326 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.
About this time, these various companies began organizing. Col. Ford was commissioned by the Governor to raise a regiment — the Thirty-second — and, as has been mentioned, was also progressing favorably in its recruiting, while these events were occurring. Camp Mordecai Bartley had been selected on the Tingley farm, and there the Colonel began gathering his regiment, augmented to six companies when the site was selected. The camp equipage arrived Monday, August 19, the Government having accepted the camp, and soon tents appeared. Strict military discipline was enforced by the Colonel, who was determined the soldiers should be well drilled. The camp was the center of attraction for all the adjacent country, and every day received a great many visitors, many of whom brought edibles of all sorts, by which means the soldiers fared very well. The soldiers are all highly complimented by the local papers, as being very orderly and military in appearance.
The next day after the tents arrived, August 20, Col. Ford issued a special circular. No. 6, in which he prescribes camp routine and which he heads as follows: "Headquarters Thirty-second Regiment, Camp Buckingham."[1] He had changed the name of the camp in honor of the then Adjutant General of the State. While he remained in camp, the latter name was used; on his departure, September 2, the old name was again adopted.
Col. Ford had secured Capts. Milton W. Worden, William B. Bowland, Joseph Gladden and C. R. Lord, all of whom were busily engaged recruiting men. As early as August 10, a company from Mount Vernon and one from Carrollton came to Mansfield for this regiment, and were quartered in the city until the camp was selected. By the latter part of August, another came, and went immediately into camp. At that date, there were four companies, which, the newspapers said, aggregated 750 men. Recruiting went rapidly on in this regiment. August 24, Maj. Edie, an United States officer, arrived, and the men were sworn into the service. The camp at that time, each day, presented a lively appearance. Some minister from the city generally preached Sabbath afternoon to the soldiers, although his audience contained often more citizens than soldiers. When the regiment was organized, Ford was made Colonel; E. H. Swinney, Lieutenant Colonel; S. M. Hewett, Major; R. F. Jackson, Adjutant, and R. H. Bentley, Quartermaster.
September 3, the Thirty-second received orders to repair to Camp Dennison. Though not quite full, the Colonel left recruiting officers behind to fill the quota as fast as possible. Early Tuesday morning the regiment left Camp Buckingham and marched to the depot, where sixteen passenger cars awaited them, into which they went, and were soon leaving home. This was the first regiment that left Richland County for the three-years service. War was a reality now. They were leaving home, many of them forever, others to come back only in the body, while the spirit had gone to its Maker from some bloody field of battle, or from some lonely glen or vale; others, maimed for life, while others, who are yet living, came back in the full vigor of manhood, to recount in story and song their life in the camp, on the march and in the field.
On the opposite page will be found the roster of the Thirty-second Regiment — three-years service — showing only the names of those officers who went from Richland County.
- ↑ There seems to be a little confusion in the columns of the local papers regarding the name of the camp. Immediately underneath the order quoted, the Herald alludes to the change and says, "Col. Ford makes it, though the State had given the name 'Mordecai Bartley.'" "We think the Colonel has about made the State knock under," says the local column. However, old soldiers say the State did not "knock under," and that, though the Colonel tried to make the change, he did not succeed. The camp for the Sherman brigade, near town, was, however, named Buckingham, probably to compromise the matter. During the draft, it was also changed to Camp Mansfield.
