civil war and reconstruction, 1861-1877
Abraham Lincoln on Slavery and the Union at the Ohio Statehouse

In 1858, Abraham Lincoln lost a U.S. Senate race to Stephen A. Douglas after a series of debates on slavery. In 1859, Lincoln and Douglas delivered speeches on the Ohio Statehouse grounds. Lincoln came to Columbus in support of William Dennison, the Republican candidate for Ohio Governor.
In his first Ohio speech, Lincoln spoke to a small crowd of fifty people on the east terrace of the Statehouse. His speech on the slavery question and the preservation of the Union lasted more than two hours. The speech was circulated as an addendum to the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, and helped Lincoln establish a strong position for the Republican Party in the 1860 election. After Lincoln defeated Douglas in the presidential election of 1860, he returned to Columbus in 1861 on his way to Washington D.C. where he was sworn in as the sixteenth President of the United States on March 4.
The new Ohio Statehouse was finally completed in 1861, with much of the labor supplied by prison inmates. The new statehouse replaced the early statehouse built in 1816.
In his first Ohio speech, Lincoln spoke to a small crowd of fifty people on the east terrace of the Statehouse. His speech on the slavery question and the preservation of the Union lasted more than two hours. The speech was circulated as an addendum to the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, and helped Lincoln establish a strong position for the Republican Party in the 1860 election. After Lincoln defeated Douglas in the presidential election of 1860, he returned to Columbus in 1861 on his way to Washington D.C. where he was sworn in as the sixteenth President of the United States on March 4.
The new Ohio Statehouse was finally completed in 1861, with much of the labor supplied by prison inmates. The new statehouse replaced the early statehouse built in 1816.
William T. Coggeshall Saves Lincoln's Life

William T. Coggeshall, a journalist, secretary to Governor William Dennison and state librarian of Ohio, became a personal bodyguard to President Abraham Lincoln. Coggeshall met Lincoln during his stop in Columbus as part of the inaugural route to Washington D.C. He accompanied Lincoln on the remainder of the trip to Washington D.C. as a bodyguard and as a reporter for the Ohio State Journal.
According to a letter by William's wife, Mary, Coggeshall once saved Lincoln's life at a train stop near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. As Lincoln and Coggeshall exited the train, they discovered a hand grenade ready to explode. Coggeshall took the shell and threw it through an open window. At Lincoln's request, Coggeshall never mentioned the incident.
In honor of Lincoln, Coggeshall named his daughter Emancipation Proclamation Coggeshall. Known as "Prokie," she graduated from Otterbein College in Westerville in 1881 and later taught music there.
According to a letter by William's wife, Mary, Coggeshall once saved Lincoln's life at a train stop near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. As Lincoln and Coggeshall exited the train, they discovered a hand grenade ready to explode. Coggeshall took the shell and threw it through an open window. At Lincoln's request, Coggeshall never mentioned the incident.
In honor of Lincoln, Coggeshall named his daughter Emancipation Proclamation Coggeshall. Known as "Prokie," she graduated from Otterbein College in Westerville in 1881 and later taught music there.
Mobilizing for War: Civil War Camps in Columbus

In April 1861, President Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to end the South’s rebellion. Ohio Governor William Dennison encouraged Ohio communities to revive their local militias and send them to the state capital of Columbus.
Camp Jackson, the first of five Union training camps in Columbus, was established in Goodale Park. However, the number of troops quickly exceeded the capacity of the park, and Camp Chase was established four miles west of Columbus on the National Road as a mobilization and training center for the Union Army. Camp Chase became one of the major Union army posts in the country, and also served as a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp.
Camp Thomas was established in North Columbus to train new regiments for service in the Western Theater. A year later, General Lew Wallace (later the author of Ben Hur) established Camp Wallace near Camp Thomas.
Tod Barracks, named for Ohio Governor David Tod, was established in 1863 next to Union Station in Columbus as the headquarters for military administration in central Ohio. In the same year, Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham selected a seventy acre tract of land northeast of the city for the erection of an armory and arsenal (Columbus Barracks). The chosen site was an oak grove owned by Robert and Jannette Neil. The arsenal site was later renamed Ft. Hayes.
Camp Jackson, the first of five Union training camps in Columbus, was established in Goodale Park. However, the number of troops quickly exceeded the capacity of the park, and Camp Chase was established four miles west of Columbus on the National Road as a mobilization and training center for the Union Army. Camp Chase became one of the major Union army posts in the country, and also served as a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp.
Camp Thomas was established in North Columbus to train new regiments for service in the Western Theater. A year later, General Lew Wallace (later the author of Ben Hur) established Camp Wallace near Camp Thomas.
Tod Barracks, named for Ohio Governor David Tod, was established in 1863 next to Union Station in Columbus as the headquarters for military administration in central Ohio. In the same year, Adjutant General C.P. Buckingham selected a seventy acre tract of land northeast of the city for the erection of an armory and arsenal (Columbus Barracks). The chosen site was an oak grove owned by Robert and Jannette Neil. The arsenal site was later renamed Ft. Hayes.
General Irvin McDowell at Bull Run

