Civil War Service

Granville Robertson’s Civil War service according go his Obit.

He served two months as a private soldier in the Civil War; afterwards volunteering as a sharpshooter. He hired a substitute afterward, paying him $200 in money and signing over his bounty to him, amounting to $500 altogether. His substitute’s name was Benjamin Messer. He lives near Newton now Raymond.

When the adjutant general of the state ordered the organization of the militia he enlisted in Co. D. 1^st Regiment in Union County, and was elected second Lieutenant. He served in that capacity during the organization but was never call into actual army service. John Hartshorn was colonel of the regiment and A.P. Hill was government drill master.

Richwood Gazette March 6, 1913. P. 1 c 4.

This a copy of the 1890 Veterans Schedule.

100 Days Men

Ancestry.com is offering free records for a week to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. As a result I have been thinking a lot about my family's service. I will be highlighting the soldiers in my family and their service for the next several days.

One of the things I am fascinated with is the Ohio "100 days Men"

The principal person behind the 100 days regiments was Ohio governor, John Brough. He visited Washington and offered President Lincoln 30,000 (in the end 38,000) Ohio men for a hundred days. Four other western states (Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin) also raised regiments. The 100 days men were meant to serves as guards for bridges, fort and railroads thereby releasing the soldiers to mop up the war but many ended up in the thick of battle. While ending the war in 100 days was a noble idea and an ambitious plan; its failure was by no means the fault of the men who served. In the end, the regiments did far more than was expected of them.

There are several good books that speak to this unique part of history.

History of the 133 regiment. O.V.I. and Incidents Connected with its Service During the "War of the Rebellion", by the Historian of the Association of its survivors, S. M. Sherman, M.D. 1896

A Hundred Days to Richmond: Ohio's "Hundred Days" Men in the Civil War, Jim Leeke, 1999.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Veterans Day Remembrance of Jacob Romick

My Great, Great, Great Grandfather Jacob Romick was in the army twice. In 1841 and again during the Civil War. What a conundrum. I knew about his Civil War service since he has a military gravestone and I have a copy of the receipt for the stone and his pension record. But I had no idea that he was in the army twenty years earlier too.

According to the "Descriptive and Historical Register of Enlisted Soldiers of the Army" Jacob Romick was enlisted by Lt. Bradford in Columbus, Ohio in the 4 Artillery Co. F. on 29 January 1841. He was 21. He was discharged as a Private in July of 1843 in Fort Monroe, VA with a disability.

He returned to Ohio, married Rachel Britton on 30 Sept 1844 and they had 8 children: Mary M, Hosea, Charles M., Rachel L., Jacob E., William, George W. called General, and John T.B.

Flash forward twenty years.

Lt. Jacob Romick was one of the 100 Days Men in the 133 Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Active from 6 May 1864 to 6 Aug 1864, these volunteers along with thousands of others were to help the Union achieve victory in 100 days. You know that did not happen. His pension record indicates that he was an invalid. (I wonder what the original 1843 disability was and if he was injured again.)

I am still digging to learn more about him and his service. I did find out on the 1841 enlistment record that he was born in Fayette County, Ohio (something new I did not know.) and that he was 5 foot 9 inches tall and had brown hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion. It also had his occupation as a saddler. (That might explain why he kept going to war.)

Now if only I could figure out why was in the army at all in 1841. The Texas situation was over and the Mexican American War had not yet begun. I really do love history.

Mexican Almond Cake

I brought this cake to our international dessert day at work. I have made it many times and it always comes out perfect. Moist and not too sweet. Several people asked for the recipe, so here it is. It is adapted from Cocina Mexicana by Marlena Spieler.

Torta de Cielo

3/4 C. whole almonds with the peel.

1 C. room temperature sweet butter

1 C. sugar

3 eggs lightly beaten

1 tsp. almond extract

1 tsp. vanilla extract

9 Tblsp all-purpose flour

a pinch of salt.

Lightly grease a 8-inch round or square cake pan and put wax paper on the bottom.

Pulverize the almonds until they have become flour. I use a mini-chop for this.

Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, almond flour and both types of extract. Mix well. Add the flour and the salt. Mix until the flour is incorporated. Scoop the batter into the pan and smooth the top. Bake the cake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 40-50 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched.

Take the cake out of the oven and cool it on a wire rack or trivet. Pop it out of the pan and put it on a nice serving plate. Sprinkle powdered sugar over it. You can also decorate it with toasted almond slices.

Wordless Wednesday