HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
SURNAMES BEGINNING WITH "S"
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
except a short time when he was in the East as recruiting officer. When the great civil strife opened, Lieutenant Sheridan, with the impetuous eagerness of a young officer, was anxious for the fray, but was quite modest in his expectations of promotion. The goal of his ambition he confides to a friend: "Who knows," he writes, "perhaps I may have a chance to earn a Major's commission."From Oregon he was transferred to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, but the duties to which he was assigned were civil rather than military in their character, and though not conforming to his ardent wishes, were performed with faithfulness and zeal. He audited the claims arising from the operations of the army in Missouri, and was then sent to Wisconsin to buy horses. In May, 1862. he was made Colonel of the Second Michigan Cavalry. His first engagement at Booneville with a greatly superior force under Gen. Chalmers, in July, 1862, foreshadowed in its brilliant success his future renown as a military leader, and won for him a commission of Brigadier-General of volunteers. A volume would scarcely be sufficient to contain his record during the war. His brilliant and rapid career and rise to the front rank of the nation's few great chieftains have lifted him without the narrow limits of Perry county and made him one of the favorite and honored sons of the whole country. His history and gallant achievements in the service of his country are as familiar to the citizens of California and Maine as to the people of his own county and State. At Perryville and at Stone River his vigor and dash was strikingly displayed; his rank as Major-General of Volunteers dates from this latter battle. At Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and other engagements, too numerous even to mention, his wonderful capacity was repeatedly revealed, and "Little Phil Sheridan" had gained the plaudits of his countrymen, and among the soldiers bore the reputation of a capital fighter. It was not till towards the close of the war that his greatest success was attained. In March, 1864, he was appointed Commander of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac, and in this capacity his military genius shone and made him the greatest Cavalry General in the war. During the twelve months following, he swept the valley of Virginia, capturing within that period more than two hundred battle flags, one hundred and seventy field pieces in open fight, and war munitions and public property of all kinds captured and destroyed to the value of more than $3,000,000. His command fought seventy- six battles in eleven months. In August, 1864, he was placed in command of the Army of Shenandoah, a position in which his skill in handling troops, the combination of caution and audacity, the celerity of movement and fertility of resource which he possessed, had ample field for exercise. The crowning achievement of his career was at Cedar Creek. He had been called to Washington, October 13, 1864, to a military consultation. The enemy, under Longstreet and Early, had arranged to mass their forces and make a desperate effort to crush his command. They stealthily approached and fell suddenly upon his army, which, after a strong resistance, fell back and was in full retreat when met by their commander on his return from the capital. His famous ride from Winchester has been immortalized by a distinguished poet. Meeting his disorganized and fleeing troops, he realized the disastrous situation at a glance. To the first fugitives he exclaimed, "Face the540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
age of nine years with his mother, a brother and a sister, settling in Dunkirk, New York. His father died while he was yet quite young and for a few years he was obliged to face the storms of life, but he had the courage to tell his mother that he could provide for himself and assist her. He was first employed upon a steamboat plying on Lake Erie from Dunkirk to Toledo, Cleveland, Detroit and Buffalo, where he remained nine months, and then went to Pennsylvania "to strike oil," but not being successful, he was employed in a brick yard at three dollars per day, in the fall of 1865, remaining during the brick making season of that year, when he returned to Corry, New York, and was employed at the A. & G. W. railroad shops. After remaining with them in the yards for some time, he learned upholstering with them and remained in this place until the fall of 1866, when the shops were moved to Franklin Mills, Portage county, now known as Kent, and where he remained until 1868; at this time he became a journeyman, went to Pitts- burgh, failed to get employment and there became a peddler, continuing three months, From Pittsburgh he went to Steubenville, Ohio, and was employed with Thomas Denmead, master mechanic of the P. C. & St. L. R'y, remaining until the next spring, when he was sent to Dennison, Ohio, where he stayed until fall and returned to Steubenville, upholstering until 1870, and was then sent to Lancaster, Ohio, to take charge of the upholstering department of the C. & M. V. R'y shops in that place, from where he went, in 1872, to the diamond fields of Africa. In April of 1872 he received a letter from a Mr. Stickney, a former shop mate of that place, asking him how he would like to go on an adventure to Africa, when he replied, "I'm your Moses," and on April 27, left Lancaster to join him with a Mr. Hall, of Zanesville. This party, on May 3, left for New York and passed over the Alleghanies at night, losing sight of the horse shoe bend, thinking they had lost a great piece of natural scenery, but it could not vie with what came in their way afterward, in the form of mountains. Arrived at New York May 4, where they took the steamer