In 1861, Union forces under the command of General Irvin McDowell, a Columbus native, were defeated at the first Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) Virginia. Born in Franklinton, McDowell grew up across the Scioto in the family home on the corner of Front and Spring Streets. His father, Abram McDowell, was a prominent Columbus politician, who served a term as mayor of the city. McDowell's mother was a member of the Starling family, one of the founding families of Columbus. Irvin initially attended the College de Troyes in France before graduating from the United States Military Academy in 1838.
McDowell's promotion to Brigadier General in 1861 was influenced by his friendship with Salmon P. Chase, former Ohio Governor and Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury. After the loss at Bull Run, General George B. McClellan was made commander of the Army of the Potomac. McDowell later commanded a corps in a losing effort at the Second Battle of Bull Run.
McDowell's promotion to Brigadier General in 1861 was influenced by his friendship with Salmon P. Chase, former Ohio Governor and Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury. After the loss at Bull Run, General George B. McClellan was made commander of the Army of the Potomac. McDowell later commanded a corps in a losing effort at the Second Battle of Bull Run.
Columbus Sons in the Civil War

The sons of several prominent Columbus families served in the Civil War. Henry Neil, the son of Wiliam and Hannah Neil and brother-in-law of Ohio Governor William Dennison, was the first Ohioan to enlist in the Union Army. Neil was wounded in the Battle of Iuka in Mississippi in 1862. A street and ravine near his Indianola Avenue home are named after the battle city.
William Neil Dennison, son of Governor William Dennison and grandson of William Neil, received a direct commission into the regular U.S. Army, and was assigned to the 2nd U.S. Artillery, Horse Artillery Brigade. He was promoted to the rank of major for his actions at the Battle of Antietam.
James Kilbourne, grandson of Worthington founder James Kilbourne and great nephew of Lincoln Goodale, graduated from Kenyon College in 1862 and enlisted in the 84th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He later served with the 95th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and fought in battles in the western campaign of the Civil War.
Oscar Kelton, son of Columbus abolitionists and merchants Fernando and Sophie Kelton, was killed at the Battle of Brice's Crossroads in 1864.
William Neil Dennison, son of Governor William Dennison and grandson of William Neil, received a direct commission into the regular U.S. Army, and was assigned to the 2nd U.S. Artillery, Horse Artillery Brigade. He was promoted to the rank of major for his actions at the Battle of Antietam.
James Kilbourne, grandson of Worthington founder James Kilbourne and great nephew of Lincoln Goodale, graduated from Kenyon College in 1862 and enlisted in the 84th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He later served with the 95th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and fought in battles in the western campaign of the Civil War.
Oscar Kelton, son of Columbus abolitionists and merchants Fernando and Sophie Kelton, was killed at the Battle of Brice's Crossroads in 1864.
The 5th United States Colored Troops

On May 22, 1863, the War Department issued General Order Number 143, establishing a "Bureau of Colored Troops" to facilitate the recruitment of African-American soldiers to fight for the Union Army.
The 5th United States Colored Troops, originally the 127th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was organized at Camp Delaware on the east side of the Olentangy River from August to November of 1863. Captain Lewis McCoy, at the direction of Ohio Governor David Tod, organized the regiment. Prior to the organization of the 127th, a number of African Americans from Ohio had been recruited for the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, organized in Boston, Massachusetts.
The renamed 5th Regiment moved to Norfolk, Virginia in November of 1863. The regiment saw action in Virginia as part of the Richmond–Petersburg Campaign and in North Carolina, where it participated in the attacks on Fort Fisher and Wilmington and the Carolinas Campaign. By the time the regiment was mustered out in 1865, they had lost six officers and 243 enlisted men. Sergeants Beatty, Holland, Pimm, and Brunson were awarded medals for gallantry in action by Congress and by General Benjamin F. Butler.
The 5th United States Colored Troops, originally the 127th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was organized at Camp Delaware on the east side of the Olentangy River from August to November of 1863. Captain Lewis McCoy, at the direction of Ohio Governor David Tod, organized the regiment. Prior to the organization of the 127th, a number of African Americans from Ohio had been recruited for the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, organized in Boston, Massachusetts.
The renamed 5th Regiment moved to Norfolk, Virginia in November of 1863. The regiment saw action in Virginia as part of the Richmond–Petersburg Campaign and in North Carolina, where it participated in the attacks on Fort Fisher and Wilmington and the Carolinas Campaign. By the time the regiment was mustered out in 1865, they had lost six officers and 243 enlisted men. Sergeants Beatty, Holland, Pimm, and Brunson were awarded medals for gallantry in action by Congress and by General Benjamin F. Butler.
John Hunt Morgan at the Ohio Penitentary

