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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 359
In August, after pursuing and skirmishing with Lee's retreating army,
the Eighth received much needed rest and quiet in a trip to New York
City to assist in quelling the draft riots then raging. *
Returning to the field the regiment joined the army at Culpeper,
and participated in the operations and engagements at Auburn and
Bristow Station, both in October, and at Robinson's Cross Roads, Locust
Grove and Nine Run, the latter three in November, 1863.
The operations of 1864 were no less active with the Eighth Ohio.
They opened the last six months of army service with the battle at Morton's
Ford, on February 6th, after which they next participated in
the Wilderness fight, occupying a prominent position supporting the
right. They recaptured a section of a battery that the Sixth Corps
had lost. On the 6th of May they Avere engaged during the entire day,
while on the 7th, 8th and 9th they again showed their remarkable ability
for successful skirmishing. Again at Po River and Spottsylvania Courthouse
from the 10th to the 18th the regiment was closely engaged, and
lost heavily of its few remaining though determined men.
From Spottsylvania Courthouse to Petersburg the Eighth was constantly
on the move, at NorfR Anna River, Cold Harbor and elsewhere;
noAV at close quarters, again on the skirmish line,, wherever they Avere
ordered, they went and did as they were ordered unflinchingly, and
Avithout a murmur of discontent.
At Petersburg, from June 15th to the 19th, they were on the field
or in the trenches. In the latter place Avere they when their term of
enlistment expired, June 25, 1864.
They then returned home, receiving ovations and receptions at several
places along the line. The Eighth was mustered out of service on the
13th of July, 1864.
Those of the regiment AATIOSC term did not expire in June Avere consolidated
Avith the Fourth Regiment of Infantry and became the "Fourth
Battalion Ohio Infantry," and were mustered out in July, 1865.
THE TAA'ENTY-FOURTH INFANTRY
The TAventy-fourth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry Avas organized
at Camps Chase and Jackson during the latter part of May and
the early part of June, 1861. To its formation no less than eleven
counties made a contribution of men, young men most of them, strong
and active. The Comity of Erie sent into this command a large contingent
of Company E. The greater portion of this company Avas enlisted
in June, 1861, but recruits Avere received during 1863 and 1864.
Although Hie regiment entered the service in June, it AA'as not until
about the middle of September folloAving that it engaged in its first
battle. During the latter part of July the TAA'enty-fourth left camp
for Cheat Mountain, Virginia, Avbere.they encamped and prepared for
guard duty. The enemy Avere within a short marching distance and picket
firing and skirmishing AA'ere not infrequent.
On the morning of September 12th the regiment Avas surrounded by