Angeline, of the Anchor Line, for Glasgow, Scotland, where they arrived May 21. A few days previous to their arrival, President Grant had made a demand on the British Government for the Alabama Indemnity, which gave them some trouble to get through the Kingdom. They remained in this city, Glasgow, two days, visiting the Cathedral and other places of note. From here they went to Melrose on the Tweed, where they visited Sir Walter Scott's residence, Dryburg and Abbey, where this noted bard of romance sleeps his last sleep; also, other places of interest. The next day they arrived at Carlisle and stayed one night, and thence to London, the greatest city of the world, arriving May 29, and the next day booked for South America on the steamer Norseman, and sailed from Southampton, June 10, having remained here for rest and recuperation, as they had been wonderfully sea sick from New York to Glasgow, sailing with high winds and rough sea. The first evening out from Southampton they again were all sick and all the way across the Bay of Biscay and until they reached Madeira Island on Sunday, June 18, which they all hailed with gladness after eight days sailing in bad weather. Smith says it is the most beautiful place in the world. Funchal City is the capital, and here they remained until seven o'clock549
P. M., visiting churches and objects of interest. The island is so very steep that sledges are the only mode of conveyance, many of which are models of convenience and beauty, drawn by oxen. At eight o'clock they weighed anchor in good spirits from indulgence in wine cellars. The next sight of land was the Canary Islands and the peak of Teneriffe; from Teneriffe they sailed seventeen days to the Island of St. Helena, where they dropped anchor in Jamestown Bay and landed on July 4. Here they went up Main street, a shabby affair too, where they found the Consul building, where all the foreign consuls were to be found, each one represented by the flag of his country, which in one common breeze floated aloft, and all are equal. Among them there were nine Americans, who, when they came to the Stars and Stripes, dropped their hats and gave three cheers for the Emblem of Liberty. They were W. C. Stickney, of Steubenville, Ohio; Ed. Hall, of Zanesville, Ohio. William A. Walsh and W. H. Wiley, of Richmond, Virginia; John Osborne, of Montana, Territory; William Battenhouse, of New York City, and the subject of this sketch. Next they visited the former residence and the tomb of Napoleon, the First, where they were permitted to pluck a few geranium leaves in remembrance of the great warrior, and drank refreshing draughts from the very spring that once quenched the thirst of the sleeping warrior, whose deeds of valor has served the arm of many a soldier since. To this place from Jamestown it was six miles, but they returned ready to continue the voyage at about sun set from the mountainous journey. At eight o'clock they were again sailing, this time for the cape. Their visit at this place was on July 4, and having asked the cabin privilege of Captain Coxwell, they, the Americans, had pre-arranged to celebrate it by a dinner. This project met with some difficulty upon a British steamer, as the English aboard opposed it and began to ridicule America and its celebration of that memorable day. They would sing "Rule Britannia" and other songs. At length the Americans armed themselves, being determined not to be thwarted by such opposition, and then warned the British that if it was necessary it would come to the worst. At this the British kept mute. Just previous to serving the meal, a Flag Lieutenant of Rear Admiral Campbell, who was bound for the cape, looked into the cabin and espied that the Stars and Stripes was above the Union Jack in the display arranged, and raised objection, complained to Captain Coxwell, that as he was carrying English mail it should not be permitted and to save trouble, by the Captain's request, they changed the arrangement and hung all the ensigns on a line in equal height. Supper was served and a good time was enjoyed with three invited guests, officers of the steamer. The next day a draft of resolutions were drawn, thanking the Captain for his kindness, which were handed him. On July 13, they landed at Capetown. The first land seen upon its approach was Table Mountain, a distance of one hundred and eighty miles away. The mountain stands 4,600 feet above the sea. The voyage was made in thirty-three days and a half. Upon landing they found business brisk and the streets filled with groups of Kaffirs, Malays, Hindoos, half breeds, etc., many of whom were drunk on Cape Smoke whisky. The first night came on and they slept upon the vessel and the next morning arose at four o'clock to witness one of the grandest of sunrises, which550
they often saw, even in more grandeur than that, during their four years stay in Africa. Notwithstanding the beauty, mentioned, the barren waste of Africa, for four long years left nothing to be remembered with pleasure, only the monotony of a waste desert and Karroo remains. The reflections of home and the fertile soil of America kept a spirit of hope alive in the breast of again, through the kindness of Providence, enjoying its scenery and dying amidst its luxuries. On July 19, they started for the diamond fields; traveled by rail eighty miles to Wellington, arriving at noon. This is near Bains Kloof, or mountain. After dinner they took stage and at sun set they reached the summit of the mountain. Took a supper at Constable, a poor substitute for American luxuries. Constable is a relay station. There were now thirteen passengers for the diamond fields. Horses were changed every three or four hours. Traveled for six consecutive days by stage, by way of Buffalo Rivers, passing river beds every mile or two, but only two had any water, those of the Orange and Moder. Next they reached Worcester at twelve o'clock at