Description: Discharge of T.M. Welsh from the "Squirrel Hunters" ("Minute Men of Ohio"), called to defend Cincinnati from attack during the Civil War. In the second year of the American Civil War, Confederate troops were ordered to capture Covington, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. Major General Horatio Wright, commander of Union forces in Kentucky, ordered General Lewis (Lew) Wallace to prepare Covington's and Cincinnati's defenses. Upon arriving in Cincinnati, Wallace immediately declared martial law. He issued a call in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan for a volunteer militia. Men in the regular army would fight on the battlefield, while the civilians would prepare trenches and other defensive features to prepare the two communities for attack. Cincinnati residents reportedly "cheerfully obeyed" the order. Ohio Governor David Tod left Columbus, the state capital, and came to Cincinnati to assist Wallace. Tod immediately ordered Ohio's adjutant-general to send any available troops other than those guarding Ohio's southern border to Cincinnati. A number of Ohio counties offered to dispatch men to Cincinnati as well, and civilians from sixty-five counties numbering 15,766 men reported for duty at Cincinnati. These volunteer men became known as the "Squirrel Hunters." Many of the Squirrel Hunters had no military training and carried antiquated weapons. Despite these shortcomings, they still rallied together to help defend Ohio from Confederate invasion. A Confederate scout reported that, "They call them Squirrel Hunters; farm boys that never had to shoot at the same squirrel twice." Thanks to the actions of Wallace and Tod, Covington and Cincinnati had adequate defenses to repel the Confederate advance within two days. By September 13, 1862, news reached Cincinnati that the Confederate forces were withdrawing from Kentucky and that Cincinnati was no longer in danger. Wallace earned the nickname "Savior of Cincinnati" for his actions in September 1862. The Squirrel Hunters returned to their homes. To thank the Squirrel Hunters, the Ohio legislature, in 1863, authorized funds for Governor Tod to print discharges for these men from military duty. The discharges thanked the men for their patriotism and their willingness to sacrifice their lives in the defense of Ohio. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: VFM2637
Subjects: Squirrel Hunters; Ohio History--Military Ohio, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865; Cincinnati (Ohio)--History
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio);
 

Description: Mary A. Ball Bickerdyke, known as "Mother" Bickerdyke, was a nurse and healthcare provider for the Union Army during the Civil War. She was born on July 19, 1817, near Mount Vernon, Ohio. After attending Oberlin College, she studied nursing in Cincinnati. During the Civil War, Bickerdyke traveled with the armies of Generals Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman, treating wounded soldiers, setting up field hospitals, and working as an agent for the United States Sanitary Commission. After the war was over, she assisted Union veterans with legal issues and helped them secure their pensions. Bickerdyke died on November 8, 1901, in Bunker Hill, Kansas. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL07064
Subjects: United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865; Nurses--Ohio; Nurses and nursing--Ohio; Women--Ohio--History
Places: Mount Vernon (Ohio); Knox County (Ohio);
 

Description: Photographic portrait of John James McCook. The back of the photograph reads: "John J. McCook son of Daniel McCook & Martha Latimer McCook." Although scholars disagree on the exact number of McCooks who fought in the Civil War, it appears that Daniel McCook and eight of his nine sons took up arms for the North, as did his brother, John McCook, and his five sons. Individually, the two families were known as the Tribe of Dan and the Tribe of John. Together, they came to be referred to as the "Fighting McCooks." Daniel McCook, the patriarch of the Tribe of Dan, lived in Carrolton, Ohio, before the Civil War. He received a commission as major and lost his life in the Battle of Buffington Island in 1863. George McCook, Dan's son, was a brigadier-general and served as an Ohio Attorney -General before the Civil War. Other members of the Tribe of Dan included Latimer, Robert, Alexander, Daniel Jr., Edwin Stanton, Charles Morris, and John James. The Tribe of John included the family patriarch, John McCook. A doctor in Steubenville before the war, he served as a volunteer surgeon during the Civil War. Other members of the Tribe of John included Edward, Anson, Henry, John James, and Roderick. All members of the Tribe of John survived the Civil War. Fourteen of the McCooks became officers. Four of them died in service to their country. The Fighting McCooks' dedication to the Union war effort made them well known in the North. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: P27_B01F13_001_001
Subjects: McCook family; Civil War; Families--Ohio; Portrait photography;
Places: Ohio
 

