Nothing to Bind Us But Honor: In the Three-Months’ Service with the 87th Ohio

There isn't much written about the wartime services of the 87th Ohio Volunteers. Mustered into service in the summer of 1862 for just a brief 90-days, the regiment first guarded prisoners at Camp Chase before being sent to Baltimore, Maryland where it took part in the 4th of July celebration. A few days later, it was sent to Harper's Ferry where it became part of the garrison. 

    We are fortunate in that Private William A. Bosworth of Co. A, a student of Marietta College, provided the following lengthy description of the travails of the 87th to the August 22, 1862, edition of the Pomeroy Weekly Telegraph. About 5 weeks after he wrote his letter, the 87th Ohio would be surrendered as part of the garrison of Harper’s Ferry.

 

Maryland Heights as viewed from Harper's Ferry during the Civil War. 

Bowery Lane, Camp Banning, Harper’s Ferry, Virginia

August 4, 1862

          Being almost the sole representative of old Meigs in the three months’ service and being connected with a regiment which has seen very many of the enjoyments and few of the hardships of soldiers’ life, I may contribute my mite towards encouraging our boys to volunteer by giving your readers a sketch of our adventures for the past two months.

          When Governor Tod issued his call for volunteers to serve for a limited period during the storm that seemed to threaten our capitol, the citizens of Washington County called together by the promptness and energy of Judge Putnam, chairman of the military committee, held an enthusiastic meeting at which some 40-50 names were enrolled for 60 days. The students of Marietta College assembling at the courthouse with the citizens, at a preconcerted signal, adjourned en masse to the College Chapel where after a brief deliberation, they agreed almost unanimously to hold themselves in readiness to go.

          The next day, when it was learned that the emergency was not so great as before supposed and that men would not be accepted for less than 90 days, many though that duty did not call them to go. Nevertheless, we had quite a respectable company raised by night and the next afternoon (Wednesday May 28) we started with about 75 men up the Muskingum River en route for Camp Chase.

          I could hardly entertain you be describing at any length our trip to Columbus; I will only say that we had a pleasant journey, finding amusement in responding to the cheers and waving of handkerchiefs that greeted us all along the way and withal feeling quite brave and patriotic as we attacked with valorous appetites the tables loaded with crackers, cheese, and prime ham. We arrived at Columbus late Thursday evening and marched up to the State House where we listened to a nice little speech from the governor, then marched back to the lunch of crackers and hot coffee with quarters of the floors of an unoccupied tavern stand.

          The next day, we took up quarters at Camp Chase and spent the first two weeks of our stay there in recruiting, organizing, arguing, and quarreling generally. We had come to camp entirely unorganized and in fact, not regularly enlisted having nothing to bind us but honor. In his call, the governor offered the choice of either going to protect Washington or remaining at Camp Chase to relieve troops doing guard duty. The greater portion of us, incited by a love of travel and adventure and willing to undergo danger if need be for our country, enlisted with the former intention.

          But we had a few timid ones and a number of boys who were bound by promises to their parents who intended to choose the latter alternative. We gathered, however, from certain hints dropped by the governor that old Uncle Samuel had been more scared than hurry and that the dilemma now would be either to enter the general service, subject to the orders of the War Department, or the state service to be under the control of the governor. About three-fourths of our boys were still in favor of the general service, but being induced by the persuasion of Judge Putnam and in order to keep our company together, we at length reluctantly consented to enter the state service and became Co. C of the 85th Ohio. We remained in the 85th two weeks longer, making four weeks in the state service.

          I presume Camp Chase is about as good a camp as any similar one where large bodies of men congregate, though I should by no means recommend it as a place of summer resort. We had pretty good shanties, very fair soldier’s grub, and the camp was well-policed but the ground being bare, hard, and destitute of trees, the heat became very oppressive when hot days did come which, thank heaven, were comparatively few for the season. The dust raised by the slightest breeze from the broad, flat parade ground, swept in almost blinding clouds; when the wind blew hard, the dust penetrated every crevice and cranny of our shanties. Just multiply the dust of Pomeroy by three and you will have about the product of camp Chase. The water, though not positively unwholesome, was not good, being strongly impregnated with sulfur.

Colonel Henry Banning
87th and 121st Ohio

          There were about 1,200-1,400 prisoners at Camp Chase. The prisons in which these men are confined are merely portions of the camp enclosed by a close board fence 20 feet high with a walk near the top for the guards. Our principal business at Camp Chase was, of course, to guard these prisoners- that is, to walk back and forth with a loaded gun carried in military position and keep them from coming within 10 feet of the fence. Such is the glory of state service. Among these prisoners may be found all varieties of character from the wealthy and courteous Southern gentlemen to the degraded ragamuffin bushwhacker. They all seem to be quiet and orderly with few and occasional exceptions.

