Corporal William Bell, U.S. Army

Buckeye Bill

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One of my friends gave me this discharge paper for a gift in 2013.

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Corporal William Bell served in the United States Army from 1861 to 1864. He served in the 2nd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry during his 3 year service to his country. This regiment formed at Camp Dennison, Cincinnati, Ohio in 1861 and mustered out at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio in 1864.

This regiment fought in the following battles :

* Ivy Mountain (Eastern Kentucky)
* Perryville
* Stones River
* Chickamauga
* Lookout Mountain
* Missionary Ridge
* Ringgold Gap
* Tunnel Hill
* Rocky Face Ridge
* Resaca
* Peach Tree Creek

This is their regiment battle flag :

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I am still researching this United States Army Soldier.

Bill

* I am not related to this Soldier.
 
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One of my friends gave me this discharge paper for a gift in 2013.

View attachment 70808

Corporal William Bell served in the United States Army from 1861 to 1864. He served in the 2nd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry during his 3 year service to his country. This regiment formed at Camp Dennison, Cincinnati, Ohio in 1861 and mustered out at the end of the American Civil War at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio in 1865.

This Regiment fought in the following battles :

* Perryville
* Stones River
* Chickamauga
* Lookout Mountain
* Missionary Ridge
* Ringgold Gap
* Tunnel Hill
* Rocky Face Ridge
* Resaca
* Peach Tree Creek

This is their regiment battle flag :

View attachment 70810

I am still researching this United States Army Soldier.

Bill

* I am not related to this Soldier.



Very Good Research ! Great Job !

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Anson George McCook

Residence was not listed; 25 years old.

Enlisted on 4/17/1861 as a Captain.

On 4/29/1861 he was commissioned into "H" Co. OH 2nd Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 7/31/1861 at Columbus, OH

On 8/6/1861 he was commissioned into Field & Staff OH 2nd Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 10/10/1864

On 3/14/1865 he was commissioned into Field & Staff OH 194th Infantry
He was discharged on 10/24/1865


Promotions:
* Major 8/6/1861 (As of 2nd OH Inf (3-years))
* Lt Colonel 12/24/1862 (Not Mustered)
* Colonel 12/31/1862
* Brig-General 3/13/1865
* Colonel 3/14/1865 (As of 194th OH Inf)


Other Information:
born 10/10/1835 in Steubenville, OH
died 12/30/1917 in New York City, OH
.......................................................................................

Stone's River after battle report:

Report of Maj. Ansom G. McCook, Second Ohio Infantry.

CAMP AT MURFREESBOROUGH, TENN., January 7, 1863.
COL.: I have the honor to report, briefly, the part taken by the
Second Regt. Ohio Volunteers in the action of December 31, 1862,
and the following days.

On the morning of the 31st, after being ordered into the woods on our
right center, with the balance of the brigade, and before being engaged,
Lieut.-Col. Kell, then in command of the regiment, was ordered
by Capt. McDowell, assistant adjutant-general on Maj.-Gen.
Rousseau's staff, in person, to leave the position assigned us in the
woods, and move to the support of Capt. Guenther's battery [H],
[Fifth] United States Artillery, then stationed on the left of the main
Murfreesborough turnpike. He did so without, I believe, reporting to
you, as the exigency of the case would not admit of it. The regiment
was formed on the flank of the battery, and, in conjunction with it,
successfully repulsed the efforts of a brigade to capture it, killing and
wounding many of the enemy, and capturing about 30 prisoners and a
stand of colors belonging to the Thirtieth Regt. Arkansas Volunteer
Infantry. At this time you made your appearance from the woods with
the balance of the brigade, and from that time until we occupied this
place we were under your eye.

Our loss was 11 officers and men killed and 34 officers and men
wounded; among the former, Lieut. Col. John Kell, commanding the
regiment, and First Lieut. Richard S. Chambers, Company F; among the
latter, First Lieut. Lafayette Van Horn, Company I, mortally, and
Capt.'s Maxwell and Hazlett severely. I cannot refrain from expressing
my regret at the loss of Lieut.-Col. Kell and Lieut.
Chambers, particularly the former. Brave, competent, and energetic, he
had proven himself on several occasions well qualified for the position
he held. His death is greatly to be deplored, and his loss will be
severely felt by the regiment.

With very few exceptions, the regiment behaved well, and at some
future time I will particularly recommend deserving men for promotion.

I have the honor to be,

A. G. McCOOK,
Maj. Second Ohio Volunteers, Cmdg.

Col. B. F. SCRIBNER,
Cmdg. Ninth Brigade.

