THE HISTORICAL TIMES

NEWSLETTER OF THE GRANVILLE, HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Volume XII Number I Winter 1998

Major General Charles Griffin Granville's Forgotten Hero

As a community deeply steeped Grant to accept the Confederate in its past, Granville has a well deserved surrender at Appomattox. He married reputation as a place acutely aware of into one of the nations richest and most its history. With several published powerful families; he counted many histories, numerous scholarly articles, friends among the great names of that and a thriving historical society, it period of American history. After the would seem that almost every event war he became the military governor of and personage associated with during Reconstruction and Granville, be they significant or distinguished himself as an untiring otherwise, is amply chronicled and their pioneer of civil rights for the newly record preserved. Yet the one freed blacks. This article then, is a small individual, who by most objective attempt to shed some long overdue criteria made the most significant recognition to one of Granvilles most contribution (at least on the national distinguished offspring. level) has been all but forgotten by his hometown. Mention the name of Charles Griffin to knowledgeable local historians and one draws quizzical, blank looks. There is but scant mention of him in Granvilles histories and none at all in the file or records at the local historical society. Yet this son of Granville played a leading role during the Civil War, participating from 1 st Bull Run until Appomattox. Cited by leading military historians as one the finest combat leaders in the , he enjoyed a meteoric rise from battery commander, thence a , and command by wars end. In acknowledgment of his contributions, he was selected by U.S. Major General Charles Griffin

1 The Granville Years Little is known of Charles The story of the Griffin family is Griffins childhood years but it is to a large extent the story of early probable that he saw the bustle and Granville. joab Griffin and his two adult progress that marked the thriving sons migrated to Granville from their community from the prime vantage home in East Hadden, Connecticut. Of point of his fathers store. In the mid- solid Yankee stock, they soon made 1830s Apollos Griffin sold his business their mark and became prominent in and acquired a 290-acre farm on the the new Ohio community. Arriving in Worthington Road. (The Griffin the first wave of settlers in 1805, Joab homestead still exists although there are Griffin (grandfather to Charles) was several additions to the original house. charged with helping to plat the village It is the residence of the Neff family and apportion the lots to the citizens. adjacent to the Raccoon International His two sons, Chester and Appollos, Golf Course, off S.R. 161.) The Griffin also became active in the community family also knew tragedy as the two and became leading merchants. Chester, eldest children Richard and Susan died the eldest, operated a store on the north suddenly of an illness in 1839. Like side of East Broadway until his most Granville families, both past and premature death at the age of 30 in present, the Griffins placed great value 1818. Apollos, the youngest son, formed on education and young Charles was a partnership with Lucius Mower. In enrolled as soon as possible in the 1819 these two traveled extensively to Granville College, passing through the the south as far as trading Primary, Preparatory and Collegiate and selling goods until they had departments of that institution. A enough stock to return home and open picture of the young Charles Griffin the first real goods store in Granville. emerges from a recommendation Apollos Griffin later opened another written by Prof. Paschal Carter in 1841 dry goods store in partnership with when Charles was 16: another of Granvilles founders, Elias Gilman. "He is 5'8", of robust constitution, and holds a respectable standing in the Eighteen years of age when he sophomore class. In Latin, Greek and first arrived in Granville, Apollos Mathematics he is respectable, in English Griffin brought along his wife Purnelia composition he merits the praise of from Connecticut. The Griffins were correctness. He possesses good talents, and active in the social and religious life of sustains a good moral character and enjoys the new community. In 1827 when the the confidence of those who are acquainted Rev. Ahab Jinks broke off from the with him. Elegance and facility will be Presbyterian Church to form the added with practice and society." Episcopal Church, Apollos Griffin was one of the original subscribers for the Young Griffin applied for construction of St. Lukes Church and admission to the Military was later listed as a vestryman. It was Academy in 1841 but for reasons that to this family of industrious, pious are unclear he was not immediately Granville Yankees that Charles Griffin accepted. Perhaps in a search for was born on December 18, 1825, the "elegance and facility" his parents sent third of five children. him to St. Marys College in Bardstown,

2 Kentucky and later for a short while to young officer arrived in Mexico too late Kenyon College in nearby Gambier, to participate in the famous battles that Ohio. The Griffins enlisted the secured that nations capital for the assistance of Whig Congressman Joseph advancing American army but he Mathiot and renewed the application in marked himself as a thorough and 1843. He was selected and ordered to efficient officer. After the war Griffin report in July 1843. settled into the life of a career Army officer seeing a number of different Crucial Role at First Bull Run postings and assignments. He did see Griffins record at West Point considerable frontier duty in the West while not spectacular, was solid. He including an expedition against the graduated in July 1847, ranking 23rd in Navajo Indians. During this period his a class of 41. He excelled in contacts with Granville appear to have mathematics, but more importantly, he been limited. He returned for several formed relationships with many months in 1848 on sick leave. Also, he classmates who later became prominent seems to have been in the area during leaders during the Civil War. After September 1852 when his father graduation, he was commissioned in conveyed the family farm to him and the artillery and was immediately sent later in April 1854 when Griffin sold to command a unit in Mexico. The the family homestead to Levi Rose Jr.

