the Captain was Private B., who, without giving him a chance to say anything, Invited him to " take something." The Captain could not resist, and, retiring to an obscure corner, was treated to a choice drink. Smacking liis lips, the old veteran patted Private Bristor on the shoulder, and very kindly called him " Sergeant Bristor, Sergeant Bristor, sir!" Private Bristor had gained his point.
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