"The Soldier's Relief Sewing Society – It has been in existence about four months, during which time it has forwarded two boxes full of the necessary articles . . . the wounded or sick self-sacrificing patriot soldier, will not seek in vain for rest and comfort in the hospital. To such ladies we can safely commit the training of another generation, without fear for their patriotism."
The date was March 15, 1862, and the article about Sinking Spring of Brush Creek Township appeared in a local newspaper. Several generations later, soldiers from the Civil War to the present are being honored by residents of Brush Creek Township in a more permanent way.
After two years of research, leg work and help from people living in places across the United States, "The Military History of Brush Creek Township, Highland County, Ohio" will soon be published. The book is a project of the Brush Creek Bicentennial Festival Committee and was compiled by Brush Creek Township resident Dwight Crum.
"The book serves historical and genealogical purposes," Crum said. "We (Crum and wife, Betty) covered as many members of the military with a connection to Brush Creek Township as we could find."
Intriguing stories of the men and women are brought to life throughout the book in newspaper articles, personal writings and over 300 photographs. Whenever possible, the book includes personal data about the soldiers such as names of parents and spouses, pertinent dates and location of burial.
"In gathering information, I visited the National Archives in Washington, D.C., the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus and the court houses in Adams, Highland and Pike counties," said Crum. "We made hundreds of contacts with people all over the United States, who supplied us with information and pictures."
The book is arranged in sections, some giving personal data, others telling interesting stories of the soldiers' lives overseas and on the home front.
In the first section, genealogy enthusiasts will find statistics about the soldiers' birth and death dates, time of service, rank, outfit, parents, spouses, major battles and campaigns, decorations and citations.
One section lists 31 soldiers who died while in the service, and another tells the story of a Brush Creek soldier from the 175th Ohio Volunteer Infantry who was second in command of an entire regiment.
Family members have submitted personal writings received from soldiers away from home to be submitted in the book. One was a poem written by a severely injured soldier as he lay in a southern hospital. The soldier's brother from Sinking Spring tried to reach him, but before he could get there, the soldier died. The brother returned home to their grieving family with the poem. Many such stories fill the pages of the book.
Anyone interested in a copy of the military history book may contact Dwight Crum at (937) 588-0015. Book orders are are being accepted until Oct. 21 at a special pre-publication price.