In July of 1863, Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan led 1,700 soldiers in raids across southern Ohio. Almost 4,400 Ohioans filed claims for compensation with the federal government for items that they lost to the Confederates during the raid.
Morgan was defeated by Union forces at the Battle of Salineville near West Point, Ohio, which became the northern most point of the Civil War. The enlisted Confederate soldiers were sent to the Camp Chase Confederate prison camp. Morgan and several of his officers were held at the Ohio Penitentiary.
About six weeks after their arrival, Morgan and six of his men tunneled out of a cell into an airshaft and used the airshaft to reach the prison yard. They then created a rope from their prison uniforms and scaled the wall. Morgan returned to the Confederate army and cavalry forces in Tennessee and Kentucky. He was shot and killed by Union soldiers in Greenville, Tennessee, in 1864.
Morgan was defeated by Union forces at the Battle of Salineville near West Point, Ohio, which became the northern most point of the Civil War. The enlisted Confederate soldiers were sent to the Camp Chase Confederate prison camp. Morgan and several of his officers were held at the Ohio Penitentiary.
About six weeks after their arrival, Morgan and six of his men tunneled out of a cell into an airshaft and used the airshaft to reach the prison yard. They then created a rope from their prison uniforms and scaled the wall. Morgan returned to the Confederate army and cavalry forces in Tennessee and Kentucky. He was shot and killed by Union soldiers in Greenville, Tennessee, in 1864.
Samuel Medary, Peace Democrat

Samuel Medary was a journalist and newspaper publisher in Columbus who opposed the Civil War, believing the North and South could settle their differences peacefully. He used his newspaper, The Crisis, to criticize the Lincoln administration and Union war effort.
Medary supported Clement Vallandigham, who was living in exile after being forced from Ohio for denouncing the war, as the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor in 1863. A group of soldiers from Camp Chase burned Medary's newspaper office and printing press in 1863. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in 1864 for conspiracy against the government and was arrested. He died on November 7, 1864 before he could be tried.
Medary lived in a 28-room mansion, Northwood Place, located on North High Street, near present-day Northwood and Oakland Avenues.
Medary supported Clement Vallandigham, who was living in exile after being forced from Ohio for denouncing the war, as the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor in 1863. A group of soldiers from Camp Chase burned Medary's newspaper office and printing press in 1863. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in 1864 for conspiracy against the government and was arrested. He died on November 7, 1864 before he could be tried.
Medary lived in a 28-room mansion, Northwood Place, located on North High Street, near present-day Northwood and Oakland Avenues.
Lincoln's Funeral Train

John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Lincoln at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. on April 14, 1865.
When the Lincoln funeral arrrived in Columbus, more than 50,000 people passed by the open casket in the center of the Statehouse Rotunda. According to William T. Coggeshall, “At the appointed hour the funeral train entered the Union Depot, amid the ringing of muffled bells, and stopped so that the funeral car lay nearly across High street. An immense crowd of spectators was congregated in the vicinity of the depot. Bands of music, assembled with the military procession, played solemn dirges while the coffin was taken from the car and laid in the hearse by a portion of the Veteran Reserve Corps, the other Veteran Reserves marching by its side with drawn sabres, attended by the pall bearers and military guard of honor.”
Columbus businessman and abolitionist Fernando Kelton was among the pallbearers at the funeral procession in Columbus.
When the Lincoln funeral arrrived in Columbus, more than 50,000 people passed by the open casket in the center of the Statehouse Rotunda. According to William T. Coggeshall, “At the appointed hour the funeral train entered the Union Depot, amid the ringing of muffled bells, and stopped so that the funeral car lay nearly across High street. An immense crowd of spectators was congregated in the vicinity of the depot. Bands of music, assembled with the military procession, played solemn dirges while the coffin was taken from the car and laid in the hearse by a portion of the Veteran Reserve Corps, the other Veteran Reserves marching by its side with drawn sabres, attended by the pall bearers and military guard of honor.”
Columbus businessman and abolitionist Fernando Kelton was among the pallbearers at the funeral procession in Columbus.