Capt. Elias Cole
Capt. Elias Cole, who was for many years one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Ashley, Delaware County, Ohio, was born in Troy Township, this county, September 4, 1834. His parents were Hugh and Mary (Main) Cole, both natives of Delaware County. His paternal grandfather was Joseph Cole, a native of Virginia, who fought against Great Britain in the War of 1812.
Elias Cole was reared to man's estate in Delaware County, Ohio, acquiring his literary education in the public schools of Marlborough Township, and at the same time receiving his industrial training on his father's farm. He was married in 1856, and engaged in agriculture, gradually turning his attention, however, chiefly to the breeding of merino sheep, the raising of Plymouth Rock poultry, and to bee culture, soon becoming one of the best known apiarists in the county.
The even tenor of his life was. however, interrupted by the Civil War. Feeling his country's call to be paramount to any considerations of self-interest, he enlisted, in April, 1861, in Company C, Twenty-sixth Regiment, O. V. I., in which he served for over three years, being honorably discharged in July, 1864, with the rank of captain. During his service in the army he kept a journal in which he recorded from day to day all interesting events, and which was subsequently printed. From it we find that he left Ashley, April 22, 1861, for three months' service, was detained at Delaware with the other recruits, where the work of drilling commenced. On the 24th, word being received that the requisition for three months' men was filled, the company disbanded, and immediately reorganized as a company of minutemen, the drilling being continued while awaiting orders from the Governor. News of the acceptance of the company was received, and on June 15, after bidding farewell to their assembled friends, they set out for Camp Chase, near Columbus. Here they elected officers and the work of drilling was continued. On the 29th Mr. Cole was visited in camp by his wife and some friends, with whom, having obtained leave of absence, he spent the rest of that day and part of Sunday, the 30th. The interval between this date and August 1st was spent mainly in camp, in drilling and doing guard duty. On August 1, the regiment, under command of Colonel E. R. Fyffe, took train for Cincinnati, where late that night they were transferred to the steamer J. H. Done, bound up the river for Point Pleasant, Virginia, and soon found themselves in rebel territory.
On August 10, while on a march from Charleston, Virginia, to Summerville, James Cole, a brother of the subject of this sketch, lost his life by the accidental discharge of a gun. August 28th the force to which the regiment was attached was attacked by the enemy and several guards were killed. On September 3, another slight brush occurred with the enemy on which occasion, however, the latter were the sufferers. From this time on there were plenty of alarms and skirmishes, and the regiment sustained some slight losses. In the latter part of September the regiment became attached to General Rosecrans' command. About a month later Mr. Cole was taken sick and came under the doctor's care. December 24, Mr. Cole, in company with another soldier, John Black, was detailed to go to Ohio on recruiting duty, and accordingly started next morning, going by way of Cincinnati and Columbus and reaching home December 29. Some time was spent in visiting friends and attending parties, and on January 16 the men set out to rejoin their regiment, which had been ordered to Louisville, Kentucky. On March 8, they marched for Nashville, where they arrived on the 12th. On the 29th they left that place, and on April 4, while en route to Savannah, were attacked, with the 17th Indiana by a body of 800 rebel cavalry, whom they routed, taking seven prisoners, On the 8th they arrived at Savannah, where they saw plenty of evidences of the recent battle (of Shiloh), the ground being covered with dead rebels.
Mr. Cole's journal gives a lively and detailed account of each day's experiences—the duties performed, the movements of the regiment, with numerous incidents illustrating the fatigues, hardships, occupations, disappointments, and successes of a soldier's life in war time. Here and there is a bit of homely but faithful description of a fine sunset or a picturesque landscape, showing in the writer a keen appreciation of the beauties of nature, even when seen under adverse conditions. It would be impossible in the space here available, to do more than briefly refer to the more important incidents of Mr. Cole's three years of service. He seems to have attracted the notice of his officers for his capacity and faithful performance of duty, for on December 17th he was appointed regimental postmaster. The Twenty-sixth was highly commended by Brigadier-General Wood for its efficiency in marching and manoeuvering and his gallantry in action. It took part in the fighting at Murfreesboro, during which time, however, Mr. Cole was absent in Nashville on postal business.
