THE COMPANY was organized in Sept. 1861, at Millersburg, Ohio, by the combination of recruits enlisted under William Spangler of Millersburg, who had been a second lieutenant in the 16th, O. V. I., in the three months service, and Joseph Edgar, of Bloomfield and Robert W. Ligetet of Nashville. At the selection of officers by a vote of the company, William Spangler was elected captain, Joseph Edgar First Lieut. and R. W. Liggett Second Lieut.

About the 26th. of Sept. the company went to camp Tiffin, Wooster, O. and on the 2nd. day of October were mustered into the volunteer service of the U. S. We were the fourth company to go into camp.

Colonel John F. DeCoursey, who had been a soldier in the army of Great Britain from childhood, and had risen from a private to the rank of Major of the Line, had had ample opportunity to study the organization of a regiment, with a view to putting the best men in the most important places, and ignored the rules and customs in assigning the companies to their place in line. According to usual military rule our place would have been on the left flank, but he designated us as the color company having charge of the flag, in the center of the regiment, on the right wing a most commanding and important position, and he never had occasion to regret this selection, nor had subsequent commanders, for the colors were always in safe and responsible hands, and the company was justly proud of its distinction. There was a color guard of six at first, composed of sergeants and corporals of other companies, in connection with our own, but comrade R. N. Gorsuch was the trusted standard bearer from the battle of Thompson's Hill, near Port Gibson, Miss. May 1, 1863, and certainly the colors were never entrusted to truer and more loyal hands and it is one of the incidents of his life that he may look upon with great pleasure.

When Col. DeCourcy was first introduced to us by Major Kershner, at Wooster, O. he complimented us in unsparing terms for our gentlemanly appearance, and soldierly bearing, and his interest increased in us from that day forward. In his address to us among other things he said there were three things that every one must learn, in order to be a good soldier. The first was discipline. Then pursuing the subject farther, the second thing we should learn was discipline. Continuing his address the last thing he named that should be learned was discipline.

We believed it and practiced it, and when we returned and marched up the streets of Columbus, O. as orderly as we ever went any where, the Ohio State Journal, the next morning paid us many compliments, and said that "Of all the regiments which had returned from the front up to that date, the 16th O. V. I. was under the best discipline." It was a most worthy compliment.

Our company was signally honored on two occasions by DeCourcy, by being placed in a very advanced position, which however resulted very disastrously. At another time while we were moving down along the foot of the Cumberland Mts. on the north side as stealthily as possibley after night, the command was passed back in a stage whisper to halt. The Colonel rode back to us and said, "Capt. Edgar, Select 20 of your most reliable men and go with this guide up the mountain, take possession of a gap there and hold it at all hazards." That expression "at all hazards" sounded dangerous, and as the men were tolled off and stepped to the front, their hearts jumped up into their mouths as if determined to escape. We got there in good time, and the hazard was on the part of the enemy when he appeared with the first streaks of daylight.

When the boys tried to get out of their predicament at Tazwell, Tenn., found themselves surrounded by thousands of confederates who fired a volley at them at such close range that it must have killed every man but for the fact the enemy was on ground much above them and over shot them. it now seemed every man for himself. There was a little three cornered field there, which sloped from three sides into the valley into which most of the boys got and began to scatter, Detwiler, on seeing this in great earnestness called out "Poys, poys, py hoky let's rally." But rally was impossible with thousands of rebels on all sides of them and they were nearly all made prisoners.

George Henderson and Jonathan Cornell took refuge under a brush heap, and in the excitement were not discovered. All day long rebel troops tramped by them not one hundred feet away, while they lay prone upon their stomachs in close communion with themselves. near midnight when all was still they crawled out and started toward Knoxville, in an effort to surround the enemy. Towards morning they came to a colored man's house, who kept them under the bed all day, while the good mammy fed them on corn pone. At night the colored man piloted them to a union man's house, and he in turn did the same service, and in four days they appeared in camp smiling and happy.