Source: Official Records

****************************************************************************************

Chickamagua after battle report:

Report of Capt. James Warnock, Second Ohio Infantry.

BIVOUAC SECOND OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
In the Field, Chattanooga, September 25, 1863.
SIR: The Second Ohio Regt., under the command of Lieut. Col. O. C.
Maxwell, Col. A. G. McCook being absent on detached duty, marched with
the brigade of Col. Scribner on Friday evening, September 18, from Bird's
Mill; passed Crawfish Spring, and soon after daybreak arrived at the
crossing of the La Fayette and Chattanooga road. The command was halted
there and formed into line of battle. About 8 a. m. two brigades passed our
regiment toward the left of the field, and soon afterward heavy firing of
musketry was heard in that direction. The First Brigade was put in motion,
the Second Ohio being in the front line of battle, and marched in the
direction of the firing, but keeping somewhat to the right. In half an hour the
regiment came within sight of the enemy and opened a rapid and steady
fire, advancing all the time, firing, loading, and cheering loudly. The enemy
in a few minutes gave way and fled, leaving about a dozen killed and
wounded in our immediate front, also about 15 or 20 prisoners, who were
sent to the rear. A section of Martin's [Georgia] battery was in our front.
The regiment killed all the horses belonging to one of the guns, and it was
left on the field by us because we had no means to bring it off.
The firing here ceased in front, and our line was halted about
an hour. Skirmishing was then heard on our right flank; the regiment
changed front forward, facing a corn-field through which the enemy was
coming massed in heavy force. Immediately the engagement was renewed
with great fury, the enemy pressing forward heavily on the right. So
overwhelming was his force that the right of the brigade gave way by
regiments, successively, until the Second Ohio, being on the left, retired,
after all the regiments on the right had been driven from their position. In
falling back from this position we expected to find a line of our troops
supporting us, behind which the regiment would halt. In this we were
disappointed, and the result was that the line retired thereafter in
considerable confusion, but the regiment was rallied about half a mile to the
rear. During this engagement Lieut.-Col. Maxwell was wounded, and
the command devolved on Maj. Beatty. Here also the regiment lost heavily,
particularly in missing, most of whom fell into the hands of the enemy. In
the afternoon the regiment remained in line of battle, and was in the rear of
Gen. Johnson's division when the latter was attacked by the enemy, at
nightfall. After that engagement ceased, the brigade was moved to an open
field, where it bivouacked for the night.

On the morning of Sunday, the 20th, at daybreak, the regiment marched
back, and with the brigade and division was formed in order of battle on the
crest of a hill; the enemy approached in front, feeling our position, but
retired after a few shots were fired. We could see his flags. He then moved
over on our left, and very soon heavy firing commenced there and in our
front. The Second Ohio advanced to the front line, on the left of the
Thirty-third Ohio, in fine spirits, and opened a steady and deadly fire,
shouting and cheering the meanwhile with the greatest enthusiasm. Just as
we advanced to this position a portion of the regular brigade gave way on
our left, leaving for a time the Second Ohio alone on that part of the field,
supported, however, by the Thirty-third Ohio. Our regiment took no notice
of the vacancy, but rather redoubled their firing and cheering. The regulars
were rallied and returned to their position. The firing on this part of the field
was steady and unceasing for two hours and a half. Our line was held
steadfastly; not an inch of ground was yielded. On the left of us our troops,
after alternately advancing and retiring, finally drove the enemy from the
field in front and the firing nearly ceased about 1 p. m. We threw up a slight
breastwork meanwhile in our front, and threw skirmishers forward. About
4. 30 or 5 p. m. our skirmishers were driven in, and the battle was
immediately renewed with great fury. Heavy columns of the enemy with
artillery opened a tremendous fire all along the line, but their attack was
steadfastly resisted; no impression whatever was made on our line, which
remained unbroken some time after the troops on the right of our division
gave way and retired. The falling back of the right forced us to retire to
prevent capture. Here again the regiment in retiring, became confused, and
lost many men.

Maj. Beatty, who commanded during the day, was wounded and taken
prisoner. The army during that night retired toward Chattanooga, halted
about midnight, and the regiment was again collected as far as possible. On
the morning of the 22d we entered Chattanooga.

Inclosed herewith is a statement of the loss of the regiment, as accurate as
it can be now prepared.