Description: Photograph showing a family portrait of the McCook sons and daughter. The back of the photograph reads: "Thought this would be interesting - showing the John McCook sons in civilian dress. Left to right - Roderick Sheldon McC. John J. McC. Anson G. McC. Hand in pocket Mary Gertrude McC. (oldest sibling of 5 bros) Henry Christopher McC. (seated) Seated- Eward Woody McC. Notes by Wm. McCook Knox." Although scholars disagree on the exact number of McCooks who fought in the Civil War, it appears that Daniel McCook and eight of his nine sons took up arms for the North, as did his brother, John McCook, and his five sons. Individually, the two families were known as the Tribe of Dan and the Tribe of John. Together, they came to be referred to as the "Fighting McCooks." Daniel McCook, the patriarch of the Tribe of Dan, lived in Carrolton, Ohio, before the Civil War. He received a commission as major and lost his life in the Battle of Buffington Island in 1863. George McCook, Dan's son, was a brigadier-general and served as an Ohio Attorney -General before the Civil War. Other members of the Tribe of Dan included Latimer, Robert, Alexander, Daniel Jr., Edwin Stanton, Charles Morris, and John James. The Tribe of John included the family patriarch, John McCook. A doctor in Steubenville before the war, he served as a volunteer surgeon during the Civil War. Other members of the Tribe of John included Edward, Anson, Henry, John James, and Roderick. All members of the Tribe of John survived the Civil War. Fourteen of the McCooks became officers. Four of them died in service to their country. The Fighting McCooks' dedication to the Union war effort made them well known in the North. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: P27_B01F15_001_001
Subjects: McCook family; Civil War; Families--Ohio; Portrait photography;
Places: Steubenville (Ohio); Jefferson County (Ohio);
 

Description: Photograph showing a home of the McCook family, 1886. The back of the photograph reads: "McCook cottage at Ft Wm Henry Lake George June 3--1886." Although scholars disagree on the exact number of McCooks who fought in the Civil War, it appears that Daniel McCook and eight of his nine sons took up arms for the North, as did his brother, John McCook, and his five sons. Individually, the two families were known as the Tribe of Dan and the Tribe of John. Together, they came to be referred to as the "Fighting McCooks." Daniel McCook, the patriarch of the Tribe of Dan, lived in Carrolton, Ohio, before the Civil War. He received a commission as major and lost his life in the Battle of Buffington Island in 1863. George McCook, Dan's son, was a brigadier-general and served as an Ohio Attorney -General before the Civil War. Other members of the Tribe of Dan included Latimer, Robert, Alexander, Daniel Jr., Edwin Stanton, Charles Morris, and John James. The Tribe of John included the family patriarch, John McCook. A doctor in Steubenville before the war, he served as a volunteer surgeon during the Civil War. Other members of the Tribe of John included Edward, Anson, Henry, John James, and Roderick. All members of the Tribe of John survived the Civil War. Fourteen of the McCooks became officers. Four of them died in service to their country. The Fighting McCooks' dedication to the Union war effort made them well known in the North. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: P27_B01F19_001_001
Subjects: McCook family; Civil War; Families--Ohio; Portrait photography;
Places: Lake George (New York)
 

Description: Formal portrait of Mary Gertrude McCook. The back of the photograph reads: "Mary Gertrude McCook dau. of Dr. John McCook and Catherine Julia Sheldon McCook of Lisbon Ohio. Later Married Lewis Sheldon of Brooklyn NY. No descendants." Although scholars disagree on the exact number of McCooks who fought in the Civil War, it appears that Daniel McCook and eight of his nine sons took up arms for the North, as did his brother, John McCook, and his five sons. Individually, the two families were known as the Tribe of Dan and the Tribe of John. Together, they came to be referred to as the "Fighting McCooks." Daniel McCook, the patriarch of the Tribe of Dan, lived in Carrolton, Ohio, before the Civil War. He received a commission as major and lost his life in the Battle of Buffington Island in 1863. George McCook, Dan's son, was a brigadier-general and served as an Ohio Attorney -General before the Civil War. Other members of the Tribe of Dan included Latimer, Robert, Alexander, Daniel, Jr., Edwin Stanton, Charles Morris, and John James. The Tribe of John included the family patriarch, John McCook. A doctor in Steubenville before the war, he served as a volunteer surgeon during the Civil War. Other members of the Tribe of John included Edward, Anson, Henry, John James, and Roderick. All members of the Tribe of John survived the Civil War. Fourteen of the McCooks became officers. Four of them died in service to their country. The Fighting McCooks' dedication to the Union war effort made them well-known in the North. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: P27_B01F23_001_001
Subjects: McCook family; Civil War; Families--Ohio; Portrait photography; Women
Places: Lisbon (Ohio); Columbiana County (Ohio);
 