Paul Wilder and John mcCluggage made a break for liberty through this little field and across the road, when they found their way blocked, and they squatted down in a clump of bushes to await developements. Presently Col. Gordon of the 11th Ga. regiment came riding up this road all alone, and discovering them drew his revolver and ordered their surrender; quick as thought two hammers clicked and two French rifles were pointed at him, not twenty feet away, and he was in turn ordered to ground his arms and come to them. The chances were uneven, and the muzzle of those guns were not a cheering sight, and being surrounded by his own men, within easy call, he decided to humor them, and rode up into the bushes.

"Now," says Paul, "we'll get out of here. You remain on your horse, and I will go before lead the way and let down fences, and John you keep right behind him, with your gun cocked, and if he makes the least effort to betray us, shoot him through the heart." "I'll do it," says John, and the march was commenced, and they passed within speaking distance and in plain view of two rebel brigades, and on account of the excitement were not discovered.

It was an exxceedingly hot day, and when they landed their prisoner at DeCourcy's headquarters they were well nigh exhausted.

DeCourcy ordered the horse cared for and as the rebel Col. sat on the ground, and saw his men scampering back over the hill followed by the terrible cannonade of Foster's battery, he heaved a sigh and said, "Well, this beats hell."

But such was his treatment as a prisoner by our men, that he was unstinting in his praise. in a couple of weeks an exchange was affected and the boys were all back, save Capt. Edgar who undertook to run the gauntlet and to get out, and was shot through the head and instantly killed.

To collect together one hundred and three men promiscuously, and not find a few who would not come up to the highest standard of moral and mental excellence would be about a moral impossibility. But by far the largest per cent of this company were the choice sons of the homes of their communitives. Intelligent and well informed beyond the average, pure in lives and motives, respresenting the very best elements of society.

Many of them from christian homes, and they themselves members of various churches, and maintained their moral and christian integrity throughout their entire service. Quite a list of them had been teachers in the public schools.

There were in this company a dozen men, privates and non-commissioned officers who were fully as capable of commanding a regiment as a number of commanders we became associated with in brigade and division organizations. yet without hope of honor or reward they patriotically served, glad to be counted in the great army of the union.

Roster of Company B, 16th Regiment, O. V. I. Mustered into service October 2, 1861, at Camp Tiffin, Wooster, Ohio. Served to November 4, 1864, when it was honorably mustered out of service, at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio.

Colonel John F. Decourcy.
Resigned March 3, 1864, and returned to his home in England, where he was afterward honored by being appointed to a seat in the House of Lords, and died several years ago.

Lieutenant Colonel George W. Bailey.
Resigned August 27, 1862, on account of failing eye sight, and died shortly afterward

Lieutenant Colonel Phillip Kershner.
Taken prisoner at Chickasaw Bluffs wounded and exchanged. Promoted from major, August 27, 1862, and served in that connection until the muster out, November 4, 1864. Lost his sight and died about 1898 at Detroit, Michigan.

Major Robert W. P. Muse.
Promoted to Major from Company A. Resigned January 13, 1863. Was attorney for a railroad in Kansas and died about 1890.

Major Milton Mills.
Promoted to Major from Company D. Resigned February 12, 1864. Died at Dresden, Ohio, several years afterward.

Major E. W. Botsford.
Commanded the regiment for six months after the Chickasaw Bluffs Battle and was breveted major.

Adjutant Cushman Cunningham.
Promoted to Captain of Company F October 7, 1862, afterward resigned.

Adjutant Charles B. Smith.
Promoted from Sergeant Major October 7, 1862. Received seven wounds at Tazwell, Tennessee.

Quarter Master Absalom Finch.
Promoted from Lieutenant in Company F.

Surgeon Basil B. Brashear.
Discharged with the regiment. Since dead.

Assistant Surgeon C. G. Chase.
Joined a colored regiment after the fall of Vicksburg.

