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Company C 21st Ohio Casualties at Chickamauga
Company C, 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry Homepage
Fort Meigs Rifles
This page is dedicated to preserving the memory of Company C, 21st Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry. Under their stern but effective commander Captain Arnold McMahan, the "Fort Meigs Rifles" as they once styled themselves proved to be a nightmare to their enemies on the battlefield and to their commanders off the field. This page is dedicated to preserving the good, the bad, and the ugly about this fascinating company. Please check back often for updates.

Raised primarily in Wood County with contigents from Perrysburg, Bowling Green, and Portage, as well as smaller groups from northern Wood County and a few from Hancock County, Company C was mustered into service September 19, 1861 at Camp Vance in Findlay, Ohio. Under their bombastic and flamboyant Colonel, former Perrysburg politician Jesse S. Norton, the 21st Ohio took part in Nelson's eastern Kentucky campaign and marched all the way to northern Alabama under "Old Stars" General Ormsby M. Mitchel. When Norton got into trouble for violating the parameters of his battlefield parole (as well as associating with well known Alabama seccessionists), he resigned his commission and command of the 21st fell to equally flamboyant Lieutenant Colonel James M. Neibling. Neibling led the 21st through Stones River, missing out on Chickamauga before returning to lead the regiment in the Atlanta campaign. An early wound during that campaign placed Company C's original captain in charge of the regiment.

Major Arnold McMahan, original Captain of Company C, led the 21st Ohio to glory on Horseshoe Ridge during the Battle of Chickamauga following the early mortal wounding of Lieutenant Colonel Dwella Stoughton. He was captured along with the remnant of his regiment that evening and spent several months in a Confederate prison camp. He returned to the regiment after six months imprisonment and took command after Colonel Neibling was badly wounded. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel by Brevet, he was a disciplinarian and staunch advocate of a hard war. However, McMahan gained the respect of his men through fairness, pluck, and battlefield competence. He was truly one of the 'good Colonels.'

Company C Corporal Abel Comstock later wrote McMahan in his final years of life: "I assure you Colonel that no officer in the regiment today stands as high in the estimation of the men than you do."
Private Reason Bates, longtime sergeant of Co. C, he distinguished himself throughout the war and rose to 2nd Sergeant before he was reduced to the ranks for disobeying an order just before the March to the Sea in 1864. He mustered out with the company in July 1865. Photo courtesy of Linda Lacich
Company C's Original Flag- Thanks to Rob Tong!
Miller's Brigade at Stones River December 31, 1862-January 3, 1863
Colonel Jesse S. Norton (left), captured July 17, 1861 at the Battle of Scarey Creek in western Virginia, Norton was paroled but never was properly exchanged. In trouble with the War Dept. for violating his parole, Norton further incurred the ire of his divisional commander Brigadier General Ormsby M. Mitchel after being discovered at a clam bake held at the plantation of a prominent northern Alabama seccessionist. Norton left the regiment in mid summer 1862 but didn't resign until just before the Battle of Stones River.
Accounts






Sergeant Major Earl W. Merry (right): Originally a Private in Company C, Merry was promoted to Sergeant Major following Chickamauga until he was wounded July 20, 1864 in the ankle at the Battle of Peach Tree Creek. "He was just going off duty after helping to build the breastworks at Peach Tree Creek when the rebel bullet struck him. He was placed in a box car and sent to the hospital after receiving meager field attention. The rebels cut the line of communication and it was not until four days later that the wound was given further attention. Infection had set in and amputation was necessary. For two months and a half, he lay unconscious, suffering from gangrene. Another operation was resorted to which left but a stump below the knee. It was not until 13 months had passed that the gangrene was conquered and the wound has given Mr. Merry almost constant pain through the 51 years he had endured it."
Private William Horace Jones, Company C, 21st O.V.I. and 2nd Illinois Cavalry. Jones deserted at Murfreesboro and enlisted in the 2nd Illinois Cavalry in June 1863. Present through Stones River campaign.
This page dedicated in loving memory of my two great-great-great-great uncles, Privates James A. McLargin and Frederick K. McLargin, Company C, 21st Ohio Volunteers. Your sacrifices will not be forgotten!

 

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