Griffin, standing in tent opening, at left of Major General George Mead at Army of the Potomac Headquarters, 1865 Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Military history Institute

3 In September 1860, a time when While Griffin escaped this debacle the war clouds were gathering, Griffin unscathed, his unit was virtually returned east and accepted an annihilated and the cannon captured by assignment as artillery instructor at the equally surprised Confederates. The West Point. With the secession of the loss of this battery put the Confederates southern states and the outbreak of on the flank of the other Union battery hostilities, Griffin was promoted captain on Henry Hill, which then quickly and organized the so-called "West Point disintegrated under close range Battery," which received the Confederate volleys. The Union designation Battery D, Fifth Artillery. position then became untenable and the Griffin trained this battery to such a Union forces retreated turning into a level of proficiency that it was readily rout. Had the sound judgment of this acknowledged as the best artillery unit son of Granville been followed, the in the Union Army. Griffin and his Battle of Bull Run would in all battery played a spectacular part in the probability been a resounding Union Union attack at First Bull Run in July victory. It is interesting to speculate as 1861. During this climatic battle Griffin to how the war would have been and his battery played a key role that shortened and the course of American altered the outcome on that fateful day. history altered had this occurred.

After initial Union successes at Civil War Hero the outset of the battle, Griffin After the disaster of First Bull positioned his battery along the front Run, Griffin made his way back to line on Henry Hill. In a last ditch effort Washington D.0 with the routed Union to turn the tide, a portion of Stonewall army. A Board of Inquiry quickly Jacksons Confederates advanced exonerated him of any blame and he towards Griffins battery. Griffin best was recognized as one of the few Union describes what transpired: officers to come out of the battle with any credit to his military reputation. He was promoted to Major and assigned as "We had just arrived on Henry Hill for the chief of artillery in a division in the about 5 minutes when a regiment of newly formed Army of the Potomac. Confederates got over the fence in my front. I gave the command to one of my officers to Griffins accomplishments on fire upon then. He loaded the cannon with the battlefield were equally matched by canister and was about ready to fire upon his conquests in the social field. After them. General Barry rode up to me and Bull Run, in a whirlwind romance, he stated "Don't fire there, they are your courted and then married the eldest battery supports." I then told him that daughter of one of the countrys most they were Confederates, as certain as the distinguished and powerful families, world. Gen. Barry replied "I know they are Sallie Carroll. A family that claimed an your battery supports". I then sprang to my original signer of the Declaration of pieces and told my officer not to fire and he Independence, a former Governor of dropped the canister. The infantry regiment , and diplomats, the Carrolls marched towards us, fired, and that was the were considered the preeminent social end of us." and political family of Maryland. With a

4 father who was the clerk to the U.S. campaign that Griffin really Supreme Court and a brother, Samuel distinguished himself and won Carroll, who was a Union general, acknowledgment as one of the very best Griffins marriage could not but help his fighting generals in the Union army. military advancement. The wedding During the , was considered by many to be the social Griffins division fought with great event of the year in the capitol as it was distinction and Griffin first came to the attended by Mrs. , attention of U.S. Grant. Griffin was well cabinet members, and many ranking known throughout the army as generals. While little is known of Sallie possessing a temper and sharp tongue Carroll Griffin, she appears to have that at times equaled his military ability. been a spirited, intelligent woman with During a particularly desperate juncture a sense of adventure and independence of the battle Griffins troops were sent unusual for the time. Indeed, she often into the hottest part of the fighting accompanied her husband to the field without the support which had been and was not afraid to hold her ground promised. After his advance had been in a well-publicized spat with Mary checked with substantial loss Griffin Lincoln towards the wars end. rode angrily to army headquarters and confronted his superior, General Meade. At the beginning of the 1862 According to one account: campaigning, Griffin took part in the . Noted as a "Griffin stated loudly that he had " 3 "master tactician he was rapidly driven Ewell /4 of a mile but got no support promoted to Brigadier General and on his flanks and had to retreat. He implied commanded a brigade during the censure and lack of ability on Gen. Wright bloody Seven Days Battles. His unit was and on his corps commander, Gen. Warren. in the midst of the fighting at Gaines Grant, who was nearby, approached Meade Mills where his individual bravery after Griffin had left, and asked Meade under fire gained him the admiration "Who is this General Gregg? You ought to and confidence of his troops. He also arrest him". General Meade, who was well distinguished himself at the Battle of known for his own temper, soothingly Malvern Hill where his brigade helped responded to Grant that "It's Griffin, not to blunt several desperate Confederate Gregg, He's one of our best and it's only his attacks. Griffin participated in all the way of talking." major campaigns of the Army of the Potomac rising to division command in Despite this dubious first impression, December 1862. He missed most the Griffin proved his worth throughout the due to an illness 1864 campaign as his division acquired but upon his return was lifted by his the reputation of being the troops to men and carried among cheers upon count on in difficult situations. In this their shoulders to his headquarters. effort Griffin was ably assisted by one of While many troops on both sides would his brigade commanders, General begrudgingly admire their generals, this Joseph Chamberlain of Little Round display of affection was extremely Top fame at Gettysburg. The two unusual during the Civil War period. became fast friends and upon Griffins death, all of his war memorabilia was It was during the 1864 Virginia sent to Chamberlain.

