[Up] [New Search] [ 'Civil War' segment written in July, 1998 by Rich Wallace ] |
Many boys from Shelby County, Ohio
traveled to other cities to sign on with friends and relatives. For example, Sidney farmer
David Crumbaugh volunteered with the 55th Illinois. He did not survive the war— one
of three Crumbaugh brothers who died. James Quartman traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana,
and signed on with the 2nd Indiana cavalry. He never made it home. Those seeking to join a
particular unit in the army other than the infantry usually had to travel to find one. C. L. Ruggles (shown at left), who ended up being a famous Union spy and scout, was a member of the 20th Ohio with Dwight and many others from Shelby County. In his memoirs, Ruggles recalled: "In August, 1861, I visited the principal cities in Ohio, in search of a company of sharpshooters, in which to enlist. I found several such organizations, but none were offered by men who suited me. While in Columbus, I met Lt. Downs of the 20th Ohio with a squad of ten men. Liking the appearance of the men, I enlisted, on the condition that he furnish me an Enfield rifle." To many a young man, the prospect of fighting a war was viewed as an adventure. Some familiar with the matter tried to inject a dose of reality into the mix. While Union General William Tecumseh Sherman was in Columbus for a recruiting stop in May of 1863, he told the assembled audience: "There is many a boy out here today who looks on war as all glory, but boys, it is all hell." As it became apparent that the fight with the Confederacy was not going to be won as quickly as many first thought, men who subsequently re-enlisted were asked to serve for three more years. |