Assistant Surgeon J. W. Vandervoort.

Captain William Spangler.
Died of disease at Millersburg, Ohio, January 19, 1862.

1st Lieutenant Joseph Edgar.
Promoted to Captain February 19, 1862. Was killed in battle at Tazwell, Tennessee, August 6, 1862.

2nd Lieutenant Robert W. Liggett.
Promoted to 1st Lieutenant February 12, 1862. Promoted to Captain, August 6, 1862. Dismissed the service March 13, 1863, by order of Secretary of War Stanton. On coming home he went to Washington and the Judge Advocate General, when he had been made acquainted with the facts concerning the dismissal, decided that there was not sufficient cause for it, and so wrote to President Lincoln, who concurred in the decision, and wrote and order to Secretary of War Stanton to revoke the dismissal; but Stanton was inexorable and the dismissal stood. By a special act of congress a couple of years ago the dismissal was ordered expunged from the war record of Captain Liggett. He afterwards served as Captain in the 166th O. V. I. regiment, was promoted to Major, and with a battalion of three companies of infantry and one of artillery, was placed in command of Fort Barnard, on Arlington Heights, a very important one of the defenses of Washington. Is still living at the old ancestral home at Nashville, Ohio. He and Captain Tanneyhill of Company E. are the only officers left who held commissions at the organization of the regiment.

Silas H. Corn, 1st. Sergeant.
Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant February 4, 1862. Promoted to 1st Lieutenant August 6, 1862. Promoted to Captain May 9, 1864. Was taken prisoner at Chickasaw Bayou, the last of December, 1862, and confined in Libby prison for several months, when he was exchanged and returned home, and was assigned to duty in command of some troops during the Holmes Co. Ohio rebellion. But he tired of this, as the enemy was too evasive and did not appreciate being shot at. He returned to the regiment when we were on the march from Vicksburg to Jackson. While in Texas he served for a time as disbursing officer, and in the later months as Judge Advocate of a board of court martial and was discharged with the regiment. He is now living a retired life, in feeble health, at Cameron, Missouri.

John N. Boling, 2nd Sergeant.
Promoted to 1st Sergeant March 1, 1862. Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant August 6, 1862. Promoted to 1st Lieutenant May 9, 1864. Received an ugly wound in the breast at Chickasaw Bayou, December 28, 1862. Was discharged with the regiment November 4, 1864. he is still living at Stanwood, Iowa, engaged in the real estate business. For a time he run a large tile mill, and also had some experience in conducting a newspaper.

William Buchanan, 3rd Sergeant.
Promoted to 2nd Sergeant March 4, 1862. Promoted to 1st Sergeant August 6, 1862. Discharged for disability June 29, 1863. He died a number of years ago.

Hiram S. Tipton, 4th Sergeant.
Taken prisoner at Tazwell, Tennessee, August 26, 1862, and exchanged. Was wounded at Chickasaw Bayou. Promoted to 1st Sergeant June 29, 1863, and discharged with the regiment. He is supposed to be still living, and the last heard from him he had gone from Kansas City, Missouri, to Denver, Colorado, as a civil engineer.

Mason D. Force, 5th Sergeant.
Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant February 4, 1862. Promoted to 1st Lieutenant August 6, 1862. Promoted to Captain May 9, 1864. Was taken prisoner at Chickasaw Bayou, the last of December, 1862, and confined in Libby prison for several months, when he was exchanged and returned home, and was assigned to duty in command of some troops during the Holmes Co. Ohio rebellion. But he tired of this, as the enemy was too evasive and did not appreciate being shot at. He returned to the regiment when we were on the march from Vicksburg to Jackson. While in Texas he served for a time as disbursing officer, and in the later months as Judge Advocate of a board of court martial and was discharged with the regiment. He is now living a retired life, in feeble health, at Cameron, Missouri.

