Ohio during the Civil War - Case Study Example

OHIO DURING THE CIVIL WAR Introduction The period between 1860 and 1863 was a vital period. This is because political events and crucial battles that shaped the Civil War and the American nation took place during this period. These events led to subsequent activities that influenced societies in many ways. Ohio is a state that is regarded as the most crucial during the Civil War in the United States of America. Ohio was at the centre of the conflicts between Northern and Southern states and within national political parties over the extension of slavery into federal territories. The cause of the conflict was the different views that different parties had on the issue of slavery. There were two groups, those that advocated for the permission of slavery and those who were against this idea. Ohio had been regarded as a critical area to the great body of the republic by Lincoln, the USA president of the period. This was because Ohio bound the North, South and west. Also, Ohio’s people would not assent to the division of the Union.1 It is predicted that about seven percent of Ohio’s total population fought in the Civil War in 1861. Military success and failure had a direct impact on the battles over liberation, mobilization, civil liberties and political economy. This essay examines Ohio, the most powerful, influential and critical area of the country during the mid nineteenth century and how people of the Middle West experienced the Civil War. The essay also evaluates the role that these people played in preserving and redefining the United States of America. Issues pertaining to military, agriculture and politics and their effects on the Civil War are also analyzed in this essay. The essay also touches on the African American experience in Ohio during the Civil War. The Role of Ohio in the Civil War Ohio made a significant contribution towards the Civil War effort. For instance, Cleveland, a city within the state of Ohio, provided men exceeding its quota to serve in the military during the Civil War. In addition, the city was used as a training center for the troops, as well as, a place where war supplies could be collected and distributed. Ohio based companies offered to continue paying the salaries of their workers who volunteered to fight in the Civil War.2 Cleveland was overwhelmed by the quota requirements. At times force had to be used to draw men who could serve during the Civil War into the military. Though there were some conflict incidents against drafting of men, there was no major resistance to the draft. Two of the major political meetings during the war were held in Cleveland, Ohio. For instance, a governors’ conference for governors from western states of New England was held at Angier House. Ohio’s governor, Dennison had invited them. It is through this meeting that an agreement was reached to address President Lincoln on matters pertaining to the need of more men, efficiency, enthusiasm and a solid plan of campaign. President Lincoln asserted his presidential powers as commander in chief and did as per the wish of the governors who attended the conference.3 A second governors’ meeting was convened in Cleveland a year later. This forced Lincoln to order for more troops in the East. People in Cleveland could get rumors about possible invasion through Canada. For instance, when Canadian refugees and Confederates had plotted to free war prisoner, Cleveland men and Ohio volunteers were able to suppress the plot by timely action because they had received the information earlier. Soldiers obtained all aid at Cleveland in terms of beddings, food and reading matter. In addition, a military home and hospital for military officers was set in Cleveland. Live in Ohio during the Civil during the Civil War posed various challenges to various groups of people. Some groups were forced to engage in activities due the Civil War. For instance, men had to volunteer and respond to President Abraham Lincoln’s call for troops during the Civil War. Therefore, men and boys had to leave their work and families and join regiments. African American men who were willing to join troops could not be allowed due to the existence of racism, but as the Civil War progressed, liberation was achieved and African Americans were freed from discrimination. Women had to work extra hard and provide food in the farms and ensure that their men who had joined the troops in the Civil War obtained humanitarian help. Various sectors in Ohio State were affected by the Civil War as discussed in the subsequent sections. Ohio Agriculture during the Civil War Ohio had undergone cultivation for a long period by the time the Civil War broke out. Therefore, Ohio was an old settled country because only a small northwestern position had not been brought into cultivation. Houses had been built and roads constructed, with very few of them being good. Water transport had been established through canal barge while a few railways, several small towns, churches, schools and one large city could be found in Ohio. The practice of cattle rearing was also common in Ohio.4 The Civil War had remarkable effects on agriculture in Ohio. Ohio farmers were satisfied with the effects of the Civil War on Ohio agriculture because they expected beneficial repercussions from the war as had been the case after previous wars. Farmers claimed that they benefitted from ready market for farm produce and augmented sales. Therefore, farming had advanced, leading to prosperity amid expectations of inflation. The Civil War increased production in the existing farms and helped bring new ones into existence in Ohio. However, the Civil War claimed labor from Ohio through drafts and volunteer activities in which men had to join the military. This led to a shortage in the farms in terms of labor, and no improvements were made after that period. For instance, there was no sufficient in the farms during cultivation and harvest of farm produce because most able bodied men had gone to war. Given that the farm machinery was still very small during the Civil War, farmers could not solve their labor problems by substituting human labor with machinery.5 Horse rearing benefitted from the war because horses were required by military men during the civil war. The army wanted to use horses in warring events. Good horses were sold at high prices as the Civil war progressed. However, rearing of cattle was adversely affected by the Civil War because exports declined significantly during and after the war. Some farmers shifted