5 Charles Griffin, at center with slouch hat, with his staff. After the battle of Five Forks he commanded the Fifth Corps whose flag with Maltese Cross flies at the left.

Perhaps Griffins finest hour Receives Surrender at Appomattox came in September 1864 at the Battle of Promoted to Major General, Pegrams Farm. In that engagement Griffin played a key role in the last acts Union forces looking to cut the of the dying war. During the key battle important Weldon Railroad were of Five Forks, he was put in command surprised and in danger of being of the Fifth Corps upon the routed. Again Griffins division was controversial dismissal of Gen. Warren. sent in to the point of greatest danger In this role he aggressively pursued and turned the tide. Riding ahead to the Lees army through Virginia finally scene of danger Griffin was described intercepting and bringing the proud thusly by a witness: remnants of the famed Army of Northern Virginia to bay at a small village called Appomattox Courthouse. "and amid it all then Gen. Griffin He there personally witnessed the came along, resolute, heroic, impressive and meeting between Grant and Lee and with assuring words and comforting was bestowed the honor by U.S. Grant promises of help. The wavering lines of arranging and accepting the stiffened, strong men were strengthened, surrender of Confederate forces. On the and the weak made strong. From now on it return to Washington D.0 after the was his fight and his presence in inspiring surrender, Griffin was informed of the the men was almost equal to the promised assassination of Lincoln, whom he support of his battalions. " much admired. What followed was a

6 most unusual and little-known meeting Reconstruction which afforded many of the leading generals of the Army. civil rights protections to the newly During this meeting it was agreed that freed slaves. To gain an appreciation for if the worst fears of the generals were the problems Griffin faced: the governor realized, if the government became was an ex-Confederate, the two U.S. inoperable and the nation thrown into Senators were uncompromising rebels, anarchy, then the army would march on the state legislature had passed the Washington and make Grant military notorious Black Codes, refused to dictator until constitutional government consider the 13 th Amendment, rejected could be restored. Fortunately, none of the 14th Amendment outright, proposed these apprehensions came true. to organize a state militia composed of former Confederates, blacks and After leading the Fifth Corps in Freedmans Bureau personnel were the Grand Review, Griffin, like most under constant harassment and in some regular army officers, cast about for cases, were being murdered and meaningful assignments. He was injured. Add to this that Indian posted to command the District of incursions required that most of the where he spent time with his troops sent to restore federal authority good friend Chamberlain and sat on were committed to frontier protection. various armament boards. Like most regular officers, Griffin was reduced in Griffin, while not politically rank to . Bored with the lack of active, was a die-hard Union man. challenges and the Washington social While it is unknown whether he scene, Griffin gladly jumped at the personally agreed with the opportunity for adventure and he was Reconstruction policies, as a sent to the Rio Grande frontier to report professional soldier, he was dedicated on the French intervention in Mexico. to following orders. It was these tough Shortly thereafter he was assigned to and reliable qualities which led U.S. command the 35 th U.S. Infantry, one of Grant and Gen. to select the occupation regiments assigned to him for this difficult post. Texas in July 1866. Enroute, he was designated to be the commander of the Griffin immediately set to work. Military district of Texas. In those communities where blacks and loyal Union citizens were harassed and Military Governor of Texas intimidated, soldiers were sent out to When Griffin arrived on the restore order and assist Freedmens Texas scene, he found the federal Bureau officers with their work. Reconstruction program in shambles. Protection was also provided to voting Texas and the other Confederate states registrars and Griffin oversaw an were still in the midst of post-Civil war aggressive effort to register newly occupation while the federal eligible black voters and to protect the government debated their status within registrars, a number of whom had been the reconstituted Union. While there murdered prior to his arrival. Griffin was a popularly elected civil also issued a public accommodations government, the military district law which was among the first in the commander was the ultimate authority nation that forbade discrimination within these states. Not surprisingly, based upon race. Griffin also took an ex-rebels were loath to submit to the interest in the number of blacks

