Individual Details

Census-shared

With wife and children.

Accomplishment

This sketch would be incomplete were we to omit mention of the fact that these three Buckeye boys had provision to see and feel that the war as the death knell of slavery and that they could have, to them, the glorious privilege of having a hand in giving that evil it's death blow. They were students and had studied history to some effect. Their childhood home north of Smithville had for years been a station on the Underground Railway between slavery and freedom in Canada. William and Joseph with their brother Amos H. Had been engineers and conductors for many a year on the route over which, perhaps, hundreds of slaves had traveled. The writer well remembers one occasion when some who were uninformed as to these proceedings, wondered at the Myers boys driving that big old fashioned Pennsylvania covered wagon with its four horses about the country when almost every one used the handy and lighter two horse wagon. Then, too, it was though strange that they started off late in the evening and returned in the morning with an empty wagon. Those who knew were aware that they picked up their living freight at prearranged points and delivered it at some place near the north line of Medina County. These Myers boys were soldiers because they loved freedom, their country and their flag.

Military Enlistment

Company H 120th regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry

Military Promotion

Orderly Sergeant

Military Service

The three brothers enlisted in the same company, Co. H. of the 120th regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the War of the Rebellion, serving faithfully until discharged. Wm. P. and Joseph enlisted the same day, August 13, 1862, at the respective ages of 26 and 24 years, while Menno joined his brothers when 20 years of age, enlisting February 6th, 1864. Their regiment was in the attacks upon Vicksburg in December, 1862, and during the campaign of the spring of 1863. They were good soldiers, William, being credited with the capture of five prisoners on one occasion. Joseph attained the rank of 1st or Orderly Sergeant, and would undoubtedly have been a commissioned officer had not the 120th come to grief and the larger portion been captured at Snaggy Point on Red River, La., May 3, 1864. A number of engagements in which they had part were of considerable magnitude.
At Snaggy Point, above referred to, the steamboat City Belle, which carried their command, ran into an ambush of some 2000 Rebels, with artillery which at the very beginning disabled the boat, which was an unarmed transport. The 120th made a determined but futile resistance, for the boat swinging to the enemy’s side, left nothing to do but surrender and jump ashore as directed by the Rebels. Unfortunately Joseph and Menno were on that part of the boat which struck the shore and were obliged to jump as ordered. The jumping ashore caused the boat to recoil and move to the opposite shore where one of Co. H. managed to get a line ashore and held it, when some 90 ran the gauntlet of the Rebel fire and escaped making their way to the Union lines during the following night and day. Wm. P. was one of the number who escaped while the others as prisoners, made their weary march to Camp Ford at Tyler, Texas, where they were held for 13 months, being discharged long after the war was over, at Camp Chase, O., July 1865. But twice during these trying months were they able to communicate to their friends, simply the fact that they lived and were well, but had received no word from home. The routine of prison life was weariness and dullness personified. Only one incident of that time will we here relate: Among their guards upon one occasion Joseph was struck by the garb and general appearance of a little squad (of musicians mostly) who kept to themselves. Joseph remarked to some one “They certainly are Amishmen.” He managed to get near enough to address them in “Pennsylvania Dutch” and learned that his surmise was correct. They were from Holmes County, O., but now living in Texas where they had been conscripted, but because of their religious scruples had not been sent to the front, but were used as musicians and guard of prisoners.