From time to time we read of his forwarding money home, of company, brigade, and division drills, of reviews by General Rosecrans. On July 7 and 8 salutes were fired in honor of the Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg. On August 12, we find Mr. Cole, who is still regimental postmaster, writing a letter to the Delaware Gazette. After some long marches and the crossing of the Cumberland Mountains, in the ascent of which the men had to help in pulling up teams and half-loaded wagons, we find the note: "After crossing the Cumberland Mountains I conclude not to dispute the fact that Bonaparte did cross the Alps, but am well satisfied he never crossed the Cumberland."
On September 9th they were at Chattanooga, where they saw some rebels, and a few days later they lost several men in a skirmish. On the 19th the regiment took part in the bloody battle of Chickamauga, in which it was much cut up, losing over 60 per cent, of the men in killed and wounded. Sergeant Cole received a gun-shot wound in the right shoulder. On October 22, he was granted a furlough and started for home. After a pleasant month spent in visiting his friends and in recuperating his health, during which time, however, he lost the opportunity of participating with the regiment in the famous assault on Mission Ridge, he set out to rejoin his regiment. Before doing so he visited the battlefields of Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain. Some time was spent in camp and then the Twenty-sixth, as a part of Thomas's command, set out with Sherman on the famous march to Atlanta. Previous to this, however, most of the men had been mustered out and had re-enlisted as veterans. Mr. Cole, with a number of others, had not re-enlisted, but they were not yet dismissed, and accordingly started on the Atlanta campaign. They accompanied the regiment to Resaca, Georgia, and thence to Adairsville, New Hope Church, Picketts Mills, Ackworth, Lost Mountain, Muddy Creek, Kenesaw, and Marietta. Georgia, which they reached July 3d, soon after coming in sight of Atlanta. On the 12th the order for the return of the non-veterans to the rear, to be mustered out of the service, was received, and on the next day they left the camp, bound for home. On the 25th they were mustered out of the service at Chattanooga, and five days later Mr. Cole found himself once more in the bosom of his family, his service in the war for the Union having lasted three years, two months, and twenty-five days. Events now pointed to the approaching dissolution of the Confederacy, and Mr. Cole no longer deemed it his duty to engage in further military service. He resumed agricultural pursuits, gradually turning his attention more and more to sheep raising, and to bee and poultry culture, as already noted elsewhere in this article. He gained a wide reputation for the excellence of his merino sheep and his Plymouth fowls. He continued successfully engaged in these occupations up to the time of his death, which occurred October 8, 1893.
In his demise the county lost one of its most progressive and respected citizens—one who had always had the best interests of the community at heart. He was for some years one of Marlborough Township's most useful and popular officials, serving at different times as justice of the peace, assessor and town treasurer. In politics he was a Republican. He was a prominent member of the Masonic order in this vicinity. being made a Mason in Lodge 407, at Ashley, August 18, 1869. Of this lodge he was a charter member. Passing through the intervening degrees, he became a Royal Arch Mason in March, 1871. At different times he was Master of Ashley Lodge. He kept in touch with his old time military comrades as a member of the Union Veteran Legion of Delaware, and of the Regimental Association, of which he was elected president in August, 1893. In 1890 Captain Cole was elected county treasurer, and after serving one term, was re-elected. His death took place shortly before the close of his second term in this office. For many years Captain Cole was an earnest and consistent member of Marlborough Baptist Church. The Ohio Soldier of June 30, 1897, said of him: "Comrade Cole was in some respects a remarkable man, quiet and unassuming, but possessed many accomplishments. He was a good soldier and a true Christian gentleman. He completed his three years' service, not by inherent strength of body, but by quiet determination to do so, and by carefully abstaining from all excesses, saving his strength for supreme moments of fatigue and exposure. A more careless man, or one addicted to excesses, would have been compelled to yield, or more likely would have died before the expiration of his term of service."
For the purposes of reference we append a table of the distances travelled by the Twenty-sixth Regiment. O. V. I; also Captain Cole's Masonic Record:
DISTANCES TRAVELLED BY THE TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT, O. V. I.
