A Historical Sketch of Company "B," Eighteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry

A vivid, first‑person account brings to life the brief but intense three‑month service of an Ohio volunteer infantry company at the outbreak of the Civil War. Readers hear the solemn prayers in the Congregational church, the presentation of pocket New Testaments, and the proud unveiling of a silk flag sewn by local women. Captain Frank Buell’s pledge and the community’s rousing send‑off set the tone for a story that captures both personal conviction and collective patriotism.

The narrative follows the company’s journey down the Muskingum Valley, where each stop erupts in cheers, salutes, and impromptu brass‑band performances. From heartfelt embraces at the depot to enthusiastic receptions in towns like Lowell, Beverly, and Windsor, the author records the palpable excitement of neighbors rallying around the volunteers. This sketch preserves the sights, sounds, and emotions of those early days, offering listeners a window into the spirit that propelled ordinary citizens into the ranks of the Union army.