7 incarcerated in Texas jails, particularly those who hate the government," Griffin in the state penitentiary. He obtained permission to remove the recommended that many prisoners be Governor and a number of other judges released because they were serving time and officials and to replace them with for crimes that would have merely loyal Union men. called for a whipping during the slavery period. He also publicly stated his Suddenly, when it appeared that belief that they were unfairly convicted Griffin was gaining the upper hand, a because Texas courts excluded blacks yellow fever epidemic swept up the from testifying and from being jury Texas coast from Mexico. Attention members. turned to fighting the dreaded disease that was killing thousands along the As might be expected, the Texas coastal areas and to sending supplies to civil authorities were outraged at these afflicted areas. With his headquarters in ideas and attempted to impede and Galveston, one of the worst hit spots, backslide at every opportunity. Griffin was tireless in his efforts to Undeterred, Griffin further issued an order allowing any military commander to take any case involving a black citizen out of civil or criminal court and send it to him for review. He then required that all potential jurors take an "ironclad oath" to serve which included a provision that one had never aided the Confederacy. This effectively limited jurors to blacks and pro-Union whites. He also authorized voting registrars to exclude any citizen who had latent Confederate sympathies. This was far and away the most aggressive implementation of Reconstruction policies and raised serious issues of military abridgment of civil government. The result was a vehement protest by the Governor that went all the way to Washington and brought in U.S. Grant. The commanding general of the army finally ruled that Griffins was perhaps overzealous and a number of reforms were rolled back. Griffin responded in kind and compiled sufficient evidence that the rise in crime and defiance of federal government was directly attributable to the "disloyal Governor and his civil officeholders". Citing the argument that "there is little Griffin Family Marker in the security for those in Texas who love the Old Colony Burying Ground government when the laws are executed by Granville, Ohio

8 combat the disease and bring in needed military physicians and medical and Willie s remains were there from supplies. The army authorities 1862 until they were transferred with recommended that he move himself those of his father to Springfield, Illinois and his family away until the epidemic in 1865. Griffins wife, Sallie, married passed with the cooler weather. Griffin Count Ezterhazy of Hungary and refused, likening his leaving to passed her remaining years in Europe. abandoning a post during battle. Tragically, Griffins family contracted Proud, brave, and at times the disease, his 5-year-old son Charles abrasive, Charles Griffin certainly C. Griffin died on September 5 th (His charted a path in American history that only other child, William died in is unequalled by any other individual infancy in 1864). Then Griffin himself who called Granville home. A ramrod fell ill and he died on September 15, stiff professional of exceptional ability, 1867 at the age of 41. he made major contributions on the battlefield and has been acknowledged Postscript by a pre-eminent Civil War scholar as Griffin s untimely death was a the best division commander in the disaster for the Reconstruction in Texas. Union army. Although a soldier by Replaced by a Democrat General who profession, he also demonstrated great was unsympathetic with the aims of zeal and ability in restoring the rule of Reconstruction, the civil rights law and implementing civil rights for measures implemented by Griffin were the newly freed blacks in post-war soon dismantled. On a personal level, Texas at a time when it was politically Griffins body (and that of his son) were unpopular to do so. With a life that was taken to Washington D.C. where they tragically cut off in its prime, Charles were interred in the mausoleum of the Griffin has unfairly slipped into the Carroll family at the historic Oak Hill pages of historical obscurity. His Cemetery. Interestingly, Griffin was gravestone inscription is but a simple buried in the same crypt where young "Honor the Brave". Having been Willie Lincoln had been interred. The forgotten by his hometown, this article Carrolls had offered the use of their is but a small attempt to rectify this tomb to the grieving Abraham Lincoln oversight. B. Kevin Bennett

The Civil War Roundtable

The final Spring meeting of the Civil War Roundtable will be held at 7:30 p. m. on May 19th at the Old Academy Building. Ted Collen, retired aerospace engineer, will present Aerostats Blue, Aerostats Gray, a look at the Union and Confederate balloon services.