          We soon became tired of this kind of service and when the opportunity of transfer was offered, about 20 of our men from the 85th and as many recruits we became Co. A of the 87th Ohio. Our regiment was organized and ready for the march in a few days and on Sunday morning, we started from camp under marching orders for Annapolis Junction, Maryland.

          Saturday afternoon we cooked our five day’s rations and got our troops ready. We awoke at 2 a.m. and were ready to march by 4. Marching from Camp Chase to Columbus for five miles was our first and only hard march. I can assure the unsophisticated that even a five-mile tramp with full knapsacks, five day’s rations, a gun, and ammunition to carry is not to be sneered at. I would as soon go 20 miles unencumbered. However, the boys bore up bravely and stepped firmly to the music as we passed through the streets of Columbus.

          We took the Ohio Central Railroad for Pittsburg. What we most observed as we passed through the state was the number and beauty of the ladies. At Newcomerstown, a mere village, there was a full company of young ladies- a fine chance for young Benedicts. I suppose a portion of this praise of Ohio girls is owing to the fact that it was Sunday and the girls were all out in their holiday attire which we passed through Pennsylvania on a Monday, which was wash day.

          At the city of Smoke and Cinders where, by the way, the women are as homely as the houses, we changed cars, taking the Pennsylvania Railroad. Soon we began to ascend the mountains- up, up, along the banks of the Connewaugh, then down the Blue Juniata. There were many fine scenes for the artist’s pencil along this route. The weather was delightfully cool and pleasant and I feasted my eyes to the full upon the grand panorama fleeting by us. The scenery on this side of the mountains is especially grand. High peaks and ridges tower blue and cloud-like in the distance. Down below us, half hidden in the trees, winds the Juniata River of song and tradition while all varieties of mountain scenery unite to complete the picture.

          Among the numerous towns upon our route, I must not forget to mention Huntingdon where we stopped for two or three hours and were plentifully supplied with first-rate bread and butter which the ladies brought by the basket full. Well do they emulate the patriotism of their husbands, fathers, and brothers, three companies of whom are in the service. It is their custom thus to minister to the enjoyment of all the soldiers who pass through. God bless them! May their joys ever be as abundant as their charity is bountiful.

          We arrived at Baltimore, Maryland early Wednesday morning; we got off the cars and unslung our knapsacks, expecting to take the train for Annapolis when the order came to encamp. In the midst of a cold, drizzling rain, we pitched our tents upon a vacant space at the northern edge of the city which we christened Camp Tod. This camp was low and hot, but still better than Camp Chase as we had splendid water nearby and a creek upon one side and an old reservoir upon another which afforded great conveniences for washing and bathing. Then we had a fine opportunity of seeing the city when we could get a pass.

          We had halted at Baltimore for the purpose of being on hand on the 4th of July in case of a riot. Let me describe our day. At 4:30, we routed out and marched to town without our breakfasts and around the Washington Monument while everybody was asleep but a few Negroes, draymen, etc. Squad and company drill in the morning and in the afternoon our first battalion drill for about two hours. Then about 5 o’clock another tramp down the stony streets in the broiling sun and around the big pile of white rocks, taking off our hats and giving cheers cheer at every stripe of the red, white, and blue which we couldn’t see for the sweat that poured off our faces. I must confess that when Colonel [Henry] Banning made us a little speech and told us this was the proudest day of his life, we felt very much like the frog in the fable although we cheered him, of course.

Harper's Ferry, Virginia 

          On Wednesday July 9th we received marching orders again, this time for Harper’s Ferry. Three days of rations to cook, another knapsack drill through Baltimore, a ride in the hog cars, and daylight finds us nearing Harper’s Ferry. As we turn a sharp curve approaching this place, suddenly a most magnificent scene bursts upon the sight. Where the Potomac and Shenandoah unite their waters, they have cut a deep, narrow gorge through a ridge 700-800 feet high, leaving an almost perpendicular rocky wall upon either side. These rivers present quite a singular appearance. They are rather broad and quite swift, dotted thickly with rocks forming innumerable little water falls so that they presented a spotted appearance at a little distance. The scenery as you look up the Shenandoah is the finest I ever beheld.