from cattle rearing to sheep rearing during the early years of the war. The Civil created market for wool because it was required in the manufacture of army uniforms and blankets. Pig rearing was adversely affected by the Civil War because the market from the Southern part had been cut off because of the conflict. Wheat growing prospered during the Civil War because wheat was on high demand. Wheat could be used in many aspects during the war, a reason that made the cereal and its flour mostly sought after commodities. Crops such barley, oats and corn were not affected much by the Civil War. Climatic conditions affected fruit farming in Ohio. Fruits such as apples were destroyed by unfavorable climatic conditions during the war period. However grape growing remained stable during the war period. Attention was shifted to flax as a source of fiber during the Civil War period because there was a shortage in cotton. Agriculture county societies vanished during the Civil war while others remained dormant. Those that remained operational cut their budgets significantly.6 Agriculture backs up the economy of every region, state or nation. The changes that occurred in the Ohio agriculture sector during the Civil War led the events that led to revolution. Ohio Politics during the Civil War The state elections of Ohio were of national importance because they were held a month earlier before the presidential elections could be carried out. In addition, Ohio governor was chosen the year that preceded the national elections. This was before the civil war. It was here that the two major parties in the United States of America gauged themselves, depending on their performance in Ohio. As a matter of fact, the efforts that Republican and Democrat parties directed to Ohio were enormous and could be described to be of an unusual degree.7 The African Americans who were also termed as Negroes did not have any political privileges before the Civil War. However, this aspect was altered slightly as the Civil War progressed. Republicans backed petitions that advocated for the restriction of migration of Negroes to Ohio State. Democrats were contrary to the position of Republicans in most political views, leading to fierce competition. Through the quarrel between President Buchanan and Senator Stephen Douglas that led to splits in the Democratic Party, Lincoln seized an opportunity and became president while his Republican party recorded victory in Ohio in 1860. There were differing political views on the doctrine of slavery, which had been sustained by previous political leaders. Democrats could not compromise their stand on the issue of slavery and they had to fight back.8 Most parts of Ohio including Cleveland were majorly protestant abolitionist. Elections assumed a similar pattern every period and Democrats did not defeat Republicans, whose party had been nicknamed the Union Ticket. The Union League was formed in Cleveland to act as a counterbalance to proslavery. Campaigns for state seats such as gubernatorial positions were fierce, based on loyalty to the government. Though Democrats made attempts to ensure that President Lincoln was not re-elected, Cleveland and other parts of Ohio State were loyal to Lincoln. Large numbers of them crowded the streets to salute him as he headed for inauguration. Clevelanders were most hurt after Lincoln’s assassination.9 Education was partly affected by the Civil War. After the initial excitement had subsided, school attendance resumed to normal. The number of companies that operated in Ohio had shot up three fold between 1861 and 1863. Development in the transport sector, especially the railway system contributed to economic growth in Ohio during the Civil War. Given that many men were absent from Cleveland other parts of Ohio during the Civil War, the few that had remained could demand for better salaries from their employers. During the Civil War newsmen played their political role in their writings and news. For instance, opposition press published articles attacking the government and blaming it for failure in one or two aspects. A common saying that went round was that editors of newspapers had to be politicians first and newspapermen second. Some Northern editors sided with the Confederacy because they followed the party line.10 Republican press editors could respond swiftly to what had been published against them. This cycle of attack and defense in the press went on for some time during the Civil War in Ohio. The approach of reporting that different sectors of the press portrayed confirmed fierce opposition and completion amongst the two rival groups. This conflict went on during the Civil War and might have contributed towards the events that followed afterwards. This because the opposing groups were triggered to action by the words that press from either opposition or the government used in reporting. Events go out offhand when mobs started breaking into offices of some media houses due to their writings. Some newspapers published statements by politicians who were against the Civil War. For instance, an editorial that was published by Hough asserted that the Civil War was not necessary and it was not supposed to continue. It was not foreseeable that the Civil War would bring back the states that had withdrawn. Other editors of newspapers supported the Civil War effort. Without political conflicts, the Civil War, which led to liberation of African Americans, could not have broken out. Therefore, politics was an important catalyst that led to revolution, though it had to involve warfare. Ohio Military during the Civil War Before the war, Ohio had no experience with war, a military organization and leaders trained in military activities. It was during the Civil War that the formation of military was initiated in Ohio. The president had ordered troops to aid in the war and Ohio had to provide its share. However, this military army had no arms, experience or uniforms.11 Some early troops were sent to hotels and boarding houses. Camps were established later to accommodate troops and train the military. A camp named Dennison was set at the southwest corner of Ohio State to guard Cincinnati against attack. Training followed after equipment had been purchased. All states including Ohio had sufficient troops to participate in the Civil War as the president could demand. Given that the troops were more than required, the remaining troops were retained to take care of their states’ affairs. There was another that was set up during this period of the Civil War. Ohio