The loss of our field officers, Lieut.-Col. Maxwell and Maj. Beatty,
which is greatly deplored, and the temporary illness of Capt. Mitchell, left
the regiment under my command. Of our commissioned officers,
Lieut.-Col. Maxwell, Maj. Beatty, and Lieut. Purlier are wounded;
Maj. Beatty, Adjutant Thomas, Capt. Randall, Capt. Gallaher, Lieut.'s
Purlier, McCune, Teeter, and Assistant Surgeon Carmichael are missing.

Our effective force on the evening of the 18th was 18 officers and 394 men.
Our loss known is: Killed, 8; wounded, 49; missing, 124, including the
above officers.*

The regiment fired about eighty rounds of cartridges in the battle.

Respectfully,

JAMES WARNOCK,
Capt. Second Ohio Vol. Infty., Comdg. Regt.

Lieut. DEVOL,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records
CHAP. XLII.] THE CHICKAMAUGA CAMPAIGN. PAGE 293-50
[Series I. Vol. 30. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 50.]

*************************************************************************************

Report of Col. Anson G. McCook, Second Ohio Infantry.

HDQRS. SECOND OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
Chattanooga, Tennessee, November 30, 1863.
CAPT.: In compliance with orders, I have the honor to report the
movements of the regiment from the 23d to the 29th instant, inclusive.

On the night of the 23d, I was, by your orders, placed in the outer line
of intrenchments, remaining there all night, moving out and forming line
immediately in front of the star fort on the morning of the 24th, where
I remained until about 3 p.m., when, by your order, I moved in
connection with the balance of the brigade across the mouth of
Chattanooga Creek and up the slope of Lookout Mountain to the
assistance of Maj.-Gen. Hooker's troops. Shortly after the line had
been formed near the white house, and at about 8 p.m., you directed me
to move with my regiment to the assistance of the Thirty-first Iowa, at
that time severely engaged and threatened with a flank movement on the
left. I immediately did so, taking up a position on the left and slightly
in advance of that regiment. The night-time and the difficult nature of
the ground made it impossible to move in the order I should have
wished to, and before an opportunity offered of throwing forward
skirmishers, and hardly had my line been formed, when I was heavily
attacked by a concealed enemy at not to exceed 75 yards. I opened my
fire, and, after a very spirited engagement of twenty or thirty minutes,
silenced their fire, not, however, without having suffered some loss.
During the temporary cessation of firing, I directed the men to throw up
works of stone and logs, which was speedily done, and answered, in the
subsequent attacks, a good purpose. By this time the Forty-second
Indiana, Lieut.-Col. McIntire, had been directed by you to form
on my left, and, in connection with the Eighty-eighth Indiana,
Lieut.-Col. Briant, materially assisted in repulsing every effort
of the enemy. We were attacked vigorously two or three times, and until
the enemy evacuated, at between 12 and 2, were constantly annoyed by
their sharpshooters. The mountain side is almost perpendicular, covered
with huge bowlders, fallen trees, and obstacles of almost every nature,
and is capable of a very strong defense, of which fact the enemy availed
himself, having thrown up a very strong and effective line of works,
from which he was finally compelled to fall back.

My loss (as per abstract attached) in this night attack was 2 commissioned
officers (Capt. Warnock, Company D, and Lieut. Emery,
Company C) wounded, and 2 non-commissioned officers and 2 privates
killed, and 1 non-commissioned officer and 2 privates wounded, making
a total of 4 killed and 5 wounded.

On the morning of the 25th, I moved by your direction along the face
of the mountain to the Summertown road, descending that until we
struck Chattanooga Creek, recrossing at the mouth, and moving to the
right and front of the star fort, where my line was formed on the
extreme right of the brigade, and in that position, at about 4 p.m.,
moved to the assault of Mission Ridge. Owing to the numerous
obstacles, including a deep creek, my regiment, when it reached the
edge of the timber, was in some confusion, but promptly rallied, and
moved steadily but rapidly across the open space to the enemy's works
near the base of the ridge. Here I for the first time discovered that I was
on the extreme right of the whole line, with the enemy's left, including
a section of artillery, overlapping my right at least 75 yards. By your
direction one company (A) was thrown to the right and front as
skirmishers, to guard against a flank movement, and, after a short rest
in the enemy's works, I moved forward to the base of the ridge,
following the general movement from left to right. Although the fire was
very heavy while executing this movement, my loss was but slight,
owing to the nature of the ground, the enemy in nearly every instance
overshooting us. Up to this point my men had behaved splendidly, not
one flinching or running. I remained at the foot of the ridge for some
ten minutes, when, no apparent success having been met with on the left
of me, the enemy made a slight advance from the crest and opened a
very heavy fire, throwing portions of my own and two other regiments
into confusion, and causing some of them to fall back. I attempted to
stop it, but only partially succeeding, I deemed it best, under the
circumstances, to order the men around me, composed of members of
several regiments, to fall back to the works near the base of the ridge,
which I did, accompanying them myself. I had my bugler blow "halt"
and "to the color," and am proud to state that with but very few
exceptions the men promptly obeyed, and opened a fire that not only
checked the advance of the enemy, but drove them back. At this point
I met the general commanding the brigade and explained what I had
done, which he fully justified. In a few minutes we again advanced and
carried the ridge, when, after partially forming my line, I was by your
order moved obliquely to the right and front, occupying an inferior
ridge, to guard against any movement on our flank. I opened up a fire
on the enemy, when, after but little resistance, they made overtures to
surrender, and, to the numerous of at least 250, including 2
lieutenant-colonels, 3 majors, and numerous line officers, did so. I also
captured the battle-flag of the Thirty-eighth Regt. Alabama Infantry.