Description: Photograph showing a storefront with the caption "McCook Property Carrollton Ohio." Although scholars disagree on the exact number of McCooks who fought in the Civil War, it appears that Daniel McCook and eight of his nine sons took up arms for the North, as did his brother, John McCook, and his five sons. Individually, the two families were known as the Tribe of Dan and the Tribe of John. Together, they came to be referred to as the "Fighting McCooks." Daniel McCook, the patriarch of the Tribe of Dan, lived in Carrolton, Ohio, before the Civil War. He received a commission as major and lost his life in the Battle of Buffington Island in 1863. George McCook, Dan's son, was a brigadier-general and served as an Ohio Attorney -General before the Civil War. Other members of the Tribe of Dan included Latimer, Robert, Alexander, Daniel, Jr., Edwin Stanton, Charles Morris, and John James. The Tribe of John included the family patriarch, John McCook. A doctor in Steubenville before the war, he served as a volunteer surgeon during the Civil War. Other members of the Tribe of John included Edward, Anson, Henry, John James, and Roderick. All members of the Tribe of John survived the Civil War. Fourteen of the McCooks became officers. Four of them died in service to their country. The Fighting McCooks' dedication to the Union war effort made them well-known in the North. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: P27_B01F25_001
Subjects: McCook family; Civil War; Families--Ohio; Portrait photography; Stores & shops; Houses;
Places: Carrollton (Ohio); Carroll County (Ohio);
 

Description: Photograph showing a building that is identified in a similar photograph as "McCook Property Carrollton Ohio." Although scholars disagree on the exact number of McCooks who fought in the Civil War, it appears that Daniel McCook and eight of his nine sons took up arms for the North, as did his brother, John McCook, and his five sons. Individually, the two families were known as the Tribe of Dan and the Tribe of John. Together, they came to be referred to as the "Fighting McCooks." Daniel McCook, the patriarch of the Tribe of Dan, lived in Carrolton, Ohio, before the Civil War. He received a commission as major and lost his life in the Battle of Buffington Island in 1863. George McCook, Dan's son, was a brigadier-general and served as an Ohio Attorney -General before the Civil War. Other members of the Tribe of Dan included Latimer, Robert, Alexander, Daniel, Jr., Edwin Stanton, Charles Morris, and John James. The Tribe of John included the family patriarch, John McCook. A doctor in Steubenville before the war, he served as a volunteer surgeon during the Civil War. Other members of the Tribe of John included Edward, Anson, Henry, John James, and Roderick. All members of the Tribe of John survived the Civil War. Fourteen of the McCooks became officers. Four of them died in service to their country. The Fighting McCooks' dedication to the Union war effort made them well-known in the North. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: P27_B01F25_002
Subjects: McCook family; Civil War; Families--Ohio; Portrait photography; Houses;
Places: Carrollton (Ohio); Carroll County (Ohio);
 

Description: This carte de visite photograph shows General Charles Griffin, from the William T. Sherman Photograph Album, ca. 1865-1880. Griffin is pictured standing next to a chair, wearing a dress frock coat with buttons and shoulder boards indicating his military rank. He is holding an officer's hat in his right hand. The chair features intricate carving in an abstract floral design along its side rail. Charles Griffin was born on December 18, 1825, in Granville, Ohio. He graduated 23rd out of 38 in his class at the United States Military Academy, and went on to serve in both the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. During the Civil War, he was promoted to the rank of Major General, and commanded troops at numerous engagements including the Battle of Antietam, the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Battle of Chancellorsville and the Battle of Gettysburg. He died on September 15, 1867 in Galveston, Texas. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL04331
Subjects: Generals--United States; Ohio History--Military Ohio; Ohio--History--Civil War, 1861-1865; Soldiers; Military officers; Civil War 1861-1865; Soldiers--Ohio--Photographs. United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Photographs
Places: Granville (Ohio); Licking County (Ohio)
 