militia led others in the battle of Philippi Western Virginia. The action saw Philippi become the first land battle of the Civil War.12 Ohio militia carried out the Andrews Raid during the Civil War. This was a very vital step during the Civil War because it was meant to wreck the railroad in the centre of the Confederacy. This could cut off vital supply lines of the rebel army. Though it did not succeed, it played a crucial role during the Civil War. The arm helped guard their state Ohio from attack by rebels and enemies. Ohio produced the largest number of military troops during the Civil War. It was not only trained military men who responded to the call of troops by the president, but youths from farms, mills, colleges, mines and offices joined the Union Army. The great army comprised of full infantry regiments, regiments of cavalry, regiments of light artillery, independent sharpshooters and several other groups.13 Ohio was the first to respond to the president’s call for seventy five thousand troops. The military was very vital during the Civil War because they participated in the West Virginia Campaign and moved to the upper Potomac River. Other armies were directed to the Allegheny Mountains at the Shenandoah Valley. Ohio troops did a remarkable job at the Shenandoah Valley during the campaign. There were fierce instances, including one in which Ohio regiments fought furiously for one and half hours. Some members of the party that had sympathy with the rebellion organized secret societies. The members of these secret societies pledged to resist drafts. They also pledged to support the Southern cause. There were such members in the state of Ohio. These parties imported arms, which were to be used by their members.14 Military organization by the state of Ohio was a remarkable response to the Civil War. The campaigns against slavery could only be carried out by military groups. Therefore, Ohio’s step to set an army was a significant activity in history. Recruitment and training of volunteers helped in preparing the troops for the task that was ahead of them. By setting up an army, Ohio realized that it lacked several aspects and equipment for military training and management. Therefore, initial failures led to improvements, which saw the state develop an outstanding army that could be used in the campaigns against slavery. The African American Experience in Ohio during the Civil War At the beginning of the nineteenth century, “Black Laws” had been passed in Ohio. These laws were meant to reduce the rate of immigration of blacks into Ohio. For instance, any black person who entered the state of Ohio during this period had to post a $500 bond and provide evidence of his or her free status.15 African Americans could not be offered work without documents depicting their free status. The rights of African Americans were extremely limited, though slavery was not legal in Ohio. African Americans could not be allowed to serve on jury, serve in the military or testify against whites. In addition, African Americans could not send their children to public schools because it was not permissible. By 1849, many anti-slavery organizations had been formed in Ohio while the requirement by law for African Americans to post bond or prove free status was rescinded. As much the African Americans could not vote, they could be allowed to testify in court. Though African Americans had to endure racism in Ohio, they were happy to live in Ohio state, rather than living in the South as slaves. During the Civil War African Americans were assigned the work of constructing military roads through companies of African American residents. However, African Americans were denied a chance to fight. Later, after passage of the Conscription Act, African Americans were allowed to enroll in volunteer units. However, African American soldier were under the command of while soldiers and their pay was half as much as that of white volunteers. After the Civil War, all the slaves were freed. Slaves were majorly African Americans. Later, African Americans could be allowed to vote. However, discrimination against African Americans was still exhibited various places such as restaurants and transport, despite the change of law. It was only during Civil War that African Americans were allowed to join the military. Some African Americans like Daniel A. Payne managed to ensure that African Americans got access to education. Payne, through his church purchased the Wilberforce University, which was the first university that was owned and run by African Americans. It was because of the slavery activities that were carried out against African Americans that the Civil broke out. Without African Americans, there could not have been a conflict between the parties that supported slaver and those who opposed it. In addition, African Americans took part in activities that could enhance their freedom during the Civil War. For instance, African Americans were willing to join troops and fight during the campaigns. It should be recognized that migration of Black Americans to Ohio and other states of the America was a crucial event that contributed significantly towards the Civil War. Bibliography Coles, Harry Lewis. Ohio Forms an Army. Columbus: Ohio State University Press for the Ohio Historical Society, 1962 Davison, Kenneth E. Cleveland during the Civil War. Columbus: Ohio State University Press for the Ohio Historical Society, 1962 Dee, Christine. Ohios War: The Civil War in Documents. Athens: Ohio University Press, 2006 Downer, Edward T. Ohio Troops in the Field. Columbus: Ohio State University Press for the Ohio Historical Society, 1961 Ford, Harvey S. Civil War Letters of Petroleum V. Nasby. Columbus: Ohio State University Press for the Ohio Historical Society, 1962. Harper, Robert S. Ohio Handbook of the Civil War. Columbus: Published by the Ohio Historical Society for the Ohio Civil War Centennial Commission, 1961. Harper, Robert S. The Ohio Press in the Civil War. Columbus: Ohio State University Press for the Ohio Historical Society, 1961. Jones, Robert L. Ohio Agriculture During the Civil War. Ohio: Ohio State University Press, 1962. Ohio History Host. "African Americans in Ohio ." March 2012, http://www.ohiohistoryhost.org/ohiomemory/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/african.pdf Porter, George Henry. Ohio Politics during the Civil War Period. New York: AMS Press, 1968. Simms, Henry Harrison. Ohio Politics on the Eve of Conflict. Columbus: Ohio State University Press for Ohio Historical Society, 1961. Read More