          Again, in a drizzling rain we selected our campground and pitched our tents. I will describe as well as I can our situation and surroundings. Take as a starting point a street a mile in length running northeast and southwest through the towns of Harper’s Ferry and Bolivar; the Ferry being at the northeast where this street divided the right angle formed by the two rivers, the Potomac running east and the Shenandoah north. The town of Harper’s Ferry occupies the point formed by the rivers; the ruins of the old arsenal buildings extending along both banks. Strong fortifications bristling with cannon extend across from stream to stream. The town of Bolivar is higher and extends along the street first mentioned. Here we are encamped about a mile from the Ferry in advance of the troops here.

Between us and the Potomac is a ridge. East across the Potomac from the Ferry are the Maryland Heights, halfway up which is a battery of artillery with its guard of infantry. On the top of these heights is a lookout built by the Secesh from which you can see the whole country for 20-30 miles around. Ridges as high as our Pomeroy hills appear to be mere inequalities in the surface of a great valley which lies outstretched like a mass at our feet. It is a view which will richly repay any one for the labor of ascent. South of us across the Shenandoah are the Louden Heights where we can see some spiked guns, formerly a masked battery of our men. The troops stationed here besides our men are the 12th and 22nd New York regiments, parts of a Maryland and Delaware regiment, and several companies of artillery and cavalry.

We have had a good time since we have been here. Our camp is a very fine one with plenty of elbow room and a nice grassy drill ground. When we first came to camp, we could get plenty of cherries from deserted premises. We now get apples and pears in the same way while picking blackberries and huckleberries in the woods. For the past two weeks, our principal amusement has been the construction of bowers of pine and cedar. I presume 10,000 loads of bushes have been dragged into camp by our boys. We have built bowers in front of all our quarters and fitted them up with seats and tables of Secesh boards.

We have built a tabernacle for meetings 40 feet by 80 feet, but the finest bower is one built by Co. A in front of the colonel’s quarters. A pine tree 8 inches in diameter is planted in the center, the upper boughs being left on; 8 smaller ones are set at equal distances from this, the rafters extended in a slanting direction to the center pole. Cross ticks are laid upon these and the whole thickly covered with pine boughs. The center pole is finely ornamented with cedar full of berries and an octagonal seat is put up. The stars and stripes float upon the top of the center pole.


The bowers of our company are constructed upon a similar pattern but are not so fancy. I do not suppose we suffer as much from the heat as you do at home. We have no drills now after 8 in the morning or before 6 in the evening. The rest of the time we can spend in our arbors. Besides we are on pretty high ground and have a cool breeze almost all the time.

As to the drill of our regiment, I will only say that we were highly complimented by both General Wool and Colonel Dixon Miles at the review of the troops stationed here. Everybody says we have made very great progress for the time we have been in the service. We do not expect to see any fighting before our time is expired though our boys are ready and, in fact, rather anxious for a fight. Colonel Miles says that though the New York boys are better drilled, he would depend principally upon us in an emergency.

Our staff officers are all good men and well liked. Colonel Henry Banning is a captain in the service on a three month furlough. He is a good military man, very kind and sociable, and thoughtful of the interests of his men but still strict enough in discipline. Lieutenant Colonel John Faskin is a Scotchman with a voice like a lion and an air of unflinching courage which has been well-tried, too. He was an adjutant in the service [67th Ohio] and won laurels at Winchester. Major Leffingwell was in the Mexican War and is the best drilled man of the three. Surgeon Barr from the 36th Ohio is a No. 1 physician.

          Our regiment is to be reorganized when our time is out. I suppose our friends will be anxious to know what we are going to do. It seems to be settled than unless an emergency arises, we are to remain where we are until our regiment is taken back to Ohio to be reorganized. Rumors, many tongued, daily brings as to the time of our return and the place to which we will be taken. The latest authentic report is that we are going back to Camp Chase the last of next week to be immediately discharged and a month’s furlough given to those who reenlist. Our term of enlistment does not expire until the 10th of September. 

    [As things turned out, the 87th Ohio did not reorganize, the men disgusted by the way in which they were caught up in the surrender of the Harper's Ferry garrison on September 15, 1862, 5 days after the expiration of their term of service. Upon their arrival as paroled prisoners of war at Camp Douglas in Chicago, the men successfully lobbied to be sent home to Ohio where they were mustered out in early October 1862. William's older brother Milton Bosworth served in the 53rd Ohio and died of disease in March 1863. After his service with the 87th Ohio, William became a minister and died in Kansas in 1936, aged 94.] 

Source:

Letter from Private William A. Bosworth, Co. A, 87th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Pomeroy Weekly Telegraph (Ohio), August 22, 1862, pg. 1

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