David Tod Speech Regarding Morgan's Raid

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Governor Tod to the People of 
Ohio 
The State of Ohio, 
Executive Department, 
Columbus, July 26, 1863. 
To the People of the State: 
The exciting and important events which 
have transpired within the past two weeks, 
make the present moment a fitting one for the 
Chief Executive to address you. 
Late in the night of the 12th instant I re- 
ceived reliable information that a well organ- 
ized rebel force of cavalry and artillery, sup- 
posed to exceed five thousand in number, under 
the lead of the notorious John Morgan, was 
about to enter the Southwestern portion of our 
State.  Availing myself of the power given me 
by the Constitution and Laws, I at once, by 
Proclamation, called out for the defense of the 
State, that portion of its organized militia 
forces residing within the counties supposed to 
be in danger.  As these organizations were 
only consummated by the election of company 
officers on the 4th instant, but few returns had 
been made; hence, it was quite uncertain what 
the actual number embraced in the call would 
be.  The route the enemy would take was also 
uncertain.  It was believed, however, that 
the capital of our State was altogether the most 
attractive point for the enemy.  This point af- 
forded a richer field for plunder than any other 
within his reach, and in addition to this there 
was at Camp Chase over a thousand rebel pris- 
oners, many of whom, including his Chief of 
Staff, had been captured from Morgan's band 
Hence to this point was ordered a larger force 
of the militia than to any other. 
The other points named, outside of Cincin- 
nati, for the assemblage of the militia, were 
Camp Dennison, Chillicothe, Portsmouth and 
Marietta.  The response to the call, at all the 
points, was most gratifying.  With but very 
few individual exceptions, the men called into 
service, forgetting everything but duty, prompt- 
ly and cheerfully repaired to the camps as- 
signed them, and when en route for camp, while 
there, and when returning to their respective 
homes, conducted themselves in a manner most 
creditable.  The people of the State should 
ever hold in grateful remembrance the men 
who thus won so much character for our State. 
The few who endeavored to escape a full per- 
formance of duty will be frowned upon and de- 
spised by all good citizens, and this is the se- 
verest punishment that can be inflicted upon a 
fellow citizen. 
The large militia force assembled near Co- 
lumbus, kept the enemy from attempting an at- 
tack upon this place.  All the other points in- 
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dicated for the assemblage of the militia were 
felt of by the enemy, and, but for their pres- 
ence, would have been sacked and pillaged. 
From these several points, large numbers of 
the militia moved promptly out and partici- 
pated with the Federal forces in the numerous 
skirmished and engagements that took place 
with the enemy; and in every instance, save 
one, behaved with great gallantry and bravery. 
The exception referred to, was the surrender of 
about three hundred and fifty, under command 
of Col. Sontag, near Portsmouth.  The men 
comprising this command are all indignant at 
the conduct of their commanding officer, and 
are in nowise responsible for the disgrace that 
attaches to the surrender.  The conduct of Col. 
Sontag, although a volunteer officer without ap- 
pointment or commission, shall be inquired in- 
to.  I am not now in possession of information 
which would enable me to do justice to all the 
officers in command of these various organiza- 
tions. 
I can, however, bear testimony to the zeal 
and efficiency of the several military commit- 
tees of the counties traversed by the enemy; 
their services were invaluable to the State.- 
When in possession of full information, I will, 
at a future day, do justice to the  many gallant 
officers, who so generously devoted themselves 
to the interests of the State in this Crisis. 
The enemy entered the State on the night of 
the twelfth instant, in the north-west corner of 
Hamilton county, closely pursued by a large 
Federal force, and passing through the counties 
of Butler, Warren, Clermont, Brown, Adams, 
Pike, Jackson, Gallia, Meigs, Vinton, Hocking, 
Athens, Washington, Morgan, Muskingum, 
Guernsey, Belmont, Harrison and Jefferson, 
was finally captured near New Lisbon, in 
Columbiana county, this day, about three 
o'clock P. M.  More or less skirmishing and 
fighting took place all along the route-but the 
two principal engagements were near Buffing- 
ton's Island, in Meigs county, on the nine- 
teenth instant, and near Salineville, Colum- 
biana county, this morning, at eight o'clock 
A. M.  At the first of these engagements, our 
forces, consisting of a cavalry and artillery 
force of regular troops, and of the militia there 
assembled, were under the command of Gen- 
erals Hobson and Shackelford, aided materially 
by a naval force on the river at that point.  At 
the second engagement, near Salineville, our 
forces, consisting of the 9th Michigan Cavalry, 
and our militia forces, were under command of 
Major Way. 
In the first of these engagements the enemy 
lost in killed, wounded and prisoners about 
twenty five hundred; in the second, about 
three hundred.  The final surrender to General