Trending
Did you know there was a Civil War soldier training camp in Warren, Ohio? And who was Henry Harrison Abell?
Henry Harrison Abell, born in Bazetta in 1841, enlisted in Company C of the 19th Ohio Infantry in May 1861 with a three-months enlistment. He enlisted again in Company L of the 6th Ohio Cavalry in October and served for the remainder of the year.
The 6th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry was trained at Camp Hutchins in Warren, according to the Trumbull County Historical Society. More than 800 soldiers comprised the cavalry.
Camp Hutchins only remained in use until the end of 1861. During training, the regiment received support from the Warren community in the form of a Thanksgiving feast, a Christmas Eve ball in Warren's Gaskill House and a New Year's picnic.
"A beautiful stand of colors was provided by the 'Mothers and Sisters of the Regiment.' Its azure canopy was dotted with stars speaking of freedom and featured a full-fledged eagle, bearing in his powerful talons, arrows for the hearts of the invaders and the generous olive branch for yielding foes.
Warren sent off the 6th Cavalry with waving flags, campfires, thronged barracks and soldiers at drill. Crowds gathered to wish the soldiers “God Speed” as they departed on their high and dangerous mission. He was promoted to second lieutenant in December, taking part in battle in the Shenandoah Valley, including Bull Run, Beverly Ford and Five Forks. At Aldie, Virginia, Abell led a cavalry charge against Col. Thomas T. Munford's Confederate forces and was cited by Gen. Hugh Kilpatrick himself for gallantry. When Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered, the 6th Ohio Cavalry escorted General Ulysses S. Grant from Appomattox Courthouse to Burkesville Station. The 6th Ohio Cavalry would march one final time in the Grand Review of the Armies in May 1865.
After the war ended, Abell joined the civilian ranks of the 7th Regiment of Cavalry under George A. Custer in 1866. Abell was posted at Fort Morgan and promoted to first lieutenant in 1867. By June, his company was posted at Fort Reynolds, Colorado, where he remained most the year on scouting duty and as adjutant of the company commander, Capt. Gillette.
Abell resigned at the end of 1870 citing a need to handle personal affairs. He died in 1883 and is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Sharon, Pa.
Taylor Galaska is president and marketing director for the Sharon Historical Society.