night. July 24, they reached Victoria West; here they slept five hours, having only two hour's sleep previous to that since they started for the fields. At this place they saw the first ostriches in Africa. The next place was Queenstown, one of the best towns upon the way. They next arrived at Jacobs Noll, on the Moder River, and on July 27, arrived upon the fields, having traveled about one thousand miles by stage in seven days and a half. Upon the way the first curious thing that attracted attention was the cape sheep. Its tail was so large that it was supported upon a small wagon to enable it to go about. The sheep would weigh about seventy-five pounds and its tail about thirty-five pounds. The tail of this sheep is used instead of butter for their bread, and is the much more valuable part of the mutton, which is quite sweet. At one place they took breakfast with a Kaffir who lived in a long log house with a cane thatched roof, and built the fire in the middle of the floor with no stove or fire place or chimney. They seemed, to live in keeping with their filthy life. July is a winter month there, and during their journey they had heavy frosts. The sight of the fields was something new. Europeans in their native attire and Kaffirs in their nudeness standing about in groups. With difficulty they obtained lodging for the night. Upon the next morning they struck for the American camp, where they found Mr. Flynn, Mr. Lancaster and a Mr. Seiber, all from Chicago, Illinois, of whom they obtained the use of a small tent, in which eight of the party slept upon a small litter of straw for one week, when they purchased tents for themselves. At that time they procured tools for diamond digging. The business proved unprofitable for two months, after which they met with some success, but what they endured upon the diamond fields was an experience worth years of life in some quiet work. The heat, the dust storm, the fleas and many pests, would test the hearts of the bravest. Smith found some valuable diamonds. Of the party John Osborne died at Pilgrims Rest, in the Transvoal. Mr. Stickney died in May, 1873, on the Bay of Biscay, on his way home. Walsh and Wiley returned to Richmond, Virginia, in 1874. Smith returned in June of 1876, starting on Good Friday in April. Mr. Smith's heart gave thanks to Providence for his health and success through the rough and hard551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
whom was his son John, the father of Peter, is certain. Leaving all his relatives in Pennsylvania, John Swinehart and his wife emigrated to Perry county in 1807. A few years after, John's father paid him a visit, perhaps in 1810, the year Peter was born, and returned the same year to Pennsylvania. He must have carried back good news of his son John, for in 1814 two sisters of John, the wives of John Linn and Henry Coble, escorted hither by their mother, settled in Perry county. After she had visited her son John, and his wife, and kissed his children, born in the forest home, she bade good bye to her two daughters and to her son John, mounted one of the horses that had pulled the wagon from Pennsylvania, and rode home. She was a small sized, sprightly woman, of fearless heart. At the same time, or at least the same year, there came Andrew Swinehart, son of him who crossed the ocean, uncle of John, and great uncle of John's son Peter. This ancient Andrew, who either came with his father over the sea, or was soon after born in Pennsylvania, settled as a carpenter and joiner in Somerset, where he died. This Andrew was the father of the late venerable Samuel Swinehart, who died on his farm near Somerset, and Jacob, who died at the toll-gate east of Somerset, and of Daniel and Peter Swinehart, who lived in Circleville, Ohio, and of George, the father of that Samuel who now resides in section thirty-two, Hopewell. When Peter was only a few years of age, his father, John Swinehart, moved from section nineteen to section nine, Hopewell, and before his cabin was chunked and daubed, and quilts were hung on the wall for protection, and while his wife expected soon to be confined in childbed, he was drafted into the army, reported at Franklinton, and failing to get leave of absence, crossed the Scioto, broke through the ice, and after a tedious and perilous journey through the woods, reached home, arranged for the comfort of his family, returned to military duty, was arraigned for desertion and bailed by Jacob Anspach, afterwards the father-in-law of Peter, and served until honorably discharged. The brothers of Peter are Jacob, Little Sandusky, Ohio; Jonathan, Hen- derson county, Illinois; Samuel, deceased in Hopewell township; Daniel, deceased in Fulton county, Indiana; George, Black Swamp, Sandusky county, Ohio; Andrew, Bloomdale, Wood county, Ohio; and his sisters are Sally, deceased wife of George Anspach, Thorn township; Elizabeth, deceased wife of Jacob Cooperider, Thorn township; Katharine, deceased wife of Jerome Stalter, deceased; and Juda, wife of Jacob Lawrence, post office, Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Peter Swinehart was married to Miss Sophia Anspach in 1834. She died in 1881, in the sixty-seventh year of her life, and the forty-seventh of her marriage. Their children and post offices are Simon P., Glenford, married to Elizabeth Shelley; John, Arcola, Illinois, married to Susan Bowman; George Henry, Linville, Ohio, married to Martha Orr; Elizabeth, wife of Lewis Cooperider, Glenford; Ann Sophia, wife of Emanuel Cooperider, Glenford; Magdalena, wife of Oliver Cooperider, Glenford; Margaret, wife of George H. Bowers, Gratiot, Ohio; Nancy C., wife of George Hupp, Brownsville, Ohio; Levina Emeline, wife of Joseph H. Orr, Glenford, and Melzena Alice Swinehart. Peter relates that an uncle, sometime about the year 1812, entered a half section of land, made the required down payment; and failing to meet the back564
565