| |
Miles. |
| Camp Chase to Cincinnati (by rail) |
110 |
| Cincinnati to Charleston, W. Va. (Water) |
270 |
| Charleston to Sewall Mountain |
77 |
| Sewall Mountain to Fayetteville |
55 |
| Fayetteville to Loop Creek |
22 |
| Loop Creek to Louisville, Ky. (water) |
440 |
| Louisville to Bardstown |
39 |
| Bardstown to Glenbrook |
43 |
| Glenbrook to Munfordsville |
10 |
| Munfordsville to Bowling Green |
42 |
| Bowling Green to Tennessee line |
27 |
| Tennessee line to Nashville |
39 |
| Nashville to Columbia, Tenn |
40 |
| Columbia to Savannah, Tenn |
80 |
| Savannah to Pittsburg Landing (water) |
10 |
| Pittsburg Landing to Corinth, Miss |
28 |
| Corinth to Alabama line |
30 |
| Alabama line to Florence |
30 |
| Florence to Huntsville |
79 |
| Huntsville to Shelbyville, Tenn |
57 |
| Shelbyville to Dechard |
35 |
| Dechard to Fayetteville and back |
77 |
| Dechard to top of Cumberland Mts |
73 |
| Cumberland Mts. to Murfreesboro |
55 |
| Murfreesboro to Nashville |
30 |
| Nashville to Bowling Green, via Gallatin |
73 |
| Bowling Green to Munfordsville |
42 |
| Munfordsville to Louisville, via West Point |
76 |
| Louisville to Bardstown, via Fairfield |
43 |
| Bardstown to near Camp Dick Robinson |
51 |
| Camp Dick Robinson to Wild Cat |
46 |
| Wild Cat to Silver Spring, Tenn., via Crab Orchard |
196 |
| Silver Spring to Nashville |
20 |
| Nashville to Murfreesboro |
30 |
| Murfreesboro to foot of Cumberland Mountains, via Manchester |
53 |
| Foot to foot of Cumberland Mountains, via Tracy |
36 |
| Foot of Cumberland Mountains to Chattanooga, via Shellmound |
53 |
| Chattanooga to Chickamauga, Ga |
23 |
| Chickamauga to Chattanooga, via Rossville |
14 |
| Chattanooga to Knoxville and Strawberry Plains and return |
357 |
| Chattanooga to Columbus, Ohio, and return to Charleston, Tenn. (rail) |
1310 |
| Charleston to Kingston, Ga |
95 |
| Kingston to Kenesaw, via Xew Hope, etc |
66 |
| Kenesaw to Camp south of Chattahoochee River |
20 |
| Chattahoochee River to Marietta |
11 |
| Marietta to Chattanooga (rail) |
118 |
| Chattanooga to Columbus and Ashley, Ohio (rail) |
659 |
| Total |
5202 |
SUMMARY.
| Marched |
2273 |
| By rail |
2203 |
| By water |
726 |
| Total |
5202 |
The above is exclusive of all scouts, foraging expeditions, etc., of the Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry in its three years' service. Trips by rail were made in freight and cattle cars, and by water were deck passage.
CAPTAIN COLE'S MASONIC RECORD.
Aug. 18, 1869—Was this day made a Mason in the E. A. M. degree in Lodge No. 407, Ashley, Ohio; J. F. Doty, acting W. Master.
Sept. 29, 1869—Was this day passed to Fellowcraft degree; Brother J. F. Doty, acting W. M.
Nov. 3, 1869—This day raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, with Brother Worshipful Master Sidney Moore in the East.
Feb. 3, 1871—Promoted to the more honorable degree of Mark Master, and passed to the degree of Past Master. Brother Sidney Moore, Most Excellent High Priest.
March 3, 1871—Admitted to the degree of Most Excellent Master; Brother Sidney Moore, Most Excellent High Priest.
March 14, 1871—Exalted to the sublime and honorable degree of a Royal Arch Mason. Comrade Sidney Moore, Most Excellent High Priest.
Mr. Cole was married January 31, 1856, to Catherine Black, who was born in Marlborough Township, Delaware County, Ohio, June 4, 1835, a daughter of Christian and Phebe (Elliott) Black. Mrs. Cole's father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother of Delaware County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Cole were the parents of nine children, of whom there are six now living. They are as follows:
Charles, who is a resident of Novinger, Missouri; Milo, residing at Queen City, that State; Burton, who is a resident of Marlborough Township; Lois, wife of Eugene Nash, of Delaware, Ohio; Katie, wife of William Cooper, residing at Marion, Ohio; Elias J., who is a resident of Alton, Kansas. The three deceased are Fred, Mary and Velorus.
Mrs. Elias Cole still survives her husband and resides in Marlborough Township, where she owns over 70 acres of excellent land. She is a member of Marlborough Baptist Church, to which her husband belonged and has taken an active part in its works of charity and Christian usefulness. The mother of a worthy family, all the members of which show the results of her careful training, she has well performed her part in the most sacred relations of life, and now lives honored and respected as she is widely known in the community where she has so long had her home.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908