14                                   HISTORY OF THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT O.V.V.I.

COMPANY B.

           B Company was raised in Putnam and vicinity, by Z. M. Chandler and G. F. Wiles, of Putnam, Ohio, and organized December 12th, 1861. A braver and better fighting company of men never left the State. Many were strong farmers and mechanics, who were deeply in earnest in loving their wives and children, fine farms and pleasant homes – left them in obedience to their country's call for defenders against traitors, who had kindled the flames of civil war and threatened the very life of the nation.            Z. M. Chandler was appointed Captain, Greenbury F. Wiles First Lieutenant, and Gilbert D. Munson Second Lieutenant.

           Captain Chandler was then Superintendent of the Public Schools of Putnam, which position he resigned, believing it his duty to take the field of active operations in behalf of his country; but his health soon gave away to the miasma and debilitating heat of the Southern climate. He was appointed Major of the regiment, and afterward Lieutenant-Colonel, and after leading the regiment on the Mississippi Campaign, and thence to Vicksburg, was compelled to resign after crossing the Mississippi river, his constitution much broken and health altogether too feeble to enter further upon that terrible campaign.            Lieutenant Wiles, soon after leaving the State, was appointed Captain of Company C. He was a citizen of Putnam, and seemed to have a more than ordinary tact in the government and successful management of men. He proved to be one of the best disciplinarians in the army. He was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, and took command of the regiment on the battle-field of Champion Hills. Under his command the regiment became the best drilled in the Corps, and without doubt one of the best in the Western army. At Atlanta he was appointed Colonel of the regiment, and the greater part of the time during the siege of Atlanta and afterwards, was in command of the Second Brigade. After the South Carolina campaign, he was appointed Brevet Brigadier-General in honor of his own efficiency as well as that of the regiment.

           Lieutenant Munson was promoted Captain of Company B, September 7th, 1862; George H. Porter to First Lieutenant and Joseph R. Miller to Second Lieutenant. Capt. Munson was afterwards detailed on General Leggett's staff; also Lieutenant Porter. The former was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, and the latter Captain, and assigned to company K.

           Lieutenant Miller resigned his commission in the Autumn of 1864, after having commanded his company through the entire campaign of Atlanta. He was an efficient officer, a soldier and a gentleman.

           Under the new organization of the regiment, Lieut. A. Adair was promoted to Captain, April 22d, 1865, and assigned to company B; James H. Gander to First Lieutenant and Amos Norman to Second Lieutenant.These three officers, promoted and assigned to this company, are young men who enlisted in the regiment in 1861, and have passed through nearly four years of the most terrible rebellion and bloody conflicts. They have survived it all and came out promoted for gallant conduct, and well have they earned it; nobly have they sustained themselves, and done honor to their friends.

           Captain A. Adair is a young man of fine appearance, correct habits and quite demeanor.            Lieutenant J. H. Gander is rather diminutive in size, but has a large soul. He possesses great energy of character, as most little men do, would fight in a "minite" unless some person would hold

Intro Previous Next ToC Index