Silas H. Corn, 1st. Sergeant.
Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant February 4, 1862. Promoted to 1st Lieutenant August 6, 1862. Promoted to Captain May 9, 1864. Was taken prisoner at Chickasaw Bayou, the last of December, 1862, and confined in Libby prison for several months, when he was exchanged and returned home, and was assigned to duty in command of some troops during the Holmes Co. Ohio rebellion. But he tired of this, as the enemy was too evasive and did not appreciate being shot at. He returned to the regiment when we were on the march from Vicksburg to Jackson. While in Texas he served for a time as disbursing officer, and in the later months as Judge Advocate of a board of court martial and was discharged with the regiment. He is now living a retired life, in feeble health, at Cameron, Missouri.

Edmond McCoy.
Promoted to Sergeant February 19, 1862. Taken prisoner at Tazwell, Tennessee, August 6, 1862, and exchanged. Taken prisoner at Chickasaw Bluffs, December 29, 1862 and returned to the regiment November 10, 1863, at Algiers, La. and was discharged with the regiment November 4, 1864. He died at his home near Mt. Holly, Ohio, a short time after his return home.

John Ewing.
Taken prisoner at Tazwell, Tennessee, August 6, 1862, and exchanged. Died of disease April 4, 1863.

Thomas Edgar.
Wounded at Vicksburg, May 20, 1863. Promoted to Sergeant July 1, 1863, and discharged November 4, 1864. He died a few years after his discharge.

Thomas Graham.
Killed at Chickasaw Bluffs, December 29, 1862.

Jacob A. Cole.
Taken prisoner at Tazwell, Tennessee, August 6, 1862, and exchanged. Died May 1863 of wounds received May 1, 1863, at Thompson's Hill, near Port Gibson, Miss.

William Korns.
Taken prisoner at Tazwell, Tennessee, August 6, 1862, and exchanged. Was afterward promoted to Sergeant. Died of disease at his home August 21, 1863.

Thomas E. Phillips.
Taken prisoner at Tazwell, Tennessee, August 6, 1862, and exchanged. Taken prisoner at Arkansas Post and exchanged. He failed to return and his name was carried on the rolls for months in the hope of his return to duty, but on the first of December 1863, it was marked "Deserted."

Paul Wilder.
Promoted to Sergeant for gallant conduct at Tazwell, Tennessee, in the capture of Colonel Gordon of a Georgia regiment, under circumstances when nothing but nerve and cool judgement would have sufficed. He died in January 1863, at Paducah, Kentucky, of wounds received at Chickasaw Bayou.

Martin V. Powelson.
Promoted to Corporal March 1, 1862. Taken prisoner at Chickasaw Bluffs, December 29, 1862 and returned to the regiment at Algiers, La., November 10, 1863, and was discharged with the regiment november 4, 1864. He is still living at Batavia, Iowa, but in feeble health.

Myron F. Strock.
Promoted to Corporal December 1, 1862. Taken prisoner at Tazwell, Tennessee, August 6, 1862 and exchanged. Taken prisoner at Chickasaw Bluffs, December 29, 1862, and returned to the regiment November 10, 1863, at Algiers, La., and was discharged with the regiment November 4, 1864. He is still living, hale and hearty at the age of 71, on rural route No. 4, Kirksville, Mo.

Hugh Tidball (alias Joe Bowers).
Promoted to Corporal November 1, 1863. Taken prisoner at Tazwell, Tennessee, August 6, 1862 and exchanged. Wounded at Chickasaw Bayou. Discharged November 4, 1864. He is still living, though in feeble health, on a ranch near Collier, Kansas, surrounded by a large and devoted family. Everyone remembers Hugh, and his chanting the strains of the disappointed "Joe Bowers, all the way from Pike."

Samuel Frizzell.
Promoted to Corporal December 1, 1862. Taken prisoner at Tazwell, Tennessee, August 6, 1862 and exchanged. He is still living at the old ancestral home, respected and honored by all who know him. Discharged November 4, 1864.