Description: George Wythe McCook (1821-1877) is pictured in this 4.5 by 6.25-inch (11.36 by 15.88 cm) cabinet card. George was the son of Daniel and Martha Latimer McCook and a member of the Fighting McCooks, an Ohio family that sent fifteen men to serve in the Civil War. He was a graduate of Ohio University and became the law partner of Edwin Stanton, who later served as secretary of war, in Steubenville. McCook served in both the Mexican War and the Civil War, although in the later war his poor health prevented him from much active duty. He also served as attorney general of Ohio. Daniel McCook, Sr. and his eight sons, together with his brother John McCook and his five sons fought in the Civil War. Daniel (1798-1863) and John (1806-1865) were born in Pennsylvania, and moved to Lisbon in Columbiana County, Ohio in 1826. Daniel subsequently moved to Carrollton, where he served as Carroll County's first clerk of the court of common pleas. John settled in Steubenville, where he practiced medicine. When President Lincoln made the first call for volunteers, 63-year-old Daniel Sr. answered and his sons and relatives followed. Daniel Sr., Daniel Jr., Robert Latimer, and Charles Morris McCook were killed in the war. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1289_793691_007
Subjects: Military Ohio; Ohio Government; Mexican War; Civil War; McCook family
Places: Carrollton (Ohio); Carroll County (Ohio); Steubenville (Ohio); Jefferson County (Ohio)
 

Description: This image is a view of Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio. Rows of headstones mark the soldiers' graves. Visible in the left center background is a bronze figure of a Confederate soldier standing atop a stone arch. The cemetery is located in a residential neighborhood. Organized in 1861, Camp Chase initially replaced Camp Jackson, located near Columbus, as a recruitment and training center for the Union Army. The facility was named after Salmon P. Chase, Treasury Secretary under President Abraham Lincoln and former governor of Ohio. However, Camp Chase became a prisoner-of-war camp early in the war. The first inmates at Camp Chase were chiefly political and military prisoners from Kentucky and Western Virginia allegedly loyal to the Confederacy. Union victories at Fort Donaldson, Tennessee, on Feb. 16, 1862, and at Mississippi River Island No. 10, on April 8, 1862, brought an influx of Confederate prisoners to Camp Chase, most of whom were enlisted men and non-commissioned officers. During 1863 the prison population at Camp Chase numbered 8,000 men, its peak. Like many prisons in the north, Camp Chase was ravaged by disease; during late 1864, a smallpox epidemic resulted in many deaths. During the course of the Civil War, more than two thousand Confederate prisoners died at Camp Chase. Initially, prison officials buried dead prisoners in a Columbus city cemetery. In 1863, however, the prison established its own cemetery. Remains were reinterred in the prison cemetery after its opening. Following the war, thirty-one Confederate bodies from Camp Dennison near Cincinnati were moved to the Camp Chase cemetery. The Union military closed Camp Chase at the end of the Civil War. Efforts to mark the graves of the Confederate dead within the cemetery began by the mid-1890s. Led by William H. Knauss, a wounded Union Army veteran, this movement succeeded in bringing together both Union and Confederate veterans’ organizations to pay tribute to those interred in the cemetery. Memorial services have been held at the cemetery every year since 1896. On June 7, 1902, a monument to the Confederate dead was erected at the cemetery. In 1904, Congress allocated funds for the maintenance of Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery. Most of what remains of Camp Chase today includes two acres of land, consisting primarily of the Confederate cemetery. Officially, the Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery contains an estimated 2,168 remains in 2,122 graves. Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery has two monuments. The first depicts a bronze figure of a Confederate Civil War soldier standing atop a granite arch, his rifle held vertically in front of him, with both hands resting on the top of the barrel. Originally the memorial consisted of a wooden arch inscribed with the word “AMERICANS,” but in 1902 the wooden arch was replaced with this 17' tall stone memorial. The second monument is a 3-foot-tall boulder underneath the stone arch. Installed in 1897, the boulder bears an inscription that reads: "2260 Confederate Soldiers of the war 1861-1865 buried in this enclosure." (This statistic disagrees with the official record.) The Camp Chase site, including the Confederate Cemetery, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06659
Subjects: Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery (Columbus, Ohio); Camp Chase (Ohio); Civil War; Cemeteries--Ohio; Civil War--Prisoners and prisons; National Register of Historic Places
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Postcard showing a photograph of the McCook house. The Fighting McCooks, a family of Union Army volunteers during the American Civil War, resided in the county. During the American Civil War, fifteen members of the McCook family from Ohio fought for the Union, earning them the nickname "The Fighting McCooks." Although scholars disagree on the exact number of McCooks who fought in the Civil War, it appears that Daniel McCook and eight of his nine sons took up arms for the North, as did his brother, John McCook, and John's five sons. Individually, the two families were known as the Tribe of Dan and the Tribe of John. Together, they came to be referred to as the "Fighting McCooks." View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID:
Subjects: Postcards; Tourism; McCook family; Historic houses; Civil War 1861-1865; Families;
Places: Carrollton (Ohio); Carroll County (Ohio)