In late July 1863, soldiers from the 61st OVI and other Ohio units in the Army of the Potomac returned to Ohio to escort drafted men back to the army. This trip coincided with the gubernatorial campaign between Democrat Clement Vallandigham and Unionist John Brough. Tension was running high between supporters of the anti-war Vallandigham and the soldiers, as can be seen in this excerpt from an account published in the Portage County Democrat on August 5, 1863 (Lieutenant Scripture is Z. Clark Scripture of Battery I, 1st Ohio Light Artillery).
Some two hundred soldiers came home from the Army on the same mission with Lieut. Scripture – i.e. to take charge of drafted men for their respective commands. At Bellair on Monday last week, their train was detained four or five hours. While there the train containing the John Morgan prisoners was visited by the people around Bellair, who flocked to the prisoners cars and loaded them down with pies and cakes, cigars, tobacco, &c., and treated the Union soldiers with perfect indifference and contempt. Col. McGroarty of the 61st Ohio, was on the train with the Union solders, and was called out to make a speech to the people. The Vallandighammers were insolent. Some picked up stones but the soldiers attended to their “little case” at once – one big bully who impudently interrupted and insulted the speaker, was taken in hand by Sergt. Arbuckle of the 61st. He won’t be apt to interrupt any one under like circumstances again. Col. McGroarty made a very spirited speech, and plainly told the Vallandighammers what the soldiers thought of them.
(That fall Colonel Stephen McGroarty campaigned for Brough in Ohio. Sergeant John Arbuckle ended the war as a First Lieutenant in the 61st.)
Tags: 61st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 61st OVI, Clement Vallandigham, Lieutenant John Arbuckle, Stephen McGroarty
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