Benjamin F. Wilson.
Promoted to Corporal July 1, 1864. Taken prisoner at Tazwell, Tennessee, August 6, 1862 and exchanged. Taken prisoner at Battle of Champion Hills, Miss., May 16, 1863, and returned to the regiment November 22, 1863. He is still living at Holmesville, Ohio, and has extensive business interests.

Henry Livingston Sr.
Appointed snare drummer. Discharged for disability March 7, 1863. He was perhaps the oldest man in the company and lived after his discharge till only a few years ago.

Nathan Collins.
Appointed fifer at Cumberland Gap, Ky., in July 1862. Was discharged with the regiment November 4, 1864. He is still living and in connection with his two sons is publishing the Arcola, Illinois, Record-Herald, but so feeble in health that the business has all to be intrusted to the sons.

Thomas B. Linn.
Appointed bass drummer November 28, 1862. Promoted to drum major July 1, 1863. Was taken prisoner at Tazwell, Tenn., August 6, 1862 and exchanged. He is still living and at present is Custodian of the Custom House building at Indianapolis, Indiana, his office being in room No. 119. He has been prominent for years in secret society work.

Harrison Myers.
Appointed bugler December 18, 1862. Mustered out with the regiment. He is still living and located at Hopkins, Mo.

Jacob Shank.
Promoted to Wagon Master. He is supposed to have died a number of years ago in the southwest.

Warner Hall.
He died ten years ago at Circleville, Ohio.

Isaac Allen.
Discharged for disability November 7, 1863. Supposed to be dead long since. "Poor old Yank."

George Adams.
Supposed to be dead a number of years. Discharged with the regiment.

John H. Achamire.
Discharged with the regiment November 4, 1864. Taken prisoner at Tazwell, Tenn., August 6, and exchanged. Wounded at Chickasaw Bayou. Few of the company had closer calls, or at least three, either of which seems miraculous that his life was spared. He is still living at Sweet Springs, Mo., and moderately prosperous.

Dustin B. Adksun.
Taken prisoner at Chickasaw Bluffs and returned to the regiment November 10, 1863, at Algiers, La. Was discharged with the regiment November 4, 1864. He died in Northern Indiana seveal years ago.

William Anderson.
Taken prisoner at Chickasaw Bluffs, December 29, 1862 and returned to the regiment at Algiers, La., November 10, 1863. Was discharged with the regiment November 4, 1864. Returned to his old home near Holmes county where he died about five years ago.

Joseph Bugle.
Transferred to Company E November 27, and afterwards returned. He was mustered out with the company at Camp Chase, November 4, 1864. His present home is on route 2, Crestline, Ohio, and he is engaged in the paving business.

John G. Balling.
Taken prisoner at Arkansas Post, Ark, in January 1863 and exchanged. His present home is at Plympton, Ohio, and is in feeble health, suffering with weakness.

Isaac Buchanan.
Died of disease February 12, 1862.

Joseph Christopher.
Taken prisoner at Chickasaw Bluffs, December 29, 1862, exchanged and returned to the regiment at Algiers, La., November 10, 1863, was discharged with the regiment November 4, 1864. He is still living at the old home near Kilbuck, Ohio.

Frederick Campbell.
Discharged for disability November 29, 1862. Know nothing farther of him.

Joseph Carpenter.
Deserted, arrested and court martialed and killed by a guard while trying to make his escape.

William Claney.
Killed in action at Vicksburg, May 22, 1862.

Jonathan Cornell.
Wounded at Chickasaw Bayou, December 29, 1862. Died of disease at Millikin's Bend, La., April 16, 1863.

Andrew Duncan.
Shot through the thigh at Chickasaw Bayou. Discharged November 4, 1864, with the regiment. Still living at Minneapolis, Minn., 79th street, No. 9 Flat 4, and a perfect nervous wreck.

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