In this assault my loss was 1 non-commissioned officer and 6 privates
wounded, a total of 7 wounded, 1 probably mortally.

On the 26th, we moved in the direction of Graysville, bivouacking at
that place that night.

On the 27th, I had the advance on Ringgold, picking up several
stragglers with my skirmishers.
On the 28th, remained at that place, and on the 29th reached our old
camp.

I cannot close this report without expressing my obligations to
Capt. Warnock for his valuable assistance up to the time he was
wounded, and hope that his long and faithful services may meet with
their proper reward. He was assisting me, as I had no field officer with
me. Color Corpl. James Ellis, Company E, for coolness and courage in
the night attack on Lookout Mountain, is especially mentioned.

Respectfully submitted.

A. G. McCOOK,
Col. Second Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Capt. R. J. WAGGENER,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., 1st Brig., 1st Div., 14th Army Corps.

Source: Official Records
PAGE 473-55 CHAP. XLIII.] THE CHATTANOOGA-RINGGOLD CAMPAIGN.
[Series I. Vol. 31. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 55.]
 
Anson McCook was part of the American Civil War "Fighting McCooks."

The oldest brother was killed at the Battle of Buffington Island, Portland, Ohio.

Another brother was killed at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain at Cheatham Hill, "The Dead Angle."

The whole McCook Clan is buried in a family plot in Cincinnati, Ohio (Spring Grove Cemetery).

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* Photo courtesy of William Bechmann (2012)
 
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I placed this discharge paper in a frame and it is hanging in my den.

I just sent this thread to the editor of the Urbana, Ohio local newspaper.

There is a cemetery located in this small Ohio town.

I asked the editor if the William Bell buried in Urbana is the same William Bell on my discharge paper.

Awaiting a reply.......
 
This regiment lost a total of 243 men during their service to the United States of America.

(9 officers and 96 enlisted killed or mortally wounded : 138 men died of disease)

Sergeant Major Marion A. Ross was part of this regiment and part of the infamous James Andrews' Raiders.

Sgt. Major Ross' grave site at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Mammoth Cave, Stones River, Chattanooga-Chickamauga & Townsend 345.jpg


* Photo by William Bechmann (2014)
 
What a awesome gift your friend gave you. William Bell certainly fought against my ancestors at several of the battles you listed. I want to research more about Chickamauga battlefield. I seem to remember AL regiments and Ohio regiments against each other at one point of the battle. Thanks for posting!
 
What a awesome gift your friend gave you. William Bell certainly fought against my ancestors at several of the battles you listed. I want to research more about Chickamauga battlefield. I seem to remember AL regiments and Ohio regiments against each other at one point of the battle. Thanks for posting!

Thanks for your research, Linda!

Wikipedia lists :

* Kennesaw Mountain
* Pickett's Mill

Other battles this regiment fought in......

I find it fascinating this young man survived all of these major American Civil War conflicts!

Bill
 
Unfortunately, unless there is documentation proving he was present during a particular battle, there is no way to prove 100% he was actually there . Often times, as you know, they were furloughed for weeks or months at a time for injury, illness or just time off. Sometimes you can find that documentation on the Fold3 I did not find anything on Fold 3 for William Bell concerning when he was present at certain times. I will just have to keep searching in other publications or websites.
 
Thanks, Andy Hall!

1890-veterans-census.jpg


I appreciate your research and I appreciate Linda's research!

Bill
 
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