Recollections of the Battle

by Capt. Issac Cussac, Lieut. J.S. Mahony, Lieut. J.H. Bolton,
and A. Comstock of Company "C" 21st Ohio

    We had been on the ridge but a short while, when the enemy made a desperate attack on us, but we repulsed. Again and again did they attempt to drive us from the ridge, but we were not moved by lead nor demon-like yells, but we lay close to the ground, and with our Colt's Revolving Rifles repelled and repulsed every attack. About one o'clock p.m., some troops came in on our right, and the 22d Michigan, (as we supposed) charged over us as we lay on the ground, but only remained in front of us a short time when they fell back over us. The enemy then followed up and made a desperate effort to break through our lines. The enemy's loss must have been very heavy, as they came very near us, and we kept up a constant and terrific fire on them, compelling them to fall back.
    The 21st held their position amidst showers of bullets, shot and shell, until sundown, when they were out of ammunition and could not get any. The regiment then moved to the rear a few rods into a hollow, where we were then secure from the fire of the enemy. While in this position, I was standing in front of the regiment, when a Colonel, (whom I was unable to recognize,) rode up to me somewhat excited, saying to me "move those men up to the line." I said to him, Colonel we have no more ammunition," His reply to me was, it does not make a G-d d--n bit of difference. Have the men fix bayonets and hold the line!

    This is a typical 3 band "Enfield" rifle. This design was used by many of the Union troops. A good soldier, under pressure, could fire 3 aimed shots in 1 minute.
    Now this is where the 21st Ohio had the advantage, Their Colt Rifles could easily fire twice that many, but when their unusual sized 56 caliper slugs had dwindled, no more could be had. The men searched the wounded & dead trying to secure additional rounds but they were all gone. As a last effort many of the guys tried ramming over-sized slugs into their cylinders, but these just jammed and many guns exploded!

The End of the War

    April 14, 1865, to rejoice over the dawn of a glorious peace. The day was bright and cheerful, and nature seemed to smile on the exalted happiness of the people. The exercises commenced at 6 o'clock in the morning with the ringing of bells, and the firing of a salute of thirty-six guns. As the day wore on crowds of people came pouring into Findlay. The 10 o'clock services were held in several of the churches, and shortly after noon a large audience gathered at the Court House where appropriate addresses were delivered by Revs. Rose and Wykes, In the evening there was a fine display of fireworks, and every business house, as well as many private dwellings, was brilliantly illuminated. This joy, however, was destined to be short-lived, and suddenly changed to deep mourning. About 10 o'clock on the following morning the news of President Lincoln's assassination reached Findlay, and fell like a pall on the hearts of its citizens. Every one was horror-stricken at the awful deed, and never was there so much draped in mourning, and the flags dressed in crepe and raised at half mast. In the afternoon a public meeting was held at the Court House to express the sentiments of the people on the assassination of the President, and deep gloom filled every honest heart.

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