9 The Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the Society was held April 14. The Reverend Jacob Little returned to Granville and read an excerpt from his famous New Years Sermons. The "congregation" sang a hymn especially Museum To Open April 25 written for the Reverend Littles return visit to Granville in 1874. He was The Museum will open for the portrayed by James Boggs and was season Saturday April 25, 1998. Regular introduced by his late parishioner, Elias museum hours until late October will be Gilman portrayed by Richard Sheils. Saturday and Sunday 1:00 - 4:00 p. m. Volunteers, under the direction of The annual election was held. Cynthia Cort have been reviewing the New officers elected by the members Museum holdings and recording them were: President, Maggie Brooks, and in appropriate data bases. Over the Vice President, Dick Daly. Lance years, records of acquisition and Clarke, John Kessler, and Tom Martin holdings have been kept in many were elected to the Board of different forms. Cynthia is leading the Management for three year terms. effort the to regularize these records in a comprehensive, searchable database which will allow the museum to better Board of Managers serve its patrons. During the Winter it of has become a tradition for volunteers to The Granville Historical Society show up on Wednesdays to help with this important project. President: Margaret Brooks Vice President Richard Daly On Saturday, January 24, Secretary John Senn volunteers worked on the Museum attic Treasurer David Neel (yes the Museum does have an attic with a high outside door facing St. Class of 1999 Lukes Church across the alley), and Florence Hoffman found many things that were "in Anthony Lisska storage." With dusting and cleaning, Richard Shiels many of these material are now integrated into museum displays. Class of 2000 George Wales has led the effort to paint Cynthia Cort and spruce up the interior of the George Wales museum so the displays visitors will see Clarke Wilhelm at the April 25 th opening will be both "new" and "old favorites" against a Class of 2001 fresh backdrop. The museum Lance Clarke committee hopes to eventually John Kessler concentrate the farm equipment Thomas Martin holdings into a display in the Old Academy Building.

10 The Old Colony Burying Ground The Old Academy Building

New in the Old Colony is a Members who attended the stone seating area near the flagpole. Annual Meeting admired the beautiful Designed to be appropriate for a 19th wooden floor in the Old Academy century cemetery, it was made possible Building which have been sanded and by a landscaping grant from the re-finished. Because of the attendant Granville Foundation. Walk up and dust, the windows were washed inside admire it. It represents a major step in and out and the curtains washed and the long range plan by the Old Colony ironed. The ceiling fans, gift of Marian Board and the Volunteer Corps to and Dick Mahard in 1994, have been transform the Old Colony into a cleaned and dusted. beautiful historic park which will be an asset to the community. Additional A paved walk and ramp to seating area are planned. enable handicapped person, or anyone who has trouble walking or climbing This Seasons work in the Old stairs will be installed this Spring. The Colony restoration received a "jump generosity of the Granville Rotary Club start" on April 4, when a group of 35 which donated funds for construction Denison fraternity and sorority and our good neighbor Richard members spent the morning cleaning Mahard, who will allow his driveway to up the grounds, pulling weeds and be used as a drop-off point, have made spreading mulch. Assisted by several possible this much needed facility. We members of the regular volunteer await approval of an Ohio Historic group, an impressive number of fallen Marker for the Old Academy. branches and weeds were dispatched. The Society is grateful to Richard Regular work days for the 1998 Mahard for his continued oversight and season will begin on May 9. Jim and work on this important historic Minxie Fannin, from Fannin-Lehner building. Preservation Associates in Concord, MA will be with us during the first two weeks on May and will direct the May 9 session. Their knowledge and HistoricalTimes Editorial Board enthusiasm is contagious, and everyone is welcome to pull on their jeans and Maggie Brooks, Flo Hoffman work shoes and come to help beginning Cookie Shields, Tony Lisska at 9:00 a.m. No special strength or skill is required. There are jobs for all! Please contact any member of the Board with questions, comments or Scheduled work days for this suggestions for future articles. season will be: Send mail to: May 9 June 6 June 27 July 18 The Granville Historical Society August 8 August 29 P. O. Box 129 September 19 October 10 Granville, OH 43023-0129 The Fannins will be with us again on August 8.

11 An unidentified Union Soldier of the Civil War

Original tintyppe from the Archives of the Granville Historical Society

Annual Old Colony Walking Tour, June 10, 1998

Don t miss the Annual Old Colony Walking Tour to be held on June 10 at 7:30 p.m! Charles Blanchard and his wife will tell you about their family and their furniture business on Mt. Vernon Road , now known as North Street. Learn more about Lucius Mower, one of early Granville s most prominent and successful business men whose early death nearly caused a financial panic in the community. Theolophilus Rees will greet you at the large gate to the cemetery. Refreshments information and images will follow the tour at the Old Academy Building. Bring the family and join us on this June evening.